Novel self-biasing circuit for dielectric elastomer generator and its parameter optimization

Abstract

In order to solve the problem that a dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) requires an external high voltage bias supply to improve the autonomy and security of the power generation system so that it could adapt to a changeable environment, and to improve the efficiency of power generation, based on the simulation research and analysis of three traditional self-biasing circuits, a new self-biasing circuit integrated with a self-supplementary circuit has been proposed in this paper. Under the same input conditions, the maximum output potential of the new self-biasing circuit is 2.23 times that of the traditional circuit. The pumping capability of the self-biasing circuit is greatly improved. At the same time, based on this circuit, in order to explore the factors affecting the energy conversion of the DEG, the overall electromechanical parameters of the circuit are compared and optimized by simulation experiments in this paper. The simulation and experimental results show that the capacitance-to-strain ratio of DEG and the mechanical frequency should be as large as possible within the safe range to obtain larger output potential, and the capacitance of charge pump should be 0.75 times of the capacitance of DEG in the initial state to improve efficiency.