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Excessive wind noise is one of the most complained problems by owners of new vehicles as evidenced by JD Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) in recent years. After the vehicle speed surpasses 100 km/h, wind noise is gradually becoming the dominant noise source. In an effort to reduce aeroacoustic noise level, Beamforming (BF) is a very effective noise source identification technique used during vehicle wind noise development phases. In this work, based on the planar BF methodology, a large semi-circle microphone array is designed in accordance with the desired resolution and dynamic range pertaining to actual noise source distribution on a typical passenger vehicle. Acoustic array calibration and mapping deformation correction are accomplished by multi-point source method, and the Doppler Effect due to wind is corrected by the location calibration method.

This work carries out complex modal analyses and optimizations to resolve an 1800 Hz front brake squeal issue encountered in a vehicle program development phase. The stability theory of complex modes for brake squeal simulation is briefly explained. A brake system finite element model is constructed, and the model is validated by the measurement in accordance with the SAE 2521 procedure. The key parameters for evaluating the stability of the brake system complex modes are determined. The modal contributions of relevant components to unstable modes are analyzed and ranked. Finally, in order to resolve the squeal issue, the design improvements of rotor, caliper and pad are proposed and numerical simulations are carried out. The obtained results demonstrate that the optimized rotor and pad design can alleviate the squeal issue significantly while the optimized clipper design could essentially eliminate the squeal issue.

Noise excitation sources are different between electric vehicles and conventional vehicles due to their distinct propulsion system architecture. This work focuses on an interior noise contribution analysis by experimental measurements and synthesis approach using a methodology established based on the principle of noise path analysis. The obtained results show that the structure-borne noise from the tire-road excitation acts as a major contributor to the overall interior noise level, and the structure-borne noise from the power plant system contributes noticeably as well, whereas contributions from the electric motor and tire are relatively insignificant.

The primary noise sources of electric vehicles differ from that of traditional vehicles due to the fundamental differences in their powertrain architecture. In this work, some exterior noise test methods for electric vehicles are briefly introduced first, which include a pass-by noise measurement method during acceleration on the proving ground as well as a similar measurement in a semi-anechoic room. The obtained results based on those two methods from a production electric vehicle are compared and analyzed. Then the mechanism of the source, path, and contribution is illustrated, and a model of path-source-contribution for electric vehicles is established. The model validation is subsequently carried out by correlating the calculated outcomes with the measured results under real operating conditions. Finally, by using the model, contribution analyses are carried out to identify the primary exterior noise sources.

Gear whine noise impacts customer perception of vehicle interior quietness in general and sound quality in particular. It has been a frequently occurred annoying phenomenon during vehicle development and much discussed topic regarding transmission NVH refinement in automotive industry. This work pertains to a transmission gear whine issue encountered in prototype evaluations during a vehicle program development process. The effort centers itself on the optimization of transmission gear macroscopic and microscopic parameters to fix the issue which is deemed unacceptable for customers. Specifically, by using multi-body dynamics approach, this work carries out a transmission system whine noise simulation based on optimal gear macro parameter selection and micro tooth flank modification. The obtained results show that the proposed design changes could successfully resolve the issue, which is verified by subsequent test measurement and confirmed by subjective evaluations.

When a sunroof opens to let in fresh air while driving, there might be several noise issues associated with it. The most common and painful one is the wind throb issue, which is nevertheless largely resolved by implementing a sufficiently high wind deflector along the front edge of the sunroof. However, with the wind throb suppressed, other sound quality issues might emerge. The most notable one is the hissing noise issue, which becomes increasingly objectionable with the increase of vehicle speed. This work looks into the impact of sunroof deflector on interior sound quality with the consideration of wind throb, hissing noise and booming noise in terms of psychoacoustic attributes that could be felt subjectively. The goal is to achieve a better understanding of the sound quality associated with the sunroof deflector design, and inspire a balanced design, potentially targeting the most NVH demanding customers in the premium vehicle segment.

Wind noise is one of the most influential NVH attributes that impact customer sensation of vehicle interior quietness. Among many factors that influence wind noise performance, the amount of dynamic door deflection under the pressure load due to fast movement of a vehicle plays a key roll. Excessive deflection could potentially lead to loss of sealing contact, causing aspiration leakage, which creates an effectual path through which the exterior aerodynamically induced noise propagates into the vehicle cabin. The dynamic door deflection can be predicted using CFD and CAE approaches which, in addition to modeling the structure correctly, require a correct pressure loading composed of external and internal pressure distributions. The determination of external pressure distributions can be fulfilled fairly straightforward by using commercial CFD codes such as Fluent, Star CCM+, Powerflow and others.

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) will start the engine which drives its motor to charge the battery even at idle whenever the battery power is detected to be insufficient. The activation of idle battery charging could lead to serious NVH problems if powertrain parameters are not designed or calibrated properly. This work is focused on a noise issue encountered during idle charging for a specific prototype vehicle, and investigates control strategies to contain the noise level. Based on basic principles of automobile vibration and noise control along with the specific characteristics of the hybrid vehicle architecture, this work analyzes and elucidates methods of the engine idle charging noise control from the perspectives of powertrain modal alignment, idle speed optimization, and electric motor control algorithm.

A vehicle vibration issue emerged for a hybrid prototype during low speed driving in EV mode. This work is focused on the effort to identify the root cause and resolve the issue. The endeavor begins by performing a motor test in moderate acceleration with an imposed constant torque load. All relevant information is simultaneously recorded, including vehicle speed, vibration of motor structure and seat track, motor rpm, voltage and current signals, etc. Then analyses are carried out to strive for a better understanding of the vibration characteristics and identify its mechanism. It is found that the torque ripple from the driving motor is the root cause of the low speed vehicle vibration in EV mode, and the torque ripple is found to be induced by the current distortion resulted from the current sensor drift and electromagnetic interference due to high current signals.

A low frequency vibration issue around 3.2 Hz occurs during a commercial heavy truck program development process, and it is linked to extremely uncomfortable driving and riding experiences. This work focuses on an analytical effort to resolve the issue by first building a full vehicle MBS (multi-body-system) model, and then carrying out vibration response analyses. The model validation is performed by using full vehicle testing in terms of structural modes and frequency response characteristics. In order to resolve the issue which is excited by tire non-uniformity, the influence of the cab suspension, frame modes, front leaf spring system and rear tandem suspension is analyzed. The root cause of the issue is found to be the poor isolation of the rear tandem suspension system. The analytical optimization effort establishes the resolution measure for the issue.