Improvement of Vehicle NVH Performance

This study was aimed at improving the road noise performance of a detailed FE model representing a project vehicle. This study contains a comprehensive literature research implicating the influences of suspension systems on a vehicles road noise performance. The objectives of this study included the use of specialized CAE tools to establish a virtual simulation for a Transfer Path Analysis (TPA) and perform a Design of Experiments (DOE) study of vehicle suspension parameters. Based on the results derived using the CAE tools design optimizations of the FE model were made to improve the road noise performance. The test condition considered and imposed on the FE model was a vehicle coast down from 70 – 50 km/h in neutral gear to simulate free rolling where road noise is dominant. The output response of Sound Pressure Level (SPL) at the driver’s ear and the vibration response (acceleration) at the Steering wheel hub in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 270 Hz (low frequency range) was considered for this study.