Flexible wiper system dynamic instabilities:: Modelling and experimental validation

The optimization of wiper systems under various conditions and the creation of a product which is as robust as possible are the main objectives for an equipment supplier. However, in certain conditions, instabilities can appear and generate wiping defects due to the rubber-glass contact. To improve wiping quality and to reduce the number of test stages for design, this study proposes a wiper system modeling method. The wiper system is represented by a rigid blade holder on which a rubber blade is fitted. This rigid blade system is used on a flat test bench at constant wiping velocity. The model is based on modal synthesis methods and will be validated through comparison with experimental tests under various conditions. The right correlation obtained allows the same modelling method to be applied to the new generation of flexible wiper blades which take account of the degree of freedom of the wiper blade flexions. So, a new computation tool will be developed and validated through experimentation on a specific test bench.