JP2016051133A - Dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dimmer in which positioning of a pair of light control panels can be easily performed to vary transmittance for light depending on the relative positions of the panels.SOLUTION: A dimmer 10 includes a first light control panel 1 and a second light control panel 2 that is disposed at a position to at least partially oppose to the first light control panel and can relatively move to the first light control panel, in which transmittance for light transmitted through both of the first light control panel and the second light control panel varies depending on the relative positions of the first light control panel and the second light control panel. A first fixing part 31 is set in a peripheral region of the first light control panel, while at least a second fixing part 32 and a third fixing part 33 are set in a peripheral region of the second light control panel. The first light control panel and the second light control panel are fixed at first relative positions S1 by the second fixing part and the first fixing part, as well as the first light control panel and the second light control panel are fixed at second relative positions by the third fixing part and the first fixing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control device that performs light control by relatively moving a first light control panel and a second light control panel (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a pair of light control panels).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a light control device that performs display switching by changing the transmittance of light transmitted using a pair of light control panels.

For example, Patent Document 1 uses a light control panel including a polarizing plate in which polarization regions having different polarization axis directions are alternately formed in a pattern and can transmit only a specific linearly polarized light component. A light control device that performs light control by relatively moving an optical panel is disclosed.
In the above light control device, by moving the pair of light control panels relative to each other, the axial direction of the polarization axis in the polarization region of one light control panel and the other corresponding light control panel according to the relative positions of both light control panels. The relationship with the axial direction of the polarization axis in the polarization region of the optical panel changes. Thereby, the polarization state of the light transmitted through both the light control panels is controlled, and the light transmittance of the entire light control device changes. The light control device switches display between a bright state in which the see-through through the pair of light control panels is possible and a light-blocking state in which the see-through through the pair of light control panels is impossible (that is, the dark state). Is possible.

  Moreover, in patent document 2, the light control panel by which the phase difference film in which the phase difference area | region which produces the phase modulation of the transmitted light was formed in the pattern shape was arrange | positioned on the surface of a polarizing plate was used, and a pair of light control panels were used. A light control device is disclosed in which both retardation films are arranged to face each other. Also in the above light control device, the polarization state of the transmitted light is controlled according to the relative positional relationship between the retardation regions of both retardation films by moving the pair of light control panels relative to each other. The display can be switched between the bright state and the dark state in accordance with the change in transmittance.

JP-A-9-310567 International Publication No. 2013/1124269 Pamphlet

In such a light control device, a slight shift in the relative position of the pair of light control panels changes the transmittance of light transmitted through the light control device and switches the display brightness. In order to perform the above, it is necessary to accurately determine the relative position between the pair of light control panels.
However, in the conventional light control device, it is necessary to introduce a dedicated mechanism such as a frame in order to determine the relative position of the light control panel, and it is difficult to perform switching of display using positioning and relative position. There's a problem. Moreover, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and simplification of the light control device by introducing the dedicated mechanism.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in performing light control by relatively moving a pair of light control panels, to change the light transmittance according to the relative position of the pair of light control panels. It is a main object of the present invention to provide a light control device that can easily perform positioning.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is arranged at a position at least partially facing the first dimming panel and the first dimming panel, and is relatively moved with respect to the first dimming panel. A second dimming panel capable of transmitting light transmitted through both the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel. The transmittance of the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel A dimming device that changes in accordance with a relative position, wherein a first fixing portion is provided in a peripheral area of the first dimming panel, and at least a first fixing section is provided in the peripheral area of the second dimming panel. 2 fixing parts and 3rd fixing parts are installed, and the 1st dimming panel and the 2nd dimming panel are fixed to the 1st relative position with the 2nd fixing part and the 1st fixing part. And the third fixing portion and the first fixing portion can Providing light control device, characterized in that a dimming panel and the second dimming panel can be fixed to the second relative position.

  According to the present invention, the pair of dimming panels includes a second fixing part or a third fixing part installed in the second dimming panel and a first fixing part installed in the first dimming panel. The light can be fixed at the first relative position and the second relative position that show different light transmittances with respect to the light transmitted through the light control panel. Thereby, positioning of a pair of light control panel according to switching of the display of a light control apparatus can be performed easily.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the said 1st fixing | fixed part, the said 2nd fixing | fixed part, and the said 3rd fixing | fixed part are comprised with the magnet. This is because each fixing portion can be miniaturized and the pair of light control panels can be easily fixed at a desired relative position. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the size of each fixed part, it is not necessary to increase the size and thickness of the light control panel and the light control device for installing each fixed part. This is because the thickness can be reduced.

  In the said invention, it is preferable that the arbitrary fixing | fixed part is further installed between the said 2nd fixing | fixed part and the said 3rd fixing | fixed part of the said 2nd light control panel. This is because positioning for switching the display of the light control device in multiple stages can be easily performed by the arbitrary fixing portion and the first fixing portion installed in the first light control panel.

  In the above invention, the first dimming panel includes a first dimming region and a second dimming region that control the polarization state of transmitted light to different states, and have a certain shape and a certain interval. The second light control panel includes first light control layers arranged alternately and repeatedly, wherein the first light control region and the second light control region for controlling the polarization state of transmitted light to different states have a constant shape. It is preferable to have the 2nd light control layer which has it and was alternately repeated at fixed intervals. The pair of light control panels can be moved relative to each other in accordance with the two light control regions in the light control layer, and fixed at a desired relative position by a fixing portion installed on the pair of light control panels. This is because each light control region of the first light control layer and each light control region of the second light control layer can be accurately superimposed.

  In the case of the above invention, the arrangement interval between the second fixed portion and the third fixed portion of the second light control panel is such that the first light control region and the second light control region of the first light control layer, In addition, the width of the first dimming region and the second dimming region of the second dimming layer is preferably an integer multiple of 1 or more. When the pair of light control panels are fixed at a desired relative position by the first fixing part and the second fixing part or the third fixing part, each light control region of the first light control layer and each of the second light control layer This is because the light control region can be accurately superimposed in plan view.

  In the above invention, the first light control layer has the first light control layer and the first polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the second light control panel, and the first light control layer comprises: A transparent film substrate, a first pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, a first retardation region formed on the first pattern alignment layer and causing phase modulation in transmitted light; A first pattern phase difference layer in which the phase difference region has a constant shape and is alternately and repeatedly arranged at a predetermined interval, and the second light control layer includes the second light control layer and the second polarization layer. Layers in this order from the side close to the first light control panel, and the second light control layer includes a transparent film substrate and a second pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate. Formed on the second pattern alignment layer to cause phase modulation in the transmitted light It is preferred to first retardation region and the second retardation region and a second patterned retardation layer are repeatedly alternately arranged at regular intervals with a constant shape. Since the first dimming layer and the second dimming layer have such a configuration, it is possible to easily design a dimming panel that can be dimmed by sliding movement. This is because it can be easily performed.

  In the above invention, the first dimming layer is configured such that the first polarizing region and the second polarizing region having different directions of the polarization axes have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. A first polarizing plate, wherein the second dimming layer has a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region, each having a different polarization axis direction, having a fixed shape and being alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. The second polarizing plate is preferable. By using the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate in which two polarizing regions having different directions of the polarization axes are alternately arranged in a fixed shape as the first dimming layer and the second dimming layer, a pattern phase difference is obtained. This is because the polarization state of transmitted light can be controlled to a different state without using a layer, and the light control panel can have a simple configuration.

