The　cognitive　relay　wireless　communication　system　is　lack　of　the　specific　cooperation　needs　between　primary　user　(PU)　and　secondary　user　(SU).　In　this　paper,　we　propose　an　optimal　cooperative　scheme　of　energy　harvesting　cognitive　relay　based　on　SU’s　willingness.　The　SU　chooses　to　carry　small　packets　of　data　according　to　their　own　needs　to　cooperate　with　PU.　The　maximum　throughput　equation　of　SU　is　derived　from　the　proposed　optimal　cooperation　scheme.　The　improved　artificial　bee　colony　(IABC)　algorithm　is　used　to　solve　SU’s　throughput　equation　optimization　problem.　The　simulation　results　show　that　the　IABC　algorithm　has　better　convergence　than　the　original　algorithm.　The　system　throughput　has　been　improved　obviously.　©　2022,　The　Author(s),　under　exclusive　license　to　Springer　Nature　Singapore　Pte　Ltd.