JP2019113572A - Light distribution control element - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a light distribution control element which can be cut into a plurality of sizes and in which a lattice-shape sealing member is inconspicuous.SOLUTION: A light distribution control element comprises: a first substrate 10 having translucency; a second substrate 20 having translucency and arranged facing the first substrate 10; a first transparent conductive film 30 arranged on the second substrate 20 side of the first substrate 10; a second transparent conductive film 40 arranged on the first substrate 10 side of the second substrate 20; a liquid crystal layer 50 arranged between the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 and made of a liquid crystal containing a bar-like liquid crystal molecule 51; and a sealing member 60 arranged between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 and sealing the liquid crystal layer 50. In a plan view of the first substrate 10, the sealing member 60 is formed in a lattice shape. A refractive index of the sealing member 60 is almost equal to a refractive index in a minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

  The present invention relates to a light distribution control element.

  A light distribution control element capable of controlling the light distribution of incident light has been proposed. The light distribution control element is used, for example, in a window of a building or a car.

  A liquid crystal optical element including a pair of transparent substrates, a pair of transparent electrodes disposed inside the pair of transparent substrates, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of transparent electrodes as a light distribution control element of this type is disclosed. It is known (for example, patent document 1). In such a light distribution control element, the light distribution of light incident on the light distribution control element is changed by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer according to the voltage applied to the pair of transparent electrodes. There is.

JP, 2012-173534, A

  In the light distribution control element including the liquid crystal layer, a frame-like sealing member is formed along the periphery of the end portions of the pair of transparent substrates in order to seal the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer.

  In the light distribution control element having such a configuration, after the liquid crystal layer is sealed by the sealing member to produce a large size panel (mother panel), the light distribution control element of the necessary size is divided into the mother panel. It is difficult to cut out That is, it is difficult to multi-chamfer light distribution control elements of a plurality of sizes from one large size mother panel.

  Therefore, in order to make it possible to cut out a light distribution control element of a necessary size from the mother panel after sealing the liquid crystal layer, it is conceivable to make the sealing members formed on the mother panel into a lattice shape. Thus, by cutting the mother panel along the grid-like sealing member, it is possible to cut out a light distribution control element of a desired size while sealing the liquid crystal layer.

  However, when the sealing member is formed in a lattice, the sealing member may remain in a lattice depending on the size of the cut out. In this case, the grid-like sealing member is visually recognized by the user, and there is a problem that the appearance becomes worse. In particular, when the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are vertically aligned with the transparent substrate, the sealing member becomes noticeable.

  Furthermore, since the shape and size of the window are not uniform and vary, it is difficult to make and store in advance the light distribution control element used for the window. For this reason, the light distribution control element for windows can not be cut out from the panel of a large size, and it becomes a custom-made production and the delivery date becomes long.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a light distribution control element which can be cut into a plurality of sizes and in which the grid-like sealing member is inconspicuous. Do.

  In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the light distribution control device according to the present invention is a light transmitting first substrate and a second light transmitting device disposed opposite to the first substrate. A substrate, a first transparent conductive film disposed on the second substrate side of the first substrate, a second transparent conductive film disposed on the first substrate side of the second substrate, and the first transparent conductive film A liquid crystal layer composed of liquid crystals containing rod-like liquid crystal molecules, disposed between the film and the second transparent conductive film, and disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and sealing the liquid crystal layer And the sealing member is formed in a lattice shape in plan view of the first substrate, and the refractive index of the sealing member and the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules are provided. The refractive index is approximately equal.

  According to the present invention, since the grid-like sealing member is formed, it can be cut into a plurality of sizes. Moreover, even if the grid-like sealing member is present, the sealing member can be made inconspicuous.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light distribution control element according to Embodiment 1. It is sectional drawing of the light distribution control element which concerns on Embodiment 1 in the IB-IB line | wire of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a light distribution control element according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal layer in the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which liquid crystal molecules are horizontally aligned in the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which liquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned in the light distribution control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a first optical function of the light distribution control element according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a second optical function of the light distribution control element according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an aspect when the light distribution control element according to the first embodiment is cut. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of a cut pattern of the light distribution control element according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second example of the cut pattern of the light distribution control element according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third example of the cut pattern of the light distribution control element according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a light distribution control element according to Embodiment 2. It is sectional drawing of the light distribution control element which concerns on Embodiment 2 in the XB-XB line of FIG. 10A. FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example after cutting the light distribution control element according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a modification of the light distribution control element according to the second embodiment. It is a pattern of the sealing member in the light distribution control element according to the first modification. It is a pattern of the sealing member in the light distribution control element according to the second modification. It is a pattern of the sealing member in the light distribution control element concerning modification 3. FIG. FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a first optical function of the light distribution control element according to the modification 4; It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd optical effect of the light distribution control element which concerns on the modification 4. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferable specific example of the present invention. Therefore, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as optional components.

