JP2018060128A - Lighting control film and driving method of lighting control film - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting control film capable of changing a transmission factor in a film plane to add a light-dark variation, and a driving method of the lighting control film.SOLUTION: A lighting control film includes: a first electrode 22A and a second electrode 22B arranged facing to each other; a lighting control material arranged between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B and configured to change a transmission factor by a potential difference between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B; and a potential difference gradient formation part configured to apply a gradient to the potential difference in a direction in which the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B extend. Applying the gradient to the potential difference allows the transmission factor to have a difference in a plane of the lighting control film so as to add a light-dark variation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control film that can be used for an electronic blind that is attached to a window to control the transmission of external light, for example, and a method of driving the light control film.

  Conventionally, for example, a light control film that can be used for an electronic blind or the like that is attached to a window to control the transmission of external light has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). One such light control film uses liquid crystal. A light control film using liquid crystal is manufactured by sandwiching a liquid crystal material with a transparent plate material including a transparent electrode and, for example, by sandwiching the liquid crystal cell with a linear polarizing plate. This light control film changes the orientation of the liquid crystal by changing the electric field applied between the transparent electrodes, and controls the amount of transmitted extraneous light.

  When a potential difference is applied between the transparent electrodes in such a light control film, the transmittance changes according to the potential difference, but the transmittance on the light control film surface is substantially constant.

JP 03-47392 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-184273

However, in recent years, there has been a demand for a light control film and a method of driving the light control film that can diversify the use of the light control film, change the transmittance on the film surface, and change the brightness in the surface.
This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, providing the light control film which can change the transmittance | permeability in a film surface, and can change light and dark, and the drive method of a light control film Objective.

The present inventor has intensively studied in order to solve the above problems, and has completed the present invention.
Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

  (1) The first electrode and the second electrode that are arranged opposite to each other, and arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the transmittance due to the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. A light control film comprising: a light control material that changes the potential difference; and a potential difference gradient forming portion that provides a gradient in the potential difference in a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend.

  (2) The light control film according to (1), wherein the first electrode is divided into a plurality of regions, and the potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source capable of supplying different potentials to the divided regions.

  (3) The light control film according to (1), wherein the potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source that provides a potential difference at two different points on the first electrode.

  (4) The light control film according to (1), wherein the potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source that supplies an AC voltage having a variable frequency to the first electrode.

  (5) The first electrode and the second electrode that are arranged to face each other, and arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the transmittance due to the potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. A method for driving a light control film, comprising: a light control material for changing light intensity, wherein a gradient is provided in the potential difference in a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend.

  The light control film which can change the transmittance | permeability in a film surface, and can change a brightness and the drive method of a light control film can be provided.

It is sectional drawing which shows the light control film of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of a light control film. It is a figure explaining the 1st electrode and 2nd electrode in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a region S in FIG. 3. It is a partial cross section figure of the field containing the 1st electrode and the 2nd electrode. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the electrical potential difference between a 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode, and the transmittance | permeability T. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the light control film in case the 2nd electrode is also isolate | separated as a comparative form. It is a figure explaining the 1st electrode and 2nd electrode in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the 1st electrode and 2nd electrode in 3rd Embodiment. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the frequency of the alternating voltage applied, and the transmittance | permeability in the case where the magnitude | sizes of a 1st electrode differ. When the frequency of the alternating voltage applied to the 1st electrode differs, it is the graph which showed the fluctuation of the potential in the position of the point C of Drawing 9 away from a feeding point, for example, (a) is when a frequency is low, (B) is a case where a frequency is high. It is the photograph which showed the state of permeation | transmission at the time of applying the alternating voltage of a different frequency to a 280 mm square light control film, (a) is the frequency of an alternating voltage 60Hz, (b) is 120Hz, (c) is 240Hz, (D) is 480 Hz and (c) is 960 Hz.

