JP2006313182A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a paper white display nearly equivalent to a white paper and a sufficiently deep optical density in a display device performing display by moving a liquid. <P>SOLUTION: A substrate 2 for yellow, a substrate 3 for magenta, a substrate 4 for cyan, a substrate 5 for black, and a substrate 6 for a cover are laminated on a substrate 1 for base in this order. A transparent liquid supplied to the whole in a fine flow passage 25 for yellow provided on the upper surface of the substrate 2 for yellow is recovered in a tank for the transparent liquid of a fluid supply/recovery device 7Y for yellow. When a colored liquid for yellow is supplied to the whole in the flow passage 25 for yellow from a tank for the colored liquid of the fluid supply/recovery device 7Y for yellow, the display becomes yellow, and vice versa, the display becomes white. In this case, random scattering of incident light is repeated by the difference between the refractive index of the substrate 1 for yellow and the refractive index of the liquid in the flow passage 25 for yellow. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that performs display by moving a fluid.

  In a conventional display device that performs display by moving a liquid, a colored liquid (dielectric material) and bubbles are sealed in a container constituting one pixel, and are provided opposite to each other on both the front and back surfaces of one side of the container. When a voltage is applied to the pair of first electrodes, the colored liquid is moved to one side in the container by electrostatic force, and the bubbles are moved to the other side in the container. When a voltage is applied to a pair of second electrodes provided to face each other, the colored liquid is moved to the other side in the container by the electrostatic force, and the bubbles are moved to one side in the container. There is one in which display is performed by making only one side of the pixel visible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-254962

  By the way, in the conventional display device, the side opposite to the surface side on one side of the container is white and opaque, and when there is a bubble on one side in the container, white display is performed, and a colored liquid is present on one side in the container. In some cases, the color display of the colored liquid itself is used. However, the colored liquid is obtained by, for example, dissolving ink in water, and has a problem that a sufficiently high optical density cannot be obtained because the absorption capacity of the ink alone is low. In addition, since the first electrode made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is provided on the surface of one side of the container, even though it is transparent at the first electrode, it absorbs several percent of light, There is a problem that a paper white display of the same degree cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can obtain a sufficiently high optical density and can obtain a paper white display comparable to that of white paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the display device having a plurality of pixels, the present invention is connected to a transparent substrate having a flow path provided in a region corresponding to each pixel, and one end of the flow path. A first fluid supply / recovery means for supplying a first fluid made of a colored liquid into the flow path and recovering the supplied first fluid, and connected to the other end of the flow path, And a second fluid supply / recovery means for recovering the supplied second fluid while supplying a second fluid having a color different from that of the colored liquid into the passage. is there.

  According to the present invention, the first fluid made of the colored liquid or the second fluid having a color different from the colored liquid is supplied into the flow path provided in the region corresponding to each pixel of the transparent substrate. A sufficiently high optical density can be obtained, and a paper white display comparable to that of white paper can be obtained by using a transparent fluid as the second fluid.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one pixel portion of a display device as a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view substantially along the line II-II in FIG. The display device includes a base substrate 1, a yellow substrate 2, a magenta substrate 3, a cyan substrate 4, a black substrate 5, and a cover substrate 6 made of transparent glass, resin, ceramic, or the like. The substrates 1 to 6 are bonded and laminated in this order via an adhesive (not shown). The bonding method of the substrates 1 to 6 is not limited to the adhesive, and may be anodic bonding, diffusion bonding, surface activated bonding, or the like. 3 to 7 are plan views of the base substrate 1, yellow substrate 2, magenta substrate 3, cyan substrate 4 and black substrate 5 shown in FIG. 1 to 7 show the structure of only one pixel for convenience, the display device according to the present embodiment is configured by arranging a plurality of pixels having this structure, for example, in a two-dimensional matrix, and the substrate 1 -6 have a size corresponding to a plurality of pixels.

  Yellow, magenta, cyan, and black fluid supply / recovery devices (first fluid supply / recovery means, second fluid supply / recovery means) 7Y, 7M, and 7C are provided on four sides of the lower surface of the base substrate 1. , 7B are provided. The structure of the fluid supply / recovery devices 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7B will be described in detail later, but here will be briefly described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid supply and recovery devices 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7B include hollow rectangular parallelepiped cases 8Y, 8M, 8C, and 8B. Color liquid moving holes 9Y, 9M, 9C, 9B and transparent liquid moving holes 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10B are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the cases 8Y, 8M, 8C, 8B.

  Next, the base substrate 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a colored liquid moving hole 21 </ b> Y and a transparent liquid moving hole 22 </ b> Y are provided on the upper and lower sides of the center of the right side of the base substrate 1. On the upper side of the upper surface of the right side portion of the base substrate 1, a colored liquid channel 23Y is provided connected to the colored liquid moving hole 21Y. A transparent liquid channel 24Y is provided below the upper surface of the right side of the base substrate 1 so as to be connected to the transparent liquid moving hole 22Y.

