JP2011232463A - Electrophoresis display device, method of manufacturing the same and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophoresis display device that is capable of responding to environment temperature variation, is excellent in a sealing property and has high reliability, and to provide a manufacturing method with high product reliability that is capable of excellently manufacturing the electrophoresis display device without causing cracks and breaks on an end of a substrate, and an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: An electrophoresis display device 100 includes a first substrate 4 and a second substrate 2, an electrophoresis layer 31 held by the first substrate 4 and the second substrate 2, a first member 7 that is disposed between the first substrate 4 and the second substrate 2 and surrounds the periphery of the electrophoresis layer 31, and a second member 12 that is disposed further outside than the first member 7 and between the first substrate 4 and the second substrate 2 and has more flexibility than the first member 7 does. The electrophoresis display device 100 further has a projection 104 outwardly projecting in a surface direction at a corner section between an outer face of the first substrate 2 on the opposite side to the electrophoresis layer 31 and an end surface of the first substrate 4.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display device, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electronic apparatus.

As an electrophoretic display device, a microcapsule type electrophoretic panel in which an electrophoretic layer formed by arranging a large number of microcapsules between a pair of glass substrates is known (Patent Document 1). In such an electrophoretic panel, the sealing property of the electrophoretic layer is ensured by disposing a sealing member made of resin around the electrophoretic layer.
However, in such a sealing structure of an electrophoresis panel, when a thermal shock test or a thermal cycle test is performed, a difference in linear expansion coefficient causes a difference between the peripheral portion of the pair of glass substrates and the sealing member. In some cases, a local stress is generated and the glass substrate is destroyed.
Therefore, by placing a resin spacer that is more flexible than the sealing member on the outer side of the sealing member, the stress generated between the peripheral edge of the glass substrate and the sealing member is alleviated. A configuration for preventing destruction has been proposed.

JP 2005-114822 A

  Usually, when an electrophoretic panel is manufactured by multi-chamfering, an electrophoretic panel is formed by cutting a mother element substrate and a mother cover glass substrate into pieces by a dicing blade. After cutting from the mother element substrate side, the spacer is subsequently cut. At this time, the flexible material of the spacer adheres to the dicing blade, and the mother cover glass substrate to be cut later is cut well. There is a problem that can not be. When the mother cover glass substrate is pushed out with a blade whose cutting function is lowered due to adhesion of the material, chipping or cracking occurs at the edge of the substrate.

  If the edge of the cover glass of the electrophoresis panel is chipped or cracked, not only the product performance is lowered but also the reliability of the product is lowered. In addition, the occurrence of such a failure also causes an increase in product cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides a highly reliable electrophoretic display device that can cope with changes in environmental temperature and has good sealing properties, and also provides an edge of a substrate. An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method with high product reliability and an electronic device that can be satisfactorily manufactured without causing cracks or cracks in the part.

In order to solve the above problems, an electrophoretic display device of the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate,
An electrophoretic layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the periphery of the electrophoretic layer; the first substrate and the second substrate; A second member disposed outside the first member and having more flexibility than the first member, and an outer surface of the first substrate opposite to the electrophoretic layer side and the first member A protrusion protruding outward in the surface direction is provided at a corner with the side end surface of the substrate.

  In the present invention, the first substrate has a protrusion protruding outward in the surface direction at the corner between the outer surface opposite to the electrophoretic layer side and the side end surface of the first substrate. With this configuration, the outer shape of the first substrate or the second substrate is larger than the outer shape of the inner surface, and the thickness of the end portion of the substrate is smaller than the thickness of the central portion. For this reason, it is possible to keep the microcrack generated in the protruding portion during manufacturing in this region, and to prevent the microcrack from progressing inside the substrate (inside the surface of the substrate). Accordingly, it is possible to provide an electrophoretic display device with high product reliability by preventing the end portion of the first substrate from being cracked or chipped.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the second member is made of a material that easily adheres to a dicing blade used during cutting.

  According to the present invention, even with the first substrate cut by the clogged dicing blade, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the first substrate from being cracked or chipped by the above-described configuration.

