JP5056087B2 - Electrophoretic display panel and method of manufacturing electrophoretic display panel - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display panel, and in particular, a TFT substrate having a TFT layer;
The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display panel including a front plate having a microcapsule display layer.

As one of flat panel display devices, there is an electrophoretic display panel (EPD: Electrophoretic Display) that performs display by electrophoresis of charged particles dispersed in a dispersion medium. This electrophoretic display panel has the advantages of high contrast, wide viewing angle, and low power consumption compared with a liquid crystal display panel.

In this electrophoretic display panel, positively and negatively charged white particles and black particles are placed in microcapsules filled with a transparent solvent, and each particle is displayed on a panel display surface that displays various information by applying an external voltage. Pull up to form an image.

This electrophoretic display panel is applied to a transparent resin film having a transparent electrode made of ITO (ITO: Indium Tin Oxide) or the like in a state where the microcapsules are dispersed in a transparent binder. A front plate is provided on the surface layer. On this front plate, a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, and a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer on which each pixel is driven by a thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching element is laminated. (See Patent Document 1). A voltage is applied between each pixel and the transparent electrode, the display panel is driven in an active matrix system, and various information is displayed on the front plate. Such an electrophoretic display panel, like a liquid crystal display panel, can be configured to be “small” and “thin” and has recently been applied to a wristwatch.

The display panel 1 ′ for an analog wristwatch using the actual hour hand and second hand shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has a rectangular shape as a whole, and is used for connection to an external circuit. A connection substrate 2, a TFT substrate 3 having a TFT layer 4 as a surface layer, a front plate 6 having a microcapsule display layer (not shown), and a cover glass 7 for protecting the front plate 6 are laminated and arranged. Further, a sealing material 8 is filled between the connection substrate 2 and the cover glass 7 so as to cover the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6. A through hole 100 through which the hour / second hand pointer shaft 10p is inserted is provided at the center of the display panel 1 ′. This through-hole 100 is formed in FIG.
), The central portion of the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the fourth through-hole 4h penetrating the connecting substrate 2 in the thickness direction and the hole 50a penetrating the TFT substrate 3 in the thickness direction. The through hole 50h and the through hole 2h penetrating the cover glass 7 in the thickness direction are concentrically connected.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, in the through hole 100, the end portion of the front plate 6 is exposed, so that moisture such as water vapor enters the microcapsule display layer that is weak in a wet environment. Therefore, the electrical characteristics are likely to deteriorate, and the boundary portions of the respective layers 2, 3, 6, and 7 are exposed, and the mechanical strength tends to be weakened. A ring-shaped sealing material 8 is attached to the through-hole 100 in order to increase the mechanical strength of the through-hole 100.

As shown in FIG. 7C, in such an electrophoretic display panel 1 ′, when a through hole is formed in the TFT substrate 3 by a drill or the like, one of the TFT layers 4 on the surface layer of the TFT substrate 3 is formed. The partial region is destroyed by the impact of perforation, and a region 5 (hereinafter referred to as “non-display region 5”) that cannot be used for displaying various information is formed in the outer peripheral region of the through hole 100 in the TFT layer 4.

In this structure, the ring-shaped sealing material 8 is disposed on the outer periphery of the through-hole 100, and the non-display area 5 is located on the outer periphery. Therefore, the area occupied by the non-display area 5 is the display panel 1. Occupying the entire display area increases, which may hinder downsizing of the electrophoretic display panel 1 ′. Such an electrophoretic display panel 1 ′ is manufactured, for example, by the following method.

First, on the surface of the TFT layer 4 of the TFT substrate 3 shown in FIG. 8A, as shown in FIG. 8B, the front plate 6 has a microcapsule display layer (not shown) on its surface. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the center part is drilled with a drill or the like to form a hole 50a. The hole 50a is sufficiently larger than the through hole 100 through which the hour hand / second hand pointer shaft 10p is inserted in order to provide sufficient moisture-proofing at the end of the front plate 6 so as to secure a sealing margin of the sealing material 8. The diameter.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (D), a cover glass 7 (protective layer) that protects the front plate 6 and forms a display surface is pasted on the front plate 6, and then FIG. 8 (E). As shown in FIG. 5, the sealing material 8 is filled using a dispenser in an environment of 50 ° C. in the through-hole 50 h with the cover glass 7 at the bottom and the cover glass 7 at the bottom.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8 (F), the central portions of the sealing material 8 and the cover glass 7 are punched to form the through holes 50h and the through holes 2h, respectively. After that, as shown in FIG.
The connection substrate 2 having the fourth through hole 4h formed at the center is attached to the T substrate 3 so that the fourth through hole 4h is concentric with the through hole 50h and the through hole 2h. , Through hole 50
h and through-hole 1 which penetrated electrophoretic display panel 1 'in thickness direction by through-hole 2h
00 is constructed.

