JP6992465B2 - Dimming system for vehicles, control method of dimming member, control program of dimming member, vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle dimming system, a method for controlling a dimming member, a control program for a dimming member, and a vehicle.

Conventionally, for example, various devices have been proposed regarding a dimming member (dimming film) that is attached to a window to control the transmission of foreign light (Patent Documents 1 and 2). One such dimming member uses a liquid crystal display. In such a dimming member using a liquid crystal, a liquid crystal material is sandwiched by a transparent film material provided with a transparent electrode to manufacture a liquid crystal cell, and the liquid crystal cell is sandwiched by a linear polarizing plate.
In this dimming member, the transmission of external light is controlled by changing the electric field applied to the liquid crystal to change the orientation of the liquid crystal.

Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance is changed according to the amount of incident light into the vehicle with respect to the use of such a dimming member in a vehicle.
Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance of the dimming member is changed by contact with a specific portion of the dimming member.
Further, Patent Document 5 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance of the dimming member is reduced by parking at a specific place such as a garage.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 03-47392 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-184273 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-22245 International Publication 2015/098312 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-326526

Here, since the vehicle has multiple parts where external light is incident, if a dimming member is placed in each part, the amount of external light incident from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle can be individually measured for each part. It can be adjusted and it is thought that it can provide passengers with a more comfortable interior space.
For this purpose, it is desired that the transmittance of the light control film arranged in each part can be easily adjusted as intended by the passenger.
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily adjust the transmittance of a dimming member arranged at a plurality of portions where external light is incident as the passenger intends.

Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A vehicle dimming system provided in a vehicle in which a dimming member is arranged.
A part selection unit that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is placed, and
A control mode selection unit that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member arranged in a portion selected by the portion selection unit, and a control mode selection unit.
A drive control unit that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection unit based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.
A dimming system for vehicles equipped with.

(2) In (1)
The dimming member is arranged at a plurality of parts among the parts where the outside light of the vehicle is incident.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(3) In (1) or (2)
The site selection unit
The selection screen for selecting the part where the dimming member is arranged is displayed on the display unit, and the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged is accepted.
The control mode selection unit is
Switching the selection screen by the site selection unit to the selection screen for selecting the control mode of the dimming member arranged in the site selected by the site selection unit to accept the selection of the control mode.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(4) In (1) or (2)
The control mode selection unit is
Accepting the selection of the control mode by operating the operation unit provided at the location corresponding to the region selected by the region selection unit.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(5) In any of (1) to (4)
Provided with a mode setting unit that accepts the setting of the control standard of the transmittance of the corresponding dimming member according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(6) This is a control method for the dimming member.
A part selection step that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged, and
A control mode selection step that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member provided in the portion selected by the portion selection step, and a control mode selection step.
A drive control step that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection step based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step.
A method of controlling a dimming member.

(7) A control program for a dimming member that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member by causing the information processing apparatus to execute a predetermined processing procedure by execution by the information processing apparatus.
The processing procedure is
A part selection step that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged, and
A control mode selection step that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member provided in the portion selected by the portion selection step, and a control mode selection step.
A drive control step that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection step based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step.
A control program for the dimming member.

(8) A dimming member placed at a site where external light is incident, and
Equipped with any vehicle dimming system from (1) to (5),
Only the dimming member changes the amount of external light passing through the portion.
A vehicle featuring.

(9) In (8)
The part where external light is incident is an opening provided in the vehicle.
A vehicle featuring.

According to the present invention, the transmittance of the dimming member arranged at the portion where the external light is incident can be easily adjusted as intended by the passenger.

It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the light control film used for the light control system for a vehicle of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle which has the vehicle dimming system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the selection screen of a part selection part. It is a figure explaining the selection screen of the control mode selection part. It is a figure explaining the setting screen of a mode setting part. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the dimming system for a vehicle of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle which has the vehicle dimming system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle which has the vehicle dimming system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the selection screen of the part selection part of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the selection screen by the control mode selection part of 3rd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
[Dimming film]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a dimming film used in the dimming system for a vehicle according to the first embodiment.
The light control film 1 is a film-like member that controls transmitted light by using a liquid crystal, and is configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal cell 4 for a light control film by linear polarizing plates 2 and 3.

[Linear polarizing plate]
The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are not particularly limited as long as they include a polarizing element, and may have a polarizing plate protective film on one side or both sides of the polarizing element.
The polarizing element forms a complex of polyvinyl alcohol and iodine by immersing a film made of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in an aqueous solution containing iodine as a dichroic dye and stretching the film. Examples thereof include a polarizing element, a polarizing element made of a polymer obtained by treating a plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride to orient a polyene, and the like.
When a bicolor dye is used as a bicolor dye instead of iodine, the azo dye, the stilben dye, the methine dye, the cyanine dye, the pyrazolone dye, and the triphenylmethane dye are used as the bicolor dye. , Kinolin dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, anthraquinone dyes and the like are used.

The above-mentioned polarizing plate protective film is not particularly limited as long as it can protect the above-mentioned polarizing element and has desired transparency. Examples of the material of the polarizing plate protective film include acetyl cellulose resin, cycloolefin resin, polyether sulfone resin, amorphous polyolefin, modified acrylic polymer, polystyrene, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide. Examples thereof include a heat-curable resin such as an acrylic resin, a polyimide resin, a polyester resin, an acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an acrylic urethane resin, an epoxy resin, and a silicone resin, or an ultraviolet curable resin. Above all, it is preferable to use an acetyl cellulose-based resin, a cycloolefin-based resin, or an acrylic-based resin as the above-mentioned resin material. Among them, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), which is an acetyl cellulose-based resin, is particularly preferable.
The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are arranged in the liquid crystal cell 4 by an adhesive layer made of an acrylic transparent adhesive resin or the like by the arrangement of cross Nicols. The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are provided with retardation films 2A and 3A for optical compensation on the liquid crystal cell 4 side, respectively, but the retardation films 2A and 3A may be omitted if necessary. .. Further, instead of the cross Nicol arrangement, a parallel Nicol arrangement may be used.

An E-type linear polarizing plate formed of a coating film composed of a dichroic organic dye that exhibits optical anisotropy in the vertical direction may be applied to the linear polarizing plates 2 and 3. Thereby, the total thickness of the light control film 1 can be further reduced.
In this case, each linear polarizing plate has a liquid crystal layer on the liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 15 of the upper laminated body 5U constituting the liquid crystal cell 4 described later and the liquid crystal layer 8 side of the base material 6 of the lower laminated body 5D. It is desirable to arrange the 8 so as to sandwich it. As will be described later, it is desired that the base materials 6 and 15 have small optical anisotropy, but by arranging the E-type linear polarizing plate as described above, the transmitted light is variously polarized in the base material. However, since it is possible to prevent the transmitted light of the liquid crystal layer from being affected in any way, it is possible to use a highly versatile transparent resin film, for example, a PET film, for the substrates 6 and 15. ..

[LCD cell]
The liquid crystal cell 4 is configured by sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 8 between the film-shaped lower laminated body 5D and the upper laminated body 5U.

[Lower laminated body, upper laminated body]
The lower laminated body 5D is formed by laminating a transparent electrode 11, an alignment layer 13, and a spacer 12 on a base material 6.
The upper laminated body 5U is formed by laminating a transparent electrode 16, an alignment layer 17, and a spacer 12 on a base material 15.

