JP2008209695A - Electrophoresis display device and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophoresis display device which has excellent display performance at the peripheral edge part of an electrophoresis display layer. <P>SOLUTION: In manufacturing the electrophoresis display device, an adhesive is applied on the peripheral surface of a front side electrode substrate 13 and the peripheral surface of a back side electrode substrate 12 laminated while interposing an electrophoretic display layer 14 between them and is cured to thereby form a space holding section 25. The space holding section 25 is joined to the peripheral surface of the back side electrode substrate 12 and the peripheral surface of the front side electrode substrate 13 to suppress the compressive deformation due to external force of the peripheral edge part of the electrophoretic display layer 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display layer used for monitors of various information display devices such as electronic paper, electronic books, and electronic notebooks, and various devices such as video devices and videophones, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Conventionally, as this type of electrophoretic display device, for example, as shown in FIG.
A large number of microcapsules 56 are fixed by a binder 57 between a back-side electrode substrate 52 having a pixel electrode wiring layer 51 formed thereon and a front-side electrode substrate 55 having a transparent common electrode 54 formed on a transparent substrate 53. In addition, there is one in which an electrophoretic display layer 58 is formed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
The microcapsule 56 encloses an electrophoretic dispersion liquid in which electrophoretic particles (not shown) are dispersed in an electrophoretic dispersion medium. The electrophoretic particles move to the transparent common electrode 54 side or the pixel electrode side according to the direction of the electric field generated by the voltage applied between the transparent common electrode 54 and each pixel electrode in the pixel electrode wiring layer 51. To do. And depending on the movement position of the electrophoretic particles,
The color in the area corresponding to the pixel electrode is displayed.

Manufacturing the display device includes the following steps. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the back-side electrode substrate 52 and the front-side electrode substrate 55 are pressed and heated in a state of being laminated with the electrophoretic display layer 58 interposed therebetween, and are joined and integrated to form the display element 59. Become. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a waterproof film 60 is attached to the display element 59 by pressure and heating and sealed.
JP 2006-227418 A (pages 4-8, FIGS. 1 and 2)

By the way, when the back-side electrode substrate 52 and the front-side electrode substrate 55 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 58 interposed therebetween are pressurized and heated, the pressure applied to the electrophoretic display layer 58 (stacking direction) is closer to the peripheral side. growing. This is because the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 52 and 55 are not supported by the electrophoretic display layer 58 on the outer periphery thereof, and thus are easily bent. For this reason, the microcapsules 56 are easily compressed and deformed at the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 58, and it is difficult to set pressure and heating conditions. That is, if the applied pressure is too weak, both electrode substrates 5
2, 55 and the bonding strength of the electrophoretic display layer 58 are insufficient. On the contrary, if the applied pressure is too strong, the microcapsule 56 is excessively deformed or damaged at the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 58, and as a result, the display at the peripheral portion of the display element 59 is displayed. Performance may be reduced.

For the same reason, the waterproof film 60 is formed on both outer surfaces of the manufactured display element 59.
Even when affixing is applied, it is difficult to properly set the pressing force. If the pressing force is too strong, the display performance of the peripheral portion of the display element 59 may deteriorate.

The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophoretic display device in which the display performance of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer is unlikely to deteriorate, and a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display device suitable for production thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an electrophoretic display layer using electrophoretic particles and an electrophoretic dispersion medium is provided between a first electrode substrate and a second electrode substrate which are arranged to face each other. In the electrophoretic display device, a deformation suppressing unit that suppresses compressive deformation of a peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to an external force is provided.

According to this configuration, when the electrophoretic display device is manufactured, the external force applied in the stacking direction when the first and second electrode substrates stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween are pressed in the stacking direction. Compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to is suppressed by the deformation suppressing unit. For this reason, the structure of the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is not easily damaged, and the display performance at the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is hardly deteriorated.

