Apparently, Apple has come a step closer to releasing its first foldable screen smartphone. The Cupertino-based company has patented a new hinge mechanism that could be used in the future iPhone.
According to PatentlyApple, the patent was named “Electronic devices with frictional joints made of fibrous composite material.” The description confirms that the device will use a flexible display that will be positioned over a fiber composite hinge mechanism.
In the patent, Apple writes that “An electronic device may have a one or more hinges. For example, a folding device may have a first housing portion that is coupled to a second housing portion by a friction hinge. The friction hinge may include fiber-reinforced structures such as carbon fiber composite structures and other fiber composite structures. The use of fiber composite structures may help reduce hinge bulk while improving hinge performance.”
The patent also says, “In a friction hinge, hinge structures grip against each other with sufficient pressure to hold the hinge structures in place when released. At the same time, the hinge structures do not grip too tightly, so that it is possible for a user to overcome the hinge friction when it is desired to make adjustments.”
“A friction hinge arrangement may be used…so that the lid stays in place after the user has adjusted the angle of the lid as desired. As another example, a friction hinge may be used…so that a user can adjust the pressure.” Devices mentioned in the patent include “cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, head-mounted devices, handheld controllers, finger devices, wristwatch devices, other wearable devices, keyboards, computer mice, remote controls, speakers, accessory displays, accessory cameras, and/or other electronic devices.”
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