Foldable electronic device

Abstract

To provide a foldable electronic device equipped with an electro-static discharge protection structure.SOLUTION: One end of a metal partition wall (3) is connected to a metal housing (1), and the other end of the metal partition wall (3) extends in a direction away from the metal housing (1) so as to form an end surface (31) at one end away from the metal housing (1). A screen module (4) is disposed on a side of the metal partition wall (3). A continuous conductive layer is disposed between an insulation frame (2) and the screen module (4). The insulation frame (2) includes a junction surface (221) facing the end surface of the metal partition wall (3). An insulation layer is disposed between the conductive layer and the end surface (31). The insulation layer may be broken by static electricity. An electro-static discharge protection structure prevents a problem of RSE possibly caused by poor grounding and further affecting antenna performance, and prevents secondary discharge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrostatic discharge protection technology, and particularly to electrostatic discharge protection structures and electronic devices.

Background Art

[0002] In electronic devices such as mobile phones, static electricity may be generated at the side edges of the screen module. When electrostatic discharge occurs, the mobile phone may frequently freeze, automatically power off, the image quality or volume may decrease, or the signal quality may become unstable. Therefore, electrostatic discharge (ESD) has become an important content for the quality control of electronic products. Compared with conventional screens, flexible screens are characterized by flexibility and foldability, and provide users with a new interaction mode based on foldability to meet more requirements of users for electronic devices. Since the flexible screen deforms when folded, the design of the electrostatic discharge protection structure located at the side edge of the screen module of the flexible screen faces more challenges.

[0003] Existing electrostatic discharge protection structures are used at the side edges of the screen modules of foldable flexible screens in the following two ways. In the first method, the electrostatic discharge protection structure is fixed to the metal housing of the electronic device with a conductive adhesive so as to discharge static electricity through grounding. In the second method, the electrostatic discharge protection structure discharges static electricity to the metal housing in the form of in-gap discharge.

[0004] However, the above two methods have the following problems. In the first method, an adhesive is applied to ensure the stability of the electrostatic discharge protection structure. As a result, the width of the black edge of the screen becomes wider. Furthermore, this grounding method may cause the risk of radiated spurious emission (RSE) to the antenna due to poor grounding, which may affect the antenna performance. In the second method, the gap between the electrostatic discharge protection structure and the metal housing is charged when the flexible screen is deformed during the folding process, and the charging of the gap may cause the risk of secondary discharge.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide an electrostatic discharge protection structure and an electronic device to prevent the risks of RSE and secondary discharge caused by poor grounding.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application provides an electrostatic discharge protection structure. One end of the metal partition is connected to the metal housing, and the other end of the metal partition extends in a direction away from the metal housing. An end face is formed at the end away from the metal housing. A screen module is disposed on the side of the metal partition. The insulating frame includes a first side edge, a connecting portion, and a second side edge. The first side edge is disposed on the side of the metal partition opposite to the screen module. The connecting portion is disposed at the end of the first side edge away from the metal housing. The connecting portion includes a joint surface attached to the end face and a first surface facing the screen module. An insulating layer is disposed between the joint surface and the end face. The second side edge is disposed on the side of the connecting portion facing the screen module. The second side edge includes a second surface facing the screen module. A continuous conductive layer is disposed on the joint surface, the first surface, and the second surface.

[0007] According to the electrostatic discharge protection structure provided in the present application, since the insulating layer is disposed between the bonding surface and the end surface without static electricity, DC insulation is implemented between the bonding surface and the end surface. This prevents the list of RSE caused by conventional poor grounding. When entering from the side edge of the screen module, static electricity is transmitted to the bonding surface through the continuous conductive layer disposed on the second surface, the first surface, and the bonding surface. Since static electricity has a high voltage, dielectric breakdown may be caused. Therefore, static electricity is transmitted to the metal housing through the metal partition and discharged by grounding.

[0008] In an implementation, the metal housing and the metal partition are integrally formed. In this way, in the process of manufacturing the electronic device, the metal housing and the metal partition may be integrally cast to simplify the manufacturing process. Further, since the metal housing and the metal partition are integrally cast and firmly connected, when static electricity is conducted, the static electricity can be directly transmitted to the metal housing through the metal partition and discharged by grounding, so the grounding effect is good.