  A colored liquid moving hole 21M and a transparent liquid moving hole 22M are provided on the right and left sides of the center of the lower side of the base substrate 1. On the right side of the upper surface of the lower side of the base substrate 1, a colored liquid channel 23M is provided connected to the colored liquid moving hole 21M. On the left side of the upper surface of the lower side of the base substrate 1, a transparent liquid channel 24M is provided connected to the transparent liquid moving hole 22M.

  A colored liquid moving hole 21 </ b> C and a transparent liquid moving hole 22 </ b> C are provided below and above the center of the left side portion of the base substrate 1. A colored liquid channel 23C is provided below the upper surface of the left side of the base substrate 1 so as to be connected to the colored liquid moving hole 21C. On the upper side of the upper surface of the left side portion of the base substrate 1, a transparent liquid channel 24C is provided connected to the transparent liquid moving hole 22C.

  A colored liquid moving hole 21 </ b> B and a transparent liquid moving hole 22 </ b> B are provided on the left and right sides of the center of the upper side portion of the base substrate 1. On the left side of the upper surface of the upper side portion of the base substrate 1, a colored liquid channel 23B is provided connected to the colored liquid moving hole 21B. On the right side of the upper surface of the upper side portion of the base substrate 1, a transparent liquid channel 24B is provided connected to the transparent liquid moving hole 22B.

  Colored liquid moving holes 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21B, transparent liquid moving holes 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22B, colored liquid channels 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23B and transparent liquid channels 24Y, 24M, 24C, 24B is formed by wet etching or sandblasting. In this case, in particular, when forming the colored liquid channels 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23B and the transparent liquid channels 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24B, first, a relatively rough channel is formed in a short time by sandblasting. Then, the flow path may be cleaned by wet etching. The liquid moving hole and the flow path forming method described later are also the same.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y moves the colored liquid moving hole 9Y and the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y at the center of the lower surface of the right side of the base substrate 1 for moving the colored liquid. It is provided in a state of being connected to the hole 21Y and the transparent liquid moving hole 22Y. The magenta fluid supply / recovery device 7M has the colored liquid moving hole 9M and the transparent liquid moving hole 10M at the central portion of the lower side and lower surface of the base substrate 1 as the colored liquid moving hole 21M and the transparent liquid moving hole 22M. It is provided in a connected state.

  The cyan fluid supply / recovery device 7C has the colored liquid moving hole 9C and the transparent liquid moving hole 10C at the central portion of the lower surface of the left side of the base substrate 1 as the colored liquid moving hole 21C and the transparent liquid moving hole 22C. It is provided in a connected state. The black fluid supply / recovery device 7B has the colored liquid moving hole 9B and the transparent liquid moving hole 10B at the central portion of the upper side and the lower surface of the base substrate 1 as the colored liquid moving hole 21B and the transparent liquid moving hole 22B. It is provided in a connected state.

  Next, the yellow substrate 2 that also serves as a cover for covering the upper surface of the base substrate 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the yellow substrate 2 is provided with a minute yellow flow path 25 meandering (having a plurality of bent portions). In this case, in FIG. 4, the yellow channel 25 is provided in a region excluding the lower side portion, the left side portion, and the upper side portion of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2, and both end portions thereof are located above the right side portion of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2 and It is provided on the lower side.

  The yellow substrate 2 at one end of the yellow channel 25 disposed on the upper right side of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 26Y. A transparent liquid moving hole 27 </ b> Y is provided in the yellow substrate 2 at the other end of the yellow flow channel 25 disposed on the lower side of the right side of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2.

  A colored liquid moving hole 26M and a transparent liquid moving hole 27M are provided on the right and left sides of the lower side of the yellow substrate 2. A colored liquid moving hole 26 </ b> C and a transparent liquid moving hole 27 </ b> C are provided below and above the left side of the yellow substrate 2. A colored liquid moving hole 26B and a transparent liquid moving hole 27B are provided on the left and right sides of the upper side of the yellow substrate 2.

  Then, the liquid movement holes 26Y, 27Y, 26M, 27M, 26C, 27C, 26B, and 27B of the yellow substrate 2 respectively correspond to the liquid channels 23Y, 24Y, and 23M of the base substrate 1 shown in FIG. , 24M, 23C, 24C, 23B, and 24B.

  Next, the magenta substrate 3 that also serves as a cover for covering the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a meandering minute magenta flow path 28 is provided on the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3. In this case, in FIG. 5, the magenta flow path 28 is provided in a region excluding the left side, the upper side, and the right side of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3, and both ends thereof are on the right side of the lower side of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3 and It is provided on the left side.

  The magenta substrate 3 at one end of the magenta flow path 28 disposed on the right side of the lower side of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 29C. The magenta substrate 3 at the other end of the magenta flow path 28 arranged on the left side of the lower side of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3 is provided with a transparent liquid moving hole 30C.

  A colored liquid moving hole 29 </ b> C and a transparent liquid moving hole 30 </ b> C are provided below and above the left side of the magenta substrate 3. A colored liquid moving hole 29B and a transparent liquid moving hole 30B are provided on the left and right sides of the upper side of the magenta substrate 3.