In the invention, the deformation suppressing portion is provided between the peripheral portions of the two electrode substrates in a state where the deformation suppressing portion is bonded to the peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral portion of the second electrode substrate. It is a space | interval holding | maintenance part which suppresses the approach of the peripheral parts of a board | substrate, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to this configuration, the gap holding portions provided between the peripheral portions of the two electrode substrates in a state of being joined to the peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral portion of the second electrode substrate, respectively. Access between the peripheral portions is restricted, and as a result, compression deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer is suppressed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the interval holding part is joined to the peripheral surface of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral surface of the second electrode substrate.
According to this configuration, the shape and area of both electrode substrates are the same, and the configuration can be applied to a configuration in which the positions of the peripheral surfaces of both electrode substrates are matched, so that the display device does not increase in size with respect to the actual display area. Can be.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the interval holding portion is joined to the inner peripheral surface of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral surface of the second electrode substrate.
According to this configuration, since the external force applied to the both electrode substrates in the stacking direction can be received by the inner peripheral surface of the first electrode substrate, the joint between the first electrode substrate and the interval holding unit is damaged. As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the interval holding part is transparent.
According to this configuration, since the color of the reinforcing portion does not enter the display color of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer, the effective display area of the electrophoretic display layer is not easily restricted. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the size of the electrophoretic display device.

In addition, the present invention includes a waterproof member joined to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the second electrode substrate, and a peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the waterproof member around the electrophoretic display layer It is characterized by having joined the peripheral part of.

According to this configuration, in the configuration in which the waterproof member is provided on one side of the display device, the outer shape with respect to the actual display area can be reduced. That is, in the case where the reinforcing portion is not provided, in order to suppress the compressive deformation of the peripheral edge due to an external force applied to the peripheral edge of the electrophoretic display layer during manufacturing, the first electrode substrate and the first waterproof member It was necessary to project the peripheral edge from the peripheral edge of the electrophoretic display layer to the outer periphery. On the other hand, according to the structure provided with the reinforcing portion, the size of the peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the first waterproof member that protrudes from the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer to the outer periphery can be reduced.

Further, the present invention provides a first bonded to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the first electrode substrate.
A waterproof member and a second waterproof member joined to the outer surface of the second electrode substrate so as to cover the entire outer surface of the second electrode substrate, and a peripheral portion of the first waterproof member and the first member around the electrophoretic display layer. 2 The peripheral part of the waterproof member is joined.

According to this configuration, the outer shape with respect to the actual display area can be reduced in the configuration in which the waterproof member is provided on both sides of the display device. That is, in the case where the reinforcing portion is not provided, in order to suppress compressive deformation of the peripheral edge portion due to an external force applied to the peripheral edge portion of the electrophoretic display layer during manufacturing, the first waterproof member and the second waterproof member It was necessary to project the peripheral edge from the peripheral edge of the electrophoretic display layer to the outer periphery. On the other hand, according to the structure which provided the reinforcement part, the magnitude | size of the peripheral part of the 1st waterproof member and the 2nd waterproof member made to protrude from the peripheral part of an electrophoretic display layer to an outer periphery can be made small.

Further, the present invention provides the shape holding unit, wherein the deformation suppressing unit is provided on the peripheral surface so as to surround the entire peripheral surface of the electrophoretic display layer and restricts deformation to the outer periphery of the electrophoretic display layer. It is characterized by being.

According to this configuration, deformation to the outer periphery of the electrophoretic display layer is restricted by the shape holding portion provided on the peripheral surface so as to surround the entire peripheral surface of the electrophoretic display layer. Compression deformation of the electrophoretic display layer is suppressed. For this reason, the structure of the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is not easily damaged, and the display performance at the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is hardly deteriorated.

Further, according to the present invention, an electrophoretic display layer using an electrophoretic particle and an electrophoretic dispersion medium is sandwiched between a first electrode substrate and a second electrode substrate which are arranged to face each other, and the electrophoretic display layer is sandwiched therebetween. In the method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device in which the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate are bonded in a pressurized state, after the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate are stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween, A deformation suppressing portion that suppresses compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to an external force is formed, and then the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween are pressed and bonded. It is characterized by doing.

According to this configuration, when the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween are pressed in the stacking direction, the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to the external force applied in the stacking direction The compression deformation is suppressed by the deformation suppressing unit. For this reason, the structure of the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is not easily damaged, and the display performance at the peripheral part of the electrophoretic display layer is hardly deteriorated.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophoretic display device (hereinafter simply referred to as a display device) 10 includes a flat display element 11, and the display element 11 includes a back-side electrode substrate 12 and a back-side electrode substrate 12.
The front side electrode substrate 13 and the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 which are disposed opposite to each other.
And the electrophoretic display layer 14 disposed between the two.

