Today the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that relates to the introduction of a new deployable feature on future MacBooks. In some examples, the deployable feature can function, in whole or in part, as a foot, a stand, and/or another support structure for the base portion of a MacBook. In another example, the feature acts as a venting system to keep the MacBook running cooler.
A Deployable Feature for MacBooks
Apple’s invention covers a MacBook that includes a base portion, a display portion rotatably mounted to the base portion, a deployable feature coupled to the base portion that extends at least 3.8 millimeters from a surface of the base portion when deployed, and an actuation component coupled to the deployable feature. The base portion can include a portion of a housing of the electronic device and a keyboard.
The deployable feature can, when deployed, increase an open area in communication with an internal volume defined by the base portion. The deployable feature can at least partially define an air volume when deployed.
The air volume can be usable by an antenna or a speaker. In some examples, rotating the display portion relative to the base portion deploys the deployable feature. The actuation component can include a gear train. The deployable feature can be deployable by a user. The deployable feature can at least partially define a vent when deployed.
In some examples, the MacBook includes a sensor that provides a signal to deploy the deployable feature. The actuation component can include at least one of a pneumatic, a magnetic, a piezo friction, or an electro-mechanical system. The deployable feature can include a support structure.
According to some examples, a method for deploying a MacBook’s deployable feature includes detecting a condition of the MacBook, and deploying the deployable feature in response to the detected condition. Detecting the condition can include receiving an input from an input member of the electronic device. Detecting the condition can include detecting a rotation of a display portion of the electronic device relative to a base portion of the electronic device. Deploying the deployable feature can include extending the feature a distance away from a base portion of the MacBook.
According to some examples, a MacBook includes a base portion, a display portion moveably affixed to the base portion, and a deployable feature coupled to the base portion and deployable therefrom in response to a signal.
The deployable feature can deploy vertically from the base portion. The electronic device can include a sensor that detects at least one of a temperature or a processing speed of the electronic device, and provides the signal in response to the detection. The electronic device can further include a fan, wherein a speed of the fan is at least partially based on a state of the deployable feature.
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 is a MacBook; FIG. 3A shows a side view of a MacBook including a deployable feature; FIG. 3B shows a side view of the MacBook of FIG. 3A; FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of a MacBook including a deployable feature that acts as a vent.
Apple’s patent FIG. 18B represents an alternative design. The figure illustrates the bottom rear perspective view of a MacBook with the deployable feature in an un-deployed position. In patent FIG. 18A we’re able to see a bottom rear perspective view of the MacBook including a deployable feature in a deployed position. In this configurations Apple hides all ports or additional ports.
Today the U.S. Patent Office published Apple’s patent application number 20210089077 that was originally filed in Q1 2020.
Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
