Electronic paper display with recessed grooves in the display area

Abstract

The electronic paper display includes a thin film transistor substrate (1) and an electronic paper film (2), in which a polygonal display area (101) is formed on the thin film transistor substrate (1), a recess (103) recessed toward the display area (101) is formed on at least one side of the display area (101), and electrical connection points (4) for connecting electrodes of the thin film transistor substrate (1) and electrodes of the electronic paper film (2) are provided at locations on the electronic paper film (2) opposite the positions of the recesses (103), and has recessed grooves in the display area. The present invention solves the technical problem that the provision of electrical connection points causes the shapes of the electronic paper film and protective film to become deformed, increasing the size and cost of the electronic paper display.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese utility model application bearing application number 202222643104.7, filed on October 9, 2022, and entitled "Electronic paper display with recessed grooves in the display area." [Technical Field]

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronic display technology, and in particular to an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area. [Background technology]

[0003] Electronic paper displays are displays manufactured using electrophoretic display technology, and display images by applying driving voltages to each pixel point via a control circuit on a TFT (thin film transistor) substrate. As a reflective display, electronic paper displays can retain displayed images for long periods of time without requiring continuous refreshing after image update, resulting in low power consumption. Electronic paper displays have many advantages, including low power consumption, wide viewing angles, high contrast, and eye protection, and are therefore increasingly being used in fields such as electronic price tags, e-books, and signage.

[0004] The AA area (effective display area) of a conventional electronic paper display is rectangular. In order to drive an electrode (for example, a VCOM ITO electrode) in the FPL (electronic paper film), an opening is provided in a part of the area extending outward in the FPL, and an electrical connection point (Ag paste point) is provided at the position of the opening. Then, by dotting Ag paste, an electrode (for example, a VCOM electrode) on the TFT substrate is connected to an electrode (for example, a VCOM ITO electrode) in the FPL. ITO electrode), the presence of openings causes deformation of the FPL and PS (i.e., a protective film mainly including a waterproof layer and an anti-glare layer, which is attached to the FPL to provide anti-glare and block water vapor and prevent water vapor from entering the FPL) and increases the size of the FPL, PS and TFT, which not only increases the frame of the e-paper display and reduces the screen occupancy rate, but also reduces the number of divisions of the FPL, PS and TFT in the e-paper display (in the raw material production process, to improve efficiency and reduce costs, FPL, PS and TFT are all divided in the form of large pieces or mother wafers, with multiple small pieces arranged on one large piece or mother wafer, with the small pieces being of the size and shape actually required for the e-paper display, and the number of divisions refers to the number of small pieces cut out after as many as possible are arranged on one large piece), resulting in higher material costs.

[0005] The related art does not currently provide an effective solution to the problem that the installation of electrical connection points results in the deformation of the electronic paper film and protective film, which increases the size and cost of the electronic paper display. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area, which can prevent deformation of the electronic paper film, increase the screen occupancy rate of the electronic paper display, and reduce costs.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

[0008] The present invention provides an electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area, which comprises a thin film transistor substrate and an electronic paper film, wherein a polygonal display area is formed on the thin film transistor substrate, at least one side of the display area is provided with a recess that is recessed toward the display area, and a location on the electronic paper film opposite the location of the recess is provided with an electrical connection point for connecting an electrode of the thin film transistor substrate with an electrode of the electronic paper film.

[0009] Beneficial Effects of the Invention In an electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area, a recess is provided on at least one side of the display area on the thin film transistor substrate, and an electrical connection point is provided at a location on the electronic paper film opposite the recessed position, thereby avoiding the need for an opening extending outward in the electronic paper film, and by providing the electrical connection point at the opening, it is possible to prevent the shape of the electronic paper film from becoming deformed, increase the screen occupancy rate of the electronic paper display, and reduce costs.

