A short-stroke, low-stepping-resistance inverted-V electromagnetic energy harvesting floor: design, output performance and biomechanical evaluation

Abstract

Abstract

Footstep-induced mechanical energy can provide auxiliary power for low-power sensors and intelligent transportation infrastructure. However, reported electromagnetic floors generally use large panel displacements or high transmission ratios to increase generator speed. The former may disturb natural gait; the latter increases stepping resistance and the load required for effective generation, narrowing the usable load range. This study proposes a short-stroke inverted-V electromagnetic energy-harvesting floor with panel travel limited to 6 mm . The modular prototype has a 300 mm × 300 mm × 130 mm . The linkage amplifies driving torque to overcome input resistance from the high-ratio gear train, while one-way-bearing assemblies rectify reciprocating panel motion into unidirectional shaft rotation. Performance was evaluated through coupled electromechanical modeling, controlled loading, and human stepping tests. At 200 N and 1 Hz , a 0.06 m linkage and a 5 Ω load provided the best output performance and highest energy per cycle within the tested ranges, respectively. At 1 Hz and 5 Ω , repeatable voltage output first appeared at a nominal load of 70 N . At 600 N , output reached approximately 1.28 J per cycle with 56% mechanical-to-resistive-load efficiency. A 70 kg participant walking at 1.2 m/s generated approximately 0.56 J per step. Preliminary surface electromyography showed increases below 11% in mean root-mean-square amplitudes of three monitored lower-limb muscles relative to ordinary-floor walking. Application tests demonstrated supercapacitor charging and subsequent LED operation using stored energy. These results indicate potential for short-stroke footstep energy recovery and storage-assisted auxiliary power for low-power devices.