JP2021039382A - Dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a dimmer which can suitably attach a dimming cell to a curved surface and has a high level of light transmission performance and a high level of light shielding performance.SOLUTION: A dimmer 10 includes: a light transmitting plate 21 with a curved surface; a dimming cell 22; and an optical transparent adhesive film 24 between the dimming cell 22 and a curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21. On the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21, one side of the dimming cell 22 is attached by the optical transparent adhesive film 24. The dimming cell 22 has a liquid crystal layer containing dichroic dye.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a dimming device capable of adjusting the light transmittance, and more particularly to a dimming device including a liquid crystal drive type dimming cell attached to a curved surface.

Conventionally, a dimming device capable of changing the light transmittance is known. For example, SPD (Suspended Particle Device) using suspended particles whose alignment state changes depending on the presence or absence of an electric field is known. .. In addition, an EC (Electrochromic) dimmer, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) dimmer, a gas chromic dimmer, a thermochromic dimmer, and a photochromic dimmer. Dimmers and the like are also known.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a laminated film used for SPD. In the SPD described in Patent Document 1, a suspension in which suspended particles are mixed in a liquid medium is used, and the particles are randomly arranged to block the transmission of light when the power is off and no electric field is applied. On the other hand, when the power is turned on when an electric field is applied, the particles are aligned, and most of the light incident on the SPD (cell) passes through the SPD. Therefore, the user can change the light transmittance of the SPD by controlling the electric field applied to the suspension.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-189751

As a method for adjusting the light transmittance by the light control cell, a method using a liquid crystal and a polarizing plate in addition to the above-mentioned SPD can be considered. A type of dimming cell that uses a liquid crystal and a polarizing plate can be simply configured, and extremely high light-shielding performance can be ensured.

For example, when applying a dimming cell to a vehicle window or the like, the transmittance of light in the visible light wavelength range (that is, visible light) should be suppressed to less than 1% in order to appropriately block sunlight when blocking light. Is required, and in some cases, it is required to keep it below 0.5%. However, the dimming cell using the SPD described above is not necessarily suitable for applications such as vehicles in terms of light-shielding performance because the transmittance of visible light at the time of light-shielding is about 1% to 5%. On the other hand, the dimming cell using the polarizing plate can reduce the transmittance of visible light at the time of shading to 0.1% or less, and has a practically sufficient light-shielding performance for applications such as vehicles.

Further, when comparing the dimming cell using the SPD and the dimming cell using the polarizing plate, the dimming cell using the polarizing plate is superior in various aspects such as design, cost, driving voltage and driving speed. Is excellent. For example, the tint of a light-shielding cell using SPD is "blue", whereas the tint of a light-shielding cell using a polarizing plate is "black". In general, black is easier to harmonize colors than blue, and from the viewpoint of design, it is easier to select the color of other things arranged around the dimming cell. Further, the dimming cell using the SPD has a higher manufacturing cost, a higher driving voltage, and a slower driving speed than the dimming cell using the polarizing plate.

As described above, the "dimming cell using a polarizing plate" is very useful because the dimming cell using a polarizing plate has many advantages over the dimming cell using an SPD in terms of performance. ..

On the other hand, in order to enable the application of the dimming cell to various uses, there is an increasing need for a dimming cell that can be applied not only to a flat surface but also to a curved surface. Therefore, a technique for appropriately applying a "dimming cell using a polarizing plate" capable of ensuring desired light-transmitting characteristics and light-shielding characteristics to a curved surface is desired.

Generally, a glass base material is widely used as a base material for holding an electrode for controlling the orientation of a liquid crystal member, but the glass base material is a very hard and inflexible member. Therefore, the shape of the dimming cell provided with the glass substrate is fixed, and the shape of the dimming cell cannot be changed after the dimming cell is manufactured. Therefore, a dimming cell using a glass substrate can be effectively applied to a flat surface, but cannot always be appropriately applied to a curved surface having various curvatures. On the other hand, by using a highly flexible resin base material instead of the glass base material, the shape of the dimming cell can be changed even after the dimming cell is manufactured, depending on the curved surface to be mounted. It is also possible to bend the dimming cell.

However, it is not always easy to properly attach a dimming cell composed of a plurality of members having various rigidity and elasticity to a curved surface, and the sheet-shaped dimming cell may be distorted such as wrinkles at the time of attachment. is there. Such distortion such as wrinkles affects the optical characteristics of the dimming cell and not only impairs the original translucent performance and light-shielding performance, but also impairs the design of the product, which is not preferable.

The dimming cell using SPD as disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above can be formed into a curved surface shape, but it is not a type to be attached to an attachment target, so it is necessary to make it in a predetermined shape. It is difficult to flexibly deal with various surface shapes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dimming device capable of appropriately mounting a dimming cell on a curved surface and having a high level of translucency and light shielding performance. To do.

One aspect of the present invention is arranged between a light transmitting plate having a curved surface and containing an ultraviolet blocking component that inhibits the transmission of ultraviolet rays, a dimming cell, and the curved surface and the dimming cell of the light transmitting plate, and light. A dimming device including an optically transparent adhesive film for adhering one side of a dimming cell to the curved surface of a transmissive plate, wherein the dimming cell is a first polarizing plate and a light transmitting plate rather than the first polarizing plate. A second polarizing plate provided at a position separated from the second polarizing plate, a hard coat layer provided at a position separated from the light transmitting plate from the second polarizing plate, and provided between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. A first resin base material arranged on the first polarizing plate side, a second resin base material arranged on the second polarizing plate side, and a second resin base material provided between the first resin base material and the second resin base material. 1 A first electrode layer arranged on the resin base material side, a second electrode layer arranged on the second resin base material side, and a first electrode layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. A first alignment film arranged on the side, a second alignment film arranged on the second electrode layer side, and a first alignment film and a second alignment film provided between the first alignment film and the second alignment film. The present invention relates to a dimming device including a sealing material for partitioning a liquid crystal space between the two, and a liquid crystal layer provided in the liquid crystal space.

The curved surface of the light transmitting plate may be a three-dimensional curved surface.

The thickness of the optical transparent adhesive film in the direction in which the optical transparent adhesive film and the light control cell are laminated is 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less, preferably 200 μm or more and 300 μm or less, and is in a room temperature environment (for example, 1 to 30 ° C. (particularly 15)). The storage elastic modulus at ~ 25 ° C.)) ^{is more preferably 1 × 10 7} Pa or more and 1 × 10 ⁸ Pa or less. The loss tangent (tan δ) of the optical transparent adhesive film is preferably 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less, and more preferably 0.7 or more and 1.2 or less. The "tangent loss" here is represented by the ratio of the storage shear modulus (G') and the loss shear modulus (G'') (that is, "G" / G'").

At least one of the first resin base material and the second resin base material may contain a polycarbonate or a cycloolefin polymer.

The sealing material may have a length of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first alignment film, the sealing material, and the second alignment film are laminated.

The liquid crystal layer preferably has the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure, but it is more preferable that the inside of the liquid crystal layer has a negative pressure with respect to the atmospheric pressure.

The dimming device may further include a retardation compensation film provided between the first polarizing plate and the first electrode layer and at least one of the second polarizing plate and the second electrode layer.

The liquid crystal layer may be a VA type, a TN type, an IPS type, or an FFS type liquid crystal layer.

The optical axis of the first resin base material is perpendicular to the optical axis of the second resin base material, the optical axis of the first resin base material and the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate are parallel, and the optical axis of the second resin base material is parallel. The optical axis and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate may be parallel to each other.

The optical axis of the first resin base material and the optical axis of the second resin base material are parallel, the optical axis of the first resin base material is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate, and the optical axis of the second resin base material The optical axis and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate may be parallel to each other.

The dimming device further includes a retardation compensation film provided between the first resin base material and the first polarizing plate, and the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate. The retardation compensation film functions as an A plate, and the slow axis direction of the retardation compensation film is parallel to the optical axis of the first resin base material, the optical axis of the second resin base material, and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate. There may be. Further, the dimming device further includes a retardation compensation film provided between the second resin base material and the second polarizing plate, and the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate. , The retardation compensation film functions as an A plate, and the slow axis direction of the retardation compensation film is parallel to the optical axis of the first resin base material, the optical axis of the second resin base material, and the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate. It may be.

The dimming device is arranged at least in the liquid crystal space, further includes a plurality of spacers supporting the first alignment film and the second alignment film, and the Vickers hardness value of each of the plurality of spacers is represented by Xs, and each of the plurality of spacers is represented by Xs. When the Vickers hardness value of the portion of the first alignment film to which the tip of the first alignment film abuts is expressed by Xf, 16.9 ≤ Xs ≤ 40.2 is satisfied and 11.8 ≤ Xf ≤ 35.9 is satisfied. May be good.

In another aspect of the present invention, the light transmitting plate having a curved surface, the dimming cell, and the curved surface of the light transmitting plate and the dimming cell are arranged, and one side of the dimming cell is placed on the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. A dimming device comprising an optically transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive film to be adhered, wherein the dimming cell relates to a dimming device having a liquid crystal layer containing a bicolor dye.

Another aspect of the present invention is arranged between a light transmitting plate having a curved surface, a dimming cell, and a curved surface of the light transmitting plate and a dimming cell, and one side of the dimming cell is placed on the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. A dimming device including an optically transparent adhesive film to be adhered, wherein the dimming cell includes a first base material, a first transparent electrode provided on the first base material, and a first alignment film. A second laminated body including a first laminated body, a second base material, and a second alignment film provided on the second base material, and provided between the first laminated body and the second laminated body. Each of the first laminated body and the second laminated body has a liquid crystal layer, and relates to a dimming device including an E-type linear polarizing plate.

The linear polarizing plate of the first laminated body may be provided on the liquid crystal layer side on the first base material, and the linear polarizing plate of the second laminated body may be provided on the liquid crystal layer side on the second base material.

The first laminated body is sequentially provided with a first transparent electrode, a linear polarizing plate, a negative C plate layer and a first alignment film on the first base material, and the second laminated body is provided on the second base material. , A linear polarizing plate and a second alignment film may be provided in sequence.

In the first laminated body, a linear polarizing plate, a negative C plate layer, a first transparent electrode and a first alignment film are sequentially provided on the first base material, and in the second laminated body, on the second base material. , A linear polarizing plate and a second alignment film may be provided in that order.

In the first laminated body, the negative C plate layer may be laminated on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a first light transmitting plate having a curved surface, a second light transmitting plate, a dimming cell arranged between the first light transmitting plate and the second light transmitting plate, and a first light transmitting cell. The present invention relates to a dimming device including an optically transparent adhesive film arranged between a curved surface of a light transmitting plate and a dimming cell and adhering one side of the dimming cell to the curved surface of the first light transmitting plate.

The second light transmitting plate may be arranged apart from the dimming cell.

The second light transmitting plate may be attached to the light control cell via an adhesive layer.

The space between the second light transmitting plate and the light control cell may be sealed with a sealing material.

Silicone may be arranged between the second light transmission plate sealed by the sealing material and the light control cell.

A vacuum may be provided between the second light transmitting plate sealed by the sealing material and the light control cell.

The light transmitting plate may have higher bending rigidity than the light control cell.

The first light transmitting plate may have higher bending rigidity than the light control cell.

The dimmer may further include an antireflection layer.

The dimming device further includes an antireflection layer, and the antireflection layer may be provided on at least one of a dimming cell and a light transmitting plate.

The dimming device further includes an antireflection layer, and the antireflection layer may be provided on at least one of the dimming cell and the second light transmission plate.

The antireflection layer may include at least one of an antiglare layer, an antireflection layer and a low reflection layer.

The curved surface may be a three-dimensional curved surface.

The optical transparent adhesive film has a thickness of 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less in the direction in which the optical transparent adhesive film and the light control cell are laminated, and has a storage elastic modulus of 1 × 10 ⁷ Pa or more and 1 × 10 ⁸ Pa in a room temperature environment. It may be as follows.

The optical transparent adhesive film may have a loss tangent of 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less.

According to the present invention, the light control cell is appropriately attached to the curved surface of the light transmission plate via the optical transparent adhesive film, and the light control cell exhibits high light transmission performance and light shielding performance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a dimming device. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a three-dimensional curved surface. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the optical transparent adhesive film and the light control cell. FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the first electrode alignment layer. FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the second electrode alignment layer. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the second polarizing plate (protective layer) and the hard coat layer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first resin base material, a second resin base material, a polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, and a polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate for explaining the first arrangement mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first resin base material, a second resin base material, a polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, and a polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate showing a comparative mode with respect to the first arrangement mode. 8 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell according to the first arrangement mode shown in FIG. 6 (see reference numeral “L1” in FIG. 8) and the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell related to the comparative mode shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 8). (Refer to the reference numeral "L2"). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first resin base material, a second resin base material, a polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, a polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate, and a retardation compensation film for explaining a second arrangement mode. Is. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first resin base material, a second resin base material, a polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, a polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate, and a retardation compensation film showing a comparative mode with respect to the second arrangement mode. Is. 11 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell according to the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. 9 (see reference numeral “L3” in FIG. 11) and the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell related to the comparative mode shown in FIG. 10 (FIG. 11). (See the reference numeral “L4”). FIG. 12 is a table showing an evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells (Examples 1 to 3) to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. FIG. 13 is a table showing the evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells (Examples 4 to 9) to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. FIG. 14 is a table showing an evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells (Examples 10 to 12) to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the dimming cell. FIG. 16 is a chart showing the test results used for confirming the configuration of the spacer. FIG. 17 is a chart showing the test results used for confirming the configuration of the spacer. FIG. 18 is a chart showing the manufacturing conditions of the spacer. FIG. 19 is a chart showing the manufacturing conditions of the alignment film. FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example (light-shielding state) of a dimming cell using a guest-host type liquid crystal, FIG. 20 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell, and FIG. 20 (b). ) Is a plan view of the first polarizing plate whose absorption axis direction is indicated by the arrow “A”. 21 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the same dimming cell (light transmission state) as in FIG. 20, FIG. 21 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell, and FIG. 21 (b) is an absorption axis direction. Is a plan view of the first polarizing plate indicated by the arrow “A”. FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example (light-shielding state) of a dimming cell using a guest-host type liquid crystal, and shows a cross section of the dimming cell. FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the same dimming cell (light transmission state) as in FIG. 22, and shows a cross section of the dimming cell. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic configuration of the dimming cell. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the first mode. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the dimming cell of FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the upper laminate manufacturing process in the manufacturing process of FIG. 26. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a lower laminate manufacturing process in the manufacturing process of FIG. 26. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the second mode of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the third mode of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the fourth mode of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the fifth mode of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimmer. FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimmer. FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimmer. FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a dimming device provided with an antireflection layer. FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a dimming device provided with an antireflection layer.

