JP2016065895A - Dimmer, installation method, and partition member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent transmission of light obliquely incident to a dimmer and to maintain sufficient light-shielding property in a dark state.SOLUTION: A dimmer 10 includes a first dimming control panel 20, and a second dimming control panel 30 disposed at a position at least partially facing the first dimming control panel 20 and relatively movable with respect to the first dimming control panel 20. The first dimming control panel 20 includes a first light control sheet 25 and a first polarizing layer 23, in this order from the side nearer to the second dimming control panel 30. The second dimming control panel 30 includes a second light control sheet 35 and a second polarizing layer 33, in this order from the side nearer to the first dimming control panel 20. The first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 each include a retardation layer that induces different phase modulations in transmitted light among a plurality of repeatedly arranged regions. A positive C-plate 15 is disposed at a position between the first polarizing layer 23 and the second polarizing layer 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control device that performs light control by relatively moving two light control panels. The present invention also relates to a method for installing the light control device and a partition member having the light control device.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a light control device that performs light control by relatively moving two light control panels is known. The light control device is used as, for example, a blind or a partition that selectively blocks and transmits external light. The light control device enables adjustment of light transmittance by relative movement of the two light control sheets, and realizes switching between light shielding and transmission.

  In the light control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, each light control panel includes a polarizing plate that transmits only a specific linearly polarized light component. In this light control device, by controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light, it is possible to see through the two light control panels and not through the two light control panels. It is possible to switch between the dark state.

JP-A-9-310567

  However, when the inventors proceeded with research on the opacity in the dark state of the light control device, in the conventional light control device, light incident obliquely in the dark state passes through each light control panel. It was discovered that there was a problem. That is, in the conventional light control device, the light shielding property in the dark state is not sufficient.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and provides a light control device that can prevent light incident obliquely in a dark state and ensure a sufficient light blocking property in the dark state. For the purpose.

The light control device according to the present invention comprises:
A first dimming control panel;
A second dimming control panel disposed at a position at least partially facing the first dimming control panel and movable relative to the first dimming control panel,
The first dimming control panel has a first light control sheet and a first polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the second dimming control panel,
The second dimming control panel has a second light control sheet and a second polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the first dimming control panel,
The first light control sheet and the second light control sheet include a retardation layer that causes transmitted light to generate different phase modulation between a plurality of regions arranged repeatedly,
A positive C plate is provided at a position between the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, at least one of the first light control panel and the second light control panel may contain an ultraviolet absorber.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, at least one of a surface of the first light control panel facing the second light control panel and a surface of the second light control panel facing the first light control panel. However, it may be formed of a hard coat layer.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, at least one of a surface of the first light control panel facing the second light control panel and a surface of the second light control panel facing the first light control panel. However, it may be formed of an antireflection layer or an antiglare layer.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, a lubricant may be provided between the first light control panel and the second light control panel.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, at least one of the first light control panel and the second light control panel may further include a transparent support plate laminated on the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer.

  In the light modulation device according to the present invention, the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer is disposed between the transparent support plate and the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer and the transparent support plate are joined. You may have a joining layer further.

The method of installing the light control device according to the present invention comprises:
A step of installing a first light control panel and a second light control panel;

  The partition member by this invention is equipped with the above-mentioned light control apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the light modulation apparatus which can prevent permeation | transmission of the light which injects from diagonally in a dark state, and can ensure sufficient light-shielding property in a dark state.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the light control device. FIG. 2 is a view of the state in which the light control device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the light control device. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a dimming control panel incorporated in the dimming device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the layer configuration of the first and second retardation layers. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the function of changing the amount of transmitted light according to the relative position between the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the relative positions of the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel are changed from the state shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a modified example related to the arrangement of the positive C plate. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a modified example related to the functional layer. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another modification of the light control device. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example related to area division of the light control panel.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1-11 is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment and its modification by this invention. In the drawings attached to the present specification, for the sake of illustration and ease of understanding, the scale, the vertical / horizontal dimension ratio, and the like are appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual product.

