Electro-optic displays with edge seal components and methods of making the same
An electro-optic display includes a backplane with at least one electrode, a layer of an electro-optic material disposed adjacent to the backplane, and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer disposed on the opposite side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane. The electro-optic display also includes a rod member disposed laterally adjacent to the backplane, the electro-optic material, and the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. A first barrier layer is disposed adjacent to the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and a first side of the rod member, and a second barrier is layer disposed on the backplane and a second side of the rod member. The second side is the opposite side of the rod member from the first side. A flexible barrier tape extends from an edge portion of the first barrier layer, around the rod member, to an edge portion of the second barrier layer.
1 . An electro-optic display comprising:
a backplane comprising at least one electrode;
a layer of an electro-optic material disposed adjacent to the backplane;
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer disposed on the opposite side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane;
a rod member disposed laterally adjacent to the backplane, the layer of an electro-optic material, and the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;
a first barrier layer disposed adjacent to the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and a first side of the rod member;
a second barrier layer disposed on the backplane and a second side of the rod member, the second side being the opposite side of the rod member from the first side; and
a flexible barrier tape extending from an edge portion of the first barrier layer, around and in contact with the rod member, to an edge portion of the second barrier layer;
wherein the rod member is placed between overhanging portions of the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer that extend beyond a periphery of the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the backplane.
2 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 further comprising an edge sealing material within the flexible barrier tape, the edge sealing material being disposed:
at a first end of the rod member adjacent to a first corner of the electro-optic display, and
at a second end of the rod member adjacent to a second corner of the electro-optic display.
3 . The electro-optic display of claim 2 wherein the edge sealing material is a UV-curable resin.
4 . The electro-optic display of claim 2 wherein the edge sealing material has a water vapor transmission rate between 2-3 g/m 2 /day at 60° C. and 90% relative humidity.
5 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the barrier tape further comprises an adhesive layer on a surface of the barrier tape that contacts the edge portion of the first barrier layer, the rod member, and the edge portion of the second barrier layer.
6 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the rod member is cylindrical and has an average diameter of between about 0.254 mm and about 2.54 mm.
7 . The electro-optic display of claim 5 wherein the rod member is integrated into the barrier tape.
8 . The electro-optic display of claim 7 wherein the rod member is positioned substantially along a lengthwise center portion of the barrier tape.
9 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the barrier tape further comprises a layer of electrically insulating material disposed on a surface of the barrier tape that contacts the edge portion of the first barrier layer, the rod member, and the edge portion of the second barrier layer.
10 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the barrier tape further comprises a metal foil layer disposed on a surface of the barrier tape opposite the surface that contacts the edge portion of the first barrier layer, the rod member, and the edge portion of the second barrier layer.
11 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the barrier tape comprises a layer of adhesive material disposed on a first half of a lengthwise surface of the barrier tape and a layer of metal foil disposed on a second half of the lengthwise surface of the barrier tape.
12 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the barrier tape comprises a colorant.
13 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer extend beyond a periphery of the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the backplane by an amount equal to a diameter of the rod member.
14 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the rod member is positioned adjacent to the outer perimeter of electro-optic display to contact the flexible barrier tape at a bend point of the flexible barrier tape.
15 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the flexible barrier has a bend radius that is controlled based on an average diameter and position of the rod member.
16 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein an average diameter of the rod member controls a bend radius of the flexible barrier tape to be greater than a minimum bend radius.
17 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein an average diameter of the rod member is set according to a thickness of the electro-optic display and a desired bend radius of the flexible barrier tape.
18 . The electro-optic display of claim 1 wherein the flexible barrier tape is configured to hold the rod member in place.
19 . An electro-optic display comprising:
a backplane comprising at least one electrode;
a layer of an electro-optic material disposed adjacent to the backplane;
a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer disposed on the opposite side of the layer of electro-optic material from the backplane;
a rod member disposed laterally adjacent to the backplane, the layer of an electro-optic material, and the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer;
a first barrier layer disposed adjacent to the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and a first side of the rod member;
a second barrier layer disposed on the backplane and a second side of the rod member, the second side being the opposite side of the rod member from the first side; and
a flexible barrier tape extending from an edge portion of the first barrier layer, around and in contact with the rod member, to an edge portion of the second barrier layer;
wherein the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer extend beyond a periphery of the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the backplane by an amount equal to a diameter of the rod member.