Introduction to

Automotive NVH
 What is NVH?

NVH

HARSHNESS
NOISE VIBRATION Transient nature of
Vibration perceived Perceived tactually vibration and noise associated
audibly and characterized as (at vehicle occupant with abrupt transition in
sensations of interface points of vehicle motion.
pressure by the ear steering column, seats, etc. Perceived both
tactually and audibly

 NVH is a Vehicle Level Attribute. It must be addressed as a total system approach

NVH Classification

• By Noise Type • By Vehicle

• Road NVH System/Component
• Wind noise • Body NVH
• Powertrain/Driveline NVH • Chassis NVH
• Squeak and Rattle • Powertrain/Driveline NVH
• Vehicle components
• Climate control system
• Wipers
• Seat motors
NVH Strategy / Approach

Source X Path Sensitivity = Response

• Source - causes disturbance
• Path - may isolate or amplify disturbance
• Receiver - responds to disturbance
Source/Path/Receiver

Source Where does it originate?

What path does it travel?

Path

Where / how is it Receiver

detected?
Example : Source/Path/Receiver
 Critical Areas of NVH in Automobile
 Structure-Born Noise (20 Hz to 1000 Hz)

• Power Train Induced

• Road Travel Input

 Air- Born Noise (250 Hz to 5000 Hz)

• Exhaust System
• Intake System
• Road & Tire Interaction.
Why Use Frequency

• The response of mechanical systems most easily understood

and analyzed in frequency domain
• Human response to noise and vibration strongly influenced by
frequency
• NVH problems usually occur at specific frequency ranges -
allows easier classification and diagnosis
 Sound Source Identification

• Sound Intensity
– Obtain vector quantity of sound at various points/grid locations around the test
article using a 2-microphone probe

• Sound Camera
– Obtain a visual representation of the sound radiated from a test article using a
microphone array y
microphone source

y focal point (level max)

o
x

• Other methods antenna x z

– Acoustical Holography focal point (level min)

Focusing plane = source plane
Measures of Sound

• Sound pressure – actual pressure change caused by sound, usually

measured in Pascal (Pa). 1 Pa = 1 N/m2

• Sound intensity – average amount of acoustic power passing through a

unit area that is perpendicular to the direction of sound propagation.
A vector quantity of sound. Can be used to indicate the source of
noise, or to calculate sound power. Measured in Watts/square meter
(W/m2)

• Sound power – acoustic power of sound, measured in Watts (W)

Decibel Scale
• dB (Decibel): A unit used to express
relative difference in power or
intensity, usually between two
acoustic or electric signals, equal to
ten times the common logarithm of
the ratio of the two levels.
L[dB] = 10 * LOG10(P2/P2ref)
= 20 * LOG10(P/Pref)

For sound pressure level:

Pref = 2 x 10-5 Pa
Sound Weighting Schemes

• dBA, dBB, dBC

– Basic method of representing or approximating how humans perceive sound
level
 We are using dBA weighting scheme
Measures of Vibration

• Displacement Vibration Frequency Range:

• Velocity Whole body
• Vehicle dynamics 0.1 -
• Acceleration 20 Hz
• Shake 10 - 30 Hz
Modal Analysis

To find out the dynamic characteristics of a structure by identifying its

modes of vibrations. Modes are used to understand the resonance
frequencies of the structure in the frequency band of interest.
Why Modal Analysis?
– Provide design guidance
• Identify benchmark
• Competition performance analysis
• Target setting
• Verification in CAE & physical model
• Measurements
–Road tests
–Lab tests
–Equipment/components
• CAE
–Multi-body dynamics
–Finite element analysis
–Computational fluid dynamics

