Development and Theoretical Modeling of a Linear Electromagnetic Shock Absorber for Vibration Energy Harvesting

This paper presents the development and theoretical modeling of a linear electromagnetic regenerative shock absorber designed for vibration energy harvesting in vehicular suspension systems. Conventional shock absorbers dissipate mechanical vibration energy as heat, leading to significant energy loss. The proposed system aims to recover a portion of this otherwise wasted energy and convert it into usable electrical power. The design integrates axially magnetized Neodymium Iron Boron ring magnets mounted on a vertically moving shaft that passes through a stationary multilayer copper coil assembly. Suspension-induced oscillatory motion causes relative movement between the magnets and coil, resulting in time-varying magnetic flux. According to electromagnetic induction principles, this flux variation generates an induced voltage across the coil terminals. A coupled electromechanical mathematical model is developed to describe the dynamic behavior of the system. The mechanical subsystem is modeled as a spring-mass-damper system subjected to road excitation, while the electrical subsystem is governed by Faraday’s law of induction. Simulation analysis demonstrates that the proposed design can generate significant voltage output under moderate vibration conditions while simultaneously providing electromagnetic damping. The study highlights the feasibility of integrating regenerative suspension systems in electric and hybrid vehicles to enhance overall energy efficiency and reduce energy dissipation in conventional damping mechanisms.