JP2011064789A - Electrophoretic display device and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform high-quality display by assuring electric conduction between first and second substrates in an electrophoretic display device. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophoretic device includes: first and second substrates (10) and (20) located to face each other; a first electrophoretic layer (210) located between the first and second substrates; a pixel electrode (21) located on the first substrate; a common electrode (22) located on the second substrate to face the pixel electrode via the first electrophoretic layer; a conductive part (90) located on the first substrate to supply a predetermined potential to the common electrode; a conductive material (400) located between the first and second substrates to electrically connect the conductive part and the common electrode; a sealing member (500) formed on the first substrate to surround the first electrophoretic layer and the conductive material; and a second electrophoretic layer (220) formed between the first and second substrates to separate the conductive material and the sealing member from each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the technical field of an electrophoretic display device and an electronic apparatus.

  As this type of electrophoretic display device, there is known an electrophoretic display device comprising an electrophoretic layer including an electrophoretic element such as a microcapsule between a pair of first and second substrates (for example, Patent Documents). 1). In such an electrophoretic display device, a plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix, for example, in a display area on the first substrate, and an image signal is supplied to each pixel electrode. On the other hand, a common electrode is formed on the second substrate so as to face the pixel electrode, and a predetermined potential is supplied to the common electrode. As a result, a voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied to the electrophoretic layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and the electrophoretic element is driven to perform display in the display region.

  Here, a conductive material for providing electrical continuity between the first and second substrates is provided around the display area between the first and second substrates (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With such a conductive material, for example, conductive portions such as wirings and terminals formed on the first substrate and a common electrode formed on the second substrate are electrically connected to each other. As a result, a predetermined potential can be supplied to the common electrode from the conductive portion on the first substrate via the conductive material.

  On the other hand, in such an electrophoretic display device, when the amount of moisture retained in the electrophoretic layer changes, for example, when the electrophoretic layer absorbs external moisture, the electrical characteristics of the electrophoretic layer change. As a result, the display quality may be degraded. Therefore, a sealing member such as a resin may be provided so as to surround the electrophoretic layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-199670 A

  However, when the conductive material and the sealing member described above are arranged close to each other, a part of the sealing member enters, for example, between the conductive material and the common electrode, and thus between the first and second substrates. There is a technical problem that there is a risk of hindering the electrical continuity.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described problems, and is capable of reliably establishing electrical continuity between the first and second substrates and capable of performing high-quality display. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus including such an electrophoretic display device.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electrophoretic display device of the present invention includes first and second substrates arranged to face each other, and a first electrophoretic layer provided between the first and second substrates. A pixel electrode provided on the first substrate, a common electrode provided on the second substrate and facing the pixel electrode through the first electrophoretic layer, and on the first substrate Provided, a conductive part for supplying a predetermined potential to the common electrode, a conductive material provided between the first and second substrates and electrically connecting the conductive part and the common electrode, A sealing member formed on the first substrate so as to surround the first electrophoretic layer and the conductive material, and the conductive material and the sealing member between the first and second substrates. And a second electrophoretic layer formed so as to be separated.

  According to the electrophoretic display device of the present invention, in operation, for example, an image signal is supplied to the pixel electrode, and a predetermined potential is supplied to the common electrode from the conductive portion provided on the first substrate via the conductive material. Supplied. As a result, a voltage defined by each potential (that is, a voltage corresponding to the image signal) is applied to the first electrophoretic layer between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and an image is displayed, for example, in the display area. The first electrophoretic layer includes an electrophoretic element that is, for example, a microcapsule. For example, an electrophoretic element that is a microcapsule includes, for example, a plurality of negatively charged white particles and a plurality of positively charged black particles as electrophoretic particles. In the electrophoretic element, one of a plurality of negatively charged white particles and a plurality of positively charged black particles moves to the pixel electrode side according to a voltage applied between the pixel electrode and the common electrode (that is, the pixel electrode side). ), And the other moves to the common electrode side. As a result, an image corresponding to the moved electrophoretic particles is displayed on the common electrode side (that is, the second substrate side of the first and second substrates). The “predetermined potential” according to the present invention is a potential that is fixed at least for a predetermined period regardless of the content of the image signal, and means a potential that is commonly supplied to each pixel. The “predetermined potential” according to the present invention may be a fixed potential that is completely fixed at a constant potential with respect to the time axis, such as a ground potential or a ground potential, or may be an odd number related to an image signal, for example. Even if the fixed potential is fixed at a constant potential for a certain period of time with respect to the time axis, such as being fixed at the first fixed potential in the field period and fixed at the second fixed potential in the even field period. Good.

