Patently Apple has picked up an early 2010 filing today which has details of Apple’s work on a shock mount system which could prevent iPhone and its other portable device’s screen damage in event of a fall.
In all the smartphones, Apple’s iPhone is probably the most sensitive device as it can’t even withstand a delicate fall on the ground without getting its screen cracked or probably getting shattered, making it unbearable to uses.
It now seems like Apple had realized this weakness long time ago and had engaged in finding solutions to the problem. One such way it intends to use is the shock mount system, which would lie between its body and the display, which would automatically inflate if it detects the device being dropped. Its function sounds quite familiar to that of an airbag used in cars.
Apple’s patent FIG. 5 shows a housing and a cover glass in cross sectional view having a tunable shock mount 505 disposed there between.
The tunable shock mount could comprise of an inflatable bladder 506 filled with a fluid 507.
Tuning could be done in various ways such as by selection of materials for the bladder and fluid, and by varying an amount of inflation. Hmm, think of it as a form of air-bag for portable devices.
The filing also reveals Apple planning to waterproof the iPhone by introducing an internal seal, for which Apple has to find alternatives fro mic and speakers as even though the water doesn’t get inside, it still will effect the external hardware components. Still even if the internal hardware is waterproofed, it could still prove as a life saver.
Hope that patent turns to be a reality, it would be a dream come true for all who even suffer little accidents with their iPhone devices.
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