JP2015152028A - Lateral electric field type liquid crystal fluidization formation mechanism and lateral electric field type object movement mechanism utilizing liquid crystal fluidization - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lateral electric field type liquid crystal fluidization formation mechanism capable of simply performing liquid crystal fluidization with simple structure and control, and a lateral electric field type object movement mechanism utilizing liquid crystal fluidization.SOLUTION: A lateral electric filed type liquid crystal fluidization formation mechanism includes: a flow passage 11; a liquid crystal LC provided along the wall surface of the flow passage 11 in a movable manner; and liquid crystal molecule rotation means 15 applying an electric field to the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal LC. The liquid crystal molecule rotation means 15 includes a plurality of electrodes 16 arranged along one wall surface of the flow passage, and voltage application means 17 applying voltage to a selected application electrode among the plurality of electrodes 16.

Description

The present invention relates to a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism and a horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism using liquid crystal flow.
A liquid crystal refers to a state that has fluidity but is optically anisotropic, exhibits birefringence, has crystal-like properties, or exhibits such a state. When an electric field or magnetic field is applied to the liquid crystal, all liquid crystal molecules rotate around the center of gravity, and the axial direction is oriented at an angle unique to the liquid crystal with respect to the direction of the electric field or magnetic field.
The present invention relates to a lateral electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism utilizing the properties of the liquid crystal and a horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism utilizing liquid crystal flow.

Conventionally, liquid crystals have been used in information display devices such as liquid crystal displays because their optical properties change as liquid crystal molecules are aligned.
The viscosity of the liquid crystal changes when the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is changed by applying an electric field or a magnetic field. That is, since the liquid crystal also has a property as an electrorheological fluid, bearings, dampers, and the like using this property have been developed.

  By the way, it is known that when an electric field or a magnetic field is applied to liquid crystal molecules, liquid crystal flow is generated, and techniques using such liquid crystal flow have been developed (Patent Documents 1 to 6).

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which electrodes and insulating portions are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the tubular tube, and if the electrode to which the voltage is applied is moved along the circumferential direction, It is disclosed that liquid crystal flows along the moving direction of the electrode.
In Patent Document 1, when the electrode is moved, a flow toward the + electrode is always generated. That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which liquid crystal flows when liquid crystal molecules are pulled by an electrode.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, in order to generate liquid crystal flow, the electrode to which a voltage is applied must be moved along the circumferential direction while switching between + and − of the electrode. It becomes complicated and it is difficult to control liquid crystal flow.

  On the other hand, in Patent Documents 2 to 6, there is a technique for generating a liquid crystal flow caused by a velocity gradient generated around the liquid crystal molecules due to the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules and moving the object using the liquid crystal flow. It is disclosed.

  Patent Documents 2 to 6 disclose an object moving mechanism that includes a fixed member and a moving member that is movable with respect to the fixed member, and that accommodates liquid crystal therebetween. In this object moving mechanism, each of the moving member and the fixed member is provided with a pair of electrodes, and the restraining means for constraining each liquid crystal molecule to rotate only in one direction is a surface of the moving member and the fixed member facing each other. Is provided.

  In this object moving mechanism, each liquid crystal molecule is constrained to rotate only in one direction by the constraining means. Therefore, when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal from a pair of electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules rotate, and the one direction The liquid crystal flow can be generated. Therefore, the moving member can be moved along the direction of liquid crystal flow.

  In addition, since the voltage on / off of the pair of electrodes is merely repeated, the advantage that the voltage control is easy compared to the case of moving the electrodes while switching between + and − as in Patent Document 1 is obtained. It is done.

However, even in the techniques of Patent Documents 2 to 6, it is necessary to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal from a pair of electrodes, so that the structure of the object moving mechanism is complicated in that an electrode must be provided on the moving member. There is a possibility.
Therefore, if there is an object moving mechanism that can use the liquid crystal flow industrially with a simpler structure, the industrial use of the liquid crystal flow can be promoted.

JP 2006-42430 A Japanese Patent No. 3586734 Japanese Patent No. 4273341 JP 2009-185993 A JP 2009-185994 A JP 2010-183754 A

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism capable of simplifying liquid crystal flow with a simple structure and control, and a horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism utilizing liquid crystal flow.

(Horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism)
The lateral electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention is a liquid crystal molecule rotating means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal molecules of the flow channel, the liquid crystal movably provided along the wall surface of the flow channel, And the liquid crystal molecule rotating means includes a plurality of electrodes arranged along one wall surface of the flow path, and a voltage that applies a voltage to a selected application electrode among the plurality of electrodes. And an applying means.
The lateral electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention is the mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the voltage application means selects a plurality of electrode pairs as application electrodes when a pair of electrodes is an electrode pair. In the plurality of electrode pairs, the crossing line between the crossing surface passing through the pair of electrodes in each electrode pair and intersecting one wall surface of the flow path and the one wall surface of the flow path is parallel to each other The application electrode is selected.
(Horizontal electric field type object movement mechanism)
A lateral electric field type object moving mechanism according to a third aspect of the present invention is a fixed member whose movement is fixed, and a moving member which is disposed so as to face the fixed member and is movable relative to the fixed member. An electric field applied to a liquid crystal disposed between a moving-side facing surface of the moving member facing the fixed member and a fixed-side facing surface of the fixed member facing the moving member; and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal A plurality of electrodes arranged on the fixing member, and a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to a selected application electrode among the plurality of electrodes. And.
In a lateral electric field type object moving mechanism according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the voltage application means selects a plurality of the electrode pairs as application electrodes, where a pair of electrodes is an electrode pair. Further, in the plurality of electrode pairs, the intersection lines of the crossing surface passing through the pair of electrodes in each electrode pair and intersecting the fixed-side facing surface of the fixing member and the fixing-side facing surface of the fixing member are parallel to each other. And selecting the application electrode.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the fixed member is an outer member having a hollow space, and the moving member is disposed in the hollow space of the outer member. An inner shaft rotatably disposed relative to the outer member, wherein the liquid crystal is disposed between an inner surface of the outer member and an outer surface of the inner shaft, and the plurality of electrodes are Provided on the outer member, and the voltage application means selects the application electrode so that the intersecting surface is a surface orthogonal to the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. Features.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the moving member is an outer member having a hollow space, and the fixed member is disposed in the hollow space of the outer member. An inner shaft rotatably disposed relative to the outer member, wherein the liquid crystal is disposed between an inner surface of the outer member and an outer surface of the inner shaft, and the plurality of electrodes are Provided on the inner shaft, and the voltage application means selects the application electrode so that the intersecting surface is a surface orthogonal to the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. Features.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the outer member and the inner shaft are relatively positioned along the axial direction of the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. The voltage application means is configured to select the application electrode so that the intersecting surface is a surface that is not orthogonal to the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. It is characterized by that.

(Horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism)
According to the first invention, when a voltage is applied to the selected application electrode by the voltage application means of the liquid crystal molecule rotation means, an electric field is formed between the application electrodes, and the liquid crystal in the channel located between the application electrodes is applied to the liquid crystal. An electric field is applied. Then, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal change their orientation so that the axial direction thereof is in the direction along the electric field lines of the electric field, so that the liquid crystal molecules along one wall surface are caused by the change of the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Flow can be generated. In addition, since the plurality of electrodes need only be provided on one wall surface, the structure of the flow mechanism can be simplified and the size can be reduced as compared with the case where the electrodes are arranged so as to sandwich the liquid crystal. Then, when changing the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is generated, the application electrode may be selected so that the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is generated coincides with the direction in which the electric field is formed. Since the electrode to which the voltage is applied can be selected without considering the above, the control for selecting the applied electrode is not complicated.
According to the second invention, when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal, the directions of liquid crystal flow generated around each liquid crystal molecule due to the change in the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can all be the same direction. .
(Horizontal electric field type object movement mechanism)
According to the third invention, when a voltage is applied to the selected application electrode by the voltage application means of the liquid crystal molecule rotation means, an electric field is formed between the application electrodes, and the liquid crystal in the channel located between the application electrodes is applied to the liquid crystal. An electric field is applied. Then, since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal change their orientation so that the axial direction thereof is in the direction along the electric field lines of the electric field, due to the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, the fixed side facing surface of the fixing member The liquid crystal flow along the line can be generated. Then, the moving member can be moved along the fixed-side facing surface of the fixing member. In addition, since the plurality of electrodes need only be provided on the fixed-side facing surface of the fixing member that does not move even when liquid crystal flows, the structure of the object moving mechanism can be simplified and the size can be reduced. Then, when changing the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is generated, the application electrode may be selected so that the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is generated coincides with the direction in which the electric field is formed. Since the electrode to which the voltage is applied can be selected without considering the above, the control for selecting the applied electrode is not complicated.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal, the directions of liquid crystal flow generated around each liquid crystal molecule due to the change in the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can all be the same direction. Therefore, the efficiency of moving the moving member can be improved.
According to the fifth invention, when a voltage is applied to the selected application electrode by the voltage application means of the liquid crystal molecule rotation means, the liquid crystal flow around the central axis of the hollow space due to the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Can be generated. Then, the inner shaft can be rotated around the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. In addition, since the plurality of electrodes need only be provided on the outer member that does not move even when liquid crystal flow occurs, the structure of the object moving mechanism can be simplified and the size can be reduced.
According to the sixth invention, if a voltage is applied to the selected application electrode by the voltage application means of the liquid crystal molecule rotation means, the liquid crystal flow around the central axis of the hollow space due to the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules Can be generated. Then, the outer member can be rotated around the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. In addition, since the plurality of electrodes need only be provided on the inner shaft that does not move even if liquid crystal flow occurs, the structure of the object moving mechanism can be simplified and the size can be reduced.
According to the seventh invention, the liquid crystal flow generated when a voltage is applied to the selected application electrode by the voltage application means of the liquid crystal molecule rotation means has a velocity component in the axial direction of the central axis of the hollow space. Then, the outer member and the inner shaft can be relatively moved along the axial direction of the central axis of the hollow space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism 10 of this embodiment, Comprising: (A) is a schematic sectional drawing, (B) is a BB sectional arrow view of A, (C) FIG. 4 is a view showing an example in which a plurality of electrode rows are provided on a wall surface P of a flow path. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the condition which generates a liquid crystal flow in the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism 10 of this embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism 30 of this embodiment. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a horizontal electric field type liquid crystal motor 20. FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the condition which generate | occur | produces a liquid crystal flow in the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism 10 of other embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism 30 of other embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal motor 20 of other embodiment.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIGS. 1 to 4, the relative dimensions of the respective parts do not match the actual ones for easy understanding of the configuration.

(Lateral electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 of this embodiment)
First, the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

(About channel 11)
In FIG. 1, reference numerals 11 a and 11 b indicate a lower wall and an upper wall of the flow path 11 that accommodates the liquid crystal LC in a flowable manner. The flow path 11 includes a lower wall 11a and an upper wall 11b, and a pair of side walls 11c and 11c provided between the lower wall 11a and the upper wall 11b, and is surrounded by the four walls. A space in which the liquid crystal LC can flow is formed in the space. That is, the flow channel 11 in FIG. 1 has a structure that allows the liquid crystal LC to flow along the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as the flow channel axial direction) in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B). It is.

The inner surfaces of the four walls described above correspond to the wall surfaces of the flow channel as defined in the claims.
In addition, the flow path 11 does not need to have four wall surfaces, and the flow path 11 does not necessarily need the upper wall 11b and a pair of side walls 11c and 11c. That is, if at least the lower wall 11a is provided, the liquid crystal LC can flow along the upper surface of the lower wall 11a if the liquid crystal LC is placed on the upper surface of the lower wall 111a. That is, it is possible to form a flow path only with the lower wall 11a. In this case, the upper surface of the lower wall 11a becomes the wall surface of the flow path referred to in the claims.

