JP7037769B2 - Manufacturing method of dimming cell, dimming member, moving body, dimming cell - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dimming cell capable of changing the transmittance using a liquid crystal layer, a dimming member including a dimming cell, and a moving body including a dimming member. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a dimming cell capable of changing the transmittance by using a liquid crystal layer.

JP8-184273A discloses a dimming glass window (dimming cell) in which the light transmittance can be adjusted in various patterns according to changes in sunshine conditions. According to this dimming glass window, the transmittance is adjusted by changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules by changing the voltage acting on the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer enclosed between the two transparent glass substrates. Can be done.

By the way, the inventors of the present invention are considering using a resin base material instead of glass as a substrate for partitioning a liquid crystal layer. By using a resin base material, it is possible to enjoy advantages such as weight reduction, but on the other hand, there may be a problem that a short circuit occurs in the electrodes. As a result of repeated diligent studies, the inventor of the present invention has found that the following are the main causes of electrode short circuit. That is, in a dimming cell in which a resin base material is used instead of the glass base material, the base material tends to bend. and. The electrode extending to the outside of the sealing material for connection with the external electrode was short-circuited due to the bending of the substrate.

The present invention is based on such findings of the present inventor, and an object of the present invention is to effectively avoid a short circuit of electrodes and to provide a highly reliable dimming cell.

The dimming cell according to the present invention is
A dimming cell with variable transmittance,
The first substrate including the first resin substrate and
A second substrate containing a second resin substrate and
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate,
A sealing material located between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape is provided.
At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate contains electrodes.
The peripheral edge of the at least one substrate is located on the sealing material in at least a part thereof.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the sealing material may be the thinnest at the end portion on the side of the liquid crystal layer in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. ..

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion opposite to the side of the liquid crystal layer in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape is the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. It may be thicker than the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion on the side of.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion opposite to the side of the liquid crystal layer in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape is the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. It may be 1.5 times or more the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion on the side of.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the sealing material at the portion where the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential direction is the side of the liquid crystal layer. It may be thicker than the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the thickness of the sealing material at the portion where the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential direction is 10 μm or more. May be good.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the maximum thickness of the sealing material may be thicker than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, even if the maximum thickness of the sealing material is 1.5 times or more the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. good.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention
The at least one board includes a connection with an external power source.
The peripheral edge of the at least one substrate may be located on the sealing material in other portions other than the connecting portion.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention
The first board includes a first connection portion for connecting to an external power source.
The second board includes a second connection portion for connecting to an external power source.
The first connection portion and the second connection portion are arranged at positions facing each other.
The width of the sealing material is wider in the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion than in the other portions excluding the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion. You may have.

In the dimming cell according to the present invention, the maximum thickness of the sealing material is the distance between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. May be larger than.

The dimming member according to the present invention is
With transparent members
It includes any of the above-mentioned dimming cells laminated on the transparent member.

The moving body according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned dimming member.

The method for manufacturing a dimming cell according to the present invention is as follows.
A first plate material containing a first resin base material, a second plate material containing a second resin base material, a liquid crystal layer provided between the first plate material and the second plate material, and the first plate material. A step of preparing a laminate containing the sealing material provided between the second plate material and the sealing material that surrounds the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape.
A step of cutting at least a part of the first plate material and removing the outer periphery of the first plate material is provided.
The cutting is performed on the sealing material, at least in part.

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively avoid a short circuit of the electrodes and improve the reliability of the dimming cell.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment according to the present invention, and is a perspective view schematically showing a moving body provided with a dimming member. In particular, FIG. 1 schematically shows an automobile provided with a dimming member as an example of a moving body. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an example of a dimming member. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a dimming device. FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing an example of a dimming cell included in the dimming device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 and is a vertical sectional view showing another example of the dimming cell. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing a dimming cell. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing a dimming cell. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing a dimming cell. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of manufacturing a dimming cell. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a dimming cell. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 and is a diagram for explaining a modification of the dimming cell. FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 and is a diagram for explaining a modification of the connection portion of the dimming cell. FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the dimming cell shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 and is a diagram for explaining another modification of the dimming cell. FIG. 16 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 10 and is a diagram for explaining still another modification of the dimming cell. FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view along the XVII-XVII line of FIG. 16 corresponding to FIG. 11 and is a diagram for explaining still another modification of the dimming cell. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16 corresponding to FIG. 11 and is a diagram for explaining still another modification of the connection portion of the dimming cell. FIG. 19 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 9 and is a diagram for showing another example of a method for manufacturing a dimming cell.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings attached to the present specification, the scale and the aspect ratios are appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual product for the convenience of illustration and comprehension. Further, in the present specification, the terms "board", "sheet" and "film" are not distinguished from each other based only on the difference in designation. For example, the term "board" is a concept that includes members that can be called sheets or films. In addition, the terms used in the present specification that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and their degrees (for example, terms such as "parallel", "orthogonal", and "identical", length and angle values, etc.) are strictly used. It is interpreted as meaning a range in which substantially equivalent and similar functions can be expected without being bound by any meaning.

1 to 19 are views for explaining an embodiment of the present invention and a modification thereof. Of these, FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a moving body provided with a dimming member, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dimming member. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a dimming device. 4 and 5 are vertical cross-sectional views showing a schematic configuration of a dimming cell. 6 to 9 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a dimming cell.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dimming device 10 includes a dimming cell 20 and a dimming controller 12 electrically connected to the dimming cell 20. The dimming cell 20 includes a first substrate 30 including a first resin base material 32, a second substrate 40 including a second resin base material 42, a first resin base material 32, and a second resin base material. A plurality of spacers 50 provided between 42, a liquid crystal layer 55 provided between the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, and a liquid crystal layer 55 between the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40. It has a sealing material 51 that surrounds it in a circumferential shape. Further, at least one of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 includes the electrode 33. In this dimming device 10, the transmittance of light transmitted through the dimming cell 20 can be changed depending on the degree of voltage application from the dimming controller 12 to the electrode 33.

