JP6205762B2 - Twist ball type electronic paper - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a twisting ball type electronic paper that can suppress displacement of a plurality of twisting ball sheets constituting a twisting ball layer.

In recent years, an information medium called electronic paper has been attracting attention. This information medium has excellent characteristics such as low power consumption, bendable flexibility, thinness and lightness, and has an outstanding feature that it can be rewritten, and is entering a practical stage.
Also, there are several types of configurations of electronic paper, including a configuration using, for example, two-color spherical particles (twist balls) (for example, Patent Document 1).

  The electronic paper has a layer structure in which a transparent electrode base material, a twist ball layer, and a counter electrode base material are stacked in this order. In addition, the twist ball layer usually has a twist ball sheet having a twist ball and a solvent layer containing a solvent. Further, in the conventional electronic paper, a twist ball layer in which one twist ball sheet is disposed between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate is used.

JP 2011-112792 A

  In the electronic paper, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for an increase in the size of a panel and a display using two or more colors. Then, what has a twist ball layer comprised by arranging several twist ball sheet | seat in parallel between a transparent electrode base material and a counter electrode base material as electronic paper is examined. However, in the above-described electronic paper, after the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material are bonded together, the twist ball sheet is displaced in a plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. There are a problem that the sheets overlap each other, a problem that the twist ball sheets are biased as a whole, and the like. As a result, the above-mentioned electronic paper has a problem that it is difficult to perform a desired display because the position of the counter electrode corresponding to each twisted ball sheet is shifted, and it is difficult to perform the display itself using the electronic paper. There is a problem of becoming.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a twist ball type electronic paper capable of suppressing the displacement of a plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a transparent electrode substrate having a transparent substrate and a transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate, a counter substrate, and a counter electrode formed on the counter substrate. The transparent electrode substrate, a sealing portion for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and a twist ball sheet having a twist ball and a solvent layer containing a solvent, and the transparent electrode A twist ball layer configured by arranging a plurality of the twist ball sheets in parallel between the base material and the counter electrode base material, and between the twist ball sheets between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material The twisted ball sheet with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is fixed to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. Providing a twisting ball type electronic paper, characterized in that it comprises a fixing portion for fixing the position on the plan view, the.

  According to the present invention, by having the fixing portion, the position of the twist ball sheet in a plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed, and a plurality of twist balls constituting the twist ball layer It can be set as the twist ball type electronic paper which can control sheet position shift.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the said fixing | fixed part is being fixed on the surface of at least one of the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material. Since the fixing part is fixed on one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, the position of the fixing part in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed. . Moreover, the position of the twist ball sheet in a plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed by a fixing portion fixed on the surface of the transparent electrode base material or the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a twist ball type electronic paper that can suppress the positional deviation of the plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer.

  In the above invention, the electronic paper has a frame portion arranged between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material and continuously arranged along the inner end of the sealing portion, and It is also preferable that the fixing portion is fixed using the frame portion. Since the electronic paper has the frame part and the fixing part is fixed using the frame part, the transparent part and the transparent part are used to fix the position in plan view with respect to the counter electrode. The position of the fixed portion with respect to the electrode base material and the counter electrode base material in a plan view can be fixed. Further, the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed by the fixing portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a twist ball type electronic paper that can suppress the positional deviation of the plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer.

  The electronic paper of the present invention has an effect that the positional deviation of a plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer can be suppressed.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, the fixing | fixed part, and sealing part in the twist ball type electronic paper illustrated in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, fixing | fixed part, and sealing part in the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, fixing | fixed part, and sealing part in the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet in the twist ball layer of the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet in the twist ball layer of the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is process drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, fixing | fixed part, frame part, and sealing part in the twist ball type electronic paper illustrated in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, fixing | fixed part, frame part, and sealing part in the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is process drawing which shows the other example of the manufacturing method of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing explaining the other example of the twist ball type electronic paper of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as electronic paper may be described) will be described.

  The twist ball type electronic paper of the present invention has a transparent substrate and a transparent electrode substrate having a transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate, a counter substrate and a counter electrode formed on the counter substrate. A transparent electrode substrate having a counter electrode substrate, a sealing portion for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and a twist ball sheet having a solvent layer containing a twist ball and a solvent. And a plurality of the twist ball sheets arranged in parallel between the counter electrode base material and the twist ball sheet between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. The position of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material in a plan view is fixed, and the twist ball slide relative to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is fixed. A fixing unit for fixing the position on the plan view of bets, is characterized in that it has a.

  In the present invention, the sealing portion seals between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material by holding the twist ball layer between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material using the sealing portion. In other words, the sealing portion is disposed on the surface of the adjacent base material on the transparent electrode base material side and the counter electrode base material side of the twist ball layer to seal the twist ball layer. Examples of the adjacent substrate include a transparent electrode substrate, a counter electrode substrate, and a twist ball layer substrate used as necessary.

  According to the present invention, by having the fixing portion, the position of the twist ball sheet in a plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed, and a plurality of twist balls constituting the twist ball layer It can be set as the twist ball type electronic paper which can control sheet position shift.

Here, since the twist ball sheet is disposed between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, the distance between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate is adjusted to sandwich the twist ball sheet. Accordingly, it is conceivable to fix the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. However, in the electronic paper, since the display is performed by rotating the twist ball included in the twist ball sheet, when the twist ball sheet is fixed as described above, the twist ball sheet is formed of the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode. There is a concern that the pressure on the base material may hinder the rotation of the twist ball and hinder display by electronic paper.
On the other hand, when the fixing portion is provided, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the twisting ball seat, and thus it is possible to perform a good display without hindering the rotation of the twisting ball.
In general, in electronic paper, the larger the panel, the more easily the central part of the transparent electrode base material or the counter electrode base material is deflected, so that the twist ball sheet may be easily pressed. On the other hand, since the electronic paper of the present invention has the fixing portion, the pressure on the twisting ball sheet caused by the deflection of the transparent electrode base material or the like can be alleviated.

The electronic paper of the present invention has two aspects due to the difference in the fixing part. Specifically, an embodiment (first embodiment) in which the fixing portion is fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and the electronic paper is the transparent electrode substrate. And the aspect which has the frame part arrange | positioned between the said opposing electrode base materials, and continuously arrange | positioned along the inner side edge part of the said sealing part, The said fixing | fixed part is being fixed using the said frame part (Second aspect) and two aspects. Hereinafter, each aspect will be described.
In the following description, the position in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material may be simply referred to as the position in plan view.

