Optimization of Air Extraction Path for Superior Customer Comfort While Door Closing Event of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)

The passenger car segment has been extremely competitive and automotive OEMs are thriving to provide superior customer experience. Door closing is an event that requires slamming of the door with a certain velocity to get the door latched. A good latching provides that thud sound and assurance of the door getting closed for an SUV. While the door is closed, it pushes the volume of air inside the cabin. As the amount of air moved in is proportionate to the size of the door it becomes more critical for the SUV segment of vehicles to ensure the air extraction path is efficient. Else, steep pressure rise inside the cabin causes severe discomfort to the passengers sitting inside the vehicle. Current work focused on the process of simulation of cabin pressure while door closing, implementing changes based on results and validating with test results. Test results are in close correlation with simulation predictions. Also, it emphasizes that body panel changes made to improve the airflow path are extremely necessary. The outcome has been excellent, rated by jury members, and the proposed changes have been realized for production.