Contribution
Implementation of a synthesis tool for stationary and non-stationary interior noise of electric vehicles
* Presenting author
Abstract:
With electric vehicles gaining market share, OEMs and suppliers face new challenges in NVH engineering. In contrast to combustion engines, electrically powered drivetrains are overall quieter, but the electric motor, inverter and gearbox lead to more tonal sounds. Therefore, it is important to know how the combination of these tonal sounds, as well as temporal effects are perceived and how they affect the pleasantness inside the vehicle. In the engineering process, this requires either ratings of prototype vehicle sounds by listeners or, more practicable, using auditory models predicting human perception. The optimization of latter models requires listening experiments with sounds that represent specific driving conditions, varying certain sound parameters while keeping others constant. The synthesizer presented in this contribution can generate artificial interior sounds of electrical vehicles in acceleration, deceleration and constant cruise. Background noise, e-motor, gearbox and inverter can be synthesized with vast options in present orders, frequencies and levels. Related phenomena such as structural resonances and modulation can be modelled as well. The presented synthesizer is the basis for several listening studies that will improve psychoacoustic models of tonality and dissonance perception, facilitating NVH-engineering in an earlier state of vehicle development.