Electrophoretic display device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrophoretic display device and a method for manufacturing the same. The electrophoretic display device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a plurality of insulating patterns, a second conductive layer, and an electrophoretic display film. The first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of background patterns and a plurality of signal lines. Each signal line is located between two adjacent background patterns. The insulating patterns cover the signal lines respectively and are bridged to the two adjacent background patterns. The second conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive patterns. The conductive patterns cover the insulating patterns respectively and are bridged to the two adjacent background patterns. The electrophoretic display film is disposed above the second conductive layer. The electrophoretic display device and the method for manufacturing the same of the present invention can solve the existing signal line mark problem without increasing the number of masks, and has a lower process cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular to an electrophoretic display device and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, segmented electronic paper displays have the characteristics of ultra-low power consumption, lightness, and durability. Under direct sunlight, segmented electronic paper displays can clearly display content and can still display images without power connection. In current segmented electrophoretic displays, the trace line mark in the background area, that is, the line mark of the data line, is reduced by controlling the waveform. The above scheme can make the product price competitive, but the display cannot be partially updated. In order to solve the problem that the display cannot be partially updated, the prior art adopts the method of setting the background pattern and the data line on opposite sides of the circuit board (such as FPC or PCB) respectively, and connecting them through conductive through holes. Since the data line is set on the different side from the background pattern, the line mark of the data line cannot be seen during the update. However, the above scheme requires additional driver chips to drive, such as plastic packages or thin film chips (Chip On Flim, COF), thereby increasing the production cost. Another way is to use a three-step photomask process to produce the same structure as a circuit board (such as an FPC or PCB). However, the three-step photomask process is not only time-consuming and expensive, but also not suitable for manufacturers with only one-step photomask process capability. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display device, which can solve the problem of line marks on existing signal lines.

[0004] The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, which is used to manufacture the above-mentioned electrophoretic display device, can solve the existing signal line mark problem without increasing the number of masks, and has a lower process cost.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrophoretic display device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a plurality of insulating patterns, a second conductive layer, and an electrophoretic display film. The first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of background patterns and a plurality of signal lines. Each signal line is located between two adjacent background patterns. The insulating patterns cover the signal lines respectively and are bridged to the two adjacent background patterns. The second conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive patterns. The conductive patterns cover the insulating patterns respectively and are bridged to the two adjacent background patterns. The electrophoretic display film is disposed above the second conductive layer.

[0006] In the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the material of the insulating pattern includes silicon oxide.

[0007] In the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the material of the second conductive layer is different from that of the first conductive layer, and the material of the second conductive layer includes conductive high molecular polymer (PEDOT).

[0008] In the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrophoretic display film comprises a display medium layer and a common electrode. The display medium layer comprises an electrophoretic liquid and a plurality of charged particles of different colors distributed in the electrophoretic liquid. The common electrode is disposed on the display medium layer.

[0009] In the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrophoretic display device further includes an adhesive layer covering the second conductive layer, wherein the electrophoretic display film is adhered to the substrate through the adhesive layer.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device includes the following steps. A first conductive layer is formed on a substrate. The first conductive layer includes a plurality of background patterns and a plurality of signal lines, and each signal line is located between two adjacent background patterns. A plurality of insulating patterns are formed by screen printing. The insulating patterns cover the signal lines respectively and are bridged to two adjacent background patterns. A second conductive layer is formed by screen printing. The second conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive patterns, and the conductive patterns cover the insulating patterns respectively and are bridged to two adjacent background patterns. An electrophoretic display film is arranged above the second conductive layer.

[0011] In the manufacturing method of the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, before disposing the electrophoretic display film on the second conductive layer, an adhesive layer is formed to cover the second conductive layer. The electrophoretic display film is bonded to the substrate through the adhesive layer.

[0012] In the method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of the insulating pattern includes silicon oxide.

[0013] In the method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of the second conductive layer is different from that of the first conductive layer, and the material of the second conductive layer includes a conductive high polymer.