[Light control film]
Drawing 1 is a sectional view showing light control film 10 of an embodiment. The light control film 10 is used, for example, by being attached to a part where light control is intended or by being applied to a laminated glass. The case where it is used by being attached to a part to be dimmed is, for example, a case where it is placed on the rear window of a vehicle, a window glass of a building, a showcase, an indoor transparent partition, etc. to switch between transmission and opaque.

The light control film 10 is a light control film that controls transmitted light using liquid crystal, and is composed of a liquid crystal cell 15 in which a liquid crystal layer 14 is sandwiched between a film-like second laminate 13 and a first laminate 12. Yes.
In the present embodiment, a VA (Virtual Alignment) method is employed for driving the liquid crystal layer 14. The VA method is a method of controlling the transmitted light by changing the alignment of the liquid crystal between vertical alignment and horizontal alignment. When no electric field is applied, the liquid crystal layer 14 is sandwiched between the vertical alignment layers by vertically aligning the liquid crystal. A liquid crystal cell 15 is configured and configured to horizontally align the liquid crystal material by applying an electric field.

However, it is not limited to this. For example, a TN method (twisted nematic liquid crystal) may be used as a liquid crystal light control film other than the VA method. In the TN system, when the voltage is not applied to the light control film, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned horizontally, and the light is allowed to pass through and the screen becomes “white”. When voltage is applied gradually, the liquid crystal molecules rise vertically and block the light and the screen becomes black.
Further, an IPS (In-Place-Switching) method may be used. In the IPS system, a driving electrode is collectively produced on one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer, and a so-called transverse electric field which is an electric field in the in-plane direction of the substrate surface is formed by this electrode. This is a driving method for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal by forming the.

In the light control film 10, a spacer 24 for keeping the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 14 constant is provided in the first laminate 12 and / or the second laminate 13.
The first stacked body 12 and the second stacked body 13 are formed by sequentially forming the first electrode 22A, the second electrode 22B, and the alignment layers 23A, 23B on the base materials 21A, 21B, respectively.
Further, in the case of using the IPS method, the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B are naturally manufactured on the alignment layer 23A or 23B side. A two-layered product 13 is formed.

The light control film 10 is configured to control the transmission of extraneous light by changing the potential difference between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B, and to switch the state between a transparent state and a non-transparent state. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 14 is driven by so-called normally white.
Note that normally white is a structure in which the transmittance is maximized and transparent when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal.

  When the light control film 10 is used by being attached to, for example, a window glass of a building, a showcase, an indoor transparent partition, etc., a protective layer such as a hard coat layer is provided on both sides of the liquid crystal cell 15. Also good.

[Base material]
Various transparent film materials such as flexible TAC, polycarbonate, COP, acrylic, and PET applicable to the liquid crystal cell 15 can be applied to the base materials 21A and 21B. In this embodiment, hard coating is applied to both surfaces. A polycarbonate film material from which the layer is produced is applied.

[electrode]
The first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B can apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 14 and can adopt various configurations that are perceived as transparent. In the present embodiment, ITO that is a transparent electrode material is used. A transparent conductive film made of (Indium Tin Oxide) is formed on the entire surface of the base materials 21A and 21B. As described above, in the IPS method or the like, the electrode is manufactured by being patterned in a desired shape.

[Alignment layer]
The alignment layers 23A and 23B are formed of a photo-alignment layer. As the photo-alignment material applicable to the photo-alignment layer, various materials to which the photo-alignment technique can be applied can be widely applied. In this embodiment, for example, a photodimerization type material is used. The photodimerization type material is described in “M. Schadt, K. Schmitt, V. Kozinkov and V. Chigrinov: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 31, 2155 (1992)”, “M. Seiberle and A. Schuster: Nature, 381, 212 (1996).

Instead of the photo-alignment layer, it may be produced by a rubbing process. In this case, the alignment layers 23A and 23B are manufactured by manufacturing various material layers applicable to the alignment layer such as polyimide, and then manufacturing a fine line-shaped uneven shape on the surface of the material layer by rubbing using a rubbing roll. Formed.
Instead of the alignment layer and the photo-alignment layer by such a rubbing treatment, a fine line-shaped uneven shape produced by the rubbing treatment may be produced by a shaping treatment to produce the orientation layer.

