Electronic paper, electronic device and method for manufacturing electronic paper

Abstract

An electronic paper, an electronic device and a method for manufacturing the electronic paper, the electronic paper comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrode member, the first electrode and the second electrode being arranged oppositely and spaced apart in a first direction, the electrode member being arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a gap being provided between the first electrode and the electrode member to form a first space, a gap being provided between the second electrode and the electrode member to form a second space, the first space and the second space being connected and jointly constituting at least part of a circulation channel; a first fluid and a second fluid being arranged in the circulation channel in sequence, the first fluid and the second fluid being used to circulate in the circulation channel to realize switching of display states, at least one surface of the electronic paper in the first direction being used for display, in one of the display states, the first fluid being accommodated in one of the first space and the second space, and the second fluid being accommodated in the other of the first space and the second space. The electronic paper in the present application has good driving performance and can be displayed on a changing surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic paper, and in particular to an electronic paper, an electronic device and a method for manufacturing the electronic paper. Background Art

[0002] Electronic paper is a general term for paper-like display technology. This technology uses electric fields to control the directional movement of charged colored particles or ink to achieve display purposes. It has the characteristics of bistable and reflective. Electronic paper technology mainly includes electrophoretic and electrowetting.

[0003] The current electrowetting display technology changes the wettability of the solid-liquid interface by applying electricity to the droplets, thereby controlling the shrinkage and spread of the color ink, and then realizing the switching of pixels and the regulation of grayscale. The existing electrowetting electronic paper technology provides a small driving force, slow driving speed, and can only display on one side. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an electronic paper, an electronic device and a method for manufacturing the electronic paper, which can improve the driving performance of the electronic paper and realize the surface-changing display.

[0005] To achieve the purpose of this application, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an electronic paper, wherein the electronic paper comprises at least one pixel structure, wherein the pixel structure comprises:

[0007] A first electrode, a second electrode and an electrode member, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart, the electrode member is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a gap is formed between the first electrode and the electrode member to form a first space, and a gap is formed between the second electrode and the electrode member to form a second space, and the first space and the second space are connected and together constitute at least a part of a circulation channel;

[0008] A first fluid and a second fluid are sequentially arranged in the circulation channel, and the first fluid and the second fluid are used to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of display states. At least one surface of the electronic paper in the first direction is used for display. In one of the display states, the first fluid is contained in one of the first space and the second space, and the second fluid is contained in the other of the first space and the second space.

[0009] In one embodiment, the electrode member includes a third electrode and an insulating layer, and at least a portion of the surface of the third electrode is covered with the insulating layer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the pixel structure also includes a support frame, the support frame has a receiving space, the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member are all received in the receiving space, the electrode member and the support frame have a gap on one side in the second direction to form a first channel, the electrode member and the support frame have a gap on the other side in the second direction to form a second channel, the first channel and the second channel are both connected to the first space and the second space, and the first channel, the second channel, the first space and the second space together constitute the circulation channel, and the second direction intersects with the first direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, a first distance A is defined between the first electrode and the electrode member, and a second distance B is defined between the electrode member and one side of the support frame in the second direction, satisfying: A=B.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pixel structure further includes a third fluid, the third fluid is contained in the circulation channel, and the first fluid, the third fluid and the second fluid are sequentially arranged in the circulation channel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pixel structure further includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are arranged opposite to and spaced apart from each other, the first electrode is arranged on a surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, the second electrode is arranged on a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and the first substrate and / or the second substrate are light-transmitting members.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electronic paper further includes a driving circuit, which is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member to drive the first fluid and the second fluid to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of display states.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising the electronic paper as described in any one of the various embodiments of the first aspect.

[0016] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a method for manufacturing an electronic paper, comprising:

[0017] Providing a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart;

[0018] Providing an electrode member, wherein the electrode member is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a gap is formed between the first electrode and the electrode member to form a first space, and a gap is formed between the second electrode and the electrode member to form a second space, and the first space and the second space are connected and together constitute at least a part of a circulation channel;

[0019] A first fluid and a second fluid are provided in sequence in the circulation channel, and the first fluid and the second fluid are used to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of display states. In one of the display states, the first fluid is contained in one of the first space and the second space, and the second fluid is contained in the other of the first space and the second space.