The application target of the dimming device 10 is not particularly limited, and the dimming cell 20 can be applied to a window, a door, or the like of a moving body 1 such as an airplane, a ship, a train, or an automobile. FIG. 1 shows an automobile as an example of the moving body 1, and a dimming cell 20 is applied to the sunroof of the automobile. In such applications to windows, doors and the like, the dimming cell 20 is attached to a transparent member 11 such as glass, or as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of transparent members 11 such as glass. It is sandwiched between them and used. That is, as an application example of the dimming cell 20 of the dimming device 10, the moving body 1 has a window or a dimming member 5 having a transparent member 11 and a dimming cell 20 laminated on the transparent member 11. It can be provided as a door or the like.

Hereinafter, each component of the dimming device 10 will be described. First, components other than the dimming cell 20 will be described.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sensor device 14 and the user operation unit 16 are connected to the dimming controller 12. The dimming controller 12 controls the dimming state of the dimming cell 20, switches between blocking and transmitting light by the dimming cell 20, and changes the transmittance (transmittance) of the light that penetrates the dimming cell 20. Can be done. Specifically, the dimming controller 12 adjusts the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 55 of the dimming cell 20 to change the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 55, thereby blocking the light by the dimming cell 20 and blocking the light. You can switch the transmission and change the transparency of the light.

The dimming controller 12 can adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 55 based on an arbitrary method. For example, the dimming controller 12 adjusts the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 55 according to the measurement result of the sensor device 14 or the instruction (command) input by the user via the user operation unit 16, and the dimming cell 20 It is possible to switch between blocking and transmitting light by means of light, and to change the transmittance of light. Therefore, the dimming controller 12 may automatically adjust the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 55 according to the measurement result of the sensor device 14, or manually according to the user's instruction via the user operation unit 16. May be adjusted. The measurement target by the sensor device 14 is not particularly limited, and for example, the brightness of the usage environment may be measured. In this case, the light blocking and transmission switching and the light transmittance change by the dimming cell 20 may be performed. It is performed according to the brightness of the usage environment. Further, it is not always necessary that both the sensor device 14 and the user operation unit 16 are connected to the dimming controller 12, and only one of the sensor device 14 and the user operation unit 16 may be connected. ..

Next, the dimming cell 20 will be described. As described above, the dimming cell 20 has a pair of substrates 30, 40 and a liquid crystal layer 55 arranged between the pair of substrates 30, 40. At least one of the pair of substrates 30, 40 has an electrode. The first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 have a configuration capable of changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal material 56 forming the liquid crystal layer 55 by applying a voltage from the dimming controller 12. There is. The driving method of the liquid crystal molecule is not particularly limited, and is, for example, a VA (Vertical Element) method, a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, a GH (Guest Host) method, or any of these methods. An applied method can be adopted.

The first substrate 30, the second substrate 40, and the liquid crystal layer 55 can be appropriately selected depending on the driving method of the liquid crystal molecules adopted. For example, when the IPS system is adopted, only one of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 needs to have an electrode. When the GH method is adopted, the liquid crystal material 56 forming the liquid crystal layer 55 contains a dichroic dye together with the liquid crystal molecules. Further, when the GH method is adopted, one or both of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 may not include a polarizing plate.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration example of the dimming cell 20 adopting the VA method. Hereinafter, a specific example of the dimming cell 20 will be described with reference to the example shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first substrate 30 has the first polarizing plate 31, the first resin base material 32, the first electrode 33, and the first alignment film 34 in this order from the side separated from the liquid crystal layer 55. Have. Similarly, the second substrate 40 has a second polarizing plate 41, a second resin base material 42, a second electrode 43, and a second alignment film 44 in this order from the side separated from the liquid crystal layer 55.

Of these, first, the first polarizing plate 31 and the second polarizing plate 41 will be described. The polarizing plates 31 and 41 selectively absorb one linearly polarized light component vibrating in a direction parallel to the absorption axis and select the other linearly polarized light component vibrating in a direction parallel to the transmission axis orthogonal to the absorption axis. It is a layer having a polarizing function that transmits lightly. As a specific configuration, the polarizing plates 31 and 41 may have a polarizing element and an adhesive layer for adhering the polarizing element to the resin substrates 32 and 42. The splitter is configured to be capable of exerting the desired polarization function and is typically made by stretching an iodine compound-doped PVA (polyvinyl alcohol). In general, when a splitter is produced by stretching, the absorption axis of the polarizing element is determined according to the direction of the stretching, and the spectrometers stretched in the same direction have absorption axes in the same direction with each other. As the arrangement mode of the first polarizing plate 31 and the second polarizing plate 41, a mode called "parallel Nicol" in which the absorption axis of the first polarizing plate 31 and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate 41 are parallel to each other, and the first aspect. There is an embodiment called "cross Nicol" in which the absorption axis of the polarizing plate 31 and the absorption axis of the second polarizing plate 41 are perpendicular to each other. In the VA method, by arranging the first polarizing plate 31 and the second polarizing plate 41 with "cross Nicol", the transmittance in the non-transmissive state can be lowered more reliably.

