JP2011244566A - Optical drive actuator, optical drive system, and optical drive method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical drive actuator that can be driven even under such an environment that a light source is difficult to install in the vicinity of the optical drive actuator.SOLUTION: The optical drive actuator 100 comprises a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer compact 130 that includes photochromic molecules reversibly isomerized by active beam irradiation and a light guide member 110 that guides the active beam to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer compact 130.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light-driven actuator driven by light, and more particularly to a light-driven actuator provided with a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body containing photochromic molecules.

  A photochromic molecule is a molecule that is reversibly isomerized by irradiation with actinic rays. In recent years, an optically driven actuator using a cross-linked liquid crystal polymer containing a photochromic molecule has been proposed using this property of a photochromic molecule (Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of a light-driven actuator 900 according to the prior art. As shown in FIG. 12A, the optical drive actuator 900 includes a support 940 and a film 930 laminated at the center of the support 940, and a pair of end portions respectively contact the installation surface 960. It is formed in an arch shape so as to contact. The film 930 is made of a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer containing photochromic molecules.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, when the first actinic ray 990 is irradiated to the optical drive actuator 900, the film 930 is bent and the entire optical drive actuator 900 is also bent. Further, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the second actinic ray 991 is irradiated to the optical drive actuator 900, the film 930 expands and the entire optical drive actuator 900 is deformed. By alternately irradiating the first actinic ray 990 and the second actinic ray 991, the light-driven actuator 900 moves forward on the installation surface 960 like a scale insect. As described above, the light-driven actuator 900 can directly convert light energy into kinetic energy.

JP 2008-228368 (released September 25, 2008)

However, in the optically driven actuator according to the prior art, it is necessary to use a relatively powerful light source in the vicinity of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer for driving. For example, in Patent Document 1, in the examples, the distance between the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer and the light source is 15 to 5 mm, the intensity of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source is 240 mW / cm ^2, and the intensity of visible light is 120 mW / cm ^2. It is described that. If the distance between the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer and the light source is increased, a more powerful light source is required. In an environment where the light source cannot be disposed in the vicinity, the intensity of the actinic ray irradiated to the optical drive actuator is insufficient, and the optical drive actuator cannot be driven.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to realize an optically driven actuator that can be driven even in an environment where a light source cannot be disposed in the vicinity of the optically driven actuator.

  In order to solve the above problems, a light-driven actuator according to the present invention includes a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded product containing a photochromic molecule that can be reversibly isomerized by irradiation with actinic rays, and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded product with the active light beam. And a light guide member that guides light.

  In the light-driven actuator according to the prior art, the actinic ray emitted from the light source is directly irradiated to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, and therefore the intensity of the actinic ray irradiated to the crosslinkable polymer molded body is the distance from the light source. It becomes smaller in inverse proportion to the square of.

  On the other hand, the light-driven actuator according to the present invention includes a light guide member that guides actinic rays to the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body, so that the distance between the light source and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer is large. However, it is possible to guide the actinic ray emitted from the light source to the crosslinkable polymer molded body while maintaining the intensity. Therefore, the light drive actuator according to the present invention can be driven even in an environment where the light source cannot be disposed in the vicinity.

  In the light-driven actuator according to the present invention, the light guide member includes an incident surface and a reflective surface, and propagates in the light guide member by reflecting the active light incident from the incident surface on the reflective surface. And at least a part of the actinic ray incident from the incident surface is emitted from an emission region provided on the reflection surface, and the emission region faces the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body. It is preferable.

  The actinic ray incident on the light guide member is reflected on the reflection surface and propagates in the light guide member along a predetermined propagation direction without being scattered outside the light guide member. That is, the actinic ray incident from the incident surface is guided to the emission region while maintaining the intensity.

  Further, since the emission region faces the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, the actinic ray guided to the emission region is irradiated to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer formed body. By providing the emission region so as to correspond to the shape of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, the entire necessary range can be suitably irradiated with actinic rays according to the shape of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.

  At this time, since a part of the actinic ray is emitted in the emission region, the actinic ray propagating along the emission region is gradually attenuated as the distance from the incident surface increases. Therefore, in order to make the degree of deformation in the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body uniform throughout, in the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, the density of the photochromic molecules increases as the opposing emission region is farther from the incident surface. Thus, a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body may be formed. Alternatively, in order to make the degree of deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body uniform throughout, the light guide member is configured such that, in the emission region, the proportion of the actinic rays that are emitted without being reflected increases as the distance from the incident surface increases. May be configured.

