JP2014224870A - Reflection type display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reflection type display device and manufacturing method thereof, capable of sufficiently suppressing a moire phenomenon from appearing, without deteriorating display quality, and also suppressing occurrence of a surface defect caused by a partially thick adhesive agent.SOLUTION: A reflection type display device includes a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions, arranged between two substrates. At least part of the regions of the partition wall including at least some branch points of the partition wall when viewed in a direction from one substrate to the other substrate includes: a branch pattern part having a plurality of branch extension parts extending from a branch point; and a connection part connecting an end portion of a branch extension part of the branch pattern part to an end portion of another branch extension part of the branch pattern part. Each of the branch pattern parts has a common shape by each number of the branch extension parts included in the branch pattern part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a reflective display device applied to electronic paper or the like and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Recently, as a reflective display device, an electrophoretic display device using an electrophoretic material as an electroresponsive material contained in a display medium has been widely used. An electrophoretic display device is a device that displays information by using electrophoretic migration, that is, particle movement, of an electrophoretic body (usually electrophoretic particles) in air or in a solvent. In general, an electrophoretic state is controlled by applying an electric field between two substrates, thereby realizing a desired display. As the electrophoretic body, charged powder as well as charged particles can be used. In that case, the charged powder electrophoreses in the gas.

  In recent years, the electrophoretic display device has attracted attention especially as an electronic paper. When applied as an electronic paper, it is possible to enjoy advantages such as visibility at the printed matter level (easy for eyes), ease of information rewriting, low power consumption, and light weight.

  However, in an electrophoretic display device, display defects, particularly a decrease in contrast, may occur due to sedimentation or uneven distribution of particles or powder. In order to prevent this phenomenon, it is used to form partition walls between the upper and lower electrode substrates and divide the migration space of the particles and powder to be electrophoresed, that is, the movement space into minute spaces. This minute space is called a cell. In each cell, ink or gas (display medium) containing an electrophoretic body is enclosed. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-202245) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-24868) disclose a conventional example of such an electrophoretic display device.

JP-A-2005-202245 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-24868

  The present inventor has obtained the following knowledge while earnestly studying the method of forming the partition wall.

  In the reflective display device as described above, the partition wall is a pixel electrode provided on the substrate in order to realize a desired display by controlling the electrophoretic state of the electroresponsive material contained in the display medium. Placed on top. The pixel electrodes generally need to be periodically arranged in a matrix pattern so as to form a rectangle as a whole. For this reason, when the partition is also formed with a pattern having periodicity, when the partition is disposed on the pixel electrode, the two patterns are not precisely aligned (if the positions of both patterns are shifted), Moire phenomenon appears and display quality is impaired. In particular, when manufacturing a high-definition and large-screen reflective display device, alignment accuracy is even more important.

  In order to suppress the occurrence of such a moire phenomenon, it is conceivable to adopt a pattern having no periodicity, that is, a random pattern, as the partition pattern. However, if a cell having an acute corner is formed, an adhesive for adhering the substrate on the partition wall penetrates into the acute corner by capillary action, or particles of the display medium are clogged. Dot-like display defects may occur or display contrast may be reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the adhesive tends to be thickly deposited on the partition wall in the vicinity of the corner portion where the adhesive has entered. If the adhesive material is thickly deposited on a part of the partition walls, when the substrate is adhered to the adhesive layer, the thick adhesive material spreads over the substrate and causes a point-like display defect. May end up.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the object thereof is to sufficiently suppress the occurrence of the moire phenomenon without impairing the display quality, and to allow the adhesive to be partially thickened. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reflective display device in which the occurrence of display defects caused by the above is suppressed, and a method for manufacturing the same.

  According to the present invention, a display medium containing at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has an electrode formed thereon. A reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between the substrates, and a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates; Each region partitioned by partition walls as a cell, and the display medium disposed in each cell, wherein the partition wall is formed at least partially in a non-periodic pattern, from the one substrate When viewed in the direction toward the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including branch points of the partition formed in the aperiodic pattern has a plurality of branch extensions extending from each branch point. A branch pattern portion having a portion and the branch A connecting portion that connects an end portion of the branch extending portion of the turn portion to an end portion of the branch extending portion of another branch pattern portion, and each branch pattern portion has a branch that the branch pattern portion has. It is a reflection type display device characterized by having a common shape for every number of extension parts.

  Preferably, at least one of the two substrates is bonded to the top surface of the partition through an adhesive.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having three branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 120 ° with each other.

  For example, two adjacent branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a honeycomb pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having four branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 90 ° with each other.

  For example, the branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship translated from each other.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a lattice pattern in which square unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, an angle formed by the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion and the connection portion is 90 ° or more.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A method of manufacturing a reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions on one substrate. A partition forming step to be formed, a display medium arranging step of arranging the display medium on the one substrate or the other substrate, and each region partitioned by the partition after the display medium is arranged as a cell, Opposing the one substrate and the other substrate so that the display medium is sealed in each cell so that the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate faces the other substrate. A substrate placement step, and The wall is at least partially formed in an aperiodic pattern, and when viewed in a direction from the one substrate toward the other substrate, a branch point of the partition wall formed in the aperiodic pattern At least a partial region of the partition wall includes a branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point, and an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion between the other branch pattern portions. A connecting portion connected to an end portion of the branch extending portion, and each branch pattern portion has a common shape for each number of branch extending portions included in the branch pattern portion. This is a method for manufacturing a reflective display device.

  For example, in the counter substrate placement step, the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate and the other substrate are bonded together with an adhesive. Further, for example, the counter substrate placement step includes an adhesive layer forming step of forming a softened adhesive layer on the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A reflective display device in which the display medium performs a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition that partitions a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates; Each of the regions defined by the partition walls as a cell, and the display medium disposed in each cell, and at least a part of the partition wall as viewed from the one substrate toward the other substrate. When the unit pattern of the same shape is regularly arranged as a reference pattern, the branch point is within a predetermined distance from the branch point of the reference pattern, and the branch point of the reference pattern Do not overlap, said A plurality of branch extending portions extending from each branch point, wherein at least a part of the partition including the at least some branch points of the partition wall is viewed from the other substrate toward the other substrate. Each of the branch pattern portions, and a connection portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extension portion of the other branch pattern portion. Is a reflection type display device having a common shape for each of the branch extending portions of the branch pattern portion.

