JP2020177198A - Dimming sheet and dimming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a dimming sheet and a dimming device that make it possible to pull down a lower limit value in a temperature range in which the dimming sheet is used.SOLUTION: A dimming sheet comprises: a dimming layer 11 containing a plurality of liquid crystal molecules; a pair of transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B holding the dimming layer 11 therebetween; a first connection part connecting a first power source 21, which outputs voltage for changing orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, to each of the transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B; and a second connection part connecting a second power source 22, which supplies the first transparent conductive layer 12A with current to heat the first transparent conductive layer 12A, to the first transparent conductive layer 12A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a dimming sheet and a dimming device.

The light control sheet includes a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition and a pair of transparent conductive layers sandwiching the light control layer. In the light control sheet, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the light control layer changes according to the potential difference between the pair of transparent conductive layers, thereby changing the light transmittance of the light control sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-17938

In recent years, the range of application of dimming sheets has been steadily expanding, and along with this, the use of dimming sheets in low temperatures such as cold regions is being considered. Then, when the dimming sheet is used at a low temperature, there is a new problem that the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules does not easily follow the application of the voltage.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dimming sheet capable of lowering the lower limit value in a temperature range in which the dimming sheet is used, and a dimming device.

The dimming sheet for solving the above problems is a dimming layer containing a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, a pair of transparent conductive layers sandwiching the dimming layer, and a voltage that changes the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. A first connection portion for connecting one power source to each transparent conductive layer, and a second connection portion for connecting a second power source for heating the transparent heating body by supplying an electric current to the transparent heating body to the transparent heating body. To be equipped.

According to the above configuration, the dimming layer is heated by the transparent heating body to which the electric current is supplied. As a result, the temperature of the light control layer containing the liquid crystal molecules is higher than the temperature of the environment in which the light control sheet is placed. Therefore, even when the light control sheet is arranged at a low temperature, it is possible to prevent the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules from becoming difficult to follow the application of the voltage due to the decrease in the temperature of the light control layer. Therefore, it is possible to lower the lower limit value in the temperature range in which the dimming sheet is used.

In the dimming sheet, the transparent heating body is the transparent conductive layer, the first connecting portion includes an electrode portion in each transparent conductive layer, and the second connecting portion includes the second power supply and the transparent. The first electrode portion for connecting the heating body and the second electrode portion which is different from the first electrode portion and connects the second power source and the transparent heating body are provided. May be good.

According to the above configuration, in addition to the first electrode portion, which is a part of the plurality of electrode portions, functioning as an electrode portion for changing the orientation of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules, the transparent conductive layer which is a transparent heating body is formed. It also functions as an electrode part for heating. Therefore, the number of members used in the light control sheet can be reduced as compared with the case where the electrode portion for changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules and the electrode portion for heating the light control layer are separately provided.

In the light control sheet, the pair of transparent conductive layers are composed of a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer, and the transparent heating body is the same as the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. It may be a different third transparent conductive layer.

According to the above configuration, by having the transparent conductive layer for heating separately from the pair of transparent conductive layers, the transmittance of the light control sheet is changed and the light control layer is heated separately. It is possible to choose to do it at the same time.

In the dimming sheet, the dimming sheet has a quadrangular shape, and each electrode portion of the second connecting portion may be located on each opposite side of the dimming sheet. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress that the current supplied from the second power source is supplied only to a part of the transparent conductive layer. Therefore, the dimming layer is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer.

In the dimming sheet, each electrode portion of the second connecting portion may have a linear shape extending along the side of the dimming sheet. According to the above configuration, since the electrode portion extends along one side of the light control sheet, the current supplied from the second power source tends to spread over the entire transparent conductive layer. Therefore, the dimming layer is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer.

The dimming device for solving the above-mentioned problems is a state in which the dimming sheet, the first power source, the second power source, and the voltage output by the first power source can be applied to the pair of transparent conductive layers. A switching unit for switching between a state in which the current output by the second power source can be supplied to the transparent heating body is provided.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to switch between changing the orientation of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules by the output from the first power source and heating the transparent conductive layer by the output from the second power source by the switching unit.

The dimming device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes the dimming sheet, the first power source, and the second power source, and the second connection portion includes a plurality of electrode portions and the plurality of electrode portions. Is located in each of the transparent conductive layers, and switches between a state in which the second power source is connected to only one of the transparent conductive layers and a state in which the second electrode is connected to the pair of transparent conductive layers. It also has a part.

According to the above configuration, the switching unit switches between heating the dimming layer from only one in the thickness direction of the dimming layer and heating the dimming layer from both in the thickness direction of the dimming layer. It is possible.

According to the present invention, the lower limit value can be lowered in the temperature range in which the dimming sheet is used.

A cross-sectional view showing the structure of a normal type dimming sheet. The cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the reverse type dimming sheet. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of 1st example in the light control sheet of 1st Embodiment. The equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to the dimming apparatus provided with the dimming sheet of 1st example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd example in the light control sheet of 1st Embodiment. The equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to the dimming apparatus provided with the dimming sheet of 2nd example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the 3rd example in the light control sheet of 1st Embodiment. The equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to the dimming apparatus provided with the dimming sheet of 3rd example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the modification example in the light control sheet of 3rd example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of 4th example in the light control sheet of 1st Embodiment. The equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to the dimming apparatus provided with the dimming sheet of 4th example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the modification example in the light control sheet of 4th example. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure in the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st modification in the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd modification in the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment. The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the 3rd modification in the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the dimming sheet and the dimming device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. The dimming sheet and dimming device of the first embodiment include the dimming sheet and dimming device of the first to fourth examples. In the following, two examples that can be applied as a dimming sheet of each example will be described before the detailed description of each example.