  Each figure is a schematic view, and is not necessarily strictly illustrated. Therefore, the scale and the like do not necessarily match in each figure. In the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted or simplified.

  Further, in the present specification and drawings, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis represent three axes of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. The X axis and the Y axis are axes orthogonal to each other and both orthogonal to the Z axis. In the present specification, the “thickness direction” means the thickness direction of the light distribution control element, and is a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, “plan view” The term “when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first substrate 10 or the second substrate 20”.

Embodiment 1
First, the configuration of the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2. FIG. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the light distribution control element 1 taken along line IB-IB in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the light distribution control element 1 and is an enlarged view of a region II surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 1B. In addition, in FIG. 1A, in order to make the shape of the sealing member 60 intelligible, the sealing member 60 is hatched for convenience.

  The light distribution control element 1 is a light control device that controls light distribution of light incident on the light distribution control element 1, and as shown in FIG. 1B, the first substrate 10, the second substrate 20, and the first transparent The conductive film 30, the second transparent conductive film 40, the liquid crystal layer 50, and the sealing member 60 are provided.

  Hereinafter, each component of the light distribution control element 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[First substrate, second substrate]
The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are translucent substrates having translucency. In the present embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are transparent substrates that are transparent to visible light.

  For example, a glass substrate or a resin substrate can be used as the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. Examples of the material of the glass substrate include soda glass, alkali-free glass, high refractive index glass and the like. Examples of the material of the resin substrate include resin materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic (PMMA) or epoxy. The glass substrate has the advantages of high light transmittance and low moisture permeability. On the other hand, the resin substrate has an advantage that scattering at the time of breakage is small. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 may be made of the same material or may be made of different materials, but it is better to be made of the same material. Further, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are not limited to rigid substrates, and may be flexible substrates having flexibility.

  The second substrate 20 is an opposing substrate disposed to face the first substrate 10. That is, the second substrate 20 is disposed at a position facing the first substrate 10.

  The plan view shape of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 is, for example, a rectangular shape of a square or a rectangle, but it is not limited to this, and may be a polygon other than a circle or a square, any shape Can be adopted. In the present embodiment, the shapes in plan view of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are rectangular. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the present embodiment, the plan view shape of the second substrate 20 matches the plan view shape of the first substrate 10. That is, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 have the same size and shape.

[First transparent conductive film, second transparent conductive film]
As shown in FIG. 1B, the first transparent conductive film 30 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the liquid crystal layer 50. That is, the first transparent conductive film 30 is disposed on the second substrate 20 side (liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the first substrate 10. Specifically, the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed on substantially the entire surface of the surface of the first substrate 10 on the second substrate 20 side.

  On the other hand, the second transparent conductive film 40 is disposed between the liquid crystal layer 50 and the second substrate 20. That is, the second transparent conductive film 40 is disposed on the side of the first substrate 10 (the liquid crystal layer 50 side) of the second substrate 20. Specifically, the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed on substantially the entire surface of the second substrate 20 on the side of the first substrate 10.

  The first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are a pair of transparent electrodes electrically paired, and are configured to be able to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 50. The first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are not only electrically but also arranged in pairs, and are arranged to face each other. Specifically, the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are disposed on the inner side of the pair of first substrate 10 and second substrate 20, and are disposed so as to sandwich the liquid crystal layer 50. There is.

  The first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are made of a material transparent to visible light. As materials for the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40, transparent metal oxides such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) and IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), or conductors such as silver nanowires and conductive particles The conductor containing resin which consists of transparent resin containing these can be used. The first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 may transmit light, and may be a metal thin film such as a silver thin film.

  The first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 may be configured to be able to electrically connect to an external power supply. For example, each of the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 may be drawn out so as to be exposed to the outside of the sealing member 60, and the drawn out portion may be used as a terminal electrode. In this case, lead wires are connected to the terminal electrodes by solder or the like, and the terminal electrodes and the external power supply are electrically connected. Thus, power from an external power supply is supplied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 through the terminal electrodes, and a predetermined voltage is applied.

