JP7168144B2 - METHOD OF MEASURING CONTACT RESISTANCE VALUE OF COMMON ELECTRODE IN ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING COMMON ELECTRODE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display device, an electronic device, and a method of measuring a contact resistance value of a common electrode in an electronic device having a common electrode.

A display device using electrophoresis (electrophoretic display device) is known. An electrophoretic display device has an electrophoretic layer between two substrates facing each other (herein, referred to as a pixel substrate and a counter substrate). Display is performed by moving charged particles that migrate inside (electrophoretic particles) by an electric field. The electric field is generated by applying a potential difference between the two substrates. One surface of the two substrates (the surface of the counter substrate) serves as the display surface. Also, by providing a partition between two substrates, the electrophoretic layer is partitioned into a plurality of regions (cells). Each region (cell) constitutes, for example, a pixel. Electrophoretic display devices can be applied to electronic devices such as electronic paper. An electrophoretic display device is also called an EPD (Electrophoretic Display).

In the process of producing a display panel of an electrophoretic display device, for example, a partition unit for holding a dispersion liquid of an electrophoretic layer is formed in a pixel substrate unit having a control circuit, and the dispersion liquid is injected. will be After that, the dispersion liquid is sealed with a glass substrate (counter substrate) on which a transparent electrode (common electrode) is formed. In the electrophoretic display device, the control circuit of the pixel substrate unit controls the potential between the pixel electrode formed on the pixel substrate unit and the common electrode, thereby controlling the content of the display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a contact structure 1011 of a COM electrode section 1023 of an electrophoretic display device according to background art.
FIG. 13 shows a pixel region portion 1021 of a pixel substrate (backplane substrate), M (M is a plurality of integers) terminals 1022-1 to 1022-M, wiring 1024, and a COM electrode portion. 1023 is shown.
One terminal 1022 - 1 and the COM electrode section 1023 are connected via wiring 1024 . The COM electrode portion 1023 is connected to a common electrode (not shown in FIG. 13) of the opposing substrate.
Thus, in the contact structure 1011 according to the example of FIG. 13, a portion (contact portion) connecting the terminal 1022-1 and the COM electrode portion 1023 is formed in a portion of the display panel.

In the electrophoretic display device, the opposing substrate has a height of about 500 [μm] and the partition wall has a height of about 30 [μm]. If a method of forming a through hole by etching and sputtering a metal such as AL (aluminum) is used as in the process, it is difficult in terms of manufacturing cost. For this reason, a common electrode contact is generally formed using a conductive paste such as Ag (silver) paste.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the contact structure 1011 of the COM electrode section 1023 of the electrophoretic display device according to the background art.
Schematically, in the equivalent circuit, a COM electrode 1101 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0) is connected to a contact resistance (contact resistance) 1103 via a wiring 1102. FIG. At the point P1 on one terminal side of the contact resistance 1103 and the point P2 on the other terminal side, both the wiring portion passing through the contact resistance 1103 and the other wiring portion having no circuit element are present. , are connected in parallel. A COM electrode 1101 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0) corresponds to the COM electrode of the COM electrode section 1023 shown in FIG.
With such a contact structure 1011, the resistance value of the contact resistance 1103 of the COM electrode portion 1023 cannot be directly measured (measured).

Here, as an example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a display device. In this display device, a conductive member is arranged between the common electrode and the common electrode conductive portion (COM) (see FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1). In this configuration, when driving the display panel, a voltage is applied to the common electrode conductive portion (COM) formed on the lower substrate, and the voltage is applied to the common electrode via the conductive member. . With this configuration, the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode cannot be directly measured.

JP 2009-115686 A

As described above, the conventional electrophoretic display device cannot directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode. However, in the electrophoretic display device, the electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode is controlled to control the image, so the resistance value of the contact resistance is an important parameter. Therefore, it may be necessary to measure the resistance value of the contact resistance.
For example, conventionally, indirect methods such as cutting out a portion of the periphery of the common electrode, exposing the contact portion of the common electrode and wiring, and measuring the resistance value of the contact resistance based on the current value of the wiring are performed. There was a problem that only measurement was possible. Considering the stability of mass production, a structure that can easily measure the resistance value of the contact resistance is very important.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an electrophoretic display device, an electronic device, and an electronic device having a common electrode that can directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for measuring the contact resistance value of a common electrode in equipment.