  Preferably, at least one of the two substrates is bonded to the top surface of the partition through an adhesive.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having three branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 120 ° with each other.

  For example, two adjacent branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a honeycomb pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having four branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 90 ° with each other.

  For example, the branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship translated from each other.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a lattice pattern in which square unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, an angle formed by the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion and the connection portion is 90 ° or more.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A method of manufacturing a reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions on one substrate. A partition forming step to be formed, a display medium arranging step of arranging the display medium on the one substrate or the other substrate, and each region partitioned by the partition after the display medium is arranged as a cell, Opposing the one substrate and the other substrate so that the display medium is sealed in each cell so that the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate faces the other substrate. A substrate placement step, and The wall has at least a part of the branch points of the partition wall within a predetermined distance starting from the branch point of the reference pattern when unit patterns of the same shape are regularly arranged as a reference pattern. In addition, at least a part of the partition including the at least some of the branch points of the partition does not overlap with the branch points of the reference pattern, and a plurality of branch extending portions extending from the branch points. Each of the branch pattern portions, and a connection portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extension portion of the other branch pattern portion. Is a method for manufacturing a reflective display device, characterized in that each of the branch pattern portions has a common shape for each branch extension portion.

  For example, in the counter substrate placement step, the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate and the other substrate are bonded together with an adhesive. Further, for example, the counter substrate placement step includes an adhesive layer forming step of forming a softened adhesive layer on the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A reflective display device in which the display medium performs a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition that partitions a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates; Each of the regions defined by the partition walls as a cell, and the display medium disposed in each cell, and at least a part of the partition wall as viewed from the one substrate toward the other substrate. Branch points, when unit patterns of the same shape are regularly arranged as a reference pattern, each branch point of the reference pattern and each lattice point of a lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to the reference pattern Association, the lattice The grid points of the grid pattern are moved by enlarging or reducing each row or column of the turn in the direction of the row or column, and each associated with the grid point corresponding to the movement of the grid point At least a part of the partition including the at least a part of the branch point of the partition as seen in the direction from the one substrate toward the other substrate, which exists at the position where the branch point is also moved, A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point, and a connection for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of a branch extension portion of another branch pattern portion And each branch pattern portion has a common shape for each number of branch extension portions of the branch pattern portion.

  Preferably, at least one of the two substrates is bonded to the top surface of the partition through an adhesive.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having three branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 120 ° with each other.

  For example, two adjacent branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a honeycomb pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having four branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 90 ° with each other.

  For example, the branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship translated from each other.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a lattice pattern in which square unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, an angle formed by the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion and the connection portion is 90 ° or more.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A method of manufacturing a reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions on one substrate. A partition forming step to be formed, a display medium arranging step of arranging the display medium on the one substrate or the other substrate, and each region partitioned by the partition after the display medium is arranged as a cell, Opposing the one substrate and the other substrate so that the display medium is sealed in each cell so that the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate faces the other substrate. A substrate placement step, and The wall has at least a part of the branch points of the partition wall, when unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged as a reference pattern, each branch point of the reference pattern has a pitch corresponding to the reference pattern. The grid points of the grid pattern are associated with each other, and the grid points of the grid pattern are moved by enlarging or reducing each row or column of the grid pattern in the direction of the row or column. At least a part of the partition including the at least some branch points of the partition wall is present at a position where each branch point associated with the lattice point corresponding to the movement is also moved. A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from the branch pattern portion, and a connection for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extension portion of another branch pattern portion And each branch pattern portion has a common shape for each number of branch extension portions of the branch pattern portion. is there.

  For example, in the counter substrate placement step, the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate and the other substrate are bonded together with an adhesive. Further, for example, the counter substrate placement step includes an adhesive layer forming step of forming a softened adhesive layer on the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A reflective display device in which the display medium performs a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition that partitions a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates; Each of the regions defined by the partition walls as a cell, and the display medium disposed in each cell, and at least a part of the partition wall as viewed from the one substrate toward the other substrate. When the first reference pattern is formed by regularly arranging unit patterns having the same shape, the branch points of the lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to each branch point of the first reference pattern and the first reference pattern. Associating each grid point The grid points of the grid pattern are moved by enlarging or reducing each row or column of the grid pattern in the direction of the row or column, and the grid points are associated with the movement of the grid points. Existing in the range of a predetermined distance from the branch point of the second reference pattern obtained by moving each branch point obtained, and does not overlap with the branch point of the second reference pattern, When viewed in the direction from one substrate to the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including the at least a part of branch points of the partition has a plurality of branch extending portions extending from the branch points. Each of the branch pattern portions, and a connection portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extension portion of the other branch pattern portion. Is Every few branches extending portion to which the branch pattern portion has a reflective display device, characterized by having a common shape.

  Preferably, at least one of the two substrates is bonded to the top surface of the partition through an adhesive.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having three branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 120 ° with each other.

  For example, two adjacent branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a honeycomb pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, the branch pattern portion having four branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 90 ° with each other.

  For example, the branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship translated from each other.

  For example, the reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is a lattice pattern in which square unit patterns are regularly arranged.

  Preferably, an angle formed by the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion and the connection portion is 90 ° or more.

  Alternatively, in the present invention, a display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which has a light-transmitting property and each has electrodes formed thereon. A method of manufacturing a reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between two substrates, and a partition wall that partitions a plurality of regions on one substrate. A partition forming step to be formed, a display medium arranging step of arranging the display medium on the one substrate or the other substrate, and each region partitioned by the partition after the display medium is arranged as a cell, Opposing the one substrate and the other substrate so that the display medium is sealed in each cell so that the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate faces the other substrate. A substrate placement step, and When at least some of the branch points of the partition wall are regularly arranged unit patterns of the same shape as the first reference pattern, each branch point of the first reference pattern and the first reference pattern The lattice points of the lattice pattern are moved by associating each lattice point of the lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to, and enlarging or reducing each row or column of the lattice pattern in the direction of the row or column. In addition, a branch point of the second reference pattern obtained by moving each branch point associated with the grid point corresponding to the movement of the grid point exists within a range of a predetermined distance from the branch point of the second reference pattern, and At least a part of the partition including the at least part of the branch points of the partition does not overlap with the branch point of the second reference pattern, and extends from each branch point. A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions; and a connection portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extension portion of another branch pattern portion. Each branch pattern part has a common shape for each number of branch extension parts of the branch pattern part.

