When electric and autonomous vehicles began to take center stage, one issue stood out: road noise.
In combustion engine vehicles, engine sounds masked the hum and resonance from the road. But in quieter electric drivetrains, road noise became a noticeable comfort factor. Reducing it — without adding weight or cost — became essential for performance and customer satisfaction.
The Challenge
A leading automotive OEM approached Goken Engineering with a dual objective:
Reduce road noise without relying on costly active noise control or heavy insulation materials.
Adapt analysis dynamically from part-level testing to full-vehicle validation.
Traditional fixes like adding damping mass compromised fuel efficiency and lightweight design goals, while advanced active noise cancellation added significant cost. The challenge was to achieve NVH optimization through smart engineering.
Goken’s Approach
Goken developed a multi-phase NVH analysis framework, integrating vibration and acoustic simulations early in the vehicle design process — transforming how road-induced noise was managed.
1. Part-Level Analysis – Body-in-White (BIW)
Through finite element modeling, Goken identified rigidity gaps and resonant frequencies.
By enhancing panel stiffness and adjusting connection points, they reduced vibration propagation at the structural level.
2. Trimmed Body (TB) Model – Acoustic Path Optimization
Incorporating interior components, the team analyzed Acoustic and Vibration Transfer Functions (ATF/VTF) — pathways for noise transmission.
Adjustments in material properties, mounting methods, and joining techniques reduced sound transfer to the cabin.
3. Full Vehicle (FV) Validation
Real-world acoustic simulations validated improvements. Sound pressure mapping confirmed that cabin noise levels were reduced significantly — ensuring passenger comfort and NVH compliance standards.
Each development stage involved cycles of proposal, adjustment, and verification, ensuring technical feasibility and cost efficiency.
The Result
Instead of one generic fix, Goken delivered a Design Assessment (DA) Table presenting multiple acoustic optimization options.
This enabled the client’s engineers to balance performance, cost, and weight effectively.
The outcome:
Noticeable reduction in cabin noise levels
Maintained lightweight design integrity
Achieved cost efficiency for mass-market scalability
Enhanced EV passenger comfort and perception of quality
By embedding road noise control into early design stages, Goken proved that NVH excellence can coexist with efficiency and innovation.
Key Results Summary (SEO-Optimized Snippet Block)
30% reduction in cabin noise (validated via full-vehicle NVH testing)
No added weight to BIW structure
Zero dependency on active noise cancellation
Improved acoustic comfort for EV and autonomous vehicle platforms