〔Base material〕
Various transparent resin films can be applied to the base materials 6 and 15, but the transparent resin film has a small optical anisotropy and a transmittance of 80% or more at a wavelength in the visible region (380 to 800 nm). It is desirable to apply.
Examples of the material of the transparent resin film include an acetyl cellulose resin such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC), a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). , Polyethylene resin such as polystyrene, polymethylpentene, EVA, vinyl resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, polysulfone (PEF), polyether sulfone (PES), polycarbonate ( Examples thereof include resins such as PC), polysulfone, polyether (PE), polyether ketone (PEK), (meth) acronitrile, cycloolefin polymer (COP), and cycloolefin copolymer.
In particular, resins such as polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are preferable.
In the present embodiment, a polycarbonate film having a thickness of 100 μm is applied to the base materials 6 and 15, but transparent resin films having various thicknesses can be applied.

[Transparent electrode]
The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are composed of the transparent resin film and a transparent conductive film laminated on the transparent resin film.
As the transparent conductive film, various transparent electrode materials applied to this kind of transparent resin film can be applied, and examples thereof include a transparent metal thin film having an oxide-based total light transmittance of 50% or more. .. Examples thereof include tin oxide-based, indium oxide-based, and zinc oxide-based.

Examples of the tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) system include nesa (tin oxide SnO ₂ ), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide: antimony-doped tin oxide), and fluorine-doped tin oxide.
Examples of the indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ) system include indium oxide, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide).
Examples of the zinc oxide (ZnO) system include zinc oxide, AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), and gallium-doped zinc oxide.
In this embodiment, a transparent conductive film is formed by ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).
The specific configurations of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the present embodiment will be described in detail later.

〔Spacer〕
The spacer 12 is provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, and various resin materials can be widely applied. Here, there are mainly two types of spacers 12: spherical spacers (hereinafter referred to as “bead spacers”) and columnar spacers (hereinafter referred to as “photo spacers”).
Here, in the light control film 1, it is conceivable to form a photo spacer by using a photolithography method in which a photosensitive resin is applied after forming an alignment layer on a substrate, and then exposed and developed. In this case, it is not preferable because the alignment layer is damaged by the exposure and the developing process, which causes poor alignment. Further, it is conceivable to apply the alignment layer after the photo spacer is first produced on the substrate, but in this case, sufficient alignment control force cannot be given to the alignment layer around the photo spacer. It is not preferable because it causes misalignment. Therefore, the light control film manufactured by the photo spacer may not be able to accurately control the desired transmittance due to poor orientation.
On the other hand, the bead spacer is sprayed on the alignment layer after forming the alignment layer, and since the contact area with the alignment layer is narrow, the alignment layer as described above is damaged or the alignment is poor. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems such as the occurrence of.
Therefore, by applying the bead spacer as the spacer 12, the transmittance of the produced light control film 1 can be changed more precisely and finely than when the photo spacer is used.
Here, since the light control film 1 of the present embodiment is arranged in the vehicle 20, it is necessary to accurately control the transmittance as needed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bead spacer is applied to the spacer 12.

Here, as the bead spacer used for the spacer 12, known beads used for a liquid crystal display device, a color filter, or the like can be applied. Specifically, the inorganic component is glass, silica, metal oxide (MgO, Al ₂ O ₃ ), etc., and the organic component is acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, etc. Use core particles obtained by suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, or emulsion polymerization of material systems such as divinylbenzene copolymer, divinylbenzene-acrylic ester copolymer, diacrylic phthalate copolymer, and allyl isocyanurate copolymer. Spherical, columnar, cylindrical granules, porous bodies, hollow bodies, etc. obtained by a polymerization method such as a seed polymerization method can be used.
Further, from the viewpoint of improving the dispersibility and adhesion of the beads 12 on the alignment layer, the surface of the bead spacer may be surface-treated. The surface coating material is not particularly limited as long as immobilization on the bead surface and outflow of chemical substances into the liquid crystal material are not a problem, but for example, polyethylene and ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer weight. Combined products, ethylene / acrylic acid ester copolymers, polymethyl (meth) acrylate copolymers, SBS-type styrene / butadiene block copolymers, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, melamine resins and the like can be used.
In the above description, the spacer 12 is provided on both the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body are not limited thereto. It may be provided in either one of 5D.

[Orientation layer]
The alignment layers 13 and 17 are formed by a photo-alignment layer. As the photo-alignment material applicable to the photo-alignment layer, various materials to which the photo-alignment method can be applied can be widely applied, and examples thereof include a photodegradable type, a photodimerization type, and a photoisomerization type. can.
In this embodiment, a photodimerized material is used. Examples of the photodimerization type material include cinnamate, coumarin, benzylidenephthalimidine, benzylideneacetophenone, diphenylacetylene, stillbazole, uracil, quinolinone, maleinimide, and a polymer having a cinnamyldenacetic acid derivative. Among them, a polymer having one or both of cinnamate and coumarin is preferably used because of its good orientation control power. Specific examples of such photodimerization type materials include the compounds described in JP-A-9-118717, JP-A-10-506420, JP-A-2003-505561 and WO2010 / 150748. Can be mentioned.
Instead of the photo-alignment layer, the alignment layer may be produced by a rubbing treatment, or the alignment layer may be produced by shaping a fine line-shaped uneven shape. Further, the layer is not limited to these, and may be an alignment layer that is not subjected to optical alignment or alignment treatment such as rubbing treatment.

[Liquid crystal layer]
As the liquid crystal layer 8, various liquid crystal materials applicable to this type of light control film 1 can be widely applied. Specifically, a nematic liquid crystal compound, a smectic liquid crystal compound, and a cholesteric liquid crystal compound can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 8 as a liquid crystal compound having no polymerizable functional group.
Examples of the nematic liquid crystal compound include a biphenyl compound, a tarphenyl compound, a phenylcyclohexyl compound, a biphenylcyclohexyl compound, a phenylbicyclohexyl compound, a trifluoro compound, a phenyl benzoate compound, and a phenyl cyclohexyl benzoate compound. , Phenylbenzoate phenyl compound, bicyclohexylcarboxylic acid phenyl compound, azomethine compound, azo compound, and azooxy compound, stilben compound, tran compound, ester compound, bicyclohexyl compound, phenylpyrimidine compound. , Biphenylpyrimidine-based compounds, pyrimidin-based compounds, biphenylethine-based compounds and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the smectic liquid crystal compound include strongly dielectric polymer liquid crystal compounds such as polyacrylate-based, polymethacrylate-based, polychloroacrylate-based, polyoxylan-based, polysiloxane-based, and polyester-based compounds.
Examples of the cholesteric liquid crystal compound include cholesteryl linoleate, cholesteryl oleate, cellulose, cellulose derivative, polypeptide and the like.

In the liquid crystal cell 4, the sealing material 19 is arranged so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 8. The upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D are integrally held by the sealing material 19, and leakage of the liquid crystal material is prevented. As the sealing material 19, for example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied.

In the light control film 1, an AC voltage whose polarity is switched at a predetermined cycle is applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and an electric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer 8 by this AC voltage. Further, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules provided on the liquid crystal layer 8 is controlled by this electric field, and the transmitted light is controlled.

A VA method (Vertical Alignment type) is applied to control the orientation of the liquid crystal layer 8 in the light control film 1 of the embodiment. In the VA method, an alignment film having an orientation regulating force in the vertical direction is provided on a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, and the liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates.
In the VA method, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically oriented when there is no electric field, whereby the light control film 1 is in a light-shielding state by blocking the incident light, and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 8 is applied by the application of this electric field. Is horizontally oriented, and the light control film 1 transmits the incident light and becomes a transmitted state.
Like this VA method, a light control mode that is in a light-shielded state when there is no electric field and is in a transmitted state when an electric field is applied is called a normally black mode.