  In the light control device of the present invention, the relative positions of the first light control panel and the second light control panel are determined by the fixing portions installed in the peripheral regions of both the first light control panel and the second light control panel. It is easy to perform, and there is an effect that it is possible to easily change the transmittance of transmitted light according to the relative position.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the light modulation apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the 1st light control panel and 2nd light control panel in FIG. It is a schematic plan view explaining the display mode of the light control device of the present invention fixed at the first relative position and the second relative position. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the light modulation apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the 1st light control panel and 2nd light control panel in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display mode of the light modulation apparatus of this invention fixed in the 1st relative position. It is explanatory drawing explaining the display mode of the light modulation apparatus of this invention fixed in the 2nd relative position. It is explanatory drawing explaining the form of the fixing | fixed part in this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the installation position of the fixing | fixed part in this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the other example of the 2nd light control panel in this invention. It is a schematic plan view explaining the display mode of the light control device of the present invention fixed at an arbitrary relative position. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows an example of the light control layer in this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the other example of the light control layer in this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the guide member in the light modulation apparatus of this invention.

Hereinafter, the light control device of the present invention will be described in detail.
The dimming device of the present invention is a second dimming panel and a second dimming panel disposed at a position at least partially facing the first dimming panel and capable of relative movement with respect to the first dimming panel. A light control panel, and a transmittance of light transmitted through both the first light control panel and the second light control panel depends on a relative position between the first light control panel and the second light control panel. A first fixing portion is installed in a peripheral area of the first dimming panel, and at least a second fixing section and a peripheral area of the second dimming panel. A third fixing portion is installed, and the second fixing portion and the first fixing portion can fix the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel at a first relative position; In addition, the first light control panel includes the third fixing portion and the first fixing portion. It is characterized in that it is possible to fix the fine the second dimming panel to a second relative position.

The light control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a light control device of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic plan views of a first light control panel and a second light control panel in FIG. . FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic plan views illustrating the display mode of the light control device illustrated in FIG. 1 fixed at the first relative position and the second relative position.
The dimming device 10 of the present invention includes a first dimming panel 1 and a second dimming panel 2 that are arranged with a desired interval D therebetween, and the peripheral region E of the first dimming panel 1 includes The 1st fixing | fixed part 31 is installed and the 2nd fixing | fixed part 32 and the 3rd fixing | fixed part 33 are installed in the peripheral area E of the 2nd light control panel at least. In the example of FIG. 1, the light L is incident from the first light control panel 1 side of the light control device 10.
The first dimming panel 1 is disposed at a position at least partially facing the second dimming panel 2 and can be moved relative to the second dimming panel 2 in the X direction. Depending on the relative position of the light control panel 1 and the second light control panel 2, the transmittance of the light transmitted through both the first light control panel 1 and the second light control panel 2 changes.
That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 1 are constituted by the first fixing unit 31 of the first dimming panel 1 and the second fixing unit 32 of the second dimming panel 2. The light panel 2 can be fixed at the first relative position S1. At the first relative position S1, light incident from the first dimming panel 1 side is transmitted through both the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2, and thus the dimming device 10 is A high light transmittance is exhibited, and the display is in a bright state.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 1 are constituted by the first fixing unit 31 of the first dimming panel 1 and the third fixing unit 33 of the second dimming panel 2. The light panel 2 can be fixed at the second relative position S2. In the second relative position S2, the light incident from the first dimming panel 1 side passes through the first dimming panel 1, but the polarization state is controlled when passing through the first dimming panel 1. Therefore, the second light control panel 2 cannot be transmitted. For this reason, the light control apparatus 10 will show a low light transmittance, and a display will be in a dark state.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device of the present invention, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic plan views of the first light control panel and the second light control panel in FIG. FIG. 6 and 7 are explanatory views for explaining the display mode of the light control device illustrated in FIG. 4 fixed at the first relative position and the second relative position.
The light control device 10 of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 has the same structure as the light control device illustrated in FIG. 1 described above, but the first light control panel 1 is formed on the first transparent substrate 11 with an adhesive layer. The first light control layer 12 is laminated from the side where the first light control layer 13 and the first polarizing layer 14 are close to the second light control panel 2. The layers are laminated in this order via the adhesive layer 15. On the other hand, the 2nd light control panel 2 has the 2nd light control layer 22 laminated | stacked through the contact bonding layer 25 on the 2nd transparent substrate 21, and the 2nd light control layer 22 is a 2nd light control layer. 23 and the second polarizing layer 24 are laminated in this order via the adhesive layer 25 from the side close to the first light control panel 1. The layer configurations of the first light control layer 13 and the second light control layer 23 will be described in detail later.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first dimming layer 12 in the first dimming panel 1 has two dimming regions (first dimming regions Z1) that control the polarization state of transmitted light to different states. And the second dimming areas Z2) have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. On the other hand, the second dimming layer 22 in the second dimming panel 2 has two dimming regions (first dimming region Z1 ′ and second dimming region Z2 ′) for controlling the polarization state of transmitted light to different states. ) Have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at fixed intervals.
The dimming device 10 can move the first dimming panel 1 relative to the second dimming panel 2 in the X direction, and the relative position between the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2. Accordingly, the transmittance of light transmitted through both the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2 changes.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2 include the first fixing portion 31 of the first dimming panel 1 and the second fixing of the second dimming panel 2. The first light control regions Z1 and Z1 ′ and the second light control regions Z2 and Z2 ′ are fixed at the first relative position S1 that overlaps and overlaps with each other in plan view. At this time, in the first relative position S1, the light L _in incident from the first light control panel 1 side is transmitted through both the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2 second dimming panel 2 is emitted as light L _out . For this reason, as for the light control apparatus 10, a display will be in a bright state as shown in FIG.6 (b).
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2 include the first fixing portion 31 of the first dimming panel 1 and the third fixing of the second dimming panel 2. Due to the portion 33, the first dimming area Z1 and the second dimming area Z2 ′, and the second dimming area Z2 and the first dimming area Z1 ′ are overlapped and coincided with each other in a plan view. Fixed. At this time, in the second relative position S2, the light L _in incident from the first light control panel 1 side, although the transmission of the first dimming panel 1, polarized when passing through the first dimming panel 1 When the state is controlled, the light cannot be transmitted through the second light control panel 2, and no light is emitted from the second light control panel 2. For this reason, as for the light modulation apparatus 10, a display will be in a dark state, as shown in FIG.7 (b).

  According to the present invention, the pair of dimming panels includes a second fixing part or a third fixing part installed in the second dimming panel and a first fixing part installed in the first dimming panel. The light transmitted through the light control panel can be fixed at the first relative position and the second relative position that exhibit different light transmittances. Thereby, positioning of a pair of light control panel according to switching of the display of a light control apparatus can be performed easily.

  In addition, in this invention, the light (transmitted light) light-modulated by a light control apparatus is the light of the near infrared region whose wavelength range is 700 nm-2500 nm besides the light of the visible light range whose wavelength range is 360 nm-830 nm. Is also included.

  Hereinafter, each structure in the light modulation apparatus of this invention is demonstrated.

I. Fixed part The fixed part in this invention is installed in the peripheral area | region of a 1st light control panel and a 2nd light control panel. The 1st fixing | fixed part is installed in the peripheral area of the 1st light control panel, and the 2nd fixing part and the 3rd fixing | fixed part are installed in the peripheral area of the 2nd light control panel at least.
The pair of light control panels are fixed at a desired relative position by the first fixing part of the first light control panel and the second fixing part and the third fixing part of the second light control panel.

