Fender Flare Mud-Flap Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fender flare designs do not effectively integrate with vehicles equipped with structural mud flaps, requiring removal of mud flaps for installation and lacking comprehensive coverage of wheel wells, which can lead to incomplete protection against mud, water, and debris.
Innovation Solution
The design of fender flares that include a mud-flap channel to receive and support both sides of a mud flap without removing it from the vehicle, with surfaces configured to engage and support the mud flap, allowing for installation without altering the vehicle's structure and providing comprehensive coverage of the wheel well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fender flare designs are used on vehicles with structural mud flaps, then the fender flare can be installed, but the mud flap must be removed first, which increases installation complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The fender flare is designed with a mud flap channel that receives and accommodates the structural mud flap within its structure. The mud flap is nested inside the fender flare assembly, allowing both components to coexist and function together without requiring removal of the mud flap during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The fender flare and mud flap are merged into a single integrated assembly where the mud flap channel of the fender flare works in conjunction with the mud flap. This combining of functions allows the fender flare to provide both its primary function and mud flap support simultaneously
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fender flare designs are used, then installation is possible, but comprehensive coverage of the wheel well is not achieved, reducing protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fender flare extends in multiple dimensions to provide comprehensive wheel well coverage. The mud flap channel and overall structure are designed to extend vertically and horizontally, covering different areas of the wheel well that traditional fender flares might miss, thereby enhancing protection against mud and debris from multiple angles
3Ease of manufacture
If structural mud flaps are removed to install fender flares, then fender flare installation is simplified, but the vehicle's original design integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fender flare is pre-designed with an integrated mud flap channel that anticipates the presence of the structural mud flap. This preliminary design consideration allows the fender flare to be installed without modifying or removing the mud flap, thereby preserving the vehicle's original design integrity while simplifying the installation process
Data Source
AI summary
Fender flares are disclosed for attachment to a vehicle having a mud flap and a wheel well that generally defines a volume. Vehicles that include fender flares are also disclosed. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes a body having a first surface and a second surface that together define a mud-flap channel that is adapted to receive the mud flap of a corresponding vehicle. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes a body that is configured to support more than one side of the mud flap of a corresponding vehicle. In some embodiments, a fender flare includes an inner portion extending from an outer portion, with the inner portion having a first surface adapted to support a front side of a mud flap, and with the outer portion having a second surface adapted to support a rear side of a mud flap.