JP5448898B2 - Display sheet manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a display sheet.

For example, an electrophoretic display using particle electrophoresis is known as an image display unit of electronic paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The electrophoretic display has excellent portability and power saving, and is particularly suitable as an image display unit for electronic paper.
Patent Document 1 discloses an electrophoretic display having a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other and a display layer provided between the electrodes and filled with a dispersion liquid in which electrophoretic particles are dispersed. An apparatus is described. In such an electrophoretic display device of Patent Document 1, a voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes to apply an electric field to the microcapsules, so that the electrophoretic particles are migrated in the microcapsules and displayed on the display surface. The display color is switched.

The display layer included in the electrophoretic display device described in Patent Document 1 is, for example, a method in which a mixed liquid of microcapsules and a binder is applied to and dried on one surface of a relatively large sheet member serving as a common electrode, and then a cutter For example, the sheet member can be cut (cut) into a desired size together with the display layer.
However, in such a method for producing a display layer, when the sheet member is cut, the microcapsule located on the cut surface is cut (broken), so that the dispersion in the microcapsule flows into the display layer, It flows out of the display layer and the display characteristics of the electrophoretic display device deteriorate.

JP 2007-58151 A

  The objective of this invention is providing the manufacturing method of the display sheet which can obtain the display sheet of a desired shape and a size, without destroying a microcapsule.

Such an object is achieved by the present invention described below.
The method for producing a display sheet of the present invention is a method for producing a display sheet comprising a display layer including a plurality of microcapsules movably containing positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules on one surface of the sheet member on which the fragile portion that can form the dividing line is formed, and forming the display layer;
Applying a stress to the sheet member on which the display layer is formed, and dividing the sheet member into a plurality of sheet member pieces along the fragile portion.
Thereby, a display layer having a desired shape and size can be obtained without breaking the microcapsules. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a display sheet having a desired shape and size while preventing deterioration of display characteristics.

The display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes a step of forming the fragile portion in the sheet member prior to the step of forming the display layer.
Thereby, since it becomes unnecessary to prepare the sheet member in which the weak part is formed from the beginning, manufacture of a display sheet becomes easy.
In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the stress is a tensile stress that pulls in a direction intersecting the fragile portion in a plan view of the sheet member.
Accordingly, the sheet member can be divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces with a smaller stress.

In the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention, it has the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part which convey the sheet member,
The first transport unit is located upstream of the second transport unit in the transport direction of the sheet member, and the transport speed of the first transport unit is the same as that of the second transport unit. It is preferable that the sheet member is divided into the plurality of sheet member pieces by a tensile stress that is slower than the conveyance speed and is generated by a difference in conveyance speed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit.
Thereby, a tensile stress can be applied to the sheet member with a simple apparatus configuration.

In the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention, it is preferable that the said weak part is the notch | incision put into the thickness direction of the said sheet member.
Thereby, a weak part can be made into a simple structure.
The display sheet production method of the present invention, the thickness of the sheet member as a _{T 1,} when the depth of the incision was _{T 2,} wherein _{T 2} are, 0.01 T ₁ or more, 0.9 T ₁ below Preferably there is.
Thereby, the intensity | strength of a weak part can be made low enough and a sheet | seat member can be divided | segmented into a some sheet | seat member piece along a weak part more reliably.

In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, the sheet member has a longitudinal shape,
The fragile portion is preferably formed so as to extend in the width direction of the sheet member.
Accordingly, the sheet member can be easily sized to a desired size by appropriately adjusting the distance between the longitudinal end of the sheet member and the notch closest to the end and the distance between adjacent notches. Can be divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces.

The method for producing a display sheet of the present invention is a method for producing a display sheet comprising a display layer including a plurality of microcapsules movably containing positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules to one surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces in contact or approaching to form the display layer; and
A step of separating adjacent sheet member pieces from each other.
Thereby, a display layer can be made into a desired shape and a size, without destroying a microcapsule. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a display sheet having a desired shape and size while preventing deterioration of display characteristics.

The display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes a step of cutting a sheet member into the plurality of sheet member pieces prior to the step of forming the display layer.
Thereby, it is not necessary to arrange a plurality of sheet member pieces so as to contact or approach each other. In other words, when the sheet member is cut, a plurality of sheet member pieces are arranged so as to contact or approach each other. Therefore, the display sheet can be manufactured more easily.

In the manufacturing method of the display sheet of the present invention, the sheet member has a strip shape,
In the step of cutting the sheet member, the sheet member is preferably cut in the width direction of the sheet member.
Accordingly, the sheet member can be easily adjusted to a desired size by appropriately adjusting the separation distance between the longitudinal end of the sheet member and the cutting portion closest to the end and the separation distance between adjacent cutting portions. A plurality of sheet member pieces having a thickness can be cut.

In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the relative positional relationship between the plurality of sheet member pieces is maintained in the step of forming the display layer.
Thereby, a display layer can be more reliably formed in each sheet member piece.
In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, the adjacent sheets are obtained by applying stress in a direction in which the pair of sheet member pieces are separated from each other to at least one of the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces. The member pieces are preferably separated from each other.
Thereby, adjacent sheet member pieces can be easily separated from each other.

In the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention, it has the 1st conveyance part and the 2nd conveyance part which convey the plurality of sheet member pieces,
The first transport unit is located upstream of the second transport unit in the transport direction of the sheet member piece, and the transport speed of the first transport unit is the second transport unit. It is preferable that the sheet member pieces adjacent to each other are separated from each other by a stress generated by a difference in the conveyance speed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit.
Thereby, stress can be applied to the sheet member piece with a simple apparatus configuration.

In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the sheet member piece also serves as an electrode for generating an electric field acting on the microcapsules.
Thereby, for example, it is not necessary to separately form an electrode layer in addition to the sheet member piece, and the manufacturing process of the display sheet can be simplified.
In the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention, it is preferable that the said sheet member piece has a protective layer and the electrode layer formed in the one surface side of this protective layer.
Thus, a sheet member piece that also serves as an electrode can be obtained with a simple configuration.
In the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that in the step of forming the display layer, the display layer is formed on a surface of the sheet member on the electrode layer side.
Thereby, since the electrode layer is protected by the protective layer in the manufactured display sheet, the electrode layer is prevented from being damaged or suppressed, and the reliability of the display sheet is improved.

The display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention includes a display layer including a plurality of microcapsules that movably accommodate positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles, and a common electrode provided on one surface side of the display layer. A method for producing a display sheet having a substrate provided with a plurality of partial electrodes, provided on the other surface side of the display layer,
A step of forming the display layer by applying a coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules on one surface of a sheet member that is formed with a fragile portion that can form a dividing line and that can function as the common electrode;
Applying stress to the sheet member on which the display layer is formed, and dividing the sheet member into a plurality of sheet member pieces along the fragile portion;
For each of the sheet member pieces, a step of providing the substrate including the plurality of partial electrodes on the surface of the display layer opposite to the sheet member piece is provided.
Thereby, a display layer having a desired shape and size can be obtained without breaking the microcapsules. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a display sheet having a desired shape and size while preventing deterioration of display characteristics.

The display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes a step of forming the fragile portion in the sheet member prior to the step of forming the display layer.
Thereby, since it becomes unnecessary to prepare the sheet member in which the weak part is formed from the beginning, manufacture of a display sheet becomes easy.
In the method for producing a display sheet of the present invention, a display layer including a plurality of microcapsules movably containing positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles, and a common electrode provided on one surface side of the display layer, A method for producing a display sheet having a substrate provided with a plurality of partial electrodes, provided on the other surface side of the display layer,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules to one surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces that can function as the common electrode in a state of contact or approach, and forming the display layer;
Separating the adjacent sheet member pieces; and
For each of the sheet member pieces, a step of providing the substrate including the plurality of partial electrodes on the surface of the display layer opposite to the sheet member piece is provided.
Thereby, a display layer can be made into a desired shape and a size, without destroying a microcapsule. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a display sheet having a desired shape and size while preventing deterioration of display characteristics.

