JP2002014382A - Image display medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display medium with which a high resolution image can be displayed, strength of the image display medium is improved, and uneven distribution of particles and voltage drop caused by an electrode can be prevented. SOLUTION: In the image display medium with which the particles provided between a pair of electrodes are moved by an electric field based on voltage applied between the pair of electrodes to display the prescribed image according to a state of the particles, a gap holding member which subdivides this gap and holds the gap between the substrates in a fixed distance is provided. In a gap between a display substrate provided with one electrode between the pair of electrodes disposed in a picture display screen side and a non-display substrate opposed to the display substrate and provided with the other electrode between the pair of electrodes. Thereby, movement to a direction parallel to the display substrate between the particles is limited, and even when the image display medium is used while being inclined, particles set in a specific part and the uneven distribution of the particles in the specific part can be prevented and image display improved in contrast can be obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display medium, and more particularly to an image display medium that can be repeatedly rewritten.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a type of image display means, a sheet-like image display medium which can be repeatedly rewritten has been used.
An image display medium such as a Twisting Ball Display (two-color separate particle rotation display), electrophoresis, magnetophoresis, a thermal rewritable medium, and a liquid crystal having memory properties has been proposed.

[0003] Of these image display media, Twist
The ing Ball Display has display memory properties, and although the oil is present only in the cavities around the particles inside the image display medium, it is almost in a solid state, so that sheeting is relatively easy. However, even if the hemispheres painted white are completely aligned on the display side, the light entering the gap between the spheres is not reflected and is lost inside, so a white display with 100% coverage in principle is possible. However, there is a problem that the image becomes slightly grayish and the contrast is reduced. In addition, since the particle size is required to be smaller than the pixel size,
For high-resolution display, fine particles having different colors must be manufactured, and there is also a problem that a high manufacturing technique is required.

Further, an image display medium using electrophoresis or magnetophoresis has a memory property of an image and is a technique in which colored particles are dispersed in a white liquid. The black (color) display forming the display portion has a problem that the white liquid always enters the gaps between the colored particles, so that the display becomes grayish, the contrast is reduced, and the image quality is reduced. Further, since the white liquid is sealed inside the image display medium, when the image display medium is removed from the image forming apparatus and handled roughly like paper, the white liquid leaks out of the image display medium. There is a risk.

[0005] A thermal rewritable medium, a memory liquid crystal, and the like are excellent in memory of an image, but cannot display a sufficiently white display surface like paper, so that when an image is displayed, the image is not displayed. There is a problem that it is difficult to visually confirm the distinction between the displayed part and the non-displayed part, that is, there is a problem that the image quality is reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, as an image display medium using a toner, an image display medium in which a conductive colored toner and white particles are sealed between a display-side electrode substrate and a non-display-side electrode substrate facing each other. A medium has been proposed. this is,
Electric charges are injected into the conductive coloring toner through the charge transport layer provided on the inner surface of the electrode of the non-display side electrode substrate, and the injected conductive coloring toner is applied to the display side electrode substrate by the action of the electric field between the electrode substrates. Then, the conductive colored toner adheres to the inside of the display-side electrode substrate, and an image is displayed by contrast between the conductive colored toner and the white particles.
According to this, the image display medium is entirely formed of a solid, and is excellent in that the display of white and black (color) can be switched by 100% in principle.

[0007]

However, the conventional image display medium does not have a function for maintaining the distance between the display substrate and the non-display substrate, and the strength of the display medium itself is weakened. There is. In addition, since only particles exist between the substrates, the image display itself can be displayed with high image quality.However, when tilted, leaned, or shaken, the particles are biased inside, and when the image is displayed, the contrast is reduced. There is a problem such as lowering.