  For example, in the counter substrate placement step, the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate and the other substrate are bonded together with an adhesive. Further, for example, the counter substrate placement step includes an adhesive layer forming step of forming a softened adhesive layer on the top surface of the partition wall of the one substrate.

  According to the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reflective display device in which the occurrence of a moire phenomenon is sufficiently suppressed without impairing display quality, and a method for manufacturing the same.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a reflective display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a pixel electrode formed on the other substrate of the reflective display device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the partition wall forming step. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the definition of the width of the top surface of the partition wall. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a reference pattern which is a basis for the partition formation in the partition formation step. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a honeycomb-shaped reference pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged, and FIG. 6B is a regular arrangement of square unit patterns. It is a figure which shows the square-lattice-like reference pattern formed. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an outer edge of a region where a branch point of a partition wall can be positioned. Specifically, FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a range of a predetermined distance starting from a branch point of the reference pattern, and FIG. 7B is a reference pattern extending from the branch point of the reference pattern as a starting point. It is a figure which shows the area | region prescribed | regulated as 1/2 maximum of the extension length of the said edge | side in the direction of each edge | side. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the positions of the branch points of the partition walls that are randomly determined within the range of the predetermined distance shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing a branch pattern portion of the partition wall, which is positioned with the position shown in FIG. 8 as the position of the branch point of the partition wall. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a connection portion connected to an end of the branch extension portion of the branch pattern portion shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the adhesive layer forming step. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the display medium arranging step. FIG. 13 is a schematic view for explaining the function of the conductive paste. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the other substrate is bonded to the adhesive layer on the partition wall of one substrate in the counter substrate arranging step. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method for positioning a branch point of a partition wall in the method for manufacturing a reflective display device according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an adhesion state of the adhesive in the branch pattern portion of the partition wall according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 16A is a plan view of the adhesive attached to the branch pattern portion, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 16b-16b in FIG. FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the adhesion state of the adhesive in the branch pattern portion of the partition wall according to the comparative example of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 17A is a plan view of the adhesive material attached to the branch pattern portion, and FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17b-17b of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the adhesive material has penetrate | invaded in the cell of less than 90 degree | times.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a reflective display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the reflective display device according to the present embodiment, at least one kind of electrically responsive material is provided between two opposing substrates 11 and 16 on which at least one is translucent and electrodes 111 and 161 are respectively formed. The display medium 13 including the liquid crystal is sealed, and the display medium 13 performs a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied between the two substrates 11 and 16. Here, in the specification and claims of the present application, “translucent” means a property of transmitting light. In this embodiment mode, the substrate disposed on the viewing side has a light-transmitting property such that the total light transmittance is 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more.

  2 to 17, an electrode 111 is provided on the surface of one substrate 11, but the electrode 111 is not shown. In the present embodiment, one substrate 11 is disposed on the viewing side, and the other substrate 16 is disposed on the non-viewing side.

  One substrate 11 includes a light-transmitting film such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or light-transmitting glass, and indium tin oxide (ITO). ), Zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO), and the like, to which a light-transmitting electrode (translucent electrode) 111 is attached can be typically used.

  The translucent electrode 111 can be formed by a coating method, sputtering, a vacuum deposition method, a CVD method, or the like. In the present embodiment, the translucent electrode 111 is used as a common electrode, and it is not always necessary to form a pattern, and the entire surface of the substrate may be an electrode.

  The thickness of one substrate 11 is preferably 10 μm to 1 mm. If it is thinner than 10 μm, the strength as a panel cannot be obtained and the risk of breakage increases. On the other hand, if it is thicker than 1 mm, the panel weight becomes too heavy and the handling becomes inconvenient and the cost also increases. Because. A suitable thickness range that is difficult to break and easy to handle is about 50 μm to 300 μm.

  One substrate 11 can be applied in either a roll shape or a sheet shape.

  As the other substrate 16, a substrate in which an electrode is formed of a conductive material such as a metal on a display medium side surface such as a resin film, a resin plate, glass, or epoxy glass (glass epoxy) can be used. For the other substrate 16, a light-transmitting base material may be used. Furthermore, it may be an opaque base material that is translucent, but an opaque glass base material, resin film, resin plate, glass, epoxy glass with the other surface different from the electrode surface roughened. (Garaepo) or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, since the other substrate 16 is disposed at a position opposite to the viewing side, there is no necessity of having translucency. However, when the same physical properties as the one substrate 11 such as thermal expansion characteristics are required, a light-transmitting member similar to the one substrate 11 can be used.

  The thickness of the other substrate 16 is preferably 10 μm to 1 mm, similarly to the thickness of the one substrate 11. If it is thinner than 10 μm, the strength as a panel cannot be obtained and the risk of breakage increases. On the other hand, if it is thicker than 1 mm, the panel weight becomes too heavy and the handling becomes inconvenient and the cost also increases. Because. A suitable thickness range that is difficult to break and easy to handle is about 50 μm to 300 μm.

  The other substrate 16 can be applied in either a roll shape or a sheet shape.

  The pixel electrode 161 is arranged so as to cover a region (display region) used for a desired display in the reflective display device. As the electrode 161, a pattern electrode is used in the segment drive and passive matrix drive, and a pixel electrode in which a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is arranged in the active matrix drive. In the present embodiment, the pixel electrode 161 is a pixel electrode in which the TFT 163 is disposed, and is formed in a common rectangular pattern as shown in FIG. 2, and is regularly arranged in a matrix. .

<Method 1 of manufacturing a reflective display device>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the partition wall forming step. As shown in FIG. 4, first, partition walls 12 are formed on the upper surface of one substrate 11 that is generally placed in the horizontal direction by, for example, photolithography (exposure by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation → development → firing). The The partition wall 12 is a member that defines a plurality of cells to be described later.

  The partition wall 12 can be composed of an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, a room temperature curable resin, or the like. As a method for forming the partition wall 12, a mold transfer method such as embossing can be adopted in addition to the photolithography method. Further, a method of manufacturing a structure having a desired pattern as a partition and sticking the structure to one substrate 11 may be employed.

  The width of the top surface of the partition wall 12 is 9 μm to 50 μm, preferably 9 μm to 20 μm. 9 μm is the lower limit of the line width at which the partition wall 12 can be patterned without falling down. When the width of the top surface of the partition wall 12 is less than 9 μm, in a pattern in which the length of the partition wall 12 is 60 μm or more, at least a part of the partition wall 12 falls, peels off, or the separated partition wall 12 moves over the substrate. Or move. In that case, the function of preventing the movement of particles by the partition wall 12 is lost, and the display quality is deteriorated. On the other hand, the upper limit of the preferable range of 50 μm is an upper limit at which the partition wall 121 is not too conspicuous when visually observed.

