electronic equipment

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus including an expandable display region.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a first sealing material that attaches the first substrate and the second substrate to each other. The first substrate includes an insulating base material, a scan line, a signal line, and a plurality of pixel electrodes. The insulating base material includes a plurality of island-shaped parts, and a plurality of band-shaped parts connecting the adjacent island-shaped parts. The scan line is disposed on the band-shaped part extending in a first direction. The signal line is disposed on the band-shaped part extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. Each of the pixel electrodes is disposed on the island-shaped part and is electrically connected to the scan line and the signal line. The second substrate includes a common electrode facing the pixel electrodes. Between each pixel electrode and the common electrode, a first liquid crystal layer and a second sealing material that is disposed surrounding each pixel electrode and seals the first liquid crystal layer are disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of flexible substrates that are flexible and stretchable has been studied in various fields. For example, a flexible substrate on which electrical elements are arranged in a matrix may be attached to the housing of an electronic device, the curved surface of the human body, or the like.

[0003] In flexible substrates, measures must be taken to prevent damage to the wiring due to stress caused by bending or expansion / contraction. For example, measures such as providing honeycomb-shaped openings in the substrate that supports the wiring, or forming the wiring in a meandering shape have been proposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-198101 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-198102 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-118109 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-113088 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present embodiment is to provide an electronic device having a stretchable display area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a first sealant bonding the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes an insulating base material, scan lines, signal lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes. The insulating base material includes a plurality of island-shaped portions and a plurality of strip-shaped portions connecting adjacent island-shaped portions. The scan lines are disposed on the strip-shaped portions extending in a first direction. The signal lines are disposed on the strip-shaped portions extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The plurality of pixel electrodes are disposed on the island-shaped portions and electrically connected to the scan lines and the signal lines. The second substrate includes a common electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes. A first liquid crystal layer and a second sealant are disposed between each of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, the second sealant surrounding each of the pixel electrodes and sealing the first liquid crystal layer. The first substrate further includes a first elastic member supporting the insulating base material. The second substrate further includes a second elastic member disposed on the common electrode. The first liquid crystal layer includes cholesteric liquid crystal. The second elastic member is filled between adjacent pixel electrodes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the first substrate shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the first substrate shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily make while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the drawings may be schematic in terms of the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual embodiment for clarity of explanation, but these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, components that perform the same or similar functions as those described above with reference to the previous drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electronic device 1 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 are defined as shown. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are parallel to the main surface of the electronic device 1 and intersect with each other. The third direction D3 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 and corresponds to the thickness direction of the electronic device 1. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersect perpendicularly, but they may intersect at an angle other than perpendicular. In this specification, the direction toward the tip of the arrow indicating the third direction D3 is referred to as "up," and the direction opposite the tip of the arrow is referred to as "down." Furthermore, it is assumed that an observation position for observing the electronic device 1 is located at the tip of the arrow indicating the third direction D3. Viewing the D1-D2 plane defined by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 from this observation position is referred to as planar view.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, electronic device 1 includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, a circuit board 2, and a controller 3. Circuit board 2 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board, and is electrically connected to each terminal in a terminal area TA of first substrate SUB1. Controller 3 is mounted on circuit board 2, but may also be mounted on first substrate SUB1. First substrate SUB1 and second substrate SUB2 are bonded together by a peripheral seal SE1 (first sealant).

[0011] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the first substrate SUB1 shown in Fig. 1. The first substrate SUB1 is flexible and stretchable. A specific configuration example for achieving stretchability will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the first substrate SUB1 (electronic device 1 including it) has an active area AA and a frame-shaped peripheral area SA surrounding the active area AA. The active area AA is an area where, for example, an image is displayed, and may also be referred to as a display area. The peripheral area SA is an area where peripheral circuits such as various drivers, which will be described later, are arranged. The peripheral area SA has a terminal area TA on which the circuit board 2 shown in FIG. 1 is mounted. In FIG. 2, the terminal area TA is indicated by diagonal lines.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the first substrate SUB1 includes a plurality of scanning lines GL, a plurality of signal lines SL, a plurality of pixels PX, a scanning line driver DR1, a signal line driver DR2, etc. These elements are arranged on a first elastic member EM1. The scanning lines GL, the signal lines SL, and the plurality of pixels PX are arranged in an active area AA, and the scanning line driver DR1 and the signal line driver DR2 are arranged in a peripheral area SA. The scanning lines GL each extend in a first direction D1 and are aligned in a second direction D2. The scanning lines GL each connect to the scanning line driver DR1. The signal lines SL each extend in the second direction D2 and are aligned in the first direction D1. The signal lines SL each connect to the signal line driver DR2. The pixels PX are located at the intersections of the scanning lines GL and the signal lines SL and are electrically connected to the scanning lines GL and the signal lines SL. Specific configuration examples of the pixels PX will be described later.

