Success of the vehicle in the market depends on comfort provided while usage, which also include level of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). In order to achieve good cabin comfort, the NVH levels have to be as low as possible.
Powertrain is main source of NVH issues on vehicle and typically mounted on vehicle using rubber isolators. The dynamic characteristics of rubber isolators play vital role in reducing the vibrations transfer from powertrain to vehicle structure while operation and during dynamic conditions.
Traditionally, isolators are manufactured using Natural Rubber (NR) to meet functional requirements which include vibration isolation and durability. At times either of above requirements has to be compromised or sacrificed due to the limitation in compounding process and other practical problems involved with manufacturing of rubber parts.
In the work presented, isolators were made of Synthetic Elastomer blended with Natural Rubber (SEBNR) using suitable fillers to address durability, low & high frequency vibration isolation issues. The compound was designed such that the heat generated during accelerated fatigue does not exceed the design requirement. Integrated real time simulations and experiments were performed on isolators for both durability & vibration isolation. Subject work led to successful evaluation of SEBNR isolators to meet desired functional targets and requirements.