730051Development phase of advance windscreen wiper technologyClosedLegacy RDA Grant for R&DInnovate UKIn most cars, the windscreen wipers are driven by an electric motor which drives the first wiper and the second is connected to it with a mechanical link arrangement. Such systems are simple and inexpensive but unsuitable for demanding applications where reliability or space are critical - such as armoured vehicles, helicopters, aeroplanes, ships, trains, surveillance & infrared cameras for civil or military use. In these applications, a more usual arrangement is to drive each wiper from its own motor. In this way there is maximum space flexibility (no need to route the mechanical linkages). The problem is that each application typically requires a new engineering development to ensure the right locus of travel, fitting arrangement, torque characteristics etc. This is further exacerbated by safety certification since many such drive systems are safety critical, for obvious reasons, e.g. windscreen wipers on a passenger aircraft. Our concept is called 'JSize: It is a new type of screen wiper drive system in which an extremely compact but powerful brushless motor and epicyclic gearbox is linked with a novel sensor and electronics control system. Using this technique, each new application simply requires a new set of software control parameters which can be programmed at installation. No mechanical changes are required between each application. Hence the name.... 1Size ... .fits all. There are significant economies and performance improvement for producers, purchasers and users. The innovation has the potential to gain a share in the existing market as well as opening up new applications that were previously excluded because of cost. Many of the routes to market are already serviced by OTM's existing business in gearboxes and actuators. OTM is well positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. The commercial potential is large with an eventual sales forecast of >£4M/year.