Apple has filed a patent for a curved battery, strengthening rumours that Apple is working its own wearable technology in the form of the Apple iWatch.
A new patent filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office details a design for a curved battery that wouldn’t be suitable for devices like the iPad or iPhone, but has potential in wearable technology like the much-rumoured Apple iWatch.
For the iWatch Apple is looking to introduce a battery that can curve around the wearer’s wrist. The patent filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office outlines how “a curve is formed at one end of the battery cell during the manufacturing process” or could link together “at two ends”.
“The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator and an anode with an active coating,” reads the patent. “The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The layers may be wound to create a jelly roll prior to sealing the layers in the flexible pouch.”
The patent is also deeply specific about the way the curved battery would be manufactured, which suggests Apple has already perfected the technology.
“A curve may also be formed in the battery cell by applying a pressure of at least 0.13 kilogram-force (kgf) per quare millimetre to the layers using a set of curved plates applying a temperature of about 85.degree C. [sic] to the layers.”
Apple iWatch rumours have been rife on the internet for some time now, with the latest suggesting the wearable tech could include a wealth of biometric sensors like a secure user identification system.
The device could feature a 1.5-inch touch panel rather than the wraparound display originally mooted.
Last month, during the All Things Digital D11 conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook actually addressed the Apple iWatch rumours, stating “wearable technology is incredibly interesting.”
“It’s an area that’s ripe for exploration; it’s ripe for us to get excited about. Lots of companies will play in this space.”
Next, read our review of the Nike Plus FuelBand.
Via: Mashable