Moreover, it is preferable that the protrusion is provided along the entire edge of the outer surface.
According to the present invention, since the protrusion is provided on the entire edge of the outer surface of the first substrate, the effect of preventing the cracking and chipping of the first substrate is further improved.

Moreover, it is preferable that a side end surface makes a step shape.
According to the present invention, since the thickness of the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is gradually reduced, it is possible to prevent the crack from progressing inward in the surface direction of the substrate.

Moreover, it is preferable that a side end surface has an inclined surface or a curved surface.
According to the present invention, since the thickness of the peripheral edge portion of the substrate is gradually reduced, it is possible to prevent cracks from progressing inward in the surface direction of the substrate. Moreover, it can be set as the side end which has a desired inclined surface or a curved surface by selecting suitably the cutting edge shape of a dicing blade at the time of a cutting process.

  In order to solve the above problems, a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device of the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electrophoretic layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first substrate, A first member disposed between the second substrate and surrounding the periphery of the electrophoretic layer; and disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate outside the first member and more flexible than the first member. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device comprising a second member having a property, wherein a plurality of panel regions corresponding to one electrophoretic display device are formed on a surface of a first mother substrate (element substrate). A step of disposing an electrophoretic layer in each of a plurality of panel regions on the first mother substrate, a step of bonding the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate through the electrophoretic layer, a first mother substrate and a first mother substrate Surround the periphery of the electrophoretic layer between the two mother boards A step of forming one member, a step of forming a second member that is more flexible than the first member in a region surrounded by the first mother substrate, the second mother substrate, the first member, and the electrophoretic layer; Cutting the first mother substrate, the second mother substrate, and the second member with a dicing blade for each panel region, and the electrophoresis of the first substrate of the electrophoretic display device when cutting the first mother substrate It cut | disconnects so that the protrusion which protrudes in a surface direction outer side may be formed in the corner | angular part of the outer surface on the opposite side to a layer side, and the side end surface of the said 1st board | substrate.

  When cutting the first or second mother substrate after cutting the second member, even if the first or second mother substrate is cut using a dicing blade whose blade surface is clogged when the second member is cut In addition, the first substrate constituting the electrophoretic display device can be satisfactorily cut without causing cracks or chipping at the end portions of the first substrate. In addition, since stable cutting work is possible, yield is improved and productivity is increased.

In addition, when the first mother substrate is cut, it is preferable that the material of the second member is adhered to the blade surface of the dicing blade.
According to the present invention, even when the first or second mother substrate is cut in a state where the second member is adhered to the blade surface of the dicing blade (clogged state), the cut end portion (constitutes the electrophoretic display device). The first substrate can be cut without causing cracks or chips on the outer surface side end of the first substrate.

The protrusion is preferably formed along at least one side of the first substrate.
According to the present invention, by forming the protrusion along the entire at least one side of the first substrate, it is possible to prevent cracking and chipping in the entire side. Thus, it is preferable to provide a protrusion on the entire cutting side.

Further, when cutting the first mother substrate, it is preferable to perform the cutting in a plurality of times.
According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the mother substrate from being pushed out by the dicing blade, and to cut the mother substrate satisfactorily without causing the cut end portion to crack or chip. In addition, by cutting the mother substrate into a plurality of times instead of cutting it all together, it is possible to prevent problems such as the second member being pushed onto the cut surface.

In addition, when cutting the first mother substrate, it is preferable that the cutting is performed at the second cutting position after the cutting at the first cutting position and the position being different from the first cutting position on the outer side in the surface direction.
According to the present invention, the cut end surfaces of the first and second mother substrates can be stepped. The force for pressing the blade tip against the substrate surface is small, and it is possible to prevent the cut end from being cracked or chipped.

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electrophoresis apparatus according to the present invention.
According to the present invention, since the destruction of the substrate due to thermal shock or the like is prevented and the highly reliable electrophoretic display device having a system for environmental temperature change is provided, the electronic apparatus is also highly reliable.

1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display device according to a first embodiment. Sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG. 1, (b) is the elements on larger scale of (a). The flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of an electrophoretic display device. Process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of an electrophoretic display device. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. The process drawing. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the electrophoretic display device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an electronic device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display device according to a first embodiment of the electrophoretic device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electrophoretic display device 100 (electrophoretic device) has an element substrate 2 (second substrate), an electrophoretic sheet 3, and a cover glass substrate 4 (first substrate) attached to each other. An electrophoretic panel 1 is provided.

