DE-102024133123-A1 - Wheel arch arrangement with tool-free mountable and dismountable cover and motor vehicles with such wheel arch arrangements

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel housing arrangement (100) for a motor vehicle (200), comprising - a wheel arch (120) with a wheel arch cutout (130); - a vehicle wheel (110) arranged in the wheel housing (120); and - a cover (140) adapted to the contour of the wheel arch opening (130), with which the vehicle wheel (110) can be covered at least halfway. According to the invention, the cover (140) can be mounted and dismounted without tools. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (200) with rear wheel arch arrangements (100) designed in this manner.

Inventors

• Hendrik Gronau

Assignees

• AUDI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20241113

Claims (10)

1. Wheel housing arrangement (100) for a motor vehicle (200), comprising: - a wheel housing (120) with a wheel housing cutout (130); - a vehicle wheel (110) arranged in the wheel housing (120); and - a cover (140) adapted to the contour of the wheel housing cutout (130), with which the vehicle wheel (110) can be covered at least halfway; characterized in that the cover (140) can be mounted and dismounted without tools.
2. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according Claim 1 , characterized in that the wheel housing (120) has a wheel housing shell (121) to which the cover (140) can be detachably attached.
3. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the cover (140) can be detachably attached by means of several magnetic connectors (150).
4. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (140) can be mounted by a rotary movement (B) and removed by an opposite rotary movement.
5. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (140) is a shell-like sheet metal or plastic part.
6. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the cover (140) is printed or foiled on the outside with a design corresponding to the vehicle wheel (110).
7. Wheel arch arrangement (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing element is provided between the cover (140) and the wheel arch cutout (130).
8. Motor vehicles (200) with rear wheel arch arrangements (100) designed according to one of the preceding claims.
9. Motor vehicles (200) to Claim 8 , wherein the wheel housings (120) and/or the covers (140) are designed in such a way that a right-left reversal of the covers (140) is excluded.
10. Use of the covers (140) on a motor vehicle (200) according to Claim 8 or 9 , wherein the covers (140) are not fitted or are removed for short-distance use of the motor vehicle (200) and/or for use of the motor vehicle (200) at lower speeds, and are fitted or are fitted for long-distance use of the motor vehicle (200) and/or for use of the motor vehicle (200) at higher speeds.

Description

The present invention relates to a wheel housing arrangement for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such wheel housing arrangements. A wheel housing, also known as a wheel arch, is a housing-like area of a motor vehicle, more precisely of the vehicle body, in which a wheel is located. Such a wheel housing usually has a cutout that provides a view of the wheel and allows access to it. To improve the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, the wheel arch opening can be at least partially covered by a cover, such as those made from... DE 10 2008 046 314 A1 This is known. However, such a cover impairs access to the vehicle's wheel and also alters the appearance of the vehicle. The invention is intended to demonstrate a way in which the aerodynamic properties of a motor vehicle can be improved as required, while avoiding or at least reducing at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art. According to the invention, a wheel arch arrangement comprising the features of claim 1 is proposed. The dependent claim further extends the invention to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car or a light commercial vehicle, whose rear wheel arch arrangements are designed accordingly. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are described analogously for both subject matter of the invention in the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (including optional and exemplary features), and the figures. The wheel arch arrangement according to the invention comprises: - a wheel arch with a wheel arch cutout, which in particular refers to a lateral wheel arch cutout, i.e. located in the body side wall; - a vehicle wheel that is located in or situated in the wheel arch; and - a cover for the wheel arch that is adapted to the contour of the wheel arch opening, in particular to an arc-shaped or at least approximately semicircular contour of the wheel arch opening, i.e., a form-fitting cover for the wheel arch opening, which in particular means a side or body-side cover with which (in the mounted state) the vehicle wheel can be covered at least halfway, i.e. at least up to the wheel hub. The wheel housing arrangement according to the invention is preferably a rear wheel housing arrangement for a rear, in particular non-steered, vehicle wheel. According to the invention, the cover can be installed and removed without tools, i.e., without the use of tools or the like, essentially only manually. Thus, the cover is an add-on element that can be easily attached and removed by the vehicle user without any special skills or knowledge in order to modify and adapt the vehicle's aerodynamic properties as needed. The invention is suitable both for factory-installed equipment on new vehicles and for retrofitting, particularly workshop-based retrofitting, of older vehicles, for example, as part of after-sales management. The wheel arch can have a lining liner to which the cover can be detachably attached. The liner is preferably made of plastic. The detachable attachment of the cover can also be made to the wheel arch housing, in particular to a body component forming the wheel arch, such as a fender. Preferably, the cover is detachably fastened by means of several magnetic connectors or magnetic fasteners arranged in a suitable manner. Each magnetic connector has two corresponding connecting or locking elements that are held together magnetically and, in particular, also positively, when connected, with the magnetic connection force being generated, in particular, by neodymium magnets. The corresponding connecting elements are arranged on the cover and on the vehicle, in particular on the wheel arch liner or wheel arch housing (see above). Preferably, the magnetic connectors are self-aligning and/or self-locking, i.e., when the connecting elements come into close proximity, they can align themselves and/or lock themselves. Alternatively, the cover can also be detachably fastened by other quick-release fasteners, such as clip connectors, in particular pluggable clip connectors, or similar devices. Preferably, the cover can be installed by a rotary motion relative to the wheel arch and removed by a reverse rotary motion. In particular, the connecting elements of the magnetic connectors are simultaneously connected during the rotary motion and simultaneously disconnected during the reverse rotary motion. Optionally, guides, such as guide grooves or similar features, can be provided to enable alignment and/or guided rotation of the cover during installation and removal, particularly with a predetermined angle of rotation. Preferably, the magnetic connectors are designed as snap-in or snap-fit connectors. Preferably, the cover is a shell-like sheet metal part, in particular made of aluminum sheet, or a shell-like plastic part, preferably a thermoplastic injection-molded part, in particular made of a dimensionally stable pla