I. 1st aspect The electronic paper of this aspect has a transparent electrode base material which has a transparent base material and the transparent electrode formed on the said transparent base material, a counter base material, and the counter electrode formed on the said counter base material. A transparent electrode substrate having a counter electrode substrate, a sealing portion for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and a twist ball sheet having a solvent layer containing a twist ball and a solvent. And a plurality of the twist ball sheets arranged in parallel between the counter electrode base material and the twist ball sheet between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. The position of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material in a plan view is fixed, and the twist ball sheet flat relative to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is fixed. A fixing portion that fixes a position in plan view, and the fixing portion is fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. is there.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the electronic paper of this aspect. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of the twist ball sheet, the fixing portion, and the sealing portion in the electronic paper exemplified in FIG. The AA line in FIG. 2 has shown the cross section of FIG.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electronic paper 10 of this embodiment includes a transparent electrode substrate 1 having a transparent substrate 1a and a transparent electrode 1b formed on the transparent substrate 1a, a counter substrate 2a, and a counter substrate. A counter electrode substrate 2 having a counter electrode 2b formed on 2a, a sealing portion 3 for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate 1 and the counter electrode substrate 2, a twist ball 4a and a solvent layer containing a solvent A twisting ball layer 4 having a twisting ball sheet 4c having 4b, and a plurality of twisting ball sheets 4c arranged in parallel between the transparent electrode substrate 1 and the counter electrode substrate 2, and a transparent electrode substrate Between the transparent electrode base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2, the positions of the transparent electrode base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2 in a plan view are fixed. For base material 2 A fixing unit 5 for fixing the position on the plan view of the twisting ball seat 4c to, and has a. Further, the fixing portion 5 is fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2. In the electronic paper 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the fixing portion 5 is fixed on both the surface of the transparent electrode substrate 1 on the transparent electrode 1 b side and the surface of the counter electrode substrate 2 on the counter electrode 2 b side. An example is shown. Moreover, it has shown about the example in which the sealing part 3 is comprised from the sealing material layer 3a. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the fixing portion 5 is formed integrally with the sealing portion 3 (sealing material layer 3a).

  In this aspect, since the fixing part is fixed on one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, the position of the fixing part in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material Can be fixed. Moreover, the position of the twist ball sheet in a plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed by a fixing portion fixed on the surface of the transparent electrode base material or the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a twist ball type electronic paper that can suppress the positional deviation of the plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer.

  Hereinafter, the details of the electronic paper of this aspect will be described.

1. Fixed part The fixed part in this aspect is arrange | positioned between the said twist ball sheets between the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material, The position on planar view with respect to the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material is It is fixed. Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part fixes the position on the planar view of the said twist ball sheet with respect to the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material. More specifically, the twisted ball sheet is held using a fixing portion in which the position in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is fixed.
Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part is fixed on the surface of at least one of the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

(1) Configuration of Fixed Part The fixed part in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, and the transparent electrode as illustrated in FIG. It may be fixed on the surface of both the base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2, and may be fixed on the transparent electrode base material 1 as illustrated in FIG. ), It may be fixed on the counter electrode substrate 2. Especially in this aspect, it is preferable that the fixing | fixed part 5 is being fixed on the surface of both the transparent electrode base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2 so that it may illustrate in FIG. This is because the position of the fixing portion in plan view can be fixed more favorably, and the position of the twist ball seat in plan view can be more satisfactorily fixed.
3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating other examples of the electronic paper of this aspect, and the reference numerals that are not described may be the same as those described in FIG. Therefore, explanation here is omitted.

  Moreover, when the fixing part is fixed on the surface of both the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, when the sealing part to be described later is composed of a sealing material layer, the fixing part is It is more preferable that the sealing material layer is formed using the same material, and it is particularly preferable that the sealing portion (sealing material layer) is integrally formed. This is because it is possible to better fix the position of the fixing portion in plan view. In addition, since the fixing part and the sealing part can be formed in the same process when the electronic paper is manufactured, the number of manufacturing processes can be reduced and the electronic paper can be made highly productive.

  Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part may be arrange | positioned at the transparent electrode side of a transparent electrode base material, and may be arrange | positioned at the transparent base material side. Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part may be arrange | positioned at the counter electrode side of a counter electrode base material, and may be arrange | positioned at the counter base material side.

  The fixing part is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of fixing the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view, but the distance between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is maintained at a predetermined distance. It preferably has a spacer function. By having the spacer function, it is possible to suppress a change in the distance between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material due to an external pressure or the like, and a display defect associated therewith.

  When the fixing part has a spacer function, the hardness of the fixing part is not particularly limited as long as the distance between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be maintained within a predetermined range. Specifically, the hardness of the fixed portion is a range in which the R value is 70 to 130 when the Rockwell hardness (JIS K7202-2, ISO 2039-2, ASTM D785) of the fixed layer described later is measured with a scale R. It is preferable that the M value when measured by the scale M is in the range of 70 to 110.

The arrangement of the fixing portion in plan view is not particularly limited as long as the fixing portion is arranged between the twist ball sheets so that the position of the twist ball seat in plan view can be fixed. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fixing portion 5 may be continuously disposed between the twist ball sheets 4c. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the fixing portion 5 is provided between the twist ball sheets 4c. They may be arranged in a pattern at intervals, and as shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the end of the twist ball sheet 4c (the short side portion in FIGS. 4B and 5) is fixed. The fixing portion 5 may be disposed between the twist ball sheets 4c so that the twisting can be performed. In this embodiment, it is particularly preferable that the fixing portion is continuously disposed between the twist ball sheets. This is because the position of the twist ball seat in plan view can be more favorably fixed using the fixing portion.
In any arrangement, at least a part of the fixing portion 5 and the sealing portion 3 (sealing material layer 3a) are continuous in plan view as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4A, and 4B. As the fixing part, a part in which at least a part of the fixing part 5 is formed integrally with the sealing part 3 (sealing material layer 3a) can be used.
Further, in any arrangement, a fixing part formed separately from the sealing part can be used. Further, when the fixing portion is formed separately from the sealing portion, the fixing portion 5 has a portion arranged in a region other than between the twisted ball sheets 4c as illustrated in FIG. It may be a thing.
4A, 4 </ b> B, and 5 are explanatory diagrams for explaining other examples of the arrangement of the twist ball sheet, the fixing portion, and the sealing portion in the electronic paper of this aspect.

  As the position of the fixing part on the transparent electrode base material and the position of the fixing part on the counter electrode base material, the position other than the region used for the display area of the electronic paper in the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material Become. Further, it is preferable that at least the position of the counter electrode and the position of the fixed portion are arranged so as not to overlap so as not to disturb the display by the twist ball layer. As will be described later, the counter electrode is usually formed in a pattern on the counter substrate.

  The fixing part may have transparency and may be colored in a predetermined color. When the fixed portion has transparency, it is possible to display well when displaying one piece of information in the entire twisted ball layer. On the other hand, when the fixing portion is colored in a predetermined color, it is possible to impart design properties to the electronic paper by arranging the fixing portion.

The width of the fixing part can be fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, and is arranged between the twist ball sheets to fix the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view. Can be selected as appropriate according to the use of the electronic paper and the like.
Specifically, the width of the fixed part is within a range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, particularly within a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, particularly within a range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm. Preferably there is. This is because when the width of the fixing portion is less than the above value, it may be difficult to stably fix the fixing portion on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. On the other hand, when the width of the fixed portion exceeds the above range, the distance between the twist ball sheets becomes wide, and it may be difficult to perform good display using the electronic paper of this aspect.
Note that the width of the fixed portion refers to a distance indicated by p in FIG.

