JP2019061048A - Light control cell, light control panel, vehicle, and method for manufacturing light control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

To effectively prevent the generation of liquid crystal reservoirs in an active area.SOLUTION: A light control panel 30 is a light control cell whose transmittance is variable according to application of voltage. The light control cell includes a first substrate 40 including a first resin base material 41, a second substrate 50 including a second resin base material 51, a liquid crystal layer 60 provided between the first substrate and second substrate, and a seal material 65 positioned between the first substrate and second substrate and surrounding the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape. A partial coating layer 35 is provided so as to overlap with an area other than at least part adjacent to the seal material of the liquid crystal layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control cell whose transmittance is variable according to voltage application, a light control panel including the light control cell, a vehicle including the light control panel, and a method of manufacturing the light control panel.

  As a light control panel capable of adaptively changing the light transmittance, a light control panel provided with a light control cell capable of freely controlling the light transmittance according to an applied voltage has attracted attention. A light control panel utilizing the light alignment properties of liquid crystal molecules is not only excellent in response performance, but also has a high degree of freedom regarding installation, and can be installed to form a flat or curved surface in a desired space. In addition, since the light control cell can transmit light without changing the color, it is also excellent in color harmony with other members installed around it.

  The light control panel using such a light control cell excellent in versatility is expected to be used in various fields. For example, as in a light control film disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to configure a light control panel that can be used even in an external environment by attaching a light control cell to a light transmitting member such as a plate glass. The light control panel including the light control cell and the light transmission member can be used under an external environment because the light control cell can be protected by the light transmission member, the application range is wide, and for example, the transmitted light amount can be freely controlled. It can also be suitably used as a light control window.

Patent No. 6024844

  In the light control panel provided with the above-mentioned light control cell and the light transmission member, in order to fix the light control cell to the light transmission member, it is necessary to join the light control cell to the light transmission member. However, it is not easy to properly bond the light control cell, which needs to maintain the thickness of the liquid crystal layer uniformly, to the light transmitting member. In particular, when joining the light control cell to the light transmitting member, if an uneven force is applied across the entire liquid crystal layer or a large force is locally applied to the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer The thickness may be uneven, and a "liquid crystal reservoir" may be locally generated, which is extremely thicker than the other portions.

  In a liquid crystal reservoir having a thickness several times that of the normal portion of the liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal does not function properly and desired light control performance can not be obtained. Therefore, if a liquid crystal reservoir occurs in the active area of the light control panel used to adjust the transmittance, the light control panel can no longer effectively exhibit the light control function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and effectively prevents generation of a liquid crystal reservoir in an active area to stably exhibit a light control function, and such a light control cell. A light control panel including the light control panel, a vehicle including such a light control cell or light control panel, and a method of manufacturing the light control panel.

The first light control cell according to the invention is
It is a light control cell whose transmittance is variable according to voltage application, and
A first substrate comprising a first resin substrate,
A second substrate comprising a second resin substrate,
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A sealing material positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape;
A partial covering layer is provided so as to overlap an area other than at least a part of the liquid crystal layer adjacent to the sealing material.

The second dimming cell according to the present invention is
A light control cell including an active area used for adjusting the transmittance and an inactive area surrounding the active area, the transmittance being variable according to voltage application,
A first substrate comprising a first resin substrate,
A second substrate comprising a second resin substrate,
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A partial covering layer is provided so as to overlap the liquid crystal layer other than at least a part of the liquid crystal layer located in the non-active area.

  In the first or second light control cell according to the present invention, the partial covering layer may include a polarizing plate, an ultraviolet absorbing film or an infrared absorbing film.

  In the first or second light control cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the partial covering layer may be 10 μm or more and 2000 μm or less.

The light control panel according to the invention is
A light control panel including an active area used to adjust transmittance and an inactive area surrounding the active area, the light control panel comprising:
A pair of light transmitting members,
A light control cell positioned between the pair of light transmitting members, including a liquid crystal layer, and having a variable transmittance according to voltage application;
And a bonding layer for bonding the pair of light transmitting members and the light control cell.
The liquid crystal layer includes a first area in the active area and a second area in the inactive area,
The second area includes a transmittance non-variable portion in which a change in transmittance is less than 20% of a change in transmittance in the first area.

  In the light control panel according to the present invention, the second region may include a transmittance variable portion in which the change width of the transmittance is 20% or more of the change width of the transmittance in the first region. Good.

  In the light control panel according to the present invention, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmittance invariable portion of the second area may be twice or more the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the first area.

  A vehicle according to the present invention comprises any of the light control cells according to the present invention described above or any of the light control panels according to the present invention described above.

A first method of manufacturing a light control panel according to the present invention is
A method of manufacturing a light control panel, comprising: a pair of light transmitting members; and any of the light control cells according to the present invention described above,
Arranging the light control cell and the thermoplastic resin between the pair of light transmitting members;
And pressing the pair of light transmitting members toward the light adjusting cell while the light adjusting cell and the thermoplastic resin are disposed between the pair of light transmitting members.

  In the disposing step of the first method of manufacturing a light control panel according to the present invention, the partial covering layer is in a state of being joined to the other member of the first substrate or the second substrate. Alternatively, the partial covering layer may be disposed between the pair of light transmitting members as a separate member from the first substrate or the second substrate.

A second method of manufacturing a light control panel according to the present invention is
A method of manufacturing a light control panel, comprising: a pair of light transmitting members; and any of the light control cells according to the present invention described above,
Arranging the light control cell and the thermoplastic resin between the pair of light transmitting members;
And pressing the pair of light transmitting members toward the light adjusting cell, with the light adjusting cell and the thermoplastic resin being disposed between the pair of light transmitting members.
The thermoplastic resin includes an outer peripheral portion located outward of the light control cell along a cell surface of the light control cell, and a notch is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion.

