Design and Fabrication of a Regenerative Shock Absorber for Vehicle Suspension Energy H...

Objective: To design, fabricate, and test a regenerative shock absorber system that harvests kinetic energy from vehicle suspension movement and converts it into usable electrical energy.

India faces significant challenges in energy efficiency and vehicle sustainability, especially with the large number of passenger and commercial vehicles operating on varied road conditions. Conventional shock absorbers dissipate kinetic energy from suspension movements as heat, resulting in wasted energy, particularly in heavy vehicles and those traversing uneven roads.

This project proposes an engineering solution by developing a regenerative shock absorber system that captures suspension-induced vibrations and converts them into electrical energy using an electromagnetic or linear generator mechanism. The harvested energy can be used to power on-board electronics or stored in vehicle batteries, thus improving overall energy utilization.

The project involves conceptual design, simulation, selection of suitable generators, mechanical integration with standard suspension systems, fabrication of a working prototype, and on-road testing to validate energy output and durability. Deliverables include a fully functional regenerative shock absorber, detailed engineering drawings, cost analysis, and demonstration on a two- or four-wheeler suspension rig.

This solution has potential industry and societal impact by enhancing energy efficiency in Indian vehicles, supporting sustainability goals, and providing scalable technology for automotive OEMs and the retrofit market.