Electrowetting Display UV Fluorosurfactant Layer Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of electrowetting display devices is complex and costly due to the need for separate hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatments, which can lead to poor oil filling and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of a phase-separated, UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer that eliminates the need for separate hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatments by forming a water repellent layer with UV light exposure, allowing for reduced processes and improved adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hydrophilic treatment and hydrophobic treatment processes are applied to the water repellent layer, then the device can achieve proper hydrophobicity for operation, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydrophilic treatment and hydrophobic treatment into a single integrated process step. The water repellent layer is formed with inherent hydrophobic properties through a unified manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate alternating treatments. This merging of processes reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the required hydrophobicity for device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary hydrophobic treatment to the water repellent layer during the initial formation process, before subsequent manufacturing steps. By pre-establishing the hydrophobic properties in the water repellent layer formation step itself, the need for later corrective or alternating treatments is eliminated, simplifying the overall process.
2Reliability
If multiple alternating processes are applied to provide hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, then the water repellent layer can achieve proper properties, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatment processes into a single integrated process. The water repellent layer is formed with the required hydrophobic properties in one continuous operation, eliminating the time-consuming back-and-forth between different treatment processes while ensuring proper layer properties.
3Reliability
If thermal reflow process is applied after oil filling to restore hydrophobicity, then the electrowetting display device can operate properly, but the cost increases and hydrophobicity may still be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary hydrophobic treatment to the water repellent layer during its initial formation, before oil filling and other subsequent processes. This pre-establishment of hydrophobicity eliminates the need for costly thermal reflow processes later, as the layer maintains its hydrophobic properties throughout manufacturing and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a cost-effective approach by forming the water repellent layer with inherent hydrophobic properties through a simple, low-cost process during initial manufacturing. This eliminates the need for expensive thermal reflow treatments, replacing them with a more economical one-time formation process that provides lasting hydrophobicity.
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and prevents hydrophobicity deterioration, ensuring effective oil filling and operation of electrowetting display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-separated, UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer formed between the partition walls and above the inter-layer insulation film
Implementation Method 2
the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant comprises one or more of: a UV light reactive material layer (cured with light)
Implementation Method 3
the layer below the oil must be a water repellent layer having a hydrophobic property
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer.