- Samsung patents a quadruple-folding mechanism display.
- This flexible screen is extendable or wrappable around 180-degree as and when needed.
- The panel is versatile enough to wear this screen on your wrist.
A couple of days after making headlines with a patent for a dual-screen phone, Samsung issued/re-issued another patent for a quadruple foldable display. This folding technology could debut on future Samsung foldable phones if Samsung manages to pull it off. While the current Samsung Foldable phones are limited to dual-folding mechanisms – horizontally on Fold and vertically on Flip, the patent shows a Samsung 180-degree quadruple-folding mechanism in full glory.
In the past, Samsung patented a triple-folding mechanism, but we’re yet to witness that panel on an actual Samsung Foldable phone. This new folding technology uses a flexible screen that can be extended or wrapped around as and when needed. A diagram shows that the panel can be folded at a right angle, forming a curved waterfall-like screen-real-estate. Another diagram reveals that the screen can be bent 180 degrees, giving a semi-circle display area for use. Interestingly, the patent shows that the panel is so versatile that you’d be able to wear this handset on your wrist.
Take a look at the patent diagrams below:
Samsung plans to achieve this versatility via a controller, a folding sensor unit, and a foldable display. The folding sensor includes a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, a piezo sensor, and a pressure sensor. While the patent didn’t clarify how this mechanism works, it does say that when the foldable display is bent to that extent, it doesn’t lose its display properties thanks to a folding sensor. Next, the controller will communicate with a foldable display and folding sensors to register the user’s touch across the four display regions.
Since it’s a patent filing, we don’t know when or if this mechanism will make it to production. However, there is no denying that it’ll be an excellent design choice and turn heads if released.
