JP7239878B2 - laminate - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light control sheet.

The light control sheet includes a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition, a pair of transparent conductive layers sandwiching the light control layer, and a terminal portion connecting the transparent conductive layer and the driving portion. The terminal section and the driving section are electrically connected by wiring. A driving voltage is applied from the driving section to the transparent conductive layer through the terminal section, so that the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal composition changes according to the potential difference between the pair of transparent conductive layers. Thereby, the light transmittance changes in the light control area of the light control sheet.

Among light control sheets, a configuration in which a transparent conductive layer has a plurality of terminal portions is known. A plurality of terminal portions provided on one of the transparent conductive layers makes it possible to increase the size of the light control sheet or to partially drive the light control sheet. In such a light control sheet, each terminal portion and the drive portion are connected by wiring. Each wiring is a non-dimmable region in which the light transmittance does not change, and is provided in a wiring region that does not overlap with the dimming region when viewed from the direction facing the plane on which the transparent conductive layer extends. Each wiring is routed around the transparent conductive layer along the outer edge of the transparent conductive layer, for example, in the substrate supporting the transparent conductive layer so as not to overlap the dimming region or other wiring. is connected to the driving unit by (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

WO2018/061358

On the other hand, in the above-described light control sheet 100, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of terminal portions 112 are positioned at the edges of the transparent conductive layer 111 in the first direction D1. Each terminal portion 112 and the drive portion 121 are connected by a wiring 113 that is connected to each terminal portion 112 . Each wiring 113 includes a main line 113M extending in a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. As the number of wirings 113 increases, the area occupied by the main line 113M increases, resulting in a smaller dimming area. In recent years, it has been proposed to apply light control sheets to windows mounted in automobiles, but the above-mentioned problems are particularly noticeable in such applications that require high light transmittance over a wider area. appearing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a light control sheet capable of suppressing shrinkage of a light control area due to an increase in the number of terminal portions.

A light control sheet for solving the above problems includes a pair of transparent conductive layers composed of a first transparent conductive layer having a shape along a first direction and a second transparent conductive layer, and the first transparent conductive layer. A light control layer positioned between the second transparent conductive layer, a plurality of first terminal portions arranged along the edge of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction, and one for each first terminal portion a plurality of wirings connected one by one, the plurality of wirings having a main line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The edge portion has a linear shape that intersects a straight line orthogonal to the first direction, and a line that passes through one of the main lines and extends in a third direction opposite to the second direction is the It is a virtual line belonging to the wiring provided with the main line, and the plurality of wirings includes a wiring in which the virtual line overlaps the dimming layer.

According to the above configuration, compared to the configuration in which all virtual lines passing through the main line are located outside the light control layer, the area of the light control layer is increased by the amount of overlap between the virtual line passing through the main line and the light control layer. You can prevent it from shrinking.

A light control sheet for solving the above problems includes a pair of transparent conductive layers composed of a first transparent conductive layer having a shape along a first direction and a second transparent conductive layer, and the first transparent conductive layer. A light control layer positioned between the second transparent conductive layer, a plurality of first terminal portions arranged along the edge of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction, and one for each first terminal portion a plurality of wirings connected one by one, the plurality of wirings having a main line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction. A plurality of reference points belonging to each wiring are positioned at the end of the edge in the first direction, and a straight line passing through each reference point and extending in the second direction corresponds to the reference point to which the reference point belongs. It is a virtual line belonging to the same wiring as the wiring, and the wiring is positioned closer to the light control layer than the virtual line belonging to the wiring.

According to the above configuration, all of the Wiring can be accommodated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the wiring, and thus to suppress the reduction of the area of the light control layer.

In the light control sheet, the direction in which the first terminal portions are arranged may be a direction different from the second direction. According to the above configuration, it becomes easy to prevent each main line from being positioned on the light control layer.

In the light control sheet, the direction in which the first terminal portions are arranged may be the second direction. According to the above configuration, since each main line extends along the edge of the first transparent conductive layer, it is also possible to reduce the size of the area occupied by the plurality of main lines.