In order to effectively seal the through hole 100 of such an electrophoretic display panel 1 ′, to provide moisture resistance to the front plate 6 and to increase the mechanical strength of the through hole 100, and to ensure a wide display area. It is conceivable to apply a technique (see Patent Document 2) in which a through hole of a flat panel display device is sealed with a sealing material (sealing material) and is reinforced with a reinforcing member made of a pipe member or an adhesive member.

Further, an industrial sealing material (sealant) having a reinforcing effect is interposed between the film substrates to be laminated in the manufacturing stage of the flat panel display device, and the annular portion of the sealing material is interposed. It is also conceivable to apply a technique (see Patent Document 3) for forming a through hole so as to pass.
JP 2005-114822 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-1000064 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-326883

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, the reinforcing member is exposed in the peripheral region of the through hole 100 and the appearance is impaired. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, since it is necessary to interpose a sealing material between the substrates 3 and 6 before the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 are laminated, the sealing material 8 is a micro layer on the surface layer of the front plate 6. The capsule display layer may be damaged.

The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a through-hole through which the pointer shaft of the hour hand / second hand of an analog wristwatch is inserted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophoretic display panel that can be effectively sealed without impairing the appearance and that can secure a wide display area, and a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display panel.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relating to an electrophoretic display panel includes a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and the front plate. An electrophoretic display panel comprising a protective layer disposed on the top and having a through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, a first hole portion penetrating the TFT substrate in the thickness direction, and the first hole A first hole formed concentrically with a second hole portion having a diameter larger than the portion and penetrating the front plate in the thickness direction.
A through-hole is provided, and a second through-hole is provided concentrically with the first through-hole in the thickness direction through the protective layer. A second hole that penetrates the front plate has a second through-hole in the TFT substrate. A ring-shaped sealing material having a third hole is attached so as to cover the outer peripheral area of the first hole on the surface, and the first hole and the third hole communicate with each other. A third through hole is configured, and the second through hole and the third through hole communicate with each other to configure the through hole.

According to this configuration, the end of the front plate is effectively sealed by the ring-shaped sealing material attached to the second hole that penetrates the front plate, and its moisture resistance is ensured. The mechanical strength of the through hole can be increased. In addition, since this sealing material is sandwiched between the TFT substrate and the protective layer and concealed from the surface, the appearance around the through hole is not impaired. Moreover, TFT
A part of the TFT layer, which is destroyed when the substrate is drilled and cannot be used for displaying various kinds of information, overlaps with the ring-shaped sealing material deposited in the second hole. For this reason, a partial region of the TFT layer does not greatly spread on the outer periphery of the ring-shaped sealing material, and the proportion of the entire display region is reduced. As a result, a wide display area of the electrophoretic display panel can be secured.

In the electrophoretic display panel of the present invention, it is preferable that a difference between the diameter of the second hole and the diameter of the first hole is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
According to this configuration, the difference between the diameter of the second hole and the diameter of the first hole is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm.
Therefore, the sealing margin of the ring-shaped sealing material attached to the second hole is 0.25 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less, and the display area of the display panel is effectively secured and the sealing is performed. Sufficient sealing margin is secured to seal the end of the front plate to the stopper.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relating to a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel is a TFT.
A through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, comprising a TFT substrate having a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and a protective layer disposed on the front plate A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel provided, wherein a second hole having a diameter larger than that of the first hole is formed in the center on the TFT substrate having the first hole formed in the center. A step of disposing the provided front plate so that the first hole portion and the second hole portion are concentrically connected to form a first through hole; and through the first hole portion, Filling the sealing material into the first through-hole, the sealing material filled in the first through-hole and the protective layer through the same diameter as the first hole, Forming three holes, and forming the third through hole by the first hole and the third hole, and forming the second through hole in the protective layer; And a step of forming the through hole by communicating the second through-hole and the third through-hole. In addition, since the TFT substrate and the front plate are each formed with the first hole portion and the second hole portion already formed before lamination, the processing conditions for drilling the TFT substrate and the front plate with a drill or the like are used. The allowable range is not narrowed.