[0010] The following drawings are only intended to explain and interpret the present invention in a schematic manner, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an electronic paper display having a recessed groove in a display area according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic planar structure diagram (part 1) of an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic planar structure diagram (part 2) of an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a planar structural schematic diagram (part 3) of an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 5]FIG. 4 is a schematic planar structure diagram (part 4) of an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic planar structure diagram (part 5) of an electronic paper display having recessed grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 6 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 7 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention (part 7). FIG. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 9 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 15] 14 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 16] 15 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 17] 16 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 18] 17 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. [Figure 19]18 is a schematic planar structure diagram of an electronic paper display having grooves in the display area according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In order to more clearly understand the technical features, objects and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 19, the present invention provides an electronic paper display having a groove in a display area including a thin-film transistor substrate 1 and an electronic paper film 2, in which a polygonal display area 101 is formed on the thin-film transistor substrate 1, at least one side of the display area 101 is provided with a recess 103 (the recess 103 is a groove opened on the side of the display area 101) that is recessed toward the display area 101, and an electrical connection point 4 (i.e., Ag paste) for connecting an electrode of the thin-film transistor substrate 1 (i.e., a VCOM electrode) and an electrode of the electronic paper film 2 (i.e., a VCOM ITO electrode) is provided on a portion of the electronic paper film 2 facing the position of the recess 103.

[0014] In the present invention, a recess 103 is provided on at least one side of the display area 101 of the thin film transistor substrate 1, and an electrical connection point 4 is provided at a location on the electronic paper film 2 opposite the position of the recess 103, thereby avoiding the need for an opening extending outward in the electronic paper film 2 and preventing the shape of the electronic paper film 2 from becoming deformed, thereby increasing the screen occupancy rate of the electronic paper display and reducing costs.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a recess 103 is provided on one side of the display area 101. Of course, recesses 103 may be provided on multiple sides of the display area 101, and electrical connection points 4 may be provided on the electronic paper film 2 at locations opposite the positions of the recesses 103.

[0016] Furthermore, the number of recesses 103 on the side of the display area 101 where the recesses 103 are provided may be one or more, and electrical connection points 4 are provided at the locations of the electronic paper film 2 facing the respective recesses 103. The number of electrical connection points 4 affects the driving capability of the electrodes of the electronic paper film 2; the greater the number of electrical connection points 4, the better the driving capability of the thin-film transistor substrate 1 with respect to the electrodes of the electronic paper film 2. The number of electrical connection points 4 also affects the number of divisions of the electronic paper film 2 and the amount of Ag paste used for the electrical connection points 4; an increase in the number of electrical connection points 4 reduces the number of divisions of the electronic paper film 2, increases the amount of Ag paste used, and increases costs. Therefore, from the perspective of product characteristics, the greater the number of electrical connection points 4, the greater the usage benefits. From the perspective of cost, the greater the number of electrical connection points 4, the higher the costs. To balance the relationship between product characteristics and cost, it is preferable that an electronic paper display with a size of 3.5 inches or less uses a single electrical connection point 4, and it is preferable that an electronic paper display with a size of 3.5 inches or more uses two or more electrical connection points 4.

[0017] Furthermore, typically, one electrical connection point 4 is provided at a location on the electronic paper film 2 facing the position of one recess 103 (i.e., one electrical connection point 4 is provided corresponding to one recess 103). Of course, as shown in Fig. 18, multiple electrical connection points 4 may be provided at locations on the electronic paper film 2 facing the position of one recess 103 (i.e., multiple electrical connection points 4 are provided corresponding to one recess 103).

[0018] Furthermore, the electrical connection points 4 may be dot-shaped as shown in Figures 2 to 18. Of course, the electrical connection points 4 may also be linear as shown in Figure 19 (i.e., multiple electrical connection points 4 provided corresponding to one recess 103 are connected to form a line). Note that the shape of the electrical connection points 4 may be designed to be any shape depending on actual design needs.

[0019] 2, a non-display area 106 is formed on the thin film transistor substrate 1, and a boundary area 102 (i.e., a border area) is formed between the non-display area 106 and the display area 101. The non-display area 106 is provided to surround the display area 101, and the boundary area 102 is arranged in a ring shape between the non-display area 106 and the display area 101 so as to distinguish the non-display area 106 from the display area 101.

[0020] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the thin film transistor substrate 1 is rectangular, and the rectangular region located inside the thin film transistor substrate 1 is the display region 101 (i.e., the AA region, which may also be called the effective display region), the region surrounding the outside of the display region 101 is the non-display region 106, and the annular region having a certain width located between the display region 101 and the non-display region 106 is the boundary region 102 for distinguishing between the display region 101 and the non-display region 106.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the boundary area 102 is recessed toward the display area 101 together with the sides of the display area 101 so as to form a recess 103 .

