JP2015014812A - Twist ball type electronic paper - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a twist ball type electronic paper that can perform good image display and facilitates extraction of wiring lines, and to provide a reusable twist ball type electronic paper.SOLUTION: The twist ball type electronic paper includes: a first substrate comprising a film having transparency; a transparent electrode-side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate; a second substrate comprising a film having insulating property; a counter electrode-side substrate formed on one surface of the second substrate; and a twist ball layer comprising a low polarity solvent layer containing twist balls and a low polarity solvent. The twist ball layer is sealed by the first substrate and the second substrate; and the counter electrode-side substrate is disposed in such a manner that the counter electrode is on an opposite side to the twist ball layer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a twist ball type electronic paper using a twist ball as a display medium.

In recent years, an information medium called electronic paper has been attracting attention. This information medium has excellent characteristics such as low power consumption, bendable flexibility, thinness and lightness, and has an outstanding feature that it can be rewritten, and is entering a practical stage. Specifically, it has begun to be commercialized in train advertisements and displays such as watches and electronic books.
There are several types of configurations of this information medium, and for example, there are configurations using, for example, two-color spherical particles (twist balls) (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 2).

  Among the electronic papers using the twist ball described above, as electronic papers used for displaying limited images and patterns such as posters and in-car advertisements for trains (hereinafter sometimes referred to as segment applications). Conventionally, the following configuration has been proposed. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of such electronic paper. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic paper 100 includes a common electrode side base material 101 having a first base material 101a and a common electrode 101b formed on the first base material 101a, and a common electrode of the common electrode side base material 101. The first base material 101a opposite to the 101b side is disposed on the twist ball 103 and the twist ball layer 102 containing a low-polar solvent, and the second base material 111a and the second base material 111a are disposed on the twist ball layer 102. A display electrode side substrate 111 having a display electrode 111b formed in a pattern on the substrate is provided. Further, the display electrode side substrate 111 is disposed so that the display electrode 111 b faces the twist ball layer 102 side, and the end of the electronic paper 100 is sealed with a sealant 105.

  In the electronic paper 100 as shown in FIG. 8, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to provide the through hole in the second base material 111a in accordance with the formation position of the display electrode 111b and take out the wiring 300. As the pattern of the display electrode 111b becomes finer, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the second base material 111a. Moreover, in order to enclose the low polarity solvent without leakage, a process of completely closing the through hole is necessary, and the process is complicated. Furthermore, since the display electrode 111b and the twist ball layer 102 are in direct contact with each other, the display electrode material may be eluted into the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer 102, which may deteriorate the image display of the electronic paper. was there.

Accordingly, electronic paper having the configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has been proposed.
The electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 9 has a configuration in which a display electrode 111b is formed on a fixed substrate 200, and this is disposed on a second base material 111a via a sealant 105, an adhesive 106, and the like.
Further, the electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 10 has a twist ball layer 102 composed of a low polarity solvent and a twist ball 103 sealed with a film-like first base material 101a and a film-like second base material 111a, and a fixed substrate. The display electrode 111 b formed on the substrate 200 is arranged with an adhesive 106 interposed therebetween. Note that reference numerals not described in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 can be the same as those in FIG.
With the above configuration, the twist ball layer 102 composed of the low polarity solvent and the twist ball 103 is completely sealed by the first base material 101a and the second base material 111a. Therefore, the display electrode as shown in FIG. There is no need for a process of completely closing the through hole used for connecting the wiring 111b to the wiring 111b. In addition, with the above configuration, the twist ball layer 102 and the display electrode 111b are not in direct contact with each other, so that it is possible to prevent the display electrode material from being eluted into the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer 102.

  However, in the electronic paper shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, as in the electronic paper 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111 b, the fixed substrate 200 is matched with the position where the display electrode 111 b is formed. It is necessary to provide a through hole in the wiring 300 and take out the wiring 300, and as the pattern of the display electrode 111b becomes finer, it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the solid substrate 200. was there. Further, when the second base material 111a is a flexible film base material, when the display electrode 111b formed on the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a are arranged via the adhesive 106, the display electrode There is a problem that the yield of bonding between the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a due to the unevenness of 111b may be reduced, and the image display of the electronic paper may be deteriorated.

  Moreover, since the electronic paper mentioned above has high manufacturing cost, reuse is desired.

  On the other hand, although not shown, even in the passive drive type electronic paper, the transparent electrode side having the counter electrode formed in a stripe shape on the fixed substrate, the first base material, and the transparent electrode formed on the first base material The base material, the transparent electrode side base material is disposed on the first base material opposite to the transparent electrode side, the twist ball layer including a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, and the twist ball layer disposed on the twist ball layer A configuration in which the counter electrode and the second base material are arranged via an adhesive or the like has been proposed. There have been problems such as a decrease in the yield of bonding between the substrate and the second base material, and a possibility that the image display of the electronic paper is deteriorated.

JP 2006-47614 A JP 2007-206365 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a twisting ball type electronic paper that can perform a good image display and can easily take out wiring. Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable twist ball type electronic paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first substrate made of a transparent film, a transparent electrode side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate, and insulation. A second substrate made of a film having a property, a counter electrode side substrate having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second substrate, and a low polarity solvent layer containing a twist ball and a low polarity solvent A twist ball layer, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the second base material, and the counter electrode side base material is configured such that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer. Provided is a twisting ball type electronic paper which is arranged as described above.

According to the present invention, since the counter electrode is not in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to prevent image display deterioration due to elution of the material of the counter electrode into the low polarity solvent. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and deterioration of image display of the twisting ball type electronic paper.
Furthermore, when the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention is an electronic paper used for a segment application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an electronic paper for a segment), the counter electrode side substrate is the counter electrode is the above. The wiring can be easily taken out by being disposed on the side opposite to the twist ball layer.

  In the present invention, the first base material and the second base material are made of materials that can be laminated, and the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the second base material. It is preferable that Since the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the second base material, the display area of the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention is compared with, for example, a case where a sealant or the like is used. Can be made in a wide range. In addition, since the sealing method is a twisting ball layer sealing method in which no sealant is arranged on the outer periphery of the twisting ball layer, when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side, the effect on the display due to the joint between the panels can be reduced. Is possible. This is because the heat-sealed portion of the both substrates of the film by laminating can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface using the plasticity of the film.

