Windshield Wiper Research Articles

Artificial Intelligent Solver on Windscreen Wiper Mechanism of Automobile

The power source of windscreen wiper is motor, which is the core of the entire wiper system and is very high quality requirements. The wiper motor installed on the front windshield and worm gears are generally made of one mechanical part. The four-bar linkage of windshield wiper of automobile is driven by motor through worm gears. The method of simulated annealing is a technique that has attracted significant attention as suitable for optimization problems of large scale, especially ones where a desired global extremum is hidden among many, poorer, local extrema. The simulated annealing algorithm with penalty strategy is adopted to solve the optimal model of windscreen wiper mechanism, thus motion accuracy of wiper mechanism is greatly increased, and the searching number is greatly decreased.

Household Cleaning Product-Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments in 1990–2006

The goal was to examine comprehensively the patterns and trends of household cleaning product-related injuries among children treated in US emergency departments. Through use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, cases of unintentional, nonfatal, household cleaning product-related injuries were selected by using product codes for drain cleaners, ammonia, metal polishes/tarnish removers, turpentine, dishwasher detergents, acids, swimming pool chemicals, oven cleaners, pine oil cleaners/disinfectants, laundry soaps/detergents, toilet bowl products, abrasive cleaners, general-purpose household cleaners, noncosmetic bleaches, windshield wiper fluids, caustic agents, lye, wallpaper cleaners, room deodorizers/fresheners, spot removers, and dishwashing liquids. Products were categorized according to major toxic ingredients, mode of action, and exposure. An estimated 267 269 children<or=5 years of age were treated in US emergency departments for household cleaning product-related injuries. The number of injuries attributable to household cleaning product exposure decreased 46.0% from 22 141 in 1990 to 11 964 in 2006. The product most-commonly associated with injury was bleach (37.1%). Children 1 to 3 years of age accounted for 72.0% of cases. The primary mechanism of injury was ingestion (62.7%). The most common source or container was spray-bottles (40.1%). Although rates of household cleaner-related injuries from regular bottles or original containers and kitchenware decreased during the study period, spray-bottle injury rates showed no decrease. Although national rates of household cleaning product-related injuries in children decreased significantly over time, the number of injuries remains high.

Areal rainfall estimation using moving cars as rain gauges – a modelling study

Abstract. Optimal spatial assessment of short-time step precipitation for hydrological modelling is still an important research question considering the poor observation networks for high time resolution data. The main objective of this paper is to present a new approach for rainfall observation. The idea is to consider motorcars as moving rain gauges with windscreen wipers as sensors to detect precipitation. This idea is easily technically feasible if the cars are provided with GPS and a small memory chip for recording the coordinates, car speed and wiper frequency. This study explores theoretically the benefits of such an approach. For that a valid relationship between wiper speed and rainfall rate considering uncertainty was assumed here. A simple traffic model is applied to generate motorcars on roads in a river basin. Radar data are used as reference rainfall fields. Rainfall from these fields is sampled with a conventional rain gauge network and with several dynamic networks consisting of moving motorcars, using different assumptions such as accuracy levels for measurements and sensor equipment rates for the car networks. Those observed point rainfall data from the different networks are then used to calculate areal rainfall for different scales. Ordinary kriging and indicator kriging are applied for interpolation of the point data with the latter considering uncertain rainfall observation by cars e.g. according to a discrete number of windscreen wiper operation classes. The results are compared with the values from the radar observations. The study is carried out for the 3300 km2 Bode river basin located in the Harz Mountains in Northern Germany. The results show, that the idea is theoretically feasible and motivate practical experiments. Only a small portion of the cars needed to be equipped with sensors for sufficient areal rainfall estimation. Regarding the required sensitivity of the potential rain sensors in cars it could be shown, that often a few classes for rainfall observation are enough for satisfactory areal rainfall estimation. The findings of the study suggest also a revisiting of the rain gauge network optimisation problem.

