Contradictions of Automotive NVH with other Vehicle Performance and TRIZ tools for Innovative problem solving

For safety towards Automotive engineering often faces design contradictions, particularly in Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) optimization. Traditional approaches rely on trade-offs, but TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) offers a structured methodology to resolve contradictions innovatively. This paper explores in depth the TRIZ-based solutions for 2 key NVH challenges: (1) exhaust systems requiring noise reduction while maintaining low engine back-pressure, (2) engine mounts requiring both softness for vibration isolation and hardness for durability& vehicle stability. By applying principles such as segmentation, dynamization, parameter change, cheap short living objects or mechanics substitution, the novel solutions are proposed to achieve superior performance without traditional compromises. Tuneable valves in the path of the exhaust gas flow and the power-train mounting focused on its Torque Roll Axis were shown to exemplify the TRIZ problem solving effectiveness. TRIZ thinking in Time & Scale further encourages the designers to consider "crazy" solutions as the seed of "breakthrough." In both of the vehicle sub-systems under study, using past-present-future innovation strategy, the novel solution are devised: (a) water injection into the exhaust gas flow and (b) use of engine- mount composed of artificial muscle fibers like smart robotic actuators. Deployment of 40 TRIZ innovative principles is then shown to resolve other 5 vehicle sub-systems contradictions as well as to generate multiple alternate design solutions to achieve the same goals of NVH improvement in the vehicle. All of these non-traditional &/or leap-frog solutions should resolve the conflict among various vehicle performance parameters in a balanced way and assure the best in class NVH refinement to passengers under all operating conditions. This leads to successful implementation of frugal engineering by the Management which is under constant pressure of Customer satisfaction from point of view of both superior road-performance and cost of ownership.