Application of the transfer path analysis to vehicle doors

Abstract

Transfer path analysis (TPA) is a proven method for identifying critical structure-borne and airborne sound paths. The basic idea is to divide the overall system into an exciting active component (source) and a passive component, e.g. the mechanical structure to be investigated, with their respective measurement points. By separating them, two independent systems are created, whereby on one hand, the excitation behaviour can be characterised and on the other hand, the transmission behaviour can be assessed. Finally, both systems are validated by comparing them to each other and deciding whether changes to source or structure are required or not. The advantage is the simple description of the source as a black box without complex modelling. In this contribution, this systematic is applied to window regulator systems as they are found in vehicles. The focus is on a hybrid approach between experimental and numerical transfer path analysis. For this purpose, the basic workflow of suitable TPA methods is discussed. This includes the operational measurement of different exciting electric motors variants, the determination of the transfer functions of the structure, the calculation of the contact forces and the analysis of the individual transfer paths.