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

The dimming device 10 described below can be applied to various technical fields in which adjustment of light transmittance is required, and the scope of application is not particularly limited. For example, the dimming device 10 according to the present invention is used as an arbitrary device that requires switching between light transmission and light shielding, such as a vehicle such as a vehicle, a window of a building (including a skylight), a showcase, and a partition arranged in a room. It is possible to do. Further, each element constituting the dimmer 10 can be manufactured by a known method, and is manufactured by using an arbitrary laminating technique, photolithography technique, and / or laminating technique.

The dimming device 10 (dimming cell 22 and the like) described below merely illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, for example, some of the elements listed below as the constituent elements of the dimming device 10 may be replaced with other elements or may not be included. Further, elements not listed below may be included as components of the dimming device 10. Further, in the drawings, for convenience of illustration and comprehension, the scale, the dimensional ratio, and the like are appropriately changed or exaggerated from those of the actual product.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the dimming device 10.

The dimming device 10 of the present embodiment includes a light transmitting plate 21 having a curved surface 20, a dimming cell 22 having a variable transmittance of light (particularly visible light), and a curved surface 20 and a dimming cell of the light transmitting plate 21. An optical transparent adhesive film (OCA: Optical Clear Adaptive Film) 24 arranged between one side of the 22 is provided.

The light transmitting plate 21 contains an ultraviolet blocking component and transmits visible light while inhibiting the transmission of ultraviolet rays. The light transmitting plate 21 has a curved surface 20 and includes one or more glass plates. The light transmitting plate 21 does not necessarily have to contain an ultraviolet blocking component, and the light control cell 22 and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 described later can be applied to the light transmitting plate 21 that does not contain the ultraviolet blocking component. It is possible. The light transmitting plate 21 may have, for example, glass plates (a total of two glass plates) arranged on the front side and the back side, respectively, or may have one glass plate such as tempered glass. You may. Further, the light transmitting plate 21 may include a member other than the glass plate, and may include, for example, an arbitrary functional layer such as a high-rigidity film (for example, a COP (Cyclo Olefin Polymer) resin layer) or a heat-reflecting film. It may be provided on the light transmitting plate 21.

The curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 is not particularly limited, but is typically a two-dimensional curved surface or a three-dimensional curved surface, and the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 shown is a three-dimensional curved surface. Generally, it is not easy to attach the thin film dimming cell 22 to the three-dimensional curved surface without causing wrinkles, but according to the "Technology for attaching the dimming cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21" described later, the thin film is formed. It is easy to attach the light control cell 22 in the shape to a three-dimensional curved surface without causing wrinkles.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the three-dimensional curved surface 20a. The three-dimensional curved surface 20a referred to here is a two-dimensional curved surface that is two-dimensionally curved around a single axis, or a two-dimensional curved surface that is two-dimensionally curved with different curvatures around a plurality of axes parallel to each other. Is distinct. That is, the three-dimensional curved surface 20a means a surface that is partially or wholly bent around each of a plurality of axes inclined with respect to each other.

One surface of the illustrated light transmitting plate 21 (that is, the curved surface 20 to which the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is attached) is curved as shown in FIG. 2 as a whole, and is in the first direction about the first axis A1. At the same time as bending to d1, it also bends in the second direction d2 about the second axis A2. In the illustrated example, both the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 are inclined with respect to the X and Y directions shown in FIG. 2, and the first axis A1 is perpendicular to the second axis A2. ..

One side of the light control cell 22 is adhered to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 via the optical transparent adhesive film 24.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the dimming cell 22. As described above, the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is provided on one side of the light control cell 22. A hard coat layer 26 is provided on the other side of the dimming cell 22.

The optical transparent adhesive film 24 of the present embodiment is composed of a transparent adhesive sheet called OCA, does not contain a base material, and can be constructed only with an adhesive having a substantially constant film thickness. For example, an acrylic adhesive having excellent transparency. It can be configured with an agent or the like. The optical transparent adhesive film 24 (OCA) is manufactured by sandwiching an adhesive with a sheet (separator (release material)) having excellent peelability, and a laminate of the adhesive and the separator is cut out into a desired shape and the separator is removed. The adhesive (optically transparent adhesive film 24) can be attached to a desired location. The optical transparent adhesive film 24 can be formed, for example, by applying a transparent adhesive resin called OCR (Optical Clear Resin).

The light control cell 22 has a multi-layer structure, and as shown in FIG. 3, "protective layer 47, polarizing layer 48, and so on, from the side of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 toward the outside (that is, in the direction away from the light transmitting plate 21). Protective layer 47, adhesive layer 46, first electrode alignment layer 43, liquid crystal layer 49, second electrode alignment layer 44, adhesive layer 46, retardation compensation film 45, adhesive layer 46, protective layer 47, polarizing layer 48, protective layer. 47, the adhesive layer 46, and the hard coat layer 26 ”are sequentially provided in layers. These layers form a laminated structure of "polarizing plate-electrode layer-alignment film-liquid crystal layer-alignment film-electrode layer-plate plate-hard coat layer".

That is, the first polarizing plate 41 is formed by the "protective layer 47, the polarizing layer 48 and the protective layer 47" arranged on the light transmission plate 21 side, and another "protective layer 47, the polarizing layer 47" provided on the hard coat layer 26 side. The second polarizing plate 42 is formed by the 48 and the protective layer 47. The first polarizing plate 41 of the present embodiment is attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 via the optical transparent adhesive film 24, and the second polarizing plate 42 is more from the light transmitting plate 21 than the first polarizing plate 41. It is provided at a separated position.

The polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 is composed of members that perform a desired polarization function, and is typically formed by stretching PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) doped with an iodine compound. Be done. As a typical arrangement mode of the polarizing layer 48, there is a mode called "parallel Nicol" in which the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 are parallel to each other. , An embodiment called "Cross Nicol (see FIGS. 6 and 9 described later)" in which the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 are perpendicular to each other. There is.

The protective layer 47 serves to protect the adjacent layer and can be made of any material that can transmit visible light, and is typically made of TAC (Triacetyl Cellulose) or acrylic. The protective layers 47 formed at a plurality of positions of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 may be made of different materials depending on their positions, or may be made of the same material.

Between the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42, the first electrode alignment layer 43 is arranged on the first polarizing plate 41 side, and the second electrode alignment layer 44 is arranged on the second polarizing plate 42 side. , The first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 each form an “electrode layer and alignment film supported by a base material”.

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the first electrode alignment layer 43. The first electrode alignment layer 43 of the present embodiment has a hard coat layer 53, a first resin base material 29, a hard coat layer 53, an index matching layer 55, and a first electrode alignment layer 43 from the first polarizing plate 41 side toward the liquid crystal layer 49 side. The 1-electrode layer 31 and the first alignment film 33 are sequentially provided in layers.

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the second electrode alignment layer 44. The second electrode alignment layer 44 of the present embodiment includes a second alignment film 34, a second electrode layer 32, an index matching layer 55, a hard coat layer 53, and a second electrode alignment layer 44 from the liquid crystal layer 49 side toward the second polarizing plate 42 side. 2 The resin base material 30 and the hard coat layer 53 are sequentially provided in layers.

In this way, between the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30, the first electrode layer 31 arranged on the first resin base material 29 side and the second resin base material 30 side are arranged. A second electrode layer 32 is provided. The first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 can be formed as transparent electrodes by various materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and power feeding means such as FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) are connected to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32. , Voltage is applied. The electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 49 arranged between the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 changes according to the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, and the liquid crystal layer. The orientation of the liquid crystal members constituting 49 is adjusted.

Between the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, a first alignment film 33 arranged on the first electrode layer 31 side and a second alignment film 34 arranged on the second electrode layer 32 side. Is provided. The method for producing the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 is not particularly limited, and the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 having a liquid crystal alignment ability can be produced by any method. For example, the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 may be formed by subjecting a resin layer such as polyimide to a rubbing treatment, or the polymer film is irradiated with linearly polarized ultraviolet rays to increase the height in the polarization direction. The first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 may be produced based on the photo-alignment method in which the molecular chains are selectively reacted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a spacer 52 and a sealing material 36 are provided between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 in addition to the liquid crystal layer 49. That is, between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34, a sealing material 36 for partitioning the liquid crystal space 35 between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 is provided, and the liquid crystal space 35 is provided. The liquid crystal layer 49 is formed by filling the liquid crystal member. The plurality of spacers 52 are arranged at least in the liquid crystal space 35, and are arranged discretely so as to support the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34. Each spacer 52 can be composed of a single member or a plurality of members, may extend in the stacking direction only in the liquid crystal space 35, or may extend one alignment film (for example, the second alignment film 34) and the liquid crystal space 35. It may extend in the stacking direction so as to penetrate. Further, the spacer 52 has a core portion and a coating portion, and the coating portion may be in direct contact with the other alignment film (for example, the first alignment film 33). Therefore, for example, the core portion of each spacer 52 extends in the liquid crystal space 35 from above the second electrode layer 32 to just before reaching the first alignment film 33 while penetrating the second alignment film 34, and is the same as the second alignment film 34. A coating portion of the component is provided on the core portion, and the coating portion is in direct contact with the first alignment film 33, so that the distance (cell gap) between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 is set by each spacer. It may be held by 52.

The sealing material 36 plays a role of preventing leakage of the liquid crystal member constituting the liquid crystal layer 49, and is formed on the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34). It plays a role of adhering and fixing both to each other. A thermosetting epoxy resin is generally used as the sealing material 36, and when the method of filling the liquid crystal space 35 with the liquid crystal member is a vacuum injection method, the sealing material 36 made of epoxy resin may be preferably used. it can. When the ODF (One Drop Fill) method is used as the filling method for the liquid crystal member, a hub lid type material having both thermosetting property and UV curable property (ultraviolet ray curable property) can be preferably used as the sealing material 36. .. This is because the contact of the liquid crystal with the uncured sealing material 36 induces an appearance defect. Therefore, it is preferable that the material constituting the sealing material 36 (composition component of the sealing material 36) contains, for example, an ultraviolet curable acrylic resin and an epoxy resin. Further, from the viewpoint of mutually fixing the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34) while preventing leakage of the liquid crystal member, the hardness of the sealing material 36 ( The maximum point of the hardness) is preferably 20 or more and 90 or less, and more preferably 20 or more and 50 or less when measured with a durometer (Type A based on JIS K6253; 10 N load). Further, the sealing material 36 preferably has a glass transition point (glass transition temperature (Tg)) of 0 ° C. or higher and 60 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 0 ° C. or higher and 40 ° C. or lower.

Further, between the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34), the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 49 (that is, the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first electrode alignment film 34)). A plurality of spacers 52 that define the distance between the 1 alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34) are arranged. Each spacer 52 can be made of various resin materials, and may have a columnar shape such as a truncated cone or a spherical bead shape. The pillar-shaped liquid crystal space 35 can be formed at a desired location based on the photolithography technique, and the bead-shaped liquid crystal space 35 is prepared in advance and dispersed in the liquid crystal space 35.

The liquid crystal layer 49 of the present embodiment has a negative pressure in the liquid crystal space 35 from the viewpoint of "improving the adhesiveness of the dimming cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21 (that is, preventing distortion of the dimming cell 22)". For example, by injecting the liquid crystal member into the liquid crystal space 35 so that the liquid crystal member constituting the liquid crystal layer 49 occupies "less than 100% (preferably about 99%) of the volume of the liquid crystal space 35", such negative pressure is obtained. Can be realized. The dimming cell 22 of the present embodiment is attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 in a bent state, but if the liquid crystal space 35 is filled with an excessive liquid crystal member, the flexibility of the dimming cell 22 is impaired. Therefore, the attachability of the dimming cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21 deteriorates. Therefore, it is preferable to inject the liquid crystal member into the liquid crystal space 35 to secure the flexibility of the dimming cell 22 so that the liquid crystal member constituting the liquid crystal layer 49 occupies "about 99% of the volume of the liquid crystal space 35". .. If the injection amount of the liquid crystal member is too small with respect to the volume of the liquid crystal space 35, bubbles are induced in the liquid crystal space 35, which is not preferable.

The liquid crystal layer 49 of the present embodiment is a VA (Vertical Alignment) type liquid crystal layer, and is a "normally black" that is in a light-shielding state when no voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32. The method called is adopted. However, the liquid crystal layer 49 may adopt another drive method, for example, the liquid crystal layer 49 is driven by a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) method, or another method. May be done.

