Effective and Compact Two-Motor Wiper Drives From Bosch in More and More Vehicle Models

Effective and Compact Two-Motor Wiper Drives From Bosch in More and More Vehicle Models

More and more carmakers are exploiting the advantages of the Bosch two-motor wiper systems. These systems, in which each of the wiper arms is driven by its own electric motor, offer the largest possible wiped area, yet are compact in construction. "The driver therefore gets the best possible view even in bad weather, and the carmaker has more space in the engine compartment for other units" is how Markus Schmidt, responsible for sales in the Energy and Body Systems Division at Bosch, explains the benefits of the system. Bosch, the world's largest automotive supplier, began series production of the equipment in 2001. It is fitted, for instance, in the new Ford Galaxy, as well as in the recently-launched Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Citroën C6.

· Compact construction takes up very little space, particularly in opposed-pattern wiper systems

· Individual control of the wiper arm to wipe the maximum possible area

· Two-motor wiper systems in five percent of all new cars built in Europe

In conventional wiper systems, the two arms are rigidly connected by a linkage arm, and are driven by a single motor. The Bosch two-motor wiper system synchronizes its two drives entirely electronically. Integrated sensors continuously monitor the precise position of the wiper arms. This allows the change in direction to be individually determined; the change can therefore always take place very close to the A-pillar, which provides the widest possible field of view under all conditions. Precise control of this sort is also needed, for instance, to park the wiper in the A-pillar, as is done in the Seat Altea. When the wiper is switched off, the wiper arms, together with the flat Aerotwin wiper blades, can disappear completely under the engine hood. This improves aerodynamics, and reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists in the event of an accident. It is also possible for the wiper equipment to work fully automatically when combined with the Bosch rain and light sensors.

The wiper equipment offers real advantages to automobile manufacturers, particularly for integration into vehicles with opposed-pattern systems; it is more compact, and its two-part design means that it can be fitted very flexibly into the space available in any vehicle. Conventional systems require an awkward wiper linkage arm. Particularly in the multi-purpose vehicles that are becoming more and more popular, the Bosch wiper system helps the vehicle manufacturer make the best possible use of the tight space. Two-motor systems are therefore being used more and more often in deluxe vehicles and in both medium and compact MPV's. "At present about five percent of all the cars manufactured in Europe are fitted with a two-motor wiper system. This proportion will double over the next five years," is Bosch expert Schmidt's confident assessment.


The Bosch Group is a leading global manufacturer of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology. In fiscal 2005, some 250,000 associates generated sales of 42 billion euros. Set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering," the Bosch Group today comprises a manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service network of some 270 subsidiaries and more than 12,000 service centers in over 140 countries.

The special ownership structure of the Bosch Group guarantees its financial independence and entrepreneurial freedom. It makes it possible for the company to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future, as well as to do justice to its social responsibility in a manner reflective of the spirit and will of its founder. 92 % of the shares of Robert Bosch GmbH are held by the charitable foundation Robert Bosch Stiftung. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG.

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