Introduction to Windshield Wiper Arms
A windshield wiper arm is a device used to remove water and debris from the windshield surface, resembling a squeegee. It is a vital car mechanism necessary for ensuring proper visibility for drivers running their vehicles in poor weather conditions.
Although it is one of the most hard-working parts of a vehicle, the arm of the wiper can get broken and damaged in such a way that it fails to clear the windshield effectively, becoming a clear accident hazard by blurring the driver’s visibility during navigation.
Features of a Windshield Wiper Arm
Windshield wiper arms are equipped with a thin strip made of rubber which is dragged across the windshield, clearing away water, snow, ice and other debris. Not all wiper blades are made of standard rubber, some consisting of silicone or having heating or vibrating features for improving the debris dislocating action. The windshield wiper arm is powered up by an electric motor that moves the blade back and forth across the glass, pushing debris away at adjustable speeds. The latter are continuous, yet drivers can use one or more intermittent settings to clear the windshield more effectively.
Wiper arms can clean the glass surface from back windows as well, and most of them operate with a windshield washer which is typically a fluid consisting of water and special detergent. The windshield washer fluid is pumped from a tank to the glass through small nozzles, mounted on the hood or attached to the wipers. Although some drivers use water to clear away dirt from their windshields, during the cold season they are bound to use anti-freeze washing liquid.
Intelligent Windshield Wipers
Some vehicles are equipped with driver-programmable windshield wipers that detect the amount of rain through a sensor which automatically adjusts the blades’ speed according to the amount of rain. Many main-stream manufacturers use this feature, allowing an optimal driving visibility.
Streak-free Procedures
To avoid the risk of having streaks on your windshield, you have to make sure the wiper arms and the blades attached to them are working in their best condition. Over time, the windshield wiper arm can bend or lose its flexibility, while the rubber strips may get nicks and cracks, and even come off the arm and damage the glass surface. When these parts start to show signs of wear, drivers should replace them.
Windshield Wiper Arm Motion Schemes
The standard windshield wiper arm motion is characterised by the blades moving together in a left-right direction, yet there are other motion schemes as well. Aside from the standard dual-wiper system, some vehicles have a single windshield wiper arm that extends and retracts as it moves over the windshield. Other cars use wipers that are attached to the opposite sides of the windshield to move towards the middle area of the glass surface. There are also vehicles that use a single wiper mounted in the middle of the windshield. All of these schemes may look interesting, yet they fail at providing the same coverage for drivers as the original system does. |
