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Second Flat Blade generation
The second generation of Flat Blade wiper blades is more aerodynamic, more compact, lighter and helps to prevent snow accumulation under the blade.
Current trends in automotive design are not making the windscreen wiper's job any easier, as windscreens become ever larger and increasingly curved. Despite their increased length, blades must remain in contact with a surface that is curved in three dimensions to maintain sufficient pressure along the entire length of the blade. The first generation of Flat Blade wiper blades took a significant step forward by replacing the multiple articulated levers used in previous generations of blades to distribute the contact pressure along the entire length of the blade, with continuous built-in splines inside the blade.The second generation of Flat Blade wiper blades are more aerodynamic, more compact, lighter and helps to prevent snow accumulation under the blade.
The second generation of Flat Blade wiper blades feature two major evolutions. Previously, the rubber wiping lip and the spoiler were made of the same rubber part, while the Flat Blade 2 separates these two features. Wiping performance at high speeds up to 220 km/h is improved by a more rigid spoiler with an optimized shape. The airflow around the spoiler is determined by the combined speeds, of the vehicle and the wind, it is therefore crucial to further push the blade aerodynamic limits. Indeed, the lower section of the blade is shaped to prevent the generation of lifting force.The second evolution is the replacement of two splines with one, while retaining the same functions. As a result, the blade is more compact, with a width reduced from 16 mm to 10.5 mm, offering improved visibility for the driver. Another advantage is the reduction of snow buildup, because of the smaller volume beneath the spline, which improves performance under extreme conditions. The first generation of Flat Blades were 50% lighter, and the mass of the second generation has been reduced by an additional 20%, so that a 600 mm blade now weighs only 101 grams. Finally, the second generation of Flat Blades clean the windscreen right to the ends of the blade, i.e.10 mm more than Flat Blade 1. This is an important step forward, since the increasingly larger windscreens require a maximum wiping area.The Flat Blade wiper blades are entirely made from recyclable parts. The second generation will be released in September 2007 in a range of lengths from 350 mm to 700 mm, which covers most requirements.
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