  According to the present invention, the generation of the liquid crystal reservoir in the active area can be effectively prevented, whereby the light control panel can stably exhibit the light control function in the active area.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing a light control device. FIG. 2 is a view showing the light control device of FIG. 1 in a cross section along line II-II. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the entire configuration of an example of the light control cell, and is a view mainly for explaining a layer configuration. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a light control cell included in the light control device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of a method of manufacturing the light control panel of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of a method of manufacturing the light control panel of FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 and is a diagram for describing a modified example of the partial covering layer. FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 and is a diagram for describing a modified example of the light control cell. FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a diagram for explaining another modification of the light control cell. FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 and is a diagram for describing another example of the method of manufacturing the light control panel. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 and is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of manufacturing the light control panel. FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a movable body to which the light control device is applied. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the light control panel, and is a view for explaining an example of the generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the light control panel, and is a view for explaining an example of the generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the light control panel, and is a view for explaining another example of the generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the outline of the light control panel, and is a view for explaining another example of the generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  For ease of illustration and understanding, the size of each element shown in the drawings and the size ratio among the elements do not necessarily match between the drawings, but the size of the elements shown in each drawing will be understood by one skilled in the art. And size ratio etc. can be easily understood. Further, in the following description, although the light in the visible light range is mainly intended when it is simply expressed as “light”, the following embodiment is also applied to light in the wavelength outside the visible light range. It is possible. Moreover, "transparent" means a property capable of transmitting light, and although the specific light transmittance for each wavelength does not matter, it can usually be said that the higher the transmittance, the higher the transparency. Therefore, so-called translucence can also be included in the concept of transparency in a broad sense.

  Also, in the present specification, the terms "plate", "sheet", "film", and "panel" are not distinguished from one another based only on the difference in designation. For example, "plate" is a concept that also includes members that may be called a sheet or film, and thus "light control panel" is called "light control plate", "light control sheet", or "light control film". It can not be distinguished only in the difference of a member and a name.

  Furthermore, “plate surface (sheet surface, film surface, panel surface)” is a target when the target plate-like (sheet-like, film-like, panel-like) members are viewed as a whole and generally The plane corresponds to the plane of the plate-like member (sheet-like member, film-like member, panel-like member). In addition, the normal direction to the plate-like (sheet-like, film-like, panel-like) member means the plate-like (sheet-like, film-like, panel-like) plate face (sheet face, film face, panel face) Points in the normal direction of.

  Furthermore, as used herein, the terms such as “parallel”, “orthogonal”, “identical”, values of length and angle, etc., which specify the shape and geometrical conditions and their degree, etc. Without being bound by the meaning, it shall be interpreted including the extent to which the same function can be expected.

  In the embodiment described below, the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30 are designed to effectively prevent the generation of the liquid crystal reservoir in the active area Aa. As a result, the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30 can stably exhibit the expected light control function. Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light control device 10 includes a control device 15, a frame member 18, and a light control panel 20. The frame member 18 is disposed on the periphery of the light control panel 20. The frame member 18 has a function of protecting the light control panel 20. Further, the frame member 18 has a function of attaching the light control panel 20 to any place. The frame member 18 functions as, for example, a window frame.

  The light control panel 20 includes a light control cell 30 whose transmittance is variable according to voltage application. Although the light control panel 20 is not shown, it has FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) as an electrode substrate. The FPC is connected to the electrodes of the light control cell 30 (see reference numerals “43” and “53” in FIG. 3 described later). The light control cell 30 is electrically connected to the control device 15 through the FPC. The controller 15 adjusts the voltage applied to the light control cell 30.

  The light control panel 20 has an active area Aa used for adjusting the transmittance, and a non-active area UAa surrounding the active area Aa. The inactive area UAa is usually an area not used for adjusting the transmittance. In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a region overlapping the frame material 18 along the normal direction to the panel surface of the light control panel 20 forms a non-active area UAa. On the other hand, along the normal direction to the panel surface of the light control panel 20, a region not overlapping the frame member 18 forms an active area Aa. In the illustrated example, the active area Aa forms a central area of the light control panel 20. The non-active area UAa forms an area surrounding the active area Aa. The inactive area UAa forms a peripheral area of the light control panel 20.

  The light control panel 20 includes the first light transmitting member 21 and the second light transmitting member 22, and the light adjusting cell 30 disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22. In the region between the light transmitting members 21 and 22, the light control cell 30 is disposed, and a bonding layer 23 also called an intermediate support material is filled. The light control cell 30 is disposed in the bonding layer 23. In other words, the light control cell 30 is surrounded and surrounded by the bonding layer 23 between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22. The light control cell 30 is bonded to the light transmitting members 21 and 22 via the bonding layer 23. The light control cell 30 is fixed to the light transmitting members 21 and 22 by the bonding layer 23.

  The light control cell 30 includes a liquid crystal layer (see reference numeral “60” in FIG. 3 and the like described later), and the light transmittance changes in accordance with the applied voltage. The voltage applied to the dimming cell 30 is adjusted by the controller 15. A specific configuration example of the light control cell 30 will be described later.

  The light transmitting members 21 and 22 protect the light control cell 30 from external force while transmitting light. Therefore, the light transmitting members 21 and 22 have strength, rigidity and elasticity that can protect the light control cell 30 disposed inside from the force applied from the outside. The light transmitting members 21 and 22 can typically be made of glass or a thermoplastic (for example, reinforced plastic etc.). The light transmitting members 21 and 22 may contain various materials (for example, transparent glass fiber, ultraviolet ray absorbing material, etc.) that can exhibit a desired function. The light transmitting members 21 and 22 are typically transparent, but may be made of a material capable of transmitting only light in a specific wavelength range. The light transmitting members 21 and 22 may have the same composition or may have different compositions. For example, a printing layer, for example, a printing layer made of black ceramic may be provided at a position covered by the frame members 18 of the light transmitting members 21 and 22 made of glass, for example.

  The bonding layer 23 bonds the light transmitting cells 21 and 22 with the light control cell 30 while transmitting light. The bonding layer 23 holds the light control cell 30 between the light transmission members 21 and 22 and determines the relative position of the light control cell 30 with respect to each of the light transmission members 21 and 22. The bonding layer 23 also protects the light control cell 30 from external force. Furthermore, the bonding layer 23 seals the light control cell 30, and isolates the light control cell 30 from external influences (for example, moisture etc.). Therefore, the bonding layer 23 is preferably made of a material (particularly, a resin adhesive) suitable for these roles. For example, urethane resin (PU: Polyurethane), ionomer resin (IO: Ionomer), polyvinyl butyral resin (PVB: Polyvinyl butyral), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA: Ethylen-Vinyl Acetate polymer) and cycloolefin polymer (COP: Cyclo Olefin) The bonding layer 23 can be made of any one or more materials of Polymer.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of the entire configuration of an example of the light control cell 30, and is a view mainly for explaining a layer configuration.

