INVESTIGATION OF SQUEAK AND RATTLE PROBLEMS IN VEHICLE COMPONENTS BY USING SIMULATION & DOE TECHNIQUES

Over the past several decades, the automotive industry is more focused on reducing engine, wind, and road noise to improve comfort. However, as background noise levels continue to decrease, the squeaks and rattles created by the many components inside and outside the vehicle become gradually noticeable, and annoying. In electric vehicles the squeaks and rattles noise becomes more dominant than other type of noise as a result of absence of dominant noise source of engine from conventional petrol/diesel vehicle. In this paper, we are proposing a simulation methodology to develop a systematic approach to identify and solve squeak and rattle problems in vehicle components/sub-assemblies at primary stage of product development. This work will present a unique approach in understanding varied methods and Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques used to identify root-cause of squeak and rattle problems and to find a solution by using numerical methods.