As the thickness of the fixing portion, it can be fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, and is arranged between the twist ball sheets to fix the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view. Can be selected as appropriate according to the use of the electronic paper and the like.
Specifically, the thickness of the fixing portion is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 70 μm to 400 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 80 μm to 360 μm. This is because if the thickness of the fixing portion is less than the above range, it may be difficult to sufficiently fix the position of the twist ball seat in plan view even when the fixing portion is provided. On the other hand, when the thickness of the fixing portion exceeds the above range, the fixing portion may be easily collapsed during use of the electronic paper of the present invention, and it may be difficult to make the electronic paper thin. It is. Moreover, it is because the power consumption of electronic paper may become large because the distance between a transparent electrode base material and a counter electrode base material becomes large.
When the fixing portion has a spacer function, it is preferable to have a thickness equivalent to the thickness of the sealing material layer described later.
In addition, the thickness of the said fixing | fixed part means the distance shown by q in FIG.

(2) Material of fixing part As a material of the fixing part in this aspect, it can be fixed on at least one surface of a transparent electrode base material and a counter electrode base material, and is disposed between twist ball sheets to be twist ball sheets. There is no particular limitation as long as the position in plan view can be fixed.
For example, a fixing part having a fixing layer and an adhesive layer, and capable of bonding the surface of the transparent electrode substrate or the like and the fixing layer via the adhesive layer can be suitably used.

  When the fixing part has a fixing layer and an adhesive layer, a film substrate can be suitably used as the material for the fixing layer. Specific examples of the resin constituting the film substrate include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester resins such as polyethersulfone, polyethylene resins, acrylic resins, vinyl chloride resins, polycarbonate resins, and polyethylene naphthalate. Examples thereof include resins.

Specific examples of the material for the adhesive layer include a pressure-sensitive adhesive and an adhesive.
Examples of the adhesive include acrylic adhesive, rubber adhesive, silicone adhesive, urethane adhesive, polyester adhesive, alpha-cyanoacrylate adhesive, maleimide adhesive, styrene adhesive, Examples include polyolefin-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, resorcinol-based pressure-sensitive adhesives, and polyvinyl ether-based pressure-sensitive adhesives. Among them, it is preferable to use an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive that is excellent in durability and adhesiveness and low in cost.

  Moreover, as an adhesive agent, a thermosetting adhesive agent may be sufficient and a photocurable adhesive agent may be sufficient, for example. Since a well-known thing can be used about an adhesive agent, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The adhesive layer is formed on at least one surface of the fixed layer on the transparent electrode substrate side and the counter electrode substrate side.

  When the fixing portion has a spacer function, a material having the same hardness as the fixing portion described above is used as the material of the fixing portion itself or the material of the fixing layer.

(3) Fixing part formation method It does not specifically limit as a formation method of the fixing part in this aspect, For example, the base material for fixing part formation comprised from the material of the fixing part mentioned above is prepared, and the said fixing part formation A method of forming the fixed part by punching the shape of the fixed part from the base material for use can be suitably used. In addition, when the fixing portion is formed integrally with a sealing portion described later, a method in which the shapes of the fixing portion and the sealing portion are formed by punching from the fixing portion forming base material is preferably used. .

2. Twist ball layer The twist ball layer in this embodiment has a twist ball sheet having a twist ball and a solvent layer containing a solvent, and a plurality of the twist ball sheets are arranged in parallel between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate. It is arranged and arranged.

(1) Configuration of Twist Ball Layer The arrangement of the twist ball sheet in the twist ball layer can be appropriately selected according to the use of electronic paper. For example, the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. In this embodiment, the design can be imparted to the electronic paper also by the arrangement of the twist ball sheet.
6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the arrangement of the twist ball sheet in the twist ball layer of the electronic paper according to the present embodiment.

  Further, as the plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer, each twist ball sheet may have a twist ball of a different color scheme, or may have a twist ball of the same color scheme. . When each twist ball sheet has twist balls of different colors, the electronic paper can display three or more colors. On the other hand, when each twist ball sheet has twist balls of the same color, electronic paper capable of displaying a large area can be obtained.

(2) Twist ball sheet The twist ball sheet used for the twist ball layer has a twist ball and a solvent layer containing a solvent.

(A) Twist ball The twist ball used in this embodiment has two hues having different charging characteristics. In addition, the electronic paper of this aspect serves as a display medium. More specifically, the display is performed by rotating the twist ball.

  The twist ball used in this embodiment is spherical, and has two colored hues and a white hue or two different hues of a colored hue and a colored hue, and the two different hues have different charging characteristics. It is not particularly limited.

  As such a twist ball, for example, the twist ball manufactured by the microchannel manufacturing method proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-197083 can be used.

  Here, in the microchannel manufacturing method, the colored continuous phase and the spherical particleized phase are in an O / W type or W / O type relationship with each other, and from the first microchannel in which the colored continuous phase is transferred, Charging characteristics of two-color spherical polymer particles and having a positive (±) polarity by sequentially discharging two colored continuous phases into the spherical particle phase of the flowing medium flowing in the second microchannel A manufacturing method for manufacturing a twist ball which is a spherical particle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As the (−) chargeable monomer and the (+) chargeable polymerizable monomer, for example, those described in JP-A-2004-197083 can be used. The description in is omitted.

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

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

(B) Solvent layer The solvent layer in this embodiment constitutes a twist ball sheet together with the twist ball.
The solvent layer used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it contains a solvent. The solvent layer is usually composed of a solvent and an elastomer sheet made of an elastomer material that causes the solvent to swell.
Hereinafter, the solvent used in the solvent layer and the elastomer sheet will be described.

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

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

(Ii) Elastomer Sheet The elastomer sheet used in this embodiment is made of an elastomer material that can be swollen with the solvent. The elastomer sheet is a sheet-like member in which the twist balls are dispersed, and is used by swelling the sheet with the solvent.

A material used for such an elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the twist ball can be dispersed and can be swollen with the solvent.
Examples of the material for such an elastomer sheet include a silicone resin, a slightly crosslinked acrylic resin, a slightly crosslinked styrene resin, and a polyolefin resin.

  The thickness of the elastomer sheet is not particularly limited as long as the electronic paper of this embodiment can display information with a twist ball dispersed in the elastomer sheet, but the thickness is in the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm. Of these, it is particularly preferable that the thickness is in the range of 100 μm to 700 μm, particularly in the range of 150 μm to 500 μm. When the thickness of the elastomer sheet is less than the above range, it is difficult to obtain an elastomer sheet in which the twist balls are uniformly dispersed. When the thickness of the elastomer sheet exceeds the above range, This is because the rotation of the ball may be hindered.

(C) Others The thickness of the twist ball sheet used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to display information using a twist ball, but it is within the range of 50 μm to 1000 μm, particularly 100 μm. It is preferable to be within a range of ˜700 μm, particularly within a range of 150 μm to 500 μm. If the thickness of the twist ball sheet is less than the above range, it may be difficult for the twist ball to rotate in the desired direction. If the thickness of the twist ball sheet exceeds the above range, This is because even if a drive voltage is applied between the counter electrode and the transparent electrode, the twist ball is unlikely to react electrically and it may be difficult to display information.

  The method for forming the twist ball sheet is the same as a known method, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

3. Transparent electrode base material The transparent electrode base material in this aspect has a transparent base material and the transparent electrode formed on the transparent base material. Moreover, in the said electronic paper, the surface at the side of a transparent electrode base material is used as a display surface.