According to this configuration, the through-hole provided through the electrophoretic display panel in the thickness direction,
An electrophoretic display panel that can be effectively sealed without impairing the appearance of the peripheral area, and can secure a wide display area can be efficiently manufactured.

In the electrophoretic display panel of the present invention, the second through hole penetrating the protective layer has a fourth hole portion formed by extending the periphery of the second hole portion penetrating the front plate in a conical shape. It is preferable that the fourth hole portion is coated with a ring-shaped sealing material so as to be concentrically integrated with the ring-shaped sealing material deposited on the second hole portion. .

According to this configuration, by the conical fourth hole portion in the second through hole penetrating the protective layer,
Since the bubbles contained in the sealing material attached to the second hole portion are discharged to the outside, the sealing performance of the front plate by the sealing material is improved, and the moisture-proof deterioration due to the bubbles is prevented. Will be able to.

Further, the present invention relating to an electrophoretic display panel includes a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer,
In an electrophoretic display panel comprising a front plate having a microcapsule display layer disposed on the TFT layer and a protective layer disposed on the front plate, and having a through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction A third through hole penetrating the TFT substrate and the front plate in the thickness direction is provided, and a second through hole penetrating the protective layer in the thickness direction is provided concentrically with the third through hole, A ring member made of a moisture-proof material and having a fifth hole portion is fitted in the third through hole with a sealing material interposed between the third through holes, and the second through hole and the fifth through hole are inserted. The through hole is formed by communicating with the hole.

According to this configuration, the ring made of the sealing material attached to the third through hole penetrating the TFT substrate and the front plate, and the moisture-proof material inserted into the third through hole with the sealing material interposed. The end portion of the front plate is effectively sealed by the member, the moisture resistance is ensured, and the mechanical strength of the through hole is increased. Moreover, since this sealing material is accommodated in the third through hole and does not overflow from the surface, the appearance around the through hole is not impaired. further,
The ring member made of the moisture-proof material can ensure sufficient moisture-proof properties for the front plate even if the sealing material is thinly applied to the third through hole. For this reason, a part of the TFT layer that is destroyed when the TFT substrate is punched and cannot be used for displaying various information is not greatly spread around the outer periphery of the sealing material even if it is located on the outer periphery of the sealing material. The proportion of the expression display panel in the entire display area is reduced. As a result, a wide display area of the electrophoretic display panel can be secured.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relating to a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel is a TFT.
A through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, comprising a TFT substrate having a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and a protective layer disposed on the front plate A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel provided, the step of disposing the front plate on the TFT substrate, and forming a third through hole through the TFT substrate and the front plate in the thickness direction. A step of disposing a protective layer on the front plate, a step of filling a sealing material in the third through-hole, and a columnar member made of a moisture-proof material in the third through-hole The step of inserting the sealing material between the third through holes and the center of the columnar member penetrated in the thickness direction, and the columnar member was formed with the fifth hole. A ring member and a second protective layer
Forming a through hole, and forming the through hole by communicating the fifth hole portion and the second through hole.

According to this configuration, the through-hole provided through the electrophoretic display panel in the thickness direction,
An electrophoretic display panel that can be effectively sealed without impairing the appearance of the peripheral area, and can secure a wide display area can be efficiently manufactured.

Embodiments in which the electrophoretic display panel according to the present invention is embodied as a display panel for an analog wristwatch (hereinafter simply referred to as “display panel”) will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each of these embodiments, the structure of the central portion where the through-hole through which the hour hand and the second hand are inserted is formed in the display panel and the manufacturing process thereof will be described.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1A, a display panel 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged on a connection board 2 electrically connected to an external circuit via a connector and the like, and is arranged on the connection board 2. Are arranged in a matrix, and a TFT substrate 3 having a TFT layer 4 as a surface layer so that each pixel is driven in an active matrix by a thin film transistor as a switching element, and a microcapsule on the TFT layer 4 on the TFT substrate 3 A front plate 6 which is arranged so that the display layer is in contact and has the microcapsule display layer (not shown) as a surface layer, and a cover which is arranged on the front plate 6 and protects the front plate 6 and constitutes the display surface. Glass 7 (protective layer).

Further, in the central portion of the display panel 1, an hour hand / second hand pointer shaft 10p (
A through-hole 10 through which (see FIG. 7A) is inserted is formed to penetrate in the thickness direction. The through hole 10 is formed in a ring shape that is attached to a first hole 1a that penetrates the TFT substrate 3 in the thickness direction and a second hole 2a that penetrates the front plate 6 with a larger diameter than the first hole 1a. The third hole 3a of the sealing material 8
The third through hole 3h that is concentrically connected to the second through hole 2h that penetrates the cover glass 7 in the thickness direction and the fourth through hole 4h that penetrates the connection substrate 2 in the thickness direction. It is formed by communicating concentrically.

