New cool products will be tested for free for the first time, and many high-quality talents will share their unique life experiences. Come to Sina Public Test and experience the most cutting-edge, most interesting and fun products in various fields~! Download the client and get exclusive benefits!
An Apple patent last year showed the company was exploring the possibility of building titanium-based iPhones, iPads and MacBooks, and another related patent was awarded today.
Specifically, today’s patent grant describes a process for creating a textured surface on titanium alloys,
Apple currently offers a titanium Apple Watch, and it has offered a titanium laptop in the past: the PowerBook G4. This product was sold from 2001 to 2003 and was later replaced by an aluminum model.
In its raw state, the surface of titanium alloys is not attractive, and Apple has explored different ways to make the material look more attractive.
Back in January 2021, the company was awarded a patent for a method for giving titanium a semi-gloss finish. The patent is a technical patent covering the process of combining sandblasting and etching with a chemical anodizing process to achieve the desired surface finish. Apple says the former better hides flaws in metal, while the latter offers better protection.
Titanium is heavier than aluminum, but much stronger, and thinner materials can be used to achieve the same strength and hardness. The end result is that a titanium case will be lighter than an aluminum case.
IT House understands that today’s patent begins by describing the challenges posed by titanium alloy casings. Portable electronic devices may include various operational components (eg, display screens, processors, antennas, etc.). The housings of these portable electronic devices can be formed from various metals such as anodized aluminum, etc., with high strength and hardness to protect these operating parts. Furthermore, it is desirable to machine these shells to give them an attractive surface finish. However, certain types of metals, despite their high strength and stiffness, are also difficult to machine with attractive surface finishes. Therefore, it is necessary to implement techniques for processing these specific types of metals.
The patent goes on to describe different ways of creating an interesting textured surface, which, confusingly, describes it as a matte finish (titanium is matte in its natural state and is often polished).
Of course, Apple has a ton of patents, only a fraction of which can actually be used in commercial products. And Patently Apple points out that this is already the eighth patent related to this material.
media coverage
IT Home Sina Technology CNBeta Sohu
event tracking
- 2022-05-25Apple’s new patent exposure is about titanium iPhone, iPad and MacBook
- 2022-04-11Apple’s new patent exposure, suspected to develop a game controller
- 2021-05-12Apple publishes new patent, which is expected to make iPhone/iPad support VR display
- 2020-07-24Apple is sued by Koss: AirPods infringe multiple patents
- 2020-04-03New patent shows Apple preparing to build an iPhone that can be used underwater
This article is reproduced from: https://readhub.cn/topic/8giyZ0dihXp
This site is for inclusion only, and the copyright belongs to the original author.