JP2023053257A - Light control cell and manufacturing method thereof, light control device, and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light control cell capable of suppressing degradation of optical characteristics in dimmer, a manufacturing method thereof, and a light control device and manufacturing method thereof.

SOLUTION: Each of light control cells 20A, 20B includes: a first laminate 21 including a first substrate 24 and a first transparent electrode 25; a second laminate 22 including a second substrate 27 and a second transparent electrode 28; and a seal material 32 disposed between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22. Between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22, a liquid crystal layer 23 is disposed in a region 32a enclosed by the seal material 32. Alignment marks 33A and 33B are provided inside or outside the region 32a.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present disclosure relates to a dimming cell and its manufacturing method, and a dimming device and its manufacturing method.

Conventionally, a light control member that is used in combination with a light-transmitting member such as a window and that can be used for electronic blinds that control the transmission of external light, and a light control device that uses such a light control member have been proposed. (See Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example). A liquid crystal film having a liquid crystal layer is known as one of such light control members. This liquid crystal film is produced by sandwiching a liquid crystal material between transparent resin substrates including transparent electrodes, and further sandwiching this between linear polarizing plates. The liquid crystal film can change the orientation of the liquid crystal by changing the electric field applied between the transparent electrodes, and can control the transmission amount of external light.

Japanese Patent No. 6135816 JP 2017-187810 A

When such a liquid crystal film is used as a light control member that can be used for automobile roof windows, side windows, etc., the liquid crystal film (light control cell) is sandwiched between a pair of glasses with an intermediate film interposed between them, and laminated glass and It is preferable to

Further, in such a laminated glass, it is considered to sandwich two layers of liquid crystal films between two sheets of glass in order to further enhance the light shielding property. However, when two layers of liquid crystal films are laminated, it is conceivable that their optical axes are shifted during the laminated glass processing step. If the optical axes of the two layers of liquid crystal films are deviated from each other, there is a risk that the optical properties such as the light shielding properties will be degraded.

The present embodiment provides a light control cell, a method for manufacturing the same, a light control device and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of suppressing deterioration in optical characteristics of the light control device.

The light control cell according to the present embodiment includes a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode, a second laminate including a second substrate and a second transparent electrode, and the first laminate a sealing material arranged between the body and the second laminate; and a liquid crystal layer arranged in a region surrounded by the sealing material between the first laminate and the second laminate. An alignment mark is provided inside or outside the region.

In the light control cell according to this embodiment, the alignment mark may be formed inside the region with the same material as the sealing material.

In the light control cell according to this embodiment, the alignment mark may be formed outside the region with the same material as the sealing material.

In the light modulating cell according to the present embodiment, the alignment mark is formed outside the region, is composed of part of the first laminate and the second laminate, and protrudes outward. May contain pieces.

A light control device according to this embodiment includes a first glass plate, a second glass plate, and the light control cell disposed between the first glass plate and the second glass plate. .

A light control device according to the present embodiment includes a first glass plate, a second glass plate, and a first light control cell and a second light control cell disposed between the first glass plate and the second glass plate. and a light cell, wherein the first light control cell and the second light control cell are the light control cells respectively, and the alignment mark of the first light control cell and the alignment mark of the second light control cell Alignment marks are aligned with each other.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, each of the first light control cell and the second light control cell is arranged outside the region between the first laminate and the second laminate, and the an external electrode substrate electrically connected to the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, wherein the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell , may be displaced from each other in plan view.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on opposite sides of the photocell.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on adjacent sides of the photocell.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on the same side of the photocell.

A light control device according to the present embodiment includes a first glass plate, a second glass plate, and a first light control cell and a second light control cell disposed between the first glass plate and the second glass plate. a light cell, wherein the first light control cell and the second light control cell each include a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode; a second substrate and a second transparent electrode; a sealing material disposed between the first layered body and the second layered body; and a sealing material between the first layered body and the second layered body. a liquid crystal layer arranged in the surrounded region; and an external electrode substrate to be connected, wherein the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on opposite sides of the photocell.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on adjacent sides of the photocell.

In the light control device according to this embodiment, the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are the same as the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. They may be located on the same side of the photocell.

A light control device according to this embodiment includes a first glass plate, a second glass plate, and a light control cell and a polarizing plate that are arranged between the first glass plate and the second glass plate. wherein the dimming cell is the dimming cell, the polarizing plate has an alignment mark, and the alignment mark of the dimming cell and the alignment mark of the polarizing plate are aligned with each other ing.

A method for manufacturing a light control cell according to the present embodiment includes steps of preparing a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode, and preparing a second laminate including a second substrate and a second transparent electrode. disposing a sealing material on the second laminate; disposing a liquid crystal layer in a region surrounded by the sealing material; and disposing the liquid crystal layer on the second laminate. and a step of stacking the first laminate on each other, and a step of providing an alignment mark inside or outside the region.

A method for manufacturing a light control device according to the present embodiment comprises steps of preparing a first light control cell and a second light control cell, preparing a first glass plate and a second glass plate, and a step of sandwiching the first light control cell and the second light control cell using the second glass plate, the first glass plate, the first light control cell, the second light control cell and the second light control cell a step of integrally joining two glass plates, wherein the first light control cell and the second light control cell are the light control cells respectively; the alignment mark of the first light control cell; The alignment marks of the second dimming cell are aligned with each other.

A method for manufacturing a light control device according to the present embodiment comprises steps of preparing a first light control cell and a second light control cell, preparing a first glass plate and a second glass plate, and a step of sandwiching the first light control cell and the second light control cell using the second glass plate, the first glass plate, the first light control cell, the second light control cell and the second light control cell a step of integrally joining two glass plates, wherein each of the first light control cell and the second light control cell includes a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode; a second laminate including two substrates and a second transparent electrode; a sealing material disposed between the first laminate and the second laminate; and the first laminate and the second laminate. and a liquid crystal layer disposed in a region surrounded by the sealing material between and between the first layered body and the second layered body, disposed outside the region between the first transparent electrode and the and an external electrode substrate electrically connected to a second transparent electrode, wherein the external electrode substrate of the first light-modulating cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light-modulating cell are arranged in plan view. are staggered from each other.

