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Apple Researching Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design for Other Devices Like iPhone
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Dirt..filth...grim...dead skin cell...collector.![]()
Apple is researching expanding the 2019 Mac Pro's distinctive "cheese grater" lattice design to other devices, including the iPhone and a "trashcan"-style Mac Pro, according to a newly granted patent filing.
![iphone-trashcan-mac-pro-lattice.jpg]()
Apple introduced an innovative milled lattice pattern on the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in 2019, which is created by machining a spherical array into the internal and external surfaces of the aluminum. The result is a lightweight lattice pattern that maximizes airflow while creating an extremely rigid structure.
The new patent, first spotted by Patently Apple and granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is titled "Housing construction" and covers expanding the lattice pattern to other devices, such as the iPhone.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-frame.jpg]()
The patent explains that "recent advances in electronic devices have enabled high levels of performance," but many existing housing solutions are unable to "effectively distribute or reject heat generated by the electronic device to the surrounding environment," thereby curtailing "the levels of performance of such devices."
Apple believes that its lattice pattern presents a solution to this problem, since it increases a device's surface area for better cooling and can more effectively "conduct heat away from a component of the electronic device positioned substantially adjacent to the first surface of the body."
In improving cooling, devices with the lattice pattern could push their processors to higher temperatures for better performance.
Illustrations included in the filing demonstrate how a miniaturized version of the lattice pattern could be milled directly into the iPhone's outer frame and rear.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-disassembly.jpg]()
As well as significantly improving thermals, this could also improve grip, "provide a unique and pleasing look and feel," and give "a pleasing experience when handling the device."
Another advantage of the lattice pattern is improved structural strength without increasing the thickness or weight of components.
Another embodiment covers embedding the lattice internally inside the iPhone to improve rigidity and strength, allowing "the electronic device to be used over a long period of time while maintaining dimensional stability."
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-structure.jpg]()
The patent also mentions how the lattice structure "can act as shielding for the electronic device, while still allowing for air flow there through," particularly as a shield against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) noise.
In addition to the iPhone, Apple appears to have resurrected the divisive design of the 2013 Mac Pro, informally dubbed the "trashcan" Mac Pro, to demonstrate alternate embodiments for the lattice pattern.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-trashcan.jpg]()
Given that the lattice pattern debuted on the 2019 tower Mac Pro, it is interesting to see some of the latest Mac Pro's design aspects implemented on an older model.
Although reversion to the trashcan-style design may seem more likely amid the transition to Apple silicon for a next-generation Mac Pro, the machine is in fact expected to look more like the Mac mini.
While patent filings cannot be taken as solid evidence of the Apple's plans for actual consumer hardware, they can provide an interesting insight into the company's areas of research. At a minimum, this patent indicates that Apple may be planning to bring its unique lattice pattern to more devices in the future, but only time will tell.
Article Link: Apple Researching Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design for Other Devices Like iPhone
I'd love it, no more going to the store when out of parmesan just put your foot up and grate that bad boy
![]()
Apple is researching expanding the 2019 Mac Pro's distinctive "cheese grater" lattice design to other devices, including the iPhone and a "trashcan"-style Mac Pro, according to a newly granted patent filing.
Article Link: Apple Researching Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design for Other Devices Like iPhone
I do not want a cheese grater in my pocket. I want something as sleek and clean as I can have to carry into a semiconductor fab.
Maybe they could use that design on the bottom of the 'thigh killer' hot as snot notebooks. More surface area, and an interesting pattern burned into your legs too. Hmm...
Except they repeat it so many times. Like in WDW, the ears get old pretty quickly.
Personally, I think the graphite G4 tower was the most beautiful Mac ever. Pictures don't do it justice. It was just stunning. All of Jony Ive's design are amazing (except Flower Power and Blue Dalmatian iMacs), but this one is a little better than the others. I would love to see an iPhone that mimics the graphite G4 aesthetics.
My question is.......... If they go with the cheese grater design which allows air passage what happens to the water resistance of the iphone is it gone????
That was exactly my thought. Imagine how grimey that would get? A computer is fine, for for a phone? No thanks.
They're talking about cooling—so it doesn't need to be a hole all the way through, it just needs to increase surface area.
