Wheel arch

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As the wheel housing , wheel or wheel mounting the housing is referred to, in which a wheel is located. Depending on the area of ​​application, this serves to protect against splashing or weathering, as well as to prevent accidents .

A distinction is made in particular between wheel arches (or wheel arches) on cars, ships and mills.

Wheel arch on a car

Ford T only with fenders
MAN F8, rear wheel arches, front large mudguards
Volkswagen Transporter T1 with four wheel houses

In motor vehicles , the wheel arch, which is also known as the wheel arch, is the recess on the body in which the wheels are arranged. In cars , the wheel arches fulfill several functions:

  • (partial) power transmission from the wheel suspension to the body (only with self-supporting body ),
  • Splash protection in front of the cabin, engine compartment and surroundings,
  • Pedestrian protection.

The wheel housing must offer sufficient space for the wheel, especially when the wheel is compressed to the maximum or when the steering is fully turned. A particular problem arises with narrow wheel arches in winter: Snow chains require additional space, which is not available in narrow wheel arches of some vehicles even with standard tires. A look at the operating instructions clarifies: Anyone who, contrary to the manufacturer's regulations, puts on snow chains or uses larger tire dimensions , risks damage to the sheet metal, to the wheel suspension, and even to damage to the tires while driving. The use of snow chains is then usually prohibited in the operating instructions.

In its function as a splash guard, the wheel housing must not only be corrosion-resistant to clear, salt and dirty water, but also to oil and petrol (e.g. when visiting a petrol station). It must also be specially protected against falling rocks ( chippings ) .

In oldtimers, the wheels often only have mudguards ; wheel arches are almost always designed in more modern vehicles.

Wheel arch on a ship

In shipbuilding , wheel arches are the two casings of the two large paddle wheels that are attached to the side of a side wheel steamer and that drive the ship .

Wheel house for a water wheel

Wheel house with water wheel, Wiesenmühle (Fulda)

A water wheel or water wheel that can position - or kinetic energy of the water to be harnessed. In order to protect water wheels made of wood from the effects of the weather, they were often roofed over or provided with their own “wheel house”.

literature

  • Max Bohner, Richard Fischer, Rolf Gscheidle: Expertise in automotive technology. 27th edition. Verlag Europa-Lehrmittel, Haan-Gruiten 2001, ISBN 3-8085-2067-1 .

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Hans-Hermann Braess, Ulrich Seiffert: Vieweg handbook automotive technology. 6th edition. Springer-Verlag, 2012, ISBN 978-3-8348-8298-1 , p. 383.