Noise and Vibration Control in Automotive Bodies

9Targets for Body Noise and Vibration

9.1 Target System for Vehicle Noise and Vibration

9.1.1 Period for Vehicle Development and Targets

9.1.1.1 Product Development Period

The period to develop a brand new vehicle is usually three years. The “starting point” of the development period is the time when the company executives make a strategic decision to develop the new vehicle. The “ending point” is that beginning of the mass production in an assembly plant. Before the starting point, it takes about half a year for the market and research departments to do detailed analysis on the vehicle to be developed, including product positioning, market competition, technology support from internal company and outside sources, etc., which is called predevelopment work. Figure 9.1 shows the development period.

Figure 9.1 Development period of a brand‐new vehicle.

9.1.1.2 Target System and its Importance

Target is a desired result by a system, a person, or a unit. For automotive noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), the target is to meet customer expectations and competitive demands of the market on noise and vibration. The customer language is abstract; for example, they wish a vehicle to be “quiet,” “comfortable,” “powerful at acceleration,” and to have “less vibration.” The market language is abstract as well; for example, a vehicle should have these characteristics: “competitive ...