Search Results

The automotive industry is continually moving toward lighter automobiles and components in order to improve fuel economy and reduce costs. The steering wheel is not exempt from this effort, and weight reduction efforts sometimes result in an increased sensitivity to tire imbalance that the customer feels as steering wheel “nibble”. One method of attenuating nibble is to install Dynamic Tuned Absorber (DTA) elements on the steering wheel. DTA's must be tuned to the nibble frequency to provide effective nibble attenuation. When tuned to the nibble frequency, the absorber attenuates the periodic nibble vibrations resulting in reduced steering wheel accelerations and fewer customer complaints. The objective of this experimental effort is to design a test capable of optimizing steering wheel absorber performance in the lab.