JP2023107977A - Dimming device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a dimming device having advanced translucency and light-shielding performance that enables a dimming cell to be properly attached on a curved surface.SOLUTION: A dimming device 10 comprises: a light-transmitting plate 21 having a curved surface 20; a dimming cell 22; and an optical transparent adhesive film 24 being disposed between the curved surface of the light-transmitting plate 21 and the dimming cell 22. One side of the dimming cell 22 is adhered through the optical transparent adhesive film 24 to the curved surface 20 of the light-transmitting plate 21. The dimming cell 22 has a liquid crystal layer including a dichroic pigment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light control device capable of adjusting light transmittance, and more particularly, to a light control device including a liquid crystal driving type light control cell attached to a curved surface.

Conventionally, a light control device capable of changing the light transmittance is known. For example, an SPD (Suspended Part
device) is known. Also EC (Electrochromic)
method, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC: Polymer Dispersed
Liquid Crystal), gaschromic light control device,
Thermochromic light control devices and photochromic light control devices are also known.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a laminate film used for SPD. Patent document 1
uses a suspension in which suspended particles are mixed in a liquid medium, and when the electric field is not applied and the power is off, the particles are randomly arranged to block the transmission of light. On the other hand, when an electric field is applied and the power is ON, the particles are aligned and most of the light incident on the SPD (cell) passes through the SPD. Therefore, by controlling the electric field applied to the suspension, the user can
The light transmittance of the SPD can be changed.

JP 2011-189751 A

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

For example, when applying a light control cell to a vehicle window, the transmittance of light in the visible light wavelength range (i.e., visible light) must be suppressed to less than 1% in order to properly block sunlight when the light is blocked. is required, and in some cases it is required to be suppressed to 0.5% or less. However, the light control cell using the above-mentioned SPD has a visible light transmittance of 1% to 5% when light is blocked.
%, it is not necessarily suitable for applications such as vehicles in terms of light shielding performance. On the other hand, a light control cell using a polarizing plate can reduce the transmittance of visible light to 0.1% or less when light is blocked, and has practically sufficient light blocking performance for applications such as vehicles.

In addition, when a light control cell using SPDs and a light control cell using polarizing plates are compared, the light control cell using polarizing plates is superior in various aspects such as design, cost, driving voltage and driving speed. is superior. For example, the color of a light control cell using SPD when light is blocked is "blue", while the color of light control cell using a polarizing plate is "black" when light is blocked. In general, it is easier to achieve color harmony with black than with blue, and from the viewpoint of design, it is easier to select the color of other objects to be arranged around the light control cell with black. Moreover, a light control cell using an SPD has a higher manufacturing cost, a higher driving voltage, and a lower driving speed than a light control cell using a polarizing plate.

In this way, there are many points in which a light control cell using a polarizing plate is superior to a light control cell using an SPD in terms of performance, so "a light control cell using a polarizing plate" is very useful. .

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

In general, glass substrates are widely used as substrates for holding electrodes for controlling alignment of liquid crystal members, but glass substrates are extremely hard and inflexible members. Therefore, the shape of the light control cell including the glass substrate is fixed, and the shape of the light control cell cannot be changed after the light control cell is manufactured. Therefore, a light control cell using a glass substrate can be effectively applied to a flat surface, but cannot necessarily be properly applied to a curved surface that can have various curvatures. On the other hand, by using a highly flexible resin base material instead of a glass base material, the shape of the light control cell can be changed even after the light control cell is manufactured. It is also possible to bend the dimming cells.

However, it is not always easy to properly attach a light control cell, which is made up of multiple members with various degrees of rigidity and elasticity, to a curved surface. be. Such distortion such as wrinkles not only affects the optical characteristics of the light-modulating cell and impairs the original translucency and light-shielding performance, but also impairs the design of the product, which is undesirable.

Although the light control cell using SPD as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 can be formed into a curved surface shape, it is not a type to be attached to the mounting object, so it is necessary to make it in a predetermined shape. It is difficult to respond flexibly to various surface shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a light control device capable of appropriately attaching a light control cell to a curved surface and having high light transmission performance and light shielding performance. do.

In one aspect of the present invention, a light transmission plate having a curved surface and containing an ultraviolet blocking component that inhibits transmission of ultraviolet rays, a light control cell, and a light control cell disposed between the curved surface of the light transmission plate and the light control cell, and an optically transparent adhesive film for adhering one side of a light control cell to a curved surface of a transmission plate, wherein the light control cell includes a first polarizing plate and a light transmitting plate rather than the first polarizing plate. A second polarizing plate provided at a position away from the second polarizing plate, a hard coat layer provided at a position further away from the light transmission plate than the second polarizing plate, and provided between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate, provided between the first resin substrate arranged on the first polarizing plate side and the second resin substrate arranged on the second polarizing plate side, and between the first resin substrate and the second resin substrate; 1, a first electrode layer disposed on the resin substrate side and a second electrode layer disposed on the second resin substrate side; a first alignment film disposed on the side of the second electrode layer and a second alignment film disposed on the side of the second electrode layer; and a liquid crystal layer provided in the liquid crystal space.

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

The optically transparent adhesive film 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 and the light control cell are laminated. The storage modulus at ~25 ° C)) is 1 × 1
0 ⁷ Pa or more and 1×10 ⁸ Pa or less is more preferable. The loss tangent (tan δ) of the optically transparent adhesive film is preferably from 0.5 to 1.5, more preferably from 0.7 to 1.5.
2 or less. The "loss tangent" referred to 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 pressure in the liquid crystal layer is preferably the same as the atmospheric pressure, but it is more preferred that the pressure in the liquid crystal layer is negative with respect to the atmospheric pressure.

The light control device may further include a retardation compensation film provided between the first polarizer and the first electrode layer and/or between the second polarizer and the second electrode layer.

The liquid crystal layer may be a VA, TN, IPS, or FFS 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 is parallel to the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate, and the The optical axis and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate may be parallel.

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

The light control device further comprises a retardation compensation film provided between the first resin base material and the first polarizing plate, the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate being 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 substrate, the optical axis of the second resin substrate, and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate. There may be. In addition, the dimmer is the second
Further comprising a retardation compensation film provided between the resin substrate and the second polarizing plate, the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate is perpendicular to the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate, and the retardation compensation film is an A plate. and the slow axis direction of the retardation compensation film may be parallel to the optical axis of the first resin substrate, the optical axis of the second resin substrate, and the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate.

The dimming device further comprises a plurality of spacers arranged at least in the liquid crystal space and supporting the first alignment film and the second alignment film, wherein the Vickers hardness value of each of the plurality of spacers is represented by Xs, and each of the plurality of spacers X the Vickers hardness value of the portion of the first alignment film with which the tip of the
f, 16.9≤Xs≤40.2 and 11.8≤Xf≤35.
9 may be satisfied.

Another aspect of the present invention is a light transmissive plate having a curved surface, a light control cell, disposed between the curved surface of the light transmissive plate and the light control cell, with one side of the light control cell on the curved surface of the light transmissive plate. and an optically transparent adhesive film to be adhered, wherein the light control cell relates to a light control device having a liquid crystal layer containing a dichroic dye.

Another aspect of the present invention is a light transmissive plate having a curved surface, a light control cell, disposed between the curved surface of the light transmissive plate and the light control cell, with one side of the light control cell on the curved surface of the light transmissive plate. and an optically transparent adhesive film to be adhered, wherein the light control cell includes a first substrate, and a first transparent electrode and a first alignment film provided on the first substrate. A second laminate including a first laminate, a second substrate, and a second alignment film provided on the second substrate, and provided between the first laminate and the second laminate a liquid crystal layer, wherein each of the first laminate and the second laminate includes an E-type linear polarizer.

The linear polarizing plate of the first laminate may be provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, and the linear polarizing plate of the second laminate may be provided on the liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate.

In the first laminate, a first transparent electrode, a linear polarizing plate, a negative C plate layer and a first alignment film are sequentially provided on the first substrate, and the second laminate is provided on the second substrate. , a linear polarizing plate and a second alignment film may be sequentially provided.

In the first laminate, a linear polarizing plate, a negative C plate layer, a first transparent electrode and a first alignment film are sequentially provided on a first substrate, and a second laminate is provided on a second substrate. , a linear polarizing plate, and a second alignment film may be sequentially provided.

In the first laminate, the negative C plate layer may be laminated on the adhesive layer.

Another aspect of the present invention is a first light-transmitting plate having a curved surface, a second light-transmitting plate, a dimming cell disposed between the first light-transmitting plate and the second light-transmitting plate, and a first The present invention relates to a light control device including an optically transparent adhesive film disposed between the curved surface of the light transmission plate and the light control cell, and bonding one side of the light control cell to the curved surface of the first light transmission plate.

The second light transmissive plate may be spaced apart from the dimming cell.

The second light transmissive plate may be attached to the dimming cell via an adhesive layer.

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

Silicone may be placed between the second light transmissive plate and the dimming cell sealed with a sealant.

A vacuum may be provided between the second light-transmissive plate and the dimming cell, which are sealed with a sealant.

The light transmissive plate may be stiffer in bending than the dimming cell.

The first light-transmitting plate may have higher bending stiffness than the dimming cell.

The dimming device may further comprise an antireflection layer.

The dimming device may further comprise an anti-reflection layer, the anti-reflection layer being provided on at least one of the dimming cell and the light transmissive plate.

The dimming device may further comprise an antireflection layer, the antireflection layer being provided on at least one of the dimming cell and the second light transmissive plate.

The anti-reflection layer may include at least one of an anti-glare layer, an anti-reflection layer and a low-reflection layer.

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

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

The optically 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 optically 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 light control 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 optically 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 hard coat layer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first resin base material, the second resin base material, the polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, and the polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate for explaining the first arrangement mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the first resin base material, the second resin base material, the polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, and the polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate, showing a comparative mode with respect to the first arrangement mode. FIG. 8 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the light control cell related to the first arrangement mode shown in FIG. (See the symbol "L2" in ). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the first resin base material, the second resin base material, the polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, the polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate, and the retardation compensation film for explaining the second arrangement mode. is. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the first resin base material, the second resin base material, the polarizing layer of the first polarizing plate, the polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate, and the retardation compensation film, showing a comparative aspect with respect to the second arrangement aspect. is. FIG. 11 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the light control cell related to the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. (see the symbol "L4"). FIG. 12 is a table showing the state evaluation of bonding of the light control cells (Examples 1 to 3) to the curved surface of the light transmission plate. FIG. 13 is a table showing the state evaluation of bonding of the light control cells (Examples 4 to 9) to the curved surface of the light transmission plate. FIG. 14 is a table showing the state evaluation of bonding of the light control cells (Examples 10 to 12) to the curved surface of the light transmission plate. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an outline of the manufacturing process of the light control cell. FIG. 16 is a chart showing test results for confirming the configuration of spacers. FIG. 17 is a table showing test results for confirming the configuration of spacers. FIG. 18 is a chart showing spacer manufacturing conditions. FIG. 19 is a chart showing manufacturing conditions of the alignment film. 20A and 20B are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example (light shielding state) of a light control cell using a guest-host type liquid crystal, FIG. ) is a plan view of the first polarizer with the direction of the absorption axis indicated by arrow "A". 21A and 21B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the same light control cell (light transmission state) as in FIG. 20. FIG. 21A is a sectional view of the light control cell, and FIG. is a plan view of the first polarizer indicated by arrow "A"; FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example (light shielding state) of a light control cell using a guest-host type liquid crystal, showing a cross section of the light control cell. FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the same light control cell (light transmission state) as in FIG. 22, showing a cross section of the light control cell. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic configuration of the light control cell. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the first mode. FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing process of the light control cell of FIG. FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the upper layered body manufacturing process in the manufacturing process of FIG. FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a lower layered body manufacturing process in the manufacturing process of FIG. FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the second mode of the invention. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the third mode of the invention. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the fourth mode of the invention. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the fifth mode of the invention. FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device. FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device. FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device. FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a light control device having an antireflection layer. FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of a light control device having an antireflection layer.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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. For example, the light control device 10 according to the present invention is used as any device that requires switching between light transmission and light blocking, such as vehicles such as vehicles, windows of buildings (including skylights), showcases, and partitions placed indoors. It is possible to Moreover, each element constituting the light control device 10 can be manufactured by a known technique, and manufactured using any lamination technique, photolithography technique and/or bonding technique.