The back-side electrode substrate 12 includes a flexible back substrate 15, and a pixel electrode wiring layer 16 is formed on one surface (the top surface in FIG. 1). The back substrate 15 is formed of a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin material excellent in flexibility, elasticity, etc., for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylene or the like. The pixel electrode wiring layer 16 is formed from a copper foil pattern.

The front-side electrode substrate 13 includes a transparent substrate 17 having flexibility, and a transparent common electrode layer 18 is formed on one surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1). The transparent substrate 17 is a thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin material excellent in transparency, flexibility, etc., such as polyethylene terephthalate,
It is made of polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylene or the like. The transparent common electrode layer 18 is made of indium tin oxide, an electronically conductive polymer such as polyaniline, or the like.

The electrophoretic display layer 14 includes a large number of microcapsules 20 integrated by a binder 19. The microcapsule 20 encloses an electrophoretic dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles. The electrophoretic particles migrate in the electrophoretic dispersion medium according to the direction of the electric field applied to the microcapsule 20. The microcapsules 20 are made of, for example, gum arabic / gelatin compounds, urethane compounds, or the like. The electrophoretic dispersion medium is
For example, it consists of water, methanol, ethanol and the like. The electrophoretic particles are formed of, for example, aniline black, carbon black, titanium dioxide, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display element 11 is provided with an interval holding portion 25 as a deformation suppressing portion formed in an annular shape along the entire peripheral surface on the same peripheral surface. The interval holding unit 25 is
It is formed between both electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being bonded to the peripheral surface 12a of the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the peripheral surface 13a of the front-side electrode substrate 13, respectively. The interval holding unit 25 is provided with the display element 11.
The rigidity and toughness of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 are prevented from approaching each other by the external force applied in the stacking direction applied to the peripheral edge of each of the electrodes. And the space | interval holding | maintenance part 25 is
By suppressing the proximity of the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13, it has the effect of suppressing the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14. The interval holding unit 25 covers the peripheral surface 14 a of the electrophoretic display layer 14.

The space | interval holding | maintenance part 25 is formed with the material and form which do not impair easily the bendability of the display element 11. FIG. Examples of the material for the interval holding unit 25 include an anaerobic curable adhesive, a photo curable adhesive, and a thermosetting adhesive. Specifically, for example, an epoxy resin adhesive using a polyester polyol, a modified silicone polymer, and a modified polysulfide polymer. An elastic adhesive mainly composed of a system is preferred. Moreover, it is preferable that the material of the space | interval holding | maintenance part 25 is transparent in a hardening state so that the display performance of the display apparatus 10 may not be reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the display element 11 includes a protective film 26 a serving as a first waterproof member joined to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the back-side electrode substrate 12, and a front-side electrode substrate 13. Protective film 2 as a second waterproof member joined to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface
6b. The protective films 26a and 26b are composed of, for example, a polymer resin film layer disposed on the outer side and an inorganic material barrier layer disposed on the inner side thereof, and prevent moisture from entering the display element 11 from the outside. It has become. The polymer resin film layer is made of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like.
The inorganic material barrier layer is made of, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide, or the like. The upper and lower protective films 26a and 26b are attached to the outer surfaces of the display element 11 so as to cover the outer surfaces of the display element 11 with an adhesive 27 such as a hot melt adhesive, and the peripheral portions thereof are
At the outer periphery of the interval holding part 25, the adhesive 28 is adhered and the gap between the adhering surfaces of both peripheral parts is sealed.

Next, the manufacturing method of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 are respectively produced. The back-side electrode substrate 12 is produced by forming the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 made of a copper foil pattern on one surface of the back substrate 15 by, for example, a semi-additive method. The front-side electrode substrate 13 is produced by forming the transparent common electrode layer 18 on one surface of the transparent substrate 17 by, for example, a sputtering method.

Next, the liquid mixture of the microcapsules 20 and the binder 19 is uniformly applied on the transparent common electrode layer 18 of the front electrode substrate 13 by, for example, a roll coater. Next, the front electrode substrate 13 coated with the mixed solution is dried at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to form an electrophoretic display layer 14 on one surface of the front electrode substrate 13.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front surface are arranged so that the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 on the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the electrophoretic display layer 14 on the front-side electrode substrate 13 are brought into contact with each other. The side electrode substrate 13 is overlapped. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, an adhesive is applied to each of the peripheral surfaces 12a, 13a, and 14a of the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween, and this adhesion is performed. The spacing agent 25 is formed by drying the agent. The application of the adhesive can be performed by using a dispenser with a nozzle or by immersing the peripheral surfaces of the stacked electrode substrates 12 and 13 in the adhesive. At this time, not only the interval holding part 25 is formed by one application of the adhesive, but also after the adhesive is applied and cured excessively, the excess part may be cut off to form the interval holding part 25. . By this step, the back side electrode substrate 12
Spacing holding portions 25 respectively joined to the peripheral surface 12a of the front electrode substrate 13 and the peripheral surface 13a of the front electrode substrate 13.
Is formed between the electrode substrates 12 and 13.