However, instead of the VA method, various drive methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, and a GH (Guest Host) method may be applied.
Here, the TN method has a configuration in which an alignment film that has been subjected to a rubbing treatment or the like so that the orientation directions differ by 90 ° is attached on a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, and the liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates. Due to the alignment restricting force of the alignment film, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the orientation direction of the alignment film, and other liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the liquid crystal molecules, so that the direction of the liquid crystal molecules is twisted by 90 °. Then, a polarizing plate is arranged on the outside of the upper and lower substrates in parallel with the orientation direction of the alignment film.
In the TN method, when there is no electric field, the light that has passed through the polarizing plate becomes linearly polarized and enters the liquid crystal display. Since the liquid crystal molecules are twisted and oriented by 90 °, the incident light is also twisted and passed by 90 °, so that they can pass through the polarizing plate below. As a result, the light control film 1 transmits the incident light and becomes a transmitted state.
Further, the application of this electric field causes the liquid crystal molecules to stand upright and untwist, but since the alignment restricting force is stronger on the surface of the alignment film, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules remains along the alignment film. In such a state, since the liquid crystal molecules are isotropic with respect to the passing light, the rotation of the linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal layer 8 in the polarization direction does not occur. Therefore, the linearly polarized light that has passed through the upper polarizing plate cannot pass through the lower polarizing plate, and the photochromic film 1 shields the incident light and enters a light-shielding state.
Like this TN method, the light control mode in which the light is transmitted when there is no electric field and is shielded when an electric field is applied is called a normally white mode.

The IPS method is a method in which electrodes are collectively formed on one of the base materials, and the amount of transmitted light is controlled by rotating the liquid crystal molecules oriented by the electric field of the electrodes in the horizontal (horizontal) direction with respect to the substrate. be.

Further, the GH method is a method using a liquid crystal composition in which a dichroic dye is dissolved as a guest in a nematic liquid crystal as a host. Since the dichroic dye has a uniaxial light absorption axis and absorbs only light vibrating in the light absorption axis direction, the orientation of the dichroic dye is changed according to the movement of the liquid crystal display due to the electric field. By controlling the orientation of the light absorption axis, the transmission state of the liquid crystal cell can be changed.
The liquid crystal composition used in the GH method is roughly classified into a positive type and a negative type depending on the difference in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied.
A positive nematic liquid crystal is a liquid crystal having a positive dielectric anisotropy, which has a large dielectric constant in the long axis direction and a small dielectric anisotropy in the direction perpendicular to the long axis. It is perpendicular, and when an electric field is applied, the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule is parallel to the optical axis.
On the other hand, the negative type nematic liquid crystal is a liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy, which has a small dielectric constant in the long axis direction and a large dielectric anisotropy in the direction perpendicular to the long axis. On the other hand, it is parallel to each other, and when an electric field is applied, the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule is perpendicular to the optical axis.
Here, since the dichroic dye molecules are oriented in the same direction as the liquid crystal molecules, when a positive nematic liquid crystal is used as a host, it is in a light-shielded state when there is no electric field and in a transmissive state when an electric field is applied (normally). Black mode).
On the other hand, when a negative type nematic liquid crystal is used as a host, on the contrary, it is in a transmissive state when there is no electric field and in a light-shielded state when an electric field is applied (normally white mode).
Examples of the dichroic dye used in the GH method include dyes that are soluble in liquid crystal and have high dichroism, preferably dyes having an order parameter (S value) of 0.7 or more, and for example, azo. Examples thereof include dichroic dyes such as anthraquinone, quinophthalone, perylene, indigo, thioindigo, merocyanine, styryl, azomethine, and tetrazine.
When the light control film 1 is manufactured by the GH method, the linear polarizing plate can be omitted.
Further, the liquid crystal cell 4 may be driven by a so-called multi-domain method by patterning the optical alignment layer or the like, or may be further driven by a single domain.
Further, the light control film 1 can be widely applied when various light control films whose transmitted light amount can be adjusted are used in addition to the light control film using the liquid crystal described above.

[Vehicle dimming system]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the vehicle 20 of the first embodiment. The vehicle 20 in FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the vehicle 20 as viewed from above vertically.

The vehicle 20 is a four-seater passenger car, and seats S1 to S4 are provided in the vehicle as shown in FIG. The seat S1 is a driver's seat, and the passenger M1 of the seat S1 is the driver of the vehicle 20.
The dimming film 1 of the present embodiment includes a roof window 22 of a vehicle (passenger car) 20, a front seat side window 23A on the driver's seat side, a rear seat side window 23B on the driver's seat side, and a front seat side window 23C on the passenger seat side. The rear window 23D on the passenger seat side, the rear window 24, the sun visor 25A on the driver's seat side, and the sun visor 25B on the passenger seat side are arranged on almost the entire surface thereof.

More specifically, on the roof window 22, the side windows 23A to 23D, and the rear window 24, the dimming film 1 is attached to and held from the inside of the vehicle on a glass plate which is a transparent plate material constituting each of the windows 22 to 24. Will be done. The light control film 1 may be attached from the outside of the vehicle, or may be sandwiched between the glass plates of the laminated glass of each window via an interlayer film.

The sun visors 25A and 25B are shades provided on the driver's seat (S1) side and the passenger seat (S3) side of the upper end edge of the front window, respectively. In the sun visors 25A and 25B of the present embodiment, a transparent plate made of an acrylic material or the like is movably held on the upper end edge of the front window 21, and the light control film 1 is attached to the entire surface of the transparent plate.

A drive power supply is individually supplied to each dimming film 1 provided in each of the windows 22, 23A to 23D, 24, and the sun visors 25A, 25B. Therefore, the transmittance of external light such as sunlight incident on the windows 22, 23A to 23D, 24, the sun visors 25A, and 25B can be individually adjusted by each dimming film 1.
The portion where the light control film 1 is provided may be provided at any one or a plurality of of these plurality of portions, or may be provided at a portion other than these of the vehicle 20.

The vehicle 20 drives a dimming film 1 arranged on windows 22, 23A to 23D, 24, sun visors 25A, and 25B, a site selection unit 32, a control mode selection unit 33, a mode setting unit 34, and a dimming film 1. A vehicle dimming system 31 having a control unit 35 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the vehicle dimming system 31 having the site selection unit 32, the control mode selection unit 33, the mode setting unit 34, and the drive control unit 35 is an information processing device (for example, for example) as a control program for the dimming film 1. It is configured to be executed by an electronic control unit (ECU 37) provided in the vehicle 20.
Here, the ECU 37 is an input circuit unit and an arithmetic processing unit (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") for inputting various sensor outputs provided in the vehicle, various signals such as position information of the vehicle 20, operation signals output from the operation panel, and the like. , Various arithmetic programs executed by the CPU, the control program of the above-mentioned dimming film 1, a storage circuit unit for storing the arithmetic results, control signals for controlling each part such as the drive source (engine) of the vehicle 20 and the like. It is provided with an output circuit unit or the like that outputs a control signal or the like that controls the light control film 1.
The vehicle dimming system 31 is not limited to the configuration based on the control program, and each unit 32 to 35 constituting the vehicle dimming system 31 may be configured by a dedicated processing circuit.