[Liquid crystal layer]
As shown in FIG. 1B, the liquid crystal layer 50 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. Specifically, the liquid crystal layer 50 is disposed between the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal layer 50 is made of liquid crystal including liquid crystal molecules 51 having birefringence. As such a liquid crystal, for example, nematic liquid crystal or cholesteric liquid crystal in which liquid crystal molecules 51 are rod-like liquid crystal molecules (rod-like molecules) can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is the ordinary light refractive index (no), and the refractive index in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is the extraordinary light refractive index (ne ). As an example, the liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer 50 is a positive type, the refractive index (normal light refractive index) in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is 1.5, and the refractive index in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 (abnormality The light refractive index is 1.7.

  The liquid crystal layer 50 functions as a refractive index adjustment layer whose refractive index in the visible light region can be adjusted by application of an electric field. Specifically, since the liquid crystal layer 50 is formed of liquid crystal having liquid crystal molecules 51 having electric field responsiveness, application of an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 50 changes the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 51, thereby The refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 50 changes.

  Specifically, an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 50 by applying a voltage to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. Therefore, by controlling the voltage applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40, the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 50 changes, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 51 changes.

  In the liquid crystal layer 50, an electric field may be applied by alternating current power, or an electric field may be applied by direct current power. In the case of AC power, the voltage waveform may be a sine wave or a square wave.

[Sealing member]
The sealing member 60 has a function of sealing the liquid crystal layer 50, and is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, the sealing member 60 is formed in a lattice when the first substrate 10 is viewed in plan. That is, the sealing member 60 is formed in a shape in which a plurality of lines intersect in the column direction (X-axis direction) and the row direction (Z-axis direction).

  Specifically, the sealing member 60 includes a plurality of first sealing portions 61 each formed linearly in the column direction, and a second sealing portion 62 each formed linearly in the row direction. Have. The plurality of first sealing portions 61 and the plurality of second sealing portions 62 are orthogonal to each other.

  Each of the plurality of first sealing portions 61 is formed from one end of the first substrate 10 (second substrate 20) to the other end along the column direction (X-axis direction). Further, each of the plurality of second sealing portions 62 is formed from one to the other of the first substrate 10 (second substrate 20) along the row direction (Z-axis direction).

  Among the plurality of first sealing portions 61 and the plurality of second sealing portions 62, the first sealing portion 61 and the second sealing portion 62 formed on the outermost periphery are the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. It is formed in a frame shape (a frame shape) along the outer periphery of the end portion of the frame. Thus, the liquid crystal layer 50 is sealed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 without leaking to the outside.

  The sealing member 60 (the first sealing portion 61, the second sealing portion 62) is, for example, a sealing resin made of a resin material such as a silicone resin. The sealing member 60 has an adhesive function, and for example, bonds the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. Thereby, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are bonded by the sealing member 60. The material of the sealing member 60 is not limited to the resin material.

  In the present embodiment, the refractive index of the sealing member 60 is substantially equal to the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50. Specifically, as described above, since the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is 1.5, the sealing member 60 is made of a material having a refractive index of about 1.5. In addition, that the refractive index is substantially equal is that the refractive index difference of one of the sealing member 60 and the liquid crystal molecule 51 with respect to the other is within ± 2%. For example, when the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is 1.5, the refractive index of the sealing member 60 is 1.47 or more and 1.53 or less. Further, the dielectric constant of the sealing member 60 is preferably lower than the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 50.

  In the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 is laminated on the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. That is, the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are an example of the intermediate layer in contact with the sealing member 60 in the thickness direction of the sealing member 60. Therefore, it is preferable that the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index of the intermediate layer (the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40) be approximately equal. Also in this case, it is preferable that one of the sealing member 60 and the intermediate layer has a refractive index difference of ± 2% or less with respect to the other that the refractive indexes are substantially equal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing member 60 includes beads 70. The beads 70 are spherical particles made of an inorganic material, for example, beads made of an inorganic material such as silica beads or glass beads. The material of the beads 70 is not limited to the inorganic material, and may be an organic material such as a resin material. The beads 70 may have adhesiveness.