Next, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 in a state of being coupled by the interval holding unit 25 are pressurized and heated in a vacuum state as shown in FIG. The pressurization and heating in a vacuum state can be performed using, for example, a known vacuum laminator. Through this process, the display element 11 in which the back-side electrode substrate 12, the electrophoretic display layer 14, and the front-side electrode substrate 13 are integrated in a stacked state is manufactured.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, protective films 26a and 26b preliminarily applied with an adhesive 27 are superimposed on both outer surfaces of the display element 11, and this is again protected by pressurizing and heating in a vacuum state with a vacuum laminator. The films 26a and 26b are attached to the outer surface of the display element 11. next,
Adhesive 28 is injected between the inner surfaces of the upper and lower protective films 26a and 26b on the outer periphery from the periphery of the display element 11 to bond the peripheral portions of the protective films 26a and 26b to each other and to seal between the adhesive surfaces. By this step, as shown in FIG.
The display device 10 sealed with 6a and 26b is manufactured.

In the display device 10 configured as described above, when a driving voltage is applied between the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 of the back side electrode substrate 12 and the transparent common electrode layer 18 of the front side electrode substrate 13,
Due to the electric field generated between the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 and the transparent common electrode layer 18, the electrophoretic particles in each microcapsule 20 migrate to the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 side or the transparent common electrode layer 18 side. Then, the color displayed by the microcapsule 20 on the front electrode substrate 13 side is determined according to the movement position of the electrophoretic particles in the microcapsule 20. An image is formed on the entire display element 11 by the color displayed on the front electrode substrate 13 side by each microcapsule 20.

The embodiment described above in detail has the following effects.
(1) At the time of manufacturing the display device 10, the interval holding portions bonded to the peripheral surface 13 a of the front electrode substrate 13 and the peripheral surface 12 a of the back electrode substrate 12 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween. 25 was formed between the electrode substrates 12 and 13. After this step, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 in between are pressurized and heated to be joined and integrated. At this time, due to the rigidity and toughness of the gap holding portion 25 interposed between the electrode substrates 12 and 13, the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 are brought close to each other by an external force applied in the pressing direction (that is, the stacking direction). As a result, the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed.
The compressive deformation of the peripheral part of was suppressed. Therefore, when the display element 11 is manufactured, the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed, and the microcapsule 20 in the peripheral portion is suppressed.
Destruction and excessive compressive deformation are suppressed. As a result, a decrease in display performance at the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 can be suppressed, and accordingly, a decrease in display performance at the peripheral portion of the display element 11 can be suppressed. In particular, in order to improve the display responsiveness of the microcapsule 20, when the outer diameter is reduced and the layer thickness of the binder 19 is reduced to make the electrophoretic display layer 14 thinner,
The stress absorption action of the binder 19 is weakened and the microcapsule 20 is easily compressed and deformed.
The display performance of the peripheral edge is likely to deteriorate. The present invention is more effective in such a case.

In addition, also when the protective films 26a and 26b are attached to both outer surfaces of the display element 11 in a pressurized state, compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 due to external force is suppressed by the interval holding unit 25, and the same. The destruction and excessive compressive deformation of the microcapsule 20 at the peripheral edge are suppressed. Therefore, the display device 1 in which the display element 11 is sealed with the protective films 26a and 26b.
Even at 0, the deterioration of the display performance at the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed, and therefore,
It is possible to suppress deterioration in display performance at the peripheral edge of the display element 11.

(2) Further, when pressurizing and heating the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween, the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is difficult to compress and deform. Therefore, the applied pressure and the heating temperature can be set higher. For this reason, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween are bonded so as to have higher bonding strength, and as a result, the lifetime can be improved.

