Overview of noise and vibration in automotive Engines

Engine noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is a key contributor to vehicle quietness. It is among the top contributors to the overall customer satisfaction and an important attribute considered during the design process of IC engines. This manuscript provides an insight to the NVH mechanisms generated in the engine by the valve train, cam drive, crank train, accessory drive, combustion system, fuel system, and boost system. Furthermore, this manuscript discusses how these mechanisms propagate inside the vehicle and how they are perceived by the customers. In this regard, the engine NVH mechanisms are described as airborne or structure borne, depending on their propagation path, and as usual or unusual depending if they are undesirable and cause customer dissatisfaction or not. This paper also provides references to the literature relevant to the field of engine NVH. © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.