A method for manufacturing a light control device according to the present embodiment includes a step of preparing the light control cell and a step of preparing a polarizing plate, wherein an alignment mark is provided on the polarizing plate or a protective film covering the polarizing plate. a step of preparing a first glass plate and a second glass plate; a step of aligning the alignment mark of the light control cell with the alignment mark of the polarizing plate or the protective film; a step of sandwiching the light control cell and the polarizing plate using the first glass plate and the second glass plate; and integrating the first glass plate, the light control cell, the polarizing plate, and the second glass plate. and a step of bonding to.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deterioration in optical characteristics of the light control device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a light control device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control device according to one embodiment. FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing respective liquid crystal layers of the first light control cell and the second light control cell. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) are plan views showing alignment marks of each light control cell. FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are plan views showing modifications of the alignment marks of each light control cell. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are plan views showing modifications of the alignment marks of each light control cell. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are plan views showing modifications of the alignment marks of each light control cell. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the external electrode substrate in the light control cell. 9(a) and 9(b) are plan views showing the arrangement of the external electrode substrates of each light control cell. 10(a) and 10(b) are plan views showing modifications of the arrangement of the external electrode substrates of the light control cells. FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are plan views showing modifications of the arrangement of the external electrode substrates of the light control cells. 12(a) to 12(d) are cross-sectional views showing a method of manufacturing a light control cell according to one embodiment. 13(a) to 13(e) are cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a light control cell according to one embodiment. 14(a)-(c) are cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing a light control device according to an embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminate constituting a light control device. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the light control device according to one embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the light control device according to one embodiment. FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams showing alignment marks in the second modification, respectively. FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams showing alignment marks in the second modification.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. FIG.

The light control device 10 described below can be applied to various technical fields requiring adjustment of light transmittance, and the scope of application is not particularly limited. The light control device 10 is, for example, a window glass of a building, a showcase, an indoor transparent partition, a part for light control such as a window of a vehicle (a part where external light is incident, for example, front, side, rear, It is placed on a window such as a roof, etc., and can control the amount of incident light to the inside of a building, vehicle, or the like.

Note that the light control device 10 described below merely exemplifies one embodiment. Therefore, for example, some of the elements listed below as components of the light control device 10 may be replaced with other elements, or may not be included. Elements not listed below may also be included as constituent elements of the light control device 10 . Also, in the drawings, for convenience of illustration and easy understanding, there are portions where scales, dimensional ratios, etc. are appropriately changed or exaggerated from those of the actual ones.

(dimmer)
FIG. 1 shows a light control device (laminated glass) 10 according to this embodiment. The light control device 10 according to the present embodiment has a three-dimensional shape having a curved surface shape. have. In addition, the light control device 10 is not limited to this. configuration), and the like. Here, the three-dimensional shape is not a simple cylindrical surface, but a curved surface that cannot be constructed by simply deforming a flat surface without expansion and contraction. curved surface) or a two-dimensional shape (two-dimensional curved surface) that is two-dimensionally bent with different curvatures about a plurality of mutually parallel axes. That is, a three-dimensional shape is a shape with surfaces that are partially or wholly curved about each of a plurality of axes that are tilted with respect to each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the light control device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first glass plate 11, a first intermediate film 13, a first light control cell 20A, a third intermediate film 15, a second light control It has a photocell 20B, a second intermediate film 14, and a second glass plate 12. As shown in FIG. First glass plate 11, first intermediate film 13, first light control cell 20A, third intermediate film 15, second light control cell 20B, second intermediate film 14, and second glass plate 12 are stacked in this order.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the light control device 10 according to this embodiment. Although the light control device 10 of the present embodiment has a three-dimensional surface shape, the surface shape of the light control device 10 is planar in FIG. 2 for easy understanding. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the case.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light control device 10 includes a first glass plate 11, a second glass plate 12, and a first light control cell disposed between the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12. 20A and a second light control cell 20B (hereinafter also referred to as light control cells 20A and 20B). The dimming cells 20A and 20B each comprise a first laminate 21 including a first substrate 24, a first transparent electrode 25 and a first alignment layer 26, a second substrate 27, a second transparent electrode 28 and a second a second stack 22 including an alignment layer 29 and a liquid crystal layer 23 disposed between the first stack 21 and the second stack 22 .

The 1st glass plate (transparent member) 11 and the 2nd glass plate (transparent member) 12 are each arranged on the front and back of the light control device 10, and are plate glass which has high translucency. Each of the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 has a three-dimensional shape having a curved surface shape, and is formed in advance in a shape having a curved shape that is convex on one surface side (see FIG. 1). ). In this case, the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 are formed so that the first glass plate 11 side is convex with respect to the second glass plate 12 side. Further, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 is 1 mm or more and 4 mm or less, and as an example, plate glass with a thickness of 2 mm is used. The first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 may be inorganic glass or resin glass. As the resin glass, for example, polycarbonate, acryl, or the like can be used. When inorganic glass is used for the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, the light control device 10 can have excellent heat resistance and scratch resistance. On the other hand, when resin glass is used as the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, the light control device 10 can be made lighter. Further, the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 may be subjected to surface treatment such as hard coating, if necessary.

The first intermediate film 13 is a member that joins the first glass plate 11 and the first light control cell 20A. The second intermediate film 14 is a member that joins the second glass plate 12 and the second light control cell 20B. Similarly, the third intermediate film 15 is a member that joins the first light control cell 20A and the second light control cell 20B. In this embodiment, the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15 each use a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) resin sheet. The materials for the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15 are not limited to PVB, but may be EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), COP (cycloolefin polymer), or the like. may As the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15, it is preferable to use those that do not contain a plasticizer. Also, the thicknesses of the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15 may be appropriately selected according to their materials and the like. Specifically, the thickness of the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15 may be 300 μm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and as an example, a thickness of 760 μm is used.

The light control cells 20A and 20B (light control film, liquid crystal film) are films capable of controlling the amount of transmitted light by changing the applied voltage. The light control cells 20A and 20B are arranged so as to be sandwiched between the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12. As shown in FIG. The light control cells 20A and 20B have a guest-host type liquid crystal layer using a dichroic dye, and are members that change the amount of transmitted light by an electric field applied to the liquid crystal. The light control cells 20A and 20B each include a film-like first laminate 21, a film-like second laminate 22, and a liquid crystal layer 23 disposed between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22. and The configurations of the light control cells 20A and 20B are substantially the same except for the positions of the alignment marks 33A and 33B and the position of the external electrode substrate 35, as will be described later.

The first laminate 21 is formed by laminating a first substrate 24 , a first transparent electrode 25 and a first alignment layer 26 . That is, the first substrate 24, the first transparent electrode 25, and the first alignment layer 26 are laminated in this order from the first intermediate film 13 side. Also, the second laminate 22 is formed by laminating a second substrate 27 , a second transparent electrode 28 and a second alignment layer 29 . That is, the second substrate 27, the second transparent electrode 28, and the second alignment layer 29 are stacked in this order from the second intermediate film 14 side.

