Application of a Seat Transmissibility Approach to Experience Measured or Predicted Seat-Rail Vibration in a Multi-Attribute Simulator

Computer modelling, virtual prototyping and simulation is widely used in the automotive industry to optimize the development process. While the use of CAE is widespread, on its own it lacks the ability to provide observable acoustics or tactile vibrations for decision makers to assess, and hence optimize the customer experience. Subjective assessment using Driver-in-Loop simulators to experience data has been shown to improve the quality of vehicles and reduce development time and uncertainty. Efficient development processes require a seamless interface from detailed CAE simulation to subjective evaluations suitable for high level decision makers. In the context of perceived vehicle vibration, the need for a bridge between complex CAE data and realistic subjective evaluation of tactile response is most compelling. A suite of VI-grade noise and vibration simulators have been developed to meet this challenge. In the process of developing these solutions VI-grade has identified the need for a means of accurately interpreting and presenting CAE vibration predictions at hardpoints such as the seat-rail (which can be efficiently and accurately modelled) as equivalent vibration at the driver tactile interfaces. This need has resulted in the development of a seat transmissibility approach to transform the seat-rail vibration to an accurate reproduction of vibration at the seat to driver interface points. This paper will describe an efficient measurement based seat transmissibility approach, and identify additional benefits such as the ability to make virtual seat swaps or experience the vibration that would be perceived by people with different physical characteristics (body mass, height, etc.).