Water blocking film and electronic paper display module

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water-blocking film structure. The structure integrates a water-blocking layer, an anti-dazzle base material layer and an optical adhesive layer. A prism structure composed of prisms arranged in parallel in an array is designed in the anti-dazzle base material layer, the vertex angles of the prisms face the waterproof layer, and the prisms are tightly bonded through the optical adhesive layer. And the depth of the vertex angle of the prism embedded into the optical adhesive layer is accurately controlled to be less than 50% of the height of the prism, so that the water-blocking film is ensured to maintain good waterproof performance without sacrificing the light transmission and definition. The optical adhesive layer not only covers the plane part of the anti-dazzle base material layer, but also is tightly attached to the prism structure, so that light refraction and scattering loss is reduced. The utility model also provides an electronic paper display module comprising a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film and the water-blocking film, and through the improvement of the structure of the water-blocking film, the module can have high stability and excellent environmental adaptability and long-term reliability on the basis of low power consumption and high readability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical thin film technology, and in particular to a water-blocking film and an electronic paper display module. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic paper (E-paper), as an advanced display technology, has gained widespread attention and application due to its unique bistable display characteristics and reading experience close to natural paper. This technology relies on the reflection of natural light for imaging, maintaining a stable image display without the need for electricity, greatly reducing eye strain. The display effect of E-paper is particularly outstanding in bright light environments; the brighter the ambient light, the higher the clarity and readability of the displayed content. This characteristic makes E-paper a promising candidate for applications in outdoor billboards, e-book readers, and other fields.

[0003] Currently, conventional electronic paper display modules on the market mainly consist of three parts: a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) driving unit, an electronic paper film, and a water-blocking PS (polystyrene) film. The TFT driving unit, as the control core, uses integrated circuits (ICs) to precisely control the circuitry on it, thereby achieving precise control over the movement of the ink balls on the electronic paper film to achieve image display. The addition of the water-blocking film effectively improves the environmental adaptability of the electronic paper module, extends its service life, and prevents performance degradation or damage caused by moisture intrusion.

[0004] However, despite some progress in electronic paper technology, particularly in strong light environments, its display quality remains relatively poor in low-light conditions. This is primarily due to the fact that electronic paper relies entirely on ambient light reflection for imaging. When ambient light is insufficient, the intensity of reflected light weakens, causing the displayed content to become blurry and affecting the user's reading experience. Therefore, solving the problem of poor display performance in low-light environments while maintaining the advantages of electronic paper technology has become a key challenge that urgently needs to be addressed in its development. Furthermore, with the market's increasing demands for the performance of electronic paper products, further optimizing the performance of the water-blocking film and improving the overall stability and durability of electronic paper modules are also important directions for research and development. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a water-blocking film that can correct light through the refraction and reflection of light, concentrate scattered light, and reduce the loss of unused light by reflecting it, thereby improving the display effect of electronic paper in the case of weak ambient light. The water-blocking film of this application includes a water-blocking layer, an anti-glare substrate layer, and an optical adhesive layer.

[0006] A prism structure is formed in the anti-glare substrate layer, the prism structure comprising an array of parallel prisms, the apex of the prisms in the prism structure facing the water-blocking layer;

[0007] The optical adhesive layer is disposed between the water-blocking layer and the anti-glare substrate layer, and the water-blocking layer and the anti-glare substrate layer are bonded together by the optical adhesive layer;

[0008] The optical adhesive layer is adhered to the prism in the prism structure, and the thickness of the optical adhesive layer embedded at the apex of the prism is less than 50% of the height of the prism.

[0009] In one embodiment, the thickness of the optical adhesive layer is less than the thickness of the water-blocking layer.

[0010] In one embodiment, the apex angle of the prism structure is in the range of 70°-120°.

[0011] In one embodiment, the width of the prism bottom in the prism structure is in the range of 100-800 μm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the optical adhesive layer is doped with inorganic particles.

[0013] In one embodiment, the anti-glare substrate layer has two or more prism structures.

[0014] In one embodiment, the prisms are arranged in different directions in different prism structures.

[0015] In one embodiment, the prism surfaces located at the perimeter of the prism structure are atomized.

[0016] In one embodiment, a protective layer is also included, which is formed on the side of the anti-glare substrate layer away from the water-blocking layer.