  The conductive material is provided between the first and second substrates, for example, around the display region so as to be in contact with the conductive portion and the common electrode, and electrically connects the conductive portion and the common electrode to each other. That is, the conducting material has a function of taking electrical conduction between the conductive portion and the common electrode (in other words, a function of taking electrical conduction between the first and second substrates). As the conductive material, for example, a conductive material such as a conductive tape or a silver paste can be used.

  The sealing member is formed on the first substrate so as to surround the first electrophoretic layer and the conductive material. The sealing member is made of, for example, resin or the like, and seals the side surface side of the first electrophoretic layer (in other words, seals the outer edge or the outer peripheral side of the first electrophoretic layer). It has a function of suppressing moisture from entering the electrophoretic layer. The sealing member is, for example, a function of bonding the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, or another substrate provided on the first substrate and the second substrate on the side not facing the first substrate (for example, A protective substrate).

  Particularly in the present invention, the second electrophoretic layer is formed between the first and second substrates so as to separate the conductive material and the sealing member. In other words, the second electrophoretic layer is disposed in a region including a region between the conductive material and the sealing member. For example, the second electrophoretic layer is provided around the display region and is formed so as to surround the conductive material. The second electrophoretic layer is typically surrounded by a sealing member together with the first electrophoretic layer and the conductive material. Note that the second electrophoretic layer typically includes an electrophoretic element that is, for example, a microcapsule, similarly to the first electrophoretic layer.

  Therefore, the second electrophoretic layer can suppress or prevent a part of the sealing member made of, for example, a resin from entering between the conductive material and the common electrode in the manufacturing process, for example. Therefore, for example, a part of the sealing member is formed between the conductive material and the common electrode, and the electrical continuity between the conductive material and the common electrode is hindered by a part of the sealing member. Can be eliminated almost or completely in practice. That is, for example, the conductive material and the common electrode can be reliably electrically connected to each other, and the conductive portion formed on the first substrate and the common electrode formed on the second substrate are connected via the conductive material. They can be reliably connected to each other (that is, electrical conduction between the first and second substrates can be ensured). As a result, according to the electrophoretic display device of the present invention, high-quality display can be performed.

  As described above, according to the electrophoretic display device of the present invention, electrical continuity between the first and second substrates can be reliably obtained, and high-quality display can be performed.

  In one aspect of the electrophoretic display device of the present invention, the second electrophoretic layer is provided so as to at least partially surround the conductive material.

  According to this aspect, the conductive material and the sealing member can be more reliably separated by the second electrophoretic layer, and a part of the sealing member enters, for example, between the conductive material and the common electrode. Can be suppressed or prevented more reliably.

  In another aspect of the electrophoretic display device of the present invention, the first and second electrophoretic layers are formed by patterning one electrophoretic layer.

  According to this aspect, the first and second electrophoretic layers are, for example, a part of one electrophoretic layer previously formed on the second substrate (more specifically, a part where the conductive material is to be disposed). The one electrophoretic layer is formed by patterning, such as removing. Therefore, the first and second electrophoretic layers can be formed with little or no practical complexity of the manufacturing process.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described electrophoretic display device of the present invention.

  According to the electronic device of the present invention, since the above-described electrophoretic display device of the present invention is provided, a high-quality display can be performed, for example, wristwatch, electronic paper, electronic notebook, mobile phone, portable audio device. Various electronic devices such as can be realized.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing invention demonstrated below.

1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display device according to a first embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the II-II 'line | wire of FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the planar structure of the electrophoretic layer of the electrophoretic display device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing with the same meaning as FIG. 2 in a comparative example. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic paper which is an example of the electronic device to which the electrophoretic display apparatus is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the electronic notebook which is an example of the electronic device to which the electrophoretic display apparatus is applied.