  The electrophoretic panel 1 is provided with a display area 5 for displaying images such as still images and moving images. A plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix are provided in the display area 5, and display is performed for each pixel. The electrophoretic sheet 3 is affixed to the display area 5. Around the display area 5 is a non-display area 6 in which no image is displayed. The non-display area 6 is not provided with pixels, but is provided with a scanning line driving circuit, a data line driving circuit, a terminal, and the like. These scanning line driving circuit and data line driving circuit are connected to a controller (not shown).

  The element substrate 2 includes a substrate 20 having a thickness of about 0.5 mm, for example, and a drive layer 21 including a pixel electrode 25 and a switching element 26 formed on the substrate 20. Examples of the substrate 20 include inorganic substrates such as a glass substrate, a quartz substrate, a silicon substrate, and a gallium arsenide substrate, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC). A plastic substrate (resin substrate) composed of polyethersulfone (PES), aromatic polyester (liquid crystal polymer), or the like can be used.

  The drive layer 21 is formed in a region corresponding to the display region 5 in the substrate 20. In the drive layer 21, a pixel electrode 25 provided in each pixel, a switching element 26, a data line (not shown) connected to the switching element 26, a scanning line, and the like are formed. Each pixel electrode 25 may be connected to a storage capacitor (not shown).

  The planar area of the drive layer 21 substantially coincides with the display area 5, and the drive circuits 22 and 23 are provided on the peripheral edge (non-display area 6) of the drive layer 21. The drive circuits 22 and 23 are electrically connected to data lines and scanning lines, and supply signals to the drive layer 21. A plurality of terminals 24 are provided along one side (right end in the drawing) of the four sides of the element substrate 2, and a part of these terminals 24 is driven by a wiring (not shown) formed on the element substrate 2. 22 and 23.

  The connection substrate 8 is attached to the back surface 20b of the substrate 20. The connection substrate 8 includes a core member 8a made of an insulating member such as glass epoxy, and a connection electrode 8b provided on the surface of the core member 8a. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the core member 8 a is a rectangular plate-like member that is pasted so as to cover the entire back surface 20 b of the substrate 20 with one side protruding from the outer edge of the substrate 20. The connection electrode 8b is connected to a terminal 24 provided on the surface 20a of the substrate 20 via a wire 10 made of a metal such as copper.

  The electrophoretic sheet 3 includes a transparent substrate 30, a common electrode, an electrophoretic layer 31, and an adhesive layer 33. The transparent substrate 30 is a substrate that holds the electrophoretic layer 31, and is a rectangular substrate made of a material having high light transmissivity, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethersulfone (PES), and polycarbonate (PC). The surface 30 a side of the transparent substrate 30 is the display surface side of the electrophoretic display device 100.

  The common electrode (not shown) is formed on almost the entire inner surface 30 b of the transparent substrate 30. The common electrode 35 is made of a conductive material having high light transmission, such as ITO, and is connected to the element substrate 2 by the vertical conduction member 9.

The electrophoretic layer 31 has a plurality of microcapsules 32.
The microcapsule 32 is a substantially spherical capsule in which an electrophoretic dispersion is enclosed, and the diameter of each capsule is substantially the same (50 μm to 100 μm). Examples of the material for forming the capsule wall film of the microcapsule 32 include compounds such as a gum arabic / gelatin composite film, urethane resin, urea resin, and urea resin. The electrophoretic dispersion liquid enclosed in the microcapsule 32 is an electro-optical material whose optical characteristics change electrically in response to stimulation, and a plurality of electrophoretic particles and a liquid phase dispersion medium for dispersing the electrophoretic particles. It consists of.

  Examples of liquid dispersion media include water, alcohol solvents, various esters, ketones, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alicyclic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, carboxylates, and other various oils. These can be used alone, or a mixture of these with a surfactant or the like.