A retardation compensation film 45 having compensation performance according to the driving method of the liquid crystal layer 49 is provided between the second polarizing plate 42 and the second electrode layer 32 (second electrode alignment layer 44). Then, a phase difference compensating film 45 for eliminating the phase difference of the VA type liquid crystal layer 49 is provided. Since the phase difference change depending on the angle is large in the VA method, the phase difference compensation film 45 of the present embodiment has a compensation performance capable of effectively compensating for such a phase difference change. On the other hand, when the liquid crystal layer 49 adopts the TN method, the phase difference compensation film 45 has a compensation performance for compensating for the phase difference (for example, the angle dependence of the liquid crystal molecules) of the liquid crystal layer 49 of the TN method. In the case of the IPS type liquid crystal layer 49, since the phase difference is generally small and the phase difference change due to the angle is also small, the phase difference compensation film is basically not required in many cases, and the phase difference compensation film 45 is not provided. You may.

Since the phase difference compensation film 45 is not necessarily an indispensable element, it does not have to be provided in the dimming cell 22, and the installation position is not limited as long as it can exhibit the desired compensation performance. Typically, "between the first polarizing plate 41 and the first electrode layer 31 (first electrode alignment layer 43)" and "the second polarizing plate 42 and the second electrode layer 32 (second electrode alignment layer 44)". The retardation compensation film 45 is provided on at least one of the two. Therefore, not the position shown in FIG. 3 (that is, between the second electrode alignment layer 44 (hard coat layer 53) and the second polarizing plate 42 (protective layer 47)), but the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47). A retardation compensation film 45 may be provided between the first electrode alignment layer 43 (hard coat layer 53). Further, the phase difference compensating film 45 may be provided in two or more layers (that is, in two or more places), and it is sufficient that the phase difference compensating film 45 as a whole can compensate for the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer 49.

The hard coat layer 26 is provided at a position separated from the light transmitting plate 21 by the second polarizing plate 42, and forms the outermost layer of the dimming cell 22 of the present embodiment. The illustrated hard coat layer 26 is fixed to the second polarizing plate 42 via the adhesive layer 46 and can contain an arbitrary component. For example, the hard coat layer 26 has the same component as the protective layer 47 (for example, TAC). 26 can be configured. The hard coat layer 26 may be formed directly on the surface of the second polarizing plate 42 (protective layer 47 in this embodiment) as shown in FIG. For example, a cured film containing fine particles (for example, titanium dioxide, etc.) is formed on the surface of the second polarizing plate 42 (on the protective layer 47) using a silicone-based ultraviolet curable resin to function as the hard coat layer 26. May be good.

The above-mentioned functional layers (first polarizing plate 41, first electrode alignment layer 43, second electrode alignment layer 44, retardation compensation film 45, second polarizing plate 42, and hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG. 3) are adjacent to each other. The functional layers are bonded to each other by the adhesive layer 46, and have an integral laminated structure. The components constituting the adhesive layer 46 are not particularly limited, and the components of the adhesive layer 46 may be determined according to the characteristics of each layer to be adhered. In the present embodiment, all the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers 46 are made of the same material as the optically transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive film (that is, OCA) 24, but the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 46 containing other components such as an ultraviolet curable resin may be used. An adhesive layer 46 containing a component different from that of the adhesive layer 46 at another location may be used depending on the arrangement position and the adhesion target.

The layer structure of the light transmission plate 21, the optical transparent adhesive film 24, and the light control cell 22 shown in FIG. 3 and the like is only an example, and another functional layer may be provided as a part of the light control cell 22. Other functional units may be additionally provided with respect to the dimming cell 22. For example, although not shown, a seal protective material that functions as a protective material can be provided from the side portions of the light control cell 22 and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 to a part of the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21. This seal protective material can not only reinforce the adhesive force of the dimming cell 22 and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 to the light transmitting plate 21, but also reinforce the adhesive force between the adjacent layers of the dimming cell 22 and the optical transparent adhesive film 24.

As a result of diligent research, the present inventor has determined that in order to bond the thin film dimming cell 22 to the curved surface 20 (particularly a three-dimensional curved surface) without distortion such as wrinkles, the dimming cell 22 satisfies the following conditions. And it has been found that it is preferable to adjust the optical transparent adhesive film 24.

That is, the optical transparent adhesive film 24 has a thickness of 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less, preferably 200 μm or more and 300 μm or less in the direction in which the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the light control cell 22 are laminated, and has a storage elastic modulus in a room temperature environment. Is more preferably 1 × 10 ⁷ Pa or more and 1 × 10 ⁸ Pa or less. The loss tangent (tan δ) of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is preferably 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less, and more preferably 0.7 or more and 1.2 or less.

The optically transparent adhesive film 24 plays a role of adhering the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47), and the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47). It also serves as a cushion to fill the difference in curvature with 47). Therefore, if the thickness of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 in the stacking direction is too small, it becomes difficult to properly serve as a cushion, while if the thickness in the stacking direction is too large, the optical transparent adhesive film 24 has an object to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate 21. It becomes difficult to properly fix the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47). Further, if the storage elastic modulus of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is too large, the rigidity of the entire light control cell 22 becomes large, and the followability to a curved surface whose shape changes three-dimensionally becomes insufficient. On the other hand, if the storage elastic modulus of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is too small, the fluidity of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 increases too much, and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47) with respect to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate 21. There is a concern that it will be difficult to properly fix the film, reliability such as heat resistance will be insufficient, and foaming will occur even in a normal use environment. Further, if the storage elastic modulus of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is too small, the processability of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 deteriorates. For example, the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is caused by the squeeze out of glue when the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is cut. Unwanted separation of can occur. Therefore, in order to properly bond the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20 without causing distortion such as wrinkles, it is preferable that the thickness and storage elastic modulus of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 in the stacking direction are within the above ranges. The present inventor has newly found that.

Further, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 can be made of various transparent film materials, and it is desirable that the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are made of a film material having a small optical anisotropy such as COP. In particular, from the viewpoint of appropriately attaching the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20, it is preferable that at least one of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 contains polycarbonate. The constituent materials, shapes and / or sizes of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 may be the same or different from each other.

Further, the sealing material 36 has a length of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less in a direction (that is, a width direction) perpendicular to the stacking direction (the direction in which the first alignment film 33, the sealing material 36 and the second alignment film 34 are laminated). Is preferable, and 1.5 mm is particularly preferable.

The smaller the length of the sealing material 36 in the width direction, the lower the rigidity of the entire dimming cell 22, and the easier it is to attach the dimming cell 22 to the curved surface 20 without causing distortion such as wrinkles. Become. On the other hand, if the length of the sealing material 36 in the width direction is too small, "sealing the liquid crystal layer 49 in the liquid crystal space 35" or "first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and second electrode orientation". The original function of the sealing material 36, which is "adhesion to the layer 44 (second alignment film 34)", is impaired. Taking these circumstances into consideration, the present inventor has newly found that the length of the sealing material 36 in the width direction is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less (more preferably 1.5 mm) as described above. ..

As described above, in general, the smaller the rigidity of the laminate constituting the dimming cell 22, the more easily it is deformed according to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21, and the dimming cell 22 is formed without causing distortion such as wrinkles. It is easy to attach it to the curved surface 20. However, if the rigidity of the laminated body is sufficiently small, the light control cell 22 cannot be properly bonded to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21, and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the light control cell 22 have appropriate conditions. The inventor has newly found that it exists.

The light transmittance (particularly the total light transmittance) of the dimming cell 22 is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 35% or more. The "total light transmittance" here indicates the ratio of the total transmitted luminous flux to the parallel incident luminous flux of the test piece, and the "total transmitted luminous flux" in the case of a diffusible sample includes a diffused transmitted luminous flux (diffusing component). The details of the total light transmittance can be determined based on "JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) 7375: 2008". The total light transmittance can be calculated from the "ratio of light transmitted through the dimming cell 22" obtained based on the light intensity having a wavelength of 555 nm among the light before passing through the dimming cell 22. Further, the color of the dimming cell 22 is preferably "black" in consideration of harmony with other peripheral members, but it is also preferable that the color is "achromatic color other than black".

It should be noted that distortion such as wrinkles of the dimming cell 22 due to bonding of the light transmitting plate 21 to the curved surface 20 is particularly likely to occur at the beginning of the bonding process (that is, the bonding start region). Based on this finding, in the dimming device 10 (light transmitting plate 21, optical transparent adhesive film 24, and dimming cell 22), a part that is not originally intended for optical use or a part that is difficult for the user to see is attached. By attaching the dimming cell 22 to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 as the matching start region, it is possible to reduce the substantial influence of the distortion of the dimming cell 22. Therefore, for example, by setting the region outside the sealing material 36 on which the liquid crystal layer 49 is not provided as the bonding start region, the "effect of distortion generated in the dimming cell 22" on the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 49 can be substantially realized. Can be reduced. Therefore, the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (particularly the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32) are extended to the outside of the sealing material 36, and the “first electrode” such as FPC is extended to the extension portion. When the "feeding means for the layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32" is connected, the "region to which the feeding means is connected" is utilized as the bonding start region, and the dimming cell 22 is connected to the light transmission plate from the region. By bonding to the curved surface 20 of 21, the distortion generated in the dimming cell 22 can be effectively hidden. In particular, the position where the power feeding means such as FPC is connected in the extension portions of the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 is relatively long from the region (active area) where the liquid crystal layer 49 is provided. It is easy to keep the distortion of the dimming cell 22 generated in the bonding start region within the range of the inactive area.

As described above, according to the dimming device 10 according to the present embodiment, the dimming cell 22 can be appropriately attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 via the optical transparent adhesive film 24 without distortion. .. In particular, according to the dimming cell 22 of the present embodiment, the dimming control is performed by the combination of the polarizing plates (first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42) and the orientation control of the liquid crystal layer 49, so that the configuration is simple. It is possible to realize high light-transmitting performance and light-shielding performance.

Further, the dimming cell 22 of the present embodiment does not include a rigid element such as glass, and is composed of a combination of highly flexible members. Therefore, the accuracy of "bonding the dimming cell 22 to the curved surface 20", which was difficult when glass is used as the base material for supporting the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, is achieved by the dimming cell 22 of the present embodiment. You can do it well.

In general, the rigidity of a dimming cell using a resin base material is low, and such a low-rigidity dimming cell deforms relatively easily when an external force is directly applied, and the optical characteristics of the liquid crystal layer are disturbed. To. Therefore, when the dimming device is used in an environment where an external force such as vibration is suddenly or continuously applied to a low-rigidity dimming cell, the orientation of the liquid crystal member of the liquid crystal layer is disturbed and the original optical function is achieved. Can not be fully exhibited, and a phenomenon such as flicker may occur in the light observed through the dimming device. However, the dimming cell 22 (liquid crystal layer 49) of the present embodiment is firmly attached to a light transmitting plate 21 having a relatively high rigidity (that is, a light transmitting plate 21 having a higher bending rigidity than the dimming cell 22). Since it is supported, the disorder of the liquid crystal orientation caused by the external force can be effectively reduced, and the phenomenon such as flicker can be avoided.

As a mode of attaching the dimming cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21 having two or more glass plates, a mode of arranging the dimming cell 22 between the two glass plates and a mode of arranging the dimming cell 22 on the outside of the two glass plates. It is conceivable that the dimming cell 22 is arranged. When the dimming cell 22 is arranged between the two glass plates, the light transmittance of the light incident on the glass plate can be adjusted by the dimming cell 22 while protecting the dimming cell 22 by the glass plate. .. However, while a relatively large force (compressive force, shearing force, etc.) may be applied between the two glass plates, a polarizing plate (first polarizing plate 41 and second polarizing plate 42) is provided. The optical cell 22 is not necessarily highly resistant to a force applied from the outside. Further, depending on the usage environment, the temperature between the glass plates becomes very high, but the polarizing plate is not always excellent in high temperature resistance. Therefore, when the dimming cell 22 provided with the polarizing plate is arranged between the two glass plates, the dimming cell 22 is crushed or deteriorated, and the dimming cell 22 can perform a desired dimming function. There is a concern that it will disappear.

On the other hand, in the embodiment in which the dimming cell 22 is attached to the outer surface of the light transmission plate 21 as in the dimming device 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the proof stress performance and the resistance required for the dimming cell 22 are achieved. The temperature performance is not high. Therefore, the dimming device 10 of the present embodiment continuously performs a desired dimming function even though the dimming cell 22 includes polarizing plates (first polarizing plate 41 and second polarizing plate 42). Can be demonstrated. Further, by using the dimming cell 22 that satisfies the above conditions that make it easy to attach the dimming cell 22 to the curved surface 20 without causing distortion such as wrinkles, the light transmissive performance and shading of the dimming cell 22 are achieved. The dimming cell 22 can be appropriately attached to the light transmitting plate 21 according to the specific degree of bending of the curved surface 20 which can have various shapes without excessively impairing the performance.

<Direction between the absorption axis of the polarizing plate and the optical axis of the base material related to the VA method>
When the driving method of the liquid crystal layer 49 is the VA method, "the direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42" and "the direction of the absorption axis of the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44". Regarding the "direction of the optical axis of the base material (first resin base material 29 and second resin base material 30)", there is the following relationship.

<First arrangement mode>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first resin base material 29, a second resin base material 30, a polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, and a polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 for explaining the first arrangement mode. Is.

In this embodiment, the optical axis of the first resin base material 29 is perpendicular to the optical axis of the second resin base material 30 (see the optical axis directions “Db1” and “Db2” in FIG. 6), and the first polarizing plate 41 The absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 (see the absorption axis directions “Da1” and “Da2” in FIG. 6), and the optical axis direction of the first resin base material 29. Db1 is parallel to the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 is parallel to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42. is there.

As described above, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are arranged so that the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is perpendicular to the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30. By doing so, the phase difference imparted by the first resin base material 29 to the transmitted light can be canceled by the phase difference imparted by the second resin base material 30. Therefore, the phase difference imparted by the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 to the transmitted light can be reduced as a whole.