  Hereinafter, will be described with reference to the drawings an embodiment of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
The electrophoretic display device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  First, the overall configuration of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II ′ of FIG.

  1 and 2, the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electrophoresis included in an electrophoretic layer 200 provided between an element substrate 10 and a counter substrate 20 that are arranged to face each other. This is an electrophoretic display device capable of displaying in the display region 10a by applying a voltage corresponding to an image signal to the microcapsule 80 which is an element.

  The element substrate 10 is an example of the “first substrate” according to the present invention, and is a substrate made of, for example, glass or plastic. On the element substrate 10, a pixel electrode 21 is provided for each pixel arranged in a matrix in the display region 10a. Although not shown here, a thin film transistor (TFT) for driving the pixel electrode 21 is provided for each pixel in the display region 10 a on the element substrate 10. The element substrate 10 may have flexibility or may not have flexibility. The element substrate 10 may be a substrate made of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum.

  Around the display area 10a on the element substrate 10, a conductive portion 90 for supplying a common potential to a common electrode 22 formed on the counter substrate 20 side described later is provided. The conductive portion 90 is made of the same film as the pixel electrode 21 (that is, a film formed at the same opportunity in the manufacturing process). The conductive portion 90 is electrically connected to a common potential line that supplies a common potential during operation of the electrophoretic display device 1. The conductive portion 90 is electrically connected to the common electrode 22 formed on the counter substrate 20 via a conductive material 400 described later. The common potential is an example of the “predetermined potential” according to the present invention, and is a potential that is fixed at least for a predetermined period regardless of the content of the image signal supplied to the pixel electrode 21, and is common to each pixel. This is the potential to be supplied.

  The counter substrate 20 is an example of a “second substrate” according to the present invention, and is made of a resin substrate such as a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) substrate. The counter substrate 20 is disposed to face the element substrate 10 with the electrophoretic layer 200 interposed therebetween. On the surface of the counter substrate 20 facing the element substrate 10, the common electrode 22 is formed in a solid shape so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 21 provided on the element substrate 10. The common electrode 22 is formed of a transparent conductive material such as magnesium silver (MgAg), indium / tin oxide (ITO), indium / zinc oxide (IZO), or the like.

  The electrophoretic layer 200 includes a plurality of microcapsules 80 each containing electrophoretic particles, and is fixed between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 by a binder 30 and an adhesive layer 31 made of, for example, resin. ing. The electrophoretic layer 200 is provided in a region including the display region 10a and is surrounded by a sealing member 500 described later. As will be described in detail later, the electrophoretic layer 200 has a first electrophoretic layer portion 210 provided in the display area 10a and a conductive material 400 and a sealing member 500 around the display area 10a. and a second electrophoretic layer portion 220 formed. Further, in the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, in the manufacturing process, an electrophoretic sheet in which the electrophoretic layer 200 is fixed to the counter substrate 20 in advance by the binder 30 is separately manufactured, such as the pixel electrode 21. They are bonded by the adhesive layer 31 but the element substrate 10 side which is formed.

  One or a plurality of microcapsules 80 are sandwiched between the pixel electrode 21 on the element substrate 10 and the common electrode 22 on the counter substrate 20 (in other words, with respect to one pixel electrode). Has been placed.

  The microcapsule 80 includes a dispersion medium, a plurality of white particles that are electrophoretic particles, and a plurality of black particles enclosed therein. The microcapsule 80 is formed in a spherical shape having a particle size of about 50 μm, for example.

  The coating film functioning as the outer shell of the microcapsule 80 is formed of a translucent polymer resin such as an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate or polyethyl methacrylate, a urea resin, or gum arabic.