  In the present specification, the terms “panel”, “plate”, “sheet”, and “film” are not distinguished from each other based only on the difference in names. For example, “panel” is a concept including members that can be called plates, sheets, and films. Therefore, as an example, “light control panel” includes “light control board” and “light control sheet”. ”And“ light control film ”cannot be distinguished only by the difference in names.

  In addition, as used in this specification, the shape and geometric conditions and the degree thereof are specified, for example, terms such as “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “identical”, length and angle values, etc. are strictly Without being bound by meaning, it should be interpreted including the extent to which similar functions can be expected.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dimming device 10 includes a first dimming control panel 20 and a cover panel 40 that are arranged to face each other. A second dimming control panel 30 is disposed between the first dimming control panel 20 and the cover panel 40, and the second dimming control panel 30 is located with respect to the first dimming control panel 20 and the cover panel 40. The relative movement is possible. The frame 11 surrounds and holds the first dimming control panel 20, the second dimming control panel 30, and the cover panel 40.

  The light control device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be installed in a partition member 100 that partitions the two spaces S1 and S2. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the light control device 10 is installed on a wall 100 that partitions the room S1 and the room S2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the light control device 10 is fitted into an opening 101 provided in the wall 100 and functions as a light controllable window. The first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 have a visible light wavelength range (wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm) that is transmitted from the indoor S1 to the outdoor S2, and from the outdoor S2 to the indoor S1, depending on the relative position. Adjust the amount of light.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first dimming control panel 20 and the cover panel 40 are held by the frame 11 so as to be parallel to each other. A second dimming control panel 30 is held between the first dimming control panel 20 and the cover panel 40. The second dimming control panel 30 is at least partially facing the first dimming control panel 20, and the panel surface of the second dimming control panel 30 is parallel to the panel surface of the first dimming control panel 20. It has become.

  In the present specification, “panel surface (plate surface, sheet surface, film surface)” is a general and global view of a target panel-shaped (plate-shaped, sheet-shaped, film-shaped) member. In the case, it refers to a surface that coincides with the planar direction of the target panel-like member. The “normal direction” used for the panel-shaped member means the normal direction to the panel surface of the target panel-shaped member. In the illustrated embodiment, the normal direction of the cover panel 40, the normal direction of the first dimming control panel 20, and the normal direction of the second dimming control panel 30 are parallel to each other.

  In the present embodiment, the second dimming control panel 30 is relative to the first dimming control panel 20 in the frame 11 along the first direction da along the panel surface of the first dimming control panel 20. It can be moved. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first direction da is parallel to the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a long hole 11 a extending in the first direction da is formed in the frame 11. The knob 12 passes through the long hole 11a and is connected to the second dimming control panel 30. By moving the knob 12 along the first direction da, the second dimming control panel 30 connected to the knob 12 can be moved along the first direction da.

  In the illustrated example, the panels 20, 30 and 40 are formed to have a rectangular shape in plan view. And the frame 11 covers the periphery of each panel 20, 30, and 40, and the frame 11 is formed so that it may have a rectangular outer outline in planar view. Hereinafter, the first dimming control panel 20, the second dimming control panel 30, and the cover panel 40 included in the dimming device 10 will be described.

  First, the cover panel 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The cover panel 40 functions as a cover that prevents foreign substances such as dust from entering the light control device 10. In particular, a foreign object is present between the second dimming control panel 30 and the frame 11 that are movable along the first direction da, or between the second dimming control panel 30 and the first dimming control panel 20. Has the function of preventing the intrusion. As the cover panel 40, for example, glass having excellent transparency to visible light, a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or the like can be used so as not to disturb the lighting by the light control device 10. As an example, the thickness of the cover panel 40 can be about 1 mm to 4 mm. In the illustrated example, the second dimming control panel 30 is provided only on the side opposite to the first dimming control panel 20 side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cover panel 40 is not limited to the first dimming control panel 20 side. 20 may be provided on the side opposite to the second light control panel 30 side.

