Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

FENDER WHEEL ARCH REGULATION STANDARD

Introduction-

The fender is the curved part of the cars body that sits on top of the wheels and holds them in place. It is not only a saftey component but also enhances the overall look of your vehicle. Its primary fuction is to shield and protect the passenger comprtments by preventing sand, mud, rocks, liquids and other roads spray from being thrown into the air by the rotating tire.

Wheel Arch-

The wheel arch is the semicircular part positioned above the wheel of a vehicle. The most important body change was that the front wheel arch was cut higher into the fender. Corrosion had occurred around the splash plate at the back of the wheel arch.

1. The wheel arch is designed such that it protects both the pedestrian and car cabin from the mud, water rocks and other road spray.
2. In different countries have different wheel arch regulations with respect to road conditions and the wheel arch design has to comply with required standard.

Different Standard of the wheel arch Regulation

1.European Regulations-

• The clearance P should be measured at sectionsSA-SB, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD AND SE-SE and create clearance check chart to validate.
• wheel guard requirement the value of 'a' should be more than 5mm at line 30 degree forward and 50 degree rearwards fom the central verticle axis of the wheel.
• The european regulation require a pre determined clearance or a minimum distance of 10mm. To be maintained between the fender and the respective tyre at particular points along the tyre profile as shown below

2. Japan Regulations-

• The clearance 'L' for tire, hub,cap and fender is to be measured within area k and create clearance check chart to validate.
• The value of L should be greater than 5mm at all positions.
• Wheel guard requirement: The value of 'a' should be more than 5mm at line 30 degree forward and 50 degree rearwards from the central verticle aixs of the wheel.

3. US Regulations-

• Clearance 'L' is to be checked at all positions from-100 to 100 degree and create clearnce check chart to validate.
• The value of 'L' should be greater than 5mm to satisfy the regulation.
• Wheel guard requirement: The value of 'a' should be more than 5mm at line 30 degree forward and 50degree rearward from the central verticle axis of the wheel.

Calculation of Wheel arch as per European Regulation

• According to the european standards, the design of fender and wheel arc should pass the wheel guard requirement.
• To analyze requirements, first create a datum plane on wheel face taking center of wheel as origine.
• A horizontal line is drawn across the center of the wheel.
• A SA line is drawn perpendicular to horizontal line.
• SB and SC lines are created with respective to SA at 30 degree forward and 50 degree rearward.
• Taken point at 150mm upward from horizontal line. A line SE is drawn from the wheel center and passes from the point created
• Then line SD is drawn from center to symmetric of SC and SE.

Let's check the Clearance value of "L" at different points to find our design passes the european regulation or not.

1. Measuring the value of 'L' at SA

Clearance value of L at SA = 9.9489 mm

2.Measuring the value of "L" at SB

Clearance value of L at SB =10.00 mm

3. Measuring the value of "L" at SC

Clearance value of L at SC = 0.1137 mm

4. Measuring the value of "L" at SE

Clearance value of L at SE = 5.975 mm

5. Measuring the value of "L" at SD

Clearance value of L at SD = 2.8758 mm

Tabulation of all clearance value of L at points SA,SB,SC,SE and SD.

SI NO.	Sections	Required Clearance	Calculated Clearance	Result
1.	SA	10 mm	9.9489 mm	Fail
2.	SB	10 mm	10 mm	Pass
3.	SC	10 mm	0.1137 mm	Fail
4.	SE	10 mm	5.975 mm	Fail
5.	SD	10 mm	2.8758	Fail

Conclusion-

From above calculation we find that clearance value of "L" at different points does not matches value of european regulation. It is required to change in the curvature of wheel arch .