COLOR CHANGEABLE FIBER, COLOR CHANGEABLE DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 113135201, filed on Sep. 18, 2024. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a fiber, a device and a manufacturing method thereof, and in particular to a color changeable fiber, a color changeable device and a manufacturing method thereof.

Description of Related Art

Flat display technology has been widely applied in life, such as electronic paper, display screens, advertising billboards, and other applications. Currently, soft display devices may at most achieve sheet-like uniaxial flexibility but are not able to achieve multi-axial flexibility to adhere with various shapes, so that the application of display devices is limited for wearable purposes.

SUMMARY

The disclosure provides a color changeable fiber, a color changeable device and a manufacturing method thereof, which have good flexibility and a variety of color changes, in order to offer greater versatility in applications.

The color changeable fiber of the disclosure includes a core wire, a display layer, a transparent conductive layer, and a protective layer. The display layer is disposed on a surface of the core wire and in direct contact with the core wire or in contact with the core wire through an adhesion promoter. The display layer includes multiple microcapsules, and the multiple microcapsules individually include multiple electrophoretic particles. A transparent conductive layer is disposed over a surface of the display layer. The protective layer is disposed over a surface of the transparent conductive layer.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the core wire includes a single core wire, a stranded wire or a flexible wire.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the core wire includes a polymer fiber and a conductive layer. The conductive layer covers a surface of the polymer fiber.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable fiber further includes a semiconducting polymer layer that is located between the display layer and the transparent conductive layer.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a diameter of the core wire is greater than or equal to 50 microns.

The color changeable device of the disclosure includes the color changeable fiber, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to the core wire of the color changeable fiber. The second electrode is electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer of the color changeable fiber. The color changeable fiber generates color changes based on voltage waveforms or polarities applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a first voltage waveform is applied to the first electrode, and the color changeable fiber presents a first color. A second voltage waveform is applied to the first electrode, and the color changeable fiber presents a second color.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, during a process of a voltage waveform applied to the first electrode changing from the first voltage waveform to the second voltage waveform, the color changeable fiber presents a gradient color that changes from the first color to the second color.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable fiber has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A part of the first end that exposes the core wire of the color changeable fiber is formed as a first terminal and is electrically connected to the first electrode. A part of the second end that exposes the transparent conductive layer of the color changeable fiber is formed as a second terminal and is electrically connected to the second electrode.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable device includes multiple color changeable fibers. The multiple color changeable fibers are interlaced and woven up and down along a first direction and a second direction to form a bendable surface. The first direction and the second direction intersect.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the multiple color changeable fibers include multiple first color changeable fibers and multiple second color changeable fibers. The multiple first color changeable fibers are arranged in the second direction and extended in the first direction. Each of first terminals of the multiple first color changeable fibers is arranged on a first side of the surface. Each of second terminals of the multiple first color changeable fibers is arranged on a second side of the surface. The first side is opposite to the second side. The multiple second color changeable fibers are arranged in the first direction and extended in the second direction. Each of first terminals of the multiple second color changeable fibers is arranged on a third side of the surface. Each of second terminals of the multiple second color changeable fibers is arranged on a fourth side of the surface. The third side is opposite to the fourth side.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable device further includes a third electrode and a fourth electrode. Each of the first terminals of the multiple first color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the first electrode. Each of the second terminals of the multiple first color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the second electrode. Each of the first terminals of the multiple second color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the third electrode. Each of the second terminals of the multiple second color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the fourth electrode.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a polarity of the first electrode is different from a polarity of the third electrode to allow a color of the multiple first color changeable fibers to be different from a color of the multiple second color changeable fibers.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the multiple color changeable fibers further include multiple third color changeable fibers that are arranged in a staggered arrangement with the multiple first color changeable fibers in the second direction and extended in the first direction. Each of first terminals of the multiple third color changeable fibers is arranged on the first side of the surface. Each of second terminals of the multiple third color changeable fibers is arranged on the second side of the surface.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable device further includes a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode. Each of the first terminals of the multiple third color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the fifth electrode. Each of the second terminals of the multiple third color changeable fibers is electrically connected to the sixth electrode. A voltage waveform applied to the first electrode is different from a voltage waveform applied to the fifth electrode to allow a color of the multiple first color changeable fibers to be different from a color of the multiple third color changeable fibers.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable fiber has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A part of the first end that exposes the core wire of the color changeable fiber is formed as a first terminal and is electrically connected to the first electrode. A part of the first end that exposes the transparent conductive layer of the color changeable fiber is formed as a second terminal and is electrically connected to the second electrode.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the color changeable device further includes a hairnet. The first ends of the plurality of color changeable fibers are connected to the hairnet to form a color changeable wig.

