Visibility Where It Counts – How Viper3 Wiper Motors Supports Critical Transport

Small but Multi-talented

Viper3 isn’t just a windscreen wiper motor. It’s a versatile solution that can be used in turbulent seas or high-speed rail, as well as everything in between. It is designed to meet the demands of varied and harsh environmental conditions making it suitable for marine, transport and rail industries.

However, across such diverse applications it is not surprising that each industry is faced with a number of challenges.

Common Challenges Across industries

There are a many challenges which are applicable across all three industries and include:

• Environmental Conditions – Any vehicle or vessel requiring windscreen wipers does so because they operate in the open air and are faced with varied environmental conditions, including rain, wind, snow and ice as well as extremes in temperature (hot and cold).
• Vibration and Shock – Most vehicles and vessels are faced with significant vibration and shock, just through normal operation at high speeds sometimes in varying terrains. This can lead to components coming loose and additional wear and tear.
• Safety – If a windscreen wiper motor fails, rendering the wiper inoperable this can compromise driver visibility especially in extreme weather conditions creating a safety issue.
• Access Challenges – Wiper motors can be difficult to access, and therefore inspection and repairs can be time-consuming meaning longer downtime.
• Component Lifespan – The lifespan of many motor components can be considerably shortened with continuous use in harsh, extreme or poor weather conditions. The corrosion of the motor and linkages can lead to inefficient wiping and eventual failure and system downtime.

Specific Transport Challenges

Within the transportation industry there are additional challenges which are conversant with long road journeys and include:

• Low Visibility – In addition to the challenge of varying, and sometimes extreme weather conditions, transportation vehicles also have to contend with road spray from other vehicles, as well as urban smog and dust which can build up on the windscreen and limit visibility.
• Long Operational Periods – Road vehicles drive for long hours in varying climates, so the windscreen wipers must be durable and efficient.

Specific Rail Challenges

Additional rail challenges can include:

• High Speeds – Many trains operate at high speeds and are faced with increased wind resistance and water impact. These require high-torque, consistent speed motors to operate.
• Varying Terrains – Trains often operate throughout varying weather conditions but also through different terrains including tunnels, open countryside, and mountain routes, which means there is constant exposure to rain, snow, dirt, and debris.
• Power Issues – Train systems cover large distances, and there are many variations in the power supply (often 24V or 110V DC) which can cause performance instability or overheating. The older the system the more problematic this can be.

Specific Marine Challenges For Wiper Motors

In addition to the challenges which are common across transport and rail, the marine environment also has the additional challenges of:

• Corrosion – One of the biggest challenges is corrosion caused by saltwater exposure. Therefore, it is essential that all windscreen wiper components are resistant to salt spray and humidity fluctuations.
• Harsh Environmental Factors – The extremes in weather conditions are a considerable challenge for the marine industry, specifically with heavy rain, sea spray, fog, and ice build-up on the windscreen which can obscure visibility.
• Power to Perform – Marine vessels in general require larger windscreens than other modes of transport. This means they also require more powerful wiper motors to power longer blades. Therefore, maintaining effective sweep coverage, and ensuring consistent contact with the glass is one of the biggest challenges in rough seas.
• Easy Integration – Windscreen wiper systems need to be easy to integrate with all other bridge and navigation systems.

Viper3 Geared Motor

Viper3 has been designed to take all of these challenges – both generic and specific – into account to ensure the most durable and reliable motor for all marine, transport and rail windscreen wiper requirements.

Large Brush Design – Viper3’s large brush design reduces the wear and tear normally caused to brushes when the motor is operating at higher speeds. It also means extended operation; minimising downtime and costs associated with this

Reduced Gear Wear – Composite materials, a larger diameter gear, and a one-piece worm spindle, help to reduce overall gear wear. This makes the Viper3 a more durable option.

High Torque Output – Viper 3 offers robust torque output, ensuring reliable wiper motion even under high resistance. This prevents stalling or skipping, which can compromise operator visibility.

Streamline Design – Viper3 is sleek and fits within a small size envelope of just 280 x 126 x 145mm.

Easy Integration – Viper3 has been designed with easy integration in mind, and has adaptable mounting, added support structures and a modular design. This makes integrating it into the existing system quicker, and can reduce repair times and provide a faster turnaround during inspections.

Durable Construction – Viper3 windscreen wiper motor is designed and built with corrosion-resistant components as well as being sealed for IP67 protection. This allows it to resist water and dust, as well as handling temperature extremes enabling it to operate consistently in harsh environments.

Partnering with Parvalux

Partnering with Parvalux on your windscreen wiper design, will make the process smooth, reliable and stress free.

Choosing the right wiper system is vital to the success of the overall project, because if the operators have poor visibility whether a vessel, HGV or train it won’t be able to function.

With Viper3, you get reliability that operators trust and engineers endorse. So, to find out more, head over to the product pages here, or contact a member of the team.