(1) Transparent base material The transparent base material used for this aspect supports a transparent electrode.
The transparent substrate is not particularly limited as long as it has a desired transparency, and the same transparent substrate used in general electronic paper can be used. Especially, it is preferable that the transmittance | permeability in visible region is 80% or more, and, as for the transparent base material used for this aspect, it is more preferable that it is 90% or more. This is because, when the transmittance is in the above range, it is possible to prevent the display brightness of the electronic paper from being lowered.
Here, the transmittance | permeability of a transparent base material can be measured by JISK7361-1 (the test method of the total light transmittance of a plastic-transparent material).

The transparent base material used in this embodiment may be a rigid transparent base material or a transparent base material having flexibility.
When a transparent base material having flexibility is used, flexibility can be imparted to the electronic paper, and processability can be improved.

Examples of such a transparent substrate include an inorganic transparent substrate and a resin transparent substrate.
As the inorganic transparent substrate, a glass substrate can be exemplified. Moreover, as glass, soda-lime glass, alkali-free glass, quartz glass, etc. can be used, and alkali-free glass is preferable among them.
On the other hand, as resins used for resin-made transparent substrates, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyether imide, polyether ether ketone, polyether ketone , Polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, epoxy resin, silicone resin, phenol resin and the like.

Moreover, when using a resin-made transparent base material, what can be laminated can be used.
Examples of the transparent base material that can be laminated include a base material on which a base film material and a sealant film material that can be laminated are laminated.

Base film materials that can be laminated include polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyetherimide, polyetheretherketone, polyetherketone, polyphenylene sulfide, and liquid crystal from the viewpoint of heat resistance due to thermocompression bonding during laminating. A polymer, an epoxy resin, a silicone resin, a phenol resin, etc. are mentioned.
Moreover, as a sealant film material, a non-stretched polypropylene film, a biaxially stretched polypropylene film, etc. are mentioned. It is also possible to use a coating film made of a heat-sealable material such as polyurethane, polyacryl, epoxy resin, or silicone.
At the time of laminating, the transparent base material and the counter base material are disposed and bonded so that the sealant film material side of the laminated base film material and sealant film material face each other.

  In addition, when laminating is performed using a transparent base material in which a base film material and a sealant film material that can be laminated and a counter base material described later are laminated, the same base material is used for the transparent base material and the counter base material described below. More preferably, it is a film material and a sealant film material. By using the same base film material and sealant film material for the transparent substrate and the counter substrate described later, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate when laminating. Because it becomes.

  The thickness of such a transparent substrate is not particularly limited as long as a transparent electrode described later can be formed. The thickness of such a transparent substrate is preferably in the range of 10 μm to 300 μm, more preferably in the range of 15 μm to 100 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 25 μm to 50 μm. It is because it becomes difficult to form the transparent electrode mentioned later on a transparent substrate when the thickness of the said transparent substrate is less than the said range. In addition, when the thickness of the transparent substrate exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to drive the twist ball when the twist ball layer is disposed on the opposite side to the transparent electrode described later. is there.

(2) Transparent electrode A transparent electrode is formed on one surface of a transparent base material.
When the electronic paper performs fixed information display, the transparent electrode may be formed on the entire surface of the transparent substrate, and a transparent substrate is provided for each region corresponding to each twist ball sheet constituting the twist ball layer. It may be formed in a pattern on the material. Especially, it is preferable that the said transparent electrode is formed in the whole surface of a transparent base material.
On the other hand, when the electronic paper performs variable information display, for example, when variable information display is performed by passive driving, one of the transparent electrode and the counter electrode described later is a scanning (row) electrode, and the other is It shall be used as a signal (column) electrode. Since the shape of the transparent electrode in this case can be the same as that used for general passive-driven electronic paper, description thereof is omitted here. In this case, the transparent electrode may be formed in a pattern on the transparent substrate for each region corresponding to each twist ball sheet constituting the twist ball layer, or formed in a pattern on the entire transparent substrate. Also good.
In addition, when the electronic paper has a portion for displaying fixed information and a portion for displaying variable information, the transparent electrode corresponding to each portion has the above-described modes.
Note that the fixed information display refers to information display expressed in advance by setting the shape of the counter electrode as a specific shape and the presence or absence of the specific shape on the display surface.
On the other hand, variable information display refers to information display that is expressed by being changed by using a matrix-like transparent electrode and a counter electrode.

  The material of the transparent electrode used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material that can form a transparent electrode. For example, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), Conductive oxides such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide, aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), metals such as Au, Ni, Ag, conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polyacetylene, polyalkylthiophene derivatives, polysilane derivatives, Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and the like can be used, and among them, ITO is preferably used.

  Although it will not specifically limit if it can function as a transparent electrode as a thickness of the transparent electrode used for this aspect, It is preferable to exist in the range of 15 nm-200 nm. When the thickness of the transparent electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form the transparent electrode with a uniform thickness. When the thickness of the transparent electrode exceeds the above range, it is used for forming the transparent electrode. This is because the manufacturing cost increases because more time and materials are required.

  The method for forming the transparent electrode used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it can form the transparent electrode with a desired thickness. As a method for forming such a transparent electrode, a general electrode film forming method can be used. For example, a PVD method such as a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, or an ion plating method, a CVD method, or a conductive paste is used. The method of apply | coating etc. are mentioned.

(3) Other structure The transparent electrode base material in this aspect will not be specifically limited if it has the transparent electrode mentioned above and a transparent base material, A required structure can be selected suitably and can be added.
Examples of such a configuration include an auxiliary electrode and wiring.

Here, the auxiliary electrode is an electrode formed in a mesh shape using a conductive material, and is formed by laminating on a transparent electrode. By using the auxiliary electrode together with the transparent electrode, the conductivity of the transparent electrode substrate can be improved.
Since the auxiliary electrode can be the same as that used for a transparent electrode substrate of general electronic paper, description thereof is omitted here.

  Moreover, about the wiring used for a transparent electrode base material, since it can be made to be the same as that used for general electronic paper, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

(4) Others The arrangement of the transparent electrode substrate in the electronic paper is not particularly limited as long as it is an arrangement capable of driving the twist ball in the twist ball layer, and the transparent electrode side of the transparent electrode substrate is the twist ball. You may arrange | position so that a layer may be opposed, and may be arrange | positioned so that the transparent base material side may oppose a twist ball layer. By disposing the transparent electrode side so as to face the twist ball layer, the drive voltage can be lowered. Moreover, since the transparent electrode does not come into direct contact with the twist ball layer by arranging the transparent substrate side to face the twist ball layer, the material of the transparent electrode does not elute into the solvent of the twist ball layer. It becomes possible to prevent the display quality of the electronic paper from deteriorating.

4). Counter electrode base material The counter electrode base material in this aspect has a counter base material and the counter electrode formed on the counter base material.

(1) Counter base material The counter base material in this aspect supports a counter electrode.
Moreover, the opposing base material in this aspect has insulation normally.