The display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes a step of cutting a sheet member into the plurality of sheet member pieces prior to the step of forming the display layer.
Thereby, there is no need to arrange a plurality of sheet member pieces to contact or approach, in other words, when the sheet member is cut, a plurality of sheet member pieces are arranged to contact or approach, The display sheet can be manufactured more easily.

It is a perspective view of the display apparatus to which the display sheet manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display sheet of the present invention concerning the 1st embodiment is applied. It is sectional drawing of the display sheet with which the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is a figure for demonstrating the action | operation of the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display sheet in which the desired image was written. It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing the display sheet shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing method of a display sheet. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing method of a display sheet. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing method of a display sheet. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing method of a display sheet. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of the manufacturing method of a display sheet. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the display sheet manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the display sheet manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention concerning 5th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on suitable embodiment shown to an accompanying drawing.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device to which a display sheet manufactured by the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention according to the first embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display sheet included in the display device shown in FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of the display device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a view showing a display sheet on which a desired image is written, and FIG. 5 is a view showing the production of the display sheet shown in FIG. FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 are schematic views of a manufacturing apparatus used for the above, respectively, showing a first embodiment of a display sheet manufacturing method. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 1 to 10 will be described as “upper” and the lower side will be described as “lower”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the display device (electrophoretic display device) 100 includes a display sheet 200 and a writing device 300. Such a display device 100 is a device that draws and uses a desired character or picture on the display sheet 200 using the writing pen 340 included in the writing device 300. With the display device 100 having such a configuration, the display sheet 200 can be used as a rewritable paper. Therefore, the convenience of the display device 100 is improved.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the display sheet 200 and the writing device 300 will be sequentially described in detail.
-Display sheet 200-
The display sheet 200 is an electrophoretic display sheet that displays an image using electrophoresis of electrophoretic particles. As shown in FIG. 2, the display sheet 200 includes a pair of protective sheets (protective films) 210 and 220 arranged to face each other, and a display layer 230 provided therebetween. In such a display sheet 200, the upper surface of the protective sheet 210 constitutes the display surface 211, and a predetermined image can be recognized by visually recognizing the display layer 230 through the display surface 211. ing.

  The display layer 230 is configured by fixing (holding) a plurality of microcapsules 231 with a binder 232. Further, the plurality of microcapsules 231 are arranged in a single layer (one by one without overlapping in the thickness direction) between the protective sheets 210 and 220 so as to be arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. Note that the plurality of microcapsules 231 may be arranged in multiple layers instead of a single layer.

  Each microcapsule 231 has a spherical capsule body (shell) 231a, and the inside (internal space) is filled with an electrophoretic dispersion. By making each microcapsule 231 spherical, the microcapsule 231 has excellent pressure resistance and bleed resistance. Therefore, as will be described later, even if a certain amount of external force (pressing force) is applied to the microcapsule 231 by pressing the display surface 211 with the writing pen 340, the microcapsule 231 can relax and absorb the external force. Therefore, destruction of the microcapsule 231 can be effectively prevented.

  The constituent material of the capsule body 231a is not particularly limited. For example, gelatin, a composite material of gum arabic and gelatin, urethane resin, melamine resin, urea resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, acrylic resin, Various resin materials such as urethane resin, olefin resin, polyamide, and polyether can be used, and one or more of these can be used in combination.

  The electrophoretic dispersion filled in the capsule body 231a is obtained by dispersing (suspending) the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B in the liquid phase dispersion medium 233. The dispersion of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B in the liquid phase dispersion medium 233 is, for example, one or two of a paint shaker method, a ball mill method, a media mill method, an ultrasonic dispersion method, a stirring dispersion method, and the like. The above can be combined.

  Examples of the liquid phase dispersion medium 233 include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene hydrocarbons, paraffinic hydrocarbons such as n-hexane and n-decane, and isoparaffinic carbonization such as Isopar (Isopar, manufactured by Exxon Chemical). Hydrogen, 1-octene, 1-decene and other olefinic hydrocarbons, naphthenic hydrocarbons and other aliphatic hydrocarbons, kerosene, petroleum ether, petroleum benzine, ligroin, industrial gasoline, petroleum naphtha and other petroleum and petroleum-derived Hydrocarbon mixtures, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and chloroform, silicone oils (organic silicone oils) such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, fluorine-based solvents (organic fluorine-based solvents) such as hydrofluoroether, etc. Is preferably used. Among these, organosilicone oils are more preferably used because the viscosity can be easily adjusted.

The positively charged particles A are electrophoretic particles that are white and positively charged. The negatively charged particles B are electrophoretic particles that are black and negatively charged. In this way, by using the white positively charged particles A and the black negatively charged particles B, the display sheet 200 can be displayed in black and white, and the display contrast of the display sheet 200 is improved.
As described above, in the present embodiment, white particles are used as the positively charged particles A and black particles are used as the negatively charged particles B. However, the colors of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B are different from each other. If they are different, they are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected from chromatic colors such as red, blue, and green, and metallic luster colors such as gold and silver according to the purpose. Further, the combination of the colors of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B is not limited to those described above. For example, the combination of the positively charged particles A being black and the negatively charged particles B being white, May be a combination of blue and negatively charged particles B being red, or a combination of positively charged particles A being gold and negatively charged particles B being silver.

  Any positively charged particles A and negatively charged particles B can be used as long as they have electric charges. The positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B are not particularly limited, but at least one of pigment particles, resin particles, or composite particles thereof is preferably used. These particles have the advantage that they can be easily manufactured and the amount of charge can be controlled relatively easily.

  Examples of pigments constituting the pigment particles include black pigments such as aniline black, carbon black, and titanium black, white pigments such as titanium oxide and antimony oxide, azo pigments such as monoazo, yellow such as isoindolinone and yellow lead. Pigments, red pigments such as quinacridone red and chrome vermilion, blue pigments such as phthalocyanine blue and indanthrene blue, green pigments such as phthalocyanine green, and the like. Of these, one or a combination of two or more may be used. it can.

  Among these, as pigment particles, titanium oxide particles are preferably used as white particles (positively charged particles A in the present embodiment), and titanium black particles are preferably used as black particles (negatively charged particles B in the present embodiment). Used for. Since these particles have high responsiveness to an electric field and a large difference in reflectance, the display sheet 200 can be displayed with high contrast.

Examples of the resin material constituting the resin particles include acrylic resin, urethane resin, urea resin, epoxy resin, polystyrene, polyester, and the like, and one or more of these are combined. Can be used.
The composite particles include, for example, those in which the surface of the pigment particles is coated with a resin material or other pigment, those in which the surface of the resin particles is coated with a pigment, or a mixture in which the pigment and the resin material are mixed at an appropriate composition ratio. The particle | grains comprised by these, etc. are mentioned.
Examples of particles obtained by coating the surface of pigment particles with other pigments include those obtained by coating the surface of titanium oxide particles with silicon oxide or aluminum oxide.

The shapes of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B are not particularly limited, but are preferably spherical.
The positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B are each preferably smaller when considering the dispersibility in the liquid phase dispersion medium 233. Specifically, the average particle size is 10 nm or more. It is preferably about 650 nm or less, and more preferably about 20 nm or more and 550 nm or less. By setting the average particle diameter of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B within the above range, aggregation of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B and sedimentation of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B can be prevented. The positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B can be maintained dispersed in the liquid phase dispersion medium 233. As a result, it is possible to suitably prevent the display quality of the display sheet 200 from deteriorating.