[spacer]
The spacer 24 is provided in order to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 14, and various resin materials can be widely applied. In this embodiment, the spacer 24 is manufactured by a photoresist. The spacer 24 is manufactured by applying a photoresist on the base material 21B formed by manufacturing the second electrode 22B, and exposing and developing. The spacer 24 may be provided in the first stacked body 12 or may be provided in both the first stacked body 12 and the second stacked body 13. The spacer 24 may be provided on the alignment layer 23B. As the spacer, a so-called bead spacer may be applied.

[Liquid crystal layer]
Various liquid crystal materials applicable to this type of light control film can be widely applied to the liquid crystal layer 14. Specifically, for the liquid crystal layer 14, for example, a liquid crystal compound described in JP-A No. 2003-366484 can be used. Moreover, as a marketed product, liquid crystal materials, such as Merck MLC2166, can be applied, for example.
In the present embodiment, a guest-host method in which a liquid crystal material and a dye for dimming are mixed is used for the liquid crystal layer 14. The guest-host type liquid crystal is a liquid crystal mixed with a dichroic dye. By transmitting the dichroic dye along with the movement of the liquid crystal molecules, light transmission and light shielding can be controlled. As a liquid crystal material and a dye used for the guest host method, a mixture of a liquid crystal material and a dye proposed for the guest host method can be widely applied.
In the liquid crystal cell 15, a sealing material 25 is disposed so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 14, and leakage of liquid crystal is prevented by the sealing material 25. Here, for example, an epoxy resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied to the sealing material 25.

[Manufacturing process]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the light control film 10. In the second stacked body manufacturing step SP2, the second stacked body 13 of the liquid crystal cell 15 is manufactured. In the second laminate manufacturing process SP2, in the electrode manufacturing process SP2-1, the second electrode 22B made of ITO is manufactured on the base material 21B by sputtering or the like. In the subsequent spacer manufacturing step SP2-2, after applying the coating liquid (photoresist) according to the spacer 24, the spacer 24 is manufactured by drying, exposing and developing. Subsequently, in the alignment layer manufacturing step SP2-3, after applying and drying the coating liquid related to the alignment layer 23B, the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules is set by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, whereby the alignment layer 23B is manufactured. . Thus, in this embodiment, the second laminate 13 is manufactured.

  In the manufacturing process of the light control film 10, the first laminated body 12 is produced in the subsequent first laminated body producing process SP3 in the same manner as the second laminated body producing process SP2. That is, in the first laminate manufacturing process SP3, the first electrode 22A made of ITO is manufactured on the base material 21A by sputtering or the like, the coating liquid related to the alignment layer 23A is applied and dried, and then the liquid crystal molecular alignment is performed by ultraviolet irradiation. The orientation layer 23A is manufactured by setting the direction, and the first stacked body 12 is manufactured by these.

  In this manufacturing process, in the subsequent liquid crystal cell manufacturing process SP4, after applying the sealing material 25 in a frame shape using a dispenser, a liquid crystal material is disposed in the frame-shaped portion, and the first laminate 12 The laminated body 13 is laminated and pressed, and the sealing material 25 is cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays or the like, whereby the liquid crystal cell 15 is manufactured. In the arrangement of the liquid crystal material, the first laminated body 12 and the second laminated body 13 are laminated first, and the first laminated body 12 and the second laminated body 13 are laminated in the gap formed. It may be arranged.

  The liquid crystal cell 15 is provided in the form of a long film in which the base materials 21A and 21B are wound on a roll, and all of these processes SP2 to SP4 or a part of these processes SP2 to SP4 are based on the roll. It is executed while the materials 21A and 21B are pulled out and conveyed. As a result, each step of the liquid crystal cell 15 is executed by a process one by one from an intermediate step as necessary.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the region S in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a region including the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B. The first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B are not limited to this, but are rectangular in this embodiment.