[Dimming sheet]
The dimming sheet 10N shown in FIG. 1 is a normal type dimming sheet. The light control sheet 10N includes a light control layer 11, a pair of transparent conductive layers 12, and a pair of transparent support layers 13. The first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B, which are a pair of transparent conductive layers 12, sandwich the dimming layer 11 in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. The first transparent support layer 13A and the second transparent support layer 13B, which are the pair of transparent support layers 13, sandwich the pair of transparent conductive layers 12 in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11.

The dimming layer 11 contains a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. For example, a polymer network liquid crystal. Each transparent conductive layer 12 has a transmittance capable of transmitting visible light. A voltage that changes the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is applied to the dimming layer 11 via the transparent conductive layer 12. Each transparent conductive layer 12 is formed of a material capable of generating heat by supplying an electric current. Each transparent conductive layer 12 is formed of, for example, a transparent conductive oxide. The transparent conductive oxide is, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO).

Each transparent support layer 13 has a transmittance capable of transmitting visible light. Each transparent support layer 13 supports one transparent conductive layer 12 that is different from each other. The transparent support layers 13A and 13B may be, for example, a glass substrate, a silicon substrate, and a polymer film.

In the light control sheet 10N, when a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 12, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented in the direction along the electric field generated between the transparent conductive layers 12. As a result, light is easily transmitted through the dimming layer 11, so that the dimming layer 11 becomes transparent. On the other hand, while no voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 12, the orientation of the major axis of the liquid crystal molecules is irregular. Therefore, as a result of the light incident on the dimming layer 11 being scattered, the dimming layer 11 becomes opaque.

The dimming sheet 10R shown in FIG. 2 is a reverse type dimming sheet. The light control sheet 10R includes a pair of alignment layers 14 in addition to a light control layer 11, a pair of transparent conductive layers 12, and a pair of transparent support layers 13. The pair of alignment layers 14 sandwich the dimming layer 11 in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. The pair of alignment layers 14 are sandwiched between the pair of transparent conductive layers 12 in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. Each alignment layer 14 is, for example, a transparent vertical alignment film. The alignment layer 14 orients the liquid crystal molecules so that the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is along the normal direction of the surface extending along the alignment layer 14 while the voltage is not applied to the transparent conductive layer 12. On the other hand, the alignment layer 14 makes it possible to change the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules in a direction other than the normal direction by applying a voltage to the transparent conductive layer 12.

Therefore, in the dimming sheet 10R, when a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 12, the direction of the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is different from the normal direction of the alignment layer 14, so that the dimming layer 11 is It becomes opaque. On the other hand, while the voltage is not applied to the transparent conductive layer 12, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented along the normal direction of the alignment layer 14, so that the dimming layer 11 is transparent.

The dimming sheet of each example described below may be a normal type dimming sheet 10N or a reverse type dimming sheet 10R. Hereinafter, the case where the normal type dimming sheet 10N is applied to the dimming sheet of each example will be described in detail, and the case where the reverse type dimming sheet 10R is applied will be omitted.

[First example]
The dimming sheet and the dimming device of the first example will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
As shown in FIG. 3, the light control sheet 10N includes a light control layer 11 and a pair of transparent conductive layers 12. The dimming layer 11 contains a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The pair of transparent conductive layers 12 sandwich the dimming layer 11 between the pair of transparent conductive layers 12.

The dimming sheet 10N includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion connects each transparent conductive layer 12 with a first power source that outputs a voltage that changes the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. The second connection portion connects the transparent heating body to a second power source that supplies an electric current to the transparent heating body to heat the transparent heating body. In this example, the first connection portion includes a first electrode portion 15A and a second electrode portion 15B. The first electrode portion 15A is connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second electrode portion 15B is connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The second connection portion includes a first electrode portion 16A and a second electrode portion 16B. The first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B are connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A. In this example, the first electrode portion 15A of the first connection portion also serves as the second electrode portion 16B of the second connection portion. In this example, the first transparent conductive layer 12A is an example of a transparent heating body.

The dimming sheet 10N has a quadrangular shape. The direction in which one side of the dimming sheet 10N extends is the first direction D1, and the direction in which the other side orthogonal to one side extends is the second direction D2. Each of the electrode portions 16A and 16B of the second connecting portion is located on the opposite side of the light control sheet 10N. It is possible to suppress that the current supplied from the second power source is supplied only to a part of the first transparent conductive layer 12A. Therefore, the dimming layer 11 is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer 11.

In this example, the first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B are located diagonally to the dimming sheet 10N. The first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B may be arranged along the first direction D1 or along the second direction D2 as long as they are located one by one on the opposite sides. It may be lined up.

Each of the electrode portions 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B is formed of, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) and an anisotropic conductive film (ACF: Anisotropic Conductive Film) that joins the FPC to the transparent conductive layer 12. Has been done.

In the light control sheet 10N, the surface of the first transparent support layer 13A opposite to the surface facing the first transparent conductive layer 12A is the surface 10NF. In the dimming sheet 10N, the surface of the second transparent support layer 13B opposite to the surface facing the second transparent conductive layer 12B is the back surface 10NB. In the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the surface facing the first transparent support layer 13A is the front surface 12AF, and the surface facing the dimming layer 11 is the back surface 12AB. In the second transparent conductive layer 12B, the surface facing the dimming layer 11 is the front surface 12BF, and the surface facing the second transparent support layer 13B is the back surface 12BB.

The first electrode portion 15A and the first electrode portion 16A are joined to the back surface 12AB of the first transparent conductive layer 12A. The two electrode portions 15A and 16A are located one by one on opposite sides in the first direction D1 in the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent conductive portion is located from the side on which the electrode portions 15A and 16A are located. It extends outward of layer 12A. The second electrode portion 15B is joined to the surface 12BF of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The second electrode portion 15B is located on the side extending along the first direction D1 in the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The second electrode portion 15B extends from the side where the second electrode portion 15B is located toward the outside of the second transparent conductive layer 12B.