(About the liquid crystal molecule rotating means 15)
As shown in FIG. 1, in the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of electrodes 16 of the liquid crystal molecule rotating means 15 are provided on the upper surface of the lower wall 11 a in the flow path 11. The plurality of electrodes 16 are arranged so as to be aligned along the flow path axis direction at intervals.
It should be noted that the distance between the adjacent electrodes 16 can be determined as long as a line of electric force EF is formed between the adjacent electrodes 16 when a voltage is applied between the adjacent electrodes 16 from a voltage applying means 17 described later. The distance between them is not particularly limited.
In FIG. 1, all the electrodes 16 are provided on the upper surface of the lower wall 11a, that is, the surface on which the liquid crystal LC is placed. However, the electrode 16 may be provided on the outer surface of the lower wall 11a (the lower surface in FIG. 1A) as long as the electric lines of force EF that pass through the liquid crystal LC can be formed when a voltage is applied. .

  As shown in FIG. 1A, all the electrodes 16 are electrically connected to the voltage applying means 17 of the liquid crystal molecule rotating means 15 through electric wires 15s and the like. The voltage application unit 17 includes an electrode selection unit 17a that selects an electrode to which a voltage is applied (hereinafter referred to as an application electrode) from among all the electrodes 16, and a voltage application unit 17b that applies a voltage to the selected electrode. And. How the electrode selection unit 17a selects the application electrode will be described later.

  An alignment film F is provided on the upper surface of the lower wall 11a so as to cover all the electrodes 16. The alignment film F aligns the liquid crystal molecules m so that the liquid crystal molecules m rotate only in a predetermined direction when the electric lines of force EF are formed in the liquid crystal LC. Specifically, the alignment film F is subjected to a rubbing process on the surface thereof, so that the liquid crystal molecules m can be aligned so that the axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules m is inclined to the left. (See FIG. 2A).

Since the structure is as described above, as shown in FIG. 2B, if a voltage is applied between the electrode 16A and the electrode 16B from the voltage application unit 17b, the lines of electric force are generated between the electrode 16A and the electrode 16B. EF is formed. Then, in the liquid crystal LC in the flow channel 11, the liquid crystal molecules m in the portion through which the electric force lines EF pass are rotated by changing the orientation so that the axial direction thereof is directed along the electric force lines EF. To do.
Specifically, since the liquid crystal molecules m are aligned by the alignment film F so that the axial direction thereof is inclined to the left, the liquid crystal molecules m rotate counterclockwise, and the liquid crystal molecules flow around the liquid crystal molecules m. generate. For this reason, in the flow path 11, a leftward liquid crystal flow having a velocity distribution as shown in FIG. 2C can be generated.

  As described above, according to the transverse electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, if a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes 16, 16 by the voltage applying unit 17 of the liquid crystal molecule rotating unit 15, An electric field line EF is formed between the liquid crystal molecules 16 to change the orientation of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal, and due to the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, one wall surface (the upper surface of the lower wall 11a) The liquid crystal flow along can be generated.

  Moreover, it is not necessary to provide the electrode 16 on a plurality of walls of the flow path 11, and it is only necessary to provide the electrode 16 on one wall (lower wall 11a), so that the electrode 16 is disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal LC. The structure of the flow mechanism can be simplified and the size can be reduced.

  In the above example, the liquid crystal 10 has been described in which the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules m changes so that the axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules m faces the direction of the electric field lines EF when the electric field EF is applied. . However, the liquid crystal 10 may be a liquid crystal that rotates so that the axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules m is orthogonal to the electric field EF when the electric field EF is applied. Even in this case, if the liquid crystal molecules m are aligned so that the axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules m is raised to the right with respect to one wall surface (the upper surface of the lower wall 11a) (see FIG. 5A), the left The liquid crystal flow toward is generated (see FIGS. 5B and 5C).

(Regarding the wall surface treatment of the flow path 11)
In the above example, the case where the liquid crystal flow in the left direction is generated in the flow path 11 in FIG. 1 has been described. However, if the liquid crystal flow in the right direction is generated in the flow path 11, the liquid crystal molecules The liquid crystal molecules m may be aligned so that the axial direction of m is inclined to the right.

  In the above example, the case where the alignment film F is provided to align the liquid crystal molecules m of the liquid crystal LC in a predetermined direction (anchoring) has been described. However, the method of aligning the liquid crystal molecules m of the liquid crystal LC in a predetermined direction is described. Is not particularly limited. For example, a rubbing-less process may be performed to align the liquid crystal molecules m of the liquid crystal LC in a predetermined direction.

