| Title | Energy Harvesting for Self Powered Sensor Systems - Case Study: Vibration Energy Harvesting for ‘Intelligent Tire’ Application - |
| Author | *Rob van Schaijk, Rene Elfrink, Valer Pop, Ruud Vullers (Imec / Holst Centre, Netherlands) |
| Page | pp. 141 - 146 |
| Abstract | Wireless autonomous sensor systems become steadily standard components in our environment and they become smaller, cheaper and more sophisticated. System autonomy during its intended lifetime is not reached in case batteries are used due to size limitations and the need to recharge. Aim is to generate and store power at the micro-scale to improve autonomy and reduce size. Energy harvesters fabricated by micro-system technology can realize this goal. The choice of harvesting principle depends on the application and vibration, thermal, photovoltaic and radiofrequency power conversions are investigated at imec/Holst Centre. An overview of latest results and remaining challenges will be given with the focus on vibration energy harvester. Vibration energy harvesters are of specific interest for machine environments where sinusoidal vibrations or repetitive shocks are present. In this presentation the application focus will be on tire pressure monitoring
systems (TPMS) and `intelligent tire' applications. Measuring pressure and in the future more vital parameters, like e.g. forces, will improve safety and reduce fuel consumption. Vibration energy harvesters can provide sufficient power to accommodate autonomy in these applications. The design and characterization of piezo-electric energy harvesters will be presented together with dedicated power management solutions. Also the `intelligent tire' concept will be introduced and system optimization of fully autonomous wireless sensor systems mounted in the tire will be discussed. |
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