The vehicle 20 is provided with an image display device 38 using a display panel provided with a touch panel on the instrument panel, and the touch panel constitutes an operation signal input circuit related to the operation of the dimming film 1. Further, a menu or the like related to the operation of the touch panel is displayed on the display panel, and the user interface related to the operation of the dimming film 1 is configured by the touch panel and the display panel.
The image display device 38 is, for example, shown in an example of being arranged in the central portion of the instrument panel, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image display device 38 may be arranged in various parts such as a center console.
Further, as the configuration of the display panel provided with the touch panel, the configuration of the car navigation device may be used, and further, the configuration of the head-up display having the touch panel on the transparent screen may be used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen of a site selection unit. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen by the part selection unit displayed on the display panel. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a state in which a specific portion is selected on the selection screen of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing another example of the selection screen by the part selection unit displayed on the display panel.
The portion selection unit 32 is a portion that accepts selection of a portion on which the light control film 1 is arranged. Specifically, the site selection unit 32 selects a light control film whose control mode, setting, etc. are to be changed from the light control films provided in each window and the sun visor.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the site selection unit 32 displays a selection screen on the display panel of the image display device 38 at which a site on which the dimming film is provided can be selected, and the passenger requests. From the displayed selection screen, select the part for which you want to change the control mode of the photochromic film.
The display panel of the image display device 38 displays a menu screen for adjusting each part of the vehicle 20 as an initial image, and the part selection unit 32 has a menu for operating the dimming film 1 on the menu screen. When selected by a person, the selection screen shown in FIG. 3A is displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the message "Please select the adjustment point" prompting the selection of the adjustment point is displayed on the top row of the selection screen, and the vehicle 20 seen from above is displayed in the middle row. The roof window 22, the side windows 23A to 23D, the rear window 24, the sun visors 25A, and 25B, which are the parts where the light control film is arranged, are different from the other parts as shown by the hatching. It is displayed by color (pattern). As a result, the passenger of the vehicle 20 can intuitively grasp that these parts are selectable parts.
Further, at the bottom, a "back" button for switching the display to the previous screen (menu screen) and a "done" button indicating the completion of the selection are displayed.

When the part to be adjusted by the light control film is selected on the selection screen shown in FIG. 3A, the display of the selected part is different from the display of other parts as shown in FIG. 3B. Is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the display of the selected portion (roof window) is switched from the hatch display to the fill display. This makes it possible for the passenger to intuitively grasp the selected part. Further, by operating the "Done" button, the selection of the corresponding light control film 1 is accepted.
The part selection unit 32 may accept selection by various displays instead of the selection screen based on the external view of the vehicle 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, selectable parts may be displayed in a list by characters to accept selection.
Further, the part selection unit 32 shows an example in which a part is selected based on the operation of the touch panel, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the instrument panel, the position corresponding to the seat position of each passenger, and the like. May be provided with an operation button, and selection may be accepted according to the operation of the operation button.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen of the control mode selection unit.
The control mode selection unit 33 is a portion that accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 1 provided in the portion selected by the portion selection unit 32.
When the site selection unit 32 accepts the selection of the light control film 1 by operating the "Done" button on the selection screen of FIG. 3, the control mode selection unit 33 switches the display of the image display device 38, and the display of the image display device 38 is shown in FIG. As shown, a plurality of control mode selection screens that can be set on the light control film 1 of the corresponding portion are displayed, and selection by the passenger is accepted.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a control mode selection screen when the light control film 1 of the roof window 22 is selected.
The vehicle dimming system 31 of the present embodiment is a translucent mode, a dimming film 1 in which the transmittance of the dimming film 1 arranged at each portion is set to the maximum value to make the dimming film 1 translucent. Light-shielding mode that sets the transmittance of the light control film 1 to the minimum value to put the light-shielding film 1 in a light-shielding state, a transmission rate adjustment mode that sets the light-transmitting film 1 to the transmittance specified by the passenger, and the amount of external light incident on the vehicle. An automatic adjustment mode is provided to change the transmittance according to the light. A detection unit (light receiving element) (not shown) for detecting the amount of incident light is provided in the vehicle, and the detection unit detects the amount of external light incident in the vehicle.
Here, the control of the dimming film related to the side windows 23A and 23C on the front seat side has a transmittance within a range that satisfies the transmittance standard specified in the safety standard of the Road Transport Vehicle Law from the viewpoint of driving the vehicle safely. To fluctuate.

The control mode selection unit 33 may change the display order of the control modes according to the frequency of use. For example, the control mode selection unit 33 displays the most frequently used control mode at the top, the displayed position becomes lower as the frequency of use decreases, and the least frequently used control mode is displayed at the bottom. It may be displayed.
Further, the control mode selection unit 33 shows an example in which the control mode is selected based on the operation of the touch panel, but the present invention is not limited to this, and corresponds to the instrument panel and the seat position of each passenger. An operation button may be provided at a position or the like, and a control mode may be selected by operating the operation button.

In addition to the above-mentioned control mode, the vehicle dimming system 31 may further provide a specific control mode for each window and each sun visor.
For example, with respect to the side windows 23B and 23D of the rear seats and the dimming film 1 of the rear window 24, when another vehicle is located within a predetermined distance from the side or the rear of the vehicle 20. From the viewpoint of preventing the inside of the vehicle from being looked into by another vehicle, a privacy mode may be provided that automatically changes to a light-shielding state where the transmittance is the minimum value.

Further, with respect to the light control film 1 of the roof window 22, the side window 23, and the rear window 24, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 20 is in the parked state, and when it is determined that the vehicle 20 is in the parked state, each adjustment is made. A parking mode may be provided in which the optical film 1 is automatically changed to a light-shielded state.
Here, the parked state is a state in which the vehicle 20 is continuously stopped, or a state in which the vehicle 20 is stopped and the driver of the vehicle 20 cannot immediately drive away from the vehicle 20.
Specifically, for example, the parking brake mechanism is in a braking state for a certain period of time or longer, or in the case of an automatic vehicle, the shift lever is located in the parking range, the neutral range, the gasoline engine, or the like. In the case of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, the power of the drive control circuit that drives the electric motor is cut off in the state where the internal combustion engine is stopped, and in the case of a vehicle powered by an electric motor such as an electric vehicle. It means the state where all the passengers get off and the door is locked (locked).

Further, from the viewpoint of reducing the glare of the driver and passengers in the passenger seat when external light such as sunlight directly enters the dimming film 1 of the sun visor 25 from the front window. An anti-glare mode that automatically changes to a light-shielded state may be provided. Whether or not external light such as sunlight directly enters the front window is determined according to, for example, a detection unit for detecting the amount of external light incident from the front window.
The control mode selection unit 33 may be able to select (ON) a plurality of control modes among the above-mentioned control modes within a range that does not cause a contradiction in the control operation of the light control film. For example, when the shading mode is selected to "ON", "OFF" is automatically selected for other control modes (translucency mode, transmittance adjustment mode, automatic adjustment mode), and the shading mode is set to "OFF". Unless, other control modes cannot be selected as "ON".

In the vehicle dimming system 31 of the present embodiment, the control mode can be set individually for each of the four side windows, and the sun visors 25A and 25B on the driver's seat and passenger's seat sides can also be set individually. The control mode can be set to.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control mode selection unit 33 displays a message indicating the selected portion and a message prompting the selection of the control mode at the top of the control mode selection screen, and can be selected in the middle. Multiple control modes are displayed in sequence, and a "Back" button for switching the display to the previous screen and a "Done" button for instructing the completion of selection are displayed at the bottom.
Further, the display of each control mode includes a brief description of the control content of the light control film 1 by the control mode, and "ON" and "OFF" indicating selection and non-selection of the control mode.

On this selection screen, the control mode selection unit 33 switches the display indicating selection or non-selection by operating the touch panel, and when the "done" button instructing the completion of selection is operated, the control mode is displayed by the corresponding display. Accept your choice.
In addition, the control mode selection unit 33 displays the control mode that can be selected in the same manner even when another part is selected, and accepts the selection of the control mode from the passenger.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a setting screen of the mode setting unit. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a display screen related to the selection of the control standard, and is a display screen when the transmittance adjustment mode is selected. FIG. 5B is an example of another display screen when the transmittance adjustment mode is selected.
The mode setting unit 34 receives the setting of the control standard of the transmittance of the corresponding light control film 1 according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 33.