In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the dimming sheet 10N, the first electrode portion 15A and the second electrode portion 15B are aligned along the first direction D1, and the second electrode portion 15B and the first electrode portion 16A are aligned. Are lined up along the second direction D2.

When viewed from the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the second electrode portion 15B has through holes 11h, 12Ah, 13Ah formed in the light control layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support layer 13A, respectively. It is exposed to the outside of the dimming sheet 10N through. Seen from the back surface 10NB of the light control sheet 10N, the first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B penetrate through the light control layer 11, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the second transparent support layer 13B, respectively. It is exposed to the outside of the dimming sheet 10N through the holes 11h, 12Bh, and 13Bh. Each electrode portion is electrically connected to the power supply by a wiring connecting each electrode portion and the power supply through a through hole for exposing the electrode portion.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the dimmer of the first example.
As shown in FIG. 4, the dimming device 20 includes a dimming sheet 10N, a first power supply 21, and a second power supply 22. The dimming device 20 includes a switching unit. The switching unit sets a state in which the voltage output by the first power supply 21 can be applied to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12 and a state in which the current output by the second power supply 22 can be supplied to the first transparent conductive layer 12A. Switch.

The equivalent circuit includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, and a third resistor R3. The first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the third resistor R3 are connected in series. The equivalent circuit includes a capacitance C. The capacitance C is connected in parallel to the third resistor R3. The first resistor R1 corresponds to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the second resistor R2 corresponds to the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the third resistor R3 corresponds to the resistance component of the dimming layer 11. The capacity C corresponds to the capacity component of the dimming layer 11.

The first power supply 21 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1 and can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2. The second power supply 22 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the terminal T and can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1. The terminal T corresponds to the first electrode portion 16A included in the second connection portion.

The first switch SW1 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the first resistor R1, that is, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the first resistor R1. The second switch SW2 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the second resistor R2, that is, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and a state in which the first power supply 21 is not connected to the second resistor R2.

When the first power supply 21 makes it possible to apply an output voltage to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12, the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21 to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second switch SW2 The first power supply 21 is connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. On the other hand, when the second power supply 22 supplies a current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the first switch SW1 connects the second power supply 22 to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second switch SW2 The first power supply 21 is not connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. As described above, in this example, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 form a switching unit.

The electrode portion belonging to the first connecting portion functions as an electrode portion for changing the orientation of the plurality of liquid crystal molecules, and also functions as an electrode portion for heating the first transparent conductive layer 12A. Therefore, the number of members used in the dimming sheets 10N and 10R is reduced as compared with the case where the electrode portion for changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules and the electrode portion for heating the dimming layer 11 are separately provided. Can be done.

According to such a dimming device 20, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is changed by the first power supply 21 applying a voltage to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12. As a result, the transmittance of the dimming sheet 10N changes. Further, the second power supply 22 supplies an electric current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A to heat the first transparent conductive layer 12A. As a result, the dimming layer 11 is heated by the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and even when the dimming device 20 is used in a low temperature environment, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is adjusted to a temperature that follows the application of the voltage. It is possible to heat the light layer 11. As a result, the lower limit can be lowered in the temperature range in which the dimming sheet 10N is used.

Further, in this example, the switches SW1 and SW2 change the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules by the output from the first power source 21, and heat the first transparent conductive layer 12A by the output from the second power source 22. It is possible to switch.

[Second example]
The dimming sheet and the dimming device of the second example will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In the light control sheet of the second example, both the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B can function as transparent heating bodies as compared with the light control sheet 10N of the first example. Is different. Therefore, in the following, the configuration for the second transparent conductive layer 12B to be able to function as a transparent heating body will be described in detail, while the configurations common to the first example in the second example include the first example. The description of the configuration will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second connection portion includes a third electrode portion 16C and a fourth electrode portion 16D in addition to the first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B. In the second connection portion, the first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B are electrode portions for allowing the first transparent conductive layer 12A to function as a transparent heating body, and the third electrode portion 16C and the fourth electrode portion 16D are This is an electrode portion for allowing the second transparent conductive layer 12B to function as a transparent heating body. The fourth electrode portion 16D also serves as the second electrode portion 15B included in the first connection portion.

The dimming sheet 10N has a quadrangular shape. The first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B of the second connection portion are located one by one on opposite sides of the dimming sheet 10N. The third electrode portion 16C and the fourth electrode portion 16D of the second connection portion are located one by one on opposite sides of the dimming sheet 10N. In this example, the first electrode portion 16A and the second electrode portion 16B are located diagonally to the dimming sheet 10N, and the third electrode portion 16C and the fourth electrode portion 16D are the dimming sheet 10N. It is located in the other diagonal direction. Like the other electrode portions, the third electrode portion 16C is formed of, for example, FPC and ACF.

The third electrode portion 16C is joined to the surface 12BF of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the first electrode portion 16A and the third electrode portion 16C are aligned along the first direction D1, and the second electrode portion 16B and the third electrode portion 16C Are lined up along the second direction D2.

When viewed from the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the third electrode portion 16C has through holes 11h, 12Ah, and 13Ah formed in the light control layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support layer 13A, respectively. It is exposed to the outside of the dimming sheet 10N through. The third electrode portion 16C is electrically connected to the second power supply 22 by a wiring connecting the third electrode portion 16C and the second power supply 22 through a through hole for exposing the third electrode portion 16C. .. The fourth electrode portion 16D is electrically connected to the second power supply 22 by a wiring connecting the fourth electrode portion 16D and the second power supply 22 through a through hole for exposing the fourth electrode portion 16D. ..

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the dimmer of the second example.
As shown in FIG. 6, the dimming device 20 switches between a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to only one transparent conductive layer 12 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to a pair of transparent conductive layers 12. It has a part.