Next, the first resin base material 32 and the second resin base material 42 will be described. The resin base materials 32 and 42 are made of a sheet-shaped resin. By using the resin base materials 32 and 42 instead of the glass base material, it is possible to realize thinness and weight reduction. Further, by using the resin base materials 32 and 42, flexibility can be imparted to the dimming cell 20, and the dimming cell 20 can be formed not only in a two-dimensional curved surface shape but also in a three-dimensional curved surface shape. Here, the two-dimensional curved surface is a curved surface that is two-dimensionally curved around a single axis, or a curved surface that is two-dimensionally curved with the same or different curvatures around a plurality of axes parallel to each other. be. On the other hand, the three-dimensional curved surface means a surface that is partially or wholly curved around each of a plurality of axes that are not parallel to each other. Various flexible resin base materials 32 and 42 applicable to the dimming cell 20 include TAC (triacetyl cellulose), polycarbonate, COP (cycloolefin polymer), acrylic, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and the like. The transparent film material of the above can be exemplified.

As a specific example, the resin base materials 32 and 42 may include a plurality of resin layers. For example, the resin base materials 32 and 42 may have a pair of hard coat layers and a main resin layer arranged between the pair of hard coat layers. Each hardcourt layer serves to protect the adjacent main resin layer and can be constructed of any material capable of transmitting visible light. The hard coat layer is composed of, for example, TAC (Triacetyl cellulose) or acrylic, and may be attached to the main resin layer via an adhesive layer. Further, a cured film containing fine particles (for example, titanium dioxide, etc.) may be formed on the surface of the main resin layer using, for example, a silicone-based ultraviolet curable resin, and the cured film may function as a hard coat layer. The hard coat layers formed at a plurality of locations of the first resin base material 32 and the second resin base material 42 may be made of different materials depending on the arrangement position, or may be made of the same material. good.

Next, the first electrode 33 and the second electrode 43 will be described. The electrodes 33 and 43 are formed as transparent electrodes by various materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The electrodes 33 and 43 are connected to the dimming controller 12 via, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits). The arrangement mode of the first electrode 33 and the second electrode 43 is not particularly limited, and the electrodes may be arranged only at predetermined positions by patterning formation, or the electrodes may be arranged in a solid shape. An electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer 55 arranged between the first electrode 33 and the second electrode 43 is formed according to the voltage applied to the first electrode 33 and the second electrode 43 to form the liquid crystal layer 55. The orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal material 56 is adjusted.

Next, the first alignment film 34 and the second alignment film 44 will be described. The alignment films 34 and 44 are layers adjacent to the liquid crystal layer 55 and control the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 55. The manufacturing method of the alignment films 34 and 44 is not particularly limited. The first alignment film 34 and the second alignment film 44 having a liquid crystal alignment ability can be produced by any method. For example, the alignment films 34 and 44 may be produced by subjecting a resin layer such as polyimide to a rubbing treatment, or the polymer films may be irradiated with linearly polarized ultraviolet rays to selectively select polymer chains in the polarization direction. Alignment films 34, 44 may be produced based on the photoalignment method to be reacted. Instead of the alignment layer and the photoalignment layer obtained by the rubbing treatment, the alignment layer may be manufactured by producing a fine line-shaped uneven shape produced by the rubbing treatment by a shaping process.

Depending on the driving method of the liquid crystal molecules, the substrates 30 and 40 may have a simple resin layer that has not been subjected to the alignment treatment instead of the alignment film, or may have no alignment film and the electrodes 33. , 43 and the liquid crystal layer 55 may be in direct contact with each other.

A liquid crystal layer 55 is provided between the first alignment film 34 and the second alignment film 44. The liquid crystal layer 55 contains the liquid crystal material 56. In the illustrated example, the VA method is adopted and the liquid crystal material 56 includes a nematic liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy. In the VA method, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is regulated by the alignment ability of the alignment films 34 and 44 in a state where no voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 33 and 43, resulting in vertical alignment. At this time, the polarized state of the light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 55 is maintained. On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 33 and 43, the liquid crystal molecules collapse under the control of the electric field. At this time, by transmitting through the liquid crystal layer 55, one linearly polarized light component becomes the other linearly polarized light component. That is, when the polarizing plates 31 and 41 are arranged with cross Nicols, they are transmitted (white display) in the applied state and light-shielded (black display, normally black) in the non-applied state.

Next, the sealing material 51 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, a sealing material 51 is provided between the pair of substrates 30 and 40. As shown in FIG. 10, which will be described later, the sealing material 51 surrounds the liquid crystal layer 55 in a circumferential shape. That is, the sealing material 51 partitions the liquid crystal layer 55 filled with the liquid crystal material 56. The sealing material 51 plays a role of preventing leakage of the liquid crystal material 56 constituting the liquid crystal layer 55 from between the pair of substrates 30 and 40, and also serves as a first substrate 30 (first alignment film 34) and a second substrate 40 (first alignment film 34). It adheres to the 2-alignment film 44) and serves to fix both to each other.

Although details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the peripheral edges 39 and 49 of at least one of the substrates 30 and 40 are located on the sealing material 51 in at least a part thereof. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively avoid short circuits of the electrodes 33 and 43 and improve the reliability of the dimming cell 20 and the dimming device 10. The fact that the peripheral edges 39 and 49 are located on the sealing material means that the peripheral edges 39 and 49 are not only located between both ends of the sealing material 51 in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51, but also shown in FIG. As shown, the peripheral edges 39, 49 also include being located on the end of the sealing material 51.

The sealing material 51 can generally be formed using a thermosetting epoxy resin. In particular, when the filling method of the liquid crystal material 56 between the pair of substrates 30 and 40 is the vacuum injection method, the sealing material 51 made of epoxy resin can be preferably used. When the ODF (One Drop Fill) method is used as the filling method for the liquid crystal material 56, a hybrid type material having both thermosetting property and UV curable property (ultraviolet ray curable property) may be preferably used as the sealing material 51. can. This is because the contact of the liquid crystal material 56 with the sealing material 51 before curing induces an appearance defect. Therefore, it is preferable that the sealing material 52 (composition component of the sealing material 51) constituting the sealing material 51 contains, for example, an ultraviolet curable acrylic resin and an epoxy resin.

