Fender Design Challenge
Design consideration for a fender:
Fender is the American English term for the part of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle body that frames a wheel well (the fender underside). Its primary purpose is to prevent sand, mud, rocks, liquids, and other road spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire.
Consideration for the design of a fender includes:
Safety of occupants.
Safety of pedastrains.
Sealing the engine compartment from outside elements.
Styling and aesthetics of the body.
Crash safety.
Mounting areas and clearances.
The fixture of a fender is done using nut bolts,screws.The fender is usually fixed at 4 to 5 locations inorder to improve NVH.The fixture locations are
Drip area.
Bumper mounting area.
Sill mounting area.
A pillar mounting area.
Chassis mounting area.
A baffle is joined to the fender in the wheel arch area.It helps with keeping the vibrations and noises to a minimum.The mud flaps are also usually mounted in the same area.
Drip area:
It is the part of the fender where the fender is fixed in the engine compartment of the car chassis.It is usually in the middle edge along the engine compartment to provide clearance for the headlight assembly in the front and cowl area. This region is mounted below the hood inner panel which needs to be in flush when the hood is in closed condition and also there should be very less gaps.
Drip area master section:
Drip area:
Corner reliefs are provided tond avoid vibrations intersection on bending.Darts,embosses are given to increase the strength and vibrations.
Bumper mounting area:
Sill mounting area:
A pillar mounting area:
Baffle mounting holes:
Considering the weight and cost of production, the design is kept as simple and clean as possible.