JP2004264399A - Method for manufacturing image display panel, and image display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing an image display panel in which particles are not interposed at lap seams and are not scattered and layers of particle groups are not misaligned in lapping two substrates on each other after arranging the particle groups in a plurality of cells formed with partitions on the substrate. <P>SOLUTION: After filling particles 3-1 into a plurality of the cells 5 built with the partitions 4 on the substrate 1, the particles 3-1 placed on the tops of the partitions 4 are removed by bringing them into contact with a particle removing plate 21, and subsequently, after filling particles 3-2 into a plurality of the cells 5 built with the partitions 4 on the substrate 1, the particles 3-2 placed on the tops of the partitions 4 are removed by bringing them into contact with the particle removing plate 21 and subsequently the substrates 1, 2 are lapped on each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【００５３】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法によれば、仕切り壁が設けられている基板上に粒子群を充填配置した後、もう１枚の基板を重ね合わせる前に、該仕切り壁の頂上に載っている粒子群に粒子除去板を接触させることによって該粒子群を除去することができるので、もう１枚の基板を貼り合わせる際に生じることがあった、基板と仕切り壁の重ね合わせ目、あるいは、仕切り壁同士の重ね合わせ目に粒子が挟まってしまい、基板間の間隔を均一にできないといった問題を解決することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法によって製造する画像表示パネルにより構成した画像表示装置の一例を示す図である。
【図２】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法によって製造する画像表示パネルにより構成した画像表示装置の他の例を示す図である。
【図３】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法によって製造する画像表示パネルのパネル構造の一例を示す図である。
【図４】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法における粒子群の充填方法の一例を示す図である。
【図５】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法における粒子群の充填方法の他の例を示す図である。
【図６】（ａ），（ｂ）は本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法における粒子除去板を利用した粒子除去を説明するための図である。
【図７】本発明の画像表示パネルの製造方法における第１および第２の粒子の充填を連続的に実施するよう構成した例を示す図である。
【図８】本発明の画像表示パネルにおける隔壁で画成される表示セルの形状を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１，２ 基板
３ 粒子
３−１ 第１の粒子
３−２ 第２の粒子
４ 隔壁
５ セル
１１ 容器
１２ ノズル
２１ 粒子除去板
２２ 電源[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an image display panel and an image display device, and more particularly, to an image display panel used for a reversible image display device capable of repeatedly performing image display by utilizing flying movement of particles due to Coulomb force or the like. And an image display device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with an increase in environmental consciousness such as a paperless trend, research on an electronic paper display that can display a desired image on a display substrate by using an electric force and that can be rewritten has been performed. Particularly famous in this electronic paper technology are liquid phase types such as an electrophoretic type and a thermal rewritable type. In the liquid phase type, particles migrate in a liquid, and the response speed is slow due to the viscous resistance of the liquid. In recent years, attention has been paid to a dry type in which insulating colored particles are sealed between opposing substrates (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
However, in the case of a dry type, a production method is not generally established, and a method of uniformly and evenly encapsulating a particle group, which is a particularly important point, between substrates is hardly established. Here, if the particle group encapsulation does not satisfy the above conditions, color unevenness, image lack, unevenness in image response speed due to uneven spacing between substrates, increase in driving voltage for flying particles, etc. Problems arise.
[0004]
As a method of enclosing particles between the substrates, for example, a roller coater coating method in which the particles are stretched on the substrate, or the particles are suspended in the air by stirring, air blowing, or the like, and the particles are passed by passing the substrate through the particles. A particle immersion method applied on a substrate may be considered. Among these methods, in the roll coater coating method, since the particles do not easily adhere to the substrate, a shortage of the filling amount (coating amount) and a bias in the concentration are apt to occur. In addition to the fact that particles are not firmly fixed to the substrate in addition to the fact that particles are not firmly fixed to the substrate due to the fact that it is difficult to adhere, the shortage of the filling amount is likely to occur. Either method is not satisfactory because it is likely to occur.
[0005]
Also, when dividing into a plurality of cells in a matrix arrangement by a grid-like spacer which also functions as a partition wall between the substrates, and trying to enclose two types of particle groups in each cell, particles remain on the top of the partition wall. In addition, when two substrates are superimposed, particles may be interposed at the overlap of the substrate and the partition wall or at the overlap of the partition walls. there were.
