Electronic paper display panel, preparation method of electronic paper display panel and display device

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic paper display panel, a preparation method of the electronic paper display panel and a display device, and relates to the technical field of display, the electronic paper display panel comprises an array substrate, an electrophoresis layer, a common electrode layer, a peep-proof switching layer and a control electrode substrate, the electrophoresis layer, the common electrode layer, the peep-proof switching layer and the control electrode substrate are sequentially arranged on the array substrate; the peep-proof switching layer comprises a cavity structure, a light guide structure layer, a solution and charged resin particles, the cavity structure is arranged on the side, away from the electrophoresis layer, of the common electrode, the light guide structure layer is arranged in the cavity structure, the control electrode is arranged on the side, away from the common electrode layer, of the cavity structure, and the solution is arranged in the cavity structure. The solution and the charged resin particles are filled in the cavity structure, and the control electrode substrate is used for driving the charged resin particles to move up and down. Through the above design, switching between the sharing mode and the peep-proof mode is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to an electronic paper display panel, a method for preparing the electronic paper display panel, and a display device. Background Technology

[0002] Privacy-protected e-paper display panels can prevent others from peeping at the content being read or sensitive notifications. For example, when e-paper display panels are used in public places, the viewing angle of the e-paper display panel is limited to within ±30° to protect user privacy and prevent third-party peeping.

[0003] The question of how to enable an e-paper display panel to switch between privacy mode and sharing mode has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide an electronic paper display panel, a method for preparing the electronic paper display panel, and a display device, which enables switching between sharing mode and privacy mode.

[0005] This application discloses an electronic paper display panel, which includes an array substrate, an electrophoretic layer, a common electrode layer, a privacy switching layer, and a control electrode substrate, wherein the electrophoretic layer, the common electrode layer, the privacy switching layer, and the control electrode substrate are sequentially disposed on the array substrate;

[0006] The privacy switching layer includes a cavity structure, a light guide structure layer, a solution, and charged resin microparticles. The cavity structure is disposed on the side of the common electrode away from the electrophoretic layer. The light guide structure layer is disposed within the cavity structure. The control electrode substrate is disposed on the side of the cavity structure away from the common electrode layer. The solution and the charged resin microparticles fill the cavity structure. The control electrode substrate is used to drive the charged resin microparticles to move up and down.

[0007] Optionally, the electronic paper display panel includes multiple pixel unit regions, and the cavity structure includes a cavity chamber and a cavity baffle. The cavity baffle is disposed in the cavity chamber and divides the cavity chamber into multiple sub-cavity chambers, with each sub-cavity chamber corresponding to each pixel unit region.

[0008] Optionally, the material of the light guide structure layer includes acrylic resin, and the material of the charged resin particles includes acrylic resin; the light guide structure layer includes a plurality of sub-light guides, a gap is formed between two adjacent sub-light guides, the side of the sub-light guide away from the array substrate is an arc surface, and a light guide gap is provided in the sub-light guide, the height of the light guide gap is less than the height of the sub-light guide.

[0009] Optionally, the sub-light guide includes two longitudinal channels and one transverse channel. The two ends of the transverse channel are respectively connected to the two longitudinal channels, and the transverse channel is located on the side of the two longitudinal channels away from the electrophoretic layer. The two longitudinal channels are respectively located on both sides of the light guide gap, and the transverse channel is located on the side of the light guide gap away from the electrophoretic layer.

[0010] At least one of the longitudinal channels includes a first sub-longitudinal channel and a second sub-longitudinal channel. The first sub-longitudinal channel is located between the transverse channel and the second sub-longitudinal channel. The inner and outer walls of the first sub-longitudinal channel are both vertically arranged. The inner and outer walls of the second sub-longitudinal channel are both inclined, and the slopes of the inner and outer walls of the second sub-longitudinal channel are the same.

[0011] Optionally, the cavity baffle wall protrudes upward on the side opposite to the array substrate, forming a first reflective slope and a second reflective slope.

[0012] Optionally, the electronic paper display panel includes multiple pixel unit areas, and the electronic paper display panel further includes a color resist layer, which is disposed between the common electrode layer and the light guide structure layer. The color resist layer includes multiple color resists, and each color resist corresponds to one of the pixel unit areas.

[0013] Optionally, the array substrate includes a first substrate, a first active switch array layer, and a pixel electrode layer. The first active switch array layer and the pixel electrode layer are sequentially disposed on the first substrate. The first active switch array layer includes a plurality of first active switches, and the pixel electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes. The first active switches are connected to the pixel electrodes, and an electric field is formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode layer.

