In comparison to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, Electric vehicles (EVs) development and adoption is driven by several factors such as zero emissions, higher performance, cost effective in maintenance, smoother and quieter ride. Global OEMs are competing to provide a reduced in-cab noise for ensuring a smooth and quiet driving experience. Short project timelines for EV demands quick design and development. In initial stages of project, input data availability of EV is limited and a simplified approach is necessary to accelerate the development of vehicle. This paper focuses on simulation methodology for predicting structure borne noise from powertrain deploying Transfer Path Analysis approach. Current simulation methodology involves full vehicle model with multiple flexible bodies and full BIW flexible model which leads to complex modelling and longer simulation times.
The proposed transfer path analysis technique utilises, a simplified Multibody Dynamics EV powertrain mount model and EV Motor Model considering Electromagnetic Forces with 24 DOF for Peak and Continuous torque for predicting mount forces, and a simulated or measured Noise Transfer Functions (NTFs) and Vibration Transfer Functions (VTFs) to predict noise. This method provides the same results as existing methodology but with a reduction of 80% in overall time. This novel methodology helps in design optimization of EV Powertrain mounts' configuration for reduced noise levels by identifying the individual mounts' contribution to noise.
The proposed transfer path methodology is observed to have better correlation with physical measured data of above 90% and it has advantage in terms of simpler modelling approach, faster simulation and accurate results. This methodology could be helpful for the powertrain mounting system configuration for the entire design community.