JP2018159866A - Polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing device and method for manufacturing polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the occurrence of unevenness in thickness of a liquid crystal layer of a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element.SOLUTION: A polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing device 30 comprises: a first feeding part 31 that feeds a first support plate 11; a second feeding part 32 that feeds a second support plate 12; an application device 34 that applies a liquid crystal mixture material 27 onto the first support plate 11 or the second support plate 12; and a lamination device 40 that laminates the first support plate 11 and second support plate 12 with the liquid crystal mixture material 27 therebetween. The lamination device 40 has a pressing roller 42, and an endless belt 44 that is arranged opposite to the pressing roller 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a liquid crystal element having a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer.

  Conventionally, for example, a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element in which liquid crystal droplets are dispersed in a transparent polymer material is known. In this polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element, it is possible to switch between a transmissive state that transmits incident light and a scattering state that scatters incident light by applying and releasing an electric field to the dispersed liquid crystal. Examples of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals include liquid crystal droplets dispersed in transparent polymer materials (PDLC: Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), and a polymer resin network formed in a continuous layer of liquid crystals. Examples thereof include polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) and polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCT) using cholesteric liquid crystal. Since these polymer dispersed liquid crystals do not require the use of a polarizing plate, they have a feature of high light utilization efficiency.

  These polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements are used for windows of trains, automobiles, and buildings, and are used for controlling the viewing angle of a liquid crystal display by combining it with a backlight of a liquid crystal display (Patent Document 1). (Patent Document 2).

JP-A-5-72529 JP-A-6-301005

  The present inventors have studied to produce a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element using a roll-to-roll method or a roll-to-sheet method by using a film substrate formed of a resin or the like as a substrate. Yes. According to this method, it is considered that the production of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element can be speeded up. However, when the present inventors proceeded to study the production of a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal device using this roll-to-roll method or roll-to-sheet method, the following problems were found.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 130 for explaining a comparative example. The liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 130 includes a first feed shaft 131a that holds a first support plate roll 111a around which a first support plate 111 having a base material and a transparent conductive layer is wound, and a base material and a transparent conductive layer. A second feed shaft 132a that holds the second support plate roll 112a around which the second support plate 112 is wound, an application device 134 for applying the liquid crystal mixed material 127, and the first support plate 111 and the second support. It has the bonding apparatus 140 for bonding the board 112 through the liquid crystal mixed material 127, and the hardening apparatus 136 for hardening the liquid crystal mixed material 127. In the illustrated comparative example, an intermediate member 150 for a liquid crystal element is manufactured using a so-called roll-to-sheet method, and the liquid crystal element is manufactured from the intermediate member 150.

  In order to manufacture a liquid crystal element using the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8, first, the first support plate 111 is unwound from the first support plate roll 111 a, and the liquid crystal is applied onto the first support plate 111 by the coating device 134. The mixed material 127 is applied. Next, the 1st support plate 111 and the 2nd support plate 112 extended | fed out from the 2nd support plate roll 112a are bonded by the bonding apparatus 140 so that the liquid crystal mixed material 127 may be pinched | interposed. Thereafter, the liquid crystal mixed material 127 is cured in the curing device 136, and the liquid crystal layer 120 is formed from the liquid crystal mixed material 127. Then, the laminated body of the 1st support plate 111, the liquid crystal layer 120, and the 2nd support plate 112 is cut | disconnected, and the intermediate member 150 which has the support plates 111 and 112 and the liquid crystal layer 120 is produced. Finally, the intermediate member 150 is cut into a predetermined size to obtain a liquid crystal element.

  In FIG. 9, the enlarged view of the bonding apparatus 140 of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 130 shown in FIG. 8 is shown. The laminating apparatus 140 has a pair of laminate rolls 145 and 145 arranged with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. By passing the first support plate 111, the liquid crystal mixed material 127, and the second support plate 112 in a stacked state between the pair of laminate rolls 145, 145, the first support plate 111 and the second support plate 112 are It is bonded via the liquid crystal mixed material 127. Therefore, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 120 (liquid crystal mixed material 127) is controlled by the distance between the pair of laminate rolls 145 and 145.

  Here, the haze value in the scattering state of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element varies depending on the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. Therefore, when the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element varies, the haze value in the scattering state may be uneven in the plane of the liquid crystal element. In this case, a portion that can be visually recognized as white appears in the surface of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element, which may impair the aesthetics of windows, displays, screens, and the like using the liquid crystal element.

  The thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element is usually several μm to several tens of μm. In order to suppress the unevenness of the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, the distance between the pair of laminate rolls 145 and 145 is extremely large. It is necessary to control with high accuracy. Specifically, it is necessary to rotate the pair of laminating rolls 145 and 145 without eccentricity while keeping them parallel to each other with high accuracy, but the laminating rolls 145 and 145 are rotated with such high accuracy. It is extremely difficult to continue.

  For example, when the laminating rolls 145 and 145 are not kept parallel to each other with high accuracy, a pair of laminating rolls 145 and 145 are provided on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the laminating roll 145 (the width direction of each support plate). Differences in the spacing between 145 can occur. When the laminating roll 145 is eccentric, when the laminating roll 145 vibrates, or when the laminating roll 145 is bent, the distance between the pair of laminating rolls 145 and 145 is kept constant. I don't get it. As a result, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufactured by the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 130 may be uneven.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object thereof is to suppress the occurrence of unevenness in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element.