In order to solve at least one of the above problems, one embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate provided with a common electrode; a second substrate provided with a pixel electrode and provided with a plurality of terminals; a dispersion liquid provided between the substrate and the second substrate and containing particles and a dispersion medium; and two or more connection portions for connection.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, each of the two or more terminals provided on the second substrate and the different point of the common electrode are electrically connected via the connecting portion. Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, each of the two or more terminals and each of the different points of the common electrode are electrically connected via respective conductive portions, A configuration may be used in which each of the conductive portions is arranged in the opening of a frame having an opening.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, each of the two or more terminals provided on the second substrate and each different point of the common electrode are electrically connected via the conductive portion arranged in the opening of the frame. properly connected. As a result, the electrophoretic display device can be strengthened by the frame portion.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, a partition is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the dispersion liquid is arranged in a region partitioned by the partition. A configuration may be used.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, a plurality of regions are partitioned by partition walls. Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode in the structure including the partition wall.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, a plurality of microcapsules are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the dispersion liquid is arranged in the microcapsules. Any configuration may be used.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, a plurality of regions are partitioned by microcapsules. Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode in the structure including the microcapsules.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, the two or more terminals may include at least two terminals at both ends of the plurality of terminals.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, at least two terminals at both ends of the plurality of terminals are electrically connected to the common electrode. Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device, it is possible to simplify the configuration of electrical connection between two or more terminals and the common electrode.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, the potentials of the two or more terminals may be the same potential when driven.
With this configuration, in the electrophoretic display device, two or more terminals have the same potential when driven. Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode.

One embodiment of the present invention to solve at least one of the above problems is an electronic device including the electrophoretic display device as described above.
With this configuration, in the electronic device, each of the two or more terminals provided on the second substrate and the different point of the common electrode are electrically connected via the connecting portion in the electrophoretic display device. As a result, in the electronic device, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode in the electrophoretic display device.
In order to solve at least one of the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for measuring a contact resistance value of a common electrode in an electronic device having a common electrode, comprising: a substrate, a second substrate provided with pixel electrodes and a plurality of terminals, two different conductive portions electrically connecting two said terminals of said plurality of said terminals to different points of said common electrode. A method of providing an electrical display, providing a power supply and an ammeter to measure the current between the two said terminals.

As described above, according to the electrophoretic display device and the electronic device according to the present invention, in the electrophoretic display device, each of the two or more terminals provided on the second substrate and a different point of the common electrode are connected to each other by connecting portions. electrically connected through Accordingly, in the electrophoretic display device and the electronic device according to the present invention, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode in the electrophoretic display device.
Further, according to the method of measuring the contact resistance value of the common electrode in the electronic device having the common electrode according to the present invention, it is possible to directly measure the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a contact structure of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of a contact structure of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of a contact structure of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the partition part which concerns on one Embodiment (1st Embodiment) of this invention. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic equivalent circuit of a contact structure of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the equivalent circuit which measures the resistance value of contact resistance based on one Embodiment (1st Embodiment) of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example (first modified example) of the COM electrode of the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example (second modified example) of the COM electrode of the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention; It is a figure showing a schematic example of composition of electronic equipment concerning one embodiment (the 1st example of a 2nd embodiment) of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the electronic device which concerns on one Embodiment (2nd example of 2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the electronic device which concerns on one Embodiment (3rd example of 2nd Embodiment) of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact structure of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to background art; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a contact structure of COM electrodes of an electrophoretic display device according to background art;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
<Overview of COM electrode contact structure>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a contact structure 1 of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a pixel region portion 21 of a pixel substrate and N terminals 22-1 to 22-1 (N is a plurality of integers. N may be the same value as M shown in FIG. 13). -N, wirings 24-1 and 24-2, and a COM electrode portion 23 are shown. In this embodiment, the terminals at both ends (terminal 22-1 and terminal 22-N) are at the same potential when driven.
One terminal 22-1 and the COM electrode portion 23 are connected via a wiring 24-1. Another terminal 22-N and the COM electrode portion 23 are connected via another wiring 24-2.
The COM electrode portion 23 is connected to a common electrode (not shown in FIG. 1) of the opposing substrate.
As described above, in the contact structure 1 according to the present embodiment, a portion (contact portion) for connecting the two terminals 22-1 and 22-N and the COM electrode portion 23 is formed in a portion of the display panel. there is

Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of terminals 22-1 to 22-N and a COM electrode portion 23 are provided in mutually opposing positions with a pixel region portion 21, which is a region portion in which a plurality of pixels are formed, interposed therebetween. is formed. A plurality of terminals 22-1 to 22-N are arranged in a straight line in a predetermined area (electrode arrangement area). Two terminals (terminal 22-1 at one end and terminal 22-N at the other end) are connected to the COM electrode section 23 via respective wirings 24-1 and 24-2. . Each of the wirings 24-1 and 24-2 is formed outside the pixel region section 21, and the two wirings 24-1 and 24-2 are arranged so as to surround the pixel region section 21 (approximately one circumference). It is Thus, in this embodiment, the space of the contact portion is reduced.

<Overview of electrophoretic display device>
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an electrophoretic display device (referred to as an electrophoretic display device 11 in the description of FIG. 2) according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The electrophoretic display device 11 includes a pixel substrate 31, a plurality of pixel electrodes 32 formed on the pixel substrate 31, an insulating layer 33 formed on the pixel substrate 31 so as to cover the pixel electrodes 32, and an insulating layer 33 facing the pixel substrate 31. a counter substrate 34, a common electrode (counter electrode) 35 formed on the counter substrate 34, partition walls 36 that partition the space between the pixel substrate 31 and the counter substrate 34 into a plurality of regions (cells), and the regions It includes a dispersion medium 41 and particles (electrophoretic particles) 42 and 43 enclosed in (cells). The area (cell) is, for example, an area for each pixel. The pixel region portion 21 shown in FIG. 1 is sealed between the pixel substrate 31 and the opposing substrate 34 by a sealing material (not shown) provided in a region including the peripheral portion of the pixel region portion 21. ing. The sealing material is configured using, for example, an epoxy resin or the like.

Here, the dispersion liquid is composed of the dispersion medium 41 and the particles 42 and 43 . The layer of dispersion constitutes the electrophoretic layer. In this embodiment, the electrophoretic display device 11 includes negatively charged particles 42 corresponding to white and positively charged particles 43 corresponding to black. Note that the number of particles may be one or more. Also, the color of each particle may be another color.
The pixel substrate 31 and the counter substrate 34 are arranged to face each other. The pixel substrate 31 and the counter substrate 34 are arranged parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the pixel substrate 31 and the counter substrate 34 each have a plate-like shape.
In this embodiment, the common electrode 35 is common to the plurality of pixel electrodes 32 .

<Specific example of contact structure of COM electrode>
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration example of a contact structure 1 of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of a contact structure 1 of a COM electrode of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows two COM electrodes (connection portions) 51-1 and 51-2, two conductive portions 52-1 and 52-2, a partition portion 53, and a common electrode as components before assembly. 54 is shown. FIG. 3 shows these parts assembled.

Here, the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the peripheral configuration including the COM electrode section 23 shown in FIG. N and wirings 24-1 and 24-2 are omitted from the drawing. 2 is a configuration other than the periphery of the pixel region portion 21 shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided therearound.

The COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are plate-like electrodes that constitute the COM electrode section 23 shown in FIG. The partition wall portion 53 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a plate-like pattern forming the partition wall 36 shown in FIG. The common electrode 54 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a plate-shaped electrode that constitutes the common electrode 35 shown in FIG.

Each of the COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 has a substantially square-shaped (or substantially rectangular-shaped) portion for connecting the portion and a terminal (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). has a portion of In this embodiment, one COM electrode 51-1 is connected to one terminal 22-1 shown in FIG. 1, and the other COM electrode 51-2 is connected to the other terminal 22-N shown in FIG. be.
The partition wall 53 has a substantially rectangular (or substantially square) portion, and substantially square (or substantially rectangular) frames are formed on opposite sides of the portion. portion (frame portion). Each of the two frame portions is arranged to face the substantially square (or substantially rectangular) portion of each of the two COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2.

Here, in the present embodiment, a structural example is shown in which the partition wall portion 53 integrally has a frame portion. For example, the partition wall portion 53 having the frame portion can be configured using the same material as a whole and formed in the same processing step as a whole.
3 and 4 mainly show a portion of the partition wall 53 in the vicinity of the frame portion. without).

Each of the conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2 has substantially the same shape as the respective openings of the two frame portions (hole portions of the frames). Further, the shape of each of the conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2 and the shape of each of the COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 are substantially the same.
The common electrode 54 has a shape that covers at least the pixel region portion (the pixel region portion 21 shown in FIG. 1) in the partition portion 53 . In addition, the common electrode 54 may have a shape that covers the entire partition portion 53, for example.

In the process of assembly, one surface of each of the COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 (the surface facing the opposing substrate) and one surface of each of the conductive portions 52-1 and 52-2 (the surface facing the pixel substrate) are assembled. surface) are brought into contact and electrically conducted (conducting). The conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2 are inserted into respective openings of two frame portions of the partition wall portion 53. As shown in FIG. The other surface of each of the conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2 (surface on the opposing substrate side) and one surface of the common electrode 54 (surface on the pixel substrate side) are brought into contact to electrically Conductive (conducting).

Here, as the conductive portions 52-1 and 52-2, for example, a conductive member having a fixed shape may be used, or a liquid conductive substance (referred to as a conductive agent in this embodiment). ) may be used.
As an example, when a conductive agent is used, the conductive agent is injected inside the frame portion of the partition wall 53 by a dispenser. In this embodiment, the partition is formed in an area larger than the outline size of the dispenser in order to ensure positional accuracy. For example, when the outer size of the dispenser is a diameter L3 (L3 is a positive value), the inner diameter dimension L1 of the partition is set to L1>L3 (or a value greater than L1≧L3). In addition, in order to secure a connection margin between the conductive agent and the common electrode 54, the distance between each frame portion and the rectangular portion is Regarding L2, L2≧L4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the partition 53 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. In addition, in the example of FIG. 5, the same portion of the partition wall portion 53 as in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown.
In the example of FIG. 5, the partition wall portion 53 has a rectangular portion (central portion in the example of FIG. 5), and at locations facing each other across the portion (left and right in the example of FIG. 5), Each has a square frame portion (frame portion). The shape of the two frame portions is the same, and the length of one side of the square forming the opening of each frame portion is L1 (L1 is an arbitrary positive value). Also, the distance (length) between each frame portion and the rectangular portion is the same and is L2 (L2 is an arbitrary positive value). In the example of FIG. 5, the length L2 is smaller than the length L1, for example 1/3, or 1/3.5, or 1/4, or 1/4.5, or 1 /5.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic equivalent circuit of the contact structure 1 of the COM electrode of the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
In the equivalent circuit, a COM electrode 101 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0) and a COM electrode 102 at a predetermined potential (VCOM1) are connected via a wiring 103 having a contact resistance 104. FIG. One COM electrode 101 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0) corresponds to one COM electrode 51-1 shown in FIG. 4, and the other COM electrode 102 at the other predetermined potential (VCOM1) corresponds to the other corresponds to the COM electrode 51-2 of .
In such a contact structure 1, it is possible to directly measure (measure) the resistance value of the contact resistance 104 of the COM electrode portion 23. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an equivalent circuit for measuring resistance values rc, rc of contact resistors 153-1, 153-2 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The equivalent circuit includes one end (for example, the positive side) of the power supply 172, the ammeter 171, the COM electrode 151 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0), the contact resistance 153-1, and the sheet resistance of the common electrode 54 (common electrode sheet resistance) 154, a contact resistance 153-2, and a COM electrode 152 of a predetermined potential (VCOM1) are connected in series. (for example, the negative side) are connected. One COM electrode 151 at a predetermined potential (VCOM0) corresponds to the one COM electrode 51-1 shown in FIG. 4, and the other COM electrode 152 at the other predetermined potential (VCOM1) corresponds to the other corresponds to the COM electrode 51-2 of .