(First electrode)
As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode 22A is separated into a plurality of striped electrodes 22a extending in the y direction along one side of the first electrode 22A. In the present embodiment, the stripe electrodes 22a have the same width (width in the x direction in the figure), and are arranged to extend in the x direction in the figure at a pitch of 2 mm with a gap of about 10 μm between them. ing.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the striped electrodes 22a is connected to a power source 26 that is a potential difference forming unit. By adjusting the output of the power supply 26 to which each is connected, a different potential can be applied to each of the striped electrodes 22a.
In the present embodiment, the power source 26 is an AC power source, but is not limited thereto, and may be a DC power source.

(Second electrode)
On the other hand, the second electrode 22B is not divided, is grounded, and the entire region is at the same potential (0 V).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential difference V (A−B) between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B (that is, the potential VA of the first electrode) and the transmittance T. This embodiment is normally white. Normally white is a structure that maximizes the transmittance when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Since it is normally white, the transmittance T increases as the potential difference V (A−B) decreases, and the transmittance T decreases as the potential difference V (A−B) increases.

  In the present embodiment, the potential applied to the striped electrode 22a is continuously increased from one side of the first electrode 22A in the x direction to the other side (from the negative x direction to the positive direction). That is, the potential applied to the striped electrode 22a is gradually increased from one side of the first electrode 22A in the x direction to the other side. Then, the transmittance T decreases (gradually decreases) as the potential VA of the first electrode increases (gradually increases).

Table 1 below is a table showing an example of the transmittance T and the potential VA of ten adjacent stripe electrodes from the nth stripe electrode 22a from the end on the x minus side in the present embodiment. .
In the present embodiment, as shown in the table, the difference in transmittance T between adjacent areas from n to n + 9 is about 0.6% to 0.8% (0.7% ± 0.1%). Thus, a potential is applied to the first electrode 22A.

  As described above, when the difference in transmittance T between the adjacent stripe electrodes 22a is set to about 0.6% to 0.8% (0.7% ± 0.1%), the stripe electrodes 22a are visually observed. The boundary line is not felt and the transmittance appears to change smoothly.

