Announced this week, a patent application that Apple had previously applied for had been granted. The patent was for a new foldable gadget which options a unique hinge mechanism that will allow the flaps to shift, preventing the device’s display from creasing or getting damaged after folding.
The patent was published by the US Patent and Trademark Office and gives a description of the fresh hinge mechanism. As stated by to the Apple patent, the hinge is able of advertising separation between the two halves of the panel from the middle, allowing for the flap to converge after unfolded and separate when being folded inward.
Apple patented a special hinge design for a foldable product
The new hinge mechanism is being implemented to tackle a fundamental problem! that plagues smartphones with a foldable display, i.e creasing. Examples of this would be Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X. These smartphones are successful in implementing the screen but still suffer from the crease problem. However, the new hinge mechanism detailed by Apple seeks to prevent this altogether.
From the Shots, it can be observed that the hinge is not a centralized and singular mechanism. The photographs detail its functioning and movement that cojoins both halves of the display via a twin movable mechanism.
Foldable smartphones target a niche market of smartphone enthusiasts. As it stands right now, the handsets are not commercially viable for a broader audience and market. But, innovation and further more development could lead to a few special and inexpensive designs being adopted in the future. Apple appears to be to be looking into the design as nicely, considering this isn’t its initial foldable smartphone patent.