Integrated Solutions for Noise and Vibration Control in Vehicles

The automotive industry is aiming at both reducing the weight of the vehicles while improving a high level of comfort. This causes contradicting requirements for the systems used for noise and vibration control. Thus, active systems are investigated which may enhance the performance of passive noise and vibration control in vehicles without adding excessive weight. In this paper, basic principles for the implementations of those systems with a focus on the control systems are reviewed. Examples from implementations in automotive applications are presented, including control of engine vibrations, structure borne noise transmitted from the road into the passenger compartment and low-frequency chassis vibrations. Based on adaptive filter systems already widely used in active noise control adaptation of the control algorithms to the specific application scenarios are discussed. This includes different configurations for feedforward and feedback control, single-and multichannel control systems and the utilization of different actuator concepts like active mounts, inertial mass actuators and active tuned absorbers, as well as different control sensors like accelerometers and microphones. Finally, current research topics and respective concepts for the improvement of active control systems are introduced.