  As mentioned above, according to the said structure, an actinic ray can be suitably irradiated with respect to a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded object.

  In the light-driven actuator, a light scatterer may be fixed on the emission region.

  Since the light scatterer is fixed on the emission region, the actinic rays that have reached the emission region are scattered by the light scatterer, and a part thereof is irradiated to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body. Thereby, an actinic ray can be efficiently irradiated to a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.

  At this time, in order to make the degree of deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body uniform throughout, the light scatterer is fixed to the emission region so that the density of the light scatterer increases as the distance from the incident surface increases. May be.

  In the optical drive actuator, a groove may be provided on the back surface of the emission region of the light guide member.

  By providing a groove on the back surface of the emission region, the actinic ray that has reached the groove is reflected by the groove and reaches the emission region with an incident angle partially exceeding the total reflection angle. Exits from. Thereby, an actinic ray can be efficiently irradiated to a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.

  At this time, in order to make the degree of deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body uniform throughout, a light scatterer is provided on the back surface of the emission region so that the groove density increases as the distance from the incident surface increases. Also good.

  In the light-driven actuator according to the present invention, the light guide member includes an incident surface and a reflective surface, and propagates in the light guide member by reflecting the active light incident from the incident surface on the reflective surface. And the light is emitted from an emission region provided on the opposite side of the incident surface across the reflecting surface, and the emission region is opposed to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body. Good.

  Also in this configuration, the actinic ray incident on the light guide member is reflected on the reflection surface and propagates along the predetermined propagation direction in the light guide member without being scattered outside the light guide member. As a result, it is possible to successfully propagate the actinic ray through the light guide member and emit the actinic ray toward the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded product while suitably maintaining the intensity of the actinic ray emitted from the light source.

  In the light-driven actuator according to the present invention, it is preferable that a covering member made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member is provided so as to cover the reflection surface.

  The reflective surface is covered with a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member, thereby preventing actinic rays propagating in the light guide member from being scattered by dirt or scratches attached to the reflective surface. it can. Thereby, active light can be propagated more efficiently in the light guide member, and the intensity of the active light emitted from the light source can be more suitably maintained.

  In the light-driven actuator according to the present invention, it is preferable that the light guide member and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body are connected.

  By connecting the light guide member and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, even if the light-driven actuator is driven and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body is deformed or moved, the light guide member follows and deforms. Alternatively, even after movement, the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body can be irradiated with actinic rays via the light guide member. In addition, from the viewpoint of followability to deformation or movement of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, it is more preferable that the light guide member has flexibility and deforms according to the deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body. It is particularly preferable that the light guide member and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body are integrated.

  In addition, an optical drive system including the optical drive actuator according to the present invention and the light source that emits the actinic ray is also within the scope of the present invention.

  The light driving method according to the present invention is directed to a cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded product containing a photochromic molecule that can be reversibly isomerized by irradiation with actinic light, via the light guide member that guides the actinic light. It is characterized by including an irradiation step of irradiating. According to the optical driving method of the present invention, the same effect as the optical driving actuator of the present invention can be obtained.

  According to the light-driven actuator according to the present invention, the intensity of active light emitted from the light source can be maintained even when the distance between the light source and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body is long. Therefore, it is possible to realize an optically driven actuator that can be driven even in an environment where a light source cannot be disposed in the vicinity of the optically driven actuator.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (1st Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (3rd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (4th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (5th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (6th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (7th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (8th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on one Embodiment (9th Embodiment) of this invention. It is a figure explaining a bridge | crosslinking liquid crystal polymer molded object, (a) is a figure explaining the isomerization of a photochromic molecule, (b) shows the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded object of a certain state, (c) These show the bridge | crosslinking liquid crystal polymer molded object of the state shrunk by actinic light irradiation from the state shown in (b). It is a perspective view explaining a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body, (a) shows a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body of a basic form, (b) and (c) are cross-linked liquid crystal A molecular compact is shown. It is a schematic perspective view which shows schematic structure of the optical drive actuator which concerns on a prior art, (a) shows the optical drive actuator of a basic form, (b) is the optical drive actuator extended | stretched by irradiation of the 1st actinic ray (C) shows the optically driven actuator bent by the irradiation of the second actinic ray.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optically driven actuator 100 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the light-driven actuator 100 includes a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, a support 140, and a light guide member 110, and includes a first actinic ray 190 from a first light source 180, and Driven by the second actinic ray 191 from the second light source 181.

