JP7298340B2 - dimmer - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a light control device including a light control sheet and a connection portion for connecting the light control sheet to a power supply.

The light control sheet includes a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition and a pair of transparent electrode layers sandwiching the light control layer. When a driving voltage is applied to the pair of transparent electrode layers, the orientation state of liquid crystal molecules included in the light control layer changes, thereby changing the light transmittance of the light control sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A light control device is composed of such a light control sheet and a connection portion for connecting the transparent electrode layer to a power source.

An example of the structure of the light control device will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 2, the light control device 100 is attached to a transparent plate 200 such as a window glass. The light control sheet 110 includes a pair of transparent electrode sheets 130A and 130B. A connecting portion 160A is connected to the transparent electrode sheet 130A, and a connecting portion 160B is connected to the transparent electrode sheet 130B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, one transparent electrode sheet 130A is a laminate of a transparent electrode layer 140A and a transparent support layer 150A. The transparent electrode layer 140A is in contact with one surface of the light control layer 120, and the transparent support layer 150A is attached to the transparent plate 200 via the adhesive layer 210. As shown in FIG. 160 A of connection parts are connected to the area|region exposed from the light control layer 120 and the other transparent electrode sheet 130B in 140 A of transparent electrode layers. As shown in FIG. 4, the other transparent electrode sheet 130B is a laminate of a transparent electrode layer 140B and a transparent support layer 150B, and the transparent electrode layer 140B is in contact with the other surface of the light control layer 120. As shown in FIG. The connecting portion 160B is connected to a region of the transparent electrode layer 140B exposed from the light control layer 120 and one of the transparent electrode sheets 130A, and faces the transparent plate 200. As shown in FIG.

The connecting portions 160A and 160B include a conductive adhesive layer 161 bonded to the transparent electrode layers 140A and 140B and a conductive tape 162 bonded to the conductive adhesive layer 161. FIG. The conductive adhesive layer 161 is made of conductive paste such as silver paste. Conductive tape 162 is, for example, a copper tape. Connections 160A and 160B further include solder 163 located on the surface of conductive tape 162 and lead wires 164 connected to conductive tape 162 by solder 163 . The lead wire 164 is connected to a drive circuit that converts the voltage supplied from the power supply into a drive voltage, and the drive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layers 140A and 140B through the connection portions 160A and 160B.

In forming the connecting portions 160A and 160B to the transparent electrode sheets 130A and 130B, as shown in the figure, transparent electrode sheets 130B and 130A corresponding to one side end of the rectangular light control sheet 110 (respectively the other transparent electrode sheet) are formed. After forming a notch portion, the light control layer 120 is wiped off, and a conductive adhesive layer 161 and a conductive tape 162 are bonded to the exposed transparent electrode layers 140A and 140B, respectively.

The light control layer made of liquid crystal material is prone to deterioration due to acid, moisture, ultraviolet rays, etc. Especially, the sheet edge (peripheral part) where the light control layer is sandwiched is likely to come into contact with moisture, acid, ultraviolet rays, etc. , deterioration of the light control layer is likely to occur.

The present invention relates to a peripheral sealing structure of a liquid crystal panel in which a front substrate is coated with a liquid crystal layer (PDLC: polymer-dispersed liquid crystal in which liquid crystal molecules are dispersed in a polymer) and a rear substrate is laminated thereon. As a proposal, Patent Document 2 discloses a sealing structure in which a sealing agent is applied to the surface of the front substrate, the side surface of the rear substrate, and the side surface of the PDLC.

JP 2006-162823 A JP-A-6-186574

The present invention facilitates the formation of a connecting portion for connecting the light control sheet to a power supply, and prevents deterioration of the light control layer made of a liquid crystal material exposed at the end of the light control sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide a light control sheet having a suitable structure for reliably avoiding an electrical short circuit due to contact between transparent electrode sheets having connection portions formed thereon.

The dimmer according to the present invention is
a light control sheet comprising a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition, a first transparent electrode sheet, and a second transparent electrode sheet;
a first connection portion for connecting the first transparent electrode sheet and a power supply;
a second connection portion for connecting the second transparent electrode sheet and a power source;
A light control device comprising
The first transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a first transparent electrode layer on a first transparent support layer,
The second transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a second transparent electrode layer on a second transparent support layer,
The light control layer is sandwiched between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet so as to face the first transparent electrode layer side and the second transparent electrode layer side,
The first connection portion includes a first conductive adhesive layer bonded to a first region on the first transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the second transparent electrode sheet, and the first conductive adhesive layer. A first wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply,
The second connecting portion includes a second conductive adhesive layer bonded to a second region on the second transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the first transparent electrode sheet, and the second conductive adhesive layer. a second wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply;
Said 1st area|region and said 2nd area|region are characterized by being the structure which touches at one point in the planar view of the said light control sheet.