A. Form of Fixing Part As a form of the fixing part, a pair of light control panels are arranged in a desired relative position by the first fixing part of the first light control panel and the second fixing part and the third fixing part of the second light control panel. For example, the first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the third fixing part may be configured by magnets. In this case, by using the first fixing part of the first dimming panel or the second fixing part and the third fixing part of the second dimming panel, one of which is an S pole and the other is an N pole, The pair of light control panels can be easily fixed at the first relative position or the second relative position by a suction force generated between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion or the third fixing portion. In addition, by using magnets, the fixed part can be reduced in size and thickness, and it is not necessary to increase the size and thickness of the light control panel for installation of the fixed part. Each can be made thinner.
In addition, the magnet which comprises each fixing | fixed part may be installed in the surface of the peripheral region of each light control panel, and may be installed in the inside of each light control panel in a peripheral region.
Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, one of the first fixing portion 31 of the first dimming panel or the second fixing portion 32 and the third fixing portion 33 of the second dimming panel is a fitting convex portion. It is good also as a form whose other is a fitting recessed part. 8A, the first fixing portion 31 of the first dimming panel 1 is a fitting convex portion, and the second fixing portion 32 and the third fixing portion 33 of the second dimming panel 2 are fitting. The example which is a recessed part is shown. In this case, both the light control panels can be fixed to the first relative position or the second relative position by fitting the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion or the third fixing portion.
Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the first fixing portion 31 of the first dimming panel 1 and the second fixing portion 32 and the third fixing portion 33 of the second dimming panel 2 are through holes. It is good also as a form. In this case, the first fixing portion of the first dimming panel and the second fixing portion or the third fixing portion of the second dimming panel overlap in plan view, so that a through-hole penetrating the pair of dimming panels is formed. Thus, a pair of light control panels can be fixed at a desired relative position by inserting a separately prepared fixing pin (a member indicated by 50 in FIG. 8B) or the like into the through hole.
Especially, it is preferable that the said 1st fixing | fixed part, the said 2nd fixing | fixed part, and the said 3rd fixing | fixed part are comprised with the magnet. This is because each fixing portion can be miniaturized and the pair of light control panels can be easily fixed at a desired relative position. In addition, since it is possible to reduce the size of each fixed part, it is not necessary to increase the size and thickness of the light control panel and the light control device for installing the fixed part, and the light control panel and the light control device are thin. This is because it becomes possible.

  The shape, size, and the like of each fixing portion are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately designed according to the mode of each fixing portion.

B. Installation Position of Fixed Part Each fixed part is installed in the peripheral area of each light control panel.
The peripheral area of the light control panel should just be an area | region which does not inhibit the display area in a light control apparatus. Moreover, when the light control panel is a mode in which the light control layer is formed on the transparent substrate, the fixing part may be installed with the region where the light control layer on the surface of the transparent substrate is not formed as the peripheral region. .

1. Installation position and number of first fixing parts The installation position of the first fixing part is not particularly limited as long as it is a peripheral area of the first dimming panel and can be fixed in a relative position with respect to the second dimming panel. .
Further, the number of the first fixing portions is not particularly limited as long as it can support at least the weight of the first light control panel and can fix the relative position with respect to the second light control panel. A larger number is preferable because the fixing strength of the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel can be increased.
Specifically, even if at least one first fixing portion is installed at both ends of the first dimming panel in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first dimming panel moves relative to the second dimming panel. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, at least two first fixing portions 31 may be provided at positions that are point targets with respect to the center of gravity G of the first dimming panel 1.
Among these, it is preferable that the plurality of first fixing portions are respectively installed at positions that are point targets with respect to the center of gravity of the first light control panel. This is because it can be fixed at a desired relative position with respect to the second light control panel and can sufficiently support the weight of the first light control panel.

2. Installation position and number of second fixing parts and third fixing parts The second fixing part and the third fixing part are on the peripheral area of the second dimming panel and can be fixed in a relative position with respect to the first dimming panel. The position and the number are not particularly limited. Specifically, at least one second fixing portion and three third fixing portions are provided at both ends of the second dimming panel in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the second dimming panel moves relative to the first dimming panel. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, at least two second fixing portions 32 and third fixing portions 33 are point targets with respect to the center of gravity G of the second dimming panel 2. It may be installed at each position.
In particular, it is preferable that the plurality of second fixing portions and the third fixing portion are respectively installed at positions that are point targets with respect to the center of gravity of the second dimming panel. The reason for this is the same as that described in the section “1. Installation Position and Number of First Fixing Parts”, and will not be described here.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory views for explaining the installation position of the fixing portion in the present invention. Reference numerals not described in FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIGS.

The second fixing portion and the third fixing portion are usually parallel to the direction in which the pair of light control panels relatively move in order to position the first relative position and the second relative position with the first light control panel. Installed on the same line at a desired interval.
The arrangement interval between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion is determined by the transmittance of light transmitted through the pair of light control panels at the first relative position positioned by the second fixing portion, and by the third fixing portion. The light transmittance that passes through the pair of light control panels at the second relative position is different from that of the light control panel, and the distance at which the display of the light control device can be set to the bright state or the dark state at each relative position is particularly limited. It can set according to the mode of a pair of light control panels.
In the light control device of the present invention, when each of the pair of light control panels has a light control layer in which two or more light control regions that control the polarization state of the transmitted light are different from each other, The arrangement interval of the third fixing portions can be set according to the arrangement of the dimming regions in the dimming layer, but is preferably an integer multiple of 1 or more of the width of each dimming region. When the pair of light control panels are fixed at a desired relative position by the first fixing part and the second fixing part or the third fixing part, each light control region of the first light control layer and each of the second light control layer This is because the light control region can be accurately superimposed in plan view.

Here, in the first dimming panel, the first dimming area and the second dimming area for controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light to have different states have a certain shape and are alternately arranged at regular intervals. The first dimming layer, and the second dimming panel controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states. The first dimming region and the second dimming region have a certain shape and are constant. The arrangement interval of the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion in the case where the second light control layers are alternately and repeatedly arranged with the interval of will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 described above, in the first dimming layer 12 in the first dimming panel 1, the first dimming region Z1 and the second dimming region for controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different from each other. The dimming regions Z2 have a predetermined shape with a desired width p and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at predetermined intervals. In the second dimming layer 22 of the second dimming panel 2, the first dimming regions 22 are arranged. Similar to the optical layer 12, a first dimming region Z1 ′ and a second dimming region Z2 ′ having a desired width p are arranged.
At this time, the arrangement interval P between the second fixing portion 32 and the third fixing portion 33 of the second dimming panel 2 is the first dimming region Z1 and the second dimming region Z2 of the first dimming layer 12, and The size is preferably an integer multiple of 1 or more of the width p of the first dimming region Z1 ′ and the second dimming region Z2 ′ of the second dimming layer, and is preferably an odd multiple of the size. . That is, the arrangement interval P can be calculated by the following formula.
P = (2n + 1) × p (where n is an integer of 0 or more)
By setting the arrangement interval P to be an odd multiple of the width p of each dimming region, the first fixing portion 31 and the third fixing portion 33 bring the pair of dimming panels 1 and 2 to the second relative position S2. When fixing, the first dimming region Z1 and the second dimming region Z2 of the first dimming layer 12, and the second dimming region Z2 ′ and the first dimming region Z1 ′ of the second dimming layer 22 are arranged. It can be accurately superimposed in plan view. As a result, the second relative position S2 can exhibit a transmittance different from that of the first relative position S1. In practice, it is more preferable that the arrangement interval P is the width p of the light control region, that is, n = 0 in the above formula.

