The present subject matter described herein relates to a fender panel assembly having fender panel with large width fender claddings. In particular, the present subject matter relates to the fender panel structure with large width fender claddings to improve decorativeness of the side body of vehicle and protect it from getting dirty or damaged by stones, muds or gravel.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fender panels are mounted on side body of the vehicle in vehicle length direction at both left hand side and right hand side of the vehicle over a wheel house area and forms vehicle outer body. Each fender panel define a shape to deliver optimal aerodynamics as well as a pleasing aesthetic appeal.
[0003] Ref to FIG. 1, a fender cladding 102 is mounted on a fender panel 101 to improve decorativeness of the vehicle body and protect it from getting dirty or damaged by stones, muds or gravels.
[0004] Currently, in existing models, the front fender cladding is either having smaller width with its upper edge hidden by a step shape profile made on the fender panel 101.
[0005] In many existing designs where fender cladding width is small as shown in the FIG. 1 and 2(a) and 2(b), the upper edge of the fender cladding 102 remains hidden throughout by a step 201 as provided in the fender panel 101. Referring to Fig. 2(a) indicating a cross section along line A-A on fig. 1, where the fender panel 101 is connected to the fender cladding 102 by means of clips or adhesive (not shown). In the existing design of the fender panel 101, where small width fender cladding is mounted, a space is available for step on the fender panel upto side sill or side cladding to properly mount the fender cladding. With the step on the fender panel upto the side sill toward door cut line provides smooth mounting of the fender cladding on the fender panel and both the fender cladding and the fender panel look like an integrated part of vehicle.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 2(b) illustrating cross section along line B-B of fig. 1, a
throughout flange 202 is present in the fender panel 101 for improving the panel stiffness and to avoid deterioration of appearance at door boundary in door cutline area. The flange 202 forms an undercut shape in panel as it has to clear the opening locus 203 of the front door panel 103. This flange 202 in this present design is made by cams in the fender panel 101.
[0007] There is requirement to increase the width of the fender cladding which can go upto the door cut line or front door locus. While adopting the existing concept of mounting the fender cladding on the fender panel, the inventors faced a lot of technical challenges.
[0008] First option and corresponding technical challenge, where the fender cladding 102 width is increased till door cutline of the front door panel 103, the fender cladding 102 is fitted as an add-on part and the section is not neatly packaged inside the fender fold as shown in fig. 3a. In this design, the fender cladding 102 does not completely merge with the fender panel trim line and some portion of fender panel remains visible 303 which is not a good solution from vehicle appearance perspective.
[0009] Another option and corresponding technical challenge, where a single fender cladding is tried to mount on the fender panel, however, it is not possible to provide a throughout flange (negative flange) as provided in small width cladding on the fender panel to receive the large width cladding as the cam cannot move in small area for making the flange.
[0010] Therefore, a throughout negative flange 202 in the fender panel 101 cannot be made by the cams as the undercut area in the fender panel 101 is small and does not fulfil the clearance requirement for the cams movement. To make this undercut, the cam is required and for the cam movement there is a requirement of a minimum flat land (or face) in the fender panel 101.
[0011] Technical issues present with the existing structure of the fender panel can be summarize as to have a space for the cam movement.

[0012] Technical issue with the existing large width fender claddings which are pasted as a separate part is that fender panel remain visible as shown in fig. 3.
[0013] Therefore, it is required to completely merge the fender cladding with the fender panel trim line and extends till door cut line, and also to meet the styling intent of vehicle i.e. cladding should look as an integrated part with no panel visibility at the door cutline, and simultaneously meeting the manufacturing requirements of the parts.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0015] It is a primary object of the present disclosure to completely merge the fender cladding with the fender panel trim line with respect to door panel cutline.
[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to integrate the fender cladding with the fender panel trim such that there is no fender panel visibility at the door cutline.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide single integrated fender cladding structure on the fender panel upto the side sill or side sill cladding.
[0018] In yet another objection of the present disclosure is to make fender cladding structure look as an integrated part with no panel visibility at the door cutline, and simultaneously meeting the manufacturing requirements of the parts.
[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY

[0020] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0021] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of a fender panel assembly having a fender panel and a fender cladding. The fender panel mounted on a side body outer panel. The fender panel defines a first zone (A), a second zone (B), and a third zone (C), where the second zone (B) and the third zone (C) are provided adjacent to front door cut line. The fender cladding mounted on the fender panel. The fender cladding defines a width (D) between a lower edge and an upper edge, where the lower edge starts from wheel house and the upper edge starts from trim line of the fender panel. The second zone (B) defines a flat surface (fender panel manufacturing requirement) and a notch section to receive the fender cladding. The fender cladding completely covers all the three zones (A, B, C) of the fender panel.
[0022] In an aspect, the fender panel comprises a flange that extend transversally from inner surface of the fender panel to provide strength, the flange is configured to attach the fender panel with the side body outer.
[0023] In an aspect, a separate part defining L shape is attached to inner surface of the fender cladding, the separate part is provided in between the fender cladding and the fender panel to cover the notch section and a flange provided on the fender panel.
[0024] In an aspect, the separate part is made of same material as of the fender cladding or different material.
[0025] In an aspect, the first zone (A) defines a step shape to hide the upper edge of the fender cladding.
[0026] In an aspect, the second zone (B) defines no step shape.

[0027] In an aspect, the first zone (A), the second zone (B), and the third zone (C) defines a plurality of mounting provisions to receive the fender cladding.
[0028] In an aspect, a mounting leg is provided in the notch section to strengthen the notch section, the mounting leg is configured to mount on the side body outer panel.
[0029] In an aspect, the mounting leg defines a variable width emboss, where the width of the emboss at bending edge which defines a bend section of the mounting leg from the outer surface of the fender panel is small as compare to the width of the emboss at end of the mounting leg, the bending edge defines a plurality of beads.
[0030] In an aspect, a mounting hole is defined on the mounting leg, the mounting hole is surrounded by the emboss.
[0031] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0032] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0033] Fig. 1 is an illustrative view of a fender panel assembly having a fender panel and small width fender cladding;
[0034] Fig. 2(a) illustrates a cross section view along line A-A of Fig. 1;
[0035] Fig. 2(b) illustrates a cross section view along line B-B of Fig. 1;
[0036] Fig. 3a illustrates a view of the fender cladding having a large width mounted on the fender panel and inner part of the fender panel is visible at the door cutline;
[0037] Fig. 3b illustrates a cross section view along line A-A of Fig. 3 a;
[0038] Fig. 3c illustrates a cross section view along line B-B of Fig. 3a;
[0039] Fig. 4 illustrates perspective view of a fender panel, according to the present disclosure;
[0040] Fig. 5 illustrates a fender panel assembly having the fender panel and the fender cladding with large width mounted on the fender panel, according to the present disclosure;
[0041] Fig. 6 illustrates mounting of the fender panel with side body outer panel, according to the present disclosure;
[0042] Fig. 7a illustrates a cross section view in third zone C of the fender panel assembly, according to the present disclosure;
[0043] Fig. 7b illustrates panel visible view from door boundary, according to the present disclosure;
[0044] Fig. 7c illustrate mounting of separate part in between the fender panel and the fender cladding, according to the present disclosure;
[0045] Fig. 7d illustrates back view of the fender panel assembly without the separate part, according to the present disclosure; and
[0046] Fig. 7e illustrates back view of the fender panel assembly with the separate part, according to the present disclosure.

[0047] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0048] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0049] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0050] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0051] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the

context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0052] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0053] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0054] Referring to fig. 3a where fender cladding 102 of large width is mounted on the fender panel 101. As shown in fig. 3 a, for clearly understanding the mounting of the fender cladding on the fender panel; and technical issues and area of problem, the fender cladding 102 is divided into three zones, i.e., first zone 301 where the fender cladding 102 completely fit into the step formed on the fender panel 101, second zone 302 which is meeting point of the door cutline 103 and the fender panel 101, and third zone 303 which runs parallel with the door cutline and front door panel. As explained in the background section, for movement of the cam in the fender panel there is requirement of flat face or land or surface in the second zone 302. The gradual merging of step shape of the first zone 301 with flat face of the second zone 302 creates chances of wrinkles or bends on the outer surface 400b which are not good from aesthetic point of view. In the second zone 302, the upper edge 102a of the fender cladding 102 cannot be hidden by the step shape 201 as provided in the first zone 301. Further the gap 'X' (as shown in fig. 3b) gradually decreases to zero in the second zone 302 due to which the fender