  The present invention also provides a first base material comprising a transparent film, a transparent electrode side base material having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first base material, and a film-like holding base material having insulation properties. And a twisting ball member comprising a twisting ball layer comprising a twisting ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, wherein the twisting ball layer is sealed with the first base material and the holding base material, and insulated And a counter electrode side base material having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material, wherein the counter electrode side base material is the twist There is provided a twisted ball type electronic paper characterized in that the counter electrode is disposed on the outer side of a holding base of a ball member so as to be opposite to the twisted ball member.

According to the present invention, since the counter electrode is not in direct contact with the twist ball layer, it is possible to suppress deterioration in image display due to the counter electrode material being eluted in the low polarity solvent. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of pasting due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and deterioration of image display of electronic paper.
In addition, when the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention is an electronic paper for a segment, the counter electrode side base material is disposed outside the twist base material holding base, and the counter electrode is connected to the twist ball member. By arranging them so as to be on the opposite side, the wiring can be easily taken out.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the counter electrode side base material is disposed outside the holding base material of the twist ball member, only the counter electrode side base material disposed on the twist ball member is replaced. Thus, the twist ball type electronic paper can be easily reused.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the said counter electrode side base material is arrange | positioned on the surface on the opposite side to the said twist ball member of the said holding base material through the adhesive agent which can be removed again. This is because the counter electrode side substrate can be easily replaced by using a re-peelable adhesive.

  In the present invention, the first base material and the holding base material are made of a material that can be laminated, and the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the holding base material. Preferably it is. Since the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the holding base material, for example, the twist ball layer is sealed using a sealant or the like. The display area of the twisting ball type electronic paper of the invention can be widened. In addition, since the sealing method is a twisting ball layer sealing method in which no sealant is arranged on the outer periphery of the twisting ball layer, when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side, the effect on the display due to the joint between the panels can be reduced. Is possible. This is because the heat-sealed portion of the both substrates of the film by laminating can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface using the plasticity of the film.

Since the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention has the configuration as described above, the twist ball layer and the counter electrode are not in direct contact with each other, so that the counter electrode material is eluted in the low polarity solvent of the twist ball layer. It is possible to prevent image display deterioration. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of pasting due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and deterioration of image display of electronic paper.
In addition, when the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention is an electronic paper for a segment, the counter electrode side base material is disposed so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer. Therefore, the wiring of the counter electrode can be easily taken out.
Furthermore, the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention has a configuration in which the counter electrode side base material is disposed outside the holding base material of the twist ball member, and therefore only replaces the counter electrode side base material. Therefore, it becomes possible to reuse easily.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of this invention twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of this invention twist ball | bowl type | mold electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of a twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of a twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of twist ball type electronic paper. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of twist ball type electronic paper.

Hereinafter, the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as electronic paper) will be described.
The electronic paper of the present invention is roughly classified into two modes depending on the position of the counter electrode. Hereinafter, the electronic paper of each aspect will be described.

1. Electronic paper of the first aspect The electronic paper of the present aspect includes a first base material made of a transparent film, and a transparent electrode side base material having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first base material, A second base material made of an insulating film, a counter electrode side base material having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material, and a low polarity solvent layer containing a twist ball and a low polarity solvent A twist ball layer, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the second base material, and the counter electrode side base material is configured such that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer. It arrange | positions so that it may become.

The electronic paper of this aspect will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig.1 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the electronic paper of this aspect, FIG.1 (b) is a schematic sectional drawing of the AA cross section of Fig.1 (a). Here, in FIG. 1, the case where the electronic paper of this aspect is the electronic paper for segments is shown. As shown in FIG.1 (b), the electronic paper 10 of this aspect is transparent which has the 1st base material 11 which consists of a film which has transparency, and the transparent electrode 12 formed in one surface of a 1st base material. Electrode side base material 1, second base material 21 made of an insulating film, counter electrode side base material 2 having counter electrode 22 formed on one surface of second base material 21, and twist ball 3a And a twist ball layer 3 composed of a low polarity solvent layer 3b containing a low polarity solvent. The twist ball layer 3 is sealed by a first base material 11 and a second base material 21, and the counter electrode side base material 2 is The counter electrode 22 is disposed on the side opposite to the twisting ball layer 3. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, when the electronic paper 10 is an electronic paper for segments, the counter electrode 22 and the counter electrode side base material 2 are used as a display electrode and a display electrode side base material. Moreover, the transparent electrode 12 and the transparent electrode side base material 1 are used as a common electrode and a common electrode side base material.
1 shows an example in which the twisted ball layer 3 is hermetically sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the second base material 21, but as shown in FIG. The twist ball layer 3 may be sealed by disposing the sealing agent 4 between the first base material 11 and the second base material 21. 2 that are not described in FIG. 2 can be the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the electronic paper of this aspect. FIG. 3 shows a case where the electronic paper of this embodiment is a passive drive type electronic paper. As shown in FIG. 3, when the electronic paper 10 of this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22 are formed on each base material in stripes so as to cross each other. The As shown in FIG. 3, when the electronic paper 10 is a passive drive type electronic paper, one of the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22 formed in the stripe shape is a scanning (row) electrode, The other is used as a signal (column) electrode.
3 that are not described in FIG. 3 can be the same as those in FIG.

Here, a method for displaying an image using electronic paper using a twist ball will be described with an example. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of electronic paper. In FIG. 4, in the twist ball 3a, it is assumed that a permanent dipole is formed by charging a black phase portion with a positive charge and charging a white phase portion with a negative charge. Moreover, the said 1st base material 11 shall have insulation. As shown in FIG. 4, by applying a predetermined electric field E between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22, the twist ball 3a sandwiched between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22 is placed under the electric field. . As described above, in the twist ball 3a, the black phase is charged with a positive charge and the white phase is charged with a negative charge. Therefore, in the applied state, each twist ball 3a (FIG. 4A )), The black phase of the twist ball 3a faces the second substrate 21 side, and the white phase of the twist ball 3a faces the first substrate 11 side (FIG. 4B).
Although not shown, when an electric field in the direction opposite to the above-described electric field is applied between the transparent electrode 12 and the counter electrode 22, the black phase of the twist ball faces the first substrate side, and the white phase of the twist ball is the second group. It comes to face the material side.
Thus, in electronic paper using a twist ball, image display can be performed by controlling the direction of the twist ball.
In FIG. 4, it is shown in a simplified manner that the twist ball layer 3 is sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the second base material 21. Also, reference numerals not described in FIG. 4 can be the same as those in FIG.

