Title: Experiment on engine sound propagation path using a compact microphone array

Authors: Cui Qing Zhang; Yuan Jun Dai; Yong Yan Chen; Zhi Ying Gao; Jun Kai Yao

Addresses: Department of Electrical Engineering, Inner Mongolia Technical College of Mechanics and Electrics, Huhhot, 010070, China; School of Energy and Power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Huhhot, 010051, China ' Department of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Institute of Engineering, Urumqi, 830091, China ' School of Energy and power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Huhhot, 010051, China ' School of Energy and power Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Huhhot, 010051, China ' Jinzhen Power Installation Co., Ltd, Alsha Electric Power Buresu, Alsha, 750306, China

Abstract: The car noise is seriously affecting people's work and physical and mental health. To mitigate this problem, cars can be fitted with noise reduction mechanisms. However, with such mechanisms, acquisition of a precisely localised sound source and sound propagation paths is key. We present an effective approach for such measurement and mapping, and illustrate the kinds of data produced and how they could possibly be useful for noise reduction. A Volkswagen engine was measured with respect to three roughly planar sound producing surfaces. An array of 60 microphones together with powerful algorithms produced visualisable cross sections of the area of sound distribution surrounding the engine. A physical coordinate system of the space around the engine was defined, allowing us to refer to engine parts by their coordinates, and identify them in mapping data. The results obtained give clues for the placement of sound absorbers or noise-cancelling technology.

Keywords: automotive engineering; acoustic array; noise source identification; propagation path; sound energy; noise; NVH; vibration and harshness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2021.119964

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2021 Vol.17 No.1/2, pp.1 - 16

Received: 08 Jan 2020
Accepted: 22 Oct 2020
Published online: 04 Jan 2022 *

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