Design and on-site alert effect of piezoelectric device with amplified displacement for improving clean-energy collection

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2024-10, Vol.307, p.132812, Article 132812
• Main Authors: Wang, Chaohui, Liu, Jikang, Yuan, Huazhi, Wang, Shuai, Jia, Xiaodong, Lu, Qiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Displacement amplification; Early alert; Electrical properties; Piezoelectric energy harvesting; Road engineering; Traffic induced vibration
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132812

The installation of road alert devices leads to increased power consumption and electric network complexity on roads, which can be mitigated by cantilever piezoelectric transducers applicable to self-powered road alert devices. However, currently the cantilever piezoelectric transducer does not match the actual pavement deformation. In view of this, the link-type stroke amplification mechanism for road was designed. Then, the factors influencing the magnification were clarified and the size parameters were optimized. Finally, the performance of the piezoelectric transducer array under the amplification mechanism was investigated, and the traffic alert application effect of the amplified displacement road piezoelectric device was tested. The results showed that: The end connecting rod with short length and small distance and the middle connecting rod with longer length were favorable to the magnification. The theoretical magnification of the fabricated stroke amplification mechanism is 2.0. Under its action, the 0.7 mm excitation displacement could result in piezoelectric transducer array electrical outputs of 48 V, 103.96 mW, and power densities of 32.1 W/m2. And the alert piezoelectric self-powered effect was good based on the actual road test. The results will help improve the level of road alert self-powered, and promote the development of clean energy on the road. •The amplification mechanism that can amplify pavement deformation is designed.•The electrical output of the transducer under real pavement deformation is improved.•The self-powered alerting effect is proved to be effective after the real road test.