  Next, the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first light control panel 20 includes a first light control sheet 25, a bonding layer 24, a first polarizing plate (first polarizing layer) 23, a bonding layer 22, and a first transparent support plate. 21 in this order from the side close to the second dimming control panel 30. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the second dimming control panel 30 includes a positive C plate 15, a second light control sheet 35, a bonding layer 34, a second polarizing plate (second polarizing layer) 33, a bonding The layer 32 and the second transparent support plate 31 are included in this order from the side close to the first dimming control panel 20. The second dimming control panel 30 differs from the first dimming control panel 20 only in that it has a positive C plate 15, and is otherwise the same as the first dimming control panel 20. Hereinafter, each layer will be described.

  The first transparent support plate 21 and the second transparent support plate 31 function as a support for supporting the light control sheets 25 and 35 and the polarizing plates 23 and 33. As the first transparent support plate 21 and the second transparent support plate 31, for example, glass having excellent transparency to visible light, a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or the like can be used. As an example, the thickness of the first transparent support plate 21 and the second transparent support plate 31 can be about 1 mm to 4 mm.

  The first polarizing plate (first polarizing layer) 23 and the second polarizing plate (second polarizing layer) 33 transmit light of one linearly polarized light component with high transmittance and a direction orthogonal to the one linearly polarized light component. It has a function of absorbing the light of the other linearly polarized light component that vibrates. In the present embodiment, the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 have their absorption axes that are not parallel to each other. In particular, in the illustrated example, the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 are arranged so that their absorption axes are orthogonal to each other, that is, in a crossed Nicols state. As the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33, for example, a widely used polarizing plate formed by adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye to polyvinyl alcohol can be used.

  The first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 can control the polarization state of the transmitted light. As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the 1st light control sheet 25 contains the 1st area | region Z1 and the 2nd area | region Z2 which have mutually different optical characteristics. The first light control sheet 25 controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different from each other in the first region Z1 and the second region Z2. In particular, in the present embodiment, the first light control sheet 25 is formed as a retardation film, and causes different phase modulation between the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 in the transmitted light. Specifically, both the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 are made of a retardation film having a retardation of λ / 4. However, the retardation film is arranged so that the slow axes are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the first light control sheet 25 causes a phase modulation of “λ / 4” for the light transmitted through the first region Z1, and “−λ / 4” for the light transmitted through the second region Z2. Causes phase modulation.

  The second light control sheet 35 can be configured in the same manner as the first light control sheet 25. That is, the second light control sheet 35 includes a third region Z3 and a fourth region Z4 having different optical characteristics. The second light control sheet 35 controls the polarization state of the transmitted light to be different from each other in the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4. The second light control sheet 35 is formed as a retardation film, and causes different phase modulation in the transmitted light between the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4. Specifically, the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4 are both made of a retardation film having a retardation of λ / 4. However, the retardation film is arranged so that the slow axes are orthogonal to each other. Then, the second light control sheet 35 causes the phase modulation of “λ / 4” to the light transmitted through the third region Z3 and “−λ / 4” to the light transmitted through the fourth region Z4. Causes phase modulation.

  In addition, the 1st area | region Z1 and the 2nd area | region Z2 of the 1st light control sheet 25 are arrange | positioned alternately without the clearance gap in the 1st direction da, and have the same width W along the 1st direction da. Therefore, the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 are arranged in the first direction da at a constant pitch that is “W × 2” twice the width of each region. Similarly, the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 are alternately arranged in the first direction da with no gap, and have the same width W along the first direction da. The third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4 are arranged in the first direction da at a constant pitch that is “W × 2” twice the width of each region. Therefore, by moving the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 in the first direction da, the first region Z1 and the third region Z3 face each other, and the second region Z2 and the fourth region Z4. The state can be switched between the state of FIG. 6 in which the first region Z1 and the fourth region Z4 face each other and the state in FIG. 7 in which the second region Z2 and the third region Z3 face each other. it can. 6 and 7, the bonding layers 22, 24, 32, and 34 and the positive C plate 15 are not shown.

