Car wipers are essential components for rainy and snowy weather. Their function is to remove water stains and dirt from the front and rear windshields. Some older cars also had wipers integrated into the headlights, for the same purpose. Wipers are arguably the simplest yet most practical part of a car, and as a consumable item, they need to be replaced periodically to maintain their cleaning effect. This article will guide you through replacing your own windshield wipers and discuss other related aspects.
Windshield Wiper Link Installation Method Windshield Wiper Working Principle A vehicle's windshield wiper system mainly consists of three parts: the main unit, the linkage, and the wipers themselves. The main unit contains a DC permanent magnet motor and a computer that controls the wiper speed and detects the wiper's position. During operation, the wipers are driven by the motor, and the linkage mechanism converts the motor's rotational motion into the reciprocating motion of the wiper arms, thus achieving the wiping action. The driver controls the motor current using the wiper lever, thereby adjusting the wiper speed.
A more advanced type of automatic wiper than simply controlling speed is the automatic sensor-operated wiper. Its working principle is the same as ordinary wipers, except that it uses a rain sensor to achieve automatic control. The advancements in automatic wipers over the years have been reflected in the different sensing methods. For example, early wipers sensed the amount of rain by sensing the vibration frequency of raindrops hitting the car, while now more precise methods such as infrared are used.
Wipes are primarily classified by structure: framed wipers and frameless wipers. Frameless wipers are generally more flexible, conform better to the windshield, wipe more cleanly, and are also quieter and less prone to aging. Framed wipers currently have a significant advantage in terms of cost.
Based on the movement method, wipers can also be divided into dual-arm, opposed-arm, and single-arm types. Dual-arm wipers are most commonly used in passenger cars, while opposed-arm wipers are typically found in MPVs or commercial vehicles with larger windshields. Single-arm wipers are less common now; the Dongfeng Citroën Fukang currently uses this type.
When to Replace Windshield Wipers: Windshield wipers are consumables and typically need to be replaced every 1-2 years. The simplest way to determine if wipers need replacing is to check if they still provide good cleaning performance, which is the most basic function of windshield wipers. Additionally, you can also judge whether replacement is necessary by checking for cracks or fissures in the wiper blades and the level of noise during operation.