We don’t yet know how to banish fingerprints smudges from cars’ touchscreens, but according to a proposed BMW patent filed with the European Patent Office, dust particles on the display might soon be a thing of the past. And if the automaker has its way, the HVAC system can provide the air necessary to keep the display dust-free.
Dust Can Be Damaging And Distracting
Though not always immediately noticeable, dust particles on a touchscreen accumulate and are moved around on the display by users’ fingers operating the system, causing unsightly smears. The dust can also scratch the display surface, leading to reduced visibility and increased wear over time. With the sun shining on the display at certain oblique angles, the dust can become so clearly visible that it hinders your ability to read the information on the screen, which can be distracting at best and dangerous at worst.
The Solution: A Smooth Flow Of Air
BMW’s patent uses strategically placed air outlets around the display that generate a smooth, laminar flow of air across the screen that keeps dust particles from settling on its surface. The automaker says that the vehicle’s own HVAC system could even be used to supply the air, and that there are various possible arrangements of the air outlets that can send the air stream either laterally or vertically across the display, depending on the dashboard design and layout.
BMW’s system holds several advantages:
- Reduces scratching
- Improved display longevity
- Better visibility
- Obviates the need for movable mechanisms, such as screen covers
Practical Considerations
The filing describes the operation of the system while the vehicle is in use and the laminar flow of air is moving across the display to keep it clear of dust. Dust could, therefore, still settle on the screen when the vehicle is parked and the airflow stops, though the appropriate anti-static treatment of the surface can minimize this problem. The system can also not compensate for other visibility problems, such as fingerprints or bright sunlight overpowering the display, though it should be very effective at reducing dust accumulation.