[0014] The control electrode substrate further includes a second substrate, a second active switch array layer, and a particle driving electrode layer. The second active switch array layer and the particle driving electrode layer are sequentially disposed on the second substrate. The second active switch array layer includes a plurality of second active switches, and the particle driving electrode layer includes a plurality of particle driving electrodes. The second active switches are connected to the particle driving electrodes, and an electric field is formed between the particle driving electrodes and the common electrode layer.

[0015] This application also discloses a method for preparing an electronic paper display panel. The method includes the following steps:

[0016] An electrophoretic layer is formed on the array substrate;

[0017] A cavity structure is formed on the electrophoretic layer;

[0018] A light-guiding structure layer is formed within the cavity structure;

[0019] The cavity structure is filled with a solution and charged resin particles to form a privacy switching layer;

[0020] A control electrode substrate is formed on the privacy switching layer.

[0021] Optionally, the step of forming a light guide structure layer within the cavity structure includes:

[0022] A metal baffle is formed within the cavity structure;

[0023] Sub-light guide portions are formed on the surface of the metal barrier to form a light guide structure layer, and a gap is formed between two adjacent sub-light guide portions. The metal barrier is also etched to form a light guide gap.

[0024] This application also discloses a display device comprising a driving circuit and an electronic paper display panel, wherein the driving circuit is used to drive the electronic paper display panel to display an image.

[0025] Compared to existing electronic paper display panel solutions, this application, by setting a light guide structure layer, a solution, charged resin microparticles, and a control electrode substrate on an electrophoretic layer, allows for privacy mode. In privacy mode, the control electrode substrate drives the charged resin microparticles to move upwards, covering the light guide structure layer with a solution layer. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer, total emission occurs, reducing the brightness of the electronic paper display panel at wide viewing angles and making it impossible to view a clear image. In sharing mode, the control electrode substrate drives the charged resin microparticles to move downwards, covering the light guide structure layer with a layer of charged resin microparticles. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer, it is emitted through the layer of charged resin microparticles, thus not affecting the user's viewing experience at wide viewing angles. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which form part of the specification, are used to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of this application and illustrate the implementation methods of this application, together with the textual description, to explain the principles of this application. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in privacy mode according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in sharing mode according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an electrophoretic layer of the first embodiment of this application, which is a microcapsule membrane type;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first light guide structure layer of the first embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second light guide structure layer according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the third light guide structure layer according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in privacy mode according to a second embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of a method for preparing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 10a This is a partial process diagram of a method for manufacturing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 10b This is a schematic diagram of another part of the process of a method for manufacturing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Wherein, 10 is a display device; 20 is an electronic paper display panel; 31 is a display area; 32 is a non-display area; 40 is a pixel unit area; 41 is a first area; 42 is a second area; 50 is a driving circuit; 100 is an array substrate; 110 is a first substrate; 120 is a first active switch array layer; 121 is a first active switch; 130 is a pixel electrode layer; 131 is a pixel electrode; 140 is a common electrode; 200 is an electrophoretic layer; 210 is a microcapsule; 220 is an electrophoretic particle; 240 is a substrate layer; 250 is a microcup; 260 is a microcup barrier; 310 is a common electrode layer; 320 is a color resist layer; 321 is a color resist; 400 is a privacy switching layer; 500 is a cavity structure; 510 is a cavity chamber; 5 11. Sub-cavity chamber; 520. Cavity baffle; 530. Protrusion; 531. First reflective slope; 532. Second reflective slope; 540. Light guide structure layer; 550. Sub-light guide section; 551. Longitudinal channel; 561. First sub-longitudinal channel; 562. Second sub-longitudinal channel; 571. Inner wall; 572. Outer wall; 581. Transverse channel; 591. Light guide gap; 592. Spacing; 593. Boundary plane; 594. Exit plane; 595. Metal baffle; 620. Charged resin microparticles; 700. Control electrode substrate; 710. Second substrate; 720. Second active switch array layer; 721. Second active switch; 730. Microparticle driving electrode layer; 731. Microparticle driving electrode. Detailed Implementation

[0039] It should be understood that the terminology, specific structural and functional details used herein are merely for describing particular embodiments and are representative. However, this application may be implemented in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0040] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance or implying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature; "multiple" means two or more. The term "comprising" and any variations thereof mean non-exclusive inclusion, where one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, units, components, and / or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0041] In addition, terms such as “center,” “horizontal,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer” that indicate orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or relative positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application and do not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0042] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium, or internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and optional embodiments.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, this application discloses a display device 10, which includes a driving circuit 50 and an electronic paper display panel 20. The driving circuit 50 is used to drive the electronic paper display panel 20 to display an image.