Further, there is a problem that a voltage drop caused by electrodes and a structure improvement with respect to an electrode structure for displaying a large pixel have not been made, which occur remarkably when an image display medium is enlarged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned facts, and displays a high-resolution image, improves the strength of an image display medium, prevents uneven distribution of particles, and prevents voltage drop due to electrodes. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display medium that can be used.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, particles provided between a pair of electrodes are moved by an electric field based on a voltage applied between the pair of electrodes, An image display medium that displays a predetermined image in accordance with the state of the particles, a display substrate that is disposed on an image display surface side and includes a first electrode that is one of the pair of electrodes, And a non-display substrate including a second electrode that is the other of the pair of electrodes,
A gap holding member that divides the gap between the display substrate and the non-display substrate and holds the gap at a predetermined distance is provided in the gap.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, particles provided between a pair of electrodes are moved by an electric field based on a voltage applied between the pair of electrodes, and a predetermined image is displayed based on the state of the particles. An image display medium, comprising: a display substrate provided on an image display surface side and including a first electrode that is one of the pair of electrodes; and a second substrate that faces the display substrate and is the other of the pair of electrodes. In the gap between the non-display substrate provided with the two electrodes, a gap holding member that divides the gap and keeps the display substrate and the non-display substrate at a fixed distance is provided. As a result, movement of particles in a direction parallel to the display substrate is restricted, and even when the image display medium is used by tilting or leaning, the particles accumulate at specific locations and are unevenly distributed at specific locations. Can be prevented, and an image display with improved contrast can be obtained. In addition, the presence of the gap holding member allows the display substrate and the non-display substrate to be supported by line contact, thereby improving the strength of the support and forming a more robust image display medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the first aspect, the gap holding member is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the first aspect, the gap holding member is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that the gap holding member and the electrode are connected to each other. Are in line contact with each other, and as a result, the gap between the display substrate and the non-display substrate can be supported by the line contact with the gap holding member, so that the strength of the support is improved and a more robust image display medium can be formed. it can.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the first aspect, the first electrode or the second electrode is composed of a plurality of electrode groups, and the gap holding member is
It is arranged between the plurality of electrodes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the first aspect, the first electrode or the second electrode comprises a plurality of electrode groups, and the gap holding member includes Since the electrodes are arranged between the plurality of electrodes, the effective area of the electrodes is increased, and a so-called float portion in which an electric field is not formed or a generated electric field is weak can be eliminated. Image noise can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects, the gap holding member is a plurality of rod-shaped members arranged in parallel with each other. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the gap holding member is a plurality of rod-shaped members arranged in parallel to each other, the strength of the image display medium can be increased, and the movement of the particles in the direction parallel to the substrate is restricted to unevenly distribute the particles. Can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects, the gap holding member is a lattice-shaped member.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Since the gap holding member is a lattice-shaped member, the strength of the image display medium can be further increased, and uneven distribution of particles can be further prevented.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the fifth aspect, an area subdivided by one grid of the gap holding member includes a plurality of display pixels.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the fifth aspect, since the area subdivided by one lattice of the gap holding member includes a plurality of display pixels, the gap holding member is provided. By taking the minimum unit of the member larger than the electrode, the opening, that is, the area for displaying an image in the space in which the particles are enclosed is increased, the image display section is increased, the coverage is improved, and the high resolution This is particularly effective when displaying images.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the fifth aspect, an area subdivided by a plurality of grids of the gap holding member forms a minimum display pixel unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the fifth aspect, the area subdivided by the plurality of grids of the gap holding member constitutes a minimum display pixel unit. Even when the size of the electrode is large, such as when an image display medium having a large size is formed, uneven distribution of particles can be efficiently prevented.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is arranged in a matrix. A plurality of electrode groups, and the plurality of electrode groups are connected by electrically conductive wires.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is
Consisting of a plurality of electrode groups arranged in a matrix,
Since the plurality of electrode groups are connected by electrically conductive wires, simple matrix driving can be performed, and a displayed image can be sharpened.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the eighth aspect, the wire is made of a member having a lower resistivity than the electrode group.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium of the eighth aspect, since the wire is made of a member having a lower resistivity than the electrode group, it is possible to prevent a voltage drop at the electrode. it can.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the wire is arranged on the non-display surface side of the image.

According to the tenth aspect, the eighth aspect is provided.
Alternatively, in the image display medium according to claim 9, since the wire is arranged on the non-display surface side of the image, the degree of freedom of wiring is improved, and operation failure of the image display medium due to leakage is prevented. it can.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the electrode group is electrically connected to back up the main wiring of the wire. It is characterized by further comprising a spare wiring.

According to the eleventh aspect, the eighth aspect is provided.
11. The image display medium according to claim 1, further comprising a spare wire that electrically connects the electrode group and backs up a wire of the main wire. Even if the wire is broken, operation failure can be prevented, and this is particularly effective when the wire is formed finer, such as when displaying a high-resolution image.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image display medium according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a coat layer is formed on a surface of the first electrode or the second electrode. It is characterized by.