A manufacturing method of a color changeable fiber of the disclosure includes the following steps. A display layer is formed over a surface of a core wire. The display layer is in direct contact with the core wire or in contact with the core wire through an adhesion promoter. The core wire that has formed the display layer is immersed in a transparent conductive material to form a transparent conductive layer over a surface of the display layer. A protective layer is formed over a surface of the transparent conductive layer.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a semiconducting polymer layer is formed over the display layer before the transparent conductive layer is formed on the surface of the display layer.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the protective layer is formed through chemical vapor deposition, and a material of the protective layer includes parylene or polyacrylate.

Based on the above, the color changeable device of the disclosure includes the color changeable fiber. The display layer of the color changeable fiber is disposed between the core wire and the transparent conductive layer to allow the color changeable fiber to have a variety of color changes and flexibility, and may perform adaptive deformations, such as bending, according to the needs of different applications in order to expand the field of application of display technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B are application schematic views of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an application schematic view of a color changeable device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an application schematic view of a color changeable device according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a manufacturing method of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are exaggerated for clarity. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “connected to” another element, it can be directly on the other element or connected to the other element, or an intermediate element may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on another element” or “directly connected to” another element, there are no intermediate elements. As used herein, “connected” may refer to physical and/or electrical connection. Furthermore, “electrical connection” or “coupling” may mean the presence of other elements between the two elements.

It should be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or parts should not be limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Thus, a “first element”, “first component”, “first region”, “first layer” or “first part” discussed below could be termed a second element, second component, second region, second layer or second part without departing from the teachings herein.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. A color changeable device 1 includes a color changeable fiber 10. The color changeable fiber 10 includes a core wire 100, a display layer 110, a transparent conductive layer 120, and a protective layer 130. The display layer 110 is disposed on a surface of the core wire 100. The transparent conductive layer 120 is disposed over a surface of the display layer 110. The protective layer 130 is disposed over a surface of the transparent conductive layer 120.

The core wire 100 is located in a central part of the color changeable fiber 10 to serve as an electrode for driving the display layer 110. In some embodiments, the core wire 100 may include a single core wire, a stranded wire, or a flexible wire. For example, in FIG. 2, the core wire 100 is a single core wire that has a single solid wire; in FIG. 3, the core wire 100 is a multi-core wire, for example, such as a stranded wire stranded by multiple wires or a flexible wire flatly disposed by multiple wires. In some embodiments, the material of the core wire 100 may include copper, gold, silver, tungsten, aluminum, alloys thereof or other suitable conductive materials, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the core wire 100 may include a polymer fiber 102 and a conductive layer 104 as shown in FIG. 4. The polymer fiber 102 may be composed of multiple polymer yarns and have good flexibility. The conductive layer 104 covers a surface of the polymer fiber 102 to provide conductive properties to allow the core wire 100 to become a wire with good flexibility.

In some embodiments, the polymer fiber 102 may include an aramid fiber or other suitable polymer fibers, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the conductive layer 104 may include stainless steel, copper, gold, silver, tungsten, aluminum, alloys thereof, or other suitable conductive materials, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the conductive layer 104 may be a transparent conductive material layer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyphenylene sulfide (PSS), polyaniline (PAN), polythiophene (PTH), polypyrrole (PPy) or other suitable conductive polymers, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

A display layer 110 may include multiple microcapsules 112. The microcapsules 112 may include multiple electrophoretic particles, such as white electrophoretic particles, black electrophoretic particles, and/or colored electrophoretic particles (such as red electrophoretic particles, yellow electrophoretic particles, or other colored electrophoretic particles). The multiple electrophoretic particles may move with voltage changes in a liquid filled with the microcapsules 112 and display colors.