[0006]
[Non-patent document 1]
Guo Lao Zhao and three others, “New Toner Display Device (I)”, July 21, 1999, Annual Meeting of the Imaging Society of Japan (83 times in total), “Japan Hardcopy '99”, p. 249-252
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the present invention provides a method for uniformly enclosing particles in a plurality of cells, even in a case where two or more types of particles are sealed in a plurality of cells provided by partition walls between opposing substrates. The present invention aims to provide a method of manufacturing an image display panel that can be uniformly encapsulated, and more specifically, uniformly and uniformly in a plurality of cells formed by partition walls provided on one substrate. And a method of manufacturing an image display panel such that when two substrates are superimposed on each other after the particle groups are arranged, the particles are not caught in the superimposition, scattered, or the particle group layer is not shifted. It is an object to provide an image display device constituted by an image display panel manufactured by the same.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the method for manufacturing an image display panel according to the present invention, which achieves the above-described object, a particle group is encapsulated in a plurality of cells provided by a partition wall between two substrates which are opposed to each other and at least one of which is transparent. In a method of manufacturing an image display panel used in an image display device that applies an electric field to the particle group from two types of electrodes having different electric potentials to fly and move the particle group to display an image, the partition wall is provided. A method of manufacturing an image display panel in which a particle group is filled in a cell between substrates after the particle group is filled and arranged on a substrate, and the particle group is enclosed in a cell between the substrates. When filling and disposing in a plurality of cells provided by walls, a nozzle is provided at the upper part in the container, a substrate provided with the partition wall is provided at the lower part, and a substrate is provided at the upper part in the container. By spraying the particles dispersed in the gas from the nozzle, the particles are filled in the cells on the substrate provided in the lower part of the container, and on the substrate on which the partition wall is provided. After filling and disposing the particle group, before overlapping another substrate, the particle group is removed by contacting the particle removing plate with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall. This is a method for manufacturing an image display panel.
[0009]
In the method for manufacturing an image display panel according to the present invention, after filling and arranging the particle group on the substrate provided with the partition wall, before overlapping another substrate, it is placed on the top of the partition wall. Since the particle group can be removed by bringing the particle removal plate into contact with the particle group that is present, the overlap between the substrate and the partition wall, which may occur when attaching another substrate, or It is possible to solve the problem that the particles are caught between the overlapping portions of the partition walls and the distance between the substrates cannot be made uniform.
Further, when the particle group is filled and arranged in a plurality of cells provided by partition walls on the substrate, the particle group dispersed in the gas is sprayed from a nozzle provided at an upper part in the container, thereby lowering the container. By filling the particles in the cells on the substrate placed in the cell, the particles can be uniformly and evenly enclosed in a plurality of cells.
[0010]
As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when enclosing two or more types of particles having different colors and different charging characteristics, first, the first particles are placed on the lower part of the container and provided above the container. After the first particles dispersed in the gas are sprayed from the nozzle, the cells are filled in the cells on the substrate, and then the second particles are filled in the cells. The first particles already filled in the cells on the substrate by placing the substrate thus placed in the lower part of the container and spraying a second group of particles dispersed in the gas from a nozzle provided above the container. In some cases, the particles may be stacked and filled, and then the above-described steps may be sequentially repeated so that all the particle groups are stacked and filled in the cell. In the preferred embodiment described above, it is possible to more suitably enclose two or more kinds of particles having different colors and different charging characteristics in the cell.
[0011]
As another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the particle removing plate is a conductive member, and the polarity of the voltage applied to the particle removing plate may be opposite to the polarity of the particles to be removed. In the preferred embodiment, the particles to be removed are attracted by the charges of the opposite polarity, so that the particles on the top of the partition wall can be suitably removed.
[0012]
As yet another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voltage applied to the particle removing plate may be 10 to 300V. In the above preferred embodiment, by applying a voltage of 10 to 300 V to the particle removing plate, when removing particles that have been placed on the top of the partition wall, the particles are removed excessively or insufficiently. The particles can be removed as necessary and sufficiently so as not to perform the removal.
[0013]
As yet another example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a partition wall may be provided on one or both substrates. Further, the step of removing the particle group by contacting the particle removal plate with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall, after spraying the particle group to be filled in the cells on the substrate, each particle group Performing each time spraying is completed, and removing the particle group by bringing a particle removing plate into contact with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall, all the particles to be filled in the cells on the substrate. What to do after spraying the group. Further, there may be a case where means for dispersing the particle groups are continuously prepared by the number of types of the particle groups, corresponding to the types of the particle groups. In any case, the particle group can be more preferably sealed in the cell.
[0014]
As still another example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the average particle diameter of the particles is 0.1 to 50 μm, and the surface charge density of the particles is 5 to 150 μC / m in absolute value. ² And the volume occupancy of the particles filled between the substrates is in the range of 10 to 80 vol%. In any of the examples, the characteristics of the particles can be optimized, and the particle group can be more preferably sealed in the cell.
