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Wiper Systems Glossary

Term

Arm Length

The distance from the center of the pivot shaft to the center of the wiper blade. Find out more about how to measure a wiper arm.

Term

Arm Length

The distance from the center of the pivot shaft to the center of the wiper blade.  Find out more about how to measure a wiper arm.

Term

Breakaway Curve

The place where the curve of the glass becomes too great to wipe.

Term

Breakaway Curve

The place where the curve of the glass becomes too great to wipe.

Term

Bridge

The connector at the end of the pantograph arm which attaches the idler to the driver and mounts the blade.

Term

Bridge

The connector at the end of the pantograph arm which attaches the idler to the driver and mounts the blade.

Term

Bulkhead Fitting

A washer fluid fitting that provides passage through the bulkhead. The washer hose from the pump connects to the inside of the fitting. The washer hose to the nozzles connects to the outside of the fitting.

Term

Bulkhead Fitting

A washer fluid fitting that provides passage through the bulkhead. The washer hose from the pump connects to the inside of the fitting. The washer hose to the nozzles connects to the outside of the fitting.

Term

Coast to Park Motor (12V/24V)

A motor that needs a power source to park the terminal. When the park circuit is energized, the motor continues to run until it reaches its assigned park position. There, the power is disconnected on the motor’s park-plate internally. The motor stops because the power is disconnected.

Term

Coast to Park Motor (12V/24V)

A motor that needs a power source to park the terminal. When the park circuit is energized, the motor continues to run until it reaches its assigned park position. There, the power is disconnected on the motor’s park-plate internally. The motor stops because the power is disconnected.

Term

Connecting Link

A link with two bearings that connects the motor drive arm to the pivot shaft.

Term

Cord

The straight-line distance that the center of the blade travels in its sweep pattern measured in inches.

Term

Daylight Opening (DLO)

The area of the windshield glass that you can see through from the inside edges of the moulding.

Term

Drive Arm

A crank arm that bolts onto the output shaft of the motor and drives the connecting linkage.

Term

Dynamic Park Motor (12V/24V)

A motor that is electrically locked in its park position. When the circuit is energized, the motor continues to run to its assigned park position. There, it stops very positively and will not move. This method of wiring is usually utilized where high winds or heavy snow carry the momentum of longer arms and blades past the normal coast to park circuitry.

Term

Margin

The unswept area of the glass beyond the cord length.

Term

Pantograph

A sweep pattern in which the blade stays parallel to the side of the glass.

Term

Pantograph Adapter

A plate which supports the pivot post for the idler of a pantograph arm.

Term

Pivot Shaft

The pivot shaft transfers power from the wiper motor via an oscillating connecting link to the wiper arm.  The wiper arm is attached to the pivot shaft on the outside of the vehicle. Learn more from our Bulkhead Thickness and Pivot Shaft Explainer.

Term

Radial

An arced sweep pattern. The arms are sometimes called “standard arc” or “pendulum” type.

Term

Rise (or Rise and Fall)

The amount a wiper arm moves in and out as it follows the curvature of the glass.

Term

Saddle

A channel at the end of the wiper arm where the center of the wiper blade attaches.

Term

Sweep Angle

The arc of the wiper arm measured in degrees.

Term

Tip Force

The amount of force exerted on the blade by the spring tension of the wiper arm.

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