Furthermore, a plurality of columnar spacers 40 and a plurality of bead spacers 31 are arranged between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 . The liquid crystal layer 23 is arranged between the plurality of columnar spacers 40 and between the plurality of bead spacers 31 between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 . The plurality of columnar spacers 40 and the plurality of bead spacers 31 may be arranged irregularly or regularly.

The light-modulating cells 20A and 20B are driven by the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 provided on the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22, respectively, so that the guest-host liquid crystal composition provided in the liquid crystal layer 23 is changed. The orientation of the liquid crystal material is changed by an object, thereby changing the amount of transmitted light.

The first base material 24 and the second base material 27 are made of transparent resin and can be applied with flexible films. As the first base material 24 and the second base material 27, a transparent resin film having a small optical anisotropy and a transmittance of 80% or more in the visible wavelength range (380 nm or more and 800 nm or less) can be used. desirable. Materials for the transparent resin film include, for example, acetylcellulose-based resins such as triacetylcellulose (TAC), polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). , polystyrene, polymethylpentene, EVA and other polyolefin resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride and other vinyl resins, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, polysulfone (PEF), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate ( PC), polysulfone, polyether (PE), polyetherketone (PEK), (meth)acrylonitrile, cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer and the like. Resins such as polycarbonate, cycloolefin polymer, and polyethylene terephthalate are particularly preferable as the material for the transparent resin film. The thickness of the transparent resin film used as the first base material 24 and the second base material 27 can be appropriately selected within a range in which the transparent resin film has flexibility, although it depends on the material. The thicknesses of the first base material 24 and the second base material 27 may each be 50 μm or more and 200 μm or less. In this embodiment, a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 100 μm is applied as an example of the first base material 24 and the second base material 27 .

The first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 are composed of transparent conductive films laminated on the first substrate 24 and the second substrate 27 (transparent resin film), respectively. As the transparent conductive film, various transparent electrode materials that are applied to this type of transparent resin film can be applied, and an oxide-based transparent metal thin film having a total light transmittance of 50% or more can be used. . Examples include tin oxide, indium oxide, and zinc oxide.

Tin oxide (SnO ₂ )-based materials include Nesa (tin oxide SnO ₂ ), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide), and fluorine-doped tin oxide. Indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ )-based materials include indium oxide, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide). Zinc oxide (ZnO) systems include zinc oxide, AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), and gallium-doped zinc oxide. In this embodiment, the transparent conductive film forming the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 is made of ITO.

The bead spacer 31 is a member that defines the thickness (cell gap) of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 23 excluding the outer peripheral portion. In this embodiment, spherical bead spacers are used as bead spacers 31 . The diameter of the bead spacer 31 may range from 1 μm to 20 μm, preferably from 3 μm to 15 μm. The bead spacers 31 can be widely applied with inorganic materials such as silica, organic materials, core-shell structures combining these materials, and the like. Moreover, the bead spacer 31 may be configured in a rod shape such as a cylindrical shape, an elliptical columnar shape, a polygonal columnar shape, or the like, in addition to the spherical configuration. The bead spacers 31 are made of a transparent member, but if necessary, a colored material may be applied to adjust the color.

In this embodiment, the bead spacers 31 are provided on the second laminate 22, but are not limited to this. It may be provided only on the laminate 21 .

The first alignment layer 26 and the second alignment layer 29 are members for aligning the liquid crystal molecule group contained in the liquid crystal layer 23 in a desired direction. The first alignment layer 26 and the second alignment layer 29 are formed by photo-alignment layers. Photo-alignment materials that can be applied to the photo-alignment layer can widely apply various materials to which the method of photo-alignment can be applied. can. In this embodiment mode, a photodimerization type material is used. Examples of photodimerizable materials include cinnamate, coumarin, benzylidenephthalimidine, benzylideneacetophenone, diphenylacetylene, stilbazole, uracil, quinolinone, maleimide, and polymers having cinnamylideneacetic acid derivatives. Among them, a polymer containing either or both of cinnamate and coumarin is preferably used because of its good orientation control force.

A rubbing alignment layer may be used instead of the photo-alignment layer. With respect to the rubbing alignment layer, the rubbing treatment may not be performed, or the alignment layer may be produced by performing a rubbing treatment and performing a molding treatment to form a fine line-shaped concave-convex shape. In this embodiment, each of the light control cells 20A and 20B includes the first alignment layer 26 and the second alignment layer 29, respectively. It is good also as a form which does not have.

Guest-host liquid crystal compositions and dichroic dye compositions can be widely applied to the liquid crystal layer 23 . The guest-host liquid crystal composition may contain a chiral agent so that when the liquid crystal material is horizontally aligned, it is aligned in a spiral shape in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 23 .

Between the first laminated body 21 and the second laminated body 22, a ring-shaped or frame-shaped sealing material 32 is arranged in plan view. A liquid crystal layer 23 is arranged in a region 32 a surrounded by the sealing material 32 . The sealing material 32 holds the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 together and prevents leakage of the liquid crystal material. Thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin and acrylic resin, ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied to the sealing material 32 .

In the light-modulating cells 20A and 20B, the first alignment layer 26 and the second alignment layer 29 are regulated in a predetermined direction by pretilt so that the guest-host liquid crystal composition is aligned when an electric field is applied when the light is shielded. It is composed of a vertical alignment layer with a force set, thereby being configured as normally clear. It should be noted that the setting during light transmission may be configured as a normally dark state during application of an electric field. Here, normally dark means a structure in which the transmittance is minimized when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, resulting in a black screen. Normally clear is a structure in which the transmittance is maximized and the liquid crystal becomes transparent when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal.

Note that FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram for explaining the liquid crystal layer 23 (light shielding state) of the light control cells 20A and 20B. FIG. 3(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining the liquid crystal layer 23 (light transmission state) of the light control cells 20A and 20B, which are the same as in FIG. 3(a). The liquid crystal layer 23 of each light control cell 20A, 20B has a dichroic dye 23a and a liquid crystal 23b. Note that FIGS. 3A and 3B conceptually illustrate the dichroic dye 23a and the liquid crystal 23b in order to show the orientation directions of the dichroic dye 23a and the liquid crystal 23b.

