Zara Khan
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Noise reduction in automobile gearboxes has become a critical area of research due to increasing customer expectations and stringent regulatory standards for vehicle noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). This paper investigates the optimization of gearbox design with a focus on minimizing operational noise without compromising performance or durability. The study reviews existing design parameters influencing noise generation, including gear geometry, material selection, lubrication, and assembly precision. Advanced optimization techniques such as parametric design and finite element analysis (FEA) were utilized to analyze gear contact stresses, mesh stiffness, and vibration characteristics. The methodology includes a systematic design of experiments (DOE) approach to identify critical factors affecting noise and employs root cause analysis of noise sources such as gear meshing and bearing vibrations. Results demonstrate that optimized gear tooth profiles, accurate alignment, and improved damping significantly reduce noise levels by up to 15 dB under simulated operational conditions. This research provides practical design guidelines for automotive gearbox manufacturers to achieve low-noise operation using established engineering methods and tools up to 2021.
Keywords
Gearbox optimization, low-noise design, NVH, gear geometry, finite element analysis, automotive transmission.
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