Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

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’ compartments 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.

The 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.

European Standards for Wheel Arch :

1. 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 10mm
2. Wheel Guard Requirement: The value of “a” shall be more than 5mm at line 30° forward and 50° backward from the center vertical axis of the wheel.

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.

A. Obtaining the value of clearance “L”

1. Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SB:

The value of “L” at SB = 10.00 mm

1. Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SA:

The value of “L” at SA = 9.9489 mm

1. Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SC :

The value of “L” at SC = -0.112637 mm

1. Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SD:

The value of “L” at SD = -2.8219 mm

1. Measuring “L” for the given wheel and fender at SE:

The value of “L” at SE = -5.9018 mm

• Clearance “L” was obtained at sections SA, SB, SC, SD, and SE.

From the above table, the given fender doesn’t pass the European standards for wheel arch area at sections SA, SC, SD, SE.

A. Obtaining the value of clearance “a” for wheel guard Requirement

1. Finding the value of “a” at line 30°forward from the center vertical axis of the wheel.

The value of “a” at line 30° forward from the center vertical axis of the wheel = 43.7016 mm

Finding the value of “a” at line 50° rearward from the center vertical axis of the wheel.

The value of “a” at line 50° rearward from the central vertical axis of the wheel = 38.3917mm

• Clearance “a” was obtained at sections SB (at 30° forward from the center axis ), and SC (at 50°rearward from the center axis).

From the above table, the given fender passes the European standards for wheel arch area only in the case of clearance “a”.

A. Wheel Arch Area of the given fender

Wheel arch area = 24432.93 mm²

Wheel arch Radius = 421.18 mm²

Conclusion :

From the above results obtained, we can conclude that the given fender doesn’t pass the European standards for wheel arch area.

Suggestions for 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 the outside.