(3) In the conventional configuration in which the interval holding unit 25 is not provided, the areas of the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 are set larger than the area of the electrophoretic display layer 14, and the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side The peripheral edge of the side electrode substrate 13 has to be extended larger on the outer periphery than the peripheral edge of the electrophoretic display layer 14. With such a configuration, the peripheral portions of the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 are moved away from the outer periphery of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14, and the external force applied to the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is reduced. . On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since the external force applied to the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is reduced by the rigidity and toughness of the interval holding unit 25, the areas of the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 are reduced. Can be small. For this reason, the ratio of the external shape to the actual display area of the display device 10 can be reduced.

Further, conventionally, the area of the protective films 26 a and 26 b is also set larger than the area of the display element 11, and the peripheral portions of the protective films 26 a and 26 b are configured to protrude larger than the peripheral edge of the display element 11. In addition, it is necessary to reduce the external force applied to the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 when the protective films 26a and 26b are attached. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since the amount of projection of the protective films 26a and 26b with respect to the display element 11 can be reduced, the outer shape of the display device 10 with respect to the actual display area can be reduced.

(4) Since the peripheral surface 14a of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is covered by the interval holding unit 25, the amount of moisture that is emitted from the microcapsules 20 of the electrophoretic display layer 14 to the outside during pressurization and heating is suppressed. . For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in display capability of each microcapsule 20 in the manufacturing process and to suppress a decrease in display performance of the display element 11.

(5) In the configuration in which the area and shape of both the electrode substrates 12 and 13 are the same, and the positions of the peripheral surfaces 12a and 13a of both the electrode substrates 12 and 13 are matched,
It was made to provide between both the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in the state joined to the 13 surrounding surfaces 12a and 13a, respectively. For this reason, it is possible to prevent an increase in the outer shape of the display device 10 with respect to the actual display area of the display device 10.

(6) Since the interval holding part 25 is formed of a transparent material, the outer shape with respect to the area of the actual display area can be reduced. That is, when the interval holding unit 25 is formed of an opaque material, the color of the interval holding unit 25 enters the display color of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14, so that the effective display area by the electrophoretic display layer 14 is limited. Is done. For this reason, it is necessary to set the area of the display element 11 larger than the desired display area, and the electrophoretic display device 10.
Increases in size. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the color of the interval holding unit 25 is transparent,
The color of the interval holding unit 25 does not enter the display color of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14, and the effective display area of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is not restricted. Therefore, since the area of the display element 11 with respect to a desired display area can be further reduced, the display device 10 can be reduced in size.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description of each embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only the components different from those in the first embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display element 11 of this embodiment includes a back-side electrode substrate 12 having a larger area than the front-side electrode substrate 13, and the peripheral portion of the back-side electrode substrate 12 has a front-side electrode substrate. It protrudes to the outer periphery rather than 13 peripheral surface 13a. In the display element 11, the same interval holding unit 25 as in the first embodiment is provided with the peripheral surface 13 a of the front electrode substrate 13 and the back electrode substrate 12.
Are formed between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being bonded to the peripheral inner surface 12b. The interval holding unit 25 is configured to suppress the approach between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 due to the external force in the stacking direction applied to the peripheral portion of the display element 11 by its rigidity and toughness. As a result, the interval holding unit 25 suppresses compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14. Similar to the first embodiment, the gap holding unit 25 is stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 sandwiched between the back side electrode substrate 12 before being bonded by pressing and heating when the display element 11 is manufactured. And formed on the peripheral edge of the front-side electrode substrate 13.

As in the first embodiment, the display device 10 of this embodiment is configured to apply pressure and heat to the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. In some cases, compressive deformation of the peripheral edge portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 due to an external force applied in the pressurizing direction is suppressed. And the damage of the microcapsule 20 in the peripheral part and excessive compressive deformation are suppressed. Further, the protective films 26a and 26 for the display element 11 as shown in FIG.
Even when b is pasted, the compression deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed. Therefore, this embodiment has the effects described in (1) to (4) and (6) of the first embodiment. In addition, this embodiment has the effect described in (7) below.

