Optimization of Roof Drumming Noise between Roof Bow and Roof Panel in a Small Utility Vehicle

Abstract

The roof panel and roof bow are critical components of the Body-in-White (BIW) structure, significantly influencing vehicle strength, durability, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance. Poor design in these areas can lead to NVH deterioration, resulting in discomfort for occupants. The roof bow must meet key functional requirements such as durability, fatigue resistance, and noise control under normal operating conditions. Incorporating design considerations early in the development phase such as material selection, geometry, and joining techniques can help shorten the product development timeline for OEMs. Adopting a "first-time-right" approach enables efficient optimization of the roof bow design, ensuring performance targets are met while also achieving long-term cost savings.
This paper describes the robust and optimal design for standard roof panels and roof bows of small utility vehicles. The structure meets the required operating conditions for durability and passes NVH target above 20 Hz. Finite element models are developed with different control factors that influence structure design. In this paper evaluates the impact of each component on the noise produced by the drumming of the roof and demonstrates how the integration of multiple factors can be skilfully utilized to create an ideal and resilient design that remains lightweight in the context of vehicle operation conditions. The final robust and optimized FEM design is proposed to eliminate the roof drumming noise in the small utility vehicle.