(Image from Mac Rumors)
Apple has been granted a patent of an "electronic device with a flexible display and hinge" this week, with the core idea being allowing the flexible display to be bent enough to fold the device in half without creases on the screen, according to Mac Rumors.
In April 2019, Samsung launched the world's first foldable phone the Galaxy Fold, but in the media's hands-on experience, the creases of the screen are clearly visible. In the manual and packaging of the phone, Samsung also clearly emphasized that the crease in the center of the inner screen is a normal feature of the phone. This problem also exists on the Huawei Mate X.
Apple's idea may be an effective solution to the problem of creases in the folded part of a foldable phone.
(Image from Mac Rumors)
Patent documents show that the hinge mechanism designed by Apple can fully separate the first and second parts of the display.
Internally, the hinge controls the movement of the display so that it bends at the hinge, using a gap to provide the screen with the space needed to expand the bend.
The frame and gear unit can be used to keep the housing and display screen away from each folding element in the static area, and to enforce the required bending radius.
When unfolded, the retractable flip cover can be extended internally to support the display in this position, so pressing a finger will not affect the position of the screen, nor will it fatigue the screen, beyond the range of normal use.
(Image from Mac Rumors)
Although no foldable device has been launched, Apple has long been conducting research in this area.
According to Patently Apple, Apple's foldable technology patent application history can be traced back to 2011, involving a variety of content such as flexible displays, hinges, and control circuits.
After the technology matures, Apple may surprise users again on foldable devices.
