Piezoelectric Membrane Energy Harvester for Random Impact Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy recovery devices are inefficient in converting impact energy from objects due to random and discrete impact locations, and are not optimized for transverse shocks, leading to low energy recovery efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a suspended membrane made of piezoelectric or electroactive material, where electrodes cover the entire length of the membrane, allowing for uniform energy conversion regardless of impact location, and featuring a perforated design for efficient object evacuation and increased deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piezoelectric element is placed in a flow of liquid parallel to the surface, then the device can operate continuously, but the energy recovery from impact is not optimal because the impacts are random and discrete
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is divided into multiple segments along its largest dimension, with electrodes distributed across these segments. This segmentation allows different portions of the element to respond to impacts at different locations, improving overall energy recovery from random impacts while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates electrodes on either side of the piezoelectric material's surface that extend along the largest dimension, creating localized sensing and energy conversion zones distributed across the element. This local quality enhancement ensures that impacts at any location can be effectively captured and converted to electrical energy
2Device complexity
If the piezoelectric element is designed for uniform continuous stressing, then the structure is simple, but it is not adapted to be deformed optimally for transverse shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is designed with suspended ends that allow it to deform dynamically in response to transverse shocks. The element can bend and flex along its length, optimizing the deformation pattern for impact energy capture while maintaining a simple overall structure without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates electrodes extending along the largest dimension of the piezoelectric element, adding a dimensional aspect to the energy conversion. This extended electrode arrangement allows the element to capture energy from impacts occurring at various positions along its length, transforming a one-dimensional stress response into a multi-dimensional energy harvesting system
3Productivity
If the piezoelectric structure is deformed by periodic support of bubbles at a specific location, then energy can be recovered, but the device is only effective if impacts occur at that specific location
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric element is segmented into multiple sections with distributed electrodes along its largest dimension. This segmentation creates multiple effective impact zones, so that impacts at any location along the element can be captured, eliminating the need for precise impact positioning while maintaining high energy recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform the energy recovery function across its entire surface area, not just at a specific location. The distributed electrodes and suspended configuration give the element universal responsiveness to impacts anywhere along its length, making it adaptable to random impact patterns from raindrops, powder, grains, or other objects
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 solution enhances energy recovery efficiency by minimizing the impact of impact location and increasing sensitivity to mechanical stress, allowing for uniform energy conversion across the membrane surface, even with random impacts, and optimizing energy recovery from various sources like raindrops and solid particles.
Implementation Method 1
an element made of material capable of generating an electrical voltage under the application of a mechanical stress
Implementation Method 2
a membrane made of an electroactive material, the material being capable of producing an electrical signal in response to a variation of its deformation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for converting the mechanical energy of impacts of objects into electric energy, that comprises a frame, a membrane (2) suspended on said frame by at least first (4) and second (8) longitudinal ends, said membrane (2) being impacted by said objects in a direction (18) essentially transverse to the average plane of the membrane (2), said membrane (29 including a core (12) of a material for transducing the mechanical energy into electric energy and extending from the first longitudinal end (4) to the second longitudinal end (8), and at least one electrode (14) on the first face of the core and at least one electrode (16) on the second face of the core (12), said electrodes (14) extending from the first (4) to the second (8) longitudinal ends.