Here, the ring-shaped sealing material 8 covers the second hole 2a so as to cover the outer peripheral region of the first hole 1a on the surface of the TFT substrate 3 so as to seal the end of the front plate 6. The TFT layer 4 is overlapped with the non-display area 5 of the TFT layer 4 in the vertical direction. Specifically, in the display panel 1 shown in FIG. 1A, the diameter of the second hole 2a is 2.65 mm, and the diameter of the first hole 1a is 1.6.
The difference between the two is 0.5 mm. Thus, when the difference between the diameter of the second hole 2a and the diameter of the first hole 1a is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, the ring-shaped sealing material attached to the second hole 2a. 8 width X (sealing margin) is 0.25 mm to 1.0 mm,
It is preferable that the display area of the display panel 1 is effectively secured and a sufficient margin for sealing the end portion of the front plate 6 to the sealing material 8 is secured.

The display panel 1 of this embodiment can be manufactured by the following method, for example.
First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the TFT layer 4 is provided on the surface layer, and the first hole 1a is formed at the center.
A front plate 6 is provided with a second hole 2a having a diameter larger than that of the first hole 1a at the center and a microcapsule display layer (not shown) on the surface of the TFT substrate 3 which is drilled with a drill or the like. The first
The hole 1a and the second hole 2a are concentrically connected to form the first through hole 1h, and T
Affixing is performed so that the FT layer 4 and the microcapsule display layer are in contact with each other. Here, a non-display area 5 is formed in the outer peripheral area of the first hole 1 a in the TFT layer 4.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, after a cover glass 7 is pasted on the front plate 6, FIG.
C) is turned upside down as shown in FIG. 1C, with the cover glass 7 at the bottom, and the first through the first hole 1a.
The sealing material 8 made of a one-component epoxy resin is filled into the through hole 1h using a dispenser in an environment of 50 ° C. Here, the sealing material 8 needs to be composed of a moisture-proof (water vapor barrier) material (moisture-proof material). Specifically, in addition to the one-component epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, two-component Urethane resin, silicone resin, etc. can be used. Furthermore, in addition to the thermosetting type, a UV (ultraviolet) curable type can also be used. Then, in an environment of 100 ° C,
The encapsulant 8 is cured by heat treatment for a time.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, the sealing material 8 and the cover glass 7 are drilled to the same diameter as the first hole 1a using a drill or the like, While forming the 3 hole part 3a (here, the 3rd through-hole 3h is comprised by the 1st hole part 1a and the 3rd hole part 3a), the 2nd through-hole 2h is formed in the cover glass 7, The second through hole 2h and the third through hole 3h are connected concentrically. At this stage, the second hole 2a penetrating the front plate 6 is sealed at the end of the front plate 6 and covers the outer peripheral region of the first hole 1a on the surface of the TFT substrate. The ring-shaped sealing material 8 remains attached. Here, the ring-shaped sealing material 8 and T
The non-display area 5 of the FT layer 4 is superposed vertically. The sealing material 8 is a TFT
It is sandwiched between the substrate 3 and the cover glass 7 and is hidden from the surface of the display panel 1.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2 (E), the connection substrate 2 having the fourth through hole 4h in the center portion is formed.
The fourth through hole 4h is attached to the TFT substrate 3 so as to be concentric with the hole in which the second through hole 2h and the third through hole 3h communicate with each other. Thereby, the 2nd through-hole 2h, the 3rd through-hole 3h, and the 4th through-hole 4h are connected, and the through-hole 10 which penetrated the center part of the display panel 1 in the thickness direction is formed.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the end of the front plate 6 is effectively sealed by the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the second hole 2a penetrating the front plate 6, The moisture resistance is ensured and the mechanical strength of the through hole 10 is increased.

(2) According to this embodiment, the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the second hole 2 a penetrating the front plate 6 is sandwiched between the TFT substrate 3 and the cover glass 7 and displayed. Since it is concealed from the surface of the panel 1, the appearance around the through hole 10 is not impaired.