  The beads 70 have a predetermined hardness and function as spacers. Therefore, by dispersing the beads 70 in the grid-like sealing member 60 and arranging the beads 70 in the entire area of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, the gap between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 is obtained. Can be made uniform and constant. That is, the gap between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 can be defined by the particle size of the beads 70. As a result, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 can be made uniform and constant. As an example, the width of the sealing member 60 is 1 mm to 5 mm, and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 (the thickness of the sealing member 60) is 10 μm.

[Optical action of light distribution control element]
Next, the optical action of the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 4 to 7.

  FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing the light distribution state of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the liquid crystal molecules 51 are horizontally aligned, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the liquid crystal molecules 51 are vertically aligned. (A) of FIG. 4 and (a) of FIG. 5 are partial cross-sectional views in the XZ plane near the corner of the light distribution control element 1, and (b) of FIG. 4 and (b) of FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the light distribution control element 1 in the YZ plane.

  When no voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (when no voltage is applied), as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. The molecules 51 are horizontally oriented. Specifically, when no voltage is applied, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is controlled so that the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is parallel to the X-axis direction. The alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 51 can be controlled, for example, by forming an alignment film subjected to rubbing treatment on the surfaces of the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40.

  On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (when voltage is applied), as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. The light distribution state of the liquid crystal molecules 51 changes, and the liquid crystal molecules 51 are vertically aligned. Specifically, at the time of voltage application, the light distribution state of the liquid crystal molecules 51 changes so that the longitudinal direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is parallel to the Y-axis direction.

  6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the optical action of the light distribution control element 1. FIG. 6 shows the optical action (first optical action) when no voltage is applied, and FIG. 7 shows the optical action (second optical action) when voltage is applied.

  6 and 7 illustrate the case where the light distribution control element 1 is used as a window of a building, and the light distribution control element 1 is disposed such that the Z-axis direction is in the vertical direction. The light incident on the light distribution control element 1 is, for example, sunlight, but is not limited to this.

  The light distribution control element 1 can transmit light. In the present embodiment, since the first substrate 10 is a substrate on the light incident side, the light distribution control element 1 can transmit light incident from the first substrate 10 and allow the light to exit from the second substrate 20.

  The light incident on the light distribution control element 1 receives an optical action from the liquid crystal layer 50 when passing through the liquid crystal layer 50. In the present embodiment, light incident on the light distribution control element 1 is subjected to different optical actions depending on the light distribution state of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when no voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (during no voltage application), the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are horizontal. It is oriented. In this case, the traveling direction does not change for P-polarized light among the light incident on the light distribution control element 1, but the traveling direction changes for S-polarization among the light incident on the light distribution control element 1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (during voltage application), the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are vertically aligned. In this case, the light incident on the light distribution control element 1 goes straight without changing the traveling direction of either the S polarized light or the P polarized light.

  As described above, the light distribution control element 1 is an active light control device capable of changing the optical action by changing the voltage applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. Specifically, by controlling the voltage applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40, the light distribution control element 1 is set to the first optical mode (FIG. 6) and the second optical mode (FIG. 7). And can be switched.

[Method of manufacturing light distribution control element]
Next, a method of manufacturing the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 with reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an aspect when the light distribution control element 1 according to the first embodiment is cut.

  First, the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed on the first substrate 10. For example, a transparent substrate is prepared as the first substrate 10, and an ITO film having a thickness of 100 nm is formed as the first transparent conductive film 30 on the transparent substrate.

  Next, the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed on the second substrate 20. For example, a transparent substrate is prepared as the second substrate 20, and an ITO film having a thickness of 100 nm is formed as the second transparent conductive film 40 on the transparent substrate. The second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed may be completely the same as the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed.

  Next, a liquid crystal sealed by a sealing member 60 in a lattice shape between the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed and the second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed. The light distribution control element 1 is manufactured as a mother panel having the layer 50.

  For example, the sealing member 60 including the beads 70 is formed in a lattice shape on the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed, and liquid crystal including rod-like liquid crystal molecules 51 is dropped to form the second transparent conductive film. The second substrate 20 on which the film 40 is formed is attached. In this case, as a material of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the sealing member 60 and the liquid crystal layer 50, a material in which the refractive index of the sealing member 60 is substantially equal to the refractive index in the short axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is used.

  The method of sealing the liquid crystal is not limited to the method of dropping the liquid crystal, but may be a method of injecting the liquid crystal. In this case, for example, the grid-like sealing member 60 is formed on one of the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed and the second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed. After bonding the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, liquid crystal may be injected between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20.

