Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

Fender:

Fender covers a wheel,traditionally to prevent water and mud spray, but also for aerodynamic purposes. When the vehicle is moving, tyre picks up stones & others and hurl them in all directions.

Wheel Arch/Wheel well:

The wheel arch is an integrated part of a fender assembly. It is a semi-circular part which is positioned above the wheel of a vehicle.

• In some countries it is also called as Inner Fender.

Material:

The most commonly used wheel arch/wheel well are of plastic material. In olden days, inner fender or wheel arch is made of sheet metal. Improper repairs after an accident can also accelerate corrosion here.

1. Plastic type fender
2. Steel type fender

Wheel arch cladding:

• The wheel arch cladding is used to minimize road noise during highway cruising. These claddings are also used in sports cars, SUVs and cross overs to increase the track width of the vehicle.
• The important parameter which is considered in the designing of the wheel arch or wheel is the clearance between wheel and fender.

Vehicle Regulations:

Vehicle regulations are the requirements that automobiles must satisfy in order to be approved for sale or use in a particular country or region. There are various regulations that are available depending upon different countries.

• Indian Automotive Industries follow the regulations of Automotive Research Association of India(ARAI) and Society of Automotive Engineers(SAE).

Various fender regulations:

• European Regulation

As per the European regulation, the clearance value between the fender and tyre profile must be greater than or equal to 10 mm.

• Japanese regulation

As per the Japanese regulation, the clearance value between the fender and tyre profile must be greater than or equal to 5 mm.

• US regulation

As per the US regulation, the clearance value between the fender and tyre profile must be greater than or equal to 5 mm.