Here, FIG. 7 shows a more detailed equivalent circuit than the schematic equivalent circuit shown in FIG.
Also, the power supply 172 and the ammeter 171 are instruments for inspection (referred to as an inspection tester in this embodiment). In this embodiment, contact resistances 153-1 and 153-2 between the COM electrodes 151 and 152 and the common electrode 54 are measured using an inspection tester while the display panel of the electrophoretic display device is being manufactured in the factory. are measured. Thereby, the contact resistances 153-1 and 153-2 can be inspected.

Here, an example of a method of calculating (measuring) the resistance values rc, rc of the contact resistors 153-1, 153-2 is shown.
An ammeter 171 and a power source 172 are connected to the two COM electrodes 151 and 152 . A current flowing through the ammeter 171 when a voltage E (E is an arbitrary value) is applied to the power supply 172 is assumed to be I (I is an arbitrary value). In this embodiment, the resistance values rc, rc of the two contact resistors 153-1, 153-2 are the same. Let rs be the resistance value of the common electrode sheet resistance 154 (rs is a value greater than 0). Assume that the resistance value rs of the common electrode sheet resistance 154 is known based on the thickness of the sheet. As the common electrode 54, ITO (Indium Thin Oxide) is generally used, but other materials may be used.
Equation (1) holds according to Ohm's law, and from this, it is possible to calculate the resistance values rc and rc of the contact resistors 153-1 and 153-2. Thus, by measuring the current I between the two COM electrodes 151 and 152, it is possible to calculate the resistance values rc and rc of the contact resistances 153-1 and 153-2.

[Number 1]
E=I×(rc+rs+rc)
rc=(E/I−rs)/2 [Ω] (1)

As described above, the contact structure 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of COM electrodes 151 to 152 (COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 shown in FIG. 4). It is possible to calculate the resistance values rc, rc of -1, 153-2.

As another configuration example, the electrophoretic display device (finished product) may be provided with a function of a mode (for example, test mode) for measuring the resistance values rc, rc of the contact resistors 153-1, 153-2. In this configuration, the electrophoretic display device switches to a state in which the ammeter 171 and the power source 172 are not connected to the COM electrodes 151 to 152 when the test mode is not activated, and when the test mode is activated, the COM electrodes 171 and 172 are disconnected. The electrodes 151 to 152 are switched to a state in which the ammeter 171 and the power source 172 are connected, and the resistance values rc and rc of the contact resistances 153-1 and 153-2 are measured (eg, calculated). Switching of the test mode may be performed, for example, by a user's operation, or may be automatically performed by the device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification (first modification) of the COM electrodes 201-1 and 201-2 of the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The two COM electrodes 201-1 to 201-2 according to this modified example are mainly different in arrangement compared to the two COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 shown in FIG. . Specifically, the two COM electrodes 201-1 according to this modification are arranged in the direction of alignment (for example, horizontal direction) of the two COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 shown in FIG. 201-2 are arranged perpendicularly (or substantially perpendicularly). In addition, in this modification, the shape and arrangement of the frame portion of the partition and the conductive agent are determined according to the shape and arrangement of the two COM electrodes 201-1 to 201-2 according to this modification.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification (second modification) of the COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 of the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The four COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 according to this modification are mainly different in number from the two COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 shown in FIG. Specifically, two COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2 are arranged in the example of FIG. 4, but four COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 are arranged in this modified example. In this modified example, the shape and arrangement of the frame portion of the partition and the conductive agent are determined according to the shape and arrangement of the four COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 according to this modified example. Further, in this modification, for example, each of the four COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 is the terminal 22-1, the terminal 22-2, the terminal 22-(N-1), the terminal 22-N.
When four COM electrodes 301-1 to 301-4 are used as in this modified example, it is possible to measure the resistance value of the contact resistance using, for example, the four-terminal method.

Here, various aspects may be used as the number, shape, arrangement, etc. of the COM electrodes. For example, the number of COM electrodes may be any value greater than or equal to two.

As described above, in the contact structure 1 of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment, the plurality of (two in the present embodiment) terminals 22-1 and 22-N on the pixel substrate are connected to the conductive members (wirings 24- 1, 24-2, COM electrodes 51-1, 51-2, and conductive portions 52-1, 52-2). Conductive members (wirings 24-1, 24-2, COM electrodes 51-1, 51-2, conductive portions 52) between the respective terminals 22-1, 22-N and respective connection points of the common electrode 54 -1, 52-2) are arranged so that there is no physical contact (electrical contact) with each other between the different terminals 22-1, 22-N.

