Effect of flexibility on rattle noise: Experimental and theoretical analysis

Abstract

Rattle has become an important issue in the automotive and aerospace industries. In order to understand the fundamental mechanics of rattle, a model problem involving a hinged plate rattling against a stiff contact point was formulated. In a previous study, this plate was modeled as a rigid body and the linearized equations of motion were solved explicitly. The calculated tip accelerations were compared to those measured from an experimental test stand and agreed qualitatively. Currently, the model has been expanded to include flexible modes in order to capture higher frequency behavior. In addition, instrumentation has been added to the test stand to measure sound-pressure level (SPL) and contact forces. The data for accelerations, contact forces, and SPL were compared in the time and frequency domains. Finally, the closed form flexible body solutions were analyzed with regard to stability to predict transitions from periodic to chaotic rattling behavior.