In the present embodiment, when the transmittance adjustment mode or the automatic adjustment mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the mode setting unit 34 switches the display screen of the image display device 38 to control the selected control mode. Display the setting screen that accepts the standard setting.
On the other hand, when the light-shielding mode is selected, the transmittance to be changed by the light control film is determined to be the minimum value, so that the mode setting unit 34 omits the setting of the control reference. Similarly, even when the translucent mode is selected, since the transmittance to be changed by the light control film is determined to be the maximum value, the setting of the control reference is omitted by the mode setting unit 34.

The mode setting unit 34 displays a message indicating the selected part and the control mode at the uppermost stage of this display and a message prompting the setting of the control standard, and displays information related to the setting of the control standard at the middle stage. .. Further, the mode setting unit 34 displays a "back" button for switching the display to the previous screen and a "done" button for instructing the completion of the setting at the bottom.
On this setting screen, the mode setting unit 34 sets the control standard based on the display of the information related to the setting of the control standard by the operation of the touch panel, and when the "Done" button is operated, the control standard is set. accept.

For example, when the transmittance adjustment mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the mode setting unit 34 displays the setting screen on the display panel as shown in FIG. 5A.
In this case, a bar graph-like screen that can be set step by step from the maximum value (bright) to the minimum value (dark) of the transmittance, which is the setting of the control standard, is displayed in the middle of the setting screen. To. By touching the part corresponding to the desired brightness of this bar graph-shaped screen, the passenger can visually recognize the set brightness (transmittance of the dimming film). When the setting is completed and the "Finish" button is operated, the transmittance of the light control film 1 of the selected portion (for example, the roof window 22) changes to the set transmittance.
Here, since the light control film 1 of the present embodiment uses the bead spacer for the spacer 12 as described above, it more accurately responds to the preference of the occupant as compared with the case where the photo spacer is applied. The transmittance can be varied, and the interior space of the vehicle can be made comfortable.

Further, even when the automatic adjustment mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the mode setting unit 34 displays the same setting screen as in FIG. 5A, and the passenger is automatically adjusted in the vehicle interior. Brightness can be set.
The setting screen is not limited to FIG. 5A, and for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, "bright" indicating the maximum value of the transmittance and the minimum value of the transmittance are shown. "Dark" and "middle", which is an intermediate area between "bright" and "dark", may be displayed so that either one can be selected.
Further, the mode setting unit 34 similarly controls according to the corresponding control mode even when another part is selected by the part selection unit 32 or another control mode is selected by the control mode selection unit 33. Accepts standard settings.

The drive control unit 35 includes a power supply unit that outputs a drive power source to the light control film 1, and is composed of an arithmetic processing unit that controls the power supply unit.
The drive control unit 35 individually separates the drive power supply for the roof window drive control unit 35A that controls the drive power supply for the light control film 1 provided on the roof window 22 and the drive power supply for the light control film 1 provided on the side windows 23A to 23D. Side window drive control unit 35B to control, rear window drive control unit 35C to control the drive power supply of the light control film 1 provided in the rear window 24, and drive of the light control film 1 provided in the sun visors 25A and 25B. A sun visor drive control unit 35D that individually controls the power supply is provided.

The drive control unit 35 uses the roof window drive control unit 35A, the side window drive control unit 35B, the rear window drive control unit 35C, and the sun visor drive control unit 35D to select the parts 32 and the control mode selection unit 33. The drive voltage of each light control film 1 is changed according to the setting content of the mode setting unit 34 to change the transmittance of the corresponding light control film 1.

That is, when the light-shielding mode is selected by the passenger in the control mode selection unit 33, the drive control unit 35 adjusts the drive voltage of the light control film 1 corresponding to the portion selected by the portion selection unit 32 and transmits the light. The rate is set to the minimum value, thereby blocking external light such as sunlight.
Further, when the translucent mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the transmittance of the light control film 1 corresponding to the portion selected by the portion selection unit 32 is similarly set to the maximum value, whereby the sun is set. Take in as much external light as possible into the car.
Further, when the transmittance adjustment mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the drive voltage of the light control film 1 corresponding to the portion selected by the portion selection unit 32 is similarly adjusted by the mode setting unit 34. The transmittance is set according to the set control standard, and the amount of incident light entering the vehicle is adjusted in various ways.

Further, when the automatic adjustment mode is selected in the control mode selection unit 33, the brightness in the vehicle detected by the light receiving element (not shown) arranged in the vehicle corresponds to the control standard selected in the mode setting unit 34. The drive voltage of the light control film 1 corresponding to the part selected by the part selection unit 32 is adjusted so as to have the brightness inside the vehicle, and the transmittance of the light control film 1 is automatically adjusted by this to make it comfortable. Providing space inside the car.

The vehicle dimming system 31 operates by being supplied with electric power from an alternator and a battery mounted on the vehicle 30.
Here, the alternator is a generator connected to the axle or engine of the vehicle 30, and is a rectifier called a rectifier that rectifies the generated AC voltage and converts it into a DC output voltage, and an integrated circuit. It is integrally equipped with a voltage control device called a voltage regulator that is formed by the above and controls the output voltage.
Since the voltage output from the alternator changes according to the rotation speed of the axle of the vehicle 30 or the rotation speed of the engine, the voltage regulator monitors the output voltage and controls the field current of the alternator. The output voltage is being adjusted. The voltage regulator supplies electric power at a voltage at which the electrical components of the vehicle 30 normally operate even under ever-changing operating conditions.

The battery is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lead battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, or a lithium ion battery. The battery stores the output voltage from the alternator and discharges the stored output voltage to supply power to the vehicle dimming system 31. Supply.
The method of supplying electric power to the vehicle dimming system 31 has shown an example in which electric power is supplied from an alternator and a battery mounted on the vehicle 30, but the method is not limited to this, and for example, the vehicle 30 Power is supplied from either the alternator or the battery mounted on the vehicle, a battery for the vehicle dimming system 31 is separately provided, and power is supplied from the battery. The power supply method of may be applied.

The drive control unit 35 of the vehicle dimming system 31 may drive the dimming film 1 with an AC voltage or may be driven with a DC voltage. In this case, a converter may be provided in the power supply unit to the light control film 1 to convert the power supplied from the battery or the alternator according to the type of voltage used by the light control film 1.
The light control film 1 of the present embodiment usually controls the fluctuation of the transmittance by applying an AC voltage. However, the light emitted from an external light emitter such as a traffic light may be difficult to see due to the frequency of the AC voltage. In such a case, the drive control unit 35 of the present embodiment is used. Can switch the voltage supplied from the converter from the AC voltage to the DC voltage and suppress the light emitted from the light emitter from becoming difficult to see as much as possible.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the vehicle dimming system of the first embodiment.
With the configuration of each of the parts 32 to 35 described above, the vehicle dimming system 31 controls the dimming film 1 by repeating the processing procedure (SP1 to SP5) shown in FIG.

That is, the vehicle dimming system 31 provided in the vehicle 20 accepts the selection of the portion where the dimming film 1 is arranged by the portion selection unit 32 (SP1), and is subsequently selected by the control mode selection unit 33. Accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 1 arranged in the portion (SP2).
Here, when the selected control mode requires the setting of the control standard such as the transmittance adjustment mode or the automatic adjustment mode, the mode setting unit 34 accepts the setting of the control standard (SP3), and the selected dimming film. The transmittance that is the control target of 1 is determined (SP4). Then, the driving voltage of the corresponding light control film 1 is changed to change the transmittance so as to obtain the determined transmittance (SP5).
On the other hand, when the selected control mode does not require the setting of the control standard as in the translucent mode and the light-shielding mode, the drive voltage of the corresponding dimming film 1 is changed so that the transmittance is predetermined in the control mode. The transmittance is changed (SP5).

From the above, the vehicle dimming system 31 of the present embodiment has the following effects.

