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Optimizing the wiper system performance motivates the design engineer to create a product as robust as possible against the occurrence of wipe defects related to vibratory phenomena between the rubber blade and the windshield. In some configurations, these vibrations generate visual or audible annoyance for the driver. These instabilities phenomena only appear under specific operating and environmental conditions characterized by windshield moisture and cleanness, contact pressure of the rubber blade on the glass, attack angle of the wiper blade on the windshield, component stiffness, windshield curvature etc. In the process of eliminating all potential instabilities, modeling the wiper system structures can contribute to understand its working dynamics. Therefore, a new computation tool is developed and validated by experimentation on a specific test bench.

An experimental investigation is first carried out to analyze the influence of the geometrical configuration of a wiper system on the chattering occurrence. The measurement results show a combined influence of the load applied on the rubber blade and the attack angle on the vibratory level of the blade. A mathematical four-degree of freedom model, based on the Sprag-slip theory, is developed to simulate the behavior of the rubber blade during the wiping motion. A dynamic analysis is then performed to define conditions for stable motion of the system. The comparison of these theoretical unstable configurations and the experimental chattering cases shows good correlation. This theoretical survey points out necessary conditions for unstable motion, in terms of orientation of the rubber blade to the glass surface.

This paper presents the potential for rear closure submodules. Side door modules and lightweight rear closures have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. However the characteristics of future liftgates allow the design of specific mechatronic sub-modules (e-modulesTM). Beside structure, rear closures satisfy three main functions: rear vision, rear signaling and rear access. All are undergoing a generation change that will be outlined in the first part of this paper, system by system. Each time the rationale behind modular integration, whether electronic or mechanical, will be reviewed. The second part presents examples of e-modulesTM that illustrate the potential gains in terms of ease of assembly, packaging optimization and network integration.

For wiper systems, rubber-wiping elements are one of the key components ensuring excellent wipe quality and, therefore, satisfying driver visibility, security and comfort. In order to track the rubber element wear precisely and to know when the blades have to be changed, a wear indicator for the rubber element has been developed. The indicator is made of a black plastic material with an adhesive, pressure sensitive, backing located on the main bow. With time and external stresses, the sticker turns a green color at mid life, and yellow at the end of life. Yellow color indicates to the driver, the end of the effective life of the wiper blade.