(3) According to this embodiment, the non-display area 5 of the TFT layer 4 overlaps with the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the second hole 2 a penetrating the front plate 6. . For this reason, the non-display area 5 of the TFT layer 4 does not greatly spread around the outer periphery of the ring-shaped sealing material 8, and the ratio of the entire display area is reduced. As a result, a wide display area of the display panel 1 can be secured.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the diameter of the second hole 2a penetrating the front plate 6 and the TFT substrate 3
Since the difference in diameter of the first hole 1a penetrating the first hole 1a is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less, the sealing margin of the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the second hole 2a is 0.25 mm. As a result, the display area of the display panel 1 is effectively secured and the front plate 6 is attached to the sealing material 8.
A sufficient sealing margin is ensured to seal the end of each.

(5) According to the present embodiment, the through-hole 10 provided through the display panel 1 in the thickness direction.
However, it is possible to efficiently manufacture the display panel 1 that is effectively sealed without impairing the appearance of the peripheral area and that can secure a wide display area. Further, as the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 are used in which the first hole portion 1a and the second hole portion 2a are already formed before lamination, the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 are drilled with a drill or the like. In this case, the allowable range of processing conditions is not narrowed.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In this embodiment, the sealing material 8 and the cover glass 7 are drilled to the same diameter as the first hole 1 a penetrating the TFT substrate 3, and the third hole 3 a is formed at the center of the sealing material 8. While forming, the 2nd through-hole 2h was formed in the cover glass 7. FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 1 (B), a fourth penetration that has a larger diameter than the first hole 1a that penetrates the TFT substrate 3 and penetrates the connection substrate 2 in the thickness direction. The TFT substrate 3, the sealing material 8, and the cover glass 7 can also be drilled to the same diameter as the holes 4h. In this case, the first hole 1 is formed at the center of the TFT substrate 3 and the sealing material 8 respectively.
0a and the third hole portion 30a are formed. The first hole portion 10a and the third hole portion 30a constitute a third through hole 30h having the same diameter as the fourth through hole 4h, and the cover glass 7 has a fourth shape. A second through hole 20h having the same diameter as the through hole 4h is formed, and the second through hole 20h and the third through hole 30h are formed.
And the display panel 1x which has the through-hole 11 which connected the 4th through-hole 4h concentrically is obtained.

Further, without being limited thereto, as shown in FIG. 1C, the TFT substrate 3 penetrates the TFT substrate 3 in the thickness direction with a larger diameter than the fourth through hole 4h that penetrates the connection substrate 2 in the thickness direction. A first through hole 1 is formed by forming a first hole 11a and concentrically communicating the first hole 11a and the second hole 2a.
The sealing material 8 is filled in 1h, the sealing material 8 and the cover glass 7 are drilled to the same diameter as the fourth through hole 4h, and the ring-shaped sealing material 8 remains in the first through hole 11h. It is also possible to use the display panel 1y. Here, the through hole 12 penetrating the display panel 1y in the thickness direction includes the second through hole 2h of the cover glass 7, the third through hole 31h formed in the center of the ring-shaped sealing material 8,
And the 4th through-hole 4h of the board | substrate 2 for a connection is comprised because it communicates.

In the present embodiment, in the manufacturing process of the display panel 1, the cover glass 7 is the bottom, and T
The sealing material 8 was filled into the second hole 2 a through the first hole 1 a penetrating the FT substrate 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the manufacturing process of the display panel 1, the sealing material 8 is filled into the second hole portion 2 a through the second through hole 2 h formed in the cover glass 7 with the TFT substrate 3 at the bottom. May be. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), first, a front plate 6 having a second hole 2a penetrating the center is pasted on the TFT substrate 3, and then shown in FIG. 3 (B). As this TFT
A cover glass 7 having a second through hole 2h at the center is pasted on the substrate 3 so that the second through hole 2h is concentric with the second hole 2a. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, with the TFT substrate 3 at the bottom, the sealing material 8 is filled into the second through hole 2h and the second hole 2a through the second through hole 2h. 3 (D), after the sealing material 8 and the TFT substrate 3 are drilled to have the same diameter as the second through hole 2h to form the third through hole 3h (at this time, the first through hole in the TFT layer 4). Hole 1
A non-display area 5 is formed in the outer peripheral area of a. ) Affixing the connection substrate 2 having the fourth through hole 4h at the center to the TFT substrate 3 so that the fourth through hole 4h is concentric with the second through hole 2h and the third through hole 3h. The display panel 1 having the same structure as that of the above embodiment is obtained.