Further, "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 are parallel", and "the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30". And the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 are parallel to each other. ”The first resin base material 29, the second resin base material 30, the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 are arranged. By doing so, it is possible to suppress "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of shading rate at the time of shading (that is, when displaying black)" due to optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30. it can. That is, the resin base material (first resin base material 29 and second resin base material 30) that originally has optical anisotropy affects the transmitted light, and in particular, the dimming cell 22 including the VA type liquid crystal layer 49. In the (dimming device 10), the viewing angle and the shading rate at the time of shading are deteriorated. On the other hand, as in the present embodiment, "the optical axis directions Db1 and Db2 of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 arranged before and after the liquid crystal layer 49 with respect to the lamination direction are perpendicular to each other" and "liquid crystal. The optical axis direction of the base material and the absorption axis direction of the polarizing plate (that is, the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the absorption of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41) arranged on the same side via the layer 49. By making the axial direction Da1 and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 and the absorption axial direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 parallel to each other, the viewing angle and the shading rate at the time of shading are achieved. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first resin base material 29, a second resin base material 30, a polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, and a polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 showing a comparative mode with respect to the first arrangement mode. Is. In the comparative aspect shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is perpendicular to the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30, and the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42, and the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. The optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42.

8 shows the viewing angle characteristic of the dimming cell 22 according to the first arrangement mode shown in FIG. 6 (see reference numeral “L1” in FIG. 8) and the viewing angle characteristic of the dimming cell 22 relating to the comparative mode shown in FIG. 7 (see reference numeral “L1” in FIG. 8). (See reference numeral “L2” in FIG. 8). The viewing angle characteristics L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 8 can be set to a polar angle in a light-shielded state (that is, in a power-off state) by using a dimming device 10 having the configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4A and 4B. It was obtained by measuring the transmittance while changing the azimuth angle at 60 degrees. The horizontal axis of FIG. 8 indicates the azimuth angle (°), and the vertical axis indicates the total light transmittance (%) including the diffusion component. The “azimuth angle = 0 °” shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to one side of the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41.

Further, the "total light transmittance" here indicates the ratio of the total transmitted luminous flux to the parallel incident luminous flux of the test piece, and the "total transmitted luminous flux" in the case of a diffusible sample is the diffused transmitted luminous flux (diffusion component). Including. The details of the total light transmittance can be determined based on "JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) 7375: 2008". A "halogen lamp with a dichroic mirror" was used as the light source for measuring the total light transmittance. The total light transmittance is calculated from the "ratio of light transmitted through the dimming cell 22" obtained based on the light intensity having a wavelength of 555 nm among the light before passing through the dimming cell 22 to be measured. Therefore, when the light intensity of the 555 nm wavelength before passing through the dimming cell 22 is represented by "100 (%)", the total is determined by the value (%) of the light intensity of the visible light wavelength after passing through the dimming cell 22. It can represent the light transmittance. The thickness of the dimming cell 22 used for the measurement was about 0.55 mm, and a haze meter HM-150 of Murakami Color Technology Research Institute was used as the measuring device.

As is clear from FIG. 8, according to the first arrangement mode shown in FIG. 6 (see reference numeral “L1” in FIG. 8), it is compared with the comparative mode shown in FIG. 7 (see reference numeral “L2” in FIG. 8). It can be seen that the amount of change in the transmittance due to the change in the azimuth angle can be reduced, and the dimming cell 22 (dimming device 10) having excellent viewing angle characteristics can be provided.

Also, regarding the magnitude of the transmittance (total light transmittance) itself, the transmittance L1 of the dimming cell 22 according to the first arrangement mode is overall more than the transmittance L2 of the dimming cell 22 according to the comparative aspect. It can be seen that the dimming cell 22 according to the first arrangement mode can exhibit excellent light-shielding performance.

<Second arrangement mode>
FIG. 9 shows the first resin base material 29, the second resin base material 30, the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42, and the positions for explaining the second arrangement mode. It is a figure which shows the phase difference compensation film 45a.

In this embodiment, the retardation compensation film 45a is provided between the first polarizing plate 41 and the first electrode alignment layer 43. The retardation compensation film 45a is adhered to the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47) via the adhesive layer (OCA) 46, and is bonded to the first electrode alignment layer 43 via the other adhesive layer (OCA) 46. (Hard coat layer 53 (see FIG. 4A)) is adhered to and functions as an A plate. In the phase difference compensating film 45a that functions as the A plate, the refractive index (nx) in the x direction in the film plane is larger than the refractive index (ny) in the y direction perpendicular to the x direction, and the refractive index in the x direction and the y direction The refractive index (nz) in the vertical z direction becomes equal to the refractive index (ny) in the y direction (that is, the relationship of "nx> ny = nz" is satisfied). The material constituting the retardation compensation film 45a is not particularly limited, but the retardation compensation film 45a of the present embodiment is composed of a biaxially stretched transparent film made by COP.

The optical axis of the first resin base material 29 is parallel to the optical axis of the second resin base material 30 (see the optical axis directions “Db1” and “Db2” in FIG. 9), and the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 (see the absorption axis directions “Da1” and “Da2” in FIG. 9), and the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is the first. 1 The direction Da1 of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the polarizing plate 41 is perpendicular to the direction Da1, and the direction Db2 of the optical axis of the second resin base material 30 is parallel to the direction Da2 of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42. ..

As described above, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 29 and the second so that "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 are parallel (match)". By arranging the resin base material 30, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 can be continuously supplied while being unwound from the rolls. Generally, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are formed in a roll state, are sequentially fed from the roll, and are cut out into a shape and size corresponding to each dimming cell 22 for use. On the other hand, the resin base material is provided with optical anisotropy such that the stretching direction is the direction of the optical axis by the stretching treatment in the manufacturing process, and in the rolled state, the longitudinal direction (that is, the feeding direction) is light. It is generally in the direction of the axis. Therefore, in the case of "when the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 match" as in this arrangement mode, the first resin base material 29 is unwound from the roll. And the second resin base material 30 fed out from the roll can be continuously overlapped while being fed out without adjusting the direction. Therefore, for example, the hard coat layer 53, the index matching layer 55, the first electrode layer 31, the first electrode layer 31, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, are placed on the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 unwound from the roll. By disposing the two electrode layer 32, the first alignment film 33, and the second alignment film 34, a long first electrode alignment layer 43 and a second electrode alignment layer 44 can be produced, and a large area adjustment can be performed. The optical cell 22 can be mass-produced efficiently.

The first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 so that "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 are parallel (match)". When the above is arranged, the optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 strongly affects the transmitted light of the dimming cell 22, for example, the viewing angle when shaded (that is, when displayed in black). It may deteriorate the characteristics and shading rate. In order to suppress such deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and shading rate, in this arrangement mode, the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 and the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 are parallel. The polarizing layer 48 of the second resin base material 30 and the second polarizing plate 42 is arranged so as to be. Further, the retardation compensation film 45a and the second resin base material 30 are arranged so that the slow axial direction Dc of the retardation compensation film 45a and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 are parallel to each other. Further, the polarizing layer 48 and the second polarized light of the first polarizing plate 41 are perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 so that the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42. The polarizing layer 48 of the plate 42 is arranged. As a result, it is possible to suppress "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of shading rate at the time of shading (that is, when displaying black)" due to optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30. ..

As a modification of the second arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the second resin base material 30 and the second polarizing plate 42 are not between the first resin base material 29 and the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. A retardation compensation film 45a that functions as an A plate may be provided between the polarizing layer 48 and the polarizing layer 48. In this case, the slow axial direction Dc of the phase difference compensation film 45a is the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29, the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30, and the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Each member is arranged so as to be parallel to the absorption axis direction Da1. Even with such an arrangement, "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of shading rate at the time of shading (that is, when displaying black)" due to optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 can be caused. It can be suppressed.

FIG. 10 shows a first resin base material 29, a second resin base material 30, a polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, a polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42, and a position showing a comparative mode with respect to the second arrangement mode. It is a figure which shows the phase difference compensation film 45a. In the comparative aspect shown in FIG. 10, the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is parallel to the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30, and the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da2 of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42, but the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is parallel to the direction Da1 of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. The optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 is perpendicular to the direction Da2 of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42.

11 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell 22 according to the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. 9 (see reference numeral “L3” in FIG. 11) and the viewing angle characteristics of the dimming cell 22 relating to the comparative mode shown in FIG. (See reference numeral “L4” in FIG. 11). The viewing angle characteristics L3 and L4 shown in FIG. 11 have the phase difference compensating film 45a (FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 and FIG. 9) instead of the phase difference compensating film 45 (see FIG. 3) in the configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4A and 4B. A dimming device 10 (see FIG. 10) was used, and the transmittance was measured while changing the azimuth angle with the polar angle of 60 degrees in a light-shielded state (that is, in a power-off state). The horizontal axis of FIG. 11 indicates the azimuth angle (°), and the vertical axis indicates the total light transmittance (%) including the diffusion component. The “azimuth angle = 0 °” shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to one side of the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Further, the total light transmittance was measured in the same manner as in the case shown in FIG. 8 described above.

As is clear from FIG. 11, according to the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. 9 (see reference numeral “L3” in FIG. 11), it is compared with the comparative mode shown in FIG. 10 (see reference numeral “L4” in FIG. 11). It can be seen that the amount of change in the transmittance due to the change in the azimuth angle can be reduced, and the dimming cell 22 (dimming device 10) having excellent viewing angle characteristics can be provided.

Also, regarding the magnitude of the transmittance (total light transmittance) itself, the transmittance L3 of the dimming cell 22 according to the second arrangement mode is overall more than the transmittance L4 of the dimming cell 22 according to the comparative aspect. It can be seen that the dimming cell 22 according to the second arrangement mode can exhibit excellent light-shielding performance.

<Example>
Next, various examples relating to the verification results of the bonding performance of the dimming cell 22 with respect to the light transmitting plate 21 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a table showing an evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells 22 (Examples 1 to 3) to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21.

Although the same dimming cell 22 is used in the dimming device 10 of the first and third embodiments, the plane size of the light transmitting plate 21 (X-direction size and Y-direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction), The thickness (length in the stacking direction (size in the Z direction)) and the curvature of the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 are different. Note that "1800R" in FIG. 12 indicates the curvature of the curve drawn by a circle having a radius of 1800 mm, and "1400R" indicates the curvature of the curve drawn by a circle having a radius of 1400 mm.

The dimming cell 22 used in the dimming device 10 of Examples 1 and 3 has plane sizes (X-direction size and Y-direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) of 280 mm (X-direction size) and 288 mm. (Y direction size), thickness (length in the lamination direction (Z direction size)) is 0.63 mm, and a base material (see the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 in FIG. 3). Polycarbonate is used as the electrode base material, and an ITO film using this polycarbonate base material is used as the electrode base material, and a dye system that has a proven track record in liquid crystal displays (LCD) and car navigation applications as the polarizing layer (see the polarizing layer 48 in FIG. 3). And iodine-based polarizing elements are used, and a large number of bead-shaped spacers having a diameter of 6 μm and randomly arranged are used as spacers (see spacer 52 in FIG. 3) provided in the liquid crystal layer 49. A hybrid sealing material 36 containing a thermosetting resin and having a length in the width direction (length in the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction) of 1.5 mm was used.

On the other hand, in the dimming device 10 of the second embodiment, the same light transmitting plate 21 as that of the third embodiment is used, and the plane size (X-direction size and Y-direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) is 423 mm (X-direction size). And 337 mm (Y direction size), and the thickness (length in the stacking direction (Z direction size)) was 0.7 mm. Further, the dimming cell 22 used in the dimming device 10 of the second embodiment has plane sizes (X-direction size and Y-direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) of 280 mm (X-direction size) and 280 mm (Y-direction). Size), the thickness (length in the lamination direction (size in the Z direction)) is 0.54 mm, and COP is used as the base material (see the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 in FIG. 3). A COP biaxial plate for VA compensation is used as the optical compensation film for the polarizing plate (see the polarizing layer 48 in FIG. 3), and the cross-sectional diameter of 15 μm is used as the spacer provided in the liquid crystal layer 49 (see the spacer 52 in FIG. 3). A plurality of columnar spacers having the above and separated by a pitch of 230 μm were used, and a sealing material 36 having a length in the width direction (length in the direction perpendicular to the lamination direction) of 5 mm was used. Other configurations of the dimming cell 22 of Example 2 were the same as those of the dimming cell 22 of Examples 1 and 3 described above.

Other configurations of the dimmer 10 according to Examples 1 to 3 were the same as the configurations shown in FIG.

When the state of attachment of the light control cell 22 to the light transmission plate 21 was visually confirmed in the light control devices 10 of Examples 1 to 3 described above, the light control cells 22 of Examples 1 and 3 were noticeably distorted. While (wrinkles, etc.) did not occur, wrinkles were conspicuous in the dimming cell 22 of Example 2, and the dimming cell 22 could not be properly attached to the light transmitting plate 21.

FIG. 13 is a table showing an evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells 22 (Examples 4 to 9) to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21.

In Examples 4 to 9, the "light control cell 22 having different characteristics" is attached to the "light transmitting plate 21 having the same characteristics" via the "optical transparent adhesive film 24 having the same characteristics", and light is applied. The state of the dimming cell 22 attached to the transmission plate 21 was evaluated. Specifically, the light transmitting plate 21 had a plane size of 423 mm (length in the X direction) and 337 mm (length in the Y direction), and a thickness (length in the Z direction) of 0.7 mm.

The dimming cell 22 mainly includes a base material (see the first resin base material 29 in FIG. 4A and the second resin base material 30 in FIG. 4B), the shape of the spacer 52, and the length of the sealing material 36 in the width direction (FIG. 4B). 13 (see “seal width”), first polarizing plate 41 (particularly see “polarizing layer 48” in FIG. 3) and second polarizing plate 42 (particularly see “polarizing layer 48” in FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. It was changed to as appropriate.

