JP2017106983A - Light control panel and window with light control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a window with a light control function with a heat generation function for removing fogging of the window.SOLUTION: A light control panel 10 comprises: a first substrate 20; a second substrate 40 arranged opposite to the first substrate 20; and a liquid crystal layer 15 arranged between the first substrate 20 and second substrate 40. A transparent electrode 26 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15, a metal auxiliary electrode 22 connected around the transparent electrode 26, and a heat generation conductor (electric conductor) 30 formed of the same material as that of the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 are provided at least on a surface of the first substrate 20 and second substrate 40 facing the liquid crystal layer 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control panel and a window including the light control panel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automobile or the like, a roof provided with a skylight (sunroof) formed of light-transmitting glass or resin for the purpose of improving daylighting is known. When this skylight is made of a highly light transmissive material, it exhibits a high daylighting function.On the other hand, during the daytime in summer, the strong sunlight entering from the skylight makes the passenger feel dazzling or the temperature inside the vehicle. May rise. In order to improve this, it is conceivable to give the skylight a light-shielding property using colored glass or the like, but in this case, the lighting function is lowered. Therefore, in automobiles or the like, it is desired to have a dimming function that can be adjusted so that the skylight has a desired light transmittance.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 discloses a vehicle using a light control panel including a liquid crystal layer in a sunroof or the like of an automobile. In this light control panel, two transparent conductive resin base materials including a transparent conductive layer made of ITO or the like are arranged so that the transparent conductive layers face each other, and a liquid crystal layer is disposed between the transparent conductive layers. It is provided. Then, by turning on and off the application of an electric field to the liquid crystal layer using both transparent conductive layers, the light transmittance in the liquid crystal layer can be adjusted, that is, the light can be adjusted.

  By the way, a defroster device that removes fogging of a window glass in a window glass such as a front window and a rear window of a vehicle is known. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a heating wire made of a tungsten wire is arranged on the entire window glass. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a heating wire arranged on the entire window glass is energized, and the window glass is heated by resistance heating to remove fogging of the window glass or adhere to the window glass. Snow and ice can be melted to ensure the sight of the passenger.

International Publication No. 2011/093339 JP 2013-173402 A

  However, in the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a heat generation function for removing fogging or the like of the window cannot be given to the window having a light control function. That is, there has been no technique for providing a heat generation function for removing fogging or the like of a window to a window having a dimming function.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heat generation function for removing fogging or the like of a window to a window having a dimming function.

The light control panel with a heat generation function according to the present invention is:
A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a metal auxiliary electrode connected to the periphery of the transparent electrode on the surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer And a heat-generating conductor made of the same material as that of the metal auxiliary electrode.

The light control panel with a heat generation function according to the present invention is:
A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a heat generating conductive material electrically connected to the transparent electrode on the surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. Body.

  The window by this invention is equipped with the above-mentioned light control panel with a heat generating function.

  A vehicle according to the present invention includes the above-described light control panel with a heat generation function.

The light control panel according to the present invention comprises:
A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer of at least one of the first base material and the second base material, and a metal auxiliary electrode connected to the periphery of the transparent electrode, and A conductor made of the same material as the metal auxiliary electrode is provided.

The light control panel according to the present invention comprises:
A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a conductor electrically connected to the transparent electrode on the surface side facing the liquid crystal layer of either the first base material or the second base material; Is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the heat_generation | fever function for removing the cloudiness etc. of a window can be provided to the window which has a light control function.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a vehicle provided with a light control panel with a heat generation function, for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 schematically shows an automobile provided with a light control panel with a heat generation function as an example of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a view of a window having a light control panel with a heat generation function as viewed from the normal direction of the plate surface. FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section corresponding to line III-III of the window of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a modification of the light control panel with a window and a heat generation function. FIG. 10 is a view showing a cross section corresponding to line XX of the window and the light control panel with a heat generation function in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another modification of the window and the light control panel with a heat generation function. FIG. 12 is a view showing a cross section corresponding to line XII-XII of the light control panel with the window and the heat generation function of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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 this specification, the terms “plate”, “panel”, “sheet”, and “film” are not distinguished from each other based solely on the difference in designation. For example, “panel” is a concept that includes members that can be called plates, sheets, and films. Therefore, “light control panel” means “light control plate”, “light control sheet”, “light control”. It cannot be distinguished from a member called “film” only by the difference in designation.

  The “sheet surface (panel surface, plate surface, film surface)” is a target when the target sheet-like (plate shape, panel shape, film shape) member is viewed as a whole and globally. It refers to the surface that matches the planar direction of the sheet-like member (plate-like member, panel-like member, film-like member).

  Furthermore, 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. Without being bound by meaning, it should be interpreted including the extent to which similar functions can be expected.

