Broadband performance of a piezoelectric energy harvester based on the internal resonance of buckled beam

Nonlinear internal resonance mechanism is exploited in piezoelectric vibration energy harvesting (PVEH) for the purpose of broadening the resonance band. Conventional linear energy harvester has narrow operating bandwidth. In this research, a buckled piezoelectric beam structure with preload under transverse excitation is investigated to demonstrate the superiority of internal resonance. The condition for 2:1 internal resonance could be established by truncating the continuum beam with geometrical nonlinearity. Integro–partial–differential equations are derived for governing transverse motion measured from a stable equilibrium position. At specific initial axial compressive force, two modes are coupled through the internal resonance interaction. For weak nonlinear perturbations, multiple scales method is used to explore the amplitude-frequency responses of the buckled beam system under primary resonance with 2:1 internal resonance. Numerical examples demonstrate that the resonance bandwidth is broadened thanks to the coexistence of softening and hardening nonlinear characteristics. Moreover, validity of the approximate analytical method is demonstrated by comparing with simulation. Furthermore, the optimal resistance is discussed with a pure resistive load. This research on the internal resonance of buckled beam provides a basis for structure design and optimization in broadband PVEH.