(About crosslinked liquid crystal polymer moldings)
As the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 included in the light-driven actuator 100, for example, a molded body made of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer described in Patent Document 1 can be used.

  That is, the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer constituting the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 has a domain region that is a mesogen-orientable region and a polymer skeleton that forms a three-dimensional network structure. It may be a chain polymer liquid crystal or a side chain polymer liquid crystal. The mesogen refers to a hard core portion that is directly involved in the alignment of liquid crystal. In such a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer, the aligned mesogen is gently restrained by the polymer skeleton, and therefore the movement of the polymer skeleton and the orientation of the mesogen are strongly correlated. In addition, it is more preferable that the crosslinked structure has a structure in which orientational order is maintained over a long distance.

  The crosslinked liquid crystal polymer can be, for example, a copolymer of a monofunctional polymerizable monomer and a crosslinked polymerizable monomer. A known method can be used as a method for obtaining the copolymer. For example, a method in which a monomer mixture containing a monofunctional polymerizable monomer and a crosslinkable monomer is copolymerized under conditions where the mesogen is oriented can be suitably used. Specifically, for example, a method is used in which a monomer mixture is copolymerized by photopolymerization or thermal polymerization using an in-situ polymerization method using a reaction vessel having an oriented surface on the inner surface. Can be used. According to this method, a copolymer is produced in a state of being oriented in a specific direction by the action of the orientation surface of the reaction vessel.

  Examples of the method for forming an orientation surface on the inner surface of the reaction vessel include a method of forming a polyimide layer on the inner surface of the reaction vessel and rubbing it in a specific direction, a method of applying an electric field, a magnetic field, etc. be able to. Examples of the orientation of the target mesogen include homogeneous, twist, homeotropic, hybrid, bend, and spray orientation.

  Further, as another method for copolymerization, there can be mentioned a method in which a linear or weakly crosslinked liquid crystal polymer is prepared, and then a crosslinking reaction is performed while aligning mesogens by stress.

  The polymerization ratio of the monofunctional polymerizable monomer and the crosslinkable monomer may be appropriately set in consideration of the desired domain size and crosslink density. As the domain size, for example, those larger than 0.5 μm can be suitably used. When the domain size is small, the polymer skeleton formed has a structure similar to the relationship between the chromophore and polymer segment in the non-liquid crystal film, the orientation of the mesogen changes for each domain, and even if the polymer skeleton deforms, the entire film This is because the effect on the size is reduced. In such a case, it is difficult to induce the motion of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 due to the orientation change.

  The cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is not limited to the one composed of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer itself, and appropriately includes additives and the like as long as the properties of the target cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are not impaired. It may be.

  Examples of the polymerizable group in the copolymerization reaction include a (meth) acryloyloxy group, a (meth) acrylamide group, a vinyloxy group, a vinyl group, and an epoxy group. Oxy groups and (meth) acrylamide groups are preferred. As the crosslinking polymerizable monomer, a polyfunctional monomer such as a bifunctional monomer or a trifunctional monomer can be used. A well-known thing can be used as a polymerization initiator.

  In the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer, the photochromic molecule may be introduced into either the polymer main chain or the polymer side chain, but is more preferably introduced into the mesogenic site. By introducing the photochromic molecule into the mesogen site, the molecular structure change accompanying the isomerization of the photochromic molecule can be effectively converted into the orientation change of the mesogen in the domain region. Furthermore, the cross-linked structure in the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer can propagate the mesogenic orientation change to the polymer skeleton with high efficiency and induce an anisotropic and mechanical response of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body.

  As a photochromic molecule, it does not specifically limit but a well-known thing can be used. Examples thereof include azobenzene that undergoes trans-cis isomerization, stilbene structure, spiropyran that can undergo ring-opening and ring-closing photoisomerization, and a diaryl structure. In particular, azobenzene represented by the following formula (1) is particularly suitable because the wavelength is different between the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 and the intermolecular distance changes greatly during isomerization. Can be used.

  Azobenzene can use light having a wavelength of about 300 to 400 nm (hereinafter referred to as “ultraviolet light”) as the first actinic light 190, and light having a wavelength of about 500 to 650 nm as the second actinic light 191. (Hereinafter referred to as “visible light”) can be used.

  As shown in the above formula (1), when azobenzene is irradiated with ultraviolet light, it is isomerized from a rod-shaped trans form to a bent cis form. When the isomerized cis form is irradiated with visible light, it returns to the original trans form.

