Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting via Impact-Driven Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy harvesting technologies for ocean wave and wind energy are expensive and bulky, making them inefficient for generating electricity from natural resources.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus comprising a housing, a piezoelectric module with oscillating piezoelectric wafers, a resilient member, and an impact unit that converts ambient natural forces into oscillatory movements to generate electricity, allowing for easy manufacturing and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional ocean wave or wind electricity generation facilities are used, then electric power can be generated from natural energy resources, but the facilities are expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric module is divided into multiple piezoelectric wafer units, each comprising individual piezoelectric wafers with electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to generate electricity through small-scale oscillations rather than requiring large bulky facilities, directly resolving the contradiction between power generation capability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional large-scale mechanical energy conversion systems with a piezoelectric-based system. The piezoelectric wafer units convert mechanical oscillation directly into electrical energy through the piezoelectric effect, eliminating the need for expensive and bulky conventional generators while maintaining power generation capability
2Productivity
If piezoelectric wafer units are clamped and hung by resilient members, then oscillation movement is transmitted to generate electricity, but the system requires precise resonance frequency matching
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient members are designed with adjustable properties to dynamically tune the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric module. This allows the system to adapt to different oscillation frequencies from natural sources like ocean waves or wind, maintaining high electricity generation efficiency without requiring complex fixed-frequency mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in the resonance frequency by adjusting the resilient members' properties. This flexibility allows the piezoelectric module to operate efficiently across a range of frequencies from different natural energy sources, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus efficiently converts ocean wave and wind energy into electricity through harmonic oscillations of piezoelectric wafers, enabling continuous power generation with adjustable resonance frequency, reducing the costs and bulkiness of energy harvesting systems.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric wafer unit includes a piezoelectric wafer, and two electric power output electrodes respectively and electrically coated on two opposite surfaces of the piezoelectric wafer
Implementation Method 2
The resilient member resiliently hangs the clamp unit to transmit an oscillation movement to the clamp unit
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus includes a housing and a piezoelectric module disposed in the housing. The piezoelectric module includes a piezoelectric wafer unit and a clamp unit clamping the piezoelectric wafer unit. A resilient member is connected between the clamp unit and an inner wall of the housing to transmit an oscillation movement to the clamp unit, which in turn causes oscillation of the piezoelectric wafer unit for generating an electric power. An impact unit extends movably into the housing and is capable of pushing the clamp unit against the resilient member when being subjected to an ambient natural force such that the resilient member generates the oscillation movement.