Segment code color-changing electronic paper

Abstract

The utility model relates to and discloses segment code color-changing electronic paper. Relates to the technical field of electronic paper. The flexible circuit board specifically comprises a flexible substrate which is provided with a first surface; the conductive layer is arranged on the first surface and comprises a segment code pattern and a circuit pattern electrically connected with the segment code pattern; the insulating layer covers the circuit pattern; and the display layer is arranged on the insulating layer. The segment code pattern and the circuit pattern belong to the conductive layer, namely the segment code pattern and the circuit pattern are arranged on the same surface of the flexible substrate on the same layer, so that through holes do not need to be formed in the flexible substrate and are used for electrically connecting the circuit pattern and the segment code pattern, the processes of drilling, filling in the holes and the like are reduced, and the production efficiency is improved. The manufacturing process of the electronic paper is simplified, the production efficiency is improved, through hole marks can be prevented from being generated on the electronic paper finished product, and then the appearance and use of the electronic paper are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic paper, in particular to a segment code color-changing electronic paper. Background Art

[0002] Electronic paper is a special display screen that is ultra-thin, rewritable, easy to carry, and can maintain display even when the power is off. Among them, segment code electronic paper has a wide range of applications, including various consumer electronic products, watches, medical instruments, industrial measuring instruments, computer peripherals, smart cards, electronic labels, and portable devices. Segment code electronic paper first engraves the area of ​​the number or pattern to be displayed on the back panel, and then switches between black and white according to the required number or pattern, presenting different patterns or number combinations.

[0003] In existing electronic paper, the circuit layer and the segment pattern layer are arranged on two opposite surfaces of the substrate. In order to achieve electrical connection between the circuit layer and the segment pattern layer, it is usually necessary to set a through hole for routing on the substrate. However, the drilling process of existing electronic paper can only achieve a minimum through hole diameter of 0.25mm. Since it is difficult to fill the through hole with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.25mm on the substrate in the manufacturing process, the through hole on the substrate will leave an imprint on the finished electronic paper, which affects both the appearance of the finished electronic paper and the use of the electronic paper. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a segment code color-changing electronic paper to address the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art, which can not only simplify the production process of electronic paper and improve production efficiency, but also ensure the appearance and use of the finished electronic paper.

[0005] The utility model provides a segment code color changing electronic paper, comprising:

[0006] A flexible substrate having a first surface;

[0007] A conductive layer, disposed on the first surface, the conductive layer comprising a segment pattern and a line pattern electrically connected to the segment pattern;

[0008] an insulating layer, covering the circuit pattern;

[0009] The display layer is arranged on the insulating layer. The segment pattern and the line pattern of the electronic paper belong to the same conductive layer, that is, the segment pattern and the line pattern are arranged in the same layer on the same surface of the flexible substrate, so there is no need to open a through hole on the flexible substrate for electrically connecting the line pattern with the segment pattern, thereby reducing the drilling and hole filling processes, simplifying the production process of the electronic paper, improving production efficiency, and preventing the through hole from causing the electronic paper finished product to have a through hole mark, thereby ensuring the appearance and use of the electronic paper.

[0010] Furthermore, the conductive layer further comprises:

[0011] The electrode block is electrically connected to the display layer, and the circuit pattern is used to connect to an external circuit. The conductive layer of the electronic paper also includes an electrode block, which is electrically connected to the display layer, so as to realize the power supply of the display layer, so that the display layer displays multiple pattern units, thereby realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0012] Furthermore, the circuit pattern includes a plurality of circuits arranged at intervals, the segment pattern includes a plurality of pattern units arranged at intervals, the plurality of circuits are respectively connected to the plurality of pattern units, and two adjacent circuits and two adjacent pattern units are separated by laser cutting lines. The circuit pattern of the electronic paper includes a plurality of circuits arranged at intervals, the segment pattern includes a plurality of pattern units arranged at intervals, one end of the plurality of circuits is respectively connected to the plurality of pattern units, and the other end is respectively connected to the external circuit, so that the plurality of pattern units are energized through the plurality of circuits.

[0013] Furthermore, the distance between two adjacent pattern units is 5 micrometers to 80 micrometers.

[0014] Furthermore, the spacing between two adjacent circuits is 5 microns to 80 microns. The multiple circuits and multiple pattern units of the electronic paper are formed on the conductive layer by laser cutting, so that the spacing between two adjacent circuits is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, and the spacing between two adjacent pattern units is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, that is, the line spacing range of the circuit pattern is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, thereby reducing the possibility of the circuit pattern forming a circuit mark on the finished electronic paper, further ensuring the appearance and use of the electronic paper.