In some embodiments, the display layer 110 includes the microcapsules 112 evenly disposed on a surface of the core wire 100 to allow the display layer 110 to effectively perform a display function. If the microcapsules 112 are disposed on the surface of the core wire 100, a thickness of the display layer 110 is approximately equal to a diameter of a single microcapsule 112. The diameter of the microcapsule 112 may be between about 10 microns and 100 microns, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, a diameter of the core wire 100 may be greater than or equal to 50 microns to allow the microcapsules 112 in the display layer 110 to be evenly disposed around the surface of the core wire 100. In some embodiments, the display layer 110 may be in direct contact with the core wire 100 (as shown in FIG. 1). In an embodiment where the core wire 100 includes the polymer fiber 102 and the conductive layer 104, the display layer 110 may be in direct contact with the conductive layer 104. In other embodiments, the display layer 110 may be in contact with the core wire 100 through an adhesion promoter 160 (as shown in FIG. 3) to facilitate the adhesion of the display layer 110 and the core wire 100. That is to say, the adhesion promoter 160 may be disposed between the display layer 110 and the core wire 100. In some embodiments, the adhesion promoter 160 may be a transparent conductive material, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyphenylene sulfide (PSS), polyaniline (PAN), polythiophene (PTH), polypyrrole (PPy) or other suitable conductive polymers, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be understood that although the adhesion promoter is not shown in FIG. 1, the adhesion promoter 160 may also be provided between the display layer 110 and the core wire 100 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the adhesion promoter 160 may not be included to allow the display layer 110 to be in direct contact with the core wire 100.

In some embodiments, the display layer 110 further includes an adhesive 114 to allow the display layer 110 to be adhered to the core wire 100. In some embodiments, the adhesive 114 may include polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, alginate, polyurethane dispersion or other suitable water-soluble adhesives, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The transparent conductive layer 120 is disposed around the display layer 110 to serve as another electrode for driving the display layer 110. In some embodiments, the transparent conductive layer 120 may be a transparent, conductive, and flexible material. For example, the transparent conductive layer 120 may include poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polyphenylene sulfide (PSS), polyaniline (PAN), polythiophene (PTH), polypyrrole (PPy)) or other suitable conductive polymers, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the transparent conductive layer 120 may be a polymer material including a conductive material inside, such as a polyester material including silver nanowires.

The protective layer 130 is disposed around the transparent conductive layer 120 to protect the internal structure of the color changeable fiber from moisture, dust and other contamination. In some embodiments, the protective layer 130 may be a transparent, insulating, and flexible material. For example, the protective layer 130 may include parylene, polyacrylate or other suitable insulating polymers, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the color changeable fiber 10 may further include a semiconducting polymer layer (such as semiconducting polymer layers 140, 150) as shown in FIG. 4. The semiconducting polymer layer 140 is disposed between the core wire 100 and the display layer 110, and the semiconducting polymer layer 150 is disposed between the transparent conductive layer 120 and the display layer 110 to improve the surface flatness of the core wire 100 and/or the display layer 110. It should be understood that although the semiconducting polymer layers are not shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and/or the semiconducting polymer layer 150 may also be included in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and/or the semiconducting polymer layer 150 may not be included.

In some embodiments, the semiconducting polymer layer 140 may be in contact with the core wire 100 through the adhesion promoter 160 (as shown in FIG. 4) to facilitate the adhesion between the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and the core wire 100. That is to say, the adhesion promoter 160 may be disposed between the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and the core wire 100. In other embodiments, the semiconducting polymer layer 140 may be in direct contact with the core wire 100 and adhered to the core wire 100 without the adhesion promoter 160.

