A piezoelectric power generator based on axisymmetrically distributed PVDF array for two-dimension vibration energy harvesting and direction sensing

•A piezoelectric power generator with an axisymmetrically distributed piezoelectric array is proposed to scavenge two-dimensional (2D) vibration energy and monitor the vibration direction.•The theoretical analysis and the simulation results indicate that the flexible cylinder with an arc-shaped axisymmetrically distributed piezoelectric array, can scavenge vibration energy with arbitrary in-plane directions.•Compared with traditional cantilever beams, the flexible cylinder with an arc-shaped axisymmetrically distributed piezoelectric array has a large angle bandwidth value (89.2°).•The effects of the PVDF connection mode on the output performance of PVEH were studied in detail. Increase the output performance of the harvest by reverse series and parallel connection.•This PVEH is also a self-powered vibration direction sensor and can monitor the external vibration direction in real time. To achieve vibration energy collection in multiple directions, this paper reports a piezoelectric power generator with an axisymmetrically distributed PVDF array, which is used to acquire 2D vibration energy and monitor the vibration direction. The simulations and the experiments demonstrated that the flexible cylinder with an arc-shaped axisymmetrically distributed PVDF array, can harvest vibration energy form multiple directions. Meanwhile, the concept of angular bandwidth is proposed, which can describe the multi-directional vibration energy capability of the harvester. Experiments show that the design has a large AB value (89.2°). Furthermore, increase the output performance of the harvest by reverse series and parallel connection. Finally, a detailed study and summary of the output characteristics of all PVDFs in PVEH confirm that PVEH has potential as a vibration direction sensor. The PVEH can monitor the vibration direction of 8 areas in real-time.