JP2018109682A - Lighting control member and manufacturing method of lighting control member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting control member in which a foreign matter is not mixed in a liquid crystal, the liquid crystal faces the fixed direction at the time of non-electric field, and liquid crystal molecules fall in the fixed direction at the time of the electric field, and a manufacturing method of the lighting control member.SOLUTION: A lighting control member 10 includes: a first laminated body 12 which has a first base material 21A and a first alignment film 23A; a second laminated body 13 which has a second base material 21B and a second alignment film 23B; a liquid crystal layer 14 which is sandwiched between the first laminated body 12 and the second laminated body 13 arranged so that the first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B face each other; and transparent electrodes 22A, 22B which are provided on at least one of the first laminated body 12 and the second laminated body 13. The surfaces of the first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B on the side contacting the liquid crystal layer 14 are unprocessed surfaces to which any of physical alignment processing or optical alignment processing is not performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control member and a method for manufacturing the light control member.

  Various devices relating to a light control member that is attached to a window or the like to control the transmission of extraneous light have been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2). One such light control member is a light control film using liquid crystal. In the light control film using liquid crystal, a liquid crystal cell is formed by sandwiching a liquid crystal with a laminate in which a transparent electrode and an alignment film are formed, and the liquid crystal cell is sandwiched between linear polarizing plates. Then, by changing the electric field applied to the liquid crystal, the orientation of the liquid crystal is changed to adjust the amount of transmitted light, thereby controlling the transmission of extraneous light.

In such a light control film, the liquid crystal is oriented either horizontally or vertically depending on the function of the alignment film. However, for example, when the liquid crystal is oriented along a horizontal plane by the function of the horizontal alignment film, and the liquid crystal is oriented in various directions on the horizontal plane, for example, in a liquid crystal driven by a VA (Virtual Alignment) method, When a liquid crystal is tilted by applying a voltage, the TN liquid crystal (twisted nematic liquid crystal) affects the tilting of the liquid crystal without applying voltage, the function of the liquid crystal cannot be fully exerted, and the performance is reduced, and the transmittance is reduced. descend.
For this reason, when there is no electric field, for example, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules on the horizontal plane is made constant, so that the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules fall when the electric field is applied is made constant. Has been done.

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

However, since the rubbing process physically scrapes the surface of the alignment film with a cloth or the like, there is a concern that the quality may be deteriorated due to dust generation and contamination of the liquid layer. In addition, although the photo-alignment does not generate dust, the photo-alignment film for a TN liquid crystal is generally not developed because the demand is small.
The present invention provides a light control member and a method of manufacturing the light control member in which no foreign matter is mixed in the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal is oriented in a certain direction when there is no electric field, and the liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a certain direction when the electric field is applied.

  (1) A first laminate having a first substrate and a first alignment film, a second laminate having a second substrate and a second alignment film, the first alignment film, and the second alignment film. A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first stacked body and the second stacked body disposed to face each other; a transparent electrode provided on at least one of the first stacked body and the second stacked body; The surface of the first alignment film and the second alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer is not subjected to any physical alignment process or optical alignment process. A light control member that is an untreated surface.

  (2) In (1), the liquid crystal molecules existing in the same plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer are oriented in the same direction when the liquid crystal layer is in the absence of an electric field.

  (3) In (1) or (2), the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer are twisted nematic liquid crystal molecules.

  (4) In any one of (1) to (3), the liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and a dichroic dye.

  (5) A first laminate process in which a first alignment film is provided on a first substrate to create a first laminate, and a second laminate in which a second alignment film is provided on a second substrate to create a second laminate. A layered body step, a frame body forming step of forming a frame body provided with an injection hole capable of injecting a fluid in a certain direction on the second alignment film, the first stacked body, and the second layered body. The lamination process of laminating the laminated body with the frame interposed therebetween, and the surfaces of the first alignment film and the second alignment film facing each other are either a physical alignment process or an optical alignment process. A liquid crystal injecting step of injecting liquid crystal into a liquid crystal injecting portion surrounded by the first laminated body, the second laminated body, and the frame body from the injection hole in an untreated state that has not been applied; The manufacturing method of the light control member provided.