The first power supply 21 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1 and can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2. The second power supply 22 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first terminal T1 and can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1. The first terminal T1 corresponds to the first electrode portion 16A included in the second connecting portion. Further, the second power supply 22 can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the third switch SW3 and the second terminal T2, and the second power supply 22 is connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4. It can be connected to resistor R2. The second terminal T2 corresponds to the third electrode portion 16C included in the second connecting portion.

The first switch SW1 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the first resistor R1, that is, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the first resistor R1. The second switch SW2 has a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the second resistor R2, that is, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the second power supply 22 is connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B via the fourth switch SW4. Switch between the states that can be connected. The third switch SW3 switches between a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the second resistor R2 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is not connected to the second resistor R2. The fourth switch SW4 has a state in which the second power supply 22 can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is not connected to the second resistor R2. To switch.

When the first power supply 21 makes it possible to apply an output voltage to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12, the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21 to the first resistor R1 and the second switch SW2 is the first. The power supply 21 is connected to the second resistor R2.

On the other hand, when the second power supply 22 supplies a current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the first switch SW1 connects the second power supply 22 to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second switch SW2 The first power supply 21 is not connected to the second resistor R2, and the second power supply 22 can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the fourth switch SW4. As a result, the second power supply 22 can supply an electric current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and as a result, the first transparent conductive layer 12A can function as a transparent heating body.

In this state, the third switch SW3 connects the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2, and the fourth switch SW4 connects the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2. As a result, the second power supply 22 can supply a current to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. As a result, both the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B can function as transparent heating bodies. As described above, in this example, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, and the fourth switch SW4 form the switching unit.

According to such a dimming device 20, the second power supply 22 supplies a current only to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second power supply 22 supplies both the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B. It is possible to switch between the state of supplying current. In other words, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 heat the dimming layer 11 from only one side in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11 and the dimming layer 11 from both sides in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. It is possible to switch between heating and heating.

When the second power source 22 supplies an electric current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B, the dimming layer 11 is heated from both sides in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. As a result, the time required for heating the dimming layer 11 can be shortened as compared with the case where the dimming layer 11 is heated from only one side in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11, and the dimming layer 11 can be heated. It is also possible to suppress variations in temperature within the dimming layer 11 in the thickness direction.

[Third example]
The dimming sheet and the dimming device of the third example will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The light control sheet of the third example is different in the number and shape of the electrode portions provided in the second connection portion as compared with the light control sheet of the first example. Therefore, while these differences will be described in detail below, the configuration common to the first example in the third example will be designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first example, and the detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second connection portion includes a first electrode portion 26A and a second electrode portion 26B. Each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B of the second connecting portion is located on the opposite side of the light control sheet 10N. In this example, the first electrode portion 26A is located on one of the two opposing sides in the first direction D1, and the second electrode portion 26B is located on the other of the two sides.

Each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B has a linear shape extending along the side of the light control sheet 10N. Since the electrode portions 26A and 26B extend along one side of the light control sheet 10N, the current supplied from the second power supply 22 tends to spread over the entire second transparent conductive layer 12B. Therefore, the dimming layer 11 is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer 11.

In this example, each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2. The length of each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B is 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the length of the side along which each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B is aligned. That is, it is preferable that the lengths of the electrode portions 26A and 26B are substantially equal to the lengths of the sides along which the electrode portions 26A and 26B are aligned.

In the first electrode portion 26A, the portion to which the wiring is joined is the first joint portion 26A1. In the second electrode portion 26B, the portion to which the wiring is joined is the second joint portion 26B1. The first bonded portion 26A1 is preferably a portion including a central portion of the first electrode portion 26A in the first direction D1. Further, the second bonded portion 26B1 is preferably a portion including the central portion of the second electrode portion 26B in the first direction D1. As a result, it is possible to prevent variations in the amount of current supplied to the second transparent conductive layer 12B in the second direction D2.

In the first direction D1, the length of the second transparent support layer 13B is equal to the length of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. Further, in the first direction D1, the length of the dimming layer 11, the length of the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the length of the first transparent support layer 13A are equal to each other. In the first direction D1, the length of the second transparent support layer 13B is longer than the length of the first transparent support layer 13A. In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the electrode portions 26A and 26B have the light control layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support in the second transparent conductive layer 12B. It is located at a portion protruding from the layer 13A. As a result, the electrode portions 26A and 26B are exposed to the outside of the light control sheet 10N, and as a result, the wiring for connecting the electrode portions 26A and 26B to the second power supply 22 is connected to the electrode portions 26A and 26B. It becomes possible to do.

Each of the electrode portions 26A and 26B is formed of, for example, a conductive paste and a conductive tape. The electrode portions 26A and 26B may be formed of FPC and ACF.

Similar to the first and second examples described above, the first electrode portion 15A is bonded to the back surface 12AB of the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second electrode portion 15B is the front surface 12BF of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. It is joined to. However, both the first electrode portion 15A and the second electrode portion 15B only have a function of connecting the pair of transparent conductive layers 12 to the first power supply 21, and connect the transparent conductive layer 12 to the second power supply 22. It has no function. As described above, the dimming sheet 10N of this example has an electrode portion for connecting the pair of transparent conductive layers 12 to the first power supply 21 and an electrode portion for connecting the transparent heating body to the second power supply 22. Each is prepared separately. Therefore, according to the dimming sheet 10N of this example, the position and shape of the electrode portion provided in the second connecting portion can be freely adjusted as compared with the case where the electrode portion of the first connecting portion also serves as the electrode portion of the second connecting portion. It is possible to increase the degree.

FIG. 8 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the dimmer of the third example.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first power supply 21 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1 and is connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2. It is possible. The second power supply 22 can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the second terminal T2, and can be connected to the second resistor R2 via the first terminal T1 and the third switch SW3. The first terminal T1 corresponds to the first electrode portion 26A, and the second terminal T2 corresponds to the second electrode portion 26B.