(1) The vehicle dimming system 31 of the present embodiment is provided on the vehicle 20 in which the dimming film 1 is arranged at each of a plurality of portions (22 to 25) where external light is incident, and the dimming film 1 is provided. The site selection unit 32 accepts the selection of the arranged site, the control mode selection unit 33 accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 1 arranged in the site selected by the site selection unit 32, and the site selection unit 32. It includes a drive control unit 35 that adjusts the transmittance of the light control film 1 arranged at the selected portion based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 33.
As a result, the transmittance of the dimming member arranged at the plurality of portions where the external light is incident can be easily adjusted as intended by the passenger.

(2) The vehicle dimming system 31 and the portion selection unit 32 of the present embodiment display a selection screen for selecting a portion on which the dimming film 1 is arranged on the display panel, and the dimming film 1 is arranged. Upon receiving the selection of the part, the control mode selection unit 33 switches the selection screen by the part selection unit 32 to the selection screen for selecting the control mode of the light control film 1 arranged in the part selected by the part selection unit 32. , Accepts the selection of control mode.
As a result, it is possible to sequentially accept the selection of the part and the selection of the control mode by switching the display, which is easier for the passenger to understand, and the selection and setting of the dimming film provided in each part (each window, each visor). Can be made easier.

(3) The vehicle dimming system 31 of the present embodiment is a mode setting unit 34 that accepts the setting of the control standard of the transmittance of the corresponding dimming film 1 according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 33. To prepare for.
Thereby, the control mode of the light control film can be set in more detail according to the request of the passenger, and the transmittance of the light control film can be controlled to a more desired transmittance.

(4) The control method of the dimming member of the present embodiment is a control method of the dimming film 1 arranged at a plurality of portions (22 to 25) where the outside light of the vehicle 20 is incident, and is the dimming film 1. A part selection step (SP1) that accepts the selection of the part in which the light beam is arranged, and a control mode selection step (SP2) that accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 1 provided in the part selected by the part selection step (SP1). A drive control step (SP5) that adjusts the transmittance of the light control film 1 arranged at the site selected by the site selection step (SP1) based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step (SP2). And prepare.
As a result, the transmittance of the dimming member arranged at the plurality of portions where the external light is incident can be easily adjusted as intended by the passenger.

(5) The control program for the dimming member of the present embodiment is executed by the information processing device 37 to cause the information processing device 37 to execute a predetermined processing procedure, and is arranged at a plurality of portions where the external light of the vehicle 20 is incident. It is a control program of the light control film that adjusts the transmittance of the light control film 1, and the processing procedure is a part selection step (SP1) for accepting selection of a part where the light control film 1 is arranged, and a part selection step. A control mode selection step (SP2) that accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 1 provided at the portion selected by (SP1), and a light control film arranged at the portion selected by the site selection step (SP1). It includes a drive control step (SP5) for adjusting the transmittance of 1 based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step (SP2).
As a result, the transmittance of the dimming member arranged at the plurality of portions where the external light is incident can be easily adjusted as intended by the passenger.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle having the vehicle dimming system of the second embodiment.
In the following description and drawings, parts that perform the same functions as those of the above-described first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals at the end (last two digits), and duplicate description will be omitted as appropriate.
As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle dimming system 131 of the present embodiment is provided with image display devices 142B, 142C, 142D in each of the seats S2, S3, and S4 other than the driver's seat S1, and a sun visor. The dimming film 101 is provided at the upper end of the front window 126 instead of the sun visor drive control unit 135, and the front window drive control unit 135E is provided at the drive control unit 135 instead of the sun visor drive control unit. It is different from the vehicle dimming system 31 of the first embodiment.

In the vehicle 120 equipped with the vehicle dimming system 131, image display devices 142B, 142C, 142D having a touch panel are attached to the interior panels of the seats S2, S3, and S4 other than the seat (driver's seat) S1, respectively. It is provided so as to correspond to the side windows 123B, 123C, 123D.
The vehicle dimming system 131 of the present embodiment uses the touch panels (operation units) of the image display devices 142B, 142C, 142D to control modes of the dimming films 101 provided on the side windows 123B, 123C, 123D. It can accept selections and mode settings.

Specifically, when the touch panel of the image display device 138 is operated and any one of the side windows 123B, 123C, and 123D is selected by the site selection unit 132, the control mode selection unit 33 replaces the image display device 138. On the image display device (142B) corresponding to the selected side window (for example, the side window 123B), a selection screen for accepting the selection of the control mode of the dimming film 101 of the selected side window (123B) is displayed. ..
Further, based on the selected control mode, the mode setting unit 134 displays a control standard setting screen for the transmittance of the light control film 101 on the corresponding image display device (142B).
In this way, by providing the touch panel (operation unit) at the location corresponding to each side window (123B, 123C, 123D), when any one of the side windows 123B, 123C, 123D is selected by the site selection unit 132. , Seats S2, S3, S4 passengers can easily select and set the control mode of the side window corresponding to their seat, which can improve the convenience of the dimming system in the vehicle. can.

The control mode selection screen and setting screen of the dimming film 1 of each side window 123B, 123C, 123D are displayed on the corresponding image display devices 142B, 142C, 142D and also on the image display device 138. You may do so.
Further, instead of the image display devices 142B, 142C, 142D (touch panel), an operation unit using a lever, a button, or the like is provided at a position corresponding to each side window 123B, 123C, 123D, and a control mode displayed on the image display device 138 is provided. The selection screen and the setting screen may be operated by the operation buttons.
Further, a head-up display may be provided in each side window 123B, 123C, 123D so that the control mode selection screen and the setting screen are displayed in each side window 123B, 123C, 123D.

As described above, the vehicle 120 of the present embodiment is provided with the light control film 101 at the upper end of the front window 126 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction.
Further, the drive control unit 135 is provided with a front window drive control unit 135E to control the transmittance of the light control film 101 provided on the front window 126.
By controlling the transmittance of the light control film 101 provided on the front window 126, it is possible to limit the incident of external light such as sunlight from the front in the traveling direction of the vehicle 120, and the vehicle is driven by glare. It is possible to prevent the safe driving of the person from being hindered. As for the control mode of the dimming film 101 of the front window 126, the translucent mode, the light blocking mode, the transmittance adjustment mode, the automatic adjustment mode and the like are applied as in the control mode of each window of the first embodiment described above. be able to.
In the present embodiment, the light control film 101 of the front window 126 has been described by an example provided in place of the light control film of the sun visor of the first embodiment described above, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be provided together with the light control film of the sun visor of the first embodiment.

From the above, the vehicle dimming system 131 of the present embodiment has the same effect as the vehicle dimming system 31 of the first embodiment described above.
Further, in the vehicle dimming system 131 of the present embodiment, the control mode selection unit 133 is operated by the touch panel (operation unit) provided at the location corresponding to the side windows 123B to 123D selected by the site selection unit. Accepts control mode selection.
This allows each passenger other than the driver to easily select and set the control mode of the side window corresponding to his / her seat, further increasing the transmittance of the dimming film and the intention of the passenger. It can be easily adjusted to do so.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle having the vehicle dimming system of the third embodiment.
In the following description and drawings, parts that perform the same functions as those of the above-described first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals at the end (last two digits), and duplicate description will be omitted as appropriate.
In the vehicle dimming system 231 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the dimming film 201 is arranged only on the roof window 222 of the vehicle 220, and the drive control unit 235 is provided on the roof window 222. Only the roof window drive control unit 235A that controls the light control film 201 is provided, the part that can be selected by the part selection unit 232 is one place, and the control mode selection unit 233 can select the part. It is mainly different from the vehicle dimming system 31 of the first embodiment in that there is only one type of control mode.