(7) The interval holding unit 25 is formed by the peripheral inner surface 12b of the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 1.
3 is formed between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being joined to the peripheral surface 13a. For this reason, even if an external force is applied to the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in the stacking direction, the joint between the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the interval holding unit 25 is not easily damaged. As a result, the compressive deformation of the peripheral edge portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 can be effectively suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 10 according to this embodiment includes a back-side electrode substrate 12 having a larger area than the front-side electrode substrate 13, and the peripheral portion of the back-side electrode substrate 12 has a front-side electrode substrate. It protrudes to the outer periphery rather than 13 peripheral surfaces. In addition, the display device 10 includes a protective film 26 as a waterproof member that is attached to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the front-side electrode substrate 13, and the back substrate 15 has the same inorganic material as the protective film 26. A material barrier layer is formed, and the back substrate 15 itself is waterproof.

Further, the display element 11 is provided with a spacing holding part 25 similar to that of the second embodiment, on the front electrode substrate 1.
3 is formed between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being joined to the peripheral surface 13a of the third electrode 13 and the peripheral inner surface 12b of the back electrode substrate 12 respectively.

In the display device 10 of this embodiment, an external force in the pressurizing direction is applied at the time of pressurizing and heating the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 as shown in FIG. This suppresses the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 and prevents the microcapsule 20 from being damaged or excessively compressed and deformed in the peripheral portion. In addition, when the protective film 26 is attached to the front electrode substrate 13 as shown in FIG.
4 to suppress the compressive deformation of the peripheral edge. Therefore, this embodiment is also (1) to (1) of the first embodiment.
Each of the effects described in 4) and (6) and the effect described in (7) of the second embodiment are provided.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 12, the display device 10 of this embodiment includes a back-side electrode substrate 12 having a configuration different from that of the back-side electrode substrate 12 of the display device 10 of the first to third embodiments. That is, the back-side electrode substrate 12 has a semiconductor circuit layer 30 formed on one surface of the back substrate 15 instead of the pixel electrode wiring layer 16. The semiconductor circuit layer 30 is configured by a plurality of pixel electrodes, pixel drive circuits, and the like arranged in the row direction and the column direction, respectively, and is fixed to one surface of the back substrate 15 via the adhesive layer 31. The pixel drive circuit is constituted by a thin film transistor (TFT). Each pixel electrode and each pixel drive circuit are connected to an external drive circuit via a row decoder and a column decoder (not shown). The semiconductor circuit layer 30 is formed by a thin film circuit transfer method.

Further, the electrophoretic display layer 14 of the display device 10 has a configuration different from the electrophoretic display layer 14 of the first to third embodiments. That is, the electrophoretic display layer 14 is not composed of the microcapsules 20 but electrophoretic dispersion composed of electrophoretic particles and an electrophoretic dispersion medium in a large number of chambers 33 formed by the frame 32 on the back substrate 15. Filled with liquid. The frame 32 is formed on the semiconductor circuit layer 30 of the back substrate 15 as shown in FIG. 13 by photoresist or offset printing. Further, the electrophoretic dispersion liquid is filled in each chamber 33 of the frame 32 by, for example, a droplet discharge method (inkjet method).

In addition, the display element 11 includes an interval holding portion 25 as a deformation suppressing portion formed in an annular shape along the entire peripheral surface, the peripheral surface 13a and the peripheral inner surface 13b of the front electrode substrate 13, and the back electrode substrate. 12 are formed between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being joined to the peripheral inner surface 12b. The interval holding unit 25 has a function of suppressing the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 due to an external force in the compression direction applied to the peripheral portion of the display element 11. As in the first embodiment, the gap holding unit 25 is formed between the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 that are stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 in between when the display element 11 is manufactured. The

In this display device 10, when a driving voltage is applied between the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 of the back electrode substrate 12 and the transparent common electrode layer 18 of the front electrode substrate 13, the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 and the transparent common electrode layer 18 are applied. The electrophoretic particles in each chamber 33 migrate to the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 side or the transparent common electrode layer 18 side by the electric field generated between the two. Then, the color displayed by the chamber 33 on the front electrode substrate 13 side is determined according to the moving position of the electrophoretic particles in the chamber 33. An image is formed on the entire display element 11 by the color displayed on the front electrode substrate 13 side by each chamber 33.

Similarly to the first embodiment, the display device 10 of this embodiment is also in the pressurizing direction during pressurization and heating of the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13 in a stacked state with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween. This suppresses the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 due to the external force, and suppresses breakage and excessive compressive deformation of the microcapsule 20 in the peripheral portion. In addition, even when the waterproof film is attached to the display element 11, the compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed, and damage to the microcapsule 20 and excessive compressive deformation of the peripheral portion are suppressed. Therefore, this embodiment has the effects described in (1) to (4) and (6) of the first embodiment.
In addition, this embodiment has the effect described in (8) below.