[0020] In one embodiment, an electrode member is provided, further comprising:

[0021] stacking a sacrificial layer on the first electrode;

[0022] Disposing the electrode member on the sacrificial layer;

[0023] The sacrificial layer is removed to form the first space.

[0024] By setting the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member, a first space is formed with a gap between the first electrode and the electrode member, and a second space is formed with a gap between the second electrode and the electrode member, and the first space is in the electric field formed by the first electrode and the electrode member, and the second space is in the electric field formed by the second electrode and the electrode member. Therefore, by setting the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member, the first fluid and the second fluid can circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of the display state, which is equivalent to providing double the driving force of the conventional electrowetting structure, and the driving performance is excellent. In addition, the two opposite surfaces of the electronic paper in the first direction can be used for display, and the surface-changing display can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the implementation methods of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some implementation methods of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 is a front view of a pixel structure of an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of a pixel structure of an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for making electronic paper according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 5 The present invention is a flow chart of providing an electrode member according to an embodiment.

[0031] Description of reference numerals:

[0032] 100-E-paper;

[0033] 10-pixel structure, 11-first electrode, 12-second electrode, 13-electrode member, 131-third electrode, 132-insulating layer, 14-circulating flow channel, 141-first space, 142-second space, 143-first channel, 144-second channel, 151-first fluid, 152-second fluid, 153-third fluid, 16-first substrate, 17-second substrate, 18-support frame, 181-first plate, 182-second plate, 183-third plate, 184-fourth plate;

[0034] 20- driving circuit;

[0035] Z-first direction, X-second direction, Y-third direction, A-first distance, B-second distance, C-third distance, D-fourth distance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there can be a central component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there can be a central component at the same time.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in this application and in the specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0039] In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0040] The embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, including the electronic paper in the embodiment of the present application. The electronic device can be an electronic book, an electronic newspaper, a billboard, a handwriting board, etc., without specific limitation. The electronic device adopts the electronic paper in the embodiment of the application, and the electronic paper has excellent driving performance and can realize the surface-changing display.

[0041] The electronic paper in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 3 An embodiment of the present application provides an electronic paper 100, including a driving circuit 20 and at least one pixel structure 10, and the driving circuit 20 is electrically connected to the pixel structure 10.

[0043] Optionally, there are multiple pixel structures 10, and the multiple pixel structures 10 are arranged in an array. The driving circuit 20 is electrically connected to the multiple pixel structures 10, and the multiple pixel structures 10 can be connected in series, in parallel, or partially in series and partially in parallel, without specific limitation.

[0044] Electronic paper 100 is a general term for a paper-like display technology that uses an electric field to control the directional movement of charged colored particles or ink to achieve the purpose of display. It has the characteristics of bistable and reflective. Bistable means that electronic paper 100 does not require any external power supply or only requires a small amount of electricity to maintain a static image, and only requires electricity when switching the display screen; reflective means that the electronic paper 100 itself does not emit light, and relies on ambient light reflection to form an image. At present, electronic paper 100 technology mainly includes electrophoretic and electrowetting technologies, among which electrophoretic electronic paper 100 technology has entered the commercial stage. However, the display principle of electrophoretic electronic paper 100 is based on the electrophoretic movement of solid particles, which makes it difficult for this technology to meet the response speed requirements of videoization. In addition, this technology also has technical shortcomings such as color distortion, flickering and afterimage when turning pages, which further limits the large-scale application of electronic paper 100. Therefore, researchers gradually focus on electrowetting electronic paper 100.

[0045] Electrowetting display technology changes the wettability of the solid-liquid interface by applying electricity to the droplets, thereby controlling the shrinkage and spreading of the colored ink, and then realizing the switching of pixels and the regulation of grayscale. Usually, ink is injected into the pixel grid of the pixel structure 10, and then the entire substrate is placed in a polar fluid (such as water) and encapsulated to form a display screen. When the pixel structure 10 is not powered, the ink covers the bottom of the pixel grid, and the pixel grid displays the color of the ink; after the upper ITO glass and the lower TFT substrate of the pixel grid are powered, the ink is pushed away by the water, and the pixel structure 10 presents the color of the bottom of the pixel grid (usually white). In this way, the color of the pixel grid can be switched by applying voltage.

