Trelleborg Unveils Active Force Cancellation System for Quieter, More Efficient Vehicles

For more than a decade, Trelleborg Automotive’s anti‑vibration team has been refining a breakthrough noise‑control technology that uses active force cancellation to deliver an exceptionally quiet ride.

The system deploys specialised actuators positioned near mount attachment points. These actuators generate waves that match the frequency and amplitude of vehicle vibrations but are 180° out of phase, thereby cancelling the unwanted motion in real time.

It sounds simple, but we have been working on it for more than a decade, says Manfred Hofmann, technical director at Trelleborg Automotive’s Technical Center in Höhr‑Grenzhausen, Germany.

Unlike conventional balance shafts—which are costly and primarily effective at high engine speeds—active force cancellation offers broader performance across the entire RPM range, reducing noise and vibration without the added weight or complexity.

The technology is also well‑suited to emerging engine architectures that shut down cylinders when full power is unnecessary. While this strategy saves fuel, it can increase vibration; active force cancellation mitigates that issue and further improves efficiency.

Trelleborg is targeting vehicles that benefit most from the technology, such as three‑cylinder diesels and other powertrains where vibration is naturally higher. Rather than fitting the system as standard, manufacturers can opt for it on models that demand extra quietness.

In addition, the system can be tuned to shape engine sound rather than simply cancel it. A major automaker is currently exploring how to craft a signature sound profile that balances performance and acoustic appeal.

Looking ahead, active force cancellation could play a pivotal role in future powertrains, including fuel‑cell vehicles. Even as internal combustion engines fade, wind and other environmental noises will persist; the technology can smooth those sounds for a more pleasant driving experience.

Harmonic waves are key

Active force cancellation relies on actuators that generate harmonic waves matching the disturbance force but 180° out of phase. A closed‑loop feed‑forward control system ensures that even rapidly changing engine speeds are handled, canceling multiple harmonic orders in real time.