  The light control cell 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a first substrate 40 and a second substrate 50, and a liquid crystal layer 60 and a sealing material 65 disposed between the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50. .

  In the illustrated example, the first substrate 40 includes the first alignment film 42, the first electrode layer 43 and the first resin base 41 in this order from the side close to the liquid crystal layer 60. Similarly, the second substrate 50 includes the second alignment film 52, the second electrode layer 53, and the second resin base 51 in this order from the side close to the liquid crystal layer 60. Although the illustrated first substrate 40 further includes a partial covering layer 35, the details of the partial covering layer 35 will be described later separately. The resin substrates 41 and 51, the electrode layers 43 and 53, and the alignment layers 42 and 52 are made of a transparent material, and have desired light transmittance. On the other hand, the liquid crystal layer 60 is a layer having a liquid crystal material 61. The light transmittance of the second substrate 50 is variable according to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material 61.

  The resin substrates 41 and 51 contain a resin material, and can be configured to be thinner and lighter than the glass substrate. The resin base materials 41 and 51 may contain a single type of resin, or may contain multiple types of resins. Alternatively, the resin base materials 41 and 51 may be provided with a plurality of functions by a plurality of types of resins. For example, the resin substrates 41 and 51 may have a pair of hard coat layers and a main resin layer disposed between the pair of hard coat layers. The pair of hard coat layers can be made of, for example, TAC (Triacetylcellulose) or acrylic, and may be attached to the main resin layer through the transparent adhesive layer. Alternatively, a cured film (for example, a film of a silicone-based ultraviolet curable resin containing fine particles such as titanium dioxide) may be formed on the surface of the main resin layer, and the cured film may be used as a hard coat layer. The resin substrates 41 and 51 may be made of the same material as each other, or may be made of different materials.

  The electrode layers 43 and 53 are made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and are connected to the dimming controller through an FPC (not shown). The arrangement mode of the electrode layers 43 and 53 is not particularly limited, and the electrode layers 43 and 53 may be formed only at predetermined positions by patterning, or the electrode layers 43 and 53 may be formed in a solid shape. Moreover, the connection aspect of the electrode layers 43 and 53 with respect to FPC is not particularly limited. The electric field formed between the first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 53 changes according to the voltage applied to the electrode layers 43 and 53, and the liquid crystal material contained in the liquid crystal layer 60 according to the electric field. The orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in 61 changes. The voltage applied to the electrode layers 43 and 53 is controlled by the controller 15.

  The alignment layers 42 and 52 are provided adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 60, have liquid crystal alignment ability, and determine the alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 60 when no electric field is applied. In the alignment layers 42 and 52, typically, the resin layer such as polyimide is subjected to rubbing treatment, or the polymer film is irradiated with linearly polarized ultraviolet light to selectively react the polymer chains in the polarization direction. Although the alignment layers 42, 52 may be formed by any other method.

  Next, the sealing material 65 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4 described later, the sealing material 65 circumferentially surrounds the liquid crystal layer 60. That is, the sealing material 65 divides the liquid crystal layer 60 filled with the liquid crystal material 61. The sealing material 65 plays a role of preventing the liquid crystal material 61 constituting the liquid crystal layer 60 from leaking out between the pair of substrates 40 and 50, and is bonded to the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 to fix the both together. Play a role.

  The sealing material 65 can generally be formed using a thermosetting epoxy resin. In particular, when the filling method of the liquid crystal material 61 between the pair of substrates 40 and 50 is a vacuum injection method, the sealing material 65 made of epoxy resin can be suitably used. When ODF (One Drop Fill) method is used as the filling method of the liquid crystal material 61, a hybrid type material having both thermosetting and UV curing properties (ultraviolet curing property) should be suitably used as the sealing material 65. it can. This is because the contact of the liquid crystal material 61 with the sealing material 65 before curing causes an appearance defect. Therefore, it is preferable that, for example, a UV curable acrylic resin and an epoxy resin be contained in the sealing material that constitutes the sealing material 65.

  Next, the liquid crystal layer 60 will be described. The liquid crystal layer 60 is formed in a region partitioned by the light transmitting members 21 and 22 and the bonding layer 23. The liquid crystal layer 60 has a liquid crystal material 61. The liquid crystal layer 60 transmits or blocks light according to the alignment of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal material 61. The alignment of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material 61 is changed according to the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 53, and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer 60 is changed according to the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules. . Therefore, the light transmittance of the entire liquid crystal layer 60 can be changed to a desired value by adjusting the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules by controlling the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 43 and the second electrode layer 53 by the control device 15.

  FIG. 3 shows, as an example, a guest-host type light adjustment cell 30 without a polarizing plate, and the liquid crystal material 61 of the liquid crystal layer 60 contains a dichroic dye and liquid crystal molecules. For example, when the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is OFF, the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 60 are arranged in a direction parallel to the sheet surface of the light control cell 30. In particular, in the guest-host-type light control cell 30 having no polarizing plate, the alignment of the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules is two colors in the direction parallel to the sheet surface of the light control cell 30 in the state where no electric field is applied. Sex pigment is directed. On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is ON, the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the stacking direction (thickness direction, normal direction of dimming cell) D1. According to the light control cell 30 exhibiting such behavior, light is blocked by the light control cell 30 (particularly, a dichroic dye) while the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is OFF, and the pair of electrode layers Light can be transmitted through the dimming cell 30 while the voltage between 43 and 53 is ON.

