Powertrain NVH: Strategic Damping & Isolation Approaches

Vehicle systems today have reached levels of optimal structural mass and stiffness distribution that combined with other system technologies have significantly increased power, torque, fuel economy, emissions, safety as well as other performance attributes. Material, process and manufacturing innovation at the component, subsystem and vehicle level have played a major role in achieving enhanced functionality and features. Depending upon the vehicle platform, total mass has decreased 30% in the last 20 years while increasing static and dynamic global stiffness characteristics by comparable amounts. Looking at the Evolution of structural material alternatives (e.g. aluminum, magnesium, polymer/plastic formulations) have driven mass reduction trends. Classical NVH approaches using a balance of damping, isolation, absorption and barrier treatment have been strongly challenged in mass and cost effective solutions. This paper reviews powertrain NVH strategies & applications in damping and isolation that provide substantial mass and cost advantages in comparison to conventional methods.