Simulation and experimental validation of vibro-acoustic transmission through a passive automotive door mount system

Abstract

Automotive manufacturers are faced with many challenges to meet everincreasing industry standards and satisfy customer demands. Two such requirements are the growing demand for reliable automotive products that can withstand severe dynamic environments as well as the reduction of automotive interior noise levels, which is an important concern in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) design because of its huge effect as a marketing tool and on the general pleasure of driving. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that, until now, the characterisation of structure-borne door panel vibration and its subsequent noise emission characteristics in terms of its door mount system has not yet been contemplated. Thus, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model with full coupling between the passenger cabin and vehicle body, to simulate the complex, transient door panel vibration and internal acoustic wave propagation as a function of the door mount system, when provoked by an external impact force, is proposed. With reference to a real door mount system, a discrete, multidegree- of-freedom, time domain numerical model is developed and solved using ABAQUS® FE code. An objective function value based on the sound pressure level transmitted to the driver's head position is then computed in order to evaluate the performance of the door mount system. An experimental campaign was thereafter undertaken to validate the numerical model based on time response data. The measured data were compared with the predicted values, the results of which exhibited good correlation. © 2013 WIT Press.