  The guest-host liquid crystal layer 60 is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 3 and, for example, the light entrance side (for example, on the first resin base 41) or the light exit side (for example, A polarizing plate (not shown) may be provided on the second resin base material 51). In this case, when the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is turned off, the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 60 are absorbed in the direction parallel to the sheet surface of the light control cell 30, particularly the absorption of the polarizing plate. It is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is ON, the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in the stacking direction D1. Also in the light control cell 30 exhibiting such behavior, light is blocked by the light control cell 30 (in particular, the dichroic dye and the polarizing plate) while the voltage between the pair of electrode layers 43 and 53 is OFF. While the voltage between the electrode layers 43 and 53 is ON, light can be transmitted through the dimming cell 30. The behavior of the dichroic dye and the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 60 can be changed by adjusting the alignment of the liquid crystal layer 60 with the alignment layers 42 and 52.

  Further, the driving method of the liquid crystal layer 60 is not limited to the guest host type, and any method can be adopted. Typically, it is possible to use a liquid crystal layer 60 of VA (Vertical Alignment) type, TN (Twisted Nematic) type, IPS (In-Place-Switching) type, or FFS (Fringe Field Switching) type in the dimming cell 30. it can. Therefore, the configuration of the light control cell 30 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the light control cell 30 has an appropriate configuration according to the drive system of the liquid crystal layer 60. For example, when the light control cell 30 adopts a general VA type or TN type liquid crystal layer 60, the light control cell 30 includes a pair of polarizing plates and a pair of electrode layers disposed between the polarizing plates. It may include a pair of alignment layers disposed between the electrode layers and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the alignment layers. When the light control cell 30 employs the liquid crystal layer 60 of IPS type, the electrode layer may be disposed only on one side of the liquid crystal layer without disposing the electrode layer at the position sandwiching the liquid crystal layer.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 5 described later, the spacer 62 may be disposed in the liquid crystal layer 60. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal layer 60 has a liquid crystal material 61 and spacers 62 dispersed in the liquid crystal material 61. The spacer 62 is disposed between the first alignment film 42 of the first substrate 40 and the second alignment film 52 of the second substrate 50. The spacer 62 secures a space between the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50. By filling the space with the liquid crystal material 61, the liquid crystal layer 60 is formed. The plurality of spacers 62 are discretely disposed in a region which is between the pair of substrates 40 and 50. Each spacer 62 can be made of various resin materials, and may have a shape such as a frustum (for example, a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid) or may have a spherical bead shape. Column-shaped spacers 62 can be formed at desired locations using photolithography technology, and bead-shaped spacers are formed and dispersed in advance.

  The spacer 62 is not limited to the example having the bead-like shape illustrated, but may have a pillar-like shape such as a cylinder, or may have a frustum-like shape such as a truncated cone. It may be good or have a conical shape such as a cone. In addition, columnar, frustum-like, and conical spacers 62 may be mixed with bead-like spacers. In this case, the bead-like spacers are held by the columnar, frustum-like, and conical spacers. It may be done. Furthermore, the columnar spacer 62 may be formed of the same material as the sealing material 65, and such a columnar spacer 62 can be easily formed at the same timing as the sealing material 65.

  In the illustrated example, the spacer 62 is disposed between the first alignment film 42 of the first substrate 40 and the second alignment film 52 of the second substrate 50. It is not limited. The spacer 62 is located between the first resin base 41 of the first substrate 40 and the second resin base 51 of the second substrate 50, and the first resin base 41 and the second resin base 51 As long as a space can be formed between For example, the spacer 62 may be located between the resin substrates 41 and 51 of any of the substrates 40 and 50 and the alignment films 42 and 52.

  By the way, as already demonstrated, in the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 60 may become uneven. Then, in the liquid crystal layer 60, a liquid crystal reservoir LCp having a thickness extremely larger than that of other portions may be locally generated. In the liquid crystal reservoir LCp having a thickness several times that of the normal portion of the liquid crystal layer, transmittance control by the alignment of liquid crystal molecules does not function properly, and a desired light control function can not be exhibited. Therefore, when the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is generated in the active area Aa of the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30, the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30 can no longer effectively exhibit the light control function.

  Here, the generation of the liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp will be described. Although there are various conceivable generation mechanisms of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp, typical generation mechanisms will be described below.

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are cross-sectional views showing the outline of the light control panel 20, and are diagrams for explaining an example of a generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp.

  In the light control panel 20 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the light transmitting members 21 and 22 approach each other in the heating environment with respect to the direction (ie, the stacking direction) D1 in which the light adjusting cell 30 and the light transmitting members 21 and 22 are stacked. Force is applied to each of the translucent members 21 and 22. By this heating and pressing, the light control cell 30 is thermocompression-bonded to the first light transmitting member 21 and the second light transmitting member 22 through the bonding layer 23 made of the thermoplastic resin 70. Thereby, the light transmitting members 21 and 22 and the light control cell 30 are fixed to each other through the bonding layer 23. In this thermocompression bonding process, if the pressing force F in the stacking direction D1 acts unevenly on the light control cell 30 with respect to the direction along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30 which is perpendicular to the stacking direction D1, light control is performed. A liquid crystal reservoir LCp may be generated in the light cell 30. That is, since the liquid crystal material 61 has fluidity, the liquid crystal material 61 in a portion of the light control cell 30 which receives the relatively large pressing force F is pushed out toward the other portion, and the relatively small pressing force F is The liquid crystal material 61 accumulates in the portion where it is received. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, a liquid crystal reservoir LCp having a relatively large thickness in the stacking direction D1 is generated.

  FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are diagrams for explaining another example of the generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp. In the light control panel 20 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the thermoplastic resin 70 that forms the bonding layer 23 before pressing the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22 in the stacking direction D1 is a light control cell. The outer peripheral portion 70 a which is the outer side of the light control cell 30 along the sheet surface 30 is thickened. In this example, at the time of pressurization, the thermoplastic resin 70 is crimped to the light transmitting members 21 and 22 preferentially at the outer peripheral portion 70 a surrounding the light control cell 30. The thermocompression bonding using the thermoplastic resin 70 is usually performed under a vacuum atmosphere. In this case, in the illustrated example, an airtight state space is formed between the light control cell 30 surrounded by the outer peripheral portion 70a of the thermoplastic resin 70 and the thermoplastic resin 70, and air remains in this space. Or the water contained in the resin may evaporate. As a result, air bubbles AB may be generated in the bonding layer 23.

