Empowered by spring technology, Apple’s folding screen patent leads mobile phone innovation.

News on April 17: Although Apple has been unable to launch a folding screen iPhone, it has been conducting internal research and development for many years, but some hard problems have not yet been solved, such as screen creases and drop resistance.

However, the latest patent information shows that Apple has found a way to improve the screen's drop resistance.

According to a list recently published by the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO), Apple has obtained a patent for a foldable screen phone, focusing on a new spring layer concept designed to reduce pressure when folding.

It is understood that the spring layer consists of a metal spring array, in which sensors such as force sensing structures (such as strain gauges) are embedded. These springs can be made of various flexible metals, such as spring steel, nickel-chromium aluminum alloy, beryllium copper alloy, stainless steel, cobalt-nickel alloy, etc.

Additionally, compressible structures such as foam columns can be interspersed within the spring layer to tailor its performance.

Apple said that the introduction of the spring layer can reduce the external pressure on the device, such as impact, squeezing, etc., and can also reduce the stress on the screen during repeated folding and unfolding, improving the durability of folding screen devices.

In addition, a previous Apple patent also realized self-healing of the screen, covering it with a layer of "self-healing" material to reduce the impact of creases and scratches.

These signs indicate that Apple's folding screen technology reserves are constantly improving. Once the folding screen iPhone comes out, it may be significantly ahead of its competitors in technology.

The patent is expected to be implemented in future Apple devices, a development that demonstrates Apple's determination to continue to innovate in the field of mobile devices.