The notch line of the second transparent electrode sheet and the notch line of the first transparent electrode sheet that define the outer shape of the first area and the second area are 10° to 170° in plan view of the light control sheet. are preferably crossed at an included angle in the range of .

A cutout line of the second transparent electrode sheet and a cutout line of the first transparent electrode sheet that define the outlines of the first region and the second region may be curved lines.

The first and second connection parts can be produced by a simple procedure on the same side of the transparent electrode sheet so as not to overlap each other, and the electrical short circuit caused by the contact between the transparent electrode sheets on which the connection parts are formed can be reliably avoided. be done. In addition, the degree of freedom in designing the shape of the region on the transparent electrode layer exposed by notching the transparent electrode sheet, in which the connecting portion is to be formed, is improved.

Explanatory drawing which shows the connection part of a light control sheet in order of a manufacturing process. The figure which shows the planar structure of a light control apparatus about the conventional light control apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a structural example of connection portions formed at the ends of the same side of the light control sheet. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a seal structure for protecting the light control layer at the edge of the light control sheet. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the placement of a sealant at the end of the light control sheet on which the connecting portion is formed; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of connecting portions 160A and 160B of the light control sheet 110; Explanatory drawing which shows the modification of the connection part of a light control sheet. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a light control sheet having a seal portion formed on the entire end portion;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a typical structural example that has been employed to form the connecting portions 160A and 160B at the ends of the same side of the rectangular light control sheet 110 without overlapping the front and back. In FIG. 5A, the transparent electrode sheets 130B and 130A are notched (half-cut) by the length L1 of the first and second regions forming the band-shaped connection portions 160A and 160B. Form-remove at the edge. In FIG. 5(b), the transparent electrode sheets 130B and 130A are cut by the length L2 of the first and second regions forming the band-shaped connection portions 160A and 160B (1/2 of the length of the lower side of the light control sheet 110). Form and remove chipping (half cut). In FIG. 5(c), the transparent electrode sheets 130B and 130A are notched (half-cut) by the length L1 of the first and second regions forming the band-shaped connection portions 160A and 160B, and the central portion of the light control sheet 110 is cut. Forms and removes in the vicinity. No notches (half cuts) are formed at the right and left ends of the light control sheet 110 in the figure. In FIG. 5(d), the transparent electrode sheets 130B and 130A are notched (half-cut) by the length L1 of the first and second regions forming the band-shaped connection portions 160A and 160B, and the light control sheet 110 The light control sheet 110 is cut (completely cut) and removed by a length L3 so that the connecting portions 160A and 160B protrude outward from the light control sheet 110 in the form of tongues. It is Only FIG. 5B shows a configuration in which the first area and the second area are connected when the light control sheet 110 is viewed from above.

The amount of cut and the minimum number of cut lines in FIGS. 5(a) to (c) are as follows.

<Fig. 5(a)>
Half cut: (L1 x 2) + (width x 2)
Minimum number of cut lines = 4

<Fig. 5(b)>
Half cut: (L2 x 2)
Full cut: width x 1
Minimum number of cut lines = 3

<Fig. 5(c)>
Half cut: (L1 x 2) + (width x 4)
Minimum number of cut lines = 6

<Fig. 5(d)>
Half cut: L1 x 2
Full cut: L3 + (width x 2)
Minimum number of cut lines = 5

Next, the protection of the light control layer 120 by the seal structure at the half cut (or full cut) end of the light control sheet 110 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the light control layer 120 made of a liquid crystal material is exposed in a section where the other transparent electrode sheet is partially half-cut or removed in order to form a connection portion to the transparent electrode sheet. It will be. In order to avoid deterioration of the light control layer 120 due to contact with moisture, acid, ultraviolet rays, etc., it is preferable to cover exposed portions of the light control layer 120 with a sealant 170 . A liquid or paste sealing agent (putty) called caulking agent or sealing agent is applied using a dispenser or the like. In the state shown in FIG. 6(b), the contact area of the sealant 170 is not sufficient, and in addition to being unable to completely prevent the intrusion of moisture, acid, ultraviolet rays, etc., there is concern that the sealant 170 may easily peel off locally. In order to increase the sealing function, as shown in FIG. 6(c), it is desirable to have a sealing structure in which the contact area with the transparent electrode layer is increased and the sealing agent 171 reaches the half-cut cross section and the upper surface of the transparent electrode sheet.