  The first light source 180 for irradiating the first actinic light 190 and the second light source 181 for irradiating the second actinic light 191 are not particularly limited as long as light having a desired wavelength can be obtained. Although it is not a thing, a high pressure mercury lamp, a laser beam, an LED light source, an organic EL light source, etc. are mentioned.

  In order to propagate the mesogen orientation change due to the isomerization of the photochromic molecule to the polymer skeleton with high efficiency, in addition to the cross-linked structure, the type of photochromic molecule, the introduction rate of the photochromic molecule, the type of liquid crystal, irradiation conditions, etc. Adjust it. The type of liquid crystal to be used is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a liquid crystal having high mesogen alignment ability and packing property from the viewpoint of propagating the mesogen alignment change to the polymer skeleton with high efficiency. Examples of such a liquid crystal include a smectic liquid crystal and a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

  The mechanism by which the optical drive actuator 100 moves will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the case where a film made of a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer in which azobenzene is introduced into a side chain polymer mesogen is used as the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition, the size and shape of each part in the drawing are for convenience of explanation, and the size and shape of each part may be different from those actually used.

  FIG. 10 (a) is an explanatory view schematically showing the shape change of the isomerization of the azobenzene molecule shown in the above formula (1). In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 10 schematically shows the shape of a rod-shaped transformer body, and reference numeral 20 schematically shows the shape of a bent cis body. As shown in FIG. 10A, when azobenzene molecules are irradiated with ultraviolet light (first actinic ray 190), they are isomerized from a rod-shaped trans isomer 10 to a bent cis isomer 20, and visible light (second actinic ray). By irradiating 191), the original transformer body 10 is restored. That is, the rod-shaped trans body 10 and the bent cis body 20 can be reversibly changed using actinic rays.

  FIG. 10B is a partially enlarged explanatory view schematically showing the state of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, which is a film made of a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer in which azobenzene is introduced into a mesogen site, before and after irradiation with ultraviolet light. In FIG. 10B, reference numeral 31 denotes a polymer main chain, reference numeral 11 denotes a trans-type azobenzene side chain in which azobenzene is a trans isomer, reference numeral 12 denotes a non-azobenzene side chain in which azobenzene does not contain azobenzene, and reference numeral 21 denotes A cis-type azobenzene side chain in which azobenzene is a cis form is shown.

  When the trans-type azobenzene side chain 11 is irradiated with ultraviolet light, the structure changes to a cis-type azobenzene side chain 21 in which the azobenzene portion is bent, thereby inducing an orientation change of the non-azobenzene side chain 12. These changes propagate to the polymer skeleton, and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 contracts.

  By the way, the azobenzene molecule has a high molar extinction coefficient at a wavelength (near 360 nm) that induces isomerization from the trans isomer to the cis isomer. For this reason, when the azobenzene concentration in the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is increased, the light that induces isomerization does not pass through the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, and selectively transmits the azobenzene molecules present on the irradiated surface side. It will isomerize. As a result, anisotropy occurs in the shrinkage rate in the thickness direction of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130.

  FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged explanatory view schematically showing a state in which anisotropy occurs in the shrinkage rate of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 with respect to the thickness direction of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. When the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is irradiated with ultraviolet light 90, the structure changes from a trans form to a cis form in the irradiated region, thereby inducing a change in domain orientation. And as shown in FIG.11 (b), the anisotropy of a contraction rate generate | occur | produces in the thickness direction.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 shows a mechanical response. When visible light is irradiated thereafter, the structure changes from the cis form to the trans form in the irradiated region, a new orientation change of the domain is induced, and anisotropy of a new shrinkage rate is generated.

  As described above, the trans form of azobenzene stabilizes the liquid crystal phase or itself functions as a mesogen. On the other hand, the cis isomer of azobenzene destabilizes the liquid crystal phase due to the bent structure. Therefore, when azobenzene is used, a phase transition from the liquid crystal phase to the isotropic phase can be induced isothermally by irradiation with ultraviolet light. For this reason, the orientation change of the domain can be changed drastically, the orientation change is propagated to the polymer skeleton with high efficiency, and an anisotropic and mechanical response of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is easily induced. Of course, it is only necessary to induce an anisotropic and mechanical response of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, and an isothermal phase transition from the liquid crystal phase to the isotropic phase is not essential.

  In photochromic molecules that can be isomerized by heat, heat can be used instead of actinic rays. In the case of azobenzene, instead of visible light (second actinic ray 191), isomerization of the trans isomer from the cis isomer may be induced by heat.

