Optimal windshield cleaning performance

The goal with this thesis work was to specify the parameters that affect the wiper system cleaning quality of the windshield. The most important parameters were tested so that Volvo can optimise and state requirements on the cleaning system and surrounding details. After studies the parameters were reduced to the three following parameters: - Wiper blade wear<br> - Wiper blade geometry - Windshield surface To get a better understanding of how these parameters affect the cleaning quality, following three products were tested: • SAFE SIGHT-concept. Small stripes that are supposed to clean and shape up the wiper blade were applied to the windshield. • Coated windshield. A windshield with a hydrophobic coating was tested. The coating forms the water to droplets instead of film. The droplets flow away with the airflow. • Bosch Flatblade Technology. A new wiper blade with a flat spring design. Has many advantages compared to ordinary blades. The lack of joints and the even pressure over the blade is the most useful. The tests were made in a test rig and in company cars. Two inquiries were answered by the company car drivers about the cleaning quality with the SAFE SIGHT-concept. The tests gave the following results: The SAFE SIGHT stripes improved the cleaning quality but they peeled off too easy and caused some noise. After a longer time, they wore the blade that resulted in a decreased cleaning quality. The need of the wiper system is highly decreased with the coated windshield. This improves the active safety. However, the coating needs an increased durability and decreased cost. These new wiper blades from Bosch is remarkable good. The cost for these blades is higher compared to the ordinary blades but will decrease in the future when the product is introduced to the market. The coated windshield and the Bosch Flatblade Technology gave the best improvement to cleaning quality compared to ordinary wiper systems. The ordinary wiper blade showed wide stripes after 33000 cycles in the test rig. The new Bosch wiper blade showed no stripes at all after 119500 cycles. The coated windshield has been successfully tested and received by the test drivers. We recommend Volvo to further development and tests of the coated windshield and the Bosch Flatblade Technology.Validerat; 20101217 (root