  Although the light distribution control element 1 which is a mother panel manufactured in this way can be used as a product as it is, it may be divided into necessary sizes.

  Specifically, after the mother panel is manufactured, the mother panel is divided along the sealing member 60. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the light distribution control element 1 which is a mother panel is cut (cut) by irradiating the laser light along the first sealing portion 61, and the plurality of light distribution control elements 1A Divide into

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9A, the light distribution control element 1 which is a mother panel may be divided into two light distribution control elements 1A, and as shown in FIG. 9B, four light distribution controls It may be divided into elements 1B.

  When the mother panel is cut, the mother glass may be cut not only along the first sealing portion 61 but also along the second sealing portion 62. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the light distribution control element 1 which is a mother panel may be divided into eight light distribution control elements 1C. The mother panel may be cut along only the second sealing portion 62.

  As described above, by cutting the light distribution control element 1 which is the mother panel along the sealing member 60, it is possible to cut out the light distribution control element of the required size. That is, light distribution control elements of a plurality of sizes can be chamfered from one mother panel.

  In addition, the method to cut the light distribution control element 1 which is a mother panel is not restricted to the thing by a laser beam. For example, the mother panel may be divided by scribing and dicing. In this case, a linear groove (broken line) is formed along the sealing member 60 in the mother panel, and the mother panel is cut along the groove (broken line) by applying a predetermined stress to the mother panel. Thus, the mother panel can be divided into a plurality of parts.

  As an example, when the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are transparent resin substrates, cutting is performed by laser light, and when the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are glass substrates, cutting is performed by dicing.

[effect]
As described above, in the light distribution control element 1 according to the present embodiment, the light transmission control element 1 is disposed between the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed and the second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed. The sealing member 60 is formed in a grid shape.

  Thereby, since the light distribution control element 1 can be cut out into a plurality of sizes, the needs of various sizes can be easily met.

  Furthermore, in the light distribution control element 1 in the present embodiment, the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are substantially equal.

  Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the liquid crystal molecules 51 are in the horizontal alignment (when no voltage is applied), the refractive index of the P polarized light is different from that of the S polarized light although the sealing members 60 have different refractive indices. Since the refractive index with the stopper member 60 is the same, when the light distribution control element 1 is viewed from the front (thickness direction), it does not become completely transparent, but the sealing member 60 can be made less visible.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the liquid crystal molecules 51 are vertically aligned (when voltage is applied), the refractive index of the P-polarization and the S-polarization is the same as that of the sealing member 60. When the control element 1 is viewed from the front, the sealing member 60 is not visible and can be completely transparent.

  As described above, by making the refractive index of the sealing member 60 substantially the same as the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 50 in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51, the sealing member 60 remains as a final product. Also, the sealing member 60 can be made inconspicuous. Therefore, the light distribution control element 1 with a good appearance can be realized.

  In particular, if the refractive index difference between the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 is large, the sealing member 60 becomes noticeable when the liquid crystal molecules 51 are vertically aligned. However, by making the refractive indexes of the sealing member 60 and the liquid crystal molecules 51 approximately equal as in the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 can be made less noticeable even when the liquid crystal molecules 51 are vertically aligned.

  As described above, according to the light distribution control element 1 in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize the light distribution control element 1 which can be cut out into a plurality of sizes and in which the grid-like sealing member 60 is less noticeable. it can.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are formed as an intermediate layer in contact with the sealing member 60 in the thickness direction of the sealing member 60. In this case, it is preferable that the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index of the intermediate layer (the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40) be substantially equal.

  Thereby, since reflection at the interface between the sealing member 60 and the intermediate layer can be suppressed, the transparency when the light distribution control element 1 is viewed from the front can be further improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the dielectric constant of the sealing member 60 is preferably lower than the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer 50.

  Thereby, the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 can be driven at a low voltage.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 includes the bead 70.

  Thereby, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 50 can be easily made uniform and constant.

  In this case, the beads 70 may be adhesive.

  As a result, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are also bonded by the beads 70, so that even if stress such as bending is applied to the light distribution control element 1, the change in film thickness can be suppressed. Can.

  Moreover, according to the method of manufacturing the light distribution control element 1 in the present embodiment, the step of forming the first transparent conductive film 30 on the first substrate 10, and the second transparent conductive film 40 on the second substrate 20. Liquid crystal sealed by a sealing member 60 in a lattice form between the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed and the second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed. The steps of manufacturing the mother panel having the layer 50 and dividing the mother panel along the sealing member 60 are included. The liquid crystal layer 50 is made of liquid crystal containing rod-like liquid crystal molecules 51, and the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 are substantially equal.