The first switch SW1 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the first resistor R1, that is, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and a state in which the first power supply 21 is not connected to the first resistor R1. The second switch SW2 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the second resistor R2, that is, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and a state in which the first power supply 21 is not connected to the second resistor R2. The third switch SW3 switches between a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the second resistor R2 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is not connected to the second resistor R2.

When the first power supply 21 makes it possible to apply an output voltage to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12, the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21 to the first resistor R1, and the second switch SW2 connects the first power supply 21. Is connected to the second resistor R2, and the third switch SW3 does not connect the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2. On the other hand, when the second power supply 22 supplies a current to the second transparent conductive layer 12B, the third switch SW3 connects the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2, and the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21. Is not connected to the first resistor R1, and the second switch SW2 does not connect the first power supply 21 to the second resistor R2.

According to such a dimming device 20, the second transparent conductive layer 12B is heated by the second power supply 22 supplying an electric current to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. As a result, the dimming layer 11 is heated by the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and even when the dimming device 20 is used in a low temperature environment, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is adjusted to a temperature that follows the application of the voltage. It is possible to heat the light layer 11. As a result, the lower limit can be lowered in the temperature range in which the dimming sheet 10N is used.

In this example, the first electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26B that function as terminals connected to the second power supply 22 are connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B, but the first electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26B are connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The two electrode portions 26B may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A. In this case, the first transparent conductive layer 12A functions as a transparent heating body.

[Change example of the third example]
The dimming sheet 10N of the third example described above can be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 9, the first electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26B may have a linear shape along a side extending along the first direction D1 in the dimming sheet 10N. The first electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26B are located one by one in the light control sheet 10N along the sides facing each other in the second direction D2.

In the second direction D2, the length of the second transparent support layer 13B is equal to the length of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. In the second direction D2, the lengths of the dimming layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support layer 13A are equal to each other. In the second direction D2, the length of the second transparent support layer 13B is longer than the length of the first transparent support layer 13A. In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the electrode portions 26A and 26B have the light control layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support in the second transparent conductive layer 12B. It is located at a portion protruding from the layer 13A. As a result, the electrode portions 26A and 26B are exposed to the outside of the light control sheet 10N, and as a result, the wiring for connecting the electrode portions 26A and 26B to the second power supply 22 is connected to the electrode portions 26A and 26B. It is possible.

The first electrode portion 15A may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A at a side extending along the second direction D2 in the first transparent conductive layer 12A. The first electrode portion 15A may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A on a side extending along the first direction D1 as in the third example described above.

With such a dimming device 20, the second transparent conductive layer 12B can function as a transparent heating body. In this modified example as well, the first electrode portion 26A and the second electrode portion 26B may be joined to the first transparent conductive layer 12A as in the third example.

[4th example]
The dimming sheet and the dimming device of the fourth example will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the fourth example, the shape of the electrode portion provided by each connection portion and the portion of the dimming sheet 10N where each electrode portion is located are different from those of the dimming sheet 10N of the second example. Therefore, in the following, while these differences will be described in detail, the configuration common to the second example will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first connection portion includes a first electrode portion 25A and a second electrode portion 25B. The first electrode portion 25A is connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the second electrode portion 25B is connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The second connection portion includes a first electrode portion 36A, a second electrode portion 36B, a third electrode portion 36C, and a fourth electrode portion 36D. The first electrode portion 36A and the second electrode portion 36B are connected to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the third electrode portion 36C and the fourth electrode portion 36D are connected to the second transparent conductive layer 12B. In this example, the first electrode portion 25A of the first connection portion also serves as the second electrode portion 36B of the second connection portion, and the second electrode portion 25B of the first connection portion is the fourth electrode portion of the second connection portion. It also serves as an electrode portion 36D.

The first electrode portion 25A and the first electrode portion 36A are joined to the back surface 12AB of the first transparent conductive layer 12A. The two electrode portions 25A and 36A are located one by one on opposite sides in the first direction D1 in the first transparent conductive layer 12A. Each of the electrode portions 25A and 36A has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2. The length of the electrode portions 25A and 36A is 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the length of the side along which the electrode portions 25A and 36A are aligned. That is, it is preferable that the lengths of the electrode portions 25A and 36A are substantially equal to the lengths of the sides along which the electrode portions 25A and 36A are aligned.

The second electrode portion 25B and the third electrode portion 36C are joined to the surface 12BF of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. The two electrode portions 25B and 36C are located one by one on the opposite sides in the second direction D2 in the second transparent conductive layer 12B. Each of the electrode portions 25B and 36C has a shape extending along the first direction D1. The length of each of the electrode portions 25B and 36C is 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the length of the side along which each of the electrode portions 25B and 36C is aligned. That is, it is preferable that the lengths of the electrode portions 25B and 36C are substantially equal to the lengths of the sides along which the electrode portions 25B and 36C are aligned.

In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the size of the first transparent support layer 13A and the size of the first transparent conductive layer 12A are equal to each other, and the size of the second transparent support layer 13B and the second transparent conductive layer The size of 12B is equal to each other. In the first direction D1, the length of the first transparent support layer 13A is longer than the length of the second transparent support layer 13B, and in the second direction D2, the length of the second transparent support layer 13B is the first. It is longer than the length of the transparent support layer 13A. In the first direction D1, the length of the dimming layer 11 is shorter than the length of the first transparent support layer 13A, and in the second direction D2, the length of the dimming layer 11 is the length of the second transparent support layer 13B. Is shorter than the length of.