In the case where two different types of electrophoretic particles (positively charged particles A and negatively charged particles B) are used as in this embodiment, the average particle diameters of the two types of particles are different, in particular, white positively charged particles. The average particle size of A is preferably set larger than the average particle size of black negatively charged particles B. Thereby, the display contrast of the display device 100 can be further improved, and the holding characteristics can be improved. Specifically, the average particle size of the black negatively charged particles B is preferably about 20 nm to 100 nm, and the average particle size of the white positively charged particles A is preferably about 150 nm to 550 nm.
The specific gravity of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B is preferably set so as to be approximately equal to the specific gravity of the liquid phase dispersion medium 233. Thereby, the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B can stay in a certain position in the liquid phase dispersion medium 233 for a long time even after being subjected to the action of an electric field described later.

The binder 232 is supplied, for example, for the purpose of bonding the protective sheets 210 and 220, and for fixing the microcapsules 231 between the protective sheets 210 and 220. Thereby, the durability and reliability of the display sheet 200 can be further improved.
For the binder 232, a resin material that is excellent in affinity (adhesion) with the protective sheets 210 and 220 and the capsule body 231a and excellent in insulating properties is preferably used. Examples of such binder 232 include polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, nylon 66, polyurethane resin such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyimide, ABS resin, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl acrylate, poly Various resin materials such as (meth) acrylic resins such as methyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, and polyoctyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride resins, cellulose resins, silicone resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers These can be used, and one or more of these can be used in combination.

For the purpose of protecting the display layer 230 having such a configuration, protective sheets 210 and 220 are provided on both surfaces of the display layer 230. Such protective sheets 210 and 220 are each made of a sheet-like member having insulation properties.
The protective sheet 210 is light transmissive in order to constitute the display surface 211, that is, substantially transparent (colorless transparent, colored transparent, or translucent). Thereby, the state of the display layer 230 (the state of the electrophoretic particles A and B in each microcapsule 231), that is, the image (information) displayed on the display sheet 200 can be visually recognized from the display surface 211 side. it can.

The protective sheet 220 may or may not be light transmissive like the protective sheet 210. When the protective sheet 220 has light transmittance, an image obtained by reversing the image displayed on the display surface 211 in black and white is displayed on the lower surface of the protective sheet 220.
Such protective sheets 210 and 220 may be either flexible or hard, but preferably have flexibility. By using the protective sheets 210 and 220 having flexibility, the display sheet 200 having flexibility can be obtained. Thereby, the convenience of the display sheet 200 improves.

  When the protective sheets 210 and 220 are flexible, the constituent materials thereof are, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene, modified polyolefins, polyamides, thermoplastic polyimides, polyethers, polyether ether ketones, polyurethanes, respectively. And various thermoplastic elastomers such as chlorinated polyethylene and the like, or copolymers, blends, polymer alloys, etc. mainly composed of these, and one or more of these may be used in combination. it can.

-Writing device 300-
The writing device 300 is a device used when writing a desired image (pattern, color, character, picture, or a combination thereof) on the display sheet 200. Therefore, the display sheet 200 can be detached from the writing device 300 after the writing of the image on the display sheet 200 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 1, a writing device 300 includes a pedestal 310, a sheet-like (plate-like) common electrode 320 provided on the pedestal 310, and a writing pen (input tool) provided with a partial electrode 330 at the tip. 340 and a voltage applying means (electric field generating means) 350 for applying a voltage between the common electrode 320 and the partial electrode 330.
The common electrode 320 also functions as a placement unit on which the display sheet 200 is placed, and writing of an image on the display sheet 200 is performed with the display sheet 200 placed on the common electrode 320. Therefore, the common electrode 320 is formed in a shape and size that can include the display sheet 200 when the display sheet 200 is placed on the common electrode 320. The common electrode 320 of the present embodiment has a similar shape whose plan view shape is slightly larger than the plan view shape of the display sheet 200.

  The writing pen 340 is made of, for example, an insulating plastic material, and is used by the user holding the hand and tracing the display surface 211 of the display sheet 200. A partial electrode 330 is provided at the tip of the writing pen 340. In addition, a button 341 is provided on the tip side of the writing pen 340, and by operating this button 341, the conduction between the voltage applying means 350 and the partial electrode 330 is turned on / off.

  Since the partial electrode 330 is provided on the writing pen 340, it can be said that the partial electrode 330 is movable with respect to the display sheet 200. In this way, by providing the partial electrode 330 at the tip of the pen-shaped input tool, a desired character or the like is drawn on the display surface 211 of the display sheet 200 with the same feeling as drawing a character or the like with a pencil on paper. be able to. Therefore, the operability (operation feeling) of the display device 100 is improved.

The partial electrode 330 has an area (area in plan view) that is sufficiently smaller than the area of the display surface 211 of the display sheet 200. Therefore, according to the writing device 300, a voltage can be applied to a partial region of the display layer 230 between the common electrode 320 and the partial electrode 330, as will be described later. An image can be written (drawn) on the display sheet 200.
The area of the partial electrode 330 (the contact area with the display surface 211) is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately set according to the purpose. As the area of the partial electrode 330 is smaller, a fine line can be drawn, so that a fine image can be written.

The constituent materials of the common electrode 320 and the partial electrode 330 are not particularly limited as long as they are substantially conductive, and examples thereof include metal materials such as copper, aluminum or alloys containing these, carbon black, and the like. An ionic substance such as NaCl, Cu (CF ₃ SO ₃ ) ₂ is dispersed in a carbon-based material, an electroconductive polymer material such as polyacetylene, polyfluorene or a derivative thereof, or a matrix resin such as polyvinyl alcohol or polycarbonate. Various conductive materials such as ion conductive polymer materials and conductive oxide materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) can be used, and one or more of these can be used in combination. .

-Operation of display device 100 (display sheet 200)-
Next, the operation of the display sheet 200 (switching of display colors) will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, since each microcapsule 231 has the same configuration, hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, one microcapsule 231 will be described as a representative, and description of the other microcapsules 231 will be omitted. FIG. 3 also shows the partial electrode 330 provided at the tip of the writing pen 340 with the protective sheet 220 of the display sheet 200 facing the common electrode 320, the display sheet 200 placed on the common electrode 320. The state which contacted the display surface 211 of the sheet | seat 200 is shown.

(White display state)
First, a state where white is displayed on the display surface 211 will be described.
A first voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 320 and 330 by the voltage application means 350 so that the common electrode 320 side has a positive potential and the partial electrode 330 side has a negative potential, and the common electrode 320 side has a positive potential and the partial electrode 330. An electric field with a negative potential is generated on the side. When this electric field acts on the microcapsule 231, the positively charged particle A migrates (moves) toward the partial electrode 330 having a negative potential, and one negatively charged particle B has a positive potential in common. Electrophoresis toward the electrode 320 side.
By such migration of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B, as shown in FIG. 3A, the positively charged particles A are unevenly distributed on the partial electrode 330 side, and the negatively charged particles B are on the common electrode 320 side. It will be unevenly distributed. As a result, a white display state in which the color (white) of the positively charged particles A is displayed on the display surface 211 is achieved.

(Black display state)
Next, a state where black is displayed on the display surface 211 will be described.
A second voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 320 and 330 by the voltage application unit 350 such that the common electrode 320 side has a negative potential and the partial electrode 330 side has a positive potential, the common electrode 320 side has a negative potential, and the partial electrode 330 has a negative potential. An electric field with a positive potential is generated on the side. When this electric field acts on the microcapsule 231, the negatively charged particle B migrates toward the partial electrode 330 having a positive potential, and the one positively charged particle A has a negative potential on the common electrode 320 side. Run toward.
Due to the migration of the positively charged particles A and the negatively charged particles B, as shown in FIG. 3B, the negatively charged particles B are unevenly distributed on the partial electrode 330 side, and the positively charged particles A are on the common electrode 320 side. It will be unevenly distributed. As a result, a black display state in which the color (black) of the negatively charged particles B is displayed on the display surface 211 is achieved.