[0013] Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a part (active area AA) of the first substrate SUB1 shown in Fig. 2. In addition to the above, the first substrate SUB1 includes an insulating base material 10 that supports the scanning lines GL and the signal lines SL.

[0014] The insulating substrate 10 is disposed on the first elastic member EM1. The insulating substrate 10 includes a plurality of island-shaped portions 11 and strip-shaped portions 12 and 13 formed integrally with the island-shaped portions 11. The insulating substrate 10 is formed in a mesh shape. The insulating substrate 10 is flexible and stretchable and can be formed of, for example, polyimide, but is not limited to this example. The plurality of island-shaped portions 11 are arranged in a matrix shape at intervals in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Each of the island-shaped portions 11 is formed, for example, in a quadrangular (diamond) shape in plan view. The island-shaped portions 11 may be formed in another polygonal shape, or may be formed in a circular or elliptical shape. The pixel PX overlaps the island-shaped portion 11. The pixel PX is surrounded by a pixel seal SE2 (second sealant). The pixel seal SE2 may be a polymer wall.

[0015] The strip portions 12 extend generally in the first direction D1 and are aligned in the second direction D2. The strip portions 12 connect the island portions 11 aligned in the first direction D1. The strip portions 13 extend generally in the second direction D2 and are aligned in the first direction D1. The strip portions 13 connect the island portions 11 aligned in the second direction D2. The strip portions 12 and 13 are each formed in a wave shape in a plan view. In other words, the strip portions 12 and 13 are formed in a serpentine shape (meandering shape) in a plan view.

[0016] The scanning lines GL extend and overlap the strip portions 12. The signal lines SL extend and overlap the strip portions 13. That is, the scanning lines GL and the signal lines SL are both formed in a meandering shape. The scanning lines GL and the signal lines SL are electrically connected to the pixels PX through contact holes, which will be described later.

[0017] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. Here, the configuration of the pixel PX arranged so as to overlap the island-shaped portion 11 of the insulating substrate 10 will be mainly described. The pixel PX includes a switching element SW, a pixel electrode PE, a common electrode CE, a liquid crystal layer LC1, etc.

[0018] The insulating base material 10 is disposed on the first elastic member EM1. An insulating layer 21 is disposed on the insulating base material 10. A light-shielding layer LS is disposed on the insulating layer 21. The light-shielding layer LS overlaps with the scanning line GL, which functions as the gate electrode of the switching element SW. This allows the light-shielding layer LS to block light directed toward the scanning line GL from below. The light-shielding layer LS is formed from a metal material such as aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), copper (Cu), or chromium (Cr).

[0019] An insulating layer 22 is disposed on the insulating layer 21. The insulating layer 22 covers the light-shielding layer LS. A semiconductor layer SC constituting the switching element SW is disposed on the insulating layer 22. The semiconductor layer SC is formed of, for example, polycrystalline silicon (for example, low-temperature polysilicon), but may also be formed of amorphous silicon or an oxide semiconductor. An insulating layer 23 is disposed on the insulating layer 22. The insulating layer 23 covers the semiconductor layer SC. The scanning line GL is disposed on the insulating layer 23. An insulating layer 24 is disposed on the insulating layer 23. The insulating layer 24 covers the scanning line GL.