Windscreen wiper fluid without added screenwash in motor vehicles: a newly identified risk factor for Legionnaires’ disease

A source of infection is rarely identified for sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease. We found that professional drivers are five times more commonly represented among community acquired sporadic cases in England and Wales than expected. We therefore investigated possible risk exposures in relation to driving or spending time in a motor vehicle. A case control study including all surviving community acquired sporadic cases in England and Wales with onset between 12 July 2008 and 9 March 2009 was carried out. Cases were contacted by phone and controls were consecutively recruited by sequential digital dialling matched by area code, sex and age group. Those who consented were sent a questionnaire asking questions on driving habits, potential sources in vehicles and known risk factors. The results were analysed using logistic regression. 75 cases and 67 controls were included in the study. Multivariable analysis identified two exposures linked to vehicle use associated with an increased risk of Legionnaires' disease: Driving through industrial areas (OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.5-33.7) and driving or being a passenger in a vehicle with windscreen wiper fluid not containing added screenwash (OR 47.2, 95%CI 3.7-603.6). Not adding screenwash to windscreen wiper fluid is a previously unidentified risk factor and appears to be strongly associated with community acquired sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease. We estimated that around 20% of community acquired sporadic cases could be attributed to this exposure. A simple recommendation to use screenwash may mitigate transmission of Legionella bacteria to drivers and passengers.

“Windshield Wiper Technique” for Acromioclavicular Joint Resection

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint pain secondary to arthritis, osteolysis, and intra-articular injury to the disc of the AC joint is a common cause of shoulder symptoms. For cases refractory to conservative treatment, both open and arthroscopic AC joint resections have been established. Open AC joint resection requires extensive tissue dissection and can result in postoperative shoulder muscle weakness, delayed rehabilitation, and additional scarring. Arthroscopic procedures, including both the direct superior approach and the indirect bursal approach, are also associated with postoperative pain. This is because of inadequate or overzealous resection of AC joint; or is because of joint instability from the impairment of the AC joint capsular ligaments. We present a novel arthroscopic technique termed the “Windshield Wiper Technique” for precise and even AC joint resection. Using a direct trans-AC joint portal, this technique allows for uniform resection of the distal clavicle and acromial facet of AC joint. Furthermore, this approach achieves reliably about 5.0 to 7.0 mm of bony resection while preserving the ligaments which stabilize the AC joint.

Complications of the Luque–Galveston scoliosis correction technique in paediatric cerebral palsy

Severe scoliosis is a very frequent condition in cerebral palsy children (CP). It is surgically managed, with unit rod instrumentation being the gold standard in English-speaking countries. The purpose of this work was to report on a small, homogeneous series of non-ambulatory, quadriplegic, spastic patients treated by the Luque-Galveston technique in Strasbourg, France. We present the radiographic outcome of the technique along with a full description of any post-operative complications encountered. Twenty-eight children were operated on according to the Luque-Galveston technique between January 1997 and January 2006. This instrumentation, with fusion, included the whole spine from the sacrum to level T2. All procedures were performed as a one-stage posterior arthrodesis. The spinal deformities were single thoraco-lumbar curvatures, except in one patient. Both curve magnitude and pelvic obliquity were measured by X-ray pre-operatively, post-operatively and after longest follow-up (over 24 months). Our study focused on the rate of complications of this treatment. Only 16 patients out of 28 were tracked since the remaining 12 were lost to follow-up. Mean curve magnitude was corrected from 80 degrees to 34.8 degrees (mean correction, 56.5%), and pelvic obliquity, from 20.9 degrees to 4.2 degrees (mean correction, 79.6%). Loss of correction at average 3.46-year follow-up was 3.9 degrees of curve magnitude and 2.7 degrees of pelvic obliquity. Mean operating time was 301.5 minutes, and average blood loss was 861.9 ml. Patients were discharged from hospital after an average 19.5-day stay, including mean 8.4-day intensive care unit stay. A single major complication, monocular blindness, occurred during the procedure, probably resulting from air embolism. Post-operative complications (totaling 57.1% of our 28 patients) were: one death, three pneumothoraxes, six segmental atelectasias, seven pneumonias and one superficial wound infection. Late-onset complications (totaling 56.2% of our 16 patients at latest follow-up) were: seven broken sublaminar wires, one iliac perforation by the rod, one skin irritation from extreme malnutrition needing hardware removal, and three superficial sacral decubitus ulcers. Our correction rate in children affected by CP and manifesting severe scoliosis is similar to that reported in the literature by different surgical teams. Moreover, we did not observe any deep wound infection, haematoma, septicaemia, neurological and digestive complications. Late-onset complications mainly involved asymptomatic sublaminar wire breakage at the two uppermost levels, but no major complication was due to hardware failure, and vertebral fracture did not occur. There was no need for re-intervention because of the hardware, except for one case in which extreme malnutrition provoked skin conflict with the rod. We encountered 10 "windshield wiper" effects in the iliac bone, but we believe they cannot be considered as complications since they seemed to disappear after fusion was fully obtained. Last but not least, unit rod instrumentation is not very expensive compared to more modern techniques. Correction of scoliosis and pelvic obliquity, attributed to CP in non-ambulatory children, by the Luque-Galveston technique is both an effective and safe choice in such an indication. Moreover, it is far less expensive than most other techniques, an aspect which should be taken into consideration. Level IV retrospective therapeutic study.

