International Journal of Innovative and Emerging Research in Engineering
Volume 3, Special Issue 1, ICSTSD 2016
Design and analysis of a Mechanical Device to
harvest energy from human footstep motion
R.S.Pokale1
1
PG student, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology &
Research Badnera-Amravati, India
rajeshpokale79@gmail.com
Abstract— Man has needed and used energy at an
increasing rate for his purpose. Due to this a lot of
energy resources have been exhausted and wasted. The
utilization of waste energy of foot power with human
locomotion is very much relevant for highly populated
countries where the roads, railway stations, bus stands,
temples, are crowded throughout the day with peoples.
The human bio-energy being wasted if it can be made
possible for utilization it will be very useful energy
sources. Walking is the most common activity in day to
day life. While walking, the person loses energy to the
surface in the form of vibration. This energy can be
tapped and converted to electrical form. In this paper,
a special mechanical arrangement such as lever
mechanism is employed in the device. This
arrangement will convert the foot power applied on
device, as a rotary motion. This rotary motion will be
used to generate efficient electricity. It is an eco-
friendly easily accessible and non-conventional power
generation system when compared to existing systems.
This paper deals with design and modeling of
components of the prototype model of the foot step
power generation system using 3D modeling software
creo parametric-2. Feasibility of the components of
scaled model can be investigated using finite element
analysis software for deflection of the spring for
application conditions. Displacement of the connecting
lever can be investigated using FEA. The output
involves electric power generation from the prototype
model developed.
Keywords: foot step power, crowd power, renewable
energy, human power to electricity, FEA
I. INTRODUCTION
In this paper, a method is proposed for harnessing the
human power to generate electricity using non
conventional ways by empowering human energy which is
generally wasted. This process involves number of simple
setup that is installed under the walking platform. Project
setup works on the principle of converting the linear
motion due to pressure of foot steps into rotary motion.
This rotary motion is utilized to rotate a power generating
device like dc permanent magnet generator. The power
546
T.R.Deshmukh2
2
Professor , Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Prof.Ram Meghe Institute of Technology &
Research Bandera –Amravati, India
t_r_deshmukh@rediffmail.com
generated is stored using dry battery. The amount of
rotation depends upon the weight of the person walking
over the platform and the tension of the spring used, lever
to step up the displacement. Depending upon the power
generator used, the power output can be
increased. Numbers of units of this system are connected
together to work as a staircase or platforms .The usage of
steps in every building is increasing day by day, since even
every small building has some floors. A large amount of
energy is wasted when we are stepping on the floors or
moving over the platforms. This is due to the dissipation of
heat and friction, every time a man steps up using stairs.
There is great possibility of tapping this energy and
generating power by making every staircase or a platform
as a power generation unit. The generated power can be
stored by batteries, and it will be used for further
application.
Ramesh Raja and Sherin Mathew [1] has presented that
the utilization of energy is an indication of the growth of a
nation. The per capita energy consumption in USA is 9000
KWh (Kilo Watt hour) per year, whereas the consumption
in India is 1200 KWh (Kilo Watt hour). Survey on the
energy consumption in India had published a pathetic
report that 85,000 villages in India do not still have
electricity. Supply of power in most part of the country is
poor. Hence more research and development and
commercialization of technologies are needed in this field.
In India, we do not have elevators or lifts in the buildings
of rural area. There are still conventional steps are used for
steps on the floor. The energy can be utilized by just
placing a device “Power Generation system”. By placing
this system in a rural area or in places like railway stations,
shopping malls, bus stands, colleges so much of energy can
be tapped. This consumed energy can be used for the lights
on the rural area or the crowded places like railway
stations, colleges etc.
M. W. Whittle [2] has presented that during human
walking there is a periodic foot strike between the heel and
ground. The impact force from foot strike reaches two
times a person’s body weight The displacement that a heel
travels in the vertical direction during gait is dependent on
the property of the shoe. For a padded running shoe, the
vertical displacement of the foot strike is roughly 1 cm. The
available power to harvest is dependent on the impact force
and the vertical displacement of foot strike, as well as the
walking frequency. For example, a 68-kg man walking at
 International Journal of Innovative and Emerging Research in Engineering