  The dispersion medium is a medium in which white particles and black particles are dispersed in the microcapsule 80 (in other words, in the coating). As a dispersion medium, water, alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, octanol and methyl cellosolve, various esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane and octane, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, hexylbenzene, hebutylbenzene, octylbenzene, nonylbenzene, decylbenzene, undecylbenzene , Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzenes having a long-chain alkyl group such as dodecylbenzene, tridecylbenzene, tetradecylbenzene, and halogens such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane Hydrocarbons, carboxylate or other oils may be used singly or as a mixture. Further, the dispersion medium, the surfactant may be blended.

  The white particles are particles (polymer or colloid) made of a white pigment such as titanium dioxide, zinc white (zinc oxide), and antimony trioxide, and are negatively charged, for example.

  The black particles are particles (polymer or colloid) made of a black pigment such as aniline black or carbon black, and are positively charged, for example.

  For this reason, the white particles and the black particles can move in the dispersion medium by the electric field generated by the potential difference between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22.

  These pigments include electrolytes, surfactants, metal soaps, resins, rubbers, oils, varnishes, charge control agents composed of particles such as compounds, titanium-based coupling agents, aluminum-based coupling agents, silanes as necessary. A dispersant such as a system coupling agent, a lubricant, a stabilizer, and the like can be added.

  When a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 so that the potential of the common electrode 22 is relatively high, the positively charged black particles are contained in the microcapsule 80 by Coulomb force. While attracted to the pixel electrode 21 side, the negatively charged white particles are attracted to the common electrode 22 side in the microcapsule 80 by Coulomb force. As a result, white particles gather on the display surface side (that is, the common electrode 22 side) in the microcapsule 80, and this is displayed on the display surface (that is, the display region 10 a on the surface of the counter substrate 20 not facing the element substrate 10). of white particles color (i.e., white) can be displayed. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 so that the potential of the pixel electrode is relatively high, the negatively charged white particles are generated by the Coulomb force. At the same time, the positively charged black particles are attracted to the common electrode 22 side by Coulomb force. As a result, the black particles gather on the display surface side of the microcapsule 80, so that the color of the black particles (that is, black) can be displayed on the display surface.

  Depending on the distribution state of the white particles and the black particles between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22, it is possible to display gray such as light gray, gray, dark gray and the like, which is an intermediate gradation between white and black. Further, by replacing the pigment used for the white particles and the black particles with pigments such as red, green and blue, for example, color display such as red, green and blue can be performed.

  In the periphery of the display region 10 a between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20, an electrical connection is made between the conductive portion 90 formed on the element substrate 10 and the common electrode 22 formed on the counter substrate 20. A conductive material 400 is provided.

  The conductive material 400 is made of a conductive material such as a conductive tape or silver paste, for example, and is provided around the display region 10 a so as to contact the conductive portion 90 and the common electrode 22. The conducting material 400 has a function of establishing electrical conduction between the conductive portion 90 and the common electrode 22 (in other words, a function of obtaining electrical conduction between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive material 400 is provided so as to extend along one side of the display region 10a. Note that the conductive material 400 is provided around the display region 10a and may have any planar shape as long as the conductive portion 90 and the common electrode 22 can be electrically connected. For example, the conductive material 400 may have a circular or polygonal shape in plan view.

  The conductive portion 90 is provided so as to substantially overlap the conductive material 400 when viewed in plan on the element substrate 10.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, a sealing member 500 is formed between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 so as to surround the electrophoretic layer 200 and the conductive material 400.

  The sealing member 500 is made of a resin such as an epoxy resin, a silicon resin, or an acrylic resin, and seals the side surface side of the electrophoretic layer 200 (in other words, seals the outer edge or outer peripheral side of the electrophoretic layer 200). In addition, it has a function of suppressing moisture from entering the electrophoretic layer 200 from the outside. The sealing member 500 also has a function of bonding the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 together. In addition, inorganic fine particles such as silica and alumina may be dispersed in the resin constituting the sealing member 500. In this case, it is possible to further reliably prevent moisture from entering the electrophoretic layer 200 from the outside via the sealing member 500.

  Next, the planar configuration of the electrophoretic layer included in the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a planar configuration of the electrophoretic layer included in the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment.

  2 and 3, particularly in the present embodiment, the electrophoretic layer 200 includes a first electrophoretic layer portion 210 provided in the display area 10a and a conductive material 400 and a sealing member 500 around the display area 10a. And a second electrophoretic layer portion 220 formed so as to be separated from each other.