  The surface treatment of the inner surface of the wall other than the lower wall 11a of the channel 11 (the surface in contact with the liquid crystal LC) is not particularly limited, but the alignment film is not provided and the rubbing-less treatment is not performed, or the weak anchoring treatment is performed. It is preferable that it has been applied. Then, when the liquid crystal molecules m of the liquid crystal LC rotate or move, the resistance that the liquid crystal LC receives from the wall surface can be reduced, so that liquid crystal flow can be generated efficiently. The weak anchoring process is an anchoring process described in Japanese Patent No. 4053530 “Zero-plane anchoring liquid crystal alignment method and liquid crystal device thereof”, that is, horizontal or oblique alignment is forced, but in-plane (horizontal For example, anchoring without an alignment forcing force in the direction in the horizontal plane where the axis of the molecule is located.

(Selection of applied electrode)
As described above, the electrode selection unit 17a of the voltage application unit 17 has a function of selecting the pair of electrodes 16 and 16 to which the voltage is applied, and the timing of applying the voltage to the selected pair of electrodes 16 and 16 By controlling this, the liquid crystal flow generated in the flow path 11 is controlled.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if a pair of electrodes 16A and 16B are selected as application electrodes and a voltage is intermittently applied to the pair of electrodes 16A and 16B, the liquid crystal flow in the left direction in FIG. 2 is generated. Can do. That is, liquid crystal flow can be generated along the direction of the electric field EF without selecting other electrodes (electrodes 16C to 16E in FIG. 1) as application electrodes.
Further, it is not necessary to move the electrode to which the voltage is applied in order to generate the liquid crystal flow. That is, the liquid crystal flow can be generated simply by turning ON / OFF the voltage application to the pair of electrodes 16A and 16B.

  Moreover, the electrode selection part 17a of the voltage application means 17 may select a some electrode pair as an application electrode, if a pair of electrodes 16 and 16 are electrode pairs among the some electrodes 16. FIG. For example, in FIGS. 1A and 1B, adjacent electrodes, that is, electrode 16A and electrode 16B are a first electrode pair, electrode 16C and electrode 16D are a second electrode pair, and other adjacent electrodes are May be selected as an electrode pair, and a voltage may be applied to all or some of the electrode pairs. In this case, liquid crystal flows in the same direction (that is, leftward in FIG. 1) can be generated in the part where the electric lines of force formed by the electrode pair to which the voltage is applied pass. Strong liquid crystal flow can be generated.

  The electrodes constituting each electrode pair are not necessarily adjacent to each other. For example, a pair of electrodes may be selected by skipping one or skipping two to form an electrode pair. That is, the liquid crystal flow can be generated by the electric lines of force formed by the electrode pairs to which a voltage is applied, and the electric lines of force formed by the electrode pairs are all in the same direction (that is, leftward in FIG. 1). The electrodes constituting the electrode pair are not particularly limited as long as the liquid crystal flow can be generated.

  Further, FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the plurality of electrodes 16 are arranged along the flow path axis direction. However, the plurality of electrodes 16 are formed in the flow path 11 as shown in FIG. You may arrange | position in the grid | lattice form on the upper surface of the lower wall 11a. In this case, the electrode selection unit 17a of the voltage application means 17 passes through a pair of electrodes in each electrode pair, and intersecting lines between the intersecting surface intersecting the upper surface of the lower wall 11a and the upper surface of the lower wall 11a are parallel to each other. If an application electrode for applying a voltage is selected so as to satisfy the following, liquid crystal flow can be generated along the axis direction of the intersection line. Moreover, the direction of liquid crystal flow can be changed by adjusting the selected application electrode.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, if the application electrode is selected so that the intersecting line coincides with the line SL, liquid crystal flow along the line SL can be generated, and the intersecting line is a line. If the application electrode is selected so as to coincide with LL, liquid crystal flow along the line LL can be generated.

  That is, when changing the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is generated, the application electrode may be selected so that the direction in which the liquid crystal flow is to be generated matches the direction in which the electric field is formed. Then, the electrode to which the voltage is applied can be selected without considering the moving direction of the electrode to which the voltage is applied (that is, the relative position of the electrode to which the voltage is first applied and the electrode to which the voltage is applied next). Control for selecting the application electrode is not complicated.