[0045] This application also discloses an electronic paper display panel 20, which can be used in the display device 10 described above. Regarding the electronic paper display panel 20, this application provides the following design:

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in privacy mode according to the first embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in sharing mode according to the first embodiment of this application, combined with... Figures 2 to 3 As shown, Figure 2 The direction indicated by the middle arrow represents the total internal reflection path of part of the light. This application discloses an electronic paper display panel 20, which includes an array substrate 100, an electrophoretic layer 200, a common electrode layer 310, a privacy switching layer 400, and a control electrode substrate 700. The electrophoretic layer 200, the common electrode layer 310, the privacy switching layer 400, and the control electrode substrate 700 are sequentially disposed on the array substrate 100.

[0048] The privacy switching layer 400 includes a cavity structure 500, a light guide structure layer 540, a solution, and charged resin particles 620. The cavity structure 500 is disposed on the side of the common electrode 140 away from the electrophoretic layer 200. The light guide structure layer 540 is disposed within the cavity structure 500. The control electrode substrate 700 is disposed on the side of the cavity structure 500 away from the common electrode layer 310. The solution and the charged resin particles 620 fill the cavity structure 500. The control electrode substrate 700 is used to drive the charged resin particles 620 to move up and down.

[0049] In the sharing mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 to move downward, so that a layer of charged resin particles 620 covers the top of the light guide structure layer 540, and the height of the charged resin particles 620 layer is greater than the height of the light guide structure layer 540.

[0050] In privacy mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 to move upward, so that a solution layer covers the top of the light guide structure layer 540, and the height of the solution layer is greater than the height of the light guide structure layer 540.

[0051] For example, the refractive index of the light guide structure layer 540, the refractive index of the charged resin particles 620, and the refractive index of the solution decrease sequentially, and the difference between the refractive index of the charged resin particles 620 and the refractive index of the light guide structure layer 540 is within 0.17, and the difference between the refractive index of the charged resin particles 620 and the refractive index of the solution is within 0.17. The critical angle between the light guide structure layer 540 and the charged resin particles 620 is 175°, the critical angle between the charged resin particles 620 and the solution is 175°, and the critical angle between the light guide structure layer 540 and the solution is 150°.

[0052] Alternatively, the refractive index of the solution can be less than that of the light-guiding structure layer 540, and the refractive index of the charged resin particles 620 can be equal to that of the light-guiding structure layer 540.

[0053] For example, the solution may be silicone oil with a refractive index of 1.33, the material of the light guide structure layer includes acrylic resin, and the material of the charged resin particles 620 includes acrylic resin; the acrylic resin has a light transmittance of 98% and a refractive index of 1.67.

[0054] Compared to existing electronic paper display panel solutions, this application provides a light guide structure layer 540, a solution, charged resin particles 620, and a control electrode substrate 700 on the electrophoretic layer 200. In privacy mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 upward, covering the light guide structure layer 540 with a solution layer. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer 540, total emission occurs, reducing the brightness of the electronic paper display panel 20 at wide viewing angles, making it impossible to view a clear image. In sharing mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 downward, covering the light guide structure layer 540 with a layer of charged resin particles 620. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer 540, it is emitted through the layer of charged resin particles 620, thus not affecting the user's viewing experience at wide viewing angles.

[0055] Furthermore, compared to the scheme of changing the refractive index by driving electrochromic materials to change color, in this application, after the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 to move to the target position, the control electrode substrate 700 does not need to work continuously, resulting in lower energy consumption. Moreover, the scheme of changing the refractive index by driving electrochromic materials to change color has a shorter lifespan, and after long-term use, the refractive index may become uncontrollable. In contrast, the method of driving the charged resin particles 620 to move has a longer lifespan.

[0056] For example, the electrophoretic layer 200 can be of the microcup 250 type. When the electrophoretic layer 200 is of the microcup 250 type, the electrophoretic layer 200 includes a substrate layer 240, on which microcup 250s and microcup barriers 260 are disposed. The microcup 250s correspond one-to-one with the pixel unit regions 40. The microcup 250s are filled with electrophoretic particles 220s and colloidal suspensions. The electrophoretic particles 220s include black electrophoretic particles 220s and white electrophoretic particles 220s. The white electrophoretic particles 220s are negatively charged, and the black electrophoretic particles 220s are positively charged. The colloidal suspension is electrically neutral. Of course, the microcup 250s can also be filled with electrophoretic ink and colloidal suspensions. This application uses the microcup 250 structure of the electrophoretic layer 200 as an example for explanation and illustration.