In the above-described light control sheet, the first transparent conductive layer is composed of a plurality of electrode layers arranged in the second direction, one electrode layer belonging to each first terminal portion, and the edge portion may have a stepped shape with the number of steps equal to or less than the number of the plurality of electrode layers.

A light control sheet capable of separately driving the electrode layers arranged in the second direction requires one first terminal portion for each electrode layer. According to the above configuration, the effect of suppressing the reduction of the dimming area due to the increase in the number of terminals becomes more beneficial.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the dimming area due to the increase in the number of terminals.

Sectional drawing which shows the state in which the light control sheet of 1st Embodiment was applied to the side window of the motor vehicle. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the light control sheet of the first embodiment is applied to a side window of an automobile; The top view which expands and shows the 1st terminal part with which the light control sheet shown in FIG. 2 is provided with the peripheral structure of a 1st terminal part. The top view which shows the structure in the example of a change of the light control sheet in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the structure in the other modification of the light control sheet in 1st Embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of a reverse type light control sheet. The top view which shows the structure of the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment. The top view which expands and shows the structure of the 1st terminal part with which the light control sheet of 2nd Embodiment is provided. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the 1st terminal part in 2nd Embodiment with the surrounding structure of a 1st terminal part. The top view which shows the structure of the conventional light control sheet.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of a light control sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. In the following, the configuration of the light control sheet will be described in an example in which the light control sheet is applied to the laminated glass provided in the side windows of automobiles.

FIG. 1 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control sheet.
As shown in FIG. 1, the light control sheet 10N includes a pair of transparent conductive layers 11 and a light control layer 12. As shown in FIG. The pair of transparent conductive layers 11 is composed of a first transparent conductive layer 11A and a second transparent conductive layer 11B. The dimming layer 12 is located between the first transparent conductive layer 11A and the second transparent conductive layer 11B. The light control sheet 10N further includes a plurality of first terminal portions 13A and a plurality of first wirings 14A. The first terminal portion 13A is located on the first transparent conductive layer 11A. The plurality of first wirings 14A are connected one by one to each first terminal portion 13A. The light control sheet 10N is a normal type light control sheet.

The light control sheet 10N includes a pair of transparent support layers 15, one second terminal portion 13B, and second wiring 14B. The pair of transparent support layers 15 are a first transparent support layer 15A and a second transparent support layer 15B. The pair of transparent support layers 15 sandwich the pair of transparent conductive layers 11 in the thickness direction of the light control layer 12 . One second terminal portion 13B is located on the second transparent conductive layer 11B. The second wiring 14B is connected to the second terminal portion 13B.

Each transparent conductive layer 11 has a transmittance that allows visible light to pass therethrough. Each transparent conductive layer 11 is made of, for example, a transparent conductive oxide or a conductive polymer. In this embodiment, the first transparent conductive layer 11A is divided into a plurality of parts. On the other hand, the second transparent conductive layer 11B is formed by one continuous layer. In addition, while the first transparent conductive layer 11A is formed of one continuous layer, the second transparent conductive layer 11B may be divided into a plurality of layers.

The light control layer 12 contains a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The light control layer 12 is, for example, polymer network liquid crystal. A voltage is applied to the light modulating layer 12 via the transparent conductive layer 11 to change the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.

The first terminal portion 13A is located on the surface of the first transparent conductive layer 11A facing the light control layer 12 . The first terminal portion 13A is located in a portion of the first transparent conductive layer 11A that is not covered with the light control layer 12, the second transparent conductive layer 11B, and the second transparent support layer 15B. It is exposed to the outside of the optical sheet 10N. The second terminal portion 13B is located on the surface of the second transparent conductive layer 11B facing the light control layer 12 . The second terminal portion 13B is located in a portion of the second transparent conductive layer 11B that is not covered with the light control layer 12, the first transparent conductive layer 11A, and the first transparent support layer 15A. It is exposed to the outside of the optical sheet 10N.

