In the near future there are some exciting challenges facing the acoustic experts at the NVH Centre. In 2012, Volvo Cars will start marketing plug-in hybrids featuring a mixture of electric and/or diesel power. When the car is powered by electricity, progress is virtually silent. This means that other, more irritating, sounds will become more noticeable. This makes acoustic design very important. And things will be equally important from the traffic-safety viewpoint - it must be possible to hear an approaching car.
Legal requirements will probably be implemented in most countries, and in fact some US states already apply such legislation. In Europe, there are discussions on just how quiet a car is allowed to be.
"So just how should our plug-in hybrid sound? So far we have no bank of experience from which to obtain data. We'll have to start examining this issue fairly soon," says Johan Stenson.
Facts about the new semi-acoustic test chamber at the NVH Centre
·The facility entered full operation in the first half of 2009.
·The building is insulated from vibration so as to avoid all outside interference.
·The three-storey building has three vibration zones.
·The test chamber is made of concrete; it measures 22x15.9x6.75 metres.
·The sound-insulated protrusions that cover the walls and ceiling measure 1.5 metres from the underlying concrete surface to the tip.
·The measurement equipment is designed for use with both four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive cars.
·Maximum output is 300 kW from 90 to 250 kilometres per hour for high-performance testing.
photo:Volvo
Legal requirements will probably be implemented in most countries, and in fact some US states already apply such legislation. In Europe, there are discussions on just how quiet a car is allowed to be.
"So just how should our plug-in hybrid sound? So far we have no bank of experience from which to obtain data. We'll have to start examining this issue fairly soon," says Johan Stenson.
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| The new acoustic laboratory is located in the very heart of the Volvo Cars, Torslanda, Sweden. |
Facts about the new semi-acoustic test chamber at the NVH Centre
·The facility entered full operation in the first half of 2009.
·The building is insulated from vibration so as to avoid all outside interference.
·The three-storey building has three vibration zones.
·The test chamber is made of concrete; it measures 22x15.9x6.75 metres.
·The sound-insulated protrusions that cover the walls and ceiling measure 1.5 metres from the underlying concrete surface to the tip.
·The measurement equipment is designed for use with both four-wheel drive and two-wheel drive cars.
·Maximum output is 300 kW from 90 to 250 kilometres per hour for high-performance testing.
photo:Volvo