  As the electrophoretic particles, organic or inorganic particles (polymer or colloid) having a property of moving by electrophoresis due to a potential difference in a dispersion medium can be used. Specifically, black pigments such as carbon black and aniline black, white pigments such as titanium dioxide, monoazo azo pigments, yellow pigments such as isoindolinone, monoazo azo pigments, red pigments such as quinacridone red, phthalocyanine One or more of blue pigments such as blue and green pigments such as phthalocyanine green can be used. 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.

  In the microcapsule 32, for example, two types of electrophoretic particles of titanium dioxide which is a white pigment and carbon black which is a black pigment are encapsulated, one of which is negatively charged and the other of which is positively charged. Of course, other electrophoretic particles may be used, or only one type of electrophoretic particle may be used, and the electrophoretic particles may be moved to the common electrode side or the pixel electrode side so that display can be performed.

  The adhesive layer 33 is a thermosetting adhesive that also serves as a binder. The adhesive layer 33 is preferably an adhesive having good affinity for the capsule wall film of the microcapsule 32, excellent adhesion to the common electrode and the pixel electrode, and good insulation. Moreover, although it is a thermosetting type, the adhesive agent which has elasticity after hardening is preferable.

  The cover glass substrate 4 is provided on the surface (viewing side) of the electrophoretic sheet, and is bonded to the surface of the transparent substrate with an adhesive. As the plate material of the cover glass substrate 4, a material having high light transmittance, excellent flatness, and being hardly scratched is suitable. For example, orientation glass or crystal glass can be used. Further, sapphire glass, acrylic plate material, tempered glass or the like may be used. The cover glass substrate 4 and the electrophoretic sheet 3 are fixed by a transparent adhesive layer 11 such as a double-sided tape.

The cover glass substrate 4 of the present embodiment is formed so that the size of the outer shape in plan view is slightly larger than that of the element substrate 2. Specifically, projections 104 projecting outward in the surface direction are provided on three protruding sides 4A (hereinafter referred to as sides 4A) other than the side 4C on the wire connection side of the electrophoresis panel 1 on the outer surface 4a. The protrusions 104 are provided at the corners of the outer surface 4a and the side end surface 4c so as to extend along the entire sides 4A. As shown in FIG. 2, the side end surface 4d on the side 4C side is perpendicular to the substrate surface, whereas the side 4A side forming the protrusion 104 is on the inner surface 4b side facing this in the thickness direction of the substrate. Therefore, the side end face 4c that connects the opposing sides 4A and 4B is an inclined surface or a curved surface. In the present embodiment, the side 4A side of the side end face 4c is partially curved.
The width W (FIG. 2) of the protrusion 104 is 20 μm or less, and is about 10 to 15 μm. This dimension is within the allowable dimensions of the product outer size.

  A sealing member 7 (first member) and a spacer 12 (second member) are disposed between the peripheral portions of the cover glass substrate 4 and the element substrate 2.

  The sealing member 7 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the electrophoretic sheet 3 between the peripheral portions of the element substrate 2 and the cover glass substrate 4. The sealing member 7 is further provided so as to cover the terminal 24 on the element substrate 2 side, the connection electrode 8b on the connection substrate 8 side, and the wire 10 connecting them, and the connection between the element substrate 2 and the connection substrate 8 is provided. The part which comprises is in the state covered with the sealing member 7.

  The spacer 12 is provided in order to maintain an appropriate distance between the substrates 2 and 3, and is made of a flexible material (resin material) that is more flexible than the sealing member 7. As a material of the spacer 12, for example, a tape base material made of PET, PEN, polyimide or the like is used. It is not limited to these materials, and is a material that clogs the blade when the spacer 12 is cut in the manufacturing process (a material that melts by processing heat), and is suitable for a material that expands and contracts or a cutting process. No material is used.

Here, the electrophoretic layer 31 has its front and back sides sealed with the element substrate 2 and the cover glass substrate 4, and its periphery is sealed with the sealing member 7 and the spacer 12. Since the electrophoretic layer 31 that dislikes moisture is covered in this way, entry of moisture from the outside can be surely prevented.
Thus, the electrophoretic display device 100 of the present embodiment is configured.