  By further placing the light control panel 20 in a heating and pressurizing environment using an autoclave or the like, the bonding layer 23 is thermocompression-bonded to each of the light transmitting members 21 and 22 and the light control cell 30, and the light control cell 30 is bonded. The light transmitting members 21 and 22 are firmly fixed to each other through the layer 23. In this thermocompression bonding process, the air bubble AB is heated and expanded in the bonding layer 23, and the expansion of the air bubble AB locally exerts a large force on the light control cell 30, as shown in FIG. It may occur.

  The specific method of producing the light control panel 20 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is not particularly limited, and, for example, a plurality of pieces constitute the thermoplastic resin 70 and surround the light control cell 30. Multiple pieces may be placed and then these multiple pieces may be thermocompression bonded. As one example, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 11 described later, the thermoplastic resin 70 is divided into three, a first thermoplastic resin material 71, a second thermoplastic resin material 72, and a third thermoplastic resin material 73. It may be The first thermoplastic resin material 71 is formed in a frame shape, and has an internal space capable of accommodating the light control cell 30. The second thermoplastic resin material 72 and the third thermoplastic resin material 73 are formed in a plate shape. The second thermoplastic resin material 72 is disposed between the first thermoplastic resin material 71 and the light control cell 30 and the first light transmitting member 21. The third thermoplastic resin material 73 is disposed between the first thermoplastic resin material 71 and the light control cell 30 and the second light transmitting member 22. In this example, the outer peripheral portion 70 a of the thermoplastic resin 70 is configured by the first thermoplastic resin material 71 and a part of each of the second thermoplastic resin material 72 and the third thermoplastic resin material 73. By setting the thickness in the stacking direction D1 of the first thermoplastic resin material 71 slightly smaller than the thickness in the stacking direction D1 of the light control cell 30, the inner space of the first thermoplastic resin material 71 is heated and pressurized. Can be relatively easily sealed.

  As described above, when an uneven force is applied across the entire light control cell 30 or a large force is locally applied to the light control cell 30, a liquid crystal reservoir LCp is generated (FIG. 15 and FIG. 15). See Figure 17). The liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp may have a thickness several times the original thickness in the stacking direction D1, and the light transmittance can not be appropriately changed according to the applied voltage, and the original light control function is impaired. It is done.

  The generation mechanism of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is not limited to the above-described example, and the liquid crystal reservoir LCp may be generated by combining the above-described mechanisms, for example. For example, a force is applied to the light transmitting members 21 and 22 so that the light transmitting members 21 and 22 approach each other, and the outer peripheral portion 70a of the thermoplastic resin 70 is thermocompression-bonded to the light transmitting members 21 and 22 mainly, First, a temporary pressure bonding process is performed to make an area surrounded by the light transmitting members 21 and 22 and the outer peripheral portion 70 a of the thermoplastic resin 70 in an airtight state. After that, an actual pressure bonding process may be performed to strongly bond the light control cell 30 to each of the light transmitting members 21 and 22 through the bonding layer 23 by an autoclave process. As described above, by performing the bonding process in a plurality of steps (two steps in this example), the pressure bonding process can be performed with high accuracy and with certainty, and the generation of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be effectively prevented. However, in this case as well, for example, when the pressing force F acts unevenly over the entire light control cell 30 in the temporary pressure bonding process, the liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp can be generated (see FIGS. 14 and 15). In addition, even if the air bubble AB is included in the bonding layer 23 in the pressure bonding process, the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be generated (see FIGS. 16 and 17).

  With respect to the problem of generation of the liquid crystal storage portion LCp, in the present embodiment, a device for generating the liquid crystal storage portion LCp outside the active area Aa, that is, a device for generating the non-active area UAa, The light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30 are made.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the illustrated light control cell 30 has a partial covering layer 35 overlapping only a portion of the liquid crystal layer 60 in projection in the stacking direction D1 (in observation from the stacking direction D1) . The partial covering layer 35 overlaps the stacking direction D <b> 1 with a region other than at least a partial region of the liquid crystal layer 60 which is a peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65. That is, the partial covering layer 35 overlaps the area other than at least a part of the peripheral area of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1. In other words, the partial covering layer 35 does not overlap with at least a part of the peripheral region of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1. In the illustrated example, the partial covering layer 35 overlaps the stacking direction D <b> 1 with the region other than the partial region of the liquid crystal layer 60 which is the peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal layer 60 includes a first area Z1 located in the active area Aa and a second area Z2 adjacent to the first area Z1. The second area Z2 is located in the inactive area UAa. The partial covering layer 35 overlaps the stacking direction D1 with a region other than the region of at least a part of the second region Z2 which becomes the non-active area UAa of the liquid crystal layer 60. In other words, the liquid crystal layer 60 includes at least a region in the second area Z2 which does not overlap with the light control cell 30 and the stacking direction D1. In the illustrated example, the partial covering layer 35 has a stacking direction D1 in the whole area of the first area Z1 which is the active area Aa of the liquid crystal layer 60 and a part of the second area Z2 which is the inactive area UAa. Overlap.

  The partial covering layer 35 can be any layer sandwiched by the first light transmitting member 21 and the second light transmitting member 22. For example, any one or more of the above-described layers contained by the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50, specifically, the first resin base material 41, the first resin substrate 41, the first resin substrate One or more of the alignment film 42, the first electrode layer 43, the second resin base material 51, the second alignment film 52, and the second electrode layer 53 can be used as the partial covering layer 35. When the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 include a polarizing plate, or when a polarizing plate is provided between the first light transmitting member 21 and the second light transmitting member 22, this polarizing plate is used. It can be used as the partial covering layer 35. Similarly, when the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 include an ultraviolet absorbing film, an infrared absorbing film, a hard coat layer or the like, or an ultraviolet absorbing film between the first light transmitting member 21 and the second light transmitting member 22. When an infrared ray absorbing film, a hard coat layer or the like is provided, one or more of them can be used as the partial covering layer 35. Furthermore, the partial covering layer 35 does not have to be a layer forming a part of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50, and is provided separately from a part of the thermoplastic resin 70 or the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50. The layer may be

  The partial covering layer 35 brings about an intensity distribution, in other words, a distribution of ease of deformation, in a region where the liquid crystal layer 60 is provided along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30, as described in detail later. That is, it is preferable that an intensity distribution is generated in the light control cell 30 between the area in which the partial covering layer 35 is present and the area in which the partial covering layer 35 is not present. From this point of view, the thickness of the partial covering layer 35 is preferably 10 μm to 2000 μm, more preferably 100 μm to 1000 μm, and more preferably 300 μm to 500 μm. More preferable.

