[ad_1]
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone with a “self-healing” screen to repair scratches and dents, according to reports.
The tech giant has filed a patent for the device that would have a screen that stretches across the actual fold of the phone.
And according to the filing, Apple says the phone would actually heal any damage automatically.
Observers say the “self-healing” ability would fix one of the biggest problems seen with today’s folding phones, which can be damaged when debris is trapped when closed.
Apple’s patent was filed earlier this year, but was made public by the US Patent and Trademark Office, according to tech website 9to5mac.com.
“During the operation of an electronic device, the coating layer of the electronic device screen may be scratched or dented,” the patent states.
“To improve the aesthetics of the electronic device, it may be desirable to minimize the presence of scratches and dents.
“To help mitigate the amount of dents, scratches or other imperfections in a screen cover layer, the screen cover layer can include a layer of self-healing material.
“The self-healing material layer can be formed on the entire screen cover layer or it can be formed only in the flexible region of the screen cover layer.”
No time period is given in the patent application for any device to be available to consumers.
Samsung was plagued by a number of screen problems when it launched its $ 2000 Galaxy Fold in 2019 and delayed its launch after initial bad reviews.
Apple’s patent suggests that curing your screen will be done through the use of heat, light, or electrical current.
“The screen cover layer can include an elastomer layer in the flexible region of the screen cover layer for added flexibility,” the patent continues.
“The self-healing material layer can cover the elastomer layer in the flexible region.
“Self-healing can occur in the layer of self-healing material without prompting (for example, when the self-healing coating is dented, the coating material can fill in the dent even without external intervention).
“Alternatively, self-healing can be initiated or accelerated by heat, light, electric current, or other external stimulus applied externally.”