Each of the first terminal portion 13A and the second terminal portion 13B includes, for example, a conductive adhesive layer such as a metal tape, a conductive film, or a conductive paste, and a wiring board such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC). and so on. Alternatively, a structure in which a first conductive adhesive layer made of a conductive paste such as silver paste, a conductive tape such as a copper mesh, and a copper tape are laminated on the transparent conductive layer 11 may be used.

The first wiring 14A and the second wiring 14B are, for example, coated copper wires. The wirings 14A, 14B are joined to the terminal portions 13A, 13B by soldering, for example. Each transparent support layer 15 has a transmittance that allows visible light to pass therethrough. Each transparent support layer 15 supports one transparent conductive layer 11 different from each other. Each transparent support layer 15 can be, for example, a glass substrate, a silicon substrate, and a polymer film.

Each first terminal portion 13A is connected to the driving portion 21 by a first wiring 14A. The second terminal portion 13B is connected to the driving portion 21 by a second wiring 14B. The drive unit 21 applies a drive voltage, which is a voltage for changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, to the first transparent conductive layer 11A and the second transparent conductive layer 11B.

In the light control sheet 10</b>N, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the electric field generated between the transparent conductive layers 11 by applying a voltage to the transparent conductive layers 11 . This makes it easier for light to pass through the light control layer 12, so that the light control layer 12 becomes transparent. On the other hand, while no voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 11, the orientation of the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules is irregular. Therefore, as a result of scattering the light incident on the light control layer 12, the light control layer 12 becomes opaque.

The light control sheet 10N is sandwiched between a pair of transparent plates 31. As shown in FIG. Between the pair of transparent plates 31, an intermediate film 32 is positioned around the light control sheet 10N.
The pair of transparent plates 31 is composed of a first transparent plate 31A and a second transparent plate 31B. The first transparent plate 31A is adhered to the first transparent support layer 15A by the intermediate film 32, and the second transparent conductive layer 11B is adhered to the second transparent support layer 15B by the intermediate film 32.

The transparent plate 31 is colorless and transparent through which visible light is transmitted. The transparent plate 31 is made of transparent resin or glass. The resin-made transparent plate 31 is made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic resin, nylon resin, polyurethane, or the like. The transparent glass plate 31 is made of soda lime glass, crystal glass, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, or the like.

The intermediate film 32 has a function of adhering one transparent plate 31 to the other transparent plate 31 . In this embodiment, since the light control sheet 10N is positioned between the pair of transparent plates 31, each intermediate film 32 adheres one transparent plate 31 to the other transparent plate 31 via the light control sheet 10N. The intermediate film 32 may have a single-layer structure consisting only of an adhesive layer, or may have a multi-layer structure consisting of a plurality of layers.

FIG. 2 shows the planar structure of the light control sheet 10N viewed from the direction facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A. In FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, the second transparent plate 31B, the intermediate film 32, the second transparent support layer 15B, the second transparent conductive layer 11B, the second terminal portion 13B, and the light control layer 12 are omitted. there is In addition, in FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, the portion covered with the light modulating layer 12 and the edge of the first transparent conductive layer 11A are marked with dots. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the plurality of first terminal portions 13A and the peripheral structure of the terminal portions 13A. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I--I in FIG. Note that FIG. 1 shows the drive unit 21 for convenience of explanation. That is, the drive unit 21 does not have to be arranged along the line II in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light control sheet 10N has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the direction facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A. The first transparent conductive layer 11A has a shape along the first direction D1. The first direction D1 is one direction along the plane in which the first transparent conductive layer 11A extends. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction of the paper surface is the first direction D1. The plurality of first terminal portions 13A described above are arranged along the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1 of the first transparent conductive layer 11A.

The plurality of first wirings 14A are connected one by one to each first terminal portion 13A. Each first wiring 14A has a main line 14AM extending in a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the second direction D2 is a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, and is a direction from the top to the bottom of the paper surface.

The direction in which the first terminal portions 13A are arranged is a direction different from the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, for example, in a plan view facing the light control sheet 10N, a straight line passing through all the first terminal portions 13A is set in the direction in which the first terminal portions 13A are arranged. The direction in which the first terminal portions 13A are arranged is a direction that crosses the first direction D1 at an angle other than a right angle.