  In the specific example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light control cell 30 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The partial covering layer 35 is formed with a defect portion 36 along one short side of the rectangular shape forming the light control cell 30. The defect portion 36 has a trapezoidal shape in plan view. Then, a portion of the second area Z2 of the liquid crystal layer 60 adjacent to the seal member 65 extending along one short side of the rectangular shape does not overlap the partial covering layer 35 and the stacking direction D1.

  Next, a method of manufacturing the light control panel 20 using such a light control cell 30 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the light control cell 30 and the thermoplastic resin 70 are disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22. The thermoplastic resin 70 forms the bonding layer 23 of the light control panel 20. Therefore, as the thermoplastic resin 70, a resin material forming the above-described bonding layer 23 can be used. The thermoplastic resin 70 disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22 may have a plate-like shape. Further, as described above, the thermoplastic resin 70 divided into a plurality of pieces can be disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22.

  The partial covering layer 35 is bonded to the other members of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50, and as a part of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50, between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22. It may be arranged. The partial covering layer 35 may be disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22 as a separate member from the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, with the light control cell 30 and the thermoplastic resin 70 disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22, the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22 is used as the light adjusting cell 30. Direct the pressure. The thermoplastic resin 70 may be heated in parallel with this pressure application, or the thermoplastic resin 70 may be heated prior to the pressure application step. Thereby, the thermoplastic resin 70 is pressure-bonded to the light control cell 30 and the light transmitting members 21 and 22, and the light control cell 30 and the light transmitting members 21 and 22 are fixed to each other.

  By the way, as described above, in the liquid crystal layer 60, the liquid crystal material 61 may flow in the direction along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30. Such a flow of the liquid crystal material 61 is, for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the pressing force F in the stacking direction D1 is uniform at each position along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30. It does not occur as a result. Then, when the liquid crystal material 61 flows, the liquid crystal material 61 may be gathered at a specific part along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30. At this time, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the specific portion is twice or more the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the other portion. The particular portion constitutes a so-called liquid crystal reservoir LCp, and it is no longer possible to control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material 61 to adjust the transmittance.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a partial covering layer 35 is provided between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22. The partial covering layer 35 overlaps with only a part of the liquid crystal layer 60 included in the light control cell 30 in the stacking direction D1. That is, the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50 is easily deformed at a portion other than the portion reinforced by the overlapping of the partial covering layers 35. In particular, since the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 include the relatively deformable resin base materials 41 and 51, such a tendency becomes remarkable. For this reason, the liquid crystal material 61 gathers in the easily deformable portion of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50 not covered by the partial covering layer 35, and the liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp is formed in the portion.

  Note that, as described above, the flow of the liquid crystal material 61 in the liquid crystal layer 60, which causes the generation of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp, may also occur during the autoclave. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, for example, the inside of the liquid crystal layer 60 is generated because the light control cell 30 is locally pressed by the bubble AB generated in the vicinity of the light control cell 30. The liquid crystal material 61 flows. Also in this case, the liquid crystal material 61 gathers on the easily deformable portion of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50 not covered by the partial covering layer 35, and the liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp is formed in the portion.

  The partial covering layer 35 covers the entire area of the first area Z1 in the active area Aa of the liquid crystal layer 60. Therefore, the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is less likely to occur in the active area Aa. On the other hand, the partial covering layer 35 does not cover at least a part of the second area Z2 in the non-active area UAa of the liquid crystal layer 60. Therefore, the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is easily generated in the non-active area UAa.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the light control cell 30 includes the liquid crystal reservoir LCp in the second area Z2 which is in the non-active area UAa. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is twice or more the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the first area Z1 in the active area Aa. The liquid crystal reservoir LCp occupying a part of the second zone Z2 has the transmittance in the first zone Z1 when the applied voltage is changed under the same conditions, even if the influence of the frame member 18 is measured without measurement. The transmittance can be changed only in less than 20% of the change width of. Since the transmittance non-variable portion UWp due to the liquid crystal reservoir portion LCp is located not in the active area Aa but in the non-active area UAa, it does not affect the light control function of the light control device 10.

  In the case where the light control cell 30 shown in FIG. 4 is used, the transmittance invariable section UWp formed by the liquid crystal reservoir section LCp has one rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 1 in plan view. It becomes an area extending along the side and is located in the inactive area UAa.

  In the embodiment described above, the light control cell 30 includes the first substrate 40 including the first resin base 41, the second substrate 50 including the second resin base 51, the first substrate 40, and the first substrate 40. A liquid crystal layer 60 provided between the two substrates 50 and a sealing material 65 positioned between the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 and surrounding the liquid crystal layer 60 in a circumferential shape are provided. The partial covering layer 35 is provided so as to overlap the laminating direction D1 with the area other than at least a part of the liquid crystal layer 60 which is the peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65. According to such an embodiment, the generation position of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be stably guided to a partial region of the liquid crystal layer 60 which is the peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65. As a result, generation of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp in the active area Aa can be effectively avoided, and a superior light control function can be stably provided to the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30. It becomes.

  In the embodiment described above, the light control cell 30 includes the first substrate 40 including the first resin base 41, the second substrate 50 including the second resin base 51, the first substrate 40, and the first substrate 40. A liquid crystal layer 60 provided between the two substrates 50 and a sealing material 65 positioned between the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 and surrounding the liquid crystal layer 60 in a circumferential shape are provided. A partial covering layer 35 is provided so as to overlap the stacking direction D1 with the region other than at least a portion of the liquid crystal layer 60 located in the non-active area UAa. According to such an embodiment, the generation position of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be stably induced in the non-active area UAa where the partial covering layer 35 is not provided. As a result, generation of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp in the active area Aa can be effectively avoided, and a superior light control function can be stably provided to the light control panel 20 and the light control cell 30. It becomes.