(8) The interval holding unit 25 is connected to the inner peripheral surface 12b of the rear electrode substrate 12 and the front electrode substrate 1.
3 is formed between the peripheral portions of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in a state of being joined to the peripheral surface 13a. For this reason, even if an external force is applied to the electrode substrates 12 and 13 in the stacking direction, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the joints between the front-side electrode substrate 13 and the gap holding portion 25 are not easily damaged. As a result, the compressive deformation of the peripheral edge portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 can be effectively suppressed.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14, the display device 10 of this embodiment is formed in an annular shape along the peripheral surface 14 a of the electrophoretic display layer 14 instead of the interval holding unit 25 of the first to fourth embodiments. A shape holding portion 40 as a deformation suppressing portion is provided on the peripheral surface 14a. This shape holding part 4
0 has the same width as the thickness of the electrophoretic display layer 14, covers the peripheral surface 14 a of the electrophoretic display layer 14, and restricts elastic deformation such as crushing in the thickness direction of the electrophoretic display layer 14. The electrophoretic display layer 14 is restrained. The shape holding unit 40 has an action of suppressing the compressive deformation of the peripheral edge due to the external force applied in the stacking direction applied to the peripheral edge of the display element 11 by restricting the elastic deformation of the electrophoretic display layer 14. ing. The shape holding unit 40 covers the peripheral surface 14 a of the electrophoretic display layer 14.

The shape holding part 40 is formed in a material and a form that do not easily impair the bendability of the display element 11. Examples of the material for the interval holding unit 25 include an anaerobic curable adhesive, a photo curable adhesive, and a thermosetting adhesive. Specifically, for example, an epoxy resin adhesive using a polyester polyol, a modified silicone polymer, and a modified polysulfide polymer. An elastic adhesive mainly composed of a system is preferred. Moreover, it is preferable that the material of the shape holding | maintenance part 40 is transparent in a hardening state so that the display performance of the display apparatus 10 may not be reduced.

The display device 10 of this embodiment also has protective films 26a, 26a, 26a, and 26b, which are applied to the back side electrode substrate 12 and the front side electrode substrate 13 stacked with the electrophoretic display layer 14 interposed therebetween, and to both outer surfaces of the display element 11. The compression deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer 14 is suppressed at the time of pasting 26b. Accordingly, this embodiment is the same as (1) to (4), (6) of the first embodiment.
It has each effect described in. In addition, this embodiment has the effect described in (9) below.

(9) The shape holding unit 40 is formed on the peripheral surface 14 a so as to surround the entire peripheral surface 14 a of the electrophoretic display layer 14. Therefore, the back-side electrode substrate 12 and the front-side electrode substrate 13
And the positions of the peripheral surfaces 12a and 13a of the electrode substrates 12 and 13 can be matched. Accordingly, the outer shape of the display device 10 with respect to the actual display area of the display device 10 can be reduced.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this embodiment can also be changed and embodied as follows.
In the first to fourth embodiments, the interval holding unit 25 is formed at a plurality of locations along the periphery of the display element 11.

In the back substrate 15 of the first to third and fifth embodiments, the semiconductor circuit layer 30 is formed instead of the pixel electrode wiring layer 16.
In the back substrate 15 of the fourth embodiment, the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 is formed instead of the semiconductor circuit layer 30.

