JP2016065898A - Dimmer, installation method, and partition member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase light-shielding property of a dimmer 10 in a dark state and to prevent visibility through the dimmer 10 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 transmittance for light in a visible light wavelength region that is transmitted through both of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30 varies depending on relative positions of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second dimming control panel 30. The dimmer includes a light-shielding adjusting layer 15 having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40%.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, the inventors of the present invention have conducted research on the opacity of the light control device in the dark state. With the conventional light control device, the light control device is not completely shielded even in the dark state. It is found that when the device is observed, an event occurs in which the light from the fluorescent lamp incident on the light control device from the side opposite to the observer or the reflected light passes through the light control device and is visible to the observer. It was done.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the light shielding performance of a light control device in a dark state and prevent visual recognition through the light control device in a dark state.

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 transmittance of light in the visible light wavelength range that passes through both the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel is at a relative position between the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel. Change accordingly,
A light-shielding property adjusting layer having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40% is provided.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, each of the first light control panel and the second light control panel includes a light control sheet that controls a polarization state of transmitted light in a visible wavelength range, The light control sheet of the control panel includes first and second regions that control the polarization state of transmitted light in the visible light wavelength region to be different from each other and are alternately and repeatedly arranged, and the second light control panel The light control sheet may include third regions and fourth regions in which the polarization state of transmitted light in the visible light wavelength region is controlled to be different from each other and are alternately and repeatedly arranged.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, the first light control panel includes the light control sheet and the polarizing plate in this order from the side close to the second light control panel, and the first light control panel has the light control sheet. The light control sheet is a retardation film that causes transmitted light to have different phase modulation between the first region and the second region, and the second light control panel includes the light control sheet and the polarizing plate, The light control sheet of the second dimming control panel has a phase modulation that differs between the third region and the fourth region in the transmitted light. A retardation film may be used.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, a positive C plate may be provided at a position between the polarizing plate of the first light control panel and the polarizing plate of the second light control panel.

  In the light control device according to the present invention, the light control sheet of the first light control panel is a polarizing plate in which the direction of the absorption axis is non-parallel between the first region and the second region. The light control sheet of the panel may be a polarizing plate in which the direction of the absorption axis is non-parallel between the third region and the fourth region.

  In the dimming device according to the present invention, a positive A plate and a positive C plate are provided at a position between the polarizing plate of the first dimming control panel and the polarizing plate of the second dimming control panel. Also good.

  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, 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 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.

  The light control device according to the present invention may further include a bonding layer that is disposed between the light control sheet and the light shielding property adjusting layer and joins the light control sheet and the light shielding property adjusting layer.

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;

  In the method of installing the light control device according to the present invention, the light shielding adjustment layer may be included in one of the first light control panel and the second light control panel.

  The method of installing the light control device according to the present invention may further include a step of disposing a light-blocking adjustment layer separate from the first light control panel and the 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, the light-shielding property of the light control apparatus in a dark state can be improved, and the visual recognition through the light control apparatus in a dark state can be prevented.