  In addition, as described above, the mode in which two or more light control regions that control the polarization state of transmitted light in different states in the light control layer is the first control that controls the polarization state of transmitted light in different states. In addition to a mode in which the light region and the second light control region are alternately and repeatedly arranged with a constant interval having a constant shape, the plurality of light control regions control the polarization state of the transmitted light in a stepwise different state. It is also possible to adopt an aspect that is arranged as described above. The arrangement interval between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion in the case where the plurality of light control regions are arranged so as to control the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different in stages will be described later in “III. This will be described in the section of “2 light control panel”.

  The arrangement interval between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion refers to a center-to-center distance between one second fixing portion and the third fixing portion closest to the one second fixing portion.

C. Relative Position In the present invention, the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel are fixed at the first relative position by the second fixing portion and the first fixing portion. Further, the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel are fixed at the second relative position by the third fixing portion and the first fixing portion.

At the first relative position and the second relative position, the transmittance of light transmitted through both the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel (hereinafter referred to as the light transmittance of the dimmer) is different. .
Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 6B, at the first relative position S1, the light transmittance of the light control device 10 is high, and the display is in a bright state. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 7B, at the second relative position S2, the light transmittance of the light control device 10 is low, and the display is in a dark state. In the present specification, the display of the light control device is described as being in the bright state at the first relative position and dark in the second relative position, but the display of the light control device is in the first state. It may be dark at the relative position and light at the second relative position.

  When each of the pair of light control panels has a light control layer in which two or more light control regions are formed, the first fixing part of the first light control panel and the second fixing part or the third fixing of the second light control panel The light control areas of the first light control panel and the light control areas of the second light control panel are overlapped in plan view at each relative position fixed by the unit, and display is performed according to each relative position. Becomes bright or dark.

  The light transmittance of the light control device at the first relative position and the second relative position is a size that allows the display of the light control device of the present invention to be in a bright state and a dark state. The light transmittance of the light control device at the position need only be higher than the light transmittance of the light control device at the other relative position, and can be appropriately set according to a desired display mode.

D. Others In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, an optional fixing portion 34 may be further provided between the second fixing portion 32 and the third fixing portion 33 of the second dimming panel 2. By fixing the pair of light control panels by the arbitrary fixing part and the first fixing part installed on the first light control panel, it is possible to easily perform positioning for switching the display of the light control device in multiple stages. Because it becomes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the first dimming area Z1 and the second dimming area Z2 in which the first dimming panel 1 controls the polarization state of transmitted light to be different from each other have a constant shape. The first dimming layer 12 has a first dimming layer 12 that is alternately and repeatedly arranged at regular intervals, and the second dimming panel 2 controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different from each other. When the region Z1 ′ and the second dimming region Z2 ′ have the second dimming layer 22 having a certain shape and alternately arranged with a certain interval, the arbitrary fixing portion 34 and the first fixing portion 34 By fixing the pair of light control panels 1 and 2 at an arbitrary relative position S3 with the unit 31, the display of the light control device 10 is changed to a display mode in which the bright state and the dark state appear alternately in stripes. be able to.

The form of the arbitrary fixing portion can be the same as the above-described second fixing portion and third fixing portion. Further, the installation position of the arbitrary fixing portion is not particularly limited as long as it is on the peripheral region between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion, and depends on the display mode when the pair of light control panels are fixed at the arbitrary fixing portion. Can be designed as appropriate. Further, the number of installed arbitrary fixing portions is not particularly limited.
Furthermore, the arbitrary fixed part may be movable. The arbitrary fixed portion is movable, for example, by flowing a current through the arbitrary fixed portion, so that the arbitrary fixed portion is in the same direction as the pair of light control panels relatively move between the second fixed portion and the third fixed portion. To move to.

II. 1st light control panel The 1st light control panel in this invention is equipped with the 1st fixing | fixed part in the peripheral area | region. The first dimming panel can be moved relative to the second dimming panel.

The 1st light control panel in this invention should just be able to change the light transmittance of a light control panel according to a relative position with a 2nd light control panel, and according to the specification of a light control apparatus. It is possible to design appropriately.
In particular, the first dimming panel in which the first dimming panel controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states, and the first dimming area and the second dimming area have a fixed shape and are alternately repeated at regular intervals. It is preferable to have the 1st light control layer arranged. The pair of light control panels can be moved relative to each other in accordance with the two light control regions in the light control layer, and fixed at a desired relative position by a fixing portion installed on the pair of light control panels. This is because each light control region of the first light control layer and each light control region of the second light control layer can be accurately superimposed.

In addition, since the 1st fixing | fixed part installed in a 1st light control panel has already demonstrated in the term of "I. fixing | fixed part", description here is abbreviate | omitted.
Hereinafter, each structure of the 1st light control panel is demonstrated.

A. 1st light control layer The 1st light control layer is the 1st light control area | region and 2nd light control area | region which control the polarization state of transmitted light to a different state, and has a fixed shape, and it is alternating at fixed intervals. Are arranged repeatedly.
Specifically, the first light control layer has the layer configuration exemplified in the above-described FIGS.

  Here, the first dimming area and the second dimming area "control the polarization state of transmitted light to different states" means that only linearly polarized light in a specific vibration direction is transmitted or linearly polarized light is controlled. This means that the vibration direction is rotated in accordance with the phase difference and converted into right circularly polarized light or left circularly polarized light.

1. First Dimming Area and Second Dimming Area In the first dimming layer, all the first dimming areas and the second dimming areas usually have the same shape, width, and length.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a shape of a light control area | region, For example, polygons, such as strip shape, a triangle, a square, a rhombus, a hexagon, are mentioned. Examples of the arrangement pattern of the light control regions include a stripe shape and a staggered shape. Among them, in the present invention, it is preferable that the light control region has a strip shape and is arranged in a stripe pattern.

The width of each dimming region is not particularly limited as long as the polarization state of the transmitted light can be controlled to be different. For example, the width of each dimming region is in the range of 0.5 cm to 5.0 cm, and in particular 0.8 cm to 3 It is preferably within the range of 0.0 cm, particularly within the range of 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm. When the width of each dimming area is smaller than the above range, the joints between the dimming areas increase, and the interval between adjacent dimming areas also increases, so the display of the dimming device is in a dark state. On the other hand, if it is larger than the above range, the movement width from the first relative position to the second relative position becomes large, and the size of the light incident surface in the light control panel Therefore, the product appearance or operability of the light control device of the present invention may be deteriorated.
The width of the light control region means the length in the short direction when the light control region has a strip shape and is arranged in a stripe shape. Other shapes can be defined by the length between the centers of adjacent dimming regions.

The first dimming layer is particularly limited as long as the first dimming region and the second dimming region having a desired function have a certain shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at certain intervals. Although not specifically, it can have the following two aspects.
That is, as a first aspect of the first light control layer, the first light control layer has the first light control layer and the first polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the second light control panel. The first light control layer is formed on the transparent film substrate, the first pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, and the first pattern alignment layer, and causes phase modulation in the transmitted light. The first retardation region and the second retardation region to be formed may include a first pattern retardation layer having a certain shape and alternately and repeatedly arranged at certain intervals.
On the other hand, as a second mode of the first dimming layer, the first dimming layer includes a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region having different polarization axis directions and having a certain shape with a certain interval. Thus, the first polarizing plate can be arranged alternately and repeatedly.
Hereinafter, the first light control layer will be described for each aspect.