[0017] In addition, this application also provides an electronic paper display module, which includes a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film, and the aforementioned water-blocking film.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] This application combines a prism structure with an optical adhesive layer, utilizing the refraction and reflection of light. The prism structure formed in the anti-glare substrate layer, with its apex facing the water-blocking layer, can effectively capture and guide scattered light, concentrating it in the direction of the reader's line of sight. This design significantly improves the display effect of e-paper under weak ambient light conditions, increasing the center brightness by up to 110%, thereby greatly improving the user's reading experience.

[0020] The water-blocking film design of this application improves display performance while fully considering compatibility with existing electronic paper display module structures. The introduction of the prism structure does not alter the overall structure of the electronic paper, allowing for easy integration into existing electronic paper display modules without adjustments to existing production lines, thus reducing production costs. Simultaneously, the optical adhesive layer not only bonds the water-blocking layer and the anti-glare substrate layer but also optimizes the light refraction path through control of its thickness and prism embedding depth (embedding depth less than 50% of the prism height). The combination of the water-blocking layer and the anti-glare substrate layer in the water-blocking film not only improves display performance but also enhances the module's waterproof performance and extends the lifespan of the electronic paper. Especially in high-humidity environments, the water-blocking film effectively prevents moisture from eroding the internal structure of the electronic paper, ensuring stable and durable display quality. Furthermore, the inorganic particles doped in the optical adhesive layer further enhance light uniformity. The water-blocking film and electronic paper display module provided in this application demonstrate beneficial technical effects in improving display performance, maintaining structural stability, and enhancing durability. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a water-blocking membrane in the prior art;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water-blocking membrane in the embodiments of this application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, water-blocking layer; 200, anti-glare substrate layer; 210, prism structure; 300, optical adhesive layer. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0026] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0027] Electronic paper, as a display technology, is widely used in e-book readers, smart tags, and outdoor billboards due to its low power consumption, high readability, and visual comfort. It requires protection through a water-resistant film. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 1 In existing technologies, water-blocking films include a water-blocking layer 100, an anti-glare substrate layer 200, and an optical adhesive layer 300. However, in low-light environments, the display effect of electronic paper is often limited, affecting the user's reading experience. To overcome this challenge, this application proposes a novel water-blocking film design and applies it to an electronic paper display module. The water-blocking film of this application, through the combination of the anti-glare substrate layer 200 (including a prism structure 210) and the optical adhesive layer 300, utilizes the phenomena of light refraction and reflection to concentrate scattered light and reduce the loss of unused light through reflection, thereby improving the display effect of electronic paper in low-light environments. The structure of this water-blocking film and its electronic paper display module will be described in detail below; please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water-blocking membrane in an embodiment of this application. The water-blocking membrane of this application includes a water-blocking layer 100, an anti-glare substrate layer 200, and an optical adhesive layer 300. A prism structure 210 is formed in the anti-glare substrate layer 200. The prism structure 210 includes an array of parallel prisms. The apex corners of the prisms in the prism structure 210 face the water-blocking layer 100. The optical adhesive layer 300 is disposed between the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200, and the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200 are bonded together by the optical adhesive layer 300. The optical adhesive layer 300 adheres to the prisms in the prism structure 210, and the thickness of the apex corner of the prism embedded in the optical adhesive layer 300 is less than 50% of the height of the prism.

[0028] The water-blocking membrane structure of this application integrates multiple functions, specifically including a water-blocking layer 100, an anti-glare substrate layer 200, and an optical adhesive layer 300. The anti-glare substrate layer 200 is the core component, in which a prism structure 210 is formed. The prism structure 210 consists of an array of parallel prisms, with the apex angles of the prisms facing the water-blocking layer 100. The presence of the water-blocking layer 100 and the tight bonding between the optical adhesive layer 300 and the prism structure 210 together constitute a waterproof barrier, effectively preventing water erosion of the interior. This arrangement not only enhances the structural stability of the membrane layer but also utilizes the principle of light refraction to effectively reduce glare and improve visual comfort. The prism structure 210 allows light to undergo multiple refractions and scatterings when passing through the water-blocking membrane, thereby effectively reducing glare, increasing brightness, and improving the visual experience. Precise control of the depth at which the prism apex is embedded in the optical adhesive layer 300 ensures that the water-blocking membrane maintains good waterproof performance without sacrificing its light transmittance and clarity.