The polymer dispersed liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is
A first feeding section for feeding the first support plate;
A second feeding section for feeding the second support plate;
An applicator for applying a liquid crystal mixed material on the first support plate or the second support plate;
A bonding apparatus for bonding the first support plate and the second support plate via the liquid crystal mixed material,
The said bonding apparatus has a pressing roll and the endless belt arrange | positioned facing the said pressing roll.

  In the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the endless belt is disposed around a plurality of guide rolls, and the pressing roll is positioned between two guide rolls of the plurality of guide rolls. You may oppose the said endless belt.

  In the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of guide rolls may include at least one fixed roll and at least one movable roll.

  In the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the endless belt may be an annular metal sheet.

The method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present invention includes:
A first feeding step for feeding the first support plate;
A second feeding step for feeding the second support plate;
An application step of applying a liquid crystal mixed material on the first support plate or the second support plate;
A bonding step of bonding the first support plate and the second support plate through the liquid crystal mixed material,
In the said bonding process, the 1st support plate and the said 2nd support are used with the said pressing roll and the said endless belt using the bonding apparatus which has a pressing roll and the endless belt arrange | positioned facing the said pressing roll. Insert the board.

  In the method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present invention, the endless belt is disposed around a plurality of guide rolls, and the pressing roll is positioned between two guide rolls of the plurality of guide rolls. The endless belt may face the endless belt.

  In the method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present invention, the plurality of guide rolls may include at least one fixed roll and at least one movable roll.

  In the method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element of the present invention, the endless belt may be an annular metal sheet.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unevenness in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element corresponding to the line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus used for manufacturing the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a bonding apparatus of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example, and is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the bonding apparatus of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 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”, “sheet”, and “film” are not distinguished from each other only based on the difference in designation. For example, “plate” is a concept that includes members that can be called “sheets” and “films”. Therefore, for example, “support plate” is a member called “support sheet” or “support film”. It cannot be distinguished only by the difference in designation.

  In addition, “plate surface (sheet surface, film surface)” means a target plate-like member (sheet-like) when the target plate-like (sheet-like, film-like) member is viewed as a whole and globally. It refers to the surface that coincides with the plane direction of the member or 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.

  1-7 is a figure for demonstrating one Embodiment by this invention. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a liquid crystal element, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of the liquid crystal element corresponding to the II-II line of FIG.

  A polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid crystal element) 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided in a window of a vehicle such as a train or an automobile, a building such as a house, and the like. Therefore, it can be used for controlling the viewing angle of a liquid crystal display by controlling the transparency of the liquid crystal display or combining it with the backlight of the liquid crystal display. The application of the liquid crystal element 10 is not limited to these.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal element 10 includes a first support plate 11, a second support plate 12 disposed to face the first support plate 11, and the first support plate 11 and the second support. And a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid crystal layer) 20 disposed between the plate 12 and the plate 12.

  The first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 have a function of supporting the liquid crystal layer 20 and applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 20. The first support plate 11 includes a first base material 13 and a first transparent conductive layer 14 provided on the first base material 13. The second support plate 12 includes a second base material 15 and a second transparent conductive layer 16 provided on the second base material 15. In the illustrated example, the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are arranged to face each other so that the first transparent conductive layer 14 and the second transparent conductive layer 16 face each other. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the first base material 13, the first transparent conductive layer 14, the liquid crystal layer 20, the second transparent conductive layer 16, and the second base material 15 are laminated in this order.

  The base materials 13 and 15 of the support plates 11 and 12 function as a support that supports the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16. The material of the base materials 13 and 15 is not particularly limited, and for example, various transparent film materials having flexibility can be used. Specifically, polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyolefin resins such as polypropylene (PP), triacetyl cellulose (cellulose triacetate: A film material containing cellulose resin such as TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), polycarbonate (PC) resin, or the like can be used. Moreover, as thickness of the base materials 13 and 15, the thing of 20 micrometers or more and 300 micrometers or less can be used, for example, Preferably the thing of 50 micrometers or more and 150 micrometers or less can be used.

  The transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 of the support plates 11 and 12 function as electrodes for applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 20 when energized, thereby driving the liquid crystal material 22 contained in the liquid crystal layer 20. Here, “driving” the liquid crystal material 22 means changing the direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal material 22. For example, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal material 22 of the liquid crystal layer 20 can be changed by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 20 using the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16.

  As the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16, it is possible to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 20, and it is possible to apply various configurations that are perceived as transparent. For example, transparent conductive materials ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), AZO (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide), GZO (Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide), ZNO (Zinc Oxide) In addition to a metal oxide such as), a material containing a conductive polymer film, silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or the like can be used. The sheet resistance and transmittance in the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are not particularly limited. For example, the sheet resistance can be 100Ω / □ or more and 300Ω / □ or less, and the transmittance can be 85% or more.

