Apple Patent Details Z Flip Style Foldable iPhone Design

As Microsoft, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc. have launched their foldable smartphones, Apple is also developing its own foldable iPhone. Now, Windowsunited has discovered a patent that details different types of Apple foldable devices


The patent was filed on June 18, 2020, and published on August 10, 2020.

Apple noted a foldable device that contains multiple parts. The housing parts can be connected together using hinges: a hinge based on a three-bar linkage, a hinge based on a four-bar linkage, a hinge with a slotted member, a hinge formed by a flexible support structure, and a hinge based on a flexible housing structure:
Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions, overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together.

Electronic devices can be presented that contain several housing parts. The housing parts can be connected to one another by hinges. The hinges can include three-bar-based hinges, four-bar-based hinges, slotted link hinges, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays can be mounted on the housing parts that overlap the hinges. If the housing parts are rotated relative to one another in a device, the flexible display can bend. The hinge can be configured to allow the flexible display in a front-to-front configuration with one active side of the display facing itself or can be placed in a back-to-back configuration. Snap structures can be used to assist the housing in grasping external objects and to hold the housing parts together. The hinges can be fitted with swivel locks to hold the flexible display in the desired positions.
Apple has a large reserve of patents, so it may not necessarily mean the Cupertino company will begin mass production.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post