  Thereby, it is possible to cut out the light distribution control element 1 manufactured as the mother panel into a plurality for each size, and also the light distribution control element after cutting out or the light distribution control element as the mother panel to cut out Even if the grid-like sealing member 60 remains, the sealing member 60 is less noticeable. Therefore, a light distribution control element with a good appearance can be manufactured.

Second Embodiment
Next, the light distribution control element 2 according to the second embodiment will be described using FIGS. 10A and 10B. 10A is a plan view of the light distribution control element 2 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the light distribution control element 2 taken along line XB-XB in FIG. 10A.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, in the light distribution control element 2 according to the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 includes the first sealing portion 61A divided into two, in the first embodiment. It differs from the light distribution control element 1.

  Specifically, in the light distribution control element 2 according to the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 is not divided into two, the first sealing part 61, and the first sealing part 61A, which is divided into two. And.

  Specifically, the first sealing portion 61A is configured of a first divided sealing portion 61a and a second divided sealing portion 61b which are divided into two. The first divided sealing portion 61a and the second divided sealing portion 61b are formed in parallel along the column direction. Further, liquid crystal including liquid crystal molecules 51 is filled between the first divided sealing portion 61 a and the second divided sealing portion 61 b as in the other regions.

  As shown in FIG. 11, also in the present embodiment, the light distribution control element 2 which is a mother panel is cut by irradiating laser light along the sealing member 60 or the like as in the first embodiment. Can be divided into a plurality of light distribution control elements 2A.

  In this case, in the present embodiment, the first divided sealing portion 61a and the second divided sealing portion 61b are irradiated with a laser beam to form the first divided sealing portion 61a and the second divided sealing portion 61b. The space between the second divided sealing portion 61 b and the second divided sealing portion 61 b is cut.

  As a result, the liquid crystal filled between the first divided sealing portion 61 a and the second divided sealing portion 61 b disappears, and the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 are outside of the sealing member 60. It will be pulled out and it will be in the exposed state. The part exposed from the sealing member 60 of the 1st transparent conductive film 30 and the 2nd transparent conductive film 40 can be used as a terminal electrode for connecting with an external power supply.

  As described above, according to the light distribution control element 2 in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, since the sealing member 60 is formed in a grid shape, the light distribution control element 2 is cut out into a plurality of sizes. Can. Also in this embodiment, since the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are substantially equal to each other, the sealing member 60 can be hardly visible. Therefore, it is possible to realize the light distribution control element 2 which can be cut into a plurality of sizes and in which the grid-like sealing member 60 is less noticeable.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, the sealing member 60 includes the first sealing portion 61A divided into two, the first divided sealing portion 61a and the second divided sealing portion 61b.

  Thereby, only by cutting the light distribution control element 2 which is a mother panel, the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 can be exposed from the sealing member 60 to form a terminal electrode. Therefore, the effective area when cutting the mother panel can be improved.

  Although the first sealing portion 61 is divided into two in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second sealing portion 62 may be divided into two, or both of the first sealing portion 61 and the second sealing portion 62 may be divided into two if necessary.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, after the light distribution control element 2 which is the mother panel is cut, the portion outside the sealing member 60 in the vicinity of the cut portion may be further cut and removed. Good. In FIG. 12, the end of the second substrate 20 on which the second transparent conductive film 40 is formed is cut.

  Thereby, since the second substrate 20 located above the first transparent conductive film 30 does not exist, the connection between the first transparent conductive film 30 exposed from the sealing member 60 and the lead wire can be easily performed. it can.

  The end of the first substrate 10 on which the first transparent conductive film 30 is formed may be cut. Moreover, when cutting the end of the first substrate 10 and the end of the second substrate, it is possible to partially cut the end along the X-axis direction, instead of cutting all the ends along the X-axis direction. You may cut it. That is, the part facing the transparent conductive film of the part used as a terminal electrode may be cut.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although the light distribution control element which concerns on this invention was demonstrated based on Embodiment 1, 2, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 (the spacing between the adjacent first sealing portions 61 or the spacing between the adjacent second sealing portions 62) Although the direction is constant without change, it is not limited thereto. For example, the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 may vary along at least one of the column direction and the row direction of the lattice. This makes it possible to increase the types of sizes that can be selected by cutting in grid units.