  The liquid moving holes 29M, 30M, 29C, 30C, 29B, and 30B of the magenta substrate 3 are respectively moved to the liquid moving holes 26M, 27M, 26C, 27C, and 26B of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. , 27B.

  Next, the cyan substrate 4 that also serves as a cover for covering the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a meandering minute cyan flow path 31 is provided on the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4. In this case, in FIG. 6, the cyan channel 31 is provided in a region excluding the upper side, the right side, and the lower side of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4, and both ends thereof are below the left side of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4 and It is provided on the upper side.

  The cyan substrate 4 at one end of the cyan channel 31 disposed on the upper side of the lower side of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 32C. A transparent liquid moving hole 33 </ b> C is provided in the cyan substrate 4 at the other end of the cyan channel 31 disposed on the upper left side of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4. A colored liquid moving hole 32B and a transparent liquid moving hole 33B are provided on the left and right sides of the upper side of the cyan substrate 4.

  The liquid moving holes 32C, 33C, 32B, and 33B of the cyan substrate 4 are connected to the liquid moving holes 29C, 30C, 29B, and 30B of the magenta substrate 3 shown in FIG.

  Next, the black substrate 5 that also serves as a cover for covering the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a meandering minute black flow path 34 is provided on the upper surface of the black substrate 5. In this case, in FIG. 7, the black channel 34 is provided in a region excluding the right side, the lower side, and the left side of the upper surface of the black substrate 5, and both ends thereof are on the left side of the upper side of the upper surface of the black substrate 5 and It is provided on the right side.

  The black substrate 5 at one end of the black channel 34 disposed on the left side of the upper side of the upper surface of the black substrate 5 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 35B. A transparent liquid moving hole 36 </ b> B is provided in the black substrate 5 at the other end of the black channel 34 disposed on the right side of the upper side of the upper surface of the black substrate 5.

  The liquid moving holes 35B and 36B of the black substrate 5 are connected to the liquid moving holes 32B and 33B of the cyan substrate 4 shown in FIG. The cover substrate 6 is a cover that covers the upper surface of the black substrate 5. In FIG. 2, the yellow channel 25, the magenta channel 28, the cyan channel 31 and the black channel formed on the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5. The flow path 34 is provided in the shape of a groove at a depth about the middle of the thickness of each substrate. However, the flow path 34 is not limited to this, and includes, for example, two substrates joined to each other. Each flow path may be formed so as to penetrate the substrate.

  Here, the liquid movement holes 26Y and 27Y at both ends of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 4 are the same as the liquid flow paths 23Y and 24Y and the liquid movement holes 21Y and 22Y shown in FIG. Through the liquid moving holes 9Y and 10Y of the yellow liquid supply and recovery device 7Y.

  The liquid moving holes 29M and 30M at both ends of the magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3 shown in FIG. 5 are the liquid moving holes 26M and 27M shown in FIG. 4, and the liquid flow paths 23M and 24M shown in FIG. The liquid moving holes 21M and 22M are connected to the liquid moving holes 9M and 10M of the magenta fluid supply and recovery device 7M.

  Liquid moving holes 32C and 33C at both ends of the cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4 shown in FIG. 6 are liquid moving holes 29C and 30C shown in FIG. 5, and liquid moving holes 26C and 27C shown in FIG. 3 are connected to the liquid movement holes 9C and 10C of the cyan fluid supply / recovery device 7C via the liquid flow paths 23C and 24C and the liquid movement holes 21C and 22C shown in FIG.

  The liquid movement holes 35B and 36B at both ends of the black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5 shown in FIG. 7 are the liquid movement holes 32B and 33B shown in FIG. 6, and the liquid movement holes 29B and 30B shown in FIG. The liquid moving holes 26B and 27B shown in FIG. 4 and the liquid moving holes 9B of the black fluid supply and recovery apparatus 7B via the liquid flow paths 23B and 24B and the liquid moving holes 21B and 22B shown in FIG. 10B.

  Next, the operation of the fluid supply / recovery device will be described with the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y as a representative. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing an operation state of the example of the yellow fluid supply / recovery device shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a solid upper electrode plate 11Y and a lower electrode plate 12Y are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the case 8Y. A rectangular flexible electrode plate 13Y is provided inside the case 8Y.

  One end portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y is fixed to the ceiling surface of the one end portion in the case 8Y, and the other end portion is fixed to the floor surface of the other end portion in the case 1, and the side surface in the middle is deformed into a substantially S shape. The portion on the right side of the portion is in contact with the ceiling surface in the case 8Y, and the portion on the left side of the portion deformed in a substantially S-shaped side surface is in contact with the floor surface in the case 8Y. In this case, the portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that has been deformed to have a substantially S-shaped side surface is relatively movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 8 while maintaining the deformed state.

  Then, the inside of the case 8Y is separated into a colored liquid space 14Y and a transparent liquid space 15Y by a portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that is deformed into a substantially S-shaped side surface. A colored liquid moving hole 9Y and a transparent liquid moving hole 10Y are provided in the colored liquid space 14Y and the transparent liquid space 15Y in the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y on both sides of the upper surface of the case 8Y. It is provided in communication.

  A colored liquid tank (first fluid tank) 16Y and a transparent liquid tank (second fluid tank) 17Y are provided in the colored liquid space 14Y and the transparent liquid space 15Y. The colored liquid tank 16Y and the transparent liquid tank 17Y have, for example, a stretchable resin material, a bellows structure, or the like, and have a bag-like structure with variable capacity. The mouth portion of the colored liquid tank 16Y communicates with the colored liquid moving hole 9Y. The mouth of the transparent liquid tank 17Y communicates with the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y.

  The colored liquid tank 16Y and the transparent liquid tank 17Y contain a yellow colored liquid (first fluid) 18Y and a transparent liquid (second fluid) 19Y. The yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y are not mixed with each other. For example, any two of a fluorine-based inert liquid made of water, silicone oil, florinate (manufactured by 3M Corporation of USA), or the like may be used as the colored liquid 18Y for yellow and the transparent liquid 19Y.

  As a matter of course, the color material of the colored liquid 18Y for yellow is not soluble in the transparent liquid 19Y but is soluble only in its own liquid. For example, when water is used as the yellow colored liquid 18Y and silicone oil is used as the transparent liquid 19Y, the yellow aqueous pigment ink is dissolved in water. When silicone oil is used as the yellow colored liquid 18Y and water is used as the transparent liquid 19Y, the yellow oil-based pigment ink is dissolved in the silicone oil.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, the side portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that is deformed in an approximately S-shape is positioned at the leftward movement limit position, and the volume of the colored liquid tank 16Y is maximized, so that the transparent liquid Since the volume of the tank 17Y is minimized, the yellow colored liquid 18Y is accommodated in the colored liquid tank 16Y at the maximum, and the transparent liquid 19Y moves from the transparent liquid tank 17Y to the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y, FIG. The transparent liquid moving hole 22Y, the transparent liquid flow path 24Y, and the transparent liquid moving hole 27Y shown in FIG. 4 are supplied to the entire yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2.

  In this state, since the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y are not mixed with each other, the interface between the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y is in the colored liquid moving hole 26Y shown in FIG. Alternatively, it is located somewhere in the colored liquid channel 23Y shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y will be described. First, in the state shown in FIG. 8, the lower electrode plate 12Y is in an open state in which no electrical connection is made, and the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y have the same voltage (for example, a positive voltage, Is applied), the side of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that has been deformed into a substantially S-shape due to the repulsive force generated by the Coulomb force generated between the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y. Move toward the right side relatively.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that has been deformed into a substantially S-shaped side surface reaches the rightward movement limit position, the volume of the colored liquid tank 16Y is minimized, and the colored liquid tank The yellow colored liquid 18Y is supplied from the tank 16Y through the colored liquid moving hole 9Y, and in conjunction with this, the transparent liquid 19Y is recovered in the transparent liquid tank 17Y through the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y. The volume of the transparent liquid tank 17Y is maximized.

  Therefore, in this case, the transparent liquid 19Y that has been supplied to the entirety of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 4 is the transparent liquid moving hole 27Y, and the transparent liquid flow path 24Y shown in FIG. The yellow colored liquid 18Y is collected in the transparent liquid tank 16Y through the transparent liquid moving holes 22Y and 10Y, and the colored liquid moving liquid 9Y from the colored liquid tank 16Y is shown in FIG. It is supplied to the entire inside of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 through the liquid movement hole 21Y, the colored liquid flow path 23Y and the colored liquid movement hole 26Y shown in FIG.

  In this case, the interface between the colored liquid 18Y for yellow and the transparent liquid 19Y located somewhere in the moving hole 26Y for colored liquid shown in FIG. 4 or the flow path 23Y for colored liquid shown in FIG. 3 moves toward the transparent liquid movement hole 27Y side in the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3, and somewhere in the transparent liquid movement hole 27Y or the transparent liquid flow path 24Y shown in FIG. It will be in a position.

  On the other hand, in the state shown in FIG. 9, when the upper electrode plate 11Y is in an open state in which no electrical connection is made, and the same voltage is applied to the lower electrode plate 12Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y. The portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that has been deformed into a substantially S-shape by the repulsive force due to the Coulomb force generated between the lower electrode plate 12Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y is relatively leftward. Moving.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that has been deformed into a substantially S-shaped side surface reaches the leftward movement limit position, the volume of the transparent liquid tank 17Y becomes minimum, and the transparent liquid tank The transparent liquid 19Y is supplied from the tank 17Y through the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y, and in conjunction with this, the yellow colored liquid 18Y is collected in the colored liquid tank 16Y through the colored liquid moving hole 9Y. The volume of the colored liquid tank 16Y is maximized.

  Therefore, in this case, the yellow colored liquid 18Y supplied to the whole of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 4 is the colored liquid moving hole 26Y, and the colored liquid flow shown in FIG. The transparent liquid 19Y is collected in the colored liquid tank 16Y through the passage 2YB and the colored liquid moving holes 21Y and 9Y, and the transparent liquid 19Y is transferred from the transparent liquid tank 17Y to the transparent liquid moving hole 10Y, as shown in FIG. The liquid is supplied to the entire yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 through the liquid movement hole 22Y, the transparent liquid flow path 24Y, and the transparent liquid movement hole 27Y shown in FIG.

  In this case, the interface between the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y located somewhere in the transparent liquid moving hole 27Y shown in FIG. 4 or the transparent liquid flow path 24Y shown in FIG. 3 moves toward the colored liquid moving hole 26Y side in the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3, and somewhere in the colored liquid moving hole 26Y or the colored liquid flow path 23Y shown in FIG. It will be in a position.

  As described above, in the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y, when the state shown in FIG. 8 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. 9, the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y is supplied to the entire yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. The collected transparent liquid 19Y is collected and the yellow colored liquid 18Y is supplied to the entire yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2, and in the opposite case, the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 is supplied. The yellow colored liquid 18Y that has been supplied to the whole of the inside is collected, and the transparent liquid 19Y is supplied to the whole of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2.

  Similarly, in the magenta fluid supply / recovery device 7M, when the state shown in FIG. 8 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. 9, the entire inside of the cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4 shown in FIG. The transparent liquid (second fluid) supplied to the substrate is recovered, and the magenta colored liquid (first fluid) is supplied to the entire cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4 and vice versa. In this case, the magenta colored liquid that has been supplied to the entire cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4 is recovered, and the transparent liquid is supplied to the entire cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4. It is supposed to be.

  In the cyan fluid supply / recovery device 7C, when the state shown in FIG. 8 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. 9, the cyan fluid supply / recovery device 7C is supplied to the entire magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3 shown in FIG. In the case where the transparent liquid (second fluid) that has been collected is recovered and the cyan colored liquid (first fluid) is supplied to the entire inside of the magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3, and vice versa. The cyan colored liquid that has been supplied to the entire magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3 is collected, and the transparent liquid is supplied to the entire magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3. It has become.

  Further, in the black fluid supply / recovery device 7B, when the state shown in FIG. 8 is shifted to the state shown in FIG. 9, the black fluid supply / recovery device 7B is supplied to the entire black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5 shown in FIG. In the case where the transparent liquid (second fluid) that has been collected is recovered and the black colored liquid (first fluid) is supplied to the entire black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5, and vice versa. The black colored liquid that has been supplied to the entire black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5 is collected, and the transparent liquid is supplied to the entire black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5. It has become.

  Next, the display operation of the display device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. First, when the transparent liquid is supplied to the entire flow paths 25, 28, 31, and 34 of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5, as described later, The display is white.

  Next, in the white display state, the transparent liquid supplied to the entire yellow channel 25 of the yellow substrate 2 is recovered, and the yellow colored liquid is supplied to the entire yellow channel 25. In the case of yellowing, the display is yellow. Next, in the white display state, the transparent liquid supplied to the entire magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3 is recovered, and the magenta colored liquid is supplied to the entire magenta flow path 28. In the case of a failure, the display is magenta.

  Next, in the white display state, the transparent liquid supplied to the entire cyan channel 31 of the cyan substrate 4 is recovered, and the cyan colored liquid is supplied to the entire cyan channel 31. In the case of a failure, the display is cyan. Next, in the white display state, the transparent liquid supplied to the entire black channel 34 of the black substrate 5 was recovered, and the black colored liquid was supplied to the entire black channel 34. In this case, a black color is displayed.

  Here, the display quality of paper will be described. Paper is generally a fiber made of cellulose or the like mixed with a transparent powder called white material, but is not solid and has a gap, and air exists around the fiber and the transparent powder. And since the refractive index of fiber and transparent powder is 1.3-1.5 and 1.4-1.7, while the refractive index of the surrounding air is 1.0, this refractive index. Due to this difference, random scattering of incident light is repeated, the emitted light approaches white, and a paper white display is obtained.

  In addition, although the absorption capacity of the ink alone printed on the paper is low, the ink printed on the paper thinly covers the surface of the fiber or transparent powder. By repeating such scattering, the number of absorptions increases, the emitted light approaches a sufficiently high optical density, and high density display is achieved.

  On the other hand, in the display device, in the white display state, the minute flow paths 25, 28, 31, provided meandering on the upper surfaces of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5. A transparent liquid is supplied to the entire interior of 34. In this case, the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5 made of transparent glass, resin, ceramic, etc. have a refractive index of 1.6 to 2.5, while being transparent. Since the refractive index of the liquid is about 1.3, the difference in refractive index causes random scattering of incident light in the meandering minute flow paths 25, 28, 31, and 34, and the emitted light is white. The paper white display appears.

  In the yellow color display state, the magenta color display state, the cyan color display state, and the black color display state, the flow paths 25, 28 of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4, and the black substrate 5, Although the absorption capability of the colored liquid alone supplied to the entirety of 31 and 34 is low, the refractive indexes of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5 are 1.6 to 2. .5, the refractive index of the colored liquid for yellow, the colored liquid for magenta, the colored liquid for cyan, and the colored liquid for black is about 1.3. The random scattering of the incident light is repeated in the flow passages 25, 28, 31, and 34, so that the number of absorptions increases, the emitted light approaches a sufficiently dark optical density, and a high density display is obtained. .

  Incidentally, in the yellow fluid supply / recovery device 7Y shown in FIG. 8, the side surface of the flexible electrode plate 13Y is substantially S-shaped by the repulsive force generated by the Coulomb force generated between the lower electrode plate 12Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y. After the part that has been deformed to reach the leftward movement limit position and switched to white display, even if the application of voltage to the lower electrode plate 12Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y is stopped, The repulsive force due to the generated Coulomb force only disappears, and it is possible to maintain the state where the side surface of the flexible electrode plate 13Y deformed in a substantially S shape is positioned at the leftward movement limit position.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the side surface of the flexible electrode plate 13Y deformed into a substantially S shape by the repulsive force due to the Coulomb force generated between the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y. After reaching the rightward movement limit position and switching to the yellow color display, even if the application of voltage to the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y is stopped, the Coulomb force generated during that time The repulsive force only disappears, and the state where the side surface of the flexible electrode plate 13Y deformed in an approximately S shape can be maintained in the rightward movement limit position. Therefore, in this display device, it is not necessary to apply power as long as the display contents are not changed, and the power consumption can be greatly reduced.

  In this display device, when the yellow colored liquid, the magenta colored liquid, and the cyan colored liquid are appropriately supplied into the flow paths 25, 28, and 31 of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, and the cyan substrate 4. Full color display based on the complementary color display principle can be performed. In this case, gradation expression can be performed by adjusting the amount of each colored liquid supplied into the three flow paths 25, 28, and 31. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of adjusting the amount of the colored liquid.

  In the case of adjusting the amount of each colored liquid supplied into the three flow paths 25, 28 and 31, as an example, referring to the fluid supply and recovery device 7Y shown in FIG. 8, in the state shown in FIG. A voltage having the same sign is applied to the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y, and the side surface of the flexible electrode plate 13Y that is deformed into a substantially S-shape moves toward the right side. As shown in FIG. 10, when the side portion of the flexible electrode plate 13Y deformed into a substantially S shape reaches the substantially central portion in the case 8Y, the upper electrode plate 11Y and the flexible electrode plate 13Y When the voltage application is stopped, the yellow colored liquid 7Y is supplied to almost half of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2.

  In the case of black color display, the supply of the colored liquid and the transparent liquid into the flow paths 25, 28 and 31 of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3 and the cyan substrate 4 is not limited. If a colored liquid or a transparent liquid is supplied to the entire flow paths 25, 28, and 31 of the substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, and the cyan substrate 4, the next color display can be easily controlled.

  The black substrate 5 for black color display and the black fluid supply / recovery device 7B are omitted, and the entire flow path 25, 28, 31 of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, and the cyan substrate 4 is omitted. Alternatively, the yellow color liquid, the magenta color liquid, and the cyan color liquid may be simultaneously supplied to display black color. However, when the black color display is performed using the black colored liquid, the color reproducibility can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 11 to 15 are plan views of a base substrate 1, a yellow substrate 2, a magenta substrate 3, a cyan substrate 4 and a black substrate 5, respectively, of one pixel portion of a display device as a second embodiment of the present invention. Indicates. First, as shown in FIG. 11, one end of each of the colored liquid channels 23Y, 23M, 23C, and 23B is disposed at the upper right corner, lower right corner, lower left corner, and upper left corner of the base substrate 1. ing. One end of each of the transparent liquid channels 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24B is disposed at the upper right, lower right, lower left, and upper left in the central portion of the base substrate 1.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, on the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2, a spiral yellow channel 25 (having a plurality of bent portions) is provided. In this case, in FIG. 12, the yellow channel 25 is provided in a region excluding the lower side and the left side of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2, and the outer end thereof is disposed at the upper right corner of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2. The inner end portion is arranged at the upper right of the central portion of the upper surface of the yellow substrate 2. The yellow substrate 2 at the outer end of the yellow channel 25 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 26Y. The yellow substrate 2 at the inner end of the yellow channel 25 is provided with a transparent liquid moving hole 27Y.

