Upper Cover Plate Structure for Vertical Electric Field Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing plasma display panels suffer from oblique electric fields between the pixel electrode and the upper ITO cover plate, leading to image sticking and reduced refresh cycles.

Innovation Solution

An upper cover plate structure with a filter layer containing spaced-apart color filters, notches, and micro-reflection units, along with an insulating guide layer and plasma isolation structure, is introduced to create a straight-up electric field, reducing oblique electric field effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a whole ITO layer is used as the upper cover plate, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but an oblique electric field is generated causing image sticking and reducing refresh cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidrefresh cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The upper ITO cover plate is segmented into multiple independent pixel electrodes corresponding to each color filter, rather than using a single continuous ITO layer. This segmentation allows each pixel electrode to be independently positioned directly above its corresponding color filter, eliminating the oblique electric field that causes image sticking while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized pixel electrode fabrication processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper cover plate structure is modified to have different local configurations: each pixel electrode is locally positioned directly above its corresponding color filter with precise alignment, while the spaces between pixels are filled with insulating materials. This local optimization ensures vertical electric fields at each pixel location, eliminating oblique field effects without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire upper cover plate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If pixel electrodes are positioned directly above color filters, then oblique electric field is eliminated improving refresh cycle, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefresh cycleVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper cover plate structure merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the pixel electrodes serve both as electrical components for plasma generation and as positioning references for the color filters. The insulating materials simultaneously provide electrical isolation and structural support. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the precise alignment required to eliminate oblique electric fields

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The upper cover plate structure is designed with multi-functionality: the pixel electrodes provide both electrical function for plasma generation and geometric reference for color filter alignment; the insulating materials provide both electrical isolation between pixels and structural support for the color filters. This universality reduces overall device complexity while achieving the goal of eliminating oblique electric fields

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 structure minimizes image sticking and enhances screen reflectance and contrast by aligning electric fields vertically, improving the display's stability and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

the color filters correspond to the pixel electrodes to form an electric field that is straight up and down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a surface of the color filter away from the first substrate is provided with a reflection structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4679168A1Upper cover plate structure and plasma display module
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 WUXI VISION PEAK TECH
  • EP4679168A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4679168A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4679168A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electronic paper display (EPD), and in particular to an upper cover plate structure. The upper cover plate structure includes a first substrate, where a filter layer is provided on a surface of the first substrate; the filter layer includes a plurality of spaced-apart color filters; a notch is formed between adjacent color filters; a surface of the color filter away from the first substrate is provided with a reflection structure; a surface of the reflection structure away from the color filter and a surface of the notch are provided with a conductive dielectric layer; an insulating guide layer is filled in the notch; and the insulating guide layer is located on a surface of the conductive dielectric layer. The insulating guide layer is provided around the color filters, and the insulating guide layer is provided on the surface of the conductive dielectric layer, such that the color filters correspond to the pixel electrodes to form an electric field that is straight up and down. Therefore, the present disclosure eliminates the oblique electric field, and improves the reflectance and contrast of the screen.