When the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28) of each light control cell 20A, 20B is turned ON, a desired electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 23, and dichroism The pigment 23a and the liquid crystal 23b are arranged in the horizontal direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction L of light) (see FIG. 3A). As a result, the light entering the liquid crystal layer 23 is blocked (absorbed) by the dichroic dye 23a. In particular, it is preferable that the orientation of the dichroic pigment 23a of the first light-modulating cell 20A form an angle of 90° in plan view with respect to the orientation of the dichroic pigment 23a of the second light-modulating cell 20B. As a result, light entering the liquid crystal layer 23 can be more effectively blocked (absorbed) by the light control cells 20A and 20B.

On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28) of each light control cell 20A, 20B is turned off, the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 No voltage is applied, and the dichroic dye 23a and the liquid crystal 23b are aligned in the vertical direction (that is, the light traveling direction L) (see FIG. 3B). In this case, the light shielding performance of the dichroic dye 23a against the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 23 is not exhibited so much regardless of the vibration direction of the light, and the light that enters the liquid crystal layer 23 is highly likely to pass through the liquid crystal layer 23 (dichroic It passes through the pigment 23a and the liquid crystal 23b).

Although the light control cells 20A and 20B of the present embodiment are provided with the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 23, the present invention is not limited to this. The light control cells 20A and 20B may be configured to have a liquid crystal layer 23 such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, a VA (Vertical Alignment) method, or an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) method that does not use a dichroic dye composition. good. When such a liquid crystal layer 23 is provided, further providing a linear polarizing layer on each of the surfaces of the first base material 24 and the second base material 27 can function as a light control film.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, a plurality of columnar spacers 40 are arranged between the first alignment layer 26 of the first laminate 21 and the second alignment layer 29 of the second laminate 22 . Also, the columnar spacer 40 is located in a region 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32. As shown in FIG. This columnar spacer 40 is adhered to the second laminate 22 and not adhered to the first laminate 21 . That is, each columnar spacer 40 is adhered to the second alignment layer 29 , but is not adhered to the first alignment layer 26 and is in surface contact or close contact with the first alignment layer 26 . Alternatively, the columnar spacer 40 may adhere to the first laminate 21 and not adhere to the second laminate 22 .

The columnar spacers 40 may be formed from a photoresist, or may be formed from a printed layer. In this embodiment, the columnar spacers 40 are provided on the second laminate 22 , but are not limited to this, and may be provided on the first laminate 21 . Either one of the bead spacers 31 and the columnar spacers 40 may be provided, and both may not necessarily be provided.

In this embodiment, the first dimming cell 20A has a first alignment mark 33A and the second dimming cell 20B has a second alignment mark 33B. Specifically, the first alignment mark 33A and the second alignment mark 33B (hereinafter also referred to as alignment marks 33A and 33B) are located inside the area 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32 of the dimming cells 20A and 20B (see FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4(a)-(c)) or outside (see FIGS. 5(a)-(c), 6(a)-(c) and 7(a)-(c)) ing. The alignment marks 33A and 33B are provided for correctly positioning the light control cells 20A and 20B, as will be described later. In the light control device 10, when the light control cells 20A and 20B are accurately positioned, the alignment marks 33A and 33B are aligned and matched in plan view. Therefore, the alignment marks 33A and 33B are provided at positions that overlap each other in plan view.

In this specification, the term "planar view" refers to the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 regardless of whether the surface shapes of the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 are curved or planar (non-curved). It refers to the case when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the second glass plate 12 .

FIGS. 4(a)-(c) show dimming cells 20A, 20B with alignment marks 33A, 33B. 4A is a plan view showing the first light control cell 20A, FIG. 4B is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B, and FIG. 4C is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which one light control cell 20A and a second light control cell 20B are overlapped;

As shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), the first alignment mark 33A is formed inside the region 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32 of the first light control cell 20A. Similarly, the second alignment mark 33B is formed inside the area 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32 of the second light control cell 20B. The alignment marks 33A and 33B are made of the same material as the sealing material 32 of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. In this case, each of the alignment marks 33A and 33B has a cross shape in plan view. The planar shape of each of the alignment marks 33A and 33B is not limited to the cross shape, and may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. Further, although the planar shapes of the alignment marks 33A and 33B are the same, the alignment marks 33A and 33B may have different shapes (for example, a cross shape and a circular shape).

4A to 4C, the alignment marks 33A and 33B are arranged inside the region 32a and near the corners of the sealing material 32, respectively. However, the arrangement positions and the number of alignment marks 33A and 33B are not limited to this. One or a plurality of alignment marks 33A and 33B may be provided in each of the light control cells 20A and 20B. For example, a total of four alignment marks 33A and 33B may be arranged at the four corners of the area 32a. In order to make the alignment marks 33A and 33B inconspicuous, it is preferable to arrange the alignment marks 33A and 33B at positions close to the sealing material 32. FIG.

Since the light control cells 20A and 20B have the alignment marks 33A and 33B in this manner, the light control cells 20A and 20B can be accurately positioned relative to each other when processing the laminated glass for manufacturing the light control device 10. and the optical axes of the light control cells 20A and 20B can be precisely aligned with each other. In addition, since the alignment marks 33A and 33B are made of the same material as the sealing material 32, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can be formed together in the process of forming the sealing material 32. FIG.

FIGS. 5(a)-(c) show modifications of the dimming cells 20A, 20B having alignment marks 33A, 33B. 5A is a plan view showing the first light control cell 20A, FIG. 5B is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B, and FIG. 5C is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which one light control cell 20A and a second light control cell 20B are overlapped;

As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), the alignment marks 33A and 33B are formed outside the region 32a with the same material as the sealing material 32 of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. In this case, the alignment marks 33A and 33B each extend continuously from the sealing material 32 in a straight line in plan view. The planar shapes of the alignment marks 33A and 33B are not limited to linear shapes, and may be curved shapes or the like. In this case, the planar shapes of the alignment marks 33A and 33B are the same shape, but they may be different shapes.

A pair of alignment marks 33A and 33B are provided outside the region 32a. However, the arrangement positions and the number of alignment marks 33A and 33B are not limited to this. One or a plurality of alignment marks 33A and 33B may be provided in each of the light control cells 20A and 20B. For example, alignment marks 33A and 33B may extend from the four corners of region 32a.

In this case, since the alignment marks 33A and 33B are positioned outside the region 32a, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can be made inconspicuous. In addition, since the alignment marks 33A and 33B are made of the same material as the sealing material 32, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can be formed together in the process of forming the sealing material 32. FIG.

