The prediction of vehicle vibration transmitted to the occupant using a modular transfer matrix

Industry is moving towards more data-oriented design and analyses to solve complex analytical problems. Solving complex and large finite element models is still challenging and requires high computational time and resources. Here, a modular method is presented to predict the transmission of vehicle body vibration to the occupants’ body by combining the numerical transfer matrices of the subsystems. The transfer matrices of the subsystems are presented in the form of data which is sourced from either physical tests or finite element models. The structural dynamics of the vehicle body is represented using a transfer matrix at each of the seat mounting points in three triaxial (X–Y–Z) orientations. The proposed method provides an accurate estimation of the transmission of the vehicle body vibration to the seat frame and the seated occupant. This method allows the combination of conventional finite element analytical model data and the experimental data of subsystems to accurately predict the dynamic performance of the complex structure. The numerical transfer matrices can also be the subject of machine learning for various applications such as for the prediction of the vibration discomfort of the occupant with different seat and foam designs and with different physical characteristics of the occupant body.