Influence of Powertrain Torsional Rigidity on NVH of 6x4 Trucks

Torsional vibration of a truck's powertrain system is due to the exciting force generated by the angular velocity fluctuation originating from the setting angle of the universal joint of the propeller shaft, which can cause such problems as rattling noise, booming noise, etc.. This paper will clarify the difference between a 6x4 truck and a 6x2 truck in the torsional vibration characteristics from the experimental results. This is accomplished by computation with a simple torsional vibration model of the powertrain system and investigating the contribution of torsional rigidities of the powertrain system's various components by a parameter study. As a result it has been clarified that the torsional rigidity of the through shaft for transmitting power to the two rear axles has a great influence on Noise, Vibration and Harshness of 6x4 trucks.