In some embodiments, resistivities of the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and the semiconducting polymer layer 150 may be between 10⁸ ohm-cm and 10⁹ ohm-cm. In some embodiments, the semiconducting polymer layer 140 and the semiconducting polymer layer 150 may include polyurethane acrylate doped with conductive materials. In some embodiments, the conductive materials may include alkoxylated acrylate, caprolactone acrylate, acrylic resin, polyvinyl alcohol or other suitable conductive polymers or monomers. In some embodiments, the conductive materials may include ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF6), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (BMITFSI), 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (DMIPF6), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF4)), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EMIDCN) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (EMITFSI) or similar.

In some embodiments, the color changeable device 1 further includes a first electrode E1 and a second electrode E2. The first electrode E1 is electrically connected to the core wire 100 of the color changeable fiber 10, and the second electrode E2 is electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer 120 of the color changeable fiber 10. The color changeable fiber 10 allows electrophoretic particles in the display layer 110 to move in a liquid filled with the microcapsules 112 based on an electric field generated by a voltage difference between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 and generates color changes. In some embodiments, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 have different polarities. For example, in an embodiment where the microcapsules 112 of the display layer 110 include white electrophoretic particles and black electrophoretic particles, the color changeable fiber 10 may present a first color (such as white) through applying a first voltage waveform (such as a negative voltage) to the first electrode E1 and applying a second voltage waveform (such as a positive voltage) to the second electrode E2. The color changeable fiber 10 presents a second color (such as black) through applying the second voltage waveform (such as a positive voltage) to the first electrode E1 and applying the first voltage waveform (such as a negative voltage) to the second electrode E2. In some embodiments, during a process of the first electrode E1 or the second electrode E2 changing from the first voltage waveform to the second voltage waveform, the color changeable fiber 10 may present a gradient color (such as gray) that changes from the first color to the second color. It should be understood that the microcapsules 112 including white electrophoretic particles and black electrophoretic particles are only taken as an example, and the example is not intended to limit the disclosure. The microcapsules 112 may include electrophoretic particles of other colors to present different colors. In some embodiments, the second electrode E2 may be grounded.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 at the same time, in some embodiments, the color changeable fiber 10 has a first end 10a and a second end 10b. The first end 10a is opposite to the second end 10b. A part of the first end 10a that exposes the core wire 100 of the color changeable fiber 10 may be formed as a first terminal T1 and is electrically connected to the first electrode E1. A part of the second end 10b that exposes the transparent conductive layer 120 of the color changeable fiber 10 may be formed as a second terminal T2 and is electrically connected to the second electrode E2.

In some embodiments, a conductive tape 125 (such as copper foil tape or other suitable conductive tapes) may be disposed on the second terminal T2 to improve the conductivity and facilitate electrical connection with the second electrode E2.

In FIG. 1, the arrows schematically indicate that two ends of the color changeable fiber 10 (that is, the first end 10a and the second end 10b) are respectively connected to the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2. It should be understood that the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 may be disposed in a driving device (not shown) and connected to a driving circuit in the driving device to allow the color changeable fiber 10 to generate color changes through the control of the driving circuit.

Since the color changeable fiber 10 includes the display layer 110 disposed between the core wire 100 and the transparent conductive layer 120, the color changeable fiber 10 may have a variety of color changes, and may perform adaptive deformations, such as bending, according to the needs of different applications in order to versatilely apply display technology to various fields through the color changeable fiber 10, such as display applications including wearables.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B are application schematic views of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. It must be noted here that the embodiments of FIG. 5, FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B use the reference numerals and part of the contents of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. The same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements, and descriptions of the same technical content are omitted. For descriptions of the omitted parts, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and will not be described again here.

Please refer to FIG. 5. A color changeable device 2 includes multiple color changeable fibers 30 interlaced and woven up and down along a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 to form a bendable surface 30f. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersect. In some embodiments, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are orthogonal, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The multiple color changeable fibers 30 may be the color changeable fiber 10 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the multiple color changeable fibers 30 may include multiple first color changeable fibers 32 and multiple second color changeable fibers 34. The multiple first color changeable fibers 32 are arranged in the second direction D2 and extended in the first direction D1. Each of first ends 32a (or first terminals T1) of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 is arranged on a first side S1 of the surface 30f. Each of second ends 32b (or second terminals T2) of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 is arranged on a second side S2 of the surface 30f. The first side S1 is opposite to the second side S2. The multiple second color changeable fibers 34 are arranged in the first direction D1 and extended in the second direction D2. Each of first ends 34a (or first terminals T1) of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 is arranged on a third side S3 of the surface 30f. Each of second ends 34b (or second terminals T2) of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 is arranged on a fourth side S4 of the surface 30f. The third side S3 is opposite to the fourth side S4.

