Apple applies for patent for ‘self-healing ports’ for waterproofing

[RedRound2]

The patent application, filed today, is for a ‘self-healing elastomer’ covering the ports. The idea is that when you plug in a cable, the elastomer deforms to allow access to the port, and then closes the opening once the cable is removed.

 

An electronic device has a self-healing elastomer applied over one or more external electronic connectors. The self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device. Electronic probes may temporarily penetrate the self-healing elastomer to mate with the electronic connector. After removal of the probes the self-healing elastomer may elastically reform and self-heal.

 

Basically Apple patented a way to cover their ports with a self healing elastomer which would deform every time you plug something in and then heal and seal after the connector gets removed

 

 

Pretty cool idea if you ask me and can i guess can lead to much cleaner waterproof designs for the whole industry   as always

 

Source: http://9to5mac.com/2015/12/10/waterproof-iphone-self-healing-elastomer/

[Starelementpoke]

Basically Apple patented a way to cover their ports with a self healing elastomer which would deform every time you plug something in and then heal and seal after the connector gets removed

 

skitch-2.png

 

Pretty cool idea if you ask me and can i guess can lead to much cleaner waterproof designs for the whole industry 

 

Source: http://9to5mac.com/2015/12/10/waterproof-iphone-self-healing-elastomer/

Decently sure this is the same thing as self healing phone backs.

[ImBleu]

i cant wait for samsung to use this.

[RedRound2]

Decently sure this is the same thing as self healing phone backs.

 

Not the exact same thing. This should be more of an instantaneous process rather than 10 min healing time. Plus those backs can only get rid of very light scratches while this material can heal penetration which is completely different

[Starelementpoke]

Not the exact same thing. This should be more of an instantaneous process rather than 10 min healing time. Plus those backs get rid of very light scratches while this is healing penetration which is completely different

Psh, Cloud gets impaled on a daily basis and he's fine.

[Sauron]

Seems like a good idea, except I don't see how it could work with the types of ports and connectors we have today. If they come up with yet another proprietary standard they can keep it.

[RedRound2]

Seems like a good idea, except I don't see how it could work with the types of ports and connectors we have today. If they come up with yet another proprietary standard they can keep it.

 

Why shouldn't it work with other ports? This is just one picture that was released of the patent

[Sauron]

Why shouldn't it work with other ports? This is just one picture that was released of the patent

 

Mostly because our current ports almost all involve a tube-like connector, which would trap parts of the self healing material in it and not manage a proper connection. The example in the picture uses a needle-like connector with only the tip being used for contact.

[RedRound2]

Mostly because our current ports almost all involve a tube-like connector, which would trap parts of the self healing material in it and not manage a proper connection. The example in the picture uses a needle-like connector with only the tip being used for contact.

 

That's why I said the only one picture has been released. I'm pretty sure you have to come up with a practical solution if you want to apply for a patent

[Sauron]

That's why I said the only one picture has been released. I'm pretty sure you have to come up with a practical solution if you want to apply for a patent

 

Well, it IS a practical solution in a sense, nowhere does it say it must work for usb or anything. And I can't think of how that would work. But we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

[ImBleu]

Mostly because our current ports almost all involve a tube-like connector, which would trap parts of the self healing material in it and not manage a proper connection. The example in the picture uses a needle-like connector with only the tip being used for contact.

 

 

3.5mm Audio

Lighting Cable

 

 

name any other cables Apple actually cares about.

[Sauron]

3.5mm Audio

Lighting Cable

 

 

name any other cables Apple actually cares about.

 

both of those have contacts on the sides, not the tip.

[Marvzl1357]

both of those have contacts on the sides, not the tip.

I get what you mean, basically all connectors that are used nowadays are based on like face to face connection (no idea what it's actually called) and nothing is really a point contacting a surface.

So this idea is rather not useful, not useless, just not useful.

[Sauron]

I get what you mean, basically all connectors that are used nowadays are based on like face to face connection (no idea what it's actually called) and nothing is really a point contacting a surface.

So this idea is rather not useful, not useless, just not useful.

 

yeah, it's not useless, but if it makes me sacrifice standard connectors I'd rather just remember to seal the device's ports with the rubber cap before diving with it...

[Marvzl1357]

yeah, it's not useless, but if it makes me sacrifice standard connectors I'd rather just remember to seal the device's ports with the rubber cap before diving with it...

Doesn't matter if it only gets implemented in apple devices coz I'll never have to or get to use it

I get where they're coming from though, it would make water proofing devices a lot more convenient and importantly, mindless. You wouldn't even have to make sure that the seals are completely shut before taking a swim with it, unlike my xperia z3c. (still wouldn't go swimming with my phone but you get the point)

[Sauron]

Doesn't matter if it only gets implemented in apple devices coz I'll never have to or get to use it

I get where they're coming from though, it would make water proofing devices a lot more convenient and importantly, mindless. You wouldn't even have to make sure that the seals are completely shut before taking a swim with it, unlike my xperia z3c. (still wouldn't go swimming with my phone but you get the point)

 

I hate it when companies make things just for the sake of being idiot-proof I get why they do it, but it's sad for me to think there are people who actually need it.

[Marvzl1357]

I hate it when companies make things just for the sake of being idiot-proof I get why they do it, but it's sad for me to think there are people who actually need it.

But it's apple, king of making things idiot proof.

Well at least they were, kinda heading downhill nowadays though.

[MrDynamicMan]

"During probe is inserted"

o_____________o

[RedRound2]

I hate it when companies make things just for the sake of being idiot-proof I get why they do it, but it's sad for me to think there are people who actually need it.

 

Well an short answer is that humans are lazy. You just don't know it because you may have never felt it. Even though securely sealing flaps hardly takes a second people don't want to think about it and that's the point here. Simple is the new elegance and making something idiot proof is the best implementation and its a huge achievement which people don't appreciate enough especially in the case of Apple

[ShadowCaptain]

double post 

[ShadowCaptain]

I hate it when companies make things just for the sake of being idiot-proof I get why they do it, but it's sad for me to think there are people who actually need it.

 

 

But that is what I love about well designed products, I shouldnt have to carry around little rubber bits to shove in my phone, or bits that can fall off etc

 

it should work without me thinking about it

 

Its not necessarily about being idiot proof - though that is a part of it, its just about making things work simply without being fiddly or complicated, with as few steps as possible

[Prysin]

Not the exact same thing. This should be more of an instantaneous process rather than 10 min healing time. Plus those backs can only get rid of very light scratches while this material can heal penetration which is completely different

forever virgin

 

huehuehue

 

Iphone S7 "extra virgin edt."