  In the specific example of the embodiment described above, the partial covering layer 35 includes the polarizing plate, the ultraviolet absorbing film, or the infrared absorbing film. According to such an example, a layer incorporated in the light control panel 20 or the light control cell 30 can also function as the partial covering layer 35 in expectation of a specific function. That is, there is no need to provide a layer that functions only as the partial covering layer 35. Such an example is excellent in the viewpoint of thickness reduction and cost reduction of the light control panel 20 or the light control cell 30.

  In the specific example of the embodiment described above, the thickness of the partial covering layer 35 is 10 μm to 2000 μm, or 100 μm to 1000 μm, or 300 μm to 500 μm. According to the partial covering layer 35 having such a thickness, the intensity distribution (intensity variation, intensity variation) along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30 can be imparted to the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50. That is. In the area not covered with the partial covering layer 35, the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50 can be sufficiently easily deformed. Thereby, the generation position of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be stably guided to the non-active area UAa.

  In addition, the application object of the above-mentioned light control apparatus 10, the light control panel 20, and the light control cell 30 is not specifically limited, It can apply typically with respect to a window, a door, etc. FIG. For example, the light control device 10 can be applied not only to windows and doors of buildings, but also to windows, doors, and the like of vehicles such as airplanes, ships, trains and cars, and other moving objects 80.

  That is, the above-described light control device 10 can be applied to both the moving body 80 and the non-moving body. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the light control panel 20 and the light control as the sunroof 82 of the vehicle 81 It is possible to use the cell 30 suitably. For example, when it is desired to introduce outside light such as sunlight into the vehicle 81, the voltage applied to the electrode layers 43 and 53 of the light control cell 30 is adjusted by the control device 15 through the FPC or the like, and the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer 60 is adjusted. Increase. Thereby, light transmission in the liquid crystal layer 60 is permitted, and external light incident on the light control panel 20 (that is, the sunroof 82) is inserted into the interior of the vehicle 81. On the other hand, when external light is not desired to be introduced into the vehicle 81, the voltage applied between the electrode layers 43 and 53 through the FPC or the like is adjusted by the control device 15 to reduce the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer 60. Thereby, the light transmission in the liquid crystal layer 60 is limited or blocked, and the amount of external light entering the light control panel 20 (that is, the sunroof 82) is limited to the inside of the vehicle 81 or is not guided inside the vehicle 81. In addition, adjustment of the light transmittance in such a light control panel 20 may be manually performed based on the instruction | indication from a vehicle occupant, and is acquired directly or indirectly by apparatuses, such as a sensor which is not shown in figure. This may be performed automatically based on information regarding the external environment (for example, brightness) of the vehicle 81 being

  While one embodiment has been described in terms of several specific examples, these specific examples are not intended to limit the one embodiment. The embodiment described above can be implemented in various other specific examples, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Hereinafter, an example of a modification will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, with respect to parts that can be configured in the same manner as the specific example described above, the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding parts in the specific example described above are used Omit.

  First, in the above-described example, the partial covering layer 35 overlaps the lamination direction D1 with the area other than the partial area that becomes the peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65 in the liquid crystal layer 60. It is not limited. For example, the partial covering layer 35 may overlap the area in the liquid crystal layer 60 other than the area to be the peripheral edge adjacent to the sealing material 65 in the stacking direction D1. The partial covering layer 35 may overlap the stacking direction D1 only with the region of the liquid crystal layer 60 separated from the sealing material 65.

  In the example described above, an example is shown in which the partial covering layer 35 overlaps the area other than the partial area located in the non-active area UAa of the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1. That is, the partial covering layer 35 overlaps the entire first area Z1 of the liquid crystal layer 60 to be the active area Aa and the partial area of the second area Z2 to be the non-active area UAa. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the partial covering layer 35 may overlap only the entire area of the first area Z1 to be the active area Aa.

  Furthermore, as described above, the partial covering layer 35 may be formed as a part of the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 may be separate members. In the example shown in FIG. 8, after pressure application, the partial covering layer 35 bonds to the first substrate 40 or the second substrate 50 to form a part of the dimming cell 30.

  Furthermore, the area of the light control cell 30 overlapping with the partial covering layer 35 in the stacking direction D1 can be an area at a position different from the example described above. In the above-described example, the light control cell 30 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and the partial covering layer 35 does not overlap the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1 in a region along one short side of the rectangular shape. I made it. Instead of or in addition to this example, the partial covering layer 35 should not overlap the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1 in a region along one long side of the rectangular shape of the light control cell 30. May be Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the partial covering layer 35 may not overlap the liquid crystal layer 60 in the stacking direction D1 in a region forming one corner of the rectangular shape forming the light control cell 30.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the example in which the partial covering layer 35 does not overlap the liquid crystal layer 60 and the stacking direction D1 in one region which is in the second area Z2 of the liquid crystal layer 60 has been described. The liquid crystal layer 60 may not overlap the stacking direction D1 in two or more regions. That is, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9, the partial covering layer 35 may have two or more defect portions 36.