[0015]
An image display device according to the present invention includes an image display panel manufactured by the above-described method for manufacturing an image display panel.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are views respectively showing one example and another example of an image display device constituted by an image display panel manufactured by the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image display panel of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a panel structure of an image display panel manufactured by the manufacturing method of FIG. The method of manufacturing an image display panel according to the present invention includes an image display panel used in a display method (see FIG. 1) for displaying an image by moving two or more kinds of particles 3 having different colors in a direction perpendicular to the substrates 1 and 2. The present invention can be applied to any image display panel used in a display system (see FIG. 2) for displaying an image by moving particles 3 of one color in a direction parallel to the substrates 1 and 2. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the panel structure of the image display panel according to the present invention includes predetermined particles 3 (3) in a cell 5 defined by partition walls 4 formed in, for example, a lattice between substrates 1 and 2. -1, 3-2).
[0017]
Hereinafter, an example of the method of filling the particle group in the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 1 on which the cells 5 are formed by providing the nozzle 12 at the upper part in the container 11 and providing the partition wall 4 at the lower part in the container 11 is provided. At this time, the substrate 1 is set so that the opening of the cell 5 faces the nozzle 12. Note that the partition wall is a member that becomes the partition wall 4 after completion as a product, and is referred to as the partition wall 4 here. In this state, the first particles 3-1 dispersed in the gas are scattered in the container 11 from the nozzles 12 provided in the upper part of the container 11, so that the substrate provided in the lower part of the container 12 is sprayed. The first particles 3-1 are filled in the cells 5 on the first.
[0018]
FIG. 5 shows a method of filling the second particles 3-2. As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 1 in which the first particles 3-1 are filled in the cell 5 is provided in the lower part of the container 11, and is dispersed in the gas from the nozzle 12 provided in the upper part of the container 11. By spraying the second particles 3-2, the second particles 3-2 are filled so as to overlap the first particles 3-1 already filled in the cells 5 on the substrate 1. By repeating the above steps by the number of types of particles, even when the types of particles are three or more, the present invention can be similarly applied to fill the cells 5 with the particles 3.
[0019]
In both the example shown in FIG. 4 and the example shown in FIG. 5, another type of substrate (not shown) is thereafter attached to the partition wall 4 to manufacture the image display panel of the present invention.
[0020]
By the way, when the particles 3 (3-1 and 3-2) are filled, the particles 3 may be put on the top of the partition wall 4 in some cases. When the particles 3 are mounted, before the other substrate is superimposed, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the particles 3 (3-1, 1) mounted on the top of the partition wall 4 By bringing the particle removing plate 21 into contact with 3-2) and applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the particles 3 to be removed from the power supply 22 to the particle removing plate 21, the particles 3 ( 3-1 and 3-2) are to be removed. The reason why the particle removing plate 21 is used is that there is an advantage that the cleaning can be easily performed by stopping the application of the voltage to the particle removing plate 21 and performing suction or wiping.
[0021]
When a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the particles 3 (3-1, 3-2) to be removed is applied to the particle removing plate 21 as described above, the particles 3 (3--3) placed on the top of the partition wall 4 to be removed are removed. The particles 3 (3-1, 3-2) can be removed from the top of the partition wall 4 because (1, 3-2) is attracted by charges of the opposite polarity. Therefore, particles may be caught in the overlap between the substrates 1 and 2 and the partition wall 4 or between the overlap between the partition walls, which may occur when another substrate is bonded. The problem that the intervals cannot be uniform can be solved.
[0022]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the above-described first and second particles are continuously filled. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of substrates 1 are provided on a transport belt (not shown) such that the cells 5 face upward to form a continuous line. Then, in the first particle filling zone, the first particles 3-1 are filled in the cells 5 defined by the partition walls 4 on the substrate 1 as in the example shown in FIG. In the filling zone, the second particles 3-2 are filled in the cells 5 as in the example shown in FIG. 5, and in the particle removing zone, the partitions are partitioned as in the examples shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The particles 3 (3-1, 3-2) on the top of the wall 4 were removed, and the first particles 3-1 and the second particles 3-2 were filled in the cell 5 in the substrate bonding zone. The substrate 2 is bonded to the partition wall 4 in the state, and the image display panel 22 of the present invention is obtained in the final zone.