Next, a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, and FIGS. 5 to 13 are schematic views showing a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display device.
In this embodiment, a plurality of electrophoretic panel aggregates (mother substrate aggregates) are formed, and the aggregates (mother substrate aggregates) are cut into individual electrophoretic display devices. An example of so-called multi-chamfering will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing method of the electrophoretic display device of this embodiment includes a panel forming step S1, an electrophoretic layer arranging step S2, a spacer arranging step S3, a substrate bonding step S4, and a sealing member. It includes a forming step S5 and a substrate cutting step S6.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of panel regions P corresponding to one electrophoretic display device are formed on the surface 40a of the mother element substrate 40 (second mother substrate) (S1). In each panel region P, a pixel electrode, a switching element, and the like are formed in the display region 5, and the above-described data line driving circuit, scanning line driving circuit, terminal 24, wiring, and the like are formed in the non-display region 6. Each panel region P becomes one electrophoretic display device 100. After forming the plurality of panel regions P, the mother connection substrate 41 is attached to the back surface 40b of the mother element substrate 40 via an adhesive tape or the like. Since the electrophoretic sheet 3 is handled in a state where a protective release sheet (not shown) provided on the surface of the adhesive layer 11 is attached, the protective release sheet is attached after being peeled off.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the wire 10 connects the terminal 24 on the mother element substrate 40 and the connection electrode 8 b on the mother connection substrate 41. After the connection by the wire 10, as shown in FIG. 7, the electrophoretic sheet 3 including the electrophoretic layer 31 is attached to a predetermined position corresponding to each panel region P of the display region 5 (S2).

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a large number of spacers 12 are arranged on the mother element substrate 40.
Here, the spacers 12 are arranged on the mother element substrate 40 leaving necessary sealing regions in regions other than the region where the electrophoretic sheet 3 is pasted and the region connected by wires. That is, it arrange | positions in the position away from the electrophoresis sheet 3 of the outer edge side of each panel area | region P. FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, mother cover glass substrates 44 and 44 (second mother substrate) are bonded to the mother element substrate 40 via the electrophoretic sheet 3 and the spacer 12 (S4). A mother cover glass substrate 44 is bonded to each of a plurality of panel regions (four panel regions in the figure) arranged in the arrangement direction of the terminals 24 in the mother element substrate 40 so as to cover them. The mother substrates 40 and 44 are spaced apart from each other by a spacer 12 arranged between them. The electrophoretic sheet 3 is sandwiched between the mother element substrate 40 and the mother cover glass substrate 44.

  Next, with the mother cover glass substrates 44 and 44 bonded to the mother element substrate 40 as shown in FIG. 11, the mother element substrate 40, the mother cover glass substrate 44, the electrophoretic sheet 3, and the spacers 12 and 12 are used. A resin as a material of the sealing member 7 is poured into the enclosed region and filled. Thereafter, the sealing member 7 is formed in the non-display area 6 by curing the resin by heat treatment at about 80 ° C. to 85 ° C. (S5).

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the mother connection substrate 41 is placed on a dicing tape (not shown) so that the mother connection substrate 41 faces down, and the assembly of the mother substrates is cut by the dicing blade 50 along the outer shape of the panel region P. (S6). In this embodiment, cutting is performed from the mother connection substrate 41 side, and the mother connection substrate 41, the mother element substrate 40, the spacer 12, and the mother cover glass substrate 44 are cut in this order. At this time, the dicing blade 50 advances while cutting the spacer 12 existing at the boundary between the adjacent panel regions P, and the dicing blade 50 is cut when the cutting edge of the dicing blade 50 reaches the outer surface 44a of the mother cover glass substrate 44 and is cut. It is preferable to stop the entry of 50. As a result, the cut surface of the mother cover glass substrate 44 is formed as a curved surface along the blade surface shape of the dicing blade 50. In this way, the protrusions 104 are formed at the corners of the outer surface 4a and the side end surface 4c of the cover glass substrate 4 of the electrophoretic display device 100.
In this way, individual electrophoretic display devices 100 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are obtained.