[0046] The current electrowetting electronic paper 100 only moves through the upper ITO glass and the lower TFT substrate after being powered, and the driving force is relatively small. In addition, in a conventional electrowetting display device, when the voltage is at the maximum, the ink covering the pixel grid will be squeezed and contracted by the polar fluid and accumulated at the corners of the pixel grid, thereby displaying the color at the bottom of the pixel grid. However, the accumulated ink usually occupies a large area of ​​the pixel grid, thereby reducing the aperture ratio.

[0047] The electronic paper 100 in the embodiment of the present application adopts the pixel structure 10 in the embodiment of the present application. The pixel structure 10 has excellent driving performance, a large aperture ratio, and a good display effect.

[0048] Define the direction first. Please refer to Figure 1 , Z is the first direction, X is the second direction, Y is the third direction, and the first direction Z, the second direction X and the third direction Y intersect each other. Optionally, the first direction Z, the second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to each other.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1 The embodiment of the present application provides a pixel structure 10 for electronic paper 100. The pixel structure 10 includes a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12 and an electrode member 13. The first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart in a first direction Z. The electrode member 13 is arranged between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. There is a gap between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 to form a first space 141. There is a gap between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13 to form a second space 142. The first space 141 and the second space 142 are connected and together constitute at least a part of the circulation channel 14.

[0050] Optionally, the pixel structure 10 further includes a first substrate 16 and a second substrate 17 that are arranged opposite to and spaced apart from each other, the first electrode 11 is arranged on a surface of the first substrate 16 facing the second substrate 17 , and the second electrode 12 is arranged on a surface of the second substrate 17 facing the first substrate 16 .

[0051] Optionally, the first electrode 11 is manufactured on the first substrate 16 by deposition, exposure, etching and other processes, and the second electrode 12 is manufactured on the second substrate 17 by deposition, exposure, etching and other processes, without limitation. Optionally, the first substrates 16 of the multiple pixel structures are connected in sequence to form a plane, and the second substrates 17 of the multiple pixel structures are connected in sequence to form a plane. By setting the pixel structure 10 to also include the first substrate 16 and the second substrate 17 that are relatively and spaced apart, a support basis can be provided for the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, and used to display the color that the pixel structure 10 needs to present.

[0052] Optionally, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are arranged oppositely and spaced apart in the first direction Z, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are transparent electrodes commonly used in the art. The first electrode 11 is formed on the first substrate 16 by processes such as deposition, exposure, and etching. The manufacturing method of the second electrode 12 is similar to that of the first electrode 11, or the second electrode 12 is connected and fixed to the second substrate 17 by bonding, clamping, etc., without specific restrictions. In the prior art, only two opposing electrodes are set, and the fluid is driven to move by the driving force between the two electrodes. In the embodiment of the present application, the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13 are set, and the first space 141 is in the electric field formed by the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13, and the second space 142 is in the electric field formed by the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13. Therefore, by setting the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, all the fluids in the circulating flow channel 14 can be driven simultaneously, which is equivalent to providing a double driving force of the conventional electrowetting structure, and the driving performance is excellent.

[0053] Optionally, the first space 141 and the second space 142 may be directly connected or indirectly connected. In one embodiment, the first space 141 and the second space 142 are directly connected and together constitute the entire circulation channel 14; in another embodiment, the first space 141 and the second space 142 are indirectly connected and together constitute part of the circulation channel 14.

[0054] The pixel structure 10 also includes a first fluid 151 and a second fluid 152 sequentially arranged in the circulation channel 14. The first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are used to circulate in the circulation channel 14 to achieve switching of display states. At least one surface of the electronic paper 100 in the first direction Z is used for display. In one of the display states, the first fluid 151 is accommodated in one of the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the second fluid 152 is accommodated in the other of the first space 141 and the second space 142.

[0055] Optionally, the first fluid 151 and / or the second fluid 152 are polar fluids, and the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are immiscible. At least one of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 is set to be a polar fluid, and under the drive of the electric field generated between the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the third electrode 131, the polar fluid will produce a specific directional movement, and the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 can circulate in the circulation channel 14 to achieve the switching of the display state.