In the above-described example, the step of removing the particles 3 by bringing the particle removing plate 21 into contact with the particles 3 placed on the top of the partition wall 4 is performed by removing the particles 3 to be filled in the cells 5 on the substrate 1. After the spraying, the spraying is performed every time the spraying of the particles 3 (3-1, 3-2) is completed. Instead, the particle removing plate 21 is brought into contact with the particles 3 placed on the top of the partition wall 4. Thus, the step of removing the particles 3 may be performed after all the particles (particles 3-1 and 3-2) to be filled in the cells 5 on the substrate 1 are scattered.
[0023]
Next, the particle removing plate 21 will be described.
The particle removing plate 21 may be a conductive member to which a voltage can be applied, and a metal plate such as copper or aluminum, a carbon plate, or an ITO glass plate is preferably used. It is preferable to use a voltage in the range of 10 to 300 V as the voltage applied to the particle removing plate 21 in order to remove only the particles 3 (3-1, 3-2) placed on the top of the partition wall 4. If the applied voltage is lower than 10 V, the particles 3 cannot be sufficiently removed, and if the applied voltage exceeds 300 V, the particles in the cell 5 will be removed, or the substrate 1 and the particle removing plate 21 It is not preferable because discharge may occur.
[0024]
Next, the substrate will be described.
At least one of the substrate 1 and the substrate 2 is a transparent substrate in which the color of the particles can be confirmed from the outside of the apparatus, and a material having high visible light transmittance and good heat resistance is preferable. The presence or absence of flexibility is appropriately selected depending on the application. For example, a flexible material is used for electronic paper and the like, and is inflexible for applications such as mobile phones, PDAs, and portable devices such as notebook computers. Material is used.
[0025]
Examples of the substrate material include a polymer sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethersulfone, polyethylene, and polycarbonate, and an inorganic sheet such as glass and quartz.
The substrate thickness is preferably from 2 to 5000 μm, and more preferably from 5 to 1000 μm. If the thickness is too small, it is difficult to maintain the strength and the uniformity of the spacing between the substrates. Occurs and lacks flexibility, especially in electronic paper applications.
[0026]
An electrode may be provided on the substrate as necessary. In the present invention, a display electrode (transparent electrode) is provided on one substrate, and a counter electrode is provided on the other substrate. When electrodes are not provided on the substrate, an electrostatic latent image is applied to the outer surface of the substrate, and an electric field generated according to the electrostatic latent image attracts colored particles charged to predetermined characteristics to the substrate or By repelling, the particles arranged corresponding to the electrostatic latent image are visually recognized from the outside of the display device through the transparent substrate. The electrostatic latent image is formed by transferring an electrostatic latent image, which is performed by a normal electrophotographic system using an electrophotographic photosensitive member, onto the substrate of the image display device of the present invention, or by an ion flow. It can be performed by a method such as forming an electrostatic latent image directly on a substrate.
[0027]
When an electrode is provided on a substrate, an electrostatic voltage is applied to an electrode portion by attracting or repelling particles of a color having a predetermined characteristic by an electric field generated at each electrode position on the substrate. This is a method in which particles arranged in accordance with (1) are visually recognized from the outside of the display device through a transparent substrate.
The electrode is formed of a transparent and pattern-forming conductive material. Examples thereof include metals such as indium oxide and aluminum, and conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene, and vacuum deposition, coating, and the like. Can be exemplified. The thickness of the electrode may be 3 to 1000 nm, preferably 5 to 400 nm, as long as the conductivity can be ensured and the light transmittance is not hindered. In this case, the external voltage input may be superimposed with DC or AC.
[0028]
The shape of the partition wall of the present invention is appropriately set as appropriate according to the size of the particles involved in the display, and is not particularly limited, but the width of the partition wall is 10 to 1000 μm, preferably 10 to 500 μm, and the height of the partition wall is 10 to 5000 μm. It is preferably adjusted to 10 to 500 μm.
Further, in forming the partition, a two-rib method in which a rib is formed on each of both opposing substrates and then bonding, and a one-rib method in which a rib is formed only on one substrate are conceivable. Is also applicable.
As shown in FIG. 8, the display cells formed by the rib-shaped partitions have a square, triangular, line, or circular shape when viewed from the substrate plane direction.
It is better to make the portion (area of the frame portion of the display cell) corresponding to the partition cross-section seen from the display side as small as possible, and the sharpness of the image display is increased.
[0029]
Here, examples of the method for forming the partition include a screen printing method, a sand blast method, a photoconductor paste method, and an additive method.
[0030]
The particles used in the present invention will be described.
Particles can be produced by kneading and pulverizing the necessary resin, charge control agent, colorant, and other additives, or by polymerizing from monomers, or existing particles by resin, charge control agent, colorant, etc. It may be coated with an additive.
Hereinafter, a resin, a charge control agent, a colorant, and other additives will be exemplified.
