Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

1. WHAT IS A WHEEL ARCH?

• The wheel arch is the semi-circular area of the fender which is positioned above the wheel of the vehicle.
• The design of the wheel arch area should be in such a way that it must shield wheels and protect both passengers’ compartment and pedestrians from water, mud & stones.
• The wheel arch of fender must be compliant with the standards and regulations set by the respective countries.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE WHEEL ARCH.

The objective of this 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 of the wheel arch

• The clearance L shown in the above figure at all 5 sections SA-SA, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD, and SE-SE must be greater than 10 mm.
• The value of “a” shall be more than 5mm at a line 30 degrees forward and 50 degrees backward 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 area at sections SA, SB, SC, SD & SE to measure “L”, “a”, and wheel arch area.

A. Obtaining the value of clearance “L”

a) Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SB:

The value of “L” at SB=10mm

b) Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SA:

The value of “L” at SA=9.95 mm

c) Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SC:

The value of “L” at SA=0.25 mm

d) Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SD:

The value of “L” at SD= -2.83 mm

e) Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SE:

The value of “L” at SE=-6.05 mm

Table A: Clearance “L” obtained at sections SA, SB, SC, SD & SE

5. CONCLUSION: From table A, the given fender is not passing the European standards for wheel arch at sections SA, SC, SD, SE.

6. SUGGESTION: The styling team is required to modify the styling surface of the fender such that clearance “L” at sections SA, SC, SD, SE is equal to or greater than 10 mm by increasing the curvature at those sections toward the outside.