  There can be provided a light control member in which no foreign matter is mixed in the liquid crystal, the liquid crystal is oriented in a certain direction when there is no electric field, and the liquid crystal molecules are tilted in a certain direction when the electric field is applied.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a light control film 10. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the liquid-crystal layer 14, (a) is a state without an electric field, (b) shows the state which changed the electric field. 3 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the light control film 10. It is a figure explaining the liquid crystal injection method of 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the result of having measured or observed about each of Example 1, 2, 3 and Comparative Example 1, 2, 3. It is a photograph which shows the nonuniformity of the transmittance | permeability at the time of applying a voltage to the light control member of the comparative example 2. It is a figure explaining the liquid crystal injection method of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the liquid crystal injection method of 3rd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
(Light control film)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control film 10 as an embodiment of the light control member of the present invention. For example, the light control film 10 is attached to a sunroof or the like of a vehicle, and can be switched between transmission and opaqueness.

  The light control film 10 is a light control member that controls the transmission of incident light using liquid crystal that is a fluid, and includes a liquid crystal cell 15 in which a liquid crystal layer 14 is sandwiched between the second stacked body 13 and the first stacked body 12. Has been.

The light control film 10 is provided with a spacer 24 in the first laminate 12 and / or the second laminate 13 for keeping the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 14 constant.
The first stacked body 12 and the second stacked body 13 are formed by sequentially forming the first transparent electrode 22A, the second transparent electrode 22B, and the alignment films 23A, 23B on the base materials 21A, 21B, respectively.
Note that when the liquid crystal cell 15 is driven by an IPS method, which will be described later, the first transparent electrode 22A and the second transparent electrode 22B are manufactured together on the alignment film 23A or 23B side, and the first stack is formed to correspond to this. The body 12 and the second laminated body 13 are configured.

  The light control film 10 is configured to control the transmission of external light by changing the potential difference between the first transparent electrode 22A and the second transparent electrode 22B, and to switch the state between a transparent state and a non-transparent state. The

(Base material)
Various transparent film materials such as TAC, polycarbonate, COP, acrylic, and PET having flexibility applicable to the liquid crystal cell 15 can be applied to the first base 21A and the second base 21B. Then, a film material made of polycarbonate in which hard coat layers are produced on both sides is applied.

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

(Alignment film)
The first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B are made of various materials applicable to alignment films such as polyimide. In the present embodiment, the first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B are neither rubbed nor photo-aligned. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, a TN (twisted nematic liquid crystal) type liquid crystal molecule 14a is used, and the first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B have a voltage applied to the first transparent electrode 22A and the second transparent electrode 22B. The liquid crystal molecules 14b have a function of directing the liquid crystal molecules 14b sideways (horizontal, a direction along the alignment film) in a state where no is applied.

(Spacer)
The spacer 24 is provided to regulate the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 14 and various resin materials can be widely applied. In the present embodiment, the spacer 24 is manufactured by a photoresist. The spacer 24 is manufactured in a cylindrical shape by applying a photoresist on the base material 21B formed by manufacturing the second transparent 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 first alignment film 23A and the second alignment film 23B. Further, a so-called bead spacer may be applied as the spacer.

(Liquid crystal layer)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the liquid crystal layer 14. Various liquid crystal materials applicable to this type of light control member can be widely applied to the liquid crystal layer 14, but in this embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 14 is a mixture of liquid crystal molecules 14a and dichroic dyes 14b. This is a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 14. The guest-host type liquid crystal layer 14 can control the light transmittance by moving the dichroic dye as the liquid crystal molecules move.

  In the present embodiment, TN liquid crystal molecules 14 a are used as the liquid crystal material of the liquid crystal layer 14. When a TN liquid crystal is used as a host and a dichroic dye is used as a guest, the light control film 10 has a liquid crystal molecule and a dichroic dye arranged horizontally in the absence of an electric field, and blocks the light so that the screen becomes “black”. , So-called normally black type. When a voltage is gradually applied, the liquid crystal molecules rise vertically and the dichroic dye rises, and light is transmitted.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and 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.

  Further, not only the guest-host method but also a VA (Virtual Alignment) method may be used for driving the liquid crystal layer 14. The VA method is a method in which transmitted light is controlled by changing the alignment of liquid crystal between vertical alignment and horizontal alignment. When no electric field is applied, the liquid crystal layer 15 is sandwiched between the vertical alignment films by vertically aligning the liquid crystal, and the liquid crystal cell 15 is configured to horizontally align the liquid crystal material by applying an electric field. The VA system is a so-called normally black type in which the screen is generally “black” when no voltage is applied.