Volume 3, Special Issue 1, ICSTSD 2016
2 steps per second, the minimum power available to harvest the positive motion during reciprocation motion of the top
is approximate 13.3 W. It can be seen that there is plate assembly of the unit. This combined output motion of
considerable mechanical power from foot strike motion the freewheel is transferred to the flywheel mounted on the
available to scavenge. shaft. The rotary motion of large flywheel is transferred to
the small diameter shaft of the permanent magnet D.C
Siba brata Mohanty and Sasank shekhar Panda[3] generator by means of power transmission wheel .Hence
studied various methods to generate electrical energy the speed that is available at the flywheel and transmission
from footsteps. Power would generated by footsteps of wheel is relatively multiplied by the rotation of the
crowd on the floor. Piezo plate scheme is located beneath diameter of permanent magnet DC generator. This speed is
the floor .There will be sheet covering the piezo plate and sufficient to rotate the rotor of a 12V generator. The rotor
also spring will be there for vibration force on piezo. The which rotates within a static magnetic stator cuts the
piezo plate will be in chunks in the floor. This plate will magnetic flux
generate power in the type of electric current. The electric
power generation can be possible through mechanical Surrounding it, thus producing the electro motive force
arrangement like flywheel and gear wheel, rack & Pinion (emf). This generated emf is then sent to an inverter, where
and chain sprocket arrangement. The output generation in the generated emf is regulated. This regulated emf is now
rack and pinion, flywheel and gear wheel arrangement is in sent to the storage battery where it is stored. This current is
one direction only. i.e during forward motion of human then used for other purposes. The generator converts the
step. mechanical rotary motion into electrical energy.
Kiran Boby et al [4]explained the foot energy power
generation system using piezoelectric transducer is applied
in real time for both serial and parallel conditions. From
this they conclude that power in serial was 0.7Volts@
3MicroAmps and in Parallel was 0.7Volts @7MicroAmps.
XIE Longhan and DU Ruxu [5] describe a novel
mechanism based on dual oscillating Mode is designed to
harvest the kinetic energy from footstep motion. The
harvester contains two oscillating sub mechanisms one is
spring mass oscillator to absorb the vibration from external
excitation, i.e. the footstep motion, and the other is Figure 1. Foot Step Unit
cantilever beam with tip mass for amplifying the vibration.
Theoretic analysis shows that the dual oscillating III .CONSTRUCTION
mechanism can be more effectively harness the foot step CAD and FEA play a vital role in designing and modeling
motion. The energy conversion sub mechanism is based on of the components of the foot step power generation unit.
the electromagnetic induction, where the wire coils fixed at 3D module of advanced software like Creo Parametric 2.0
the tip end of the cantilever beam serves as the slider and from Parametric Technology Corporation gives a realistic
permanent magnets and yoke form the changing magnetic approach to Model before it get manufactured. Finite
field. Simulation shows that the harvester, with total mass element analysis software like ANSYS plays an important
70 g, can produce about 100 mW of electricity at the role in analysis of the components before manufacturing
walking speed of 2 steps per second. for various design consideration like stress, deformation,
Although researchers have published work related displacement etc. following some of the arrangements are
to harvest energy from human foot step motion, still made to make it as a good energy transfer system.
improvement in this area is possible. This paper provide
the work to harvest energy from foot step motion of the
crowded areas using mechanical lever arrangement .This
arrangement provide gainful motion during both forward
and return movement of platform which enhance the
output generated from the system
I. WORKING PRINCIPLE
Project is concerned with generation of electricity from Figure 2. Frame
‘Power Step’ setup. The human load acts upon the Power
step will produce linear reciprocating motion on the power Frame is a housing in which numbers of
step. Here the reciprocating motion of the power step is components are assembled .strength of the frame is
converted into swinging motion of the lever. Lever is
essential parameter in design to sustain the load of moving
connected to two freewheels by means of chains, which
persons and weights of the components. Frame is made up
causes rotary motion of the freewheel which in turns
rotates the shaft of the unit. A flywheel which is mounted of mild steel material.
on the shaft is used enhance rotary motion. The two
freewheel are arranged such a way that both will produce
547
 International Journal of Innovative and Emerging Research in Engineering
Volume 3, Special Issue 1, ICSTSD 2016
B. Top Plate Assembly:
Top Plate assembly is assembly of components like
angle frame made of mild steel material and MDF sheet
which is used as platform.