  In this case, as in the case of the light distribution control element 101 shown in FIG. 13, the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 may increase from the peripheral portion of the first substrate 10 toward the central portion.

  Alternatively, as in the case of the light distribution control element 201 shown in FIG. 14, the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 goes from one corner of the first substrate 10 to the other corner in each of the column direction and the row direction. It may be bigger.

  Further, instead of gradually changing the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the lattice spacing may be changed by making it different for each region. For example, as in the light distribution control element 301 shown in FIG. 15, a first area A1 which is an end area of 1⁄4 or less of the width of the first substrate 10 in the row direction and an area other than the first area A1 The lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 may be made different in the second area A2 that is. As an example, in the sealing member 60 in FIG. 15, the lattice spacing in the first area A1 is less than or equal to half the maximum lattice spacing in the second area A2. In FIG. 15, although the lattice spacing in the first area A1 and the lattice spacing in the second area A2 are constant, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the inside of the first area A1 and the inside of the second area A2 The grid spacing may be gradually changed in each of

  Further, the lattice spacing of the sealing member 60 is not limited to a regular one as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, but may be random.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the light distribution control element 401 includes the uneven layer 80 formed between the liquid crystal layer 50 and at least one of the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. You may have. That is, the concavo-convex layer 80 may be formed between the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40. In the light distribution control element 401 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, in the light distribution control element 1 of the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1B, the uneven layer 80 is between the first transparent conductive film 30 and the liquid crystal layer 50. It has a formed configuration. An adhesion layer may be formed on the surface of the first transparent conductive film 30 on the side of the uneven layer 80 in order to bring the first transparent conductive film 30 and the uneven layer 80 into close contact with each other.

  The concavo-convex layer 80 is constituted by a plurality of projections of micro order size or nano order size. Each convex portion is formed in a stripe shape. Specifically, each of the convex portions is a long, substantially triangular prism shape having a triangular cross-sectional shape and extending in the X-axis direction, and is arranged at equal intervals along the Z-axis direction. In addition, cross-sectional shape may be a trapezoid etc., and each convex part may mutually be spaced apart and may be arrange | positioned. Further, the heights of the plurality of convex portions may not be constant but may be randomly different. Furthermore, each of the plurality of convex portions may not be columnar, but may be dotted in a matrix.

  The uneven layer 80 is another example of the intermediate layer in contact with the sealing member 60 in the thickness direction of the sealing member 60. Further, it is preferable that the refractive index of the sealing member 60 and the refractive index of the concavo-convex layer 80 be substantially equal. In this case, it is preferable that one of the sealing member 60 and the concavo-convex layer 80 has a refractive index difference of ± 2% or less with respect to the other as being substantially equal in refractive index.

  As a material of the uneven | corrugated layer 80, the resin material which has light transmittances, such as an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, or a silicone resin, can be used, for example. As an example, the material of the uneven layer 80 is an acrylic resin having a refractive index of about 1.5.

  As described above, by bringing the concavo-convex layer 80 into contact with the liquid crystal layer 50, it is possible to change the traveling direction of light incident on the light distribution control element 401 according to the change of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 50.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16A, when no voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (when no voltage is applied), the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are not , Horizontal orientation. At this time, since the liquid crystal layer 50 has an ordinary light refractive index (no) of 1.5 and an extraordinary light refractive index (ne) of 1.7, the liquid crystal layer 50 having an ordinary light refractive index of 1.5 and the refractive index There is no difference in refractive index between the concavo-convex layer 80 and the concavo-convex layer 80, and therefore, P-polarization of light incident on the light distribution control element 401 is not totally reflected at the interface between the concavo-convex layer 80 and the liquid crystal layer 50. , As it passes. On the other hand, as for the S-polarization, since the extraordinary light refractive index is 1.7, a difference in refractive index occurs between the liquid crystal layer 50 and the concavo-convex layer 80. A part of the light is totally reflected at the interface between the uneven layer 80 and the liquid crystal layer 50, and the traveling direction is bent in the rebounding direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16B, when a voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive film 30 and the second transparent conductive film 40 (during voltage application), the liquid crystal molecules 51 of the liquid crystal layer 50 are vertically aligned. . At this time, since the ordinary light refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 50 is 1.5, both P-polarization and S-polarization of light incident on the light distribution control element 401 are totally reflected at the interface between the concavo-convex layer 80 and the liquid crystal layer 50. I will pass as it is.