FIGS. 6(a)-(c) show other modifications of the dimming cells 20A, 20B having alignment marks 33A, 33B. 6A is a plan view showing the first light control cell 20A, FIG. 6B is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B, and FIG. 6C is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which one light control cell 20A and a second light control cell 20B are overlapped;

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, each of the alignment marks 33A and 33B is formed outside the region 32a and is composed of a protruding piece 34a protruding outward in the plane direction. The alignment marks 33A and 33B (protruding pieces 34a) each include either one of the first laminated body 21 and the second laminated body 22, and have one of the following combinations. (i) Alignment mark 33A includes first laminate 21, and alignment mark 33B includes first laminate 21; (ii) alignment mark 33A includes second laminate 22 and alignment mark 33B includes first laminate 21; (iii) The alignment mark 33A includes the second laminate 22, and the alignment mark 33B includes the second laminate 22; When the alignment marks 33A and 33B have any of the configurations described above, a substrate (the first substrate 24 or the second 2 substrate 27) is interposed. This can prevent the electrodes of the alignment marks 33A and 33B from being short-circuited when the laminated body 10A, which will be described later, is pressed at high pressure during processing of the laminated glass. Further, although the alignment marks 33A and 33B each have a rectangular shape in a plan view, they are not limited to this, and may have a semicircular shape or the like. Although the planar shapes of the alignment marks 33A and 33B are the same, they may have different shapes.

Alignment marks 33A and 33B are provided at approximately the center of one side of the first laminated body 21 and the second laminated body 22, respectively. However, the arrangement positions and the number of alignment marks 33A and 33B are not limited to this. One or a plurality of alignment marks 33A and 33B may be provided in each of the light control cells 20A and 20B.

In this case, since the alignment marks 33A and 33B are positioned outside the region 32a, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can be made inconspicuous. In addition, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can also be formed together in the step of trimming the stacked body of the first stacked body 21 and the second stacked body 22 .

FIGS. 7(a)-(c) show other modifications of the dimming cells 20A, 20B having alignment marks 33A, 33B. 7A is a plan view showing the first light control cell 20A, FIG. 7B is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B, and FIG. 7C is a plan view showing the second light control cell 20B. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which one light control cell 20A and a second light control cell 20B are overlapped;

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, each of the alignment marks 33A and 33B is formed outside the region 32a and includes a protruding piece 34a that protrudes outward in the plane direction. Further, an extending portion 34b is formed of the same material as that of the sealing material 32 on the projecting piece 34a. In this case, the extending portions 34b extend continuously from the sealing material 32 in a straight line in plan view. The configuration of the projecting piece 34a is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 6(a)-(c), and the configuration of the extending portion 34b is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 5(a)-(c).

In this case, since the alignment marks 33A and 33B are positioned outside the region 32a, the alignment marks 33A and 33B can be made inconspicuous. Further, the extended portion 34b can be formed in the process of forming the sealing material 32, and the projecting piece 34a can be formed in the process of trimming the laminate of the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22. .
Furthermore, by providing the extended portion 34b, the projecting pieces 34a of the light control cells 20A and 20B are less likely to come into contact with each other, thereby preventing a short circuit between the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 included in the projecting pieces 34a. can do.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the dimming device 10 is connected to a dimming controller 91 to which a sensor device 92 and a user operation unit 93 are connected. The dimming controller 91 can control the dimming state of the dimming device 10 , switch between blocking and transmission of light by the dimming device 10 , and change the transmittance of light in the dimming device 10 . Specifically, the dimming controller 91 is connected to the external electrode substrate 35 of each of the dimming cells 20A and 20B, adjusts the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 23 of the dimming device 10, and controls the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 23. By changing the orientation of , it is possible to switch between blocking and transmission of light by the light control device 10, or to change the degree of light transmission.

The dimming controller 91 can adjust the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 23 of each dimming cell 20A, 20B based on any method. The dimming controller 91 adjusts the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 23 according to, for example, the measurement result of the sensor device 92 or an instruction (command) input by the user via the user operation unit 93 . It is possible to switch between blocking and transmitting light, or to change the degree of light transmission. Therefore, the dimming controller 91 may automatically adjust the electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer 23 according to the measurement result of the sensor device 92 or manually adjust it according to the user's instruction via the user operation unit 93 . can be adjusted to The object to be measured by the sensor device 92 is not particularly limited, and for example, the brightness of the usage environment may be measured. It is done according to the brightness of the environment. Moreover, both the sensor device 92 and the user operation unit 93 are not necessarily connected to the dimming controller 91, and only one of the sensor device 92 and the user operation unit 93 may be connected. .

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the external electrode substrate 35 in each of the light control cells 20A and 20B. As shown in FIG. 8, an external electrode substrate 35 is sandwiched between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 . The external electrode substrate 35 is located outside the region 32a surrounded by the sealant 32 in the plane direction. The external electrode substrate 35 has an outer end electrically connected to the dimming controller 91 (see FIG. 2) and an inner end electrically connected to the first transparent electrode 25 and the second transparent electrode 28 via the conductive film 37 . properly connected. The external electrode substrate 35 may be made of, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The conductive film 37 may be made of, for example, an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). In this case, the thickness of the external electrode substrate 35 is thicker than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 23 . Therefore, the gap between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 is wider in the portion where the external electrode substrate 35 is arranged than in the portion where the liquid crystal layer 23 is arranged.

In the present embodiment, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged with respect to the centers of the light control cells 20A and 20B. They are arranged on opposite sides of each other. As described above, the distance between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 is wider in the portion where the external electrode substrate 35 is arranged than in the portion where the liquid crystal layer 23 is arranged. Therefore, by shifting the positions of the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B, the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B do not overlap each other, and when the light control cells 20A and 20B are stacked, , the gap between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 is suppressed from locally increasing around the external electrode substrate 35 . As a result, uneven distribution of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 23 can be reduced, the occurrence of liquid crystal pools, which is a phenomenon in which a large amount of liquid crystal exists locally, can be suppressed, and the quality and appearance of the light control device 10 can be improved. .

9 to 11 are plan views showing various arrangements of the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B. 9 to 11 are plan views showing states in which the light control cells 20A and 20B are stacked.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged with respect to the centers of the light control cells 20A and 20B. It is located on the opposite side. That is, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A is arranged on the side S1 of the first light control cell 20A, and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B is arranged on the side S1 of the second light control cell 20B. It is arranged on S3, and these side S1 and side S3 are in the position which mutually opposes by plane view. In addition, each side of the light control cells 20A and 20B does not necessarily have to be linear, and may be formed in a curved shape.