[0056] Optionally, at least one of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 is a colored fluid. For example, the first fluid 151 is a colored fluid, and the second fluid 152 is a transparent fluid; or, both the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are colored fluids. The color components of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 can be pigments or dyes, or can be particulate matter, without limitation. Specifically, the colors of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 can be black, red, green, blue, white, etc. The color of the first fluid 151 and the color of the second fluid 152 can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0057] Optionally, a driving circuit of the electronic paper is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member to drive the first fluid and the second fluid to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of the display state.

[0058] Optionally, the pixel structure 10 has multiple display states. When the first substrate 16 is used for display, in one display state, the first fluid 151 moves to the first space 141 under the action of the electrowetting effect, so that the electronic paper 100 presents the color of the first fluid 151, and the second fluid 152 is accommodated in the second space 142; in another display state, the second fluid 152 moves to the first space 141 under the action of the electrowetting effect, so that the electronic paper 100 presents the color of the second fluid 152, and the first fluid 151 is accommodated in the second space 142; in another display state, part of the first fluid 151 is accommodated in the first space 141, and another part is accommodated in the second space 142, and part of the second fluid 152 is accommodated in the first space 141, and another part is accommodated in the second space 142.

[0059] Optionally, there are multiple pixel structures 10, and the multiple pixel structures 10 can be in different display states. Taking black and white display as an example, when the electronic paper 100 is used, the display state of some pixel structures 10 is the color of the first fluid 151 (such as black), and the display state of other pixel structures 10 is the color of the second fluid 152 (if the second fluid 152 is a transparent fluid, the color of the electrode member 13 is displayed, such as white), and the display effect is rich.

[0060] In conventional traditional electrowetting electronic paper 100, the ink covering the pixel grid will be squeezed and contracted by the polar fluid and accumulated at the corners of the pixel grid, thereby displaying the color at the bottom of the pixel grid. However, the accumulated ink usually occupies a large area of ​​the pixel grid, thereby reducing the aperture ratio (the aperture ratio refers to the ratio between the area of ​​the part through which light passes after removing the wiring part and the transistor part of each pixel (these parts are usually hidden by a black matrix) and the overall area of ​​each pixel, representing the ratio of the effective light-transmitting area to the total area of ​​the pixel). The pixel structure 10 of the embodiment of the present application does not have this problem. When at the maximum aperture ratio, the first fluid 151 is contained in one of the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the second fluid 152 is contained in the other of the first space 141 and the second space 142. The aperture ratio is almost 100%, and the display effect is good.

[0061] In addition, due to the arrangement of the circulation channel 14, both surfaces of the electronic paper in the first direction Z can be used for display. In one display state, the first substrate 16 displays the color of the fluid in the first space 141 by reflection, and at the same time, the second substrate 17 displays the color of the fluid in the first space 141 by reflection, so that the surface switching display can be realized, which has a wide range of application scenarios.

[0062] The pixel structure 10 in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12 and an electrode member 13, a first space 141 is formed by a gap between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13, a second space 142 is formed by a gap between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, and the first space 141 is in the electric field formed by the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13, and the second space 142 is in the electric field formed by the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13. Therefore, by providing the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 can circulate in the circulation channel 14 to realize the switching of the display state, which is equivalent to providing double the driving force of the conventional electrowetting structure, and the driving performance is excellent, and the two opposite surfaces of the electronic paper in the first direction Z can be used for display, and the surface switching display can be realized.

[0063] Optional, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pixel structure 10 further includes a third fluid 153 , which is contained in the circulation channel 14 , and the first fluid 151 , the third fluid 153 , and the second fluid 152 are sequentially disposed in the circulation channel 14 .

[0064] Optionally, the third fluid 153 can be a polar fluid or a non-polar fluid. The third fluid 153 can be a colored fluid or a transparent fluid. The color of the colored fluid can be black, red, green, blue, white, etc. The color component can be a pigment or dye, or a granular substance, without limitation.

[0065] Optionally, the third fluid 153 is immiscible with the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152. A section of the third fluid 153 may be provided in the circulation channel 14, or multiple sections of the third fluid 153 may be provided. Specifically, in one embodiment, the first fluid 151, the second fluid 152, and the third fluid 153 are sequentially connected end to end; in another embodiment, the third fluid 153 is divided into two sections, wherein one section of the third fluid 153 connects one end of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, and the other section of the third fluid 153 connects the other end of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, that is, the third fluid 153, the first fluid 151, the third fluid 153, and the second fluid 152 are sequentially provided in the circulation channel 14. At this time, the third fluid 153 is immiscible with the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, but since both ends of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are separated by the third fluid 153, the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 may be soluble in each other or immiscible in each other, and there is no specific limitation.