  Here, the definition of the width of the top surface of the partition wall 12 is shown in FIG. If the corners of the top surface are not rounded, the width of the top surface is defined as it is, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). On the other hand, when the corner of the top surface is rounded, it is understood as the width between the intersection lines of the extended surface of the top surface and the extended surface of the wall surface, as shown in FIG. 5 (c) and FIG. 5 (d). The As a measuring method for evaluation, one substrate 11 on which the partition wall 12 was formed was embedded in a curable resin, and a cross section of the partition wall 12 was cut out by a microtome (Daiwa Kogyo Kogyo Co., Ltd .: FX-801). Each width can be measured based on an image taken by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

  The thickness of the partition wall 12 is 5 to 50 μm, preferably 10 to 50 μm. If the thickness is 5 μm or less, the amount of ink to be filled is small and sufficient display characteristics, particularly contrast, cannot be obtained. From the viewpoint that good display characteristics can be obtained at a low driving voltage, a thickness in the range of 10 to 50 μm is preferable.

  A part of the partition wall 12 is formed in a non-periodic pattern, that is, a pattern that does not cause the moire phenomenon with respect to the periodic pattern of the pixel electrode 161. As a specific example of the non-periodic pattern of the partition wall 12, for example, there is a pattern of the partition wall 12 in which a plurality of cells partitioned by the partition wall 12 have different shapes. In this case, the shape may be different for all the cells, or the shape may be different for only some of the cells. Moreover, about the method of a shape change, there may exist periodicity and it may not have periodicity.

  With reference to FIG. 6 thru | or FIG. 10, the determination method of the shape of the partition 12 seen in the direction which goes to the other board | substrate 16 from the one board | substrate 11 by this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, a reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged is prepared. Here, in the present specification and claims, the “unit pattern” is an individual pattern surrounding individual regions divided by the entire pattern. Further, the “reference pattern” is a pattern used as a reference (basic) when determining the shape of the partition wall 12 as viewed in the direction from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16, or at the branch point thereof. The position is a pattern to be compared with the position of the branch point of the partition wall 12 of the reflective display device according to the present invention. The “reference pattern” is a pattern formed by regularly arranging unit patterns having the same shape. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6A, the unit pattern is an individual regular hexagonal pattern, and the reference pattern in this case is a honeycomb-shaped structure in which the regular hexagonal unit patterns are regularly arranged. It is a pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the unit pattern is an individual square pattern, and the reference pattern in this case is a square lattice pattern in which the square unit patterns are regularly arranged. It is. Of course, the shape of the unit pattern may be a hexagon other than a regular hexagon, a quadrangle other than a square, or another polygon.

  In the present embodiment, the pitch of the reference pattern is 300 μm. Here, “pitch” means a distance required to move adjacent unit patterns to overlap each other.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the branch point of the partition wall 12 is positioned within a range _Rmax of a predetermined distance from the branch point K of the reference pattern as a starting point. The region where the branch point of the partition wall 12 can be positioned does not have to be a region surrounded by a circular outer edge, but extends from the branch point K of the reference pattern as shown in FIG. 7B. It may be an area defined as a maximum displacement in the direction of each side of the reference pattern with 1/2 of the extension length of the side. FIG. 8 shows each branch point K ′ of the partition wall 12 determined at random within a range R _max within a predetermined distance from each branch point K, K1, K2,..., K6 of the reference pattern shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the position of K1 ', K2', ..., K6 '.

  Next, the positions determined as the positions of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 (see FIG. 8) are the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′, As the position of K6 ′, the branch pattern portion 121 having a plurality of branch extending portions 122 extending from the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,.

  Each branch pattern part 121 has a common shape for each number of branch extension parts 122 included in the branch pattern part 121. In this embodiment, the shape of the branch pattern part 121 is a branch extension part. The number of the protruding parts 122 is all three, and the angles α, β, γ formed by the adjacent branch extending parts 122 are 120 °. In the present embodiment, the length of each branch extension 122 is 40 μm. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the directions of the two adjacent branch pattern portions 121 are determined so as to have a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  The shape of the branch pattern portion 121 may be another shape, or may be a shape in which the number of branch extension portions 122 is four and the angle formed by the adjacent branch extension portions 122 is 90 °. Good. In this case, the branch pattern portions 121 may be in a positional relationship in which they are translated from each other. Furthermore, the branch pattern part 121 from which the number of the branch extension parts 122 differs may be used.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 124 of the partition wall 12 is positioned between the end portions 123 of the branch extending portions 122 of the adjacent branch pattern portions 121 shown in FIG. The connection part 124 is positioned so as to connect the end part 123 of the branch extension part 122 of the branch pattern part 121 to the end part 123 of the branch extension part 122 of the other branch pattern part 121. At this time, when the angle θ formed by the branch extension portion 122 and the connection portion 124 of the branch pattern portion 121 is less than 90 °, the angle θ formed by the branch extension portion 122 and the connection portion 124 is 90. The position or orientation of the branch pattern part 121 having the branch extension part 122 is adjusted so as to be at least °. In this way, the shape of the partition wall 12 is determined.

  In the present embodiment, the end portion 123 of the branch extending portion 122 of the branch pattern portion 121 is connected by an elongated rectangular shape, that is, a linearly extending connection portion 124, but the shape of the connection portion 124 is branched. A curved shape may be used so that the end portion 123 of the branch extension portion 122 of the pattern portion 121 is smoothly connected to the end portion 123 of the branch extension portion 122 of the other branch pattern portion 121.

  The cell aperture ratio is preferably 70% or more, and particularly preferably 90% or more. The higher the aperture ratio, the wider the displayable area, so that high contrast can be obtained.

  Next, the adhesive layer 22 is formed on the partition wall 12 (adhesive layer forming step: step (2) in FIG. 3). In this adhesive layer forming step, a thermoplastic resin such as a polyester-based thermoplastic adhesive is formed with a thickness of 1 μm to 100 μm by, for example, a transfer method or a printing method. Preferably, it is formed with a thickness of 1 μm to 50 μm, particularly preferably with a thickness of 1 μm to 20 μm.

