Search

In recent years, global warming is a serious international problem. We focused on dielectric elastomer power generation to solve the problem. The dielectric elastomer generation has characteristics such as compactness and flexibility. The dielectric elastomer generation can harvest electric energy from renewable energy sources such as sea wave, wind, and human motion. However, the dielectric elastomer generation has a weakness dependent on an external power supply. In this paper, we proposed a self-excited dielectric elastomer generation circuit using piezoelectric elements. As a circuit verification method, circuit simulations are performed using MATLAB / Simulink, and the circuit behavior is confirmed from the results. From results, it is considered that dielectric elastomer generation can be performed without using the external power supply.

Dielectric elastomer generation is a power generation method that converts various mechanical energies into electric energy by using a dielectric elastomer. Dielectric elastomer generation can harvest electric energy from renewable energy sources such as sea wave power, hydraulic power (Karman vortex), and wind power. Practical application of dielectric elastomer generation faces various issues; however, this paper will focus on an electrical problem of a dielectric elastomer generation circuit. The dielectric elastomer generation circuit needs an external power supply to charge the dielectric elastomer before starting the electric generation. Additionally, the dielectric elastomer generation circuit requires a high DC voltage. In this paper, we propose a self-excited dielectric elastomer generation circuit using piezoelectric elements. The proposed circuit consists of piezoelectric elements, the Cockcroft-Walton circuit, the dielectric elastomer, and the ringing choke converter. In the proposed circuit, the piezoelectric element is vibrated to generate a voltage, and the generated voltage is boosted to a high voltage value for charging the dielectric elastomer by the Cockcroft-Walton circuit. After the dielectric elastomer generation is completed, the ringing choke converter circuit steps down the generated voltage to a predetermined value, and the generated power is the output to a load. Furthermore, operations of the circuit are confirmed by the simulation and experimental results. The experimental results are obtained by using a test bench. The test bench uses a piston machine driven by a DC motor for the purpose of stretching and shrinking the dielectric elastomer.