An Innovative Energy Harvesting Shock Absorber System Using Cable Transmission

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative design of an energy harvesting shock absorber using cable transmission called cable dynamics energy harvesting shock absorber (CD-EHSA). It includes the design, modeling, bench experiments, and road tests results. Experimental tests are carried out with the CD-EHSA system in an MTS 835 machine, in order to analyze its behavior and validate the computational model of the CD-EHSA with the tests carried out on the actual component. Likewise, the paper presents the results of recovered electric power by the system during road tests at a speed between 20 and 30\xa0km/h. With four CD-EHSA installed in a Renault Twizy, an average power of 105\xa0W and power peaks of 400–500\xa0W when passing through speed bumps are obtained. The designed system mechanical can reach an efficiency of around 60%.