(About light guide member)
The light guide member 110 guides the first active light beam 190 from the first light source 180 and the second active light beam 191 from the second light source 181 to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, respectively. It is a member. More specifically, the light guide member 110 includes an incident surface 110a, a reflective surface 110b, and an output region 110c, and the first active light beam 190 or the second active light beam 191 incident from the incident surface 110a is reflected on the reflective surface 110b. By reflecting, the inside of the light guide member 110 is propagated in a predetermined propagation direction, and the active light is emitted from the emission region 110 c provided so as to face the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130.

  The material of the light guide member 110 may be any material as long as it transmits the first active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191 satisfactorily, and is not limited thereto. For example, glass, quartz, or Resins such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, urethane resin, and silicone resin can be used.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a shape of the light guide member 110, For example, it can be set as a cylinder shape or plate shape. When the light guide member 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape, one end surface can be used as the incident surface 110a, and a side surface can be used as the reflective surface 110b. An optical fiber is an example of the light guide member 110 formed in a cylindrical shape. When the light guide member 110 is formed in a plate shape, one side end surface can be used as the incident surface 110a, and the top surface and the bottom surface can be used as the reflecting surface 110b. The light guide plate is an example of the light guide member 110 formed in a plate shape.

  The first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 incident on the light guide member are reflected on the reflecting surface 110b, and thus are not diffused out of the light guide member 110 and are propagated within the light guide member 110 in a predetermined manner. Propagate along the direction. As a result, the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 are successfully propagated through the light guide member 110, and the intensity of the actinic rays emitted by the first light source 180 and the second light source 181 is suitably set. Can be maintained.

(About emission from the end face of the light guide member)
In the optically driven actuator 100, the emission region 110c is provided in a surface (exit surface) that exists on the opposite side of the incident surface 110a with the reflective surface 110b interposed therebetween. For example, when the light guide member 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the emission region 110c can be formed on an end surface different from the incident surface 110a. When the light guide member 110 is formed in a plate shape, the emission region 110c can be formed on the side end surface opposite to the incident surface 110a. The surface on which these emission regions 110c are formed may be referred to as an emission surface.

  In addition, the support body 140 should just be couple | bonded with the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded object 130, According to the use of the optical drive actuator 100, what is necessary is just to select a shape, a material, etc. suitably.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
In the optical drive actuator 100, the first actinic ray 190 from the first light source 180 and the second actinic ray 191 from the second light source 181 pass through the light guide member 110, respectively, and cross-linked liquid crystal polymer. The molded body 130 is irradiated. Therefore, even if the first light source 180 and the second light source 181 are arranged away from the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, the intensity of the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 is maintained. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the first light source 180 and the second light source 181 is improved.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optically driven actuator 101 according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different parts from the optical drive actuator 100 according to the first embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The light driving actuator 101 according to the present embodiment relates to the first embodiment in that a covering member 120 made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member 110 is provided so as to cover the reflecting surface 110b. Different from the optical drive actuator 100.

(About coated members)
The covering member 120 serves to assist the propagation of the first and second active light rays 190 and 191 in the light guide member 110, and to prevent the light guide member 110 from being contaminated, scratched, or the like, which causes leakage of the active light beam. Have.

  That is, since the reflective surface 110b is covered with a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member 110, the first actinic ray 190 and the second active light propagating in the light guide member 110 are reflected on the reflective surface 110b. The light beam 191 can be reflected and confined in the light guide member 110.

  Further, since the light guide member 110 is covered with the covering member 120, it is possible to prevent the light guide member 110 from being stained, scratched or the like, and leaking the actinic light from the portion.

  The material of the covering member 120 is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member 110, but glass, quartz, or resin such as acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, urethane resin, or silicone resin is used. Can do. Alternatively, a resin containing fluorine such as a fluororesin can be used.

  Further, the covering member 120 may cover the entire reflecting surface 110b of the light guide member 110 or may cover a part thereof. When the light guide member 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape and the covering member 120 covers the entire reflecting surface 110b of the light guide member 110, the light guide member 110 and the covering member 120 are made of optical fibers. It can be said that it is composed. In this case, the light guide member 110 corresponds to the core, and the covering member 120 corresponds to the cladding surrounding the core and the covering surrounding the cladding.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
In the optical drive actuator 101, a covering member 120 made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member 110 covers the reflective surface 110 b of the light guide member 110. Therefore, the light guide member 110 is contaminated, scratched, or the like without inhibiting the propagation of the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 in the light guide member 110, so Leakage of light can be suppressed.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an optically driven actuator 102 according to another embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different parts from the optical drive actuator 100 according to the first embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The light driving actuator 102 according to the present embodiment is such that the emission region 110c is provided in the reflection surface 110b, and the light 121 is fixed on the emission region 110c. Different from the actuator 100.