According to the twelfth aspect, the first aspect
The image display medium according to any one of claims 11 to 11, wherein a coating layer is formed on a surface of the first electrode or the second electrode, so that mechanical and chemical protection of the electrode can be achieved. . Further, depending on the material of the coating material, the adhesive force between the particles and the substrate and the charging characteristics of the particles can be controlled. Examples of the coat layer include a dielectric layer such as polycarbonate, nylon, and polyester, and a charge transport layer in which a polycarbonate contains a triphenylamine-based or stilbene-based compound (containing triphenylamine in its basic skeleton). Can be used.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image display medium 1 includes a display substrate 1
0, and a non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10. A plurality of strip-shaped electrodes 10A are provided on the surface of the display substrate 10 facing the non-display substrate 12 at predetermined intervals. Similarly, the strip-shaped electrodes 10A are also provided on the surface of the non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10. A plurality of 12A are provided at predetermined intervals.

The electrode 10A and the electrode 12A are arranged so as to intersect when the electrode 10A and the electrode 10A face each other. In addition, on the electrodes 10A and 12A,
From the viewpoint of protecting the electrodes, improving the image quality, controlling the adhesion between the particles and the substrate, and controlling the charging characteristics of the particles, for example, a dielectric layer or a charge transport layer made of a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate resin may be used. It may be formed. Electrode 1
On the 2A, a plurality of gap maintaining members 20 having the same length as the electrode 12A and having a rectangular cross section are provided in parallel with the electrode 12A.

Although not shown, between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12, there is a space between the substrates, that is, the electrodes 10A.
A plurality of types of particles having different colors and different charging characteristics, which can move between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12, are enclosed by an electric field generated by a voltage applied between the display 10 and the electrode 10A.

Specifically, for example, a predetermined amount of charged white particles and black particles charged to the opposite polarity to the white particles are sealed. More specifically, for example, spherical fine particles of titanium oxide-containing crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate having a volume average particle diameter of 20 μm obtained by mixing fine particles of titania treated with isopropyltrimethoxysilane as white particles at a weight ratio of 100 to 0.1 ( Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd. Techpolymer MBX-20-White) and spherical fine particles of carbon-containing crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate having a volume average particle size of 20 μm as black particles (Techpolymer MBX, Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) -20-black) at a weight ratio of 2: 1.

In the image display medium 1, a predetermined amount of particles is applied by placing the gap holding member 20 on the surface of the non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10, and thereafter, the display substrate 10 Is mounted, the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 are pressed and held, and the display substrate 10, the gap holding member 20, and the non-display substrate 12 are bonded with an adhesive.

The driving state of the image display medium 1 will be described below. When a positive DC voltage is applied to the electrode 12A of the non-display substrate 12 by voltage applying means (not shown),
The negatively charged white particles of the particle group move toward the non-display substrate 12 by the action of the electric field. Conversely, the positively charged black particles of the particle group move toward the display substrate 10 by the action of the electric field. Therefore, the display substrate 1
At 0, only black particles are uniformly adhered, and a good black display can be obtained. Strictly speaking, since there are minute white particles charged in opposite polarities, some white particles also adhere to the display substrate 10, but the amount of the adhered white particles is extremely small. Has little effect on

When a negative DC voltage is applied to the electrode 12A of the non-display substrate 12, the black particles attached to the display substrate 10 move to the non-display substrate 12 and adhere to the non-display substrate 12. The white particles move to the display substrate 10. Then, only the white particles adhere to the display substrate 10 uniformly, and a good white display can be obtained. Strictly speaking, black particles charged to the opposite polarity slightly adhere to the display substrate 10, but have little effect on the display image because the amount of the adhered black particles is small.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the gap holding member 20 is provided between the electrode 10A and the electrode 12A, the movement between the particles in the direction parallel to the display substrate 10 is prevented. Limited, even when the image display medium is used by tilting or leaning against it, it is possible to prevent particles from accumulating in a specific location and prevent uneven distribution of particles in a specific location, and obtain an image display with improved contrast. be able to. In addition, due to the presence of the gap holding member 20, the display substrate 1
0 and the non-display substrate 12 can be supported by line contact, the strength of the support is improved, and a more robust image display medium 1 can be formed.

(Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image display medium 1 according to the second embodiment includes a display substrate 10 and a display substrate 10 similar to the first embodiment. And an opposing non-display substrate 12. Display substrate 10
The electrode 10 having a strip shape is provided on the surface facing the non-display substrate 12.
A is provided at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes 12A are also provided at predetermined intervals on the surface of the non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10.

The electrode 10A and the electrode 12A are arranged so as to intersect when the electrode 10A and the electrode 10A face each other. In addition, on the electrodes 10A and 12A,
A dielectric layer made of a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate resin may be formed. Between the plurality of electrodes 12A on the non-display substrate 12, a gap holding member 20 having the same length as the electrode 12A and having a rectangular cross section is provided in parallel with the electrode 12A.
Are provided in parallel with each other.

Although not particularly shown, between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12, as in the first embodiment,
A plurality of types of particle groups having different colors and charging characteristics, which can move between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 by an electric field generated by a voltage applied between the substrates, that is, between the electrodes 10A. Is enclosed. Specifically, for example, a predetermined amount of charged white particles and black particles charged to the opposite polarity to the white particles are sealed.

The image display medium 1 has a gap holding member 20 placed on the surface of the non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10 and applies a predetermined amount of particle groups. Is mounted, the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 are pressed and held, and the display substrate 10, the gap holding member 20, and the non-display substrate 12 are bonded with an adhesive.

The driving state of the image display medium 1 is the same as that of the image display medium according to the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the gap holding member 20 is provided between the electrode 10A and the electrode 12A, the movement between the particles in the direction parallel to the display substrate 10 is prevented. Limited, even when the image display medium is used by tilting or leaning against it, it is possible to prevent particles from accumulating in a specific location and prevent uneven distribution of particles in a specific location, and obtain an image display with improved contrast. be able to. In addition, due to the presence of the gap holding member 20, the display substrate 1
0 and the non-display substrate 12 can be supported by line contact, the strength of the support is improved, and a more robust image display medium 1 can be formed. Furthermore, since the gap holding member 20 is arranged between the plurality of electrodes 12A, the float portion is eliminated, and the electric field generated between the electrodes 10A and 12A is less likely to be disturbed. Then, by preventing the occurrence of the disturbance of the electric field, noise in the displayed image can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image display medium 1 according to the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the strip-shaped electrodes 10A are arranged at a predetermined interval. A plurality of display substrates 10 are provided at a distance, and a non-display substrate 12 is provided with a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes 12A at predetermined intervals.

The electrode 10A and the electrode 12A are arranged so as to intersect when the electrode 10A and the electrode 10A face each other. In addition, on the electrodes 10A and 12A,
A dielectric layer made of a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate resin may be formed.

A grid-like gap holding member 20 is provided between the plurality of electrodes 12A on the non-display substrate 12, and each grid of the gap holding member 20 constitutes one pixel. I have. Note that a plurality of grids may be formed to constitute one pixel.

Although not shown, similar to the first embodiment, between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12,
A plurality of types of particle groups having different colors and charging characteristics, which can move between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 by an electric field generated by a voltage applied between the substrates, that is, between the electrodes 10A. Is enclosed. Specifically, for example, a predetermined amount of charged white particles and black particles charged to the opposite polarity to the white particles are sealed.

The image display medium 1 has a gap holding member 20 placed on the surface of the non-display substrate 12 facing the display substrate 10 and applies a predetermined amount of particle groups. Is mounted, the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 are pressed and held, and the display substrate 10, the gap holding member 20, and the non-display substrate 12 are bonded with an adhesive.

The driving state of the image display medium 1 is the same as that of the image display medium according to the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the gap holding member 20 is provided between the electrode 10A and the electrode 12A, the movement between the particles in the direction parallel to the display substrate 10 is prevented. Even when the image display medium 1 is used by being tilted or leaned against, it is possible to prevent particles from accumulating in a specific location and to prevent the particles from being unevenly distributed in a specific location. Obtainable.