  Such first light control sheet 25 and second light control sheet 35 are, for example, pattern phase differences disclosed in International Publication Nos. 2013-054673, 2012-137725, 2012-198522, and the like. It can be made as a film 200. FIG. 5 shows an example of a pattern retardation film 200 that forms the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35. In this example, the pattern retardation film 200 includes a substrate 210 as a low retardation translucent substrate such as triacetyl cellulose, a pattern alignment film 220 formed on the substrate 210, and a pattern alignment film 220. And a formed pattern retardation layer (retardation layer) 230. The pattern alignment film 220 is divided into two regions corresponding to the first region Z1 and the second region Z2, or two regions 221a and 221b corresponding to the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4. The pattern alignment film 220 has an alignment regulating force in different directions between the two regions 221a and 221b. The pattern phase difference layer 230 has liquid crystal molecules oriented in different directions between the two regions 231a and 231b by the alignment regulating force of the pattern alignment film 220, and is formed as a positive A plate. The pattern retardation layer 230 causes different phase modulation in the transmitted light between the two regions 231a and 231b.

  The bonding layers 22, 24, 32, and 34 are layers for bonding two portions, and are not particularly limited as long as sufficient bonding strength is obtained. For example, an adhesive layer using an adhesive material or an adhesive layer using an adhesive material can be used as the bonding layers 22, 24, 32, and 34. Moreover, you may provide various functions, such as an infrared shielding function and an antistatic function, to one or more joining layers 22,24,32,34.

Next, the positive C plate 15 will be described. The positive C plate 15 is an optically anisotropic plate that does not have in-plane birefringence and has a refractive index in the thickness direction larger than the refractive index in any direction in the plane. That is, the positive C plate 15, the refractive indices n _x in the slow axis direction in the _plane, the refractive index n _y in the fast axis direction in the _plane, the refractive index n _z in the thickness direction, the optical to satisfy the following relationship An anisotropic plate.
_nz > _nx = _ny

The pattern retardation film 200 used as the light control sheets 25 and 35 has liquid crystal molecules aligned by the alignment regulating force of the pattern alignment film 220 and functions as a positive A plate. Here, the positive A plate is an optically anisotropic plate that satisfies the following conditions.
_nx > _ny = _nz

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the positive C plate 15 is laminated on the surface of the second light control sheet 35 of the second light control panel 30 on the first light control panel 20 side. According to this, the light control device 10 can be provided with a compensation function for light traveling from the positive C plate 15 to the pattern retardation film 200 functioning as the positive A plate. That is, it is possible to prevent light traveling in a direction inclined with respect to the normal direction of the dimming control panels 20 and 30 from being transmitted through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30 held in the dark state.

  In the light control device 10 configured as described above, for example, the frame 11 is first installed in the opening 101 of the partition member 100, and then the first light control panel 20, the second light control panel 30, and the cover panel. 40 can be installed by attaching it to the frame 11. Alternatively, the dimming device 10 is assembled by attaching the first dimming control panel 20, the second dimming control panel 30, and the cover panel 40 to the frame 11, and then the dimming device 10 is installed in the opening 101 of the partition member 100. It can also be installed.

  Next, the operation of the light control device 10 having such a configuration will be described.

  In the combination of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first region Z1 and the second light control of the first light control sheet 25 are used. When the third region Z3 of the sheet 35 faces and the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 face each other, the first polarizing plate (first polarizing layer) ) The light of one linearly polarized light component that has passed through 23 passes through both the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35, and then rotates the vibration direction by 90 °. Therefore, the light transmitted through both the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 is the light of the other linearly polarized light component whose vibration direction is orthogonal to one of the linearly polarized light components. As shown, the second polarizing plate (second polarizing layer) 33 can be transmitted.

  A state in which the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 are arranged at the relative positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 is referred to as a bright state. When the dimming device 10 is in the bright state, that is, when the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 are arranged at the relative positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, 2 Light can be taken in through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30. Therefore, by setting the light control device 10 to the bright state, the outside light can be collected from the outdoor S2 to the indoor S1, and the room can be brightened.

