The most effective measure for optimum vibration isolation of petrol and diesel engines with a high specific power rating and a high specific torque is the use of a dual mass flywheel (
DMF
). In this component, a spring mass damper is activated before the clutch. Its resonance frequency is below the excitation frequency of the engine at idle speed and thus outside the operating range. The spring mass damper filters the torsional vibrations introduced by the engine and thus calms the downstream drive line.
This contribution provides an introductory analysis of the relationship between the trend for downsizing on the one hand and greater torsional vibrations and their noise development on the other. The function and structure of the
DMF
basic concept and the further models derived from this basic concept are described later. The speed‐adaptive absorbing function of the
DMF
with centrifugal pendulum‐type absorber (
CPA
) is presented in detail. A separate chapter describes a procedure for vibration simulation that looks in detail at all elements and excitation objects that come under consideration for the power transfer. This chapter looks not only at the
DMF
and the clutch system but also the entire powertrain, including engine and engine management. It also discusses the selection of suitable target factors that can be used to assess the quality of the design.