Utilizing optimized panel damping treatments to improve powertrain induced NVH and sound quality

Abstract

Low levels of powertrain (P/T) noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and high acceptance of vehicle sound quality (SQ) are critical for achieving customer preference and satisfaction. During a vehicle program, various design alternatives are studied to minimize P/T NVH and maximize SQ preference. Part of the P/T experience is the contribution from the body structure when alignments occur between body panel resonance modes and critical P/T frequencies. This paper will discuss: the laser imaging of body structure panels sensitive to critical P/T frequencies, utilizing a scanning laser system; determining the performance of the damping material at critical frequencies; and the performance of the added damping material on body panels from an overall driven vehicle standpoint.