2. 1st aspect The 1st light control layer of this aspect has a 1st light control layer on a transparent film base material, the 1st pattern orientation layer formed on the said transparent film base material, and the said 1st pattern orientation layer And a first pattern phase difference layer in which the first phase difference region and the second phase difference region, which cause phase modulation in the transmitted light, have a fixed shape and are alternately arranged at fixed intervals including.

The 1st light control layer of this aspect is demonstrated with reference to figures. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the first light control layer of this aspect. The first dimming layer 12 of this aspect has the first light control layer 13 and the first polarizing layer 14 in this order via the adhesive layer 15 from the side close to the second dimming panel. The first dimming region Z1 and the second dimming region Z2 that control the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different from each other have a certain shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at certain intervals.
The first light control layer 13 is a laminate in which a transparent film substrate 16, a first pattern alignment layer 17, and a first pattern retardation layer 18 are laminated at least in this order. In the example shown in FIG. 12, in the first pattern retardation layer 18, the first retardation region Q1 and the second retardation region Q2 whose in-plane slow axis directions are orthogonal to each other have a fixed shape. The width, shape, and arrangement mode of the first dimming layer are the width, shape, and arrangement mode of the first dimming region Z1 and the second dimming region Z2. Matches.
In FIG. 12, the arrow directions in the first phase difference region Q1 and the second phase difference region Q2 indicate the directions of the in-plane slow axis.

The first light control layer according to this aspect includes the first light control layer having the above-described configuration, so that different phase modulation is performed between the first light control region and the second light control region of the first light control layer. It can be generated in transmitted light.
In the example shown in FIG. 12, the first retardation region Q1 and the second retardation region Q2 in the first pattern retardation layer 18 both exhibit in-plane retardation of λ / 4, but the in-plane slow axes are mutually different. By being orthogonal to each other, the first dimming layer 12 causes a phase modulation of “λ / 4” for the light transmitted through the first dimming region Z1, and for the light transmitted through the second dimming region Z2. Causes phase modulation of “−λ / 4”.
Thereby, in the 1st light control area | region and 2nd light control area | region of a 1st light control layer, it becomes possible to control the polarization state of transmitted light to a mutually different state.

(1) First Light Control Layer The first light control layer is a transparent film substrate, a first pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, and a first formed on the first pattern alignment layer. A pattern retardation layer is included.

(A) First Pattern Retardation Layer The first pattern retardation layer is configured such that the first retardation region and the second retardation region that cause phase modulation in the transmitted light have a certain shape and are spaced apart from each other. It is arranged repeatedly alternately.

(I) Material As the material of the first pattern retardation layer, a rod-like compound having refractive index anisotropy is preferable. This is because it can be regularly oriented and the first pattern retardation layer has a desired retardation. Among these, a liquid crystalline material exhibiting liquid crystallinity is preferable. This is because the liquid crystal material has a large refractive index anisotropy, so that the first pattern retardation layer tends to have a desired retardation.

  As said liquid crystalline material, the material which shows liquid crystal phases, such as a nematic phase and a smectic phase, can be mentioned, for example. Among these, it is preferable to use a liquid crystalline material exhibiting a nematic phase. This is because a liquid crystalline material exhibiting a nematic phase is easily aligned regularly as compared with liquid crystalline materials exhibiting other liquid crystal phases.

  Further, as the liquid crystalline material exhibiting a nematic phase, a material having spacers at both ends of the mesogen is preferable. This is because a liquid crystalline material having spacers at both ends of the mesogen has excellent flexibility and high transparency.

Further, the rod-like compound is preferably one having a polymerizable functional group in the molecule, particularly one having a three-dimensionally crosslinkable polymerizable functional group. This is because when the rod-shaped compound has a polymerizable functional group, the rod-shaped compound is polymerized and fixed, so that the retardation layer is excellent in alignment stability and hardly changes with time in retardation. When a rod-shaped compound having a polymerizable functional group is used, the retardation layer contains a rod-shaped compound crosslinked with a polymerizable functional group.
The “three-dimensional cross-linking” means that liquid crystal molecules are polymerized three-dimensionally to form a network (network) structure.

Examples of the polymerizable functional group include polymerizable functional groups that are polymerized by irradiation with ionizing radiation such as ultraviolet rays and electron beams, or heating. Representative examples of these polymerizable functional groups include radical polymerizable functional groups and cationic polymerizable functional groups.
About the said polymerizable functional group, it can be made to be the same as that of the polymerizable functional group in the rod-shaped compound shown by description, such as Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-137725.

Furthermore, the rod-like compound is a liquid crystalline material exhibiting liquid crystallinity, and the one having the polymerizable functional group at the terminal is particularly preferable. This is because the rod-shaped compound is three-dimensionally polymerized in the retardation layer to have a network structure, and has orientation stability and excellent optical characteristics.
Even when a liquid crystalline material having a polymerizable functional group at one end is used, the alignment can be stabilized by crosslinking with other molecules.

In addition, as a specific example about the said rod-shaped compound, the compound described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-137725 can be mentioned, for example.
Moreover, the said rod-shaped compound may use only 1 type, and may mix and use 2 or more types.

(Ii) Retardation region In the first retardation region and the second retardation region in the first pattern retardation layer, each retardation region is alternately and repeatedly arranged.
The width, shape, and the like of each phase difference region can be the same as the width, shape, and the like of the light control region in the first light control layer.
The first phase difference region and the second phase difference region have a function of causing phase modulation with respect to light transmitted through each phase difference region. With the above functions of each phase difference region, the polarization state of transmitted light can be controlled to be different from each other in each light control region of the first light control layer.
Here, the phase modulation of the transmitted light by the phase difference region is exhibited by changing at least one of the direction of the in-plane slow axis and the in-plane retardation of each phase difference region.

  Hereinafter, for the first pattern retardation layer, the first mode in which the directions of the in-plane slow axes of the first retardation region and the second retardation region are different from each other, and the surfaces of the first retardation region and the second retardation region The explanation will be divided into the second modes having different internal retardations.

(First Aspect of First Pattern Retardation Layer)
In this aspect, the in-plane slow axis directions of the first retardation region and the second retardation region arranged in the first pattern retardation layer are different from each other. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 12 described above, in the first pattern retardation layer 18, the first retardation region Q1 and the second retardation region Q2 each showing the same in-plane retardation value are constant. The first phase difference region Q1 and the second phase difference region Q2 adjacent to each other are alternately formed with a certain interval, and the in-plane slow axis directions are orthogonal to each other.

  The in-plane retardation value (Re) of each retardation region in this embodiment can be appropriately set according to the material, pattern, etc. constituting the first pattern retardation layer. For example, it is preferable that the in-plane retardation value (Re) corresponds to λ / 4 minutes from the viewpoint that linearly polarized light can be converted to circularly polarized light, and specifically, it is preferable to be in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm.