[0015] Furthermore, the insulating layer comprises:

[0016] A first area, covering the circuit pattern, for insulating the circuit pattern;

[0017] The second area is opposite to the segment pattern and / or the electrode block, and is used to hollow out the segment pattern and / or the electrode block. The insulating layer of the electronic paper includes a first area and a second area, the first area covers the circuit pattern and insulates multiple circuits, and the second area is a hollow area set on the insulating layer. The second area is set opposite to the segment pattern and / or the electrode block, so that the display layer will not be affected by the insulating layer between the display layer and the segment pattern when powered on, so that the display layer can display multiple pattern units, thereby realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0018] Furthermore, the display layer includes:

[0019] An electrophoretic film, disposed close to the insulating layer, wherein the electrophoretic film contains electrophoretic particles;

[0020] The ITO conductive layer is arranged on the side of the electrophoretic film away from the insulating layer. The electrode block is electrically connected to the ITO conductive layer to form an electric field to drive the electrophoretic particles in the electrophoretic film to move. The display layer of the electronic paper includes an electrophoretic film and an ITO conductive layer. The electrophoretic film contains electrophoretic particles. The electrode block in the conductive layer is electrically connected to the ITO conductive layer, so that the ITO conductive layer is energized by the electrode block to form an electric field in the ITO conductive layer, driving the electrophoretic particles in the electrophoretic film to move, and then the electrophoretic film displays multiple pattern units, realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0021] Furthermore, the thickness of the conductive layer is 0.007-0.01mm. The thickness of the conductive layer of the electronic paper is 0.007-0.01mm, which can reduce the overall thickness of the electronic paper, making the use of the electronic paper more convenient and having a wider range of applications; on the other hand, it is easy to laser cut, thereby improving both processing efficiency and processing accuracy.

[0022] Furthermore, the square resistance of the conductive layer is 500-1500Ω / sq. The square resistance of the conductive layer of the electronic paper is 500-1500Ω / sq, which not only ensures the current carrying capacity of the circuit pattern and satisfies the better display effect of the electronic paper, but also enables the electronic paper to be used in products with wireless charging, NFC and other functions without affecting the wireless charging, NFC and other functions of the product, thereby making the application range of the electronic paper wider and more practical.

[0023] Furthermore, the thickness of the insulating layer is greater than 0.8 micrometers. The thickness of the insulating layer of the electronic paper needs to be greater than 0.8 micrometers to prevent the insulating layer from being too thin and still forming an electric field, thereby making the circuits underneath it visible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the utility model and, together with the description, are used to explain the principle of the utility model. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to represent like elements.

[0025] Figure 1 A side view of a segment code color-changing electronic paper according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a segment code color-changing electronic paper according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 3This is a plan view of a segment code color-changing electronic paper according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a conductive layer is arranged on a first surface.

[0028] In the figure: 1, flexible substrate; 11, first surface; 2, conductive layer; 21, segment pattern; 211, pattern unit; 22, line pattern; 221, line; 23, electrode block; 24, laser cutting line; 3, insulating layer; 31, first area; 32, second area; 4, display layer; 41, electrophoretic film; 42, ITO conductive layer; 5, waterproof film layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0030] See also Figure 1 to Figure 3 A segment code color-changing electronic paper according to an embodiment of the utility model comprises a flexible substrate 1, a conductive layer 2, an insulating layer 3 and a display layer 4. The flexible substrate 1 has a first surface 11, and the first surface 11 can be the upper surface of the flexible substrate 1 or the lower surface of the flexible substrate 1. The conductive layer 2 is arranged on the flexible substrate 1, and the conductive layer 2 comprises a segment code pattern 21 to be displayed, and a circuit pattern 22 electrically connected to the segment code pattern 21, and is connected to an external circuit through the circuit pattern 22, so that the segment code pattern 21 is energized.

[0031] The insulating layer 3 covers the circuit pattern 22, so that the insulating layer 3 insulates the circuit pattern 22 to prevent short circuit of the circuit pattern 22. The display layer 4 is arranged on the insulating layer 3, and the segment code pattern 21 is displayed by the display layer 4, so as to realize the function of displaying the required segment code or pattern of the electronic paper.

[0032] In existing electronic paper, the circuit layer and the segment pattern layer are arranged on two opposite surfaces of the substrate. In order to realize the electrical connection between the circuit layer and the segment pattern layer, it is usually necessary to set a through hole for routing on the substrate. The drilling process of existing electronic paper can only achieve a minimum through hole diameter of 0.25mm. Since it is difficult to fill the through hole with a diameter greater than or equal to 0.25mm on the substrate in the manufacturing process, the through hole will leave an imprint on the finished electronic paper, which affects both the appearance of the finished electronic paper and the use of the electronic paper.

