Novel simulation method reduces late-emerging NVH issues in electric vehicles

Drive System Design to present a paper on the approach at the 2022 JSAE Annual Congress

Leading electrified powertrain engineering consultancy, Drive System Design (DSD), has developed an innovative simulation method that highlights potential NVH issues of electric drive units (EDU) whilst the design is still model-based.

“The move from ICEs has significantly lowered the acceptable level of NVH in vehicles and as a result, late-emerging and costly NVH issues are now more common in the industry,” said Jordan Craven, Senior Engineer at Drive System Design. “Highly integrated EDUs with complex interactions between multiple components makes it very challenging to predict and identify the source of NVH issues. It is critical for cost and time to market that they are identified before committing to physical prototypes.”

DSD has developed a system-level modelling approach using component and sub-system correlation tests to accurately simulate NVH behaviour. The company can accurately model anisotropic components and complex joints, which is critical to understanding how individual components interact at a system level. The approach has successfully been used on current development projects to identify NVH issues that would have otherwise been missed at this stage.

As an independent consultancy, DSD works with a range of OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers from different industries exposing it to a variety of technologies and applications. This has culminated in an extensive and ever-growing knowledge base, which is used to continually improve the accuracy of the model.

“Meeting consumer expectations on NVH is becoming increasingly challenging for vehicle manufacturers,” said Craven. “Virtual analysis and validation of the design using our method provide manufacturers with greater confidence that they will meet the necessary targets. It has been proven to significantly reduce the need for post-production fixes that can lead to a compromised product.”
The company will be presenting a paper on this new approach at the 2022 JSAE Annual Congress held in Yokohama, Japan. The paper is entitled “Challenges in optimising system NVH performance of electrified powertrains through developing correlated component models”. It will be presented in the “Latest Noise and Vibration Technologies and Sound Design Technology” session held between 12:35-15:15 (local time) on May 26th.

Drive System Design will also be exhibiting at the event as a member of the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s UK ‘GREAT’ Pavilion. The stand (Stand 1) will be host to some of the UK’s leading technology providers.

DSD has developed an innovative simulation method that highlights potential NVH issues of electric drive units (EDU) whilst the design is still model-based.

 


An assembled motor is tested to correlate NVH response.

 


 

“The move from ICEs has significantly lowered the acceptable level of NVH in vehicles and as a result, late-emerging and costly NVH issues are now more common in the industry,” said Jordan Craven, Senior Engineer at Drive System Design.


Simulated modal response of electric drive unit (EDU) to transmission and motor excitation