A mechatronic approach of the windshield wiper mechanisms

Abstract

In this paper we attempt to present some aspects regarding the modeling and simulation of the windshield wiper mechanisms of the commercial vehicles, using the multi-body systems software MSC.ADAMS, as well as the control of these complex mechanical systems. The objective is to determine the control torque applied to the motor crank in order to generates the cinematically prescribed behavior. The control system, developed with ADAMS/Controls and MSC.EASY5, is based on the error between the actual wiper arm position and the imposed position. As example, a single lever wiper system, containing a spatial four-bar linkage, is taken into consideration. The geometric model of the windshield wiper mechanism is made using CAD software (CATIA), the geometry being transferred to ADAMS by using the STEP file format. The virtual model includes the friction forces between the lamella and windshield, the direction of the force depending on the sign of wiper arm velocity.