The light control device 10 (light control cell 22, etc.) described below merely exemplifies one embodiment of the present invention. 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.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a light control device 10. As shown in FIG.

The light control device 10 of this embodiment includes a light transmission plate 21 having a curved surface 20, a light control cell 22 having a variable transmittance of light (particularly visible light), and the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 and the light control cell. 22 and an optically transparent adhesive film (OCA: Optical Cl
ear adhesive film) 24.

The light-transmitting plate 21 contains an ultraviolet blocking component, and transmits visible light while blocking transmission of ultraviolet light. Light transmissive plate 21 has a curved surface 20 and includes one or more glass plates. The light transmission plate 21 does not necessarily contain an ultraviolet blocking component, and the light control cell 22 and the optically transparent adhesive film 24, which will be described later, may also be applied to the light transmission plate 21 that does not contain an 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, or may have a single glass plate such as tempered glass. may Further, the light transmission plate 21 may include a member other than the glass plate, for example, a highly rigid film (for example, a CO
Any functional layer such as a P (Cyclo Olefin Polymer (cycloolefin polymer) resin layer, etc.) or a heat reflecting film may be provided on the light transmission plate 21 .

The curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 is typically a two-dimensional curved surface or a three-dimensional curved surface, although not particularly limited, and the illustrated curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 is a three-dimensional curved surface. In general, it is not easy to attach a thin-film light control cell 22 to a three-dimensional curved surface without causing wrinkles. It is easy to attach the light control cell 22 having a 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 around a plurality of mutually parallel axes with different curvatures. are distinct. That is, the three-dimensional curved surface 20a means a surface partially or entirely curved around each of a plurality of axes inclined with respect to each other.

One surface of the illustrated light transmission plate 21 (that is, the curved surface 20 to which the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is attached) is curved as a whole as shown in FIG.
direction d1, and is also bent in a second direction d2 around a 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 transmission plate 21 via an optically transparent adhesive film 24 .

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

The optically transparent adhesive film 24 of the present embodiment is composed of a transparent adhesive sheet called OCA, which does not contain a base material and can be composed only of an adhesive having a substantially constant film thickness. It can be configured by an agent or the like. Optical transparent adhesive film 24 (
OCA) is manufactured by sandwiching an adhesive between sheets (separators (releasing materials)) with excellent releasability. (Optical transparent adhesive film 24) can be attached. The optically transparent adhesive film 24 is, for example, OCR (Optical Clear
It can be formed by applying a transparent adhesive resin called R Resin).

The light control cell 22 has a multi-layer structure, and from the side of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 toward the outside (that is, in the direction away from the light transmission plate 21), as shown in FIG. Protective layer 47 , adhesive layer 46 , first electrode alignment layer 43 , liquid crystal layer 49 , second electrode alignment layer 4
4. An adhesive layer 46, a retardation compensation film 45, an adhesive layer 46, a protective layer 47, a polarizing layer 48, a protective layer 47, an adhesive layer 46 and a 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--polarizing plate--hard coat layer".

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

The polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42 is composed of a member that performs a desired polarizing function, and is typically made by stretching PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) doped with an iodine compound. be done. A typical arrangement mode of the polarizing layer 48 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. , 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;
See)”.

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

Between the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42, a first electrode orientation layer 43 is arranged on the first polarizing plate 41 side, and a second electrode orientation layer 44 is arranged on the second polarizing plate 42 side. , the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 respectively form an "electrode layer and alignment film supported by the substrate".

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the layer structure of the first electrode alignment layer 43. FIG. The first electrode alignment layer 43 of the present embodiment includes a hard coat layer 53, a first resin substrate 29, a hard coat layer 53, an index matching layer 55, a second One electrode layer 31 and a 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 orientation layer 44. As shown in FIG. 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, a second 2 The resin base material 30 and the hard coat layer 53 are sequentially provided in layers.

Thus, between the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are the first electrode layer 31 arranged on the first resin base material 29 side and the electrode layer 31 arranged on the second resin base material 30 side. A second electrode layer 32 is provided. The first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 are made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).
A transparent electrode can be formed from various materials such as e (indium tin oxide).
A feeding means such as C (Flexible Printed Circuits) is connected,
A voltage is applied. Depending on the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, the first
The electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 49 arranged between the electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 is changed, and the orientation of the liquid crystal members forming the liquid crystal layer 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 are provided. is provided. First alignment film 3
3 and the second alignment film 34 are not particularly limited, and the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 having liquid crystal alignment ability can be manufactured by any method. For example, the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 may be formed by performing a rubbing treatment on a resin layer such as polyimide, or a polymer film may be irradiated with linearly polarized ultraviolet rays to increase the polarization direction. The first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 may be formed based on a photo-alignment method that selectively reacts molecular chains.

Between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the liquid crystal layer 49, a spacer 52 and a sealing material 36 are provided. That is, between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34, a sealing material 36 is provided to partition the liquid crystal space 35 between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34. A liquid crystal layer 49 is formed by filling a liquid crystal member in the space. A plurality of spacers 52 are arranged at least in the liquid crystal space 35 and are discretely arranged 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, and may extend in the stacking direction only in the liquid crystal space 35, or may extend in the stacking direction only in the liquid crystal space 35, or may extend in the direction of lamination only in the liquid crystal space 35, or may extend in one alignment film (for example, the second alignment film 34) and the liquid crystal space 35. You may extend in the lamination direction so that it may penetrate. Also, the spacer 52 has a core portion and a covering portion, and the covering 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 . A component coating portion is provided on the core portion, and the coating portion is in direct contact with the first alignment film 33, so that the interval (cell gap) between the first alignment film 33 and the second alignment film 34 is reduced to each spacer. 52.

The sealing material 36 serves to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal member forming the liquid crystal layer 49, and
It adheres to the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34) to fix them to each other. A thermosetting epoxy resin is generally used for the sealing material 36, and when the filling method of the liquid crystal member in the liquid crystal space 35 is a vacuum injection method, the sealing material 36 made of epoxy resin can be suitably used. can. When the ODF (One Drop Fill) method is used as the liquid crystal member filling method, thermosetting and U
A hybrid type material having V-curability (ultraviolet-curing 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 defects in appearance. Therefore, it is preferable that the material constituting the sealing material 36 (components of the sealing material 36) include, for example, an ultraviolet curable acrylic resin and an epoxy resin. From the viewpoint of fixing the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second electrode alignment layer 44 (second alignment film 34) to each other while preventing leakage of the liquid crystal member, the hardness of the sealant 36 ( hardness)
preferably has a maximum point of 20 or more and 90 or less, more preferably 20 or more and 50 or less, when measured with a durometer (type A according to JIS K6253; 10 N load). The glass transition point (glass transition temperature (Tg)) of the sealing material 36 is preferably 0° C. or higher and 60° C. or lower, more preferably 0° C. or higher and 40° C. or lower.

Also, the first electrode orientation layer 43 (first orientation film 33) and the second electrode orientation layer 44 (second orientation film 34)
and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 49 (that is, the first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33) and the second
A plurality of spacers 52 are arranged to define the electrode alignment layer 44 (interval between the second alignment films 34). Each spacer 52 can be made of various resin materials, and may have a columnar shape such as a truncated cone, or may have a spherical bead shape. Column-shaped liquid crystal space 35
can be formed at desired locations based on the photolithographic technique, and the bead-shaped liquid crystal spaces 35 are prepared in advance and dispersed in the liquid crystal spaces 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 bonding property of the light control cell 22 to the light transmission plate 21 (that is, preventing distortion of the light control cell 22)". For example, if the liquid crystal member constituting the liquid crystal layer 49 is "1 volume of the liquid crystal space 35
Such a negative pressure can be achieved by filling the liquid crystal space 35 with a liquid crystal material such that it occupies less than 00% (preferably about 99%). The light control cell 22 of this embodiment is attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 in a bent state, but if the liquid crystal space 35 is filled with an excessive amount of liquid crystal material, the flexibility of the light control cell 22 is impaired. As a result, the mountability of the light control cell 22 to the light transmitting plate 21 deteriorates. Therefore, it is preferable to secure the flexibility of the light control cell 22 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 "about 99% of the volume of the liquid crystal space 35". . If the amount of the liquid crystal material to be injected is too small for the volume of the liquid crystal space 35, air bubbles will be 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) liquid crystal layer, and is a "normally black" light-shielding state when no voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32. adopt a method called However, the liquid crystal layer 49 may adopt other driving methods, such as TN (Twisted Nematic) method, IPS
(In Plane Switching) method, FFS (Fringe Field
The liquid crystal layer 49 may be driven by a switching method or other methods.

Between the second polarizing plate 42 and the second electrode layer 32 (second electrode alignment layer 44), a retardation compensation film 45 having a compensation performance corresponding to the driving method of the liquid crystal layer 49 is provided, and this embodiment Then V
A retardation compensation film 45 is provided to eliminate the retardation of the liquid crystal layer 49 of the A mode. V.
Since the phase difference change due to the angle is large in the A method, the phase difference compensation film 45 of the present embodiment has 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 system, the retardation of the liquid crystal layer 49 of the TN system (for example, the angle dependence of liquid crystal molecules)
The retardation compensation film 45 has compensation performance for compensating for . 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 small, the phase difference compensation film is basically not required in many cases, and the phase difference compensation film 45 is not provided. may

Since the retardation compensation film 45 is not an essential element, it may not be provided in the light control cell 22, and its 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 "
A retardation compensation film 45 is provided between at least one of "between the second polarizing plate 42 and the second electrode layer 32 (second electrode alignment layer 44)". Therefore, the position shown in FIG. 3 (that is, between the second electrode orientation layer 44 (hard coat layer 53) and the second polarizing plate 42 (protective layer 47))
Instead, the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47) and the first electrode orientation layer 43 (hard coat layer 53)
A retardation compensation film 45 may be provided between. Further, the retardation compensation film 45 has 2
It may be provided in layers or more (that is, in two or more places) as long as the phase difference of the liquid crystal layer 49 can be compensated for by the retardation compensation film 45 as a whole.

The hard coat layer 26 is provided at a position further away from the light transmission plate 21 than the second polarizing plate 42, and forms the outermost layer of the light control cell 22 of this embodiment. The illustrated hard coat layer 26 is fixed to the second polarizing plate 42 via an adhesive layer 46 and can contain any component,
For example, the hard coat layer 26 can be composed of the same component (for example, TAC) as the protective layer 47 . 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 microparticles (such as titanium dioxide) is formed on the surface of the second polarizing plate 42 (on the protective layer 47) using a silicone UV curable resin to function as the hard coat layer 26. good too.