The item "base material" in FIG. 13 represents the components of the base material actually used, and COP (Examples 4, 6 and 7) or polycarbonate (Examples 5 and 8 to 9) was used.

In the item of "spacer" in FIG. 13, "columnar" indicates that a plurality of columnar spacers 52 having a cross-sectional diameter of 15 μm are arranged at a pitch of 230 μm, and “bead-shaped” has a diameter of 6 μm. It is shown that a plurality of spherical spacers 52 having a diameter are randomly arranged.

In the "seal width" of FIG. 13, "5 mm (+ margin 5 mm)" means that the length of the seal material 36 in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction is 5 mm, and the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 49 via the seal material 36. In the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 are projected by 5 mm. Further, "1.5 mm (+ margin 0 mm)" means that the length of the sealing material 36 in the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction is 1.5 mm, and the laminating direction is formed on the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 49 via the sealing material 36. The state in which the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 protrude by 0 mm (that is, the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 do not protrude from the sealing material 36) in the direction perpendicular to the direction. Is shown.

The “first polarizing plate” in FIG. 13 indicates a member of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, and the “second polarizing plate” indicates a member of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42. The "iodide-based (with COP 2-axis compensating plate)" in FIG. 13 is an iodine-based polarizing element, and the polarizing layer 48 is composed of a polarizing element to which a COP plate having biaxial optical compensation performance is attached. "Ido-based" indicates that the polarizing layer 48 is composed of an iodine-based polarizer (without an optical compensator), and "dye-based" indicates that the polarizing layer 48 is composed of a dye-based polarizer (without an optical compensator). It shows that the polarizing layer 48 is configured.

The “bonded state” in FIG. 13 shows the state (particularly the degree and presence / absence of distortion such as wrinkles) of the light control cell 22 bonded to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 via the optical transparent adhesive film 24. In "Very Bad" (Example 4), very conspicuous wrinkles are generated in the dimming cell 22, and a tubular wrinkle portion called tunneling is formed in the dimming cell 22, so that the dimming cell 22 can be used practically. Indicates that there is no condition. In "Bad" (Example 5), noticeable wrinkles are generated in the dimming cell 22, tunneling is formed in the dimming cell 22, and the dimming cell 22 is in a state where it is not easy to use practically. Shown. “Average” (Example 6) shows that the wrinkles formed in the dimming cell 22 are not noticeable, but small tunneling is formed in the dimming cell 22. “Good” (Example 7) indicates that the dimming cell 22 is in a practical state, with slight wrinkles that are not noticeable but no tunneling is formed. In "Excellent" (Examples 8 to 9), distortion such as wrinkles was not confirmed in the dimming cell 22, and the dimming cell 22 was attached to the light transmission plate 21 in a very good condition, and the dimming was performed. It is shown that the cell 22 is in a state of exhibiting good light-transmitting performance and light-shielding performance.

Other configurations of the dimmer 10 according to Examples 4 to 9 were the same as the configurations shown in FIG.

From the results shown in FIG. 13, it can be seen that the bonded state of the dimming cell 22 is improved in the dimming device 10 of Examples 5 to 7 as compared with the dimming device 10 of Example 4. The dimming cell 22 of Example 5 is of Example except that polycarbonate is used as the base material (see the first resin base material 29 in FIG. 4A and the second resin base material 30 in FIG. 4B) instead of COP. It has the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 of 4. Therefore, it can be seen that polycarbonate is preferable as a constituent material of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30. Further, the dimming cell 22 of Example 6 is a "iodine-based polarizing element to which a plate made of COP having biaxial optical compensation performance is attached" as the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42. It has the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 of Example 4 except that a "dye-based polarizing element" is used instead of an "iodine-based polarizing element". Therefore, it can be seen that a dye-based polarizer is preferable as a constituent material of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42. Further, in the light control cell 22 of Example 7, the width of the sealing material 36 is 1.5 mm, and there is no extension portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (that is, “margin = 0 mm”). Except for the above, it has the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 of the fourth embodiment. Therefore, it can be seen that the width of the sealing material 36 in the direction perpendicular to the laminating direction is preferably 1.5 mm. If the width of the sealing material 36 is too narrow, the dimming cell 22 may break due to a decrease in the adhesion of the sealing material 36. On the other hand, if the width of the sealing material 36 is too large, the sealing material 36 may have insufficient followability to a curved surface whose shape changes three-dimensionally.

Further, in the dimming cells 22 of Examples 8 to 9 shown in FIG. 13, "polypolarized light is used as a constituent material of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 (see Example 5)", and "the first A dye-based polarizing element is used as a constituent material of the polarizing layer 48 of the polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 (see Example 6). ”And“ The width of the sealing material 36 is 1.5 mm and the orientation of the first electrode It has the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 of Example 4 except that there is no extension portion of the layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (see Example 7). Since the bonded state of the dimming cells 22 according to Examples 8 to 9 was better than that of the dimming cells 22 according to Examples 4 to 7, the above-mentioned consideration of Examples 4 to 7 is appropriate. Is presumed to be.

The dimming cell 22 of the eighth embodiment and the dimming cell 22 of the ninth embodiment have the same configuration except that the shape of the spacer 52 is different, but the dimming cell 22 of the eighth embodiment and the dimming cell 22 of the ninth embodiment have the same configuration. The bonded state of the optical cells 22 was very good. Therefore, it is presumed that the shape of the spacer 52 has no or very small effect on the bonded state of the dimming cell 22.

FIG. 14 is a table showing an evaluation of the state of bonding of the dimming cells 22 (Examples 10 to 12) to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21.

In Examples 10 to 12, the "light control cell 22 having the same characteristics" is attached to the "light transmitting plate 21 having the same characteristics" via the "optical transparent adhesive film 24 having different characteristics", and light is applied. The state of the dimming cell 22 attached to the transmission plate 21 was evaluated. Specifically, while the light transmitting plate 21 and the dimming cell 22 having the same characteristics as those of the above-mentioned Example 8 (FIG. 13) are used, the thickness in the stacking direction, the storage elastic modulus at room temperature, and the loss tangent are different. The optical transparent adhesive film 24 was used. These physical properties of Examples 10 to 12 shown in FIG. 14 are of UBM Co., Ltd., with the frequency set to 10 Hz (hertz) and the temperature rising condition set to 5 ° C./min (minutes). It is a value obtained by measuring using a measuring instrument "Rheogel E4000". FIG. 14 shows the storage modulus and loss tangent at 25 ° C and 50 ° C, respectively.

Regarding the item of “adhesion state of dimming cell” in FIG. 14, “Average” (Example 10) shows a state in which the dimming cell 22 is slightly distorted. "Good" (Example 11) shows that the dimming cell 22 has a distortion smaller than that of the dimming cell 22 of the tenth embodiment, but the dimming cell 22 is in a relatively good condition. .. "Excellent" (Example 12) shows that the dimming cell 22 is not distorted at all, indicating that the dimming cell 22 is in a very good condition.

Comparing Examples 10 to 12, it is preferable that the optical transparent adhesive film 24 has a small storage elastic modulus from the viewpoint of improving the state of attachment of the light control cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21 (for example, Example 10 (for example, Example 10). It can be seen that “2.9 × 10 ⁷ Pa / 25 ° C.”) and Example 11 (see “1.1 × 10 ⁷ Pa / 25 ° C.”). Further, it is preferable that the loss tangent of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is small (see, for example, Example 10 (“0.95 / 25 ° C.”), Example 11 (“0.90 / 25 ° C.”)) and Example 12 (see Example 12 (“0.90 / 25 ° C.”)). It can be seen that "0.41 / 25 ° C."). Further, it is considered that the thickness of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 in the laminating direction is preferably thick, but when Examples 10 to 12 are weighed, the storage elastic modulus of the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is higher than the thickness of the optical transparent adhesive film 24. It is considered that the loss direct contact has a greater influence on the state of attachment of the dimming cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21.

<Detailed configuration of spacer>
Hereinafter, an example of a preferable relationship between the “hardness of the spacer 52” and the “hardness of the portion where the tip of the spacer 52 abuts” will be described.

In the embodiment described below, the spacer 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a truncated cone shape by using a photoresist in the manufacturing process of the dimming cell 22 shown in FIG. That is, in the manufacturing process of the dimming cell 22, the first laminated body is manufactured (see the reference numeral “SP1” in FIG. 15), the second laminated body is manufactured (see the reference numeral “SP2” in FIG. 15), and the liquid crystal cell (see the reference numeral “SP2” in FIG. 15). The production of the “liquid crystal layer 49” of FIG. 3) (see the reference numeral “SP3” in FIG. 15) and the lamination of these members (see the reference numeral “SP4” in FIG. 15) are sequentially performed. In addition, in the manufacturing process SP1 of the first laminate, the manufacturing process SP1-1 of the electrode (that is, the “second electrode layer 32”), the manufacturing process SP1-2 of the spacer 52, and the alignment layer (that is, the “second alignment film 34”) ”) Manufacturing process SP1-3 is included. Although not shown, the second laminated body manufacturing step SP2 includes a manufacturing step of the electrode (that is, the first electrode layer 31) and a manufacturing step of the alignment layer (that is, the “first alignment film 33”). .. The spacer 52 is manufactured in this way, and in this embodiment, the Vickers hardness value Xs of each spacer 52 is 16.9 or more and 40.2 or less (that is, "16.9 ≤ Xs ≤ 40.2" is satisfied. The Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is set to be 11.8 or more and 35.9 or less (that is, ". 11.8 ≦ Xf ≦ 35.9 ”), which further improves the reliability of the spacer as compared with the conventional case. The Vickers hardness value is a measured value under the conditions described in the following examples.

For example, when each spacer 52 is composed mainly of the core portion without the covering portion (that is, when the spacer 52 includes the core portion but does not include the coating portion), a plurality of spacers (core portions) 52. The above Xs is represented by the Vickers hardness value of each of the above, and the above Xf is represented by the Vickers hardness value of the portion of the first alignment film 33 in which the tips of the plurality of spacers 52 are in contact with each other. On the other hand, when the covering portion is provided on the core portion and each spacer 52 is mainly composed of a combination of the core portion and the covering portion (that is, when the spacer 52 includes the core portion and the covering portion), each spacer 52 The above Xs is represented by the Vickers hardness value of the core portion and the coating portion of the above, and the above Xf is represented by the Vickers hardness value of the portion of the first alignment film 33 to which the coating portion covering the tips of each of the plurality of spacers 52 abuts. expressed. The "Vickers hardness value of the core portion and the coating portion of each spacer 52" referred to here means the Vickers hardness value measured in a state where the core portion is covered by the coating portion.

When the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is less than 11.8, the tip of the spacer 52 faces each other due to the pressing force during use. It penetrates the surface, resulting in non-uniform cell gaps and local misalignment. Further, in this case, the first resin base material 29 may be scratched due to contact during assembly of the spacer 52, or cracks may occur when the entire spacer 52 is bent.

When the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is less than 16.9, the spacer 52 is crushed by the external pressure to reduce the cell gap, and a desired cell gap cannot be obtained. Further, when the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 exceeds 40.2, or the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is 35.9. Even if it exceeds the limit, the cell gap may be reduced, or scratches or cracks may occur.

However, the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is 16.9 or more and 40.2 or less, and the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is determined. If it is set to be 11.8 or more and 35.9 or less, these problems can be solved at once and the reliability of the spacer 52 can be further improved as compared with the conventional case.

〔Test results〕
16 and 17 are charts showing the test results used to confirm the configuration of the spacer. The examples in FIGS. 16 and 17 are configured the same except that the spacer 52 and the orientation layer with which the spacer 52 abuts are configured differently. More specifically, in the dimming cells of these examples, the spacer 52 is provided only on the lower laminated body (see the second electrode alignment layer 44), and the manufacturing conditions related to the spacer 52 are adjusted. , The Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 was changed. Further, by adjusting the conditions for producing the first alignment film 33, the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts was changed. ..

That is, the spacer 52 is coated with the coating liquid according to the spacer 52, dried, and then selectively exposed to the portion where the spacer 52 is manufactured by mask exposure using an exposure apparatus. This is the case of the negative type photoresist, and conversely, in the positive type photoresist, the part other than the part where the spacer 52 is arranged is selectively exposed. After that, the spacer 52 is selectively removed from the unexposed portion or the exposed portion by the development process, and a process such as rinsing is executed, and a process such as drying is executed if necessary.

In this exposure process, there are cases where the photoresist in a so-called half-cured state is exposed in advance by heating, or the exposure process is performed in a heated environment, and in the development process, a rinse or the like is used. After performing the treatment, heat treatment may be performed to accelerate the reaction. The hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is the selection of the photoresist material related to the spacer 52, the coating process, the exposure process, the heating temperature in firing in the oven, the heating temperature and time setting in the developing process, the exposure light amount and the exposure time. , And can be determined according to the setting of the mask cap.

In this embodiment, the Vickers hardness values Xs of the spacer 52 are 14.8, 16.9, 22.2, 40.2, or 51, respectively, by adjusting the heating temperature and time in the exposure step and the developing step. A lower laminate (see the second electrode alignment layer 44) of .4 was manufactured (FIG. 18). The hardness is adjusted by adjusting the manufacturing conditions of the spacer 52 to produce a lower laminate (see the second electrode alignment layer 44) and using the lower laminate (see the second electrode alignment layer 44). It is a measured value measured by disassembling the optical cell 22 after manufacturing it once. Further, this measured value is a measurement result based on the average value of 12 points measured in each dimming cell and the remaining 10 points excluding the maximum value and the minimum value.