  On the other hand, when the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 are relatively moved in the first direction da by the width W of each of the regions Z1 to Z4 from the state of FIGS. As shown, the first region Z1 of the first light control sheet 25 and the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 face each other, and the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 are faced. The third region Z3 faces each other. In this state, the light of one linearly polarized light component transmitted through the first polarizing plate 23 maintains the vibration direction after passing through both the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35. Therefore, the light transmitted through both the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 remains as one linearly polarized light component and is absorbed by the second polarizing plate 33, as shown in FIG. The second polarizing plate 33 cannot be transmitted.

  A state in which the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 are arranged at the relative positions shown in FIG. 7 is referred to as a dark state. When the light control device 10 is in a dark state, visible light can be blocked by the two light control panels 20 and 30. Therefore, by setting the light control device 10 in the dark state, it is possible to shield external light that enters the room S1 from the outdoor S2 through the light control device 10.

  Here, the positive C plate 15 is provided at a position between the first polarizing layer 23 of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second polarizing layer 33 of the second dimming control panel 30. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the positive C plate 15 is laminated on the surface of the second light control sheet 35 of the second light control panel 30 on the first light control panel 20 side. According to this, the light control device 10 can be provided with a compensation function for light traveling from the positive C plate 15 to the pattern retardation film 200 functioning as the positive A plate. That is, it is possible to prevent light traveling in a direction inclined with respect to the normal direction of the dimming control panels 20 and 30 from being transmitted through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30 held in the dark state. Therefore, it is possible to effectively improve the light shielding property in the dark state.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a positive C plate 15 is provided between the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30. Yes. According to the present embodiment, the positive C plate 15 and the second dimming control are performed for light traveling from the first dimming control panel 20 side to the second dimming control panel 30 side. The compensation function is exhibited by the combination of the panel 30 and the second light control sheet 35, and the light that travels from the second dimming control panel 30 side to the first dimming control panel 20 side is positive. The combination of the C plate 15 and the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 provides a compensation function. Therefore, the light control device 10 in the dark state exhibits excellent light shielding properties both when observed from the first light control panel 20 side and when observed from the second light control panel 30 side. Can do.

  Various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, an example of modification will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, for parts that can be configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the above-described embodiment are used. A duplicate description is omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the positive C plate 15 is provided on the first dimming control panel 20 side surface of the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30, but is not limited thereto. Absent. As in the example shown in FIG. 8, the positive C plate 15 may be provided on the surface of the first light control sheet 25 of the first light control panel 20 on the second light control panel 30 side. Further, between the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 and the first polarizing plate (first polarizing layer) 23 or the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30 and the second light control sheet 30. A positive C plate 15 may be provided between the two polarizing plates (second polarizing layer) 33.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 are arranged in a crossed Nicols state is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 are provided. However, it may be arranged in a parallel Nicol state. In this example, the first region Z1 of the first light control sheet 25 and the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 face each other, and the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 are in contact with each other. In the state of FIG. 7 facing the third region Z3, the light control device 10 is in a bright state. On the other hand, the first region Z1 of the first light control sheet 25 and the third region Z3 of the second light control sheet 35 face each other, and the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the second region of the second light control sheet 35 In the state of FIG. 6 where the four regions Z4 face each other, the light control device 10 is in the dark state.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which each light control sheet 25, 35 has two regions having different phase modulation amounts in a repeatedly arranged state. However, the present invention is limited to this example. Absent. Each of the light control sheets 25 and 35 may have three or more regions having different phase modulation amounts in a repeatedly arranged state. In this example, the phase modulation amount in three or more regions may be set so as to gradually change so that the maximum difference becomes λ / 2. According to this example, it is possible to adjust the transmittance of light transmitted through the two light control sheets 25 and 35 in three or more stages.

  In the embodiment described above, at least one of the light control panels 20 and 30 and the cover panel 40 may include a layer having haze. In particular, at least one of the first transparent support plate 21 of the first dimming control panel 20, the second transparent support plate 31 of the second dimming control panel 30, and the cover panel 40 includes a layer having haze. it can. The layer having haze may be formed by laminating a sheet having haze on the transparent support plates 21, 31 or the cover panel 40, or the layer having haze may be included in the transparent support plates 21, 31 or cover panel 40. Alternatively, the transparent support plates 21 and 31 or the cover panel 40 may be formed so as to constitute all or a part thereof. The haze value of the layer having haze can be, for example, 10% or more and less than 40%. According to the light control device 10 including the layer having such a haze value, in the dark state, the light incident on the light control device 10 or the leaked light transmitted through the light control sheets 25 and 35 is diffused, and in the dark state. The light shielding property of the light control device 10 can be improved. Further, the haze value of the layer having haze can be 40% or more and 80% or less. According to the light control device 10 including the layer having such a haze value, the transparency of the light control device 10 can be lowered and the privacy can be protected in a bright state while ensuring sufficient lighting. In addition, this haze value can be measured by the method based on JISK7136 using a haze meter (Murakami Color Research Laboratory make, product number; HM-150).

  As the layer having such a haze, for example, a glass or resin layer having fine irregularities on the surface, such as ground glass, frosted glass, or template glass, and a glass or resin layer having diffusing particles inside may be used. it can. Moreover, as a layer which has a haze, it is preferable to use a thing with a high visible light transmittance from a viewpoint which performs sufficient lighting in a bright state.

  In the above-described embodiment, an ultraviolet absorber may be contained in any component included in at least one of the light control panels 20 and 30 and the cover panel 40. As a specific example, an ultraviolet absorber may be contained in any one or more of the transparent support plates 21 and 31, the bonding layers 22, 24, 32 and 34, the polarizing plates 23 and 33, and the cover panel 40. . According to such an aspect, it is possible to effectively prevent any component of the dimming control panels 20 and 30, for example, the pattern alignment film 220 from being deteriorated by ultraviolet rays contained in natural light. . According to such a modification, the light control device 10 can be provided with excellent light resistance. In addition, irradiation of ultraviolet rays into the room can be suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 forms the outermost surface that becomes the second dimming control panel 30 side, and the second light of the second dimming control panel 30 is formed. The control sheet 35 forms the outermost surface on the first light control panel 20 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the surface of the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 facing the second dimming control panel 30 and the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30. A functional layer 55 having a performance suitable as a portion forming the outermost surface may be provided on at least one of the surfaces facing the one light control panel 20 side.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the surface of the first dimming control panel 20 facing the second dimming control panel 30 and the surface of the second dimming control panel 30 facing the first dimming control panel 20. In both cases, a functional layer 55 is formed. An example of the functional layer 55 is a hard coat layer. The hard coat layer is a layer having better scratch resistance than the surface of the light control sheets 25 and 35 or the positive C plate 15, and is measured by, for example, a pencil hardness test defined in JIS K5600-5-4 (1999). It can be a layer whose hardness is harder than the surface of the light control sheets 25 and 35 or the positive C plate 15. This hard coat layer may be formed by applying a coating material, or may be formed by laminating a film, sheet, or plate-like coating material.

  When an air layer exists between the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30, the interface between the first dimming control panel 20 and the air layer or the second dimming control panel. A functional layer 55 formed as an antireflection layer (AR layer) or an antiglare layer (AG layer) can also be used in order to prevent reflection due to reflection at the interface between the air layer 30 and the air layer. According to this example, the occurrence of reflection due to reflection can be effectively prevented. As the antireflection layer, a layer having a refractive index lower than that of the base 210 of the light control sheets 25 and 35 or a layer having minute protrusions arranged at a pitch less than the shortest wavelength of visible light (for example, 380 nm) is used. it can. As an anti-glare layer, the layer which has binder resin and the particle | grains disperse | distributed in binder resin, and has the surface unevenness | corrugation resulting from presence of particle | grains can be illustrated.

