A Study on Optimal Design of Panel Shape of a Body Structure for Reduction of Interior Noise

This paper presents an optimal design process using beads on a body panel to improve interior noise of a passenger vehicle. Except modification of structural members, it is difficult to find effective countermeasures that can work for the intermediate frequency range from 100 Hz to 300 Hz which lies between the booming and low medium frequency. In this study, it is a major goal to find additional counter-measures for this intermediate frequency range by performing optimal design of beads on body panels. The proposed method for design optimization consists of 4 sub-steps, that is, a) problem definition, b) cause analysis, c) countermeasure development and d) validation. The objective function is minimization of interior noise level. The major design variables are the geometrical shape of a bead and combination of beads on the critical panels. Sensitivity analysis and optimization are performed according to the predefined process for an optimal design. It is verified that the proposed design decreases the level of noise transfer function above 5 dB.