[0066] Optionally, the pixel structure 10 further includes a fourth fluid, which is contained in the circulation channel 14, and two adjacent fluids are immiscible. Similarly, the pixel structure 10 may further include a fifth fluid, a sixth fluid, etc., which are arranged in a similar manner to the third fluid 153 and the fourth fluid, and the two adjacent fluids are immiscible. Different fluids can dissolve different color pigments to enrich the display effect of the electronic paper 100.

[0067] By setting the pixel structure 10 to also include a third fluid 153, the third fluid 153 is contained in the circulation channel 14, and one end of the third fluid 153 is connected to the first fluid 151, and the other end is connected to the second fluid 152. The first fluid 151, the second fluid 152 and the third fluid 153 can respectively dissolve pigments of different colors to form colored fluids of different colors, thereby enriching the display effect.

[0068] Optional, such as Figure 1 As shown, the electrode member 13 includes a third electrode 131 and an insulating layer 132 , and the surface of the third electrode 131 is covered with the insulating layer 132 .

[0069] Optionally, the material of the insulating layer 132 may be a super-hydrophobic insulating layer 132 commonly used in the art, and is not specifically limited.

[0070] In one embodiment, an insulating layer 132 is provided on one side of the first electrode 11 facing the electrode member 13 and on one side of the second electrode 12 facing the electrode member 13. At this time, the surface of the third electrode 131 may be covered with the insulating layer 132, or may not be covered with the insulating layer 132, or the insulating layer 132 only covers at least a portion of the third electrode 131, without any specific limitation.

[0071] Optionally, a potential difference is formed between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 and between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13. When the potential difference between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is zero, the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 will not be electrolyzed. Therefore, the first electrode 11 facing the electrode member 13 and the second electrode 12 facing the electrode member 13 may not be provided with an insulating layer. Figure 1 shown.

[0072] Optionally, a gap is provided between the insulating layer 132 and the first electrode 11 to form a first space 141 , and a gap is provided between the insulating layer 132 and the second electrode 12 to form a second space 142 .

[0073] By setting the electrode member 13 to include the third fluid 153 and the insulating layer 132, the insulating layer 132 can make the fluid spread on the surface of the insulating layer 132 in a natural state, and the characteristic that the fluid can move back and forth by switching the electrodes under the action of the electrowetting effect can realize a bistable display. In addition, one of the first electrode 11 and the third electrode 131, and one of the second electrode 12 and the third electrode 131 need to be provided with the insulating layer 132 to avoid the electrical connection between the electrodes causing electrolysis of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152.

[0074] Optional, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pixel structure 10 further includes a support frame 18, and the support frame 18 has a receiving space (not shown in the figure), and the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13 are all received in the receiving space. The electrode member 13 and the support frame 18 have a gap on one side in the second direction X to form a first channel 143, and the electrode member 13 and the support frame 18 have a gap on the other side in the second direction X to form a second channel 144. The first channel 143 and the second channel 144 are both connected to the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the first channel 143, the second channel 144, the first space 141 and the second space 142 together constitute the circulation channel 14.

[0075] Optionally, the support frame 18 includes a first plate 181 and a second plate 182 that are arranged opposite to each other, a gap between the electrode member 13 and the first plate 181 forms a first channel 143 , and a gap between the electrode member 13 and the second plate 182 forms a second channel 144 .

[0076] Optional, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first plate 181 and the second plate 182 are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction X, and the support frame 18 further includes a third plate 183 and a fourth plate 184 arranged opposite to each other in the third direction Y. The first plate 181, the third plate 183, the second plate 182 and the fourth plate 184 are sequentially connected end to end to form the support frame 18. The shape of the support frame 18 can be rectangular, square, etc., and is not specifically limited.

[0077] Optionally, the support frame 18 may be an integrated structure, that is, the support frame 18 is an integrated structure made by an integrated molding process, and the manufacturing process may be photolithography, etching, etc., which is not specifically limited. Alternatively, the support frame 18 is a split structure, and the first plate 181, the third plate 183, the second plate 182 and the fourth plate 184 are connected and fixed by bonding, clamping, etc.

[0078] Optionally, the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are respectively connected to opposite ends of the support frame 18 and close the support frame 18. The circulation channel 14 formed by the first channel 143, the second channel 144, the first space 141 and the second space 142 is projected on the first plate 181 in a rectangular or square shape.

[0079] Optionally, the fluid may flow clockwise in the circulation channel 14 (i.e., circulate in the order of the first space 141, the first channel 143, the second space 142, and the second channel 144), or the fluid may flow counterclockwise in the circulation channel 14 (i.e., circulate in the order of the first space 141, the second channel 144, the second space 142, and the first channel 143), without any specific limitation.

[0080] In one embodiment, the circulation channel 14 includes only the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, and the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 fill the entire circulation channel 14. In one display state, the first fluid 151 is contained in one of the first space 141 and the second space 142, the second fluid 152 is contained in the other of the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the first channel 143 and the second channel 144 contain at least part of the first fluid 151 and / or the second fluid 152.

[0081] In another embodiment, the circulation channel 14 includes a first fluid 151, a second fluid 152 and a third fluid 153. The third fluid 153 is divided into two sections, one section of the third fluid 153 connects one end of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, and the other section of the third fluid 153 connects the other end of the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152, and the first fluid 151, the second fluid 152 and the third fluid 153 fill the entire circulation channel 14. In one display state, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the first fluid 151 is contained in one of the first space 141 and the second space 142 , the second fluid 152 is contained in the other of the first space 141 and the second space 142 , and the first channel 143 and the second channel 144 respectively contain a section of the third fluid 153 .

[0082] The pixel structure 10 also includes a support frame 18, and the support frame 18 includes a first plate 181 and a second plate 182 that are relatively arranged. The electrode member 13 and the first plate 181 have a gap to form a first channel 143, and the electrode member 13 and the second plate 182 have a gap to form a second channel 144. The first channel 143, the second channel 144, the first space 141 and the second space 142 together constitute a circulating channel 14. The fluid in the circulating channel 14 can circulate, and a switching display can be realized, which has a wide range of application scenarios.

[0083] Optional, such as Figure 2 As shown, the electrode member 13 is connected to the third plate 183 and the fourth plate 184 in the third direction Y. With such arrangement, the fluid in the circulation channel 14 can only flow along the second direction X and the first direction Z, thereby avoiding color mixing between the fluids.

[0084] Optionally, there is a first distance A between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 , and there is a second distance B between the electrode member 13 and one side of the support frame 18 in the second direction X, satisfying: A=B.

[0085] Optionally, the second distance B is the distance between the first plate 181 and the electrode member 13 .

[0086] The first distance A between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 refers to the size of the first space 141 in the first direction Z, and the second distance B between the first plate 181 and the electrode member 13 refers to the size of the first channel 143 in the second direction X.

[0087] Optionally, there is a third distance C between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, and there is a fourth distance D between the second plate 182 and the electrode member 13, satisfying: C=D.

[0088] Optionally, it also satisfies: A=B=C=D.

[0089] Similarly, the third distance C between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13 refers to the size of the second space 142 in the first direction Z, and the fourth distance D between the second plate 182 and the electrode member 13 refers to the size of the second channel 144 in the second direction X.

[0090] By setting the first distance A between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 and the second distance B between the first plate 181 and the electrode member 13 to be equal, further, the first distance A, the second distance B, the third distance C between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, and the fourth distance D between the second plate 182 and the electrode member 13 are all equal, that is, the inner diameter of the circulation channel 14 is consistent at all locations, thereby preventing different fluids from mixing when the fluid switches between spaces and channels (for example, flowing from the first channel 143 to the first space 141, the first space 141 to the second channel 144, etc.), thereby preventing color mixing.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 4 The present application also provides a method for manufacturing an electronic paper 100, including:

[0092] Step S10, providing a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12 that are oppositely and spaced apart;

[0093] Step S20, providing an electrode member 13, wherein the electrode member 13 is disposed between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, and a gap is formed between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13 to form a first space 141, and a gap is formed between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13 to form a second space 142, and the first space 141 and the second space 142 are connected and together constitute at least a part of the circulation channel 14;

[0094] In step S30, a first fluid 151 and a second fluid 152 are provided in sequence in the circulation channel 14. The first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are used to circulate in the circulation channel 14 to achieve switching of display states. In one of the display states, the first fluid 151 is accommodated in one of the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the second fluid 152 is accommodated in the other of the first space 141 and the second space 142.

[0095] Optionally, providing the first electrode 11 includes: providing a first substrate 16, and manufacturing the first electrode 11 on the first substrate 16 by deposition, exposure, etching, etc. The deposition process may be physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), etc., without specific limitation.

[0096] Optionally, providing the second electrode 12 includes: providing a second substrate 17 , and fixing the second electrode 12 to the second substrate 17 .

[0097] The electronic paper 100 in the embodiment of the present application is provided with a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12 and an electrode member 13, a first space 141 is formed with a gap between the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13, a second space 142 is formed with a gap between the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, and the first space 141 is in the electric field formed by the first electrode 11 and the electrode member 13, and the second space 142 is in the electric field formed by the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13. Therefore, by providing the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 and the electrode member 13, the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 can circulate in the circulation channel 14 to realize the switching of the display state, which is equivalent to providing double the driving force of the conventional electrowetting structure, and the driving performance is excellent.

[0098] Optionally, the method for manufacturing the pixel structure 10 further includes:

[0099] A support frame 18 is provided, and the support frame 18 includes a first plate 181 and a second plate 182 that are arranged opposite to each other. The electrode member 13 and the first plate 181 have a gap to form a first channel 143, and the electrode member 13 and the second plate 182 have a gap to form a second channel 144. The first channel 143 and the second channel 144 are both connected to the first space 141 and the second space 142, and the first channel 143, the second channel 144, the first space 141 and the second space 142 together constitute a circulation channel 14.

[0100] Optionally, the support frame 18 is manufactured by a photolithography process on the first electrode 11. After the support frame 18 is manufactured, the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 are sequentially arranged in the circulation channel 14, the second electrode 12 and the second substrate 17 are arranged at one end of the support frame 18 facing away from the first electrode 11, the second electrode 12 is connected to the support frame 18, the first substrate 16, the support frame 18 and the second substrate 17 jointly enclose the receiving space, and the pixel structure 10 is manufactured.

[0101] The pixel structure 10 also includes a support frame 18, and the support frame 18 includes a first plate 181 and a second plate 182 that are relatively arranged. The electrode member 13 and the first plate 181 have a gap to form a first channel 143, and the electrode member 13 and the second plate 182 have a gap to form a second channel 144. The first channel 143, the second channel 144, the first space 141 and the second space 142 together constitute a circulating channel 14. The fluid in the circulating channel 14 can circulate, and a switching display can be realized, which has a wide range of application scenarios.

[0102] Optionally, an electrode member 13 is provided, such as Figure 5 As shown, it also includes:

[0103] Step S21, stacking a sacrificial layer on the first electrode 11;

[0104] Step S22, disposing an electrode member 13 on the sacrificial layer;

[0105] Step S23 , removing the sacrificial layer to form the first space 141 .

[0106] Optionally, stacking a sacrificial layer on the first electrode 11 includes: dripping a solution (such as ink) into the support frame 18, and then drying the solvent in the solution to form a film of a certain thickness, i.e., the sacrificial layer, and the thickness of the sacrificial layer is the first distance A.

[0107] Optionally, the electrode member 13 includes a third electrode 131 and an insulating layer 132 . The insulating layer 132 includes a first insulating layer (not shown) and a second insulating layer. The first insulating layer and the second insulating layer are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the third electrode 131 .

[0108] Arranging the electrode member 13 on the sacrificial layer includes: depositing a first insulating layer on the sacrificial layer, manufacturing a third electrode 131 on the first insulating layer by processes such as deposition, exposure, and etching, and then depositing a second insulating layer on the third electrode 131. The second insulating layer is perforated so that the electrode member 13 has a gap with the first plate 181 of the support frame 18 in the second direction X to form a first channel 143, the electrode member 13 has a gap with the second plate 182 in the second direction X to form a second channel 144, and is connected to the third plate 183 and the fourth plate 184 of the support frame 18 in the third direction Y.

[0109] Optionally, removing the sacrificial layer to form the first space 141 includes: dripping a dissolving agent, and soaking the solute in the dissolving solution to remove the sacrificial layer to form the first space 141 .