The edge 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A has a linear shape that intersects a straight line perpendicular to the first direction D1. In the present embodiment, the edge portion 11AE is a strip-shaped area that intersects at an acute angle with a straight line extending along the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. In FIG. 2, the area with high density dots is the edge 11AE. The plurality of first terminal portions 13A described above are positioned in the edge portion 11AE. The direction in which the edge portion 11AE extends is substantially parallel to the direction in which the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged, and is a direction different from the second direction D2.

The dimming layer 12 covers the first transparent conductive layer 11A except for the area where the edge 11AE is located. In FIG. 2, the area with low density dots is the area where the light control layer 12 is located.

As shown in FIG. 3, each first wiring 14A is provided with a virtual line VL belonging to the first wiring 14A. A virtual line VL is a line passing through one main line 14AM and extending in a third direction D3 opposite to the second direction D2. In the present embodiment, the third direction D3 is a direction from right to left on the paper surface. That is, the third direction D3 is the direction in which the length of the first transparent conductive layer 11A along the first direction D1 in FIG. 3 increases. The multiple first wirings 14A include the first wirings 14A in which the virtual line VL overlaps the dimming layer 12 .

According to the light control sheet 10N, compared to the configuration in which all the virtual lines VL passing through the main line 14AM are located outside the light control layer 12, the virtual lines VL passing through the main line 14AM and the light control layer 12 overlap each other. Therefore, the reduction in the area of the light modulating layer 12 can be suppressed.

One first wiring 14A different from each other is connected to the first terminal portion 13A. The first wiring 14A is formed from the above-described main line 14AM and sub-line 14AS. The sub-line 14AS is continuous with the main line 14AM. The sub-line 14AS extends along the first direction D1 intersecting the second direction D2. The first wiring 14A has a first end connected to the driving portion 21 and a second end connected to the first terminal portion 13A. The first wiring 14A extends from the driving portion 21 toward the first terminal portion 13A and then bends along the first direction D1 in the vicinity of the second end portion. The plurality of main lines 14AM each extend along the second direction D2 toward the drive unit 21 and are arranged at intervals in the first direction D1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first transparent conductive layer 11A is divided into a plurality of regions in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the first transparent conductive layer 11A is divided into, for example, three electrode layers. In the following description, the case where the first transparent conductive layer 11A is divided into three electrode layers will be described. is possible. The first transparent conductive layer 11A is composed of a first electrode layer 11A1, a second electrode layer 11A2, and a third electrode layer 11A3. The plurality of electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 have a strip shape extending along the first direction D1 and are arranged along the second direction D2.

Each electrode layer 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has one first terminal portion 13A. Each first terminal portion 13A is joined to one of the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3. That is, one first transparent conductive layer 11A belongs to each first terminal portion 13A. Two electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 are electrically insulated. Two electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 adjacent to each other may be insulated by a gap between the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3, or may be insulated by an insulating member located between the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3. good.

In the light control sheet 10N, it is possible to drive the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 separately. That is, in the light control sheet 10N, at least one of the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 can be driven in a specific period. In the light control sheet 10N, when a voltage is applied to the first terminal portion 13A and the second terminal portion 13B of the first electrode layer 11A1, the first electrode layer 11A1 in the light control layer 12 Transmittance changes in the covered part. Further, by applying a driving voltage to the first terminal portion 13A and the second terminal portion 13B provided in the second electrode layer 11A2, the light control layer 12 is covered with the second electrode layer 11A2. Transmittance changes in parts. In addition, by applying a driving voltage to the first terminal portion 13A and the second terminal portion 13B provided in the third electrode layer 11A3, the light control layer 12 is covered with the third electrode layer 11A3. Transmittance changes in parts.

