Tristable Energy Harvesters With Asymmetric Potential Wells: Analytical Study

In order to reveal the nonlinear response characteristics of asymmetric tristable energy harvesters, this paper originally deduces their complete harmonic balance solutions. In addition, the Jacobian matrix for determining the stability of these analytical solutions is presented. Under different harmonic excitation conditions, the multi-solution response characteristics of asymmetric tristable energy harvesters are analyzed. In detail, asymmetric tristable energy harvesters are found to have seven solutions (four stable solutions) under the appropriate excitation condition. The influence mechanism of asymmetry of potential wells on tristable energy harvesting performance is studied. The results show that the potential barrier is a main factor to influence high-energy interwell oscillation orbit height, which determines the output voltage amplitude and the overall energy harvesting performance. The influence essence of asymmetry for tristable energy harvesters is to change their potential wells and adjust the distribution of their potential barriers.