[0057] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an electrophoretic layer of the first embodiment of this application, which is a microcapsule membrane type. Figure 4As shown, exemplarily, the electrophoretic layer 200 can be a microcapsule 210 membrane type. When the electrophoretic layer 200 is a microcapsule 210 membrane type, the electrophoretic layer 200 includes a plurality of microcapsules 210, each of which is filled with electrophoretic particles 220 and colloidal suspension. The electrophoretic particles 220 include black electrophoretic particles 220 and white electrophoretic particles 220. The white electrophoretic particles 220 are negatively charged, the black electrophoretic particles 220 are positively charged, and the colloidal suspension is electrically neutral.

[0058] See also Figures 2-3 As shown, the electronic paper display panel 20 can be a black-and-white electronic paper display panel 20 used only for displaying black-and-white images, or a color electronic paper display panel 20 used for displaying color images. The electronic paper display panel 20 of this application is a color electronic paper display panel 20 that can display color images. The electronic paper display panel 20 includes a plurality of pixel unit regions 40. The electronic paper display panel 20 also includes a color resist layer 320. The color resist layer 320 is disposed between the common electrode layer 310 and the light guide structure layer 540. The color resist layer 320 includes a plurality of color resists 321, and the color resists 321 correspond one-to-one with the pixel unit regions 40.

[0059] For example, the multiple color resists 321 include a red color resist 321, a green color resist 321, and a blue color resist 321, and the four color resists 321 are grouped together. This is to mix pixels of different gray levels.

[0060] The array substrate 100 includes a first substrate 110, a first active switch array layer 120, and a pixel electrode layer 130. The first active switch array layer 120 and the pixel electrode layer 130 are sequentially disposed on the first substrate 110. The first active switch array layer 120 includes a plurality of first active switches 121, and the pixel electrode layer 130 includes a plurality of pixel electrodes 131. The first active switches 121 are connected to the pixel electrodes 131, and an electric field is formed between the pixel electrodes 131 and the common electrode layer 310.

[0061] The electric field formed between the pixel electrode 131 and the common electrode layer 310 is used to drive the electrophoretic particles 220 in the electrophoretic layer 200 to move up and down.

[0062] The control electrode substrate 700 further includes a second substrate 710, a second active switch array layer 720, and a particle driving electrode layer 730. The second active switch array layer 720 and the particle driving electrode layer 730 are sequentially disposed on the second substrate 710. The second active switch array layer 720 includes a plurality of second active switches 721, and the particle driving electrode layer 730 includes a plurality of particle driving electrodes 731. The second active switches 721 are connected to the particle driving electrodes 731, and an electric field is formed between the particle driving electrodes 731 and the common electrode layer 310.

[0063] The electric field formed between the particle driving electrode 731 and the common electrode layer 310 is used to drive the charged resin particles 620 in the privacy switching layer 400 to move up and down.

[0064] By providing a second active switch array layer 720 on the second substrate 710, each particle driving electrode 731 can be controlled individually.

[0065] For example, in privacy mode, the corresponding charged resin particles 620 can be driven to move upward by charging only a portion of the particle driving electrode 731, so that the user cannot see the complete and correct picture when viewing from a wide angle, thereby achieving the privacy effect.

[0066] For example, in a set of red, green and blue color resists 321, the particle driving electrode 731 in the pixel unit region 40 where one of the color resists 321 is located is charged, so that the gray level of the pixel is different from the actual gray level under a wide viewing angle, thereby achieving the privacy protection effect.

[0067] The array substrate 100 further includes a common electrode 140, the orthographic projection of the common electrode 140 on the first substrate 110 overlaps with the orthographic projection of the pixel electrode 131 on the substrate, and a storage capacitor is formed between the common electrode 140 and the pixel electrode 131 to maintain the movement of electrophoretic particles 220 in the electrophoretic layer 200 to the target position.

[0068] In this example, the electronic paper display panel 20 includes a plurality of pixel unit regions 40, and the cavity structure 500 includes a cavity chamber 510 and a cavity baffle 520. The cavity baffle 520 is disposed within the cavity chamber 510 and divides the cavity chamber 510 into a plurality of sub-cavity chambers 511, each of the sub-cavity chambers 511 corresponding one-to-one with each pixel unit region 40.