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an electronic paper film 2 is laminated on a thin film transistor substrate 1 and placed in front of the thin film transistor substrate 1, and the electronic paper film 2 covers the display area 101 and the border area 102.

[0023] Furthermore, the electrodes of the thin film transistor substrate 1 are located in the recesses 103, and openings are provided in the electronic paper film 2 at locations opposite the recesses 103 so as to expose the electrodes of the electronic paper film 2 to the outside, and electrical connection points 4 are located in the openings and connect the electrodes of the thin film transistor substrate 1 and the electrodes of the electronic paper film 2.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic paper display having a groove in the display area, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, further includes a protective film 3 laminated on a thin film transistor substrate 1 and an electronic paper film 2, covering the electronic paper film 2. The protective film 3 includes a waterproof layer (i.e., a barrier film) and an anti-glare layer (AG / PET film) laminated on top of each other, and the protective film 3 acts as an anti-glare layer and blocks water vapor, effectively preventing water vapor from entering the thin film transistor substrate 1.

[0025] 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a border structure 5 is provided at the edge positions of the protective film 3 and the electronic paper film 2. The border structure 5 serves to further block water vapor.

[0026] Furthermore, the edge bonding structure 5 may be an edge bonding agent that seals the edge positions of the protective film 3 and the electronic paper film 2, but is not limited to this.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the thin film transistor substrate 1 includes a glass plate 104 and a circuit board 7, in which a thin film crystal array 105 and a driving circuit are provided on the glass plate 104, an integrated circuit 6 is provided within a frame structure 5, the driving circuit is connected to the integrated circuit 6 via electrical connection points 4, and the integrated circuit 6 is connected to an external control circuit via the circuit board 7.

[0028] Furthermore, the integrated circuit 6 and the circuit board 7 are located under the protective film 3, and the integrated circuit 6 and the circuit board 7 can be thermocompressed to the thin film transistor substrate 1 using an ACF adhesive.

[0029] In the present invention, a thin film transistor substrate 1, an electronic paper film 2, and a protective film 3 are stacked as shown in FIG. 1 . An electrical connection point 4 connects the VCOM electrode on the thin film transistor substrate 1 to the VCOM ITO electrode on the electronic paper film 2. A thin film crystal array 105 and a driving circuit are provided on the thin film transistor substrate 1, and the driving circuit controls the voltage for the thin film crystal array 105. The electronic paper film 2 displays images that are actually visible to the human eye. An electric field is formed between the VCOM electrode on the thin film transistor substrate 1 and the VCOM ITO electrode on the electronic paper film 2 to display the image, thereby driving the electronic ink on the electronic paper film 2. An integrated circuit 6 is connected to a circuit board 7, which is connected to an external control circuit and realizes signal transmission between the external control circuit and the electronic paper film 2. The integrated circuit 6 converts signals received from the external control circuit into voltage and timing signals for driving the electronic paper film 2 to perform refresh.

[0030] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the recess 103 is "V" shaped, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, and an electrical connection point 4 is provided on the electronic paper film 2 at a location corresponding to the recess 103. In Figure 2, the recess 103 is located at the top edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 3, the recess 103 is located at the bottom edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 4, the recess 103 is located at the left edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, and in Figure 5, the recess 103 is located at the right edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102.

[0031] In this embodiment, the "V"-shaped recesses 103 are provided at the midpoint of the corresponding sides, but in an actual product, depending on the specific situation, the number of sides on which the "V"-shaped recesses 103 are provided may be one or more, the number of "V"-shaped recesses 103 on each side may be one or more, and the position of the "V"-shaped recesses 103 may be at the center of one side or may be offset to the left or right from the center.

[0032] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the recess 103 is semicircular or semielliptical, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, and an electrical connection point 4 is provided on the electronic paper film 2 at a location corresponding to the recess 103. In Figure 6, the recess 103 is located at the top edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 7, the recess 103 is located at the bottom edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 8, the recess 103 is located at the left edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, and in Figure 9, the recess 103 is located at the right edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102.

[0033] In this embodiment, the semicircular or semi-elliptical recesses 103 are provided at the midpoint of the corresponding sides, but in an actual product, depending on the specific situation, the number of sides on which the semicircular or semi-elliptical recesses 103 are provided may be one or more, the number of semicircular or semi-elliptical recesses 103 on each side may be one or more, and the position of the semicircular or semi-elliptical recess 103 may be at the center of one side or may be offset to the left or right from the center.