[0009] In an implementation, the insulating frame includes a plastic boundary frame. In this way, in the process of manufacturing the electronic device, signal defects caused by the metal boundary frame can be prevented. Plastic as a stable insulating material can reduce the influence on the antenna performance.

[0010] In an implementation, the screen module includes a display surface and a back surface disposed on the opposite side of the display surface. The insulating frame is disposed on the outer periphery of the screen module. The metal housing is disposed on the back side. According to this implementation, the positions of the screen module, the insulating frame, and the metal housing are specifically limited to ensure that the technical solution shown in the present application is appropriate for the electronic device arranged in the said arrangement pattern.

[0011] In implementation, the insulating layer is a metal anodic oxide layer disposed on the surface of the metal partition. After the surface anodization treatment is performed on the metal material, the corrosion resistance, hardness, wear resistance, insulation, and heat resistance of the metal anodic oxide layer are significantly improved. When the insulating layer of the metal partition is made of the metal anodic oxide layer, DC insulation can be ensured.

[0012] In implementation, the metal anodic oxide layer includes an aluminum anodic oxide layer. When the anodization treatment is performed, the performance of aluminum is excellent. By subjecting the aluminum anodic oxide layer to anodization treatment and sealing treatment of aluminum with hot water, high-temperature water vapor, or nickel salt, the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the aluminum anodic oxide layer can be further improved.

[0013] In implementation, the conductive layer includes at least any one of the following materials: conductive silver paste, conductive copper sheet, conductive graphite, and conductive cloth. In this way, based on the specific arrangement of the electrostatic discharge protection structure, a plurality of materials may be selected as the material of the conductive layer.

[0014] In implementation, the first side edge further includes a third surface. The third surface is disposed on the side of the first side edge facing the metal housing. There is a gap between the third surface and the metal housing. In implementation, the insulating layer is disposed between the first side edge and the metal partition, and the metal partition serves as a clamping function. Therefore, the third surface does not need to be closely attached to the metal housing, the insulating frame and the metal housing do not need to be fixed with an adhesive, and DC insulation is implemented when the metal partition is clamped. This prevents an increase in the width of the black edge of the screen caused by fixing the insulating frame to the metal housing with a conductive adhesive, and also prevents the influence on the antenna performance caused by the RSE risk of the antenna due to poor grounding of the conductive adhesive.

[0015] In implementation, an antenna area is arranged on the side of the insulating frame opposite to the screen module. Due to the requirements for signal strength, the antenna is usually arranged near the boundary frame. The antenna area is arranged on the side of the insulating frame, thereby reducing the influence on signal transmission.

[0016] In implementation, the electrostatic discharge protection structure is used in a foldable electronic device. Since the foldable electronic device deforms during the folding process, the risks of RSE and secondary discharge caused by poor grounding cannot be prevented by current technical solutions. The electrostatic discharge protection structure provided in this implementation is suitable for foldable electronic devices, so it can prevent the risks of RSE and secondary discharge caused by poor grounding.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes an electrostatic discharge protection structure according to any one of the first aspect and the implementation of the first aspect.

[0018] According to the electronic device provided in the present application, since the insulating layer is arranged on the end face of the metal partition, DC insulation is implemented between the joint surface and the end face. This prevents the RSE caused by conventional poor grounding. When static electricity enters from the side edge of the screen module, the static electricity is transmitted to the joint surface through the continuous conductive layers arranged on the second surface, the first surface, and the joint surface. Since static electricity has a high voltage, dielectric breakdown may be caused. Therefore, the static electricity is transmitted to the metal housing through the metal partition and discharged by grounding.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Compared with the conventional screen, the flexible screen is characterized by strong flexibility and foldability, and provides a new interaction mode based on foldability for users to meet more requirements of users for electronic devices. Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) is a display technology. The AMOLED flexible screen has the characteristics of a wide display color range, low power consumption, and good flexibility. Existing foldable electronic devices (such as foldable mobile phones) usually use the AMOLED flexible screen as a display.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the assembly scenario of the screen module according to the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, a foldable mobile phone is used as an example. First, the screen module 4 is assembled in the metal housing 1 and clamped to the metal partition 3 connected to the metal housing 1 via the boundary frame 2, whereby the screen module 4 is buckled to the metal housing 1 via the boundary frame 2. Further, the boundary frame 2 can also cover the gap formed between the screen module 4 and the metal housing 1.