[0020] A signal line SL functioning as a source electrode of the switching element SW and a drain electrode DE of the switching element SW are disposed on the insulating layer 24. The signal line SL is connected to the semiconductor layer SC through a contact hole CH1 formed in the insulating layers 23 and 24. The signal line SL can be formed of, for example, a metal material or a transparent conductive material, and may have a single-layer structure or a multilayer structure. The drain electrode DE is connected to the semiconductor layer SC through a contact hole CH2 formed in the insulating layers 23 and 24. The drain electrode DE is formed of, for example, the same material as the signal line SL. An insulating layer 25 is disposed on the insulating layer 24. The insulating layer 25 covers the signal line SL and the drain electrode DE. An insulating layer 26 is disposed on the insulating layer 25.

[0021] The switching element SW is located between the island-shaped portion 11 of the insulating substrate 10 and the pixel electrode PE. The switching element SW shown in Fig. 4 has a single-gate structure, but may have a double-gate structure. Furthermore, the switching element SW shown in Fig. 4 has a top-gate structure in which the gate electrode (scanning line GL) is arranged above the semiconductor layer SC, but may have a bottom-gate structure in which the gate electrode (scanning line GL) is arranged below the semiconductor layer SC.

[0022] The insulating layers 21 to 25 are all inorganic insulating layers formed from an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO), silicon nitride (SiN), silicon oxynitride (SiON), etc. The insulating layer 26 is an organic insulating layer formed from an organic insulating material such as acrylic resin, etc. The upper surface of the insulating layer 26 is substantially flattened.

[0023] A pixel electrode PE is disposed on the insulating layer 26. The pixel electrode PE is connected to the drain electrode DE through a contact hole CH3 formed in the insulating layers 25 and 26. The pixel electrode PE is a transparent electrode made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0024] A reflective electrode RE is disposed on the pixel electrode PE. The reflective electrode RE is formed of, for example, a metal material. Ends of the pixel electrode PE and the reflective electrode RE are covered with an insulating layer 27. The insulating layer 27 is also disposed on a part of the reflective electrode RE that overlaps with the contact hole CH3. The insulating layer 27 is formed of, for example, aluminum oxide (AlOx).

[0025] A pixel seal SE2 is disposed on the insulating layer 26 so as to surround the pixel electrodes PE. A common electrode CE is disposed on the pixel seal SE2. The common electrode CE may be disposed across multiple pixel electrodes PE, or may be divided and disposed for each pixel electrode PE. The common electrode CE is a transparent electrode formed of a transparent conductive material such as ITO or IZO. The common electrode CE is electrically connected to a power supply line (not shown) and is supplied with, for example, a common potential. The common electrode CE may be electrically connected to the power supply line (not shown) via conductive beads included in the pixel seal SE2, or may be electrically connected to the power supply line (not shown) via conductive beads included in the peripheral seal SE1.

[0026] A liquid crystal layer LC1 (first liquid crystal layer) is disposed between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. The pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE face each other via the liquid crystal layer LC1. The liquid crystal layer LC1 is sealed by a pixel seal SE2 disposed to surround the pixel electrode PE. In the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, since the active area AA in which the pixels PX are disposed is expandable, it is preferable that the liquid crystal layer LC1 be a liquid crystal layer that does not require a polarizing plate. For this reason, the liquid crystal layer LC may be, for example, a liquid crystal layer containing cholesteric liquid crystal or a liquid crystal layer containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. Both cholesteric liquid crystal and polymer-dispersed liquid crystal are liquid crystals containing polymers. Furthermore, in the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment, an electrophoretic element layer containing microcapsules may be disposed instead of the above-described liquid crystal layer LC1.

[0027] A sealing layer 28 is disposed on the common electrode CE. The sealing layer 28 prevents moisture from entering from the outside. A second elastic member EM2 is disposed on the sealing layer 28. Here, it is assumed that the electronic device 1 is a reflective display device, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the electronic device 1 as a transmissive display device by omitting the reflective electrode RE and arranging a light source such as a backlight under the first expandable member EM1.

