The idea of putting a iPhone protective case it was one of the most discussed topics during his early years. The most purists considered it an insult to cover a design object with a plastic lid, although the rest thought otherwise. Protecting the mobile from a fall was essential and iPhone cases became a necessity, although this could end very soon.
A new patent granted to Apple let it be seen that The iPhone of the future will be so resistant that it will not need a protective case. In the document Space Compoundsapproved by the US Patent Office, Cupertino engineers propose a mix of materials to make the chassis of the mobile.
Apple mentions that electronic devices (such as the iPhone) are ubiquitous in society and have contact with various surfaces that cause wear. Manufacturers have chosen to use materials to protect it, although there is currently no perfect formula.
“Metal casings may be particularly resistant to dents, scratches, or breaks, but may interfere with radio signals entering or emanating from the device,” the patent says. “Ceramic cases can be scratch resistant and transparent to radio signals, but they can be brittle,” he says.
The chassis (or case) of the iPhone would be made of a moldable material — polymer or amorphous metal — and abrasion resistant elements. The latter would be made of metal or ceramic and would be harder than the substrate. The patent includes diagrams showing embedded elements throughout the body.
How tough would the iPhone be to not require a case?
The Apple patent mentions some combinations of materials to achieve a desirable balance in terms of protection. The iPhone not only has to be attractive in its design, but resistant to scratches, breaks or abrasion. The compound must not interfere with the signals either, since it would undermine their functionality.
A proposal includes plastic to form the structural walls and elements of resistant material (metal, glass or ceramic) that extend above the surface. “The elements can be harder than the plastic structure, and therefore, improve the resistance to abrasion as a whole,” the patent mentions. “Consequently, the chassis can be more scratch resistant than other cases,” she says.
Embedded elements would have different shapes and sizes. Some would be spherical, bead-shaped, with interlocking structures that are mechanically attached to the chassis. Others would be faceted and would come off the surface a bit, reflecting light and creating a “desirable appearance”. space compounds they would not only apply to the iPhonebut also to the iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook and other devices of the company.
As with all patents, it is possible that this idea will materialize in the future or remain unresolved. At the moment, the covers are part of the iPhone accessories catalog. Apple offers leather or silicone options in various colors and finishes, all of which are compatible with the MagSafe ecosystem.