In such a configuration, by selecting the migration of the positively charged particles A (white particles) and the negatively charged particles B (black particles) for each microcapsule 231, the positively charged particles A and the display surface 211 of the display sheet 200 are selected. Based on the reflected light from the negatively charged particles B, desired information (image) can be displayed.
For example, the entire area of the display surface 211 (all the microcapsules 231) is in the above-described white display state, and writing is performed by tracing the display surface 211 while applying the second voltage between the pair of electrodes 320 and 330. When the pen 340 is moved, the microcapsule 231 located on the trajectory (trajectory) of the writing pen 340 is switched to a black display state, and as a result, a black line corresponding to the trajectory of the writing pen 340 is drawn on the display surface 211. It will be. Thereby, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 4 can be drawn.

Each microcapsule 231 can maintain the state of positively charged particles A and negatively charged particles B for a long time even after being subjected to the action of an electric field (even after application of voltage is stopped). The image can be written as described above.
In addition, for example, when there are two or more lines and points to start writing from different positions on the display surface 211, such as characters of two or more strokes such as “T” and “X”, from the end point of the predetermined line, While the writing pen 340 is moved to the starting point of the next line, it is preferable to release the electrical connection between the voltage applying means 350 and the partial electrode 330 by operating the button 341. Thereby, unintentional writing on the display sheet 200 during the movement of the writing pen 340 can be effectively prevented.

The configuration and operation of the display device 100 have been described in detail above.
Here, the writing device 300 included in the display device 100 may include a reset electrode in addition to the partial electrode 330 provided in the writing pen 340. The reset electrode has a flat plate shape and can cover a relatively wide range of the display surface 211 (if it is wider than the partial electrode 330, for example, the entire surface) when arranged on the display surface 211. The reset electrode can be used in exchange for the writing pen 340, for example, or can be used in parallel with the writing pen 340.

  By applying the first voltage between the common electrode 320 and the reset electrode in a state where such a reset electrode is arranged on the display surface 211, the entire surface of the display surface 211 can be easily made white. On the contrary, by applying the second voltage, the entire surface of the display surface 211 can be easily made black. That is, the reset electrode has a function like an eraser that erases the display drawn by the writing pen 340.

Next, a manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 (a manufacturing method of the display sheet of the present invention) will be described in detail. Prior to the description, a manufacturing apparatus 400 used for manufacturing the display sheet 200 will be simply described based on FIG. explain. In the following, as shown in FIG. 5, three axes orthogonal to each other are referred to as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.
As shown in FIG. 5, the manufacturing apparatus 400 includes a first belt conveyor (first conveyance unit) 410, a second belt conveyor (second conveyance unit) 420, a roller 430, a cutter 440, and a nozzle 450. doing.

  The roller 430 is supported so as to be rotatable about the y-axis, and a long sheet member 510 described later is wound around the roller 430. Such a roller 430 is installed so that the wound sheet member 510 can be supplied to the first belt conveyor 410, and the sheet member 510 supplied from the roller 430 is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410, After that, it is conveyed by the second belt conveyor 420.

  The first belt conveyor 410 is installed extending in the x-axis direction, and conveys the sheet member 510 supplied from the roller 430 in the x-axis direction. The first belt conveyor 410 has an endless belt 411, a pair of driving rollers 412 and 413 that rotate the endless belt 411, and first driving means 414 that rotates the driving rollers 412 and 413. Yes. The first drive unit 414 includes, for example, a motor, and by driving this motor, the drive rollers 412 and 413 rotate in the same direction and at the same speed, respectively. Then, the endless belt 411 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 (clockwise) by the rotation of the drive rollers 412 and 413.

  Here, in order to prevent the sheet member 510 from being displaced on the endless belt 411, the surface of the endless belt 411 (surface facing the outside) is subjected to processing for increasing frictional resistance or processing for imparting slight adhesiveness to the surface. Is preferred. It is also effective to provide a suction means (for example, a suction device) for sucking the sheet member 510 to the endless belt 411.

  The second belt conveyor 420 is located on the downstream side of the first belt conveyor 410 in the conveying direction of the sheet member 510 and extends in the x-axis direction. Such a second belt conveyor 420 further conveys the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 in the x-axis direction. Such a second belt conveyor 420 includes an endless belt 421, a pair of driving rollers 422 and 423 that rotate the endless belt 421, and second driving means 424 that rotates the driving rollers 422 and 423. Yes. The second driving means 424 includes, for example, a motor, and by driving this motor, the driving rollers 422 and 423 rotate in the same direction and at the same speed, respectively. The endless belt 421 rotates in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) in FIG. 5 by the rotation of the drive rollers 422 and 423.

  In such first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420, the conveyance speed of the first belt conveyor 410 is set to be slower than the conveyance speed of the second belt conveyor 420. Due to the speed difference between the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420, the manufacturing apparatus 400 moves the sheet member 510 from the first belt conveyor 410 to the second belt conveyor 420. It is possible to apply a tensile stress in the x-axis direction.

  The cutter 440 is provided above the first belt conveyor 410 and on the downstream side of the roller 430 in the conveying direction of the sheet member 510. The cutter 440 has a blade portion 441 that faces the first belt conveyor 410, and the blade portion 441 extends in the y-axis direction, and in the width direction (y (Axial direction) is formed so as to include the entire region. Such a cutter 440 can be displaced in the z-axis direction, and the blade member 441 is pressed against the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410, thereby making a cut 510a in the sheet member 510. (Forms a weak part).

The nozzle 450 is provided above the first belt conveyor 410 and on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet member 510 with respect to the cutter 440. The nozzle 450 has a nozzle hole 451, and the nozzle hole 451 extends in the y-axis direction and includes the entire region in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the sheet member 510 in the xy plan view. It is formed as follows. Moreover, such a nozzle hole 451 is connected to a tank (not shown). In the tank, a mixed liquid (coating liquid) 600 of the binder 232 and the plurality of microcapsules 231 is stored, and this mixed liquid 600 is conveyed below the nozzles 450 from the nozzle holes 451 by the first belt conveyor 410. It can be applied to the upper surface of the sheet member 510.
The manufacturing apparatus 400 has been briefly described above.

Below, the manufacturing method using the manufacturing apparatus 400 is demonstrated based on FIGS. 6-10 as an example of the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 (the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention).
The manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 includes a first step of forming a cut (fragile portion) 510a in the sheet member 510, and mixing of the binder 232 and the plurality of microcapsules 231 on the upper surface of the sheet member 510 where the cut 510a is formed. A second step of applying the liquid (coating liquid) 600 to form the display layer 230, and applying stress to the sheet member 510 on which the display layer 230 is formed, cutting the sheet member 510 along a plurality of sheet members 510a. A third step of dividing (separating) into pieces 550 and a fourth step of attaching the sheet member 520 to the surface of the display layer 230 opposite to the sheet member piece 550 for each sheet member piece 550. doing.

≪First step≫
First, a long sheet member 510 is prepared (manufactured) and wound around a roller 430 along the long direction. Then, the roller 430 around which the sheet member 510 is wound is set at a predetermined position. The sheet member 510 is a member that constitutes one of the protective sheets 210 and 220 of the display sheet 200. Therefore, as the constituent material of the sheet member 510, the same material as that of the protective sheets 210 and 220 described above can be used.

  Next, the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420 are driven, and the sheet member 510 wound around the roller 430 is conveyed in the x-axis direction by the first belt conveyor 410 in order from the end. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of cuts (fragile portions) extending in the y-axis direction on the sheet member 510 by pressing the cutter 440 against the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410. 510a are formed at predetermined intervals. The cut 510a forms a dividing line for dividing the sheet member 510 into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 in a later step (third step).