  Supplementing a specific description of an example of a typical thermal transfer method as a transfer method, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, a polyester-based thermoplastic adhesive having a thickness of 20 μm on a PET film as a substrate 21. The transfer sheet 20 on which the adhesive material 221 is formed is prepared. Next, the transfer sheet 20 is disposed so as to face the one substrate 11 so that the surface of the adhesive 221 is disposed on the top surface of the partition wall 12 of the one substrate 11. In this state, one substrate 11 and the transfer sheet 20 are laminated at a normal temperature and a pressure of 1 kPa. After laminating, one substrate 11 was oriented such that the end of the partition wall 12 on the one substrate 11 side was positioned higher than the top surface of the partition wall 12 on the side opposite to the one substrate 11. In this state, the one substrate 11 and the transfer sheet 20 are heated for 1 minute at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the adhesive. Thereby, the adhesive layer 22 is formed on the partition wall 12.

  The adhesive 221 for forming the adhesive layer 22 is preferably an adhesive using a thermoplastic material, and has a property of being softened by heating and solidifying when cooled, and is plastic when it is repeatedly cooled and heated. Is a material that is reversibly maintained.

  When the adhesive 221 made of a thermoplastic material is used as the adhesive layer, the solidified adhesive 221 on the transfer sheet substrate 21 is softened by heating to a temperature exceeding the softening temperature, and the partition wall The adhesive 221 can be reliably thermally transferred only to the top surface. Further, since the adhesive 221 after thermal transfer is cooled to room temperature and solidified again, tackiness, i.e., stickiness, is eliminated, which is very convenient for handling. Further, since there is no tack, that is, stickiness, the display medium 13 filled in the cell does not adhere to the adhesive 221. Then, the adhesive 221 on the top surface of the partition wall is heated again to a temperature exceeding the softening temperature to be softened, so that it has tackiness, that is, stickiness, so that it is securely bonded to the other substrate 16. Since the adhesive 221 after being bonded to the other substrate 16 is not tacky, that is, sticky at normal temperature again, the display medium 13 is not bonded to the adhesive 221 again, and the display quality may be deteriorated. Nor.

  Specifically, thermoplastic base polymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester, polyamide, polyolefin, polyurethane, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene block copolymer, styrene-isoprene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene. A resin mainly composed of a thermoplastic elastomer such as a butylene-styrene block copolymer or a styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer, and a tackifier resin or a plasticizer is mainly used.

  In order to improve the adhesion between the partition wall 12 and the adhesive 221, the partition wall 12 may be subjected to surface treatment by ultraviolet irradiation, plasma treatment, or the like, or a primer may be formed. Alternatively, a silane coupling agent may be added to the adhesive material 221.

  Next, the ink 13 as a display medium is arranged on one substrate 11 (display medium arranging step: step (3) in FIG. 3). FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the display medium arranging step. Here, (1) the ink 13 is dropped from the dispenser 31 or inkjet or die coat (ink dropping step), and (2) the ink 13 is made uniform in the surface by the applicator 32 or doctor blade, doctor knife, and central squeegee. It is applied (ink application process). The ink 13 may be disposed on one substrate 16.

  As the display medium 13, a display medium containing at least one or more kinds of electrically responsive materials can be used. Examples of the electroresponsive material include a charged particle material and a liquid crystal material, and the charged particle material includes a so-called electrophoretic material in which colored particles such as white, black, and color move in response to an electric field, or two particles. There are materials typified by twist balls that are color-coded and rotated by an electric field, or nanoparticle materials that move by an electric field. On the other hand, the liquid crystal material includes a material for electrically controlling transmission and scattering known as PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), a material in which a liquid crystal is mixed with a dye, a cholesteric liquid crystal material, and the like. These materials that have electrical responsiveness and change optical characteristics need to be isolated into cells regardless of the type, and are subject to application of the present invention.

  Returning to FIG. 3, after the display medium arranging step, a conductive paste application step is performed (conductive paste application step: step (4) in FIG. 3). FIG. 13 is a schematic view for explaining the function of the conductive paste. The conductive paste 14 is a metal paste such as a silver paste, and is applied to a predetermined position by, for example, a dispenser 41 or ink jet, tampo printing, pad printing, or stacking printing. As shown in FIG. 13, the conductive paste 14 functions as a wiring for applying a voltage to the other substrate 16. When a predetermined electric field (voltage) is applied between the electrode pattern on one substrate 11 and the electrode pattern on the other substrate 16, the electrically responsive material in the ink 13 which is a display medium is driven, and a character pattern or the like Desired information is displayed. Thereafter, even if the electric field is no longer applied, the information display state is maintained until a new electric field is applied between the two substrates.

  Thereafter, the adhesive layer 22 on the partition wall 12 and the other substrate 16 opposed to the one substrate 11 are bonded while extruding excess ink 13 exceeding the volume of the cells defined by the partition wall 12 (counter substrate). Arrangement step: step (5) in FIG. Thereby, the display medium (ink 13) is sealed in each cell.

  In the counter substrate placement step, as shown in FIG. 14, the adhesive 221 transferred as the adhesive layer 22 is heated to obtain an adhesive force. Specifically, while applying a predetermined thermocompression bonding pressure (laminating pressure) by the laminator 91, the adhesive 221 is heated from the periphery to a temperature exceeding the softening temperature to soften the partition wall 12 and the other substrate. 16 is bonded. However, other thermocompression bonding modes may be employed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after bonding by the laminator 91, a four-side thermocompression bonding process is performed in which the four sides (peripheral portions) of both the substrates 11 and 16 are further thermocompression bonded. Specifically, a hot plate 92 is laid under the four sides (peripheral parts) of both substrates 11 and 16, and the lamination pressure is applied to the four sides of both substrates 11 and 16 with metal pieces 93 from the inside to the outside. Will be implemented.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 3, it is cut into a predetermined size by a cutting device 51 such as a guillotine, an upper blade slide device, a laser cutting device, a laser cutter (cutting step: step (6) in FIG. 3), and then The outer periphery sealing process is performed, and the manufacture of the desired reflective display device is completed.

  According to the present embodiment, at least a part of the partition wall 12 branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ is compared with the reference pattern having periodicity, the branch point K of the reference pattern. , K1, K2,..., K6 are located at different positions, and the shape of the cell surrounded by the partition 12 around the branch point is different from the shape of the unit pattern of the reference pattern. That is, at least a part of the partition wall 12 is formed in an aperiodic pattern. Therefore, the expression of moire phenomenon can be suppressed. Further, the shape of the partition wall 12 in the area around each branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′, that is, the shape of the branch pattern portion 121 is the branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. .. Have a common shape for each number of branch extending portions 122 extending from K6 ′. For this reason, when the top surface of the partition wall 12 of one base 11 plate and the other substrate 16 are bonded together via the adhesive 22, the angle formed by the adjacent branch extending portions 122 of the branch pattern portion 121. By suitably determining the value, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 221 from entering into the corners of the cell defined by the branch pattern part 121 due to capillary action or clogging of the particles of the display medium 13. Is done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a dot-like display defect or a decrease in contrast caused by the adhesive material 221 being partially thickened.

  Further, in the branch pattern portion 121 having the three branch extension portions 122, the angles α, β, and γ formed by the adjacent branch extension portions 122 are 120 °, and therefore the cell angle defined by the branch pattern portion. In the portion, it can be suppressed that the adhesive 221 enters due to a capillary phenomenon.

  Further, in the branch pattern portion 121 having the four branch extension portions 122, when the adjacent branch extension portions 122 have a shape of 90 ° with each other, at the corner of the cell defined by the branch pattern portion, It can be suppressed that the adhesive 221 enters due to a capillary phenomenon.

  Furthermore, since the angle θ formed by the branch extension portion 122 and the connection portion 124 of the branch pattern portion 121 is 90 ° or more, the adhesive 221 is formed at the portion where the branch extension portion 122 and the connection portion 124 are connected. Intrusion into the cell due to capillary action can be suppressed.

<Method 2 for manufacturing reflective display device>
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a method of determining the shape of the partition wall 12 when viewed from the one substrate 11 toward the other substrate 16 in the manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG.

  The manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the present embodiment is different from the manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the first embodiment in the direction from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16 in the partition formation process. Only the method of determining the shape of the partition wall 12 is different, and the other steps are substantially the same.

  With reference to FIG. 15, a method for determining the shape of the partition wall 12 as viewed in the direction from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16 in the partition wall formation step of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, a reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape as shown in FIG. 6 are regularly arranged is prepared. In the present embodiment, the reference pattern is a regular hexagonal honeycomb pattern shown in FIG. The pitch of the reference pattern is 300 μm.

  Next, a lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to the reference pattern, that is, a pitch of 300 μm is prepared. In the present embodiment, the lattice pattern is a square lattice pattern. Next, each lattice point of the square lattice pattern is associated with each branch point K, K1, K2,. The grid points of the square grid pattern are moved by enlarging or reducing each row or column of the square grid pattern in the direction of the row or column, and the grid points corresponding to the movement of the grid points The branch points K, K1, K2,..., K6 associated with are also moved. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the positions after movement of the branch points K, K1, K2,..., K6 of the reference pattern moved in correspondence with the movement of each lattice point of the square lattice pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the square lattice pattern is randomly expanded or reduced in the x-axis direction (row direction) in FIG. 15 within a predetermined distance. Similarly, the square lattice pattern is also randomly expanded or reduced in the y-axis direction (column direction) in FIG. 15 within a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, the maximum displacement of each lattice line due to enlargement or reduction in the row direction and column direction of the square lattice pattern is set to 50 μm.

  Next, the branch points K, K1, K2,..., K6 of the reference pattern are moved in correspondence with the movement of the lattice points of the square lattice pattern expanded or reduced in the row direction or the column direction in this way. The positions after the movement of the respective branch points K, K1, K2,..., K6 are determined as the positions of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the branch point K6 shown in FIG. 6 (a) is associated with the grid point _{p 43} and _{p 53,} the position vector after displacement of the grid points _{p 43} and _{p 53} each _(x 3, y ₄ ) and (x ₃ , y ₅ ), the branch point K6 has a position vector of the point after displacement of the branch point K6, that is, the position vector of the point K6 ′ in FIG. 15 is (x ₃ , y _a ). Where _ya is
(Y ₅ −y _a ) :( y _a −y ₄ ) = √3: 1
It is a value that satisfies

Further, the branch point K2 in FIG. 6A is associated with the lattice points p ₅₂ and p ₅₃ , and the position vectors after displacement of the lattice point p ₅₂ are (x ₂ , y ₅ ) and (x ₃ , y ₅ ), respectively. , The branch point K2 is such that the position vector of the point after displacement of the branch point K2, that is, the position vector of the point K2 ′ in FIG. 15 is ((x ₂ + x ₃ ) / 2, y _b ). Is displaced. Where y _b is
(Y ₅ -y _b ) :( y _b -y ₄ ) = 1: 2
It is a value that satisfies

  Next, the positions determined as the positions of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 are the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. , A branch pattern portion 121 having a plurality of branch extension portions 122 extending from the respective branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 is positioned. The connecting portion 124 is positioned between the end portions 123 of the branch extending portion 122.

  According to the present embodiment, according to the present invention, the partition wall 12 has a pattern deformed so that the periodicity of the reference pattern is disturbed compared to the reference pattern having periodicity. It is formed to become. That is, at least a part of the partition wall 12 is formed in an aperiodic pattern. Therefore, the expression of moire phenomenon can be suppressed. Further, the shape of the partition wall 12 in the area around each branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′, that is, the shape of the branch pattern portion 121 is the branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. .. Have a common shape for each number of branch extending portions 122 extending from K6 ′. For this reason, when the top surface of the partition wall 12 of one base 11 plate and the other substrate 16 are bonded together via the adhesive material 221, the angle formed by the adjacent branch extending portions 122 of the branch pattern portion 121. By suitably determining the value, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 221 from entering into the corners of the cell defined by the branch pattern part 121 due to capillary action or clogging of the particles of the display medium 13. Is done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a dot-like display defect or a decrease in contrast caused by the adhesive material 221 being partially thickened.

<Method 3 for manufacturing reflective display device>
The manufacturing method for the reflective display device according to the present embodiment is directed from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16 in the partition formation step, compared to the manufacturing method of the reflective display device according to the first and second embodiments. Only the method of determining the shape of the partition wall 12 as viewed in the direction is different, and the other steps are substantially the same.

  A method for determining the shape of the partition 12 viewed in the direction from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16 in the partition formation step of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, a reference pattern in which unit patterns having the same shape as shown in FIG. 6 are regularly arranged is prepared. In the present embodiment, the reference pattern is a regular hexagonal honeycomb pattern shown in FIG. The pitch of the reference pattern is 300 μm.