  In addition, a layer having an antistatic function can be used as the functional layer 55.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a lubricant 57 may be provided between the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30. According to such a modification, the relative movement between the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 can be smoothed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, a sealing structure 58 is formed between the peripheral edge of the first dimming control panel 20 and the peripheral edge of the second dimming control panel 30. The space between the second dimming control panel 30 is sealed. The lubricant 57 is accommodated in the space between the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 sealed by the sealing structure 58. As the lubricant 57, grease or oil can be used. A lubricant 57 may be provided between the second dimming control panel 30 and the cover panel 40.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the relative movement of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 is a linear movement has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first dimming control panel 20 may rotate relative to the second dimming control panel 30 as shown in FIG. The rotation axis db of relative rotation in the example shown in FIG. 11 coincides with the normal direction of the first dimming control panel 20. Further, the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 of the first dimming control panel 20 are fan-shaped regions centered on the rotation axis db of the relative rotation. That is, the first area Z1 and the second area Z2 are alternately arranged in a direction parallel to the relative movement direction dr of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30. The central angles θx of the sector regions that form the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 can be the same. The second dimming control panel 30 can be configured in the same manner as the first dimming control panel 20. Also in such a light control device 10, by rotating the first light control panel 20 and the second light control panel 30 by the same angle as the central angle θx, the first region Z1 and the third region Z3 are separated. A bright state in which the second region Z2 and the fourth region Z4 face each other, and a dark state in which the first region Z1 and the fourth region Z4 face each other and the second region Z2 and the third region Z3 face each other The state can be switched between.

  In addition, although one embodiment and some modifications to the embodiment have been described above, it is needless to say that a plurality of modifications can be applied in combination as appropriate.

10 dimming device 11 frame 15 positive C plate 20 first dimming control panel 21 first transparent support plate 22 bonding layer 23 first polarizing plate (first polarizing layer)
24 bonding layer 25 first light control sheet 30 second light control panel 31 second transparent support plate 32 bonding layer 33 second polarizing plate (second polarizing layer)
34 Bonding layer 35 Second light control sheet 40 Cover panel 55 Functional layer 57 Lubricant 58 Sealing structure 100 Partition member 101 Opening 200 Pattern retardation film 210 Base material 220 Pattern alignment film 230 Pattern retardation layer (retardation layer)
S1 Indoor S2 Outdoor Z1 1st field Z2 2nd field Z3 3rd field Z4 4th field

Claims (10)

A first dimming control panel;
A second dimming control panel disposed at a position at least partially facing the first dimming control panel and movable relative to the first dimming control panel,
The first dimming control panel has a first light control sheet and a first polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the second dimming control panel,
The second dimming control panel has a second light control sheet and a second polarizing layer in this order from the side close to the first dimming control panel,
The first light control sheet and the second light control sheet include a retardation layer that causes transmitted light to generate different phase modulation between a plurality of regions arranged repeatedly,
A light control device, wherein a positive C plate is provided at a position between the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer.   The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the positive C plate is provided at a position between the first light control sheet and the second light control sheet.   The dimming device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel contains an ultraviolet absorber.   At least one of the surface of the first dimming control panel facing the second dimming control panel and the surface of the second dimming control panel facing the first dimming control panel is a hard coat layer. The light control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 currently formed.   At least one of the surface of the first dimming control panel facing the second dimming control panel and the surface of the second dimming control panel facing the first dimming control panel is an antireflection layer or The light control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 currently formed of the glare-proof layer.   The light control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lubricant is provided between the first light control panel and the second light control panel.   7. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel further includes a transparent support plate laminated on the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer. A light control device according to one item.   A bonding layer is further disposed between the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer and the transparent support plate, and joins the first polarizing layer or the second polarizing layer and the transparent support plate. The light control device according to claim 7. A method for installing the light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An installation method comprising a step of installing the first light control panel and the second light control panel. A partition member for partitioning an area,
A partition member provided with the light modulation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8.

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