According to a list recently announced by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), Apple has obtained a patent for a foldable screen phone, focusing on the introduction of a new spring layer concept to reduce pressure when folding. .
Apple says that the spring layer is composed of an array of metal springs, and then embeds sensors such as force-sensing structures (such as strain gauges) in the spring layer. In addition, the patent also states that if necessary, foam columns and other compressible structures can be combined with Springs are interspersed together to help adjust the performance of the spring layers.
The spring layer can be made of various flexible metals, such as spring steel, nickel-chromium aluminum alloy, beryllium copper alloy, stainless steel, cobalt-nickel alloy and other spring metals. Attached relevant pictures as follows:
Apple said that the introduction of a spring layer into folding screen devices can, on the one hand, relieve the external pressure on the device in events such as impacts and extrusions, and on the other hand, it can also relieve the stress on the screen during repeated folding and unfolding. This improves the durability of foldable screen devices.
Apple believes this spring layer can relieve external pressure and prevent excessive local deformation.
