Apple has added yet another granted patent (number10,k551,880) to its repertoire of patents related to a “foldable” iPhone. It’s not going to happen any time soon — perhaps ever — but the company is at least looking into such a device behind closed doors.
The tech giant says, in the patent info, that electronic devices often include displays for presenting image to a user. Displays are typically formed from rigid planar substrates. Although satisfactory in many situations, rigid displays such as these may be difficult to integrate into certain devices, such as devices with bendable housings, according to Apple.
Here’s the summary of the patent: “An electronic device may have a flexible display that overlaps an axis. The display may be supported by a housing. The housing may have first and second portions that rotate relative to each other about the axis. The housing may be placed in an unfolded configuration to support the display in a planar state.
“The housing may also be placed in a folded configuration by rotating the first and second portions relative to each other. A hinge mechanism may be used to ensure adequate separation between the first and second portions when the housing is bent. Movable flaps may be retracted when the housing is bent to create room for a bent portion of the display.”
