Although Apple has been slow to launch a folding screen iPhone, it has actually been developed internally for many years, but some hard problems have not been solved and have not been mass-produced, such as screen creases, not resistant to falls, etc. However, new patent information shows that Apple has found a way to improve the screen's drop resistance. According to the list recently published by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), Apple has obtained a patent for a foldable screen mobile phone, highlighting a new spring layer concept to reduce pressure when folding.
The spring layer consists of an array of metal springs, and then sensors such as force sensing structures (such as strain gauges) are embedded in the spring layer, which 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. If needed, foam columns and other compressible structures can be interspersed with springs to help adjust the performance of the spring layer.
This innovation will help improve the durability of folding screen devices, so that the screen is no longer susceptible to external pressure or repeated folding and unfolding.