Next, the spacer 50 will be described. The spacer 50 is arranged between the first resin base material 32 of the first substrate 30 and the second resin base material 42 of the second substrate 40. The spacer 50 secures a space between the first resin base material 32 and the second resin base material 42. The liquid crystal layer 55 is formed by filling this space with the liquid crystal material 56. The liquid crystal layer 55 described above controls the amount of phase modulation of transmitted light, and therefore needs to have a certain thickness between the pair of substrates 30 and 40. Further, the plurality of spacers 50 are discretely arranged in a region between the pair of resin base materials 32 and 42. Each spacer 50 can be made of various resin materials, and may have a shape such as a frustum (for example, a frustum or a pyramid), or may have a spherical bead shape. The pillar-shaped spacer 50 can be formed at a desired location by using a photolithography technique, and the bead-shaped spacer may be dispersed and applied to a liquid crystal display or an alignment film ink in addition to the spraying method.

By the way, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the first substrate 30, the first alignment film 34 extends and spreads along the first electrode 33 adjacent to the first electrode 33. That is, the first alignment film 34 is provided adjacent to the first electrode 33 in a planar manner. On the other hand, in the second substrate 40, the spacer 50 is provided between the second alignment film 44 and the second electrode 43. The second alignment film 44 extends and spreads along the second electrode 43 and the spacer 50. That is, the surface of the second alignment film 44 opposite to the liquid crystal layer 55 is in contact with either the second electrode 43 or the spacer 50. In the example of FIG. 4, the first alignment film 34 of the first substrate 30 and the second alignment film 44 of the second substrate 40 are in contact with each other on the spacer 50. Although the spacer 50 is located between the pair of resin substrates 32 and 42, it is located in the second substrate 40 instead of between the pair of substrates 30 and 40.

However, the spacer 50 is not limited to the example of FIG. 4, and the spacer 50 may be arranged between the pair of substrates 30 and 40, for example, as in the example shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the first alignment film 34, the second alignment film 44 extends and spreads along the second electrode 43 adjacent to the second electrode 43.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, an example of a method for manufacturing the dimming cell 20 having the above configuration will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, a second plate material 140 and a spacer 50 including the second resin base material 42 are prepared. The second plate material 140 is a member that forms the second substrate 40 by being trimmed, and can be manufactured, for example, as follows. First, the second electrode 43 is formed on the second resin base material 42 by sputtering or the like. Next, a composition forming the second alignment film 44 is applied onto the second alignment film 44, and then an orientation regulating force is applied to the coating film by rubbing, photo-alignment, or the like, whereby the second alignment film 44 is applied. 44 is made. After that, the second polarizing plate 41 is bonded to the second resin base material 42 to obtain the second plate material 140. The spacer 50 can be made using photolithography technology. When the dimming cell 20 shown in FIG. 4 is manufactured, the spacer 50 is formed on the second electrode 43 before the second alignment film 44. When the dimming cell 20 shown in FIG. 5 is manufactured, the second alignment film 44 is formed on the second electrode 43 before the spacer 50.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the sealing material 52 is applied in a circumferential shape. The sealing material 52 is a viscous liquid material having adhesiveness or adhesiveness. The sealing material 52 is cured to form the sealing material 51. After that, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal material 56 containing the liquid crystal molecules is supplied to the region on the second plate material 140 surrounded by the sealing material 52.

Next, under reduced pressure, the first plate material 130 including the first resin base material 32 is laminated on the second plate material 140. The first plate material 130 is a member that forms the first substrate 30 by being trimmed, and can be manufactured, for example, by the same process as the second plate material 140. That is, in the first plate material 130, the first electrode 33 is formed on the first resin base material 32, the composition forming the first alignment film 34 is applied onto the first alignment film 34, and then the first alignment film 34 is coated. The first alignment film 34 can be produced by applying an orientation regulating force to the coating film, and then the first polarizing plate 31 can be bonded to the first resin base material 32. The liquid crystal material 56 filled in the space secured by the spacer 50 between the first plate material 130 and the second plate material 140 becomes the liquid crystal layer 55. After that, the sealing material 52 is deformed and hardened to become the sealing material 51, and the first plate material 130 and the second plate material 140 are joined. Through the above steps, between the first plate material 130, the second plate material 140, the liquid crystal layer 55 provided between the first plate material 130 and the second plate material 140, and between the first plate material 130 and the second plate material 140. A laminate including a sealing material 51 provided in the above and surrounding the liquid crystal layer 55 in a circumferential shape is prepared. When laminating the first plate material 130 on the second plate material 140, a roller or the like may be used to squeeze the first plate material 130.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 9, a part of the plate materials 130 and 140 is cut to remove the outer periphery of the plate materials 130 and 140, which is an extra region, that is, the plate materials 130 and 140 are trimmed. This cutting is performed on the sealing material 51, at least in part. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 described later, the cutting may be performed on the sealing material 51 in the entire circumference of the outer circumferences of the plate materials 130 and 140. The trimming of the plate materials 130 and 140 can be performed by using a tool 59 including a punching blade, a cutter and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a part of the first plate member 130 is cut and removed by trimming. However, as shown in FIG. 19 which will be referred to later, not only the first plate material 130 but also a part of the sealing material 51 and a part of the second plate material 140 may be cut and removed by trimming. In this way, the first plate material 130 becomes the first substrate 30, and the second plate material 140 becomes the second substrate 40, so that the dimming cell 20 can be obtained. When a part of the sealing material 51 and a part of the second plate material 140 are cut together with the first plate material 130, the peripheral edge 39 of the first substrate 30 and the peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 and the seal in a plan view are cut. It coincides with the end of the material 51.

