July 18, 2023
Apple has filed a patent application for roll-up screens that could be used in devices such as the iMac, iPhone, and wearables.
The patent application unveils Apple’s plans to create displays that can be rolled up while remaining protected by a thin layer of glass. To prevent any damage to the screen during rolling operations, Apple proposes a technique called “local thinning” and the application of compressive stress on the glass layer.
According to Apple, scratches on the ultra-thin glass surface can weaken the screen, making it susceptible to cracks when rolled. In a bid to address this issue, Apple’s engineers have ingeniously incorporated a small “reverse bend” where the screen enters the device housing. This design exposes the outer surface of the glass layer to tension and the inner surface to compression, ensuring better durability.
The patent application does not guarantee commercial availability, but Apple’s history of filing patents suggests that they are consistently exploring innovative concepts. If Apple does decide to release a product with a roll-up screen, it would join the likes of Samsung, Lenovo, and Motorola who have all released rollable devices in recent years.
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.