[0014] In the manufacturing method of the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrophoretic display film comprises a display medium layer and a common electrode. The display medium layer comprises an electrophoretic liquid and a plurality of charged particles of different colors distributed in the electrophoretic liquid. The common electrode is disposed on the display medium layer.

[0015] Based on the above, in the electrophoretic display device and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention, an insulating pattern of an insulating signal line is first formed by screen printing, and then a conductive pattern covering the insulating pattern and bridging to two adjacent background patterns is formed by screen printing. In this way, the second conductive layer including a plurality of conductive patterns can have the same potential as the background pattern to shield the electric field generated by the signal line. When the electric field of the signal line is shielded by the second conductive layer, no line mark of the signal line is generated. In short, the present invention forms the insulating pattern and the second conductive layer by screen printing, reduces the number of masks by not using a lithography process, and can have a lower process cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figures 1A to 1D is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C They are Figures 1A to 1C Schematic top view of .

[0018] Description of Reference Numerals

[0019] 100: electrophoretic display device;

[0020] 110: substrate;

[0021] 120: first conductive layer;

[0022] 122: background pattern;

[0023] 124: signal line;

[0024] 130: insulation pattern;

[0025] 140: second conductive layer;

[0026] 142: conductive pattern;

[0027] 150: electrophoretic display film;

[0028] 152: display medium layer;

[0029] 152a: electrophoresis fluid;

[0030] 152b: black charged particles;

[0031] 152c: white charged particles;

[0032] 154: common electrode;

[0033] 160: adhesive layer;

[0034] 170: Foreground pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0036] Figures 1A to 1D It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C They are Figures 1A to 1C It should be noted that Figures 1A to 1C Along FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C Schematic cross-sectional view of line II in FIG.

[0037] First, please also refer to Figure 1A and Figure 2A , regarding the manufacturing method of the electrophoretic display device of the present embodiment, a first conductive layer 120 is formed on the substrate 110, wherein the method for forming the first conductive layer 120 includes coating photoresist, exposure, development and etching procedures. That is, the manufacturing method of the first conductive layer 120 is formed by photolithography and etching. Further, the first conductive layer 120 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of background patterns 122 and a plurality of signal lines 124, wherein each signal line 124 is located between two adjacent background patterns 122. Here, the substrate 110 is, for example, a glass substrate, a flexible substrate or other suitable substrate, and the signal line 124 is, for example, a data line, but not limited thereto. The material of the first conductive layer 120 is, for example, a transparent conductive material, such as indium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide or indium zinc oxide, but not limited thereto. The plurality of signal lines 124 are used to transmit signals to the foreground pattern 170, so that the color or grayscale to be displayed by the foreground pattern 170 is transmitted through the signal line 124. The background pattern 122 and the foreground pattern 170 have different colors or grayscales.

[0038] Next, please also refer to Figure 1B and Figure 2B, a plurality of insulating patterns 130 are formed by screen printing, wherein the material of the insulating patterns 130 is, for example, silicon oxide or other suitable insulating materials, which are not limited here. In the present embodiment, the insulating patterns 130 respectively cover the signal lines 124 and are bridged to two adjacent background patterns 122. In other words, the insulating pattern 130 of the present embodiment can be regarded as a bridge, which completely covers the signal line 124 and is bridged to two adjacent background patterns 122. In other words, the orthographic projection area of ​​the insulating pattern 130 on the substrate 110 is larger than the orthographic projection area of ​​the corresponding signal line 124 on the substrate 110. It should be noted that the insulating pattern 130 here is for insulating the signal line 124, and for the reliability of the subsequent process, the insulating pattern 130 must be bridged to two adjacent background patterns 122 to avoid leakage in the subsequent process and affect the function of the first conductive layer 120.