For comparison, for example, as shown in Table 2 below, when the transmittance difference is about 4%, the boundary line is visually confirmed, and it is recognized that the transmittance T changes stepwise. End up.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the potential applied to the striped electrode 22a is adjusted by changing the output of the power supply 26, and the potential difference V (A−B) between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B is adjusted. Thus, a gradient is provided so that the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B continuously increase or decrease from one side to the other side in the x direction. Thereby, the transmittance | permeability T of the light control film 10 can be continuously changed on 22 A of 1st electrodes.
Further, the output of the power source 26 is within a range where the difference in transmittance T between adjacent stripe electrodes 22a is about 0.6% to 0.8% (0.7% ± 0.1%) which cannot be visually confirmed. Is adjusted to change the rate of change (slope) of the potential VA of the first electrode 22A (the potential difference V (A−B) between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B), and the light control film The contrast of 10 shades can be raised or lowered.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the distance between the striped electrodes 22a is 10 μm. If the gap is larger than this, the liquid crystal present in the gap is not driven, so that the boundary of transmittance is visible. Therefore, the smaller one is preferable. However, if it is smaller than 10 μm, manufacturing becomes difficult. In this embodiment, since it is about 10 micrometers, it is easy to manufacture and a boundary is hard to see.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the second electrode 22B is not separated. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the light control film 10 ′ when the second electrode 22B ′ is also separated as a comparative form.
As shown in the drawing, when the second electrode 22B ′ is separated into a plurality of stripe-shaped electrodes 22b ′, the alignment of the first electrode 22A ′ and the second electrode 22B ′ (the stripe-shaped electrode 22a ′ and the stripe-shaped electrode 22B ′) during the manufacture. Alignment with the electrode 22b ′) is required, which takes time and effort. However, in the present embodiment, since the second electrode 22B is not separated, the alignment between the first electrode 22A and the second electrode 22B is facilitated, and the manufacture is facilitated.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second electrode 22B ′ is separated into a plurality of stripe-shaped electrodes 22b ′, a space between the stripe-shaped electrodes 22a ′ and the gap between the stripe-shaped electrodes 22b ′. In addition, a non-electric field region Q where no potential difference occurs is generated.
The liquid crystal present in the non-electric field region Q is not driven, and in the case of normally white, a portion having a high transmittance occurs in a line shape.
However, if the second electrode 22B is not separated as in the present embodiment, the lines of electric force on both sides of the separation region in the first electrode 22A are slightly inclined as shown in FIG. Is not reduced or generated, and a region where the liquid crystal is not driven is also reduced or not generated.
Therefore, in the case of normally white, a line part with a high transmittance does not occur, the transmittance changes smoothly, and the shading of the light control film 10 also changes smoothly.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the first electrode 222A and the second electrode 222B of the light control film 210 according to the second embodiment. In the light control film 210 of the second embodiment, a guest-host type method may be adopted as in the first embodiment, or a method in which a liquid crystal cell is sandwiched between linear polarizing plates may be used.
In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first electrode 222A is not separated into stripes. A power source 226 that provides a potential difference between a point A of the first electrode 222A and a point B far from the point A is provided. The second electrode 222B is grounded as in the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, power is supplied to the points A and B. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power supply unit may be provided in a line shape, for example. When provided in a line shape, it is preferable to provide the first electrode 222A so as to extend in parallel with the end side.

  The potential difference applied between the point A and the point B is adjusted by changing the output of the power source 226, and the first difference with respect to the potential difference V (A−B) between the first electrode 222A and the second electrode 222B. A gradient is provided so that the electrode 222A and the second electrode 222B continuously increase or decrease from one to the other in the x direction. Thereby, the transmittance | permeability T of the light control film 210 can be continuously changed on the 1st electrode 222A.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the first electrode 322A and the second electrode 322B in the third embodiment. In the light control film 310 of the third embodiment, a liquid crystal cell is sandwiched between linear polarizing plates, and a VA method is adopted for driving the liquid crystal layer.
Also in the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the first electrode 322A is not separated into stripes. The first electrode 322A of the third embodiment is connected to the power source 326 at the point A. The power source 326 applies an alternating voltage to the first electrode 322A. The potential of the first electrode 322A varies based on the applied AC voltage.
FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the frequency f of the alternating voltage applied to the first electrode 322A and the transmittance T when the size of the light control film 310 (the size of the first electrode 322A and the second electrode 322B) is different. It is the graph which showed. The voltage is an AC voltage of ± 10V.
When the light control film 310 is 50 mm square, even if the frequency f of the alternating voltage fluctuates from 4 to 480 Hz, no change is seen in the transmittance T, which is about 34%.
Even when the light control film 310 is 280 mm square, the transmittance T does not change until the frequency f of the AC voltage is about 4 to 120 Hz, which is about 33%.
However, when the frequency exceeds 120 Hz, the transmittance T decreases as the distance from the feeding point A increases. For example, when the frequency f is 480 Hz, the transmittance T is about 30.5% at a position where the distance from the feeding point A is 25 mm. The transmittance T is about 24% at a position where the distance from the feeding point A is 50 mm. The transmittance T is about 21.5% at a position where the distance from the feeding point A is 150 mm. The transmittance T is about 19% at a position where the distance from the feeding point A is 250 mm.
Note that this embodiment is normally black. Normally black is a structure in which the transmittance T is minimized when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, resulting in a black screen.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing potential fluctuations at a point C in FIG. 9, for example, away from the feeding point A when the frequency f is different. (A) is a case where the frequency f is low, and (b) is a case where the frequency f is high.
When an AC voltage is applied to the feeding point A, the time constant of potential fluctuation becomes larger than that of the feeding point A at a position away from the feeding point A. Therefore, for example, even when a potential of ± 10 V is applied, the time at which the potential is ± 10 V decreases at the position of the point C far from the feeding point A. Therefore, the effective voltage decreases.
When the frequency f increases, the effective voltage decreases significantly. When the area of the light control film 10 is large, the effective voltage decreases significantly at a position far from the feeding point A. Therefore, it is actually the same as the state where the potential is low.
In the present embodiment, by utilizing this phenomenon, the transmittance at the position C away from the feeding point A is adjusted by adjusting the frequency f of the AC voltage to be applied. That is, when it is desired to provide a gradation of transmittance within the surface of the light control film 310, the frequency is increased, and when it is desired to maintain the transmittance constant, the frequency is decreased (for example, 120 Hz or less). Further, when it is desired to add a gradation with a large difference in shading, the frequency is increased.

