Optimization Techniques for Vibration Control of Wiper Blade System

Application of flexible structures have started growing in industry and aerospace missions due to their contributions and unique advantages compared to the rigid counterparts as proved in several investigations as well as experimental cases. In this thesis, vibration and noise analysis of automobile wiper blade as a practical instance in which a flexible structure is focused to be controlled. The wiper generates unwanted noise and vibration when wiping off the rain and other particles on the windshield which may cause annoying noise in different ranges of frequency. Expectations of windshield wiper systems have risen and its operation as a comfort factor has become a competitive index in automotive industry while consumers demand quieter and more effective wiper. A two dimensional analytical modeled wiper blade whose model accuracy is verified by numerical studies in literature is considered in this study. Population based optimization techniques such as genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization are employed in collaboration of input shaping approach in order to attenuate the amplitude level of unwanted noise as well as vibration suppression of wiper blade in frequency and time domains. Also, in order to improve the dynamic characteristics of wiper blade simultaneously with vibration amplitude which are in conflict with each other; a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm method is utilized to find the best trade off among these parameters.