Here, the roof window 222 of the vehicle 220 is a transparent substrate arranged in the opening 221 provided on the ceiling (roof) of the vehicle 220.
In the vehicle 220 of the present embodiment, as described above, the light control film 201 is provided only in the roof window 222, and only this light control film 201 passes through the opening 221 in which the roof window 222 is provided. Change the amount of light. Specifically, the opening 221 of the vehicle 220 is not provided with a light-shielding member or the like that changes the amount of external light passing through the opening 221 in addition to the dimming film 201 of the roof window 222. That is, only the dimming film 201 provided on the roof window 222 changes the amount of external light such as sunlight passing through the opening 221 of the vehicle 220. In the present embodiment, the outside of the vehicle 220 and the vehicle When viewed from the inside, the roof window 222 is always exposed.

The vehicle 220 of the present embodiment includes a dimming film 201 arranged on the roof window 222, a dimming system 231 for a vehicle having a site selection unit 232, a control mode selection unit 233, and a drive control unit 235 of the dimming film 201. Is provided.
In the present embodiment, the vehicle dimming system 231 having the site selection unit 232, the control mode selection unit 233, and the drive control unit 235 is an information processing device (for example, the vehicle 220) that executes the control program of the dimming film 201. It is composed of an electronic control unit (ECU 237) provided.
The vehicle dimming system 231 is not limited to the configuration by the above control program, and each unit 232, 233, 235 constituting the vehicle dimming system 231 may be configured by a dedicated processing circuit. good.

The vehicle 220 is provided with an image display device 238 using a display panel provided with a touch panel on the instrument panel, and the touch panel constitutes an operation signal input circuit related to the operation of the dimming film 201. Further, a menu or the like related to the operation of the touch panel is displayed on the display panel, and the user interface related to the operation of the dimming film 201 is configured by the touch panel and the display panel.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen of a portion selection unit. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen by the part selection unit displayed on the display panel. 9 (b) is a diagram showing a state in which a specific portion is selected on the selection screen of FIG. 9 (a).
The portion selection unit 232 is a portion that accepts the selection of the portion on which the light control film 201 is arranged. In the present embodiment, as described above, the light control film 201 is provided only on the roof window 222. Therefore, when it is desired to change the control mode, settings, etc., the light control film 201 is provided on the roof window 222 by the site selection unit 232. The light control film 201 can be selected.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the part selection unit 232 displays a selection screen on the display panel of the image display device 238 on which a part on which the dimming film is provided can be selected, and the passenger can select the part according to the request. From the displayed selection screen, select the part for which you want to change the control mode of the photochromic film.
The display panel of the image display device 238 displays a menu screen for adjusting each part of the vehicle 220 as an initial image, and the part selection unit 232 has a menu for operating the dimming film 201 on the menu screen. When selected by a person, the selection screen shown in FIG. 9A is displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the message "Please select the adjustment point" prompting the selection of the adjustment point is displayed on the top row of the selection screen, and the vehicle 220 seen from above is displayed in the middle row. The external view of the above is displayed, and only the roof window 222, which is the portion where the light control film is arranged, is displayed in a color (pattern) different from that of the other portions, as shown by hatching. As a result, the passenger of the vehicle 220 can intuitively grasp which part of the vehicle is the selectable part.
Further, at the bottom, a "back" button for switching the display to the previous screen (menu screen) and a "done" button indicating the completion of the selection are displayed.

When the part to be adjusted by the light control film is selected on the selection screen shown in FIG. 9A, the display of the selected part is different from the display of other parts as shown in FIG. 9B. Is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the display of the selected portion (roof window) is switched from the hatch display to the fill display. This makes it possible for the passenger to intuitively grasp the selected part. Further, by operating the "Done" button, the selection of the corresponding light control film 201 is accepted.
The part selection unit 232 may accept selection by various displays instead of the selection screen based on the external view of the vehicle 220. For example, the selectable parts may be displayed in a list by characters to accept the selection.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen by the control mode selection unit 233, and is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen by the control mode selection unit displayed on the display panel.
As shown in FIG. 10, the control mode selection unit 233 of the present embodiment displays a menu of selectable target control modes on the display panel of the image display device 238.
On the selection screen of the example shown in FIG. 10, a menu of selectable control modes is displayed.
When the part selection unit 232 accepts the selection of the light control film 201 by operating the "Done" button on the selection screen of FIG. 9, the control mode selection unit 233 switches the display of the image display device 238 and shows the image in FIG. As shown, a control mode selection screen that can be set on the light control film 201 of the corresponding portion is displayed, and selection by the passenger is accepted.
The vehicle dimming system 231 of the present embodiment switches between a translucent state in which external light incident from the roof window 222 enters as much as possible and a light-shielding state in which external light incident from the roof window 222 is blocked as much as possible. Only the mode of "transmission / shading switching" can be selected by the control mode selection unit 233. Therefore, only the "translucent / light-shielding switching" mode is displayed on the selection screen shown in FIG.

Here, the transmittance of the light-transmitting film 201 and the light-shielding state are appropriately different depending on the form of the liquid crystal layer used for the light control film 201 and the like. For example, when the liquid crystal layer 208 of the light control film 201 is a GH (guest host) type liquid crystal layer, the transmittance in the translucent state is 35 to 70%, and the transmittance in the light-shielded state is 0.1. ~ 20%.
Further, the liquid crystal layer 208 of the light control film 201 is not a GH (guest host) method, that is, a liquid crystal layer containing no dichroic dye, and is a liquid crystal layer sandwiched by a linear polarizing plate (see FIG. 1). In the case, the transmittance in the light-transmitting state is 35 to 40%, and the transmittance in the light-shielding state is 0.01 to 0.1%.
Here, the transmittance is the total light transmittance in the visible light region, and can be measured by, for example, a haze meter HM-150 (manufactured by Murakami Color Technology Laboratory Co., Ltd.).

Further, on the selection screen shown in FIG. 10, the characters "translucent" and "light-shielding" are displayed next to "transmission / light-shielding switching", and either of them can be selected and is selected. Only the characters are displayed as white characters (in the example shown in FIG. 7, "translucency" is selected).
Further, on the selection screen, a "back" button for switching the display to the previous screen and a "done" button indicating the completion of the selection are displayed at the bottom.
The control mode selection unit 233 selects "translucent" or "light-shielding" by operating the touch panel on this selection screen, and when the "done" button instructing the completion of the selection is operated, it is controlled by the corresponding display. Accepts mode selection.

As described above, in the vehicle dimming system 231 of the present embodiment, the control mode that can be selected by the control mode selection unit 233 is only the "translucency / shading switching" mode, and therefore the vehicle dimming system 231 of the first embodiment described above. The mode setting unit provided in the optical system can be omitted, and the system can be constructed more easily.

The drive control unit 235 includes a power supply unit that outputs a drive power supply to the light control film 201, and is composed of an arithmetic processing unit that controls the power supply unit.
The drive control unit 235 includes only the roof window drive control unit 235A that controls the drive power supply of the light control film 201 provided on the roof window 222.

The drive control unit 235 changes the drive voltage of the light control film 201 arranged on the roof window 222 based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 233 by the roof window drive control unit 235A to change the transmittance. To change.

That is, the drive control unit 235 has the highest transmittance of the light control film 201 arranged on the roof window 222 when "translucency" is selected in the "translucency / light shielding switching" mode of the control mode selection unit 233. It is possible to change the state (transmissive state) and allow the maximum amount of external light to enter the vehicle from the roof window 222.
Further, when "light blocking" is selected, the drive control unit 235 changes the transmittance of the light control film 201 arranged on the roof window 222 to the lowest state (light blocking state), and causes the light incident from the roof window 222 into the vehicle. It is possible to minimize the amount of external light.

