A study of tyre cavity resonance noise mechanism and countermeasures using vibroacoustic analysis

The tyre cavity resonance has been identified as a tonal noise that can be clearly heard inside the vehicle cabin which contributes to the increased level of annoyance. Tyre cavity resonance was analytically studied using impedance compact mobility matrix and statistical energy analysis. Both methods were then combined to form a hybrid analysis which is useful for a vibroacoustic system with material and manufacturing variations (such as tyre) in the mid-frequency range. Mid-frequency range is often defined as the range where they are too high for finite element analysis but too low for statistical energy analysis in order to obtain accurate results. The hybrid solution was shown to be advantageous to Monte Carlo method. The analytical results were supported by the results calculated from vibroacoustic software (VAOne), statistical energy analysis software (AutoSEA) and data from experimental modal tests as well as speaker-microphone response tests. Countermeasure using a multilayer trim attached onto the tyre inner surface was also presented. From the comparison between the analytical, finite element simulation and experimental data results, the tyre cavity resonance characteristics from the assumed physical model and actual tyre showed correlation to strong coupling condition. This study provides a better insight into the coupling condition of the tyre structure and cavity that could be used to understand and solve the problem. The described methods can also be applied to other geometrically similar structural-acoustic systems.