This paper presents an innovative design of an energy harvesting shock absorber using cable transmission called Cable-Dynamics Energy Harvesting Shock Absorber (CD-EHSA). It includes the design, modelling, bench experiments, and road tests results. Experimental tests are carried out with the CD-EHSA system in a MTS 835 machine, in order to analyze its behavior and validate the computational model of the CD-EHSA with the tests carried out on the actual component. Likewise, the paper presents the results of recovered electric power by the system during road tests at a speed between 20-30 Km/h. With four CD-EHSA installed in a Renault Twizy, an average power of 105W and power peaks of 400-500W when passing through speed bumps are obtained. The designed system mechanical can reach an efficiency around 60%.

Numerous authors have studied Energy Harvesting Shock Absorbers (EHSA) over the last decade, proposing different designs with diverse geometries, parameters, and components. This article analyzes the energy recovery potential of two types of rotational EHSA, those that use ball-screw and those based on cable transmission. This paper presents the design, manufacturing and mathematical modeling of both options as well as the estimation of the potential power recovery with both technologies. Two types of vehicles are used as references, each one with the characteristic curves of their shock absorbers. Results are presented for different vehicle speeds and road types. Finally, some qualitative characteristics of both EHSAs are detailed to be taken into consideration for their possible use in vehicle suspension.