  Thus, by providing the uneven layer 80, the traveling direction of incident light can be largely changed. The uneven layer 80 may be formed between the second transparent conductive film 40 and the liquid crystal layer 50 instead of between the first transparent conductive film 30 and the liquid crystal layer 50, or the first transparent conductive film 30. And the liquid crystal layer 50 and between the second transparent conductive film 40 and the liquid crystal layer 50.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, although the light distribution control elements 1 and 2 were used as a window itself, it does not restrict to this. For example, the light distribution control elements 1 and 2 may be used by being attached to a window. Moreover, although the light distribution control elements 1 and 2 were applied to the window of a building, it may be applied not only to this but to windows other than a building, such as a window of a car.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light distribution control elements 1 and 2 are configured to bend light when no voltage is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light distribution control elements 1 and 2 are configured to bend light when voltage is applied. It may be. In this case, it can be realized by a configuration using liquid crystal which is horizontally aligned at the time of voltage application, or by using a resin material of light refractive index.

  In addition, the embodiments obtained by applying various modifications to those skilled in the art to the above embodiments and modifications, or the constituent elements in the embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention The embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the functions and the functions is also included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 2, 2A, 101, 201, 301, 401 Light distribution control element 10 1st board | substrate 20 2nd board | substrate 30 1st transparent conductive film 40 2nd transparent conductive film 50 liquid crystal layer 51 liquid crystal molecule 60 Sealing member 61, 61A first sealing portion 61a first divisional sealing portion (divisional sealing portion)
61b Second division sealing part (division sealing part)
62 second sealing portion 70 bead 80 uneven layer

Claims (14)

A light transmitting first substrate;
A translucent second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate;
A first transparent conductive film disposed on the second substrate side of the first substrate;
A second transparent conductive film disposed on the first substrate side of the second substrate;
A liquid crystal layer made of liquid crystal including rod-like liquid crystal molecules, disposed between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film;
And a sealing member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and sealing the liquid crystal layer.
When the first substrate is viewed in plan, the sealing member is formed in a grid shape,
A light distribution control element, wherein the refractive index of the sealing member and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules are substantially equal. It has an intermediate layer in contact with the sealing member in the thickness direction of the sealing member,
The light distribution control element of Claim 1. The refractive index of the said sealing member and the refractive index of the said intermediate | middle layer are substantially equal. The light distribution control element according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer is the first transparent conductive film or the second transparent conductive film. The sealing member includes a plurality of first sealing portions each formed in a straight line in the column direction, and a second sealing member formed in a row in the row direction and orthogonal to the plurality of first sealing portions. The light distribution control element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a sealing portion. At least one of the plurality of first sealing portions and the plurality of second sealing portions includes a divided sealing portion divided into two,
The light distribution control element according to claim 4, wherein the liquid crystal is filled between the two divided sealing portions. The light distribution control element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a lattice spacing of the sealing member changes along at least one of a column direction and a row direction of the lattice. The light distribution control element according to claim 6, wherein the lattice spacing increases from the periphery to the center of the first substrate. The light distribution control element according to claim 6, wherein the lattice spacing increases from one corner of the first substrate toward the other corner in each of the column direction and the row direction. In the sealing member, a lattice spacing at an end area of not more than a quarter of the width of the first substrate in the row direction is at most half the largest lattice spacing in an area other than the end area. The light distribution control element of any one of 1-5. The light distribution control element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a dielectric constant of the sealing member is lower than a dielectric constant of the liquid crystal layer. The light distribution control element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sealing member contains a bead. The light distribution control element according to claim 11, wherein the bead has adhesiveness. The light distribution control element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a concavo-convex layer formed between at least one of the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film and the liquid crystal layer. Forming a first transparent conductive film on a light-transmissive first substrate;
Forming a second transparent conductive film on a light transmitting second substrate;
A mother panel having a liquid crystal layer sealed by a grid-like sealing member between the first substrate on which the first transparent conductive film is formed and the second substrate on which the second transparent conductive film is formed Manufacturing the
Separating the mother panel along the sealing member,
The liquid crystal layer is made of liquid crystal including rod-like liquid crystal molecules,
A method of manufacturing a light distribution control element, wherein the refractive index of the sealing member and the refractive index in the minor axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules are substantially equal.

Images