Robust Optimum Design of Resonance Linear Electric Generator for Vehicle Suspension

To use vibration energy to generate electricity, a resonance vertical linear electric generator was applied to the suspension of a vehicle in a previous paper. However, the working conditions, including mass change in the vehicle body related to the cargo on board, number of passengers and the temperature difference caused by the operating environment, can influence the permanent magnet, which is the main component of the electric generator. Therefore, a robust optimum design is required to minimize the influences from the diverse operation conditions and maximize the electromotive force of the electric generator. In this paper, a resonance linear electric generator is introduced. Vibration response analysis to find the input velocity of the electric generator and an electromagnetic transient analysis to apply changes in the performance of the permanent magnet are performed. Finally, the optimum value of each design variable is derived using a Taguchi method.