Experimental Comparison of Vehicle Vibration Simulation Techniques

Abstract

Abstract Performing accurate vehicle vibration simulation is imperative to understanding the adequacy of a packaged product's ability to withstand the rigors of transportation. Over the past decade, various vehicle vibration analysis techniques were proposed in order to provide better correlation to actual field shipments. This paper highlighted the observations made when an independent laboratory utilized four different methods in the simulation of vertical vibration and applied them to three different packaged products. A field data recorder was employed to record over-the-road vibration of a fully loaded steel spring truck traveling over interstates and highways. The collected data was analyzed independently using each of the different techniques and simulated in a lab with the necessary controller. This study is unique in that it considered the response of actual packaged products and through the use of a damage assessment tool, determined how well the techniques correlate with field vibration results. Additionally, two common industry vibration profiles were used to test the packaged products for comparison. The three packaged products used for these evaluations were a top-mount refrigerator, an electric hedge trimmer, and a gas-powered pressure washer. Results indicate that each of the proposed vehicle vibration analysis techniques produces product and package damage that correlates well with typical field vibration results for the three products tested. These results supported the further use of any of these techniques in the simulation of vehicle vibration.