And the above-mentioned functional layers (the first polarizing plate 41, the first electrode orientation layer 43, the second electrode orientation layer 44, the retardation compensation film 45, the second polarizing plate 42 and the hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG. 3) are adjacent The functional layers are adhered to each other by an adhesive layer 46 to form an integrated laminated structure. The components forming the adhesive layer 46 are not particularly limited, and the constituent components of the adhesive layer 46 may be determined according to the characteristics of each layer to be adhered. In this embodiment, all the adhesive layers 46 are made of the same material as the optically transparent adhesive film (that is, OCA) 24, but adhesive layers 46 containing other components such as ultraviolet curable resins may be used. , the adhesive layer 46 may be used that contains components different from those of the adhesive layer 46 at other locations depending on the arrangement position or the object to be adhered.

Note that the layer configuration of the light transmission plate 21, the optically transparent adhesive film 24, and the light control cell 22 shown in FIG. Other functional units may be additionally provided for the dimming cell 22 . For example, although not shown,
A sealing protective material that functions as a protective material can be provided over a portion of the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 from the sides of the dimming cell 22 and the optically transparent adhesive film 24 . The light control cell 22 and the optically transparent adhesive film 2 with respect to the light transmitting plate 21 are protected by this seal protective material.
4, as well as the adhesion between adjacent layers of the light control cell 22 and the optically transparent adhesive film 24 can be reinforced.

As a result of intensive research, the inventors of the present invention have found that, in order to bond the thin-film light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20 (particularly, a three-dimensional curved surface) without distortion such as wrinkles, the light control cell 22 should satisfy the following conditions. And the knowledge that it is preferable to adjust the optically transparent adhesive film 24 came to be obtained.

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

The optically transparent adhesive film 24 serves to bond the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47), and also serves to bond the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47). 47) also serves as a cushion to compensate for the difference in curvature between Therefore, if the thickness of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 in the lamination direction is too small, it becomes difficult to properly function as a cushion. It becomes difficult to properly fix the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47). Also, if the storage elastic modulus of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is too high, the rigidity of the light control cell 22 as a whole increases, resulting in insufficient followability to a curved surface whose shape changes three-dimensionally. On the other hand, if the storage elastic modulus of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is too small, the fluidity of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 increases too much, and the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47 ) does not adhere to the curved surface of the light transmission plate 21 . It becomes difficult to properly fix , reliability such as heat resistance becomes insufficient, and there is a concern that foaming may occur even in a normal use environment. Furthermore, if the storage elastic modulus of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is too small, the workability of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is deteriorated. can occur. Therefore, in order to appropriately bond the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20 without causing distortion such as wrinkles, the thickness and storage modulus of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 in the lamination direction are preferably within the above ranges. The inventor of the present invention newly discovered that.

The first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 can be composed of various transparent film materials, and are desirably composed of a film material having small optical anisotropy such as COP. In particular, from the viewpoint of appropriately attaching the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20, at least one of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 preferably contains polycarbonate. The constituent material, shape and/or size of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 may be the same or different.

In addition, the sealing material 36 has a length of 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less in a 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 stacked) (that is, the width direction). is preferred, and 1.5 mm is particularly preferred.

The smaller the length of the sealing material 36 in the width direction, the lower the rigidity of the light control cell 22 as a whole, making it easier to bond the light control 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 of liquid crystal layer 49 in liquid crystal space 35” and “first electrode alignment layer 43 (first alignment film 33
) and the second electrode orientation layer 44 (the second orientation film 34). Considering these circumstances comprehensively, the inventors of the present invention newly discovered 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. .

Thus, in general, the lower the rigidity of the laminate constituting the light control cell 22, the easier it is to deform according to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21, and the light control cell 22 can be easily deformed without causing distortion such as wrinkles.
2 can be easily attached to the curved surface 20. However, the light control cell 22 cannot be properly attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 only if the rigidity of the laminate is sufficiently low, and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the light control cell 22 must meet appropriate conditions. The inventor of the present invention newly discovered that it exists.

Further, the light transmittance (in particular, total light transmittance) of the light control cell 22 is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 35% or more. The "total light transmittance" referred to here indicates the ratio of the total transmitted light flux to the parallel incident light flux of the test piece, and in the case of a diffusive sample, the "total transmitted light flux" includes diffused transmitted light flux (diffuse component). For details of the total light transmittance, refer to "JIS (Japan
See Industrial Standards) 7375:2008". It is possible to calculate the total light transmittance from the "percentage of light passing through the light control cell 22" obtained based on the light intensity of the wavelength of 555 nm in the light before passing through the light control cell 22. Considering the harmony with other surrounding members, the color of the dimming cell 22 is preferably "black", but "achromatic color other than black" is also preferable.

Distortion such as wrinkling of the light control 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 knowledge, the light control device 10 (the light transmission plate 21, the optically transparent adhesive film 24, and the light control cell 22) is attached to portions that are not originally intended for optical use or that are difficult for the user to visually recognize. By bonding the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 as the alignment start area, the substantial influence of the distortion of the light control cell 22 can be reduced. Therefore, for example, by setting an area outside the sealing material 36 where the liquid crystal layer 49 is not provided as the bonding start area, the light passing through the liquid crystal layer 49 is affected by the "effect of distortion occurring in the light control cell 22".
can be substantially reduced. Therefore, the first electrode orientation layer 43 and the second electrode orientation layer 44 (especially the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32) are extended outside the sealing material 36, and the extensions are F
When "power supply means for the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32" such as PC is connected, this "area where the power supply means is connected" is utilized as a lamination start area, and adjustment is made from this area. By attaching the light cell 22 to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21, the distortion caused in the light control cell 22 can be effectively hidden. In particular, the position of the extended portions of the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 to which the power supply means such as FPC is connected 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 light control cell 22 that occurs in the bonding start region within the range of the non-active area.

As described above, according to the light control device 10 according to the present embodiment, the light control cell 22 can be appropriately attached to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 via the optically transparent adhesive film 24 without distortion. . In particular, according to the light control cell 22 of the present embodiment, the polarizing plate (the first polarizing plate 41
and the second polarizing plate 42) and the orientation control of the liquid crystal layer 49, light control is performed, so that high-level translucency and light-shielding performance can be achieved with a simple configuration.

Further, the light control cell 22 of this embodiment does not include rigid elements such as glass, and is configured by a combination of highly flexible members. Therefore, when glass is used as the base material for supporting the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, it is difficult to achieve the "dimmer cell 22 for curved surface 20".
"bonding" can be performed with high precision in the light control cell 22 of the present embodiment.

In general, the rigidity of a light control cell using a resin base material is low, and such a low rigidity light control cell is relatively easily deformed when an external force is applied directly, disturbing the optical properties of the liquid crystal layer. be. Therefore, if the light control device is used in an environment where an external force such as vibration is suddenly or continuously applied to the low-rigidity light control cell, the orientation of the liquid crystal member of the liquid crystal layer is disturbed, resulting in the loss of the original optical function. can not be sufficiently exhibited, and a phenomenon such as flickering may occur in the light observed through the light control device. However, the light control cell 22 (liquid crystal layer 49) of the present embodiment is firmly attached to the light transmission plate 21 having relatively high rigidity (that is, the light transmission plate 21 having higher bending rigidity than the light control cell 22). Since it is supported, disturbance of liquid crystal alignment caused by external force can be effectively reduced, and phenomena such as flickering can be avoided.

As a mode for attaching the light control cell 22 to the light transmission plate 21 having two or more glass plates, there is a mode in which the light control cell 22 is arranged between the two glass plates, and a mode in which the light control cell 22 is arranged outside the two glass plates. A mode of arranging the dimming cells 22 is conceivable. When the light control cell 22 is arranged between two glass plates, the light control cell 22 can be used to adjust the transmittance of light incident on the glass plate while protecting the light control cell 22 with the glass plate. .
However, while a relatively large force (compressive force, shear force, etc.) may be applied between the two glass plates, a control device comprising polarizing plates (first polarizing plate 41 and second polarizing plate 42) is used. The light cell 22 is not necessarily highly resistant to forces applied from the outside. In addition, the temperature between the glass plates becomes very high depending on the usage environment, and the polarizing plate does not necessarily have excellent high temperature resistance. Therefore, when the light control cell 22 having a polarizing plate is arranged between two glass plates, the light control cell 22 may be crushed or deteriorated, and the light control cell 22 may not perform the desired light control function. There is concern that it will disappear.

On the other hand, like the light control device 10 of this embodiment shown in FIGS.
In a mode in which the light control cell 22 is attached to the outer surface of the light control cell 22, the durability and temperature resistance required of the light control cell 22 are not high. Therefore, in the light control device 10 of the present embodiment, although the light control cell 22 includes the polarizing plates (the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42), the desired light control function can be continuously performed. can demonstrate. In addition, by using the light control cell 22 that satisfies the above-described conditions that make it easy to attach the light control cell 22 to the curved surface 20 without causing distortion such as wrinkles,
The light-modulating cell 22 is appropriately positioned with respect to the light-transmitting plate 21 according to the specific curvature of the curved surface 20, which can have various shapes, without excessively impairing the light-transmitting performance and light-shielding performance of the light-modulating cell 22. Can be pasted together.

<Directivity of Absorption Axis of Polarizing Plate and Optical Axis of Substrate Regarding VA Mode>
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 directions of the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 Base material (first
The following relationship exists with respect to the directions of the optical axes of the resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30).

<First Arrangement Mode>
FIG. 6 shows a first resin base material 29, a second resin base material 30, a first
4 is a diagram showing a polarizing layer 48 of a polarizing plate 41 and a polarizing layer 48 of a second polarizing plate 42. FIG.

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 optical axis directions “Db1” and “Db2” in FIG. 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 (absorption axis directions "Da1" and "Da2" in FIG. 6).
), the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 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 second polarizing plate. 42 polarizing layer 48
is parallel to the absorption axis direction Da2 of .

As described above, "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is the optical axis direction Db of the second resin base material 30
By arranging the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 so that the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are "perpendicular to 2", the phase difference given by the first resin base material 29 to the transmitted light is transferred to the second resin base material. can be canceled by the phase difference imparted by the material 30; Therefore, the phase difference imparted to the transmitted light by the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 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. By doing so, it is possible to suppress "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of the light shielding rate when light is blocked (that is, during black display)" due to the optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30. can. That is, the resin base materials (the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30) that inherently have optical anisotropy affect the transmitted light. (Dimmer 10) deteriorates the viewing angle and the light shielding rate at the time of light shielding. 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 in front of and behind the liquid crystal layer 49 with respect to the lamination direction are perpendicular to each other" and "the liquid crystal The optical axis direction of the substrate and the absorption axis direction of the polarizing plate arranged on the same side through the layer 49 (i.e., “optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin substrate 29 and absorption of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 Axial direction Da1” and “optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 and the polarizing layer 4 of the second polarizing plate 42
By making the absorption axis direction Da2 of 8 parallel, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the viewing angle and the light shielding rate at the time of light shielding.

FIG. 7 shows a first resin base material 29 and a second resin base material 30 showing a comparative mode with respect to the first arrangement mode.
4 shows the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42. FIG. In the comparative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is aligned with the optical axis direction D of the second resin base material 30.
b2, 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 of the first resin base material 29 Db1 is first
It is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the polarizing plate 41 , and 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 .