The electrode portions 25A and 36A are located in the first transparent conductive layer 12A so as to protrude from the dimming layer 11, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the second transparent support layer 13B. As a result, the electrode portions 25A and 36A are exposed to the outside of the light control sheet 10N, and as a result, the wiring for connecting the electrode portions 25A and 36A to the power supply can be connected to the electrode portions 25A and 36A. It will be possible. The electrode portions 25B and 36C are located in the second transparent conductive layer 12B so as to protrude from the dimming layer 11, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the first transparent support layer 13A. As a result, the electrode portions 25B and 36C are exposed to the outside of the dimming sheet 10N, and as a result, the wiring for connecting the electrode portions 25B and 36C to the power supply can be connected to the electrode portions 25B and 36C. It will be possible.

FIG. 11 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the dimmer of the fourth example.
As shown in FIG. 11, the first power supply 21 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first switch SW1 and is connected to the second resistor R2 via the second switch SW2. It is possible. The second power supply 22 can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the first terminal T1 and can be connected to the first resistor R1 via the second terminal T2 and the third switch SW3. The first terminal T1 corresponds to the second electrode portion 36B, and the second terminal T2 corresponds to the first electrode portion 36A.

The second power supply 22 can be further connected to the second resistor R2 via the third terminal T3 and the fourth switch SW4, and is connected to the second resistor R2 via the fourth terminal T4. ing. The third terminal T3 corresponds to the third electrode portion 36C, and the fourth terminal T4 corresponds to the fourth electrode portion 36D.

The first switch SW1 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the first resistor R1 and a state in which the first power supply 21 is not connected to the first resistor R1. The second switch SW2 switches between a state in which the first power supply 21 is connected to the second resistor R2 and a state in which the first power supply 21 is not connected to the second resistor R2. The third switch SW3 switches between a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the first resistor R1 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is not connected to the first resistor R1. The fourth switch SW4 switches between a state in which the second power supply 22 is connected to the second resistor R2 and a state in which the second power supply 22 is not connected to the second resistor R2.

When the first power supply 21 makes it possible to apply an output voltage only to the pair of transparent conductive layers 12, the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21 to the first resistor R1, and the second switch SW2 is the first power supply. 21 is connected to the second resistor R2, the third switch SW3 does not connect the second power supply 22 to the first resistor R1, and the fourth switch SW4 does not connect the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2.

On the other hand, when the second power supply 22 supplies a current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the third switch SW3 connects the second power supply 22 to the first resistor R1, and the first switch SW1 connects the first power supply 21. Does not connect to the first resistor R1, the second switch SW2 does not connect the first power supply 21 to the second resistor R2, and the fourth switch SW4 does not connect the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2. From this state, the fourth switch SW4 connects the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2, so that the second power supply 22 supplies current to both the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B. It is possible. In the dimming device 20, the first switch SW1 does not connect the first power supply 21 to the first resistor R1, the second switch SW2 does not connect the first power supply 21 to the second resistor R2, and the third switch SW3 Does not connect the second power supply 22 to the first resistor R1, and the fourth switch SW4 can connect the second power supply 22 to the second resistor R2. As a result, the second power supply 22 supplies the current to the second transparent conductive layer 12B, but does not supply the current to the first transparent conductive layer 12A.

As described above, according to the dimming device 20 of this example, only the first transparent conductive layer 12A functions as a transparent heating body, only the second transparent conductive layer 12B functions as a transparent heating body, and the first It is possible to select either a state in which both the 1 transparent conductive layer 12A and the 2nd transparent conductive layer 12B function as a transparent heating body.

[Change example of the 4th example]
The dimming sheet 10N of the fourth example described above can be modified and implemented as follows.
As shown in FIG. 12, the first electrode portion 25A includes a first electrode element 25A1 and a second electrode element 25A2, and the second electrode portion 25B includes a first electrode element 25B1 and a second electrode element 25B2. ing. The first electrode portion 36A includes a first electrode element 36A1 and a second electrode element 36A2, and the second electrode portion 36B includes a first electrode element 36B1 and a second electrode element 36B2. The third electrode portion 36C includes a first electrode element 36C1 and a second electrode element 36C2, and the fourth electrode portion 36D includes a first electrode element 36D1 and a second electrode element 36D2.

In each electrode portion, the first electrode element corresponds to the electrode portion of the fourth example described above. Each first electrode element is formed, for example, by a conductive paste and a conductive tape. Each second electrode element is formed, for example, by a laminate of FPC and ACF. Each second electrode element is joined to the first electrode element included in the electrode portion to which the second electrode element belongs by the ACF of the second electrode element. The second electrode element has a shape extending from the side along which the first electrode element to which the second electrode element is connected extends toward the outside of the transparent conductive layer 12.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the light control sheet and the light control device, the effects described below can be obtained.
(1) The dimming layer 11 is heated by the transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B to which the current is supplied. As a result, the temperature of the dimming layer 11 rises above the temperature of the environment in which the dimming sheets 10N and 10R are placed. Therefore, even when the dimming sheets 10N and 10R are arranged at a low temperature, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules becomes difficult to follow the application of the voltage due to the decrease in the temperature of the dimming layer 11. Is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to lower the lower limit value in the temperature range in which the dimming sheets 10N and 10R are used.

(2) The electrode portion belonging to the first connecting portion functions not only as an electrode portion for changing the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, but also as an electrode portion for heating the transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B. .. Therefore, the number of members used in the dimming sheets 10N and 10R is reduced as compared with the case where the electrode portion for changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules and the electrode portion for heating the dimming layer 11 are separately provided. Can be done.

(3) It is possible to suppress that the current supplied from the second power source 22 is supplied only to a part of the transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B. Therefore, the dimming layer 11 is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer 11.
(4) Since the electrode portion extends along one side of the dimming sheets 10N and 10R, the current supplied from the second power supply 22 tends to spread over the entire transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B. Therefore, the dimming layer 11 is likely to be heated over the entire dimming layer 11.