The same problem occurs in the portion where the light control sheet 110 is cut by all cuts, and countermeasures are also required for the exposure of the light control layer 120 in the right cross section of FIG. 6(d) (the left cross section is ignored here). . FIG. 6(e) shows the formation of the minimum amount of sealing agent 172. In order to improve the sealing function, as shown in FIG. It is desirable to

The seal structures shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(f) are effective in improving the sealing function. As the amount of the sealant used increases, the thickness of the light control sheet 110 increases locally (indicated by symbol t in the figure), and the step accompanying the local thickness increase affects the surface smoothness of the light control sheet 110. When applied to a form that requires lamination and integration with another member (for example, laminated glass in which a light control sheet is sandwiched between two glass plates via an intermediate film), it causes air bubbles to enter. .

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the sealing structures 171 and 173 shown in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(f) are applied to the end portions of the same side of the light control sheet 110 on which the connecting portions 160A and 160B shown in FIG. 5 are formed. The seals used and the number of lines in FIGS. 7(a)-(c) corresponding respectively to FIGS. 5(a)-(c) are as follows. (The other three sides of the rectangle are ignored, and only the lower side of the illustrated light control sheet 110 is considered.)

<Fig. 7(a)>
Seal 171: (L1 x 2) + (width x 2)
Seal 173: L3×1
Number of seal lines = 5

<Fig. 7(b)>
Seal 171: L1×2
Number of seal lines = 2

<Fig. 7(c)>
Seal 171: (L1 x 2) + (width x 4)
Seal 173: L4 + (L5 x 2)
Number of seal lines = 9

<Fig. 7(d)>
Seal 171: L1×2
Seal 173: L3×1
Number of seal lines = 3

In the above comparison, from the viewpoint of the amount of work for half-cutting or full-cutting for forming the connecting portions 160A and 160B and the amount of work for sealing the light control layer 120, FIGS. type is considered to be superior in terms of material cost (amount of sealant used).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the use of the seal 173, which locally increases the thickness of the light control sheet 110, is eliminated, and the modified type of connections shown in FIGS. The structures of 160A and 160B are proposed.

<Embodiment 1>
1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the connection part of the light control sheet according to Embodiment 1 in the order of manufacturing steps.

<Fig. 1(a)>
A “V-shaped” cut (full cut) with the point c as the top is made in the substantially central portion of the same side (lower side) where the connecting portion to the light control sheet 110 is to be formed. The cutting line 180A shown in the figure defines a part of the external shape of the connecting portion 160A (formed in the transparent electrode layer 140A of the transparent electrode sheet 130A on the back side of the paper surface), and the cutting line 180B defines the connecting portion 160B. It defines a part of the outer shape.

<Fig. 1(b)>
The triangular shape completely cut by the cutting lines 180A and 180B is removed, and the light control sheet 110 is in the state shown in FIG. 1(b). The points of intersection between the cutting lines 180A and 180B and the ends of the light control sheet 110 are points a and b, respectively. The apex angle (∠acb) formed by the cutting lines 180A and 180B at point c is appropriately set within a wide range of 10° to 170°. Moreover, the cutting lines 180A and 180B (line segment ac, line segment bc) are not limited to straight lines, and may be curved lines. Half-cut lines 190A and 190B defining the first and second regions forming the connecting portions 160A and 160B are straight lines extending left and right from the point c.

<Fig. 1(c)>
The transparent electrode sheet 130B (transparent support layer 150B+transparent electrode layer 140B) on the front side of the paper is cut along the half-cut line 190A, and the trapezoidal acde portion shown in the drawing, which will be the notch portion, is peeled off and removed. The light control layer 120 remaining on the transparent electrode layer 140A of the transparent electrode sheet 130A on the back side of the paper is wiped off to expose the transparent electrode layer 140A. At the half-cut line 190B, the transparent electrode sheet 130A (transparent support layer 150A+transparent electrode layer 140A) is cut from the back side of the paper by inserting a blade, and the illustrated trapezoidal bcfg portion, which will be the notch portion, is peeled off and removed. The light control layer 120 remaining on the transparent electrode layer 140B of the transparent electrode sheet 130B on the back side of the paper is wiped off to expose the transparent electrode layer 140B.

<Fig. 1(d)>
A conductive adhesive layer and a conductive tape are bonded to the first and second regions defined by the trapezoids acde and bcfg, respectively, and then connected to lead wires via solder to supply power to the light control sheet 110 . Connections 160A and 160B are produced. Seals 171 for covering and protecting the dimming layer 120 exposed at the cross sections of the half-cut lines 190A and 190B are formed on the lines cd and cf, respectively.

8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing the cross-sectional structure of the connection portions 160A and 160B of the light control sheet 110 viewed from the X direction in FIG. 1D, and FIG. Regarding 110, FIG. 8(b) is an explanatory diagram of the light control sheet 110 of FIG. 1(d).

