Apple Granted Patent for Outward-Folding Foldable Phone: Segmented Hinge Mechanism at the Core

Apple Granted Patent for Outward-Folding Foldable Phone: Segmented Hinge Mechanism at the CoreThe United States Patent and Trademark Office recently granted Apple a patent for a foldable smartphone design, sparking widespread industry interest. This patent centers on a unique outward-folding design, with its core technology being an innovative segmented hinge mechanism

Apple Granted Patent for Outward-Folding Foldable Phone: Segmented Hinge Mechanism at the Core

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently granted Apple a patent for a foldable smartphone design, sparking widespread industry interest. This patent centers on a unique outward-folding design, with its core technology being an innovative segmented hinge mechanism. The patent covers not only outward-folding foldable phones but also extends to smartphones with rollable and/or slidable displays, showcasing Apple's ambition in the expandable display device field.

The patent document details the design concept and technical specifications of Apple's new foldable device. It utilizes a flexible display, such as an OLED screen, supported by a foldable outer casing. This casing is cleverly divided into two parts, connected by a precisely engineered hinge mechanism. The flexible display seamlessly covers the first part of the casing, the hinge mechanism, and the second part, ensuring display integrity and visual continuity.

To achieve smooth display bending during folding, Apple's patent highlights a synchronized movement mechanism within the hinge. This mechanism ingeniously uses gears, belts, and other components to precisely control the movement trajectory of each part, preventing creases or jams in the display. This precise synchronized movement is key to the outward-folding design and a core highlight of the patented technology.

Furthermore, the patent details the moving parts within the hinge structure. These parts, such as connecting rods, rotate around virtual pivot points located outside the hinge. This design effectively reduces stress on the display during bending, maximizing the protection of pixels and other fragile display layers, thus enhancing the device's durability and lifespan.

To further improve the hinge's smoothness and reliability, Apple's patent also proposes a sliding hinge pin support plate design. This ensures that the hinge components smoothly move along the casing's curve when the device folds, avoiding wear and tear from mechanical friction, further enhancing durability and lifespan.

When folded, the curved portion of the display rests against the outer surface of the hinge. This design not only protects the curved display from external elements but also makes the folded device more compact and portable.

It's noteworthy that while this patent primarily describes an outward-folding design, Apple's previous foldable phone patents mostly leaned towards inward-folding designs. This indicates Apple's active exploration of various foldable phone form factors, aiming to offer consumers more diverse options. In the future, Apple might introduce devices with various folding forms, including not only smartphones but also potentially tablets, laptops, and even televisions, further enriching its product line and meeting diverse user needs.

The patent also mentions rollable and slidable display designs, expanding Apple's possibilities in expandable display devices. By combining folding, sliding, and rolling technologies, Apple could create more flexible, portable, and larger-screen mobile devices, providing users with a superior experience.

In conclusion, this outward-folding foldable phone patent demonstrates Apple's substantial expertise and innovation in foldable screen technology. Its segmented hinge structure, synchronized movement mechanism, and sliding hinge pin support plate are all key to achieving a smooth and durable foldable screen. The patent's mention of rollable and slidable displays further expands Apple's potential in expandable display devices. While it remains unclear when Apple will apply this patented technology to a commercial product, it undeniably foreshadows Apple's future direction in the foldable phone market, offering new inspiration and insights to the entire industry. Apple's investment and innovation in foldable screen technology will undoubtedly drive technological advancements in the mobile device industry, providing consumers with more advanced and convenient mobile experiences. This patent's award further acknowledges Apple's technological prowess in the foldable phone field, laying a solid foundation for its future product development, warranting continued observation of its subsequent progress. Apple's continuous exploration of new technologies and designs, dedicated to creating superior products for users, makes this patent just one of many R&D achievements. We can expect more surprises from Apple in the future. Apple has always been renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, and this patent reflects this commitment to excellence in foldable screen technology. The patent description clearly shows Apple's emphasis on user experience, aiming to maximize user satisfaction and comfort. The mature application of this technology will significantly improve the user experience with foldable phones, such as reducing screen creases and improving screen durability. Additionally, the application of this patented technology may further reduce the production cost of foldable phones, making them accessible to a wider range of consumers. This Apple patent is not only significant for Apple itself but also holds considerable reference value for the entire foldable phone industry. It will drive technological advancements across the industry and ultimately benefit consumers. We can reasonably expect to see more foldable phones incorporating this advanced technology in the near future. Apple's continuous innovation will bring consumers more exciting technological products, and we eagerly await their arrival.