3 ms·

That looks like a linear motor, which unless I'm missing something is spectacularly power hungry. By the looks of it, it also need linear bearings, which are d

That looks like a linear motor, which unless I'm missing something is spectacularly power hungry. By the looks of it, it also need linear bearings, which are difficult to seal against leaves, dirt, moss, ice and snow. I'm going to wager £20 and say its not a game changer.

balfirevic 7y ago
> That looks like a linear motor, which unless I'm missing something is spectacularly power hungry. They are, by themselves, not more power hungry than the corresponding type of rotary motors. Their biggest problem regarding power usage is that they can't use gears to gain mechanical advantage. Since electric motor losses are roughly proportional to their torque (or force, in case of linear motor), it is often the case that the linear motor will require more power. But a quick look at some of the windshield wipers mechanisms shows that rotary motors that drive them are in a mechanically pretty disadvantageous position, with a very short lever arm compared to what a linear motor would be. So it might work well in this case.
- DannyBee 7y ago
  The primary advantage of linear motors are acceleration and precision, neither of which are useful here. Certainly it will work for this case but ...
semi-extrinsic 7y ago
This article is full of breathless praise for an idea it's just seen sketched on paper. Calling it "like a maglev", oh except there is no levitation involved. Saying this will give increased reliability, claiming stuff like "time and weather can lead to corrosion, making the traditional setup less effective over time" which is clearly nonsensical. I've driven cars that are 30 years old with original wiper motor assemblies still in place. This is not uncommon. There is effectively zero room to improve reliability.
- autokad 7y ago
  any efficiency claimed should be about how much water its able to wipe from the view of the occupants, not motor efficiency.

balfirevic 7y ago

> That looks like a linear motor, which unless I'm missing something is spectacularly power hungry. They are, by themselves, not more power hungry than the corresponding type of rotary motors. Their biggest problem regarding power usage is that they can't use gears to gain mechanical advantage. Since electric motor losses are roughly proportional to their torque (or force, in case of linear motor), it is often the case that the linear motor will require more power. But a quick look at some of the windshield wipers mechanisms shows that rotary motors that drive them are in a mechanically pretty disadvantageous position, with a very short lever arm compared to what a linear motor would be. So it might work well in this case.

DannyBee 7y ago
The primary advantage of linear motors are acceleration and precision, neither of which are useful here. Certainly it will work for this case but ...

semi-extrinsic 7y ago

This article is full of breathless praise for an idea it's just seen sketched on paper. Calling it "like a maglev", oh except there is no levitation involved. Saying this will give increased reliability, claiming stuff like "time and weather can lead to corrosion, making the traditional setup less effective over time" which is clearly nonsensical. I've driven cars that are 30 years old with original wiper motor assemblies still in place. This is not uncommon. There is effectively zero room to improve reliability.

autokad 7y ago
any efficiency claimed should be about how much water its able to wipe from the view of the occupants, not motor efficiency.