As described above, since the twist ball has a charge, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the electronic paper is configured such that the twist ball layer 102 and the display electrode 111b are in direct contact, the twist ball layer There is a problem that the display electrode material having conductivity eluted in the low-polarity solvent 102 may affect the twist ball 103, and the display quality of the electronic paper may be deteriorated. Further, when the wiring 300 is taken out from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to take out the wiring 300 by providing a through hole in the second base material 111a in accordance with the formation position of the display electrode 111b, and the pattern of the display electrode 111b is fine. Accordingly, there is a problem that it is difficult to align the display electrode 111b and the through hole of the second base material 111a. Furthermore, in order to enclose the low polarity solvent without leakage, a process for completely closing the through hole is necessary, and the process is complicated.
Although FIG. 8 shows an example of segmented electronic paper, although not shown, even in passive drive type electronic paper, when the counter electrode and the twist ball layer are in direct contact with each other, There has been a problem that the display quality of the paper may deteriorate.

  On the other hand, according to this aspect, since the counter electrode does not directly contact the twist ball layer, the counter electrode material does not elute in the low polarity solvent contained in the twist ball layer. Deterioration can be suppressed.

Further, as a configuration in which the twist ball layer and the display electrode are not in direct contact with each other, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the display electrode 111b is formed on the fixed substrate 200, and this is disposed on the second base material 111a. However, in this case as well, in order to take out the wiring 300 from the display electrode 111b, it is necessary to align the fixed substrate 200 and the display electrode 111b and provide a through hole in the fixed substrate 200, as in FIG. Therefore, there is a problem that the manufacturing process of the electronic paper becomes complicated. Further, when the second base material 111a is a plastic film base material, when the display electrode 111b formed on the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a are arranged via the adhesive 106, the display electrode 111b There is a problem that the yield of bonding between the fixed substrate 200 and the second base material 111a due to the unevenness may be reduced and the image display of the electronic paper may be deteriorated.
Although FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an example of the segmented electronic paper, although not shown, even in the passive drive type electronic paper, the decrease in yield during the production of the electronic paper due to the unevenness of the counter electrode, The deterioration of electronic paper image display is a problem.

On the other hand, according to this aspect, since the counter electrode is arranged on the side opposite to the twist ball layer, the yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and the deterioration of the image display of the electronic paper are reduced. Can be prevented.
Furthermore, when the electronic paper of this aspect is an electronic paper for segments, the wiring of the counter electrode can be easily taken out by arranging the counter electrode on the side opposite to the twist ball layer. It is.
Hereinafter, each structure of the electronic paper of this aspect is demonstrated.

(1) Counter electrode side base material The counter electrode side base material used for this aspect has the 2nd base material which consists of a film which has insulation, and the counter electrode formed in one surface of the said 2nd base material. Is. Such a counter electrode side base material is disposed and used such that the counter electrode is on the side opposite to a twist ball layer described later.

  In addition, in this aspect, when the electronic paper of this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the said counter electrode side base material shall be used as a display electrode side base material.

  Hereinafter, the counter electrode used for such a counter electrode side base material and the second base material will be described.

(A) Counter electrode The counter electrode used for this aspect is formed on the 2nd base material mentioned later.

  Here, when the electronic paper of this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the said counter electrode shall be used as a display electrode. Further, when the electronic paper of this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, one of the counter electrode and the transparent electrode described later is used as a scanning (row) electrode, and the other is used as a signal (column) electrode. .

  The counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conductive material and can display an image using a twist ball layer described later by applying a voltage to the counter electrode. . As such a counter electrode, for example, the counter electrode may be directly formed on the second base material, and for example, an adhesive layer or the like is interposed between the second base material and the counter electrode. For example, the counter electrode is formed on a film different from the second base material, and the film on which the counter electrode is formed is disposed on the second base material. May be. In this embodiment, for simplification of the process, it is more preferable that the counter electrode is directly formed on the second base material.

  In addition, the shape of the counter electrode used in this embodiment is particularly limited if the electronic paper of this embodiment is an electronic paper for segments, as long as it has a shape that matches the displayed pattern. is not. Specific examples include characters and designs.

  Moreover, when the electronic paper of this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, the said counter electrode normally has a pattern corresponding to the pattern which the transparent electrode mentioned later has, as shown in FIG. Such a pattern of the counter electrode can be the same as the pattern of the counter electrode used in a general passive drive display device, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

The material used for such a counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. For example, metals such as Au, Al, Ag, Ni, and Cu, ITO, SnO ₂ , and ZnO: Examples thereof include a transparent conductor such as Al, a mixture of a conductive agent in a solvent or a synthetic resin binder, and the like. Examples of the conductive agent include cationic polymer electrolytes such as polymethylbenzyltrimethyl chloride and polyallylpolymethylammonium chloride, anionic polymer electrolytes such as polystyrene sulfonate and polyacrylate, electron conductive zinc oxide, and oxidation. Tin, indium oxide, carbon fine powder, Ag fine powder or the like is used.
In this embodiment, the material used for the counter electrode is, among other things, a conductive material that is flexible and can withstand expansion and contraction of the substrate in consideration of conductivity and formation on the film substrate. A conductive paste in which a metal such as Cu, Al, or Ag, carbon, Ag fine powder, or the like is mixed with a synthetic resin binder is preferable.

In addition, as a method for forming the counter electrode, when the counter electrode is directly formed on the second base material to be described later, the above-described metal, the transparent conductor, and the like are sputtered using a metal mask or the like, or a vacuum deposition method. , A method of forming a thin film in a pattern on the second substrate by a CVD method, a coating method, etc., a method of applying the conductive agent in a solvent or a synthetic resin binder, and applying the pattern on the second substrate. Can be mentioned.
On the other hand, when the counter electrode is formed on the second base material, which will be described later, via an adhesive or the like, the metal foil made of the metal is cut into a predetermined shape, and this is pasted on the second base material with the adhesive or the like. The method of attaching is mentioned.
Moreover, when arrange | positioning the said counter electrode on the said 2nd base material through a film different from a 2nd base material, a counter electrode is formed in the said film in pattern shape, and this is formed through an adhesive agent etc. Examples include a method of disposing on the second substrate, a method in which the above-described metal, transparent conductor, and the like deposited on the entire surface are cut into a predetermined shape, and this is attached to the second substrate with an adhesive or the like. . In addition, as a film in which the said counter electrode is formed, it shall consist of the material similar to a 2nd base material. Moreover, about the said adhesive agent etc., since it can be the same as that used when sticking an electrode on a resin base material in a general electrode member, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  As the film thickness of the counter electrode, it can be formed with a uniform film thickness on the surface opposite to the twist ball layer side of the second base material described later, and image display can be performed with the electronic paper of this embodiment. Although it is not particularly limited as long as it has a film thickness of about a degree, specifically, within the range of 50 nm to 500 μm, especially within the range of 100 nm to 100 μm, particularly within the range of 300 nm to 50 μm. Preferably there is. If the thickness of the counter electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form a counter electrode having a uniform thickness. If the thickness exceeds the above range, it takes time to form the counter electrode. In addition, since a large amount of material for the counter electrode is required, the manufacturing cost increases.

