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Everything about Windshield Wiper

Windshield Wiper is a device fitted in the cars to wipe of dirt and rain water from the windscreen, a transparent screen that protects the car occupants.  A wiper is composed of an arm at one end and a long rubber blade at the other. The arm and the rubber blade are linked using a spring linkage. The rubber blade is the operating part that swings back and forth over the transparent screen to pull water from the surface.

bullet History

The history of the windshield wiper dates back to 1903, when J. H. Apjohn introduced a method of moving two brushes up and down on a vertical plate glass windshield. Immediately after this invention, Mary Anderson devised a swinging arm to sweep rain off the car windshield. The swinging of the arm was regulated using a lever placed besides the car steering.  Anderson patented her device that stood out as standard equipment in 1913.

The only disadvantage of the device patented by Anderson was the manual use of the lever. Later, an electric motor was devised by Dr. Ormand Wall to swing a single wiper attached with a long rubber blade back and forth. The first automatic wipers were placed on the top of the windshield but with gradual advancement and innovative technology, these wipers were moved to the base of the windshield.

With further advancements in electronic system, various types and designs or wipers were introduced. . In 1980s wipers were added to headlights and in 1990s, micro-sensors were introduced to detect rain on the windshield, activate the wipers, and regulate other functions of the wipers.

bullet Types

There are two main types of windscreen wipers: classic windscreen wipers and flat blade windscreen wipers. Classic windscreen wipers are equipped with a number of legs reaching down to secure blade onto the windscreen. The spring at the base is used to transfer pressure from wiper arm to the wiper blades. Flat blade wipers are not connected to any legs or joints. This enables constant flow of pressure along the length of the blade. The blade is fixed at a wide and stable point to secure it at the right angle on windscreen.

Some of the disadvantages of classic windscreen wipers are number of joints, application of uneven pressure, and narrow fixing points. The number of joints present can seize, break or just wear, which eventually affects the working of the wipers. Pressure is applied from various joints along the length of the blade. This uneven pressure can cause streaking of the windscreen. Narrow fixing points affect the control and position of the blades. Another big disadvantage of these wipers is that they are not aerodynamic.

Comparatively, flat blade wipers hold the blades at correct angle and create less aerodynamic noise and lift. These specifications further enhance the effectiveness and durability of the flat blade wipers.

bullet Raw Materials

The basic raw materials used to manufacture wipers are natural and synthetic rubber blend. Rubber blades don’t last long because these are greatly affected by ozone and ultra violet rays. That’s the reason why some of the manufacturers add graphite to the rubber compound which in turn enhances the life and effectiveness of the wipers.

Some of the wiper manufacturers also use PTFE or silicone resins as a coating over rubber blades to make the wipers even more flexible and resistant to extremes temperatures and weather conditions. Unfortunately, even after the addition of silicone resins, rubber blades become tough and rigid under cold temperatures.

Later, the manufacturers started using 100% Silicone to prepare windscreen wipers. These wipers are more flexible, stronger and impervious to UV, Ozone, and various solvents. 100% silicon wipers have a longer life and are effective even under minus degree temperatures.

bullet Care and Maintenance

Windshield wiper is a great little invention that seems to wear out quickly. It is very important to take care of the wiper to ensure durability of the car’s windshield wipers. The best way to do so is to wet a paper towel with a cleaner or rubbing alcohol and rub along the edges of the wiper blades. At least do this once a month and everyday during monsoon. This helps to clean the dust, dirt and grim on the blades.