Title: Rating criteria for vehicle in-cabin noise with emphasis on HVAC system operation

Authors: M. Satya Prasad, Simon Watkins, Xu Wang, Simon St. Hill, David Weymouth

Addresses: School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3073, Australia. ' School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3073, Australia. ' School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Bundoora East Campus, Bundoora, Victoria 3073, Australia. ' Ait International – Thermal Systems, 80, Turner Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia. ' Ait International – Thermal Systems, 80, Turner Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207, Australia

Abstract: Noise and vibration have an important influence on a customer|s perception of vehicle quality. It is the purpose of this study to introduce a standard test procedure for measuring vehicle in-cabin noise levels. A combined vehicle base noise with all possible sources, including HVAC system, tyres, aerodynamics, under various driving conditions, is considered for developing the total vehicle cabin noise rating criteria. Results from 21 different vehicles were analysed and used to determine a star rating for the vehicle industry, which incorporates loudness, communication and annoyance of the measured data. Using sensitivity analysis, weighting is given to those parameters having prominent impact on the in-cabin noise levels, to arrive at a combined factor, which then is translated into a star rating.

Keywords: cabin noise; noise criteria; star rating; psychoacoustics; vehicle quality; vehicle noise; vehicle vibration; HVAC systems; tyre noise; aerodynamics; heating; ventilation; air conditioning; loudness; communication; annoyance; standard tests.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2009.029199

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2009 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.175 - 191

Published online: 09 Nov 2009 *

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