In a plan view facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A, the transparent plate 31 has a size protruding outward from the first transparent conductive layer 11A. That is, the area of the transparent plate 31 is larger than the area of the first transparent conductive layer 11A. In this embodiment, the transparent plate 31 has a size protruding from the outer edge of the first transparent conductive layer 11A over the entire circumference of the first transparent conductive layer 11A. In a plan view facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A, the width W is the distance from the outer edge of the edge portion 11AE to the outer edge of the transparent plate 31 in the first direction D1. The width W becomes smaller as each main line 14AM moves away from the portion where the main line 14AM is drawn out from the transparent plate 31 along the third direction D3. This makes it possible to reduce the area for locating the first wiring 14A as compared with the case where the width W is uniform over the entire edge portion 11AE.

A laminate including a pair of transparent plates 31, an intermediate film 32, and a light control sheet 10N is attached to a door member D provided in an automobile. The laminate is attached to the door member D so as to cover the window of the door member D and to open at least a portion of the window.

When the light control sheet 10N is applied to a window of an automobile, the first terminal portion 13A and the first wiring 14A are covered with the covering portion C in order to hide the first terminal portion 13A and the first wiring 14A from the outside. will be

According to the light control sheet 10N of the present embodiment, the area required for routing the first wirings 14A can be reduced, so it is particularly preferable when applied to an automobile window that requires a wide light control area. Moreover, since the area of the covering portion C that covers the first terminal portion 13A and the first wiring 14A can be reduced, the design of the object to which the light control sheet 10N is applied can be enhanced.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the light control sheet, the effects described below can be obtained.
(1) Compared to the case where all the virtual lines passing through the main line 14AM are located outside the light control layer 12, the virtual line VL passing through the main line 14AM overlaps the light control layer 12. Reduced area reduction.

(2) Since the first terminal portions 13A are arranged in a direction different from the second direction D2, the main lines 14AM of the first wirings 14A connected to the first terminal portions 13A are positioned on the light control layer 12. It also makes it easier to keep things under control.

(3) In the light control sheet 10N capable of separately driving the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3 arranged in the second direction D2, the first terminal portion connected to each of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3 13A is required. According to the above configuration, the effect of suppressing the reduction of the dimming area due to the increase in the number of the first terminal portions 13A becomes more beneficial.

[Modified example of the first embodiment]
In addition, 1st Embodiment mentioned above can be changed as follows and can be implemented.
[First terminal part]
- The direction in which the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged may be the same direction as the second direction D2.

- As shown in FIG. 4, in this modified example, the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3 are arranged along the first direction D1, and the first wirings 14A are arranged in the second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1. extending along. The second direction D2 crosses the first direction D1 at an angle other than a right angle. The direction in which the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged is the direction in which a straight line passing through all the first terminal portions 13A extends in a plan view facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A. The direction in which the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged is the second direction D2.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(4) Since the first terminal portions 13A are arranged along the second direction D2, the main lines 14AM of the first wirings 14A connected to the first terminal portions 13A extend along the short sides of the first transparent conductive layer 11A. exist. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the size of the area occupied by the plurality of main lines 14AM.

Note that the first wiring 14A shown in FIG. 4 includes only the main line 14AM extending along the second direction D2, and does not include the sub-line.
- The first transparent conductive layer 11A may have a stepped shape with the same number of steps as the number of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has a strip shape extending along the first direction D1. In the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3, the positions of the ends where the first terminal portions 13A are located are different from each other in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the edge of the second electrode layer 11A2 is sandwiched between the edge of the first electrode layer 11A1 and the edge of the third electrode layer 11A3. As a result, the edge 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A has a three-step shape, which is the same number of steps as the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3.

- The first transparent conductive layer 11A may have a stepped shape with a smaller number of steps than the number of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3.
That is, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has a strip shape extending along the first direction D1. In the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3, the positions of the ends where the first terminal portions 13A are located may be different or the same in the first direction D1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the positions of the ends of the third electrode layer 11A3 and the ends of the second electrode layers 11A2 are different in the first direction D1, and the positions of the ends of the second electrode layers 11A2 and the ends of the first electrode layers 11A1 are different. Aligned. As a result, the edge 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A has a two-step shape, which is less than the number of steps of the three electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3.

The first wiring 14A extends along the second direction D2. The second direction D2 may be a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, or may be a direction intersecting at an angle other than a right angle. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second direction D2 is a direction that crosses the first direction D1 at an angle other than a right angle.