[0029] An optical adhesive layer 300 is disposed between the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200. By tightly bonding the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200 together, the stability and reliability of the entire water-blocking film structure are ensured. During the adhesion process, the optical adhesive layer 300 not only covers the planar portion of the anti-glare substrate layer 200 but also adheres tightly to the prism of the prism structure 210, ensuring uniform light transmission. This application precisely controls the depth at which the optical adhesive layer 300 is embedded at the prism apex. Specifically, this depth is limited to less than 50% of the prism height. This setting ensures both the integrity of the prism structure 210 and the full utilization of the refraction and reflection interfaces in the light path, resulting in optimal brightness enhancement within this range. In addition, the optical adhesive layer 300 tightly bonds the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200 together, forming an integral structure that enhances the impact and shock resistance of the water-blocking film.

[0030] Specifically, the thickness of the optical adhesive layer 300 is less than the thickness of the water-blocking layer 100. The main function of the optical adhesive layer 300 is to ensure a tight bond between the water-blocking layer 100 and the anti-glare substrate layer 200, while minimizing light refraction and scattering losses. If the optical adhesive layer 300 is too thick, it may introduce additional optical interfaces, causing unnecessary refraction and scattering of light as it passes through, thus affecting the overall light transmittance and clarity of the water-blocking film. By setting the thickness of the optical adhesive layer 300 to be less than that of the water-blocking layer 100, this optical loss can be effectively reduced, ensuring that light can pass through the water-blocking film more smoothly and achieve the expected display effect. From the perspective of practical application needs, the thickness of the water-blocking layer 100, as a key component of the water-blocking film, often needs to be controlled according to requirements such as waterproof rating and abrasion resistance. A thicker water-blocking layer 100 can provide better waterproof protection, but it may also increase the overall thickness and weight of the water-blocking film. In this case, setting the thickness of the optical adhesive layer 300 to be less than that of the water-blocking layer 100 can optimize the overall thickness of the water-blocking film without sacrificing waterproof performance, thereby reducing material costs.

[0031] Specifically, the apex angle of the prism structure 210 is within the range of 70°-120°. From the perspective of optical principles, the apex angle of a prism plays a crucial role in the refraction and reflection of light. When light enters another medium from one medium, its propagation direction changes, i.e., refraction occurs. The angle of refraction is closely related to the apex angle of the prism. Within the range of 70°-120°, the apex angle of the prism ensures that light undergoes appropriate refraction when passing through the prism structure 210. This prevents excessive light concentration and glare due to an excessively small angle, and also prevents excessive light dispersion and reduced brightness due to an excessively large angle. From the perspective of practical application needs, setting the apex angle of the prism structure 210 within the range of 70°-120° effectively balances the concentration and dispersion of light, improving the display effect of electronic paper in low-light environments. Within this angle range, the prism can effectively capture and guide scattered light, concentrating it towards the reader's line of sight, thereby enhancing the brightness and contrast of the electronic paper.

[0032] Specifically, the prism bottom width in the prism structure 210 is within the range of 100-800 μm. The width of the prism bottom directly affects the refraction path and distribution of light. Within the above range, the prism bottom width is moderate, ensuring effective refraction of light when passing through the prism structure 210, while avoiding excessive dispersion of light due to an excessively wide prism or focusing effect due to an excessively narrow prism, thereby maintaining uniform light distribution and efficient utilization. From the perspective of manufacturing feasibility, a prism bottom width within this range is beneficial for mold design and processing, as well as the implementation of subsequent production processes such as coating and curing. A prism bottom width within the above range can well balance the light refraction effect and the mechanical strength of the film material. The prism structure 210 can effectively guide light, improve the brightness and contrast of the display device, and maintain the flexibility of the film material, avoiding performance degradation due to bending or stretching during use.

[0033] Specifically, the optical adhesive layer 300 is doped with inorganic particles. In the water-blocking film or optical film design of this application, the optical adhesive layer 300 is doped with inorganic particles, including but not limited to silicon oxide (SiO2), titanium oxide (TiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles, zirconium oxide (ZrO2) particles, antimony oxide (Sb2O3) particles, or zinc oxide (ZnO) particles. Inorganic particles such as silicon oxide and titanium oxide have excellent physical and chemical stability. From the perspective of optical performance optimization, the doping of inorganic particles can change the optical parameters of the optical adhesive layer 300, such as the refractive index and scattering coefficient. By controlling the type, particle size, and distribution of inorganic particles, the light transmission characteristics can be regulated, such as increasing light transmittance, reducing scattering loss, and enhancing the absorption or reflection of light at specific wavelengths, which can further improve the brightness, contrast, and color saturation of the display device. The doping of inorganic particles can also enhance the mechanical strength of the optical adhesive layer 300, such as increasing hardness, wear resistance, and scratch resistance, which is crucial for the durability and reliability of water-blocking films or optical films during long-term use. Simultaneously, the doping of inorganic particles also helps improve the adhesion between the optical adhesive layer 300 and the substrate, thereby enhancing the overall structural stability.

