A novel asymmetric tri-stable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester for low-orbit vibration energy harvesting enhancement

This study introduces an innovative asymmetric tri-stable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (ATPVEH) augmented with an elastic base (EB), aimed at optimizing energy capture from low-orbit vibrations. This design incorporates a uniquely configured asymmetric tri-stable piezoelectric cantilever beam, positioned within a U-shaped block that is further enhanced by an elastic base. A strategically placed spring (kf)–mass (Mf) system, situated between the U-shaped block and the constrained end of the beam, significantly boosts the vertical displacement of the beam during vibrational events. We developed a dynamic model for the ATPVEH+EB utilizing Lagrange’s equations, exploring the impact of various factors—including the asymmetry of the potential well, the stiffness of the elastic base, the mass of the spring–mass system, and the load resistance—on the system’s nonlinear dynamic responses. Our findings indicate that the ATPVEH+EB facilitates more efficient energy harvesting from low-orbit vibrations, demonstrating dual response peaks across its operational frequency spectrum. Notably, the displacement and output voltage amplitudes of the ATPVEH+EB can be enhanced by increasing mf or decreasing kb, whereas the peak output power transitions toward a lower frequency range as the load resistance escalates. Both theoretical analyses and numerical simulations corroborate the ATPVEH+EB’s superior performance in harvesting energy within low-orbit vibrational environments.