The counter substrate used in this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as the counter electrode can be formed on the counter substrate. Moreover, as said opposing base material, it may have transparency and does not need to have transparency, However, What does not have transparency is more preferable. In the electronic paper of this embodiment, the transparent electrode substrate side is usually used as the display surface side. Therefore, in this aspect, when the electronic paper is observed from the transparent electrode base material side, the counter base material is transparent because the counter base material is disposed on the lower layer side of the twist ball layer that displays information. This is because the ground color of the layer disposed in the lower layer of the counter substrate is observed, and the information displayed on the electronic paper may be difficult to see.
Moreover, in this aspect, you may color the opposing base material with the same color as one color of the twist ball of the twist ball layer mentioned above as needed.

  Such an opposing base material may be a flexible base material or a rigid base material.

  Such a counter substrate may be an inorganic substrate or a resin substrate. Specific examples of the material for the inorganic base material and the resin base material include the inorganic materials and resin materials described in the section of the transparent base material described above.

  In this embodiment, a substrate that can be laminated can also be used as the opposing substrate. About the base material which can be laminated, since it can be made to be the same as that of the item of the transparent base material mentioned above, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  In addition to the materials described above, the opposing substrate may be a substrate composed of glass epoxy resin, paper phenol, paper epoxy, glass composite, Teflon, alumina, low temperature co-fired ceramics, composite, halogen-free substrate, etc. Can be mentioned.

(2) Counter electrode The counter electrode used in this embodiment is formed on one surface of the counter substrate.

  When the electronic paper performs fixed information display, the counter electrode is used as a display electrode and has a pattern shape corresponding to information displayed on the electronic paper.

  Here, the “pattern shape according to information displayed on the electronic paper” means not only the same shape as each piece of information displayed on the display surface of the electronic paper but also a shape corresponding to the background. .

  Further, the pattern shape of the counter electrode may be a pattern shape that allows one information to be displayed using one counter electrode, and one information is displayed using a plurality of counter electrodes. It may be a pattern shape that can be displayed.

  Such a pattern shape of the counter electrode is not particularly limited, and is appropriately selected according to the use of the electronic paper member of this embodiment. Specifically, geometric shapes, letters, numbers, codes, marks, designs, etc., and shapes corresponding to the background can be mentioned. Moreover, as a shape of a counter electrode, the shape which comprises 7 segments used for digital display can be mentioned.

  Moreover, the said counter electrode is normally formed in a pattern form on a counter base material for every area | region corresponding to each twist ball sheet which comprises a twist ball layer.

  On the other hand, when the electronic paper performs variable information display, for example, when variable information display is performed by passive driving, one of the transparent electrode and the counter electrode described above is a scanning (row) electrode, and the other is It shall be used as a signal (column) electrode. Since the shape of the counter electrode in this case can be the same as that used in general passive-driven electronic paper, description thereof is omitted here. Further, in this case, the counter electrode may be formed in a pattern on the counter substrate for each region corresponding to each twist ball sheet constituting the twist ball layer, or formed in a pattern on the entire counter substrate. May be.

  In the case where the electronic paper has a portion for displaying fixed information and a portion for displaying variable information, the counter electrode corresponding to each portion has the above-described modes.

  The counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conductive material and can display information using a twisting ball layer to be described later by applying a voltage to the counter electrode. . Such a counter electrode may consist only of the counter electrode, or may have a counter electrode and a counter electrode insulating layer.

The material used for such a counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as it is a conductive material. For example, metals such as Au, Al, Ag, Ni, and Cu, ITO, SnO ₂ , and ZnO: Examples thereof include a transparent conductor such as Al, and a conductive paste in which a conductive agent is mixed with a solvent or a synthetic resin binder. Examples of the conductive agent include cationic polymer electrolytes such as polymethylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride and polyallylpolymethylammonium chloride, anionic polymer electrolytes such as polystyrene sulfonate and polyacrylate, and electronically conductive zinc oxide. Tin oxide, indium oxide, carbon fine powder, carbon nanotube, Ag fine powder and the like are used.

When the counter electrode has a counter electrode insulating layer, a resin layer, an adhesive layer, or the like can be used as the counter electrode insulating layer. Since the resin material used for the resin layer can be the same as the resin material used for the transparent substrate described above, the description thereof is omitted here.
On the other hand, a well-known thing can be used about the adhesive agent used for an adhesive bond layer.

In addition, as a method for forming the counter electrode, when the counter electrode is directly formed on the counter base material, the above-described metal, transparent conductor, and the like using a metal mask or the like, a sputtering method, a vacuum evaporation method, a CVD method, or the like. Examples thereof include a method of forming a thin film on a counter substrate by a coating method, a method of applying a pattern on the counter substrate using the conductive paste, and the like.
On the other hand, when forming the counter electrode having the insulating layer for the counter electrode on the counter substrate, for example, a method of cutting a metal foil into a desired pattern and bonding it on the counter substrate using an adhesive, or a resin Examples include preparing a resin base material as a layer, forming a metal film as a counter electrode on the resin base material, cutting it into a desired pattern, and bonding it onto the counter base material using an adhesive Can do.

  The thickness of the counter electrode is not particularly limited as long as an image can be displayed with the electronic paper. Specifically, the thickness of the counter electrode is in the range of 50 nm to 500 μm, and in particular, 100 nm to It is preferable to be in the range of 100 μm, particularly in the range of 300 nm to 50 μm. If the thickness of the counter electrode is less than the above range, it is difficult to form a counter electrode having a uniform thickness.If the thickness exceeds the above range, it takes time to form the counter electrode, In addition, since a large amount of material for the counter electrode is required, the manufacturing cost increases.

(3) Other Configurations The counter electrode substrate in this aspect is not particularly limited as long as it has the counter electrode and the counter substrate described above, and a necessary configuration can be appropriately selected and added.
Examples of such a configuration include counter electrode wiring.
The counter electrode wiring may be formed on a counter substrate, or may be formed on a wiring insulating layer and disposed on the counter substrate. Note that the material of the wiring insulating layer can be the same as the material used for the counter electrode insulating layer described above.

  The material, shape, formation method, and the like of the wiring can be the same as those used for general electronic paper, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

(4) Others The arrangement of the counter electrode base material in the electronic paper is not particularly limited as long as the twist ball in the twist ball layer can be driven, and the counter electrode side of the counter electrode base material is the twist ball. You may arrange | position so that a layer may be opposed, and may be arrange | positioned so that the opposing base material side may oppose a twist ball layer. By arranging the counter electrode so as to face the twisting ball layer, the driving voltage of the electronic paper can be lowered. On the other hand, since the counter electrode is not in direct contact with the twist ball layer by arranging the counter base material side to face the twist ball layer, the material of the counter electrode does not elute into the solvent of the twist ball layer. It becomes possible to prevent the display quality of the electronic paper in the aspect from being deteriorated.

5. Sealing part The sealing part in this aspect seals between a transparent electrode base material and a counter electrode base material. As such a sealing part 3, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like, the sealing part 3 is composed of a sealing material layer 3a disposed between the transparent electrode base material 1 and the counter electrode base material 2. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the transparent base material 1a and the counter base material 2a are capable of being laminated, the transparent base material 1a and the counter base material 2a are composed of portions laminated. It may be.
Note that FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the electronic paper according to this aspect, and reference numerals that are not described may be the same as those described in FIG. To do.