  1 to 15 are diagrams for explaining one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an automobile equipped with a light control panel with a heat generation function, and FIG. 2 is a view of the light control panel with a heat generation function as viewed from the normal direction to the plate surface. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the light control panel with a heat generation function of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile 1 as an example of a vehicle has windows such as a front window, a rear window, a side window, and a sunroof (skylight). Here, an example is shown in which the sunroof (skylight) constitutes the window 5 having the light control panel 10 with a heat generation function.

<Window>
FIG. 2 shows the window 5 viewed from the normal direction to the plate surface. Moreover, the cross section corresponding to the III-III line of the window 5 of FIG. 2 is shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the window 5 includes a transparent substrate 7 and a light control panel 10 laminated with the transparent substrate 7. In the illustrated example, the light control panel 10 is bonded to the transparent substrate 7 via a bonding layer (not illustrated). As the bonding layer, a layer made of a material having various adhesiveness or tackiness can be used.

<< Transparent substrate >>
As the transparent substrate 7, those made of various materials that can function as windows can be used. For example, as the transparent substrate 7, glass, resin, or the like having a high visible light transmittance can be used so as not to disturb the lighting by the window 5. Examples of the glass include soda lime glass (soda glass, blue plate glass), borosilicate glass, quartz glass, potash glass and the like. Examples of the resin include polycarbonate and acrylic. The visible light transmittance of the transparent substrate 7 is preferably 70% or more. More preferably, the transparent substrate 7 has a visible light transmittance of 90% or more. Here, the visible light transmittance is measured using a spectrophotometer (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation “UV-3100PC”, JIS K 0115 compliant product) within a measurement wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm. It is specified as the average value of transmittance. Note that the visible light transmittance of the transparent substrate 7 may be lowered by coloring a part or the whole of the transparent substrate 7. As an example, the thickness of the transparent substrate 7 can be 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

<< Dimmer panel with heat generation function >>
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the dimming panel 10 is disposed on the opposite side of the first stacked body 11 and the second stacked body 12 disposed opposite to each other and the second stacked body 12 of the first stacked body 11. The first polarizing plate 13, the second polarizing plate 14 disposed on the opposite side of the second stacked body 12 from the first stacked body 11, and the first stacked body 11 and the second stacked body 12 are disposed. Liquid crystal layer 15. That is, the light control panel 10 has the 1st polarizing plate 13, the 1st laminated body 11, the liquid crystal layer 15, the 2nd laminated body 12, and the 2nd polarizing plate 14 in order from the transparent substrate 7 side. Actually, between the first stacked body 11 and the second stacked body 12, a spacer for maintaining a predetermined distance between the first stacked body 11 and the second stacked body 12, or a liquid crystal layer In many cases, a sealing material or the like is provided to prevent the liquid crystal material forming the leakage from leaking out, but these are not shown.

<<< laminate >>>
The first stacked body 11 includes a first base 20 and a first transparent electrode 26 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15 provided on the surface of the first base 20 facing the second stacked body 12. The first metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the conductor 30 are connected around the transparent electrode 26. Here, a case where the conductor is constituted by a heat generating conductor will be described. The first metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the heat generating conductor (conductor) 30 are formed of the same material, and the first metal auxiliary electrode 22 is formed in a frame shape so as to surround the heat generating conductor 30. An insulating layer 24 for insulating the heat generating conductor 30 and the first transparent electrode 26 is provided between the heat generating conductor 30 and the first transparent electrode 26. Further, a first alignment film 28 is provided on the first transparent electrode 26. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the first stacked body 11 includes the heat generating conductor 30 and the first metal auxiliary electrode 22 provided on the surface of the first base material 20 facing the second stacked body 12, the heat generating electrode. An insulating layer 24 provided so as to cover a surface and a side surface of the conductor 30 facing the second stacked body 12, a first metal auxiliary electrode 22, a first transparent electrode 26 provided on the insulating layer 24, a first transparent A first alignment film 28 provided on the electrode 26 is included. Note that a pair of bus bars 35 connected to the heat-generating conductor 30 and lead wires 37 that connect the bus bars 35 and the terminal portions 39 are provided on the first base material 20 of the first laminate 11. ing.

  The second stacked body 12 includes a second base 40 and a second transparent electrode 46 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15 provided on the surface of the second base 40 facing the first stacked body 11. The first alignment film 28 provided on the second metal auxiliary electrode 42, the first transparent electrode 26, and the second metal auxiliary electrode 42 connected to the periphery of the transparent electrode 46 is provided. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the second stacked body 12 includes the second transparent electrode 46, the second metal auxiliary electrode 42, and the second provided on the surface of the second base material 40 facing the first stacked body 11. A second alignment film 48 provided on the transparent electrode 46 and the second metal auxiliary electrode 42 is provided.

