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Apple Patents Foldable Device With Movable Flaps to Prevent Display From Creasing

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Apple this week has been granted a patent for a foldable device with a unique hinge mechanism that utilizes movable flaps to help prevent the display from being creased or damaged when folded.

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Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today, the patent explains that the hinge mechanism would ensure adequate separation between the first and second portions of the display. When the device is unfolded, movable flaps would extend to cover the gap, and then retract when the device is folded.

Early foldable smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Huawei's Mate X have noticeable creases along the bending portion of the display. Motorola's new foldable Razr avoids this issue with a unique hinge design, but early reviews indicate the device makes creaking sounds when opened or closed.

apple-patent-foldable-device-movable-flaps-2.jpg

All in all, it is still early days for foldable smartphones, with lots of room for innovation. Apple has certainly shown an interest in the category with several patents for foldable devices and mechanisms over the past few years, but it remains to be seen if the company ever releases a foldable iPhone or iPad.

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Article Link: Apple Patents Foldable Device With Movable Flaps to Prevent Display From Creasing
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/02/04/apple-patent-foldable-device-movable-flaps/
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This is actually pretty clever!

If my understanding is correct, it's like the Razr insofar as there's a gap at the center of the screen for it to kind of bulge rather than crease into, but it's assisted by those worm gears that rotate when the screen shuts. These gears are turned relative to the gear between them, causing them to move those tabs connected to the screen.

The tabs pull it tight when opened and extend it when shut, so there's more surface area in the center, ensuring that no one part of the screen has to crease at a severe angle.
 
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Obviously I don't know what I'm talking about, however, that whole mechanism looks very cumbersome and very much goes against apples insistence on ever thinner devices.
 
PastaPrimav said:
I really want no part of this, and I don't think anyone else does either. Beyond morbid curiosity, no one actually wants this product.
Click to expand...

Brooo listen to yourself lmao. You’re judging a PATENT. You have no idea what this would even be.

Haven’t you guys learned to actually, ya know... wait until Apple actually releases stuff before judging?

Holy moly Lol.
 
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Its an interesting idea, but I can't see it being reliable. crud would get into those tiny gears and poof.

This is obviously just a patent an idea so others don't use it. Apple has bazilion patents they don't use.
 
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and 1989 others said:
Obviously I don't know what I'm talking about, however, that whole mechanism looks very cumbersome and very much goes against apples insistence on ever thinner devices.
Click to expand...
As has been noted many times, Apple hasn't insisted on thinner devices (specifically phones) in a long time. Pretty sure they realized thinner had reached diminishing returns when they stopped making phones thinner than the previous generation. Someone here can probably point you to the dimensions of the phones by model.
 
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and 1989 others said:
Obviously I don't know what I'm talking about, however, that whole mechanism looks very cumbersome and very much goes against apples insistence on ever thinner devices.
Click to expand...

Patent the technology first and then refine it over multiple iterations until it meets your requirements - 100 "Nos" for every "Yes".
 
newyorksole said:
Brooo listen to yourself lmao. You’re judging a PATENT. You have no idea what this would even be.

Haven’t you guys learned to actually, ya know... wait until Apple actually releases stuff before judging?

Holy moly Lol.
Click to expand...
I don't need to know anymore. I don't want any part of an iOS device where the screen folds in the middle.

And I don't need to wait for the product because I'm pretty sure that patent is the most that will ever see the light of day.
 
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synergize said:
I'd would have rather have self-folding clothes especially out of the dryer!
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SERIOUSLY. Want to innovate? Tackle this one.

I had this idea about a dryer that was connected to a duct system that distributed clothes directly to closets after they were done, kinda like the drive up teller system at the bank. Doesn't do much unless there is a system to fold them or hang them.
 
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PastaPrimav said:
I don't need to know anymore. I don't want any part of an iOS device where the screen folds in the middle.

And I don't need to wait for the product because I'm pretty sure that patent is the most that will ever see the light of day.
Click to expand...

I don’t want a foldable iOS device either. What if this is a remote? Or what if it’s a companion to a Mac? There’s so many things it could be.
 
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