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 Wheel arch of a fender should be such that it must shield wheels and protect both passengers' compartment and pedestrians from projection of water, mud and stones.
• For the vehicle to has 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 car will pass the European standards or not.
3. European Standards for Wheel Arch:
EUROPE STANDARDS
1. The clearance "L" as shown in above fig at all the five sections SA-SA, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD and SE-SE should be greater than 10 mm.
2. Wheel Guard Requirement: The value of "a" shall be more than 5 mm at a line 30° forward and 50° rearward from centre vertical axis of the wheel.
4. Obtaining Results:
Software Used: NX 12 (CAD)
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.
A. Obtaining the value of clearance "L"
a) Measuring "L' for the given wheel and fender at SB:
The value of "L" at SB = 10.000 mm
b) Measuring "L' for the given wheel and fender at SA:
The value of "L" at SA= 9.950 mm
c) Measuring "L' for the given wheel and fender at SC:
The value of "L" at SC-0.113 mm.
d) Measuring "L' for the given wheel and fender at SD:
The value of "L" at SD = -2.886 mm
e) Measuring "L' for the given wheel and fender at SE:
The value of "L" at SE= -5.997 mm
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.
B. Obtaining the value of clearance "a" for Wheel Guard Requirement:
a) Finding the value of "a" at line 30° forward from centre vertical axis of the wheel.
The value of "a" at line 30° forward from centre vertical axis of the wheel = 43.626 mm
b) Finding the value of "a" at line 50° rearward from centre vertical axis of the wheel.
The value of "a" at line 50° rearward from centre vertical axis of the wheel 38.359 mm
Table B: Clearance "a" obtained at sections SB (at 30° forward from centre axis), SC (at 50° rearward from centre axis).
From table B, the given fender passes the European standards for wheel arch area only in the case of clearance "a".
C. Wheel Arch Area of the given Fender
Wheel Arch Area = 24432.93 mm2
Wheel Arch Radius= 421.18 mm
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.