When the sealing part is composed of a sealing material layer, the width of the sealing material layer is to seal between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material to seal the twist ball sheet. Can be selected as appropriate according to the use of the electronic paper and the like.
The specific width of the sealing material layer is within the range of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, particularly within the range of 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and particularly within the range of 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. Is preferred.
If the width of the sealing material layer is less than the above range, it may be difficult to stably seal between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. This is because when the width of the material layer exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to reduce the size of the electronic paper.
In addition, the width | variety of the said sealing material layer means the distance shown by r in FIG.

The thickness of the sealing material layer is not particularly limited as long as it can seal between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material to seal the twist ball sheet. It can be appropriately selected according to the thickness of the ball sheet.
The specific thickness of the sealing material layer is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 80 μm to 400 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 100 μm to 360 μm.
In addition, the thickness of the said sealing part means the distance shown by s in FIG.

  The material used for the sealing material layer is not particularly limited as long as it can seal between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, and a known material is used as the material for the sealing material layer. be able to. Further, the material of the fixing part described in the above-mentioned section “1. Fixing part” can be used. In this embodiment, it is preferable to use the same material as that for the fixing portion.

  A method for forming the sealing portion can be the same as a general method for forming a sealing material layer, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, when the sealing portion is composed of a portion where the transparent base material and the opposite base material are laminated, the width of the sealing portion can be the same as the above-described width. Description of is omitted. In addition, a laminating method used when forming the sealing portion can be the same as a known method, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

6). Other Configurations The electronic paper of this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it has the above-described transparent electrode base material, counter electrode base material, sealing part, twist ball layer, and fixing part. It can have the structure of.

7). Manufacturing method of electronic paper The manufacturing method of electronic paper according to this aspect is not particularly limited as long as it is a method capable of manufacturing electronic paper having the above-described configuration, and a known manufacturing method is used as a manufacturing method of electronic paper. be able to.

FIG. 9 is a process diagram illustrating an example of a method for producing the electronic paper according to this embodiment. In the electronic paper manufacturing method of this aspect, first, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a transparent electrode substrate 1 and a counter electrode substrate 2 are prepared. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, a layer configuration having the same size as the transparent electrode substrate 1 and the counter electrode substrate 2 and laminated in the order of the adhesive layer, the fixed layer, and the adhesive layer. A fixing part forming base material 5 ′ is prepared, a desired shape is punched from the fixing part forming base material 5 ′, and the fixing part 5 is formed. As illustrated in FIG. The fixing portion 5 is fixed on the counter electrode base material 2 by bonding the one surface of the counter electrode base material 2 and the surface of the counter electrode base material 2 on the counter electrode 2b side. At this time, the fixing part forming substrate 5 ′ may be processed so that the fixing part 5 is formed integrally with the sealing part 3 (sealing material layer 3a). Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9 (e), a plurality of twist ball sheets 4 c are prepared, and the plurality of twist ball sheets 4 c are arranged in parallel on the surface of the counter electrode substrate 2 on the fixed portion 5 side. Thus, the twist ball layer 4 is disposed. Next, although not shown, silicon oil is added to the space where the twist ball layer is disposed. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 9 (f), the surface of the fixing portion 5 and the sealing portion 3 on the side opposite to the counter electrode substrate 2 side and the surface of the transparent electrode substrate 1 on the transparent electrode 1 b side are formed. The twist ball layer 4 is sealed by bonding. The electronic paper 10 can be manufactured by performing the above process.
In addition, about the code | symbol which is not demonstrated in FIG. 9, since it can be set as the code | symbol demonstrated in FIG. 1, description here is abbreviate | omitted.
The manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is not limited to the manufacturing method of the electronic paper illustrated in FIG.

8). Applications Applications of the electronic paper of the present invention are used for digital equipment displays, electronic books, digital signage (digital signage), price tags, information signs, watches, indicators, message boards, and the like.

II. 2nd aspect The electronic paper of this aspect has the transparent electrode base material which has the transparent electrode formed on the transparent base material and the said transparent base material, the counter base material, and the counter electrode formed on the said counter base material. A transparent electrode substrate having a counter electrode substrate, a sealing portion for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and a twist ball sheet having a solvent layer containing a twist ball and a solvent. And a plurality of the twist ball sheets arranged in parallel between the counter electrode base material and the twist ball sheet between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. The position of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material in a plan view is fixed, and the twist ball sheet flat relative to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material is fixed. A fixing portion that fixes a position in plan view, and the electronic paper is disposed between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material and continuously along the inner end of the sealing portion. And the fixing portion is fixed by using the frame portion.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the electronic paper of this aspect. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the arrangement of the twist ball sheet, the fixing unit, the frame unit, and the sealing unit in the electronic paper illustrated in FIG. The BB line in FIG. 11 has shown the cross section of FIG.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the electronic paper 10 of this aspect is disposed between the transparent electrode substrate 1 and the counter electrode substrate 2 and is continuously disposed along the inner end portion of the sealing portion 3. The fixing portion 5 is fixed by using the frame portion 6 and the fixing portion 5 is fixed. Moreover, in this aspect, it is preferable that the fixing | fixed part 5 is integrally formed with the frame part 6 so that it may illustrate in FIG.
Note that reference numerals not described in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be the same as those described in FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  In this aspect, since the electronic paper has the frame portion and the fixed portion is fixed using the frame portion, the frame portion in which the position in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode and the counter electrode is fixed. Can be used to fix the position of the fixing portion in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. Further, the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material can be fixed by the fixing portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide a twist ball type electronic paper that can suppress the positional deviation of the plurality of twist ball sheets constituting the twist ball layer.

  Hereinafter, the details of the electronic paper of this aspect will be described.

1. Frame part The frame part in this aspect is arrange | positioned between the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material, and is continuously arrange | positioned along the inner side edge part of the said sealing part. The frame portion is used for fixing the position of the fixing portion in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material.
Here, fixing the fixing portion using the frame portion specifically means fixing the fixing portion to the frame portion.
Since the frame portion is continuously arranged along the inner end portion of the sealing portion, in the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, the plane portion is formed on the edge portion of the region surrounded by the sealing portion. The visual position can be fixed. Therefore, by fixing the fixing portion to the frame portion, it is possible to fix the position of the fixing portion in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material.

  As a method for fixing the fixing portion to the frame portion, for example, a method in which the frame portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed, a frame portion and a fixing portion are separately formed, and the fixing portion is fixed to the frame portion using an adhesive or the like. You can raise the way to fix. Especially in this aspect, it is preferable that it is the method of forming a frame part and a fixing | fixed part integrally. This is because the frame portion and the fixing portion can be formed by a simple process, and electronic paper with high productivity can be obtained. Further, the positional relationship between the frame portion and the fixed portion can be made better.

The frame portion is not particularly limited as long as it has a function of fixing the position of the fixing portion in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, but between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material. It is preferable to further have a spacer function for keeping the distance at a predetermined distance. By having the spacer function, it is possible to suppress a change in the distance between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material due to an external pressure or the like and a display defect associated therewith.
In addition, when the frame portion has a spacer function, the hardness of the frame portion can be the same as the hardness of the fixed portion described in the section “I. First aspect” described above. Omitted.