  The first electrophoretic layer portion 210 is an example of the “first electrophoretic layer” according to the present invention, and is provided in the display region 10 a between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20. During the operation of the electrophoretic display device 1, a voltage defined by the potentials of the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 (that is, a voltage corresponding to an image signal) is applied to the first electrophoretic layer portion 210. Thereby, the display in the display area 10a becomes possible. That is, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 is an electrophoretic layer portion for performing display in the display region 10a in the electrophoretic layer 200 (that is, an electrophoretic layer portion for display).

  The second electrophoretic layer portion 220 is an example of the “second electrophoretic layer” according to the present invention, and is formed so as to separate the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500 between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20. Has been. The second electrophoretic layer portion 220 is provided around the display region 10 a and is formed so as to surround the conductive material 400.

  Therefore, the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 can suppress or prevent a part of the sealing member 500 made of resin from entering between the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22 in the manufacturing process. Therefore, a part of the sealing member 500 is formed between the conducting material 400 and the common electrode 22, and the electrical conduction between the conducting material 400 and the common electrode 22 is hindered by a part of the sealing member 500. Can be eliminated almost or completely in practice. That is, the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22 can be reliably electrically connected to each other, and the conductive portion 90 formed on the element substrate 10 and the common electrode 22 formed on the counter substrate 20 are connected to the conductive material. 400 can be reliably connected to each other via 400 (that is, electrical conduction between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 can be ensured). As a result, according to the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, high-quality display can be performed.

  In addition, according to the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 is formed in a relatively narrow region located around the display region 10a between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20. Thus, electrical conduction between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 can be ensured. Therefore, it is practically advantageous to narrow the frame of the electrophoretic display device 1 (that is, to narrow the peripheral region surrounding the display region 10a in the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 in a frame shape).

  In FIG. 3, in particular, in the present embodiment, the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 is provided so as to surround the conductive material 400. Therefore, the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500 can be more reliably separated by the second electrophoretic layer portion 220, and a part of the sealing member 500 enters between the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22. This can be more reliably suppressed or prevented. If the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 is formed so as to at least partially separate the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500, a part of the sealing member 500 is part of the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22. Can be prevented from entering between.

  Further, particularly in the present embodiment, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 are formed by patterning one electrophoretic layer. That is, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 are each a part of one electrophoretic layer (more specifically, the conductive material 400 is formed in advance in a substantially solid shape on the counter substrate 20. are formed by portions to be disposed) is removed. Therefore, the electrophoretic layer 200 having the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 can be formed with little or no practical complexity of the manufacturing process. By removing a part of the electrophoretic layer 200 in this way, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 are formed without changing the outer shape of the electrophoretic layer 200 in plan view. Can do. For example, in the present embodiment, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 are provided inside the electrophoretic layer 200 having a rectangular outer shape in plan view, and inside the rectangular electrophoretic layer 200. a configuration in which conductive material 400 has been included (see FIG. 2). When the sealing member 500 is arranged in such a configuration, it is sufficient to form the sealing member 500 in accordance with the rectangular outer shape of the electrophoretic layer 200, as compared with a case where the outer shape of the electrophoretic layer 200 is different from the rectangular shape. Thus, the sealing member 500 can be easily disposed, and the sealing performance can be improved. As shown in FIG. 2, a gap 60 is provided between the electrophoretic layer 200 (in other words, the first electrophoretic layer portion 210 and the second electrophoretic layer portion 220) and the conductive material 400. Yes. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the electrophoretic layer 200 and the conductive material 400 from adversely affecting each other. Therefore, higher quality display can be performed.

  Here, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same example as FIG. 2 in the comparative example. In FIG. 4, the same components as those of the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The electrophoretic display device according to the comparative example is different from the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment described above in that the electrophoretic layer 200c is provided in place of the electrophoretic layer 200 in the present embodiment described above. Is configured in substantially the same manner as the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment described above.