In the dimming cell 20 thus obtained, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 55 can be controlled by applying a voltage from the dimming controller 12 to the electrodes 33 and 43. By changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, the amount of phase modulation of light when passing through the liquid crystal layer 55 changes. Thereby, the transmittance of the light transmitted through the first substrate 30, the liquid crystal layer 55 and the second substrate 40 can be changed.

By the way, as already described as a conventional defect, a short circuit may occur in the conventional dimming cell. If a short circuit occurs, it may not be possible to apply a voltage to the electrodes 33 and 43, and the device no longer functions as a dimming device. Therefore, it can be said that the occurrence of a short circuit is a fatal defect for the dimming cell 20. Then, such a defect is likely to occur in the dimming cell using the resin base materials 32 and 42 instead of the high-rigidity glass base material.

Regarding the occurrence of such defects, the inventor of the present invention has found the following as a result of repeated diligent research. Conventionally, the electrodes of the dimming cell extend beyond the sealing material in order to connect to an external power source (in the illustrated example, the dimming controller 12). That is, the electrodes were arranged not only in the region facing the liquid crystal layer 55 but also on the outside of the sealing material. As a result, the resin base material undergoes deformation such as bending, and as a result, the electrodes supported by the pair of resin base materials come into contact with each other or with an external conductor, causing a short circuit. rice field. In particular, it is considered that the substrate containing the resin substrate instead of the glass substrate is liable to bend, and therefore, the defect of short circuit is liable to occur.

In order to deal with the problem of this short circuit, it is conceivable to cover the electrode with an alignment film or the like. However, when the dimming cell is cut to a desired size or punched out, burrs are generated on the electrodes. In particular, in a transparent electrode made of a metal conductor using a metal oxide, this burr is likely to occur. Then, a short circuit may occur due to the burr of this electrode. That is, it was not possible to effectively prevent the short circuit defect by simply covering the electrodes.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, the peripheral edges 39 and 49 of at least one of the substrates 30 and 40 are located on the sealing material 51 at least in a part of the peripheral edges. That is, a part of the peripheral edges 39 and 49 of the substrates 30 and 40 does not extend beyond the sealing material 51. Therefore, the substrates 30 and 40 are stably supported by the sealing material 51 in this portion without causing deformation such as bending that has caused a short circuit. This makes it possible to effectively avoid the problem of short circuit and improve the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20.

In particular, in the examples shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, both the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 have electrodes 33 and 43. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, a part of the peripheral edges 39 and 49 is arranged on the sealing material 51 for both the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40. In such a dimming device 10 and a dimming cell 20, the defect of a short circuit can be avoided more effectively.

The outer side of the sealing material refers to the side opposite to the side surrounded by the sealing material 51 (that is, the side of the liquid crystal layer 55) with respect to the sealing material 51.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the first substrate 30 has a first connection portion 38 that connects to an external power source (in the illustrated example, the dimming controller 12). The first connection portion 38 includes a first resin base material 32 and a first electrode 33 supported on the first resin base material 32 and exposed on the first resin base material 32. I'm out. As can be understood from FIG. 10, the peripheral edge 39 of the first substrate 30 is located on the sealing material 51 on the entire circumference except for the first connecting portion 38. That is, the first electrode 33, together with the first resin base material 32, extends outward beyond the sealing material 51 only in the portion necessary for connection with the external power source. According to such a configuration of the first substrate 30, it is possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of a short circuit.

In particular, in the illustrated example, as shown in FIG. 10, the second substrate 40 also has a second connecting portion 48 connected to an external power source (in the illustrated example, the dimming controller 12). The second connection portion 48 includes a second resin base material 42 and a second electrode 43 supported on the second resin base material 42 and exposed on the second resin base material 42. I'm out. The peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 on the entire circumference except for the second connecting portion 48. That is, the second electrode 43 extends outward together with the second resin base material 42 beyond the sealing material 51 only in the portion required for connection with the external power source. According to such a configuration of the second substrate 40, it is possible to more effectively prevent the occurrence of a short circuit.

Here, FIG. 11 shows a cross section along the XI-XI line of FIG. That is, FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the second substrate 40 passing through the second connection portion 48. As shown in FIG. 11, on the second electrode 43 exposed in the second connecting portion 48, a connecting member 65, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits), which leads to an external power source (a dimming controller 12 in the illustrated example), is placed on the second electrode 43. The second electrode 43 is arranged and electrically connected to the connecting member. The first substrate 30 including the first electrode 33 is not arranged at a position facing the exposed second electrode 43. In addition, most of the second electrode 43 is also covered with the connecting member 65. Therefore, it can be understood from FIG. 11 that the second electrode 43 can be effectively prevented from being short-circuited with the first electrode 33 or short-circuited with the external conductor.