[0031]
Examples of the resin include urethane resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, urethane-modified acrylic resin, silicone resin, nylon resin, epoxy resin, styrene resin, butyral resin, vinylidene chloride resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, fluorine resin, and the like. And a mixture of two or more types. Particularly, from the viewpoint of controlling the adhesion to the substrate, polyester resin, acrylic urethane resin, acrylic urethane silicone resin, acrylic urethane fluororesin, urethane resin, and fluororesin are preferred. .
[0032]
Examples of the charge control agent include a quaternary ammonium salt-based compound, a nigrosine dye, a triphenylmethane-based compound, and an imidazole derivative in the case of applying a positive charge, and a metal-containing azo compound in the case of applying a negative charge. Dyes, salicylic acid metal complexes, nitroimidazole derivatives and the like.
Examples of the coloring agent include dyes such as basic and acidic dyes, and examples thereof include nigrosine, methylene blue, quinoline yellow, and rose bengal.
Examples of inorganic additives include titanium oxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide, antimony oxide, calcium carbonate, lead white, talc, silica, calcium silicate, alumina white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, cadmium orange, titanium yellow, Navy blue, ultramarine, cobalt blue, cobalt green, cobalt violet, iron oxide, carbon black, manganese ferrite black, cobalt ferrite black, copper powder, aluminum powder, and the like.
[0033]
In order to further improve the repetition durability, it is effective to control the stability of the resin constituting the particles, in particular, the water absorption and the solvent insolubility.
The water absorption of the resin constituting the particles enclosed between the substrates is preferably 3% by weight or less, particularly preferably 2% by weight or less. In addition, the measurement of the water absorption is performed according to ASTM-D570, and the measurement condition is set to 23 ° C. for 24 hours.
Regarding the solvent insolubility of the resin constituting the particles, the solvent insolubility of the particles represented by the following relational expression is preferably 50% or more, particularly preferably 70% or more.
Solvent insolubility (%) = (B / A) × 100
(However, A indicates the weight of the resin before immersion in the solvent, and B indicates the weight after immersing the resin in a good solvent at 25 ° C. for 24 hours.)
If the solvent insolubility is less than 50%, bleeding occurs on the surface of the particles during long-term storage, which affects the adhesion to the particles, hinders the movement of the particles, and may impair the durability of image display. .
Solvents (good solvents) used when measuring the solvent insolubility include methyl ethyl ketone and the like for fluororesins, methanol and the like for polyamide resins, methyl ethyl ketone and toluene for acrylic urethane resins, acetone and isopropanol for melamine resins, silicone resins and the like. Is preferably toluene or the like.
[0034]
Further, the particles are preferably spherical.
In the present invention, regarding the particle size distribution of each particle, the particle size distribution Span represented by the following formula is set to less than 5, preferably less than 3.
Span = (d (0.9) −d (0.1)) / d (0.5)
(However, d (0.5) is a numerical value representing the particle diameter in which 50% of the particles are larger than 50% and 50% is smaller than this, expressed in μm, and d (0.1) is a ratio of particles smaller than 10%.) %, And d (0.9) is a numerical value representing the particle diameter of 90% of the particles below this in μm.)
By setting the span within the range of 5 or less, the size of each particle becomes uniform, and uniform particle movement becomes possible.
[0035]
Further, the average particle diameter d (0.5) of the particles is preferably 0.1 to 50 μm. If it is larger than this range, the sharpness of the display will be lacking, and if it is smaller than this range, the cohesive force between the particles will be too large to hinder the movement of the particles.
Furthermore, regarding the correlation of each particle, of the particles used, the ratio of d (0.5) of the particle having the minimum diameter to d (0.5) of the particle having the maximum diameter is 50 or less, preferably 10 or less. It is important that
Even if the particle size distribution Span is reduced, the particles having different charging characteristics move in opposite directions, so that the particles are close in size to each other, so that the particles can easily move in the opposite direction by equal amounts. Is preferable, and this falls within this range.
[0036]
The above-mentioned particle size distribution and particle size can be determined by a laser diffraction / scattering method or the like. When the particles to be measured are irradiated with laser light, a light intensity distribution pattern of diffraction / scattered light is generated spatially, and since this light intensity pattern has a correspondence with the particle size, the particle size and the particle size distribution can be measured. .
The particle size and the particle size distribution in the present invention are obtained from a volume-based distribution. Specifically, using a Mastersizer 2000 (Malvern Instruments Ltd.) measuring device, the particles are introduced into a nitrogen gas flow, and the particles are analyzed by attached analysis software (software based on a volume-based distribution using Mail theory). Measurement of diameter and particle size distribution can be performed.