  Next, the liquid crystal layer 20 will be described. The liquid crystal layer 20 has a function of changing the transparency through the liquid crystal layer 20 in accordance with the application state of the electric field by the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16. The liquid crystal layer 20 is formed of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal. As an example of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, liquid crystal droplets are dispersed in a transparent polymer material (PDLC: Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), and a polymer resin network is formed in a continuous layer of liquid crystals. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) and polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCT) using cholesteric liquid crystal. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, an example in which the liquid crystal layer 20 is formed by PDLC including a polymer matrix 21 and a liquid crystal material 22 dispersed in the polymer matrix 21 will be described. To do. The liquid crystal layer 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes a spacer 25 for keeping the distance between the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 at a predetermined distance.

  In the liquid crystal layer 20 shown in FIG. 2, as an example, a liquid crystal mixed material 27 is prepared by mixing a polymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a liquid crystal material 22 having no polymerization group. It can be formed by phase-separating the liquid crystal material 22 when the monomer inside is photopolymerized. Thereby, the polymer matrix 21 of the liquid crystal layer 20 is formed from the polymerized monomer, and the liquid crystal material 22 is dispersed in the polymer matrix 21.

  The liquid crystal material 22 is a liquid material containing liquid crystal molecules having a longitudinal direction. The liquid crystal molecules have refractive index anisotropy corresponding to the shape. That is, the refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules is different from the refractive index in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal material 22 is not particularly limited, and a liquid crystal material such as a nematic material can be used. Specifically, as the liquid crystal material 22, for example, a nematic material such as E7 manufactured by Merck & Co. can be used. Further, the polymerizable monomer may be any material that can phase-separate the liquid crystal material 22 and has high light transmittance, and has either a monofunctional or polyfunctional polymerizable monomer (polymerizable group). Resins can also be used. Examples of such resins include monofunctional (meth) acrylates such as methyl (meth) acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra (meth) And polyfunctional (meth) acrylates such as dipentaerythritol penta (meth) acrylate and dipentaerythritol hexa (meth) acrylate. In addition, the description with (meth) acrylate means an acrylate or a methacrylate. In addition to acrylics, cation polymerizable monomers include alicyclic epoxides such as 3,4-epoxycyclohexenylmethyl-3 ′, 4′-epoxycyclohexenecarboxylate, and glycidyl ethers such as bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. Kinds can also be used. These polymerizable monomers can be used alone or in combination of two or more depending on the required performance, coating suitability and the like.

  The photopolymerization initiator is not particularly limited, and various photopolymerization initiators can be used. For example, benzoin and alkyl etherated products thereof, benzyl ketals, and acetophenones can be used. As acetophenones, for example, hydroxyacetophenone, aminoacetophenone, dialkoxyacetophenone, halogenated acetophenone and the like can be used. As these photopolymerization initiators, for example, products such as Irgacure (registered trademark) 907, Irgacure 651, and Irgacure 184 manufactured by BASF are commercially available, and these can be used alone or in combination.

  The spacer 25 has a function of keeping the distance between the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 at a predetermined distance, thereby maintaining the thickness (height) of the liquid crystal layer 20 at a predetermined thickness (height). Have As the spacer 25, for example, a resin-made one having high light transmittance such as plastic beads can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a spherical spacer is used as the spacer 25, but the shape of the spacer 25 is not limited to this.

  By the way, the liquid crystal material 22 may have a dichroic dye. Similar to the liquid crystal molecules, the dichroic dye has a longitudinal direction. When the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is changed by an electric field, the orientation is changed according to the movement. And a dichroic pigment | dye comes to have a color according to the direction. For this reason, the liquid crystal element 10 is maintained in a colorless and transparent or nearly colorless and transparent state in a low haze state, while in a high haze state, the liquid crystal element 10 is not simply turbid but has a predetermined color and an invisible state. can do. Here, when the predetermined color is the same color as the surrounding portion of the liquid crystal element 10 (the portion where the liquid crystal element 10 is not provided), the appearance of the liquid crystal element 10 is prevented from being different from the surrounding portion. Can do. Further, the design including the liquid crystal element 10 may be positively imparted so that the color of the liquid crystal element 10 in the low haze state is different from the color of the surrounding portion of the liquid crystal element 10. As such a dichroic dye, various well-known things as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2007-009120 and 2011-246411 can be used.

  Note that a sealing material may be provided on the peripheral edge of the liquid crystal element 10. In particular, by providing the sealing material so as to cover the peripheral portion of the liquid crystal layer 20, it is possible to prevent the liquid crystal layer 20, particularly the liquid crystal material 22, from leaking out. For this reason, when providing a sealing material in the peripheral part of the liquid crystal element 10, the sealing material has a shape surrounding the liquid crystal layer 20 in the observation from the normal direction to the plate surface of the liquid crystal element 10, that is, in plan view. It is preferable to have. As the material of the sealing material, for example, the same resin as that forming the polymer matrix 21 of the liquid crystal layer 20 can be used.

  In the liquid crystal element 10 configured as described above, the refractive index of the liquid crystal material 22 and the refractive index of the polymer matrix 21 are aligned in a state where the liquid crystal molecules are aligned. In this state, light incident on the liquid crystal element 10 can pass through the liquid crystal element 10 without greatly bending the traveling direction. That is, the liquid crystal element 10 is in a low haze state in a state where the liquid crystal molecules are aligned. In this state, the liquid crystal element 10 is in a transparent state, and the visibility through the liquid crystal element 10 is increased.