In FIG. 9A, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are located near corners of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. , are positioned substantially diagonally to the dimming cells 20A and 20B. Further, in FIG. 9B, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B extend along the sides S1 and S3 of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. They are located in the direction center and face each other. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, since the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B are separated from each other, the pressure applied to the laminated body 10A (described later) during processing of the laminated glass should be distributed in a well-balanced manner. , and the occurrence of liquid crystal pools can be effectively suppressed.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged at positions substantially perpendicular to each other. That is, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A is arranged on the side S1 of the first light control cell 20A, and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B is arranged on the side S1 of the second light control cell 20B. It is arranged on S2, and these sides S1 and S2 are located adjacent to each other (perpendicular to each other) in plan view.

In FIG. 10(a), the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are located at the longitudinal centers of the sides S1 and S2 of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. located in In FIG. 10B, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are located near the same corners of the light control cells 20A and 20B, respectively. positioned. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the pressure applied to the laminated body 10A (described later) during processing of the laminated glass can be distributed in a well-balanced manner, and the occurrence of liquid crystal pools can be effectively suppressed. In addition, since the distance between the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B is short, power supply to the external electrode substrates 35 can be facilitated.

In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. That is, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged on the same side S1 of the light control cells 20A and 20B in plan view. In addition, the same side S1 of the light control cells 20A and 20B refers to a side that overlaps with each other when the light control cells 20A and 20B are overlapped.

In FIG. 11A, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are positioned near different corners of the light control cells 20A and 20B. there is In FIG. 11(b), both the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are located at the longitudinal center of the side S1 of the light control cells 20A and 20B. located nearby. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, by arranging the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B on the same side S1, power supply to the external electrode substrates 35 can be facilitated.

(Manufacturing method of dimming cell)
Next, a method of manufacturing the light control cells 20A and 20B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12(a)-(d) and FIGS. 13(a)-(e) are cross-sectional views showing the manufacturing method of the first light control cell 20A according to the present embodiment. In addition, below, the manufacturing method of 20 A of 1st light control cells is demonstrated first.

First, as shown in FIG. 12(a), a second base material 27 supplied in a roll is prepared. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12B, a second transparent electrode 28 made of, for example, ITO is formed on the second substrate 27 by sputtering using a sputtering apparatus. At this time, the transparent electrode may be patterned to have a predetermined pattern shape.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the second substrate 27 on which the second transparent electrode 28 is formed is coated with the coating liquid for the second orientation layer 29 to prepare the second orientation layer 29. do. Thus, the second laminate 22 is prepared by laminating the second substrate 27, the second transparent electrode 28, and the second alignment layer 29. As shown in FIG.

12(a) to 12(c), the first laminate 21 in which the first substrate 24, the first transparent electrode 25, and the first alignment layer 26 are laminated is also prepared. do.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12D, bead spacers 31 are placed on the second alignment layer 29 of the second laminate 22 . For the arrangement of the bead spacers 31, in addition to wet/dry spraying, various arrangement methods can be widely applied. For example, after partially applying a coating liquid prepared by dispersing the bead spacers 31 in a solvent together with a resin component, drying and baking are sequentially performed to randomly form beads on the second alignment layer 29. A spacer 31 may be arranged to hold the device in a difficult-to-move manner. Although not shown, the bead spacers 31 may be placed on the second transparent electrode 28 and the periphery of the bead spacers 31 may be covered with the second alignment layer 29 . Specifically, the bead spacers 31 are mixed with the coating liquid for the second alignment layer 29 to form the second alignment layer 29 , so that the bead spacers 31 are thinly covered and held by the second alignment layer 29 . can be in the form of

Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, columnar spacers 40 are formed on the second laminate 22 . The columnar spacers 40 may be formed by photolithography. In this case, after the coating liquid (photoresist) that forms the columnar spacers 40 is applied and dried, the photoresist is exposed using a mask having a pattern determined according to the arrangement of the columnar spacers 40 . And by developing, the columnar spacers 40 are produced. Alternatively, the columnar spacers 40 may be formed of printed layers. Either one of the step of forming the bead spacers 31 (FIG. 12(d)) and the step of forming the columnar spacers 40 (FIG. 13(a)) may be provided, and both are not necessarily provided. may

Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, a sealant 32 is applied onto the second alignment layer 29 of the second laminate 22 using a dispenser. The sealing material 32 is applied in a frame shape so as to surround the portion where the liquid crystal layer 23 is to be produced. Similarly, inside the region 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32, a first alignment mark 33A is provided using a dispenser. The first alignment mark 33A is made of the same material as the sealing material 32 . In this case, the first alignment mark 33A is formed inside the region 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32 (see FIGS. 2 and 4(a)-(c)). It may be formed on the outside (see FIGS. 5(a)-(c) and 7(a)-(c)).

Next, as shown in FIG. 13C, the liquid crystal forming the liquid crystal layer 23 is dripped onto the area 32a surrounded by the sealing material 32. Next, as shown in FIG. At this time, the liquid crystal layer 23 is filled around the columnar spacers 40 and the bead spacers 31 inside the region 32 a surrounded by the sealing material 32 .

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13D, the second laminate 22 having the liquid crystal layer 23 disposed thereon and the first laminate 21 prepared in advance are laminated and pressed together. After that, the sealing material 32 is semi-cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, and then heated to integrate the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 . At this time, the columnar spacers 40 are not adhered to the first laminate 21 and remain in contact with the first laminate 21 . After that, the laminated body of the first laminated body 21 and the second laminated body 22 produced in this way is cut into a desired size by trimming. If the alignment mark 33A includes a protruding piece 34a (see FIGS. 6(a)-(c) and 7(a)-(c)), the protruding piece 34a is also formed during this trimming. 1 alignment mark 33A is provided.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(e), by attaching the external electrode substrate 35 between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22, the first light control cell 20A according to the present embodiment is obtained. .

A second light control cell 20B having a second alignment mark 33B is fabricated in substantially the same manner as the above steps (FIGS. 12(a)-(d) and FIGS. 13(a)-(e)). The configuration of the second light control cell 20B is the same as the configuration of the first light control cell 20A except for the position of the alignment mark 33B and the position of the external electrode substrate 35. FIG.

(Manufacturing method of light control device)
Next, a manufacturing method (laminated glass processing method) of the light control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14(a)-(c) are cross-sectional views showing a method of manufacturing the light control device 10, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminate 10A that constitutes the light control device.

