Active Noise Control Experiments in a Fork-lift Truck Cabin

High comfort for the driver in working vehicles is an important feature as well as a demand from the drivers. Low noise level is an essential factor for the manufacturer to maintain a high standard and comfort of vehicles. In many cases the noise inside the cabin can be related to the engine orders. Hydraulic pumps and fans are also related to the engine but not necessarily integers of the engine order. Passive absorbers are not suitable for the lowest frequencies and one approach is to use an active noise control system to solve the noise problem at low frequencies. In the present experiment loudspeakers were mounted inside the cabin of a fork lift-truck to produce the secondary noise field. To sense the residual noise, microphones were installed close to the driver’s head. The aim is to create a zone of reduced noise around the head. Since a large portion of the noise inside the cabin can be related to the engine, an active control system based on a feedforward solution is possible. Experimental results from a feedforward solution of active noise control in a fork-lift truck cabin show that the noise level in the low frequency region can be reduced significantly.