  Next, a lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to the reference pattern, that is, a pitch of 300 μm is prepared. In the present embodiment, the lattice pattern is a square lattice pattern. Next, each lattice point of the square lattice pattern is associated with each branch point of the reference pattern. The grid points of the square grid pattern are moved by enlarging or reducing each row or column of the square grid pattern in the direction of the row or column, and the grid points corresponding to the movement of the grid points The second reference pattern as shown in FIG. 15 is also formed by moving the branch points associated with.

Next, the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 are positioned within a predetermined distance range _Rmax starting from the branch point of the second reference pattern.

  Next, the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 thus positioned are extended from the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. The branch pattern part 121 having a plurality of branch extension parts 122 to be output is positioned, and the connection part 124 is positioned between the end parts 123 of the branch extension part 122 of the branch pattern part 121.

  According to the present embodiment, at least a part of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 is a second reference pattern obtained by modifying the first reference pattern having periodicity. Compared to the branch point of the second reference pattern, the shape of the cell surrounded by the partition wall 12 around the branch point is significantly different from the shape of the corresponding unit pattern of the first reference pattern. Is different. That is, at least a part of the partition wall 12 is formed in an aperiodic pattern. Therefore, the occurrence of the moire phenomenon can be suppressed very effectively. Further, the shape of the partition wall 12 in the area around each branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′, that is, the shape of the branch pattern portion 121 is the branch point K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. .. Have a common shape for each number of branch extending portions 122 extending from K6 ′. For this reason, when the top surface of the partition wall 12 of one base 11 plate and the other substrate 16 are bonded together via the adhesive material 221, the angle formed by the adjacent branch extending portions 122 of the branch pattern portion 121. By suitably determining the value, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 221 from entering into the corners of the cell defined by the branch pattern part 121 due to capillary action or clogging of the particles of the display medium 13. Is done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a dot-like display defect or a decrease in contrast caused by the adhesive material 221 being partially thickened.

  Next, practical examples actually performed will be described.

<Example of Reflective Display Device>
<Example>
As one substrate 11, an indium tin oxide (ITO) vapor deposition film (thickness 0.2 μm) is provided as a translucent electrode on one surface of a 300 mm × 400 mm × 0.1 mm thick PET substrate (Toyobo A4100). A prepared board was prepared. The translucent electrode is formed by a general film forming method such as sputtering, vacuum evaporation, or CVD, and in addition to indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO), etc. Can be formed.

Next, a negative photosensitive resin material (a dry film resist manufactured by DuPont MRC Dry Film Resist Co., Ltd.) is laminated on the one substrate 11 to a thickness of 20 μm and heated at 100 ° C. for 1 minute. Then, exposure is performed using an exposure mask (exposure amount: 500 mJ / cm ² ), and thereafter development using a 1% KOH aqueous solution is performed for 30 seconds, followed by baking at 200 ° C. for 60 minutes. A 20 μm partition wall 12 was formed. The shape of the partition wall 12 as viewed from the one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16 was determined based on a reference pattern in which regular hexagonal unit patterns shown in FIG. 6A are regularly arranged. Specifically, first, the positions of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12 are within a predetermined distance starting from the branch points K, K1, K2,. Randomly determined within R _max (see FIG. 8). Next, at the positions of the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,..., K6 ′ of the partition wall 12, a plurality of points extending from the branch points K ′, K1 ′, K2 ′,. The branch pattern part 121 having the branch extension part 122 was positioned, and the connection part 124 was positioned between the end parts 123 of the branch extension part 122 of the branch pattern part 121. The shape of the branch pattern portion 121 was such that the number of branch extension portions 122 of each branch pattern portion 121 was three and adjacent branch extension portions 122 formed 120 ° from each other. Further, the branch pattern portion 121 was positioned so that the two adjacent branch pattern portions 121 were in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °.

  A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film 21 (manufactured by Teijin DuPont) having a thickness of 50 μm is used as the transfer film substrate 21, and a heat sealant 221 (Byron 630 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 20 μm is formed by a die coder. Applied and dried. Thereby, a roll-shaped transfer sheet 20 having a 10 μm adhesive layer was produced. The softening temperature of the heat sealant 221 was about 110 ° C.

  Then, one substrate 11 was placed on the transfer sheet 20 with the surface on which the partition wall 12 was formed facing down, and was laminated at room temperature with a pressing force of about 1 kPa in this state. . Thereafter, the periphery of the heat sealant 221 was heated to a temperature exceeding its softening temperature, for example, about 130 ° C., and one substrate 11 was peeled from the transfer sheet 20 in that state. As a result, the heat sealant 221 was thermally transferred to the entire top surface of the partition wall 12. The height from the top surface of the partition 12 to the top of the heat sealant 221 was about 7 μm.

Subsequently, an ink 13 having the following components is used as a display medium, dropped from the dispenser 31, and squeezed with a central squeegee 32 (Neurong squeegee 1: made of urethane resin), and then in each cell. Filled. Excess ink that protruded in the substrate width direction was scraped off by another squeegee 33a, 33b (Nelogue Squeegee 2: made of urethane resin), and further wiped off by a roll wiper 34.
<Ink component>
・ Electrophoretic particles (titanium dioxide): 60 parts by weight ・ Dispersion liquid: 40 parts by weight

  Subsequently, a silver paste (manufactured by Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.) was spot-coated by a dispenser 41 on a part of the outer periphery of the partition wall pattern (2 mm × 2 mm square region).

  Next, 600 × 800 square electrodes of 200 μm × 200 μm are formed on one surface of non-alkali glass (OA-10G manufactured by Nippon Electric Glass) as the other substrate 16 in a matrix of 300 mm × 400 mm × thickness 0.5 mm. A substrate provided with an amorphous TFT active matrix arranged in a direction was prepared. The amorphous TFT active matrix is generally used in a liquid crystal display or the like, and the material of the square electrode is aluminum coated with titanium.

  Then, in the atmosphere, the other substrate 16 is overlaid on the adhesive layer 22 on the partition wall 12 of one substrate 11, and a certain thermocompression pressure is further applied by the laminator 91, while the cells in the partition wall 12 are placed. The partition 12 of one substrate 11 and the other substrate 16 were brought into close contact with each other while extruding excess ink exceeding the volume.