[0034] Specifically, the anti-glare substrate layer 200 contains two or more prism structures 210. The multi-layered prism structure 210, with each layer containing prism units of different angles, heights, or shapes, further optimizes light management and control. Through the superposition and cooperation of multiple prisms, the scattering of reflected light from the screen can be reduced more effectively. In strong light environments, it can reduce glare and improve visual comfort. Furthermore, the multi-layered prism structure 210 can provide a more uniform brightness distribution from different viewing angles, reducing viewing angle dependence and ensuring a clear, glare-free image from all directions. By reducing glare and providing a uniform brightness distribution, the multi-layered prism design improves image contrast and color saturation, making the viewing experience more natural and comfortable. Under various lighting conditions, especially in high-brightness or complex lighting environments, the multi-layered prism structure 210 can effectively improve screen readability, ensuring clear information transmission.

[0035] Specifically, the prisms in different prism structures 210 are arranged in different directions. From the first layer to the second layer, and even more layers, the arrangement of the prisms presents an orderly change or alternation pattern, which may be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or at a specific tilt angle. The differentiated arrangement aims to further refine and optimize the light scattering path through multi-layered and multi-dimensional light refraction and guidance. By using prism structures 210 with different arrangement directions, the direction of light refraction and the angle of scattering can be controlled more precisely, effectively reducing reflected light in specific directions, avoiding the formation of glare points or glare bands, and improving visual comfort. Prism layers with different arrangement directions can provide a consistent and stable light scattering effect at multiple viewing angles, reducing brightness unevenness or distortion caused by changes in viewing angle, and ensuring clear and glare-free images at any angle. The difference in the arrangement direction of the prisms in the multi-layered prism structure 210 helps to achieve a more uniform light distribution in different areas, reducing the brightness difference between the screen edge and the center area, and improving the uniformity and consistency of the overall image.

[0036] Specifically, the prism surfaces at the perimeter of the prism structure 210 undergo a frosting treatment, employing a localized differentiation strategy. The prism surfaces at the perimeter edges are particularly affected by this frosting treatment. Utilizing advanced micro-nano fabrication technology, a uniform and dense layer of micro-uneven structures is formed on the prism surface. These micro-structures can scatter light in a controllable manner, making the light emitted from the prism edges softer and more uniform after frosting. This eliminates glaring direct light or strong reflected light, effectively reducing the amount of light directly reflected from the edges into the eyes. The light is scattered in a more natural and uniform way, resulting in a more balanced light distribution from the screen edge to the center, reducing uneven brightness.

[0037] Specifically, it also includes a protective layer formed on the side of the anti-glare substrate layer 200 away from the water-blocking layer 100. The display screen surface is easily subjected to friction and scratches. The protective layer, with its high hardness and wear resistance, effectively resists these external damages and extends the product's service life. The protective layer material is specially selected and has good resistance to common corrosive substances and solvents, preventing performance degradation or damage caused by environmental factors. While ensuring high transparency, the protective layer can also reduce light scattering caused by surface defects, ensuring clarity and color reproduction when light passes through. This is crucial for maintaining a high-quality visual experience. For outdoor applications or products exposed to sunlight for extended periods, the protective layer can effectively block ultraviolet rays and prevent material aging caused by ultraviolet rays.

[0038] In addition, this application also provides an electronic paper display module, which includes a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film, and the aforementioned water-blocking film. Specifically, the TFT driving unit in the electronic paper display module, as a core component, is responsible for controlling the switching state of each pixel to achieve high-quality image display and dynamic refresh. This unit provides the driving force for the electronic paper display due to its high-speed response, low power consumption, and high integration. The electronic paper film is known for its unique bistable display characteristics, which can maintain the stability of the displayed content without consuming power, greatly reducing energy consumption, while maintaining excellent reading comfort and visual experience. The introduction of the aforementioned water-blocking film, with its excellent waterproof and moisture-proof performance, effectively blocks external moisture from corroding the inside of the module, improving the reliability and durability of the electronic paper display module. Especially in environments with large humidity changes, the presence of the water-blocking film can ensure the stable operation of the module components, prevent short circuits, corrosion, and other failures caused by moisture, thereby extending the service life of the module. By combining a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film, and a carefully designed water-blocking film, the electronic paper display module proposed in this application not only has significant advantages such as low power consumption, high readability, and high stability, but also improves the module's environmental adaptability and long-term reliability.