  On the other hand, in the liquid crystal element 10, when the liquid crystal molecules are not aligned, the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules becomes irregular depending on the polymer matrix 21 located in the vicinity of the liquid crystal molecules. . In this state, the light incident on the liquid crystal element 10 is diffused with its traveling direction greatly bent. That is, in a state where the liquid crystal molecules are not aligned, the liquid crystal element 10 is in a high haze state. At this time, the liquid crystal element 10 becomes clouded and visibility through the liquid crystal element 10 is lowered.

  In the normal type liquid crystal element 10, a liquid crystal material containing positive liquid crystal molecules is used as the liquid crystal material 22. In this case, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is irregular in a state where no electric field is applied by the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16. Therefore, the normal type liquid crystal element 10 becomes cloudy in a state where an electric field is not applied, and thereby the visibility through the liquid crystal element 10 is lowered. On the other hand, in a state where an electric field is applied by the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned. Therefore, the normal type liquid crystal element 10 becomes transparent when an electric field is applied, and thus the visibility through the liquid crystal element 10 is increased.

  In the reverse type liquid crystal element 10, a liquid crystal material containing negative liquid crystal molecules is used as the liquid crystal material 22. In this case, the direction of the liquid crystal molecules is irregular in a state where an electric field is applied by the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16. Therefore, the reverse type liquid crystal element 10 becomes cloudy in a state where an electric field is applied, and thereby the visibility through the liquid crystal element 10 is lowered. On the other hand, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a state where no electric field is applied by the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16. Accordingly, the reverse-type liquid crystal element 10 becomes transparent when no electric field is applied, thereby increasing the visibility through the liquid crystal element 10.

  Next, an example of a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus) 30 used for manufacturing the liquid crystal element 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a part of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30.

  The liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a first feeding unit 31 that feeds the first support plate 11, a second feeding unit 32 that feeds the second support plate 12, and a liquid crystal mixed material. 27, a coating device 34 for coating 27, and a bonding device 40 for bonding the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 via the liquid crystal mixed material 27. The liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 is a curing apparatus 36 for polymerizing (curing) the monomer in the liquid crystal mixed material 27 located on the downstream side of the bonding apparatus 40 along the transport direction dc of the first support plate 11. Have

  The first feeding unit 31 includes a first feeding shaft 31a that holds a first support plate roll 11a around which the first support plate 11 is wound. The first feeding shaft 31a is a member to which a first support plate roll 11a in which a long first support plate 11 is wound in a roll shape along its longitudinal direction is attached. Moreover, the 2nd feeding part 32 has the 2nd feeding shaft 32a holding the 2nd support plate roll 12a by which the 2nd support plate 12 was wound. The second feed shaft 32a is a member to which the second support plate roll 12a, in which the long second support plate 12 is wound in a roll shape along the longitudinal direction thereof, is attached. The feeding units 31, 32 are configured to rotate while holding the support plate rolls 11a, 12a by the feed shafts 31a, 32a, and feed the support plates 11, 12 from the support plate rolls 11a, 12a. . For this purpose, the feeding units 31 and 32 have a rotation mechanism (not shown) connected to the feeding shafts 31a and 32a. The rotation mechanism has a transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force from a driving source such as a motor to the feeding shafts 31a and 32a. In the illustrated example, the feeding shafts 31 a and 32 a extend in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction and intersecting the transport direction dc of the first support plate 11. In particular, in the illustrated example, the feeding shafts 31a and 32a extend in parallel with the horizontal direction and in parallel with the direction (first direction d1) perpendicular to the transport direction dc.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the support plate rolls 11 a and 12 a are wound such that the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are positioned inside the base materials 13 and 15, respectively. In the first feeding unit 31, the first support plate 11 is unwound from the first support plate roll 11 a so that the first transparent conductive layer 14 is positioned above the first base material 13. The second support plate 12 is unwound from the second support plate roll 12 a so that the second transparent conductive layer 16 is positioned above the second base material 15.

  The coating device 34 is used for coating the liquid crystal mixed material 27 on the first support plate 11. The coating device 34 applies the liquid crystal mixed material 27 on the first transparent conductive layer 14 of the first support plate 11. As the coating device 34, for example, a die coater, a Mayer bar coater, a roll coater, a spray coater or the like can be used.

  In the illustrated example, the first support plate 11 fed from the first feeding unit 31 is applied with the liquid crystal mixed material 27 in the coating device 34, and then the traveling direction thereof is changed by the guide roll 37, and the application is performed. Head to the combined device 40. In addition, the traveling direction of the second support plate 12 fed from the second feeding unit 32 is changed by the guide roll 39 and heads toward the bonding apparatus 40. In the bonding apparatus 40, the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are bonded via the liquid crystal mixed material 27. In particular, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 applied on the first support plate 11 and the second transparent conductive layer 16 of the second support plate 12 face each other so that the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 Is pasted.

  This bonding apparatus 40 is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the bonding apparatus 40 of the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 of FIG. 3 as viewed from the first direction d1.