<<<<< Base Material >>>>
The base materials 20 and 40 function as a support for supporting the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42. The base materials 20 and 40 are transparent or semi-transparent so as not to disturb the lighting by the window 5. The base materials 20 and 40 preferably have a visible light transmittance of 90% or more. In addition, from the viewpoint of securing the heat-generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 and ensuring good light transmission, the thickness of the base materials 20 and 40 is preferably 30 μm or more and 200 μm or less. it can.

  Examples of the material of the base materials 20 and 40 include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, and triacetyl cellulose (cellulose triacetate). A material that can function as a dielectric, such as a resin sheet made of a cellulose-based resin or a polycarbonate resin, an inorganic material made of glass, ceramics, or the like can be used.

<<<<< Heating conductor >>>>
The heat generating conductor 30 is energized from a power source such as a battery through the terminal portion 39, the lead wiring 37 and the bus bar 35, and has a function of generating heat by resistance heating. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the heating conductor 30 has a plurality of heating conductors 31 that connect a pair of bus bars 35. In the illustrated example, each heat conducting wire 31 extends from one bus bar 35 to the other bus bar 35. The plurality of heat conducting wires 31 are arranged away from each other in a direction non-parallel to the extending direction of the heat conducting wires 31. In other words, the heat generating conductors 30 are arranged apart from each other along the first direction (X) and extend along a second direction (Y) that is non-parallel to the first direction (X). A heat conducting wire 31 is provided. In particular, each heat conducting wire 31 has a linear pattern and extends from one bus bar 35 to the other bus bar 35 along the second direction (Y). In the illustrated example, the first direction (X) and the second direction (Y) are orthogonal to each other.

  Each heat conducting wire 31 has an amplitude in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the heat conducting wire 31 (second direction (Y)) in addition to a linear pattern, such as a wavy line, a broken line shape, or a sinusoidal pattern. In particular, it may extend between the pair of bus bars 35 with an amplitude in a direction (first direction (X)) orthogonal to the extending direction (second direction (Y)) of the heat-generating conductor 31. . Further, the heat generating conductor 30 may have other patterns such as a mesh pattern that defines a large number of openings. Examples of the mesh pattern include a pattern in which openings such as a triangular shape, a quadrangular shape, and a hexagonal shape (honeycomb shape) are regularly arranged, and an irregular pattern such as a Voronoi pattern.

  Examples of the material for forming the heat generating conductor 30 include metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, tungsten, and nickel- A chromium alloy, brass, bronze, or an alloy containing one or more of these metals can be used. Moreover, the width | variety along the sheet | seat surface of the base material 20 of the heat_generation | fever conducting wire 31 can be 1 micrometer or more and 30 micrometers or less, for example. Moreover, the height (thickness) along the normal line direction to the sheet | seat surface of the base material 20 of the heat generating conducting wire 31 can be 0.05 micrometer or more and 30 micrometers or less, for example.

<<<<< Metal Auxiliary Electrode >>>>
The metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 are connected to the transparent electrodes 26 and 46 and have a function of energizing the transparent electrodes 26 and 46. In particular, in the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 are formed in a frame shape so as to surround the heat-generating conductor 30. The metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 are formed of a metal material. Examples of the metal material include gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, and tungsten, and nickel-chromium alloy, brass, bronze, or these metals. An alloy containing one or more of the above can be used. In particular, in the illustrated example, the heat generating conductor 30 and the first metal auxiliary electrode 22 are formed of the same material.

  For example, the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 may be formed of a solid pattern of a metal material, or may be formed of a mesh pattern having a large number of openings in the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42. When the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 are formed in a solid pattern, the electric resistance value of the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 can be lowered, and the conductivity to the transparent electrodes 26 and 46 can be improved. Further, when the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 are formed in a mesh pattern having a large number of openings, the presence of the large number of openings can impart light transparency to the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42. Thereby, the lighting property of the light control panel 10 which has the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 can be improved. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 may have any pattern as long as they have a function of energizing the transparent electrodes 26 and 46.

  Moreover, the width along the sheet surface of the base materials 20 and 40 of the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 can be set to 1 μm or more, for example. Moreover, the height (thickness) along the normal line direction to the sheet | seat surface of the base materials 20 and 40 of the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 can be 0.05 micrometer or more and 30 micrometers or less, for example.

  The heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42 formed of the same material as described above can be formed by, for example, gold, silver, copper, platinum, vapor deposition, sputtering, foil transfer, coating, or the like. A base material 20 is a metal film containing a metal such as aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, tungsten, and a nickel-chromium alloy, brass, bronze, or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. , 40 and this metal film can be formed by etching with a desired pattern of the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrodes 22, 42.

