Electrofluidic Support Plate Hydrophobic Layer Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrofluidic display technologies face issues with incomplete ink return and reliability due to damage to the hydrophobic layer during manufacturing, leading to short-circuits and reduced device quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrofluidic support plate with a substrate coated with a first amorphous fluoropolymer layer, followed by pixel wall formation, a second amorphous fluoropolymer layer as a hydrophobic layer, and filling groove areas with a protective material to prevent damage and gaps, using materials like Dupont Teflon AF series and Solvay Hyflon series.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the hydrophobic layer is subjected to plasma etching or heat treatment to reduce hydrophobicity before applying walls material, then the walls material layer can be deposited, but the hydrophobic layer is damaged and its hydrophobic and insulating properties are affected, causing incomplete ink return
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a protective layer to the hydrophobic layer before plasma etching or heat treatment. This protective layer is removed after the walls material is deposited, but the hydrophobic layer has already been protected from damage during the manufacturing process, ensuring complete ink return while still allowing walls material deposition
2Reliability
If the hydrophobic layer is etched into a grid-like pattern to protect the surface, then the surface can be protected from damage, but gaps are formed between the hydrophobic layer and walls material, causing short-circuit problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the protective layer selectively only in the groove areas between pixel walls, not across the entire hydrophobic layer. This localized protection prevents damage to the hydrophobic layer during manufacturing while maintaining continuous contact between the hydrophobic layer and walls material, eliminating short-circuit risks
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
This approach prevents physical and chemical damage to the hydrophobic layer, ensuring complete ink return and enhancing the reliability and switching performance of electrofluidic devices by eliminating gaps between the hydrophobic layer and pixel walls.
Implementation Method 1
carrying out hydrophilic modification on a surface of the amorphous fluoropolymer layer
Implementation Method 2
arranging a second amorphous fluoropolymer layer which is a hydrophobic layer; the second amorphous fluoropolymer layer covering all surfaces of the pixel walls and groove areas encircled by the pixel walls
Implementation Method 3
filling the groove areas encircled by the pixel walls with a protective material
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electrofluidic support plate and a method for preparing the same, and an electrofluidic device comprising the support plate. The method comprises the following steps of: providing a substrate which has a surface provided with an electrode layer; arranging a first amorphous fluoropolymer layer on the surface of the substrate, and carrying out hydrophilic modification on a surface of the amorphous fluoropolymer layer; arranging pixel walls on the amorphous fluoropolymer layer after hydrophilic modification; arranging a second amorphous fluoropolymer layer which is a hydrophobic layer; the second amorphous fluoropolymer layer covering all surfaces of the pixel walls and a groove area encircled by the pixel walls; filling the groove area encircled by the pixel walls with a protective material; removing the second amorphous fluoropolymer layer not covered by the protective material and on a top of the pixel walls; and removing the protective material.