First, as shown in FIG. 14A, a first glass plate 11 and a second glass plate 12 are prepared. Subsequently, the first intermediate film 13, the first light control cell 20A, the third intermediate film 15, the second light control cell 20B and the second intermediate film 14 are sandwiched between the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, 10 A of laminated bodies are produced. Here, the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12 are formed in advance with a curved shape having a three-dimensional surface shape. Further, the first light control cell 20A and the second light control cell 20B may also be shaped in advance into a three-dimensional curved shape by thermoforming.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the first alignment mark 33A of the first light control cell 20A and the second alignment mark 33B of the second light control cell 20B are aligned so as to overlap each other in plan view. Thereby, even when the surface shape of the light control cells 20A and 20B has a curved surface shape, the light control cells 20A and 20B can be accurately aligned, and the shift of the optical axes of the light control cells 20A and 20B can be suppressed. be able to. On the other hand, at this time, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view. As a result, the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B do not overlap each other, and the gap between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 around the external electrode substrates 35 is locally increased. can be suppressed, and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 23 can be uniformly distributed in the plane.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the laminate 10A is enclosed in a bag 51. Next, as shown in FIG. The bag 51 is preferably made of flexible and airtight rubber or silicone. A vent pipe 52 is connected to the bag 51 , and the air inside the bag 51 is sucked through the vent pipe 52 by a pump (not shown). As a result, the air remaining between the members of the laminate 10</b>A can be sucked, and poor crimping due to air bubbles remaining inside the light control device 10 can be suppressed. In the present embodiment, the inside of the bag 51 and the inside of the laminate 10A are sucked so as to be in a vacuum state, and a pressure of about atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) is applied to the laminate 10A due to the differential pressure. explain. However, not limited to this, for example, by adjusting the suction force of a pump (not shown), although the inside of the bag 51 is not completely vacuum, the air between the members of the laminate 10A is sufficiently sucked, and the laminate 10A On the other hand, a state in which a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure is applied due to the differential pressure may be employed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 14(c), after enclosing the laminate 10A in the bag 51, the bag 51 is placed in the heating/pressurizing device 53 together. Subsequently, the laminate 10A is heated together with the bag 51 at a predetermined temperature and time. In the present embodiment, the laminate 10A is heated for a predetermined time at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperatures of the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14 and the third intermediate film 15. FIG. At this time, the air inside the bag 51 is preferably sucked by a pump (not shown) through the vent tube 52 . A device used as the heating/pressurizing device 53 is not particularly limited as long as it can sufficiently heat and pressurize the laminate 10A. Examples thereof include devices for ovens and autoclaves. By this heating, the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14, and the third intermediate film 15 are melted, and the first glass plate 11, the first intermediate film 13, the first light control cell 20A, and the third intermediate film 13 of the laminate 10A are melted. The intermediate film 15, the second light control cell 20B, the second intermediate film 14, and the second glass plate 12 are pressure-bonded and integrally joined to obtain the light control device 10. FIG.

Thereafter, a leveling process is performed in which the laminated body 10A (light control device 10) is heated for a predetermined time at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening temperature of the first intermediate film 13, the second intermediate film 14 and the third intermediate film 15. FIG. By performing this leveling step, the cell gap, which had been smaller than a predetermined value, returns to its original value, the uneven distribution of liquid crystal such as liquid crystal pools is eliminated, and the cell gap (thickness of the liquid crystal layer 23) becomes uniform. Become. This leveling step may be performed after the laminated body 10A (light control device 10) is once cooled after bonding each member of the laminated body 10A, or continuously from the bonding of the laminated body 10A. You can go to Moreover, when it is not necessary to suck the air in the bag 51, the layered body 10A (light control device 10) may be taken out from the bag 51 and the leveling step may be performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the light control cells 20A and 20B have the alignment marks 33A and 33B, respectively. The alignment mark 33A of the first light control cell 20A and the alignment mark 33B of the second light control cell 20B are aligned with each other during processing of the laminated glass. As a result, the light control cells 20A and 20B can be accurately aligned, and the shift of the optical axes of the light control cells 20A and 20B can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the optical characteristics such as the light shielding property of the light control device 10 .

Further, according to the present embodiment, the external electrode substrate 35 of the first light control cell 20A and the external electrode substrate 35 of the second light control cell 20B are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view. As a result, the external electrode substrates 35 of the light control cells 20A and 20B are prevented from overlapping each other, and the gap between the first laminate 21 and the second laminate 22 is locally increased where the external electrode substrates 35 are provided. It is restrained. Therefore, the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 23 can be uniformly distributed, the occurrence of liquid crystal pools, which is a phenomenon in which a large amount of liquid crystal exists locally, can be suppressed, and the quality and appearance of the light control device 10 can be improved.

(First modification)
Next, referring to FIG. 16, a first modified example of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control device according to a first modified example of this embodiment. The first modification shown in FIG. 16 differs from the above-described embodiment in that the light control cell 20 is one layer. In FIG. 16, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 16, the light control device 10 includes a first glass plate 11, a first intermediate film 13, a light control cell 20, a second intermediate film 14, and a second glass plate 12. . The first glass plate 11, the first intermediate film 13, the light control cell 20, the second intermediate film 14, and the second glass plate 12 are laminated in this order. Among these, the configuration of the light control cell 20 is substantially the same as the configuration of the first light control cell 20A or the second light control cell 20B described above.

In FIG. 16, the dimming cell 20 has alignment marks 33 . Alignment marks 16a and 16b are provided on the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, respectively. In this light control device 10, when the first glass plate 11, the light control cell 20, and the second glass plate 12 are accurately positioned with respect to each other, the alignment mark 33 of the light control cell 20 and the first glass plate 11 and the alignment marks 16b of the second glass plate 12 are aligned and overlapped with each other in plan view. The configuration of the alignment mark 33 can be the same as the configuration of the alignment marks 33A and 33B described above (see FIGS. 4 to 7). Alignment marks 16a and 16b are formed on the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, respectively, by printing or the like. The planar shape of the alignment marks 16a and 16b may be the same as the planar shape of the alignment mark 33, for example.

As a result, it is possible to accurately align the light control cell 20 with the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, thereby suppressing deterioration of the optical characteristics such as the light blocking property of the light control device 10. can be done.

