Wheel House Structure with Connection Cover Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel house structures have a non-uniform appearance where the inner fender and front bumper are connected, lacking aesthetic appeal due to varying widths.
Innovation Solution
A wheel house structure featuring a connection cover member with a sandwiching part that connects the bumper and inner fender, providing increased rigidity and a uniform appearance by hiding the extension part of the bumper, with the connection cover member being made of higher rigidity materials like resin and having a design that aligns with the wheel arch part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a projecting extension part is used for connection of inner fender and front bumper, then the connection structure is formed, but the parting width becomes non-uniform and appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A connection cover member is introduced as an intermediary component between the inner fender and front bumper. This cover member includes a sandwiching part that connects to the extension part of the bumper, and its outer end part follows the shape of the wheel arch part to maintain uniform parting width. The connection cover member mediates the connection while preserving aesthetic appearance by hiding the extension part and maintaining consistent spacing between components.
2Shape
If the connection cover member is made of resin material, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but structural rigidity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection cover member is constructed using composite material structure, combining resin material for aesthetic appearance with reinforcing elements (such as ribs or internal structures) to enhance structural rigidity. The outer surface follows the wheel arch part shape for visual appeal, while internal reinforcement structures provide the necessary strength to resist deformation from wind and operational forces.
3Reliability
If the sandwiching part is disposed on center side relative to extension part, then secure connection is achieved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sandwiching part of the connection cover member is strategically positioned on the center side relative to the extension part, creating a localized connection zone. This asymmetric positioning provides secure connection by centering the load path while the outer end part maintains uniform appearance. The design concentrates functional complexity in the sandwiching region while keeping the visible portions simple and uniform.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel house structure including a bumper forming a part of a wheel arch part on a lower side of a vehicle body; an inner fender disposed inside the bumper in a vehicle width direction; and a connection cover member connecting the bumper and the inner fender and being a separated member from the inner fender. The connection cover member includes a sandwiching part to connect to the bumper. The bumper includes an extension part lengthening toward an inside relative to the wheel arch part in the vehicle width direction. The sandwiching part of the connection cover member is disposed on a center side relative to the extension part in a radial direction of a wheel to connect to the extension part. An outer end part of the connection cover member in the vehicle width direction has a shape along the wheel arch part.