  The bonding apparatus 40 includes a pressing roll 42 and an endless belt 44 disposed to face the pressing roll 42. The pressing roll 42 is a member that presses the second support plate 12 toward the first support plate 11 while changing the traveling direction of the second support plate 12. In particular, the pressing roll 42 causes the second transparent conductive layer 16 of the second support plate 12 to face the liquid crystal mixed material 27 applied on the first support plate 11, and the second support plate 12 to the first support plate 11. Hold down (press). The pressing roll 42 has a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape, and is configured to be rotatable around the central axis. In the illustrated example, the central axis of the pressing roll 42 extends in parallel with the first direction d1.

  The endless belt 44 is a member that supports the first support plate 11 in the bonding apparatus 40. The endless belt 44 is an annular belt-like member disposed around the plurality of guide rolls 46. In other words, the endless belt 44 is a belt-like member that is stretched over a plurality of guide rolls 46. In the illustrated example, the endless belt 44 is stretched over the three guide rolls 46, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the endless belt 44 may be spanned over the two guide rolls 46. Two or more guide rolls 46 may be spanned. The endless belt 44 is configured to be able to move around the plurality of guide rolls 46. Here, the endless belt 44 can be bent between two adjacent guide rolls 46. Therefore, the endless belt 44 can elastically support the first support plate 11 between two adjacent guide rolls 46. As the endless belt 44, an annular sheet-like member can be preferably used. The endless belt 44 is not particularly limited and may be made of various materials. In particular, from the viewpoint of the range of tension that can be applied, durability, and the like, it is preferable to use an endless belt 44 made of an annular metal sheet.

  The guide roll 46 is a member for supporting the endless belt 44 so as to be capable of moving around the plurality of guide rolls 46. Each guide roll 46 has a columnar shape or a cylindrical shape, and is configured to be rotatable around a central axis. In the illustrated example, the central axis of each guide roll 46 extends in parallel with the first direction d1. Accordingly, the central axes of the guide rolls 46 are parallel to each other. The central axis of the pressing roll 42 and the central axis of each guide roll 46 are also parallel to each other. In the illustrated example, the pressing roll 42 is disposed to face the endless belt 44 positioned between two guide rolls 46 of the plurality of guide rolls 46.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of guide rolls 46 of the laminating apparatus 40 include at least one fixed roll 47 and at least one movable roll 48, and the endless belt 44 is fixed. It arrange | positions so that the circumference | surroundings of the roll 47 and the movable roll 48 can be moved. In particular, in the illustrated example, the plurality of guide rolls 46 include two fixed rolls 47 and one movable roll 48, and the endless belt 44 is surrounded by two fixed rolls 47 and one movable roll 48. It is arranged so that it can move around.

  Each of the fixed rolls 47 is a guide roll 46 whose center axis is fixed. In the illustrated example, one of the two fixed rolls 47 is disposed upstream of the pressing roll 42 in the transport direction dc, and the other of the two fixed rolls 47 is positioned with respect to the pressing roll 42. It is arranged downstream in the transport direction dc. Accordingly, the pressing roll 42 is disposed at a position facing the endless belt 44 positioned between the two fixed rolls 47. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fixed roll 47 and the movable roll 48 are disposed so that the pressing roll 42 is disposed at a position facing the endless belt 44 positioned between the fixed roll 47 and the movable roll 48. May be.

  The movable roll 48 is a guide roll 46 whose center axis is movable. In particular, the movable roll 48 is configured such that the position of the central axis thereof can be translated in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (in the plane of the paper surface in FIG. 4). Thus, the tension applied to the endless belt 44 can be adjusted according to the position of the movable roll 48. For example, the position of the central axis of the movable roll 48 is movable in a direction close to the pressing roll 42 and a direction away from the pressing roll 42. In this case, when the movable roll 48 is moved in the direction close to the pressing roll 42, the tension applied to the endless belt 44 is reduced, and the movable roll 48 is moved in the direction away from the pressing roll 42. The tension applied to the endless belt 44 increases. Since the plurality of guide rolls 46 include such a movable roll 48, the guide roll 46 is applied to the laminate of the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 and the second support plate 12 from the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. The pressing force can be adjusted appropriately. Therefore, variation in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 20 in the surface of the manufactured liquid crystal element 10 can be effectively suppressed.

  The laminate formed by joining the second support plate 12 to the first support plate 11 coated with the liquid crystal mixed material 27 passes between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. In particular, the laminate passes between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 positioned between two guide rolls 46 of the plurality of guide rolls 46. At this time, as described above, the endless belt 44 elastically supports the first support plate 11 between the two adjacent guide rolls 46. Therefore, even when the pressing roll 42 is eccentric, when the pressing roll 42 vibrates, or when the pressing roll 42 is bent, the portion of the endless belt 44 facing the pressing roll 42, especially A portion of the endless belt 44 facing the pressing roll 42 between the two adjacent guide rolls 46 can be deformed following the eccentricity, vibration, deflection, or the like of the pressing roll 42. Thereby, the space | interval between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 can be kept constant accurately.