(Second modification)
Next, a second modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG.
17 to 19 are cross-sectional views showing a light control device according to a second modification of the present embodiment. The second modification shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 is different from the above-described embodiment in that the light control cell 20 is one layer and further has a polarizing plate 61 . In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same portions as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 17, the light control device 10 includes a first glass plate 11, a first intermediate film 13, a light control cell 20, a second intermediate film 14, and a second glass plate 12. . First glass plate 11 , first intermediate film 13 , light control cell 20 , third intermediate film 15 , polarizing plate (linear polarizing plate) 61 , second intermediate film 14 , and second glass plate 12 are stacked in this order. Among these, the configuration of the light control cell 20 is substantially the same as the configuration of the first light control cell 20A or the second light control cell 20B described above.

In FIG. 17, the dimming cell 20 has alignment marks 33 . Alignment marks 16a and 16b are provided on the first glass plate 11 and the second glass plate 12, respectively. Further, the polarizing plate 61 is provided with an alignment mark 62 . In this light control device 10, when the first glass plate 11, the light control cell 20, the polarizing plate 61, and the second glass plate 12 are accurately positioned with respect to each other, the alignment mark 33 of the light control cell 20 and the , the alignment mark 62 of the polarizing plate 61, the alignment mark 16a of the first glass plate 11, and the alignment mark 16b of the second glass plate 12 are aligned and overlapped with each other in plan view. The configuration of the alignment mark 33 can be the same as the configuration of the alignment marks 33A and 33B described above (see FIGS. 4 to 7). Also, the configuration of the alignment marks 16a and 16b can be the same as in the first modification described above (see FIG. 16).

In FIG. 17, the alignment marks 16a, 16b, 33, and 62 are used to form the first glass plate 11, the first intermediate film 13, the light control cell 20, the third intermediate film 15, the polarizing plate 61, and the second intermediate film 14. and the second glass plate 12 are laminated while being aligned, and then laminated glass processing is performed.

Note that an optical clear adhesive film (OCA) may be used instead of the third intermediate film 15 . In this case, first, using the alignment marks 33 and 62, the polarizing plate 61 and the light control cell 20 are bonded together with an optically transparent adhesive film to produce a bonded body. After that, using the alignment marks 16a, 16b, 33, and 62, the first glass plate 11, the first intermediate film 13, the bonded body, the second intermediate film 14, and the second glass plate 12 are laminated while being aligned. , to carry out laminated glass processing. As such an optically transparent adhesive film, for example, an adhesive layer that can be composed of an acrylic adhesive or the like having excellent transparency may be used.

As shown in FIG. 18(a), the alignment mark 62 may be a recess formed in the plane of the polarizing plate 61 by laser cutting. In FIG. 18A, the alignment mark 62 has a cross shape in plan view. Such an alignment mark 62 may be formed to a depth that does not penetrate the polarizing plate 61 in the thickness direction by adjusting the output when laser cutting the polarizing plate 61 .

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18B, the alignment mark 62 may consist of a projecting piece 62a projecting outward in the surface direction of the polarizing plate 61. As shown in FIG. Such an alignment mark 62 may also be formed as a protruding piece 62a when forming the outer periphery of the polarizing plate 61 by laser cutting. In this case, the light control cell 20 has an alignment mark 33 consisting of a projecting piece 34a (see FIGS. 6(a)-(c)). By overlapping the protruding piece 34a of the light control cell 20 and the protruding piece 62a of the polarizing plate 61, the light control cell 20 and the polarizing plate 61 can be accurately positioned.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, stripes formed on a protective film 63 covering the polarizing plate 61 may be used as the alignment marks 62 . Stripes as the alignment marks 62 are printed on the protective film 63 in advance. The protective film 63 is provided to protect the polarizing plate 61 until it is positioned with respect to the light control cell 20 when the light control device 10 is manufactured. By aligning the light control cell 20 and the alignment mark 33 of the light control cell 20 using the alignment mark 62 of the protective film 63, the protective film 63 is placed after the polarizing plate 61 and the light control cell 20 are positioned. is peeled off. Therefore, the protective film 63 is not provided in the light control device 10 after completion.

In this manner, since the light control cell 20, the polarizing plate 61, the first glass plate 11, and the second glass plate 12 can be accurately aligned, the light blocking property of the light control device 10 having the polarizing plate 61 can be improved. It is possible to suppress deterioration of optical properties.

It is also possible to appropriately combine a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications as necessary. Alternatively, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in each of the above embodiments and modifications.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 light control device 11 first glass plate 12 second glass plate 13 first intermediate film 14 second intermediate film 15 third intermediate film 20A first light control cell 20B second light control cell 21 first laminate 22 second laminate Body 23 liquid crystal layer 24 first substrate 25 first transparent electrode 26 first alignment layer 27 second substrate 28 second transparent electrode 29 second alignment layer 31 bead spacer 32 sealing material 33A first alignment mark 33B second alignment mark 35 external electrode substrate 40 columnar spacer

Claims (5)

a first glass plate;
a second glass plate;
a first light control cell and a second light control cell arranged between the first glass plate and the second glass plate;
Each of the first dimming cell and the second dimming cell
a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode;
a second laminate including a second substrate and a second transparent electrode;
a sealing material disposed between the first laminate and the second laminate;
a liquid crystal layer disposed in a region surrounded by the sealing material between the first laminate and the second laminate;
an external electrode substrate disposed outside the region between the first laminate and the second laminate and electrically connected to the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode;
The light control device, wherein the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view. The external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are positioned on sides of the first light control cell and the second light control cell facing each other in plan view. The light control device according to claim 1. The external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are positioned on sides adjacent to each other of the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. The light control device according to claim 1. The external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are positioned on the same side of the first light control cell and the second light control cell in plan view. The light control device according to claim 1. providing a first dimming cell and a second dimming cell;
preparing a first glass plate and a second glass plate;
sandwiching the first light control cell and the second light control cell using the first glass plate and the second glass plate;
a step of integrally joining the first glass plate, the first light control cell, the second light control cell, and the second glass plate;
Each of the first dimming cell and the second dimming cell is
a first laminate including a first substrate and a first transparent electrode;
a second laminate including a second substrate and a second transparent electrode;
a sealing material disposed between the first laminate and the second laminate;
a liquid crystal layer disposed in a region surrounded by the sealing material between the first laminate and the second laminate;
an external electrode substrate disposed outside the region between the first laminate and the second laminate and electrically connected to the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode;
A method for manufacturing a light control device, wherein the external electrode substrate of the first light control cell and the external electrode substrate of the second light control cell are arranged to be shifted from each other in plan view.

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