Based on the above, the vehicle dimming system 231 of the present embodiment is provided in the vehicle 220 in which the dimming film 201 is arranged, and has a portion selection unit 232 that accepts selection of a portion in which the dimming film 201 is arranged and a portion selection. The transmittance of the control mode selection unit 233 that accepts the selection of the control mode of the light control film 201 arranged in the portion selected by the portion 232 and the light control film 201 arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection unit 232. , A drive control unit 235 that adjusts based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit 233.
Thereby, the vehicle dimming system 231 can easily adjust the transmittance of the dimming film 201 as intended by the passenger.

[Other embodiments]
Although the specific configuration suitable for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention can be variously modified with respect to the configuration of the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The light control film provided in each window and each sun visor may be divided into a plurality of segments.
Specifically, the transparent electrodes 11 and / 16 of the light control film 1 are divided into a plurality of insulated partial electrodes (regions) that can individually supply drive power, and the transmittance is independently and individually determined. The light control film 1 may be configured by a multi-segment having a plurality of regions (segments) that can be changed.
This multi-segment light control film can change the transmittance for each segment.

For example, the light control film provided on the side window can be divided into a plurality of strip-shaped segments extending in the horizontal direction from the upper end portion to the lower end portion, and the transmittance can be changed for each segment. Therefore, for example, the drive control unit 35 can control the light control film in a gradation shape in which the transmittance gradually changes from the upper end to the lower end of the side window, and the transmittance differs for each such segment. The control mode to be used can be further added to the control mode selection unit 33.
Further, as another example, the dimming film provided on the roof window may be divided into a plurality of segments corresponding to each seat, and the transmittance of each segment may be controlled according to the request of the passenger of each seat. It becomes possible, and such a control mode can be further added to the control mode selection unit 33.

Further, as another example, the light control film provided on the sun visor is divided into a plurality of segments, for example, only the segment corresponding to the portion corresponding to the driver's eye is shaded, and the field of view in front of the driver is displayed. It is possible to minimize the obstructive area, and such a control mode can be further added to the control mode selection unit 33.
As described above, by configuring the light control film 1 of each part with multiple segments, the control mode of the light control film of each part can be further increased, and the adjustment can be made more easily as intended by the passenger. be able to.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the vehicle dimming system is provided in a passenger car as a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle dimming system is provided in various vehicles (buses, trucks, etc.) other than the passenger car. You may do so.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a flexible light control film is applied as the light control member has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base material of the above-mentioned light control film 1 may be made of plate-shaped glass, and a light control member having no flexibility may be applied.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the vehicle dimming system has been described with an example in which a dimming film of a plurality of parts can be selected by a part selection unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example. , As in the third embodiment described above, only one part (for example, a roof window) may be selected by the part selection unit.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the control mode selection unit has shown an example in which four control modes can be selected, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control mode selection unit includes control modes other than these. Also, for example, the control mode of "translucency / shading switching" provided in the control mode selection unit of the third embodiment may be included. Further, at least one of these control modes may be provided.

Further, in the above-mentioned third embodiment, the control mode selection unit is shown as an example including only the control mode of "transmission / shading switching", but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the first and the first. The control mode selection unit of the two embodiments may be provided with any one of the four control modes. In this case, the mode setting unit provided in the vehicle dimming system of the first and second embodiments may be provided according to the control mode provided.

1, 101, 201 Dimming film 2, 3 Linear polarizing plate 2A, 3A Phase difference film 4 Liquid crystal cell 5U Upper laminate 5D Lower laminate 6, 15 Base material 8, 208 Liquid crystal layer 11, 16 Transparent electrode 12 Spacer 13 , 17 Orientation layer 19 Sealing material 20, 120, 220 Vehicle 221 Opening 22, 122, 222 Roof window 23A-23D, 123A-123D Side window 24, 124 Rear window 25A, 25B Sun visor 126 Front window 31, 131, 231 Vehicle dimming system 32, 132, 232 Part selection unit 33, 133, 233 Control mode selection unit 34, 134 Mode setting unit 35, 135, 235 Drive control unit 35A, 135A, 235A Roof window drive control unit 35B, 135B Side Window drive control unit 35C, 135C Rear window drive control unit 35D Sun visor drive control unit 135E Front window drive control unit 38, 138, 142B, 142C, 142D, 238 Image display device

Claims (6)

It is a vehicle dimming system installed in a vehicle in which a dimming member is arranged.
A part selection unit that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is placed, and
A control mode selection unit that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member arranged in a portion selected by the portion selection unit, and a control mode selection unit.
A drive control unit that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection unit based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.
A mode setting unit that accepts the setting of a control standard for the transmittance of the corresponding dimming member according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection unit.
Equipped with
The site selection unit
The selection screen for selecting the part where the dimming member is arranged is displayed on the display unit, and the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged is accepted.
The control mode selection unit is
The selection screen by the part selection unit is switched to the selection screen for selecting the control mode of the dimming member arranged in the part selected by the part selection unit, and the selection of the control mode is accepted.
The control mode selection unit changes the display order of the control modes of the dimming member displayed on the display unit according to the frequency of use .
When the light-shielding mode in which the transmittance is the minimum value is selected by the control mode selection unit, or the light-transmitting mode in which the transmittance is the maximum value is selected, the transmittance control reference by the mode setting unit is selected. Omitting the setting of
A dimming system for vehicles featuring. The dimming member is arranged at a plurality of parts among the parts where the outside light of the vehicle is incident.
The vehicle dimming system according to claim 1. It is a control method of the dimming member.
A part selection step that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged, and
A control mode selection step that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member provided in the portion selected by the portion selection step, and a control mode selection step.
A drive control step that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection step based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step.
A mode setting step that accepts the setting of the control standard of the transmittance of the corresponding dimming member according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection step, and the mode setting step.
Equipped with
The site selection step is
The selection screen for selecting the part where the dimming member is arranged is displayed on the display unit, and the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged is accepted.
The control mode selection step is
The selection screen by the part selection step is switched to the selection screen for selecting the control mode of the dimming member arranged in the part selected by the part selection step, and the selection of the control mode is accepted.
In the control mode selection step, the display order of the control mode of the dimming member displayed on the display unit is changed according to the frequency of use.
When the light-shielding mode in which the transmittance is the minimum value is selected by the control mode selection step, or the light-transmitting mode in which the transmittance is the maximum value is selected, the transmittance control criterion by the mode setting step is selected. Omitting the setting of
A method for controlling a dimming member. It is a control program of a dimming member that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member by causing the information processing apparatus to execute a predetermined processing procedure by execution by the information processing apparatus.
The processing procedure is
A part selection step that accepts the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged, and
A control mode selection step that accepts selection of a control mode of the dimming member provided in the portion selected by the portion selection step, and a control mode selection step.
A drive control step that adjusts the transmittance of the dimming member arranged in the portion selected by the portion selection step based on the control mode selected by the control mode selection step.
A mode setting step that accepts the setting of the control standard of the transmittance of the corresponding dimming member according to the control mode selected by the control mode selection step, and the mode setting step.
Equipped with
The site selection step is
The selection screen for selecting the part where the dimming member is arranged is displayed on the display unit, and the selection of the part where the dimming member is arranged is accepted.
The control mode selection step is
The selection screen by the part selection step is switched to the selection screen for selecting the control mode of the dimming member arranged in the part selected by the part selection step, and the selection of the control mode is accepted.
In the control mode selection step, the display order of the control mode of the dimming member displayed on the display unit is changed according to the frequency of use.
When the light-shielding mode in which the transmittance is the minimum value is selected by the control mode selection step, or the light-transmitting mode in which the transmittance is the maximum value is selected, the transmittance control criterion by the mode setting step is selected. Omitting the setting of
A control program for dimming members. A dimming member placed in the area where external light is incident,
The vehicle dimming system according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.
Only the dimming member changes the amount of external light passing through the portion.
A vehicle featuring. The part where external light is incident is an opening provided in the vehicle.
5. The vehicle according to claim 5 .

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