(B) 2nd base material The 2nd base material used for this aspect consists of a film which has insulation, and the said counter electrode is formed on one surface of a 2nd base material. Moreover, the twist ball layer mentioned later is sealed with the 1st base material used for the transparent electrode side base material mentioned later.

The 2nd base material used for this aspect will not be specifically limited if it has a self-supporting property of the grade which can form a counter electrode on the said 2nd base material. Moreover, as said 2nd base material, although it may have transparency and does not need to have transparency, what does not have transparency is more preferable. In the electronic paper of this embodiment, image display is observed from the transparent electrode side. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the electronic paper is observed from the transparent electrode side, the second base material is disposed on the lower layer side of the twist ball layer that performs image display. This is because problems such as light leakage are considered to occur.
Moreover, in this aspect, you may color the 2nd base material in the same color as one color of the twist ball used for an image display as needed.

  The material for the second substrate is not particularly limited as long as it is a general plastic material, but polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, Examples include polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and phenol resin.

Moreover, in this aspect, it is preferable to seal the twist ball layer described later by laminating a first substrate and a second substrate described later. When using laminating, it is more preferable to use a base material on which a base film material capable of laminating and a sealant film material described later are laminated as the second base material.
Among the materials of the second substrate described above, the base film material that can be laminated is polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, poly, from the viewpoint of heat resistance by thermocompression bonding during lamination. Examples include ether ether ketone, polyether ketone, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, epoxy resin, silicone resin, and phenol resin.
Moreover, as a sealant film material, a non-stretched polypropylene film, a biaxially stretched polypropylene film, etc. are mentioned. It is also possible to use a coating film made of a heat-sealable material such as polyurethane, polyacryl, epoxy resin, or silicone.
Here, as a matter of course, at the time of laminating, the first base material and the second base material are arranged and bonded so that the sealant film material side of the laminated base film material and sealant film material face each other.
Further, when laminating using the second base material on which the base film material and the sealant film material that can be laminated and the first base material described later are laminated, the second base material and the first base material described later are used. More preferably, the materials are the same base film material and sealant film material. The second base material and the first base material described later are the same base film material and sealant film material, thereby improving the adhesion between the second base material and the first base material when laminating. Because it becomes possible.

  Further, the film thickness of the second base material is not particularly limited as long as the counter electrode can be formed. However, the film thickness is in the range of 10 μm to 300 μm, and in particular, 15 μm to It is preferably in the range of 100 μm, particularly in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm. If the film thickness of the second base material is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the counter electrode on the second base material, and the film thickness of the second base material is within the above range. This is because, when the display is performed using the electronic paper of this aspect, the second base material is thick, and thus it may not be possible to perform image display using a twist ball. Moreover, since the 2nd base material is thick, the flexibility of the electronic paper of this aspect may fall.

(2) Transparent electrode side base material The transparent electrode side base material used for this aspect has the 1st base material which consists of a film which has transparency, and the transparent electrode formed in one surface of the said 1st base material. Is.
In addition, in this aspect, when the electronic paper of this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, a transparent electrode side base material shall be used as a common electrode side base material.

  Hereinafter, the said 1st base material and transparent electrode which are used for the said transparent electrode side base material are demonstrated.

(A) 1st base material The 1st base material used for this aspect consists of a film which has transparency, and the transparent electrode mentioned later is formed in one surface of a 1st base material. Moreover, the twist ball layer described later is sealed together with the second substrate used for the counter electrode side substrate described above.

As a 1st base material used for this aspect, it is a film which has transparency, and if it can form the transparent electrode mentioned later on the surface of the 1st base material, it will not be limited in particular, It may have insulating properties or may not have insulating properties, but those having insulating properties are preferable.
Since the first base material has insulating properties, in the electronic paper of this aspect, it is possible to suitably perform image display using the twist ball in the twist ball layer.

  The material of the first base material is not particularly limited as long as it is a plastic material having transparency. Specifically, the same material as the material of the second base material described above is used. The description here is omitted.

  In this aspect, since it is preferable to seal the twist ball layer by laminating the first base material and the second base material, a material that can be laminated is used as the material of the first base material. More preferred. Since the material that can be laminated can be the same as the material that can be laminated used for the second base material, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The film thickness of the first base material is not particularly limited as long as it has a self-supporting property capable of forming a transparent electrode described later. The film thickness of such a first substrate is preferably in the range of 10 μm to 300 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 μm to 100 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm. When the film thickness of the first base material is less than the above range, it is difficult to form a transparent electrode, which will be described later, on the surface of the first base material. If the range is exceeded, the first base material is thick, so that image display cannot be performed, and the flexibility of the electronic paper of this aspect may be reduced.

(B) Transparent electrode The transparent electrode used for this aspect is formed on the said 1st base material. Here, when the electronic paper of this aspect is the electronic paper for segments, the said transparent electrode shall be used as a common electrode. In addition, when the electronic paper of this aspect is passive drive type electronic paper, one of the above-described counter electrode and transparent electrode is used as a scanning (row) electrode and the other is used as a signal (column) electrode.

  Such a transparent electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is formed on the first base material. For example, the transparent electrode may be directly formed on the first base material. You may form by forming a transparent electrode on the film which has transparency, and arrange | positioning the film which has the transparency in which the said transparent electrode was formed on the said 1st base material.

Examples of such a transparent electrode material include ITO, SnO ₂ , ZnO: Al, and other transparent conductors.