In the present embodiment, the second through hole 2h that penetrates the cover glass 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape perpendicular to the thickness direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second through-hole 22h that penetrates the cover glass 7 has a fourth shape in which the peripheral edge of the second hole 2a that penetrates the front plate 6 is extended conically.
The hole 4a may be included (see FIG. 4D). In this case, first, as shown in FIG. 4 (A), a front plate 6 having a second hole 2a penetrating the center is pasted on the TFT substrate 3, and then shown in FIG. 4 (B). Thus, on the TFT substrate 3, a cover glass 7 having a conical second through-hole 21h formed in the center is formed, and the second through-hole 21h is concentric with the second hole 2a and the peripheral edge coincides. Paste as you do. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, after filling the sealing material 8 into the second through hole 21h and the second hole 2a through the second through hole 21h with the TFT substrate 3 at the bottom, As shown in FIG. 4D, the cover glass 7, the sealing material 8, and the TFT substrate 3 are perforated to form a third through hole 32h (at this time, the outer periphery of the first hole 1a in the TFT layer 4). The non-display area 5 is formed in the area.) Furthermore, the TFT substrate 3 is connected to the connection substrate 2 having the fourth through hole 4h in the center, and the fourth through hole 4h is concentric with the third through hole 32h. (At this time, the third through hole 32h, the fourth through hole 4h, and the hole 22h 'formed in the cover glass 7 form the through hole 13 that penetrates the display panel 1z in the thickness direction. ) As a result, the second through hole 22h that penetrates the cover glass 7 includes a fourth hole 4a in which the peripheral edge of the second hole 2a that penetrates the front plate 6 extends in a conical shape.
In the hole 4a, a display panel 1z is obtained in which the ring-shaped sealing material 8 is concentrically integrated with the ring-shaped sealing material 8 attached to the second hole 2a. . According to this configuration, the second through hole 4a in the second through hole 22h that penetrates the cover glass 7 has a second shape.
Since the bubbles contained in the sealing material 8 attached to the hole 2a are discharged to the outside, the sealing performance of the front plate 6 by the sealing material 8 is improved, and the moisture resistance due to the bubbles is reduced. Can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the display panel 1α according to this embodiment includes a connection board 2 electrically connected to an external circuit via a connector and the like, and is laminated on the connection board 2 to provide a plurality of display panels. A TFT substrate 3 having a TFT layer 4 as a surface layer, in which each pixel is arranged in a matrix and each pixel is driven in an active matrix by a thin film transistor as a switching element;
A microcapsule display layer is disposed on the TFT substrate 3 so as to be in contact with the TFT layer 4, a front plate 6 having the microcapsule display layer (not shown) as a surface layer, and disposed on the front plate 6, A cover glass 7 (protective layer) that protects the face plate 6 and constitutes the display surface is provided.

Further, in the display panel 1α of the present embodiment, the third through hole 33h that penetrates the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 in the thickness direction, and the connection substrate 2 having a larger diameter than the third through hole 33h is thick. The fourth through hole 4h penetrating in the direction communicates concentrically. And the third through hole 33h and the fourth
A ring member 9 having a flange portion 9t formed at the periphery of the end portion and having a fifth hole portion 5a at the center is inserted into the through hole 4h with a sealing material 8 interposed therebetween. Here, the flange portion 9t of the ring member 9 is
It is attached to the step formed by the third through hole 33h and the fourth through hole 4h. In addition, this ring member 9 needs to be comprised with the material which has moisture resistance (water vapor | steam barrier property) higher than the sealing material 8, Specifically, it is preferable to comprise with metals, such as aluminum and copper.

In the display panel 1α of the present embodiment, the second through hole 2h that penetrates the cover glass 7 in the thickness direction with a smaller diameter than the third through hole 33h, the fifth hole portion 5a of the ring member 9, and the sealing material Through the communication with the fifth through-hole 5h formed at the center of 8, a through-hole 14 through which the hour / second hand pointer shaft 10p (see FIG. 7A) of the analog wristwatch is inserted is formed. Yes. Note that FIG.
In the display panel 1α shown in (A), the non-display area 5 of the TFT layer 4 is located on the outer periphery of the sealing material 8.