FIG. 8 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the light control cell 22 related to the first arrangement mode shown in FIG.
L1”) and the viewing angle characteristics of the light control cell 22 related to the comparative embodiment shown in FIG.
L2”). The viewing angle characteristics L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 8 are obtained by using the dimmer 10 having the configurations shown in FIGS. 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. Note that “azimuth=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 .

In addition, the "total light transmittance" here indicates the ratio of the total transmitted light flux to the parallel incident light flux of the test piece. include. For details of the total light transmittance, refer to "JIS (Japanese Industrial
Standards) 7375:2008". A "halogen lamp with a dichroic mirror" was used as the light source for the measurement of the total light transmittance. Obtained based on the light intensity of the wavelength of 555 nm in the light before passing through the light control cell 22 to be measured.
The total light transmittance is calculated according to the ratio of the light that passes through the light control cell 22 . Therefore, when the light intensity of 555 nm wavelength before passing through the light control cell 22 is represented by "100 (%)", the value (%) of the light intensity of the visible light wavelength after passing through the light control cell 22 Light transmittance can be expressed. The thickness of the light control cell 22 used for the measurement was about 0.55 mm, and a haze meter HM-150 manufactured by Murakami Color Research Laboratory was used as a measuring device.

As is clear from FIG. 8, according to the first arrangement mode (see symbol "L1" in FIG. 8) shown in FIG. , a light control cell 22 (light control device 10) that can reduce the amount of change in transmittance due to a change in azimuth angle and has excellent viewing angle characteristics
It turns out that we can provide

Regarding the magnitude of the transmittance (total light transmittance) itself, the transmittance L1 of the light control cell 22 according to the first arrangement mode is higher than the transmittance L2 of the light control cell 22 according to the comparative mode. , and it can be seen that the light control cell 22 according to the first arrangement mode can exhibit excellent light shielding performance.

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

In this embodiment, a retardation compensation film 45a is provided between the first polarizing plate 41 and the first electrode alignment layer 43.
is provided. This retardation compensation film 45a is adhered to the first polarizing plate 41 (protective layer 47) through an adhesive layer (OCA) 46, and the first electrode alignment layer 43 through another adhesive layer (OCA) 46. (Hard coat layer 53 (see FIG. 4A)) and functions as an A plate. In the retardation compensation film 45a functioning as an 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,
The refractive index (nz) in the z-direction perpendicular to the x- and y-directions is equal to the refractive index (ny) in the y-direction (that is, the relationship "nx>ny=nz" is satisfied). Although the material constituting the retardation compensation film 45a is not particularly limited, the retardation compensation film 45a of the present embodiment is COP
It is composed of a biaxially oriented transparent film made by

The optical axis of the first resin base material 29 is parallel to the optical axis of the second resin base material 30 (see optical axis directions "Db1" and "Db2" in FIG. 9), and the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 is the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate 4
2 (see absorption axis directions “Da1” and “Da2” in FIG. 9).
, the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 is the direction Da of the absorption axis of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41
1, 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 .

As described above, "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 and the optical axis direction D of the second resin base material 30
By arranging the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 so that the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are parallel (coincident) with b2, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are paid out from the rolls. can be supplied continuously. In general, the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 are formed in a roll state, successively unwound from the roll, and cut into a shape and size corresponding to each light control cell 22 for use. On the other hand, the resin base material is optically anisotropic in that the stretching direction is the direction of the optical axis due to the stretching process during the manufacturing process, and in the roll state, the longitudinal direction (that is, the unwinding direction) is the light direction. Axial orientation is common. Therefore, when "the optical axis direction Db1 of the first resin base material 29 coincides with the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30" as in this arrangement mode, the first resin base material 29 is fed from the roll. and the second resin base material 30 delivered from the roll can be continuously superposed while being delivered without adjusting the direction. Therefore, for example, the hard coat layer 53, the index matching layer 55, the first electrode layer 31, the second electrode layer 31, and the hard coat layer 53 shown in FIGS. Two electrode layers 32, first alignment film 33 and second alignment film 3
4, the elongated first electrode orientation layer 43 and second electrode orientation layer 44 can be produced, and large-area light control cells 22 can be efficiently mass-produced.

In addition, 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 and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin base material 30 are parallel to each other". , the optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 strongly affects the transmitted light of the light control cell 22, for example, when the light is blocked (that is, when displaying black), the viewing angle It may deteriorate the characteristics and shading rate. In order to suppress such deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and light shielding 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 second resin base material 30 and the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 are arranged so that The retardation compensation film 45a and the second resin substrate 30 are arranged so that the slow axis direction Dc of the retardation compensation film 45a and the optical axis direction Db2 of the second resin substrate 30 are parallel. Also, the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 corresponds to the absorption axis direction D of the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 .
The polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizer 41 and the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizer 42 so as to be perpendicular to a2.
is placed. As a result, it is possible to suppress "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of the light shielding rate when light is shielded (that is, during black display)" due to the optical anisotropy of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30. .

As a modified example of the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. 9, the first resin base material 29 and the first polarizing plate 41
A retardation compensation film 45a functioning as an A plate may be provided between the second resin base material 30 and the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 instead of between the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42 . in this case,
The slow axis direction Dc of the retardation compensation film 45a corresponds to 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 absorption axis direction of the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41. Each member is arranged so as to be parallel to Da1. Even with such an arrangement, the first resin base material 29
In addition, it is possible to suppress "deterioration of viewing angle characteristics and deterioration of light shielding rate during light blocking (that is, during black display)" caused by the optical anisotropy of the second resin base material 30 .

FIG. 10 shows the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 3 showing a comparative mode with respect to the second arrangement mode.
0, the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41, the polarizing layer 48 of the second polarizing plate 42, and the retardation compensation film 45a. In the comparative mode shown in FIG. 10, the optical axis direction Db of the first resin base material 29
1 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. Yes, but the first
The optical axis direction Db1 of the resin base material 29 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 polarizing layer of the second polarizing plate 42. 48 is perpendicular to the direction Da2 of the absorption axis.

FIG. 11 shows the viewing angle characteristics of the light control cell 22 (see symbol “L3” in FIG. 11) regarding the second arrangement mode shown in FIG. Figure 11
(see the symbol "L4"). 1 and 3, the viewing angle characteristics L3 and L4 shown in FIG.
4A and 4B, the light control device 10 in which the retardation compensation film 45a (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is arranged instead of the retardation compensation film 45 (see FIG. 3) is used;
It was obtained by measuring the transmittance while changing the azimuth angle with a 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. Note that "azimuth=0°" shown in FIG.
corresponds to one side of the absorption axis direction Da1 of the polarizing layer 48 of . Further, the total light transmittance is
Measured in the same manner as shown in

As is clear from FIG. 11, according to the second arrangement mode (see symbol "L3" in FIG. 11) shown in FIG. , it is possible to reduce the amount of change in transmittance due to the change in azimuth angle, and to provide the light control cell 22 (light control device 10) excellent in viewing angle characteristics.

Regarding the magnitude of the transmittance (total light transmittance) itself, the transmittance L3 of the light control cell 22 according to the second arrangement mode is higher than the transmittance L4 of the light control cell 22 according to the comparative mode. , and it can be seen that the light control cell 22 according to the second arrangement mode can exhibit excellent light shielding performance.

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

FIG. 12 is a table showing the state evaluation of bonding of the light control cells 22 (Examples 1 to 3) to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21. As shown in FIG.

In the light control devices 10 of Examples 1 and 3, the same light control cell 22 is used, but the planar size of the light transmission plate 21 (X direction size and Y direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction), The thickness (length in the stacking direction (Z-direction size)) and the curvature of the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 are different. Note that "1800R" in FIG. 12 indicates the curvature of a curve drawn by a circle with a radius of 1800 mm, and "1400R" indicates the curvature of a curve drawn by a circle with a radius of 1400 mm.

The light control cell 22 used in the light control device 10 of Examples 1 and 3 has a planar size (
X direction size and Y direction size in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) is 280 mm (X direction size)
and 288 mm (Y-direction size), and the thickness (length in the stacking direction (Z-direction size)) is 0
. 63 mm, polycarbonate is used as the base material (see the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 in FIG. 3), and an ITO film using this polycarbonate base material is used as the electrode base material, and the polarizing layer Liquid crystal display (LCD) as (see polarizing layer 48 in FIG. 3)
and a dye-based and iodine-based polarizing element that has a proven track record in car navigation applications. A spacer is used, and the sealing material 36, which is a hybrid sealing material 36 containing a UV curable resin and a thermosetting resin and having a length in the width direction (length in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) of 1.5 mm, is used. rice field.

On the other hand, in the light control device 10 of Example 2, the same light transmission plate 21 as in Example 3 is used,
Planar 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 light control cell 22 used in the light control device 10 of Example 2 has a planar size (size in the X direction and the size in the Y direction perpendicular to the stacking direction) of 280 mm.
mm (X-direction size) and 280 mm (Y-direction size), and the thickness (length in the stacking direction (
Z-direction size)) is 0.54 mm, COP is used as the substrate (see the first resin substrate 29 and the second resin substrate 30 in FIG. 3), and the polarizing plate (see the polarizing layer 48 in FIG. 3). A COP biaxial plate for VA compensation is used as an optical compensation film for VA, and a plurality of columnar spacers having a cross-sectional diameter of 15 μm and spaced apart at a pitch of 230 μm are used as spacers provided in the liquid crystal layer 49 (see spacer 52 in FIG. 3). length in the width direction (length in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction)
A sealing material 36 with a diameter of 5 mm was used. Other configurations of the light control cell 22 of Example 2 were the same as the light control cells 22 of Examples 1 and 3 described above.

Other configurations of the light control devices 10 according to Examples 1 to 3 were the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

In the light control device 10 of Examples 1 to 3 described above, the light control cell 2 for the light transmission plate 21
2 was visually confirmed, the light control cells 22 of Examples 1 and 3
In contrast, the light control cell 22 of Example 2 had conspicuous wrinkles, and the light control cell 22 could not be properly attached to the light transmission plate 21. rice field.

FIG. 13 is a table showing the state evaluation of bonding of the light control cells 22 (Examples 4 to 9) to the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21. As shown in FIG.

In Examples 4 to 9, the "light control cell 22 having different properties" was attached to the "light transmission plate 21 having the same properties" through the "optical transparent adhesive film 24 having the same properties". The state of the light control cell 22 attached to the transmission plate 21 was evaluated. Specifically, the light transmission plate 21 had a planar 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 light control cell 22 is mainly composed of base materials (the first resin base material 29 in FIG. 4A and the second resin base material 3 in FIG. 4B).
0), the shape of the spacer 52, the length in the width direction of the sealing material 36 (“seal width” in FIG. 13)
), the first polarizing plate 41 (especially see "polarizing layer 48" in FIG. 3) and the second polarizing plate 42 (especially see "polarizing layer 48" in FIG. 3) were appropriately changed as shown in FIG.

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

In the item "spacer" in FIG. 13, "columnar" indicates that a plurality of cylindrical spacers 52 having a cross-sectional diameter of 15 μm are arranged at a pitch of 230 μm, and "bead" indicates a diameter of 6 μm. A plurality of spherical spacers 52 with are randomly arranged.

In the "seal width" of FIG. 13, "5 mm (+5 mm margin)" means that the length of the sealing material 36 in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction is 5 mm, and the side opposite to the liquid crystal layer 49 with the sealing material 36 interposed therebetween. , with respect to the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 4
4 protrudes by 5 mm. "1.5 mm (+ 0 mm margin)" means that the length of the sealing material 36 in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction is 1.5 mm, and the liquid crystal layer 49 is placed on the other side of the sealing material 36 in the stacking direction. , 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
The electrode orientation layer 44 does not protrude from the sealing material 36).