Moreover, the said transparent electrode is normally formed in the 1st base material whole surface mentioned above, when the said transparent electrode is a common electrode.
On the other hand, when the transparent electrode is an electrode used for passively driven electronic paper, the transparent electrode is formed to have a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the counter electrode. Such a pattern of the transparent electrode can be the same as the pattern of the transparent electrode used in a general passive drive type display device, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

Moreover, the formation method of the said transparent electrode will not be specifically limited if a transparent electrode can be formed on a 1st base material with the desired film thickness.
As a method for forming such a transparent electrode, when the transparent electrode is directly formed on the first substrate, the above-described transparent conductor is used to form a sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, a CVD method, a coating method, or the like. The method of forming a thin film on the said 1st base material can be mentioned.
When the transparent electrode is formed on a transparent film and the transparent film on which the transparent electrode is formed is disposed on the first substrate, the transparent electrode is formed on the first substrate. A method of forming a transparent electrode on a transparent film in the same manner as in the case of directly forming the film on the first substrate using an adhesive or the like, and the transparent electrode was formed. Examples thereof include a film having transparency and a method of laminating the first substrate. In addition, as a film which has the said transparency, what consists of a material similar to the 1st base material mentioned above specifically can be used. Further, since the adhesive having transparency and the like can be the same as that used when pasting general resin substrates together, description thereof is omitted here.

  The film thickness of the transparent electrode used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can be formed on the surface of the first base material. The film thickness of such a transparent electrode is preferably in the range of 50 nm to 10 μm, in particular in the range of 100 nm to 5 μm, particularly in the range of 200 nm to 1 μm. This is because, when the film thickness of the transparent electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the transparent electrode with a uniform film thickness on the surface of the first base material. In addition, when the film thickness of the transparent electrode exceeds the above range, the manufacturing cost increases because the time and material used for forming the transparent electrode increase.

(C) Transparent electrode side base material The arrangement of the transparent electrode side base material used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as desired display can be performed using the electronic paper of the present embodiment. For example, in the electronic paper of this embodiment, the transparent electrode side base material may be disposed so that the transparent electrode is on the twist ball layer side described later, and for example, the transparent electrode is opposite to the twist ball layer. You may arrange | position the said transparent electrode side base material so that it may become a side. In the electronic paper of this aspect, it is more preferable that the transparent electrode side base material is disposed so that the transparent electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball layer. By adopting such an arrangement, the transparent electrode does not come into direct contact with the twisting ball layer, so the transparent electrode material does not elute in the low polarity solvent of the twisting ball layer. Can be prevented.
Further, when a material that does not easily dissolve in a low-polar solvent is used as the material for the transparent electrode, the transparent electrode side substrate may be disposed so that the transparent electrode is on the twist ball layer side described later. .

  In addition, when the electronic paper of this aspect is a passive drive type electronic paper, it is preferable to arrange | position the said transparent electrode side base material so that the said transparent electrode may be on the opposite side to the said twist ball layer. In the passive drive type electronic paper, since the transparent electrode is formed in a pattern such as a stripe shape, when the transparent electrode is arranged on the side opposite to the twist ball layer, the unevenness of the transparent electrode This is because image display deterioration of the electronic paper can be prevented, and furthermore, wiring can be easily connected without installing a through hole in the transparent electrode side base material.

(3) Twist ball layer The twist ball layer used in this embodiment is composed of a low polarity solvent layer containing a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, and the first substrate and the counter electrode used for the transparent electrode side substrate. It is sealed by the second base material used for the side base material.

  As long as the twist ball layer used in this embodiment can be sealed by the first base material and the second base material, the sealing method is not particularly limited. For example, the twist base layer is not limited. And a method of sealing the twisted ball layer by disposing a sealing agent for sealing between the second substrate and the first substrate of the transparent electrode side substrate, for example. And a method of sealing the twist ball layer by laminating the first base material and the second base material using a material that can be laminated on the second base material of the counter electrode side base material. . In this embodiment, a method of sealing the twisted ball layer by laminating is more preferable.

  The method of sealing the twist ball layer by the laminating process can make the display area of the electronic paper wider than the method using a sealing agent, and when tiling a plurality of display panels side by side. It is possible to reduce the influence on the display by the joint between the panels. This is because the heat-sealed portions of the both substrates of the film by lamination can be arranged on the side surface or the back surface of the display surface by utilizing the plasticity of the film.

In addition, when the twist ball layer is sealed with a sealant, the transparent electrode side base material and the counter electrode side base material have flexibility. There is a problem that liquid leakage of a low polarity solvent in the ball layer may occur.
On the other hand, when the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating, the twist ball layer laminated by the first base material and the second base material becomes easy to handle.

The method of sealing the twist ball layer by laminating can be the same as that of general laminating, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the sealing method using the sealant can be the same as the sealing method by bonding together common base materials, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

The twist ball layer used in this embodiment is composed of a low polarity solvent layer including a twist ball and a low polarity solvent, and can be sealed with the first base material and the second base material described above. The paper is not particularly limited as long as a desired image display can be performed.
Hereinafter, the twist ball used for such a twist ball layer and the low polarity solvent layer will be described respectively.

(A) Twist ball The twist ball used in this embodiment is included in the twist ball layer and serves as a display medium in the electronic paper of this embodiment.

  The twist ball used in this embodiment is spherical and has two hues of colored hue / white hue or colored hue / colored layer, and two different hues having different dipoles. It is not particularly limited.

  Such a twist ball can be the same as the twist ball manufactured by the microchannel manufacturing method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-197083.

  Here, in the microchannel manufacturing method, the colored continuous phase and the spherical particleized phase are in an O / W type or W / O type relationship with each other, and from the first microchannel in which the colored continuous phase is transferred, Bipolar spherical polymer particles that are discharged in a spherical particle phase of a flowing medium flowing through the second microchannel in sequence, and having a positive (±) polarity. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a twist ball which is a spherical particle.

  In the above microchannel production method, the polymerizability in a colored continuous phase in which an oily or aqueous fluid medium containing a polymerizable resin component is phase-separated into two colors containing a coloring dye or pigment insoluble in this medium. The resin component is formed with different positively and negatively charged polymerizable monomers, transferred to the first microchannel, and this colored continuous phase is then transferred into the aqueous or oily spherical particleized phase flowing in the second microchannel. In addition, the liquid is sequentially or intermittently discharged. Next, the discharged material discharged into the spherical particle phase is gradually formed into spherical particles during the series of discharge, dispersion, and transfer in the microchannel, and then into spherical particles. A twist ball is appropriately prepared by polymerizing and curing the polymerizable resin component in the activated particles under UV irradiation and / or heating.

  The colored continuous phase is a continuous hue divided into two hues, for example, any one of black / white, red / white, yellow / white, blue / white, green / white, purple / white, etc. Examples include any two-color phase separation hues selected from “chromatic hue / white phase”, or two color phase separation hues having different color hue / color layers. The colorant for forming such a hue is appropriately selected and used without particular limitation as long as it is insoluble or uniformly dispersed in a fluid dispersion medium containing a polymerizable resin component described later. As the colorant, dyes and pigments can be used.