cladding 102 comes on the fender panel surface in the second zone 302 (as shown in fig. 3c).
[0055] The present invention relates to providing a fender panel assembly having a fender panel structure having provision to receive the fender cladding with width upto fender panel trim line and that completely merges with the fender panel trim line.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 4 that illustrates structure of fender panel 400 according to the present disclosure. The fender panel 400 also divided into three zones similar to fig. 3 for comparison and for better illustration of area of improvement. In the first zone A which corresponds to the first zone 301 of the fig. 3, has step shape 401 to receive the fender cladding (not shown in the figure, however it is fender cladding 500 shown in subsequent figures) and a plurality of mounting provisions 402 to receive the fender cladding. The plurality of mounting provisions 402 are provided as bead profile with through holes to receive the stud or clip (not shown) provided on the back surface of the fender cladding. The plurality of mounting provisions 402 are provided on second zone B and the third zone C as well. The plurality of mounting provisions 402 further provides stiffness to the fender panel 400 at wheel house cutline.
[0057] In the fender panel 400, a flange 403 is provided for improving panel stiffness and to improve appearance from door boundary. The flange 403 extend transversally from inner surface 400a of the fender panel 400. The flange 403 extend toward the side body outer panel (as shown in figure 6) of the vehicle. The flange 403 is also called as negative flange or undercut area in the fender panel due to its clearance requirement with the front door opening locus.
[0058] The gradual merging of step shape of the first zone with flat face of the second zone creates chances of wrinkles or bends on the outer surface 400b which are not good from aesthetic point of view. Hence, a notch section (relief shape) 404 is provided in the second zone B by removing the flange 403 and removing a portion in the notch shape of the fender panel 400 where the fender cladding and the fender panel 400 are merging.

[0059] With the notch section 404 in the second zone B, the fender cladding 500 completely merges with the fender panel trim line. Complete merging of the fender cladding 500 with the fender panel trim line 406 ensures zero panel visibility and complete black appearance in the area as shown in fig. 5.
[0060] With the notch section 404 in the second zone B, stiffness of the fender panel 400 in the second zone B decreases which leads to the bending of the fender panel 101 while assembling the fender cladding 500. Hence, to ensure panel rigidity, a reinforcement provision is provided with the outer body offender panel 400 in line with the flange 403. The reinforcement provision is provided in terms of a mounting leg 405 which extend in the direction of the flange 403 from the notch section 404 and configured to mount on the side body outer panel 800, as shown in fig. 6, of the vehicle by known means of mounting, such as nut-bolt, screw, welding. The side body outer panel 800 may have one mounting leg 801 on the surface which is configured to mount with the mounting leg 405 of the fender panel 400. In another embodiment, the mounting leg 405 may be directly mounted on the side body outer panel 800. The mounting leg 405 may have bead structure to provide more stiffness to the leg in bent direction. For example, a force of 70-80 N (impact load) is induced while mounting the fender cladding 500 on the fender panel 400 and the mounting leg 405 with bead structure helps to withstand the load and avoid bending of the fender panel 400 at the second zone B.
[0061] As shown in fig. 5 the fender cladding 500 defines a width 'D' between a lower edge 500a and an upper edge 500b, where the lower edge 500a faces wheelhouse throughout the inner circumference and the upper edge 500b faces the step shape 401 of the fender panel 400 in the first Zone A and door locus or front door panel in the second Zone B and the third Zone C. The upper edge 500b starts from trim line of the fender panel 400.
[0062] The mounting leg 405 defines a variable width emboss 405b. Where the width of the emboss 405b at bending edge 405c which defines a bend section of the mounting leg 405 from the outer surface 400b of the fender panel 400 is small