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 structure of the retardation film forming the first and second light control sheets. 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 light shielding property adjusting layer. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing another modification example regarding the arrangement of the light shielding property adjusting layer. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing still another modification example regarding the arrangement of the light shielding property adjusting layer. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a modified example related to suppression of transmission of light incident from an oblique direction. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing another modification example related to suppression of transmission of light incident obliquely. FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 and a partial cross-sectional view showing still another modified example related to suppression of transmission of light incident from an oblique direction. FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 and a partial cross-sectional view showing still another modified example related to suppression of transmission of light incident from an oblique direction. FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a modified example related to the arrangement of the functional layers. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating still another modification of the light control device. FIG. 17 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. 1 to 17 are diagrams for explaining an embodiment and a modification thereof according to the present 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 dimming control panel 20 includes the first light control sheet 25, the bonding layer 24, the first polarizing plate 23, the bonding layer 22, and the first transparent support plate 21 in the second modulation. They are included in this order from the side close to the light control panel 30. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the second dimming control panel 30 includes a second light control sheet 35, a bonding layer 34, a second polarizing plate 33, a bonding layer 32, a second transparent support plate 31, and a light shielding property. The adjustment layer 15 is included in this order from the side close to the first dimming control panel 20. The second dimming control panel 30 is different from the first dimming control panel 20 only in that the light shielding adjustment layer 15 is laminated, 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 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 transmit light of one linearly polarized light component with high transmittance and absorb 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 to do. 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. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 may be arranged so that their absorption axes are parallel to each other, that is, in a parallel Nicol 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 light shielding property adjusting layer 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 the formed pattern 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 light shielding adjustment layer 15 will be described. The light shielding property adjusting layer 15 is a layer having a function of diffusing incident light, and specifically, a layer having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40%. This haze value can be measured by a method based on JIS K7136 using a haze meter (manufactured by Murakami Color Research Laboratory, product number: HM-150). According to the light-shielding property adjusting layer 15 having such a haze value, in the dark state shown in FIG. 7, the light incident on the light control device 10 or the leaked light transmitted through the light control sheets 25 and 35 is diffused to darken the light. The light shielding property of the light control device 10 in the state can be improved, and visual recognition via the light control device 10 in the dark state can be effectively prevented. If the haze value of the light-shielding adjustment layer 15 is less than 10%, the light of the fluorescent lamp incident on the light control device 10 from the opposite side of the observer or the reflected light thereof is transmitted through the light control device 10 and the observer. Will be visible. That is, the light control device 10 cannot be provided with a sufficient light shielding property. In addition, when the haze value of the light-shielding adjustment layer 15 is 40% or more, it becomes difficult to visually recognize a person or an object on the side opposite to the observer with respect to the light control device 10 in the bright state shown in FIG. That is, the transparency of the light control device 10 in the bright state is lowered.

  As such a light-shielding property adjusting layer 15, for example, a glass or resin layer having fine irregularities on its surface, such as ground glass, frosted glass, or template glass, or a glass or resin layer having diffusing particles inside is used. Can do. Moreover, as the light-shielding property adjusting layer 15, it is preferable to use a layer having a high visible light transmittance from the viewpoint of sufficient lighting in the bright state shown in FIG.

  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 area Z3 of the sheet 35 faces and the second area Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the fourth area Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 face each other, the first polarizing plate 23 is transmitted. After the light of the linearly polarized light component passes through both the first light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35, the vibration direction is rotated 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 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 light control device 10 has the light-shielding property adjusting layer 15 having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40%. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the light shielding adjustment layer 15 is provided on the surface of the second transparent support plate 31 of the second dimming control panel 30 on the side opposite to the first dimming control panel 20 side. . Therefore, in the dark state of the light control device 10, the light incident on the light control device 10 or the leakage light transmitted through the light control sheets 25 and 35 is diffused to improve the light shielding property of the light control device 10 in the dark state, Visibility through the light control device 10 in the dark state can be hardened.

  Further, as described above, the conventional light control device is not completely shielded even in the dark state, and particularly when the light control device is observed in the dark state, the light control device is viewed from the side opposite to the observer. There has been a problem that incident fluorescent light or reflected light passes through the light control device and is visible to an observer. When the present inventors actually manufactured and confirmed the light control device, according to the light control device 10 provided with the light-shielding property adjusting layer 15 having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40%, such a problem is effective. When the light control device 10 is observed in a dark state, the light of the fluorescent lamp incident on the light control device 10 from the side opposite to the observer or the reflected light thereof is not visually detected. It was.

  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 light shielding adjustment layer 15 is provided on the surface opposite to the first light control panel 20 side of the second transparent support plate 31 of the second light control panel 30. It is not limited to this. As in the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the light shielding adjustment layer 15 may be provided 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. In addition, the second dimming control of the first dimming control panel 25 side of the first dimming control panel 20 or the first dimming control panel 20 side of the first dimming control panel 20. The light shielding property adjusting layer 15 may be provided on the surface opposite to the panel 30 side. Furthermore, the light control layer 15 is formed so that the light shielding adjustment layer 15 forms the surface of the cover panel 40 on the light control panel 20 or 30 side or the surface opposite to the light control panel 20 or 30 side. 20 and 30 may be provided with a separate light-shielding property adjusting layer 15. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the light shielding adjustment layer 15 forms a surface of the cover panel 40 on the light control panel 20 or 30 side. Note that a plurality of light-shielding adjustment layers 15 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, particularly in the examples shown in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, the light shielding adjustment layer 15 is a single layer in the light control panels 20 and 30 or the cover panel 40. Although a certain thing was shown, it is not restricted to this, The light-shielding property adjustment layer 15 may be contained in either of the members which comprise the light control panel 20 and 30 or the cover panel 40. FIG. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the light shielding adjustment layer 15 is included in the first transparent support plate 21 of the first dimming control panel 20 and the second transparent support plate 31 of the second dimming control panel 30. Alternatively, all or part of the transparent support plates 21 and 31 may be formed. Further, the light shielding property adjusting layer 15 may be included in the cover panel 40 so that the light shielding property adjusting layer 15 is separated from the light control panels 20 and 30 so as to form all or part of the cover panel 40.

