Title: Methods of palliation for high frequency elasto-acoustic response of truck drivetrain systems

Authors: M. Gnanakumarr, P.D. King, S. Theodossiades, H. Rahnejat

Addresses: Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK. ' Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK. ' Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK. ' Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: This paper describes high frequency radiated noise from hollow driveshaft tubes, caused by impulsive torque input into the drivetrain system; a phenomenon referred to as clonk. The annoying metallic nature of clonk and its perception as an indication of low quality manufacture has been a major concern to the automobile industry, particularly for heavy vehicles. This has led to a fundamental study of the mechanisms for the initiation of the phenomenon and their causal roots, highlighted in this paper. Various methods of palliation are also indicated and their effectiveness ascertained.

Keywords: clonk noise; drivetrains; dual mass flywheel; elasto-acoustic coupling; laser Doppler vibrometry; trucks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHVS.2006.010582

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems, 2006 Vol.13 No.4, pp.253 - 262

Published online: 03 Aug 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article