Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge
Fender Design - Wheel Arch Challenge
Aim:
To calculate the wheel arch distance from fender and to compare it with European standards.
Introdution:
Wheel arch comes with some standard specifications. When viewed from the front or top side of the vehicle, if the tyre is protruding outside the fender, that would lead to more chipping while driving and compromises pedestrian as well as the vehicle safety. Taking these factors into consideration, the wheel/tyre has to be positioned inside the tyre.
Fender Safety:
- The fender is a part of the car, it is also used as a protecting the side of the engine compartment.
- Pedestrian safety is also considered while designing a wheel arch in a fender since the debris in the wheel shouldn't hit them in the motion of the car.
- Fender is also reduced pedestrian injury when there is a pedestrian-vehicle crash and prevent the throwing up of debris nearby vehicles.
FENDER WHEEL ARCH REGULATION:
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° forward and 50° rearwards from the central vertical axis of the wheel.
European Regulations
- The Clearance ‘L’ should be measured at sections SA-SA, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD and SE-SE and create clearance check chart to validate.
- At all the five sections the value of L should be greater than 10mm to satisfy the European Regulations.
- Wheel guard requirement: The value of ‘a’ should be more than 5mm at line 30° forward and 50° rearwards from the central vertical axis of the wheel.
US Regulations
- Clearance ‘L’ is to be checked at all positions from -100° to 100° and create clearance check chart to validate.
- The value of L should be greater than 5mm to satisfy the regulations.
- Wheel guard requirement: The value of ‘a’ should be more than 5mm at line 30° forward and 50° rearwards from the central vertical axis of the wheel.
sketch
Obtaining the clearance L at the designated 5 points
The clearance distance 'L' is calculated at points SA-SA, SB-SB, SC-SC, SD-SD and SE-SE, which should be greater than or equal to 10mm
i.) Clearance 'L' at SA-SA
L=9.94mm
ii.) Clearance 'L' at SB-SB
L=10mm
iii.) Clearance 'L' at SC-SC
L=-0.113mm
iv.) Clearance 'L' at SD-SD
L=-2.88mm
v.) Clearance 'L' at SA-SA
L=-5.99mm
Measured L from the sketch
| Sketch | Clearance L (mm) | Report |
| SA-SA | 9.94 | Fail |
| SB-SB | 10 | Pass |
| SC-SC | -0.113 | Fail |
| SD-SD | -2.88 | Fail |
| SE-SE | -5.99 | Fail |
Conclusion:
From the above results it's clear that the Fender does not pass the European Regulations, as the minimum clearance L between the Fender Wheel Arch and Wheel for vehicle and pedestrian safety is 10mm and this design does not meet the requirement.