Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge
Wheel Arch
It is a curved part of the Fender positioned right above the Wheel. The Wheel Arch is designed such that it
protects both the pedestrian and car cabin from mud, water rocks and other road spray. Different catuies have
different wheel arch regulations in place, and the wheel arch design has to comply with them to be deemed usable in that country. For avoiding design alterations of the same vehicle to meet the different regulations in different countries, the maximum values of the concerned regulation parameters are taken into consideration for design purpose.
Wheel arch comes with some standard specifications. When viewed from the front or top side of the vehicle, if
the wheel is protruding outside the fender, that would lead to more chipping while driving and compromises
pedestrian as well as the vehicle safety. Taking these factors into consideration, the wheel has to be positioned inside the wheel.
There are different regulations in this regard based on different regions. This case study has been done
according to European regulations. As explained in the diagram below, the minimum clearance 'L' recommended at all the 5 points on the wheel arch shown here should be 10mm, the points being SB, SA, SC, SD, SE.
Applying European Standards to given Fender & Wheel Data:-
Results:
- Measuring value of clearence 'L' For given wheel & Fender at SA:
- Measuring value of clearence 'L' For given wheel & Fender at SB:
- Measuring value of clearence 'L' For given wheel & Fender at SC:
- Measuring value of clearence 'L' For given wheel & Fender at SD:
- Measuring value of clearence 'L' For given wheel & Fender at SE:
|
REGION |
REQUIRED CLEARENCE |
ACTUAL CLEARENCE |
RESULTS |
|
SA |
10mm |
9.9490 mm |
Fail |
|
SB |
10mm |
10 mm |
Pass |
|
SC |
10mm |
0.1126 mm |
Fail |
|
SD |
10mm |
2.8864 mm |
Fail |
|
SE |
10mm |
5.9973 mm |
Fail |
- For Wheel Guard Requirement value of Clearence 'a'
The value of 'a' at line 30 deg forward from central veical axis of the wheel is eual to 43.626 mm
The value of 'a' at line 50 deg forward from central veical axis of the wheel is eual to 38.359 mm
|
REGION |
Angle (in deg) |
CLEARENCE "a" in (mm) |
RESULTS |
|
SB |
30 |
43.626 > 5 mm |
Pass |
|
SC |
50 |
38.359 > 5 mm |
Pass |
- Wheel arc area of the given Fender
Wheel Arc Area is equal to 24432.93 mm 2
Wheel Arc Radius is equal to 421.18 mm
Conclusion:
From the above result, we conclude that the given Fender does not pass European Standards for Wheel arc area.