Identification of Magnetic-Borne Noise in Automotive Electric Power Steering Systems

This study proposes a practical and systematic methodology for identifying and characterizing magnetically induced noise in Column Electric Power Steering (CEPS) systems through vehicle-level testing. A coil sensor mounted on the Electric Power Steering (EPS) motor was employed to capture induced voltage signals during steering maneuvers, providing a real-time tachometric reference for order-tracking analysis. In-vehicle acoustic measurements conducted with a binaural headset revealed dominant magnetic harmonics—most notably the 24th order associated with rotor–stator interaction—and their higher-order components. To validate these observations under controlled conditions, complementary experiments were performed in a semi-anechoic chamber. Additionally, structural dynamic properties were evaluated through impact testing to distinguish electromagnetic excitations from mechanical resonances. The proposed methodology demonstrates a cost-effective and accurate approach for assessing the Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) characteristics of EPS systems, facilitating design optimization and noise mitigation without the need for extensive instrumentation or full-vehicle prototype testing.