(About emission from the reflecting surface of the light guide member)
In the optically driven actuator 102 according to the present embodiment, the emission region 110c is provided in the reflective surface 110b. That is, when the light guide member 110 is formed in a cylindrical shape, the emission region 110c can be provided on the side surface. When the light guide member 110 is formed in a plate shape, the emission region 110c can be provided on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface.

  In the emission region 110c provided in the reflection surface 110b, a part of the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 are reflected and partly emitted. Therefore, by providing the emission region 110c so as to correspond to the shape of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 can be suitably irradiated. A method of providing the emission region 110c in the reflection surface 110b will be described later.

  Further, in the emission region 110c, a part of the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 is emitted and the rest is reflected and propagated in the propagation direction. Even if it extends for a long time, the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 can be emitted over the entire emission region 110c. Thereby, the 1st actinic ray 190 and the 2nd actinic ray 191 can be irradiated to a wide range.

  At this time, since a part of the actinic ray is emitted from the emission region 110c, the actinic ray propagating along the emission region 110c is gradually attenuated as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases. Therefore, in order to make the degree of deformation (bending or stretching) in the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 uniform over the entire surface, in the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, the opposed emission region 110c is far from the incident surface 110a. The cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 may be formed so that the density of photochromic molecules becomes higher. Such a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is formed into a texture pattern such as dots or lines without uniformly distributing photochromic molecules when the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is formed by a technique such as printing. It can be formed by changing the size of the dots and the length and thickness of the lines so that the density of the photochromic molecules satisfies the above conditions. Alternatively, in order to make the degree of deformation of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 uniform throughout, in the emission region 110c, as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases, the ratio of the actinic rays emitted without reflection increases. The light guide member 110 may be configured. A method of adjusting the ratio of the actinic rays that are emitted without being reflected will be described later.

(About light scatterers)
In the light-driven actuator 102 according to the present embodiment, the emission region 110c is formed by fixing the light scatterer 121 on the reflection surface 110b. That is, in the light-driven actuator 102 according to the present embodiment, the light scatterer 121 is fixed on the emission region 110c.

  The light scatterer 121 emits the first active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191 from the emission region 110c by scattering the first active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191. The actinic ray that has reached the portion where the light scatterer 121 is fixed in the emission region 110 c is scattered by the light scatterer 121 and irradiates the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130.

  More specifically, the light scatterer 121 is fixed at a predetermined density on the emission region 110c while being dispersed in, for example, resin. The resin preferably has the same or higher refractive index than the light guide member 110. When the resin has the same or higher refractive index as that of the light guide member 110, the actinic ray that has reached the portion where the light scatterer 121 is fixed in the emission region 110c is directly incident on the resin. The crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is irradiated by being scattered by the light scatterer 121. Even if the resin has a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member 110, if the light scatterer 121 is fixed at a position sufficiently close to the emission region 110c, the light scatterer 121 is fixed. The actinic ray that has reached the portion is scattered by the light scatterer 121 and irradiates the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. The light scatterer 121 may be directly fixed on the emission region 110c without being dispersed in the resin.

  As the light scatterer 121, a known light scatterer such as various pigments can be used. For example, the light scatterer 121 can be easily fixed to the emission region 110c by applying or printing ink in which the pigment is dispersed in a solvent. .

  As described above, since a part of the actinic ray is emitted from the emission region 110c, the actinic ray propagating along the emission region 110c is gradually attenuated as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases. Therefore, by configuring so that the density of the light scatterers 121 on the exit region 110c increases as the distance from the entrance surface 110a increases, the proportion of the active light beam that is emitted without being reflected in the exit region 110c is increased from the entrance surface 110a. Since it can be made larger as the distance increases, the degree of deformation (bending or stretching) in the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 can be made uniform throughout.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
Since the emission region 110c is provided in the reflective surface 110b, the first active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191 are formed into a cross-linked liquid crystal polymer shape in accordance with the shape of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. The body 130 can be irradiated. Further, since the light scatterer 121 is fixed on the emission region 110c, the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 can be emitted from the emission region 110c successfully.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical drive actuator 103 according to another embodiment (fourth embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different parts from the optical drive actuator 102 according to the third embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The light-driven actuator 103 according to the present embodiment relates to the third embodiment in that a groove 111 is provided on the back surface of the emission region 110c instead of the light scatterer 121 being fixed to the emission region 110c. Different from the optical drive actuator 102.

