Electronic Paper Panel With Unfilled Corners for Regular Film Shapes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The placement of electrical connection points in 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 an outward-extending ear hole, which widens the bezel and reduces the screen-to-body ratio and cutting yield.

Innovation Solution

An electronic paper screen with a polygonal display area featuring vacant areas in the corners, where electrical connection points are provided on the electronic paper film to connect electrodes, eliminating the need for outward-extending ear holes and ensuring a seamless film shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an outward-extending ear hole is created on the electronic paper film to place electrical connection points, then electrical connection can be achieved, but the shape of the electronic paper film becomes irregular and the size increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the traditional ear hole structure and relocates it to the corner vacant area of the display region. The electrical connection point is placed within the display area's corner rather than extending outward, thereby maintaining the regular rectangular shape of the electronic paper film while achieving reliable electrical connection between the TFT substrate and electronic paper film.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If an outward-extending ear hole is created for electrical connection, then electrical connection is established, but the protective film shape becomes irregular and size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidsize of protective film
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for outward-extending ear holes by placing electrical connection points within the corner vacant areas of the display region. This allows the protective film to maintain its regular rectangular shape covering only the necessary display area, reducing the overall area of the protective film while ensuring electrical connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the electronic paper film is irregularly shaped due to ear holes, then electrical connection is possible, but the screen-to-body ratio is reduced and bezel is widened

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical connection function from the traditional ear hole configuration and repositions it within the corner vacant areas of the display region. This enables the electronic paper film, protective film, and TFT substrate to all maintain regular rectangular shapes, allowing for a narrower bezel and higher screen-to-body ratio while preserving electrical connection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If outward-extending ear holes are used for electrical connection, then connection is achieved, but the cutting yield of films is decreased and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidcutting yield
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the outward-extending ear hole structure and places electrical connection points within the corner vacant areas of the display region. This maintains regular rectangular shapes of all films (TFT substrate, electronic paper film, protective film), enabling more efficient arrangement and cutting of multiple screens from master slices, thereby increasing cutting yield and reducing material costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4600729A1Electronic paper panel having unfilled corner on display area
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 HANSHOW TECH CO LTD
  • EP4600729A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4600729A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4600729A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an electronic paper screen with an unfilled corner 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). A vacant area (103) is reserved in at least one corner of the display area (101). An electrical connection point (4) is provided on the electronic paper film (2) at a position corresponding to at least one vacant area (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.