The influence of contact distribution shaping on the dynamic response of a wiper blade

Abstract

The primary function of windscreen wipers is to remove water and debris from the windscreen, ensuring the driver has a clear view of the road ahead. Predicting wiper performance at the design stage is therefore important to ensure their safe operation. There is hence a need to develop physics-based models of wiper performance that can be used as evaluative tools early in the design stage. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of changing screen curvature on the contact force distribution of a wiper blade and the subsequent effects on the transient dynamics. The contact distributions for three distinct screen curvatures and three loading points are calculated via FEA (finite element analysis) and subsequently analysed via multiple connected mass spring dampers to model the wiper blade lip transient dynamics. By analysing time and frequency domain data for several calculated contact distributions it is found that decreasing the screen curvature reduces the contact force at the centre of the blade, however, increases the amplitude of vibrations and range of frequencies observed. Additionally, it is found that moving the loading point towards the tip of the blade reduces the amplitude of vibrations, a result analogous to that of increasing the screen curvature. Based upon the understanding gained through this work the influence of design criteria on wiper blades can now be assessed, and several suggestions made as to how to reduce windscreen wiper noise.

Determining the characteristics of contact interaction between the two-row windshield wiper and a curvilinear glass surface

“…Our results of the distribution of pressure on stresses testify to the solution of the problem of studying the interaction of the windshield wiper with the curved surface of the glass. In contrast to [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10], in which variants of the absolute repeatability of the curvature of the windshield wiper and the glass surface are considered, the current research data demonstrate the application of other possible cases of operation.…”

“…Determining the efficiency of windshield wipers from the very beginning of their design is critically important for ensuring their reliable operation, which is the subject of numerous scientific works. Paper [3] investigates how variations in the curvature of the windshield affect the distribution of forces acting on the side of the windshield wiper and demonstrates the influence on the corresponding dynamics of transient processes. The study includes contact calculations for three different types of windshield curvature and three force application points in a finite element analysis (FEA) module.…”

“…These data are further analyzed using a series of interconnected mass-spring damping systems to model the dynamic behavior of the wiper blade rib. Works [2,3] do not contain studies of windshield wipers in critical operating conditions, which is one of the tasks of this work. Paper [4] delves into the complex non-linear interaction between the wiper blade and the vehicle glass using FEA, demonstrating how the shape of the brush affects the load distribution.…”

“…1) before conducting Ansys tests. A typical assembly structure of a conventional windshield wiper includes a retainer (1), a frame of the windshield wiper (2), a rubber brush with a blade (3), which together rotate on the axis of the drive bracket (4) and are pressed by a spring (5).…”

“…10), which correlates with mathematical modeling. Such zones are subjected to the load Pi, which is included in equations ( 1) to (3). The displacements increased to 1.82 mm (map a in Fig.…”