(5) With a switch, it is possible to switch between changing the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules by the output from the first power supply 21 and heating the transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B by the output from the second power supply 22. is there.

(6) The switch switches between heating the dimming layer 11 from only one side in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11 and heating the dimming layer 11 from both sides in the thickness direction of the dimming layer 11. It is possible.

[Modified example of the first embodiment]
The first embodiment described above can be modified and implemented as follows.
The light control sheets 10N and 10R may include other layers in addition to the light control layer 11, the transparent conductive layer 12, the transparent support layer 13, and the alignment layer 14.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the dimming sheet and the dimming device will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the light control sheet includes a transparent conductive layer different from the pair of transparent conductive layers as an example of the transparent heating body. Therefore, in the following, while these differences will be described in detail, the configuration common to the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description of the configuration will be omitted. In the following, the configuration of the normal type dimming sheet 10N will be described as an example of the dimming sheet of the second embodiment, but the dimming sheet of the second embodiment is the reverse type dimming sheet 10R. May be good.

[Composition of dimming sheet]
The configuration of the dimming sheet will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the light control sheet 10N, in addition to the light control layer 11, the pair of transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B, and the pair of transparent support layers 13A and 13B, the adhesive layer 41 and the third transparent conductive layer 42, And a third transparent support layer 43 is provided.

The adhesive layer 41 adheres the third transparent conductive layer 42 to the second transparent support layer 13B. The adhesive layer 41 may be formed by various adhesives.
The third transparent conductive layer 42 is formed of, for example, a transparent conductive oxide. The transparent conductive oxide may be, for example, ITO. Like the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B, the third transparent conductive layer 42 generates heat when an electric current is supplied. The transparent conductive oxide forming the third transparent conductive layer 42 may be the same as or different from the transparent conductive oxide forming the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B. ..

In the present embodiment, the second connection portion includes a first electrode portion 46A and a second electrode portion 46B. The electrode portions 46A and 46B are joined to the surface 42F of the third transparent conductive layer 42. The two electrode portions 46A and 46B are located one on each opposite side in the first direction D1. Each of the electrode portions 46A and 46B has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2. The length of each of the electrode portions 46A and 46B is 50% or more, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 90% or more of the length of the side on which the electrode portions 46A and 46B are located. That is, it is preferable that the length of each of the electrode portions 46A and 46B is substantially equal to the length of the side on which the electrode portions 46A and 46B are located. The electrode portions 46A and 46B are formed by, for example, FPC. The electrode portions 46A and 46B may be formed of a conductive paste, a conductive tape, or the like.

In the first direction D1, the length of the third transparent support layer 43 and the length of the third transparent conductive layer 42 are equal to each other. In the first direction D1, the length of the first transparent support layer 13A, the length of the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the length of the dimming layer 11, the length of the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the length of the second transparent support layer 13B. And the length of the adhesive layer 41 are equal to each other. In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are the first transparent support layer 13A, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the light control layer 11 in the third transparent conductive layer 42. , The second transparent conductive layer 12B, the second transparent support layer 13B, and the portion protruding from the adhesive layer 41. As a result, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are exposed to the outside of the dimming sheet 10N, and as a result, the wiring for connecting the electrode portions 46A and 46B to the second power supply 22 is connected to the electrode portions 46A and 46B. It is possible to do.

In the present embodiment, the first power supply 21 is connected to the first electrode portion 15A and the second electrode portion 15B included in the first connecting portion, and the first electrode portion 46A and the second electrode portion 46B included in the second connecting portion are provided. The second power supply 22 is connected to. Since the dimming device 20 includes a third transparent conductive layer 42 different from the first transparent conductive layer 12A and the second transparent conductive layer 12B as a transparent heating body, the first power supply 21 has a voltage between the pair of transparent conductive layers 12. Can be applied simultaneously, and the second power supply 22 can supply a current to the third transparent conductive layer 42 at the same time, or can be performed separately. According to such a dimming device 20, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in the timing of changing the transmittance of the dimming sheet 10N and heating the dimming layer 11.

[First modification example]
The dimming sheet 10N described above may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 14, the first electrode portion 46A may include a first electrode element 46A1 and a second electrode element 46A2. The first electrode element 46A1 has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2. The second electrode element 46A2 extends from the first electrode element 46A1 toward the outside of the third transparent conductive layer 42 along the first direction D1.

The first electrode element 46B1 has a linear shape extending along the second direction D2 like the first electrode element 46A1. Like the second electrode element 46A2, the second electrode element 46B2 extends from the first electrode element 46B1 toward the outside of the third transparent conductive layer 42 along the first direction D1.

[Second modification example]
The dimming sheet 10N described above may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 15, the size of the third transparent support layer 43 is equal to the size of the third transparent conductive layer 42. The size of the third transparent support layer 43 is the size of the first transparent support layer 13A, the size of the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the size of the dimming layer 11, and the size of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. , And the size of the second transparent support layer 13B is equal to each other. On the other hand, in the first direction D1, the length of the adhesive layer 41 is shorter than the length of the third transparent conductive layer 42.

The first electrode portion 46A of this modified example includes a first electrode element 46A1 and a second electrode element 46A2, similarly to the first electrode portion 46A of the first modified example. The second electrode portion 46B includes a first electrode element 46B1 and a second electrode element 46B2, similarly to the second electrode portion 46B of the first modification. In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are located in the third transparent conductive layer 42, which is not covered by the adhesive layer 41. As a result, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are electrically connected to the third transparent conductive layer 42.

[Third change example]
The dimming sheet 10N described above may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 16, the size of the third transparent support layer 43 is equal to the size of the third transparent conductive layer 42. The size of the third transparent support layer 43 is the size of the first transparent support layer 13A, the size of the first transparent conductive layer 12A, the size of the dimming layer 11, and the size of the second transparent conductive layer 12B. , And the size of the second transparent support layer 13B is equal to each other. On the other hand, in the second direction D2, the length of the adhesive layer 41 is shorter than the length of the third transparent conductive layer 42.

