Increased energy harvesting and reduced accelerative load for backpacks via frequency tuning. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Longhan; Cai, Mingjing
• Is Part Of: Mechanical systems and signal processing. Volume 58/59(2015)
• Page Start: 399
• Page End: 415
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Frequency tuning -- Energy harvesting -- Suspended backpack; Structural dynamics -- Periodicals; Vibration -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Dynamique -- Périodiques; Vibration -- Périodiques; Structural dynamics; Vibration; Periodicals; 621
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ymssp.2015.01.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0888-3270

Abstract

Abstract: In this research, a backpack-based frequency-tuneable harvesting device was developed to harvest part of the human kinetic energy during walking and to relieve part of the accelerative load of the backpack from the bearer. The harvester employed a tuning mechanism to adjust the stretch ratio of the springs to adjust the system׳s stiffness so that the harvesting device can work in an appropriate status to generate more power and relieve a greater load from the bearer. The analysis indicates that adjusting the stiffness harvesting system to fit well with various external excitation conditions, can not only achieve more power output but also relieve part of the accelerative load from the bearer; and the experimental results agreed with the simulation. Compared with previous work, the harvester in this work had a higher efficiency in energy harvesting and could relieve an increased accelerative load from the bearer. Abstract : Highlights: To embed into a backpack to generate electricity during human walking, the harvester can provide continuous power to portable electronics. To adjust the harvesting system to match various external conditions by tuning the stiffness of springs in the harvester through a tuning mechanism, which can improve the efficiency of energy harvesting and reduce the accelerative load on the bearer. Compared with previous works, the harvester presented here had a higher energy-harvesting efficiency and relieved more of the accelerative load on the bearer in various external conditions.