Design and simulation of a novel ancient Chinese bow-type piezoelectric actuator

Abstract

Abstract Piezoelectric materials are increasingly researched and used because of their ability to convert electrical energy and mechanical energy. Piezoelectric patches are usually applied with other structures to form piezoelectric actuators to expand the capability and use of piezoelectric patches. In this paper, a new piezoelectric actuator based on the ancient Chinese arch structure is proposed. The piezoelectric actuator is mainly composed of a bow device and several piezoelectric plates. Firstly, the electromechanical coupling model of the cantilever beam structure is established based on the finite element method. The action characteristics of the bow-type piezoelectric actuator are studied. Then static analysis of the cantilever beam with the bow-type piezoelectric actuator is applied. The effect of the bow-type piezoelectric actuator on the cantilever beam under different parameters is analysed and compared, including actuation voltages, locations and physical dimensions of the bow-type structure. Especially, the thickness of the device and the span of the bow device are optimized to better capability. The simulation results show that the thickness and the span of the bow-type device in the bow-type piezoelectric actuator affect the action of the piezoelectric actuator on the cantilever beam remarkably. Additionally, the bow-type piezoelectric actuator is easy to install, simple to manufacture, and can be reused. The research in this paper will provide a reference for the active control or energy harvesting of structural vibration.