The display panel 1α of the present embodiment can be manufactured by the following method, for example.
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a front plate 6 having a microcapsule display layer (not shown) is placed on a TFT substrate 3 having a TFT layer 4 as a surface layer, and the TFT layer 4 and the microcapsule layer are in contact with each other. Paste as you do. Subsequently, the third through hole 33 h is drilled in the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 using a drill or the like, and then a cover glass 7 is further adhered on the front plate 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, a fourth through hole 4h having a diameter larger than that of the third through hole 33h at the center.
Is attached to the TFT substrate 3 such that the fourth through hole 4h and the third through hole 33h are concentrically connected. After that, as shown in FIG. 6C, it is turned upside down, with the cover glass 7 as the bottom, through the fourth through hole 4h, into the third through hole 33h and the fourth through hole 4h, in an environment of 50 ° C. The sealing material 8 made of a one-component epoxy resin is filled using a dispenser. Here, the sealing material 8 needs to be made of a material having moisture resistance (water vapor barrier property). Specifically, in addition to the one-component epoxy resin, acrylic resin, two-component epoxy resin, urethane Resins, silicone resins, and the like can be used.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6 (D), the flange 9t is formed at the periphery of the end portion in the hole where the third through hole 33h and the fourth through hole 4h communicate with each other while the sealing material 8 is not cured. The cylindrical member 9 ′ is removed so that excess sealing material 8 is removed to the outside, and the outer periphery of the cylindrical member 9 ′ and the third through hole 33.
It is inserted so that the sealing material 8 remains between h. In other words, the cylindrical member 9 ′ is buried concentrically with the third through hole 33 h in the sealing material 8, and the thin-film sealing material 8 is placed on the cylindrical member 9 ′.
Is formed so as to be flush with the surface of the connection substrate 2. Here, the flange portion 9t of the cylindrical member 9 ′ is attached to the stepped portion formed by the third through hole 33h and the fourth through hole 4h.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 6 (E), the central part of the cylindrical member 9 ′ is drilled with a thin film-like sealing material 8 and a cover glass 7 thereon using a drill, etc. The ring member 9 in which the fifth through hole 5h is formed in the stopper 8 and the fifth hole 5a is formed in the center of the columnar member 9 ′.
In addition, the second through hole 2h is formed in the cover glass 7, and the fifth and fifth holes 5h, 5a and 2h are concentrically connected to each other so that the hour hand / second hand of an analog wristwatch is used. The through-hole 14 is formed through which the pointer shaft 10p (see FIG. 7A) is inserted.

According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to this embodiment, the sealing material 8 attached to the third through hole 33h that penetrates the TFT substrate 3 and the front plate 6 and the third through hole 33h with the sealing material 8 interposed therebetween. The end portion of the front plate 6 is effectively sealed by the ring member 9 made of a moisture-proof material inserted therein, so that the moisture-proof property is ensured and the mechanical strength of the through hole 14 is increased. become.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the sealing material 8 attached to the third through hole 33 h is formed by the third through hole 3.
Since it is accommodated in 2h and does not overflow from the surface of the display panel 1α, the appearance around the through hole 14 is not impaired.

(3) According to the present embodiment, the sealing member 8 is made third by the ring member 9 made of a moisture-proof material.
Even if the through-hole 33h is thinly attached, sufficient moisture resistance can be secured on the front plate 6. For this reason, TFT
Even if the non-display area 5 of the layer 4 is located on the outer periphery of the sealing material 8, it does not spread greatly on the outer periphery of the sealing material, and the proportion of the entire display area of the display panel 1α is reduced. As a result, the display panel 1
A large α display area can be secured.

(4) According to this embodiment, the through-hole 1 provided through the display panel 1α in the thickness direction.
1 can be effectively sealed without impairing the appearance of the peripheral area, and a display panel 1α that can secure a wide display area can be efficiently manufactured.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
-In this embodiment, as shown to FIG. 5 (A), the ring member 9 has the collar part 9 in the edge part periphery.
t is formed, and when the flange 9t is inserted into the third through hole 32h and the fourth through hole 4h, the flange 9t is formed on the step formed by the third through hole 33h and the fourth through hole 4h. I tried to wear it. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and like the display panel 1β shown in FIG. 5B, the ring member 9a having no flange 9t is inserted into the third through hole 33h with the sealing material 8 interposed therebetween. By inserting and connecting the second through hole 2h, the fifth hole 5b of the ring member 9a, and the fourth through hole 4h of the connection substrate 2 concentrically, the hour and second hand shafts 10p of the analog wristwatch are inserted. It is also possible to form the through-hole 15 to be formed.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, and a ring member 9b having a flange portion 9tb formed on the periphery of the end portion thereof is used as the display panel 1γ shown in FIG. It is fitted to the hole 20h and is attached to the step formed by the second through hole 20h and the front plate 6, and further, the third through hole 33h penetrating the front plate 6 and the TFT substrate 3 With the sealing material 8 interposed therebetween, the fourth through hole 4h and the third through hole 33h of the connection substrate 2 are fitted into the hole communicating with each other, and the fifth hole 5c of the ring member 9a and the sealing member are sealed. It is also possible to form the through hole 16 through which the hour / second hand pointer shaft 10p of the analog wristwatch is inserted by communicating the fifth through hole 5ha formed in the material 8.