The "first polarizing plate" in FIG. 13 indicates the 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 . "Iodine-based (with COP biaxial compensator)" in FIG. 13 is an iodine-based polarizer, and the polarizing layer 48 is composed of a polarizer to which a COP plate having biaxial optical compensation performance is attached. "iodine-based" indicates that the polarizing layer 48 is composed of an iodine-based polarizer (without an optical compensator), and "dye-based" indicates that a dye-based polarizer (without an optical compensator) is used. It shows that the polarizing layer 48 is constructed.

13 indicates the state of the light-modulating cell 22 bonded to the curved surface 20 of the light-transmitting plate 21 via the optically transparent adhesive film 24 (in particular, the degree and presence of distortion such as wrinkles). "
"Very Bad" (Embodiment 4) has extremely conspicuous wrinkles in the light control cell 22, and cylindrical wrinkles called tunneling are formed in the light control cell 22, making the light control cell 22 practically unusable. state. "Bad" (Example 5) indicates that conspicuous wrinkles are generated in the light control cell 22, tunneling is formed in the light control cell 22, and the light control cell 22 is in a state where practical use is not easy. show. “Average” (Example 6) indicates that wrinkles formed in the light control cell 22 are not conspicuous, but small tunneling is formed in the light control cell 22 . "Go
od" (Example 7) indicates that the light control cell 22 is in a usable state, with no tunneling formed, although slight wrinkles that are not noticeable are formed in the light control cell 22 . "Excellent"
In (Examples 8 and 9), no distortion such as wrinkles was observed in the light control cell 22, and the light control cell 22 was attached to the light transmission plate 21 in a very good state. It shows that it is in a state of exhibiting good translucency and light shielding performance.

Other configurations of the light control devices 10 according to Examples 4 to 9 were the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

From the results shown in FIG. 13, compared to the light control device 10 of Example 4, the light control device 1 of Examples 5 to 7
At 0, it can be seen that the bonding state of the light control cell 22 is improved. Dimmable cell 22 of Example 5
uses COP as a base material (see first resin base material 29 in FIG. 4A and second resin base material 30 in FIG. 4B)
It has the same configuration as the light-modulating cell 22 of Example 4, except that polycarbonate is used instead. Therefore, it can be seen that polycarbonate is preferable as the constituent material of the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 30 . Further, in the light control cell 22 of Example 6, as the polarizing layer 48 of the first polarizing plate 41 and the second polarizing plate 42, "an iodine-based polarizer attached with a COP plate having biaxial optical compensation performance" or It has the same configuration as the light control cell 22 of Example 4 except that a "dye-based polarizer" is used instead of an "iodine-based polarizer". Therefore, the first polarizing plate 4
It can be seen that a dye-based polarizer is preferable as a constituent material of the polarizing layers 48 of the first and second polarizing plates 42 . Further, in the light-modulating cell 22 of Example 7, the width of the sealing material 36 is 1.5 mm and there is no extended portion of the first electrode orientation layer 43 and the second electrode orientation layer 44 (i.e., "margin = 0 mm"). Except for this, it has the same configuration as the light control 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 stacking direction is preferably 1.5 mm. If the width of the sealing material 36 is too narrow, the light control 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 sealant 36 is too large, there is a possibility that the followability of the sealant 36 to a curved surface whose shape changes three-dimensionally will be insufficient.

Further, in the light control cells 22 of Examples 8 and 9 shown in FIG. A dye-based polarizer 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 first electrode orientation is It has the same configuration as the dimming cell 22 of Example 4, except that there is no extended portion of the layer 43 and the second electrode orientation layer 44 (see Example 7). The above-described considerations of Examples 4 to 7 are appropriate because the bonding state of the light control cells 22 according to Examples 8 and 9 was better than that of the light control cells 22 according to Examples 4 and 7. It is presumed that

The light control cell 22 of Example 8 and the light control cell 22 of Example 9 have the same configuration except that the shape of the spacer 52 is different. light cell 2
The lamination state of 2 was very good. Therefore, it is presumed that the shape of the spacer 52 has no or very little influence on the bonding state of the light control cell 22 .

FIG. 14 shows the light control cell 22 (Examples 10 to 12) for the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21.
2 is a table showing evaluation of lamination state.

In Examples 10 to 12, the "light control cell 22 having the same properties" was attached to the "light transmission plate 21 having the same properties" through the "optical transparent adhesive film 24 having different properties". The state of the light control cell 22 attached to the transmission plate 21 was evaluated. Specifically, while using the light transmission plate 21 and the light control cell 22 having the same characteristics as those of the eighth embodiment (FIG. 13) described above, the thickness in the stacking direction, the storage elastic modulus at room temperature, and the loss tangent are different. An optically transparent adhesive film 24 was used. These physical properties of Examples 10 to 12 shown in FIG.
It is a value obtained by measuring using a BM (UBM) property measuring instrument "Rheogel E4000". FIG. 14 shows the storage modulus and loss tangent at 25° C. and 50° C., respectively.

14, "Average" (Example 10) indicates a state in which the light control cell 22 is slightly distorted. "Good" (Embodiment 11) showed less distortion in the light control cell 22 than the distortion in the light control cell 22 of Example 10, but the light control cell 2
2 indicates that it is in relatively good condition. "Excellent" (Example 12) indicates that the dimming cell 22 is in very good condition with no visible distortion.

When considering Examples 10 to 12, from the viewpoint of improving the bonding state of the light control cell 22 to the light transmission plate 21, it is preferable that the storage elastic modulus of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is small (for example, Example 10 ( “2.9×10 ⁷ Pa/25° C.”) and Example 11 (“1.1×
10 ⁷ Pa/25° C.”)). Furthermore, it is preferable that the loss tangent of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is small (for example, Example 10 (“0.95/25° C.”), Example 11 (“
0.90/25°C")) and Example 12 ("0.41/25°C"). In addition, it is considered preferable that the thickness of the optically transparent adhesive film 24 in the lamination direction is thicker. The loss tangent is the light control cell 2 relative to the light transmission plate 21.
It is thought that the influence on the lamination state of 2 is large.

<Detailed structure of the spacer>
An example of a preferable relationship between the "hardness of the spacer 52" and the "hardness of the portion with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts" will be described below.

In the embodiment described below, the spacer 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape or a truncated cone shape using a photoresist by the manufacturing process of the light control cell 22 shown in FIG. That is, in the manufacturing process of the light control cell 22, the manufacturing of the first laminate (see symbol “SP1” in FIG. 15), the second
manufacturing of the laminate (see symbol "SP2" in FIG. 15), manufacturing of the liquid crystal cell (see "liquid crystal layer 49" in FIG. 3) (see symbol "SP3" in FIG. 15), and lamination of these members (see FIG. 15 sign "S
P4”) are performed sequentially. The manufacturing process SP1 of the first laminate includes a manufacturing process SP1-1 of the electrode (that is, the "second electrode layer 32"), a manufacturing process SP1-2 of the spacer 52, and an alignment layer (that is, the "second alignment film 34 ”) manufacturing process SP1-3. Although not shown, the manufacturing process SP2 of the second laminate includes a manufacturing process of the electrode (ie, the first electrode layer 31) and a manufacturing process of the alignment layer (ie, the "first alignment film 33"). . The spacers 52 are manufactured in this way, and in this embodiment, the Vickers hardness value X of each spacer 52
s is 16.9 or more and 40.2 or less (that is, "16.9 ≤ Xs ≤ 40.2" is satisfied), and the first electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 33 ) is set so that the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion is 11.8 or more and 35.9 or less (that is, “11.8≦Xf≦35.9” is satisfied), thereby improving the reliability of the spacer compared to the conventional significantly improved compared to The values of Vickers hardness are measured values under the conditions described in Examples below.

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

When the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 33) with which the ends of the spacers 52 abut is less than 11.8, the ends of the spacers 52 face each other due to the pressing force during use. Penetrates into the plane, 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 whole is bent.

When the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacers 52 is less than 16.9, the spacers 52 are crushed by external pressure and the cell gap is reduced, making it impossible to obtain the desired cell gap. Moreover, when the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 exceeds 40.2, or when the spacer 52
Even if the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the electrode abuts exceeds 35.9, the cell gap is reduced, and scratches and cracks occur. may do so.

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 (especially the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts is 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 art.

〔Test results〕
16 and 17 are charts showing test results for confirming the configuration of this spacer. The embodiments in FIGS. 16 and 17 are constructed identically, except that the construction of the spacer 52 and the alignment layer against which the spacer 52 abuts is different. More specifically,
In the light control cells of these examples, the spacers 52 are provided only on the lower laminate (see the second electrode orientation layer 44), and the Vickers hardness of the spacers 52 is adjusted by adjusting the manufacturing conditions for the spacers 52. The value Xs was varied. By adjusting the conditions for manufacturing the first alignment film 33, the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the first electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 33) with which the tip of the spacer 52 abuts was changed. .

That is, the spacers 52 are formed by applying a coating liquid for the spacers 52, drying it, and then selectively exposing the regions where the spacers 52 are to be manufactured by mask exposure using an exposure device. Note that this is the case of a negative photoresist, and in the case of a positive photoresist, on the contrary, the portions other than the portions where the spacers 52 are provided are selectively exposed. After that, the spacer 52 is selectively removed at the unexposed portion or the exposed portion by development processing, and processing such as rinsing is performed, and processing such as drying is performed as necessary.

In this exposure process, there are cases in which the photoresist is heated in advance and is in a so-called half-cured state, or the exposure process is performed in a heated environment. After performing the treatment, a heat treatment may be performed to facilitate the reaction. The hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is determined by the selection of the photoresist material for the spacer 52, the coating process, the exposure process, the heating temperature in baking in an oven, the heating temperature in the development process, the setting of the time, the amount of exposure light, and the exposure time. , and the setting of the mask cap.

In this embodiment, the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 is 14.8, 16.9, and 2 by adjusting the heating temperature and time in the exposure process and the development process, respectively.
A lower laminate (see second electrode orientation layer 44) of 2.2, 40.2 or 51.4 was produced (FIG. 18). Note that this hardness is obtained by adjusting the manufacturing conditions of the spacers 52 respectively to produce the lower laminate (see the second electrode orientation layer 44), and then the lower laminate (see the second electrode orientation layer 44).
These are measured values obtained by once manufacturing the light control cell 22 using , disassembling it, and measuring it. Also, this measurement value is the result of measuring 12 points in each light control cell and excluding the maximum and minimum values and the average value of the remaining 10 points.

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

If the occupancy rate of the spacers 52 is increased, the stress applied to each spacer is reduced, which reduces the phenomenon that the spacers 52 are crushed or the tip of the spacers 52 penetrates. The shading rate deteriorates. However, when the occupancy of the spacers 52 is small, optical characteristics such as transmittance and light shielding can be ensured, but phenomena such as crushing of the spacers 52 and penetration of their tips cannot be avoided. Accordingly, it is desirable that the occupation ratio of the spacers 52 is 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 it, and heat-curing it. (
The Vickers hardness value Xf was set to a desired value by adjusting the heating temperature and heating time. As a result, in the examples, the Vickers hardness values Xf are 10.2, 11.8, 24.8, 3
A first electrode alignment layer 43 of 5.9 or 38.5 was manufactured (FIG. 19). Note that this hardness value Xf is obtained by adjusting the manufacturing conditions of the first alignment film 33 so that the first alignment film 33 of the first electrode alignment layer 43, which is the surface with which the spacer 52 abuts, has a different hardness. 43 is manufactured, and after once manufacturing the light control cell 22 using this first electrode orientation layer 43, it is disassembled and measured. Also, this measured value is the result of measuring at 12 points and excluding the maximum value and the minimum value and using the average value of the remaining 10 points.

