Dynamic Analysis and Resonance Control of a Tunable Pendulum Energy Harvester Using Cone-Based Continuously Variable Transmission

This paper investigates the design and performance of a tunable pendulum energy harvester (TPEH) integrated with cone continuously variable transmission (CVT) to enhance energy harvesting efficiency in broadband and non-stationary vibrational environments. The cone CVT mechanism enables the tunability of the harvester’s natural frequency, allowing it to dynamically adapt and maintain resonance across varying excitation frequencies. A specific focus is placed on the system’s behavior under chirp signal base excitation, which simulates a time-varying frequency environment. Experimental and analytical approaches are employed to evaluate the system’s dynamic response, energy output, and frequency adaptation capabilities. The results demonstrate that the proposed TPEH system achieves significant energy harvesting performance improvements by leveraging the cone CVT to optimize power generation under resonance conditions. The system is also shown to be effective in maintaining stable operation over a wide range of frequencies, demonstrating its versatility for real-world vibrational energy harvesting applications. This research highlights the importance of tunability in energy harvesting systems and the role of mechanical transmission mechanisms in improving adaptability. The proposed design has strong potential for applications in environments with non-stationary vibrations, such as transportation systems, industrial machinery, and infrastructure monitoring.