  The frame portion may have transparency and may be colored in a predetermined color.

As such a width of the frame portion, it can be arranged at the inner end of the sealing portion, the fixing portion is fixed, and the position of the twist ball seat in plan view is fixed using the fixing portion. It is not particularly limited as long as it is possible, and can be appropriately selected according to the use of electronic paper.
Specifically, the width of the frame portion is preferably in the range of 200 μm to 3000 μm, more preferably in the range of 500 μm to 2000 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 700 μm to 1500 μm. If the width of the frame portion is less than the above range, it may be difficult to form the frame portion or it may be difficult to make the strength of the frame portion sufficient. If the width exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to reduce the size of the electronic paper.
The width of the frame portion is a distance indicated by t in FIG.

As the thickness of the frame portion, it can be arranged at the inner end of the sealing portion, the fixing portion can be fixed, and the position of the twist ball sheet in plan view can be fixed using the fixing portion. If it is, it will not specifically limit, According to the use etc. of electronic paper, it can select suitably.
Specifically, the thickness of the frame portion is preferably in the range of 50 μm to 500 μm, more preferably in the range of 80 μm to 400 μm, and particularly preferably in the range of 100 μm to 360 μm. If the thickness of the frame portion is less than the above range, it may be difficult to form the frame portion, or it may be difficult to make the strength of the frame portion sufficient. This is because when the thickness of the part exceeds the above range, it may be difficult to make the electronic paper thin.
In addition, the thickness of the said frame part means the distance shown by u in FIG.

  As a material for the frame portion, for example, a film base material can be suitably used. About a film base material, since it can be made to be the same as that of what was demonstrated as a material of a fixed layer by the term of the above-mentioned "I. 1st aspect", description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  As a method for forming the frame portion, for example, a method of forming a film base material and punching it into the shape of the frame portion can be raised.

2. Fixed part The fixed part in this aspect is arrange | positioned between the said twist ball sheets between the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material, The position on planar view with respect to the said transparent electrode base material and the said counter electrode base material is It is fixed, and fixes the position of the twist ball seat in plan view. Moreover, the said fixing | fixed part is being fixed using the frame part mentioned above. More specifically, the fixed portion is fixed to the frame portion described above.

  The fixing part may be formed separately from the frame part, or may be formed integrally with the frame part, but may be formed integrally with the frame part. It is preferable that

The arrangement of the fixing portion in plan view is not particularly limited as long as it can be arranged between the twist ball sheets and the position of the twist ball sheet in the plan view can be fixed. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the fixing portion 5 may be continuously disposed between the twist ball sheets 4 c, and as illustrated in FIG. 12, the end portion of the twist ball sheet 4 c (short side portion in FIG. 12). The fixing portion 5 may be disposed between the twisted ball sheets 4c so that can be fixed.
In this embodiment, it is particularly preferable that the fixing portion 5 is continuously disposed between the twist ball sheets. This is because the position of the twist ball seat in plan view can be more favorably fixed using the fixing portion.
In addition, FIG. 12 is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of arrangement | positioning of the twist ball sheet, fixing | fixed part, frame part, and sealing part in the electronic paper of this aspect.

  The material of the fixing portion is not particularly limited as long as it can be disposed between the twist ball sheets and can be fixed to the frame portion. In this aspect, it is preferable to use the same material as that of the frame portion described above.

  In addition, since it can be the same as that of the content demonstrated by the term of "I. 1st aspect" about the fixing | fixed part except said point, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  In addition, when a fixing | fixed part is integrally formed with the said frame part, the thickness of the said fixing | fixed part becomes the same as the thickness of the frame part mentioned above. In this case, the method for forming the fixing portion can be the same as the method for forming the frame portion described above.

3. Twist Ball Layer The configuration of the twist ball layer in this aspect and the twist ball sheet used in this aspect can be the same as those described in the above section “I. First aspect”. Description of is omitted.

Moreover, the electronic paper of this aspect may have the base material 4d for twist ball layers arrange | positioned adjacent to the twist ball sheet 4c so that it may illustrate in FIG. When such a twist ball layer base material 4d is provided, the twist ball layer 4, the transparent electrode base material 1, and the counter electrode base material 2 can be handled independently. In addition, since the display information can be changed by replacing the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material, the electronic paper can be reused.
Note that FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the electronic paper of this aspect, and reference numerals that are not described can be the same as those described in FIG. Omitted.

  The base material for the twist ball layer may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the transparent electrode base material side and the counter electrode base material side of the twist ball layer. You may arrange | position so that it may adjoin both on the electrode base material side.

  About the material used for the base material for twist ball layers, since it can be made to be the same as that used for a transparent base material or an opposing base material, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

When the above-mentioned twist ball layer base material is included, the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material, or the twist ball layer base material and the counter electrode base material are usually bonded using an adhesive or an adhesive. It is done. The pressure-sensitive adhesive and the adhesive can be the same as those described in the above-mentioned “I. First aspect” in the section of the fixing portion, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.
In the case where the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material, or the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material are bonded together, a re-peelable adhesive can also be used. Here, “removable” means that when the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material or counter electrode base material are bonded and then peeled, the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material or This means that the counter electrode substrate can be peeled off without being damaged. Examples of such adhesives include acrylic adhesives or adhesives, silicone adhesives or adhesives, natural rubber adhesives or adhesives, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) adhesives or adhesives. And urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives or adhesives.

4). Sealing part The sealing part in this aspect seals between a transparent electrode base material and a counter electrode base material. As a sealing part in this aspect, the thing similar to the sealing part demonstrated by the term of "I. 1st aspect" mentioned above can be used.
Further, as illustrated in FIG. 13, when the electronic paper 10 of this aspect includes the twist ball layer base material 4 d described above, when the twist ball layer base material 4 d can be laminated, As the sealing portion 3, the twist ball layer base materials 4d, the twist ball layer base material and the transparent electrode base material (not shown), or the twist ball layer and the counter electrode base material (not shown) are laminated. It may be composed of processed parts. The twist ball layer base material is usually arranged with a transparent electrode base material or a counter electrode base material fixed on the surface opposite to the twist ball layer side. Even when the sealing portion is configured by using, it is possible to seal the twist ball layer by sealing between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material.

5. Other configurations Since the transparent electrode substrate, the counter electrode substrate, and the optional configuration in the electronic paper of this embodiment can be the same as those described in the section of “I. First embodiment” described above, The description here is omitted.

6). Manufacturing method of electronic paper The manufacturing method of electronic paper according to this aspect is not particularly limited as long as it is a method capable of manufacturing electronic paper having the above-described configuration, and a known manufacturing method is used as a manufacturing method of electronic paper. be able to.