The in-plane retardation value is an index indicating the degree of birefringence in the in-plane direction of the refractive index anisotropic body, and the refractive index in the slow axis direction having the largest refractive index in the in-plane direction is represented by Nx. When the refractive index in the fast axis direction orthogonal to the phase axis direction is Ny, and the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the refractive index anisotropic body is d,
Re [nm] = (Nx−Ny) × d [nm]
It is a value represented by. The in-plane retardation value (Re value) can be measured by, for example, KOBRA-WR manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd. by the parallel Nicol rotation method, and the in-plane retardation value of a minute region is manufactured by AXOMETRICS (USA). AxoScan can also be measured using Mueller matrix.
In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the Re value in this specification shall mean the value in wavelength 500nm.

  The film thickness of the first pattern retardation layer in this embodiment can be appropriately designed according to the type of the rod-shaped compound and the in-plane retardation value. Specifically, when the film thickness of the first pattern phase difference layer is set to a size within a range in which the in-plane retardation corresponds to λ / 4 minutes, a general rod-like compound is usually set to a thickness of 0.8. Although it is in the range of 5 μm to 2 μm, it is not limited to this.

(Second Mode of First Pattern Retardation Layer)
This aspect refers to an aspect in which in-plane retardations of the first retardation region and the second retardation region arranged in the first pattern retardation layer are different from each other. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the first retardation region Q1 ′ and the second retardation region indicating the same in-plane slow axis direction (the arrow direction in the first pattern retardation layer 18). Q2 ′ is formed in a fixed shape with a fixed interval, and the first retardation region Q1 ′ and the second retardation region Q2 ′ have different film thicknesses. This is an aspect in which the retardation region Q2 ′ exhibits in-plane retardation corresponding to the film thickness difference.
Of the first phase difference region and the second phase difference region, the phase difference region having a small film thickness is a thin film region, and the phase difference region having a large film thickness is a thick film region.

  The film thickness difference between the thick film region and the thin film region in this embodiment is appropriately determined according to the material of the first pattern retardation layer, the shape of the retardation region, the pattern, and the like. In particular, when the thick film region and the thin film region have a strip shape and are alternately arranged in stripes, the film thickness difference includes the in-plane retardation value in the thick film region and the in-plane retardation value in the thin film region. It is preferable that the difference is equivalent to λ / 2 minutes. Thereby, the in-plane retardation value of the thin film region can be equivalent to λ / 4 minutes, and the in-plane retardation value of the thick film region can be equivalent to λ / 4 + λ / 2 minutes. This is because the linearly polarized light that passes through the phase difference region can be circularly polarized light that are orthogonal to each other.

  In this embodiment, the specific thicknesses of the thin film region and the thick film region can be appropriately designed according to the difference in in-plane retardation between the thin film region and the thick film region.

(B) First pattern alignment layer The first pattern alignment layer is usually formed with an alignment region corresponding to each light control region of the first light control layer and each phase region of the first pattern phase difference layer. Yes.
That is, in the first pattern alignment layer, the first alignment region corresponds to the first dimming region and the first retardation region, while the second alignment region corresponds to the second dimming region and the second retardation region. .
In addition, since each alignment region of the first pattern alignment layer has an alignment regulating force, the rod-shaped compound in the retardation region of the first pattern retardation layer located on each alignment region is aligned along the alignment regulating force. And the orientation state can be fixed.

(I) Material The material of the first pattern alignment layer is not particularly limited as long as each alignment region can be formed in a desired shape and pattern. For example, ultraviolet curable resin, thermosetting resin, electron beam curing In particular, an ultraviolet curable resin is preferably used.
Specific examples of the ultraviolet curable resin include, for example, a polymerizable oligomer or monomer having an acryloyl group such as urethane acrylate, epoxy acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyether acrylate, melamine acrylate, acrylic acid, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, styrene, and the like. The thing etc. which added the photoinitiator and arbitrary additives to the simple substance or the mixture of the polymerizable oligomer or monomer etc. which have a polymerizable vinyl group can be mentioned.

(Ii) Alignment region The shape, width, and arrangement pattern of the alignment region of the first pattern alignment layer are the same as the shape, width, and arrangement pattern of the light control region, and the shape, width, and arrangement pattern of the retardation region Become.

The alignment region may have a fine uneven shape on the surface. Due to the fine unevenness formed on the surface of each alignment region, the rod-shaped compound in the first pattern retardation layer provided on the first pattern alignment layer can be aligned in a certain direction for each retardation region. The direction of the in-plane slow axis can be changed for each retardation region of the pattern retardation layer. That is, the first pattern retardation layer can be the first aspect described above. As a result, the polarization state of the transmitted light can be controlled to be different from each other in each dimming region of the first dimming layer.
In addition, about the fine uneven | corrugated shape formed in the surface of an orientation area | region, it can be made to be the same as that of the fine uneven | corrugated shape of the surface of the orientation area | region described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2012-137725, for example.

  The thickness of the first pattern alignment layer is not particularly limited as long as a desired alignment regulating force can be expressed in the first pattern retardation layer, and is preferably within a range of 0.01 μm to 1.0 μm, for example.

(C) Transparent film substrate The first light control layer usually has a transparent film substrate.
As a material for the transparent film substrate, a resin having high permeability is preferable, and the resin can be the same as that of a resin substrate generally used for an optical laminate having a retardation layer. Of these, acetyl cellulose resins, cycloolefin polymers, cycloolefin copolymers, and other resins, and acrylic resins are preferred because the in-plane retardation of the transparent film substrate tends to approach zero.

  The film thickness of the transparent film substrate is not particularly limited as long as it does not impair the light transmittance, but it is usually preferably in the range of 20 μm to 188 μm.

  The transparent film base material preferably has a low retardation. This is because if the phase difference of the transparent film substrate is large, the phase modulation between the light control regions of the first light control layer is affected, and the light control function of the light control device of the present invention may be impaired. Specifically, the in-plane retardation value (Re value) of the transparent film substrate is preferably in the range of 0 nm to 10 nm.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a transparent film base material has high light transmittance, for example, it is preferable that visible light transmittance is 80% or more. Visible light transmittance is measured according to JIS K7361-1 (Testing method for total light transmittance of plastic-transparent material).

  In the case where the alignment layer in the first light control layer is made of an ultraviolet curable resin, in order to improve the adhesion between the transparent film substrate and the ultraviolet curable resin, vinyl chloride- You may have a vinyl acetate copolymer system and a urethane-type primer layer.

(D) Others The method for forming the first light control layer is not particularly limited, and may be the same as the method for producing a general optical laminate having a retardation film and an alignment layer.

(2) 1st polarizing layer The 1st polarizing layer in this aspect is arrange | positioned in the 1st light control layer on the side facing the side close | similar to a 2nd light control panel rather than a pattern phase difference layer.
The polarizing plate is not particularly limited as long as the transmitted light can be linearly polarized light. For example, a polarizing plate generally used in a liquid crystal display device can be used.

  The first polarizing layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains at least a polarizer. For example, the first polarizing layer may be composed of a polarizer and a polarizing plate protective film disposed on at least one surface of the polarizer. May be formed by laminating and fixing on the first light control layer.

  The polarizer is not particularly limited as long as the transmitted light can be linearly polarized light. For example, a film made of polyvinyl alcohol is impregnated with iodine, and this is uniaxially stretched to obtain polyvinyl alcohol and iodine. The thing which formed the complex can be mentioned.

  The direction of the polarization axis in the first polarizing layer is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the orientation of the retardation region in the first pattern retardation layer.

  The thickness of the first polarizing layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a size that can exhibit a desired function.

  When the first polarizing layer has a polarizing plate protective film, the polarizing plate protective film is not particularly limited as long as it can protect the polarizer and has desired transparency. A polarizing plate protective film made of the material disclosed in JP 2009-237097 A can be used.