The spacer 52 was manufactured in a cylindrical shape having a diameter of 9 μm and a height of 6 μm. Further, the spacers 52 were regularly arranged at a pitch of 110 μm in two directions orthogonal to the in-plane direction of the second resin base material 30. Therefore, the proportion (occupancy rate) of the spacer 52 on the second resin base material 30 is 0.5% (= (((9/2) ² × 3) / (110) ² ).

When the occupancy rate of the spacer 52 is increased, the stress applied to each spacer is reduced, so that the phenomenon that the spacer 52 is crushed or the tip is penetrated can be reduced, but the transmittance is deteriorated. The shading rate deteriorates. However, when the occupancy rate of the spacer 52 is small, optical characteristics such as transmittance and shading rate can be ensured, but the phenomenon that the spacer 52 is crushed or the tip penetrates cannot be avoided. Therefore, the occupancy rate of the spacer 52 is preferably 0.5% or more and 10% or less.

On the other hand, the first alignment film 33 of the first electrode alignment layer 43, which is the surface with which the spacer 52 abuts, is manufactured by applying a coating liquid, drying and thermosetting, and the conditions for this thermosetting. The Vickers hardness value Xf was set to a desired value by adjusting (heating temperature and heating time) and the like. As a result, in the examples, the first electrode alignment layer 43 having a Vickers hardness value Xf of 10.2, 11.8, 24.8, 35.9, or 38.5 was produced (FIG. 19). The hardness value Xf is a first electrode alignment layer having a different hardness with respect to the first electrode alignment film 33 of the first electrode alignment layer 43, which is a surface on which the spacer 52 abuts by adjusting the production conditions of the first alignment film 33. 43 is manufactured, and the dimming cell 22 is once manufactured using the first electrode alignment layer 43, and then disassembled and measured. Further, this measured value is a measurement result based on the average value of the remaining 10 points excluding the maximum value and the minimum value after the measurement is performed at 12 points.

The Vickers hardness values Xs and Xf were measured using PICODENTOR HM500 manufactured by Helmut Fisher. The measurement was performed with a pushing speed of 300 mN / 20 sec, a release speed of 300 mN / 20 sec, and a creep time of 5 seconds, and the maximum load was set to 100 mN.

In each of the examples of FIGS. 16 and 17, a dimming cell was manufactured and tested by the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 thus manufactured. In the tests of FIGS. 16 and 17, the dimming cell was placed on a smooth surface having a high hardness by a surface plate, a load corresponding to 0.8 MPa was applied, and then the cell gap was measured to reduce the cell gap. Judged. The weighting time is 24 hours. Further, after being weighted in this way, the upper laminate containing the first alignment film 33 and the lower laminate containing the second alignment film 34 are peeled off, the spacer 52 is observed with a microscope, and the spacer 52 is crushed (hereinafter referred to as crushing). The reduction of the cell gap was observed by observing (also referred to as “spacer crushing”), and the state of penetration (film penetration) at the tip of the spacer 52 was observed by observing the portion where the spacer 52 abuts with a microscope.

Here, in the observation with this microscope, the front view, the perspective, and the cross section are observed by using a technique such as SEM, and the presence or absence of deformation of the spacer 52 is visually confirmed, and if the deformation of the spacer 52 is confirmed, the situation. The presence or absence of "cell gap reduction, spacer crushing" was judged as ○ △. Therefore, in FIGS. 16 and 17, “◯” indicates a case where an abnormality related to the corresponding item is not observed, and “Δ” indicates a case where an abnormality related to the corresponding item is observed.

Similarly, when the portion where the spacer 52 abuts is viewed by using a method such as SEM and a dent (recess) is confirmed, "film penetration" is judged as "Δ", and when no dent is recognized. "Film penetration" was judged as "○".

Further, in a state where the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 are laminated and a load corresponding to 0.1 MPa is applied, the relative positions of the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 are set to 0. It was displaced at 1 cm / sec, and the occurrence of scratches was visually confirmed. Here, when the occurrence of scratches is confirmed in more than half of the plurality of samples, the item of "scratch" in FIGS. 16 and 17 is indicated by "Δ", and conversely, in half or more of the plurality of samples, the scratches are caused. If the occurrence is not confirmed, the item of "scratch" is indicated by "○".

Further, in the state of the dimming cell, the dimming cell is wound around a cylindrical mandrel having a diameter of 2 mm in accordance with the provisions of the bending test of JIS K5600-5-1, and the base material (first resin base material 29 and second resin base material) is used. The presence or absence of cracks in (3) cracks was confirmed. In this test, when the occurrence of cracks in the base material was confirmed in more than half of the multiple samples, the item of "crack" in FIGS. 16 and 17 is indicated by "Δ", and conversely, in the case of multiple samples. If no cracks are found in the substrate in more than half, the item of "crack" is indicated by "○".

As is clear from the measurement results of FIGS. 16 and 17, when the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is less than 16.9 (Examples 30 and 32), a decrease in cell gap is observed, and Example 30 In, penetration of the spacer tip into the film, scratches and cracks were observed. Further, when the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is less than 11.8 (Examples 20 and 22), scratches and cracks occur. It was also observed, and in Example 22, penetration of the spacer tip into the film was observed.

When the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 exceeds 40.2 (Examples 31 and 33), reduction of the cell gap and penetration of the spacer tip into the film are observed in Example 31, and scratches are observed in Example 33. It was observed. Further, when the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (particularly the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts exceeds 35.9 (Examples 21 and 23), the cell gap is reduced and scratches are formed. Was observed, and in Example 23, cracks were observed.

However, in Examples 13 to 19 and 24 to 29, these phenomena (“cell gap reduction”, “film penetration”, “scratch” and “crack” shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) were not observed. As a result, it was confirmed that the reliability of the spacer 52 can be sufficiently ensured.

<Guest host LCD>
The present invention is also applicable to a dimming cell 22 that uses a guest-host type liquid crystal. That is, the liquid crystal layer 49 may contain a dichroic dye (guest) and a liquid crystal (host). The dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal layer 49 is preferably a coloring material having a light-shielding property and capable of blocking (absorbing) desired visible light.

The specific configuration of the dimming cell 22 using the guest-host type liquid crystal to which the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited. For example, instead of providing a pair of polarizing plates (see the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 in FIG. 3), only one polarizing plate may be provided as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 described later. However, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 described later, the polarizing plate may not be provided. A typical example of the dimming cell 22 using the guest-host type liquid crystal will be described below.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example (light-shielding state) of a dimming cell 22 using a guest-host type liquid crystal, and FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell 22. FIG. 20A is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell 22. (B) is a plan view of the first polarizing plate 41 whose absorption axis direction is indicated by an arrow “A”. 21 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the same dimming cell 22 (light transmission state) as in FIG. 20, FIG. 21 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell 22, and FIG. 21 (b) is absorption. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the first polarizing plate 41 whose axial direction is indicated by an arrow “A”. The absorption axis and the polarization axis (light transmission axis) of the first polarizing plate 41 extend in a direction perpendicular to each other.

Similar to the dimming cell 22 shown in FIG. 3, the dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 also has a pair of film substrates (that is, the first resin substrate 29 and the second resin substrate 30) and a pair. A pair of transparent electrodes arranged between the film substrates (that is, the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32) and a pair of alignment films arranged between the pair of transparent electrodes (that is, the first alignment film 33 and the first alignment film 33). A bi-alignment film 34) and a liquid crystal layer 49 and a spacer 52 arranged between the pair of alignment films are provided. However, in the dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, polarization is performed on the side opposite to the pair of transparent electrodes via one of the pair of film substrates (first resin substrate 29 in this example). Only one plate (first polarizing plate 41 in this example) is provided. The first polarizing plate 41 is attached to the first resin base material 29 via the adhesive layer 46. Further, the liquid crystal layer 49 is composed of a guest-host type liquid crystal containing a dichroic dye (dye) 61 and a liquid crystal 62.

The dichroic dye 61 exists in the liquid crystal 62 in a dispersed state, has the same orientation as the liquid crystal 62, and is basically arranged in the same direction as the liquid crystal 62.

In this example, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (first electrode layer 31 and second electrode layer 32) is OFF, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 move in the light traveling direction L (that is, dimming). They are lined up in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells 22 (particularly in a direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction A of the first polarizing plate 41 (that is, the same direction as the polarization axis of the first polarizing plate 41)) (FIG. 20 (FIG. 20). a) See). On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (first electrode layer 31 and second electrode layer 32) is ON, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the vertical direction (that is, the light traveling direction L) (that is, the light traveling direction L). (See FIG. 21 (a)). In addition, in FIG. 20A and FIG. 21A, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are conceptually illustrated in order to show the orientation direction of the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62.

For example, when a voltage is not applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by the dimming controller (not shown), a desired electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer 49, and the dichroic dye 61 And the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 20A). In this case, the light vibrating in the direction orthogonal to the absorption axis direction A of the first polarizing plate 41 is blocked by the dichroic dye 61, and the light vibrating in the other direction is blocked by the first polarizing plate 41. Therefore, the light traveling from the second film base material 24 toward the first polarizing plate 41 (see the arrow “L”) is blocked by the dichroic dye 61 and the first polarizing plate 41.

On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by the dimming controller (not shown), a desired electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49, and the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal. 62 are arranged in the vertical direction (see FIG. 21 (a)). In this case, the light-shielding performance of the dichroic dye 61 against the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 49 is not exhibited so much regardless of the vibration direction of the light, and the light entering the liquid crystal layer 49 has a high probability of being the liquid crystal layer 49 (dichroism). It passes through the dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62). Further, the light that vibrates in parallel with the polarization axis (light transmission axis) of the first polarizing plate 41 (in this example, the light that vibrates in the direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction A of the first polarizing plate 41) is the first polarizing plate. It passes through 41 and exits from the dimming cell 22.

Even when the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 49 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is used as described above, the dimming cell 22 is controlled by controlling the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32. The translucency of the light can be changed as appropriate.

Regarding the dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the case where the so-called normally black type alignment films 33 and 34 and the liquid crystal layer 49 are used has been described above, but the so-called normally white type alignment film 33 has been described. , 34 and the liquid crystal layer 49 may be used. That is, in the case of normally black, as described above, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 and an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are oriented in the vertical direction. Therefore, horizontal alignment films are used as the alignment films 33 and 34, and positive liquid crystals are used for the liquid crystal layer 49. On the other hand, in the case of normally white, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are shown in FIG. 20A when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 49. Since it is necessary to orient the film in the horizontal direction, a vertically aligned film is used as the alignment film 33 and 34, and a negative liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal layer 49.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example (light-shielding state) of the dimming cell 22 using the guest-host type liquid crystal, and shows a cross section of the dimming cell 22. FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the same dimming cell 22 (light transmission state) as in FIG. 22, and shows a cross section of the dimming cell 22.

The dimming cell 22 of this example has basically the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, but is not provided with polarizing plates (first polarizing plate 41 and second polarizing plate 42). The liquid crystal layer 49 is a guest-host type containing a dichroic dye (dye) 51 and a liquid crystal 62. That is, the dichroic dye 61 exists in the liquid crystal 62 in a dispersed state, has the same orientation as the liquid crystal 62, and is basically arranged in the same direction as the liquid crystal 62.

In this example, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (first electrode layer 31 and second electrode layer 32) is OFF, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are in the horizontal direction (that is, perpendicular to the light traveling direction L). Line up in the direction of formation (see FIG. 22). In particular, it is preferable that the orientation of the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 of this example is twisted by 180 degrees or more in the horizontal direction in a state where no electric field is applied, and the dichroic dye 61 is directed in any horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (first electrode layer 31 and second electrode layer 32) is ON, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the vertical direction (that is, the light traveling direction L) (that is, the light traveling direction L). (See FIG. 23). In FIGS. 22 and 23, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are conceptually illustrated in order to show the orientation direction of the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62.

For example, when a voltage is not applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by the dimming controller (not shown), a desired electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer 49, and the dichroic dye 61 And the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 22). As a result, the light that has entered the liquid crystal layer 49 is blocked (absorbed) by the dichroic dye 61.

On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by the dimming controller (not shown), a desired electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49, and the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal. 62 are arranged vertically (see FIG. 23). In this case, the light-shielding performance of the dichroic dye 61 against the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 49 is not exhibited so much regardless of the vibration direction of the light, and the light entering the liquid crystal layer 49 has a high probability of being the liquid crystal layer 49 (dichroism). It passes through the dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62). Further, in this example, since the polarizing plate is not provided, all the light that passes through the liquid crystal layer 49 and is emitted from the first film base material 23 is emitted from the dimming cell 22.

Even when the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 49 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is used as described above, the dimming cell 22 is controlled by controlling the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32. The translucency of the can be changed.

Regarding the dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in the above description, a normally black type guest-host dimming using a horizontal alignment film as the alignment films 33 and 34 and a positive liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 49. Although the cell 22 has been described, a normally white guest-hosted dimming cell 22 may be used. That is, when a vertical alignment film is used as the alignment films 33 and 34 and a negative liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal layer 49 and a voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer 49, the liquid crystal layer 49 is dichroic. The dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 may be oriented in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG.

Although the hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG. 3 is not shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 described above, even if the hard coat layer 26 is not provided in each dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 to 23. It may be provided or it may be provided. When the hard coat layer 26 is provided, for example, the hard coat layer 26 may be attached to the second resin base material 30 via the adhesive layer 46. Further, in FIGS. 20 to 23 described above, the retardation compensation film 45 shown in FIG. 3 is not shown, but the retardation compensation film 45 is not provided in each dimming cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 to 23. It may be provided or it may be provided. When the retardation compensation film 45 is provided, for example, the retardation compensation film 45 may be attached to the second resin base material 30 via the adhesive layer 46.

Even when the dimming cell 22 including the guest-host type liquid crystal (that is, the liquid crystal layer 49 containing the dichroic dye 61) is used, the light transmitting plate 21 is between the curved surface 20 and the dimming cell 22. One side of the light control cell 22 can be adhered to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 by arranging the optical transparent adhesive film 24.