  The curing device 36 polymerizes (cures) the polymerizable monomer contained in the liquid crystal mixed material 27 to form the liquid crystal layer 20 from the liquid crystal mixed material 27. For example, when the liquid crystal mixed material 27 contains a photopolymerization initiator activated by ultraviolet rays, the curing device 36 may be configured to include an ultraviolet irradiation device. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays while the laminate of the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 and the second support plate 12 passes through the curing device 36. Thereby, the monomer contained in the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is polymerized (cured).

  The liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 includes a cutting device that cuts the laminated body of the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal layer 20, and the second support plate 12 after passing through the curing device 36. A sealing device that seals the peripheral portion with a sealing material, a transport device that transports the laminate, and the like may be provided as appropriate.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5-7, the manufacturing method of the liquid crystal element 10 using the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 is demonstrated. Here, an example in which the intermediate member 50 is manufactured using a so-called roll-to-sheet method and the liquid crystal element 10 is manufactured using the intermediate member 50 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The liquid crystal element 10 may be manufactured by using this.

[Support plate preparation process]
First, support plates 11 and 12 having base materials 13 and 15 and transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are prepared. Examples of the base materials 13 and 15 include polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyolefin resins such as polypropylene (PP), and triacetyl cellulose. A film material containing cellulose resin such as (cellulose triacetate: TAC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), polycarbonate (PC) resin, or the like can be used.

  Transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are formed on the base materials 13 and 15. Accordingly, the first support plate 11 provided with the first transparent conductive layer 14 on the first base material 13 and the second support plate 12 provided with the second transparent conductive layer 16 on the second base material 15 are provided. Produced. For example, the long base materials 13 and 15 are wound into a roll shape, and the base materials 13 and 15 are continuously fed therefrom. The transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are formed on the fed base materials 13 and 15, and the produced support plates 11 and 12 are wound into rolls, respectively, to produce support plate rolls 11 a and 12 a. In the liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30, the support plate rolls 11 a and 12 a are held by the feeding shafts 31 a and 32 a of the feeding units 31 and 32.

  The transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are, for example, transparent conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), AZO (Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide), GZO (Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide), and ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide). Oxide), a layer containing a metal oxide such as ZNO (Zinc Oxide), a physical vapor deposition method (PVD method) such as a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method, a chemical vapor deposition method ( CVD method), or a combination of these two or more. When the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are formed as layers containing a conductive polymer material, for example, the conductive polymer material is formed on the base materials 13 and 15 using various coating methods or printing methods. Thus, the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 can be formed. Further, when the transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 are formed as layers containing silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, etc., for example, a dispersion liquid in which silver nanowires, carbon nanotubes, etc. are dispersed in a solvent such as water is used as the base material 13, The transparent conductive layers 14 and 16 can be formed by drying after coating on the substrate 15.

[First feeding process]
The first support plate 11 is fed from the first support plate roll 11 a held by the first feed shaft 31 a of the first feed unit 31. Specifically, the first support plate 11 is unwound from the first support plate roll 11 a so that the first transparent conductive layer 14 is positioned above the first base material 13, and heads toward the coating device 34.

[Second feeding process]
The second support plate 12 is fed from the second support plate roll 12 a held by the second feed shaft 32 a of the second feed unit 32. The traveling direction of the second support plate 12 fed from the second feeding unit 32 is changed by the guide roll 39 and heads toward the bonding apparatus 40.

[Coating process]
The liquid crystal mixed material 27 is applied onto the first support plate 11 fed from the first feeding unit 31 by the coating device 34 (FIG. 5). In particular, in the coating device 34, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is applied on the first transparent conductive layer 14 of the first support plate 11. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is applied at a predetermined distance from both edges in the width direction (first direction) of the first support plate 11. Thereby, in the below-mentioned bonding process, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 sandwiched between the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 and spread in the width direction becomes the edge of the first support plate 11 in the width direction. It can suppress that it leaks out from between the edge of 2 and the 2nd support plate 12, and adheres to the bonding apparatus 40 grade | etc.,.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the coating device 34, the spacer 25 is mixed with the liquid crystal mixed material 27 and coated on the first support plate 11. However, the spacer 25 is prepared separately from the liquid crystal mixed material 27. For example, the spacer 25 is sprayed on the liquid crystal mixed material 27 after applying the liquid crystal mixed material 27 using a spacer spraying device. Also good. Alternatively, the spacers 25 may be sprayed on the second transparent conductive layer 16 of the second support plate 12 using a spacer spraying device. In this case, the spacer 25 is embedded in the liquid crystal mixed material 27 by the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 being pressed toward each other by the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 of the bonding apparatus 40. It becomes like this. As the spacer 25, for example, a resin-made one having high light transmittance such as plastic beads can be used.

  After the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is applied in the application step, the traveling direction of the first support plate 11 is changed by the guide roll 37 and heads for the bonding apparatus 40.

