Modeling analysis and experiments of a novel hydro-pneumatic suspension with piezoelectric energy harvester

Abstract With the rapid development of the semiconductor field, the application of micro-electro-mechanical systems embedded in smart devices and driverless vehicles is gradually widespread, and the problem of the self-powered of devices has gradually been attention. Hence, this study propose a novel hydro-pneumatic suspension system by embedding piezoelectric energy harvester into hydro-pneumatic suspensions, which makes the suspension structure simple and achieves the effect of self-powered for the monitoring and the diagnostics of a vehicle or its subsystems. The mathematical model of intermediate fixed piezoelectric energy harvester with hydro-pneumatic suspension was established. The influence of hydraulic component and exitation parameters of suspension system on damping force and power is analyzed. Numerical simulation proves that the novel hydro-pneumatic suspension with piezoelectric energy harvester is justified to achieve self-powered. The bench test proves the accuracy of some of the conclusions of the simulation and the feasibility of the structure.