≪Second process≫
Next, the liquid mixture 600 (the liquid mixture of the binder 232 and the plurality of microcapsules 231) stored in the tank is almost simultaneously with the front end portion (conveyance direction front end portion) of the sheet member 510 passing below the nozzle 450. Is discharged from the nozzle hole 451. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the mixed liquid 600 is continuously applied to the entire width direction of the upper surface of the sheet member 510. Thereby, the display layer 230 of the display sheet 200 is obtained.

≪Third process≫
In this way, the sheet member 510, which is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410, is cut in the middle of the conveyance, and the display layer 230 is formed on the upper surface, as shown in FIG. The belt conveyor 410 is moved to the second belt conveyor 420.

  As described above, the conveyance speed of the first belt conveyor 410 is set to be slower than the conveyance speed of the second belt conveyor 420, and the speed difference between the conveyance speeds of the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420 is set. A tensile stress in the x-axis direction is applied to the sheet member 510 (particularly, a portion near the boundary between the first belt conveyor 410 and the second belt conveyor 420) transferred to the second belt conveyor 420. It becomes.

  When such a tensile stress is applied to the sheet member 510, the sheet member 510 is divided along the cut 510a closest to the second belt conveyor 420 with the cutting (dividing) of the display layer 230. This portion is conveyed as a sheet member piece 550 by the second belt conveyor 420. This is repeated to obtain a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 on which the display layer 230 is formed.

  In such a third step, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, when the sheet member 510 is divided into sheet member pieces 550, the display layer 230 is cut into one side and the other side of the 510 a. Cut (divide) by pulling apart. Therefore, the display layer 230 is cut between the adjacent microcapsules 231 present in the vicinity of the cut 510a. As a result, it is possible to prevent the microcapsule 231 from being broken when the sheet member piece 550 is divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550.

  In this way, since the display layer 230 is cut so that one side and the other side of the cut 510a are separated from each other, there is a possibility that the microcapsule 231 particularly located near the cut 510a may be temporarily deformed during the cutting. There is. However, since the microcapsule 231 has sufficient flexibility as described above, it can sufficiently withstand such deformation. Therefore, there is no possibility that the microcapsule 231 is damaged by such deformation.

≪Fourth process≫
Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a sheet member 520 having the same shape (planar shape) and size as each sheet member piece 550 is prepared, and this sheet member 520 is arranged on the side opposite to the sheet member 510 of the display layer 230. Paste it on the surface. The attachment of the sheet member 520 and the display layer 230 may be performed using, for example, an adhesive, or may be performed using the adhesiveness (adhesiveness) of the binder 232 included in the display layer 230. Such a sheet member 520 is a member constituting one of the protective sheets 210 and 220 of the display sheet 200. Therefore, as the constituent material of the sheet member 520, the same material as that of the protective sheets 210 and 220 described above can be used.
As described above, the display sheet 200 can be manufactured.

  In addition, after the display layer 230 is formed on the upper surface of the sheet member 510 in the second step, the process of drying the display layer 230 as necessary between the time when the sheet member 520 is attached to the display layer 230. It may be provided. Such a drying step may be performed, for example, prior to the third step or after the third step. Alternatively, the drying may be performed before and after the third step, such as performing temporary drying prior to the third step, and performing main drying after the third step.

  According to the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 as described above, the display layer 230 having a desired shape and size can be obtained without breaking the microcapsule 231. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably manufacture the display sheet 200 having a desired shape and size while preventing the display characteristics from being deteriorated due to the destruction of the microcapsules 231.

  Further, according to the above manufacturing method, the cutter 440 forms the cut 510a in the sheet member 510 to which the mixed solution 600 is not applied (that is, the display layer 230 is not formed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the microcapsule 231 and the binder 232 from adhering to the cutter 440. Thereby, the sharpness of the cutter 440 can be maintained for a long time. In addition, the frequency of maintenance such as cleaning of the cutter 440 can be reduced, and the manufacturing efficiency of the display sheet 200 is improved accordingly.

  In addition, since the manufacturing method includes the first step of forming the cut (fragile portion) 510a in the sheet member 510 prior to the second step of forming the display layer 230, the cut 510a is formed from the beginning. There is no need to prepare the formed sheet member 510. Therefore, according to the said manufacturing method, manufacture of the display sheet 200 becomes easy. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method described above, the sheet member pieces 550 having different sizes from one sheet member 510 are appropriately changed by appropriately changing the interval between the notches 510a formed in the sheet member 510 (the distance between adjacent notches 510a). Can be easily obtained.

  In the manufacturing method, the sheet member 510 is divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 by applying a tensile stress to the sheet member 510 in the surface direction. A plurality of sheet member pieces 550 can be divided along the notches 510a. That is, it is possible to prevent or suppress the sheet member 510 from being broken or divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 at portions other than the notch 510a.

Further, in the above manufacturing method, the tensile stress is applied in a direction perpendicular to the notch 510a (that is, the x-axis direction) in the plan view (xy plan view) of the sheet member 510, and therefore, the sheet member 510 with a smaller force. Can be divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550.
Further, in the above manufacturing method, the sheet member 510 is divided into the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 along the cuts 510a due to the tensile stress generated by the difference in the conveyance speed of the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420. A tensile stress can be applied to the sheet member 510 with a simple apparatus configuration.

Further, in the above manufacturing method, since the fragile portion is the cut 510a formed in the thickness direction (z-axis direction) of the sheet member 510, the fragile portion can have a simple configuration. Here, the cut as the depth of 510a, but are not limited to, the thickness of the sheet member 510 and _{T 1,} when the depth of cut 510a was _{T 2, T 2} is 0.01 T ₁ or 0.9T ₁ or less is preferable, and 0.5T ₁ or more and 0.9T ₁ or less is more preferable. Thereby, the strength of the notch 510a portion of the sheet member 510 can be sufficiently lowered, and the sheet member 510 is more reliably divided into the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 along the notch 510a by the tensile stress. Can do.

  Further, in the above manufacturing method, the cut 510a is formed so as to extend in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the long sheet member 510. Therefore, the sheet member 510 can be easily formed in a desired manner by appropriately adjusting the separation distance between the longitudinal end of the sheet member 510 and the notch 510a closest to the end and the separation distance between the adjacent notches 510a. It can be divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 having a size. Further, since the shape of the cut 510a can be made simple (simple), the sheet member 510 can be more reliably divided into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 along the cut 510a.

Second Embodiment
Next, 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention is described.
FIGS. 11-13 is a figure which respectively shows 2nd Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 11 to 13 will be described as “upper” and the lower side will be described as “lower”. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, three axes orthogonal to each other are taken as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.

Hereinafter, the display sheet manufacturing method according to the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
The display sheet manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the display sheet manufacturing method of the first embodiment except that the first to third steps are different. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to 1st Embodiment mentioned above.

  In the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 of the present embodiment, the first step of cutting the sheet member 510 into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 and the mixed solution 600 on the upper surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 that are in contact with or close to each other. The second step of applying and forming the display layer 230, the third step of separating the adjacent sheet member pieces 550, and the sheet member pieces 520 on the opposite side of the sheet member piece 550 of the display layer 230 And a fourth step of attaching the sheet member 520 to the surface.

≪First step≫
First, a long sheet member 510 is prepared (manufactured) and wound around a roller 430 along the long direction. Then, the roller 430 around which the sheet member 510 is wound is set at a predetermined position. The sheet member 510 is a member that constitutes one of the protective sheets 210 and 220 of the display sheet 200. Therefore, as the constituent material of the sheet member 510, the same material as that of the protective sheets 210 and 220 described above can be used.

  Next, the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420 are driven, and the sheet member 510 wound around the roller 430 is conveyed in the x-axis direction by the first belt conveyor 410 in order from the end. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet member 510 is cut into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 by pressing the cutter 440 against the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410.