<<<<< Insulating layer >>>>
The insulating layer 24 has a function of insulating the heat generating conductor 30 and the transparent electrode 26. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the insulating layer 24 is provided so as to cover the heat conducting wire 31 of the heat generating conductor 30. In particular, the insulating layer 24 is provided so as to cover the surface and the side surface opposite to the base material 20 of the heat generating conductor 31 of the heat generating conductor 30. The insulating layer 24 may be provided so as to cover either or both of the bus bar 35 and the lead wiring 37 provided on the base material 20. In addition, at least a part of the metal auxiliary electrode 22 and at least a part of the terminal portion 39 formed so as to surround the heat conducting wire 31 of the heat generating conductor 30 are exposed from the insulating layer 24. In particular, in the illustrated example, the entire metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the entire terminal portion 39 are exposed from the insulating layer 24.

  The height (thickness) of the insulating layer 24 from the base material 20 can be, for example, 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. Moreover, the height (thickness) of the insulating layer 24 from the heat conducting wire 31 of the heat generating conductor 30 can be set to, for example, 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The material of the insulating layer 24 is not particularly limited as long as it is an insulating and light-transmitting material. For example, a material that can function as a dielectric, such as glass, thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, or rubber, is used. be able to. The insulating layer 24 having a desired pattern can be formed by patterning using a photolithography technique, a screen printing method, an ink jet method, or the like.

<<<<< Transparent electrode >>>>
The transparent electrodes 26 and 46 have a function of driving the liquid crystal layer 15 when energized through the metal auxiliary electrodes 22 and 42. Here, “driving” the liquid crystal layer 15 means changing the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15. For example, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 can be changed by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 15 using the transparent electrodes 26 and 46.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the transparent electrode 26 is provided so as to cover the metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the insulating layer 24, and the transparent electrode 46 is formed on the base material 40 between the metal auxiliary electrodes 42. It is connected to the auxiliary electrode 42. The transparent electrode 46 may be provided so as to cover at least a part of the surface of the metal auxiliary electrode 42 opposite to the base 40. Examples of the material of the transparent electrodes 26 and 46 include ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), AZO (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide), GZO (Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide), and ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide). ZNO (Zinc Oxide) or the like can be used. The thickness of the transparent electrodes 26 and 46 can be set to, for example, 5 nm or more and 300 nm or less. The transparent electrodes 26 and 46 may be formed by, for example, a physical vapor deposition method (PVD method) such as a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, or an ion plating method, a chemical vapor deposition method (CVD method), or a combination thereof. It can be formed using a method combining the above.

<<<<< Alignment film >>>>
The alignment films 28 and 48 have a function of aligning liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the alignment film 28 is provided so as to cover the transparent electrode 26, and the alignment film 48 is provided so as to cover the metal auxiliary electrode 42 and the transparent electrode 46. The material of the alignment films 28 and 48 is not particularly limited as long as the liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer 15 can be aligned. For the alignment films 28 and 48, for example, a resin layer is formed on the transparent electrodes 26 and 46 using a resin material including polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl phenol, polyester, nylon, and the like, and irradiation with ultraviolet rays and electron beams is performed. Or it can form by hardening the said resin layer by heating etc. and giving a rubbing process after that. Thereby, the alignment films 28 and 48 can be given a function of aligning liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 in the rubbing direction. The thickness of the alignment films 28 and 48 can be, for example, 30 nm or more and 150 nm or less.

<<< Liquid Crystal Layer >>>
The liquid crystal layer 15 includes liquid crystal molecules, and the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 15 is changed by changing the direction of the liquid crystal molecules. In particular, when an electric field is applied by the transparent electrodes 26 and 46, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 changes, and thereby the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 15 changes. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 15 can be, for example, 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

<<< Polarizing plate >>>
The polarizing plates 13 and 14 have a function of decomposing incident light into two orthogonal polarization components, transmitting the polarization component in one direction, and absorbing the polarization component in the other direction orthogonal to the one direction. It has a polarizer.

  For example, when the window 5 is disposed so that the transparent substrate 7 is on the outside, that is, when external light is incident from the transparent substrate 7 side of the window 5, the light is transmitted through the polarizing plate 13 disposed on the light incident side. For example, the polarized component in the specific direction (direction parallel to the transmission axis) is applied with an electric field by rotating the polarization direction by 90 ° when passing through the liquid crystal layer 15 applied with an electric field by the transparent electrodes 26 and 46. The polarization direction is maintained when passing through the liquid crystal layer 15 that is not. For this reason, depending on whether or not an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15 by the transparent electrodes 26 and 46, the polarization component in a specific direction transmitted through the polarizing plate 13 further transmits through the polarizing plate 14 disposed on the light output side of the liquid crystal layer 15. Alternatively, it is possible to control whether the light is absorbed and blocked by the polarizing plate 14.