Further, since the gap holding member 20 is present and the gap holding member 20 is formed in a lattice shape, the area for supporting between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 is increased, and Is further improved, and a more robust image display medium 1 can be formed. Further, since the gap holding member 20 is formed in a grid shape, one display pixel can be formed of one grid or a plurality of grids. With this configuration, the display pixels become clear and the image quality is improved. improves.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to arrange the grid-like gap holding members 20 in the gaps between the electrodes 12A. With such a configuration, the float portion is eliminated and the movement due to the electric field is eliminated. As the number of particles increases, the electric field generated between the electrode 10A and the electrode 12A is less likely to be disturbed. The coverage is improved because the number of moving particles is increased, and noise in a displayed image can be reduced by preventing the occurrence of electric field disturbance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the minimum unit of the grid-like gap holding member 20 is an integral multiple of the minimum unit of the electrode, that is, each grid of the gap holding member 20 is larger than the width of the electrode 12A. It can be formed larger. As a result, the size of the opening increases, the number of image display units increases, and the coverage increases. Also, an electrode (not shown) and an electrode 12A
Since the voltage applied to each pixel is applied to each pixel, the particles sealed between the substrates can accurately form pixels, the number of grid frames is reduced, and the image quality is improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the minimum unit of the electrode 12A is an integral multiple of the minimum unit of the lattice-shaped gap holding member 20, ie, the width of the electrode 12A is set to
The size can be set to accommodate a plurality of zero grids. Thereby, when the size of the electrode 12A increases, uneven distribution of particles can be more efficiently prevented.

(Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the above-described first to third embodiments, the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 include the strip-shaped electrodes. However, as illustrated in FIG. Of the electrodes 12A are arranged in a matrix.
A may be provided with the non-display substrate 12 connected by the electric wire 24 as a potential for electrical conduction of A. Note that the electrode 10A in the present embodiment has a strip shape as in the first embodiment, and a dielectric material such as a polycarbonate resin is provided on the electrodes 10A and 12A as in the first embodiment. May be formed. Although not particularly shown, the non-display substrate 12
A gap holding member 20 is provided between the plurality of upper electrodes 12A, as in the first embodiment.
0 and the non-display substrate 12 can be moved between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 by an electric field generated by a voltage applied between the substrates, that is, between the electrodes 10A. , A plurality of types of particles having different colors and different charging characteristics are enclosed.

The preparation procedure and the driving state of the image display medium 1 are the same as those of the image display medium according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the electrodes 12A are arranged in a grid pattern, a voltage can be applied between the electrodes 10A and the electrodes 12A for each pixel. The encapsulated particles can form pixels accurately, and image display can be sharpened.

As shown in FIG. 8, the electrodes 10A of the display substrate 10 and the electrodes 12A of the non-display substrate 12 may be arranged in a matrix, and the respective electrodes may be connected by electric wires 24. . Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the electric wire 24 can be formed of a material having lower efficiency than the electrode 10A and the electrode 12A. Thereby, the electrode 1
0A and the electrode 12A can be formed in a strip shape, or the resistance can be reduced as compared with the case where the electrode 12A is formed by the electric wire 24 made of the same low-efficiency material, and the image display medium can be driven with lower power consumption. Can be prevented.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the electric wire 24 may be arranged on the back surface of the non-display substrate 12, that is, on the non-display surface side of the image of the image display medium. With such a configuration, the degree of freedom of wiring is improved, and interference with adjacent electrodes due to leakage can be prevented to prevent malfunction, and the aperture ratio can be increased, that is, the display of the display substrate can be improved. The area of the surface where the particles display an image increases, and the display image quality improves.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the non-display substrate 12 may be provided with a spare wire 26 as a backup for the wires 24 in addition to the wires 24. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a malfunction even when the electric wire 24 is missing. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, an electric wire or a spare wiring (not shown) can be covered with the insulator 30, thereby preventing malfunction due to leakage and preventing interference with an adjacent electrode. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, by forming the electric wire 24 outside the non-display substrate 12 and providing the insulator 30 between the electrodes 12A, it is possible to prevent interference of the electrode 12A with other electrodes. Can be.

(Fifth Embodiment) Hereinafter, an example of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 14, the image display medium 1 according to the fifth embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment.
The display substrate 10 includes a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes 10A provided at predetermined intervals, and the non-display substrate 12 includes a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes 12A provided at predetermined intervals.

The electrode 10A and the electrode 12A are arranged so as to intersect when the electrode 10A and the electrode 10A face each other. Plural electrodes 12 on non-display substrate 12
Between A, a lattice-shaped gap holding member 22 is provided. An electric wire 24 is formed in the gap holding member 22, and the electric wire 24 is connected to the electrode 12A.