In some embodiments, the microcapsules 112 in the display layers 110 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 and the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 may include electrophoretic particles of the same or different color combinations.

In some embodiments, the color changeable device 2 includes a first electrode E1, a second electrode E2, a third electrode E3, and a fourth electrode E4. Each of the first terminals T1 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 is electrically connected to the first electrode E1. Each of the second terminals T2 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 is electrically connected to the second electrode E2. Each of the first terminals T1 of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 is electrically connected to the third electrode E3. Each of the second terminals T2 of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 is electrically connected to the fourth electrode E4. In this way, the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 may be controlled by controlling voltages applied by the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2, and the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 may be controlled by controlling voltages applied by the third electrode E3 and the fourth electrode E4.

Since the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 are controlled through different pairs of electrodes, even if the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 have the same microcapsule structure, the same or different colors may be presented through adjusting voltage waveforms or polarities applied to the electrodes. Specifically, when polarities of the first electrode E1 and the third electrode E3 are opposite, the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 present different colors. When polarities of the first electrode E1 and the third electrode E3 are the same, the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 present the same color.

For example, in an embodiment where the microcapsules 112 in the display layers 110 of the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 both include white electrophoretic particles and black electrophoretic particles, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the first electrode E1 is a positive voltage H+, and the second electrode E2 is a negative voltage H−, the first color changeable fibers 32 may be allowed to present a second color (such as black). At the same time, when the polarity of the third electrode E3 is opposite to the polarity of the first electrode E1 (for example, the third electrode E3 is a negative voltage V−), and the polarity of the fourth electrode E4 is opposite to the polarity of the second electrode E2 (for example, the fourth electrode E4 is a positive voltage V+), the second color changeable fibers 34 may be allowed to present a first color (such as white). On the other hand, when the polarity of the third electrode E3 is the same as the polarity of the first electrode E1 (for example, the third electrode E3 is a positive voltage V+), and the polarity of the fourth electrode E4 is the same as the polarity of the second electrode E2 (for example, the fourth electrode E4 is a negative voltage V−), the second color changeable fibers 34 may be allowed to present the second color (such as black) (not shown). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the first electrode E1 is a negative voltage H−, and the second electrode E2 is a positive voltage H+, the first color changeable fibers 32 may be allowed to present the first color (such as white). At the same time, when the polarity of the third electrode E3 is opposite to the polarity of the first electrode E1 (for example, the third electrode E3 is a positive voltage V+), and the polarity of the fourth electrode E4 is opposite to the polarity of the second electrode E2 (for example, the fourth electrode E4 is a negative voltage V−), the second color changeable fibers 34 may be allowed to present the second color (such as black). On the other hand, when the polarity of the third electrode E3 is the same as the polarity of the first electrode E1 (for example, the third electrode E3 is a negative voltage V−), and the polarity of the fourth electrode E4 is the same as the polarity of the second electrode E2 (for example, the fourth electrode E4 is a positive voltage V+), the second color changeable fibers 34 may be allowed to present the first color (such as white) (not shown). In this way, the surface 30f may present different and changeable colors through the first color changeable fibers 32 and the second color changeable fibers 34 in order to present various patterns on the surface 30f according to designs. Since the surface 30f is flexible, the embodiment is adapted for applications in fields, such as clothing and advertising banners.

The embodiments of FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B only schematically illustrates an application method of the multiple color changeable fibers 30, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure. The multiple color changeable fibers 30 may be grouped and voltage controlled according to actual needs, or may also be made into color changeable devices by other weaving methods.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 8 is an application schematic view of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. It must be noted here that the embodiments of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 use the reference numerals and part of the contents of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. The same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements, and descriptions of the same technical content are omitted. For descriptions of the omitted parts, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and will not be described again here.