(3) Others The first light control layer of this aspect may have an adhesive layer for bonding the first deflection layer and the first light control layer. The adhesive layer is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit light transmission, and can be the same as the adhesive layer described in the section “B. Arbitrary Configuration” described later.

  Regarding the film thickness of the first light control layer of this aspect, the first pattern retardation layer can have a desired film thickness, and the first light control layer as a whole has a desired light transmittance. Although it will not specifically limit, For example, it is preferable to exist in the range of 100 micrometers-800 micrometers.

  Moreover, as a light transmittance of the 1st light control layer of this aspect, it is preferable that it is 20% or more by visible light transmittance, and 30% or more is especially preferable. The visible light transmittance can be measured according to JIS K7361-1 (a test method for the total light transmittance of a plastic-transparent material).

3. Second Aspect The first dimming layer of the present aspect is a first dimming layer in which the directions of the polarization axes are different, and the first polarizing region and the second polarizing region have a certain shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a certain interval. It is a polarizing plate.

The polarizing plate transmits light of one linearly polarized light component with high transmittance according to the direction of the polarization axis, and absorbs light of the other linearly polarized light component that vibrates in a direction orthogonal to the one linearly polarized light component. It has a function.
According to this aspect, the first polarization region in which the first polarization region and the second polarization region having different polarization axes as the first dimming layer have a certain shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a certain interval. By using the plate, the polarization state of the transmitted light can be controlled to be different without using the pattern retardation layer, and the light control panel can have a simple configuration.

  In this aspect, the direction of the polarization axis of each polarization region being different means that the direction of the absorption axis is non-parallel between the first polarization region and the second polarization region, and is preferably orthogonal. . This is because the brightness of the display of the light control device becomes clear at the first relative position and the second relative position of the pair of light control panels.

  The details of the material and the like of the first polarizing plate can be the same as the material and the like of the first pattern deflection layer described in the section “2. .

  The film thickness and light transmittance of the first light control layer of this aspect are particularly limited as long as the film thickness and light transmittance can be controlled so that the polarization state of the transmitted light is different depending on the polarization region of the first polarizing plate. However, it can be made the same as the film thickness and light transmittance of the first light control layer of the first aspect described above.

4). Other Embodiments of the First Light Control Layer The first mode and the second mode of the first light control layer described above are such that the first light control region and the second light control region have a fixed shape and a fixed interval. However, the first dimming layer is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
As another embodiment of the first dimming layer, a plurality of dimming regions may be arranged so as to control the polarization state of the transmitted light in different stages. Since the first dimming layer in the first dimming panel has the above-described form, the display of the dimming device of the present invention is used in combination with the second dimming panel including the second dimming layer having the same form. Can be displayed with gradation in which the light shielding density changes stepwise between the bright state and the dark state.

At this time, when the first light control layer has the first light control layer and the first polarizing layer, the first pattern alignment layer in the first light control layer has a plurality of positions each having the same in-plane retardation value. The phase difference regions are formed in a constant shape and at a constant interval, and the in-plane slow axis directions of adjacent phase difference regions intersect at a desired angle.
When the first light control layer is the first polarizing plate, the direction of the absorption axis of the plurality of deflection regions arranged on the first polarizing plate is not parallel between the adjacent polarizing regions.

B. Arbitrary Configuration The first dimming panel may have an arbitrary configuration as necessary. Hereinafter, an arbitrary configuration assumed for the first light control panel will be described.

1. 1st transparent substrate The 1st light control panel may have the 1st transparent substrate which supports the 1st light control layer.
The constituent material of the first transparent substrate is not particularly limited as long as it can support the first light control layer and has high light transmittance. For example, an inorganic material such as glass, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. Examples thereof include resin materials such as polyester resins, acrylic resins, polycarbonate resins, epoxy resins, and silicon resins.

  The first transparent substrate preferably has high light transmittance. For example, the visible light transmittance is preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more. The visible light transmittance can be measured by JIS K7361-1 (a test method for the total light transmittance of a plastic-transparent material).

  The thickness of the first transparent substrate may be any thickness as long as it has a strength capable of holding the first light control layer and can exhibit the above light transmittance. It is preferably about 10 mm.

2. Adhesive Layer The first dimming panel may have an adhesive layer that adheres the first dimming layer and the first transparent substrate.
It does not specifically limit as an adhesive agent used for an adhesive layer, The adhesive agent which has the light transmittance generally used for an optical laminated body can be used. Among them, an acrylic adhesive is preferable because it is excellent in transparency, durability, and heat resistance and is low in cost.
The adhesive layer may contain any additive.

  Especially as long as it is a magnitude | size which can fully bond a 1st transparent film base material and a 1st light control layer as a film thickness of the said contact bonding layer, and does not impair the light transmittance of a 1st light control panel. It is not limited, For example, it is preferable to exist in the range of 10 micrometers-120 micrometers.

3. Other optional configurations The first light control panel may have a scratch-resistant layer, a self-cleaning layer, a light diffusion layer, an overcoat layer, a protective film, and the like.

C. Others The light transmittance of the first light control panel of the present invention is preferably 20% or more in terms of visible light transmittance, and more preferably 30% or more. The visible light transmittance can be measured according to JIS K7361-1 (a test method for the total light transmittance of a plastic-transparent material).

III. 2nd light control panel The 2nd light control panel in this invention is arrange | positioned in the position which at least partially faces the 1st light control panel, and relative movement with respect to the said 1st light control panel is possible. Moreover, the 2nd light control panel is provided with the 2nd fixing | fixed part and the 3rd fixing | fixed part at least in the peripheral area | region.

The 2nd light control panel in this invention should just be a thing which can change the light transmittance of a light control panel according to a relative position with a 1st light control panel, and according to the specification of a light control apparatus. It is possible to design appropriately.
Among them, the first dimming area and the second dimming area in which the second dimming panel controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states are alternately repeated at regular intervals with a certain shape. It is preferable to have the 2nd light control layer arranged. The reason is the same as that described in the section “II. First Light Control Panel”.

  Since the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion in the second dimming panel have already been described in the section “I. fixing portion”, description thereof is omitted here.

In the second light control layer, the first light control region and the second light control region that control the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. It has a 2nd light control layer.
The details of each dimming region in the second dimming layer are the same as the contents described in the section “II. First dimming panel”, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

The second dimming layer is not particularly limited as long as the first dimming region and the second dimming region are layers in which the first dimming region and the second dimming region have a certain shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at certain intervals. Specifically, it can have the following two aspects.
That is, the first mode of the second light control layer has the second light control layer and the second polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the first light control panel, and the second light control layer is A transparent film substrate, a second pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, a first retardation region formed on the second pattern alignment layer and causing phase modulation in transmitted light; The phase difference region includes a second pattern phase difference layer having a fixed shape and alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval.
On the other hand, the second mode of the second dimming layer is that the second dimming layer includes a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region having different directions of polarization axes and having a certain shape and a constant interval. In this embodiment, the second polarizing plates are alternately and repeatedly arranged.
The details of each aspect of the second dimming layer are the same as the details of the respective aspects of the first dimming layer described in the section “II. First dimming panel” described above. Omitted.