When the main line 14AM extending from the first terminal portion 13A included in a certain electrode layer overlaps with another electrode layer, the sub line 14AS is extended from the first terminal portion 13A in the first direction D1, thereby The sub-line 14AS may be connected to the main line 14AM without overlapping with other electrode layers 11A.

- The number of stages formed by a plurality of electrode layers may be 0 as shown in FIG. That is, in the second direction D2, the positions of the ends of the first electrode layer 11A1, the second electrode layer 11A2, and the third electrode layer 11A3 are continuously displaced, and the second direction D2 is the same as the first direction D1. may intersect at an angle other than a right angle.

[First transparent conductive layer]
- 11 A of 1st transparent conductive layers may be formed of one continuous layer. Even in this case, the first terminal portion 13A described in the above embodiment is applied to the configuration in which the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged along the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1 of the first transparent conductive layer 11A. It is possible to

[Light control sheet]
- As shown in FIG. 6, the light control sheet 10R may comprise a first alignment layer 16A and a second alignment layer 16B. The light control sheet 10R is a reverse type light control sheet. The first alignment layer 16A and the second alignment layer 16B sandwich the light control layer 12 in the thickness direction of the light control layer 12 . The first alignment layer 16A and the second alignment layer 16B are sandwiched between the pair of transparent conductive layers 11 in the thickness direction of the light control layer 12 .

Each alignment layer 16A, 16B is, for example, a transparent vertical alignment film. The orientation layers 16A and 16B are arranged such that, while no drive voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 11, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned with the normal direction of the planes extending along the orientation layers 16A and 16B. Orient the molecules. On the other hand, the orientation layers 16A and 16B allow the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules to be changed in directions other than the normal direction by applying a driving voltage to the transparent conductive layer 11 .

In the light control sheet 10R, when a drive voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 11, the direction of the major axis of the liquid crystal molecules becomes different from the normal direction of the alignment layers 16A and 16B. becomes opaque. On the other hand, while no voltage is applied to the transparent conductive layer 11, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the normal direction of the alignment layers 16A and 16B, so the light control layer 12 is transparent.

- The outer shape of the light control sheet 10N can be appropriately changed according to the object to which the light control sheet 10N is applied. Even in this case, if the light control sheet 10N has a shape along the first direction D1, and the plurality of first terminal portions 13A are arranged along the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1 of the light control sheet 10N. Just do it.

- The light control sheet 10N may include other layers in addition to the transparent conductive layer 11, the light control layer 12, the transparent support layer 15, and the orientation layers 16A and 16B.
[applicable target]
- The light control sheet 10N may be attached to either of a pair of opposing surfaces of the window glass. In this case, it can be applied to the window glass of the automobile after the automobile is manufactured.

- The light control sheets 10N and 10R may be applied to the window glass of moving bodies other than automobiles. In addition, the light control sheet 10N may be applied to window glass provided in buildings such as houses, stations, and airports, partitions installed in offices, and show windows installed in stores.

[Second embodiment]
2nd Embodiment of a light control sheet is described with reference to FIGS. 7-9. In the second embodiment, the direction in which the first terminal portion and the configuration around the first terminal portion are arranged is different from that in the first embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, while such differences will be described in detail, other configurations that are the same as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

FIG. 7 shows the planar structure of the light control sheet viewed from the direction facing the first transparent conductive layer 11A of the light control sheet. 7, the second transparent plate 31B, the second transparent support layer 15B, the second transparent conductive layer 11B, the second terminal portion 13B, and the light control layer 12 are omitted for convenience of illustration. In addition, in FIG. 7, for convenience of illustration, the portion covered with the light modulating layer 12 and the edge of the first transparent conductive layer 11A are marked with dots.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the light control sheet 40N, the first transparent conductive layer 11A has a shape along the first direction D1. The light control sheet 40N has a plurality of first terminal portions 43A. The plurality of first terminal portions 43A are arranged along the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1 of the first transparent conductive layer 11A. In this embodiment, each of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has a rectangular belt shape along the first direction D1. Each electrode layer 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has the same size. Therefore, the edge portion 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A has a strip shape extending along the second direction D2 orthogonal to the first direction D1. Thereby, the plurality of first terminal portions 43A are arranged along the second direction D2. One first wiring 44A is connected to each first terminal portion 13A. Each first wiring 44A has a main line 44AM extending in the second direction D2.

