CFD-Based optimization of dynamic pressure relief and associated simulation methodology for vehicle door closure

Uncomfortable ear pressure during vehicle door closure is associated with enhanced vehicle airtightness and an unreasonable reduction in cabin noise. Current computational simulation methods for ear pressure, however, suffer from low accuracy and inefficiency. In this study, we propose a porous medium model to represent the dynamic airflow resistance characteristics of the pressure relief valve, which improves both the efficiency and accuracy of precise ear pressure simulation. Additionally, an optimized sound insulation cover design is shown to effectively improve ear comfort. Using the overset mesh technique in STAR-CCM+, a transient in-vehicle flow field model was established. Model parameters were calibrated experimentally, and the optimization scheme was validated through combined simulation and experimental data. Results demonstrate that removing the silencer cover of the pressure relief valve reduces the peak ear pressure at the third-row right seat by 20%, with all simulation errors at the human ear remaining below 8%. Compared to the traditional fixed-opening model, the porous medium approach significantly improves the accuracy of simulating the actual pressure relief process. The dynamic pressure relief model and the optimized sound insulation cover effectively enhance ear pressure comfort, offering theoretical guidance for balancing door closing sound quality and vehicle sealing performance in automotive engineering.