[0022] Currently, the antenna of an electronic device is usually designed on the side edge of the screen module. To ensure that the signal radiation intensity is the same in all 360° directions in the cross-section of the antenna and achieve the best communication effect, a sufficiently large space (e.g., clearance area) around the antenna of the electronic device should be provided without shielding and interference. Since metal causes significant interference to the antenna, in the assembly scenario of the screen module shown in FIG. 1, the boundary frame is usually an insulating frame.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an assembly of a screen module according to the present application. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a specific layout pattern of an assembly of a screen module according to the present application. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when divided along the dotted line in FIG. 2, one end of the metal partition 3 is connected to the metal housing 1, and the other end of the metal partition 3 extends in a direction away from the metal housing 1. An end face 31 is formed at one end away from the metal housing 1. The screen module 4 is disposed on the side of the metal partition 3. The edge of the insulating frame 2 is used as an example. The insulating frame 2 includes a first side edge 21, a connecting portion 22, and a second side edge 23. The first side edge 21 is disposed on the side of the metal partition 3 opposite to the screen module 4. The connecting portion 22 is disposed at one end of the first side edge 21 away from the metal housing 1. The connecting portion 22 includes a joint surface 221 facing the metal housing 1 and a first surface 222 facing the screen module 4. The second side edge 23 is disposed on the side of the connecting portion 22 facing the screen module 4. The second side edge 23 includes a second surface 231 facing the screen module 4. A continuous conductive layer is disposed on the joint surface 221, the first surface 222, and the second surface 231. The first side edge 21 is configured to be clamped in a groove formed by the metal partition 3 and the metal housing 1. The connecting portion 22 includes the joint surface 221. The joint surface 221 is connected to the end face 31 so as to conduct static electricity. The second side edge 23 is configured to fix the screen module 4. As shown in the dashed box in FIG. 3, an electrostatic sensing area is disposed on the side of the side edge of the screen module, and it should be noted that static electricity can easily enter along the side edge of the screen module.

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram of the folding scenario of the screen module according to the present application. An AMOLED flexible screen is used as an example. Since the AMOLED flexible screen is formed by packaging a polymer substrate and a series of organic films, the AMOLED flexible screen is essentially a multi-layer structure. When the screen module is folded, the screen module is deformed as shown in Figure 4 due to the specific thickness of the screen module. Since the polymer substrate layer of the screen module is folded at the outermost layer, this layer is slightly deformed. As the thickness increases, the organic film layer away from the folding position gradually deforms greatly.

[0025] There is static electricity at the side edge of the screen module. In the AMOLED flexible screen, the AMOLED flexible screen is formed by packaging a polymer substrate and a series of organic films. As shown in the dashed box in Figure 4, since an electrostatic sensing area is arranged on the side of the side edge of the screen module of the AMOLED flexible screen, static electricity is likely to be generated, easily enters along the side edge of the screen module, and then is transmitted to other areas through the conductive layer. Static electricity is characterized by long-term accumulation, high voltage, low battery level, small current, and short action events. When electrostatic discharge occurs, the mobile phone may frequently freeze, automatically turn off, the image quality and volume may decrease, and the signal quality may become unstable. Therefore, ESD has become an important content for the quality control of electronic products. ESD certification is to be carried out in the process of putting electronic devices into the market. Therefore, electrostatic discharge protection is important for electronic devices. Existing strategies for solving static electricity are insulation or grounding.

