JP2009157101A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device equipped with a substrate having a curved surface and display elements, which maintains the curved surface of the substrate where a plurality of display elements are arranged, the display element having excellent shock resistance, and allows a user to recognize the whole information displayed by the plurality of display elements existing in one visual field in a front view of the substrate. <P>SOLUTION: This display device 10 is equipped with a shaft member 14; the substrate using the shaft member 14 as a center shaft, supported rotatably by the shaft member 14, and having the curved surface at least along its rotation direction; and a plurality of electronic paper 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E disposed on the curved surface of the substrate. The plurality of electronic paper 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E are arranged at intervals in one visual field in a front view of the substrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device using electronic paper, and more particularly to a display device in which electronic paper is arranged on a curved surface such as a sphere.

Conventionally, examples of the display element provided on the surface of a sphere include a globe in which a liquid crystal display element is disposed on the surface of the globe (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In such a globe, in order to dispose the liquid crystal display element on the surface thereof, an insertion hole is provided from the surface of the globe (sphere) to the inside, and the liquid crystal display element is inserted into the insertion hole.
JP-A-2-47684 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-109474

However, when the liquid crystal display element is inserted into the insertion hole provided in the sphere as described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the element on the surface of the sphere. In this case, the liquid crystal display element is disposed in a state slightly pulled inward from the outermost surface of the sphere, and there is a problem that it is difficult to see information displayed on the liquid crystal display element.
In addition, since the liquid crystal display element itself is not flexible, the liquid crystal display element cannot be disposed along the curved surface (spherical surface) of the surface of the sphere, so that the portion where the liquid crystal display element is disposed (display unit) ) Only forms a flat surface, and the globe does not form a perfect spherical surface. Also, external force is likely to be applied to the part where the liquid crystal display element is placed. If external force is applied to the globe, the liquid crystal display element will be damaged. There was something to do.
Furthermore, since the liquid crystal display element has a narrow viewing angle, even if the liquid crystal display element is provided on the surface of the globe, if the globe is rotated and the liquid crystal display element moves to a position outside the viewing angle, Although the liquid crystal display element itself can be visually recognized, the display information (characters, symbols, symbols, images, etc.) cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, for example, when the globe is viewed from the front, even if a plurality of liquid crystal display elements can be viewed in one field of view, it is not possible to recognize all the information displayed by each liquid crystal display element.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a display device including a substrate having a curved surface and a display element, a plurality of display elements are arranged on the curved surface while maintaining the shape of the curved surface of the substrate. In addition, there is provided a display device that is excellent in impact resistance of the display element and can recognize all information displayed by a plurality of display elements existing in one visual field when the substrate is viewed from the front. For the purpose.

  The display device of the present invention is provided on a shaft member, a base having the shaft member as a central axis, rotatably supported by the shaft member, having a curved surface along at least the rotation direction thereof, and a curved surface of the base. A plurality of electronic papers, wherein the plurality of electronic papers are arranged at intervals in one field of view when the substrate is viewed from the front.

  The display device of the present invention is provided on a shaft member, a base having the shaft member as a central axis, rotatably supported by the shaft member, having a curved surface along at least the rotation direction thereof, and a curved surface of the base. A plurality of electronic papers, and when the base is viewed from the front, the plurality of electronic papers are arranged at intervals in one field of view. In the display device using the display device, since the viewing angle is narrow and the displayed information cannot be viewed except for the front, the display device uses a reflective electronic paper such as an electrophoretic display. Even if is rotated, all the information displayed on the electronic paper in the field of view can be visually recognized. Therefore, even if the position of the electronic paper is slightly moved by rotating the base, it is possible to accurately recognize different information displayed for each electronic paper existing in one field of view. In addition, a display device in which the shape of the curved surface of the substrate is maintained can be obtained, and the impact resistance of electronic paper is excellent.

The best mode of the display device of the present invention will be described.
This embodiment is specifically described for better understanding of the gist of the invention, and does not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified.

1 and 2 are schematic perspective views showing a globe-type display device as an embodiment of the display device of the present invention.
The display device 10 of this embodiment includes a sphere 11, a base 13, a shaft member 14, a latitude scale 15, and electronic papers 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, and 20H (collectively named) And may be referred to as “electronic paper 20”).
In the display device 10, the shaft member 14 penetrates the center of the sphere 11 and forms the rotation axis of the sphere 11. The ball 11 is supported by the shaft member 14 so as to be rotatable about the shaft member 14. Thereby, the surface of the sphere 11 (the surface 12a of the covering material 12 in the sphere 11) has a curved surface along the rotation direction around the shaft member 14.

The sphere 11 is generally configured by a resin, metal or wooden base (not shown) made of a sphere and a covering material 12 provided so as to cover the surface (outermost surface). A world map α is drawn on the surface 12 a of the covering material 12.
In the sphere 11, a plurality of electronic papers 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, and 20H are disposed on the surface 12a of the covering material 12 with a predetermined interval. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when the sphere 11 is viewed from the front, a plurality of electronic papers 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, and 20E are arranged at intervals in one field of view. These electronic papers 20 are disposed on the surface 12 a of the material 12. In addition, although the position which arrange | positions the some electronic paper 20, ie, the space | interval of each electronic paper 20, is not specifically limited, According to the content of the information displayed on the electronic paper 20, an amount, etc., it adjusts suitably.

  Further, the sphere 11 can be divided into two hemispheres along its outer periphery. The inside of the sphere 11 is hollow, and a control device (not shown) composed of a personal computer or the like for controlling the content of information displayed on the electronic paper 20, its display interval, display time, etc. Is provided. Therefore, maintenance of the control device (program rewriting or addition, parts replacement, power supply (battery) charging or replacement) can be easily performed as necessary.

Next, the electronic paper 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electrophoretic display as an example of electronic paper constituting the display device of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 is an electronic paper, 21 is a display unit, 22 is a first electrode, 23 is a second electrode, 24 is a voltage control device, 25 is a display control device, 26 is a base material, 27 is a recess, and 28 is The cell, 29 is a sealing layer, 30 is a charged particle, 31 is a dielectric solvent, 32 is a conductor, 33 is a conductor, and 34 is a cable.

The electronic paper 20 of this embodiment is schematically configured from a display unit 21 and a pair of first electrode 22 and second electrode 23.
The first electrode 22 and the second electrode 23 are arranged to face each other with the display unit 21 interposed therebetween.
Further, the first electrodes 22 (22A, 22B, 22C,...) Are connected to the voltage control device 24 via the conductive wires 32 (32A, 32B, 32C,...), Respectively. It is connected to the voltage control device 24 via a conducting wire 33.
A display control device 25 is connected to the voltage control device 24 via a cable 34.

  In addition, the display unit 21 is provided with recesses 27 (27A, 27B, 27C,...) That form a plurality of cells 28 (28A, 28B, 28C,...) In a planar manner at a predetermined interval. The base material 26, a sealing layer 29 provided so as to cover the concave portion 27 in contact with the surface 26 a perpendicular to the plane formed by the plurality of cells 28 in the base material 26, and the charging property filled in the cells 28. A dielectric solvent 31 in which particles 30 are dispersed is schematically configured.

The plurality of cells 28 (28A, 28B, 28C,...) Are provided on the surface 26a of the substrate 26 with recesses 27 (27A, 27B, 27A, 27B,. 27C, ...) form a hollow structure sealed by the sealing layer 29.
The cell 28 is formed so as to have an appropriately defined shape, size, and aspect ratio by appropriately selecting a manufacturing method by embossing or image exposure.
Further, the sealing layer 29 is disposed so as to cover the entire opening of the recess 27.

In the present specification, “appropriately defined” means that when the concave portion 27 or the cell 28 is described, the concave portion 27 or the cell 28 has a clear shape and size determined in advance based on specific parameters of the manufacturing process. And an aspect ratio.
The “aspect ratio” is the ratio of the depth to the length or width of the recess 27.

  The sealing layer 29 is bonded to the base material 26 directly or via an adhesive or an adhesive member, and the base material 26 and the sealing layer 29 are integrated. The adhesive or adhesive member used here is appropriately selected according to the sealing property required for the cell 28 and the like.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the base material 26, It consists of a material which can form the recessed part 27 which makes the shape, dimension, and aspect ratio which were prescribed | regulated appropriately by the manufacturing method by embossing or image exposure. Things are used. Among these, a transparent material is preferable. Since the display unit 21 is used alone as a display (display device), the substrate 26 is preferably made of a transparent material. In this way, characters and patterns displayed by the display unit 21 can be visually recognized from the surface 26b opposite to the surface on which the sealing layer 29 is provided.

  The member forming the sealing layer 29 is not particularly limited, but a member made of a material having excellent adhesion to the base material 26 is used.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the 1st electrode 22 and the 2nd electrode 23, The thing which can produce a potential difference between these two electrodes in the state which pinched | interposed the display unit 21, for example, tin-doped indium oxide ( It is made of conductive metal oxide such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), Fluorine-doped Tin Oxide (FTO), Antimony-doped Tin Oxide (ATO), and has visible light transparency. An electrode is mentioned.

The chargeable particles 30 are not particularly limited, but charged pigment particles having a charge that is attracted to the first electrode 22 side or the second electrode 23 side by the voltage applied to the first electrode 22 and the second electrode 23. Inorganic fine particles having a high refractive index are used. The charged dye particles may be organic dyes or inorganic dyes, and examples thereof include phthalocyanine blue and phthalocyanine gray. As the inorganic fine particles having a high refractive index, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) or the like is used. When titanium oxide is used, white display using light scattering is possible.

The dielectric solvent 31 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated solvents, perfluoro solvents, low molecular weight halogen-containing polymers, and perfluoropolyalkyl ethers.
In the present invention, a solvent mixture may be used instead of the dielectric solvent 31. Examples of the solvent mixture include a mixture of two or more kinds of dielectric solvents and a mixture of a dye or a pigment (pigment) in a dielectric solvent.

  The voltage control device 24 can individually apply voltages to the first electrodes 22A, 22B, 22C,..., The second electrode 23 based on the information transmitted from the display control device 25. It is like that.

  The display control device 25 includes an external input device (not shown), and can input information related to characters and patterns to be displayed on the display unit 21. Based on the input information, the first electrode 22 (22A) corresponding to the cell 28 necessary for displaying characters, patterns, and the like from the display control device 25 to the voltage control device 24 via the cable 34 is displayed. , 22B, 22C,...) Can be transmitted information necessary for selecting (position information of the first electrode 22).

Next, functions and usage methods of the electronic paper 20 will be described.
Information relating to characters and patterns to be displayed on the display unit 21 is input by an input device provided in the display control device 25. Information input to the display control device 25 by the input device may be input when the display unit 21 is inserted between the two electrodes, or stored in a storage medium provided in the display control device 25 in advance. May be.

Information is transmitted from the display control device 25 to the voltage control device 24 based on information on characters, patterns, and the like displayed on the display unit 21. In the voltage control device 24, based on the information transmitted from the display control device 25, the first electrode 22 (22A, 22B, 22C,...) Corresponding to the cell 28 necessary for displaying an arbitrary character, pattern, or the like. -) Is selected, and a predetermined voltage is applied to the selected first electrode 22 and second electrode 23.
As a result, a potential difference is generated between the first electrode 22 to which a voltage is applied and the second electrode 23, and the chargeable particles 30 are attracted to the first electrode 22 side or the second electrode 23 side. The unit 21 can display an arbitrary character or pattern.

  Thereafter, even if the voltage application to the display unit 21 is finished, the characters and patterns displayed on the display unit 21 are stored (maintained) as long as a potential difference is generated in the cell 28.

  The information displayed by the electronic paper 20 is not particularly limited, but when the display device 10 is a globe type, the information includes, for example, standard time, temperature, weather, population, exchange rate, risk ( Safety level), operation status of transportation facilities such as airplanes, news (topics), and yields of specific crops.

