Frameless wiper blades are not new on the automotive accessories market. They were developed back in the 80s of the last century. If the windshield has a convex shape, then it seemed logical to the engineers to bend the metal elements inside the rubber band. Also, the brushes were made wider and gave them lateral rigidity. The leash mount was created directly on the product.
With the development of the automotive industry, both windshields and their curvature increased. Along with this, the wipers grew in length. The design was added more so-called swings, which provide pressure to the glass. Wipers themselves have become more bulky. This negatively affected aerodynamic performance, as well as reliability. Due to the large size, visibility has deteriorated and noise has increased.
Frameless wiper blades: modern solutions
This was and remains in the 80s. Today it is a completely different design.
Although they are called frameless, but this is not entirely true. The framework is present. But instead of the traditional rocker arm system, the new solution used a specially bent steel spring element. This mechanism is made in the form of strips. The frame is hidden inside a rubber band.
The brush has a profile that was created for a particular glass. The curvature is maintained throughout the life of the product and does not change due to various constantly changing loads and temperature conditions.
High tech product
Frameless wiper blades may seem simple, but it's a very high-tech product. The plate is one of the most important parts in all quality products. As for the second important part, the rubber tape, it is made of synthetic rubber with graphite. Rubber gives the brushes elasticity, and graphite makes them more wear-resistant and protects against the effects of destructive solar better. Due to the composition with graphite, the brush will not creak when moving along the glass, and will also cope with water perfectly.
The advantages of frameless brushes
The main advantage is the uniform clamping of the working edge of the wiper to the glass.
This allows you to improve the efficiency and quality of the cleaning process. This effect was achieved thanks to a specially calculated steel strip profile. This profile corresponds exactly to the curvature of the glass. Good frameless brushes can have up to 15 segments with which to change the design. The clamping force is controlled at 32 points.
Improved aerodynamics and noise reduction
Another advantage of such solutions in aerodynamics. So, a structure without a frame, even with a spoiler, will be lower than a traditional janitor. This can significantly reduce drag and lift, which tears the structure from the glass. This is very true for those cars where the wiper blade is oar and where each brush is large. A stream of air passing through a monolithic and low design will cause much less noise than if it were going through the cunning mechanisms of a traditional brush. So, when driving at speeds from 100 km / h, this noise can reach significant values.
Frameless brushes in winter: what you need
Another significant advantage - these structures are practically not subject to freezing. In classic wipers, the water in the hinges quickly freezes, the force of pressure against the glass decreases, the mechanism leaves dirty streaks on the glass. In a frameless product this is not. A slight decrease in the quality of work is possible, but this only happens if ice forms on the rubber. If this happens, it will not be difficult to clean such a brush. There are also products with electric heating. However, the cost of such models starts at $ 50.
Disadvantages of a frameless janitor
The first and most basic minus is the lack of versatility. Due to the fact that the steel plates are made with a bend, they can be installed only on those glasses that have the same curvature. So, for each specific glass, or rather kutsymodeli, there is a brush. Due to the fact that the characteristics are different, on some vehicles the product may not clean all areas. Often this is the place near the right pillar.
Also, a few centimeters of the brush can hang above the glass. But this is not a marriage, but a design feature of the janitor.
Another minus is the lack of unification in the brackets of the fasteners. So, each manufacturer for different cars offers only frameless wiper blades designed for a particular model.
Market Review
Everyone wants the best for themselves. Therefore, you need to tell which models of frameless glass cleaners are the best. You should also decide what is the difference between affordable and expensive products. For many, the ratio of quality and price for a particular model is important.
A test was conducted during which brushes from different price ranges competed.
Among the participants in the test are brands such as Auto Turn, wipers Bosch, Champion, Phantom, RainBlade Select and Xopc Ballistic.
How was the test conducted?
To get acquainted with the products, they were subjected to the first demonstration test. So, each model had to once go over the surface of the glass and remove the greasy kefir. Then, after 30 seconds of operation, the brush should have worked on a clean glass with liquid from the washer.