Complex Eigenvalue Analysis of Windscreen Wiper Chatter Noise and its Suppression by Structural Modifications

This paper presents an approach to predict automotive windscreen wiper chatter noise using the finite element method. In this study, a 3-dimensional finite element model of a real wiper blade is developed and then validated using experimental modal analysis. In order to assess stability of the wiper blade assembly, complex eigenvalue analysis is performed using ABAQUS. The positive real parts of a complex eigenvalue indicate an unstable system. The baseline model is first simulated and stability of the system is examined. Having found a predicted unstable frequency that generates chatter noise, various structural modifications are proposed in order to reduce the vibration.

Synthesis, Conformational Interconversion, and Photophysics of Tethered Porphyrin–Fullerene Dyads with Parachute Topology

The synthesis of a porphyrin-fullerene dyad with "parachute" topology is reported. To determine whether the dyad is "flexing" at room temperature, low-temperature NMR experiments were used. Computational modeling has shown the low-energy conformation of the dyad to be nonsymmetric. Although, (1)H NMR spectroscopy at room temperature is consistent with a molecule with C(2v) symmetry, the spectrum changes on lowering the temperature consistent with "windshield wiper"-like motion, in which the porphyrin moiety rotates from one side of the C(60) sphere to the other. Nanosecond and picosecond fluorescence lifetime experiments show two components contribute to the fluorescence decay, also consistent with the presence of more than one conformer.

Dynamic modeling and control of the windshield wiper mechanisms

Determining the real behavior of the windshield wiper mechanisms is a priority in the design stage since the emergence of the computer graphic simulation. The paper attempts to analyze and simulate...

Computer simulations to extend the service life of wiper systems

High-tech in the car: we are talking about high-performance engines, carbon bodywork and windshield wipers. The inconspicuous wipers have long since become a complex, state-of-the-art construction. Bosch, the German market leader in windshield wipers based in Buhlertal (Germany), meanwhile even uses computer simulations in order to test new designs. Calculations made by simulation engineers from Merkle and Partner seek to make the sensitive wipers more robust in the face of environmental conditions.

Non-linear dynamics of a mechanical system with a frictional unilateral constraint

We analyze the dynamics of a two-dimensional system constituted by two masses subjected to elastic, gravitational and viscous forces and constrained by a moving frictional mono-lateral surface. The model exhibits a time-varying dynamics capable of reproducing the hopping phenomenon, an unwanted phenomenon observed in many applications such as the motion of a robotic arm on a surface or that of a wiper on a windscreen. The system dynamics, besides being affected by geometrical non-linearities, has a non-smooth nature due to the impact and friction laws involved in the model. The complexity of the resulting equations and of the transition conditions require the problem to be solved numerically. Various periodic motions are found and the effect of varying the system parameters, in particular the friction coefficient, is investigated. Finally, simulations are used to gain some insight the behavior of the windscreen wiper.

An examination of naturalistic windshield wiper usage

In the course of a field operational test, 96 participants drove instrumented vehicles from which driving data was recorded. Windshield wiper activity was examined in order to provide data regarding the naturalistic use of wiper systems. The results have implications for the design and durability of windshield wipers, wiper motors, windshields, and glazing treatments. Overall, wipers were used 8.6% of the time. When ambient lighting diminished, a shift towards higher wiper speeds was observed. Average headway time and range increased, and speed decreased, when wipers were engaged. Finally, middle-aged drivers used wipers more often than their younger and older counterparts.