  In FIG. 12, colored liquid moving holes 26 </ b> M, 26 </ b> C, and 26 </ b> B are provided in the lower right corner, the lower left corner, and the upper left corner of the yellow substrate 2. Transparent liquid moving holes 27 </ b> M, 27 </ b> C, and 27 </ b> B are provided in the lower right, lower left, and upper left of the central portion of the yellow substrate 2. Each liquid moving hole 26Y, 26M, 26C, 26B, 27Y, 27M, 27C, 27B is one end of each liquid flow path 23Y, 23M, 23C, 23B, 24Y, 24M, 24C, 24B shown in FIG. Connected to the department.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, a spiral magenta flow path 28 is provided on the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3. In this case, in FIG. 13, the magenta flow path 28 is provided in a region excluding the left side and the upper side of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3, and the outer end thereof is disposed at the lower right corner of the upper surface of the magenta substrate 3. The inner end portion is arranged at the lower right of the center portion of the magenta substrate 3. The magenta substrate 3 at the outer end of the magenta flow path 28 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 29M. The magenta substrate 3 at the inner end of the magenta flow path 28 is provided with a transparent liquid moving hole 30M.

  In FIG. 13, colored liquid moving holes 29 </ b> C and 29 </ b> B are provided in the lower left corner and the upper left corner of the magenta substrate 3. Transparent liquid moving holes 30 </ b> C and 30 </ b> B are provided in the lower left and upper left of the central portion of the magenta substrate 3. Each liquid movement hole 29M, 29C, 29B, 30M, 30C, 30B is connected to each liquid movement hole 26M, 26C, 26B, 27M, 27C, 27B shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a spiral small cyan flow path 31 is provided on the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4. In this case, in FIG. 14, the cyan flow path 31 is provided in a region excluding the upper side and the right side of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4, and the outer end thereof is disposed at the lower left corner of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4. The inner end portion is provided at the lower left of the center portion of the upper surface of the cyan substrate 4. The cyan substrate 4 at the outer end of the cyan channel 31 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 32C. The cyan substrate 4 at the inner end of the cyan channel 31 is provided with a transparent liquid moving hole 33C.

  In FIG. 14, a colored liquid moving hole 32 </ b> B is provided in the upper left corner of the cyan substrate 4. A transparent liquid moving hole 33 </ b> B is provided in the upper left of the central portion of the cyan substrate 4. Each liquid movement hole 32C, 32B, 33C, 33B is connected to each liquid movement hole 29C, 29B, 30C, 30B shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, a spiral micro black channel 34 is provided on the upper surface of the black substrate 5. In this case, in FIG. 15, the black channel 34 is provided in a region excluding the right side and the lower side of the upper surface of the black substrate 5, and its outer end is disposed at the upper left corner of the black substrate 5. The inner end portion is disposed at the upper left of the central portion of the black substrate 5. The black substrate 5 at the outer end of the black channel 34 is provided with a colored liquid moving hole 35B. The black substrate 5 at the inner end of the black channel 34 is provided with a transparent liquid moving hole 36 </ b> B. The liquid movement holes 35B and 36B are respectively connected to the liquid movement holes 32B and 33B shown in FIG.

  Here, the liquid movement holes 26Y and 27Y at both ends of the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. 12 are replaced with the liquid flow paths 23Y and 24Y and the liquid movement holes 21Y and 22Y shown in FIG. Via the liquid moving holes 9Y and 10Y of the yellow fluid supply and recovery device 7Y.

  Liquid moving holes 29M and 30M at both ends of the magenta flow path 28 of the magenta substrate 3 shown in FIG. 13 are liquid moving holes 26M and 27M shown in FIG. 12, and liquid flow paths 23M and 24M shown in FIG. The liquid moving holes 21M and 22M are connected to the liquid moving holes 9M and 10M of the magenta fluid supply and recovery device 7M.

  Liquid moving holes 32C and 33C at both ends of the cyan flow path 31 of the cyan substrate 4 shown in FIG. 14 are liquid moving holes 29C and 30C shown in FIG. 13, and liquid moving holes 26C and 27C shown in FIG. 11 are connected to the liquid movement holes 9C, 10C of the cyan fluid supply / recovery device 7C via the liquid flow paths 23C, 24C and the liquid movement holes 21C, 22C shown in FIG.

  The liquid movement holes 35B and 36B at both ends of the black flow path 34 of the black substrate 5 shown in FIG. 15 are the liquid movement holes 32B and 33B shown in FIG. 14, and the liquid movement holes 29B and 30B shown in FIG. The liquid movement holes 26B and 27B shown in FIG. 12, the liquid flow holes 23B and 24B and the liquid movement holes 21B and 22B shown in FIG. 10B.

(Other embodiments)
16 and 17 are plan views of the yellow substrate 2 of one pixel portion of the display device according to the third and fourth embodiments of the present invention. In the first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the meandering minute flow path 25 for yellow is formed in a single stroke, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 16. As in the embodiment, it may be branched into two meandering minute yellow flow paths 25a, 25b between the colored liquid moving hole 26Y and the transparent liquid moving hole 27Y.

  Further, in the second embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the spiral micro flow path for yellow 25 is a single stroke, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention shown in FIG. As in the fourth embodiment, two spiral yellow flow channels 25a and 25b may be branched between the colored liquid moving hole 26Y and the transparent liquid moving hole 27Y.

