Electro-optic displays, and materials and methods for production thereof

• US 8,034,209 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Danner, Guy M., Northrop, Valerie C., Albert, Jonathan D., Gates, Holly G., van Veenendaal, Erik, Touwslager, Fredericus J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAY, LINDA LAMEY
• Application Number:
  US12/147,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20090000729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 156/253, 156/256, 156/293, 156/298, 359/245, 345/105, 345/107, 445/23
• US Class Current: 156/253
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2310/0843 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/202 LCD, i.e. liquid crystal displays
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/02 characterised by a sequence of laminating steps, e.g. by adding new layers at consecutive laminating stations
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0004 Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/10 Removing layers, or parts of layers, mechanically or chemically
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1057 Subsequent to assembly of laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1062 Prior to assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/109 Embedding of laminae within face of additional laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.

Abstract

An electro-optic display is produced using a sub-assembly comprising a front sheet, an electro-optic medium; and an adhesive layer. An aperture is formed through the adhesive layer where the adhesive layer is not covered by the electro-optic medium, and the sub-assembly is adhered to a backplane having a co-operating member with the aperture engaged with a co-operating member, thus locating the sub-assembly relative to the backplane. In another form of electro-optic display, a chip extends through an aperture in the electro-optic medium and adhesive layer. In a third form, the aforementioned sub-assembly is secured to a backplane and then a cut is made through both backplane and sub-assembly to provide an aligned edge.

Claims

1. A process for the production of an electro-optic display, the process comprising:

forming a sub-assembly comprising in order, a front sheet;

a layer of electro-optic medium; and

an adhesive layer;

forming an aperture through the front sheet and adhesive layer;

securing the sub-assembly to a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode; and

mounting at least one electronic circuit device on the backplane, the electronic circuit device extending through the aperture in the sub-assembly.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein a potting material at least partially surrounds the electronic circuit device.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the potting material contacts a portion of the sub-assembly adjacent the aperture.

4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the front sheet comprises a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer.

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the front sheet comprises an electrically-conductive layer and at least one supporting or protective layer on the opposed side of the electrically-conductive layer from the layer of electro-optic medium, the supporting or protective layer serving to support the electrically-conductive layer and to protect it against mechanical damage.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the front sheet comprises a second adhesive layer.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the second adhesive layer is covered by a release sheet.

8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises a rotating bichromal member or electrochromic medium.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are confined within a plurality of capsules or microcells.

11. A process according to claim 9 wherein the electrically charged particles and the fluid are present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material.

12. A process according to claim 9 wherein the fluid is gaseous.