How many times in the past can you think of your car wiper
dong a shoddy work of its wiping? How many times have you seen the water being
squirted everywhere else but your windscreen? All those were a result of bad
wipers. But the Bosch Jet Wiper is different, technically too as the spray
nozzles are integrated in the wiper arm. As part of a Bosch system featuring a
wiper drive and Aerotwin wiper blades, the innovative wiper arm will now be
standard equipment in the new Volvo XC90. The Jet Wiper is far superior to
conventional windshield wipers. The reason for this is its smart control,
combined with spray nozzles integrated in the wiper arm. These nozzles
distribute the washer fluid evenly, thus ensuring that the windshield is
cleaned over the entire length of the wiper blade. “The Jet Wiper deploys the
right amount of washer fluid, precisely where it is needed,” says Bernhard
Straub, president of the Bosch Electrical Drives division. The benefits of this
system are that drivers’ vision is not impaired by spray mist, and consumption of
washer fluid is reduced by as much as 50 percent.
Not a drop of washer fluid is wasted when using the Bosch
Jet Wiper. This is also due to the reversing wiper drive, also made by Bosch.
This drive alternates the rotation of the motor between the wiper arms’ two
final positions – parked position and A-pillar. Its integrated electronics
means that it can detect the Jet Wiper’s position on the windshield at all
times. To achieve the best cleaning effect, spraying is done only when the
wiper arm is moving upward. In this way, the washer liquid is immediately
picked up by the two Aerotwin wiper blades and distributed over the entire
windshield. “The Bosch system thus provides optimum cleaning along the entire
wiper blade,” Straub says. This also ensures a clear field of vision for a
video sensor used for driver assistance systems, which is normally positioned
at the same height as the rear-view mirror.
Bosch Aerotwin: best
wiper blades in the market
Most importantly, the end result of cleaning with the Jet Wiper
is independent of driving speed. Conventional wiper systems spray the washer
fluid from nozzle elements on the engine hood, and these elements are designed
for a certain speed. As speed increases, the airflow diverts the spray, which
means less washer fluid is sprayed on the area to be cleaned, resulting in a
poor cleaning of the windshield. With the Jet Wiper, there is practically no
effect from the airflow since the nozzle elements are mounted directly along
the wiper arm. And that’s not all: the spray nozzles are fitted with tiny
valves that open when drivers activate the wind-shield-washing function and
close as soon as spraying has finished. This means there are no subsequent
drips, and the wiper blades only have to wipe once. In winter, the nozzles are
heated, making them ready for use even in the worst of weather.
In opting for the Bosch Aerotwin, Volvo is also choosing
what are currently the best wiper blades in the market. This was recently
confirmed by a test carried out by ADAC, the German automobile club. Out of
eight wiper blades tested, the joint-free Bosch Aerotwin was the only one to
receive top marks. “The secret of our wiper blades is their twin technology,”
Straub says. At the cleaning lip, the rubber is harder, and thus hard-wearing. By
contrast, the back of the Aerotwin is more flexible, facilitating the reverse
movement of the blade when the wiper arm switches from downward to upward
motion. This means that the Aerotwin is practically silent in operation. And if
a wiper blade should show signs of wear and tear, it can be quickly, easily,
and inexpensively replaced, thanks to the Jet Wiper’s sophisticated clip
system.