  As the dicing blade 50 used for cutting, a metal or bond-diamond grindstone is used. In the cutting process, after the mother connection substrate 41 and the mother element substrate 40 are cut from the mother connection substrate 41, the spacer 12 is subsequently cut. At this time, the material of the spacer 12 is applied to the blade surface of the dicing blade 50. The mother cover glass substrate 44 to be subsequently cut cannot be cut well. That is, the mother connection substrate 41 and the mother element substrate 40 made of a glass substrate or the like can be satisfactorily cut by the dicing blade 50, but the spacer 12 formed from a resin material softer than the glass substrate is used for the blade 50. It is easy to cause clogging. When the blade surface of the dicing blade 50 comes into contact with the spacer 12, the resin material is melted by the frictional heat accompanying the rotation, and adheres to the grindstone surface (blade surface). This is a factor causing clogging of the blade. If the mother cover glass substrate 44 is pushed out with the clogged dicing blade 50, the cut end portion will be chipped or cracked.

  Therefore, in this manufacturing method, the cutting edge of the dicing blade 50 reaches the outer surface 44a of the mother cover glass substrate 44 so that the entire blade surface of the dicing blade 50 is not exposed from the outer surface 44a side of the mother cover glass substrate 44. By pulling back the dicing blade 50 at the time, the projection 104 can be formed on the outer surface 4 a side of the cover glass substrate 4 of each electrophoretic display device 100. Here, the side end surface 4 c of the protrusion 104, that is, the cut surface of the mother cover glass substrate 44 has a shape reflecting the shape of the blade surface of the dicing blade 50. For this reason, the outer surface 4 a side of the side end surface 4 c of the cover glass substrate 4 is a curved surface along the blade surface shape of the dicing blade 50.

  In the conventional configuration, only the sealing member 7 is disposed between the element substrate 2 and the cover glass substrate 4, and the sealing member 7 made of a resin material contracts at the end of the substrate during a thermal cycle test or the like. When stress was applied locally, there was a risk of the substrate cracking.

  Therefore, in the electrophoretic display device 100 according to the present embodiment, the spacer 12 that is more flexible than the sealing member 7 is disposed outside the sealing member 7 so that the peripheral edge of the substrate contacts the sealing member 7. It was not configured. Thereby, the stress due to the thermal contraction of the sealing member 7 can be relieved by the deformation of the spacer 12, and it is possible to prevent the substrate from cracking.

  In addition, in the conventional manufacturing method, the mother element substrate and the mother cover glass substrate and the sealing member are cut at the same time so that the individual electrophoretic display panels in which the end faces of the cover glass, the spacer, and the element substrate coincide in plan view are obtained. It has gained. Thereby, an external dimension can be finished with sufficient precision.

However, when the electrophoretic display device of the present embodiment is obtained, the mother element substrate 40, the spacer 12, and the mother cover glass substrate 44 are simultaneously cut. When the spacer 12 that is more flexible than the sealing member 7 is cut, the spacer 12 adheres to the blade and becomes clogged. In this state, if the blade is pushed forward and the mother cover glass substrate 44 is cut so as to have the same dimensions as the spacer 12, there will be a problem that the edge of the cover glass is chipped and cracks increase and the yield decreases. .
Therefore, in the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce chipping and cracking of the end portion by processing so that the outer shape of the outermost surface of the cover glass is larger than the outer shape of the spacer 12. . In this embodiment, as described above, the outer shape on the outermost surface side of the cover glass is processed to be larger by about 20 μm than the outer shape of the spacer 12. That is, the edge part was formed partially thin by making it the shape where the cut surface of the cover glass board | substrate 4 spreads toward a surface direction outer side in the outer surface 4a side.

  By adopting such a cutting method, even a dicing blade clogged by the cutting of the spacer 12 can be satisfactorily cut without causing cracks or chips at the end of the cover glass substrate 4.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the width W of the protrusion 104 can be changed as appropriate. Even if a microcrack exists in the protrusion 104, the thickness of this portion is very thin. Even if a crack is generated from such a microcrack, the protrusion 104 partially breaks down. The cracks do not propagate to the inside in the surface direction of the substrate. For this reason, the micro crack exists only in the protrusion 104 and does not exist inside the substrate. As described above, by appropriately changing the width W of the protrusion 104 according to the thickness of the cover glass substrate 4 or the like, it is possible to prevent chipping or cracking at the end of the substrate excluding the protrusion 104. It has become.

