This work presents a novel design, model and prototype of a motion energy harvester based on bi-stability and frequency up-conversion. The Parametric Frequency up-converter Generator (PFupCG). The PFupCG was designed to harvest energy under conditions where the amplitude of the driving motion is larger than the internal displacement limit. Instead of an impact member, the PFupCG uses a compliant suspension mechanism that combines a bi-stable characteristic with a strong stiffening behavior as a result of geometric effects. This resulted in a prototype of the PFupCG with an internal-to-applied motion amplitude ratio of 0.2. A case study was carried out where the PFupCG was analyzed by simulation and experiment for vibration conditions representative of human walking motion (2Hz, 25 mm).

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Vibration Energy Harvesting has the potential to become a convenient, sustainable and localized power source for the billions of small electronic devices of the future. One of the most challenging areas within this field is the design of miniaturized generators for power harvesting from human motion. In this thesis, a new strategy, design and prototype are presented for vibration energy harvesting from human motion.