  As such dyes and pigments, those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-197083 can be used, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The addition amount of the dyes and pigments as these colorants is not particularly limited, and the desired color tone varies depending on the use of the colored particles, and the dispersibility in the above-described colored continuous phase, etc. From this, in this embodiment, it is 0.1 to 80 parts by weight, preferably in the range of 2 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the total polymerizable resin component which is a polymerization and curing component in the colored continuous phase. It can add suitably suitably.

  As the polymerizable resin component (or polymerizable monomer) used in the twist ball, the chargeability of the twist ball depends on the type of the functional group or substituent of the polymerizable monomer used in the twist ball. And monomer species that tend to exhibit (+) chargeability. Therefore, in the case where at least two or more kinds of monomers are used as the polymerizable resin component in this embodiment, the tendency to show the (+) and (−) chargeability is well known, and preferably the same kind of charge is used. A plurality of monomers having a tendency to property can be used in combination as appropriate.

  On the other hand, in the polymerizable resin component (or polymerizable monomer) having at least one functional group and / or substituent in the molecule, examples of the functional group or substituent include a carbonyl group, a vinyl group, a phenyl group, Examples thereof include an amino group, an amide group, an imide group, a hydroxyl group, a halogen group, a sulfonic acid group, an epoxy group, and a urethane bond. In this aspect, it can use suitably suitably combining the monomer type which has a functional group or a substituent in such a polymerizable monomer individually or in combination of 2 or more types.

  As the (−) chargeable monomer and the (+) chargeable polymerizable monomer, those described in JP-A No. 2004-197083 can be used. Description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, when such a polymerizable monomer at the time of polymerization of the polymerizable resin component after being discharged as a colored continuous phase into the second microchannel already described above is used in combination with another copolymerization monomer, Depending on the desired chargeability (or electrophoretic properties) entrusted to the colored resin fine particles, the monomer having a tendency to be charged on a weight basis is preferably in the range of 1% to 100% of the total monomers, More preferably, it is suitably used as long as it is a copolymer particle with a polymerizable monomer in the range of 5% to 100%, particularly preferably in the range of 10% to 100%, to provide a desired twist ball. it can.

  The twist ball is a spherical monodisperse particle having an average particle diameter in a range of 1.0 μm to 400 μm, preferably in a range of 20 μm to 200 μm, more preferably in a range of 50 μm to 50 μm. It can be suitably prepared within the range of 120 μm. In addition, uniform particles with extremely low variation in average particle diameter are appropriately prepared. In this embodiment, the degree of uniformity is expressed as a Cv value and is suitably used as a twist ball of monodisperse particles of 20% or less, preferably 5% or less, more preferably 3% or less.

(B) Low Polarity Solvent Layer The low polarity solvent layer used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it contains a low polarity solvent. The low-polarity solvent layer is usually composed of a low-polarity solvent and an elastomer sheet made of an elastomer material that swells the low-polarity solvent.
Hereinafter, the low polarity solvent used in the low polarity solvent layer and the elastomer sheet will be described.

(I) Low-polar solvent The low-polar solvent used in this embodiment is used for smooth rotation of the twist ball described above. Moreover, it is normally used by swelling in an elastomer sheet described later.

  Such a low polarity solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can be smoothly rotated without hindering the rotation of the twist ball. Examples of such a low polarity solvent include dimethyl silicone oil, isoparaffinic solvents, and linear alkanes such as linear paraffinic solvents, dodecane, and tridecane.

(Ii) Elastomer sheet The elastomer sheet used in this embodiment is made of an elastomer material capable of swelling the low-polarity solvent. The elastomer sheet is a sheet-like member in which the twist balls are dispersed, and is used by swelling the low-polarity solvent therein.

The material used for such an elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the twist ball can be dispersed and the low polarity solvent can be swollen.
Examples of the material for such an elastomer sheet include silicone resin, (microcrosslinked) acrylic resin, (microcrosslinked) styrene resin, and polyolefin resin.

  The film thickness of the elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the electronic paper of this aspect can display an image with a twist ball dispersed in the elastomer sheet, but it is 50 μm to 1000 μm. Within the range, it is particularly preferable to be within the range of 100 μm to 700 μm, particularly within the range of 200 μm to 500 μm. When the film thickness of the elastomer sheet is less than the above range, it is difficult to obtain an elastomer sheet in which the twist balls are uniformly dispersed. When the film thickness of the elastomer sheet exceeds the above range, This is because the twist ball may be prevented from rotating.

(C) Twist ball layer The film thickness of the twist ball layer used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as image display can be performed by rotating the twist ball in the electronic paper of this embodiment. Is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, more preferably in the range of 100 μm to 700 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 200 μm to 500 μm. When the film thickness of the twist ball layer is less than the above range, since the distance between the twist ball and each substrate is small, it may be difficult for the twist ball to rotate in a desired direction. When the film thickness of the twist ball layer exceeds the above range, even if an electric field is applied between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode, the distance between the twist ball and each substrate is too large. This is because it is difficult to display an image using a twist ball in the electronic paper of the aspect.

(4) Other members The electronic paper according to this aspect is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-described counter electrode side base material, twist ball layer, and transparent electrode side base material. It is possible to add.

  An example of such a member is a sealing agent used for sealing the twist ball layer. Such a sealant can be the same as the sealant used when sealing together by bonding together common substrates, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

(5) Application The electronic paper of this aspect is used for a display of a digital device, an electronic book, a digital signage (electronic signage), and the like.

2. Electronic Paper According to Second Aspect The electronic paper according to this aspect includes a first substrate made of a transparent film and a transparent electrode-side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate. A film-like holding base material, and a twisting ball layer comprising a twisting ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, and the twisting ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the holding base material A twisted ball member, a second base material made of an insulating film, and a counter electrode side base material having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second base material. The electrode-side base material is characterized in that the counter electrode is arranged on the outer side of the holding base material of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member.