In addition, in the partition 53 of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment, the partition (in the example of FIG. 4, A portion of the partition sandwiched between the two frame portions) is formed, thereby ensuring the strength of the partition. For example, in order to secure insertion accuracy of the conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2, it is considered advantageous to have a large space between the conductive portions 52-1 to 52-2 and the partition wall. Since the strength of the display panel is affected if there is no , the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is used in this embodiment. Note that other configuration examples may be used as the configuration of the partition wall portion 53 .

As described above, in the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment, the resistance value of the contact resistance between the electrodes (terminals 22-1 and 22-N) formed on the pixel substrate and the common electrode 54 can be easily and simply determined. can be measured to Thereby, the conductive members (wirings 24-1, 24-2, COM electrodes 51-1, 51-1, 51-1, 51-1, 51-2, 51-1, 51-2, 51-1, 51-2, 51-1 and 51-2) electrically connect the electrodes (terminals 22-1, 22-N) formed on the pixel substrate and the common electrode 54 to each other. -2, conductive portions 52-1, 52-2) can be easily and simply confirmed (inspected).
Thus, in the electrophoretic display device according to this embodiment, the resistance value of the contact resistance of the common electrode 54 can be directly measured.
For example, in the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to measure the contact resistance with a simple configuration without adding a measuring instrument or performing other secondary processing. . As a result, for example, measurement of contact resistance can be introduced into process inspection, and the quality and yield of the display panel of the electrophoretic display device can be improved.

Here, another configuration example is shown regarding this embodiment.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the partition wall 53 is configured to have frame portions (two frame portions in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4). A partition wall portion 53 is formed integrally with the partition wall 36 .
In this regard, as another configuration example, a member (frame portion) having all the frame portions and a member (partition wall portion not including the frame portion) constituting the partition 36 may be configured separately.
As another configuration example, when there are a plurality of frame portions, the plurality of frame portions may be configured as one unit, or may be configured as separate bodies, or , a part of which may be integrally configured. Moreover, in this case, a part of the frame portion and the partition wall 36 may be integrally configured.

In this embodiment, a partition type electrophoretic display device is shown in which the partitions 36 partition the space into a plurality of regions (cells).
In this regard, microcapsules (not shown) may be used in place of the septum 36 as another configuration example. That is, a capsule-type electrophoretic display device may be implemented in which a space is partitioned into a plurality of regions (cells) by microcapsules. In the capsule type, for example, a transparent film in which a plurality of microcapsules are formed is provided between the pixel substrate and the counter substrate using an adhesive or the like.
In the capsule type, for example, a plurality of frame portions are configured separately from a transparent film in which a plurality of microcapsules are formed. When there are a plurality of frame parts, the plurality of frame parts may all be integrally constructed, may be individually constructed separately, or may be partially integrally constructed. may

(Second embodiment)
10 to 12, schematic configuration examples of electronic devices according to embodiments of the present invention are shown. In this embodiment, a specific example of an electronic device to which the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiment (the electrophoretic display device according to the first embodiment) is applied will be shown.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an electronic device according to one embodiment (first example of the second embodiment) of the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an electronic book 501 as an example of electronic equipment.
The electronic book 501 includes a book-shaped frame 511 , a display unit 512 to which the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiment is applied, and an operation unit 513 .

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an electronic device according to one embodiment (second example of the second embodiment) of the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a wristwatch 551, which is an example of an electronic device.
A wristwatch 551 includes a display section 561 to which the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiment is applied.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an electronic device according to one embodiment (third example of the second embodiment) of the present invention.
Specifically, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing electronic paper 571, which is an example of electronic equipment.
The electronic paper 571 includes a body portion 581 made of a rewritable sheet having the same texture and flexibility as paper, and a display portion 582 to which the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiment is applied.

It should be noted that the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiments may be applied to various other electronic devices. , textbooks, workbooks, information sheets, and the like.

