A Novel Use of a Composite Material to Limit the Loads in Windshield Wiper Systems

Using a thermoset polyester/glass fiber pultruded composite material, and taking advantage of column postbuckling behavior, a rigid/perfectly-plastic member can be approximated. Employment of the composite material is essential to realize an appreciable reduction in length of the member, while stayi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:SAE transactions 2001-01, Vol.110, p.150-157
Main Authors: Penrod, James P., Dong, Yaomin, Buchanan, H. Charles
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Using a thermoset polyester/glass fiber pultruded composite material, and taking advantage of column postbuckling behavior, a rigid/perfectly-plastic member can be approximated. Employment of the composite material is essential to realize an appreciable reduction in length of the member, while staying within the elastic range of the material. Utilizing this member as the connecting rod of 4-bar linkages found in automotive windshield wiping systems can limit the peak system loading occurring as a result of snow/ice pack above the cowl screen. This technology holds the potential for reliability, wipe quality, and cost improvement along with mass reduction in windshield wiping systems.
ISSN:0096-736X
2577-1531