  The light control panel 10 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be provided with other functional layers expected to exhibit a specific function. One functional layer may exhibit two or more functions. For example, the polarizing plates 13 and 14 of the light control panel 10, the base materials 20 and 40 of the laminates 11 and 12, the insulating layer 24, and the like. A function may be given to at least one of the above. Examples of functions that can be imparted to the light control panel 10 include an antireflection (AR) function, a hard coat (HC) function having scratch resistance, an infrared shielding (reflection) function, an ultraviolet shielding (reflection) function, and polarization. Examples thereof include functions and antifouling functions. Further, a specific function may be imparted to the transparent substrate 7 by providing a functional layer on the transparent substrate 7 of the window 5.

  Next, an example of the manufacturing method of the light control panel 10 with a heat generating function demonstrated above is demonstrated.

  First, a method for producing the first stacked body 11 will be described. A heat generating conductor 30 and a metal auxiliary electrode 22 are formed on the substrate 20. Specifically, first, the base material 20 is prepared. Examples of the base material 20 include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene, cellulose resins such as triacetyl cellulose (cellulose triacetate), polycarbonate resins, and the like. A material that can function as a dielectric, such as a resin sheet made of glass, an inorganic material made of glass, ceramics, or the like, can be used.

  Next, a metal layer to be the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22 later is formed on the substrate 20. This metal layer is made of, for example, a metal such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, titanium, palladium, indium, tungsten, nickel-chromium alloy, brass, bronze, or these metals. For example, a physical vapor deposition method (PVD method) such as a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, or an ion plating method, a chemical vapor deposition method (CVD method), a plating method, etc. It can be formed by using a liquid phase growth method, sticking of a metal foil produced by rolling or the like, or a method combining these two or more.

  The metal layer is patterned using a known photolithography technique so as to have a desired pattern of the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22, thereby generating heat on the base material 20 made of the same material. The conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22 are formed simultaneously. FIG. 4 shows a structure in which the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22 are formed on the base material 20. Note that at least one of the bus bar 35, the lead-out wiring 37, and the terminal portion 39 may be formed simultaneously with the formation of the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22. That is, the metal layer is patterned to have at least one pattern of the bus bar 35, the lead-out wiring 37, and the terminal portion 39 in addition to the pattern of the heat generating conductor 30 and the metal auxiliary electrode 22, and on the base material 20, The heat-generating conductor 30, the metal auxiliary electrode 22, and at least one of the bus bar 35, the lead-out wiring 37, and the terminal portion 39 that are made of the same material may be formed at the same time.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the insulating layer 24 is formed on the heat conducting wire 31 of the heat generating conductor 30. At this time, the insulating layer 24 may be provided so as to cover either or both of the bus bar 35 and the lead wiring 37 provided on the base material 20. At least a part of the metal auxiliary electrode 22 formed so as to surround the heat conducting wire 31 of the heat generating conductor 30 and at least a part of the terminal portion 39 of the heat generating conductor 30 are exposed from the insulating layer 24. To do. In particular, the entire metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the entire terminal portion 39 are exposed from the insulating layer 24. The insulating layer 24 includes, for example, glass, a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, rubber, and the like, and can be formed using patterning using a photolithography technique, a screen printing method, an inkjet method, or the like.

  Next, a transparent electrode 26 is formed on the metal auxiliary electrode 22 and the insulating layer 24. FIG. 6 shows the case where the transparent electrode 26 is formed. Examples of the transparent electrode 26 include ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), AZO (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide), GZO (Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide), and ZNO ( Zinc Oxide) or the like can be used. The transparent electrode 26 is, for example, a physical vapor deposition method (PVD method) such as a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, or an ion plating method, a chemical vapor deposition method (CVD method), or a combination of two or more thereof. It can be formed using a method.

  Next, an alignment film 28 is formed on the transparent electrode 26. As the alignment film 28, for example, a resin material containing polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl phenol, polyester, nylon, or the like can be used. The alignment film 28 can be formed, for example, by forming a resin layer on the transparent electrode 26, curing the resin layer by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, electron beams, heating, or the like, and then performing a rubbing process. Thereby, the 1st laminated body 11 shown in FIG. 7 is producible.

  The second laminate 12 can omit the formation of the heat generating conductor (bus bar, lead-out wiring, terminal portion) and the insulating layer forming step in the step of forming the heat generating conductor and the metal auxiliary electrode on the base material. Others can be manufactured in the same manner as the first stacked body 11.

  In order to fabricate the light control panel 10 using the laminates 11 and 12 obtained as described above, for example, the laminate 11 in which the alignment films 28 and 48 are arranged so as to face each other through a spacer and a sealing material. , 12 is injected with a liquid crystal material forming a liquid crystal layer and sealed. Then, the 1st polarizing plate 13 is provided on the surface on the opposite side to the 2nd base material 40 of the 1st base material 20, and the 2nd polarizing plate is provided on the surface on the opposite side to the 1st base material 20 of the 2nd base material 40. 14 is provided. Thereby, the light control panel 10 shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained.

