A Long-life Windscreen Wiper
Page 37
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E'OLLOWING requests from a I number of passenger-transport undertakings in London and elsewhere, Dudleys (Redditch), Ltd., Redditch, Worcs, has produced a windscreen wiper designed to run without attention for the normal period between major vehicle overhauls. Bench tests have shown that the motor and gearbox are capable of continuous operation for 1,500 hours with the unit driving a 16-in. blade,and it is claimed that this represents a threefold improvement over the majority of previous designs. The prototype units are of 24 volts and 36 volts, the -motors being of the type used on the Dudley horizontal wipers.
The motor armature and the crank spur wheel are mounted on ball bearings and all the bearings are readily renewable. The windings are vacuumimpregnated and the built-up commutator is insulated with mica. The motor screws into the gearbox housing and may be replaced by a new unit in a few seconds; the end• cover is detachable and the switch has self-cleaning contacts. The current consumed by the 24-volt motor is approximately I amp.
A train of gears between the worm and the crank pinion permits f-in, gears to be used and a hunting tooth to be introduced to obviate localized wear of the worm. The housing is jig-drilled and there are no eccentric gear-meshing adjustments.
Three-point suspension is available which incorporates an adjustable lower buffer with a rubber cap.