[0069] The cavity chamber 510 is divided into multiple sub-cavity chambers 511 by setting the cavity baffle 520. A light-guiding structure layer 540 is then formed within each sub-cavity chamber 511, and the sub-cavity chambers 511 are filled with a solution and charged resin particles 620. This prevents the charged resin particles 620 from agglomerating and becoming unevenly dispersed. Furthermore, in the event of leakage, not all the solution and charged resin particles 620 will be lost, thus maintaining the overall privacy protection effect.

[0070] Furthermore, in this application, the cavity baffle 520 can be integrally formed with the microcup baffle 260, which can save on manufacturing processes and improve production efficiency. Of course, the cavity baffle 520 can also be manufactured separately from the microcup baffle 260; the cavity baffle 520 and the microcup baffle 260 can be perfectly aligned or misaligned.

[0071] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first light guide structure layer of the first embodiment of this application, combined with... Figure 5 As shown, the material of the light guide structure layer 540 includes acrylic resin, and the material of the charged resin particles 620 includes acrylic resin.

[0072] For example, acrylic resins typically contain a large number of carboxyl groups (-COOH), which can be converted into negatively charged carboxylate anions (-COO-) by adding alkaline substances (such as organic amines or ammonia), thus making the charged resin particles 620 carry a negative charge.

[0073] The light guide structure layer 540 includes a plurality of sub-light guide sections 550, with a gap 592 formed between two adjacent sub-light guide sections 550. The side of the sub-light guide section 550 facing away from the array substrate 100 is an arc surface, and a light guide gap 591 is provided in the sub-light guide section 550. The height of the light guide gap 591 is less than the height of the sub-light guide section 550.

[0074] The light guide gap 591 divides the sub-light guide section 550 into two longitudinal channels 551 and one transverse channel 581 connected in sequence. The transverse channel 581 is located on the side of the two longitudinal channels 551 away from the electrophoretic layer 200. The two longitudinal channels 551 are respectively located on both sides of the light guide gap 591, and the transverse channel 581 is located on the side of the light guide gap 591 away from the electrophoretic layer 200. The longitudinal channels 551 are vertically arranged, and the transverse channel 581 is horizontally arranged. In the privacy mode, large-angle light entering one of the longitudinal channels 551 is reflected and then returns to the lower electrophoretic layer 200 through the transverse channel 581 and the other longitudinal channel 551.

[0075] In other words, by setting a light guide gap 591 in the sub-light guide section 550, the light guide gap 591 forms an inverted U-shaped channel in the sub-light guide section 550, so that in the privacy mode, the light that is totally reflected in the sub-light guide section 550 can come out from the other end and shine in the direction of the electrophoretic layer 200. After being reflected by the electrophoretic layer 200, it is reused, thereby improving the light utilization rate in the privacy mode.

[0076] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second light guide structure layer according to the first embodiment of this application, combined with... Figure 6 As shown, the sub-light guide 550 includes two longitudinal channels 551 and one transverse channel 581. The two ends of the transverse channel 581 are respectively connected to the two longitudinal channels 551, and the transverse channel 581 is located on the side of the two longitudinal channels 551 away from the electrophoretic layer 200. The two longitudinal channels 551 are respectively located on both sides of the light guide gap 591, and the transverse channel 581 is located on the side of the light guide gap 591 away from the electrophoretic layer 200.

[0077] Unlike the first type of light guide structure layer 540, in the second type of light guide structure layer 540, at least one of the longitudinal channels 551 includes a first sub-longitudinal channel 561 and a second sub-longitudinal channel 562. The first sub-longitudinal channel 561 is located between the transverse channel 581 and the second sub-longitudinal channel 562. The inner wall 571 and the outer wall 572 of the first sub-longitudinal channel 561 are both vertically arranged. The inner wall 571 and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-longitudinal channel 562 are both inclined, and the slopes of the inner wall 571 and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-longitudinal channel 562 are the same.

[0078] By configuring the longitudinal channel 551 as a first sub-longitudinal channel 561 and a second sub-longitudinal channel 562, and keeping the inner wall 571 and outer wall 572 of the first sub-longitudinal channel 561 vertically arranged, and the inner wall 571 and outer wall 572 of the second sub-longitudinal channel 562 inclined, with the same slope, in the privacy mode, when the light undergoing total internal reflection in the sub-light guide 550 is reflected from the longitudinal channel 551 toward the electrophoretic layer 200, some of the large-angle light will be adjusted by the inner wall 571 of the second sub-longitudinal channel 562, so that the large-angle light becomes small-angle light that shines into the electrophoretic layer 200. When reflected by the electrophoretic layer 200, it can pass smoothly through the sub-light guide 550, thereby improving the utilization of light.

