How do Automatic Windshield Wipers work???

[Bob_Skurka]

I'm back from vacation, and after driving a little over 2400 miles, I only ran into rain for about two hours during the whole drive. Unfortunately is was through the Smokey Mtns in Tennessee and it was moderately heavy rain. But I was driving the lovely Mrs_Bob's new SUV and it has an automatic windshield wiper setting. I didn't even know about the setting or how they worked, but she had the wipers set to automatically work when it rains.

So I'm dutifully driving along and down comes the rain and the wipers start wiping before I can even reach for the control stalk. The rain starts raining harder and the wipers speed up. The rain slacks off and the wipers go into intermittant mode, until I hit the brakes and then the wipers speed up a bit. I get behind a truck and all the water the wheels are spitting out and the wipers speed up again.

Through the drive, the wipers switched on and off, sped up and slowed down, all with an amazing level of accuracy based on need. I think there is some computer logic tied to the steering and the brakes because I noticed the wipers pick up speed when turning and also when braking (but that might have just been a coincidence?).

I cannot find any sort of optical sensor aimed at the window to "see" the rain. I cannot find and sort of physical sensor to "feel" the rain.

So does anyone know how Automatic Windshield Wipers work? I thought they were great, but I just can't figure out how they sense the rain.

 

[BIGUN]

I never had this feature on one of my vehicles, sounds pretty amazing though. Afraid I can’t tell you how they work.

 

[DaveNay]

I could tell you, but then I would have to (hurt) you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think some things are better explained by just FM.....Freakin' Magic

Dave

 

[Kubbruce]

I have them on my SUV and there is a sensor on the windshield near the rearview mirror that senses temperature change I believe.

 

[MicroPilot]

Found this: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Lexus LS-430 "Because of the weather, I had a good chance to see the rain-sensing windshield wipers in action. The sensor for the system is just above the inside rearview mirror and activated the wipers as soon as a few sprinkles hit the glass. )</font>

And this site, Rain Tracker to retrofit Rain Sensing Automatic Windshield Wipers on any vehicle.

This site describes how they work: Rain Sensors

 

[WVBill]

See This Link

Or This one

 

[Bird]

Bob, I didn't even know such a thing existed, so I had to go to Google and do a little reading. This site looks like a fair explanation to me. Apparently they aren't that uncommon.

And by the time I read it and got it posted, the guys beat me to it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

See I knew someone (and apparently several of you) would have an answer for me.

As for the answer that they are Freakin Magic I can pretty much tell you that from the standpoint of the user, they sure are amazing.

I just wish MY cars had them . . . but the lovely Mrs_Bob always ends up with the nice car. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just with MY cars had them . . . but the lovely Mrs_Bob always ends up with the nice car. )</font>

Bob,

I think that might be rule #17 in the Wives Handbook .... </font><font color="blue" class="small">( "As the Wife, you not only are entitled to, but MUST insist on having the newest and best vehicle." )</font> /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MicroPilot]

Wifes Vehicle: 2002 Silverado LTS 4WD /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

My Vehicle: 1989 Cavalier /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Yep, Rule #17 applies!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Garry, HOW did you get a copy of that rule book? I thought it was a secret document that only wives get a copy of!!! Does your wife talk in her sleep and do you lie awake at night taking notes???

 

[ikline]

Make sure your wife does not have it turned on if she goes through an automatic car wash. I learned by experience. Nearly ripped the wipers off my LS. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

Actually, I caught sight of it when our daughter-in-law was visiting a few weeks ago. My wife was passing on down the manual to the "next generation", as it were.

When the wife noticed me noticing IT, she quickly said, "See rule #17? Well, you know how you got your new truck 2 months ago? I'm invoking rule #17 and getting my new van next month!"

And with that, the rule book disapperaed. Never to be seen again. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I did, however, invoke rule # 2 from the Husbands rule book... <font color="blue"> "Always warn the oldest son of any of the rules from the Wives Handbook that you may accidentally discover." </font> /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Junkman]

Gary..... I heard a rumor that all you are allowed to drive is a golf cart....... and an old one at that!!!!......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I heard a rumor that all you are allowed to drive is a golf cart....... and an old one at that!!!!....... )</font>

Geesh, I've been found out! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The wife claims that rule #17 from the Wives Handbook has a sub rule , #17(a). It says... <font color="blue"> "Husbands that are less than 1 year away from retirement are required to operate/use only the oldest equipment/vehicles/machinery/tools in order to get used to what it feels like to breakdown".</font> /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I wonder if the Library of Congress has a copy of this handbook? They're supposed to have a copy of everything in print, right? I need to get that thing to find out how to beat it! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Garry,
It's in print and circulated worldwide. But not distributed publicly. The LoC would LOVE to have a copy of that handbook. But as long as a man runs it, he'll never get his hands on a copy. If a woman runs it, she'll toss any copy that comes in the building so NO MAN ever gets his hands on it.

 

[Junkman]

That book went into production right after the Bible and today, only rare ancient copies are available. Most of the rules have been committed to memory, by those that have a memory of things past that they know about. Usually the only things that wives remember are birthdays, anniversaries, other important and inconsequential, dates, and whenever we do something wrong or that displeases them. I would bet that even if you found one, it is written in some tongue that no man could or would understand. The rules are constantly evolving to conform with the situation that the woman doesn't approve of or care for. Once a rule evolves and the situation is over, then it might just revert back to the original form, but the change will never be acknowledged as having existed. If there is no rule covering the situation, then one will immediately be made up. Some women have a habit of spouting off like experts on subjects that they have no knowledge about and have no idea as to the nature of what they are talking about. They will continue as if they were experts on the subject until the listener agrees with them. If a male listener doesn't agree with them, then he is relegated to the back of their minds as a "male chauvinistic pig" and never to be mentioned again....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BigDave]

My Lincoln LS had the rain sensing wipers. I remember there was a small copper strip in the inside of the windshield near the bottom. You couldn't see it, unless you were looking for it from the outside.