[0026] In a foldable electronic device, the screen module deforms when folded. Therefore, relative slippage occurs between the insulating frame used to cover the gap formed between the screen module and the metal housing and the screen module, and insulation may not be achievable by adhesion using conventional hot melt adhesives, back adhesives, etc., and the screen module is liable to be damaged. Accordingly, in a foldable electronic device, electrostatic discharge protection is usually implemented by grounding.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrostatic discharge protection structure according to the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the first side edge 21 includes a third surface 211 facing the side surface of the metal housing 1 and a fourth surface 212 facing the side surface of the screen module. A continuous conductive layer is disposed on the second surface 231, the first surface 222, the bonding surface 221, and the fourth surface 212. A conductive adhesive is disposed between the third surface 211 and the metal housing 1, and the conductive layer is connected to the metal housing 1 by the conductive adhesive. When electrostatic charges enter from the side edge of the screen module, they are guided to the conductive adhesive along the conductive layer, then guided to the metal housing 1 by the conductive adhesive, and finally discharged to the ground. Accordingly, in the process of manufacturing the electrostatic discharge protection structure, the conductive adhesive is applied to the bottom of the groove formed by the metal partition 3 and the metal housing 1. The existing manufacturing process does not guarantee the uniformity and tightness of the application. In order to ensure the performance and adhesion degree of the conductive adhesive, when the adhesive is applied to a groove having a specific depth, the amount of the conductive adhesive may widen the width of the black edge of the screen. This affects the competitiveness of the product in terms of appearance. Further, since the antenna area is disposed on the side of the insulating frame 2 opposite to the screen module 4, the antenna is disposed as far as possible from the components causing interference to prevent harmonic interference caused by the components to the antenna. According to the electrostatic discharge protection structure shown in FIG. 5, since the antenna area is close to the grounding positions of the conductive layer and the conductive adhesive, the RSE risk is liable to occur due to poor grounding.

[0028] The internal-gap discharge includes two electrodes. One electrode is fixed to an insulator, and the other electrode is connected to a grounding device through an auxiliary gap, and a specific gap distance is maintained between the two electrodes. When an instantaneous overvoltage occurs, the gap is broken, and part of the overvoltage charge flows into the ground. This prevents the voltage of the protected device from rising. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another electrostatic discharge protection structure. The static electricity discharges through the gap. As shown in FIG. 6, the continuous conductive layer is disposed on the second surface 231, the first surface 222, the bonding surface 221, and the fourth surface 212. The conductive layer disposed on the fourth surface 212 extends from one end of the first side edge 21 away from the metal housing 1 to the middle position of the first side edge 21 and corresponds to the electrode fixed to the insulator. A specified gap distance is maintained between the conductive layer on the fourth surface 212 and the metal partition 3 for internal-gap discharge. The metal partition 3 and the metal housing 1 are connected and grounded to discharge static electricity. The metal partition 3 corresponds to the electrode connected to the grounding device through the auxiliary gap. When static electricity enters from the side edge of the screen module 4, the static electricity charge is guided along the conductive layer to break the gap, guided through the metal partition 3 to the metal housing 1, and discharged by grounding.

[0029] Secondary discharge means abnormal discharge on the processed surface due to the presence of pitting corrosion products or the like. Arcing sparks occur during this abnormal discharge. Such secondary discharge in electronic devices may cause problems such as freezing of mobile phones and degradation of call quality. When providing a conductive layer, existing conductive layer mounting technologies are not advanced. As an example of a conductive copper sheet, in the electrostatic discharge protection structure shown in FIG. 6, the conductive layer on the fourth surface 212 extends from one end of the first side edge 21 away from the metal housing 1 to an intermediate position of the fourth surface 212. A specific gap should be arranged between the conductive layer and the metal partition 3. When the conductive layer is made of a conductive copper sheet, due to the limitations of the mounting technology, the conductive copper sheet is not fixed at the intermediate position and is prone to curling. When the electrostatic discharge protection structure is arranged in a foldable electronic device, the screen module 4 deforms during the folding process of the electronic device. Therefore, the gap distance between the conductive layer and the metal partition 3 changes due to folding, and the curled conductive copper sheet is likely to come into contact with the metal partition 3, resulting in secondary discharge.

