Electronic-Paper Screen Recesses Replace Outward Ear Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The placement of electrical connection points on conventional electronic paper screens causes irregular shaping of the electronic paper film and protective film, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for outward-extending ear holes, which reduces the screen-to-body ratio and cutting yield.

Innovation Solution

An electronic paper screen with a recess in the display area, featuring a recess on the thin film transistor substrate and an electrical connection point on the electronic paper film corresponding to the recess, eliminating the need for outward-extending ear holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical connection points are placed on outward-extending ear holes of the electronic paper film, then electrical connection between TFT substrate and electronic paper film is achieved, but the electronic paper film and protective film become irregularly shaped, increasing size and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidregular shape of electronic paper film
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection point is moved from a two-dimensional position on the edge of the electronic paper film (ear hole) to a three-dimensional position within the recessed region of the display area. This dimensional change allows electrical connection without requiring outward extension of the film, maintaining regular shape while achieving connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection point structure is nested within the recessed region of the display area rather than extending outward. The Ag glue dot is positioned in the recess, with the electronic paper film extending over it, creating a nested configuration that maintains compact, regular shapes while enabling electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If outward-extending ear holes are created on the electronic paper film for electrical connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidscreen-to-body ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection is achieved by moving the connection point into the recessed region within the display area boundaries, rather than extending the film outward. This keeps the overall device footprint compact, maintaining a high screen-to-body ratio while achieving reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If outward-extending ear holes are created on the electronic paper film, then electrical connection is achieved, but the cutting yield of FPL, PS and TFT is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidcutting yield
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the electrical connection point within the recessed region of the display area rather than requiring outward extension, the electronic paper film maintains a regular rectangular shape. This enables more efficient arrangement and cutting of multiple screens from master slices, improving cutting yield and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Shape

If irregular shaping of electronic paper film is avoided, then screen-to-body ratio is increased and cost is reduced, but electrical connection must be achieved without ear holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregular shape of electronic paper filmVSAvoidelectrical connection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed region of the display area serves dual purposes: it maintains the regular shape of the electronic paper film while simultaneously providing the location for electrical connection. The display area structure itself provides the functionality previously requiring separate ear hole structures, simplifying the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4600728A1Electronic-paper screen with display region having recess
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HANSHOW TECH CO LTD
  • EP4600728A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4600728A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4600728A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electronic paper screen with a recess in a display area, including a thin film transistor substrate (1) and an electronic paper film (2). 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) that is recessed towards the display area (101). An electrical connection point (4) is provided on the electronic paper film (2) at a position corresponding to the recess (103) and configured to connect an electrode of the thin film transistor substrate (1) to an electrode of the electronic paper film (2). The present disclosure solves the technical problem that the placement of the electrical connection point causes irregular shaping of the electronic paper film and the protective film, leading to an increase in the size and cost of the electronic paper screen.