The present invention is embodied in the display device 10 that is not sealed by the protective films 26, 26a, and 26b.
Electrophoretic particles in which the present invention is dispersed in an electrophoretic dispersion medium in each chamber 33 of the electrophoretic display layer 14 according to the fourth embodiment are predetermined in the stacking direction of the back electrode substrate 12 and the front waterproof member. The present invention is embodied in a horizontal electrophoresis type electrophoretic display device configured to move along an orthogonal direction. That is, a common electrode is formed below the opposing frame 32 in each chamber 33, and the electrophoretic particles attracted to the common electrode are on the bottom surface of the chamber 33, that is, on the inner surface of the frame 32 from the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 side. Configure to move to. On the other hand, the electrophoretic particles attracted to the pixel electrode wiring layer 16 are moved from the inner surface of the frame 32 to the bottom surface of the chamber 33. By switching the position of the electrophoretic particles, the display color of the region for each chamber 33 is switched. Also in the electrophoretic display device having such a configuration, each effect of the first embodiment can be obtained.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an electrophoretic display device of a first embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows the electrophoretic display device of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the electrophoretic display device of 3rd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The schematic diagram which shows a manufacturing process. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the electrophoretic display device of 4th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the frame formed on the transparent substrate. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the electrophoretic display device of 5th Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional electrophoretic display apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing process of a conventional electrophoretic display device. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing process of a conventional electrophoretic display device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electrophoretic display apparatus, 11 ... Display element, 12 ... Back side electrode substrate as 1st electrode substrate, 12a ... Peripheral surface of (first electrode substrate), 12b ... Periphery inner surface, 13 ... As 2nd electrode substrate Front side electrode substrate, 13a ... peripheral surface (second electrode substrate), 12b ... periphery inner surface, 14 ... electrophoretic display layer, 14a ... peripheral surface (of electrophoretic display layer), 15 ... back side electrode substrate Back substrate, 16 ... same pixel electrode wiring layer, 17 ... transparent electrode constituting front side electrode substrate, 18 ... same transparent common electrode, 19 ... binder constituting electrophoretic display layer, 20 ... same microcapsule, 25 ... deformation Interval holding portion as a suppressing portion, 26... Protective film as a waterproof member, 2
6a ... a protective film as a first waterproof member, 26b ... a protective film as a second waterproof member, 30 ... a semiconductor circuit layer constituting the back side electrode substrate, 31 ... a frame constituting an electrophoretic display layer,
32 ... same chamber, 40 ... shape holding part as deformation suppressing part.

Claims (11)

In an electrophoretic display device in which an electrophoretic display layer using electrophoretic particles and an electrophoretic dispersion medium is provided between a first electrode substrate and a second electrode substrate arranged to face each other,
An electrophoretic display device comprising a deformation suppressing unit that suppresses compressive deformation of a peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to an external force. The deformation suppressing portion is provided between the peripheral portions of the two electrode substrates in a state of being joined to the peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral portion of the second electrode substrate. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the electrophoretic display device is an interval holding unit that suppresses the approach. 3. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 2, wherein the interval holding unit is bonded to a peripheral surface of the first electrode substrate and a peripheral surface of the second electrode substrate. 3. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 2, wherein the interval holding unit is bonded to a peripheral inner surface of the first electrode substrate and a peripheral surface of the second electrode substrate. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 2, wherein the interval holding unit is transparent. A waterproof member joined to the outer surface of the second electrode substrate so as to cover the entire outer surface of the second electrode substrate is provided, and a peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and a peripheral portion of the waterproof member are joined around the electrophoretic display layer. The electrophoretic display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electrophoretic display device is characterized. A first waterproof member joined to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the first electrode substrate; and a second waterproof member joined to the outer surface so as to cover the entire outer surface of the second electrode substrate. 6. The peripheral portion of the first waterproof member and the peripheral portion of the second waterproof member are joined around the electrophoretic display layer. 6. Electrophoretic display device. The deformation suppressing unit is a shape holding unit that is provided on the peripheral surface so as to surround the entire peripheral surface of the electrophoretic display layer and restricts deformation to the outer periphery of the electrophoretic display layer. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1. An electrophoretic display layer using electrophoretic particles and an electrophoretic dispersion medium is sandwiched between a first electrode substrate and a second electrode substrate that are arranged opposite to each other, and the first electrode substrate is stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween. And a method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display device in which the second electrode substrate is bonded in a pressurized state.
After laminating the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate with the electrophoretic display layer sandwiched therebetween, forming a deformation suppressing portion that suppresses compressive deformation of the peripheral portion of the electrophoretic display layer due to external force due to external force,
Thereafter, the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate stacked with the electrophoretic display layer interposed therebetween are pressurized and bonded to each other, and the method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device. The deformation suppressing portion is provided between the peripheral portions of the two electrode substrates in a state of being joined to the peripheral portion of the first electrode substrate and the peripheral portion of the second electrode substrate, and between the peripheral portions of the two electrode substrates. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 9, wherein the method is formed as an interval holding unit that suppresses the approach. The deformation suppressing portion is provided on the same peripheral surface so as to surround the entire peripheral surface of the electrophoretic display layer, and is formed as a shape holding portion that restricts deformation to the outer periphery of the electrophoretic display layer. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 9.

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