  Further, an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) method may be used. In the IPS system, a driving electrode is collectively formed on one of a pair of substrates sandwiching a liquid crystal layer, and a so-called lateral electric field that is an in-plane electric field on the surface of the substrate is formed by this electrode. This is a driving method for controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal by forming the.

  Returning to FIG. 1, a frame 26 is formed by a sealing agent 25 so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 14. The frame body 26 is fixed to the first stacked body 12 and the second stacked body 13, and leakage of liquid crystal is prevented by the frame body 26. Here, for example, an epoxy resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied to the frame body 26.

(Manufacturing process)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the light control film 10.
(Second laminate manufacturing process SP2)
First, in the second stacked body manufacturing step SP2, the second stacked body 13 is manufactured. 2nd laminated body manufacturing process SP2 contains 2nd transparent electrode manufacturing process SP2-1, spacer arrangement | positioning process SP2-2, and 2nd alignment film manufacturing process SP2-3.
In the second transparent electrode manufacturing step SP2-1, the second transparent electrode 22B made of ITO is manufactured on the second base material 21B by a vacuum film forming method such as sputtering.

  In the spacer arranging step SP2-2, after applying the coating liquid (photoresist) related to the spacer 24, the spacer 24 is manufactured by drying, exposing and developing.

  In the second alignment film manufacturing step SP2-3, the coating liquid for the second alignment film 23B is applied and dried, and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. Thereby, the second alignment film 23B is manufactured, and the second stacked body 13 is manufactured. Here, the second alignment film 23B is not a photo-alignment film and has not been rubbed. That is, the second alignment film 23B is an unprocessed surface that has not been subjected to any physical alignment process or optical alignment process.

(First laminate manufacturing process SP3)
The subsequent first laminate manufacturing process SP3 is the same as the second laminate manufacturing process SP2 except that the spacer arranging process is not included.
That is, the first laminate manufacturing process SP3 includes a first transparent electrode manufacturing process SP3-1 and a first alignment film manufacturing process SP3-2.
In the first transparent electrode manufacturing step SP3-1, the first transparent electrode 22A made of ITO is manufactured on the first base material 21A.
Next, in the first alignment film manufacturing step SP3-2, the first alignment film 23A is disposed, and the first stacked body is manufactured. Also here, the first alignment film 23A is not a photo-alignment film and is not subjected to rubbing treatment. That is, the first alignment film 23A is also an unprocessed surface that has not been subjected to any physical alignment process or optical alignment process.

(Frame forming step SP4)
In the frame forming step SP4 following the first laminated body manufacturing step SP3, a thermosetting or UV curable sealing agent 25 is formed on the second alignment film 23B of the second laminated body 13 in a frame shape using a dispenser. The frame 26 is formed by coating.
In the liquid crystal injection step (SP6), which will be described later, in order to fill the internal space of the frame body 26 with a liquid crystal material, a part of the frame body 26 has a plurality of injection holes 26a (see FIG. Are formed).

(Lamination process SP5)
Next, the 1st laminated body 12 and the 2nd laminated body 13 are laminated | stacked in a vacuum environment, UV irradiation or a hot press is performed, and the frame 26 (sealing agent 25) is hardened.

(Liquid crystal injection step SP6)
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the liquid crystal injection method of the first embodiment, and is a plan view in which the first laminate 12 is omitted from the light control film 10.
The liquid crystal pack 30 containing the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b is attached to the injection hole 26a provided in the frame body 26. Then, the liquid crystal pack 30 is pressed by the roller 31 under normal pressure to inject the liquid crystal molecules 14 a and the dichroic dye 14 b into the region surrounded by the frame body 26.
At this time, since the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b flow into the frame body 26 from the plurality of injection holes 26a directed in a certain direction, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b flow in the same direction (inflow). Direction, flow direction).

(Injection hole sealing step SP7)
After the liquid crystal is injected, the injection hole 26a is sealed with, for example, the same resin as the frame 26, and UV or heat is applied to cure the resin of the injection hole 26a.

(Example)
The light control films 10 of Examples 1, 2, and 3 prepared based on this embodiment and the light control films of Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3 were prepared. The manufacturing conditions of each light control film are shown below.