[0030] To solve the problems in the prior art, this embodiment of the present application describes an electrostatic discharge protection structure. According to the electrostatic discharge protection structure, the static electricity at the side edge of the screen module 4 is effectively discharged, electrostatic discharge protection is effectively provided for each side edge of the screen module 4, antenna performance is ensured, and the risks of RSE and secondary discharge caused by poor grounding in the prior art are prevented.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an electrostatic discharge protection structure according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the electrostatic discharge protection structure provided in this embodiment of the present application includes a metal housing 1, an insulating frame 2, and a metal partition 3. One end of the metal partition 3 is connected to the metal housing 1, and the other end of the metal partition 3 extends in a direction away from the metal housing 1. An end face 31 is formed at one end away from the metal housing 1. The screen module 4 is disposed on the side of the metal partition 3. The insulating frame 2 includes a first side edge 21, a connecting portion 22, and a second side edge 23. The first side edge 21 is disposed on the side of the metal partition 3 opposite to the screen module 4. An insulating layer is disposed between the first side edge 21 and the metal partition 3. The connecting portion 22 is disposed at one end of the first side edge 21 away from the metal housing 1. The connecting portion 22 includes a joint surface 221 attached to the end face 31 and a first surface 222 facing the screen module 4. An insulating layer is disposed between the joint surface 221 and the end face 31, and an insulating layer is disposed between the metal partition 3 and the screen module 4. The second side edge 23 is disposed on the side of the connecting portion 22 facing the screen module 4. The second side edge 23 includes a second surface 231 facing the screen module. Since an insulating layer is disposed on the end face 31 of the metal partition 3 where a continuous conductive layer is disposed on the joint surface 221, the first surface 222, and the second surface 231, DC insulation is implemented between the joint surface 221 and the end face 31. This prevents the RSE risk caused by conventional poor grounding. When electrostatic enters from the side edge of the screen module 4, the static electricity is guided to the joint surface 221 through the continuous conductive layer disposed on the second surface 231, the first surface 222, and the joint surface 221, and the joint surface 221 is closely attached to the end face 31. Since the static electricity has a high voltage, dielectric breakdown may be caused, and the insulating layer of the end face 31 is broken. Therefore, the static electricity is guided to the metal housing 1 through the metal partition 3 and discharged by grounding.

[0032] In implementation, the metal partition 3 is perpendicular to the metal housing 1. The metal partition 3 includes, but is not limited to, a non-hollow cube or a hollow cube. When the metal partition 3 is a non-hollow cube, the manufacturing process is simple, the metal partition is easily cast, and is electrically conductive throughout. When the metal partition 3 is a hollow cube, a part of the material is cut away during the manufacturing process, which facilitates the heat dissipation of the screen module 4. The first side edge 21 and the second side edge 23 are arranged vertically in an L shape, and the connection part 22 is arranged at the corner of the L shape. The first surface 222 and the side edge of the metal partition 3 facing the side of the screen module 4 are located on the same plane. The metal housing 1, the metal partition 3, the first surface 222, and the second surface 231 form a space for accommodating the screen module 4. The side edge of the metal partition 3 opposite to the screen module 4 and the metal housing 1 form a rectangular groove, and the rectangular groove is clamped to the first side edge 21.

[0033] In implementation, the metal housing and the metal partition are integrally formed. In this way, during the process of manufacturing the electronic device, the metal housing and the metal partition may be integrally cast to simplify the manufacturing process. Further, since the metal housing and the metal partition are integrally cast and firmly connected, when static electricity is conducted, the static electricity can be directly transmitted from the metal partition to the metal housing through the metal partition and discharged by grounding, so the grounding effect is good.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement pattern of a screen module according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, in implementation, the screen module 4 includes a display surface 41 and a back surface 42 disposed on the opposite side of the display surface 41. The insulating frame 2 is disposed on the outer periphery of the screen module 4. The metal housing 1 is disposed on the side of the back surface 42. According to this implementation, the positions of the screen module 4, the insulating frame 2, and the metal housing 1 are specifically limited so as to ensure that the technical solution shown in the present application is appropriate for the electronic device arranged in this arrangement pattern. Since the AMOLED flexible screen is formed by packaging a polymer substrate and a series of organic films, the AMOLED flexible screen is essentially a multilayer structure.

