On the one hand, the acoustical comfort inside a vehicle depends on the interior sound field, but depends on the vibrations at the steering and seats, too. Realism of virtual environments is significantly enhanced by the integration of vibration. Introductory research tests within the European research project OBELICS [1] (BRPR CT96-0242) have shown that the use of combined vibro-acoustic playback systems leads to more reliable judgements of sound characteristics and sound quality. Based on the measurement or calculation of all relevant transfer paths from the powertrain into the cabin of the car with respect to structure-borne and airborne-related contributions not only to the left and right ear, but also to the steering and seat, sound quality and vibration at the driver’s position may be predicted and 'driven' before the first prototype is built. Although sound cannot yet be predicted in an unknown chassis, the sound and vibration behavior resulting from a new engine, never previously installed in a given vehicle, may be predicted, heard binaurally and felt in an interactive 'drivable' simulation based on transfer path analysis. From transfer path data the simulation environment permits interactive control from throttle position of relevant vehicle behavior, the user can change chassis impedances, etc., and 'drive' the resulting behavior.
展开▼
