International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 7, Issue 2, March-April 2016, pp. 187–190, Article ID: IJMET_07_02_020

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ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
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FOOT STEP POWER GENERATION

Sarat Kumar Sahoo
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
GIET, Gunupur, Orissa, INDIA

Shubham kumar, Pankaj Kumar Yadav, Rishav Kumar

Final Year, UG student, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, GIET,
Gunupur, Orissa, INDIA

ABSTRACT
In this project we are generating electrical energy by means of a non-
conventional method just by walking on the footsteps. Non conventional
system for energies are very much required at this time. Energy generation
using footsteps requires no any fuel input to generate electricity. In this
project we are generating electricity just with the help of rack and pinion
arrangement along with alternator and chain drive mechanism.
For its proper functioning such that it converts Force into electrical
energy, the mechanism consists of rack & pinion, chain drives, alternator and
battery. We have discussed its various alternate applications with extension
also. The power generation is much worthy but it has little initial cost effective
factors.
Key words: Foot Step, D.C. Generator, Rack & Pinion, Chain Drive
Arrangement, LEDs.
Cite this Article Sarat Kumar Sahoo, Shubham kumar, Pankaj Kumar Yadav
and Rishav Kumar, Foot Step Power Generation. International Journal of
Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 7(2), 2016, pp. 187–190.
http://www.iaeme.com/currentissue.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=7&IType=2

1. INTRODUCTION
Question that every time comes before every country i.e. the need of non conventional
energy sources or systems. Why we need these systems and the answers are the
growing consumption of energy has resulted in the country becoming increasingly
dependent on fossil fuels such as coal, oil & gas. Rising prices of oil and gases and
their potential shortages have raised uncertainties about the security of energy supply
in future, which has serious repercussions on the growth of the national economy. The
main factor is increasing use of fossil fuels also causes serious environmental
problems.

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 Sarat Kumar Sahoo, Shubham kumar, Pankaj Kumar Yadav and Rishav Kumar

Hence there is primary need to use renewable energy sources like solar, wind,
tidal, biomas and energy from waste material.
Now let us come to its some working principle, this device if embedded in
footsteps of railway platforms, city malls, city footpaths e.t.c. can convert the weight
impact of people into electrical energy. When a pedestrian will step on the top plate of
this device, the plate will go down and this downward motion results in rotation of the
shaft of the alternator which produces electrical energy. After removal of force the top
plate returns to its original position due to springs.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Foot step arrangement
This setup is made up of mild steel. The upper plate is fixed with the help of springs
and rack & pinion. Below this plate a shaft is mounted which is connected to a dc
alternator and this alternator is to the lightning LEDs.

RACK & PINION DC

1. FOOT STEP AND CHAIN LEDs
GENERATOR
ARRANGEMENT DRIVE

Specification of pinion
Material : Cast iron
Outside diameter : 74mm
Tooth depth : 3.35mm
Circular pitch : 4.6mm
Module : 1.5mm
Pressure angle : 21
Pitch circle Diameter : 71mm
Addendum : 1.5mm
Dedendum : 1.85mm
Clearance : 0.37mm

Specification of Rack
Material : cast iron
Module : 1.5mm
Teeth on rack calculated for : 112mm

3. WORKING PRINCIPLE
The complete fabricated model picture of Foot Step is shown below. The upper plate
is mounted on two springs, the weight impact is converted into electrical power with
proper control unit.
The spring and rack & pinion arrangement is fixed below the foot step which is
mounted on base. Spring system is used for return mechanism of upper plate after
release of load. The shaft along with pinion is supported by end bearings. One end is

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 Foot Step Power Generation

connected with small belt pulley system and on the other end a flywheel is mounted.
The dc generator is rotated with the help of this belt & pulley arrangement.
The flywheel is used here to maintain and increase the rpm of smaller pulley
arrangement, the generator is used here is 12Volt permanent magnet DC generator.
The terminal of DC generator is connected to lightning LEDs.

Figure 1 Fabricated model

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Output power
Let,
Mass of pedestrian = 65 kg
Distance travelled by plate = 8cm
So, work done on plate by impact
=weight of body * distance
= 65 * 9.81*0.1 J
=63.765 J
So, power output
=work done/sec
=63.765/60 Watts
=1.06275 Watts
This much power is generated just by one foot step, by calculating on an average
of foot step impacts on the device we tabulated the data by taking a 100W bulb with
230V.

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 Sarat Kumar Sahoo, Shubham kumar, Pankaj Kumar Yadav and Rishav Kumar

Table 1 Average production of energy per unit step

Duration of
Total energy
No. of steps lightning Energy/step
(Watts)
A 100W bulb (sec)
200 2.12 212.55 1.06275
500 5.31 531.375 1.06275
1000 10.62 1062.75 1.06275
2000 21.25 2125.5 1.06275

5. CONCLUSION
Since in this project of power generation there is not any fuel input requirement
for the generation of electrical power. Thus it can also be concluded that this mode of
power generation system is eco-friendly, i.e, no pollution is caused during the
generation of power using this type of model. Hence due to such advantages, this
system can be embedded at any of the public places like railway platforms, busy foot-
paths, malls etc.
Implementing this system, we can easily reduce our dependency on the
conventional sources of energy, thus can be considered beneficial from that point of
view.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors extend their heartfelt thanks to the management and faculties of
mechanical engineering department of GIET, Gunupur for their direct and indirect
support towards the completion of this research work.

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