(About the object moving mechanism 30)
Moreover, although the case where the liquid crystal flow is generated in the flow path 11 has been described in the above example, the object can be moved by the liquid crystal flow. Hereinafter, the object moving mechanism 30 (lateral electric field type object moving mechanism) will be described with reference to FIG.

  3 can be considered as a modification of the liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 described above. In the following description, the object moving mechanism 30 and the liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 The components common to are omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 3, reference numerals 31 and 32 indicate a fixed member and a moving member. The fixed member 31 and the moving member 32 are plate-like members provided such that the opposing surfaces are parallel to each other. The movement of the fixed member 31 is fixed, and the moving member 32 is provided so that it can move while keeping the fixed member 31 and the opposite surface parallel to each other. A liquid crystal LC is accommodated between the opposing surfaces of the moving member 32 and the fixed member 31.

  Hereinafter, the surface of the fixed member 31 that faces the moving member 32 is referred to as a fixed-side facing surface 31a, and the surface of the moving member 32 that faces the fixed member 31 is referred to as a moving-side facing surface 32a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of electrodes 36 are arranged on the fixed-side facing surface 31 a of the fixing member 31 along the fixed-side facing surface 31. The plurality of electrodes 36 are connected to a voltage applying unit 37 (having a function equivalent to that of the voltage applying unit 17), although not shown. On the other hand, no electrode is provided on the moving-side facing surface 32a of the moving member 32.

Although not shown, an alignment film F is provided on the fixed-side facing surface 31 a of the fixing member 31 so as to cover the plurality of electrodes 36. For example, in FIG. 3, the alignment film F can align the liquid crystal molecules m so as to be inclined to the left. (See FIG. 3A).
An alignment film F having a function equivalent to that of the alignment film F on the fixed side facing surface 31a of the fixed member 31 is also provided on the moving side facing surface 32a of the moving member 32.

  Since the structure is as described above, as shown in FIG. 3B, when a voltage is applied between the electrode 36A and the electrode 36B, an electric force line EF is formed between the electrode 36A and the electrode 36B. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules m rotate counterclockwise and generate a liquid crystal flow around them. Then, a leftward liquid crystal flow can be generated in the space between the fixed member 31 and the moving member 32.

  As described above, since the movement of the fixed member 31 is fixed, the moving member 32 is provided so as to be movable along the fixed member 31, so that the moving member 32 moves in the direction of liquid crystal flow by liquid crystal flow. (Refer to point P in FIGS. 3A to 3C).

  As described above, according to the object moving mechanism 30, the liquid crystal flow can be generated in the liquid crystal LC accommodated between the fixed member 31 and the moving member 32, and the moving member 32 is moved by this liquid crystal flow. be able to. Therefore, if an object is placed on the moving member 32 or an object is fixed to the moving member 32, the object can be moved by liquid crystal flow.

  In addition, since the plurality of electrodes 36 need only be provided on the fixed member 31 that does not move even when liquid crystal flow occurs, power is supplied to the electrodes 36 as in the case where electrodes are provided on the moving member 32. Configuration is not complicated. Therefore, according to the object moving mechanism 30, the structure of the object moving mechanism 30 can be simplified and reduced in size while the moving member 32 can be moved.

  Also in the object moving mechanism 30, the electrodes 36 may be provided in a lattice shape on the fixed-side facing surface 31 a of the fixing member 31 as shown in FIG. Then, if an electrode pair to which a voltage is applied is appropriately selected, liquid crystal flow in a desired direction can be generated in the liquid crystal LC, and thus the moving member 32 can be moved in the desired direction.

  Further, the object moving mechanism 30 may use liquid crystal that rotates to be orthogonal to the electric field EF when the electric field EF is applied, as in the horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 (see FIG. 6A). ). Even in this case, if the liquid crystal molecules m are aligned so that the axial direction of the liquid crystal molecules m is raised to the right with respect to the fixed-side facing surface 31a of the fixing member 31, the liquid crystal flow toward the left is generated. The member 32 can be moved (see FIGS. 6B and 6C).

