Design and Performance Analysis of a Vehicle Vibration Energy Harvester Based on Piezoelectric Technology with Nonlinear Magnetic Coupling

To address the waste of mechanical energy from suspension vibrations during vehicle operation, this study proposes a vehicle suspension vibration energy harvester based on the piezoelectric effect and nonlinear magnetic coupling. It aims to recover the mechanical energy generated by suspension vibrations in the course of vehicle operation. The device adopts a multi-cantilever beam array structure. Permanent magnets are symmetrically arranged on the free ends of cantilevers and suspension springs, which enables non-contact excitation and system frequency regulation. It converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by virtue of the direct piezoelectric effect. A finite element simulation model was developed in the study. A dedicated vibration test platform was also constructed. Experimental results show the following performance: Under the operating conditions of 16.75 Hz excitation frequency and 10 kΩ load resistance, a single cantilever beam can generate a peak voltage of 9.59 V. Its maximum output power reaches 7.67 mW. Under simulated Class D road conditions and at a vehicle speed of 90 km/h, the array made up of eight cantilever beams delivers a total output power of 414.37 mW. This study provides a viable technical solution for vehicle suspension vibration energy recovery. It promotes the full utilization of wasted energy, and it is of great significance for advancing sustainable development in the transportation sector.