  In addition, since the electronic paper 20 is as thin as about 100 μm to 300 μm and has flexibility, the surface 12 a of the covering material 12 of the sphere 11 (simply referred to as “the surface of the sphere 11”). .), The electronic paper 20 can be deformed substantially following the surface shape (curved surface shape) of the sphere 11. In particular, when the size of the electronic paper 20 with respect to the sphere 11 is small, the electronic paper 20 is more easily deformed according to the surface shape of the sphere 11. Therefore, the globe-type display device 10 is a display device in which the spherical shape (curved surface) of the sphere 11 is maintained, although the electronic paper 20 is disposed on the surface of the sphere 11. Furthermore, since the electronic paper 20 is thin and flexible, the electronic paper 20 can be disposed on the surface of the sphere 11, so that the sphere 11 is cut out and a liquid crystal display element disposed inside the sphere 11 is provided. In comparison, the ball 11 does not dig into the sphere 11 and does not protrude from the surface of the sphere 11, so that it has excellent impact resistance.

In addition, the electronic paper 20 has a narrow viewing angle and cannot display the displayed information except for the front, whereas the conventional liquid crystal display element has a low angle dependency and a very large viewing angle. Therefore, the displayed information can be accurately recognized even in a bent state. That is, when the electronic paper 20 is disposed on the surface of the sphere 11, even if the position of the electronic paper 20 is moved a little by rotating the sphere 11, for each electronic paper 20 existing in one field of view. Different information displayed can be recognized accurately.
For example, in FIG. 1, when the sphere 11 is viewed from the front, a plurality of electronic papers 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, and 20E exist in one field of view. In this case, the information displayed by the electronic papers 20B and 20C existing almost in front is naturally recognizable, but the information displayed by the electronic papers 20A, 20D and 20E existing at positions away from the front is also recognized accurately. can do.

  In this embodiment, the globe-type display device 10 whose base is a sphere is illustrated as the display device, but the display device of the present invention is not limited to this. In the display device of the present invention, the base body has any shape as long as the base member has a shaft member as a central axis, is rotatably supported by the shaft member, and has a curved surface along at least the rotation direction. Also good. As other examples of the shape of the base, specifically, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a boring pin shape, and the like can be given.

  The display device of the present invention can also be used as an advertising display that is always rotated by a drive system such as a motor with a shaft member as a center. When the display device of the present invention is used as a rotating advertising display, the following effects can be obtained. Even if the information displayed on a certain display unit (electronic paper) γ is overlooked when the display unit γ is present in the front and the position of the display unit γ is moved, the display unit γ While in the field of view, the information can be read accurately. Therefore, according to the display device of the present invention, information that is overlooked when a liquid crystal display element with a narrow viewing angle is used can be reliably transmitted to an observer, and the advertising effect is improved in each stage than before. Can be improved.

  Since the display device of the present invention can accurately recognize different information displayed for each electronic paper, it can recognize a plurality of different information more accurately at a time when applied to a desktop display device. It is effective because it is possible.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the display apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the display apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the electronic paper which comprises one Embodiment of the display apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display apparatus, 11 ... Globe, 12 ... Covering material, 13 ... Base, 14 ... Shaft member, 15 ... Latitude scale, 20 ... Electronic paper, 21 ... Display unit, 22 ... First electrode, 23 ... Second electrode, 24 ... Voltage control device, 25 ... Display control device, 26 ... Base material, 27 ... Recess 28 ... cell, 29 ... sealing layer, 30 ... chargeable particles, 31 ... dielectric solvent, 32 ... conductor, 33 ... conductor, 34 ... cable.

Claims (1)

A shaft member, a base body having the shaft member as a central axis, rotatably supported by the shaft member, having a curved surface along at least the rotation direction thereof, and a plurality of electronic papers disposed on the curved surface of the base body, A display device comprising:
When the substrate is viewed from the front, the plurality of electronic papers are arranged at intervals in one field of view.

Images