  Thereby, chipping such as chipping or cracking of the end portion of the cover glass substrate 4 can be prevented, and high reliability of the product can be obtained without deteriorating the product performance. Further, by eliminating defects during manufacturing, it is possible to avoid an increase in product cost due to a decrease in yield.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an electrophoretic display device according to a second embodiment and a manufacturing method thereof will be described.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the electrophoretic display device 200 of the second embodiment.
In the following description, the description of the same configuration as the previous embodiment will be omitted, and different points will be specifically described.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this embodiment, the three side end surfaces 4c of the cover glass substrate 4 shown in FIG. 1 are stepped. The side end surface 4c includes a first surface 15 and a second surface 16 that are perpendicular to the substrate surface, and the first surface 15 and the second surface 16 are stepped differently from each other in the surface direction. It is composed. Projections 104 are formed at the corners of the side end surface 4c and the outer surface 4a having the step shape.

  When manufacturing the electrophoretic display device 200 according to the present embodiment, in the substrate cutting step S6 (FIG. 4), first, the mother connection substrate 41 starts to be cut, and the mother connection substrate 41 and the mother element substrate 40 are cut, and then the spacer 12, the mother cover glass substrate 44 is subsequently cut, but here, the mother cover glass substrate 44 is not cut at a time, but is cut in two stages.

  First, the first surface 15 is formed by dicing with a dicing blade to about half the thickness of the mother cover glass substrate 44 at the same cutting position (first cutting position) as the mother connection substrate 41, the mother element substrate 40 and the spacer 12. To do. Thereafter, the position of the cutting edge of the dicing blade is shifted outward in the surface direction, and the second surface 16 is formed by performing a cutting operation at a second cutting position different from the first cutting position. Thereby, the step-shaped side end surface 4c is formed.

  Thus, when cutting the mother cover glass substrate 44, the cutting position is moved in two steps by moving the cutting position by the dicing blade to the outside in the surface direction of the substrate, thereby forming a stepped cutting surface. Is done.

Since the mother cover glass substrate 44 is cut in two stages as in this embodiment, the mother cover glass substrate 44 is prevented from being pushed all at once by the dicing blade. It is possible to further prevent the occurrence of chipping or cracking that leads to a decrease in sealing performance. Further, the side end surface 4c (cut surface) of the cover glass substrate 4 of the separated electrophoretic display device 200 is formed in a step shape, so that the thickness at the peripheral portion of the cover glass substrate 4 is thinner than the central portion. The protrusion 104 can be formed in this way. As a result, microcracks can be retained only on the protrusions 104 of the cover glass substrate 4.
As a result, even when a thermal shock test or the like is performed, an electrophoretic display device that can prevent the chipping or cracking of the end of the substrate that leads to a decrease in product performance and is resistant to changes in the ambient temperature environment 200 is obtained.

<Modification>
Below, some examples are given about the shape in the side end surface of a cover glass substrate using a figure.
Since the shape of the side end face of the cover glass substrate depends on the blade face shape of the dicing blade (the shape of the cutting rotary blade), it is possible to obtain a desired end face shape by using a dicing blade having a different blade face shape. is there.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, in the projection 104, the side end surface 4 c of the cover glass substrate 4 is on the vertical surface 112 perpendicular to the inner surface 4 b and the outer surface 4 a side protruding outward from the side 4 B on the inner surface 4 b side. You may be comprised from the inclined surface 113 which connects the edge | side 4A.
Alternatively, the entire side end surface may have a curved shape that is recessed inward, or may be an inclined surface.

  As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs to.

(Electronics)
Next, an example of an electronic apparatus including the electrophoretic display device according to the above-described embodiment as a display unit will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a specific example of an electronic apparatus to which the electrophoretic display device is applied.
FIG. 15A is a perspective view illustrating an electronic book which is an example of the electronic apparatus. The electronic book 1000 includes a book-shaped main body 1001, a cover 1002 that can be rotated (openable and closable) with respect to the main body 1001, an operation unit 1003, and the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment. And a configured display unit 1004. Any one of the electrophoretic display devices according to the above-described embodiments is mounted on the display unit 1004.
FIG. 15B is a perspective view illustrating a wrist watch that is an example of an electronic apparatus. The wristwatch 1100 includes a display unit 1101 configured by the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment.
Any one of the electrophoretic display devices according to each of the above embodiments is mounted on the display unit 1004 and the display unit 1101.