[Bonding process]
Next, the 1st support plate 11 and the 2nd support plate 12 are bonded through the liquid crystal mixed material 27 using the bonding apparatus 40 (FIG. 6). In particular, the liquid crystal mixed material 27 applied on the first support plate 11 and the second transparent conductive layer 16 of the second support plate 12 face each other so that the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 Is pasted. The laminating device 40 includes a pressing roll 42 and an endless belt 44 disposed to face the pressing roll 42, and the first support plate 11 and the second support plate are formed by the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. 12 is sandwiched. At this time, the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are pressed toward each other by the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44, thereby the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal mixed material 27, and the second support plate 12. The thickness of the laminated body has a predetermined thickness corresponding to the distance between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. In addition, the spacer 25 is embedded in the liquid crystal mixed material 27, thereby preventing the thickness of the liquid crystal mixed material 27 from becoming smaller than a predetermined thickness. That is, the thickness of the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is maintained at a predetermined thickness.

  The endless belt 44 is disposed around the plurality of guide rolls 46. The endless belt 44 is configured to be able to move around the plurality of guide rolls 46. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing roll 42 is disposed to face the endless belt 44 positioned between two guide rolls 46 among the plurality of guide rolls 46. The endless belt 44 can be bent between two adjacent guide rolls 46. Therefore, the endless belt 44 can elastically support the first support plate 11 between two adjacent guide rolls 46. The endless belt 44 is not particularly limited and may be made of various materials. In particular, from the viewpoint of the range of tension that can be applied, durability, and the like, it is preferable to use an endless belt 44 made of an annular metal sheet.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of guide rolls 46 of the laminating apparatus 40 include at least one fixed roll 47 and at least one movable roll 48, and the endless belt 44 is fixed. It arrange | positions so that the circumference | surroundings of the roll 47 and the movable roll 48 can be moved. Thus, the tension applied to the endless belt 44 can be adjusted according to the position of the movable roll 48. In particular, in the illustrated example, the plurality of guide rolls 46 include two fixed rolls 47 and one movable roll 48, and the endless belt 44 is surrounded by two fixed rolls 47 and one movable roll 48. It is arranged so that it can move around. One of the two fixed rolls 47 is disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction dc with respect to the pressing roll 42, and the other of the two fixed rolls 47 is on the downstream side in the conveying direction dc with respect to the pressing roll 42. Is arranged. Accordingly, the pressing roll 42 is disposed at a position facing the endless belt 44 positioned between the two fixed rolls 47. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the fixed roll 47 and the movable roll 48 are disposed so that the pressing roll 42 is disposed at a position facing the endless belt 44 positioned between the fixed roll 47 and the movable roll 48. May be.

  In the bonding step, the laminate formed by joining the second support plate 12 to the first support plate 11 to which the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is applied passes between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. In particular, the laminate passes between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 positioned between two guide rolls 46 of the plurality of guide rolls 46. At this time, as described above, the endless belt 44 elastically supports the first support plate 11 between the two adjacent guide rolls 46. Therefore, even when the pressing roll 42 is eccentric, when the pressing roll 42 vibrates, or when the pressing roll 42 is bent, the portion of the endless belt 44 facing the pressing roll 42, especially A portion of the endless belt 44 facing the pressing roll 42 between the two adjacent guide rolls 46 can be deformed following the eccentricity, vibration, deflection, or the like of the pressing roll 42. Thereby, the space | interval between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 can be kept constant accurately.

[Curing process]
Next, using the curing device 36, the polymerizable monomer contained in the liquid crystal mixed material 27 is polymerized to cure the liquid crystal mixed material 27. For example, when the liquid crystal mixed material 27 contains a photopolymerization initiator activated by ultraviolet rays, the laminate of the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal mixed material 27, and the second support plate 12 is carried into the curing device 36, The liquid crystal mixed material 27 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiation device of the curing device 36. The cured liquid crystal mixed material 27 will later form the liquid crystal layer 20 of the liquid crystal element 10. Here, as the liquid crystal mixed material 27, for example, when a mixture of a polymerizable monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a liquid crystal material 22 having no polymerization group is used, photopolymerization in which the polymerizable monomer is activated. When photopolymerization is performed by the action of the initiator, the liquid crystal material 22 having no polymerization group is phase-separated into droplets. As a result, the polymerized monomers come to form the polymer matrix 21 of the liquid crystal layer 20, and the liquid crystal material 22 is dispersed in the polymer matrix 21 (FIG. 7).

[Cutting process]
Next, using a cutting device (not shown), the laminate of the first support plate 11, the liquid crystal layer 20 formed of the cured liquid crystal mixed material 27 and the second support plate 12 is cut along the first direction d1, The intermediate member 50 is produced. Then, using the cutting device which is not illustrated, it cut | disconnects in the location of the dashed-dotted line C of FIG. 7, for example along the both ends of the width direction of the intermediate member 50, and the liquid crystal element 10 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 is manufactured. In addition, you may make it seal the peripheral part of the liquid crystal element 10 with a sealing material using the sealing device which is not shown in figure.

  The polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment includes a first feeding unit 31 that feeds the first support plate 11, a second feeding unit 32 that feeds the second support plate 12, Application device 34 for applying liquid crystal mixed material 27 on first support plate 11 or second support plate 12, and bonding for bonding first support plate 11 and second support plate 12 through liquid crystal mixed material 27. The bonding apparatus 40 includes a pressing roll 42 and an endless belt 44 disposed to face the pressing roll 42.