(About liquid crystal motors)
Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 4 may be employed as the object moving mechanism.
It can be considered that the object moving mechanism 20 in FIG. 4 is substantially a deformed shape of the flow path 11 in the liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 described above. Therefore, in the following description, the object moving mechanism 20 A configuration common to the (horizontal electric field type liquid crystal motor) and the liquid crystal flow forming mechanism 10 will be omitted as appropriate.

In FIG. 4, the code | symbol 21 has shown the outer member to which movement was fixed. The outer member 21 is a cylindrical member having a hollow cylindrical space (hereinafter referred to as a shaft housing space) inside. An inner shaft 22 is housed in the shaft housing space of the outer member 21. The inner shaft 22 is disposed such that its central axis coincides with the central axis of the shaft accommodating space. Moreover, the inner shaft 22 is disposed so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the shaft accommodating space.
A liquid crystal LC is accommodated between the outer member 21 and the inner shaft 22.

A plurality of electrodes 26 are arranged on the inner surface of the outer member 21 along a line of intersection between the inner surface and a plane orthogonal to the central axis of the shaft accommodating space (that is, along the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the outer member 21). Has been. The plurality of electrodes 26 are connected to voltage application means 27 (not shown).
Although not shown, an alignment film F is provided on the inner surface of the outer member 21. The alignment film F can align the liquid crystal molecules m so as to be inclined with respect to the radial direction of the shaft accommodating space. For example, in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal molecules m can be aligned so that the center-side end of the liquid crystal molecules m is tilted clockwise (see FIG. 4A). ).

Since the structure is as described above, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a voltage is applied between the electrode 26A and the electrode 26B, an electric force line EF is formed between the electrode 26A and the electrode 26B. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules m rotate counterclockwise and generate a liquid crystal flow around them. Then, in the space between the outer member 21 and the inner shaft 22, a counterclockwise liquid crystal flow can be generated around the central axis of the shaft housing space.
Then, while the movement of the outer member 21 is fixed, the inner shaft 22 is disposed so as to be rotatable around the central axis of the shaft accommodating space, so that the inner shaft 22 rotates in the direction of liquid crystal flow due to liquid crystal flow. That is, the inner shaft 21 can be rotated counterclockwise.

  As described above, according to the object moving mechanism 20, liquid crystal flow can be generated in the liquid crystal LC accommodated in the space between the outer member 21 and the inner shaft 22. Accordingly, since the liquid crystal flow can be taken out as the rotational force of the shaft, the liquid crystal motor can be formed by the object moving mechanism 20.

  In addition, the plurality of electrodes 16 need only be provided on the outer member 21 that does not move even when liquid crystal flows, and the power is supplied to the electrodes 16 as in the case where the electrodes are provided on the inner shaft 22. Is not complicated. Therefore, according to the object moving mechanism 20, the structure of the object moving mechanism 20, that is, the liquid crystal motor can be simplified and reduced in size while the inner shaft 22 can be rotated.

  Note that the object moving mechanism 20 (liquid crystal motor) may use liquid crystal that rotates so as to be orthogonal to the electric field EF when the electric field EF is applied, as in the object moving mechanism 30 (FIG. 7A). reference). Even in this case, if the liquid crystal molecules m are aligned so that the center side end of the liquid crystal molecules m is inclined in the clockwise upstream side, the counterclockwise liquid crystal flow is generated. The inner shaft 21 can be moved clockwise (see FIGS. 7B and 7C).

In the above example, the case where a counterclockwise liquid crystal flow occurs around the central axis of the shaft accommodating space in the space between the outer member 21 and the inner shaft 22 when a voltage is applied has been described. However, the liquid crystal flow generated in the space between the outer member 21 and the inner shaft 22 is a flow inclined with respect to the central axis of the shaft housing space (that is, a flow having an axial velocity component) or an axial flow. It may be. If a flow inclined with respect to the central axis of the shaft accommodating space is formed, the inner shaft 22 can be moved in the axial direction while rotating. Further, if a liquid crystal flow that flows only in the axial direction is formed, the inner shaft 22 can be moved only in the axial direction without rotating.
When forming a flow that is inclined with respect to the central axis of the shaft housing space or a flow in the axial direction, not only the electrodes 26 are arranged along the circumferential direction, but a plurality of rows are provided along the central axis direction of the shaft housing space. Keep it. Then, the liquid crystal flow as described above can be formed by appropriately selecting an electrode to which a voltage is applied.