  According to the electronic book 1000 and the timepiece 1100 described above, since the electrophoretic display device according to the present invention is employed, the electronic apparatus includes a highly reliable display unit that is resistant to environmental temperature changes.

  In addition, said electronic device illustrates the electronic device which concerns on this invention, Comprising: The technical scope of this invention is not limited. For example, the electrophoretic display device according to the present invention can be suitably used for a display portion of an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a portable audio device.

1 electrophoretic panel, 2 element substrate (second substrate), 3 electrophoretic sheet, 4 cover glass substrate (first substrate), 4A side, 4B side, 4C side, 4a outer surface, 4b inner surface, 4c side end surface, 4d side End face, 7 Sealing member, 8 Connection substrate, 8a Core member, 8b Connection electrode, 9 Vertical conduction material part, P panel region, W width, 10 wires, 11 Adhesive layer, 12 Spacer, 15 First surface, 16 Second Surface, 20 substrate, 20a surface, 20b back surface, 21 driving layer, 22 driving circuit, 24 terminal, 25 pixel electrode, 26 switching element, 30 transparent substrate, 30a surface, 30b inner surface, 31 electrophoretic layer, 32 microcapsule, 33 Adhesive layer, 35 common electrode, 40 mother element substrate (first mother substrate), 40a front surface, 40b back surface, 41 mother connection substrate, 44 Zer cover glass substrate (second mother substrate), 44a outer surface, 50 dicing blade, S1 panel forming step, S2 electrophoretic layer arranging step, S3 spacer arranging step, S5 sealing member forming step, S6 substrate cutting step, 100, 200 Electrophoretic display device, 112 vertical surface, 113 inclined surface, 104 protrusions

Claims (11)

A first substrate and a second substrate;
An electrophoretic layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A first member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the periphery of the electrophoretic layer;
A second member disposed outside the first member between the first substrate and the second substrate and having more flexibility than the first member;
An electrophoretic display device comprising a protrusion projecting outward in a surface direction at a corner portion between an outer surface of the first substrate opposite to the electrophoretic layer side and a side end surface of the first substrate. .   The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is made of a material that easily adheres to a dicing blade used at the time of cutting.   The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided along the entire edge of the outer surface.   The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, wherein the side end surface has a step shape.   The electrophoretic display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side end surface has an inclined surface or a curved surface. A first substrate and a second substrate; an electrophoretic layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; and the periphery of the electrophoretic layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A first member that surrounds the second member, and a second member that is disposed outside the first member between the first substrate and the second substrate and is more flexible than the first member. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, comprising:
Forming a plurality of panel regions corresponding to one electrophoretic display device on the surface of the first mother substrate;
Disposing an electrophoretic layer in each of the plurality of panel regions on the first mother substrate;
Bonding the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate through the electrophoretic layer;
Forming a first member surrounding the electrophoresis layer between the first mother substrate and the second mother substrate;
Forming a second member that is more flexible than the first member in a region surrounded by the first mother substrate, the second mother substrate, the first member, and the electrophoretic layer;
Cutting the first mother substrate, the second mother substrate, and the second member with a dicing blade for each panel region,
When cutting the first mother substrate, the outer surface of the first substrate of the electrophoretic display device protrudes outward in the surface direction at the corner between the outer surface opposite to the electrophoretic layer side and the side end surface of the first substrate. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, comprising cutting so as to form a protrusion to be formed.   The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, wherein when the first mother substrate is cut, a material of the second member is adhered to a blade surface of the dicing blade.   The method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion is formed along at least one entire side of the first substrate.   9. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, wherein the first mother substrate is cut into a plurality of times when the first mother substrate is cut.   The first mother substrate is cut at a first cutting position, and then cut at a second cutting position at a position different from the first cutting position on the outer side in the surface direction. 10. A method for producing an electrophoretic display device according to 9.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electrophoretic display device according to claim 1.

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