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Driver fatigue is one among the important factors for accidents, causing loss of precious life and property. Apart from long driving hours, driver fatigue can be due to poor ride quality, cabin noise, high vibration levels and poor ergonomics. In last few years, there has been enough emphasis to improve the noise and vibration comfort of commercial vehicles, which is governed by vibration levels at tactile points such as steering wheel, gear lever, pedal and seat. Steering wheel vibration is an important element which driver uses to express about the vehicle vibration quality. Design of steering system is driven by ergonomics, packaging, durability, safety, vibration & ride and handling requirements. This paper discusses about methodology of steering assembly development for Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) performance of commercial vehicle.

Pass-By-Noise (PBN) requirements area an important aspect of NVH development of a commercial vehicle. The PBN on an Intermediate commercial vehicle (ICV) with refrigerator container was the subject of this study. This vehicle emitted PBN greater than accepted threshold due to its configuration. The overall approach to identify the sources and contributors for PBN was to test the vehicle in its baseline condition as well as with improvements. Near source noise measurements were performed at all potential noise contributors. A windowing technique was used to identify the potential noise sources. This Windowing technique is the exposing of each individual noise source while keeping all others shielded. This technique is reliable and quickly reveals significant noise contributors. Improvements to noise sources were reviewed for effectiveness to the overall PBN and overall recommendations were made.