Title: Electronic windshield wiper system I: modelling and validation

Authors: Y.-K. Chin, A. Kade, J. Kowalik, D. Graham

Addresses: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren, Michigan 48090-9055, USA. ' Electromechanical Systems, General Motors Advanced Engineering Staff, Warren, Michigan 48090-9055, USA. ' General Motors Delco Products Division, Dayton, Ohio, USA. ' General Motors Delco Products Division, Dayton, Ohio, USA

Abstract: The electronic windshield wiper system for passenger cars comprises six subsystems: wiper blades/arms, gear mechanisms, power electronics, electric motors, wiper position sensors, and a microprocessor. To systematically design the electronic windshield wiper system, it is necessary to first obtain a detailed, validated mathematical model of the system. Utilising this model, wiper control strategies can be studied and sensitivity due to system parameter variation can be investigated. This paper presents the mathematical model and the model validation of the electronic windshield wiper system. Detailed models for the subsystems arc discussed and the overall system model is validated experimentally using both open-loop and closed-loop wiper controls. Excellent agreement between simulation results and measurement data promises this windshield wiper model to be a valuable tool in the systematic design of electronic windshield wiper systems.

Keywords: electronic windshield wipers; system design; wiper control; windshield wiper electronics; wiper modelling; electronic windscreen wipers; windscreen wiper electronics; mathematical modelling; model validation; simulation; model-based design; vehicle design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1991.061678

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1991 Vol.12 No.2, pp.175 - 182

Published online: 27 May 2014 *

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