Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge

Aim:

To measure the wheel arch in the given fender and the check whether it satisfies the European standard.

Wheel Arch -What is it? How to Design?

Wheel Arch is a Semi-circular part of the fender which is placed and positioned above the wheel/tyre of the vehicle/car. The primary function of the wheel arch is to shield and protect the wheels and pedestrians from mud, sand, dirt and stone particles. The design of the wheel arch should be done in compliant with these conditions. There are rules and regulations of designing the wheel arch which differ from region to region.

Japan Standard and Regulation:

• Mark three sections one at 30° forward from vertical centerline and 50° backward from the vertical centerline and the centerline.
• The clearance 'L' must be greater than 5mm at all sections.

USA Standard and Regulation:

• Mark Sections for Every 10° from the horizontal from -20° to 180°.
• The clearance 'L' must be greater than 5mm at all sections.

Europe Standard and Regulation:

• Mark five sections one at 30° forward from the vertical centerline, 50° backward from the vertical centerline, and centerline, at a point on the fender that is 150mm vertical/perpendicular to the horizontal and the midpoint of 50° section line and the 150 mm vertical section.
• The clearance 'L' must be greater than 10 mm at all five Sections.

*Note: All Centerlines are taken in reference to the centerpoint of the wheel only.

Our aim is to find whether the given fender with the wheel arch satisfies the European regulatory standards.

Method to check the Compliance with the regulations as follows,

• Sketch is created from the given model from the wheel centerpoint.
• The Vertical and Horizontal axes are drawn.
• The sections are drawn as mention in the European standard methodology.
• These sections were projected into the fender’s surface.

Now it is time to measure the clearance ‘L’ at each and every sections. This can be achieved by the help of “Measure Distance” tool in the “Analysis” tab.

Results and Comparisons:

The measured results are compared with the regulations and tabulated below.

Sections	Regulated Value	Actual Value	Result
SA	>=10mm	9.9490mm	Fail
SB	>=10mm	10mm	Pass
SC	>=10mm	-0.1139mm	Fail
SD	>=10mm	-2.9114mm	Fail
SE	>=10mm	-5.9978mm	Fail

From the table it is evident that the clearance at Sections “SA”,” SC”, “SD”, “SE” are not in compliance with the regulations and standard and hence does not satisfy the European requirements.

The clearance value at Section “SB” only satisfies the regulation.

From the sections in the sketch, it is evident that the wheel is protruding outside by a maximum of 6mm at the Section “SE”, which can be dangerous to the vehicle and pedestrians.

Conclusion:

From the above observations the given fender with the wheel arch is failed to meet with the European standard and regulations and requires styling(Skin) and design rework.