Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge
1. Wheel Arch:
- Wheel Arch is the semi-circular part of the fender positioned above the wheel of the vehicle.
- The design of the Wheel arch of a fender should be such that it must shield wheels and protect both passengers’ compartment and pedestrians from the projection of water, mud, and stones.
- For the vehicle to have its use permit in different countries, the wheel arch of fenders must be compliant with the standards and regulations set by the respective countries.
2. Objective of the Wheel Arch Challenge:
The objective of the wheel arch challenge is to calculate the wheel arch area and to prove whether the given fender of the car will pass the European standards or not.
3. European Standards for Wheel Arch:
- The clearance "L" as shown in the above fig at all the five sections SA-SA, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD, and SE-SE should be greater than 10 mm.
- Wheel Guard Requirement: The value of "a" shall be more than 5 mm at a line 30° forward and 50° rearward from the center vertical axis of the wheel.
4. Obtaining Results:
The sketch is drawn on the wheel face as per the European standards provided and projected on the wheel arch at sections SA, SB, SC, SD, and SE to measure "L", "a", and wheel arch area.
REFERENCE IMAGE.
ACTUAL CALCULATION DONE.
Table A: Clearance "L" obtained at sections SA, SB, SC, SD, and SE
From table A, the given fender doesn't pass the European standards for wheel arch area at sections SA, SC, SD, and SE.
5. Conclusion:
From the above results obtained, we can conclude that the given fender doesn't pass the European Standards for Wheel Arch area.
6. Suggestions to Styling Team:
The styling team is required to modify the styling surface of the fender such that the clearance "L" at sections SA, SC, SD, and SE is equal to or greater than 10 mm by increasing the curvature at those sections towards outside