Patterned Piezo-Electrophoretic Film for Power-Free Image Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophoretic displays require complex driving circuitry, which adds bulk and limits flexibility, making them unsuitable for applications requiring simplicity, durability, and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A thin electrophoretic display film comprising a piezoelectric material between an electrophoretic medium and a conductive layer, allowing movement of charged pigment particles without an external power source by flexing the piezoelectric layer, and utilizing patterned piezo electric zones for differential polarization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If complex driving circuitry is used to drive electrophoretic display, then the display can be controlled and operated, but the device becomes bulky and loses flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay controlVSAvoidcircuitry structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power source function from external circuitry and integrates it into the piezoelectric material itself. The piezoelectric material generates electrical energy through mechanical deformation, eliminating the need for separate batteries and complex driving circuits while maintaining display operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the piezoelectric material: it serves as both the power source (generating electricity through mechanical stress) and the actuator (creating electric fields to drive electrophoretic particles). This merging eliminates the need for separate power supply and control circuitry, reducing device complexity and improving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional power sources and driving circuitry are used, then the electrophoretic display can operate, but the device lacks flexibility and durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay operationVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric material serves itself by generating the electrical energy needed to drive the electrophoretic display through its own mechanical deformation. This self-powered mechanism eliminates dependency on external power sources and complex circuitry, enabling the display to be made flexible and adaptable for various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If patterned piezo electric zones with differential polarization are used, then high contrast ratio images can be created, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage pattern qualityVSAvoidpiezo layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating zones of differential polarization within the piezoelectric material, where different regions have different polarization directions. This enables selective activation of electrophoretic particles in specific areas, creating high-contrast patterned images while using a single integrated piezoelectric layer rather than multiple complex layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables flexible, durable, and power-free electrophoretic displays suitable for security markers and sensors, with high contrast ratios and patterned images through differential polarization.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric material positioned between the layer of electrophoretic material and the first conductive layer... when the piezo electric layer is flexed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

An electrophoretic display (EPD) is a non-emissive device based on the electrophoresis of charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture... the pigment particle(s) migrate to one side or the other causing either the color of the pigment particles or the color of the solvent being seen from the viewing side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 3

a patterned piezo electric layer comprising zones of differential polarization... utilizing patterned piezo electric zones for differential polarization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential polarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS20260079377A1Piezo-electrophoretic film including patterned piezo polarities for creating images via electrophoretic media

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 E INK CORP

AI summary

Low-profile piezo-electrophoretic films and display films including low profile piezo-electrophoretic films are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material of the piezo-electrophoretic films can be patterned with high-voltage electric fields after fabrication of the piezo-electrophoretic films. Such films are useful as security markers, authentication films, or sensors. The films are generally flexible. Some films are less than 100 μm in thickness. Displays formed from the films do not require an external power source.