  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 above-described embodiment, in order to prevent light incident from an oblique direction from passing through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30 in the dark state, the first dimming control panel 20 has a first shape. A positive C plate 52 may be provided at a position between the light control sheet 25 and the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30. Here, the pattern retardation film 200 used as the light control sheets 25 and 35 in the above-described embodiment functions as a positive A plate. According to such a modification, the light control device 10 can be provided with a compensation function for light traveling from the positive C plate 52 to the pattern retardation film 200 functioning as the positive A plate. An example of such a modification is shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, a positive C plate 52 is 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. In the illustrated example, it is effective that light traveling in a direction inclined with respect to the normal direction of the dimming control panels 20 and 30 is transmitted through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30 held in the dark state. Can be prevented.

Here, the positive A plate, 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 satisfies the following relationship optical It is an anisotropic plate.
_nx > _ny = _nz
The positive C plate is an optically anisotropic plate that does not have birefringence in the plane 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 is an optically anisotropic plate that satisfies the following conditions.
_nz > _nx = _ny

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, each of the light control panels 20 and 30 includes a pattern retardation film as the light control sheets 25 and 35 for controlling the polarization state of the transmitted light, and additionally includes polarizing plates 23 and 33. Including examples are shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first region Z1 and the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 are both made of a polarizing plate, provided that the polarizing plate is in the first region Z1 and the second region Z2. The absorption axes may be arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. In this example, the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 are both made of a polarizing plate, provided that the polarizing plate has an absorption axis in the third region Z3 and the fourth region Z4. They are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other. The absorption axis in the first region Z1 of the first light control sheet 25 and the absorption axis in the third region Z3 of the second light control sheet 35 are made parallel. The absorption axis in the second region Z2 of the first light control sheet 25 and the absorption axis in the fourth region Z4 of the second light control sheet 35 are parallel. In this modification, 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 light control sheet The light control device 10 is in a bright state in a state where the 35 fourth regions Z4 face each other. 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 a state where the four regions Z4 face each other, the light control device 10 enters a dark state. In this example, the first polarizing plate 23 and the second polarizing plate 33 described above can be omitted, and the light control device 10 can be simplified.

  In this case, as the polarizer of the polarizing plate, a polarizer obtained by adsorbing iodine or a dichroic dye to polyvinyl alcohol may be used, or a coating type polarizer may be used. The coating type polarizer can be manufactured as follows, for example. First, an aqueous solution containing a flat plate-like dye (manufactured by Optiva; N015) is applied on the pattern alignment film and allowed to dry naturally. Next, it is immersed in a 15 wt% barium chloride aqueous solution for about 1 second. Thereafter, a polarizer is produced by washing.

  In this case, the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 is used to prevent light incident from an oblique direction from passing through the two dimming control panels 20 and 30 in the dark state. The positive A plate 51 and the positive C plate 52 may be provided at a position between the second light control sheet 35 and the second light control sheet 35. According to such a modification, the light control device 10 can be provided with a compensation function for light traveling from the positive C plate 52 side to the positive A plate 51 side. An example of such a modification is shown in FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 12 to FIG. 14, the light traveling in the direction inclined with respect to the normal direction of the dimming control panels 20, 30 passes through the two dimming control panels 20, 30 held in the dark state. Permeation can be effectively prevented.

  In the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 12, the positive C plate 52 and the positive A plate are provided 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. 51 are provided in this order. In the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 13, the positive A plate 51 and the first light control sheet 25 of the first light control panel 20 are disposed on the surface of the first light control sheet 25 on the second light control panel 30 side. In order. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 14, a positive A plate 51 is 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, and the second light control panel 25 is provided. A positive C plate 52 is provided on the surface of the second light control sheet 35 of the light control panel 30 on the first light control panel 20 side.

