Windshield Wiper Pressure & Force Measurement

Designing a windshield wiper system that effectively cleans a windshield is not an easy task given the constraints. The combination of different blade lengths, durometers, low and uneven pressures, and varying windshield contours combine to make this a complicated material and dynamics problem. Knowing the force distribution between the windshield and the blade at various positions along blade length provides key insight into how to improve performance.

Tekscan developed a 0.1 mm high, flexible polyester sensor strip containing 100 individual force sensors arrayed along its length. The accompanying electronics, calibration fixtures and software are sensitive, flexible and portable enough to measure the windshield to wiper blade interface profile under various conditions. Learn more about the Wiper™ pressure mapping system.

Force profile of a wiper blade. Output displayed graphically - Force vs. Distance across sensor rows

Wiper Blade Pressure & Force Measurement Applications

• Measure blade performance
• Identify uneven pressures
• Before and after adjustment comparison
• Reliability testing
• Design verification testing

Benefits of Pressure and Force Measurement

• Improve design
• Eliminate need to build costly fixtures formerly user to model windscreens
• Competitive benchmark

See how Pressure Mapping Technology can help automobile manufacturers obtain dynamic pressure data to extend the life of vehicle components, like wiper blades: