Automobile Interior Noise Reduction Using Finite Element Methods

Low-frequency interior noise in the automobile passenger compartment can be significantly affected by the vibration behavior of the body panels which surround the enclosed cavity. This paper reviews a finite element method for computing panel-excited interior noise and outlines an approach for identifying potentially noisy panels adjacent to the passenger compartment. To illustrate the potential of the analytical method, it is applied to a production automobile. A structural modification suggested by the procedure is shown to significantly reduce the low-frequency interior noise to which the occupant is exposed. Experimental verification of the method is presented.