In one embodiment described above, the dimming cell 20 is a dimming cell 20 having a variable transmittance, and is a first substrate 30 including a first resin base material 32 and a second resin base material. The second substrate 40 including 42, the liquid crystal layer 55 provided between the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, and the liquid crystal layer 55 located between the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 are circumferentially formed. It has a sealing material 51 that surrounds the surface. At least one of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 contains electrodes 33 and 43, depending on the degree of voltage application to the electrodes 33 and 43, that is, depending on the amount of applied voltage. The transmittance of light transmitted through the first substrate 30, the liquid crystal layer 55, and the second substrate 40 can be changed. The peripheral edges 39, 49 of at least one of the substrates 30, 40 are located on the sealing material 51 in at least a part thereof. According to such a dimming cell 20, it is possible to effectively avoid a short circuit between the electrodes 33 and 43 and improve the reliability of the operation of the dimming cell 20.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, at least one of the boards 30 and 40 includes connection portions 38 and 48 with the external power supply 12, and peripheral edges 39 and 49 of at least one of the boards 30 and 40 are connection portions. It is located on the sealing material 51 in other parts except 38 and 48. According to such a dimming cell 20, it is possible to more effectively avoid the short circuit of the electrodes 33 and 43 and further improve the reliability of the operation of the dimming cell 20.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various embodiments to which various modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art are added. Also included, and the effects produced by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned matters. Therefore, various additions, changes, and partial deletions can be made to the scope of claims and each element described in the specification without departing from the technical idea and purpose of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, for both the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, the peripheral edges 39 and 49 are located on the sealing material 51 at other portions except the connecting portions 38 and 48. Although shown, it is not limited to this example. When at least one peripheral edge 39, 49 of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 at least in a part thereof, the short circuit prevention function can be exhibited. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the peripheral edge 39 of the first substrate 30 is located on the sealing material 51 in a portion other than the first connecting portion 38. On the other hand, the peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 in the region facing the first connection portion 38 of the first substrate 30. More specifically, the peripheral edge of the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 on one side of the first substrate 30 facing the first connecting portion 38, and in other cases, outward beyond the sealing material 51. It's extending. Even in such a modification, the short-circuit prevention function can be fully exerted to improve the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20.

Further, the connection portion 48 shown in FIG. 11 is only an example, and the configuration of the connection portion can be appropriately changed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for example. In the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 have a first extension extending outward beyond the sealing material 51 at a part of the peripheral edges 39 and 49, respectively. It has a portion 37 and a second extension portion 47. The first extension portion 37 and the second extension portion 47 are located opposite to each other. The first extending portion 37 includes a first resin base material 32 and a first electrode 33 supported by the first resin base material 32. The second extending portion 47 includes a second resin base material 42 and an auxiliary electrode 46 supported by the second resin base material 42. As shown in FIG. 14, the auxiliary electrode 46 is isolated from the second electrode 43 and is insulated. The auxiliary electrode 46 and the second electrode 43 can be easily manufactured of the same material by patterning one conductive layer. A connection electrode 57 for electrically connecting the first electrode 33 and the auxiliary electrode 46 in the first extension 37 is provided. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the auxiliary electrode 46 is conducting to the first electrode 33 via the connection electrode 57, and the connection member 65 is connected to an external power source (for example, the dimming controller 12). For example, it is electrically connected to an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits). In this example, the first extending portion 37 of the first substrate 30 constitutes the first connecting portion 38, and the second extending portion 47 of the second substrate 40 constitutes the second connecting portion 48. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the first substrate 30 is located on the sealing material 51 in other parts except the first connecting portion 38. Even with such an example, the short-circuit prevention function can be fully exhibited and the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20 can be improved.

The configurations shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are particularly effective in preventing short circuits when the first substrate 30 is located above and the second substrate 40 is located below, as in the example shown in FIG. Is. In this example, the first substrate 30 located above bends to approach the second substrate 40, but the first substrate 30 is directly connected to the connecting member 65 to support the connecting member 65. There is no need. First, from this point, the bending of the first substrate 30 can be effectively prevented. Further, since the first extension portion 37 does not have to be directly connected to the connecting member 65, the extension amount of the first extension portion 37 of the first substrate 30 is the extension of the second extension portion 47 of the second substrate 40. It can be made shorter than the amount of protrusion, and the first extending portion 37 can be made difficult to bend. This point is also effective in preventing the first substrate 30 from bending, and as a result, a short circuit can be effectively prevented.

Further, for at least one of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, the peripheral edges 39 and 49 need not be located on the sealing material 51 at other portions except the connecting portions 38 and 48, and the first substrate 30 does not need to be located. And for at least one of the second substrate 40, if at least a part of the peripheral edges 39 and 49 is located on the sealing material 51, the short circuit prevention function is exhibited and the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20 is improved. Can be improved. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the sealing material 51 extends along the outer contour of the quadrangular shape. The peripheral edge 39 of the first substrate 30 is located on the sealing material 51 on two adjacent sides (first side s1 and second side s2) of the quadrangular shape, and the other two adjacent sides of the quadrangular shape (first side). At the three sides s3 and the fourth side s4), it extends outward beyond the sealing material 51. The first substrate 30 has a first connection portion 38 in a portion beyond the sealing material 51 (third side s3). On the other hand, the peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 exceeds the sealing material 51 on two adjacent sides (first side s1 and second side s2) having a quadrangular shape in which the peripheral edges 39 of the first substrate 30 are arranged so as to overlap each other. It extends outward. Further, the peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 on the other two adjacent sides (third side s3 and fourth side s4) having a quadrangular shape. The second substrate 40 has a second connecting portion 48 in a portion beyond the sealing material 51 (second side s2). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 15, the peripheral edge 39 of the first substrate 30 is located on the sealing material 51 at least in a part thereof. Further, the peripheral edge 49 of the second substrate 40 is located on the sealing material 51 at least in a part thereof. Also in the example shown in FIG. 15, the short-circuit prevention function can be fully exhibited to improve the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the first connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 48 are not arranged at opposite positions. However, as shown in FIG. 16, the first connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 48 may be arranged at positions facing each other.

