Challenge

Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

AAkeel Shaikh12 Jul 2022

Aim :- Calculate the Wheel Arch gap at required points and check whether the car passes the European standard.

Explanation :-

Fender :-

Fender covers a wheel traditionally to prevent water and mud spray but also for aerodynamic purpose. When the vehicle is moving tyre pickup stones and other and hurl them in all direction thus in order to prevent pedestrians from these stones fenders are used.

Wheel arch/Wheel well :-

Thus wheel arc is an integrated part olf a fender assembly. It is a semi curcular part which is positioned above the wheel of a vehicle. in some countries it is also called as an inner fender.

Material Used :-

The most commonly used wheel well are of plastic material. In olden days inner fender or wheel well were made of sheet metal. If the vehicle with metal inner fenders is used there is a good chance winter salt and moisture has caused them to develop some rust in hard to spot areas. Improper repairs after an accident can also accelerate corrosion here as well.

Design of wheel arc :-

The important parameter which is consideed in the designing of wheel arch or wheel is the clearance between wheel and fender during the vehicle bump conditions.

What is vehicle regulation :-

Vehicle regulations are requirement that automobiles must satisfy in order to be approved for sale or use in a particular country or region. There are various regulatons are available depending upon different countries. some of the regulations that are used by indian automotive industries are ARAI,SAE.

Japanese Regulation :

As per japanees regulation the clearance between tyre and fender must greater than 5 mm the projected points to be measured are at an angle 30 degree forward and 50 degree reward respectively.

Given case :-

As per the given condition in the below picture clearance between tyre profile and wheel arch to be measured as per earopean regulation.

European Regulation :-

As per european regulation the clearance value between fender and tyre profile must be greater than 10mm. The value is measured in projected point at an angle 30 degree forward and 50 degree backward repectively. The measurement took in five different position of the tyre at point a and b the clearance is acceptable. But at point c,d and e there is a negative sign which denoted the interference of wheel arch with tyre.