FIG. 14 is a process diagram showing an example of a method for producing the electronic paper according to this embodiment. In the electronic paper manufacturing method of this aspect, first, a transparent electrode substrate 1 and a counter electrode substrate 2 are prepared as illustrated in FIGS. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14C, by preparing a frame part such as a film base and a fixing part forming base 6 ′, and punching out the fixing part forming base 6 ′ into a predetermined shape The fixed portion 5 is formed by integrally forming the frame portion 6 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a fixed portion with a frame portion). Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14D, the sealing portion 3 (sealing material layer 3 a) is disposed on the counter electrode 2 b side of the counter electrode substrate 2, and the frame portion 6 of the fixing portion with the frame portion is provided. The fixing portion with a frame portion is disposed on the counter electrode 2b side of the counter electrode base material 2 so as to be continuously disposed along the inner end portion of the sealing portion 3 (sealing material layer 3a).
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14 (e), a plurality of twist ball sheets 4 c are prepared and arranged in parallel on the surface on the fixed portion 5 side of the counter electrode substrate 2, thereby forming the twist ball layer 4. Deploy. Next, although not shown, silicon oil is added to the space where the twist ball layer is disposed. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 14 (f), the surface of the sealing portion 3 (sealing material layer 3 a) on the side opposite to the counter electrode substrate 2 side and the transparent electrode substrate 1 on the transparent electrode 1 b side. The twist ball layer 4 is sealed by bonding to the surface. The electronic paper 10 can be manufactured by performing the above process.
In addition, the manufacturing method of the electronic paper of this aspect is not limited to the manufacturing method of the electronic paper illustrated by FIG.

7). Applications The application of the electronic paper according to this aspect can be the same as the application described in the section “I. First aspect” described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

III. Electronic Paper The electronic paper of the present invention may be any one of the first aspect and the second aspect described above, and is an aspect in which the first aspect and the second aspect are combined, that is, the fixing portion is a transparent electrode substrate. Further, it may be fixed on at least one surface of the counter electrode base material, and the fixing portion may be fixed using a frame portion. In this case, it is preferable that the frame portion is also fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate in the same manner as the fixing portion.

Furthermore, the electronic paper of the present invention can take the following aspects in addition to the first aspect and the second aspect described above.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 15, when the twist ball layer 4 of the electronic paper 10 of this embodiment has the twist ball layer base material 4 d, the fixing portion 5 is on the surface of the twist ball layer base material 4 d. The aspect fixed to can be taken. Since the above-mentioned twist ball layer base material is usually arranged with a transparent electrode base material or counter electrode base material fixed on the surface opposite to the twist ball layer side, the fixing portion is attached to the twist ball layer base material. Even when is fixed, it is possible to fix the position of the fixing portion in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material.
Note that FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the electronic paper of the present invention, and reference numerals that are not described may be the same as those described in FIG. Description is omitted.

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

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to examples and comparative examples.

[Example]
A glass substrate (transparent substrate) (thickness: 0.7 mm) on which an ITO transparent conductive film (transparent electrode) is formed as a display-side substrate (transparent electrode substrate) is displayed as a back-side substrate (counter electrode substrate). A glass epoxy substrate (counter base material) (thickness: 1 mm) on which an electrode pattern (counter electrode) was formed was used. Moreover, as a counter electrode base material, the counter electrode was formed in three patterns on the counter base material, and the electrode area of each counter electrode was formed independently. A space of 1 mm width was formed between each counter electrode.
An adhesive spacer sheet having separators on both sides (PET having a thickness of 188 μm having an acrylic adhesive having a thickness of 100 μm on both sides) (AS-300A, thickness 388 μm, manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) is cut to the same size as the opposing substrate, and the inside Were cut and cut so as to have the same shape as the space area between the counter electrodes to obtain a fixed part (fixed part with frame part) in which the frame part was integrally formed. At this time, the frame portion had a width of 2 mm, and the inner fixing portion had a width of 1 mm. One separator of the cut fixed part with the frame part was peeled off, and the fixed part with the frame part was bonded to the counter electrode side along the edge of the counter electrode base material. After bonding, the other separator was peeled off. Three twisted ball sheets (TS103K, thickness 240 μm, manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) were respectively arranged in three areas of the fixed portion with a frame portion formed on the opposing base material. Furthermore, after adding silicon oil in the above three areas, a transparent electrode base material was bonded so that the ITO transparent conductive film side which is a transparent electrode was opposed. After bonding, a UV curable resin was applied to the four outer sides, cured by UV light irradiation, finally sealed, and paneled to obtain an electronic paper (panel).
Even when the completed panel was placed vertically, the twist ball sheets arranged in three places did not enter the adjacent areas and were fixed in each area. When a voltage was applied, the twist ball sheet could be uniformly driven on each counter electrode.

[Comparative example]
The same transparent electrode base material and counter electrode base material as in the examples were prepared.
An adhesive spacer sheet having a separator on both sides (AS-300A, thickness 388 μm, manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) was cut into the same size as the opposing base material to form only the frame portion. The frame portion of the adhesive spacer sheet was 2 mm wide. One separator of the frame portion of the cut adhesive spacer sheet was peeled off, and the frame portion of the adhesive spacer sheet was bonded to the counter electrode side along the edge of the counter electrode substrate. After bonding, the other separator was peeled off. Three twisted ball sheets (TS103K, thickness 240 μm, manufactured by Soken Chemical Co., Ltd.) were respectively arranged on three counter electrodes formed inside the frame portion of the adhesive spacer sheet formed on the counter electrode substrate. Furthermore, after adding silicon oil in the frame part of the adhesion spacer sheet, the transparent electrode base material was bonded together so that the ITO transparent conductive film side which is a transparent electrode was opposed. After bonding, a UV curable resin was applied to the four outer sides, cured by UV light irradiation, finally sealed, and paneled to obtain an electronic paper (panel).
When the completed panel was placed vertically, the three twisted ball sheets arranged in the frame shifted and entered the space area between the counter electrodes. Due to the displacement, an area where the counter electrode was exposed from the display surface side was confirmed. Further, when a voltage was applied to the panel, the twist ball sheet on the space area between the counter electrodes was displayed in gray because the voltage was not sufficiently applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transparent electrode base material 1a ... Transparent base material 1b ... Transparent electrode 2 ... Counter electrode base material 2a ... Counter base material 2b ... Counter electrode 3 ... Sealing part 4 ... Twist ball layer 4a ... Twist ball 4b ... Solvent layer 5 ... Fixed part 10 ... Twisted ball type electronic paper (electronic paper)

Claims (3)

A transparent electrode substrate having a transparent substrate and a transparent electrode formed on the transparent substrate;
A counter electrode substrate having a counter substrate and a counter electrode formed on the counter substrate;
A sealing portion for sealing between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate;
Has a twist ball seat having a twisting ball and Solvent layer and configured twist ball layer plurality of the twist ball seat between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate is arranged in parallel ,
The transparent electrode substrate is disposed between the twisted ball sheets between the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate, and a position in plan view with respect to the transparent electrode substrate and the counter electrode substrate is fixed, and the transparent electrode substrate A fixing portion for fixing a position of the twist ball sheet in plan view with respect to the material and the counter electrode base material;
I have a,
The twisted ball type electronic paper , wherein the solvent layer includes a solvent and an elastomer sheet .   2. The twisted ball electronic paper according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is fixed on at least one surface of the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material.   The electronic paper has a frame portion arranged between the transparent electrode base material and the counter electrode base material and continuously arranged along an inner end portion of the sealing portion, and the fixing portion is The twisted ball type electronic paper according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the twisted ball type electronic paper is fixed using a frame portion.

Images