When the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48 are arranged at positions facing each other, the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 may bend, resulting in a short circuit between the electrodes 33 and 43. However, as described below, the sealing material 51 extends to the portion where the connecting portions 38 and 48 of the substrates 30 and 40 are provided, and the width W of the sealing material 51 is widened, so that the first substrate 30 and the first substrate 30 and the first. 2 The substrate 40 can be made difficult to bend. Here, the width W of the sealing material 51 is, as shown in FIG. 17, from one side end portion 51a, which is an end portion of the sealing material 51 on the side of the liquid crystal layer 55, to the side opposite to the side of the liquid crystal layer 55. It is the distance to the other side end portion 51b, which is the end portion.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, in the portion where the connecting portions 38 and 48 are not provided, a part of the sealing material 51 is cut together with a part of the first plate material 130 and the second plate material 140, but the connecting portion is cut. A part of the sealing material 51 is not cut at the portion where 38 and 48 are provided. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the dimming cell 20 along the XVII-XVII line, which is a portion where the connection portions 38 and 48 shown in FIG. 16 are not provided, and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connection portion 38 and 48 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the light control cell 20 along the line XVIII-XVIII which is the part provided with 48. The XVII-XVII line and the XVIII-XVIII line shown in FIG. 16 are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape. In the cross section shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 19, since the sealing material 51 is removed together with the substrates 30 and 40, the width W of the sealing material 51 is narrowed. On the other hand, in the cross section shown in FIG. 18, the sealing material 51 is not removed, and the width W of the sealing material 51 is not narrowed. Therefore, the width W of the sealing material 51 is wider in the portion provided with the connecting portions 38, 48 as shown in FIG. 18 than in the portion excluding the portion provided with the connecting portions 38, 48 as shown in FIG. It has become. However, the sealing material 51 may be removed even in the portion where the connecting portions 38, 48 are provided, as long as the width W of the sealing material 51 is wider than the portion excluding the portion where the connecting portions 38, 48 are provided. ..

Since the width W of the sealing material 51 is widened in the portion where the connecting portions 38 and 48 are provided, the substrates 30 and 40 are stably supported by the sealing material 51, so that the connecting portions 38 and 48 are provided. The substrates 30 and 40 are less likely to bend in the formed portion. Therefore, the short circuit of the electrodes 33 and 43 can be effectively prevented, and the reliability of the dimming device 10 and the dimming cell 20 can be improved.

Further, in the above-mentioned example, the thickness of the sealing material 51 is shown to be constant in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51. However, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the thickness of the sealing material 51 may change in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51. As described above, since the sealing material 52 forming the sealing material 51 is a viscous liquid material, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing material 51 is shown in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape. As shown in 17 and FIG. 18, it can be thicker at the center and thinner towards the one-sided ends 51a and the other-sided ends 51b at both ends. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing material 51 may be thicker at the other side end portion 51b and thinner toward the one side end portion 51a.

Further, in order to prevent the electrodes 33 and 43 from being short-circuited, the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 in the entire dimming cell 20 is larger than the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 in the portion where the liquid crystal layer 55 is provided. Is preferable. Since the sealing material 51 is provided between the electrodes 33 and 43, the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 is equal to or larger than the thickness of the sealing material 51. In the illustrated example, since only the sealing material 51 is provided between the electrodes 33 and 43, the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 is equal to the thickness of the sealing material 51. Therefore, it is preferable that the thickness of the sealing material 51 is the thinnest on the liquid crystal layer 55 side in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape. Further, as described above, the thickness of the sealing material 51 is thick at the central portion and becomes thinner toward the one side end portion 51a and the other side end portion 51b, which are both end portions, or becomes thicker at the other side end portion 51b. , It becomes thinner toward the one side end portion 51a. Therefore, in order to make the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 in the entire dimming cell 20 larger than the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 in the portion where the liquid crystal layer 55 is provided, the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape is obtained. In the cross section orthogonal to the above, the thickness Tb of the sealing material 51 at the other side end portion 51b is preferably thicker than the thickness Ta of the sealing material 51 at the one side end portion 51a. Specifically, the thickness Tb of the sealing material 51 at the other side end portion 51b is 1.5 times or more, preferably 2 times or more, more preferably the thickness Ta of the sealing material 51 at the one side end portion 51a. When is 4 times or more, the distance between the electrodes 33 and 43 can be sufficiently increased in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape, and the short circuit of the electrodes 33 and 43 is effective. Can be prevented.

Further, in general, the thicker the sealing material 51 is, the more the adhesiveness is increased, so that the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 are suppressed from peeling from the sealing material 51. Peeling of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 is likely to occur at the ends of the substrates 30, 40, that is, at the peripheral edges 39, 49. Therefore, in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape, the thickness Te of the sealing material 51 at the portion where at least one of the peripheral edges 39, 49 of the substrates 30 and 40 is located is the one-side end portion 51a. It is preferable that the thickness is thicker than the thickness Ta of the sealing material 51 in the above. Generally, the thickness Te of the sealing material 51 is preferably 10 μm or more as a thickness for ensuring the adhesive force. As shown in FIG. 19, when the sealing material 51 is removed together with the substrates 30 and 40, the peripheral edges 39 and 49 of the substrates 30 and 40 are located as in the example shown in FIG. The thickness Te of the sealing material 51 at the portion is equal to the thickness Tb of the sealing material 51 at the other end portion 51b.

Further, as described above, the sealing material 51 has a role of preventing leakage from between the pair of substrates 30 and 40 of the liquid crystal material 56 constituting the liquid crystal layer 55, and the first substrate 30 (first alignment film 34) and the second. In order to play a role of fixing the substrate 40 (second alignment film 44) to each other, the maximum thickness Tm of the sealing material 51 in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape is the liquid crystal layer 55. It is preferably thicker than the thickness Tl. In this case, as is well shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the sealing material 51 projects in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the dimming cell 20 with respect to the liquid crystal layer 55. The protruding sealing material 51 can protect the liquid crystal layer 55 from, for example, an impact that the dimming cell 20 receives from a surface that spreads substantially parallel to the surface. If a portion where the sealing material 51 protrudes, that is, a portion where the maximum thickness Tm of the sealing material 51 is thicker than the thickness Tl of the liquid crystal layer 55 is present in at least a part of the light control cell 20, the liquid crystal layer 55 Can be protected, but if present at three or more locations in the dimming cell 20, the liquid crystal layer 55 can be more effectively protected, and if present at any position in the dimming cell 20, the liquid crystal layer can be more effectively protected. 55 can be protected. In particular, when the maximum thickness Tm of the sealing material 51 is 1.5 times or more, preferably 2 times or more, more preferably 4 times or more the thickness Tl of the liquid crystal layer 55, the liquid crystal display is more effective. The layer 55 can be protected.