≪Second process≫
The plurality of sheet member pieces 550 are conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 in a state where the adjacent ones are in contact with each other or close to each other (preferably in contact with each other) and the relative positional relationship is maintained. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the mixed liquid 600 is continuously applied to the upper surface of each sheet member piece 550 when the sheet member piece 550 passes below the nozzle 450 while maintaining the above state. Thereby, the display layer 230 is formed on each sheet member piece 550.
In order to maintain the relative positional relationship between the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 when the first belt conveyor 410 conveys the plurality of sheet member pieces 550, for example, an adhesive is applied to the surface of the endless belt 411. It is also effective to provide an adhesive sheet on the endless belt 411.

≪Third process≫
Next, the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 on which the display layer 230 is formed are transferred from the first belt conveyor 410 to the second belt conveyor 420 in order from the leading side in the conveyance direction, as shown in FIG. As described above, since the conveyance speed of the first belt conveyor 410 is set slower than the conveyance speed of the second belt conveyor 420, the sheet on the leading side in the conveyance direction of the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces 550 When the member piece 550 is transferred to the second belt conveyor 420, stress is applied to the pair of sheet member pieces 550 in a direction away from each other. Then, due to the stress, the adjacent sheet member pieces 550 are separated from each other with cutting (separation) of the display layer 230.

  In such a third step, similarly to the first embodiment described above, when the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces 550 are separated from each other, the display layer 230 is separated (separated). Therefore, the display layer 230 is cut between the adjacent microcapsules 231 present near the boundary between the pair of sheet member pieces 550. As a result, it is possible to prevent the microcapsules 231 from being destroyed when the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces 550 are separated (see FIG. 9).

≪Fourth process≫
Next, as in the fourth step of the first embodiment described above, a sheet member 520 having the same shape (planar shape) and size as each sheet member piece 550 is prepared, and this sheet member 520 is formed on the display layer 230. Affixed to the surface opposite to the sheet member 510.
As described above, the display sheet 200 can be manufactured.
According to the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 as described above, the display layer 230 having a desired shape and size can be obtained without destroying the microcapsules 231. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably manufacture the display sheet 200 having a desired shape and size while preventing the display characteristics from being deteriorated due to the destruction of the microcapsules 231.

  Further, according to the manufacturing method, the cutter 440 cuts the sheet member 510 to which the mixed solution 600 is not applied (that is, the display layer 230 is not formed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the microcapsule 231 and the binder 232 from adhering to the cutter 440. Thereby, the sharpness of the cutter can be maintained for a long time. Further, the frequency of maintenance such as cleaning of the cutter can be reduced, and the manufacturing efficiency of the display sheet 200 is improved accordingly.

  In addition, since the manufacturing method includes the first step of cutting the sheet member 510 into the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 prior to the second step of forming the display layer 230, it is separated from the beginning. It is not necessary to place the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 thus placed on the first belt conveyor 410 so as to contact or approach each other. In other words, when the sheet member 510 is cut by the cutter 440, a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 are arranged so as to contact or approach each other. Therefore, according to the said manufacturing method, manufacture of the display sheet 200 becomes easy. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method described above, the sheet member pieces 550 having different sizes can be easily changed from one sheet member 510 by appropriately changing the cutting position of the sheet member 510 (the separation distance between adjacent cutting portions). Can be obtained.

In the manufacturing method, the long sheet member 510 is cut in the width direction (y-axis direction). Therefore, the sheet member 510 can be easily formed in a desired manner by appropriately adjusting the separation distance between the longitudinal end of the sheet member 510 and the cutting portion closest to the end and the separation distance between adjacent cutting portions. A plurality of sheet member pieces 550 having a size can be cut.
In the manufacturing method, the relative positional relationship between the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 is maintained in the second step (the step of forming the display layer 230). Accordingly, the sheet member piece 550 is prevented from being displaced, and the mixed solution 600 can be more reliably applied (the display layer 230 is formed) to the entire upper surface of each sheet member piece 550.

Further, in the above manufacturing method, in the third step, the adjacent sheet member pieces 550 are adjacent to each other by applying stress in the direction in which they are separated from each other to the sheet member piece 550 on the leading side in the conveying direction. Since the sheet member pieces 550 are separated from each other, the adjacent sheet member pieces 550 can be separated easily and reliably.
Further, in the above manufacturing method, the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces 550 are separated from each other by the stress generated by the difference in the conveyance speed between the first and second belt conveyors 410 and 420. Therefore, a pair of adjacent sheet member pieces 550 can be separated with a simple apparatus configuration.
Also by such 2nd Embodiment, the effect similar to embodiment mentioned above can be exhibited.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a display sheet manufactured by the display sheet manufacturing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 15 and 16 show a third embodiment of the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention, respectively. It is a figure which shows a form. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIGS. 14 to 16 will be described as “upper” and the lower side will be described as “lower”.

Hereinafter, the display sheet manufacturing method according to the third embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
The display sheet manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is the same as the display sheet manufacturing method of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the sheet member prepared in the first step is different. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above.

  First, the configuration of the display device 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, in the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the pedestal 310 of the writing device 300 is omitted, and the common electrode 320 provided on the pedestal 310 is formed between the display layer 230 and the protective sheet 220. It is provided in between. Further, the common electrode 320 and the partial electrode 330 are each connected to a voltage applying means 350. That is, in the display device 100 of the present embodiment, the display sheet 200 and the writing device are integrated.

  In such a display device 100, the writing pen 340 is placed on the display surface 211 of the display sheet 200 while applying a voltage between the common electrode 320 and the partial electrode 330 by the voltage applying unit 350 as in the first embodiment described above. The image corresponding to the movement trajectory is displayed on the display surface 211 by being moved by.

Next, a method for manufacturing the display sheet 200 will be described.
In the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 of the present embodiment, the first step of forming the notch 510a in the sheet member 510, and the display layer 230 is formed by applying the mixed solution 600 on the upper surface of the sheet member 510 where the notch 510a is formed. A second step of forming, a third step of applying stress to the sheet member 510 on which the display layer 230 is formed, and dividing the sheet member 510 into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 along the cuts 510a, and each sheet member The piece 550 includes a fourth step of attaching the sheet member 520 to the surface of the display layer 230 opposite to the sheet member piece 550.

As shown in FIG. 15, the sheet member 510 prepared in the first step has a protective layer 511 and an electrode layer 512 formed on one surface side of the protective layer 511. Among these, the protective layer 511 constitutes the protective sheet 220 of the display sheet 200, and the electrode layer 512 constitutes the common electrode 320.
As shown in FIG. 16, the sheet member 510 is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 with the electrode layer 512 facing upward (facing the cutter 440 and the nozzle 450). That is, the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 is formed with a cut 510a by the cutter 440 from the electrode layer 512 side in the first step, and the mixed solution on the electrode layer 512 side in the second step. 600 is applied to form the display layer 230. And after that, the display sheet 200 can be manufactured by performing a 3rd process and a 4th process similarly to 1st Embodiment.

In the above manufacturing method, the sheet member piece 550 also serves as an electrode (common electrode 320) for generating an electric field acting on the microcapsule 231. Therefore, for example, it is not necessary to separately form an electrode layer in addition to the sheet member piece 550, and the manufacturing process of the display sheet 200 can be simplified.
Further, in the above manufacturing method, the sheet member 510 (sheet member piece 550) includes the protective layer 511 and the electrode layer 512 formed on one surface side of the protective layer 511. Thus, by making the configuration of the sheet member 510 simple (simple), the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 can be simplified.

In the manufacturing method, the display layer 230 is formed on the electrode layer 512 side of the sheet member 510 in the second step. Therefore, in the manufactured display sheet 200, the electrode layer 512 is protected by the protective layer 511. (That is, exposure of the electrode layer 512 to the outside of the device is prevented by the protective layer 511). Therefore, according to the said manufacturing method, the damage of the common electrode 320 of the display sheet 200 is prevented or suppressed, and the display sheet 200 with high reliability can be manufactured.
Also according to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be exhibited.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, 4th Embodiment of the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention is described.
FIG. 17: is sectional drawing of the display sheet manufactured by the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention concerning 4th Embodiment. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 17 will be described as “upper” and the lower side as “lower”.

Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the method for manufacturing a display sheet will be described with a focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.
The display sheet manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the sheet member prepared in the first step is different and that a backplane is used instead of the sheet member in the fourth step. This is the same as the manufacturing method of the display device. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above.

  In the present embodiment, the display device 100 includes the display sheet 200 (that is, does not include the writing device 300 as in the above-described embodiment). The display sheet 200 includes a display layer 230, a common electrode 320 provided on the upper side of the display layer 230, a protective sheet 210 provided on the upper side of the common electrode 320, and a lower side of the display layer 230. And a circuit board (back plane) 260 having a partial electrode 330. The circuit board 260 has a circuit (not shown) including switching elements such as TFTs provided so as to correspond to the partial electrodes 330, for example. In the display sheet 200 (display device 100) having such a configuration, a control unit (not shown) selects whether or not to apply a voltage between each of the partial electrodes 330 and the common electrode 320, whereby the display surface 221 is displayed. Display desired information (image).

Next, a method for manufacturing the display sheet 200 will be described.
The manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 includes a first step of forming a cut (fragile portion) 510a in the sheet member 510, and mixing of the binder 232 and the plurality of microcapsules 231 on the upper surface of the sheet member 510 where the cut 510a is formed. A second step of applying the liquid (coating liquid) 600 to form the display layer 230, and applying stress to the sheet member 510 on which the display layer 230 is formed, cutting the sheet member 510 along a plurality of sheet members 510a. A third step of dividing the sheet member 550 and a fourth step of attaching the back plane 260 to the surface of the display layer 230 opposite to the sheet member piece 550 for each sheet member piece 550 are included.

  The sheet member 510 prepared in the first step includes a protective layer 511 and an electrode layer 512 formed on one surface side of the protective layer 511 (the sheet used in the third embodiment described above). Since the structure is the same as that of the member 510, the illustration is omitted (see FIG. 15). Among these, the protective layer 511 constitutes the protective sheet 210 of the display sheet 200, and the electrode layer 512 constitutes the common electrode 320.

  Similar to the third embodiment described above, such a sheet member 510 is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 with the electrode layer 512 facing upward (facing the cutter 440 and the nozzle 450). That is, the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 is formed with a cut 510a by the cutter 440 from the electrode layer 512 side in the first step, and the mixed solution on the electrode layer 512 side in the second step. 600 is applied to form the display layer 230 (see FIG. 16).

In the fourth step, a back plane 260 having the same shape (plan view shape) and size as each sheet member piece 550 is prepared. As described above, the back plane 260 includes a sheet-like (plate-like) base 261, a plurality of partial electrodes 330 provided in a matrix on one surface side of the base 261, and a circuit provided on the base 261. have. Such a back plane 260 is attached to the surface of the display layer 230 opposite to the sheet member 510 so that the surface on which the partial electrode 330 is formed faces the display layer 230.
As described above, the display sheet 200 can be manufactured.

According to the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 as described above, the display layer 230 having a desired shape and size can be obtained without breaking the microcapsule 231. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably manufacture the display sheet 200 having a desired shape and size while preventing the display characteristics from being deteriorated due to the destruction of the microcapsules 231.
Further, according to the above manufacturing method, the cutter 440 forms the cut 510a in the sheet member 510 to which the mixed solution 600 is not applied (that is, the display layer 230 is not formed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the microcapsule 231 and the binder 232 from adhering to the cutter 440. Thereby, the sharpness of the cutter can be maintained for a long time. Further, the frequency of maintenance such as cleaning of the cutter can be reduced, and the manufacturing efficiency of the display sheet 200 is improved accordingly.

In addition, since the manufacturing method includes the first step of forming the cut (fragile portion) 510a in the sheet member 510 prior to the second step of forming the display layer 230, the cut 510a is formed from the beginning. There is no need to prepare the formed sheet member 510. Therefore, according to the said manufacturing method, manufacture of the display sheet 200 becomes easy. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method described above, the sheet member pieces 550 having different sizes from one sheet member 510 are appropriately changed by appropriately changing the interval between the notches 510a formed in the sheet member 510 (the distance between adjacent notches 510a). Can be easily obtained.
According to the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be exhibited.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the display sheet manufacturing method of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 18 is a view showing the method for manufacturing the display sheet of the present invention according to the fifth embodiment. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 18 will be described as “upper” and the lower side as “lower”.
Hereinafter, the display sheet manufacturing method according to the fifth embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the above-described embodiment, and description of similar matters will be omitted.

The display sheet manufacturing method according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment except that the configuration of the sheet member prepared in the first step is different and that the backplane is used instead of the sheet member in the fourth step. This is the same as the manufacturing method of the display device. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above.
Since the configuration of the display sheet 200 obtained by the display sheet manufacturing method of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the display sheet of the fourth embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  In the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 of the present embodiment, the first step of cutting the sheet member 510 into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 and the mixed solution 600 on the upper surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 that are in contact with or close to each other. The second step of applying and forming the display layer 230, the third step of separating the adjacent sheet member pieces 550, and the sheet member pieces 520 on the opposite side of the sheet member piece 550 of the display layer 230 And a fourth step of attaching the backplane 260 to the surface.

  The sheet member 510 prepared in the first step includes a protective layer 511 and an electrode layer 512 formed on one surface side of the protective layer 511 (the sheet used in the third embodiment described above). Since the structure is the same as that of the member 510, the illustration is omitted (see FIG. 15). Among these, the protective layer 511 constitutes the protective sheet 210 of the display sheet 200, and the electrode layer 512 constitutes the common electrode 320.

  As shown in FIG. 18, such a sheet member 510 is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 with the electrode layer 512 facing upward (facing the cutter 440 and the nozzle 450). In other words, the sheet member 510 conveyed by the first belt conveyor 410 is cut into a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 by the cutter 440 from the electrode layer 512 side in the first step, and each sheet member in the second step. The liquid mixture 600 is applied to the electrode layer 512 side of the piece 550 to form the display layer 230.

  In the fourth step, a back plane 260 having the same shape (plan view shape) and size as each sheet member piece 550 is prepared. The backplane 260 has a sheet-like (plate-like) base 261, a plurality of partial electrodes 330 provided in a matrix on one surface side of the base 261, and a circuit provided on the base 261. . Such a back plane 260 is attached to the surface of the display layer 230 opposite to the sheet member 510 so that the surface on which the partial electrode 330 is formed faces the display layer 230.

As described above, the display sheet 200 can be manufactured.
According to the manufacturing method of the display sheet 200 as described above, the display layer 230 having a desired shape and size can be obtained without breaking the microcapsule 231. Therefore, it is possible to easily and reliably manufacture the display sheet 200 having a desired shape and size while preventing the display characteristics from being deteriorated due to the destruction of the microcapsules 231.

  Further, according to the above manufacturing method, the cutter 440 forms the cut 510a in the sheet member 510 to which the mixed solution 600 is not applied (that is, the display layer 230 is not formed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the microcapsule 231 and the binder 232 from adhering to the cutter 440. Thereby, the sharpness of the cutter can be maintained for a long time. Further, the frequency of maintenance such as cleaning of the cutter can be reduced, and the manufacturing efficiency of the display sheet 200 is improved accordingly.