[0037]
The surface charge density of the particles can be measured as follows. That is, the particles and the carrier particles are brought into sufficient contact by the blow-off method, and the charge amount per unit weight of the particles can be measured by measuring the saturation charge amount. Then, the surface charge density of the particles is calculated by separately calculating the particle diameter and the specific gravity of the particles.
<Principle and method of blow-off measurement>
In the blow-off method, a mixture of a powder fluid and a carrier is placed in a cylindrical container having a mesh at both ends, high-pressure gas is blown from one end to separate the particles from the carrier, and only the particles are blown off from the mesh openings ( Blow off). At this time, a charge amount equal to and opposite to the charge amount of the particles carried out of the container remains on the carrier. All of the electric flux due to this charge is collected in the Faraday cage, and the capacitor is charged by that amount. Then, by measuring the potential at both ends of the capacitor, the charge amount Q of the powder fluid is
Q = CV (C: capacitor capacity, V: voltage across capacitor)
Is required.
As a blow-off particle charge amount measuring device, TB-200 manufactured by Toshiba Chemical Corporation was used. In the present invention, two types of carriers having positive chargeability and negative chargeability are used, and the charge density per unit area (unit: μC / m ² ) Was measured. In other words, as a positively chargeable carrier (a carrier that is positively charged and easily becomes negative), F963-2535 manufactured by Powder Tech Co., Ltd. is used, and a negatively chargeable carrier (the other party is negatively charged and the self is positively charged) is used. As an easy carrier, F921-2535 manufactured by Powder Tech was used.
<Particle specific gravity measurement method>
The particle specific gravity was measured with a Shimadzu Corporation specific gravity meter and a multi-volume density meter H1305.
[0038]
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is important to control the gas in the gap surrounding the particles between the substrates, which contributes to the improvement of display stability. Specifically, it is important that the relative humidity at 25 ° C. of the gas in the void portion be 60% RH or less, preferably 50% RH or less, more preferably 35% RH or less.
The void portion refers to a gas portion in contact with the particles, excluding the portion occupied by the particles 3, the portion occupied by the partition walls 4, and the device sealing portion from the portion sandwiched between the opposed substrates 1 and 2 in FIG. 3. Shall be.
The type of gas in the void portion is not limited as long as it is in the above-described humidity range, but dry air, dry nitrogen, dry argon, dry helium, dry carbon dioxide, dry methane, and the like are preferable.
This gas needs to be sealed in a device so that the humidity is maintained. For example, the filling of particles, the assembly of the substrate, and the like are performed under a predetermined humidity environment, and further, the invasion of humidity from the outside is prevented. It is important to provide a sealing material and a sealing method.
[0039]
Note that the image display device of the present invention can be used for display units of mobile devices such as notebook personal computers, PDAs, and mobile phones, electronic books such as electronic books and electronic newspapers, signboards, posters, bulletin boards such as blackboards, copiers, and printer paper substitutes. Rewritable paper, calculators, display units for home appliances, and card display units such as point cards.
[0040]
【Example】
Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples. However, the present invention is not limited by the following examples.
[0041]
<Example 1>
An image display panel was manufactured as follows.
First, a substrate with electrodes (7 cm × 7 cm square) was prepared, and a rib having a height of 400 μm was formed on the substrate to form a stripe-shaped partition.
The ribs were formed as follows. First, the paste is made of SiO as inorganic powder. ₂ , Al ₂ O ₃ , B ₂ O ₃ , Bi ₂ O ₃ A mixture prepared by melting, cooling, and pulverizing a mixture of ZnO and ZnO was used, and a thermosetting epoxy resin was prepared as a resin, and a paste was prepared with a solvent so as to have a viscosity of 12,000 cps. Next, the paste was applied on the prepared substrate, heated and cured at 150 ° C., and the application and curing were repeated to adjust the thickness (corresponding to the height of the partition) to 400 μm. Next, a dry photoresist was attached thereto, and a mask was formed by exposure to etching so that a partition pattern having a line of 50 μm, a space of 400 μm, and a pitch of 250 μm was formed. Next, an excess portion was removed by sandblasting so as to have a predetermined partition shape, thereby forming a desired striped partition. Then, cells were formed between partition walls on the substrate.
[0042]
Next, two types of particles (particle A and particle B) were prepared.
Particles A (white particles) were prepared by adding 10 phr of titanium oxide and 2 phr of charge control agent Bontron E89 (manufactured by Orient Chemical) to acrylic urethane resin EAU53B (manufactured by Asia) / IPDI-based crosslinker Excel Hardener HX (manufactured by Asia). After kneading, the mixture was pulverized and classified by a jet mill to prepare particles.
