Adaptive Road Noise Control

Vehicle Dynamics without Compromise

Colin Peachey Lotus Engineering
04/22/08
2
Overview
Modern vehicle suspensions balance refinement (isolation) and
dynamics (control).
OEMs frequently compromise dynamics to keep refinement
acceptable (and vice versa).
Active noise control (ANC) was developed by Lotus to reduce
low frequency noise inside the vehicle cabin by generating an
opposing sound field through the audio system.
Using ANC the level of compromise can be reduced and the
vehicle optimised for dynamics with less regard for roadnoise as
the NVH problems can be resolved using active technology.
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3
How Sound Balance in cars has changed
60
65
70
1994 2004
Road
noise
Engine
noise
windnoise
Roadnoise has increased
Engine noise has decreased
Windnoise has marginally
decreased
Roadnoise is now dominant
sound when cruising.
Engine noise conveys
purpose / power & provides
driver feedback for gear
change etc..
Roadnoise is just fatiguing
and annoying and has zero
purpose or benefit.
Lotus Data C segment model
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Why is Roadnoise increasing?
225/45W17 Volkswagen Golf V. GTi
195/65H15 Volkswagen GOLF V
195/65V15 Volkswagen Golf IV. 1.8 GTi
175/80T14 Volkswagen GOLF IV
185/60H14 Volkswagen Golf III. 1.8i GT
175/70T13 Volkswagen GOLF III
185/60V14 Volkswagen Golf II. Gti
155/80T13 Volkswagen GOLF II
Standard Tyre Size Model
Universal trend for wider low profile tyres
Example of VW Golf
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Suspension inputs increasing
Multi link suspensions
create multiple noise
paths into the vehicle.
Bushes are harder for
improved handling
capability reducing
isolation levels.
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Adaptive Road Noise
Control (ARNC)
Engine Sound
Synthesis
Engine Order
Cancellation (EOC)
Lotus ANC technologies
850 4400 1000 2000 3000 4000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2200 2400 2600 2800 3200 3400 3600 3800 4200
rpm
30
80
40
50
60
70
35
45
55
65
75
33
38
43
48
53
58
63
68
73
78
d
B
(
A
)
P
a
F Overall level Driver_DX (A) Runup_neutral_OFF
F Overall level Driver_DX (A) Runup_neutral_ON
F Order 2.00 Driver_DX (A)
F Order 2.00 Driver_DX (A)
reduction in
overall noise
reduction in 2
nd
order engine noise
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Principle of Noise Cancellation
ANC
output
Vehicle
noise
Resultant
Noise Phase
correct
Cancellation
Phase incorrect
Noise increase
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Schematic of Lotus RNC System
Loudspeaker System
(Common with Audio)
Error Microphones
(Feedback
adaption)
Adaptive Controller
Accelerometers
(feedforward
reference)
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Frequency range of Active Control
250 Hz
PASSIVE RANGE
(Sealing and absorption treatments)
Frequency
ACTIVE RANGE
(Conventional treatments are mass
and stiffness)
0
System off
System on
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Example of system benefits
Two European premium sector luxury saloons were tested.
Comfort Car premium brand high comfort and refinement RWD
Limited to 250 kph
Tyres: Front 255/45/18 Rear 275/45/18
Dynamics Car premium brand sports saloon 4WD
>300 kph maximum speed.
Tyres: 275/40/19
Both cars were rated subjectively on 1 to 10 scale for all aspects of
driving dynamics and comfort and measured for interior noise.
The Dynamics car was then fitted with the Lotus Active Roadnoise
system and re-measured.
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Overall Vehicle Dynamics Performance
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
Steering Response
Steering Connection
Handling - Cornering Isolation
Road Noise
Dynamics Car
Comfort Car
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Dynamics Car 1 Vs Comfort Car 2
Base cars no ARNC, Coarse Chip Road 80 km/h
LHF RHF
RHR LHR
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Dynamics car with ARNC Vs Comfort car
Dynamic car with ARNC , Coarse Chip Road 80 km/h
LHF RHF
RHR LHR
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ARNC Comparison, Coarse chip Road 80 km/h
Dynamics car ARNC Off ARNC On
LHF RHF
RHR LHR
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Noise influence on isolation feel
The subjective isolation feelis created by the combined noise
and vibration response experienced by the driver.
Reduced noise response generally creates a more favourable
isolation impression even if vibration is unaffected.
However to maximise vibration isolation the steering column and
seat needs to optimised for vibration transmission.
This is easier to do if the constraint of roadnoise isolation has
been reduced as a development priority.
In addition stiffer suspensions will have better yaw stability
which benefits steering response :- hence very rigid rack
mounting stiffness may not be essential.
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Effect of Impact Strip isolation improvement
Impact response RHR noise
ARNC Off
ARNC On
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Impact strip noise Effect of ARNC - detail
RHR Seat ARNC Off RHR Seat ARNC On
F
r
e
q
u
e
n
c
y

3
0

4
5
0

H
z
F
r
e
q
u
e
n
c
y

3
0

4
5
0

H
z
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ARNC- Smooth to rough transition response
ARNC Off ARNC On
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Overall Vehicle Dynamics Performance
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
Steering Response
Steering Connection
Handling - Cornering Isolation
Road Noise
Dynamics Car
Comfort Car
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Overall vehicle Dynamics Performance with ARNC
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
Steering Response
Steering Connection
Handling - Cornering Isolation
Road Noise
Dynamics Car
Comfort Car
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Landstrom and Landstrom (1985)
showed low frequency
monotonous noise and vibration
increased drowsiness levels.
Loftstedt and Landstrom (1987)
showed truckdrivers become
more readily fatigued driving
trucks that generated high levels
of low frequency noise.
ROSPA (2001) have shown
20% of UK road accidents are
fatigue related.
Noise contributes to accidents
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Further Applications of Lotus Active noise technology
The range of ANC technologies can also be applied to realise other
specific benefits.
CO2 reduction
Vehicle weight reduction
Extended operation of engine cylinder deactivation
Maintain refinement with engine balancer shaft deletion
Reduced programme costs
High end Halo models from high volume platforms
Reduced development time for derivative models
Increased product differentiation from common platform strategy
Improved customer feature
Improved dynamics
Improved refinement
Enhanced driver enjoyment (sound synthesis)
Pedestrian safety for electric and hybrid vehicles
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Summary
Roadnoise is now the dominant NVH problem in a majority of vehicles.
Refinement and vehicle dynamics requirements are often in conflict
requiring compromise (NVH is usually the victim).
ANC is a viable solution to low frequency noise in vehicle interiors
which can negate much of the conflict.
The system can have a dramatic effect on vehicles with high levels of
low frequency structural noise.
This technology can be exploited to achieve class leading dynamics
and refinement on the same vehicle and achieve vehicle dynamics
without compromise.
The technology is available now and we are already working with a
number of potential suppliers of the production solution.
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Further information
For further information on the full range of Lotus active noise technologies
please contact:-
Colin Peachey - Chief Engineer NVH
Lotus Engineering
Hethel
Norwich
Norfolk
England
NR14 8EZ
+44 (0)1953 608926
E mail cpeachey@lotuscars.co.uk
Or go to
http://www.grouplotus.com/engineering/products_services.html