Human Motion Spectrum-Based 2-DOF Energy Harvesting Device: Design Methodology and Experimental Validation

In this paper, a macro-scale 2-DOF energy harvester (EH) prototype is designed based on the human motion frequency range and bandwidth. Harvester parameters are selected according to the concept of the vibration absorber to achieve two close resonance frequencies at +/-20% of the mean frequency of the frequency range 1-10 Hz, which matches the human motion. Simulation and experimental work are carried out to validate the design parameters and the system performance. The harvester is subjected to harmonic accelerations within 1g which represents the dominant acceleration of the human motion. The proposed device provides a power of at least 18 mu W in between the two close resonant peaks of 4 Hz and 6 Hz, which is the target frequency range. The device shows high power per square of the mean frequency compared to the reported harvesters in the literature. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.