A plurality of reference points RP belonging to each first wiring 44A are located at the end of the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, each of the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 has a rectangular band shape extending along the first direction D1. Therefore, each reference point RP is positioned on a side of the first wiring 44A to which the reference point RP belongs, which extends along the second direction D2. A straight line passing through each reference point RP and extending in the second direction D2 is a virtual line VL belonging to the same first wiring 44A as the first wiring 44A to which the reference point RP belongs. As described above, all of the plurality of reference points RP are positioned on the sides of the first transparent conductive layer 11A extending along the second direction D2. Therefore, the virtual lines VL belonging to the respective first wirings 44A all overlap the sides of the first transparent conductive layer 11A extending along the second direction D2. 44 A of 1st wirings are located in the dimming layer 12 side rather than the virtual line VL which belongs to 44 A of said 1st wirings.

All of the The first wiring 44A can be accommodated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the first wiring 44A, which in turn prevents the area of the light control layer 12 from shrinking.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the first terminal portion 43A located on the second electrode layer 11A2 and the first terminal portion 43A located on the third electrode layer 11A3.
As shown in FIG. 8, one first wiring 44A is connected to each first terminal portion 43A by solder 44AH. In this embodiment, the solder 44AH is positioned at the center of each first terminal portion 43A. Each first wiring 44A has a main line 44AM and a sub-line 44AS. In the first wiring 44A, the sub-line 44AS is connected to the first terminal portion 43A. As described above, the main line 44AM extends along the second direction D2. On the other hand, the sub-line 44AS extends along a direction crossing both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

In the solder 43AH formed in each first terminal portion 43A, it is possible to set a reference line RL passing through the center of the solder 43AH and extending along the first direction D1. The angle formed by the reference line RL and the sub-line 44AS is the extraction angle θ. The extraction angle θ of the sub-line 44AS connected to the first terminal portion 43A of the second electrode layer 11A2 is different from the extraction angle θ of the sub-line 44AS connected to the first terminal portion 43A of the third electrode layer 11A3. . Thereby, the plurality of main lines 44AM are arranged at different positions in the first direction D1.

The extraction angle θ of the sub-line 44AS connected to the first electrode layer 11A1 is equal to the extraction angle θ of the sub-line 44AS connected to the second electrode layer 11A2 and the sub-line 44AS connected to the third electrode layer 11A3. It is different from both of the extraction angles θ in 44AS. Thereby, the positions of the first wirings 44A connected to the respective electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, 11A3 do not overlap each other in the first direction D1.

FIG. 9 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control sheet 40N on a plane along the thickness direction of the light control sheet 40N.
As shown in FIG. 9, the first terminal portion 43A is formed of a wiring connection portion 43A1 and a joint portion 43A2. The joint portion 43A2 has conductivity and is joined to the first transparent conductive layer 11A. The joint portion 43A2 is formed of, for example, a conductive adhesive. The wiring connection portion 43A1 is layered on the joint portion 43A2. A first wiring 44A is connected to the wiring connection portion 43A1 by solder 44AH. The wiring connection portion 43A1 is formed of, for example, copper foil or FPC (Flexible printed circuits).

The intermediate film 32 has a through hole 32H at a position overlapping the first terminal portion 43A when viewed from the thickness direction of the light control sheet 40N. Like the intermediate film 32, the second transparent plate 31B has a through hole 31BH at a position overlapping the first terminal portion 43A when viewed from the thickness direction of the light control sheet 40N. When viewed from the thickness direction of the light control sheet 40N, the through holes 32H of the intermediate film 32 overlap with the through holes 31BH of the second transparent plate 31B. 44 A of 1st wiring is pulled out to the exterior of the light control sheet 40N through two through-holes 32H and 31BH.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the light control sheet, in addition to the effects (3) and (4) described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) Between the virtual line VL and the light control layer 12, that is, between the virtual line VL passing through the most protruding position in the first direction D1 in the first transparent conductive layer 11A and the light control layer 12 , can accommodate all the first wirings 44A. As a result, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the first wiring 44A, which in turn prevents the area of the light control layer 12 from shrinking.