Further, when the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48 are arranged at positions facing each other, as shown in FIG. 18, in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape, the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48 are arranged at positions facing each other. The distance D between the 1 connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 48 is equal to or less than the thickness Tb of the sealing material 51 at the other side end portion 51b. In the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material 51 extending in a circumferential shape, the thickness of the sealing material 51 is thicker at the central portion and becomes thinner toward the one side end portion 51a and the other side end portion 51b, so that the maximum sealing material 51 is provided. The thickness Tm of is larger than the distance D between the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48. In this case, as is well shown in FIG. 18, the sealing material 51 projects in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the dimming cell 20 with respect to the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48. The protruding sealing material 51 can protect the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48 from, for example, an impact received from a surface of the dimming cell 20 extending substantially parallel to the surface thereof. The portion where the sealing material 51 protrudes, that is, the portion where the maximum thickness Tm of the sealing material 51 is thicker than the distance D between the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48 is the dimming cell 20. The first connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 48 can be protected if they are present at least in a part thereof, but if they are present at three or more locations in the dimming cell 20, the first connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 38 and the second connection are more effectively present. The unit 48 can be protected, and the first connection 38 and the second connection 48 can be more effectively protected if they are present at any position of the dimming cell 20. In particular, the maximum thickness Tm of the sealing material 51 is 4 times or more, preferably 6 times or more, more preferably 10 times or more the distance D between the first connecting portion 38 and the second connecting portion 48. If so, the first connection portion 38 and the second connection portion 48 can be protected more effectively.

Although some modifications to the above-described embodiments have been described above, it is naturally possible to apply a plurality of modifications in combination as appropriate.

1 Moving body 5 Dimming member 10 Dimming device 11 Transparent member 12 Dimming controller 14 Sensor device 16 User operation unit 20 Dimming cell 30 1st substrate 31 1st polarizing plate 32 1st resin base material 33 1st electrode 34 1st alignment film 37 1st extension part 38 1st connection part 39 Peripheral 40 2nd substrate 41 2nd polarizing plate 42 2nd resin base material 43 2nd electrode 44 2nd alignment film 46 Auxiliary electrode 47 2nd extension Part 48 Second connection part 49 Peripheral 50 Spacer 51 Sealing material 52 Sealing material 55 Liquid crystal layer 56 Liquid crystal material 57 Connecting electrode 59 Tool 65 Connecting member

Claims (12)

A dimming cell with variable transmittance,
The first substrate including the first resin substrate and
A second substrate containing a second resin substrate and
A liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate,
A sealing material located between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounding the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape is provided.
At least one of the first substrate and the second substrate contains electrodes.
The peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located on the sealing material in at least a part thereof.
The first board includes a first connection portion for connecting to an external power source.
The second board includes a second connection portion for connecting to an external power source.
The first connection portion and the second connection portion are arranged at positions facing each other.
The width of the sealing material is wider in the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion than in the other portions excluding the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion. And
A dimming cell in which the maximum thickness of the sealing material is larger than the distance between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. The dimming cell according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the sealing material is the thinnest at the end portion on the side of the liquid crystal layer in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. .. In the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape, the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion opposite to the side of the liquid crystal layer is the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion facing the liquid crystal layer. The dimming cell according to claim 1 or 2, which is thicker than the thickness of the sealing material. In the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape, the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion opposite to the side of the liquid crystal layer is the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion facing the liquid crystal layer. The dimming cell according to claim 3, which is 1.5 times or more the thickness of the sealing material. In a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape, the thickness of the sealing material at the portion where the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located is the thickness of the sealing material at the end portion on the side of the liquid crystal layer. The dimming cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is thicker than the thickness of the material. The dimming according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the sealing material at a portion where the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape is 10 μm or more. cell. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the maximum thickness of the sealing material is thicker than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. Dimming cell. The dimming cell according to claim 7 , wherein the maximum thickness of the sealing material is 1.5 times or more the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential shape. .. The at least one board includes a connection with an external power source.
The dimming cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the peripheral edge of at least one of the substrates is located on the sealing material in other portions except the connection portion. With transparent members
A dimming member comprising the dimming cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9 laminated on the transparent member. A moving body including the dimming member according to claim 10 . A first plate material containing a first resin base material, a second plate material containing a second resin base material, a liquid crystal layer provided between the first plate material and the second plate material, and the first plate material. A step of preparing a laminate containing the sealing material provided between the second plate material and the sealing material that surrounds the liquid crystal layer in a circumferential shape.
A step of cutting at least a part of the first plate material and removing the outer periphery of the first plate material is provided.
The cutting is performed on the sealing material, at least in part, and
The first substrate obtained by cutting the first plate material includes a first connection portion connected to an external power source.
The second substrate obtained by cutting the second plate material includes a second connection portion connected to an external power source.
The first connection portion and the second connection portion are arranged at positions facing each other.
The width of the sealing material is wider in the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion than in the other portions excluding the portion provided with the first connection portion and the second connection portion. And
In a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sealing material extending in a circumferential direction, the maximum thickness of the sealing material is larger than the distance between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the dimming cell. Production method.

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