<E-type linear polarizing plate>
The present invention is also applicable to a dimming cell 22 provided with an E-type linear polarizing plate. Hereinafter, the VA type dimming cell will be described exemplarily, but the driving method of the dimming cell is not particularly limited, and for example, the technique described below also applies to the TN type, IPS type or FFS type dimming cell. It can be applied. That is, the liquid crystal layer may be a VA type, a TN type, an IPS type, or an FFS type liquid crystal layer.

[First mode]
[Basic configuration]
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic configuration of the dimming cell according to the present invention. The light control cell 22 is a light control film by the VA method, and holds the liquid crystal layer 114 and the spacer 115 between the lower laminate 112 and the upper laminate 113, which are the first and second laminates having a film shape, respectively. It is composed of. The lower laminated body 112 is provided with a linear polarizing plate 112D on a base material 112B made of a transparent film material including a hard coat layer 112A and a hard coat layer 112C. Further, the linear polarizing plate 112D is sequentially provided with a negative C plate layer 112F, a transparent electrode 112G, and an alignment film 112E to be used for optical compensation. The outer hard coat layer 112A is composed of, for example, a laminated structure of two hard coat layers.

Further, in the upper laminated body 113, a transparent electrode 113D is provided on a base material 113B made of a transparent film material including a hard coat layer 113A and a hard coat layer 113C, and a linear polarizing plate 113E is further provided. In the upper laminated body 113, an alignment film 113F is provided on the liquid crystal layer 114 side of the linear polarizing plate 113E.

Here, the hard coat layers 112A and 112C are produced with a thickness of about 10 μm and 5 μm. The hard coat layers 113A and 113C are produced with a thickness of about 5 μm and a thickness of about 5 μm. A highly versatile film material having a large optical anisotropy is applied to the base materials 112B and 113B, and for example, a PET film having a thickness of 100 μm is applied. Further, the transparent electrodes 112G and 113D are formed by ITO having a thickness of 50 nm.

The linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E are optical functional layers that function as E-type linear polarizing plates. Here, the E-type linear polarizing plate is a linear polarizing plate including a polarizing layer formed by the orientation of dye molecules, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-59266 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-511109. is there. The polarizing layers of the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E have an absorption axis in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the dye molecules, and the abnormal light refractive index is smaller than the ordinary light refractive index. It is a polarizing layer having a higher transmittance than that of ordinary light (Ordinary Wave).

The E-type polarizing layer is formed by applying a coating liquid containing dye molecules related to the polarizing layer to prepare a coating film, and then mechanical stress (shearing force) is applied to the coating layer to apply dye molecules. It can be produced by orienting, and various production methods such as applying stress while applying a coating liquid can be applied. As a result, in this mode, the overall thickness is reduced, and various highly versatile film materials can be applied to the base materials 112B and 113B.

That is, in the dimming cell having the conventional configuration, the transmitted light of the liquid crystal layer incident on the linear polarizing plate needs to be kept from damaging the polarizing surface controlled by the liquid crystal layer, so that the optical anisotropy is small. It is necessary to use a transparent film material, which makes it difficult to apply a highly versatile film material. However, in the case where the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E are provided on the liquid crystal layer 114 side of the base materials 112B and 113B as in this mode, even if the transmitted light is variously polarized on the base materials 112B and 113B, the liquid crystal layer It is possible to prevent the transmitted light of 114 from affecting the plane of polarization, and thereby it is possible to apply a film material having a large optical anisotropy such as PET film to the base materials 112B and 113B. Therefore, a highly versatile transparent film material can be used.

Further, by applying the linearly polarizing plates 112D and 113E related to the E-type linearly polarizing plate, it is possible to sufficiently block the transmitted light in the oblique direction, whereby the overall thickness can be reduced without providing the compensation film. ..

Further, the linearly polarizing plates 112D and 113E related to such an E-type linearly polarizing plate can be provided inside the liquid crystal cell by the coating film, so that they are provided on the liquid crystal layer 114 side of the base materials 112B and 113B. , The configuration related to the linear polarizing plate can be simplified, and the thickness can be further reduced. Practically, when the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E are arranged as shown in FIG. 24, the thickness of the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E related to the E-type linear polarizing plate is about 1 μm, so that the dimming cell 22 as a whole The thickness can be set to about 300 μm, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the thickness as compared with the conventional case.

[Specific configuration of the first mode]
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of the dimming cell 22 according to the first mode of the present invention. The dimming cell 22 is formed in the shape of a film. The dimming cell 22 is a VA type dimming film that controls transmitted light by using a liquid crystal, and is a lower laminate 122 and an upper laminate 123, which are first and second film-shaped laminates, respectively. It is formed by sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 124. Here, the dimming cell 22 is a liquid crystal cell that controls the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules related to the liquid crystal layer 124 by the VA method.

That is, in the light control cell 22, the transparent electrode 122B, which is the first electrode, is formed on the entire surface of the base material 122A made of a transparent film material having hard coat layers on both sides of the lower laminated body 122. Here, for example, a PET film is applied to the base material 122A. Further, for example, ITO is applied to the transparent electrode 122B. Further, the lower laminated body 122 is sequentially provided with an E-shaped linear polarizing plate 122C, a negative C plate layer 122D, and an alignment film 122E.

In the upper laminate 123, a transparent electrode 123B, a linear polarizing plate 123C, and an alignment film 123D are sequentially produced on a base material 123A made of a transparent film material having hard coat layers on both sides. Here, the linear polarizing plates 122C and 123C are provided by a cross Nicol arrangement.

Here, ITO is applied to the transparent electrodes 122B and 123B. An E-type linear polarizing plate is applied to the linearly polarizing plates 122C and 123C, and more specifically, for example, the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-511109 can be applied, and optical anisotropy in the vertical direction can be applied. It is formed by a coating film of a dichroic organic dye that expresses. The negative C plate layer 122D has a refractive index distribution of nz <when the main refractive index in the plane is nx (slow phase axis direction), ny is the refractive index in the phase advance axis direction, and the refractive index in the thickness direction is nz. It is a negative uniaxial retardation optical layer satisfying nx = ny. The negative C plate layer 122D can be applied with, for example, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) film material, but in this mode, it is produced by a cholesteric polymerizable liquid crystal layer made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Although a photo-alignment film is applied to the alignment films 122E and 123D, various configurations such as an alignment film by a rubbing treatment and an alignment film for producing a fine line-shaped uneven shape by a shaping treatment can be applied.

In the dimming cell 22, a pillar-shaped spacer 125 that retains the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 124 is formed on the alignment film 122E of the lower laminate 122, but is provided on the negative C plate layer 122D. Alternatively, it may be provided on the linear polarizing plate 122C or the transparent electrode 122B. Further, it may be provided on the side of the upper laminated body 123, or may be provided on both the lower laminated body 122 and the upper laminated body 123.

In the dimming cell 22, a sealing agent is arranged in a frame shape surrounding the liquid crystal layer 124, and the sealing agent prevents leakage of the liquid crystal related to the liquid crystal layer 124, and further, the upper laminated body 123 and the lower laminated body 122 are formed. It is held together. Here, as the sealant, various materials capable of preventing leakage of the liquid crystal and integrally holding the upper laminate 123 and the lower laminate 122 can be applied, but in this mode, for example, heat from an epoxy resin can be applied. A curable resin, an ultraviolet curable resin made of an acrylic resin, a curable resin that is cured by heat and ultraviolet rays, and the like are applied.

As a result, in the dimming cell 22 of FIG. 25, an E-type linear polarizing plate is applied to the linear polarizing plates 122C and 123C, and the linear polarizing plate is placed on the liquid crystal layer 124 side of the lower laminated body 122 and the upper laminated body 123. By providing 122C and 123C, a highly versatile material can be applied to the base materials 122A and 123A of the lower laminate 122 and the upper laminate 123. Further, by applying the E-type linear polarizing plate to the linear polarizing plates 122C and 123C, the overall thickness can be reduced.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the manufacturing process of the dimming cell 22. In the manufacturing process of the light control cell, the upper laminate 123 and the lower laminate 122 are produced in the upper laminate manufacturing step SP102 and the lower laminate manufacturing step SP103, respectively. Further, in the laminating step SP104, after laminating the upper laminated body 123 and the lower laminated body 122 with the liquid crystal layer 124 sandwiched between them, the light control cell 22 is manufactured by integrating with a sealing agent.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the upper laminate manufacturing step SP102 in detail. In the upper laminate manufacturing step SP102 (SP111), a transparent electrode 123B is manufactured by ITO in the transparent electrode manufacturing step SP112, and a transparent electrode 123B is manufactured in the subsequent linear polarizing plate manufacturing step SP113. The material 123A is coated with the coating liquid of the linear polarizing plate 123C and then dried, whereby the linear polarizing plate 123C is produced. Further, in the linear polarizing plate manufacturing step, when the coating liquid is applied, or after the coating film is prepared, the coating film is stretched by a blade or the like to apply a shearing force to the coating film, and in the stretched direction. The dye related to the linear polarizing plate 123C is oriented, thereby producing the linear polarizing plate 123C so as to function as a linear polarizing plate. Subsequently, in this manufacturing step, in the alignment film manufacturing step SP114, the coating liquid according to the alignment film 123D is applied and dried, and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays by linear polarization to prepare the alignment film 123D. ..

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the lower laminate manufacturing step SP103 in detail. In the lower laminate manufacturing step SP103 (SP121), in the electrode manufacturing step SP122, the transparent electrode 122B by ITO is manufactured on the entire surface of the base material 122A by sputtering. Subsequently, in this manufacturing step, in the linearly polarizing plate manufacturing step SP123, in the same manner as in the linearly polarizing plate manufacturing step SP112, the coating liquid of the linearly polarizing plate 122C was applied and then dried, whereby the linearly polarizing plate 122C was formed. It is made. Subsequently, in this manufacturing step, in the C plate layer manufacturing step SP124, the coating liquid of the alignment film related to the negative C plate layer 122D is applied, dried, and the orientation regulating force is set by irradiation with ultraviolet rays or the like for orientation. A membrane is made. Further, a coating liquid for cholesteric liquid crystal is applied onto the alignment film, dried, and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, whereby a negative C plate layer 122D is produced.

Further, in the subsequent alignment film manufacturing step SP125, the alignment film 122E is formed by applying, drying, and exposing the coating liquid according to the alignment film 122E. Subsequently, in the spacer manufacturing step SP126, the spacer 125 is manufactured by applying a photoresist material on the entire surface, drying, exposing, and developing. A transparent film material such as TAC may be applied to the negative C plate layer 122D, and an alignment film 122E or the like may be prepared in advance on the transparent film material so as to be laminated on the base material 122A side.

[Second mode]
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the second mode of the present invention. The dimming cell 22 relates to the first mode except that the transparent electrode 122B is arranged between the alignment film 122E and the negative C plate layer 122D to form the lower laminate 132. It is configured to be the same as the optical cell 22.

According to this mode, even if the transparent electrode 122B is arranged between the alignment film 122E and the negative C plate layer 122D to form the lower laminated body, it is the same as the dimming cell 22 according to the first mode. The effect of can be obtained.

[Third mode]
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the third mode of the present invention. In this dimming cell 22, a transparent electrode 122B and an alignment film 122E are formed on a transparent film material made of TAC or the like related to the negative C plate layer 122D to prepare a laminate related to the negative C plate layer 122D, and the negative C plate layer is formed. The lower laminated body 142 is produced by laminating the laminated body according to the above with the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 142A on the base material 122A formed by producing the linear polarizing plate 122C. The transparent electrode 122B and the alignment film 122E may be produced after laminating the linear polarizing plate 122C on the transparent film material related to the negative C plate layer 122D on the base material 122A, or only the transparent electrode 122B is negative C. It may be produced in the transparent film material according to the plate layer 122D. In this mode, the structure is the same as that of the dimming cell according to the above mode, except that the structure of the lower laminated body 142 is different.

According to this mode, even if the laminate related to the negative C plate layer 122D is laminated with the adhesive layer to produce the lower laminate, it is the same as the dimming cell according to the first or second mode. The effect can be obtained.

[Fourth mode]
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the fourth mode of the present invention. In this light control cell 22, the transparent film material related to the negative C plate layer 122D in which the alignment film 122E and the spacer 125 are prepared is used as an adhesive on the base material 122A in which the transparent electrode 122B and the linear polarizing plate 122C are sequentially produced. The lower laminated body 152 is produced by being laminated by the layer 142A. The alignment film 122E and / or the spacer 125 may be manufactured after laminating with the base material 122A. In this mode, it is configured to be the same as the dimming cell according to the above-mentioned mode, except that the manufacturing order of each of these parts is different.

According to this mode, the adhesive layer 142A is formed on the base material 122A in which the transparent electrode 122B and the linear polarizing plate 122C are sequentially produced, and the laminate according to the negative C plate layer 122D in which the alignment film 122E and the spacer 125 are produced. The same effect as that of the above-mentioned mode can be obtained even if the lower laminated body 152 is produced by laminating with the above mode. Further, in this case, in the laminated body of the base material, the transparent electrode, and the linearly polarizing plate, the upper laminated body and the lower laminated body can have the same configuration, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. it can.

[Fifth mode]
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a dimming cell according to the fifth mode of the present invention. The dimming cell 22 is configured in the same manner as in the first mode, except that the negative C plate layer 122D is omitted and the lower laminated plate 162 is configured.

When the optical characteristics sufficient for practical use can be secured as in this mode, the negative C plate layer can be omitted to simplify the configuration, and the same effect as that of the above mode can be obtained.

[Other modes]
Although the specific configuration suitable for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention combines the above-mentioned modes and variously modifies the above-mentioned modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. can do.