  The electronic paper of this aspect will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the electronic paper of this aspect. As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic paper 10 of this embodiment is a transparent electrode side group having a first substrate 11 made of a transparent film and a transparent electrode 12 formed on one surface of the first substrate 11. A first base material 11 and a holding base material, comprising a material 1, a film-like holding base material 20 having insulating properties, and a twisting ball layer 3 comprising a twisting ball 3a and a low polarity solvent layer 3b containing a low polarity solvent 20, a twist ball member 30 in which the twist ball layer 3 is hermetically sealed, a second base 21 made of an insulating film, and a counter electrode 22 formed on one surface of the second base 21 The counter electrode side base material 2 is disposed outside the holding base material 20 of the twist ball member 30 so that the counter electrode 22 is opposite to the twist ball member 30. And it is characterized in that is. In FIG. 5, an example in which the twist ball member 30 is hermetically sealed by laminating the first base material 11 and the holding base material 20 is shown in a simplified manner, but as shown in FIG. 6. The twist ball member 30 may be sealed by disposing the sealant 4 between the first base material 11 and the holding base material 20. Note that reference numerals not described in FIG. 6 can be the same as those described in FIG.

  Although not illustrated, the electronic paper of this aspect may be passive drive electronic paper. In this case, the counter electrode formed on the counter electrode side base material and the transparent electrode formed on the transparent electrode side base material have corresponding patterns.

Also in this embodiment, as described in the section “1. Electronic paper of the first embodiment”, since the counter electrode is not in direct contact with the twist ball layer, the counter electrode material is a low-polarity solvent of the twist ball layer. It is possible to prevent the image display of the electronic paper from being degraded by elution. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield at the time of bonding due to the unevenness of the counter electrode and deterioration of image display of the electronic paper.
Further, when the electronic paper of this aspect is a segmented electronic paper, the counter electrode side substrate is disposed on the outer side of the holding substrate of the twist ball member, and the counter electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball member. Thus, the wiring can be easily taken out from the counter electrode. Moreover, in this aspect, since the said counter electrode side base material has the structure arrange | positioned on a holding base material, it is possible to perform a new image display only by replacing | exchanging the said counter electrode side base material. The electronic paper can be easily reused.

  Here, as a method of performing image display using the electronic paper of this aspect, for example, a predetermined interval between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode is the same as that described in the section “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”. This can be performed by applying an electric field E, placing a twist ball sandwiched between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode under the electric field, and rotating the twist ball in the twist ball layer of the twist ball member. Here, in this embodiment, the second base material and the twist ball layer are arranged via the holding base material. In this case as well, the twist is caused by the predetermined electric field E generated between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode. It is possible to display a desired image by rotating the ball.

  Hereafter, each structure used for the electronic paper of this aspect is demonstrated.

(1) Twist ball member The twist ball member used in this embodiment is a transparent electrode-side substrate having a first substrate made of a transparent film and a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate. And a film-like holding base material having insulating properties, and a twist ball layer comprising a twist ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent. The twist ball is formed by the first base material and the holding base material. The layer is hermetically sealed.
Here, the transparent electrode side base material can be the same as that described in the section of “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

(A) Holding base material The holding base material used in this embodiment is an insulating film-like member, and seals the twist ball layer together with the first base material used for the transparent electrode side base material. It is used to make a ball member. Moreover, the said holding base material arrange | positions the said counter electrode side base material on the opposite side to a twist ball layer.

  As such a holding substrate, the twist ball layer can be sealed together with the first substrate used for the transparent electrode side substrate to form a twist ball member, and the twist ball layer of the holding substrate. If the said counter electrode side base material can be arrange | positioned on the opposite surface, it will not specifically limit, It may have transparency and does not need to have transparency .

  As a material for such a holding base material, the same materials as those for the first base material and the second base material described in “1. Electronic paper of first aspect” can be appropriately selected and used. . Moreover, it is preferable that the material of such a holding substrate is a material that can be laminated. This is because the twist ball layer can be sealed by laminating by using a material that can be laminated as the material of the first base and the holding base. Moreover, when the material which can be laminated is used as a material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material, it is preferable that the material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material is the same material. It is because the adhesiveness at the time of laminating the said 1st base material and a holding base material can be made high because the material of the said 1st base material and a holding base material is the same material.

  As the film thickness of such a holding substrate, the twist ball layer can be sealed together with the first substrate to form a twist ball member, and the opposite side of the holding substrate from the twist ball layer Although it will not specifically limit if the said opposing electrode side base material can be arrange | positioned on the surface, Specifically, it exists in the range of 10 micrometers-300 micrometers, especially in the range of 15 micrometers-100 micrometers, especially 25 micrometers- It is preferable to be in the range of 50 μm. If the film thickness of the holding substrate is less than the above range, it is difficult to dispose the counter electrode side substrate on the holding substrate, and the film thickness of the holding substrate is within the above range. It is because it will become difficult to perform a favorable image display in the electronic paper of this aspect.

(B) Twist ball layer The twist ball layer used in this embodiment includes a twist ball and a low-polarity solvent, and is sealed by the first substrate and the holding substrate of the transparent electrode side substrate.

  The twisting ball layer is not particularly limited as long as the twisting ball layer includes a twisting ball and a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent and can be sealed by the first base material and the holding base material. In this method, for example, the twist ball layer is sealed by disposing a sealing agent for sealing between the first substrate and the holding substrate used for the transparent electrode side substrate. Alternatively, for example, by laminating the first base material and the holding base material using a material that can be laminated on the first base material and the holding base material used for the transparent electrode side base material. A method of sealing the twist ball layer may be used. In this embodiment, a method of sealing the twisted ball layer by laminating is more preferable. The reason why the method by laminating is preferable is the same as that described in the section of “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

  In addition, the configuration of the twist ball layer can be the same as that described in the section “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

(2) Counter electrode side base material The counter electrode side base material used in this aspect includes a second base material and a counter electrode, and the counter electrode is arranged on the outside of the holding base material of the twist ball member. It is arrange | positioned so that it may be on the opposite side to a ball member.

  As a 2nd base material used for the counter electrode side base material in this aspect, it is possible to form a counter electrode on the 2nd base material, and on the outside of the holding base material of the twist ball member, There is no particular limitation as long as the counter electrode side base material can be arranged so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member. For example, as shown in FIG. The base material which can be covered may be sufficient, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the base material which has the pattern match | combined with the counter electrode 22 formed on the 2nd base material 21 may be sufficient. Note that reference numerals not described in FIG. 7 can be the same as those in FIG.

  The second base material used for the counter electrode side base material can be the same as that described in the section of “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect” except for the above points. Is omitted. Further, the counter electrode can be the same as that described in the section “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”, so description thereof is omitted here.

