Assessing and Predicting the Impact of Cowlshake in Convertible Cars on Subjective Comfort

Torsional oscillations of the car body of convertible cars give rise to cowlshake of the wind-shield frame and the rear-view mirror, the dashboard, steering wheel, and seats. Drivers can perceive these oscillation which might impair subjective comfort and driving safety. Intensity reaches from just noticeable movements up to annoying shake of the steering wheel and distorted view in the mirror. A method to assess drivers ́ subjective comfort is suggested which allows to determine a functional relation between objective parameters of cowlshake and subjective comfort. This study is a first step towards simulation of cowlshake which includes prediction of comfort impairment.