[0028] 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. Here, the configuration between adjacent pixels PX will be mainly described. For ease of explanation, FIG. 5 omits some of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 for simplification.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, a gap 30 where no component is disposed is provided in a position that does not overlap with a pixel PX in a planar view. In other words, a gap 30 is provided between two adjacent pixels PX. By providing such a gap 30, it is possible to improve the elongation rate of the active area AA. Note that Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which the gap 30 is provided by omitting a component between the insulating substrate 10 and the second elastic member EM2, but this is not limiting, and the gap 30 may also be provided by omitting a component between the insulating layer 25 and the second elastic member EM2 shown in Fig. 4.

[0030] 5 illustrates a configuration in which the void 30 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the pixel PX in a planar view, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which the second elastic member EM2 is filled at a position that does not overlap with the pixel PX in a planar view (in other words, a configuration in which the void 30 shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with the second elastic member EM2) may be applied, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, although the elongation rate is lower than the configuration shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to improve rigidity.

[0031] Furthermore, when the liquid crystal layer LC1 is a liquid crystal layer containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, instead of the configurations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a configuration may be used in which a liquid crystal layer containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (second liquid crystal layer) is filled in positions that do not overlap with the pixels PX in a planar view, as shown in FIG. 7 (in other words, a configuration in which the gap 30 shown in FIG. 5 is replaced with a liquid crystal layer LC2 containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystals). This is because a liquid crystal layer containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystals has the property of transmitting light when no voltage is applied, and even if the liquid crystal layer LC2 is placed in a position that does not overlap with the pixels PX in a planar view, it does not affect the image display. In this case, the peripheral seal SE1 not only bonds the configuration on the first substrate SUB1 side to the configuration on the second substrate SUB2 side, but also serves to seal the liquid crystal layer LC2 containing polymer-dispersed liquid crystals that is filled in positions that do not overlap with the pixels PX in a planar view. Note that when the liquid crystal layer LC1 is a liquid crystal layer containing cholesteric liquid crystals, the configurations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are preferable to the configuration shown in FIG. 7 because the liquid crystal layer LC1 selectively reflects light.

[0032] As described above, according to one embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device 1 having an expandable display area.

[0033] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1...electronic device, SUB1...first substrate, SUB2...second substrate, SE1...periphery seal, 10...insulating base material, 11...island portion, 12, 13...strip portion, GL...scan line, SL...signal line, PE...pixel electrode, CE...common electrode, LC1...liquid crystal layer, SE2...pixel seal, PX...pixel.

Claims

1. a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a first sealant that bonds the first substrate and the second substrate together; The first substrate is an insulating substrate including a plurality of island-shaped portions and a plurality of strip-shaped portions connecting adjacent island-shaped portions; scan lines disposed on the strips extending in a first direction; a signal line disposed on the strip portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed on the island-shaped portion and electrically connected to the scanning lines and the signal lines; The second substrate is a common electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes; a first liquid crystal layer and a second sealant that is disposed between each of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode and that is disposed so as to surround each of the pixel electrodes and seal the first liquid crystal layer; the first substrate further includes a first elastic member supporting the insulating base material; the second substrate further includes a second elastic member disposed on the common electrode; the first liquid crystal layer includes a cholesteric liquid crystal; The electronic device, wherein the second elastic member is filled between the adjacent pixel electrodes.

2. A first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a first sealant that bonds the first substrate and the second substrate together; The first substrate is an insulating substrate including a plurality of island-shaped portions and a plurality of strip-shaped portions connecting adjacent island-shaped portions; scan lines disposed on the strips extending in a first direction; a signal line disposed on the strip portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of pixel electrodes disposed on the island-shaped portion and electrically connected to the scanning lines and the signal lines; The second substrate is a common electrode facing the plurality of pixel electrodes; a first liquid crystal layer and a second sealant that is disposed between each of the pixel electrodes and the common electrode and that is disposed so as to surround each of the pixel electrodes and seal the first liquid crystal layer; the first substrate further includes a first elastic member supporting the insulating base material; the second substrate further includes a second elastic member disposed on the common electrode; the first liquid crystal layer includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal; a second liquid crystal layer containing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal is filled between the adjacent pixel electrodes; The electronic device, wherein the second liquid crystal layer is sealed by the first sealant.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating substrate is formed in a mesh shape.

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