(A) is principal part sectional drawing of the display panel which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (B) And (C) is principal part sectional drawing of the display panel which concerns on the example of a change of the embodiment. (A)-(E) are principal part sectional drawings which show the manufacturing process of the display panel which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A)-(D) are principal part sectional drawings which show the manufacturing process of the display panel which concerns on the example of a change of 1st Embodiment. (A)-(D) are principal part sectional drawings which show the manufacturing process of the display panel which concerns on another modification of 1st Embodiment. (A) is principal part sectional drawing of the display panel which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (B) and (C) are principal part sectional drawings of the display panel which concerns on the example of a change of the embodiment. (A)-(E) are principal part sectional drawings which show the manufacturing process of the display panel which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display panel concerning a prior art example, (A) is the whole perspective view, (B) is AA sectional view taken on the line of (A), (C) is sectional drawing of the through-hole vicinity. (A)-(G) are principal part sectional drawings which show the manufacturing process of the display panel which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 10a, 11a 1st hole, 1h, 11h 1st through hole, 1x, 1y, 1z, 1
α, 1β, 1γ electrophoretic display panel, 6 front plate, 2a second hole, 2h, 20h,
21h, 22h 2nd through hole, 10-16 through hole, 3 TFT substrate, 3a, 30a 3rd hole, 3h, 30h, 31h, 32h 3rd through hole, 4 TFT layer, 4a 4th hole,
5a, 5b, 5c 5th hole, 8 sealing material, 9 ring member.

Claims (4)

A through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, comprising a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and a protective layer disposed on the front plate In the electrophoretic display panel provided with
A first hole formed by concentrically communicating a first hole that penetrates the TFT substrate in the thickness direction and a second hole that has a diameter larger than the first hole and penetrates the front plate in the thickness direction. A hole is provided, and a second through-hole is provided concentrically with the first through-hole in the thickness direction through the protective layer,
A ring-shaped sealing material having a third hole is attached to the second hole penetrating the front plate so as to cover the outer peripheral region of the first hole on the surface of the TFT substrate. The third through hole is configured by the communication between the first hole portion and the third hole portion,
The through hole is configured by the communication between the second through hole and the third through hole,
The second through hole includes a fourth hole formed by extending a peripheral edge of the second hole in a conical shape,
The fourth hole is covered with a ring-shaped sealing material so as to be concentrically integrated with the ring-shaped sealing material applied to the second hole. Electrophoretic display panel.   The electrophoretic display panel according to claim 1, wherein a difference between a diameter of the second hole portion and a diameter of the first hole portion is 0.5 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. A through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, comprising a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and a protective layer disposed on the front plate A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel provided with
On the TFT substrate in which the first hole portion is formed in the center portion, the front plate in which the second hole portion having a diameter larger than that of the first hole portion is provided in the center portion is connected to the first hole portion and the first hole portion. A step of arranging the two through holes concentrically to form the first through hole;
Filling a sealing material into the first through hole through the first hole;
The sealing material and the protective layer filled in the first through-hole are penetrated to the same diameter as the first hole portion, and a third hole portion is formed in the central portion of the sealing material, The hole and the third hole constitute a third through hole, the second through hole is formed in the protective layer, and the second through hole and the third through hole are communicated to form the through hole. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel. A through-hole penetrating in the thickness direction, comprising a TFT substrate having a TFT layer as a surface layer, a front plate disposed on the TFT layer and having a microcapsule display layer, and a protective layer disposed on the front plate A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel provided with
Placing the front plate on the TFT substrate;
Passing through the TFT substrate and the front plate in the thickness direction to form a third through hole, and disposing a protective layer on the front plate;
Filling the third through hole with a sealing material;
A step of fitting a cylindrical member made of a moisture-proof material into the third through hole so that the sealing material is interposed between the outer periphery and the third through hole;
The center part of the cylindrical member is penetrated in the thickness direction, and the cylindrical member is used as a ring member in which a fifth hole is formed, and a second through hole is formed in the protective layer. And a step of forming the through hole by communicating the hole and the second through hole. A method of manufacturing an electrophoretic display panel, comprising:

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