Particles B (black particles) were prepared by adding 4 phr of CB and 2 phr of charge control agent Bontron N07 (manufactured by Orient Chemical) to acrylic urethane resin EAU53B (manufactured by Asia) / IPDI-based crosslinker Excel Hardener HX (manufactured by Asia), and mixing. After kneading, the particles were pulverized and classified by a jet mill to produce particles.
[0043]
The average particle diameter of the particles B was 9.2 μm, and the average particle diameter of the particles A was 7.1 μm. The surface charge density of the particles B is +25 μC / m when a positive carrier is used. ² +15 μC / m when a negative carrier is used ² Met. The surface charge density of the particles A is −25 μC / m when a positive carrier is used. ² And −55 μC / m when a negative carrier is used. ² Met.
[0044]
Next, according to the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the particles A are dispersed as first particles 3-1 in the gas from the upper nozzle 12 in the container 11, The particles A were filled in the cells 5 by spraying into the cells 5 on the substrate 1 placed at the bottom. Subsequently, the particles B are dispersed as a second particle 3-2 in the gas from the upper nozzle 12 in the container 11, and are dispersed in the cell 5 on the substrate 1 placed in the lower part of the container 12 (already the particles A). Is filled), so that the particles B are overlapped with the particles A and filled. The mixing ratio of the particles A and the particles B was set to the same weight, and the filling ratio (volume occupancy) of the particles between the glass substrates was adjusted to be 25 vol%.
[0045]
Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, in a state where the particles A (particles 3-1) are filled in the cells 5 on the substrate 1, the ITO surface of the ITO glass used as the particle removing plate 21 is It was brought into contact with the upper part of the partition wall 4. In this state, a voltage of +50 V is applied to the particle removing plate 21 to suction the particles A placed on the top of the partition wall 4, and then the particle removing plate 21 is moved to place the particle A on the top of the partition wall 4. Particles A were removed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cell 5 on the substrate 1 after the removal of the particles A is filled with the particles B (particles 3-2), and the ITO glass used as the particle removal plate 21 is removed. The ITO surface was brought into contact with the upper part of the partition wall 4 of the substrate 1. In this state, a voltage of −50 V is applied to the particle removing plate 21 to suck the particles B placed on the top of the partition wall 4, and then the particle removing plate 21 is moved to put on the top of the partition wall 4. Particles B were removed.
[0046]
By the above, the particles A and the particles B on the top of the partition wall 4 were sufficiently removed. Then, the glass substrate 2 provided with the indium oxide electrode having a thickness of about 500 mm was placed in the cell by the particles A and B. The image display panel was manufactured by superimposing the substrate 1 on the filled arrangement, bonding the periphery of the substrate with an epoxy adhesive, and enclosing the particles. Here, the gas filling the void was air having a relative humidity of 40% RH.
[0047]
<Example 2>
Particles A and B on the top of the partition wall 4 were removed in the same procedure as in Example 1. However, a copper plate was used as the particle removing plate 21 instead of ITO glass, the applied voltage for removing the particles A was +100 V, and the applied voltage for removing the particles B was -100 V. The other parts were the same as in Example 1 to produce an image display panel.
[0048]
<Comparative Example 1>
After the particles A were filled in the same manner as in Example 1, the ITO surface of the ITO glass used as the particle removing plate 21 was brought into contact with the upper part of the partition wall 4 of the substrate 1, but a voltage was applied to the particle removing plate 21. Did not. In this case, the particles A on the top of the partition wall 4 could not be sufficiently removed and remained. Similarly, the particles B on the top of the partition wall 4 also remained without being sufficiently removed. As a result, the image display panel could not be manufactured because the particles A and B remained.
[0049]
<Comparative Example 2>
After the particles A were filled in the same manner as in Example 1, the ITO surface of the ITO glass used as the particle removing plate 21 was brought into contact with the upper part of the partition wall 4 of the substrate 1, but a voltage of +350 V was applied to the particle removing plate 21. Applied. In this case, although the particles A on the top of the partition wall 4 were sufficiently removed, the particles A inside the cell were also removed, and a discharge occurred between the substrate 1 and the particle removing plate 21. Similarly, the particles B were also removed to the particles B inside the cell, and further, a discharge occurred between the substrate 1 and the particle removing plate 21. Eventually, since the particles A and B inside the cell were removed, the image display panel could not be manufactured.