Although not particularly shown, similar to the first embodiment, between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12,
A plurality of types of particle groups having different colors and charging characteristics, which can move between the display substrate 10 and the non-display substrate 12 by an electric field generated by a voltage applied between the substrates, that is, between the electrodes 10A. Is enclosed.

The procedure for preparing the image display medium 1 and the driving state thereof are the same as those of the image display medium according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent particles from accumulating in the above-described specific portion and prevent uneven distribution of the particles in the specific portion, thereby obtaining an image display with improved contrast. In addition to the effects that can be achieved, the provision of the electric wire 24 in the gap holding member 22 facilitates the wiring and the preparation of the image display medium, and also facilitates the handling of the image display medium 1 and improves the appearance. I do.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, a high-resolution image can be displayed, the strength of the image display medium can be improved, uneven distribution of particles can be prevented, and voltage drop due to electrodes can be prevented. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an image display medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an IB-IB side view of FIG. 1A. .

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of an image display medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a side view taken along the line IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A. .

FIG. 3 (A) is an exploded perspective view of an image display medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 (B) is a diagram showing the relationship between the electrode and the gap holding member of FIG. 3 (A). FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of another example of the image display medium according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a schematic explanatory view showing the positional relationship between the electrodes of the image display medium of FIG. 4A and the gap holding members.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5B is a schematic explanatory view showing an arrangement relationship between the electrodes of the image display medium of FIG. 5A and the gap holding members.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6B is a schematic explanatory view showing an arrangement relationship between the electrodes of the image display medium of FIG. 6A and the gap holding members.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of an image display medium according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a side view of VIIB-VIIB in FIG. 7A. .

FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
(B) is a VIIIB-VIIIB side view of FIG. 8 (A).

FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9B is a side view of IXB-IXB of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is an XB- of FIG. 10A. It is an XB side view.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a XIB side view.

FIG. 12A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12B is an XIIB-image of FIG. 12A. It is a XIIB side view.

FIG. 13A is an exploded perspective view of still another example of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIIIB- of FIG. It is a XIIIB side view.

FIG. 14A is an exploded perspective view of an image display medium according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14B is a schematic explanatory view showing an arrangement relationship between the electrode and the gap holding member in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image display medium 10 display substrate 10A electrode 12 non-display substrate 12A electrode 20 gap holding member 22 gap holding member 24 electric wire 26 preliminary wiring 30 insulator

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiro Yamaguchi 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Motohiko Sakamaki 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-Kami, Kanagawa Fuji Green X (72) Inventor Shota Oba 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Ebina Works (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Nakayama 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Horiuchi Kazunaga 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C080 AA16 DD30 EE29 JJ06

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image display medium that moves particles provided between a pair of electrodes by an electric field based on a voltage applied between the pair of electrodes, and displays a predetermined image according to a state of the particles. A display substrate provided on the image display surface side and including a first electrode that is one of the pair of electrodes; and a second electrode that is opposite to the display substrate and is the other of the pair of electrodes. A non-display substrate, wherein a gap holding member that divides the gap between the display substrate and the non-display substrate into pieces and holds the gap at a fixed distance is provided in the gap. Display medium. 2. The image display medium according to claim 1, wherein said gap holding member is disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode or the second electrode is composed of a plurality of electrode groups, and the gap holding member is disposed between the plurality of electrodes. Image display medium. 4. The image display medium according to claim 1, wherein the gap holding member is a plurality of rod-shaped members arranged in parallel with each other. 5. The image display medium according to claim 1, wherein said gap holding member is a lattice-shaped member. 6. The image display medium according to claim 5, wherein the area subdivided by one grid of the gap holding member includes a plurality of display pixels. 7. The image display medium according to claim 5, wherein an area subdivided by a plurality of grids of the gap holding member forms a minimum display pixel unit. 8. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is composed of a plurality of electrode groups arranged in a matrix, and the plurality of electrode groups are connected by an electrically conductive wire. The image display medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 9. The image display medium according to claim 8, wherein the wire is made of a member having a lower resistivity than the electrode group. 10. The image display medium according to claim 8, wherein the wire is arranged on a non-display surface side of an image. 11. The spare line according to claim 8, further comprising a spare line for electrically connecting the electrode group and backing up a line of the main wire. Image display medium. 12. The image display medium according to claim 1, wherein a coat layer is formed on a surface of the first electrode or the second electrode.