[0034] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the recess 103 is rectangular, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, and an electrical connection point 4 is provided on the electronic paper film 2 at a location corresponding to the recess 103. In Figure 10, the recess 103 is located at the top edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 11, the recess 103 is located at the bottom edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 12, the recess 103 is located at the left edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, and in Figure 13, the recess 103 is located at the right edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102.

[0035] In this embodiment, the rectangular recesses 103 are provided at the midpoint of the corresponding sides, but in an actual product, depending on the specific situation, the number of sides on which the rectangular recesses 103 are provided may be one or more, the number of rectangular recesses 103 on each side may be one or more, and the position of the rectangular recesses 103 may be at the center of one side or may be offset to the left or right from the center.

[0036] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the recess 103 is trapezoidal or U-shaped, as shown in Figures 14 to 17, and electrical connection points 4 are provided on the electronic paper film 2 at locations corresponding to the recess 103. In Figure 14, the recess 103 is located at the top edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 15, the recess 103 is located at the bottom edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, in Figure 16, the recess 103 is located at the left edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102, and in Figure 17, the recess 103 is located at the right edge of the display area 101 and the boundary area 102.

[0037] In this embodiment, the trapezoidal or "U"-shaped recesses 103 are provided at the midpoint of the corresponding sides, but in an actual product, depending on the specific situation, the number of sides on which the trapezoidal or "U"-shaped recesses 103 are provided may be one or more, the number of trapezoidal or "U"-shaped recesses 103 on each side may be one or more, and the position of the trapezoidal or "U"-shaped recess 103 may be at the center of one side or may be offset to the left or right from the center.

[0038] In the present invention, the specific shape of the recess 103 is not limited to the shapes described in the above embodiments, but may be other shapes and is not limited here.

[0039] The above are merely illustrative specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. The display device includes a thin film transistor substrate and an electronic paper film, A polygonal display area is formed on the thin film transistor substrate, a recess recessed toward the display area is provided on at least one side of the display area, and an electrical connection point for connecting an electrode of the thin film transistor substrate and an electrode of the electronic paper film is provided at a location of the electronic paper film opposite the position of the recess. An electronic paper display with recessed grooves in the display area.

2. The recess is provided on one side of the display area.

2. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 1.

3. The recesses are provided on a plurality of sides of the display area.

2. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 1.

4. The number of recesses on the side of the display area where the recesses are provided is one or more.

4. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A plurality of the electrical connection points are provided at a location of the electronic paper film opposite to the position of the recess.

2. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 1.

6. The electrical connection points are point-like or linear.

2. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 1.

7. A non-display area is formed on the thin film transistor substrate, and a boundary area is formed between the non-display area and the display area.

2. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 1.

8. The non-display area is provided so as to surround the display area, and the boundary area is arranged in a ring shape between the non-display area and the display area so as to distinguish the non-display area from the display area. The electronic paper display according to claim 7, wherein the display area has a recessed groove.

9. The boundary area is recessed toward the display area together with the side of the display area so as to form the recess.

9. An electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The electronic paper film is disposed on the thin film transistor substrate and covers the display area and the boundary area. The electronic paper display according to claim 7, wherein the display area has a recessed groove.

11. the electrode of the thin film transistor substrate is located in the recess; An opening is provided in the electronic paper film at a location opposite the recess so as to expose the electrode of the electronic paper film to the outside, and the electrical connection point is located in the opening and connects the electrode of the thin film transistor substrate and the electrode of the electronic paper film.

9. The electronic paper display having a recessed groove in the display area according to claim 8.

12. The electronic paper film may further include a protective film disposed on the thin film transistor substrate and the electronic paper film, the protective film covering the electronic paper film. The electronic paper display according to claim 10, having a recessed groove in the display area.

13. The protective film and the electronic paper film have edge-attached structures on their edges. The electronic paper display according to claim 12, having a recessed groove in the display area.

14. The thin film transistor substrate includes a glass plate and a circuit board; A thin film transistor array and a driving circuit are provided on the glass plate, an integrated circuit is provided within the frame structure, the driving circuit is connected to the integrated circuit via the electrical connection points, and the integrated circuit is connected to an external control circuit via the circuit board. The electronic paper display according to claim 13, having a recessed groove in the display area.

Images