FEM analysis of noise reduction in an automobile suspension

One of the key factors which play a crucial part in determining the vehicle quality and ride comfort is the noise produced due to different mechanical components. This research project aims to study the phenomenon responsible for the noise in the rubber bushing due to friction-induced stick-slip vibrations. This work proposes a dynamic FEM model built with Abaqus/CAE for rubber bushing to perform a quasi-static analysis and recreate the same results obtained from the static model for the deformation modes. A FE Model is set up to investigate the eigenmodes of free vibrations and their contribution to the frequency range of noise produced experimentally. Moreover, a single-degree-of-freedom stick-slip vibration model is studied using Abaqus, and the effects of varying parameters are assessed. Finally, this study is then modified for the rubber bushing at a simpler scale presenting just one groove moving against the contacting surface. The findings from the trend obtained through Abaqus simulations for stick-slip vibrations, while varying different parameters for a simple model, help contribute to our understanding of different attributes as well as the critical factors which can be responsible for generating noise.