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
In addition, each embodiment mentioned above can be changed as follows and can be implemented.
[First terminal part]
- The plurality of first terminal portions 43A may be arranged along a direction different from the second direction D2. In this case, the effect according to (2) described above can be obtained.

[First transparent conductive layer]
- The edge portion 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A may have a stepped shape having the same number of steps as the electrode layers 11A1, 11A2, and 11A3.

- The edge portion 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A may have a shape that crosses the first direction D1 at an angle other than a right angle.
- The first transparent conductive layer 11A may be one continuous layer. Even in this case, the configuration of the second embodiment described above can be applied to the configuration in which the plurality of first terminal portions 43A are arranged along the edge portion 11AE of the first transparent conductive layer 11A.

[Light control sheet]
- The outer shape of the light control sheet 40N can be appropriately changed according to the object to which the light control sheet 40N is applied. Even in this case, if the light control sheet 40N has a shape along the first direction D1 and the plurality of first terminal portions 43A are arranged along the edge portion 11AE in the first direction D1 of the light control sheet 40N. Just do it.

- The light control sheet may be a reverse type light control sheet.
- The light control sheet 40N may include other layers in addition to the light control layer 12, the transparent conductive layer 11, the transparent support layer 15, and the alignment layers 16A and 16B.

10N, 10R, 40R, 100... Light control sheet 11, 111... Transparent conductive layer 11A... First transparent conductive layer 11A1... First electrode layer 11A2... Second electrode layer 11A3... Third electrode layer 11AE Edge portion 11B Second transparent conductive layer 12 Light control layer 13A, 43A First terminal portion 13B Second terminal portion 14A, 44A First wiring 14AM, 44AM, 113M Main line , 14AS, 44AS... Sub-line, 14B... Second wiring, 15... Transparent support layer, 15A... First transparent support layer, 15B... Second transparent support layer, 16A... First orientation layer, 16B... Second orientation layer, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21, 121... Driving part 31... Transparent plate 31A... First transparent plate 41B... Second transparent plate 31BH, 32H... Through hole 32... Intermediate film 43A1... Wiring connection part 43A2... Joining part 112 Terminal portion 113 Wiring C Covering portion D Door member RL Reference line RP Reference point VL Virtual line.

Claims (4)

a light control sheet;
and a transparent plate larger than the light control sheet,
The light control sheet is
a pair of transparent conductive layers composed of a first transparent conductive layer having a shape extending along a first direction and a second transparent conductive layer;
a dimming layer positioned between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer;
a plurality of first terminal portions arranged along one edge of the first transparent conductive layer in the first direction;
a plurality of wirings connected one by one to each first terminal portion, the plurality of wirings including a main line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
the edge has a linear shape that intersects a straight line perpendicular to the first direction;
a line passing through one main line and extending in a third direction opposite to the second direction is a virtual line belonging to the wiring provided with the main line;
The plurality of wiring includes wiring in which the virtual line overlaps the light control layer,
All the main lines are arranged between the outer edge of the edge and the outer edge of the transparent plate,
The distance from the outer edge of the edge to the outer edge of the transparent plate is the width,
The width becomes smaller as the distance along the third direction from the portion where all the main lines are pulled out from the transparent plate increases.
laminate . The laminate according to claim 1, wherein a direction in which the first terminal portions are arranged is a direction different from the second direction. The laminate according to claim 1, wherein the direction in which the first terminal portions are arranged is the second direction. the first transparent conductive layer is composed of a plurality of electrode layers arranged in the second direction, the plurality of electrode layers belonging to each of the first terminal portions;
The laminate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the edge portion has a stepped shape with a number of steps equal to or less than the number of the plurality of electrode layers.

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