Tesla has patented a new electromagnetic wiper that may go on the new Roadster 2020: Tesla's patent for a stealthy, electromagnetic wiper is perfect for the new Roadster "A recently published patent application from Tesla has revealed that the electric car maker is designing a stealthy, unconventional windshield wiper system that seems particularly tailor-fit for the company’s upcoming halo car: the next-generation Roadster. Apart from looking the part of a futuristic wiper assembly for a futuristic vehicle, Tesla’s patent also allows optimizations in range. The disclosed electromagnetic wiper system may include a linear actuator that may include a guide rail and an electromagnetic moving block. The guide rail may include a plurality of permanent magnet bars that may be disposed horizontally along a curvature of the windshield of the vehicle. The electromagnetic moving block may act as an electromagnetic train, and may include a plurality of perforations and at least an electromagnetic coil that surrounds the plurality of perforations in the electromagnetic moving block. "
Cool. Hopefully for the Roadster owner's sake the system functions better than the "rain sensing" system on my Model S.
I always wonder whether an ultrasonic "wiper" could be developed that would kinda shatter raindrops into a fine mist that would just blow away. Get rid of all of the moving parts - avoid having any kind of moving arm that distracts the driver continually. No idea whether it would work...but might be worth investigating.