(1) Example 1
Liquid crystal filling (injection method of liquid crystal molecules 14a and dichroic dye 14b into the frame 26): Roll injection described above Treatment of alignment films 23A and 23B (whether rubbing or photo-alignment treatment is performed on alignment films 23A and 23B): None Spacer 24 shape: cylindrical shape Spacer 24 color: transparent Gap between base materials 21A and 21B (thickness of liquid crystal layer): 5 μm

(2) Example 2
Liquid crystal filling: Roll injection Processing of alignment films 23A and 23B: None Shape of spacer 24: bead shape Color of spacer 24: transparent Gap between base materials 21A and 21B: 5 μm

(3) Example 3
Liquid crystal filling: Roll injection Processing of alignment films 23A and 23B: None Shape of spacer 24: bead shape Color of spacer 24: black Gap between base materials 21A and 21B: 5 μm

(4) Comparative Example 1
Liquid crystal filling: Roll injection Alignment film treatment: Rubbing treatment Spacer shape: Columnar Spacer color: Transparent Gap between substrates: 5 μm

(5) Comparative Example 2
Liquid crystal filling: Multi-point ODF injection Alignment film treatment: None Spacer shape: Columnar Spacer color: Transparent Gap between substrates: 5 μm

  Note that multi-point ODF (One Drop Filling) injection is one of the methods for filling the inside of the frame with liquid crystal. This is a method in which a liquid crystal material is dropped by a dispenser or the like before the other laminate is bonded to a plurality of positions in the frame 26 provided on the one laminate. In addition, a light control film is manufactured by sticking the other laminated body to the one laminated body side, and hardening a sealing compound, after dripping a liquid crystal.

(6) Comparative Example 3
Liquid crystal filling: Multi-point ODF injection Alignment film treatment: Rubbing treatment Spacer shape: cylindrical Spacer color: Transparent Gap between substrates: 5 μm

FIG. 5 is a table showing the results of measuring or observing the following (A) to (D) for each of Examples 1, 2, 3 and Comparative Examples 1, 2, 3.
(A) Transmittance: Transmittance as a whole light control film when voltage is 0 V (white display), maximum voltage (black display) (B) Transmittance unevenness: Was unevenness (variation) in transmittance observed? (C) Rubbing streak: Whether or not rubbing streaks were observed. The rubbing streak is a streak-like unevenness caused by the difference in rubbing intensity seen when tilting the liquid crystal. TN is a defect that can be visually recognized when no voltage is applied (particularly, the timing of application from no application).
(D) Viewing angle: Dependence of transmittance on viewing angle when voltage is 0V (white display), voltage intermediate value (middle), voltage maximum (black display)

  In addition, (D) The circle | round | yen shown with the viewing angle dependence of the transmittance | permeability of a viewing angle shows the transmittance | permeability when it sees from a different viewing angle with the shading of a color. The center of the circle is the transmittance when the light control film is viewed from directly above, and the outer periphery of the circle is the transmittance when the light control film is viewed from each angle of the outer periphery. From the figure, it can be seen that Examples 1, 2, and 3 have no viewing angle dependency of the transmittance as in Comparative Examples 1 and 3.

(result)
The difference between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 is that in Example 1, the alignment films 23A and 23B were not rubbed, but in Comparative Example 1, the alignment film was rubbed. As shown in FIG. 5, in Example 1, as in Comparative Example 1, no unevenness in transmittance is observed.

The difference between Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 is whether the method of injecting liquid crystal is roll injection or multipoint ODF. In Example 1, the transmittance unevenness is not observed, but in Comparative Example 2, the transmittance unevenness is observed.
6 is a photograph showing the non-uniformity in transmittance when a voltage is applied to the light control film of Comparative Example 2. FIG. As shown in the figure, in Comparative Example 2, the transmittance of the portion that appears white with the dropping position P as the center is higher (brighter) than the others. The unevenness of the transmittance is a state in which the transmittance varies when observed from a certain direction within the surface of such a light control film. In addition, by observing through a polarizing plate, it is possible to observe with more emphasis on unevenness.
On the other hand, in Example 1, as shown in FIG. 5D, as in the other Examples and Comparative Examples, no uneven transmittance is observed.

From the comparison of Examples 1, 2, and 3, it was also confirmed that the spacer is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be a bead spacer.
From the comparison of Examples 1, 2, and 3, it was confirmed that the color of the spacer is not limited to transparent and may be black.
From the comparison with Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 3, it was also confirmed that when the rubbing process was performed even with multi-point ODF, the unevenness of transmittance was not observed.
From a comparison between Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, it was also confirmed that according to the present embodiment, no streaks were generated in the alignment layer by rubbing, so that it was possible to obtain a light control film 10 having a better appearance.

