Research on Vibration Energy Harvesting Technology Driven by Mechanical Intelligence

Abstract

In light of the explosive growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the global push toward carbon neutrality, vibration energy harvesting (VEH) has emerged as a promising solution to meet the decentralized power demands of wireless sensor networks. However, conventional linear VEH systems suffer from critical limitations, including narrow operational bandwidths (typically less than 3 Hz) and low energy conversion efficiencies (often below 30%), making them unsuitable for dynamic and unpredictable environmental conditions. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a novel VEH system enhanced by mechanical intelligence. Three key innovations are highlighted: (1) a variable stiffness mechanism that dynamically tunes system resonance, effectively expanding the operational bandwidth to 7 Hz; (2) a multi-degree-of-freedom adaptive framework that enables directional vibration capture, achieving an impressive efficiency of up to 82.5%; and (3) a biomimetic structural design inspired by natural systems, which maintains stable power density under fluctuating input conditions. These advances significantly enhance the adaptability, efficiency, and practical deployment potential of VEH technology in real-world IoT applications.