Please refer to FIG. 7. A color changeable device 3 is roughly similar to the color changeable device 2. The color changeable device 3 is different from the color changeable device 2 in that the multiple color changeable fibers 30 of the color changeable device 3 further include multiple third color changeable fibers 36 and multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38. The multiple third color changeable fibers 36 are arranged in a staggered arrangement with the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 in the second direction D2 and extended in the first direction D1. Each of first ends 36a (or first terminals T1) of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 is arranged on the first side S1 of the surface 30f. Each of second ends 36b (or second terminals T2) of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 is arranged on the second side S2 of the surface 30f. The multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 are arranged in a staggered arrangement with the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 in the first direction D1 and extended in the second direction D2. Each of first ends 38a (or first terminals T1) of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 is arranged on the third side S3 of the surface 30f. Each of second ends 38b (or second terminals T2) of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 is arranged on the fourth side of the surface 30f. The color changeable fibers 30 (including the first color changeable fibers 32, the second color changeable fibers 34, the third color changeable fibers 36 and the fourth color changeable fibers 38) may be the color changeable fiber 10 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the microcapsules 112 in the display layers 110 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32, the multiple second color changeable fibers 34, the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 and the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 may include electrophoretic particles with the same or different color combinations.

In some embodiments, the color changeable device 3 further includes a fifth electrode E5, a sixth electrode E6, a seventh electrode E7, and an eighth electrode E8 as shown in FIG. 8. Each of the first terminals T1 of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 is electrically connected to the fifth electrode E5. Each of the second terminals T2 of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 is electrically connected to the sixth electrode E6. Each of the first terminals T1 of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 is electrically connected to the seventh electrode E7. Each of the second terminal T2 of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 is electrically connected to the eighth electrode E8. In this way, the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 may be controlled by controlling voltages applied by the fifth electrode E5 and the sixth electrode E6, and the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 may be controlled by controlling voltages applied by the seventh electrode E7 and the eighth electrode E8.

In some embodiments, the first terminals T1 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 and the first terminals T1 of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 are offset by a distance in the first direction D1, and the second terminals T2 of the multiple first color changeable fibers 32 and the second terminals T2 of the multiple third color changeable fibers 36 are offset by a distance in the first direction D1 to facilitate connection with corresponding electrodes. In some embodiments, the first terminals T1 of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 and the first terminals T1 of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 are offset by a distance in the second direction D2, and the second terminals T2 of the multiple second color changeable fibers 34 and the second terminals T2 of the multiple fourth color changeable fibers 38 are offset by a distance in the second direction D2 to facilitate connection with corresponding electrodes.

Since the first color changeable fibers 32, the second color changeable fibers 34, the third color changeable fibers 36 and the fourth color changeable fibers 38 are controlled through different pairs of electrodes, even if the first color changeable fibers 32, the second color changeable fibers 34, the third color changeable fibers 36 and the fourth color changeable fibers 38 have the same microcapsule structure, the same or different colors may be presented through adjusting voltage waveforms or polarities applied to the electrodes. For example, in an embodiment where the microcapsules 112 in the display layers 110 of the first color changeable fibers 32, the second color changeable fibers 34, the third color changeable fibers 36 and the fourth color changeable fibers 38 all include white electrophoretic particles, black electrophoretic particles, red electrophoretic particles and yellow electrophoretic particles, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the second electrode E2, the fourth electrode E4, the sixth electrode E6 and the eighth electrode E8 are grounded for convenience of description (but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The second electrode E2, the fourth electrode E4, the sixth electrode E6 and the eighth electrode E8 may have voltage waveforms opposite to the first electrode E1, the third electrode E3, the fifth electrode E5 and the seventh electrode E7). At this time, a first voltage waveform may be applied to the first electrode E1 to allow the first color changeable fibers 32 to present a first color. A second voltage waveform is applied to the third electrode E3 to allow the second color changeable fibers 34 to present a second color. On the other hand, a third voltage waveform may be applied to the fifth electrode E5 to allow the third color changeable fibers 36 to present a third color. A fourth voltage waveform may be applied to the seventh electrode E7 to allow the fourth color changeable fibers 38 to present a fourth color. When the first voltage waveform, the second voltage waveform, the third voltage waveform and the fourth voltage waveform are different, the first color, the second color, the third color and the fourth color are different from each other; when the first voltage waveform, the second voltage waveform, the third voltage waveform and the fourth voltage waveform are the same, the first color, the second color, the third color and the fourth color are the same with each other. In this way, the surface 30f may present different combinations and changeable colors through the first color changeable fibers 32, the second color changeable fibers 34, the third color changeable fibers 36 and the fourth color changeable fibers 38.