[0035] In implementation, the metal housing 1 is a metal middle frame. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a metal middle frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the metal middle frame generally includes a middle plate 11 and a metal boundary frame 12 surrounding the edge of the middle plate 11. The metal middle frame may be regarded as a support structure of the electronic device. Components in the electronic device, such as a main board, a camera, a speaker, a battery, and a receiver, can be fixed to the metal middle frame. The metal partition 3 on the metal middle frame may be configured to fix the screen module. The groove formed by the metal middle frame and the metal partition 3 is configured to be clamped by the insulating frame 2. This enables the screen module 4 to be buckled to the metal middle frame via the insulating frame 2 and cover the gap between the screen module 4 and the metal middle frame.

[0036] In implementation, the metal housing 1 is configured to implement grounding. When the metal housing 1 is a metal middle frame, the metal middle frame can be grounded to achieve the purpose of discharging static electricity.

[0037] In implementation, the insulating frame 2 includes a plastic boundary frame. During the manufacturing process of the electronic device, signal defects caused by the metal boundary frame can be prevented. Plastic, as a stable insulating material, can reduce the impact on the antenna performance. The insulating material of the insulating frame 2 shown in this application includes but is not limited to plastic, and other insulating materials such as plastic may also be used.

[0038] In implementation, the insulating layer is a metal anodic oxide layer disposed on the surface of the metal partition 3. After the surface anodization treatment is performed on the metal material, the corrosion resistance, hardness, wear resistance, insulation, and heat resistance of the metal anodic oxide layer are greatly improved. When the insulating layer of the metal partition is made of the metal anodic oxide layer, the DC insulation can be improved. Under the condition of no static electricity, since the metal anodic oxide layer is disposed outside the metal partition 3, the insulation performance is good. Therefore, in a normal environment, the metal partition is in a DC insulation state, the charge is not conducted, and the influence on the antenna area is small. When static electricity enters along the side edge of the screen, since the static electricity has a high voltage, insulation breakdown may be caused. The conductive layer conducts the static electricity to the metal partition through the joint surface, and then is grounded through the metal housing.

[0039] In implementation, the metal anodic oxide layer includes an aluminum anodic oxide layer. When the anodization treatment is performed, the performance of aluminum is excellent. By subjecting the aluminum anodic oxide layer to anodization treatment and sealing treatment of the aluminum anodic oxide layer with hot water, high-temperature steam, or nickel salt, the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the aluminum anodic oxide layer can be further improved.

[0040] In implementation, the conductive layer includes at least any one of the following materials: conductive silver paste, conductive copper sheet, conductive graphite, and conductive cloth. In this way, based on the specific arrangement of the electrostatic discharge protection structure, a plurality of materials may be selected as the material of the conductive layer. Since the conductive layer shown in the embodiment of the present application is arranged only on the joint surface 221, the first surface 222, and the second surface 231, the conductive layer shown in the present application is arranged more simply, and the tolerance of the gap between the insulating frame 2 and the metal partition 3 can be reduced. That is, the installation error of the conductive layer is not considered. Taking the copper sheet as an example, when the conductive layer of the present application is made of a conductive copper sheet, compared with the electrostatic discharge protection structure shown in FIG. 7, the difficulty of installing the conductive copper sheet is reduced, and when the screen module is folded, the risk that the screen module is damaged due to the curled conductive copper sheet damaging the screen module can be prevented.

[0041] In implementation, the first side edge 21 further includes a third surface 211. The third surface 211 is disposed on the side of the first side edge 21 facing the metal housing 1. There is a gap between the third surface 211 and the metal housing 1. An insulating layer is disposed between the first side edge 21 and the metal partition 3, and the metal partition 3 serves a clamping role. Therefore, the third surface 211 does not need to be closely attached to the metal housing 1 and fixed with an adhesive, and DC insulation is implemented when the metal partition 3 is clamped. This prevents an increase in the width of the black edge of the screen caused by fixing the metal housing with a conductive adhesive, and also prevents the RSE risk of the antenna due to poor grounding. The gap between the third surface 211 and the metal housing 1 may be used to control the closeness of the attachment of the joint surface 221 to the end surface 31, and then to control the effect of breaking the insulating layer by static electricity. It should be noted that the insulating frame 2 is generally made of a deformable material. Therefore, when the first side edge 21 is clamped to the metal partition 3 and the gap is small, the joint surface 221 is closely attached to the end surface 31. When the first side edge 21 is clamped to the metal partition 3 and the gap is large, there is a small gap between the joint surface 221 and the end surface 31, and static electricity is transmitted across the small gap.

