Over the past few years, Apple has received several patents for the design of folding devices, but has not yet released any of them. However, this does not prevent the company from developing new connection options in these types of devices. The latest patent, recently issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office, describes joints with connected links that consist of interconnected «fingers» and a friction clutch. A key part of the patent is the use of semicircular slots to allow each link to rotate relative to the other links. The peculiarity is that this takes the axis of rotation beyond the link itself.
The document states that this hinge can be used in smartphones, tablets, laptops and even smartwatches. However, it is not clear whether this is a new design or an improved version of previous hinges that Apple has patented. Perhaps they will all be used simultaneously in different types of devices.
In any case, the new patent describes how «fingers», pins and gears interact to create a small but effective clutch that provides the required level of friction. This allows the hinge to hold the device folded at a predetermined angle. Gears are necessary to ensure that both sides of the hinge rotate in the same way.
Apple is rumored to be working on a folding iPhone in the shape of a clamshell, as well as folding iPads and MacBooks. Insiders report that the company faces «technical problems» when developing the display and some components.
Source