Figure 6. Transmission Wheel

Figure 3. Top Plate assembly Block Diagram of power transmission

C: Open Coil Helical Compression Spring.

Four Helical compression springs are used at the four
corners of the frame which are supported by Judge Pins
welded to the frame. The Top Plate assembly reciprocates
on the spring under the action of force exerted by the Figure 7. Power Transmissions
walking person.

IV. DESIGN CALCULATION AND OUTPUT

RESULTS
Assuming the setup step is installed in 5 different places
along platform of the crowded area like footpath, tracking
path, railway platform which has 20 steps. Considering a
human weight acting on the unit = 80 kg.

Load acting on the unit =80 x 9.81 = 784.8= 790 N

Self weight of the unit assembly under no load condition
= 22 N
Total load acting on the unit when a person step on the unit
Figure 4. Compression spring = 800 N
Work done = Force x Distance
D: Lever: Lever plays an important part in the motion Force = Weight of the man and unit load
transmission of the unit. Lever will swing about the pivot From ANSYS RESULT when the load of 800 N acting on
.Lever provide working stroke for forward and return the spring, deformation on the spring along Y axis is 10
movement of the top plate assembly. mm.
From ANSYS RESULT when the displacement on the 10
mm is acting on the lever, lever will provide displacement
of 28.5 mm along Y direction. Distance travelled by
power step due to linear motion is 28.5mm, which is
negligible while stepping.
Total Distance obtained from 20 steps located at 5
different places = 0.57 m
Therefore, Work done = (800 x 0.57)
Figure 5. Lever Work done = 45.6 J
Output power = Work done/Sec
E: Transmission wheel: = 45.6/60
Transmission wheel having the same diameter of the = 0.76 Watts (For 1 pushing
flywheel mounted on the shaft. Transmission wheel is in force)
contact with small diameter of the DC Permanent magnet So the power developed for 1 person passing this power
Generators which provide sufficient ratio of rotation for step in a minute = 0.76 Watts.
effective output generation. Power developed for 60 minutes (1 hr) = 0.76x60 = 45.6
Watts
Power developed for 24 hours (1 day) = 45.6 x24 = 1.09
kW

548
 International Journal of Innovative and Emerging Research in Engineering
Volume 3, Special Issue 1, ICSTSD 2016
This power is developed in one step only. As we said, if the 12 42.2(413.98) 7.25
step is installed in 5 places out of 20 steps, in a building,
then the Total generated power = (1.09x5) = 5.47 kW 13 43.8(429.67) 7.92
If this setup works round the clock, sufficient power can be 14 44.5(436.51) 8.22
generated which can be stored for application which can
lighten surrounding area. 15 45.2(443.41) 8.33
This is the theoretical output generated by the number of 16 46.5(456.16) 8.69
units placed together. The actual output was less due to loss
in power transmission and mechanical efficiency of the 17 47.5(465.97) 9.62
mechanism. 18 48.6(476.76) 10.32
19 50.1(491.48) 10.84
V. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP: 20 51.2(502.27) 11.87
Voltage output measurement: 21 52.3(513.55) 12.53
To analyze the performance of the output generated by the
22 52.6(516.02) 13.88
Foot Step Power Generation unit, setup was placed on the
floor. a weighing instrument is kept on the top surface of 23 53.7(526.79) 14.68
unit. A voltmeter is connected to the output terminals of the
unit as shown in figure. During experimentation Weight on 24 54.2(531.70) 15.74
the top plate is observed for the range 27 kg (265 N) to 60 25 55.8(547.39) 16.28
kg (540N) for 60 seconds for 25 numbers of steps and
voltage for the load range is tabulated as under.
VI .RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Result for output voltage Generation during