[0042] In implementation, on the side of the insulating frame 2 opposite to the screen module, an antenna area is disposed. Due to the requirement for signal strength, the antenna is usually disposed near the boundary frame. The antenna area is disposed on the side of the insulating frame, whereby the influence on signal transmission is reduced.

[0043] In implementation, the electrostatic discharge protection structure is used in a foldable electronic device. Since the foldable electronic device deforms during the folding process, the risks of RSE and secondary discharge caused by poor grounding cannot be prevented by current technical solutions.

[0044] Embodiments of the present application further provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes the electrostatic discharge protection structure provided in the above embodiments. The electronic device may include, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, a workstation device, a large-screen device (such as a smart screen and an intelligent television), a portable game console, a home game console, a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, a mixed reality device, an intelligent vehicle terminal, an autonomous vehicle, customer-premises equipment (CPE), and the like.

[0045] According to the electronic device provided in the present application, since the insulating layer is disposed on the end surface of the metal partition, DC insulation is implemented between the joint surface and the end surface. This prevents RSE caused by conventional poor grounding. When the static electricity enters from the side edge of the screen module, the static electricity is transmitted to the joint surface through the continuous conductive layers disposed on the second surface, the first surface, and the joint surface. Since the static electricity has a high voltage, dielectric breakdown may be caused. Therefore, the static electricity is transmitted to the metal housing through the metal partition and discharged by grounding.

[0046] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110993811.6, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 27, 2021, with the title of the invention being "ELECTRO-STATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION STRUCTURE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE", and the entire text of the previous Chinese patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A folding electronic device having a metal housing, an insulating frame, a metal partition, and a screen module, one end of the metal partition is connected to the metal housing, and the other end of the metal partition extends in a direction away from the metal housing so as to form an end face at one end away from the metal housing, and the screen module is disposed on the side of the metal partition, the insulating frame has a first portion located on the screen module and a second portion located on the metal partition, and a continuous conductive layer is disposed between the first portion of the insulating frame and the screen module, and the conductive layer extends from above the screen module to a position between the metal partition and the second portion of the insulating frame, the second portion of the insulating frame has a joint surface facing the end face of the metal partition, an insulating layer is disposed between the joint surface and the end face, the insulating layer is disposed between the conductive layer and the end face, and DC insulation is implemented between the joint surface and the end face according to the insulating layer, A folding electronic device.

2. The joint surface and the end face are arranged opposite to each other, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

3. The metal housing and the metal partition are integrally formed, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

4. The insulating frame has a plastic frame, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

5. The screen module has a display surface and a back surface disposed on the opposite side of the display surface, the insulating frame is disposed on the outer periphery of the screen module, the metal housing is disposed on the side of the back surface, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

6. The insulating layer is a metal anodic oxide layer disposed on the surface of the metal partition, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

7. The metal anodic oxide layer has an aluminum anodic oxide layer, The folding electronic device according to Claim 6.

8. The conductive layer has at least one of the following materials: conductive silver paste, conductive copper sheet, conductive graphite, and conductive cloth, The folding electronic device according to Claim 1.

9. The insulating frame further has a third portion, the third portion is disposed on the side of the metal partition away from the screen module, and there is a gap between the third portion and the metal housing, The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

10. The insulating frame further has a third portion, the third portion is disposed on a side of the metal partition wall away from the screen module, and the third portion has a third surface. The third surface is a surface of the insulating frame facing the metal housing. There is a gap between the third surface and the metal housing. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

11. An antenna area is disposed on a side of the insulating frame opposite to the screen module. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

12. The insulating layer is configured to be destroyed by electricity. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

13. The metal housing, the insulating frame, the metal partition wall, and the continuous conductive layer are disposed at an edge of the screen module of the foldable electronic device. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

14. The metal housing, the insulating frame, the metal partition wall, and the continuous conductive layer are each configured to have a plurality of them. The foldable electronic device according to claim 1.

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