The embodiments of FIG. 7 to FIG. 8 only schematically illustrate an application method of the multiple color changeable fibers 30, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure. The multiple color changeable fibers 30 may be grouped and voltage controlled according to actual needs, or may also be made into color changeable devices by other weaving methods.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a color changeable fiber according to another embodiment of the disclosure. It must be noted here that the embodiment of FIG. 9 uses the reference numerals and part of the contents of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. The same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements, and descriptions of the same technical content are omitted. For descriptions of the omitted parts, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and will not be described again here.

Please refer to FIG. 9. A color changeable device 4 is roughly similar to the color changeable device 1. The color changeable device 4 is different from the color changeable device 1 in that the color changeable device 4 includes a color changeable fiber 40. The color changeable fiber 40 is roughly similar to the color changeable fiber 10, but a first terminal T1 and a second terminal T2 of the color changeable fiber 40 are both located at a first end 40a of the color changeable fiber 40. A part of the first end 40a of the color changeable fiber 40 that exposes the core wire 100 of the color changeable fiber 40 may be formed as the first terminal T1 and electrically connected to the first electrode E1, and a part of the first end 40a that exposes the transparent conductive layer 120 of the color changeable fiber 40 may be formed as the second terminal T2 and electrically connected to the second electrode E2. A second end 40b of the color changeable fiber 40 is completely covered by the protective layer 130 and does not expose any of the transparent conductive layer 120 or the core wire 100.

In some embodiments, the protective layer 130 of the color changeable fiber 40 may have an annular opening (not marked) to expose the transparent conductive layer 120. A part of the transparent conductive layer 120 exposed by the annular opening is the second terminal T2. In some embodiments, the conductive tape 125 (such as copper foil tape or other suitable conductive tapes) may be disposed in the annular opening and connected to the transparent conductive layer 120 to facilitate electrical connection of the second terminal T2 and the second electrode E2. FIG. 4 only schematically shows a position of the terminal, but the embodiment is not used to limit the disclosure. Positions of the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2 may be adjusted according to actual needs.

FIG. 10 is an application schematic view of a color changeable device according to another embodiment of the disclosure. It must be noted here that the embodiment of FIG. 10 uses the reference numerals and part of the contents of the embodiment of FIG. 9. The same or similar reference numerals are used to represent the same or similar elements, and descriptions of the same technical content are omitted. For descriptions of the omitted parts, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and will not be described again here.

Please refer to FIG. 10. A color changeable device 5 includes the multiple color changeable fibers 40 and a hairnet 200. The first ends 40a of the multiple color changeable fibers 40 are connected to the hairnet 200 to form a color changeable wig. In some embodiments, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 of the color changeable fiber 40 may be disposed in a driving device (not shown), and the driving device may be disposed on the hairnet 200 to control the color of the color changeable wig.