For example, in the above-mentioned second mode, the case where the transparent electrode is arranged directly under the alignment film to form the lower laminated body has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper laminated body is also similarly described. The transparent electrode may be arranged directly under the alignment film.

Further, in the above-mentioned mode, the case where the spacer is produced by the column shape using the photoresist has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a so-called bead spacer may be applied.

Even when the light control cell 22 using the above-mentioned E-type linear polarizing plate is used, the optical transparent adhesive film 24 is arranged between the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 and the light transmission cell 22, and the light transmission plate 21 is used. One side of the dimming cell 22 can be adhered to the curved surface 20 of the above.

<Structure of sandwiching the dimming cell with a light transmitting plate>
The present invention is also applicable when the dimming cell 22 is sandwiched between a pair of light transmitting plates.

FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimming device 10. The dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33 is basically configured in the same manner as the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. That is, an optical transparent adhesive film 24 is arranged between the curved surface 20 of the first light transmitting plate 221 containing the ultraviolet blocking component and the dimming cell 22, and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 forms the curved surface 20 of the first light transmitting plate 221. One side of the dimming cell 22 is adhered. As described above, the first light transmitting plate 221 is configured in the same manner as the light transmitting plate 21 shown in FIG.

However, the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33 further includes a second light transmitting plate 222, and the dimming cell 22 is arranged between the first light transmitting plate 221 and the second light transmitting plate 222. The second light transmitting plate 222 is arranged apart from the light transmitting cell 22 with respect to the stacking direction of the first light transmitting plate 221 and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the dimming cell 22. The space between the light control cell 22 and the light control cell 22 is configured as an air gap (air layer). The second light transmitting plate 222 can be configured in the same manner as, for example, the first light transmitting plate 221. Of the surfaces of the second light transmitting plate 222, the surface facing the dimming cell 22 is the first light transmitting plate. It can be a curved surface similar to the curved surface 20 of 221. However, the second light transmitting plate 222 may have a shape different from that of the first light transmitting plate 221. For example, the surface of the second light transmitting plate 222 facing the dimming cell 22 may be a curved surface different from the curved surface 20 of the first light transmitting plate 221 or may be a flat surface. Further, the constituent components of the second light transmitting plate 222 may be the same as or different from the constituent components of the first light transmitting plate 221.

By providing an air gap between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the dimming cell 22, the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33 has excellent heat insulating performance and can prevent the dimming device 10 from overheating.

In the dimming device 10 of FIG. 33, the dimming cell 22 is protected by the first light transmitting plate 221 and the second light transmitting plate 222. Therefore, the dimming cell 22 does not have to have the hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG.

FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimmer 10. The dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 34 is basically configured in the same manner as the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33, but the second light transmitting plate 222 is the other of the dimming cells 22 via the adhesive layer 223. It is attached to the side.

The specific constituents of the adhesive layer 223 are not particularly limited. For example, the adhesive layer 223 can be formed of a thermoplastic resin having excellent adhesiveness such as PVB (polyvinyl butyral) or another adhesive material having light transmittance.

Even in the dimming device 10 of FIG. 34, since the dimming cell 22 is protected by the first light transmitting plate 221 and the second light transmitting plate 222, the dimming cell 22 does not have the hard coat layer 26. Good.

FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimming device 10. The dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 35 is basically configured in the same manner as the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33, but the space between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the dimming cell 22 is sealed by a sealing material 225. It is stopped and sealed. In the dimming cell 22 shown in FIG. 35, the space between the first light transmitting plate 221 and the second light transmitting plate 222 is sealed by the sealing material 225, and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the dimming cell are contained in the sealed space. 22 are arranged.

By arranging the functional member in the closed space between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the dimming cell 22, it is possible to add an arbitrary function to the dimming device 10. For example, by arranging silicone (Silicone) between the second light transmitting plate 222 sealed by the sealing material 225 and the dimming cell 22, the dimming device 10 is provided with the functional characteristics of silicone. Can be done. Further, another light-transmitting fluid (gas and liquid) or solid (including gel-like body) is arranged between the second light-transmitting plate 222 sealed by the sealing material 225 and the dimming cell 22. It is possible. A member containing one or more kinds of components may be filled in the closed space between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the dimming cell 22. Further, the sealed space between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the dimming cell 22 may be evacuated.

<Other functional layers>
An arbitrary functional layer may be added to the dimming device 10 according to the above-described embodiment and modification, and for example, the optical characteristics can be improved by adding an antireflection layer to the dimming device 10.

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the dimming device 10 provided with the antireflection layer 300. Similar to the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 36 is between a light transmitting plate 21 having a curved surface 20, a dimming cell 22, and a light transmitting plate 21 and a dimming cell 22. The optical transparent adhesive film 24 provided in the above is provided. However, in the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 36, the antireflection layer 300 is provided in the outermost layer of the dimming cell 22.

The specific type and configuration of the antireflection layer 300 is not particularly limited, but it reflects an optical layer capable of adjusting the reflection of incident light to exhibit excellent antiglare properties and suppress outward reflection. It can be used as the prevention layer 300. Typically, the antireflection layer 300 is an anti-glare (AG) layer that can reduce normal reflection by diffusing incident light, and anti-reflection (AR:) that can suppress normal reflection by utilizing the interference of reflected light. It includes at least one of an Anti Reflection) layer and a Low Reflection (LR) layer composed of a low-reflectivity low-reflection material. Therefore, for example, the antireflection layer 300 may be configured by an AGLR (AntiGlare Low Reflection) layer composed of a combination of an antiglare layer and a low reflection layer. The structure, constituent components, manufacturing method, etc. of the functional layer constituting the antireflection layer 300 are not particularly limited, and the antireflection layer 300 can be configured by using any functional layer.

The antireflection layer 300 shown in FIG. 36 is provided so as to cover the hard coat layer 26 (see FIG. 3) of the dimming cell 22. However, the hard coat layer 26 and the antireflection layer 300 may be realized by a single layer by mixing fine particles for reflection adjustment in the hard coat layer.

Although not shown, functional layers such as the antireflection layer 300 may be provided at other locations in the dimming device 10, for example, in addition to the antireflection layer 300 shown in FIG. 1 or in the antireflection layer 300. Alternatively, a functional layer such as an antireflection layer may be provided on the surface of the light transmitting plate 21. In this way, the antireflection layer 300 may be provided on at least one of the light control cell 22 and the light transmission plate 21.

FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the dimmer 10 including the antireflection layers 300, 301, 302. Similar to the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 33, the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 37 includes a first light transmitting plate 221 having a curved surface 20, a second light transmitting plate 222, a first light transmitting plate 221 and a first light transmitting plate 221. A dimming cell 22 provided between the two light transmitting plates 222 and an optical transparent adhesive film 24 provided between the first light transmitting plate 221 and the dimming cell 22 are provided.

However, in the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 37, the antireflection layer 300 is provided in the outermost layer of the dimming cell 22, and the front surface (upper side surface of FIG. 37) and the back surface (lower side of FIG. 37) of the second light transmission plate 222 are provided. Antireflection layers 301 and 302 are provided on the side surface). The antireflection layers 300, 301, and 302 can include, for example, at least one of an antiglare layer, an antireflection layer, and a low reflection layer as described above. Further, the antireflection layers 300, 301 and 302 may have the same function and configuration as each other, or may have different functions and configurations from each other.

According to the dimming device 10 shown in FIG. 37, for example, the antireflection layers 300 and 301 can improve the light transmittance, and the antireflection layer 302 can prevent reflection.

Although not shown, functional layers such as the antireflection layers 300, 301, and 302 may be provided at other locations of the dimming device 10. For example, in addition to the antireflection layers 300, 301, 302 shown in FIG. 37, or instead of the antireflection layers 300, 301, 302, a functional layer such as an antireflection layer is provided on the surface of the first light transmission plate 221. May be good. Further, any one or two of the antireflection layers 300, 301, and 302 shown in FIG. 37 may not be provided. In this way, the antireflection layer 300 can be provided on at least one of the light control cell 22 and the second light transmission plate 222. From the viewpoint of improving visibility, it is often preferable to arrange a functional layer such as an antireflection layer on the observer side. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 37, when the second light transmitting plate 222 is arranged closer to the observer than the first light transmitting plate 221, the second light transmitting plate 222 is more antireflection than the first light transmitting plate 221. It is often preferable to arrange a functional layer such as a layer.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, but may include various aspects to which various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are added, and the effects produced by the present invention are also described above. It is not limited to the matters of. Therefore, various additions, changes, and partial deletions can be made to the scope of claims and each element described in the specification without departing from the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

10 Dimming device 20 Curved surface 20a Three-dimensional curved surface 21 Light transmitting plate 22 Dimming cell 24 Optical transparent adhesive film 26 Hard coat layer 29 First resin base material 30 Second resin base material 31 First electrode layer 32 Second electrode layer 33 1st alignment film 34 2nd alignment film 35 Liquid crystal space 36 Sealing material 41 1st polarizing plate 42 2nd polarizing plate 43 1st electrode alignment layer 44 2nd electrode alignment layer 45 Phase difference compensation film 45a Phase difference compensation film 46 Adhesive layer 47 Protective layer 48 Polarizing layer 49 Liquid crystal layer 52 Spacer 53 Hard coat layer 55 Index matching layer 61 Bicolor dye 62 Liquid crystal 112 Lower laminate 112A Hard coat layer 112B Base material 112C Hard coat layer 112D Linear polarizing plate 112E Alignment film 112F Plate layer 112G Transparent electrode 113 Upper laminate 113A Hard coat layer 113B Base material 113C Hard coat layer 113D Transparent electrode 113E Linear polarizing plate 113F Alignment film 114 Liquid crystal layer 115 Spacer 122 Lower laminate 122A Base material 122B Transparent electrode 122C Linear polarizing plate 122D Plate layer 122E Alignment film 123 Upper laminate 123A Base material 123B Transparent electrode 123C Linear polarizing plate 123D Alignment film 124 Liquid crystal layer 125 Spacer 132 Lower laminate 142 Lower laminate 142A Adhesive layer 152 Lower laminate 162 Lower Laminated plate 221 First light transmitting plate 222 Second light transmitting plate 223 Adhesive layer 225 Sealing material 226 Sealed space 300 Anti-reflection layer 301 Anti-reflection layer 302 Anti-reflection layer

Claims (21)

A light transmitting plate with a curved surface and
Dimming cell and
A dimming device including an optically transparent adhesive film arranged between the curved surface of the light transmitting plate and the dimming cell and adhering one side of the dimming cell to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. hand,
The dimming cell is a dimming device having a liquid crystal layer containing a dichroic dye. A light transmitting plate with a curved surface and
Dimming cell and
A dimming device including an optically transparent adhesive film arranged between the curved surface of the light transmitting plate and the dimming cell and adhering one side of the dimming cell to the curved surface of the light transmitting plate. hand,
The dimming cell
A first laminated body including a first base material, a first transparent electrode and a first alignment film provided on the first base material, and
A second laminate containing a second base material and a second alignment film provided on the second base material,
It has a liquid crystal layer provided between the first laminated body and the second laminated body, and has.
Each of the first laminated body and the second laminated body is a dimming device including an E-type linear polarizing plate. The linear polarizing plate of the first laminated body is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the first base material.
The dimming device according to claim 2, wherein the linear polarizing plate of the second laminated body is provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the second base material. The first laminated body has
The first transparent electrode, the linear polarizing plate, the negative C plate layer, and the first alignment film are sequentially provided on the first substrate.
The second laminated body has
The dimming device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the linear polarizing plate and the second alignment film are sequentially provided on the second base material. The first laminated body has
The linear polarizing plate, the negative C plate layer, the first transparent electrode, and the first alignment film are sequentially provided on the first substrate.
The second laminated body has
The dimming device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the linear polarizing plate and the second alignment film are sequentially provided on the second base material. The dimming device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the first laminated body, the negative C plate layer is laminated on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The first light transmitting plate with a curved surface and
The second light transmission plate and
A dimming cell arranged between the first light transmitting plate and the second light transmitting plate,
An optical transparent adhesive film that is arranged between the curved surface of the first light transmitting plate and the dimming cell and adheres one side of the dimming cell to the curved surface of the first light transmitting plate. Optical device. The dimming device according to claim 7, wherein the second light transmitting plate is arranged apart from the dimming cell. The dimming device according to claim 7, wherein the second light transmitting plate is attached to the dimming cell via an adhesive layer. The dimming device according to claim 7, wherein the second light transmitting plate and the dimming cell are sealed with a sealing material. The dimming device according to claim 10, wherein silicone is arranged between the second light transmitting plate sealed with the sealing material and the dimming cell. The dimming device according to claim 10, wherein a vacuum is formed between the second light transmitting plate sealed with the sealing material and the dimming cell. The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light transmitting plate has a higher bending rigidity than the dimming cell. The dimming device according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the first light transmitting plate has a higher bending rigidity than the dimming cell. The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an antireflection layer. With an additional anti-reflective layer
The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 13, wherein the antireflection layer is provided on at least one of the dimming cell and the light transmitting plate. With an additional anti-reflective layer
The dimming device according to any one of claims 7 to 12 and 14, wherein the antireflection layer is provided on at least one of the dimming cell and the second light transmitting plate. The dimming device according to claim 15, wherein the antireflection layer includes at least one of an antiglare layer, an antireflection layer, and a low reflection layer. The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the curved surface is a three-dimensional curved surface. Wherein the optically transparent adhesive film, the thickness related to the direction in which the optical transparent adhesive film and the light control cell is laminated, it is 50μm or more 500μm or less, the storage modulus at room temperature environment, 1 × 10 7 ^Pa to 1 × 10 is ⁸ Pa or less dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 19. The dimming device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the optical transparent adhesive film has a loss tangent of 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less.

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