Electronic windshield wiper system I: modelling and validation

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.