Nonlinear energy harvesting system with multiple stability

Abstract: The nonlinear energy harvesting systems of the forced vibration with an electron-mechanical coupling are widely used to capture ambient vibration energy and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, the nonlinear response mechanism of the friction induced vibration (FIV) energy harvesting system with multiple stability and stick-slip motion is still unclear. In the current paper, a novel nonlinear energy harvesting model with multiple stability of single-, double- and triple-well potential is proposed based on V-shaped structure spring and the belt conveying system. The dynamic equations for the energy harvesting system with multiple stability and self-excited friction are established by using Euler-Lagrangian equations. Secondly, the nonlinear restoring force, friction force, and potential energy surfaces for static characteristics of the energy harvesting system are obtained to show the nonlinear varying stiffness, multiple equilibrium points, discontinuous behaviors and multiple well response. Then, the equilibrium surface of bifurcation sets of the autonomous system is given to show the third-order quasi zero stiffness (QZS3), fifth-order quasi zero stiffness (QZS5), double well (DW) and triple well (TW). Furthermore, the response amplitudes of charge, current, voltage and power of the forced electron-mechanical coupled vibration system for QZS3, QZS5, DW and TW are analyzed by using the numerically solution. Finally, a prototype of FIV energy harvesting system is manufactured and the experimental system is setup. The experimental work of static restoring force, damping force and electrical output are well agreeable with the numerical results, which testified the proposed FIV energy harvesting model.