  4, in the electrophoretic display device according to the comparative example, the electrophoretic layer 200c is not provided between the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500, and the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500 are close to each other. Is provided. That is, the electrophoretic layer 200c has a portion formed in the display region 10a. However, the electroconductive material 400 and the sealing member 500 as in the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 in the present embodiment described above are provided. It does not have a separating part. For this reason, a part of the sealing member 500 made of resin enters between the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22 in the manufacturing process, and the sealing member portion 500 a is interposed between the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22. May be formed. Therefore, there is a possibility that a defect occurs in the electrical conduction between the conductive portion 90 on the element substrate 10 and the common electrode 22 on the counter substrate 20.

  However, according to the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the electrophoretic layer 200 includes the second electrophoretic layer portion 220 that separates the conductive material 400 and the sealing member 500. The second electrophoretic layer portion 220 can suppress or prevent a part of the sealing member 500 made of from entering between the conductive material 400 and the common electrode 22 in the manufacturing process. Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the occurrence of defects in the electrical continuity between the conductive portion 90 on the element substrate 10 and the common electrode 22 on the counter substrate 20.

  Note that a plurality of conductive members 400 may be provided in one electrophoretic display device 1. When a plurality of conductive members 400 are provided, they may be provided in the vicinity of both ends of one side of the display area 10a, or may be provided in the vicinity of a pair of diagonals of the display area 10a. In this way, since the distance between the plurality of conductive members 400 is increased, it is possible to increase the possibility that conduction can be ensured in the other conductive member 400 even when a conduction failure occurs in one conductive member 400. . Also in this configuration, if the first electrophoretic layer part 210 and the second electrophoretic layer part 220 are formed by removing a part of the electrophoretic layer 200, the outer shape of the electrophoretic layer 200 is rectangular. thereby enclosing the plurality of conductive members 400 in terms of keeping the.

  As described above, according to the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, electrical conduction between the element substrate 10 and the counter substrate 20 can be ensured, and high-quality display can be performed. Become.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, electronic devices to which the above-described electrophoretic display device is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. Below, the case where the electrophoretic display device described above is applied to electronic paper and an electronic notebook is taken as an example.

  Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an electronic paper 1400.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the electronic paper 1400 includes the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the above-described embodiment as a display unit 1401. The electronic paper 1400 has flexibility, and includes a main body 1402 formed of a rewritable sheet having the same texture and flexibility as conventional paper.

  Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an electronic notebook 1500.

  As shown in FIG. 6, an electronic notebook 1500 is one in which a plurality of electronic papers 1400 shown in FIG. 5 are bundled and sandwiched between covers 1501. The cover 1501 includes display data input means (not shown) for inputting display data sent from an external device, for example. Thereby, according to the display data, the display content can be changed or updated while the electronic paper is bundled.

  Since the electronic paper 1400 and the electronic notebook 1500 described above include the electrophoretic display device according to the above-described embodiment, high-quality image display can be performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and an electrophoretic display with such a change. An apparatus and an electronic apparatus provided with the electrophoretic display device are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Element board | substrate, 20 ... Counter substrate, 21 ... Pixel electrode, 22 ... Common electrode, 70 ... Conductive material, 80 ... Microcapsule, 90 ... Conductive part, 200 ... Electrophoresis layer, 210 ... 1st electrophoretic layer part, 220 ... 2nd electrophoresis layer part, 400 ... Conductive material, 500 ... Sealing member

Claims (4)

First and second substrates disposed to face each other;
A first electrophoretic layer provided between the first and second substrates;
A pixel electrode provided on the first substrate;
A common electrode provided on the second substrate and facing the pixel electrode through the first electrophoretic layer;
A conductive portion provided on the first substrate for supplying a predetermined potential to the common electrode;
A conductive material provided between the first and second substrates and electrically connecting the conductive portion and the common electrode;
A sealing member formed on the first substrate so as to surround the first electrophoretic layer and the conductive material;
An electrophoretic display device comprising: a second electrophoretic layer formed between the first and second substrates so as to separate the conductive material and the sealing member.   The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrophoretic layer is provided so as to at least partially surround the conductive material.   The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrophoretic layers are formed by patterning one electrophoretic layer.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electrophoretic display device according to claim 1.