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hat_man · 06-01-2010, 04:57 PM

Hello again everyone,

This idea may have already been looked at, but I was thinking the other day, after stumbling around in the forum posts, about the wipers on a vehicle. Just how much drag or "dirty air" do they cause? I have seen some people suggest things like removing one wiper or even using a product like Rain-X and having no wipers (a bad idea IMHO). I was looking at my sons '89 Mercedes 300, and noticed that his wipers are actually lower than the "hoodline" (if that's really a word). I thought that might be a way to take the wipers out of play but keep them functional, but probably an engineering nightmare for a vehicle not already designed this way. So I let the idea rumble around in my skull (yes there's lots of room for that) and came up with an idea. I don't know how to upload pics so please bear with me while I try and explain.

First, measure the height from the "hoodline" to the highest point of the wipers while they are in the off or "resting" position. Next, measure the depth of the wipers from the windshield. (I hope that makes sense) Use these two numbers to find a starting (or ending) point.

Ex.---- 3" height from hoodline to top of wipers
1.5" from windshield to back of wipers

Starting point would be 3" vertical from hood and 1.5+" horizontal (don't want the wipers getting hung up on anything) out from windshield, in line with the centerline of the hood (probably the highest point on the hood). Then, from that point, go down towards the hood at 12 degrees until you reach the hoodline. That would be the ending point. If you fashioned a "deflector" (air dam?) to begin at the ending point, following the 12 degree angle upwards, and made it as long as the windshield is wide, would it then move air away from the wipers efficiently? Would it take the wipers out of play effectively and still leave them functional? Or, is this just a case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", a wash as it were? (More mass but a better flow)

Also, as a side question, if the angle of the windshield to the hood is say, 30 degrees, then would making this two angles (a good 12 deg. and a so-so 18 deg.) "soften" the air hitting the windshield to any advantage? Or again, it this just a wash?

Thanks, for listening and letting me know your opinions. I am always trying to learn something new.

Hat_man

06-01-2010, 04:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
hat_man Master EcoModder Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 475 Oh Deer - '03 Ford Ranger XL 90 day: 33.97 mpg (US) Thanks: 55 Thanked 91 Times in 72 Posts	Mod for wipers (maybe) Hello again everyone, This idea may have already been looked at, but I was thinking the other day, after stumbling around in the forum posts, about the wipers on a vehicle. Just how much drag or "dirty air" do they cause? I have seen some people suggest things like removing one wiper or even using a product like Rain-X and having no wipers (a bad idea IMHO). I was looking at my sons '89 Mercedes 300, and noticed that his wipers are actually lower than the "hoodline" (if that's really a word). I thought that might be a way to take the wipers out of play but keep them functional, but probably an engineering nightmare for a vehicle not already designed this way. So I let the idea rumble around in my skull (yes there's lots of room for that) and came up with an idea. I don't know how to upload pics so please bear with me while I try and explain. First, measure the height from the "hoodline" to the highest point of the wipers while they are in the off or "resting" position. Next, measure the depth of the wipers from the windshield. (I hope that makes sense) Use these two numbers to find a starting (or ending) point. Ex.---- 3" height from hoodline to top of wipers 1.5" from windshield to back of wipers Starting point would be 3" vertical from hood and 1.5+" horizontal (don't want the wipers getting hung up on anything) out from windshield, in line with the centerline of the hood (probably the highest point on the hood). Then, from that point, go down towards the hood at 12 degrees until you reach the hoodline. That would be the ending point. If you fashioned a "deflector" (air dam?) to begin at the ending point, following the 12 degree angle upwards, and made it as long as the windshield is wide, would it then move air away from the wipers efficiently? Would it take the wipers out of play effectively and still leave them functional? Or, is this just a case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", a wash as it were? (More mass but a better flow) Also, as a side question, if the angle of the windshield to the hood is say, 30 degrees, then would making this two angles (a good 12 deg. and a so-so 18 deg.) "soften" the air hitting the windshield to any advantage? Or again, it this just a wash? Thanks, for listening and letting me know your opinions. I am always trying to learn something new. Hat_man