  Next, the operation of the light control panel 10 having the above configuration will be described.

  Here, an example will be described in which the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is lower in a state where no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15 than in a state where an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15. In this case, in a state where no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15, the visible light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is, for example, 1% or less. When a signal for increasing the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is input to the control unit by a passenger's switch operation or the like, the control unit applies a voltage to the transparent electrodes 26 and 46. As a result, an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 15, and the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 changes to change the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 15. Thereby, the transmittance | permeability in the polarizing plate 14 of the polarizing component of the specific direction which permeate | transmitted the polarizing plate 13 changes, and the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 changes. In particular, the transmittance of the polarizing component in a specific direction that has passed through the polarizing plate 13 is increased in the polarizing plate 14, and the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is increased. As an example, the visible light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is 30% or more. Therefore, the light control panel 10 comes to exhibit favorable lighting characteristics.

  When a signal indicating that the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is lowered is input to the control unit by an occupant's switch operation or the like in a state where the light control panel 10 has a high light transmittance, the control unit receives the transparent electrode 26, Application of voltage to 46 is stopped. As a result, the application of the electric field to the liquid crystal layer 15 is released, and the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 changes, whereby the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 15 changes. Thereby, the transmittance | permeability in the polarizing plate 14 of the polarizing component of the specific direction which permeate | transmitted the polarizing plate 13 changes, and the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 changes. In particular, the transmittance of the polarizing component 14 in a specific direction that has passed through the polarizing plate 13 is low, and the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 is low. Therefore, the light control panel 10 comes out with favorable light-shielding property.

  The heat generating conductor 30 of the light control panel 10 is energized from a power source such as a battery through the terminal portion 39, the lead wiring 37 and the bus bar 35, and is generated by this heat generated in the heat generating conductor 30 which generates heat by resistance heating. The window 5 is warmed. Thereby, the cloudiness by the dew condensation adhering to the window 5 can be removed. In addition, when snow or ice is attached to the window 5, the snow or ice can be melted. Therefore, the light control panel 10 and the window 5 exhibit favorable lighting properties.

  The light control panel 10 of this Embodiment demonstrated above is the 1st base material 20, the 2nd base material 40 arrange | positioned facing the 1st base material 20, the 1st base material 20, and the 2nd base. A liquid crystal layer 15 disposed between the materials 40, and on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 15 of either the first base material 20 or the second base material 40, the driving transparent of the liquid crystal layer 15 is provided. The electrode 26, the metal auxiliary electrode 22 connected around the transparent electrode 26, and a heat-generating conductor (conductor) 30 made of the same material as the metal auxiliary electrode 22 are provided.

  According to such a light control panel 10, it is possible to provide a heat generation function for removing fogging of windows and the like.

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

  FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a modification of the window 5 and the light control panel 10 with a heat generation function, and FIG. 10 is a cross section corresponding to the line XX of the window 5 and the light control panel 10 with a heat generation function in FIG. FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the light control panel 10 has a first driving liquid crystal layer 15 on the side facing the liquid crystal layer 15 of either the first base material 20 or the second base material 20. A transparent electrode 26 and a heat-generating conductor (conductor) 30 electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 26 are provided. In particular, in the illustrated example, the first transparent electrode 26 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15 and the heat generation electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 26 are provided on the surface of the first substrate 20 facing the liquid crystal layer 15. A conductor (conductor) 30 is provided.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the heat generating conductor 30 is formed in a mesh pattern having a large number of openings. In particular, the heat generating conductor 30 is formed in a mesh pattern in which a large number of rectangular openings are regularly arranged. However, the heating conductor 30 is not limited to this, and has a pattern in which openings such as a triangular shape or a hexagonal shape (honeycomb shape) are regularly arranged, or an irregular pattern such as a Voronoi pattern. May be. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 2, a plurality of heat conductive wires 31 having a pattern such as a straight line, a wavy line, a broken line, or a sine wave and extending from one bus bar 35 to the other bus bar 35 are provided. It may be.

  The heat generating conductor 30 exhibits a heat generating function for removing fogging of the window and the like, and also exhibits a current supplying function to the first transparent electrode 26 electrically connected to the heat generating conductor 30. That is, the first transparent electrode 26 can be energized via the heat generating conductor 30, and an electric field can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 15 by the first transparent electrode 26 and the second transparent electrode 46. When a heating voltage is applied to the heating conductor 30, a voltage gradient is generated in the heating conductor 30. Then, for example, a voltage gradient having the same gradient as the voltage gradient in the heat generating conductor 30 is generated in the second transparent electrode 46, so that the gap between the first transparent electrode 26 and the second transparent electrode 46 is generated. The potential difference can be made uniform as a whole. Thereby, the heat generating conductor 30 can exhibit a heat generating function and a current supplying function to the first transparent electrode 26.