  As described above, the light control film 10 according to the present embodiment in which the liquid crystal molecules 14a are roll-injected instead of the multi-point ODF has uneven transmittance even when the rubbing process is performed without performing the rubbing process on the alignment films 23A and 23B. Is not observed.

(Reason why uneven transmittance is not observed without rubbing treatment in this embodiment)
If the alignment film is not rubbed, in the case of multi-point ODF, the liquid crystal spreads concentrically from the liquid crystal dropping position. Then, the liquid crystal does not face the same direction. For this reason, it is considered that the non-uniformity in transmittance occurred in Comparative Example 2.

On the other hand, the reason why the non-uniformity in transmittance did not occur in Example 1 is considered as follows.
The liquid crystal molecules 14a are TN type liquid crystal molecules as described above, and are arranged between the base material 21A and the base material 21B, as shown in FIG. The dye 14b is twisted.
However, when the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dyes 14b flow into the frame body 26 through the injection holes 26a facing in a certain direction, they all face in a certain direction (inflow direction). When the inflow stops, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b are twisted (twisted and rotated) starting from a certain position in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 14 (z direction in FIG. 2). It will be in the state rotated in the shape of a spiral as shown to 2 (a).

At this time, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b existing at the same position in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 14 (z direction in FIG. 2) are either in a plane (xy plane in FIG. 2) orthogonal to the thickness direction z. Even in the position of, it faces in the same direction.
Therefore, when a voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dyes 14b existing at the same position in the thickness direction (z direction in FIG. 2) are all from the same direction to the thickness direction z (vertical direction). Change direction. Therefore, when the position in the thickness direction is the same, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the dichroic dye 14b all exhibit the same behavior, and thus uneven transmittance does not occur.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the flow direction of the liquid crystal molecules 14 a and the like into the frame 26 is made constant when the light control film 10 is formed. Thus, the light control film 10 in which the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are oriented in a certain direction when no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 14 and the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are tilted in a certain direction when an electric field is applied without performing an alignment treatment on the alignment films 23A and 23B. Can be provided.
Since the process of rubbing the alignment films 23A and 23B is not required, the light control film production process can be simplified, and the productivity can be improved.
It is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed by performing a rubbing process on the alignment films 23A and 23B.
Quality defects such as streaks on the alignment films 23A and 23B caused by uneven rubbing strength can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
(Liquid crystal injection process)
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the liquid crystal injection method of the second embodiment, and is a plan view in which the first laminated body 12 is omitted from the light control film 10. In the first embodiment, the liquid crystal pack 30 is pressed by the roller 31 under normal pressure, and the liquid crystal molecules 14 a and the dichroic dye 14 b are injected into the region surrounded by the frame body 26. In the second embodiment, the light control film 10 into which no liquid crystal is injected is placed in a vacuum environment, and the liquid crystal injection hole 26 a provided in the frame body 26 is immersed in the liquid crystal tank 32. Then, the surrounding environment of the light control film 10 is restored to atmospheric pressure. Then, the pressure difference between the inside of the light control film 10 surrounded by the frame body 26 and the outside of the light control film 10, and the light control film The liquid crystal component 14a and the dichroic dye 14b are injected into the frame body 26 by the capillary phenomenon inside 10. The other portions are the same as in the first embodiment.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the inflow direction of the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like into the frame 26 is controlled when the light control film 10 is formed. This provides the light control film 10 in which the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are oriented in a certain direction when no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 14 and the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are tilted in a certain direction when an electric field is applied without performing an alignment treatment on the alignment films 23A and 23B. can do.
Since the process of rubbing the alignment films 23A and 23B is not required, the light control film production process can be simplified, and the productivity can be improved.
It is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed by performing a rubbing process on the alignment films 23A and 23B.
Quality defects such as streaks on the alignment films 23A and 23B caused by uneven rubbing strength can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the liquid crystal injection method of the third embodiment, and is a plan view in which the first laminate 12 is omitted from the light control film 10.
The
Unlike the first embodiment, the third embodiment uses ODF (One Drop Filling) injection. However, the portion where the liquid crystal is injected is a line-shaped portion 33 along the one side 26 u of the frame body 26 in the vicinity of the frame body 26 in the region surrounded by the frame body 26. Accordingly, the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like flow into the frame body 26 from the line-shaped portion 33 along the one side 26u of the frame body 26 and flow toward the other side 26d facing the one side 26u of the frame body 26. . Then, the other board | substrate is bonded together and the frame 26 is hardened. Under the present circumstances, after bonding as needed, the light control film 10 is installed vertically, or it pressurizes and spreads the liquid crystal molecule 14a etc. equally. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the inflow direction of the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like into the frame 26 is controlled when the light control film 10 is formed. This provides the light control film 10 in which the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are oriented in a certain direction when no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 14 and the liquid crystal molecules 14a and the like are tilted in a certain direction when an electric field is applied without performing an alignment treatment on the alignment films 23A and 23B. can do.
Since the process of rubbing the alignment films 23A and 23B is not required, the light control film production process can be simplified, and the productivity can be improved.
It is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed by performing a rubbing process on the alignment films 23A and 23B.
Quality defects such as streaks on the alignment films 23A and 23B caused by uneven rubbing strength can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the light control film 10 of the present invention, the alignment films 23A and 23B are untreated surfaces on which neither physical alignment processing such as rubbing or optical alignment processing has been performed. The untreated surface can be confirmed by the following method.

