Electrophoretic device, electronic apparatus, and manufacturing method for the electrophoretic device

• US 20030058521A1
• Filed: 08/19/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kawai, Hideyuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/16757 Microcapsules
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1679 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

An electrophoretic display device 20 of the present invention is formed of a first substrate 1, a second substrate 2, and microcapsules which are accommodated between these substrates and which contain an electrophoretic dispersion 10, wherein each of the microcapsules has an opening in at least a part thereof.

Claims

1. An electrophoretic device comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate opposing the first substrate; and

a plurality of capsules provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles;

wherein the capsules each have an opening formed in at least a part thereof.

2. An electrophoretic device according to claim 1, further comprising a binding agent around peripheries of the capsules.

3. An electrophoretic device according to claim 1, wherein the opening formed in each of the capsules is at least in contact with one of the first substrate and the second substrate.

4. An electrophoretic device according to claim 1, wherein the opening of each of the capsules faces in a direction parallel to an electric field direction.

5. An electrophoretic device according to claim 1, wherein the capsules each have a smaller diameter in a perpendicular direction with respect to a major axis of the first substrate than a diameter in a parallel direction with respect to the major axis of the first substrate.

6. An electrophoretic device according to claim 1,

wherein the first substrate has light transmissive properties, and the openings of the capsules are provided at the first substrate side.

7. An electrophoretic device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a first electrode formed at an internal surface side of the first substrate; and

an insulating film formed between the first electrode and the openings of the capsules.

8. An electrophoretic device according to claim 6, wherein the each capsules has no opening at a second substrate side.

9. An electrophoretic device according to claim 6, further comprising a color layer between the openings of the capsules and the first substrate.

12. An electronic apparatus having an image display portion, comprising:

an electrophoretic device according to claim 1 as the image display portion.

10. An electrophoretic device comprising scanning lines, signal lines, and switching elements provided at respective intersections therebetween, comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate opposing the first substrate, the switching elements being provide on the second substrate; and

capsules provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles;

wherein the capsules each have an opening formed in at least a part thereof at a first substrate side.

11. An electrophoretic device according to claim 10, further comprising:

pixel electrodes provided on the second substrate and connected to the switching elements; and

a counter electrode provided on the first substrate and opposing the pixel electrodes;

wherein the counter electrode has light transmissive properties.

13. An electronic apparatus having an image display portion, comprising:

an electrophoretic device according to claim 10 as the image display portion.

14. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, comprising:

a step of enclosing a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles in capsules; and

a step of forming an opening portion in at least a part of each of the capsules.

15. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, comprising:

a step of enclosing a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles in capsules;

a step of accommodating the capsules between a first substrate and a second substrate after the enclosing step; and

a step of forming an opening portion in at least a part of each of the capsules after the accommodating step.

16. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, according to claim 15,

wherein the capsules are accommodated with a binding agent between the first substrate and the second substrate.

17. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, comprising:

a step of enclosing a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles in capsules;

a step of disposing the capsules on at least one of a first substrate and a second substrate after the enclosing step;

a step of forming an opening portion in at least a part of each of the capsules after the disposing step; and

a step of providing the other of the first and second substrate on the at lest one substrate on which the capsules are disposed.

18. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, according to claim 17,

wherein the capsules are disposed together with a binding agent on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate.

19. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, according to claim 17, wherein the step of forming the opening portion comprises an

opening step performed by using at least one of the group selected from heat, mechanical stress, light, sonic waves, solvents, and corrosive gases.

20. A method for manufacturing an electrophoretic device, according to claim 19,

wherein the binding agent has at least one property selected form the group of volatility, contractility, plasticity, and flexibility.