The Vickers hardness values Xs and Xf are PICODENTO manufactured by Helmut Fischer.
Measured using RHM500. Measurement was carried out under the conditions of a maximum load of 100 mN, with a pressing speed of 300 mN/20 sec, a release speed of 300 mN/20 sec, and a creep time of 5 seconds.

In each example of FIGS. 16 and 17, a light control cell was manufactured and tested using the first electrode alignment layer 43 and the second electrode alignment layer 44 thus manufactured. In the tests of FIGS. 16 and 17, the cell gap was measured after applying a load equivalent to 0.8 MPa with the light control cell placed on a smooth surface with high hardness by a surface plate, and the cell gap decreased. judged. The weighting time is 24 hours. Also, after weighting in this way, the upper laminate including the first alignment film 33 and the second
The lower laminate including the alignment film 34 was peeled off, and the spacers 52 were observed under a microscope to observe the crushing of the spacers 52 (hereinafter also referred to as "spacer crushing") to observe the reduction in the cell gap. The portion where the spacer 52 abuts was observed under a microscope to observe the state of penetration of the tip of the spacer 52 (film penetration).

Here, in this microscope observation, a front view, a perspective view, and a cross section are observed using a technique such as SEM, and the presence or absence of deformation of the spacer 52 is visually confirmed. If deformation of the spacer 52 is confirmed, the situation The presence or absence of "decrease in cell gap and crushing of spacers" was determined according to the conditions. Therefore, in FIGS. 16 and 17, "◯" indicates a case where no abnormality related to the corresponding item is found, and "Δ" shows a case where an abnormality related to the corresponding item is found.

Similarly, when the part where the spacer 52 abuts is obliquely observed using a technique such as SEM, and if a depression (recess) is confirmed, "film penetration" is judged as "△", and if there is no depression , "film penetration" was judged as "○".

Further, the relative positions of the first electrode orientation layer 43 and the second electrode orientation layer 44 were changed to 0.1 MPa in a state in which the first electrode orientation layer 43 and the second electrode orientation layer 44 were laminated and a load corresponding to 0.1 MPa was applied. 1c
It was displaced by m/sec, and the occurrence of scratches was visually confirmed. 16 and 17 is indicated by "△" when the occurrence of scratches is confirmed in more than half of the samples. When the occurrence is not confirmed, the item of "flaw" is indicated by "○".

In addition, in the state of the light control cell, in accordance with the bending test of JIS K5600-5-1, the light control cell is wound around a cylindrical mandrel with a diameter of 2 mm, and the base material (the first resin base material 29 and the second resin base material 29
The occurrence of cracks in the resin base material 3) was confirmed. In this test
16 and 17 when the occurrence of cracks in the base material is confirmed in more than half of the multiple samples
The item "crack" is indicated by "△", and conversely, when the occurrence of cracks in the base material is not confirmed in more than half of the multiple samples, the item "crack" is indicated by "○".

16 and 17, when the Vickers hardness value Xs of the spacer 52 was less than 16.9 (Examples 30 and 32), a decrease in the cell gap was observed. , penetration of the spacer tip into the film, scratches and cracks were observed. Also, the first electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 3
3) When the Vickers hardness value Xf of the part is less than 11.8 (Examples 20 and 22)
, scratches and cracks were 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 exceeded 40.2 (Examples 31 and 33), a decrease in the cell gap and penetration of the spacer tip into the film were observed in Example 31, and scratches were observed in Example 33. observed. Also, the first
When the Vickers hardness value Xf of the portion of the electrode alignment layer 43 (especially the first alignment film 33) exceeded 35.9 (Examples 21 and 23), a decrease in the cell gap and scratches were observed. Cracks were observed.

However, in Examples 13-19 and 24-29, these phenomena (Figs. 16 and 17
3) were not observed, and it was confirmed that the reliability of the spacer 52 could be sufficiently ensured.

<Guest host liquid crystal>
The present invention can also be applied to the light control cell 22 using a guest-host type liquid crystal. That is, the liquid crystal layer 49 may contain a dichroic dye (guest) and liquid crystal (host). The dichroic dye contained in the liquid crystal layer 49 is preferably a colorant that has light shielding properties and is capable of blocking (absorbing) desired visible light.

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

20A and 20B are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example (light shielding state) of a light control cell 22 using a guest-host type liquid crystal. FIG. (b) is a plan view of the first polarizing plate 41 with the direction of the absorption axis indicated by an arrow "A". 21A and 21B are conceptual diagrams for explaining the same light control cell 22 (light transmission state) as in FIG. A first polarizer 41 whose axial direction is indicated by arrow "A"
is a plan view of the. The absorption axis and polarization axis (light transmission axis) of the first polarizing plate 41 extend in directions perpendicular to each other.

The light control cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is also similar to the light control cell 22 shown in FIG. A pair of transparent electrodes (that is, the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32) arranged between the film substrates, and a pair of orientation films (that is, the first orientation film 33 and the second electrode layer) arranged between the pair of transparent electrodes. 2 Orientation film 34)
, and a liquid crystal layer 49 and spacers 52 disposed between a pair of alignment films. However, in the light-modulating cell 22 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the polarized light is polarized on the side opposite to the pair of transparent electrodes via one of the pair of film substrates (the first resin substrate 29 in this example). Only one plate (the first polarizing plate 41 in this example) is provided. The first polarizing plate 41 is attached to the first resin base material 29 with an adhesive layer 46 interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal layer 49 is composed of a guest-host type liquid crystal including a dichroic dye (dye) 61 and a liquid crystal 62 .

The dichroic dye 61 exists in a dispersed state in the liquid crystal 62 , 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 (the first electrode layer 31 and the 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 (in particular, the 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)). a) see). On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (the first electrode layer 31 and the 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) ( See FIG. 21(a)).
In FIGS. 20A and 21A, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are conceptually illustrated to show the orientation directions of the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62. FIG.

For example, when no voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by a light control controller (not shown), a desired electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer 49 and the dichroic dye 6
1 and the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 20(a)). In this case, light oscillating in the direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction A of the first polarizing plate 41 is blocked by the dichroic dye 61 , and light oscillating in other directions is blocked by the first polarizing plate 41 . Therefore, light traveling from the second film substrate 24 toward the first polarizing plate 41 (see 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 a light control controller (not shown), a desired electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49 and the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal are applied. 62 are arranged vertically (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 that enters the liquid crystal layer 49 is highly likely to pass through the liquid crystal layer 49 (dichroic It passes through the dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62). Further, light vibrating parallel to the polarization axis (light transmission axis) of the first polarizing plate 41 (in this example, light vibrating in a direction perpendicular to the absorption axis direction A of the first polarizing plate 41) 41 to exit from the dimming cell 22 .

When using the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 49 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 as described above,
By controlling the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, the translucency of the light control cell 22 can be appropriately changed.

Regarding the light control 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. , 34 and a liquid crystal layer 49 may be used. That is, in the case of normally black, as described above, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are oriented vertically when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49 by applying a voltage between the electrodes 25 and 26 . Therefore, horizontal alignment films are used as the alignment films 33 and 34, and positive liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal layer 49. FIG. On the other hand, in the case of normally white, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 to cause an electric field to act on the liquid crystal layer 49, the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 change as shown in FIG. Vertical alignment films are used as the alignment films 33 and 34 because it is necessary to align them in the horizontal direction.
Negative liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal layer 49 .

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

The light control cell 22 of this example has basically the same configuration as the light control cell 22 shown in FIGS. , the liquid crystal layer 49 is of a guest-host type including 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, the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32) is OFF.
In the case of , the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 are arranged in the horizontal direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction L of light) (see FIG. 22). In particular, the orientation of the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62 in this example is preferably twisted by 180 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal direction when no electric field is applied, and the dichroic dye 61 is oriented in all horizontal directions. On the other hand, when the voltage between the pair of transparent electrodes (the first electrode layer 31 and the 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) ( See Figure 23). 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. FIG.

For example, when no voltage is applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32 by a light control controller (not shown), a desired electric field is not applied to the liquid crystal layer 49 and the dichroic dye 6
1 and liquid crystal 62 are arranged horizontally (see FIG. 22). As a result, the light entering 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 a light control controller (not shown), a desired electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 49 and the dichroic dye 61 and the liquid crystal are applied. 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 that enters the liquid crystal layer 49 is highly likely to pass through the liquid crystal layer 49 (dichroic It passes through the dye 61 and the liquid crystal 62). In addition, since no polarizing plate is provided in this example, all the light that passes through the liquid crystal layer 49 and is emitted from the first film substrate 23 is emitted from the light control cell 22 .

When using the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 49 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 as described above,
By controlling the voltage applied to the first electrode layer 31 and the second electrode layer 32, the translucency of the light control cell 22 can be changed.

Regarding the light control cell 22 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, in the above description, normally black type guest-host type light control using horizontal alignment films as the alignment films 33 and 34 and using positive liquid crystal for the liquid crystal layer 49 is described. Although cell 22 has been described, a normally white guest-host dimming cell 22 may also be used. That is, when vertical alignment films are used as the alignment films 33 and 34 and negative liquid crystal is used for the liquid crystal layer 49, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes 25 and 26 to cause an electric field to act on the liquid crystal layer 49, dichroism is observed. The pigment 61 and the liquid crystal 62 may be oriented horizontally as shown in FIG.

20 to 23 described above do not show the hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG. 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 . 20 to 23 described above do not show the retardation compensation film 45 shown in FIG. may be provided. When providing the retardation compensation film 45 , the retardation compensation film 45 may be attached to the second resin base material 30 via the adhesive layer 46 , for example.

Even when the light control cell 22 including the above-described guest-host liquid crystal (that is, the liquid crystal layer 49 containing the dichroic dye 61) is used, there is a gap between the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 and the light control cell 22 An optically transparent adhesive film 24 is arranged to form a light control cell 22 on a curved surface 20 of a light transmitting plate 21.
can be glued on one side.

<E-type linear polarizing plate>
The present invention can also be applied to a light control cell 22 having an E-type linear polarizer. Below, V
The light control cell of the A method will be described as an example, but the driving method of the light control cell is not particularly limited.
For example, the technology described below can be applied to TN, IPS, or FFS dimming cells. That is, the liquid crystal layer may be a VA, TN, IPS, or FFS liquid crystal layer.

[First mode]
[Basic configuration]
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic configuration of the light control cell according to the present invention. Dimming cell 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a light control film by the VA method, which is constructed by sandwiching a liquid crystal layer 114 and a spacer 115 between a lower laminated body 112 and an upper laminated body 113, which are first and second laminated bodies each having a film shape. be. The lower laminated body 112 includes a substrate 112B made of a transparent film material comprising a hard coat layer 112A and a hard coat layer 112C, and a linearly polarizing plate 112D provided thereon. Further, a negative C plate layer 112F for optical compensation, a transparent electrode 112G, and an alignment film 112E are sequentially provided on the linear polarizing plate 112D. Note that the outer hard coat layer 112A is composed of, for example, a laminated structure of two hard coat layers.

In the upper laminate 113, a transparent electrode 113D is provided on a substrate 113B made of a transparent film material comprising a hard coat layer 113A and a hard coat layer 113C, and a linear polarizing plate 113E is further provided. In the upper laminate 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 thicknesses of approximately 10 μm and 5 μm. The hard coat layers 113A and 113C are produced with a thickness of approximately 5 μm and a thickness of approximately 5 μm. As the substrates 112B and 113B, a highly versatile film material with large optical anisotropy is applied, for example, a PET film with a thickness of 100 μm is applied. Moreover, the transparent electrode 112G,
113D is made of ITO with a thickness of 50 nm.

The linear polarizers 112D and 113E are optical functional layers that function as E-type linear polarizers. Here, the E-type linear polarizing plate is disclosed in JP-A-2011-59266 and
9, it is a linear polarizing plate provided with a polarizing layer formed by orientation of dye molecules. The polarizing layers of the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E have an absorption axis in a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction of the dye molecules, and the extraordinary refractive index is smaller than the ordinary refractive index.
The transmittance of the extraordinary ray (Extraordinary Wave) is the ordinary ray (Ordinary
y Wave).

The E-type polarizing layer is formed by applying a coating liquid having dye molecules for the polarizing layer to prepare a coating film,
It can be produced by applying a mechanical stress (shear force) to this coating layer to orient the dye molecules, and various production methods such as applying stress while applying the coating liquid can be applied. can be done. As a result, in this mode, the overall thickness can be reduced, and furthermore, the substrates 112B, 11
It is configured so that various film materials with high versatility can be applied to 3B.

That is, in the conventional light control cell, the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer incident on the linear polarizer must not impair the plane of polarization controlled by the liquid crystal layer. It is necessary to use a transparent film material, which makes it difficult to apply a versatile film material. However, as in this mode, the linear polarizer 112D,1
13E is provided on the liquid crystal layer 114 side of the substrates 112B and 113B, the substrate 112
B and 113B, even if the transmitted light is polarized in various ways, the transmitted light through the liquid crystal layer 114 can be made to have no effect on the plane of polarization. It is also possible to apply a film material having a large optical anisotropy such as a transparent film material with high versatility.

Further, by applying the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E related to the E-type linear polarizing plate, it is possible to sufficiently block the transmitted light in the oblique direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the overall thickness without providing a compensation film. .

Further, the linear polarizing plates 112D and 113E related to such E-type linear polarizing plates can be provided inside the liquid crystal cell by a coating film, whereby the liquid crystal layer 114 of the substrates 112B and 113B can be provided.
By providing it on the side, the configuration related to the linear polarizing plate can be simplified, and the thickness can be further reduced. Actually, when the linear polarizers 112D and 113E are arranged as shown in FIG. The thickness can be set to about 300 μm, which makes it possible to make the thickness significantly thinner than the conventional one.

[Specific Configuration of First Mode]
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of the light control cell 22 according to the first mode of the invention. The light control cell 22 is formed in a film shape. The light control cell 22 is a VA type light control film that controls transmitted light using a liquid crystal, and includes a lower layered body 122 and an upper layered body 123, which are film-shaped first and second layered bodies, respectively. are formed by sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 124 between them. Here, the light control cell 22 is a liquid crystal cell that controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 124 by the VA method.

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

The upper laminate 123 is a base material 1 made of a transparent film material having hard coat layers on both sides.
A transparent electrode 123B, a linear polarizing plate 123C, and an alignment film 123D are sequentially formed on 23A.
Here, the linear polarizers 122C and 123C are provided in a crossed Nicol arrangement.

Here, ITO is applied to the transparent electrodes 122B and 123B. linear polarizing plate 122C,
123C is applied with an E-type linear polarizing plate, more specifically, for example,
9 can be applied, and it is formed of a coating film of a dichroic organic dye exhibiting optical anisotropy in the vertical direction. The negative C plate layer 122D has a refractive index distribution of nz< It is a negative uniaxial retardation optical layer that satisfies nx=ny. The negative C-plate layer 122D can be made of, for example, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) film material, but in this mode, it is made of a cholesteric polymerizable liquid crystal layer made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Although the alignment films 122E and 123D are photo-alignment films, various structures such as an alignment film formed by a rubbing process and an alignment film formed by forming a fine line-shaped concave-convex shape by a molding process can be applied.

In addition, in the dimming cell 22, although the columnar spacer 125 for maintaining the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 124 is formed on the alignment film 122E of the lower laminate 122, the negative C plate layer 12
It may be provided on 2D, and furthermore, the linear polarizing plate 122C or the transparent electrode 122
You may make it provide on B. Moreover, it may be provided on the upper layered body 123 side, or may be provided on both the lower layered body 122 and the upper layered body 123 .

In the light-modulating cell 22, a sealing agent is arranged in a frame shape surrounding the liquid crystal layer 124. This sealing agent prevents leakage of the liquid crystal related to the liquid crystal layer 124, and furthermore, the upper layered body 123 and the lower layered body 122 are separated from each other. held together. Here, the sealant prevents leakage of the liquid crystal and
Although various materials capable of holding the upper laminate 123 and lower laminate 122 together can be applied, in this mode, for example, thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins, UV curing resins such as acrylic resins, heat and ultraviolet light can be applied. A curable resin or the like that is cured with is applied.

As a result, in the light control cell 22 of FIG. 25, E is applied to the linear polarizers 122C and 123C.
By applying linear polarizing plates 122C and 123C of the lower laminate 122 and the upper laminate 123 on the liquid crystal layer 124 side of the lower laminate 122 and the upper laminate 123, the lower laminate 122 and the upper laminate 1
A highly versatile material can be applied to the base materials 122A and 123A of 23. Further, by applying E-type linear polarizers to the linear polarizers 122C and 123C, the overall thickness can be reduced.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining the manufacturing process of the light control cell 22. As shown in FIG. In the manufacturing process of the light control cell, an upper layered body 123 and a lower layered body 122 are manufactured in an upper layered body manufacturing process SP102 and a lower layered body manufacturing process SP103, respectively. In addition, lamination process SP10
4, after laminating the upper layered body 123 and the lower layered body 122 with the liquid crystal layer 124 interposed therebetween, they are integrated with a sealant to form the light control cell 22 .

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing in detail the upper laminate manufacturing step SP102. In the upper laminate production step SP102 (SP111), the transparent electrode 123B is produced from ITO by sputtering or the like in the transparent electrode production step SP112. After coating the material 123A with the coating solution for the linear polarizing plate 123C, it is dried, thereby producing the linear polarizing plate 123C. In the linear polarizing plate manufacturing process, when the coating liquid is applied or after the coating film is prepared, the coating film is stretched with a blade or the like to apply a shearing force to the coating film, and the The linear polarizing plate 123C is manufactured so that the pigments of the linear polarizing plate 123C are oriented and thereby function as a linear polarizing plate. Subsequently, in the alignment film manufacturing step SP114, the alignment film 123D is manufactured by applying a coating liquid for the alignment film 123D, drying it, and then curing it by irradiating it with linearly polarized ultraviolet light. .

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the details of the lower laminate manufacturing step SP103. In the lower laminate production step SP103 (SP121), in the electrode production step SP122, the transparent electrode 122B of ITO is produced on the entire surface of the substrate 122A by sputtering. Subsequently, in the linear polarizing plate manufacturing step SP123, the linear polarizing plate 122C is coated with a coating liquid in the same manner as in the linear polarizing plate manufacturing step SP112, and then dried to form the linear polarizing plate 122C. produced. Subsequently, in this manufacturing process, in the C plate layer manufacturing process SP124, after coating the coating liquid of the alignment film related to the negative C plate layer 122D, it is dried, and the alignment control force is set by irradiating ultraviolet rays or the like. A membrane is produced. A coating liquid related to cholesteric liquid crystal is applied on the alignment film, dried, and then cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays to form the negative C plate layer 122D.

In the subsequent alignment film forming step SP125, the alignment film 122E is formed by applying a coating liquid for the alignment film 122E, drying it, and exposing it to light. Subsequently, in the spacer production step SP126, the spacer 125 is produced by coating the entire surface with a photoresist material, drying it, exposing it to light, and developing it. A transparent film material such as TAC may be applied to the negative C plate layer 122D, and the orientation film 122E and the like may be formed in advance on this transparent film material and laminated on the substrate 122A side.

[Second mode]
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the second mode of the invention. This dimming cell 2
2 is the light control cell 22 according 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. configured identically.

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 laminate, the light control cell 22 according to the first mode is the same. effect can be obtained.

[Third Mode]
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the third mode of the invention. This dimming cell 2
In step 2, a transparent electrode 122B and an alignment film 122E are formed on a transparent film material such as TAC for the negative C plate layer 122D to prepare a laminate for the negative C plate layer 122D. is laminated on the base material 122A from which the linear polarizing plate 122C is produced by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 142A to produce the lower laminate 142. 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, and then the transparent electrode 122B and the alignment film 122E may be produced. A transparent film material for the plate layer 122D may be used. In this mode, the configuration is the same as that of the light control cell according to the mode described above, except that the configuration of the lower laminate 142 is different.

According to this mode, even if the laminate relating to the negative C plate layer 122D is laminated with an adhesive layer to fabricate the lower laminate, the same light control cell as in the first or second mode can be obtained. effect can be obtained.

[Fourth Mode]
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the fourth mode of the invention. This dimming cell 2
2, a transparent film material related to a negative C plate layer 122D formed by forming an alignment film 122E and spacers 125 on a substrate 122A formed by sequentially forming a transparent electrode 122B and a linear polarizing plate 122C is laminated by an adhesive layer 142A. Then, the lower laminate 152 is produced. Note that the alignment film 122E and/or the spacer 125 may be formed after lamination with the substrate 122A. In this mode, the configuration is the same as that of the light control cell according to the mode described above, except that the order in which these parts are manufactured is different.

According to this mode, a laminated body related to a negative C plate layer 122D formed by forming an alignment film 122E and spacers 125 on a substrate 122A formed by sequentially forming a transparent electrode 122B and a linear polarizing plate 122C is formed into an adhesive layer 142A. The same effects as in the mode described above can also be obtained by forming the lower laminate 152 by laminating the layers by lamination. Further, in this case, in the laminate of the substrate, the transparent electrode, and the linear polarizing plate, the upper laminate and the lower laminate can have the same structure, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. can.

[Fifth Mode]
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view showing a light control cell according to the fifth mode of the invention. This dimming cell 2
Mode 2 is configured identically to Mode 1, except that the negative C-plate layer 122D is omitted and the lower laminate 162 is configured.

As in this mode, when practically sufficient optical characteristics can be secured, the configuration can be simplified by omitting the negative C-plate layer, and the same effect as in the mode described above can be obtained.

[Other modes]
The specific configuration suitable for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail above. can do.

For example, in the above-described second mode, the case where the transparent electrode is arranged immediately below the alignment film to form the lower laminate was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper laminate is similarly A transparent electrode may be arranged directly under the alignment film.

Also, in the above mode, the case of forming the spacers in a columnar shape using a photoresist has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and so-called bead spacers may be applied.

Even when the above-described light control cell 22 using the E-type linear polarizing plate is used, the light transmission plate 21
One side of the light control cell 22 can be adhered to the curved surface 20 of the light transmitting plate 21 by placing an optically transparent adhesive film 24 between the curved surface 20 of the light transmission plate 21 and the light control cell 22 .

