What are the types of windshield wipers?
When you need to clean your windshield, you spray washer fluid on the glass and turn on the wipers. They swipe back and forth to remove any visual obstructions that may have collected on the glass.
There are several different styles of wipers, but they all have one thing in common: they all have a rubber lip on the blade that comes into contact with the windshield. The rubber lip is quite flexible and soft and is subject to wear, weathering and tearing. Manufacturers have developed several styles of wiper blades for use in a variety of environments, including:
Standard articulated wiper blades this is what is usually installed on most cars. They use a lightweight stamped metal frame with multiple hinges. The rubber edge of the wiper is held by the frame against the window, and the hinges allow the rubber to follow the contours of the glass. Mounted wiper blades have been around for decades and are a good all-round blade for the budget conscious buyer. In winter, they tend to build up ice on the metal frame, which can prevent the rubber edge from pressing against the glass, making it less effective. They need to be cleaned regularly in winter to be useful.
Hingeless wiper blades are excellent all-purpose wiper blades. Instead of using a metal frame, the design of the wiper blade is made of flexible plastic. This means there is less surface for snow and ice to accumulate on and no hinges to limit the range of motion. The rubber edge of the blade is still used for cleaning glass. Hingeless wiper blades are premium blades that typically cost more than standard wiper blades.
Winter Wipers almost the same as standard mounted wiper blades. They use a metal frame and a rubber lip, except that the entire frame is encased in a thin rubber boot. This means that ice and snow cannot easily accumulate on the wiper and it retains its hinge properties. Winter wiper blades are great for use in cold weather, but in hot summer weather, the rubber boot can quickly wear down and crack or tear.