As described above, the electronic device according to the present embodiment can obtain the same effect as the electrophoretic display device according to the above embodiments.

(Summary of the above embodiments)
As one configuration example, a first substrate (counter substrate 34 in the example of FIG. 2) on which a common electrode (the common electrode 35 in the example of FIG. 2 and the common electrode 54 in the example of FIG. 4) is formed; A second substrate provided with a pixel electrode (pixel electrode 32 in the example of FIG. 2) and a plurality of terminals (terminals 22-1 to 22-N in the example of FIG. 1) (in the example of FIG. 2, A pixel substrate 31) and a dispersion provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and containing particles (particles 42 and 43 in the example of FIG. 2) and a dispersion medium (dispersion medium 41 in the example of FIG. 2) Two or more connecting portions ( In the example of FIG. 4, the electrophoretic display device (the electrophoretic display device 11 in the example of FIG. 2) includes COM electrodes 51-1 to 51-2).
As one configuration example, in an electrophoretic display device, each of the two or more terminals and each of the different points of the common electrode are connected to the respective conductive portions (conductive portions 52-1 and 52-2 in the example of FIG. 4). Each conductive portion is arranged in the opening of a frame (a member having a frame portion) having an opening (a portion of the frame where the frame is open).
As one configuration example, in an electrophoretic display device, a partition is arranged between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a region (for example, a cell for each pixel) partitioned by the partition (the partition 36 in the example of FIG. 2) ) in which the dispersion is placed.
As one configuration example, in an electrophoretic display device, a plurality of microcapsules are arranged between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a dispersion liquid is arranged in the microcapsules.
As one configuration example, in an electrophoretic display device, the two or more terminals include at least two terminals (terminals 22-1 and 22-N in the example of FIG. 1) at both ends of the plurality of terminals.
As one configuration example, in an electrophoretic display device, the potentials of two or more terminals are the same potential when driven.
One configuration example is an electronic device (for example, the electronic device shown in FIGS. 10 to 12) including the electrophoretic display device as described above.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design and the like are included within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

In addition, recording (storing) a program for realizing the function of any component in the above-described device (e.g., electrophoretic display device, electronic device) in a computer-readable recording medium (storage medium), The program may be read into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes an operating system (OS) or hardware such as peripheral devices. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" means portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROM (Read Only Memory), CD (Compact Disk)-ROM, and storage such as hard disks built into computer systems. It refers to equipment. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" means the volatile memory (RAM: Random Access Memory), which holds programs for a certain period of time.
Moreover, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing this program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in a transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program means a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Also, the above program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Furthermore, the above program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Reference Signs List 1, 1011 contact structure 11 electrophoretic display device 21 1021 pixel region portion 22-1 to 22-N 1022-1 to 1022-M terminal 23 1023 COM electrode portion 24- Reference Signs List 1 to 24-2 Wiring 31 Pixel substrate 32 Pixel electrode 33 Insulating layer 34 Counter substrate 35, 54 Common electrode 36 Partition wall 41 Dispersion medium 42, 43 Particles 51-1 to 51-2, 101 to 102, 151 to 152, 201-1 to 201-2, 301-1 to 301-4, 1101... COM electrodes, 52-1 to 52-2... conductive parts, 53... Partition part 103, 1102 Wiring 104, 153-1 to 153-2, 1103 Contact resistance 154 Common electrode sheet resistance 171 Ammeter 172 Power supply 501 Electronic book 511 Frame 512 , 561, 582... Display unit 513... Operation unit 551... Wrist watch 571... Electronic paper 581... Main unit P1 to P2... Points

Claims (2)

A method for measuring a contact resistance value of a common electrode in an electronic device having a common electrode, comprising:
A first substrate provided with a common electrode and two different conductive portions provided with a pixel electrode and a plurality of terminals electrically connect two of the plurality of terminals to different points of the common electrode. a second substrate connected to
A plurality of microcapsules are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a dispersion liquid is arranged in the microcapsules;
providing a power supply and an ammeter;
measuring the current between the two said terminals;
each of the conductive portions is arranged in two openings of a frame portion extending between the first substrate and the second substrate;
Method. first and second contact resistors having the same value are electrically connected between the two terminals and the common electrode;
The method of claim 1.

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