This technology is a road-based energy harvesting device consisting of a top plate that moves downward under vehicle load, a first sidewall extending downward from it, a second sidewall connected to the top plate via an elastic body with a vertically attached piezoelectric element plate, and a displacement amplifier connecting the two sidewalls, all supported by a support member on the bottom plate.
Existing road-based energy harvesting devices, which generate electricity from vehicle vibrations by embedding piezoelectric elements under the road, offered good durability and prevented road damage. However, they were limited by very low power output because the displacement transmitted from the road surface was too small to sufficiently deform the piezoelectric elements.
This technology positions the support member closer to the first sidewall than the second, allowing the displacement amplifier to rotate like a lever. As the first sidewall moves down slightly, the opposite end lifts or strikes the second sidewall more forcefully, increasing the amplitude of the plate's vibration. The displacement of the second sidewall is determined by the support position and the maximum compression length of the elastic body, while a mass attached to the end of the plate extends the vibration. Additionally, solar panels on the top plate can supplement power generation during the day. Applicable to bus lanes, industrial roads with heavy truck traffic, parking lot entrances/exits, and deceleration zones before crosswalks, this system maintains minimal road surface subsidence while delivering amplified displacement to the piezoelectric elements, thereby boosting power generation efficiency without damaging the road.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development and demonstration of piezoelectric energy harvesters to utilize untapped road traffic energy.
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