[0039] Afterwards, please also refer to Figure 1C and Figure 2C , the second conductive layer 140 is formed by screen printing. The second conductive layer 140 includes a plurality of conductive patterns 142, and the conductive patterns 142 respectively cover the insulating patterns 130 and are connected to two adjacent background patterns 122. That is to say, the conductive patterns 142 of the present embodiment are separated from each other and are respectively arranged corresponding to the insulating patterns 130. Here, the material of the second conductive layer 140 is different from the material of the first conductive layer 120, wherein the material of the second conductive layer 140 is, for example, an organic polymer conductive material, such as a conductive polymer (PEDOT) or other conductive materials, but is not limited thereto. Since the conductive patterns 142 of the second conductive layer 140 of the present embodiment are connected to two adjacent background patterns 122, the second conductive layer 140 and the background pattern 122 have the same potential (i.e., a short circuit is formed). Thus, the electric field generated by the signal line 124 can be shielded by the arrangement of the conductive pattern 142, and when the electric field of the signal line 124 is shielded, the line mark of the signal line 124 is not generated.

[0040] Next, please refer to Figure 1D , an adhesive layer 160 may be formed to cover the second conductive layer 140 . Here, the adhesive layer 160 covers the conductive pattern 142 of the second conductive layer 140 and the background pattern 122 of the first conductive layer 120 .

[0041] Finally, please refer to Figure 1D, an electrophoretic display film 150 is disposed above the second conductive layer 140, wherein the electrophoretic display film 150 can be bonded to the substrate 110 through an adhesive layer 160. Here, the electrophoretic display film 150 includes a display medium layer 152 and a common electrode 154. The display medium layer 152 includes an electrophoretic liquid 152a and a plurality of charged particles of different colors distributed in the electrophoretic liquid 152a, such as a plurality of black charged particles 152b and a plurality of white charged particles 152c, but not limited to such colors. The common electrode 154 is disposed on the display medium layer 152, that is, the display medium layer 152 is located between the common electrode 154 and the adhesive layer 160. At this point, the manufacture of the electrophoretic display device 100 has been completed, wherein the electrophoretic display device 100 is, for example, a segment code electrophoretic display device. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer 160 may be first formed on the electrophoretic display film 150 , that is, the electrophoretic display film 150 includes an adhesive layer 160 , a display medium layer 152 and a common electrode 154 . Afterwards, the electrophoretic display film 150 may be directly bonded to the substrate 110 through the adhesive layer 160 .

[0042] In terms of structure, please refer to Figure 1D The electrophoretic display device 100 of the present embodiment includes a substrate 110, a first conductive layer 120, an insulating pattern 130, a second conductive layer 140, and an electrophoretic display film 150. The first conductive layer 120 is disposed on the substrate 110, and includes a background pattern 122 and a signal line 124. Each signal line 124 is located between two adjacent background patterns 122. The insulating pattern 130 covers the signal line 124 respectively and is connected to the two adjacent background patterns 122. The second conductive layer 140 includes a conductive pattern 142, wherein the conductive pattern 142 covers the insulating pattern 130 respectively and is connected to the two adjacent background patterns 122. The electrophoretic display film 150 is disposed above the second conductive layer 140, wherein the electrophoretic display film 150 includes a display medium layer 152 and a common electrode 154, wherein the common electrode 154 is disposed on the display medium layer 152. The display medium layer 152 includes an electrophoretic liquid 152a and black charged particles 152b and white charged particles 152c distributed in the electrophoretic liquid 152a. In addition, the electrophoretic display device 100 further includes an adhesive layer 160, wherein the adhesive layer 160 covers the second conductive layer 140, and the electrophoretic display film 150 is bonded to the substrate 110 via the adhesive layer 160.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the material of the insulating pattern 130 is, for example, silicon oxide or other insulating materials, and is formed on the signal line 124 by screen printing and cross-connected to two adjacent background patterns 122, thereby isolating the signal line 124 from the second conductive layer 140. Furthermore, the present embodiment is formed on the second conductive layer 140 by screen printing, wherein the conductive pattern 142 of the second conductive layer 140 covers the insulating pattern 130 and cross-connected to two adjacent background patterns 122, so that the second conductive layer 140 and the background pattern 122 have the same potential (i.e., a short circuit is formed). Thus, the electric field generated by the signal line 124 can be shielded by the provision of the conductive pattern 142, and when the electric field of the signal line 124 is shielded, the line mark of the signal line 124 is not generated. In addition, the material of the second conductive layer 140 of this embodiment is different from the material of the first conductive layer 120 , wherein the material of the second conductive layer 140 may be, for example, an organic polymer conductive material such as conductive polymer (PEDOT) or other conductive materials, but is not limited thereto.