  In this way, when branching into two (or more) yellow flow paths 25a and 25b, even if one flow path is clogged for some reason, the display operation by the flow of liquid in the other flow path Can continue.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a yellow substrate 2, a magenta substrate 3, a cyan substrate 4 and a black substrate 5 are laminated in this order on a base substrate 1. However, the stacking order of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5 is not limited to this, and any stacking order may be used. Further, the number of each of the yellow substrate 2, the magenta substrate 3, the cyan substrate 4 and the black substrate 5 is not limited to one, and may be two or more. Good.

  Further, for example, in FIG. 8, water is used as the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y, and the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y are used in the yellow channel 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. Silicone oil or air may be slightly interposed between the two. Further, for example, in FIG. 8, both the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid 19Y use silicone oil, and the yellow colored liquid 18Y and the transparent liquid in the yellow flow path 25 of the yellow substrate 2 shown in FIG. You may make it interpose some water or air between 19Y. Further, for example, in FIG. 8, air (transparent fluid) may be used instead of the transparent liquid 19Y.

  In each of the above embodiments, a transparent liquid is supplied as the second fluid into the flow path of each substrate to perform white display. However, the display is set to a color different from white. Also good. In that case, a fluid having a color different from the colored liquid supplied to each flow path may be supplied as the second fluid.

1 is a perspective view of one pixel portion of a display device as a first embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. The top view of the board | substrate for bases shown in FIG. The top view of the board | substrate for yellow shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the magenta substrate shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cyan substrate shown in FIG. 1. The top view of the board | substrate for black shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one example of the yellow fluid supply / recovery device shown in FIG. 1. Sectional drawing of the other state of the fluid supply collection | recovery apparatus for yellow shown in FIG. Sectional drawing shown in order to demonstrate an example in the case of adjusting the supply fee of the colored liquid for yellow using the fluid supply and collection device for yellow shown in FIG. The top view of the board | substrate for bases of the display apparatus as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the board | substrate for yellow of the display apparatus as 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the magenta board | substrate of the display apparatus as 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the board | substrate for cyan | cyanogen of the display apparatus as 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the board | substrate for black of the display apparatus as 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the board | substrate for yellow shown in order to demonstrate the display apparatus as 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The top view of the board | substrate for yellow shown in order to demonstrate the display apparatus as 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base substrate 2 Yellow substrate 3 Magenta substrate 4 Cyan substrate 5 Black substrate 6 Cover substrate 7Y Fluid supply and recovery device for yellow 7M Fluid supply and recovery device for magenta 7C Fluid supply and recovery device for cyan 7B Fluid supply for black Collection device 16Y Colored liquid tank 17Y Transparent liquid tank 18Y Yellow colored liquid 19Y Transparent liquid 25 Yellow flow path 28 Magenta flow path 31 Cyan flow path 34 Black flow path

Claims (14)

In a display device having a plurality of pixels,
A transparent substrate having a flow path provided in a region corresponding to each pixel;
A first fluid supply / recovery means connected to one end of the flow path, supplying a first fluid made of a colored liquid into the flow path and recovering the supplied first fluid;
A second fluid supply / recovery that is connected to the other end of the flow path, supplies a second fluid having a color different from the colored liquid into the flow path, and collects the supplied second fluid. Means,
A display device comprising:   2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid supply / recovery means includes a first fluid tank that recovers and holds the first fluid, and the second fluid supply / recovery means includes the first fluid supply / recovery means. A display device comprising a second fluid tank for collecting and holding a second fluid.   3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first fluid tank and the second fluid tank has a variable capacity.   3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the first fluid supply / recovery unit and the second fluid supply / recovery unit are configured to pass the first fluid and the second fluid or the first fluid in the flow path. The first fluid and the second fluid are supplied into the flow path from the first fluid tank or the second fluid tank so as to be filled with either the fluid or the second fluid. A display device characterized by that.   The display device according to claim 4 controls the first fluid and the second fluid supplied into the flow path from the first fluid supply / recovery means and the second fluid supply / recovery means. A display device for performing display by moving the interface between the first fluid and the second fluid in either direction on one end side or the other end side of the flow path.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are made of liquids that do not mix with each other.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second fluid is made of a transparent fluid.   8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the second fluid is air.   2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the substrate and the refractive indexes of the first fluid and the second fluid are different from each other.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the flow path has a plurality of bent portions.   2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the substrates are stacked on each other, and colored liquids of different colors are supplied as the first fluid into the flow paths of the substrates. Characteristic display device.   12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein one of yellow colored liquid, magenta colored liquid, and cyan colored liquid is supplied as the first fluid into the flow path of each substrate. Display device.   12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein any one of yellow colored liquid, magenta colored liquid, cyan colored liquid, and black colored liquid is supplied as the first fluid into the flow path of each substrate. A display device.   13. The display device according to claim 11, wherein a colored liquid of the same color is supplied as the first fluid to at least two of the plurality of substrates.

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