[0039] As described above, this application proposes a novel water-blocking film structure that integrates a water-blocking layer, an anti-glare substrate layer, and an optical adhesive layer to form a unified water-blocking film. The anti-glare substrate layer incorporates a prism structure composed of an array of parallel prisms, with the apex of each prism facing the water-blocking layer. These prisms are tightly bonded to the water-blocking layer via the optical adhesive layer. The depth to which the apex of each prism is embedded in the optical adhesive layer is precisely controlled to be less than 50% of the prism's height, ensuring that good waterproof performance is maintained without sacrificing the light transmittance and clarity of the water-blocking film. The optical adhesive layer not only covers the planar portion of the anti-glare substrate layer but also adheres tightly to the prism structure, ensuring uniform light transmission. By precisely controlling the thickness of the optical adhesive layer to be less than that of the water-blocking layer, refraction and scattering losses of light when passing through the water-blocking film are effectively reduced, improving overall light transmittance and clarity. Simultaneously, the optical adhesive layer is doped with inorganic particles, such as silicon oxide and titanium oxide, further optimizing optical performance and enhancing the brightness, contrast, and color saturation of the display device.

[0040] The prism structure in the anti-glare substrate layer is meticulously designed, with prism apex angles ranging from 70° to 120° and base widths from 100 to 800 μm. This ensures appropriate refraction of light as it passes through, preventing glare due to excessively small angles and brightness reduction due to excessively large angles. Furthermore, the anti-glare substrate layer employs two or more prism structures with different prism orientations, further optimizing light management and control, reducing glare, and improving visual comfort. The prism surfaces at the perimeter are also frosted, resulting in a more balanced light distribution from the screen edge to the center.

[0041] To further enhance the durability and stability of the water-blocking film, this application also provides a protective layer on the side of the anti-glare substrate layer away from the water-blocking layer. This protective layer, with its high hardness and wear resistance, effectively resists external friction and scratches, while also possessing good chemical stability and UV resistance, preventing performance degradation or damage caused by environmental factors. Finally, this application also provides an electronic paper display module comprising a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film, and the aforementioned water-blocking film. This module not only possesses significant advantages such as low power consumption, high readability, and high stability, but also improves the module's environmental adaptability and long-term reliability by introducing the water-blocking film.

[0042] The above is only one specific implementation of this application, and any other improvements made based on the concept of this application shall be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A water-blocking membrane, characterized in that, It includes a water-blocking layer (100), an anti-glare substrate layer (200), and an optical adhesive layer (300); A prism structure (210) is formed in the anti-glare substrate layer (200), the prism structure (210) comprising an array of parallel prisms, the apex of the prisms in the prism structure (210) facing the water-blocking layer (100). The optical adhesive layer (300) is disposed between the water-blocking layer (100) and the anti-glare substrate layer (200), and the optical adhesive layer (300) bonds the water-blocking layer (100) and the anti-glare substrate layer (200) together. The optical adhesive layer (300) is adhered to the prism in the prism structure (210), and the thickness of the optical adhesive layer (300) embedded at the apex of the prism is less than 50% of the height of the prism.

2. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the optical adhesive layer (300) is less than the thickness of the water-blocking layer (100).

3. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The apex angle of the prism structure (210) is in the range of 70°-120°.

4. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the bottom of the prism in the prism structure (210) is in the range of 100-800μm.

5. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical adhesive layer (300) is doped with inorganic particles.

6. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-glare substrate layer (200) has two or more prism structures (210).

7. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 6, characterized in that, The prisms in different prism structures (210) are arranged in different directions.

8. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, The prism surfaces located at the four corners of the prism structure (210) are treated with atomization.

9. The water-blocking membrane according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective layer formed on the side of the anti-glare substrate layer (200) away from the water-blocking layer (100).

10. An electronic paper display module, characterized in that, It includes a TFT driving unit, an electronic paper film, and a water-blocking film as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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