  Furthermore, although the case where the movement of the outer member 21 is fixed and the inner shaft 22 is rotatable has been described in the above example, the inner shaft 22 may be fixed and the outer member 21 may be rotated. In this case, when the liquid crystal flow occurs, the outer member 21 can be rotated around the central axis of the shaft accommodating space.

  The horizontal electric field type object moving mechanism of the present invention is suitable for an apparatus for conveying an object, a small liquid crystal motor, and the like.

10 Horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow formation mechanism 11 Channel 11
11a Space 11
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Liquid crystal molecule rotating means 16 Electrode 17 Voltage application means 20 Lateral electric field type liquid crystal motor 21 Outer member 22 Inner shaft 26 Electrode 30 Lateral electric field type object moving mechanism 31 Fixed member 31a Fixed side opposing surface 32 Moving member 32a Moving side opposing surface 36 Electrode LC liquid crystal m liquid crystal molecule EF electric field

Claims (7)

A flow path;
A liquid crystal provided movably along the wall surface of the flow path;
Liquid crystal molecule rotating means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal,
The liquid crystal molecule rotating means is
A plurality of electrodes arranged along one wall surface of the flow path;
A lateral electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism, comprising: a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to a selected application electrode among the plurality of electrodes. The voltage applying means is
When a pair of electrodes is an electrode pair, a plurality of the electrode pairs are selected as application electrodes.
In the selected plurality of electrode pairs, intersecting lines of one wall surface passing through a pair of electrodes in each electrode pair and intersecting one wall surface of the flow path are parallel to one wall surface of the flow path. 2. The horizontal electric field type liquid crystal flow forming mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the application electrode is selected as described above. A fixed member with fixed movement;
A moving member that is disposed so as to face the fixing member and is movable relative to the fixing member;
A liquid crystal disposed between a moving-side facing surface of the moving member facing the fixed member and a fixed-side facing surface of the fixed member facing the moving member;
A liquid crystal molecule rotating means for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal,
The liquid crystal molecule rotating means comprises:
A plurality of electrodes disposed on the fixing member;
A lateral electric field type object moving mechanism comprising: voltage applying means for applying a voltage to a selected application electrode among the plurality of electrodes. The voltage applying means is
When a pair of electrodes is an electrode pair, a plurality of the electrode pairs are selected as application electrodes.
In the plurality of selected electrode pairs, intersecting lines between the crossing surface passing through the pair of electrodes in each electrode pair and intersecting the fixed side facing surface of the fixing member and the fixing side facing surface of the fixing member are parallel to each other. 4. The lateral electric field type object moving mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the application electrode is selected so that The fixing member is an outer member having a hollow space;
The moving member is an inner shaft disposed so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the outer member disposed in a hollow space of the outer member;
The liquid crystal is disposed between the inner surface of the outer member and the outer surface of the inner shaft,
The plurality of electrodes are
Provided on the outer member;
The voltage applying means is
5. The lateral electric field type object moving mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the application electrode is selected so that the intersecting surface is a surface orthogonal to a central axis of a hollow space of the outer member. The moving member is an outer member having a hollow space;
The fixing member is an inner shaft disposed so as to be rotatable relative to the outer member disposed in a hollow space of the outer member;
The liquid crystal is disposed between the inner surface of the outer member and the outer surface of the inner shaft,
The plurality of electrodes are
Provided on the inner shaft,
The voltage applying means is
5. The lateral electric field type object moving mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the application electrode is selected so that the intersecting surface is a surface orthogonal to a central axis of a hollow space of the outer member. The outer member and the inner shaft are provided to be relatively movable along the axial direction of the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member,
The voltage applying means is
The transverse electric field according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the application electrode is selected so that the intersecting surface is a surface that is non-orthogonal to the central axis of the hollow space of the outer member. Type object moving mechanism.

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