MTS Chassis Roll Dynamometer

Modal Analysis
Measures of Harshness - Sound Quality

• Sound Quality Engineering is that field which studies how a product is perceived by a
customer based on the noise it produces. It combines techniques and tools from:
– Engineering/acoustics
– Psychoacoustics
– Social Sciences
• Two major classes of “SQ concepts”:
– Detectability: the component should not be detected in normal driving conditions
• transmission, gear, A/C compressor, alternator, fuel pump, power steering, etc.
– Acoustic Image: the component is expected to make audible noise but it has to
match the customer expectation
• Door closure, engine, seat adjuster, power window, windshield wiper, etc.
• Comfort: road noise, wind noise
Sound Quality Measurement Process
• SQ Assessment
– How does my product sound as compared to the competition? What are the market
expectations?
• SQ measurement
– How can I quantify the SQ of my product? Subjective vs. Objective measurement. How
can I use objective criteria to assess the SQ of my product?
• SQ root cause analysis
– What component/path is causing the problem and why?
• SQ control/improvement countermeasures
– What do I need to improve the SQ? Can I predict/model the SQ? Can I create “what-if”
scenarios to evaluate the cost effectiveness of alternative solutions?
• SQ in new product design
– What can I do to account for SQ in the design of new products? What specifications do
I have to give to my suppliers to ensure that components and sub-systems will perform
as expected when integrated into the system?
Jury Evaluation

• Used in several steps of the SQ Engineering Process

• Useful in determining the preference of a sound or
characteristics of a sound, through the use of several different
methods of preference assessment
• Example of some Sound Quality characteristics
–Powerful/weak
–Quiet/loud
–Rough/Smooth
–Pleasing/harsh
Automotive NVH concerns

• Body
–Body boom
–Instrument Panel/steering wheel vibration/shake
–Seat vibration
–Electro-mechanical noise (seat adjusters, power windows,
power locks, windshield wipers)
–HVAC noise
–Exterior noise reduction
–Wind noise
Automotive NVH concerns

• Chassis
–Force inputs to body via suspension (rough road inputs, road
“bump” inputs, etc.)
–Power Steering hiss, whine and other noises
–Shock absorber “chuckle”
–Brake noise/vibration
• Brake Squeal
• Brake Judder (shaking of vehicle caused by braking)
–Steering Wheel Vibration
–Wheel imbalance (sensitivity)
Automotive NVH concerns

• Powertrain
–Engine Noise / sound (some sound desirable, unpleasant
sounds and high sound levels unwanted)
–Powertrain vibration/shudder
–Start-up/shut-off sound/vibration
–Accessory drive noise (AC, Alternator, Fan etc.)
–Exhaust / Intake noise
–Transmission noise
–Axle Noise (Rear wheel drive)
–Other drivetrain gear noise
Automotive NVH Concerns
• Key Vehicle Modes
– Body
• Overall Body bending and torsion modes
• Instrument panel vibration modes
• Steering column
• Seats
– Chassis
• Suspension Hop (in-phase vertical) and Tramp (out-of-phase vertical)
• Other suspension modes (e.g. fore-aft modes)
• Frame bending (on frame vehicles)
– Powertrain
• Powertrain bounce, pitch, roll
• Powertrain bending, propeller shaft bending
• Exhaust bending
NVH Treatments

• Minimize source amplitude

–Minimize imbalances
–Eliminate pure tones
NVH Treatments

• Minimize path sensitivity

–Structural changes
• often difficult to implement late in the design process
–Impedance mismatch
• Isolators
–Mass effects (add mass)
–Barriers
–Absorbers
–Mode separation
–Dynamic absorbers
NVH Treatments

• Minimize customer reaction

–Sound quality
–Masking
–Active noise cancellation
Attribute Trade-Offs

• Impediments to Best In Class NVH

–Cost
–Package
–Vehicle dynamics
–Durability
–Conflicting customer requirements
–Carry-over content
–Functional integration
List of Test for NVH Assessment

1. Prominent Noise Source Contributing to Pass by Noise.

2. Exhaust & Intake Noise.

3. Bus Body Noise-Source Ranking.

4. Insertion Loss, Transmission Loss & Back pressure of Silencer

5. Insertion Loss of Intake.

6. Transmissibility of Engine & Bus Body Mounts

7. Transmission Loss of Firewall

8. Acoustic Transfer Function

Target Setting for vehicle of following parameters

- Pass by Noise.
- Interior Noise

- Effectiveness of Engine & Bus Body Mounts

- Insertion Loss, Transmission Loss & Back pressure of Silencer

- Insertion Loss of Intake.

- Vehicle vibration at Human contact points

- Transmission Loss of Firewall

- Acoustic Transfer Rate

Standards - NVH

In India there is regulatory requirement for Pass-By Noise

& In-cab Noise

Standards below are followed to measure Pass-By & In-Cab Noise

1) IS – 3028 ( For Pass-By Noise Measurement )

2) AIS – 020 ( For In-Cab Noise Measurement )

Thank you