[0079] For example, both of the longitudinal channels 551 include a first sub-longitudinal channel 561 and a second sub-longitudinal channel 562. In this way, in the privacy mode, regardless of which longitudinal channel 551 the light with a wide angle of view comes out, it will be adjusted again by the second sub-longitudinal channel 562 into light with a small angle of view and then illuminate the electrophoretic layer 200. After being reflected by the electrophoretic layer 200, it passes through the sub-light guide 550 in the form of a small angle of view, thereby improving the utilization of light.

[0080] Furthermore, to prevent vertically upward light from being unable to pass smoothly through the second sub-vertical channel 562 into the sub-light guide section 550, the connection surface between the first sub-vertical channel 561 and the second sub-vertical channel is defined as the boundary plane 593, and the end face of the second sub-vertical channel 562 away from the first sub-vertical channel 561 is defined as the exit plane 594.

[0081] The orthographic projection of the interface plane 593 between the first sub-vertical channel 561 and the second sub-vertical channel 562 onto the array substrate 100 covers more than two-thirds of the orthographic projection of the exit plane 594 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 onto the array substrate 100. In this way, most of the vertically upward light rays can smoothly enter the second sub-vertical channel 562 from its exit plane 594 and be emitted through the first sub-vertical channel 561 and the transverse channel 581.

[0082] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the third light guide structure layer according to the first embodiment of this application, combined with... Figure 7 As shown, the pixel unit region 40 includes a first region 41 and a second region 42. In the first region 41, the inner wall 571 and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 are inclined in a direction along the first region 41 toward the second region 42. In the second region 42, the inner wall 571 and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 are inclined in a direction along the second region 42 toward the first region 41.

[0083] In this way, in the privacy mode, some of the light from a wide viewing angle will be reflected by the second sub-vertical channel 562 into light at a small angle and shine onto the electrophoretic layer 200. More importantly, some of the light from a wide viewing angle in the first region 41 will be reflected by the second sub-vertical channel 562 into light at an angle toward the second region 42, and some of the light from a wide viewing angle in the second region 42 will be reflected by the second sub-vertical channel 562 into light at an angle toward the first region 41. This makes the light in each pixel unit region 40 more centered and avoids the problem of color mixing.

[0084] After the second sub-vertical channel 562 is set, a portion of the large-angle light will exit directly from the inner wall 571 or outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 without total internal reflection. For example, in the sub-light guide section 550 in the first region 41, the inner wall 571 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 to the left of the light guide gap 591 faces the electrophoretic layer 200 below, and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 to the right of the light guide gap 591 faces the electrophoretic layer 200 below. Therefore, when the large-angle light shines on the inner wall 571 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 to the left of the light guide gap 591 and the outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562 to the right of the light guide gap 591 in the sub-light guide section 550 of the first region 41, it will exit directly.

[0085] Therefore, this application also proposes a targeted design, namely, the height of the second sub-vertical channel 562 is less than or equal to 1 / 3 of the height of the light guide gap 591, and the distance between two adjacent light guide gaps 591 is less than 3 times the height of the second sub-vertical channel 562. In this way, even if some large-angle light rays exit directly from the inner wall 571 or outer wall 572 of the second sub-vertical channel 562, they will be reflected by the adjacent light guide gap 591 and undergo total internal reflection within the adjacent sub-light guide structure layer 540, and will not be received by the user at a large viewing angle.

[0086] See also Figures 2-3 The cavity baffle 520 has an upward protrusion 530 on the side opposite to the array substrate 100, forming a first reflective slope 531 and a second reflective slope 532. The thickness of the protrusion 530 is the same as the thickness of the charged resin particle layer formed by the charged resin particles 620 in privacy mode. This allows some light entering the charged resin particles 620 from the solution to be reflected upwards by the first and second reflective slopes 531 and 532, thus being utilized. Furthermore, the protrusion 530 can be filled with triangular acrylic resin. After light shines on the cavity baffle 520, the triangular acrylic resin guides the light into the pixel unit region 40, thereby improving light utilization.

