Apple releases new patent? Can it solve the crease problem of foldable devices?

According to foreign media reports, the U.S. Patent Office has issued a patent for Apple called "Electronic device with flexible display and hinge", which allows the flexible display to be bent to a degree sufficient to fold the device in half while protecting the display.

According to the patent documents, Apple uses a chain mechanism to ensure that the first and second parts of the display are fully separated. Internally, the hinge controls the movement of the display so that it bends at the hinge, using the gap to provide the screen with the space needed to expand the bend. The rack and gear device can be used to maintain the distance between the housing and the display and each folding element in the static area, as well as to force the required bending radius. When the user unfolds the device, the active flap will also extend to cover the screen gap caused by the folding and retract when the device is folded.

Apple has not yet entered the foldable phone market, but brands such as Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola have already become the "number one players."

In 2019, Samsung launched the Galaxy Fold, a foldable phone, and carried out small-scale mass production. However, during the trial period before the release, the screen was distorted, broken, severely creased, and black. The Galaxy Fold, which was delayed after improvements, did not completely solve these problems. Similarly, Huawei's first 5G foldable phone, the Mate X, also encountered the same problem.

Until November 2019, Motorola officially released the Moto Razr, which adopted a folding part design that was completely different from Samsung. It accommodated hinges on both sides of the screen to leave space for a perfect folding curve when the phone was folded, solving the crease problem at the folding point. However, the device makes a squeaking sound when unfolded or folded.

All in all, foldable smartphones are still in their infancy and there is still a lot of room for innovation. In the past few years, Apple undoubtedly has a number of foldable device patents and has shown great interest in foldable designs. According to reports, the foldable iPhone is likely to be launched in 2021, and Apple may first launch a foldable iPad product.