as compare to the width of the emboss 405b at end of the mounting leg 405. The bending edge 405c may defines a plurality of beads.
[0063] The mounting leg 405 has mounting hole 405a at opposite end of the bending edge 405c. The mounting hole 405a is surrounded by the emboss 405b.
[0064] With the notch section 404 in the fender panel 400, the fender cladding 500 smoothly and completely merges with the fender panel 400, however the inner part or fender flange 403 of the fender panel 400 is still visible from the door boundary as shown in fig. 7a and 7b through view line 700. In-line with the styling intent of continuous black appearance in this zone and ensuring uniform and neat appearance by avoiding any inner parts visibility from the fender panel and door gap, a separate part 501, preferably of same material as of the fender cladding 500 or different material of the fender cladding 500, is attached on inner surface of the fender cladding 500 by known means, such as ultrasonic welding or pasting.
[0065] As shown in fig. 7c, the separate part 501 is positioned between the fender cladding 500 and the fender panel 400 to hide the visibility of the fender panel 400 from the door boundary. Further, the separate part 501 may be in L shape where one end attached with the fender cladding and other end extend in direction of the flange 403 of the fender panel 400 towards the inner panel of the vehicle to hide the fender panel 400. As shown in fig. 7d and 7e, the separate part 501 covers the fender panel 400 such that the fender cladding 500 looks seamless as it is an integrated part with no fender panel 400 visibility at the door boundary line or cutline.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0066] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the fender panel structure blends seamlessly with the trim line of the Font door panel.

[0067] The present disclosure provides for a unique styling of vehicle with larger width claddings, and its trim line merging with fender panel trim line and extending till front door panel, which not only meets the manufacturing requirement of parts but also improves the decorativeness of vehicle and its perceived quality.
[0068] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to

systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0069] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of "comprising" or "including" also contemplates embodiments that "consist essentially of or "consist of the recited feature.

WE claim:

1. A fender panel assembly having a fender panel (400) and a fender
cladding (500) comprising:
the fender panel (400) mounted on a side body outer panel (800), the fender panel (400) define a first zone (A), a second zone (B), and a third zone (C), where the second zone (B) and the third zone (C) are provided adjacent to front door cut line (601); and
the fender cladding (500) mounted on the fender panel (400), the fender cladding (500) defines a width (D) between a lower edge (500a) and an upper edge (500b), where the lower edge (500a) starts from wheel house and the upper edge (500b) starts from trim line of the fender panel (400),
where the second zone (B) defines a flat surface and a notch section (404) to receive the fender cladding (500),
the fender cladding (500) completely covers all the three zones (A, B, C) of the fender panel (400).
2. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fender panel (400) comprises a flange (403) that extend transversally from inner surface (400a) of the fender panel (400) to provide strength, the flange (403) is configured to attach the fender panel (400) with the side body outer panel (800).
3. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate part (501) defining L shape is attached to inner surface of the fender cladding (500), the separate part (501) is provided in between the fender cladding
(500) and the fender panel (400) to cover the notch section (404) and a
flange (403) provided on the fender panel (400).
4. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the separate part
(501) is made of same material as of the fender cladding (500) or different
material.

5. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first zone
(A) defines a step shape (401) to hide the upper edge (500a) of the fender
cladding (500).
6. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second zone
(B) defines no step shape.
7. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first zone (A), the second zone (B), and the third zone (C) defines a plurality of mounting provisions (402) to receive the fender cladding (500).
8. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mounting leg (405) is provided in the notch section (404) to strengthen the notch section (404), the mounting leg (405) is configured to mount on the side body outer panel (800).
9. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting leg (405) defines a variable width emboss (405b), where the width of the emboss (405b) at bending edge (405c) which defines a bend section of the mounting leg (405) from the outer surface (400b) of the fender panel (400) is small as compare to the width of the emboss (405b) at end of the mounting leg (405), the bending edge (405c) defines a plurality of beads.
10. The fender panel assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein a mounting hole (405a) is defined on the mounting leg (405), the mounting hole (405a) is surrounded by the emboss (405b).