In addition, since the manufacturing method includes the first step of cutting the sheet member 510 into the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 prior to the second step of forming the display layer 230, it is separated from the beginning. It is not necessary to place the plurality of sheet member pieces 550 thus placed on the first belt conveyor 410 so as to contact or approach each other. In other words, when the sheet member 510 is cut by the cutter 440, a plurality of sheet member pieces 550 are arranged so as to contact or approach each other. Therefore, according to the said manufacturing method, manufacture of the display sheet 200 becomes easy. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method described above, the sheet member pieces 550 having different sizes can be easily changed from one sheet member 510 by appropriately changing the cutting position of the sheet member 510 (the separation distance between adjacent cutting portions). Can be obtained.
Also according to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be exhibited.

  As mentioned above, although the manufacturing method of the display sheet of this invention was demonstrated based on each embodiment of illustration, this invention is not limited to these. For example, the manufacturing method of the display sheet of the present invention can be replaced with an arbitrary configuration (process) that exhibits the same function, and an arbitrary configuration (process) can be added. Moreover, the manufacturing method of a display sheet | seat may combine the arbitrary 2 or more structures (features) among each said embodiment.

In the first, third, and fourth embodiments described above, the manufacturing method including the first step of cutting the sheet member with a cutter has been described. However, the manufacturing method is not limited to this, and for example, cutting is performed from the beginning. You may prepare the sheet | seat member in which these were formed. In this case, the first step can be omitted.
In the first, third, and fourth embodiments described above, the manufacturing method for forming the cut by pressing the cutter from one surface side of the sheet member has been described. The cutter may be pressed from both sides to form a cut.

In the first, third, and fourth embodiments described above, the manufacturing method in which the fragile portion is configured by cutting is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the fragile portion may be configured by a perforation. Good.
In the second and fifth embodiments described above, the manufacturing method including the first step of cutting the sheet member into a plurality of sheet member pieces by the cutter has been described. Alternatively, a plurality of sheet member pieces may be prepared and sequentially conveyed by the first belt conveyor. In this case, the first step can be omitted. In this case, in order not to disperse the plurality of sheet member pieces, for example, by an adhesive sheet, these sheet member pieces are fixed in a state of being arranged in one long sheet, and this is wound around a roller, You may make it supply to a 1st belt conveyor.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the positively charged particles and the negatively charged particles are movably accommodated in each accommodating portion (microcapsule, cell) has been described. Only positively charged particles may be movably accommodated in each accommodating portion, or only negatively charged particles may be movably accommodated.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Display apparatus 200 ... Display sheet 210, 220 ... Protection sheet 211 ... Display surface 230 ... Display layer 231 ... Microcapsule 231a ... Capsule main body 232 ... Binder 233 ... Liquid phase dispersion medium 260 ... ... backplane 261 ... base 300 ... writing device 310 ... pedestal 320 ... common electrode 330 ... partial electrode 340 ... writing pen 341 ... button 350 ... voltage applying means 400 ... manufacturing device 410 ... first 1 belt conveyor 411 ... endless belt 412, 413 ... driving roller 414 ... first driving means 420 ... second belt conveyor 421 ... endless belt 422, 423 ... driving roller 424 ... second Driving means 430 ... Roller 440 ... Cutter 44 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Blade part 450 ... Nozzle 451 ... Nozzle hole 510 ... Sheet member 510a ... Notch 511 ... Protective layer 512 ... Electrode layer 520 ... Sheet member 550 ... Sheet member piece 600 ... Mixed liquid A …… Positively charged particles B …… Negatively charged particles

Claims (20)

A method for producing a display sheet comprising a display layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules that movably accommodate positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules on one surface of the sheet member on which the fragile portion that can form the dividing line is formed, and forming the display layer;
Applying a stress to the sheet member on which the display layer is formed, and dividing the sheet member into a plurality of sheet member pieces along the fragile portion.   The manufacturing method of the display sheet of Claim 1 which has the process of forming the said weak part in the said sheet | seat member prior to the process of forming the said display layer.   3. The display sheet manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the stress is a tensile stress that is pulled in a direction intersecting the fragile portion in a plan view of the sheet member. A first transport unit and a second transport unit for transporting the sheet member;
The first transport unit is located upstream of the second transport unit in the transport direction of the sheet member, and the transport speed of the first transport unit is the same as that of the second transport unit. The display sheet according to claim 3, wherein the sheet member is divided into the plurality of sheet member pieces by a tensile stress that is slower than a conveyance speed and is generated by a difference in conveyance speed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. Manufacturing method.   The method for manufacturing a display sheet according to claim 1, wherein the fragile portion is a cut formed in a thickness direction of the sheet member. 6. The display sheet according to claim 5, wherein when the thickness of the sheet member is T ₁ and the depth of the cut is T ₂ , the T ₂ is 0.01T ₁ or more and 0.9T ₁ or less. Production method. The sheet member has a longitudinal shape,
The said weak part is a manufacturing method of the display sheet in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 formed so that it may extend in the width direction of the said sheet | seat member. A method for producing a display sheet comprising a display layer comprising a plurality of microcapsules that movably accommodate positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules to one surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces in contact or approaching to form the display layer; and
And a step of separating the adjacent sheet member pieces from each other.   The manufacturing method of the display sheet of Claim 8 which has the process of cut | disconnecting a sheet | seat member into these said several sheet member piece prior to the process of forming the said display layer. The sheet member has a strip shape,
The method for manufacturing a display sheet according to claim 9, wherein in the step of cutting the sheet member, the sheet member is cut in a width direction of the sheet member.   The method for manufacturing a display sheet according to claim 8, wherein the relative positional relationship between the plurality of sheet member pieces is maintained in the step of forming the display layer.   The adjacent sheet member pieces are separated from each other by applying stress in a direction in which the pair of sheet member pieces are separated from each other to at least one of the pair of adjacent sheet member pieces. The manufacturing method of the display sheet in any one of 11. A first transport unit and a second transport unit for transporting the plurality of sheet member pieces;
The first transport unit is located upstream of the second transport unit in the transport direction of the sheet member piece, and the transport speed of the first transport unit is the second transport unit. The manufacturing method of the display sheet according to claim 12, wherein the sheet member pieces adjacent to each other are separated from each other by a stress generated by a difference in conveyance speed between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit. .   The display sheet manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the sheet member piece also serves as an electrode for generating an electric field acting on the microcapsule.   The said sheet | seat member piece is a manufacturing method of the display sheet of Claim 14 which has a protective layer and the electrode layer formed in the one surface side of this protective layer.   The method for manufacturing a display sheet according to claim 15, wherein in the step of forming the display layer, the display layer is formed on a surface of the sheet member on the electrode layer side. A display layer including a plurality of microcapsules that movably accommodate positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles, a common electrode provided on one surface side of the display layer, and the other surface side of the display layer A method for producing a display sheet, comprising a substrate provided with a plurality of partial electrodes,
A step of forming the display layer by applying a coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules on one surface of a sheet member that is formed with a fragile portion that can form a dividing line and that can function as the common electrode;
Applying stress to the sheet member on which the display layer is formed, and dividing the sheet member into a plurality of sheet member pieces along the fragile portion;
Providing each of the sheet member pieces with the substrate provided with the plurality of partial electrodes on the surface of the display layer opposite to the sheet member piece.   The manufacturing method of the display sheet of Claim 17 which has the process of forming the said weak part in the said sheet | seat member prior to the process of forming the said display layer. A display layer including a plurality of microcapsules that movably accommodate positively or negatively charged electrophoretic particles, a common electrode provided on one surface side of the display layer, and the other surface side of the display layer A method for producing a display sheet, comprising a substrate provided with a plurality of partial electrodes,
Applying the coating liquid containing the plurality of microcapsules to one surface of the plurality of sheet member pieces that can function as the common electrode in a state of contact or approach, and forming the display layer;
Separating the adjacent sheet member pieces; and
Providing each of the sheet member pieces with the substrate provided with the plurality of partial electrodes on the surface of the display layer opposite to the sheet member piece.   The display sheet manufacturing method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of cutting a sheet member into the plurality of sheet member pieces prior to the step of forming the display layer.

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