  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. 15, the surface of the first light control sheet 25 of the first light control panel 20 that faces the second light control panel 30 and the second light control of the second light control panel 30. Both of the surfaces of the sheet 35 facing the first dimming control panel 20 are covered with the functional layer 55. An example of the functional layer 55 is a hard coat layer. The hard coat layer is a surface of the first light control sheet 25 of the first dimming control panel 20 facing the second dimming control panel 30 or the second light control sheet 35 of the second dimming control panel 30. 1 is a layer having a higher scratch resistance than the surface facing the dimming control panel 20, and has a hardness measured by, for example, a pencil hardness test defined in JIS K5600-5-4 (1999). The surface of the first light control sheet 25 of the control panel 20 facing the second light control panel 30 or the surface of the second light control sheet 35 of the second light control panel 30 facing the first light control panel 20. The layer can be harder than the surface. 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. In order to prevent reflection due to reflection at the interface between the air layer 30 and the air layer, a functional layer 55 formed as an antireflection layer (AR layer) can also be used. 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.

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

  As shown in FIG. 16, 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. 16, 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 the relative rotation in the example shown in FIG. 17 matches 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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Light control apparatus 11 Frame 15 Light-shielding adjustment layer 20 1st light control panel 21 1st transparent support plate 22 Bonding layer 23 1st polarizing plate 24 Bonding layer 25 1st light control sheet 30 2nd light control panel 31 1st 2 transparent support plate 32 bonding layer 33 second polarizing plate 34 bonding layer 35 second light control sheet 40 cover panel 51 positive A plate 52 positive C plate 55 functional layer 57 lubricant 58 sealing structure 100 partition member 101 opening 200 pattern Retardation film 210 Base material 220 Pattern orientation film 230 Pattern retardation layer S1 Indoor S2 Outdoor Z1 First region Z2 Second region Z3 Third region Z4 Fourth region

Claims (15)

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 transmittance of light in the visible light wavelength range that passes through both the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel is at a relative position between the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel. Change accordingly,
A light control device provided with a light-shielding property adjusting layer having a haze value of 10% or more and less than 40%. Each of the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel includes a light control sheet that controls a polarization state of transmitted light in a visible light wavelength range,
The light control sheet of the first dimming control panel includes a first region and a second region in which the polarization state of the transmitted light in the visible light wavelength region is controlled to be different from each other and alternately arranged.
The light control sheet of the second dimming control panel includes a third region and a fourth region in which the polarization state of the transmitted light in the visible light wavelength region is controlled to be different from each other and alternately arranged repeatedly. The light control device according to 1. The first dimming control panel has the light control sheet and the polarizing plate in this order from the side close to the second dimming control panel,
The light control sheet of the first dimming control panel is a retardation film that causes transmitted light to generate different phase modulation between the first region and the second region,
The second dimming control panel has the light control sheet and the polarizing plate in this order from the side close to the first dimming control panel,
The light control sheet according to claim 2, wherein the light control sheet of the second light control panel is a retardation film that causes transmitted light to generate different phase modulation between the third region and the fourth region. apparatus.   The dimming according to claim 3, wherein a positive C plate is provided at a position between the polarizing plate of the first dimming control panel and the polarizing plate of the second dimming control panel. apparatus. The light control sheet of the first dimming control panel is a polarizing plate whose absorption axis direction is non-parallel between the first region and the second region,
3. The light control device according to claim 2, wherein the light control sheet of the second light control panel is a polarizing plate whose absorption axis direction is non-parallel between the third region and the fourth region. .   The positive A plate and the positive C plate are provided in a position between the polarizing plate of the first dimming control panel and the polarizing plate of the second dimming control panel. The light control apparatus as described in.   The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the first light control panel and the second light control panel contains an ultraviolet absorber.   The light control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-7 by which the lubricant is provided between the said 1st light control panel and the said 2nd light control panel.   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 1-8 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. The light control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-9 currently formed.   7. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a bonding layer that is disposed between the light control sheet and the light-shielding property adjusting layer and that joins the light control sheet and the light-shielding property adjusting layer. Dimming device. A method for installing the light control device according to claim 1,
An installation method comprising a step of installing the first light control panel and the second light control panel.   The installation method according to claim 12, wherein the light shielding adjustment layer is included in one of the first dimming control panel and the second dimming control panel.   The installation method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of arranging the light-shielding adjustment layer separate from 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 1-11.

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