[0087] Example 2:

[0088] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a display device in privacy mode according to a second embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 8 As shown, unlike the solution in the first embodiment, this embodiment does not require the cavity baffle 520 to divide the cavity chamber 510 into multiple sub-cavity chambers 511. Specifically:

[0089] The electronic paper display panel 20 includes a display area 31 and a non-display area 32, the non-display area 32 being arranged around the display area 31. The cavity structure 500 includes a cavity chamber 510, the cavity chamber 510 corresponding to the entire display area 31. The light guide structure layer 540 is disposed at the bottom of the cavity chamber 510. The solution and charged resin particles 620 are filled in the cavity chamber 510.

[0090] Compared to the first embodiment, this embodiment eliminates the need to divide the cavity chamber 510 into multiple sub-cavities 511 using the cavity baffle 520, saving process time and improving efficiency. Correspondingly, the control electrode substrate 700 also includes a second substrate 710 and a full-surface particle driving electrode layer 730, with an electric field formed between the particle driving electrode layer 730 and the common electrode layer 310. This also eliminates the need for a second active switch array layer 720, reducing light loss. Furthermore, the particle driving electrode layer 730 is a full-surface layer, simplifying the circuit design and improving production yield.

[0091] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 10a This is a partial process diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 10b This is a schematic diagram of another part of the process of manufacturing an electronic paper display panel according to an embodiment of this application, combined with... Figures 9-10b As shown, this application discloses a method for preparing an electronic paper display panel 20. The method for preparing the electronic paper display panel 20 includes the following steps:

[0092] S1: An electrophoretic layer is formed on the array substrate;

[0093] When forming the electrophoretic layer 200, the microcup barrier 260 can be retained, so that when preparing the cavity structure 500 in the subsequent process, it is not necessary to prepare an additional cavity barrier 520.

[0094] S2: A cavity structure is formed on the electrophoretic layer;

[0095] The cavity structure 500 can be made of insulating layer material or passivation layer material.

[0096] S3: A light-guiding structure layer is formed within the cavity structure;

[0097] S4: Fill the cavity structure with a solution and charged resin particles to form a privacy switching layer;

[0098] S5: A control electrode substrate is formed on the privacy switching layer.

[0099] This application constructs a light guide structure layer 540, a solution, charged resin particles 620, and a control electrode substrate 700 on an electrophoretic layer 200. In privacy mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 to move upward, covering the light guide structure layer 540 with a solution layer. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer 540, total emission occurs, reducing the brightness of the electronic paper display panel 20 at wide viewing angles, making it impossible to view a clear image. In sharing mode, the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin particles 620 to move downward, covering the light guide structure layer 540 with a layer of charged resin particles 620. When light from a wide viewing angle shines on the light guide structure layer 540, it is emitted through the layer of charged resin particles 620, thus not affecting the user's viewing at wide viewing angles.

[0100] Furthermore, compared to the scheme of driving the electrochromic material to change its refractive index, in this application, after the control electrode substrate 700 drives the charged resin microparticles 620 to move to the target position, the control electrode substrate 700 does not need to work continuously, resulting in lower energy consumption. Moreover, the scheme of driving the electrochromic material to change its refractive index has a shorter lifespan, and after long-term use, the refractive index may become uncontrollable. In contrast, the method of driving the charged resin microparticles 620 to move has a longer lifespan.

[0101] S3: The step of forming a light guide structure layer within the cavity structure includes:

[0102] S31: A metal baffle is formed within the cavity structure;

[0103] The metal retaining wall 595 is made of metal material.

[0104] S32: A sub-light guide portion is formed on the surface of the metal barrier to form a light guide structure layer, and a gap is formed between two adjacent sub-light guide portions. The metal barrier is etched to form a light guide gap.

[0105] The metal barrier 595 can be etched using a metal etching solution. Since the metal barrier 595 needs to be etched, the sub-light guide 550 can be segmented. For example, each pixel unit area 40 corresponds to a segment of the sub-light guide 550, or multiple pixel unit areas 40 correspond to a segment of the light guide 550. In this way, the metal etching solution can etch away the metal barrier 595 at the gap between each segment of the sub-light guide 550 to form the light guide gap 591.

[0106] It should be noted that the limitations on each step involved in this solution are not considered as limiting the order of steps, provided that they do not affect the implementation of the specific solution. The steps listed first can be executed first, later, or even simultaneously. As long as this solution can be implemented, it should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0107] It should be noted that the inventive concept of this application can form many embodiments, but due to the limited space of the application documents, they cannot all be listed. Therefore, without conflict, the embodiments described above or the technical features can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. After the embodiments or technical features are combined, the original technical effect will be enhanced.

