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This paper details an analysis theory to simulate various dynamic characteristics of a windshield wiper system on a vehicle for the purposes of computer-aided virtual prototyping. The analytical model consists of three-dimensional (3D) mechanical models of the complete wiper system and arm & blade subsystem which carries out complex reversal behavior. The equations of motion are solved considering the vehicle's 3D windshield surface data. Thus, the dynamic reaction forces in the vertical and frictional directions can be calculated at any point within the wiping pattern.

The blade impact force at the top and bottom reversal points contributes significantly to wiper system noise. This paper describes a newly developed process to simulate blade reversal behavior. The results of this simulation can provide necessary insight into reducing blade reversal noise. As a result of simulation under various conditions, it is shown that the reversal impact force can be reduced by modifying the maximum rubber neck rotational angle and the rubber neck rotational spring constant. It is also shown that the reaction force at the top and bottom reversal points can be adjusted by modifying the arm head twist angle.