  The temperature at the time of thermocompression bonding is a temperature in the vicinity of the softening point or melting point of the heat sealant 221, and is preferably a temperature at which the evaporation of the ink is not promoted. In the examples, the temperature was 80 ° C. The thermocompression bonding pressure is preferably 0.01 MPa to 0.7 MPa, particularly preferably 0.1 MPa to 0.4 MPa, and 0.3 MPa in this example.

Thereafter, the sheet is cut into a predetermined size by the cutting device 51, and a UV curable resin (LCB-610, manufactured by E-Heat Sea Co., Ltd.) is applied to the periphery of both substrates 11 and 16 using a dispenser (not shown). Then, it was cured by exposure to ultraviolet rays (exposure amount 700 mJ / cm ² ) (peripheral sealing treatment). Thus, a display panel was produced.

  The display quality of the display panel obtained as described above was evaluated, but there was no unevenness due to the moire phenomenon, the adhesive 221 did not enter the corners of the cells around the branching point of the partition wall 12, and the display quality was good. Met. As shown in FIG. 16, when the adhesive 221 is attached on the top surface of the partition wall 12 in the adhesive layer forming step, the angles of the cell corners around the branch point of the partition wall 12 are both 90 °. As described above, the adhesive material 221 does not enter due to capillary action at any corner of the cell, and therefore, the adhesive material 221 is not thickened near the intersection of the partition walls 12. It is thought that.

<Comparative Example 1>
In contrast to the first embodiment, as the shape of the partition wall 12 as viewed in the direction from one substrate 11 to the other substrate 16, a shape that partitions cells having corners of less than 90 degrees is employed, and the other steps are the same. A display panel was produced.

  The display quality of the display panel obtained as described above was evaluated, but the display did not change and the contrast was lowered. Then, when the corners of the cells of the display panel were observed, as shown in FIG. 17, the penetration of the adhesive 221 and the clogging of the particles of the display medium 13 were confirmed at the corners having an angle of less than 90 degrees. Further, in the vicinity of the location where the adhesive material 221 penetrated into the corner of the cell, the adhesive material 221 spread on the other substrate 16 greatly exceeding the width of the top surface of the partition wall 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 One board | substrate 12 Partition 111 Translucent electrode 121 Branch pattern part 122 Branch extension part 123 End part 124 of branch extension part Connection part 13 Ink (display medium)
14 conductive paste 16 other substrate 161 pixel electrode 20 transfer sheet 21 PET film 22 adhesive layer 221 adhesive 31 dispenser 32 applicator 33a squeegee 33b squeegee 34 roll wiper 51 cutting device 91 laminator 92 hot plate 93 metal piece

Claims (10)

A display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is light-transmitting and on which electrodes are respectively formed, A reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied,
A partition partitioning a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates;
Each region partitioned by the partition as a cell, the display medium disposed in each cell,
With
The partition is formed at least partially in an aperiodic pattern,
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate to the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including a branch point of the partition formed in the non-periodic pattern,
A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point;
A connecting portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extending portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extending portion of another branch pattern portion;
Have
Each of the branch pattern portions has a common shape for each number of branch extending portions included in the branch pattern portion. The reflective display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two substrates and the top surface of the partition wall are bonded together with an adhesive. The reflection type display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the branch pattern portion having three branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 120 ° with each other. The reflective display device according to claim 3, wherein two adjacent branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship rotated by 60 °. The reflection type display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the branch pattern portion having four branch extending portions has a shape in which adjacent branch extending portions form 90 ° with each other. 6. The reflection type display device according to claim 5, wherein the branch pattern portions are in a positional relationship translated from each other. The reflective display device according to claim 1, wherein an angle formed by the branch extension portion and the connection portion of the branch pattern portion is 90 ° or more. A display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is light-transmitting and on which electrodes are respectively formed, A reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied,
A partition partitioning a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates;
Each region partitioned by the partition as a cell, the display medium disposed in each cell,
With
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate to the other substrate, at least a part of the branch points of the partition wall is a branch of the reference pattern when unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged as a reference pattern. Exists within the range of a predetermined distance starting from the point, and does not overlap with the branch point of the reference pattern,
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate toward the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including the at least a part of the partitioning point of the partition,
A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point;
A connecting portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extending portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extending portion of another branch pattern portion;
Have
Each of the branch pattern portions has a common shape for each number of branch extending portions included in the branch pattern portion. A display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is light-transmitting and on which electrodes are respectively formed, A reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied,
A partition partitioning a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates;
Each region partitioned by the partition as a cell, the display medium disposed in each cell,
With
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate to the other substrate, at least some of the branch points of the partition walls have a unit pattern of the same shape regularly arranged as a reference pattern. By associating the branch point with each lattice point of the lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to the reference pattern, and expanding or reducing each row or each column of the lattice pattern in the direction of the row or column The grid points of the pattern are moved, and the branch points associated with the grid points are also moved in correspondence with the movement of the grid points.
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate toward the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including the at least a part of the partitioning point of the partition,
A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point;
A connecting portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extending portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extending portion of another branch pattern portion;
Have
Each of the branch pattern portions has a common shape for each number of branch extending portions included in the branch pattern portion. A display medium including at least one kind of electrically responsive material is sealed between two opposing substrates, at least one of which is light-transmitting and on which electrodes are respectively formed, A reflective display device in which the display medium displays a desired display when a predetermined electric field is applied,
A partition partitioning a plurality of regions disposed between the two substrates;
Each region partitioned by the partition as a cell, the display medium disposed in each cell,
With
When viewed from the one substrate toward the other substrate, at least a part of the branch points of the partition wall is the first reference pattern when unit patterns having the same shape are regularly arranged. Each branch point of the reference pattern is associated with each lattice point of the lattice pattern having a pitch corresponding to the first reference pattern, and each row or each column of the lattice pattern is expanded in the direction of the row or the direction of the column. The branch points of the second reference pattern obtained by moving the grid points of the grid pattern by reducing and moving the branch points associated with the grid points corresponding to the movement of the grid points Exists within a predetermined distance as a starting point and does not overlap with the branch point of the second reference pattern,
When viewed in the direction from the one substrate toward the other substrate, at least a part of the partition including the at least a part of the partitioning point of the partition,
A branch pattern portion having a plurality of branch extension portions extending from each branch point;
A connecting portion for connecting an end portion of the branch extending portion of the branch pattern portion to an end portion of the branch extending portion of another branch pattern portion;
Have
Each of the branch pattern portions has a common shape for each number of branch extending portions included in the branch pattern portion.