Apple Continues Development of Durable Rollable iPad with Enhanced Hinge Technology

Apple has been investing significant time and resources into addressing the common failure point found in folding smartphones—specifically, their hinges. In response, the company is exploring designs for iPhone and iPad screens that can be rolled out when needed and retracted when not in use. This follows previous patent submissions concerning foldable displays, showcasing Apple’s ongoing interest in the prospect of flexible technology.

The latest patent application, titled “Electronic Device With Flexible Display Structures,” reveals a concept where a flexible display can be wrapped around rollers. This design aims to facilitate the deployment of the screen as it is pulled from its housing. Unlike traditional parchment rollers, Apple’s vision involves integrating hidden deployment rollers into devices like iPads, allowing the screen to smoothly extend while remaining discreet.

Apple’s focus is on creating compact electronic devices that maintain both rigidity and functionality. The concept includes a rigid housing for critical components alongside the rollable display. The design ensures that once stored, the flexible display wraps around a storage roller, making the process of uncovering it smooth and user-friendly.

Crucially, Apple intends for the display to provide useful information even in its rolled-up state. The patent indicates that the flexible display could remain visible through a transparent housing window before and after being deployed. It describes various configurations where the display is pulled out to either show a small image or expand for a larger workspace.

This newly revealed patent is particularly noteworthy as it marks the sixth iteration of a submission that Apple has successfully secured each time since its initial filing in 2017. Through subsequent revisions, including enhancements to modular support structures and improvements in durability and materials, Apple appears to be solidifying its approach to rolling displays, as evidenced by the incremental refinements over the years.