[0110] After the first space 141 is formed, step S30 is performed to sequentially place the first fluid 151 and the second fluid 152 in the circulation channel 14. Finally, the fixed support frame 18 and the second substrate 17 with the second electrode 12 are connected, and the pixel structure 10 is completed.

[0111] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship of terms such as "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or positional relationship described in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0112] What is disclosed above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and it certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of rights of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can understand that all or part of the processes of implementing the above embodiment and equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present application are still within the scope covered by the present application.

Claims

1. An electronic paper, characterized in that: The electronic paper includes at least one pixel structure, and the pixel structure includes: A first electrode, a second electrode and an electrode member, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart in a first direction, the electrode member is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a gap is formed between the first electrode and the electrode member to form a first space, and a gap is formed between the second electrode and the electrode member to form a second space, the electrode member has a first channel on one side of the second direction, and the electrode member has a second channel on the other side of the second direction, and the first channel and the second channel are both connected to the first space and the second space, the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first space, the first channel, the second space and the second channel are connected in sequence and together constitute a circulation channel; A first fluid and a second fluid are sequentially arranged in the circulation channel, the first fluid and the second fluid are used to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of display states, and at least one surface of the electronic paper in the first direction is used for display; a third fluid, wherein the third fluid is divided into two sections, wherein one section of the third fluid connects one end of the first fluid and the second fluid, and the other section of the third fluid connects the other end of the first fluid and the second fluid, and in one display state, the first fluid is contained in one of the first space and the second space, the second fluid is contained in the other of the first space and the second space, and the first channel and the second channel respectively contain one section of the third fluid; The first fluid, the second fluid and the third fluid flow clockwise in the circulation channel, or the first fluid, the second fluid and the third fluid flow counterclockwise in the circulation channel.

2. The electronic paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode member includes a third electrode and an insulating layer, and a surface of the third electrode is covered with the insulating layer.

3. The electronic paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pixel structure also includes a support frame, which has a receiving space, and the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member are all received in the receiving space. The electrode member and the support frame have a gap on one side in the second direction to form the first channel, and the electrode member and the support frame have a gap on the other side in the second direction to form the second channel.

4. The electronic paper according to claim 3, characterized in that: There is a first distance A between the first electrode and the electrode member, and there is a second distance B between the electrode member and one side of the support frame in the second direction, satisfying: A=B.

5. The electronic paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pixel structure also includes a first substrate and a second substrate that are arranged opposite to each other and spaced apart. The first electrode is arranged on a surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The second electrode is arranged on a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate. The first substrate and / or the second substrate are light-transmitting members.

6. The electronic paper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic paper further includes a driving circuit, which is electrically connected to the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrode member to drive the first fluid and the second fluid to circulate in the circulation channel to switch the display state.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic paper comprises the electronic paper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for manufacturing electronic paper, characterized in that: include: providing a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart in a first direction; An electrode member is provided, wherein the electrode member is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a gap is formed between the first electrode and the electrode member to form a first space, and a gap is formed between the second electrode and the electrode member to form a second space, the electrode member forms a first channel on one side of a second direction, and the electrode member forms a second channel on the other side of the second direction, and the first channel and the second channel are both connected to the first space and the second space, the second direction intersects with the first direction, and the first space, the first channel, the second space and the second channel are connected in sequence and together constitute a circulation channel; Providing a first fluid and a second fluid sequentially arranged in the circulation channel, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are used to circulate in the circulation channel to achieve switching of display states; Providing a third fluid, wherein the third fluid has two sections, wherein one section of the third fluid connects one end of the first fluid and the second fluid, and the other section of the third fluid connects the other end of the first fluid and the second fluid, and in one display state, the first fluid is contained in one of the first space and the second space, the second fluid is contained in the other of the first space and the second space, and the first channel and the second channel respectively contain one section of the third fluid; The first fluid, the second fluid and the third fluid flow clockwise in the circulation channel, or the first fluid, the second fluid and the third fluid flow counterclockwise in the circulation channel.

9. The method for manufacturing electronic paper according to claim 8, characterized in that: An electrode component is provided, further comprising: stacking a sacrificial layer on the first electrode; Disposing the electrode member on the sacrificial layer; The sacrificial layer is removed to form the first space.

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