Windscreen wipers
A look at the history, tasks and function of windscreen wipers
The windscreen wiper as we know it today has a long history. The first patented windscreen wiper solution was developed in 1903 by Mary Anderson, an American woman. Her invention consisted of a manually operated wiper blade that was moved from the inside by a lever. This innovation came at a time when the car was establishing itself as a means of mass transport and with it the need for a clear view through the windscreen. The development of the intermittent windscreen wiper by Robert Kearns, Professor of Engineering at Wayne State University (Detroit/USA), gained significance in the 1960s. The system made it possible to regulate the wiping movements in light rain or spray, which contributed to an enormous improvement in driving safety.
Today, windscreen wipers are no longer manual, but fully automatic, often sensor-controlled and adapted to the needs of modern vehicles - and Cleff also considers windscreen wipers as a component in customised window solutions.
Windscreen wipers are one of the inconspicuous but indispensable components of vehicles. Here we take a closer look at how they work and the different versions of windscreen wiper technology.
Task and function of windscreen wipers
The primary task of a windscreen wiper is to keep the driver's view clear at all times - by removing rain, snow, dirt and other impurities from the windscreen. The windscreen wiper essentially consists of three main components ...
The wiper arm: This is attached to the bodywork or windscreen surround of the vehicle with a joint and is moved back and forth by a motor. Depending on the type of vehicle, this arm can vary in length and robustness.
The wiper blade: The flexible wiper blade is attached to the end of the wiper arm. It is usually made of rubber or a similar material and wipes water and dirt off the windscreen.
The windscreen wiper motor: A powerful electric motor drives the wiper arm. The rotary movement of the motor is converted into the to-and-fro movement of the wiper arm. Modern systems have sensors that recognise rain and dirt and activate the wiper automatically.
In most vehicles, the wiper works in combination with a windscreen washer system. This sprays a cleaning solution - usually water with a cleaning agent additive - onto the windscreen to loosen stubborn dirt and ensure that the water is evenly distributed on the windscreen.
Different versions of windscreen wipers
Depending on the vehicle and area of application, windscreen wipers differ significantly in terms of their design, performance and size. This is mainly due to the fact that the requirements for windscreen wiper systems vary greatly for different vehicles:
Windscreen wipers on passenger cars: the best known and most widely used windscreen wipers are those on conventional passenger cars. These wipers are usually smaller and are developed for everyday use, where the driver usually only has to cope with low speeds and limited weather conditions.
Windscreen wipers on buses and lorries: Buses and lorries are often on the road in tougher conditions, which is why their wiper arms are more robust and the wiper blades are larger and more resistant. Especially on long-distance buses, which have large windscreens, the wiper systems must be able to clean a much larger area.
Windscreen wipers for trains: The requirements for windscreen wipers on trains are particularly high, as trains travel at high speeds through all weather conditions. Train windscreen wipers not only have to withstand extreme wind and weather conditions, but also function reliably at high speeds. In addition, the wiper arms are usually larger and specially aerodynamically shaped to minimise air resistance.
Windscreen wipers on inland waterway vessels: Wiper systems also play a central role on inland waterway vessels. Here, the wipers not only have to remove rain, but also spray, mist and dirt particles that are whirled up by the water surface. The wipers must also work reliably in adverse weather conditions such as storms and strong sunlight.
Special features and developments in wiper technology
In recent years, wiper systems have developed considerably thanks to technological innovations: With sensor-controlled systems that automatically detect the amount of rain on the windscreen and adjust wiper operation accordingly. Such systems increase comfort and improve safety, as they can react quickly to changing weather conditions.
Another trend is the integration of heatable wiper systems that keep the wiper blades warm in ice and snow and prevent them from freezing to the windscreen. Cleff offers such solutions especially for rail vehicles used in cold climates. At Cleff, high-quality windscreen wiper solutions not only focus on safety and reliability, but also on comfort and adaptability to the individual requirements of our customers.