In this modified example, the two electrode portions 46A and 46B are located one on each opposite side in the second direction D2. The first electrode portion 46A includes a first electrode element 46A1 and a second electrode element 46A2. The second electrode portion 46B includes a first electrode element 46B1 and a second electrode element 46B2.

The first electrode element 46A1 has a linear shape extending along the first direction D1. The second electrode element 46A2 extends from the first electrode element 46A1 toward the outside of the third transparent conductive layer 42 along the second direction D2. The first electrode element 46B1 has a linear shape extending along the first direction D1. The second electrode element 46B2 extends from the first electrode element 46B1 toward the outside of the third transparent conductive layer 42 along the second direction D2.

In a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the light control sheet 10N, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are located in the third transparent conductive layer 42, which is not covered by the adhesive layer 41. As a result, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are electrically connected to the third transparent conductive layer 42.

When the electrode portions 46A and 46B are located along the side extending along the first direction D1, the following configuration may be used. That is, in the second direction D2, the length of the third transparent support layer 43 and the length of the third transparent conductive layer 42 are the length of the first transparent support layer 13A and the length of the first transparent conductive layer 12A. , The length of the dimming layer 11, the length of the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the length of the second transparent support layer 13B may be longer. Then, in a plan view facing the surface 10NF of the dimming sheet 10N, the electrode portions 46A and 46B are the first transparent supporting layer 13A, the first transparent conductive layer 12A, and the dimming in the third transparent conductive layer 42. It may be located at a portion protruding from the layer 11, the second transparent conductive layer 12B, and the second transparent support layer 13B.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the dimming sheet and the dimming device, in addition to the effects of (1), (3), and (4) of the first embodiment, the following The effect can be obtained.

(7) By having a transparent conductive layer for heating separately from the pair of transparent conductive layers 12A and 12B, the transmittance of the dimming sheets 10N and 10R can be changed, and the dimming layer 11 can be heated. It is possible to choose to do each separately or to do these at the same time.

[Example of modification of the second embodiment]
The second embodiment described above can be modified and implemented as follows.
The configurations of the dimming sheets 10N and 10R in the second embodiment can be combined with the configurations of the dimming sheets 10N and 10R in the first embodiment.

10N, 10R ... Dimming sheet, 10NB, 12AB, 12BB ... Back side, 10NF, 12AF, 12BF, 42F ... Front side, 11 ... Dimming layer, 11h, 12Ah, 12Bh, 13Ah, 13Bh ... Through hole, 12 ... Transparent conductive layer , 12A ... 1st transparent conductive layer, 12B ... 2nd transparent conductive layer, 13 ... transparent support layer, 13A ... 1st transparent support layer, 13B ... 2nd transparent support layer, 14 ... alignment layer, 15A, 16A, 25A, 26A, 36A, 46A ... 1st electrode part, 15B, 16B, 25B, 26B, 36B, 46B ... 2nd electrode part, 16C, 36C ... 3rd electrode part, 16D, 36D ... 4th electrode part, 20 ... Dimming Device, 21 ... 1st power supply, 22 ... 2nd power supply, 25A1,25B1,36A1,36B1,36C1,36D1,46A1,46B1 ... 1st electrode element, 25A2,25B2,36A2,36B2,36C2,36D2,46A2,46B2 ... 2nd electrode element, 26A1 ... 1st bonded portion, 26B1 ... 2nd bonded portion, 41 ... adhesive layer, 42 ... 3rd transparent conductive layer, 43 ... 3rd transparent support layer, C ... capacitance, R1 ... 1 resistance, R2 ... 2nd resistance, R3 ... 3rd resistance, SW1 ... 1st switch, SW2 ... 2nd switch, SW3 ... 3rd switch, SW4 ... 4th switch, T ... terminal, T1 ... 1st terminal, T2 ... 2nd terminal, T3 ... 3rd terminal, T4 ... 4th terminal.

Claims (7)

A dimming layer containing multiple liquid crystal molecules,
A pair of transparent conductive layers sandwiching the dimming layer,
A first connection portion for connecting a first power source for outputting a voltage for changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules to each transparent conductive layer, and a first connection portion.
A dimming sheet comprising the transparent heating body with a second connecting portion for connecting a second power source for supplying an electric current to the transparent heating body to heat the transparent heating body. The transparent heating body is the transparent conductive layer.
The first connection portion includes an electrode portion on each transparent conductive layer.
The second connection portion is a first electrode portion that connects the second power supply and the transparent heating body, and a second electrode portion that is different from the first electrode portion, and the second power supply and the transparent heating body. The dimming sheet according to claim 1, further comprising the second electrode portion for connecting to the body. The pair of transparent conductive layers are composed of a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer.
The dimming sheet according to claim 1, wherein the transparent heating body is a third transparent conductive layer different from the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The dimming sheet has a square shape and has a square shape.
The dimming sheet according to claim 2, wherein each electrode portion of the second connecting portion is located on each opposite side of the dimming sheet. The dimming sheet according to claim 4, wherein each electrode portion of the second connecting portion has a linear shape extending along a side of the dimming sheet. The dimming sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
With the first power supply
With the second power supply
A switching unit that switches between a state in which the voltage output by the first power supply can be applied to the pair of transparent conductive layers and a state in which the current output by the second power supply can be supplied to the transparent heating body.
A dimmer equipped with. The dimming sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
With the first power supply
Equipped with a second power supply
The second connection portion includes a plurality of electrode portions, and the plurality of electrode portions are located on each transparent conductive layer by two.
A dimming device further comprising a switching unit for switching between a state in which the second power source is connected to only one of the transparent conductive layers and a state in which the second power source is connected to the pair of transparent conductive layers.