[0108] The above description, in conjunction with specific optional embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of this application to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of this application, and all such modifications or substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An electronic paper display panel, characterized in that, The electronic paper display panel includes an array substrate, an electrophoretic layer, a common electrode layer, a privacy switching layer, and a control electrode substrate, wherein the electrophoretic layer, the common electrode layer, the privacy switching layer, and the control electrode substrate are sequentially disposed on the array substrate; The privacy switching layer includes a cavity structure, a light guide structure layer, a solution, and charged resin microparticles. The cavity structure is disposed on the side of the common electrode away from the electrophoretic layer. The light guide structure layer is disposed within the cavity structure. The control electrode substrate is disposed on the side of the cavity structure away from the common electrode layer. The solution and the charged resin microparticles fill the cavity structure. The control electrode substrate is used to drive the charged resin microparticles to move up and down.

2. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic paper display panel includes multiple pixel unit areas, and the cavity structure includes a cavity chamber and a cavity baffle. The cavity baffle is disposed in the cavity chamber and divides the cavity chamber into multiple sub-cavity chambers. Each sub-cavity chamber corresponds one-to-one with each pixel unit area.

3. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the light guide structure layer includes acrylic resin, and the material of the charged resin particles includes acrylic resin; the light guide structure layer includes a plurality of sub-light guides, with a gap formed between two adjacent sub-light guides, the side of the sub-light guide away from the array substrate being an arc surface, and a light guide gap being provided in the sub-light guide, the height of the light guide gap being less than the height of the sub-light guide.

4. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sub-light guide includes two longitudinal channels and one transverse channel. The two ends of the transverse channel are respectively connected to the two longitudinal channels, and the transverse channel is located on the side of the two longitudinal channels away from the electrophoretic layer. The two longitudinal channels are respectively located on both sides of the light guide gap, and the transverse channel is located on the side of the light guide gap away from the electrophoretic layer. At least one of the longitudinal channels includes a first sub-longitudinal channel and a second sub-longitudinal channel. The first sub-longitudinal channel is located between the transverse channel and the second sub-longitudinal channel. The inner and outer walls of the first sub-longitudinal channel are both vertically arranged. The inner and outer walls of the second sub-longitudinal channel are both inclined, and the slopes of the inner and outer walls of the second sub-longitudinal channel are the same.

5. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cavity baffle wall protrudes upward on the side opposite to the array substrate, forming a first reflective slope and a second reflective slope.

6. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic paper display panel includes multiple pixel unit areas and a color resist layer disposed between the common electrode layer and the light guide structure layer. The color resist layer includes multiple color resists, each corresponding to one of the pixel unit areas.

7. The electronic paper display panel according to claim 3, characterized in that, The array substrate includes a first substrate, a first active switch array layer and a pixel electrode layer. The first active switch array layer and the pixel electrode layer are sequentially disposed on the first substrate. The first active switch array layer includes a plurality of first active switches, and the pixel electrode layer includes a plurality of pixel electrodes. The first active switches are connected to the pixel electrodes, and an electric field is formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode layer. The control electrode substrate further includes a second substrate, a second active switch array layer, and a particle driving electrode layer. The second active switch array layer and the particle driving electrode layer are sequentially disposed on the second substrate. The second active switch array layer includes a plurality of second active switches, and the particle driving electrode layer includes a plurality of particle driving electrodes. The second active switches are connected to the particle driving electrodes, and an electric field is formed between the particle driving electrodes and the common electrode layer.

8. A method for preparing an electronic paper display panel, characterized in that, The method for preparing the electronic paper display panel is used to prepare the electronic paper display panel as described in any one of claims 1-7, and the method for preparing the electronic paper display panel includes the following steps: An electrophoretic layer is formed on the array substrate; A cavity structure is formed on the electrophoretic layer; A light-guiding structure layer is formed within the cavity structure; The cavity structure is filled with a solution and charged resin particles to form a privacy switching layer; A control electrode substrate is formed on the privacy switching layer.

9. The method for preparing an electronic paper display panel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of forming a light guide structure layer within the cavity structure includes: A metal baffle is formed within the cavity structure; Sub-light guide portions are formed on the surface of the metal barrier to form a light guide structure layer, and a gap is formed between two adjacent sub-light guide portions. The metal barrier is also etched to form a light guide gap.

10. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes a driving circuit and an electronic paper display panel as described in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the driving circuit is used to drive the electronic paper display panel to display an image.

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