<Structure of Sandwiching Dimming Cells with Light-Transmitting Plates>
The present invention can also be applied 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 light control device 10. FIG. Light control device 10 shown in FIG.
is basically configured in the same manner as the light control device 10 shown in FIG. That is, an optically 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 light control cell 22, and the optically transparent adhesive film 24 is applied to the curved surface 20 of the first light transmitting plate 221. One side of the dimming cell 22 is glued. Thus, the first light transmission plate 221
is constructed in the same manner as the light transmission plate 21 shown in FIG.

However, the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 33 further has a second light transmission plate 222 , and the light control cell 22 is arranged between the first light transmission plate 221 and the second light transmission plate 222 . The second light transmission plate 222 consists of the first light transmission plate 221 and the optically transparent adhesive film 24 .
and with respect to the stacking direction of the light control cells 22, the light control cells 22 are arranged apart from each other, and the space between the second light transmission plate 222 and the light control cells 22 is configured as an air gap (air layer). there is The second light transmission plate 222 can be configured, for example, in the same manner as the first light transmission plate 221, and the surface of the second light transmission plate 222 facing the dimming cell 22 is the first light transmission plate. It can be a curved surface similar to the curved surface 20 of 221 . However, the second light transmission plate 222 may have a shape different from that of the first light transmission plate 221 . For example, the second
The surface of the light transmission plate 222 facing the light control cell 22 is the first light transmission plate 22
It may be a curved surface different from the curved surface 20 of 1, or may be a flat surface. Also, the components of the second light transmission plate 222 may be the same as or different from the components of the first light transmission plate 221 .

By providing an air gap between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the light control cell 22, the light control device 10 shown in FIG.

In addition, in the light control device 10 of FIG. 33, the light control cell 22 includes the first light transmitting plate 221 and the second
Protected by a light transmissive plate 222 . Therefore, the light control cell 22 may not have the hard coat layer 26 shown in FIG.

FIG. 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device 10. FIG. Light control device 1 shown in FIG.
0 is basically configured in the same manner as the light control device 10 shown in FIG.

Specific components of the adhesive layer 223 are not particularly limited. For example, the adhesive layer 223 can be made of a thermoplastic resin such as PVB (polyvinyl butyral) having excellent adhesiveness, or other light-transmitting adhesive materials.

Also in the light control device 10 of FIG. 34, the light control cell 22 includes the first light transmitting plate 221 and the
The dimming cell 22 need not have the hard coat layer 26 as it is protected by the light transmissive plate 222 .

FIG. 35 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device 10. FIG. Light control device 10 shown in FIG.
is configured basically in the same manner as the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 33, but the space between the second light transmitting plate 222 and the light control cell 22 is sealed and hermetically sealed by a sealing material 225 . Figure 3
5, the space between the first light transmission plate 221 and the second light transmission plate 222 is sealed with a sealing material 225, and the optical transparent adhesive film 24 and the light control cell 22 are placed in the sealed space. are placed.

Arranging a functional member in the closed space between the second light transmission plate 222 and the light control cell 22 makes it possible to add an arbitrary function to the light control device 10 . For example, sealing material 2
By disposing silicone between the second light transmitting plate 222 sealed by 25 and the dimming cell 22, the dimming device 10 can have the functional characteristics of silicone. Also, the second light transmission plate 222 sealed with the sealing material 225
and the light control cell 22, other fluids (gases and liquids) or solids (including gel) having optical transparency can be placed. The sealed space between the second light transmission plate 222 and the light control cell 22 may be filled with a member containing one or more types of components. Second
The enclosed space between the light transmissive plate 222 and the dimming cell 22 may be evacuated.

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

FIG. 36 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the light control device 10 including the antireflection layer 300. FIG. Similar to the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 1, the light control device 10 shown in FIG. and an optically transparent adhesive film 24 provided in. However, in the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 36, the antireflection layer 300 is provided in the outermost layer of the light control cell 22 .

Although the specific type and configuration of the antireflection layer 300 are not particularly limited, an optical layer that can adjust the reflection of incident light to exhibit excellent antiglare properties and suppress outward reflection can be used. It can be used as the prevention layer 300 . Typically, the antireflection layer 300 includes an anti-glare (AG) layer that can reduce regular reflection by diffusing incident light, and an anti-reflection (AR) layer that can suppress regular reflection using interference of reflected light. Anti
Reflection) layer and low reflection (LR) composed of a low reflectance material with low reflectance
: Low Reflection) layer. Therefore, for example, an AGLR (Anti G
The antireflection layer 300 may be composed of a rare Low Reflection) layer. The structure, components, manufacturing method, and the like of the functional layer that constitutes the antireflection layer 300 are not particularly limited, and the antireflection layer 300 can be constructed 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 light control cell 22 . However, the hard coat layer 26 and the antireflection layer 300 may be realized as a single layer by, for example, mixing fine particles for adjusting reflection in the hard coat layer.

Although not shown, a functional layer such as the antireflection layer 300 may be provided at other locations in the light control device 10. For example, in addition to the antireflection layer 300 shown in FIG. Alternatively, a functional layer such as an antireflection layer may be provided on the surface of the light transmission plate 21 . Thus, at least one of the light control cell 22 and the light transmission plate 21 may be provided with the antireflection layer 300 .

FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the light control device 10 including the antireflection layers 300, 301, 302. FIG. Similar to the light control device 10 shown in FIG. 33, the light control device 10 shown in FIG. A light control cell 22 provided between two light transmission plates 222 and an optically transparent adhesive film 24 provided between the first light transmission plate 221 and the light control cell 22 are provided.

However, in the light control device 10 shown in FIG.
0 is provided, and antireflection layers 301 and 302 are provided on the front surface (upper surface in FIG. 37) and back surface (lower surface in FIG. 37) of the second light transmission plate 222 . Note that the anti-reflection layers 300, 301, 302 can include, for example, at least one of an anti-glare layer, an anti-reflection layer, and a low-reflection layer, as described above. In addition, the antireflection layer 300,
301 and 302 may have the same functions and configurations, or may have different functions and configurations.

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

Although illustration is omitted, functional layers such as the antireflection layers 300, 301, and 302 are provided in the light control device 10.
may be provided at other locations. For example, the antireflection layers 300, 301, 30 shown in FIG.
2, or instead of the antireflection layers 300, 301, 302, the first light transmissive plate 22
A functional layer such as an antireflection layer may be provided on the surface of one. Moreover, the antireflection layer 3 shown in FIG.
Any one or two of 00, 301, and 302 may be omitted. Thus, at least one of the dimming cell 22 and the second light transmitting plate 222 can be provided with the antireflection layer 300 . From the viewpoint of improving visibility, it is often preferable to dispose a functional layer such as an antireflection layer on the observer side. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 37, when the second light transmission plate 222 is arranged closer to the viewer than the first light transmission plate 221, the second light transmission plate 222 has an antireflection effect rather than the first light transmission plate 221. It is often desirable to have functional layers such as layers.

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

10 Light control device 20 Curved surface 20a Three-dimensional curved surface 21 Light transmission plate 22 Light control cell 24 Optically transparent adhesive film 26 Hard coat layer 29 First resin substrate 30 Second resin substrate 31 First electrode layer 32 Second electrode layer 33 First alignment film 34 Second alignment film 35 Liquid crystal space 36 Sealing material 41 First polarizing plate 42 Second polarizing plate 43 First electrode alignment layer 44 Second electrode alignment layer 45 Retardation compensation film 45a Retardation 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 dichroic dye 62 liquid crystal 112 lower laminate 112A hard coat layer 112B substrate 112C hard coat layer 112D linear polarizer 112E alignment film 112F Plate layer 112G Transparent electrode 113 Upper laminate 113A Hard coat layer 113B Substrate 113C Hard coat layer 113D Transparent electrode 113E Linear polarizer 113F Alignment film 114 Liquid crystal layer 115 Spacer 122 Lower laminate 122A Substrate 122B Transparent electrode 122C Linear polarizer 122D plate layer 122E alignment film 123 upper laminate 123A substrate 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 side Laminated plate 221 First light transmission plate 222 Second light transmission plate 223 Adhesive layer 225 Sealing material 226 Closed space 300 Antireflection layer 301 Antireflection layer 302 Antireflection layer

Claims (21)

a light transmitting plate having a curved surface;
a dimming cell;
and an optically transparent adhesive film disposed between the curved surface of the light transmission plate and the light control cell, and bonding one side of the light control cell to the curved surface of the light transmission plate. hand,
The light control device, wherein the light control cell has a liquid crystal layer containing a dichroic dye. a light transmitting plate having a curved surface;
a dimming cell;
and an optically transparent adhesive film disposed between the curved surface of the light transmission plate and the light control cell, and bonding one side of the light control cell to the curved surface of the light transmission plate. hand,
The light control cell is
A first substrate comprising a first substrate, and a first transparent electrode and a first alignment film provided on the first substrate
a laminate;
a second laminate including a second substrate and a second alignment film provided on the second substrate;
a liquid crystal layer provided between the first laminate and the second laminate;
The light control device, wherein each of the first laminate and the second laminate includes an E-type linear polarizer. The linear polarizing plate of the first laminate is provided on the first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side,
3. The light control device according to claim 2, wherein the linear polarizing plate of the second laminate is provided on the second substrate on the liquid crystal layer side. In the first laminate,
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,
In the second laminate,
2. The linear polarizing plate and the second alignment film are sequentially provided on the second substrate.
Or the light control device of 3. In the first laminate,
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,
In the second laminate,
The light control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the linear polarizing plate and the second alignment film are sequentially provided on the second substrate. The light control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the first laminate, the negative C plate layer is laminated on the adhesive layer. a first light transmitting plate having a curved surface;
a second light transmissive plate;
a dimming cell positioned between the first light-transmitting plate and the second light-transmitting plate;
an optically transparent adhesive film disposed between the curved surface of the first light transmission plate and the light control cell, and bonding one side of the light control cell to the curved surface of the first light transmission plate. light device. 8. The light control device of claim 7, wherein the second light transmission plate is spaced apart from the light control cell. 8. The light control device according to claim 7, wherein the second light transmission plate is attached to the light control cell via an adhesive layer. 8. The light control device according to claim 7, wherein a sealing material seals between the second light transmission plate and the light control cell. 11. The light control device according to claim 10, wherein silicone is arranged between said second light transmitting plate sealed with said sealing material and said light control cell. 11. The light control device according to claim 10, wherein a space between said second light transmitting plate and said light control cell sealed by said sealing material is vacuum. The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light transmission plate has higher bending rigidity than the light control cell. 7 to 8, wherein the first light transmission plate has higher bending rigidity than the light control cell
13. The light control device according to any one of 12. The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising an antireflection layer. further comprising an antireflection layer,
The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 13, wherein the antireflection layer is provided on at least one of the light control cell and the light transmission plate. further comprising an antireflection layer,
The light control device according to any one of claims 7 to 12 and 14, wherein the antireflection layer is provided on at least one of the light control cell and the second light transmission plate. 16. The light control device of claim 15, wherein the anti-reflection layer includes at least one of an anti-glare layer, an anti-reflection layer and a low-reflection layer. The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the curved surface is a three-dimensional curved surface. The optically transparent adhesive film has a thickness of 50 μm or more and 500 μm or less in the direction in which the optically transparent adhesive film and the light control cell are laminated, and the storage elastic modulus in a room temperature environment is
The light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the pressure is 1 x 10 ⁷ Pa or more and 1 x 10 ⁸ Pa or less. Claims 1 to 20, wherein the optically transparent adhesive film has a loss tangent of 0.5 or more and 1.5 or less.
The light control device according to any one of 1.

Images