  Furthermore, in the above description, although the example in which the partial covering layer 35 is disposed only on the side of the first substrate 40 with reference to the liquid crystal layer 60 has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this example. The partial covering layer 35 may be disposed only on the side of the second substrate 50 with reference to the liquid crystal layer 60. As shown in FIG. 10, the partial covering layer 35 is disposed on both the side of the first substrate 40 with respect to the liquid crystal layer 60 and the side of the second substrate 50 with respect to the liquid crystal layer 60. It is also good. The defective portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the first substrate 40 side and the defective portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the second substrate 50 side may overlap in the stacking direction D1. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the missing portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the first substrate 40 side and the missing portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the second substrate 50 side are heavy in the stacking direction D1. It may not be possible. That is, as in the example shown in FIG. 10, the defective portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the first substrate 40 side and the defective portion 36 of the partial covering layer 35 located on the second substrate 50 side are adjusted. It may be displaced along the sheet surface of the light cell 30.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the liquid crystal reservoir LCp is guided to the non-active area UAa by the partial covering layer 35 not covering a part of the liquid crystal layer 60 to form the transmittance non-variable area UWp in the non-active area UAa. Although an example is shown, it is not limited to this example. As shown in FIG. 11, a notch 70 b may be formed in the outer peripheral portion 70 a of the thermoplastic resin 70 to promote the deformation of the light control cell 30 in the non-active area UAa. Here, the outer peripheral portion 70 a of the thermoplastic resin 70 is located outside the light control cell 30 along the sheet surface of the light control cell 30 (the cell surface of the light control cell 30) as described above. It is a part. By providing the notch 70b in the outer peripheral portion 70a, the first substrate 40 and the second substrate 50 of the light control cell 30 can be easily deformed in a region close to the outer peripheral portion 70a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the generation position of the liquid crystal reservoir LCp can be stably induced in the non-active area UAa. Thereby, in the created light control panel 20, the transmittance non-variable portion UWp is located in the non-active area UAa, and it becomes possible to stably exhibit the planned light control function in the active area Aa. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the thermoplastic resin 70 disposed between the pair of light transmitting members 21 and 22 and forming the bonding layer 23 is a first thermoplastic resin material 71 and a second heat. A plastic resin material 72 and a third thermoplastic resin material 73 are included. The first thermoplastic resin material 71 is formed in a frame shape, and has an internal space 71 a capable of accommodating the light control cell 30. The second thermoplastic resin material 72 and the third thermoplastic resin material 73 are formed in a plate shape. The second thermoplastic resin material 72 is disposed between the first thermoplastic resin material 71 and the light control cell 30 and the first light transmitting member 21. The third thermoplastic resin material 73 is disposed between the first thermoplastic resin material 71 and the light control cell 30 and the second light transmitting member 22. And as shown in FIG. 11, the notch 70b is formed in the area | region used as the outer peripheral part 70a of the 1st thermoplastic resin material 71. As shown in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the notch 70 b may be replaced by the second thermoplastic resin material 71 instead of the region to be the outer peripheral portion 70 a or in addition to the region to be the outer peripheral portion 70 a of the first thermoplastic resin material 71. It may be formed in a region to be the outer peripheral portion 70 a of at least one of the thermoplastic resin material 72 and the third thermoplastic resin material 73.

  Although some modifications to the above-described embodiment have been described above, it is of course possible to apply a plurality of modifications in combination as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Light control apparatus 15 Control apparatus 18 Frame material 20 Light control panel 21 1st light transmission member 22 2nd light transmission member 23 Bonding layer 30 Light control cell 35 Partial coating layer 36 Defective part 40 1st board | substrate 41 1st resin base material 42 first alignment film 43 first electrode layer 50 second substrate 51 second resin base material 52 second alignment film 53 second electrode layer 60 liquid crystal layer 61 liquid crystal material 62 spacer 65 sealing material 70 thermoplastic resin 70 a peripheral portion 70 b notch 71 first thermoplastic resin material 71a internal space 72 second thermoplastic resin material 73 third thermoplastic resin material 80 moving body 81 vehicle 82 sunroof D1 stacking direction F pressing force AB air bubble Z1 first area Z2 second area UCp uncoated Part Aa Active area UAa Inactive area UWp Transmittance non-variable part LCp Liquid crystal reservoir part

Claims (10)

It is a light control cell whose transmittance is variable according to voltage application, and
A first substrate comprising a first resin substrate,
A second substrate comprising a second resin substrate,
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A sealing material positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape;
The light control cell is provided with the partial coating layer so that it may overlap with area | regions other than the area | region of at least one part adjacent to the said sealing material among the said liquid-crystal layers. A light control cell including an active area used to adjust transmittance and a non-active area adjacent to the active area, the transmittance of which is variable according to voltage application,
A first substrate comprising a first resin substrate,
A second substrate comprising a second resin substrate,
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
A light control cell, wherein a partial covering layer is provided so as to overlap with an area other than at least a part of the liquid crystal layer located in the non-active area.   The light control cell according to claim 1, wherein the partial covering layer includes a polarizing plate, an ultraviolet absorbing film, or an infrared absorbing film.   The light control cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a thickness of the partial covering layer is 10 μm or more and 2000 μm or less. A light control panel including an active area used to adjust transmittance and an inactive area surrounding the active area, the light control panel comprising:
A pair of light transmitting members,
A light control cell positioned between the pair of light transmitting members, including a liquid crystal layer, and having a variable transmittance according to voltage application;
And a bonding layer for bonding the pair of light transmitting members and the light control cell.
The liquid crystal layer includes a first area in the active area and a second area in the inactive area,
The light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the second area includes a transmittance invariable section having a transmittance variation width smaller than 20% of the transmittance variation width in the first region.   The light control panel according to claim 5, wherein a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmittance invariable section of the second area is twice or more a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the first area.   A vehicle comprising the light control cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the light control panel according to claim 5 or 6. It is a manufacturing method of a light control panel provided with a pair of light transmission member and the light control cell as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
Arranging the light control cell and the thermoplastic resin between the pair of light transmitting members;
Manufacturing the light control panel including pressing the pair of light transmitting members toward the light adjusting cell while the light adjusting cell and the thermoplastic resin are disposed between the pair of light transmitting members. Method.   In the disposing step, the partial covering layer is disposed between the pair of light transmitting members in a state of being joined to the other member of the first substrate or the second substrate, or the partial covering layer The light control panel manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein the light control panel is disposed between the pair of light transmitting members as a separate member from the first substrate or the second substrate. A method of manufacturing a light control panel, comprising: a pair of light transmitting members; and a light control cell having a variable transmittance according to a voltage application,
Arranging the light control cell and the thermoplastic resin between the pair of light transmitting members;
And pressing the pair of light transmitting members toward the light adjusting cell, with the light adjusting cell and the thermoplastic resin being disposed between the pair of light transmitting members.
The method of manufacturing a light control panel, wherein the thermoplastic resin includes an outer peripheral portion located outward of the light control cell along a cell surface of the light control cell, and a notch is formed in a part of the outer peripheral portion .

Images