Title: Modelling neutral gear rattle for a light commercial vehicle

Authors: Mrunal Kshirsagar; Satyajit R. Patil; Ansar A. Mulla; Sudhir P. Takalkar

Addresses: Automobile Engineering Department, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sakharale, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 415414, India ' Automobile Engineering Department, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sakharale, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 415414, India ' Automobile Engineering Department, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology, Sakharale, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, 415414, India ' MSL Driveline Systems Ltd., Nasik, Maharashtra, 422007, India

Abstract: Acoustic levels have a significant influence on the ride comfort of road vehicles. Among the others, gear rattling noise is a significant problem faced by the car industry. Automotive powertrains are under investigation to reduce and isolate the torsional vibrations responsible f or g ear rattling. T his work addresses the problem of reducing gear rattle while the engine is idling. The aim is to reduce the rattle index by introducing the pre-damper clutch plate instead of a conventional clutch plate that uses torsional vibration springs. A Matlab/Simulink model is developed to estimate the effect of spring stiffness on the rattle index of the system. The output of the model is validated experimentally and the accuracy of the Simulink model is reported. The rattle index was successfully decreased with the help of a pre-damped clutch plate, and the model is found to be accurate enough to estimate the rattle index.

Keywords: neutral gear rattle; torsional vibrations; pre-damper spring; rattle index.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVNV.2019.107920

International Journal of Vehicle Noise and Vibration, 2019 Vol.15 No.4, pp.238 - 255

Received: 18 Jul 2019
Accepted: 20 Jan 2020
Published online: 30 Jun 2020 *

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