Compensation of Angular Errors Using Decision Feedback Equalizer Approach

Speed and position measurements of rotating shafts are very important in the field of mechanical engineering. In automotive applications, magnetic field sensors for such measurements (camshaft, crankshaft, anti-lock braking system, windshield wiper, etc.) have the largest market share of all sensor types. Camshaft applications are challenging due to their requirements on high angular accuracy under harsh environmental conditions. Due to mounting and packaging tolerances, the magnetic field at the sensors position varies, resulting in angular measurement errors for sensor concepts in use today. Mounting and packaging tolerances cannot be avoided; however, they can be compensated by a new filter structure which is described in this paper. The decision feedback equalizer (DFE) - known from digital communication - was analyzed and modified for the use in angular measurement applications. A new filter structure, using data prediction and an adaptive algorithm based on a physical model, is proposed. This filter calculates and compensates angular errors caused by mounting and packaging tolerances.

자동차 와이퍼 링키지의 진동해석을 위한 동역학 모델링

An automotive windshield wiper system is modeled mainly for vibration analysis purpose. The model is composed of solid links, ideal joints, imperfect joints to simulate unavoidable manufacturing defects and bushings having stiffness, contact between a wiper blade and a wind screen glass, friction, a spring and an actuator. Main stream of wiper dynamics analysis has been obtaining a closed form of system of equations using Newton`s or Lagrange`s formula and doing a numerical simulation study to understand and predict the behavior of it. However, the modeling process is complex since a wiper system is of multibody and a contact problem occurs. When imperfection, such as dead zone of a joint and stiffness of a rubber bushing, should be included, the added complexity makes the modeling difficult. Since the imperfection is understood as main cause of problematic vibration, the dynamics model of a wiper system aiming vibration analysis should include such unavoidable manufacturing defects in the model. An open form of dynamic model of a automotive windshield wiper system with imperfect joints using a commercial software is obtained and a simulation analyssis is conducted for vibration reduction study.

The Technology Implications of A Nation at Risk

FEW IN 2008 would argue with the notion that we are immersed in high-tech society, what with e-mail, the Web, cell phones, and assorted computer-controlled devices and toys abounding. And, of course, people actually line up at stores for days to buy such popular new technologies as the iPhone or the Nintendo Wii, as if waiting for rare tickets to some unimaginably fantastic show. Some even resort to violence when sought-after item is unavailable. Music and film can now be purchased, downloaded, and exchanged digitally, and digital television and radio are here as well. Our cars have computerized sensors that can alert us to all sorts of potential hazards. Some even detect darkness or moisture and prompt headlights and windshield wipers to turn on in reaction. One new car can even manage to parallel park itself with the use of proximity sensors. Have the schools been keeping pace? Has pedagogy changed with the times? The authors of A Nation at Risk saw the schools as central to efforts to bring the nation up to speed in all areas of technology. Do we still feel that way? LOOKING BACK In 1983, when A Nation at Risk was first published, the computers that people might have owned were the Tandy TRS-80, Commodore 64, or, for the rather well-to-do, perhaps the new Apple Lisa, which boasted whopping one megabyte of RAM, 12 monochrome monitor, two 5 1/4 floppy drives, and an external 5-MB hard drive. And this marvel of modern personal computing could had for just $9,995-more than many new cars cost at the time. (1) Cell phones were not available in 1983, but video games were already addicting the kids with such popular consoles as the Atari 2600. There was no Internet as we know it, but the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency had already inaugurated ARPANET, the first network of computers connected via the use of TCP/IP, which became the Internet-connecting protocol that is still in use today. In 1983, the University of Wisconsin created the Domain Name System (DNS), which is also still in use today for servers hosting websites and e-mail. At the time, though, only the military, certain research universities, and scientific laboratories could obtain the appropriate security clearance to connect to the networks. (2) In the public schools, there might have been one or two personal computers, purchased to address the specific needs of computer-programming, science, or journalism classes. Some portable electronic calculators and the new videotape players/recorders--in either Beta-max or VHS format--would also have been present. A NATION AT RISK--TECHNOLOGICALLY When A Nation at Risk appeared, it offered recommendations in the areas of content, standards and expectations, time, teaching, and leadership and fiscal support. The growing use of technology was addressed briefly in the section dealing with indicators of risk, which listed examples of deficiencies in education as compared to the forecast needs of the work force, in particular highly skilled workers in new fields. The report offered these examples of the technologically changing workplace: * Computers and computer-controlled equipment are penetrating every aspect of our lives--homes, factories, and offices. * One estimate indicates that by the turn of the century millions of jobs will involve laser technology and robotics. * Technology is radically transforming host of other occupations. They include health care, medical science, energy production, food processing, construction, and the building, repair, and maintenance of sophisticated scientific, educational, military, and industrial equipment. (3) The report went on to quote John Slaughter, former director of the National Science Foundation, who warned of a growing chasm between small scientific and technological elite and citizenry ill-informed, indeed uninformed, on issues with science component (p. …

