Windshield Wiper Parts

Diagnosing a problem within a machine, requires you to understand what are the various constituent components that make its working possible. Same is the case with a windshield wiper. You need to understand the working of various windshield wiper parts to figure out what is wrong with it. If machine designing interests you, then knowing about the parts of a windshield wiper and their working might be an interesting case study.

Can you imagine driving in the rain or snow, without the car's faithful windshield wipers working? It would be an understatement to call it a nightmare! Windshield wipers have been around for quite a while now. The first wipers arrived on the world scene at the beginning of the 20^th century and with technological innovations, they have evolved over time to provide clear visibility to the driver in any weather condition.

Parts of a Windshield Wiper

The action of a windshield wiper is oscillatory and it comes in various types of designs in different car models. However, its core working remains the same for any design. To understand its working, a knowledge of its components will be helpful. Here are the main parts of a windshield wiper design, irrespective of the car model. While you are quite familiar with the arms and the blades, you may not know the components that are hidden inside.

Arm
The windshield wiper arms are the connector between the wiper blades and the motor. Their dimensions are designed to cover the maximum expanse of the windshield screen, and provide the blades with maximum reach. They perform the important function of pressing the blades against the windshield screen, ensuring maximum cleaning or wiping efficiency. In case, they are bent, they need to be replaced immediately as they can hamper smooth functioning.

Blades
Wiper blades are the main wiping component of the wiper, scrubbing the windshield clean, with every oscillatory motion. They are mostly made up of rubber, which provides the necessary flexibility and durability to outlast the continuous effect of friction. Windshield wiper blades come in various sizes and you can choose a replacement by having a look at windshield wiper size chart. Their body contours are designed to match the curvature of the windshield which makes them more effective.

Motor
The most important windshield wiper part is the windshield motor, which make the oscillatory motion possible in association with special worm gears. These gears convert the rotational motion of the motor into oscillatory motion of the arm while also multiplying the torque by a multiple of fifty. The motor also controls the intermittent working mode of the wipers, which is made possible by a special electronic circuitry fitted inside. Moisture and rust can take a toll on the wiper motor over a long service life. A replacement doesn't cost a lot though.

Besides these, there are other components like the pivots and other linking pieces, which give stability and solidity to the whole structure. Intelligent windshield wipers have been devised for modern cars, which detect rain and adjust the wiping speed according to its intensity.