(About the groove)
The groove (dent) 111 is provided on the back surface of the emission region 110 c in the light guide member 110. The back surface of the emission region 110c refers to a portion on the opposite side of the emission region 110c across the propagation path through which the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 propagate.

  Since the groove 111 is provided on the back surface of the emission region 110c, the actinic ray that has reached the groove 111 is reflected by the groove 111, and part of the light reaches the emission region 110c at an incident angle that exceeds the total reflection angle. The light is emitted from the emission region 110c. Thereby, an actinic ray can be successfully irradiated to a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.

  The groove 111 can be formed by cutting the light guide member 110 as appropriate. Alternatively, the light guide member 110 may be formed directly in the state where the groove 111 is formed.

  As described above, since a part of the actinic ray is emitted from the emission region 110c, the actinic ray propagating along the emission region 110c is gradually attenuated as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases. Therefore, by increasing the density of the grooves 111 on the emission region 110c (the number per unit area or the occupied area) of the emission region 110c as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases, the light does not reflect in the emission region 110c. Since the ratio of the emitted actinic rays can be increased as the distance from the incident surface 110a increases, the degree of deformation (bending or stretching) in the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is made uniform throughout. Can do.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
By providing the groove 111 on the back surface of the emission region 110c, the first actinic ray 190 and the second actinic ray 191 can be emitted from the emission region 110c successfully.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical drive actuator 104 according to another embodiment (fifth embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different portions from the optical drive actuator 103 according to the fourth embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The light driving actuator 104 according to the present embodiment is different from the light driving actuator 103 according to the fourth embodiment in that a covering member 120 is provided so as to cover the light guide member 110.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the covering member 120 can be provided even when the emission region 110 c is provided in the reflection surface 110 b. Thereby, like the second embodiment, it is possible to prevent the light guide member 110 from being stained, scratched, etc., and actinic rays from leaking from the light guide member 110.

  As described in the fourth embodiment, the actinic ray reflected by the groove 111 reaches the emission region 110c at an incident angle that exceeds the total reflection angle. Therefore, even if the covering member 120 is provided, the emission region 110c is provided. Exits successfully.

  Also, in the form in which the light scatterer 121 is fixed to the emission region 110c as in the third embodiment, it is also possible to provide the covering member 120 as in the present embodiment.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical drive actuator 105 according to another embodiment (sixth embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different parts from the optical drive actuator 100 according to the first embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. The light-driven actuator 105 according to the present embodiment is different from the light-driven actuator 100 according to the first embodiment in that the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is integrated with the light guide member 110.

(About the connection between the light guide member and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molding)
As in this embodiment, the light guide member 110 and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are connected to drive the light-driven actuator 105, and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is deformed (stretched or bent). ) Or even if the light guide member 110 moves, the first actinic ray 190 and the second active light beam 210 are passed through the light guide member 110 with respect to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 after the deformation or movement. Light 191 can be irradiated.

  In particular, when the light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are integrated as in the present embodiment, the light guide member 110 succeeds in deformation of the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. You can follow well.

  Therefore, it is more preferable that the light guide member 110 has flexibility and deforms according to the deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. As such a light guide member 110, for example, a thin plate-like light guide member 110 can be suitably used.

  The light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 may be directly connected to each other or may be bonded with an intervening member interposed therebetween. Further, as in the present embodiment, the light guide member 110 has the emission region 110c in the reflection surface 110b, and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 is disposed so as to be in contact with the emission region 110c. The light guide member 110 and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 can be suitably integrated. In the case where the light guide member 110 and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are directly coupled as in the present embodiment, the active light beam is transmitted from the light guide member 110 to the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 in an unintended portion. Is preferably selected so that the light guide member 110 has a higher refractive index than that of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130.