(1) Confirmation method 1
After disassembling the light control film, removing the liquid crystal, and cleaning with an alcohol solvent such as methanol, as in Comparative Examples 2 and 3, liquid crystal injection was performed on the first laminate by multi-point ODF, and the second laminate was Laminate. And the nonuniformity of the transmittance | permeability in the dropping position of a liquid crystal is observed. When unevenness occurs as in Comparative Example 2, it can be confirmed that the alignment treatment has not been performed.

(2) Confirmation method 2
The presence or absence of orientation treatment can also be confirmed by surface chemical analysis. For example, the alignment process can be observed by chemical analysis such as NEXAFS (Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure) described in the document: JSR Technical review No. 112_2005.
In the case of a rubbing alignment film, in the case of an alignment film that has been subjected to an alignment treatment by rubbing, analysis can also be performed by surface shape analysis such as AFM (Atomic Force Microscope). It can be confirmed that the alignment treatment is not performed by the fact that no streak in a certain direction is observed.
It is also effective to perform material analysis in order to discriminate the type of alignment film in combination with these surface analyses. For material analysis, known analysis directions such as FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry) can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Light control film 12 1st laminated body 13 2nd laminated body 14 Liquid crystal layer 14a Liquid crystal molecule 14b Dichroic dye 15 Liquid crystal cell 21A 1st base material 21B 2nd base material 22A 1st transparent electrode 22B 2nd transparent electrode 23A 2nd 1 Alignment film 23B Second alignment film 24 Spacer 25 Sealing agent 26 Frame body 26a Injection hole 30 Liquid crystal pack 31 Roller 32 Liquid crystal

Claims (5)

A first laminate having a first substrate and a first alignment film;
A second laminate having a second substrate and a second alignment film;
A liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first stacked body and the second stacked body, wherein the first aligned film and the second aligned film are arranged to face each other;
In a light control member comprising a transparent electrode provided on at least one of the first laminate and the second laminate,
In the first alignment film and the second alignment film, the surfaces in contact with the respective liquid crystal layers are untreated surfaces that are not subjected to any physical alignment treatment or optical alignment treatment.
Light control member. The liquid crystal molecules present in the same plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer are oriented in the same direction when the liquid crystal layer is in the absence of an electric field.
The light control member according to claim 1. The liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer are twisted nematic liquid crystal molecules.
The light control member of Claim 1 or 2. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules and a dichroic dye.
The light control member of any one of Claim 1 to 3. A first laminated body step of providing a first alignment film on a first substrate to create a first laminated body;
A second laminate process for forming a second laminate by providing a second alignment film on the second substrate;
A frame body forming step of forming a frame body provided with injection holes capable of injecting fluid in a certain direction on the second alignment film;
A laminating step of laminating the first laminate and the second laminate with the frame interposed therebetween;
The surfaces of the first alignment film and the second alignment film facing each other are in an unprocessed state in which neither physical alignment process nor optical alignment process is performed, and the first through the injection hole. A liquid crystal injecting step of injecting liquid crystal into a liquid crystal injecting portion surrounded by an outer periphery of one laminate, the second laminate, and the frame;
The manufacturing method of a light control member provided with this.