NVH-Development of Electric Powertrains - CAE-Methods and NVH-Criteria

Electric cars are getting popular more and more and the expectations of the customers are very challenging. Concerning comfort, the situation is clear: customers want an electric car to be quiet and without any annoying noise from the powertrain.

To develop an electric powertrain with a minimum noise level and minimized whining it is necessary to have an accurate CAE-simulation and precise criteria to assess whining noise. Based on the experience with electric powertrains in research cars the CAE-modelling was improved and a new ‘whining intensity factor’ was acquired for the development of Daimler's electric cars.

The results are a very low noise level and a minimized whining noise, nearly not noticeable giving a comfortable sound to the customers of the smart electric drive and the B-Class Electric Drive.