This small and simple test should show everything that was originally laid down by the manufacturer. All models were new and in packaging. Also, the wipers were checked for crushing. Also, the sharpness of the working edge and the pressure force were checked. In addition, the noise level during operation was evaluated.
"Auto turn": market value - 159 p.
This is the most budget brush that is only on the modern market. Its quality is the same as the price. After one pass along the glass smeared with kefir, a fan trail formed on the lower left edge of the working area. At the top right, this brush made a smear along the radius.
This product failed to completely remove traces of kefir without the use of windshield washer - a noticeable film of fat remained. But by noise this product showed itself very well - when working on clean glass, the brush, of course, creaks, but these sounds are not sharp and can not be heard from the passenger compartment.
For 159 rubles, motorists get four adapters - this makes it possible to mount these brushes on most cars with various mounts.
Bosch Aerotween - 489 rubles
At first glance, the packaging may seem that these Bosch wipers are fake. But no, the product is real. In the test, they showed themselves well. After one pass, there were no traces left. The brush cleaned the middle part of the working area completely without connecting a washer. Only at the edges was a film of fat.
Acoustic characteristics - on top. There are practically no creaks on the cleaned glass.
As for the configuration, the eminent brand offers mounting the device on a leash with a hook. One mounting option is still not enough. But we can say that these are the best frameless wiper blades, although there are other good models.
Champion Contact: 629 p.
This is the most expensive model that was tested in the test. However, the price is fully justified. The quality of work is on par with Bosch products. No defects were noticed here. The area in the middle of the brush was cleaned even without glass washer fluid. There is no noise at work.
Phantom: 265 p.
This brush is almost the same as the Auto Turn. After the passage, there remained a “fan” and strokes along the radius of movement, and the radius here is in the upper left. Cleaning without a washer is impossible - the grease film is almost invisible, but it is. The noise is getting better here. This product is equipped with three adapters.
RainBlade Select: 399 p.
This is a new brand. There is still no mark-up for branding, but you should buy these brushes. They are no worse than frameless wiper blades Bosch or Champion. After one pass, there were also no traces or radius smudges. In the middle, the dirt was also destroyed without the need for a washer. This model, like the brand, does not make noise. As for the fasteners, here it is universal and is suitable for all types of vehicles. The size of the brushes will also fit most models and brands.
Xopc Ballistic: 269 p.
This is a budget product. The brush coped with the work a little better than the "Auto Edition".
After the first pass there are no fans, but one big smear in the work area remains. This product is not capable of washing away dirt without using a washer. Acoustic performance is the most noisy and creaky solution.
Frameless wipers are equipped with four adapters and a cover for the lock.
About sizes
In addition to product design, their size is important. If you purchase the wrong one, some problems may arise. If the size of the brushes is too large, then the pressing force will drop significantly, which will contribute to poor cleaning. In addition, large brushes will go beyond the sealing rubber on the windshield and come off the working surface. And another problem - a large part will hit the driver’s door.
If smaller wipers are chosen, then the main minus is a smaller working area. In addition, a dirty area may form in the middle of the glass.
Reviews
To choose the frameless wiper blades correctly, reviews are the first things to read. What do car owners write? Cheap models of frameless brushes do not please with high quality, and their wear resistance is low.
Regarding branded products from Bosch, it is advised to look carefully - there are a lot of fakes.
If the products are original, then they are of high quality by default. Also, "Bosch" is suitable for winter.
Well speak about the "Champion". But recently, there has been a slight decrease in the quality of their products. What to choose in the end - frame or frameless brushes, everyone decides for himself. But with all the benefits, frameless solutions are a priority for many. Their capabilities significantly exceed the functionality of regular frame analogs. They make less noise, and the quality of work is significantly different for the better. In winter, they are also very comfortable. The choice is obvious - you must beware of fakes and get an opinion on those products from those who used them.
So, we found out what frameless wiper blades are, what their cost is and how car owners respond about them.