If the counter electrode side base material used in this aspect is disposed on the outside of the holding base material of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball member, the counter electrode side base material is disposed. The method is not particularly limited, and the counter electrode side substrate and the holding substrate may be arranged by a method of completely fixing the counter electrode side substrate and the holding substrate via an adhesive or the like. The base material may be arranged by a method that can be easily detached. In this aspect, it is preferable that the counter electrode side substrate and the holding substrate are arranged by a method that can be easily attached and detached. As the method for arranging the counter electrode side base material, specifically, a fixing portion for fixing the counter electrode side base material is provided on the holding base material, and the counter electrode side base material is fixed to the fixing portion. The method of arrange | positioning by this, the method of installing through the adhesive which can peel a counter electrode side base material and a holding base material again, etc. can be mentioned.
In this step, it is particularly preferable to use a method in which the counter electrode side base material and the holding base material are installed via an adhesive that can be removed again. The electronic paper of this aspect enables reuse of the electronic paper by replacing the counter electrode side substrate, and the counter electrode side substrate and the holding substrate can be re-peeled through an adhesive. This is because the counter electrode side base material can be easily replaced by the arrangement.
Here, “removable” means that the holding base material and the second base material can be peeled off without being damaged when they are peeled off after the holding base material and the second base material are bonded. It points to something. Examples of such adhesives include acrylic adhesives or adhesives, silicone adhesives or adhesives, natural rubber adhesives or adhesives, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) adhesives or adhesives. And urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives or adhesives. The re-peelable adhesive is preferably applied on the counter electrode side substrate. This is because the re-peelable adhesive does not remain on the holding base material surface, so that the twist ball member can be easily reused.

  The gap between the holding base material and the counter electrode side base material when the counter electrode side base material used in the present embodiment is disposed on the holding base material is obtained when image display is performed using the electronic paper of the present aspect. The gap is not particularly limited as long as the gap can be set so that a desired image can be displayed by rotating the twist ball, and it is 50 μm or less, particularly 30 μm or less, particularly 20 μm or less. preferable. When the above range is exceeded, it is practically difficult to supply a voltage to be applied to the transparent electrode and the counter electrode in order to obtain an electric field E necessary for rotating the twist ball.

(3) Other members The electronic paper of the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it has the twist ball member and the counter electrode side base material, and necessary members can be appropriately added. Examples of such a member include a sealing agent used for sealing the twist ball member. About such a sealing agent, since it can be made to be the same as that of the sealing agent used when bonding together and sealing a general base material, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

(4) Uses The use of the electronic paper of this aspect can be the same as that described in the section of “1. Electronic paper of the first aspect”, so description thereof is omitted here.
In this aspect, it is more preferable to use it for segment applications such as posters and in-car advertisements.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention, and any device that exhibits the same function and effect is the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

[Example 1]
A twist ball having an average particle diameter of about 100 μm and having a black phase positively charged in black and a white phase negatively charged in white was prepared. This was dispersed in a thermosetting silicone resin, applied onto glass with a coater, and heat-treated to produce a sheet in which 300 μm thick twist balls were dispersed. Next, the sheet was immersed in silicone oil for 24 hours and swollen to obtain a twist ball layer.

Next, a laminate film (CPP / PET) (transparent electrode side substrate) having an ITO film formed on the PET surface was prepared.
Next, a laminate film (CPP / PET) (counter electrode side base material) in which an aluminum film (counter electrode) was formed on the PET surface according to the display pattern was prepared.

  Next, lamination was performed by sandwiching the twist ball layer so that the CPP surface of the transparent electrode side base material and the CPP surface of the counter electrode side base material face each other. Thereafter, wiring was performed using a conductive tape and lead wires in accordance with the display pattern.

[Example 2]
A twist ball having an average particle diameter of about 100 μm having a colored phase positively charged by mixing a blue colorant and a black colorant and a white phase negatively charged in white was prepared. This was dispersed in a thermosetting silicone resin, applied onto glass with a coater, and heat-treated to produce a sheet in which 300 μm thick twist balls were dispersed. Next, the sheet was immersed in silicone oil for 24 hours and swollen to obtain a twist ball layer.

  Next, two laminate films (CPP / PET) were prepared, and the laminate was laminated with the CPP surface placed on the twist ball layer side.

Next, a PET film (transparent electrode side substrate) on which an ITO film was formed was prepared. In addition, a PET film (counter electrode side base material) in which an aluminum film was formed according to the display pattern was prepared.
Next, an adhesive is applied to the surface of the transparent electrode side base material on which the ITO film is not formed and on the surface of the counter electrode side base material on which the aluminum film is not formed, and a laminate film of twist ball layers Pasted together. Thereafter, wiring was performed using a conductive tape and lead wires in accordance with the display pattern of the counter electrode side substrate.

  By using the electronic paper of Example 1 and Example 2, good image display could be performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transparent electrode side base material 11 ... 1st base material 12 ... Transparent electrode 2 ... Counter electrode side base material 21 ... 2nd base material 22 ... Counter electrode 3 ... Twist ball layer 3a ... Twist ball 3b ... Low polar solvent layer 4 ... Sealing agent 10 ... Electronic paper 20 ... Holding substrate 30 ... Twist ball member

Claims (5)

A first substrate made of a film having transparency, and a transparent electrode-side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate;
A second substrate made of an insulating film, and a counter electrode side substrate having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second substrate;
Having a twist ball and a twist ball layer composed of a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent,
The twist ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the second base material,
The twisting ball type electronic paper, wherein the counter electrode side substrate is arranged such that the counter electrode is on the side opposite to the twist ball layer.   The first base material and the second base material are made of a material that can be laminated, and the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the second base material. The twisting ball type electronic paper according to claim 1. A first substrate made of a film having transparency, a transparent electrode side substrate having a transparent electrode formed on one surface of the first substrate, a film-like holding substrate having insulation, and a twist ball And a twist ball member made of a low polarity solvent layer containing a low polarity solvent, wherein the twist ball layer is sealed by the first base material and the holding base material,
A second substrate made of an insulating film, and a counter electrode side substrate having a counter electrode formed on one surface of the second substrate,
The twisting ball type electronic paper, wherein the counter electrode side substrate is arranged outside the holding substrate of the twist ball member so that the counter electrode is opposite to the twist ball member .   4. The twist according to claim 3, wherein the counter electrode side base material is disposed on a surface of the holding base material opposite to the twist ball member via a removable adhesive. 5. Ball-type electronic paper.   The first base material and the holding base material are made of a material that can be laminated, and the twist ball layer is sealed by laminating the first base material and the holding base material. Item 5. The twisting ball type electronic paper according to item 3 or 4.

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