[0033] In the present application, the segment pattern 21 and the line pattern 22 belong to the same conductive layer 2, that is, the segment pattern 21 and the line pattern 22 are arranged in the same layer on the same surface of the flexible substrate 1. Therefore, the electrical connection between the segment pattern 21 and the conductive layer 2 does not need to cross the flexible substrate 1, so there is no need to open a through hole on the flexible substrate 1 for electrically connecting the line pattern 22 with the segment pattern 21, thereby reducing the drilling and hole filling processes, simplifying the production process of electronic paper, and improving production efficiency. It can also prevent the through hole from causing the electronic paper finished product to have the through hole mark, thereby ensuring the appearance and use of the electronic paper.

[0034] The circuit pattern 22 on the existing electronic paper is usually made by FPC copper process or printing process. The minimum line spacing of the circuit pattern 22 made by the above process can only be 0.1mm. The line spacing of the circuit pattern 22 is too wide. After the production of the electronic paper is completed, it is also easy to form a trace of the circuit 221 on the finished electronic paper, thereby affecting the appearance and use of the electronic paper. In the present application, the circuit pattern 22 includes a plurality of spaced circuits 221, and the segment pattern 21 includes a plurality of spaced pattern units 211. One end of the plurality of circuits 221 is respectively connected to the plurality of pattern units 211, and the other end is respectively connected to the external circuit, so that the plurality of pattern units 211 are energized through the plurality of circuits 221.

[0035] In the present application, multiple circuits 221 and multiple pattern units 211 are formed on the conductive layer 2 by laser cutting, so that two adjacent circuits 221 and two adjacent pattern units 211 are separated by a laser cutting line 24, so that the spacing between two adjacent circuits 221 is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, and the spacing between two adjacent pattern units 211 is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, that is, the line spacing range of the circuit pattern 22 is reduced to 5 microns to 80 microns, thereby reducing the possibility of the circuit pattern 22 forming a circuit 221 imprint on the finished electronic paper, further ensuring the appearance and use of the electronic paper.

[0036] In this embodiment, the conductive layer 2 further includes an electrode block 23. Since the plurality of lines 221, the plurality of pattern units 211 and the electrode block 23 are all formed on the conductive layer 2 by laser cutting, the plurality of lines 221 are connected to an external circuit, and the plurality of pattern units 211 are energized while the electrode block 23 is also energized. The electrode block 23 is electrically connected to the display layer 4, thereby energizing the display layer 4, so that the display layer 4 displays the plurality of pattern units 211, thereby realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0037] In this embodiment, the insulating layer 3 includes a first area 31 and a second area 32. The first area 31 covers the circuit pattern 22, that is, the first area 31 covers the multiple circuits 221, thereby insulating the multiple circuits 221 and preventing the multiple circuits 221 from short-circuiting and affecting the use of the electronic paper.

[0038] The second area 32 is a hollow area set on the insulating layer 3. The second area 32 is set opposite to the segment code pattern 21 and / or the electrode block 23, that is, the second area 32 is opposite to the multiple pattern units 211 and / or the electrode block 23, so that the multiple pattern units 211 and / or the electrode block 23 are hollowed out, so that when the display layer 4 is powered on, it will not be affected by the insulating layer 3 between the display layer 4 and the segment code pattern 21, so that the display layer 4 can display the multiple pattern units 211, thereby realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0039] In addition, only forming the insulating layer 3 on the plurality of lines 221 can prevent an electric field from being formed between the display layer 4 and the line pattern 22, thereby preventing the line pattern 22 from being charged and displayed, thereby affecting the appearance of the electronic paper. The thickness of the insulating layer 3 needs to be greater than 0.8 microns to prevent the insulating layer 3 from being too thin and still easily forming an electric field, thereby causing the lines 221 thereunder to be displayed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the display layer 4 includes an electrophoretic film 41 and an ITO conductive layer 42 (electrode layer). The electrophoretic film 41 is arranged close to the insulating layer 3, and contains electrophoretic particles. The ITO conductive layer 42 (electrode layer) is arranged on a side of the electrophoretic film 41 away from the insulating layer 3, and the electrode block 23 in the conductive layer 2 is electrically connected to the ITO conductive layer 42 (electrode layer), so that the ITO conductive layer 42 (electrode layer) is energized through the electrode block 23, so that an electric field is formed inside, driving the electrophoretic particles in the electrophoretic film 41 to move, and then the electrophoretic film 41 displays multiple pattern units 211, thereby realizing the function of the electronic paper displaying the required segment code or pattern.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic paper also includes a waterproof film layer 5, which is arranged on the side of the ITO conductive layer 42 away from the electrophoretic film 41, so that the display layer 4 is waterproofed by the waterproof film layer 5, thereby extending the service life of the electronic paper and ensuring the performance of the electronic paper.

[0042] In practical applications, the electrophoretic film 41 may be a double-sided adhesive structure, one side of which may be adhesively bonded to the insulating layer 3 , and the other side of which may be adhesively bonded to the waterproof film layer 5 .

[0043] In this embodiment, the thickness of the conductive layer 2 is set to 0.007-0.01 mm. On the one hand, it can reduce the overall thickness of the electronic paper, thereby making the electronic paper more convenient to use and more widely used; on the other hand, since the plurality of circuits 221, the plurality of pattern units 211 and the electrode blocks 23 are all formed on the conductive layer 2 by laser cutting, the thickness of the conductive layer 2 is set between 0.007 and 0.01 mm to facilitate laser cutting, thereby improving both processing efficiency and processing accuracy.

[0044] It is foreseeable that: in the present application, the thickness of the insulating layer 3 can be set between 0.008 and 0.01 mm, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the electronic paper. Further, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the flexible substrate 1 is preferably 0.075 mm, and the transmittance is 91% ± 0.2, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the electronic paper, making the use of the electronic paper more convenient and more widely used, while ensuring the display effect of the electronic paper and enhancing the practicality of the electronic paper.

[0045] In this embodiment, the square resistance of the conductive layer 2 is set to 500-1500Ω / sq, where Ω / sq is the unit of square resistance: ohm / square. In existing electronic paper products, the conductive layer 2 is usually made of a low-resistance conductive material to enhance the current capacity of the circuit pattern 22, thereby ensuring the display effect of the electronic paper. However, when the electronic paper is used in products with functions such as wireless charging and NFC, the square resistance of the conductive layer 2 is too small, and the magnetic field generated in the electrode block 23 of the conductive layer 2 will affect the wireless charging, NFC and other functions of the product.

[0046] Therefore, in the present application, the square resistance of the conductive layer 2 is set between 500-1500Ω / sq, so as to ensure the current capacity of the circuit pattern 22 and meet the better display effect of the electronic paper, and enable the electronic paper to be used in products with wireless charging, NFC and other functions without affecting the wireless charging, NFC and other functions of the product, thereby making the application range of the electronic paper wider and more practical. In practical applications, the square resistance of the conductive layer 2 is preferably 1200Ω / sq.

[0047] In this embodiment, the conductivity of the conductive layer 2 is less than 1×10 8 S / m, S / m is the unit of conductivity: Siemens / meter. If the conductivity of the electronic paper conductive layer 2 is too good, it will also affect the wireless charging, NFC and other functions of the electronic paper. Therefore, in this application, the conductivity of the conductive layer 2 is set to less than 1×10 8S / m, so that when the electronic paper is used in products with wireless charging, NFC and other functions, it will not affect the wireless charging, NFC and other functions of the product, thereby making the application range of the electronic paper wider and more practical. In practical applications, the conductivity of the conductive layer 2 is preferably 0.8×10 8 S / m.

[0048] The contents described above can be implemented individually or in combination in various ways, and these variations are all within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0049] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the elements.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the utility model, rather than to limit it. Although the utility model is described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, ordinary technicians in this field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments, or replace some of the technical features therein by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the utility model.

Claims

1. A segment code color changing electronic paper, characterized in that: include: A flexible substrate (1) having a first surface (11); A conductive layer (2) disposed on the first surface (11), the conductive layer (2) comprising a segment pattern (21) and a line pattern (22) electrically connected to the segment pattern (21); An insulating layer (3) covering the circuit pattern (22); The display layer (4) is arranged on the insulating layer (3).

2. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive layer (2) further comprises: The electrode block (23) is electrically connected to the display layer (4), and the circuit pattern (22) is used to connect to an external circuit.

3. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit pattern (22) comprises a plurality of circuits (221) arranged at intervals, the segment pattern (21) comprises a plurality of pattern units (211) arranged at intervals, the plurality of circuits (221) are respectively connected to the plurality of pattern units (211), and two adjacent circuits (221) and two adjacent pattern units (211) are separated by a laser cutting line (24).

4. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent pattern units (211) ranges from 5 micrometers to 80 micrometers.

5. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The distance between two adjacent lines (221) ranges from 5 microns to 80 microns.

6. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The insulating layer (3) comprises: A first region (31) covers the circuit pattern (22) and is used to insulate the circuit pattern (22); The second area (32) is opposite to the segment code pattern (21) and / or the electrode block (23), and is used to hollow out the segment code pattern (21) and / or the electrode block (23).

7. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The display layer (4) comprises: An electrophoretic film (41) is arranged close to the insulating layer (3), and the electrophoretic film (41) contains electrophoretic particles; An ITO conductive layer (42) is provided on a side of the electrophoretic film (41) away from the insulating layer (3), and the electrode block (23) is electrically connected to the ITO conductive layer (42) to form an electric field to drive the electrophoretic particles in the electrophoretic film (41) to move.

8. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the conductive layer (2) is 0.007-0.01 mm.

9. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet resistance of the conductive layer (2) is 500-1500Ω / sq.

10. The segment code color changing electronic paper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the insulating layer (3) is greater than 0.8 micrometers.

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