  In addition, the manufacturing method of the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 of the present embodiment includes a first feeding process for feeding the first support plate 11 and a second feeding process for feeding the second support plate 12. Application process for applying the liquid crystal mixed material 27 on the first support plate 11 or the second support plate 12, and bonding for bonding the first support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 via the liquid crystal mixed material 27 In the bonding step, a bonding apparatus 40 having a pressing roll 42 and an endless belt 44 arranged to face the pressing roll 42 is used, and the first is formed by the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44. The support plate 11 and the second support plate 12 are sandwiched.

  According to the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method for manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 as described above, when the pressing roll 42 is decentered or when the pressing roll 42 vibrates, the pressing roll 42. Even when the bending occurs, the portion of the endless belt 44 facing the pressing roll 42 can be deformed following the eccentricity, vibration, or bending of the pressing roll 42. Thereby, the space | interval between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 can be kept constant accurately. Therefore, variation in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 20 in the plane of the manufactured liquid crystal element 10 can be suppressed, and scattering in the plane of the liquid crystal element 10 that can be caused by the variation in thickness of the liquid crystal layer 20 can be suppressed. It becomes possible to effectively suppress unevenness of the haze value in the state. Thereby, the aesthetics of a window, a display, a screen, etc. using the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 can be improved.

  In the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method for manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 according to the present embodiment, the endless belt 44 is disposed around the plurality of guide rolls 46, and the pressing roll 42 includes a plurality of press rolls 42. It faces the endless belt 44 located between two of the guide rolls 46.

  According to the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method of manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10, the endless belt 44 can be bent between the two guide rolls 46. Therefore, the endless belt 44 can elastically support the first support plate 11 between the two guide rolls 46. As a result, the portion of the endless belt 44 that faces the pressing roll 42 between the two guide rolls 46 can be deformed following the eccentricity, vibration, or deflection of the pressing roll 42. Thereby, the space | interval between the pressing roll 42 and the endless belt 44 can be kept constant more accurately.

  In the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method of manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 of the present embodiment, the plurality of guide rolls 46 include at least one fixed roll 47 and at least one movable roll 48. Including.

  According to the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method of manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10, the tension applied to the endless belt 44 is adjusted according to the position of the movable roll 48. be able to. Thereby, the pressing force applied to the laminated body of the 1st support plate 11, the liquid crystal mixed material 27, and the 2nd support plate 12 from the press roll 42 and the endless belt 44 can be adjusted appropriately. Therefore, variation in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 20 in the plane of the manufactured liquid crystal element 10 can be further effectively suppressed.

  In the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method of manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 of the present embodiment, the endless belt 44 is an annular metal sheet.

  According to the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 30 and the method for manufacturing the polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element 10 as described above, the endless belt 44 is compared with the case where the endless belt 44 is formed of a resin or the like. The range of tension that can be applied to the belt can be increased, and the durability of the endless belt 44 can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Liquid crystal element 11 1st support plate 11a 1st support plate roll 12 2nd support plate 12a 2nd support plate roll 13 1st base material 14 1st transparent conductive layer 15 2nd base material 16 2nd transparent conductive layer 20 Liquid crystal layer 21 Polymer Matrix 22 Liquid Crystal Material 25 Spacer 27 Liquid Crystal Mixed Material 30 Liquid Crystal Element Manufacturing Device 31 First Feeder 32 Second Feeder 34 Coating Device 36 Curing Device 40 Bonding Device 42 Pressing Roll 44 Endless Belt 46 Guide Roll 47 Fixed roll 48 Movable roll 111 First support plate 111a First support plate roll 112 Second support plate 112a Second support plate roll 127 Liquid crystal mixed material 130 Liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus 131a First feed shaft 132a Second feed shaft 134 Application Device 136 Curing device 140 Bonding device

Claims (8)

A first feeding section for feeding the first support plate;
A second feeding section for feeding the second support plate;
An applicator for applying a liquid crystal mixed material on the first support plate or the second support plate;
A bonding apparatus for bonding the first support plate and the second support plate via the liquid crystal mixed material,
The said bonding apparatus is a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus which has a pressing roll and an endless belt arrange | positioned facing the said pressing roll. The endless belt is disposed around a plurality of guide rolls,
The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing roll is opposed to the endless belt positioned between two guide rolls of the plurality of guide rolls.   The polymer dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of guide rolls include at least one fixed roll and at least one movable roll.   The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endless belt is an annular metal sheet. A first feeding step for feeding the first support plate;
A second feeding step for feeding the second support plate;
An application step of applying a liquid crystal mixed material on the first support plate or the second support plate;
A bonding step of bonding the first support plate and the second support plate through the liquid crystal mixed material,
In the said bonding process, the 1st support plate and the said 2nd support are carried out by the said pressing roll and the said endless belt using the bonding apparatus which has a pressing roll and the endless belt arrange | positioned facing the said pressing roll. A method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element, which sandwiches a plate. The endless belt is disposed around a plurality of guide rolls,
The method of manufacturing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element according to claim 5, wherein the pressing roll faces the endless belt positioned between two guide rolls of the plurality of guide rolls.   The method of manufacturing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of guide rolls include at least one fixed roll and at least one movable roll.   The method for producing a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal element according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the endless belt is an annular metal sheet.

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