Calm and collected

Some of the latest developments in the collection and dissemination of atmospheric and road information are discussed. In the face of the volume of data coming from weather stations Vaisala are concentrating on the process of using this information and have purchased the Federal Prototype Maintenance Decision Support System and Road Weather Decision Support System with the aim of marketing a commercial solution to transport authorities. Saab are evaluating sensors and suggest that a combination of active and passive sensors is preferable. MeteoGroup concentrate on information specific to highways and supply data on road surface temperature and condition to clients. The Weather Systems and Assessment Programme in Colorado has a Vehicle Data Translator project which is combining traditional weather measurements with data from mobile platforms. Seen as part of the ITS framework, the vision is that vehicles will become probes and provide data from the ABS, windshield wipers, headlights and traction control system.

D-Plan: Efficient Collision-Free Path Computation for Part Removal and Disassembly

We present a novel approach to compute a collision-free path for part disassembly simulation and virtual prototyping of part removal. Our algorithm is based on sample-based motion planning that connects collision-free samples in the configuration space using local planning. In order to effectively handle the tight-fitting scenarios, we describe techniques to generate samples in narrow passages and efficient local planning algorithms to connect them with collision-free paths. Our approach is general, makes no assumption about model connectivity or object topology, and can handle polygon soup models that frequently arise in CAD applications. We highlight the performance on many challenging benchmarks including the Alpha puzzle, maintainability of the windscreen wiper motion, and disassembly of a seat from the interior of a car body.

Vehicle Infrastructure Integration Test Beds Planned for Detroit

In this article, the author describes a number of tests conducted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) regarding Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII). The tests, conducted in the Detroit area, collect vehicular information such as speed of travel, road surface conditions, windshield wiper use, air temperature, and shock and antilock brake use. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) concepts such as VII are implemented in order to increase both mobility and safety. Using a dedicated short-range radio system (DSRC), which links cars to one another via vehicle-to-vehicle as well as to wayside hubs, researchers hope to determine whether a fast moving vehicle can engage in local wireless network communications as effectively as stationary objects. Other such VII tests are being conducted in the San Francisco Bay Area by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the University of California, Berkeley.

And Then We Moved In

And Then We Moved In

Femoral Tunnel Defect Filled With a Synthetic Dowel Graft for a Single-Staged Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Bone defects are a common obstacle to successful revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. We describe the use of a synthetic bone graft plug to fill a cylindric defect after femoral interference screw removal. During revision ACL reconstruction performed through a 2-incision technique, we placed an outside-in guidewire for a new femoral tunnel that converged with the femoral screw from the primary ACL reconstruction. The screw was removed, and the resultant defect appeared very similar to the cylindric bone defect left after an osteochondral graft harvest. The confluence of the defect and the planned femoral tunnel would have allowed a “windshield wiper” effect of the graft at the lateral wall of the notch. We filled the screw defect with a synthetic bone graft plug to limit the aperture size of the femoral tunnel and to buttress the tendinous portion of the revision ACL graft, while maintaining proper anatomic graft position. In this article, we present a readily available all-arthroscopic option for repairing cylindric bone defects without the risk of an allograft or the morbidity of an autograft for a single-stage revision ACL reconstruction.