Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

OBJECTIVE:

Study the wheel arch area and prove whether the car will pass the European standard regulation or not.

Software used:

Siemens NX 12

Introduction:

The wheel arch is the semicircular part positioned above the wheel of a vehicle. wheel arch comes with some standard specification. When view from front or top side of vehicle, If the tire is protruding outside the fender, that would lead to more chipping while driving and compromises pedestrian as well as vehicle safety. For the use of vehicle in different countries the wheel arch of fender must full fill the standard and regulation set by countries. The case study has been done according to the European standard.

As explained in the diagram below, the minimum clearance L’ recommended at all the 5 points on the wheel arch shown here should be greater than 10mm. SB, SA, SC, SD, SE.

Analysis:

The part file was open in NX. sketch is drawn on the wheel face according to European standard provided to us and projected on wheel arch at sections SB, SA, SC, SD, And SE. to measure the length ‘L’ and arch area ‘a’.

a) Obtaining the value of clearance ‘L’

1. Measuring the ‘L’ for given wheel and Fender at SB.

The value of ‘L’ at SB=10.00mm.

2. Measuring the ‘L’ for given wheel and Fender at SA.

The value of ‘L’ at SA=9.94mm.

3. Measuring the ‘L’ for given wheel and Fender at SC.

The value of ‘L’ at SC=2.55mm.

4. Measuring the ‘L’ for given wheel and Fender at SD.

The value of ‘L’ at SD=2.88mm.

5. Measuring the ‘L’ for given wheel and Fender at SE.

The value of ‘L’ at SD=5.99mm.

Table A: clearance L obtained at SA, SB, SC, SD and SE

Section	Clearance ‘L’ (in mm)	Comments
SB	10.00=10.00	Pass
SA	9.94<10	Fail
SC	2.55<10	Fail
SD	-2.88<10	Fail. (tire protruding outside the wheel arch)
SE	-5.99<10	Fail. (tire protruding outside the wheel arch)

From the given table fender doesn’t pass the European standard at sections SA, SC, SD, and SE.

Conclusion:

Barring one section SB, all other sections are failed to maintain minimum gap of 10mm according to European regulation, there is also protrudes of wheel outside the wheel arch, which is not recommended. Therefore, model needs to be modified accordingly.