Energy Harvesting From Mechanical Footstep: Design And Optimization

Abstract

The untapped energy generated by human footsteps is a neglected potential, overlooked by many countries. Despite its abundance in various settings, such as public spaces and walkways, this valuable resource remains largely wasted due to insufficient harnessing measures. The promise of contributing to sustainable energy solutions remains unfulfilled due to inadequate implementation and the absence of effective systems capable of capturing and converting this latent energy into practical forms. This study comprises the design and analysis of a footstep harvesting module under different type of material with same loading using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation. A minimalistic approach has been adopted throughout the design of the footstep harvester. In this paper, the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model and static structural analysis of the footstep harvester module are run using Solidworks software. The innovative footstep energy harvester concept capitalizes on two power generators tailored to meet exacting criteria: 24V, 2A, and 300rpm. Findings from comprehensive assessments led to the identification of a 5mm-thick aluminium alloy as the optimal material for the top panel. This choice was validated by its exceptional blend of energy conversion efficiency, durability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Calculations underscored the device's prowess, revealing its capacity to harvest a formidable 16 watts of energy through the utilization of dual motor generators for each footstep.