[0050]
<Comparative Example 3>
After the particles A were filled in the same manner as in Example 1, it was brought into contact with the upper part of the partition wall 4 of the base glass substrate 1, but no voltage was applied because the base glass was not a conductive member. In this case, the particles A on the top of the partition wall 4 remained without being substantially removed. Similarly, the particles B on the top of the partition wall 4 remained without being substantially removed. The image display panel could not be produced by the particles A and B remaining in such a large amount.
[0051]
Summarizing the above, the removal states of the particles in Example 1, Example 2, Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, and Comparative Example 3 are as shown in Table 1. That is, Examples 1 and 2 are in a good removal state suitable for manufacturing an image display panel, and Comparative Examples 1, 2 and 3 are in an inappropriate removal state unsuitable for manufacturing an image display panel. became.
[0052]
[Table 1]

[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention, after filling and arranging particles on a substrate provided with a partition wall, the partition wall is placed before another substrate is overlapped. The particle group can be removed by bringing a particle removing plate into contact with the particle group placed on the top of the substrate, so that the overlapping of the substrate and the partition wall may occur when another substrate is bonded. It is possible to solve the problem that the particles are sandwiched between the joints or the overlap between the partition walls and the distance between the substrates cannot be made uniform.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image display device including an image display panel manufactured by a method of manufacturing an image display panel according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of an image display device including an image display panel manufactured by the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a panel structure of an image display panel manufactured by the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of filling a particle group in the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a method for filling particles in the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining particle removal using a particle removal plate in the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the filling of the first and second particles in the method for manufacturing an image display panel of the present invention is performed continuously.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a shape of a display cell defined by partition walls in the image display panel of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,2 substrate
3 particles
3-1 First particles
3-2 Second particles
4 Partition wall
5 cells
11 containers
12 nozzles
21 Particle removal plate
22 power supply

Claims (12)

A particle group is sealed in a plurality of cells provided by a partition wall between two substrates which are opposed to each other and at least one of which is transparent, and an electric field is applied to the particle group from two kinds of electrodes having different potentials. In a method of manufacturing an image display panel used in an image display device that displays an image by flying and moving a group of particles, the method further includes the step of filling and arranging the group of particles on a substrate provided with the partition wall, and then forming another substrate. A method for manufacturing an image display panel for enclosing particles in cells between substrates by overlapping,
When filling the particle group into a plurality of cells provided by the partition walls on the substrate, a nozzle is provided at the upper part in the container and the substrate provided with the partition wall at the lower part is provided, and the particles are provided at the upper part in the container. From the provided nozzle, by dispersing the particles dispersed in the gas, filling the particles on the cell on the substrate provided at the lower part of the container,
After filling and arranging the particle group on the substrate provided with the partition wall, before overlapping another substrate, the particle removing plate is brought into contact with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall by contacting the particle group. A method for manufacturing an image display panel, comprising removing particles. In the case of enclosing two or more kinds of particles having different colors and different charging characteristics, first, the first particles were dispersed in a gas from a nozzle provided on the lower part of the container with the substrate placed on the lower part of the container. After filling the cells on the substrate by spraying the first particles, the second particles are then placed on the lower part of the container with the substrate filled with the first particles in the cell, By spraying a second particle group dispersed in a gas from a nozzle provided at an upper part in the container, the first particle group already filled in the cell on the substrate is filled and overlapped. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein all the particle groups are filled in the cells by repeating the above steps. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the particle removing plate is a conductive member, and the polarity of the voltage applied to the particle removing plate is opposite to the polarity of the particles to be removed. The method according to claim 3, wherein a voltage applied to the particle removing plate is 10 to 300V. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the partition wall is provided on one or both substrates. The step of removing the particle group by contacting the particle removal plate with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall is performed after the particle group to be filled in the cells on the substrate is dispersed. The method of manufacturing an image display panel according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed at each end. The step of removing the particle group by bringing a particle removal plate into contact with the particle group placed on the top of the partition wall is performed after all the particle groups to be filled in the cells on the substrate are sprayed. The method for manufacturing an image display panel according to claim 1. The image display according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the means for dispersing the particle groups is continuously prepared by the number of types of the particle groups corresponding to the types of the particle groups. Panel manufacturing method. The method for manufacturing an image display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an average particle diameter of the particles is 0.1 to 50 µm. The method for manufacturing an image display panel according to claim 1, wherein the surface charge density of the particles is in the range of 5 to 150 μC / m ^{2 in} absolute value. The method of manufacturing an image display panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a volume occupancy of particles filled between the substrates is in a range of 10 to 80 vol%. An image display device comprising an image display panel manufactured by the method for manufacturing an image display panel according to claim 1.

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