[0044] In short, compared to the existing wave form or lithography process to avoid line marks on the data line, the electrophoretic display device 100 of the present embodiment uses screen printing to form the insulating pattern 130 and the second conductive layer 140. Therefore, the present embodiment can effectively reduce the number of masks used to maintain only one photo process, and because there is no need to match the waveform, the electrophoretic display device 100 can also be partially updated. In addition, compared to the existing display in which the display electrodes and the data lines are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the circuit board and connected by conductive through holes, the present embodiment does not need to add a driver and does not need to use three photo processes, so the manufacturing cost can be effectively reduced.

[0045] In summary, in the electrophoretic display device and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention, an insulating pattern of an insulating signal line is first formed by screen printing, and then a conductive pattern covering the insulating pattern and bridging to two adjacent background patterns is formed by screen printing. In this way, the second conductive layer including a plurality of conductive patterns can have the same potential as the background pattern to shield the electric field generated by the signal line. When the electric field of the signal line is shielded by the second conductive layer, no line mark of the signal line is generated. In short, the present invention forms the insulating pattern and the second conductive layer by screen printing, reduces the number of masks by not using a lithography process, and can have a lower process cost.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrophoretic display device, characterized in that: include: substrate; A first conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of background patterns and a plurality of signal lines, wherein each of the plurality of signal lines is located between two adjacent background patterns; A plurality of foreground patterns are electrically connected to the plurality of signal lines so that the grayscale of the foreground pattern is different from the grayscale of the plurality of background patterns, A plurality of insulating patterns, respectively covering the plurality of signal lines and bridging two adjacent plurality of background patterns; The second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive patterns, wherein the plurality of conductive patterns respectively cover the plurality of insulating patterns and are bridged to two adjacent background patterns; as well as The electrophoretic display film is disposed above the second conductive layer.

2. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the plurality of insulating patterns includes silicon oxide.

3. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the second conductive layer is different from that of the first conductive layer, and the material of the second conductive layer includes conductive high polymer.

4. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrophoretic display film comprises: A display medium layer includes an electrophoretic liquid and a plurality of charged particles of different colors distributed in the electrophoretic liquid; and The common electrode is arranged on the display medium layer.

5. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: An adhesive layer covers the second conductive layer, wherein the electrophoretic display film is bonded to the substrate through the adhesive layer.

6. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device, characterized in that: include: Forming a first conductive layer on the substrate, wherein the first conductive layer includes a plurality of background patterns and a plurality of signal lines, and each of the plurality of signal lines is located between two adjacent background patterns; forming a plurality of foreground patterns, electrically connecting the plurality of signal lines so that the grayscale of the foreground pattern is different from the grayscale of the plurality of background patterns, Forming a plurality of insulating patterns by screen printing, wherein the plurality of insulating patterns respectively cover the plurality of signal lines and are bridged to two adjacent plurality of background patterns; forming a second conductive layer by screen printing, wherein the second conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive patterns, and the plurality of conductive patterns respectively cover the plurality of insulating patterns and bridge two adjacent background patterns; and An electrophoretic display film is disposed above the second conductive layer.

7. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: Before disposing the electrophoretic display film on the second conductive layer, an adhesive layer is formed, and the electrophoretic display film is adhered to the substrate through the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer covers the second conductive layer.

8. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the plurality of insulating patterns includes silicon oxide.

9. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the second conductive layer is different from that of the first conductive layer, and the material of the second conductive layer includes conductive high polymer.

10. The method for manufacturing an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electrophoretic display film comprises: A display medium layer includes an electrophoretic liquid and a plurality of charged particles of different colors distributed in the electrophoretic liquid; and The common electrode is arranged on the display medium layer.

Images