  The first light control layer, the first deflection layer, the first pattern alignment layer, the first pattern retardation layer, and the first polarizing plate in the description of “II. It corresponds to the second light control layer, the second deflection layer, the second pattern alignment layer, the second pattern retardation layer, and the second polarizing plate in the light control layer. Further, the first dimming region and the second dimming region, the first phase difference region and the second phase difference region, the first alignment region and the second alignment region in the description of the section “II. First dimming panel”, The first polarizing region and the second polarizing region are the same as the respective regions in the second light control layer.

The first aspect and the second aspect of the second dimming layer described above are implemented in which the first dimming area and the second dimming area have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. Although shown about the example of a form, a 2nd light control layer is not limited to the said embodiment.
As another embodiment of the second light control layer, a form in which a plurality of light control regions are arranged so as to control the polarization state of transmitted light to different states step by step may be employed. When the second light control layer in the second light control panel has the above-described form, the display of the light control device of the present invention can be displayed in combination with the first light control panel including the first light control layer having the same form. Thus, gradation display in which the light shielding density changes stepwise between the bright state and the dark state can be achieved.
The details of the second light control layer having the above-described form are described in the above-mentioned section “II. First Light Control Panel A. First Light Control Layer 4. Other Embodiments of First Light Control Layer”. Since it can be made to be the same as that which was done, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the second light control layer has the above-described other embodiment, the arrangement interval between the second fixed portion and the third fixed portion in the second light control panel is the width of each light control region of the second light control layer. Of the phase difference region, the in-plane slow axis of the phase difference region is orthogonal, or the absorption region of the polarizing region is orthogonal to the region width. It is preferable that This is because the light / dark difference in display of the light control device according to each relative position can be increased, and the display switching becomes clear.

  Further, when the second dimming layer has the other embodiments described above, the arbitrary fixing portion and the first fixing are provided by having an arbitrary fixing portion between the second fixing portion and the third fixing portion in the second dimming panel. The display of the light control device in which the pair of light control panels are fixed at an arbitrary relative position by the unit can be a display mode of brightness between the bright state and the dark state.

  The configuration and physical properties of the second dimming panel other than the second dimming layer are the same as the contents described in the section “II. First dimming panel” described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. . The second transparent substrate in the second dimming panel corresponds to the first transparent substrate described in the section “II. First dimming panel”.

VI. Others In the present invention, one of the pair of light control panels may be fixed and the other may be relatively moved, or both light control panels may be relatively moved.

  In the present invention, the pair of light control panels are arranged with a desired interval. The spacing between the pair of light control panels is not particularly limited as long as one light control panel can be moved relative to the other light control panel and can exhibit a light control function. In the range of 0.01 mm to 5.0 mm, in particular in the range of 0.01 mm to 3.0 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm. This is because if the arrangement interval of the pair of light control panels is larger than the above range, light leakage may occur when the light control device is viewed from the front as viewed from the front (light emission surface). . Specifically, the display of the light control device is in a dark state when viewed from the front, but is bright when viewed from an oblique direction, and even if the alignment of the pair of light control panels is accurately performed, the observation angle is maintained. Accordingly, the brightness of the display may change. On the other hand, if the arrangement interval is smaller than the above range, the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel may come into contact with each other, making relative movement difficult.

The light control device of the present invention may have a guide member that performs guidance so as to move one of the pair of light control panels in a relative direction with respect to the other. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the guide member has end portions of the first dimming panel 1 and the second dimming panel 2 positioned in the direction X in which the pair of dimming panels are moved relative to each other. It is provided so as to be slidable. Thereby, the intensity | strength as a light modulation apparatus can be ensured, and since a movement is guided by a guide member, position alignment can be performed more correctly.
FIG. 14A is a schematic plan view showing an example of the light control device of the present invention provided with a guide member, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

The light control device of the present invention has a slit in a direction parallel to the relative movement direction on the peripheral region of one light control panel, and is fitted in the slit on the peripheral region of the other light control panel. You may have the projection part for a slide which moves. When the pair of light control panels are moved relative to each other, the movement is guided by fitting the sliding projections into the slits and sliding them, so that the alignment can be performed more accurately.
In this case, each fixing portion of the pair of light control panels may be disposed on the slit and the sliding projection.

  The light control device of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as the pair of light control panels are capable of relative movement. The light control device of the present invention already illustrated and described has a form in which the pair of light control panels are lithographic plates, and the relative movement of the other light control panel with respect to one light control panel is a linear movement. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pair of light control panels may be disks, and one light control panel may rotate relative to the other light control panel.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention, and any device that exhibits the same function and effect is the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st light control panel 2 ... 2nd light control panel 10 ... Light control apparatus 11 ... 1st transparent substrate 12 ... 1st light control layer 13 ... 1st light control layer 14 ... 1st polarizing layer 16 ... Transparent film base Material 17 ... 1st pattern orientation layer 18 ... 1st pattern phase difference layer 21 ... 2nd transparent substrate 22 ... 2nd light control layer 23 ... 2nd light control layer 24 ... 2nd polarizing layer 31 ... 1st fixing | fixed part 32 ... 2nd fixed part 33 ... 3rd fixed part 34 ... Arbitrary fixed part Z1, Z1 '... 1st light control area Z2, Z2' ... 2nd light control area

Claims (7)

A first light control panel;
A second dimming panel disposed at a position at least partially facing the first dimming panel and capable of relative movement with respect to the first dimming panel;
With
A dimming device in which the transmittance of light transmitted through both the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel changes according to the relative position of the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel. And
A first fixing portion is installed in a peripheral area of the first light control panel,
In the peripheral area of the second light control panel, at least a second fixing part and a third fixing part are installed,
The second fixing portion and the first fixing portion can fix the first dimming panel and the second dimming panel at a first relative position, and the third fixing portion and the first fixing portion. The light control device, wherein the first light control panel and the second light control panel can be fixed at a second relative position by one fixing unit.   2. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the first fixing portion, the second fixing portion, and the third fixing portion are configured by magnets.   3. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein an optional fixing part is further provided between the second fixing part and the third fixing part of the second light control panel. 4. In the first dimming panel, the first dimming area and the second dimming area for controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states have a fixed shape and are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals. Having a first light control layer,
In the second dimming panel, the first dimming area and the second dimming area for controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light to different states have a fixed shape and are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals. The dimming device according to claim 1, further comprising a second dimming layer.   The arrangement interval between the second fixed portion and the third fixed portion of the second dimming panel is such that the first dimming region, the second dimming region, and the second dimming region of the first dimming layer. 5. The light control device according to claim 4, wherein the light control device has a size that is an integer multiple of 1 or more of a width of the first light control region and the second light control region of the optical layer. The first light control layer has a first light control layer and a first polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the second light control panel,
The first light control layer is formed on the transparent film substrate, the first pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, and the first pattern alignment layer, and causes phase modulation in the transmitted light. The first phase difference region and the second phase difference region include a first pattern phase difference layer having a fixed shape and alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval;
The second light control layer has a second light control layer and a second polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the first light control panel,
The second light control layer is formed on the transparent film substrate, the second pattern alignment layer formed on the transparent film substrate, and the second pattern alignment layer, and causes phase modulation in the transmitted light. The first phase difference region and the second phase difference region include a second pattern phase difference layer having a fixed shape and alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. Item 6. The light control device according to Item 5. The first dimming layer is a first polarizing plate in which first polarizing regions and second polarizing regions having different directions of polarization axes have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at fixed intervals.
The second light control layer is a second polarizing plate in which a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region having different directions of polarization axes have a fixed shape and are alternately and repeatedly arranged at a fixed interval. The light control device according to claim 4, wherein: