Apple researching ‘implantable feet’ to improve MacBook Pro cooling

Apple is researching the use of “implantable feet” on the MacBook Pro to assist in cooling, according to a recently published patent application.

The patent application, first identified by Patently Apple, is entitled “Implantable feet for screen articulation and thermal performance” and describes how a MacBook Pro can have feet that move to lift the back of the device. Apple’s detachable feet can extend at least 3.8 millimeters, significantly increasing the airflow under the machine.

The process explains how, in one embodiment, the MacBook Pro screen hinge can be attached to the folding feet, so that the feet fold out in relation to the mechanical movement of the cover.

In other modalities, the feet can be implanted by means of a gear train, pneumatic, electromechanical or simply launched manually by a user. The document also suggests that the entire base of a MacBook Pro can expand, rather than individual feet.

The patent application explains that implantable feet can be an “efficient means of cooling the device” without taking up internal space with large components, such as fans, ensuring that the MacBook remains “thin and light while including several features high performance. “

As the number and performance of internal components increases, so do the thermal and other demands of the electronic device. Thus, there is a demand for efficient use of space within an electronic device and efficient means of cooling the device. Therefore, it may be desirable for an electronic device to include implantable features that can increase the clearance of the base portion and also improve the efficiency of the internal volume of the base portion, while maintaining a portable and elegant shape.

In a modality in which the implantable section is larger, the patent states that “the implantable feature can at least partially define ventilation when implanted”, potentially adding dedicated ventilation, as well as increasing the natural air flow under the device.

In addition, Apple explains how the implantable feet fit into the Mac’s software. When in an implanted position, the Mac’s processor can get hotter for better performance due to increased airflow. On Macs that have a fan, as well as implantable feet, the fan speed would be “at least partially” determined based on the extent of the implantation.

The electronic device may include a sensor that detects at least one of a temperature or processing speed of the electronic device and provides the signal in response to the detection. The electronic device may further include a ventilator, in which the speed of the ventilator is at least partially based on a state of the implantable resource.

The process also addresses the potential wasted space inside a MacBook that implantable feet can cause. He proposes that, when in the implanted position, the internal space used to store the feet can be reused to be “usable by an antenna or a speaker.”

The design has the added advantage of giving the display hinge more space to rotate, in addition to improving the angle of the device for typing and increasing the height of the screen for greater comfort.

While Apple’s patent applications cannot be taken as reliable evidence of what the company intends to add to its devices, there may be good reason to suggest that a feature such as implantable feet could be implemented on MacBooks at some point in the future.

Apple is demonstrably interested in passive cooling. The company explored passively cooled laptops, starting with the 12-inch MacBook in 2015 and, more recently, with the latest MacBook Air, which has no fan or ventilation in its cooling base. In addition, as the internal components of MacBooks are becoming more compact with the advent of Apple’s silicon, along with longer battery life, it is more likely that implantable feet can be justified on a future Mac laptop.

Apple is believed to be working on custom high-performance silicon processors for future MacBook Pro models. Unlike the M1 chip, which generally works great and powers Apple’s basic Macs, the next generation of Apple silicon that should arrive at the MacBook Pro it will probably have much more stringent thermal requirements.

Implantable feet can be a way in which Apple can improve the thermals of its passively cooled MacBooks, as well as allow even greater performance on its Pro Cooling machines at some point in the future.