![]()
Apple is researching expanding the 2019 Mac Pro's distinctive "cheese grater" lattice design to other devices, including the iPhone and a "trashcan"-style Mac Pro, according to a newly granted patent filing.
![iphone-trashcan-mac-pro-lattice.jpg]()
Apple introduced an innovative milled lattice pattern on the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR in 2019, which is created by machining a spherical array into the internal and external surfaces of the aluminum. The result is a lightweight lattice pattern that maximizes airflow while creating an extremely rigid structure.
The new patent, first spotted by Patently Apple and granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is titled "Housing construction" and covers expanding the lattice pattern to other devices, such as the iPhone.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-frame.jpg]()
The patent explains that "recent advances in electronic devices have enabled high levels of performance," but many existing housing solutions are unable to "effectively distribute or reject heat generated by the electronic device to the surrounding environment," thereby curtailing "the levels of performance of such devices."
Apple believes that its lattice pattern presents a solution to this problem, since it increases a device's surface area for better cooling and can more effectively "conduct heat away from a component of the electronic device positioned substantially adjacent to the first surface of the body."
In improving cooling, devices with the lattice pattern could push their processors to higher temperatures for better performance.
Illustrations included in the filing demonstrate how a miniaturized version of the lattice pattern could be milled directly into the iPhone's outer frame and rear.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-disassembly.jpg]()
As well as significantly improving thermals, this could also improve grip, "provide a unique and pleasing look and feel," and give "a pleasing experience when handling the device."
Another advantage of the lattice pattern is improved structural strength without increasing the thickness or weight of components.
Another embodiment covers embedding the lattice internally inside the iPhone to improve rigidity and strength, allowing "the electronic device to be used over a long period of time while maintaining dimensional stability."
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-structure.jpg]()
The patent also mentions how the lattice structure "can act as shielding for the electronic device, while still allowing for air flow there through," particularly as a shield against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) noise.
In addition to the iPhone, Apple appears to have resurrected the divisive design of the 2013 Mac Pro, informally dubbed the "trashcan" Mac Pro, to demonstrate alternate embodiments for the lattice pattern.
![iphone-lattice-pattern-patent-trashcan.jpg]()
Given that the lattice pattern debuted on the 2019 tower Mac Pro, it is interesting to see some of the latest Mac Pro's design aspects implemented on an older model.
Although reversion to the trashcan-style design may seem more likely amid the transition to Apple silicon for a next-generation Mac Pro, the machine is in fact expected to look more like the Mac mini.
While patent filings cannot be taken as solid evidence of the Apple's plans for actual consumer hardware, they can provide an interesting insight into the company's areas of research. At a minimum, this patent indicates that Apple may be planning to bring its unique lattice pattern to more devices in the future, but only time will tell.
Article Link: Apple Researching Mac Pro's 'Cheese Grater' Design for Other Devices Like iPhone
parhaps for a speaker?
I really wonder why they would do this?
I will be surprised that the ARM Mac Pro will still be the cheese grater design.
They should have adopted this look for the iMac. Far cooler than the iPhone.
I will be surprised that the ARM Mac Pro will still be the cheese grater design.
They should have adopted this look for the iMac. Far cooler than the iPhone.
Given the age of the illustrations in the drawings, this could also be a cover-your-butts patent to protect past research that they still yet have no intention of moving to market.
Will we be able too play harmonica on such phones?
Joke aside: Phones are constantly touched and placed on all kinds of dirty surfaces. This would not only result in grime and muck but deeply unhygienic deposits. A troubling idea...
Joke aside: Phones are constantly touched and placed on all kinds of dirty surfaces. This would not only result in grime and muck but deeply unhygienic deposits. A troubling idea...
That iPhone is beautiful (diagram, not render). And a home button would be a dream come true!
(btw, whoever made that render didn't even look at the engineering diagram - the design is on the edge, not the back!)
(btw, whoever made that render didn't even look at the engineering diagram - the design is on the edge, not the back!)
You guys, sheesh. There's this thing called vacuums, see, and.... you won't believe this, but they suck dust and dirt. It's amazing! Not to mention that every one of the zillion cases on the market will cover up the holes. Who uses a phone without a case?