EV makers and acoustic engineers face several tough challenges in their daily work to achieve optimal acoustic performance in electric vehicles. Overcoming interior noise sources, meeting exterior noise compliance regulations, and integrating simulation tools effectively are key areas that require continuous innovation, collaboration, and expertise. By addressing these challenges, EV makers can provide customers with quieter and more enjoyable driving experiences while meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring pedestrian safety.
Electric vehicles inherently have quieter powertrains compared to traditional internal combustion engines. While this provides a more serene cabin environment, it also amplifies other sources of noise that were previously masked. Let's delve into the toughest challenges faced in this pursuit:
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Stringent noise regulations, particularly in urban areas, demand EVs to comply with specific noise level thresholds to ensure pedestrian safety. Delivering right the first time upon the growing standards for exterior noise compliance poses a significant challenge for vehicle engineers.
“ESI VA One is a single environment for vibro-acoustics analysis and design, covering the full frequency spectrum through a set of seamlessly coupled and proven modeling methods. Engineers achieve optimal design productivity without the need to deploy separate solutions requiring training for different user interfaces and data exchange between environments.”
Massimiliano
To overcome the above challenges effectively, acoustic engineers have been relying on advanced simulation tools. However, integrating and optimizing these tools within existing development processes can pose challenges related to data accuracy, model complexity, and simulation fidelity. Ensuring seamless integration and efficient utilization of simulation tools is crucial for achieving optimal acoustic performance in EVs.
“The attitude OEMs must acquire to embark on their ambitious sustainable mobility scenarios: ‘We must get acoustic performance first time right and we must get it done with minimal physical tests and prototypes.’”
Massimiliano
Solving each one of these challenges itself is a complex task due to the interoperability and interconnection of the required engineering disciplines – a seemingly insignificant design change in one area could impact all other areas of the vehicle’s acoustic performance. OEMs must figure out the solutions to all these tasks equally at the same time and commit to the optimal design early with confidence. This adds complexity on top of complexity and represents overall the most difficult challenge for automakers.
Now, imagine the power that automakers could harness from having their own digital test facility: It is immense! By leveraging advanced simulation within a virtual prototyping approach, automakers can significantly reduce costs and time associated with hardware testing, allowing for faster and more efficient development cycles. This digital approach empowers engineers to efficiently explore a wider range of design iterations, holistically optimize acoustic performance, and ensure first-time-right compliance with regulations, ultimately accelerating innovation and improving the overall quality of their vehicles.
Massimiliano Calloni is the Vibro-Acoustic Product Marketing Manager for ESI Group. Dott. Ing. Massimiliano Calloni has a M.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, which he obtained from Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Massimiliano has more than 20 years’ experience in Noise & Vibration and worked at AgustaWestland Helicopters for six years as a consultant for both test and simulation. He continues to hone his skills in business development at ESI Group in the role of VA Product Marketing Manager. He support activities in Europe and Asia with emphasis on Italy, India, China, Korea and Japan.