Figure 8. Foot Step Unit
Table No 1
Ob. No. Load Applied kg (N)
1 27.8(272.71)
2 28.28(277.42)
3 29.5(289.39)
4 30.2(296.26)
5 32.1(314.90)
6 34.5(338.44)
7 35.5(348.25)
8 36.7(360.02)
9 37.7(369.83)
10 38.6(378.66)
11 40.2(394.36)
performance of the unit. A small foot step power
generation unit has been implemented in real time and
tested with various load conditions. The system has
produced voltage at various weights as shown in the graph.
During the experimentation it is observed that weight
cannot be kept constant for number of footsteps. From the
graph it is observed that the system produced voltage for
average minimum weight of 266 N. The foot step power
generation unit produces a positive voltage for the load
range above 394 N. Observation from the graph found that
up to 380N output generated in the voltmeter is below 6
Volts. As unit is having battery of 6 Volt, to charge the
battery minimum voltage required is more than 6 Volt.
Voltage observed
0.01
0.03
0.2
0.35
3.15
4.08
4.3 Graph 1. Load V/S Voltage Output
4.9
When the load varies from 394 N to 540N for 25 steps per
5.03 minute voltage output generated by the unit was up to 18
Volts, which seem positive outcome for generation of
6.04 power. During performance single footstep does not
6.8 produce output. This unit is designed for a person of 780N.
However from the experimentation it is observed that unit
will perform for below 600N weight also. The result
549
 International Journal of Innovative and Emerging Research in Engineering
obtained for single unit only .The output can be increase
further by putting number of unit along the places and
connected together.
VII. CONCLUSION:
Project work exhibits the idea of electric power generation
without polluting our environment. The waste energy
supplied by human walking is utilized in the system. This
method is a promising technology to provide efficient
solution to power crisis to affordable extent.
CAD and FEA software plays a vital role in deigning,
modeling and analyzing the parts before manufacturing. It
has been found that Von-mises stresses, deformation and
shear stress for all materials obtained from ANSYS are
very close to the theoretical values. As these stresses are
below than the Yield strength of materials, so the design is
safe.
This technology would facilitate the future creation of new
urban athletic fields, music halls, railway stations, bus
stand, airports capable of harnessing human locomotion for
electricity generation.
GAINS OF THE STUDY :
During execution of the project a method of transferring
the displacement by means of lever is successfully
installed.
Project is defined for average weight of the person of 80
kg, the positive output generation is observed in between
of 45 to 50 kg.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
Output generation from the unit is fluctuating that need
better power storing device without loss of efficiency
during working. Device cannot work efficiently where
frequency of the moving people is less.
550
Volume 3, Special Issue 1, ICSTSD 2016
FUTURE SCOPE OF WORK :
This project work can further be modified on following
basis-
Finite element analysis can be carried out for different
spring material for high deflection with in control limit of
shear stress and stiffness.
Lower stiffness value springs can be used for better
working of the project on lower heights.
Energy generation capacity of the unit can be increased by
using higher weight of the flywheel. Four or more DC
generators are used in combination to increase the current
so as charge battery efficiently.
References
[1] Ramesh Raja R, Sherin Mathew “Power Generation
from Staircase (Steps) “Volume 3, February 2014
International Journal of Innovative Research in
Science, Engineering and Technology.
[2] M. W. Whittle, “Generation and attenuation of
transient impulsive forces beneath the foot: A review,”
volume. 10, pp. 264–275, 1999.
[3] Siba brata Mohanty, Sasank shekhar “An
Investigation on Generation of electricity Using Foot
Step” INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH
TECHNOLOGY
[4] Kiran Boby, Aleena Paul K, Anumol C and Nimisha,
“Foot step power generation using piezoelectric
transducer”, International Journal of Engineering and
Innovative Technology (IJEIT), Vol.3No. 1, Issue 10,
2014.
[5] XIE Longhan, DU Ruxu Design and Analysis of a
Mechanical Device to Harvest Energy From Human
Footstep Motion CHINESE JOURNAL OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Vol. 24,aNo. 5,
2011.