(Advantages of this embodiment)
By connecting the light guide member 110 and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, the light guide member 110 follows the deformation of the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130, and the crosslinked liquid crystal after the deformation or movement is obtained. The first active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191 can be successfully irradiated to the polymer molded body 130 via the light guide member 110.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical drive actuator 106 according to another embodiment (seventh embodiment) of the present invention. In the following, only portions different from those of the optical drive actuator 105 according to the sixth embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the sixth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The light driving actuator 106 according to the present embodiment is different from the light driving actuator 105 according to the sixth embodiment in that a light scatterer 121 is fixed to the emission region 110c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, even when the light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are integrated, the light scatterer 121 is fixed to the light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 has been described in the third embodiment. As described above, actinic rays can be successfully emitted from the emission region 110c.

[Eighth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical drive actuator 107 according to another embodiment (eighth embodiment) of the present invention. Hereinafter, only different parts from the optical drive actuator 106 according to the seventh embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the seventh embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The light driving actuator 107 according to the present embodiment is that the covering member 120 is provided between the light guide member 110 and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130. And different.

  As in this embodiment, the light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are not directly coupled, and the covering member 120 made of a material having a lower refractive index than the light guide member 110 is sandwiched therebetween. Thus, it is possible to avoid actinic rays from entering the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 from the light guide member 110 in unintended portions. That is, since the light guide member 110 is covered with the covering member 120, the active light is reflected on the reflective surface 110b and successfully propagates through the light guide member 110 as described in the second embodiment.

[Ninth Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an optical driving actuator 108 according to another embodiment (9th embodiment) of the present invention. In the following, only portions different from those of the optical drive actuator 105 according to the sixth embodiment will be described, and members having the same configurations as those of the sixth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The optical drive actuator 106 according to the present embodiment is different from the optical drive actuator 105 according to the sixth embodiment in that a groove 111 is provided on the back surface of the emission region 110c.

  As shown in FIG. 9, even when the light guide member 110 and the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 are integrated, the groove 111 is provided on the back surface of the emission region 110c. As described in the fourth embodiment, actinic rays can be successfully emitted from the emission region 110c.

  In addition, light including at least one of the light-driven actuators 100 to 108, a first light source 180 that emits a first actinic ray 190, and a second light source 181 that emits a second actinic ray 191. According to the drive system, the light drive actuator can be successfully driven by controlling the first light source 180 and the second light source 181.

  In addition, as described in the first to ninth embodiments, the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 130 including the photochromic molecules that can be reversibly isomerized by irradiation with actinic rays is used for the first through the light guide member 110. By performing the irradiation process of irradiating the active light beam 190 and the second active light beam 191, the light-driven actuator can be driven successfully.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for manufacturing an actuator to be incorporated in various devices, particularly for manufacturing an actuator to be incorporated in a device that is preferably driven using light instead of electric power.

100 to 108 Light Drive Actuator (First to Ninth Embodiments)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Conductive member 110a Incident surface 110b Reflective surface 110c Outgoing area 111 Groove 120 Cover member 121 Light scatterer 130 Cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded body 140 Support 180 First light source 181 Second light source 190 First active light beam 191 Second Actinic rays

Claims (9)

  A cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded product containing a photochromic molecule that can be reversibly isomerized by irradiation with actinic light, and a light guide member that guides the actinic light to the cross-linked liquid crystal polymer molded product. A light-driven actuator. The light guide member includes an incident surface and a reflection surface, and the actinic ray incident from the incident surface is reflected on the reflection surface to be propagated in the light guide member and incident from the incident surface. Emitting at least part of the actinic ray from an emission region provided on the reflecting surface;
The light-driven actuator according to claim 1, wherein the emission region faces the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.   The light-driven actuator according to claim 2, wherein a light scatterer is fixed on the emission region.   The optically driven actuator according to claim 2, wherein a groove is provided on a back surface of the emission region in the light guide member. The light guide member includes an incident surface and a reflection surface, and the actinic ray incident from the incident surface is reflected on the reflection surface so as to propagate through the light guide member and sandwich the reflection surface. The light is emitted from an emission region provided on the opposite side of the incident surface,
The light-driven actuator according to claim 1, wherein the emission region faces the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body.   The light-driven actuator according to claim 2, wherein a covering member made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide member is provided so as to cover the reflection surface.   The light-driven actuator according to claim 1, wherein the light guide member and the crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded body are connected to each other.   An optical drive system comprising: the optical drive actuator according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a light source that emits the actinic ray.   An irradiation step of irradiating the actinic ray to a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer molded product containing a photochromic molecule that can be reversibly isomerized by actinic ray irradiation via a light guide member that guides the actinic ray; An optical driving method characterized by comprising:

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