Color Filter Subpixel Arrangement for Reflective Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reflective display devices face issues with color mixing and reduced color reproducibility due to the close proximity of colored parts and the absence of a black matrix, which affects the colored area ratio and light transmission.
Innovation Solution
A color filter configuration with rectangular unit regions arranged in a 2×2 lattice pattern, where three sub-regions are colored and one is uncolored, featuring specific gap arrangements between colored parts to prevent mixing, and a reflective display device with a color filter that enhances the colored area ratio and reproducibility without a black matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the colored parts are arranged closely to increase the colored area ratio, then the light transmission and color reproducibility are improved, but the risk of color mixing between adjacent colored parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each pixel region into multiple sub-pixel regions (2×2 lattice pattern with 4 sub-regions per pixel). Colored parts are selectively arranged in three of these sub-regions while leaving one sub-region empty. This segmentation allows colored parts to be positioned closely together to maximize colored area ratio while the systematic sub-region division provides natural spacing to prevent color mixing between adjacent colored parts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a black matrix is provided between colored parts to prevent color mixing, then color separation is improved, but the colored area ratio and light transmission are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the black matrix component from the conventional color filter structure. Instead of using a black matrix to separate colored parts, the invention relies on the precise arrangement of colored parts within the 2×2 sub-pixel lattice and the inherent spacing provided by the uncolored sub-region. This extraction of the black matrix prevents color mixing while maintaining high colored area ratio and light transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If the colored parts are arranged in a regular lattice pattern, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the flexibility in optimizing gap sizes for different color combinations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different gap arrangements between colored parts based on their specific positions and color combinations. While the overall 2×2 lattice pattern provides manufacturing simplicity, the invention enables flexible optimization of gap sizes and arrangements in different local regions (between different color pairs) to prevent color mixing. This local adaptability is achieved by selectively placing colored parts in specific sub-regions and adjusting gaps based on adjacent color requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution minimizes color mixing and improves color reproducibility by optimizing the gap sizes between colored parts, allowing for higher colored area ratios and better light transmission, thus enhancing the display quality of reflective display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of colored parts 17r, 17g, 17b which are arranged on the base material 15 and transmit non-white light
Implementation Method 2
reflective display devices, typically electronic paper, display electronic information by means of reflected light
Data Source
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AI summary
The color filter includes a substrate that transmits visible light, and a plurality of colored parts that are arranged on the substrate and transmits non-white light. When rectangular regions formed by evenly dividing a surface of the substrate along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction are referred to as rectangular unit regions, and four rectangular regions formed by evenly dividing each of the rectangular unit regions into two along the first direction and into two along the second direction are referred to as rectangular sub-regions, three regions of the rectangular sub-regions in each of the rectangular unit regions serve as colored regions in which the colored parts are respectively arranged, and one region of the rectangular sub-regions in each of the rectangular unit regions excluding the three rectangular sub-regions serves as an uncolored region in which none of the colored parts is arranged. Of the plurality of colored parts, a first colored part arranged in a first-color colored region adjacent to the uncolored region in the first direction or the second direction is so arranged that a first gap is narrower than a second gap, the first gap being formed between the first colored part and a boundary of the first-color colored region with the uncolored region, the second gap being formed between the first colored part and a boundary of the first-color colored region with a second uncolored region adjacent to the first-color colored region in the second direction or the first direction.