In some embodiments, the microcapsules 112 in each of the display layers 110 of the multiple color changeable fibers 40 may include electrophoretic particles with the same or different color combinations.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a manufacturing method of a color changeable device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Please refer to FIG. 11. A manufacturing method 300 of a color changeable device includes the following steps. First, in step 310, a color changeable fiber (such as the color changeable fiber 10, 30, or 40) is provided. The color changeable fiber has the first terminal T1 and the second terminals T2. A manufacturing method of a color changeable fiber (such as the color changeable fiber 10, 30, or 40) may include the following steps. In step 312, the display layer 110 is formed over a surface of the core wire 100. For example, the core wire 100 is immersed in a slurry (not shown) including the microcapsules 112 and the adhesive layer 114, and then a drying process (such as heating and drying or other suitable methods) may be executed to solidify the slurry and form the display layer 110 on the surface of the core wire 100. Afterwards, in step 314, the transparent conductive layer 120 is formed over a surface of the display layer 110. For example, the core wire 100 that has formed the display layer 110 may be immersed in a transparent conductive material, and then a drying process (such as heating and drying or other suitable methods) may be executed to form the transparent conductive layer 120 over the surface of the display layer 110. Subsequently, in step 316, the protective layer 130 is formed over a surface of the transparent conductive layer 120. For example, the protective layer 130 may be formed over the surface of the transparent conductive layer 120 through chemical vapor deposition or other suitable deposition processes. Based on the above, production of the color changeable fiber may be roughly completed.

In some embodiments, before the display layer 110 is formed over the surface of the core wire 100, the adhesion promoter 160 (as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) may be formed on the surface of the core wire 100 to facilitate adhesion with layers subsequently formed. The adhesion promoter 160 may be formed, for example, by immersing the core wire 100 into a transparent conductive material, and then a drying process (such as heating and drying or other suitable methods) may be executed to allow the adhesion promoter 160 to form on the surface of the display layer 110.

In some embodiments, before the transparent conductive layer 120 is formed over the surface of the display layer 110 (that is, before the core wire 100 that has formed the display layer 110 is immersed in the transparent conductive material 120), the semiconducting polymer layer 140 (as shown in FIG. 4) is formed on the display layer 110 through dip coating, chemical vapor deposition, vacuum deposition or other suitable processes.

In some embodiments, before the display layer 110 is formed over the surface of the core wire 100 (that is, before the core wire 100 is immersed in the slurry including the microcapsules 112 and the adhesive layer 114), the semiconducting polymer layer 150 (as shown in FIG. 4) is form on the display layer 110 through dip coating, chemical vapor deposition, vacuum deposition or other suitable processes.

In some embodiments, one end of the core wire 100 (such as the first end 10a) may not be immersed in the slurry and the transparent conductive material that include the microcapsules 112 and the adhesive layer 114, that is, the display layer 110 and the transparent conductive layer 120 may not be formed thereon to serve as the first terminal T1 of the color changeable fiber. In some embodiments, during a process of forming the protective layer 130 over the surface of the transparent conductive layer 120, the protective layer 130 may be formed on an exposed end (that is, the first terminal T1) of the core wire 100, and the protective layer 130 located on the end (that is, the first terminal T1) of the core wire 100 is subsequently removed to allow the first terminal T1 to be exposed and able to connect to the outside.

In some embodiments, an annular opening may be formed in the protective layer 130 to expose part of the transparent conductive layer 120 to serve as the second terminal T2 of the color changeable fiber. The annular opening may be located at the first end 10a or the second end 10b of the color changeable fiber, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the conductive tape 125 (as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9) may be disposed in the annular opening of the protective layer 130 to be electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer 120.

In step 320, the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T2 of the color changeable fiber are electrically connected to corresponding electrodes in a driving device to control color changes of the color changeable fiber.

In some embodiments, multiple color changeable fibers may be woven up and down along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 to form a color changeable and bendable surface (as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7). A driving device of the color changeable fibers may be, for example, disposed on the woven surface, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the first ends 10a of the multiple color changeable fibers may be connected to the hairnet 200 or other carriers (as shown in FIG. 10). A driving device (not shown) of the color changeable fibers may be disposed on the hairnet 200 or the carrier (as shown in FIG. 10) to form a color changeable wig or decoration.

In summary, the color changeable device of the disclosure includes the color changeable fiber. The display layer of the color changeable fiber is disposed between the core wire and the transparent conductive layer to allow the color changeable fiber to have a variety of color changes and flexibility, and may perform adaptive deformations, such as bending, according to the needs of different applications in order to expand the field of application of display technology.

Although the disclosure has been disclosed in the above embodiments, the embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosure. Persons skilled in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the disclosure shall be defined by the appended claims.