  According to such a modification of the light control panel 10, the heat generating conductor 30 has both a heat generating function for removing fogging of the window and the like and a function of energizing the first transparent electrode 26. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an insulating layer (insulating layer 24) for insulating the heat generating conductor 30 and the first transparent electrode 26, and the manufacture of the light control panel 10 is simplified. In addition, since the heat generating conductor 30 has a function of energizing the first transparent electrode 26, it is possible not to provide a separate metal auxiliary electrode (first metal auxiliary electrode 22). However, the manufacture of the light control panel 10 is simplified. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the light control panel 10 can be reduced.

  The light control panel 10 which concerns on the modification demonstrated above is the 1st base material 20, the 2nd base material 40 arrange | positioned facing the 1st base material 20, the 1st base material 20, and the 2nd base material. Liquid crystal layer 15 disposed between the first substrate 20 and the first substrate 20 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15 on the side facing the liquid crystal layer 15 of either the first substrate 20 or the second substrate 40. A transparent electrode 26 and a heat-generating conductor (conductor) 30 electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 26 are provided.

  According to such a light control panel 10, the heat generation function for removing the fogging of a window etc. can be provided to the window which has a light control function.

  Next, another modification of the window 5 and the light control panel 10 with a heat generation function will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. 11 is a plan view showing another modification of the window 5 and the light control panel 10, and FIG. 12 is a view showing a cross section corresponding to the XII-XII line of the window 5 and the light control panel 10 of FIG. is there.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the light control panel 10 includes a liquid crystal layer 15 partitioned into a plurality on the surface side facing the liquid crystal layer 15 of one of the first base material 20 and the second base material 20. A first transparent electrode for driving 26 and a heat-generating conductor (conductor) 30 provided corresponding to each first transparent electrode 26 and electrically connected to the corresponding first transparent electrode 26 are provided. ing. In particular, in the illustrated example, the first transparent electrode 26 for driving the liquid crystal layer 15 divided into a plurality of sections and the first transparent electrodes 26 are provided on the surface of the first substrate 20 facing the liquid crystal layer 15. A heat-generating conductor (conductor) 30 that is provided correspondingly and electrically connected to the corresponding first transparent electrode 26 is provided.

  In the illustrated example, the first transparent electrode 26 is divided into two along the first direction (X). In addition, the 1st transparent electrode 26 is not restricted to what was divided into two, You may be divided into three or more. The plurality of first transparent electrodes 26 are not limited to those arranged along the first direction (X), and may be arranged along the second direction (Y), or may be arranged along the first direction (X). And it may be arranged two-dimensionally along the second direction (Y).

  In the illustrated example, each heating conductor 30 is formed in a mesh pattern having a large number of openings. In particular, each heat generating conductor 30 is formed in a mesh pattern in which a large number of rectangular openings are regularly arranged. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each of the heat generating conductors 30 has a pattern in which openings such as a triangular shape or a hexagonal shape (honeycomb shape) are regularly arranged, or an irregular pattern such as a Voronoi pattern. It may be. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 2, a plurality of heat conductive wires 31 having a pattern such as a straight line, a wavy line, a broken line, or a sine wave and extending from one bus bar 35 to the other bus bar 35 are provided. It may be.

  Each of the heat generating conductors 30 exhibits a heat generating function for removing fogging of the window and the like, and also exhibits a power supplying function to the first transparent electrode 26 electrically connected to each heat generating conductor 30. That is, it is possible to energize the first transparent electrode 26 through each heat generating conductor 30 and apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 15 by the first transparent electrode 26 and the second transparent electrode 46. When a heating voltage is applied to the heating conductor 30, a voltage gradient is generated in the heating conductor 30. Then, for example, a voltage gradient having the same gradient as the voltage gradient in the heat generating conductor 30 is generated in the second transparent electrode 46, so that the gap between the first transparent electrode 26 and the second transparent electrode 46 is generated. The potential difference can be made uniform as a whole. Thereby, the heat generating conductor 30 can exhibit a heat generating function and a current supplying function to the first transparent electrode 26.

  According to such another modification of the light control panel 10, the heat generating conductor 30 has both a heat generation function for removing fogging of the window and the like and a function of energizing the first transparent electrode 26. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an insulating layer (insulating layer 24) for insulating the heat generating conductor 30 and the first transparent electrode 26, and the manufacture of the light control panel 10 is simplified. Further, since each of the heat generating conductors 30 has a function of energizing the corresponding first transparent electrode 26, it is possible not to provide a metal auxiliary electrode (first metal auxiliary electrode 22) separately. This also simplifies the manufacture of the light control panel 10. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the light control panel 10 can be reduced.

  In addition, since the voltage applied to the corresponding first transparent electrode 26 via each heat generating conductor 30 can be controlled for each first transparent electrode 26, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer 15 can be controlled. Control can be performed corresponding to each first transparent electrode 26. Therefore, the light transmitted through the light control panel 10 can be adjusted in units of the first transparent electrodes 26.

  The light control panel 10 which concerns on the other modification demonstrated above is the 1st base material 20, the 2nd base material 40 arrange | positioned facing the 1st base material 20, the 1st base material 20, and the 2nd. A liquid crystal layer 15 disposed between the base materials 40, and a liquid crystal layer partitioned into a plurality on the surface side facing the liquid crystal layer 15 of either the first base material 20 or the second base material 40. 15 driving first transparent electrodes 26 and heat-generating conductors (conductors) 30 provided corresponding to the first transparent electrodes 26 and electrically connected to the corresponding first transparent electrodes 26. Is provided.

  According to such a light control panel 10, the heat generation function for removing the fogging of a window etc. can be provided to the window which has a light control function.

  As yet another modification, in the above-described embodiment, the transparent substrate 7 is disposed only on one side of the light control panel 10 in the window 5, but the transparent substrate 7 is disposed on both surfaces of the light control panel 10. It may be. For example, in the example described with reference to FIG. 3, not only the surface of the light control panel 10 on the upper surface side (the side opposite to the first base material 20 of the first polarizing plate 13) but also the lower surface side (the second polarizing plate 14). The transparent substrate 7 may also be provided on the surface opposite to the second base material 40.

  As yet another modification, in the above-described embodiment, the first laminated body 11 is provided with the heat generating conductor 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat generating conductor 30 is not limited to the second laminated body. 12 may be provided.

  As another modification, in the example described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, the metal auxiliary electrode of the stacked body (first stacked body 11) provided with the heat generating conductor 30 is omitted. The metal auxiliary electrode (first metal auxiliary electrode 22) is provided on the laminated body (first laminated body 11) on the side where the heat generating conductor 30 is provided, and the metal auxiliary electrode is used as a transparent electrode (first transparent electrode). It may be connected to the electrode 26).

  As another modification, in the example described with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, only the first transparent electrode 26 is divided into a plurality of parts. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second transparent electrode 46 is also divided into a plurality of parts. It may be. In particular, the second transparent electrode 46 may be partitioned so as to have a pattern corresponding to the first transparent electrode 26.

  As yet another modification, in the above-described embodiment, the light control panel 10 is switched between two states of high light transmittance and low light state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the operation or the like, the light transmittance of the light control panel 10 may be increased stepwise or continuously, or may be decreased stepwise or continuously.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the conductor is constituted by the heat-generating conductor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the conductor is provided outside the vehicle with a detection electrode having a contact detection (touch sensor) function. You may comprise with other conductors, such as an antenna conductor which has the function of transmitting / receiving a signal between apparatuses.

  The light control panel 10 with a heat generation function may be used for a rear window or a side window of the automobile 1. Moreover, you may use for the windows of vehicles other than a motor vehicle, such as a railway vehicle, an aircraft, a ship, and a spacecraft. Furthermore, the light control panel 10 with a heat generating function can be used not only for a vehicle but also for a part that divides a room and an outdoor area, such as a building or a store, a transparent part of a house window or a door.

  In addition, although the some modification with respect to embodiment mentioned above was demonstrated above, naturally, it is also possible to apply combining several modifications suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automobile 5 Window 7 Transparent substrate 10 Dimming panel 11 with a heat generating function 11 1st laminated body 12 2nd laminated body 13 1st polarizing plate 14 2nd polarizing plate 15 Liquid crystal layer 20 1st base material 22 1st metal auxiliary electrode 24 Insulation Layer 26 First transparent electrode 28 First alignment film 30 Heat-generating conductor (conductor)
31 Exothermic conducting wire 35 Bus bar 37 Lead wire 39 Terminal part 40 Second base material 42 Second metal auxiliary electrode 46 Second transparent electrode 48 Second alignment film

Claims (6)

A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a metal auxiliary electrode connected to the periphery of the transparent electrode on the surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer And a heat-controlling light-control panel provided with a heat-generating conductor made of the same material as the metal auxiliary electrode. A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a heat generating conductive material electrically connected to the transparent electrode on the surface of the first substrate and the second substrate facing the liquid crystal layer. A light control panel with a heat generation function.   The window provided with the light control panel with a heat generation function of Claim 1 or 2.   A vehicle comprising the light control panel with a heat generation function according to claim 1. A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer of at least one of the first base material and the second base material, and a metal auxiliary electrode connected to the periphery of the transparent electrode, and A light control panel provided with a conductor formed of the same material as the metal auxiliary electrode. A first substrate;
A second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate;
A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first base material and the second base material,
A transparent electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer, and a conductor electrically connected to the transparent electrode on the surface side facing the liquid crystal layer of either the first base material or the second base material; A light control panel.

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