FIG. 12 is a photograph showing a transmission state when alternating voltages of different frequencies are applied to a 280 mm square light control film. (A) is the frequency of the alternating voltage 60 Hz, (b) is 120 Hz, (c) is 240 Hz, (d) is 480 Hz, and (c) is 960 Hz.
As shown in the photograph, it can be seen that when the frequency of the applied AC voltage increases, the transmittance at a position away from the feeding point A does not increase.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the transmittance T changes continuously as in the first embodiment. Therefore, by adjusting the frequency of the potential supplied from the power source, the contrast of the density of the transmittance is increased or decreased. Can be.

(Deformation)
(1) As described above, the VA type liquid crystal light control film has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be another method in which the light control amount can be adjusted by a potential. Other methods for liquid crystals have been described above, but devices other than liquid crystals, such as EC method, SPD method, PDLC method dimming film, etc., devices whose brightness (transmittance) changes according to the potential difference between electrodes It may be.
A light control film using an EC system (Electrochromic) has a structure in which a light control layer (electrolyte layer) is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. Depending on the potential difference between the electrodes, the color of the light control layer changes between transparent and dark blue using an oxidation-reduction reaction.
The light control film using the SPD method (Suspended Particle Device) is normally colored in dark blue using the orientation of fine particles, but it changes to transparent when a voltage is applied, and changes to the original dark blue when the voltage is turned off. It is a return, and the shade can be adjusted by the voltage.
The light control film using the PDLC method (Particle Dispersed Liquid Crystal) is a liquid crystal layer in which a network structure of a special polymer is formed. Due to the action of the polymer network, the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules is irregular. Induces and scatters light. When a voltage is applied to align the liquid crystal molecules in the electric field direction, the light is not scattered and becomes transparent.

  As mentioned above, although the specific structure suitable for implementation of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can be variously changed in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

10, 210, 310 Light control film 12 First laminated body 13 Second laminated body 14 Liquid crystal layer 15 Liquid crystal cell 21A, 21B Base material 22A, 222A, 322A First electrode 22B, 222B, 322B Second electrode 22a Striped electrode 22b Striped electrode 23A Alignment layer 23B Alignment layer 24 Spacer 25 Sealing material 26, 226, 326 Power supply

Claims (5)

A first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to each other;
A light-modulating material that is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and changes a transmittance according to a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode;
A potential difference gradient forming section for providing a gradient to the potential difference in a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend;
A light control film comprising: The first electrode is divided into a plurality of regions;
The potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source capable of supplying different potentials to each of the divided regions.
The light control film of Claim 1. The potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source that provides a potential difference at two different points on the first electrode.
The light control film of Claim 1. The potential difference gradient forming unit is a power source that supplies an AC voltage having a variable frequency to the first electrode.
The light control film of Claim 1. A first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to each other;
A light control film driving method comprising: a light control material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the light control material changing a transmittance according to a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. There,
Providing a gradient in the potential difference in a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode extend;
Driving method of light control film.