In the case of FIG. 5(b), the connecting portions 160A and 160B are produced after cutting (all cutting) along the cut line 180 shown in FIG. be done. Since the cut line 180 is separated only by the thickness of the blade, the transparent electrode layer 140A and the transparent electrode layer 140B are very close to each other, so that the conductive adhesive layer 161 and the conductive tape 162 are joined (161 and 162 in FIG. 8). The light control sheet 110 may thermally expand depending on post-processes such as fusing of lead wires 164 with solder 163 and the temperature conditions during use of the light control device. There is a very high risk of an electrical short between the transparent electrode layers 140A and 140B, which are exposed by removing 120. FIG.

On the other hand, the connection portions 160A and 160B of the light control sheet 110 of Embodiment 1 (FIG. 1(d)) are
By cutting along the cut lines 180A and 180B shown in FIGS. 1A and 8B, the distance between points a and b is ensured and the risk of electrical short circuit is eliminated.

<Embodiment 2>
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification of the connection portions 160A (first area) and 160B (second area). As noted above, cutout lines 180A and 180B may be curved. The cutout lines 180A and 180B form an included angle in the range of 10° to 170° in plan view and intersect at the intersection point c.

FIG. 9A shows a case where the included angle (∠acb) is an obtuse angle, and compared to the case shown in FIG. The risk of electrical shorting of sections 160A, 160B is further reduced. FIG. 9(b) shows a case where cutout lines 180A and 180B are defined by upwardly convex curves, and the contact angle with the curve at point c is even greater, close to 170°. The length of the line segment ea and the length of the line segment gb (the length not removed at the lower edge of the light control sheet 110) are set equal in both FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). However, both the areas of the first region and the second region are larger in FIG. 9(a).

When joining the conductive adhesive layer 161 and the conductive tape 162 of a predetermined size to the first region of FIG. 9(a), they fit within the first region in FIG. 9(a), but A conductive adhesive layer 161 and a conductive tape 162 (indicated by dotted lines) of the same size protrude from the first region. In the curved type of FIG. 9(b), when the conductive adhesive layer 161 and the conductive tape 162 are sufficiently small in size, excessively sized connecting portions 160A (first region) and 160B (second region) are produced. It is effective in doing without.

The included angle (∠acb) can be arbitrarily set in the range of 10° to 170°, preferably in the range of 30° to 150°. If the angle is less than 30°, there is a high risk of electrical short-circuiting between the connection portions 160A and 160B. If the angle exceeds 150°, it becomes difficult to secure the areas of the first and second regions. This is because it becomes difficult to secure space.

The rectangular light control sheet 110 formed with the connecting portions 160A and 160B and formed with a sealing agent that covers and protects the light control layer 120 exposed in the half-cut cross section has three sides other than the lower side where the connecting portions are formed. It has a peripheral edge. In covering and protecting the light control layer 120 that is exposed even at the outer peripheral edge, applying a sealing agent in the form indicated by reference numeral 173 causes an excessive use of the sealing agent, an increase in the thickness of the light control sheet 110, and generation of air bubbles. It is desirable to apply a sealant in the form indicated by reference numeral 171 because this is nothing but the formation of unevenness that is the cause. As shown in FIG. 10, if the seal 171 is formed after half-cutting the light control sheet 110 on the outer peripheral edge of the light control sheet 110, the light control layer 120 is more reliably protected.

100 light control device 110 light control sheet 120 light control layers 130A, 130B transparent electrode sheets 140A, 140B transparent electrode layers 150A, 150B transparent support layers 160A, 160B connection portion 161 conductive adhesive layer 162 conductive tape 163 solder 164 lead wire 170, 171, 172, 173 sealing agent 180A, 180B cutting line 190A, 190B half-cut line

Claims (2)

a light control sheet comprising a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition, a first transparent electrode sheet, and a second transparent electrode sheet;
a first connection portion for connecting the first transparent electrode sheet and a power supply;
a second connection portion for connecting the second transparent electrode sheet and a power source;
A light control device comprising
The first transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a first transparent electrode layer on a first transparent support layer,
The second transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a second transparent electrode layer on a second transparent support layer,
The light control layer is sandwiched between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet so as to face the first transparent electrode layer side and the second transparent electrode layer side,
The first connection portion includes a first conductive adhesive layer bonded to a first region on the first transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the second transparent electrode sheet, and the first conductive adhesive layer. A first wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply,
The second connecting portion includes a second conductive adhesive layer bonded to a second region on the second transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the first transparent electrode sheet, and the second conductive adhesive layer. a second wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply;
The first region and the second region are configured to be in contact with each other at one point in a plan view of the light control sheet,
Light control, characterized in that an included angle formed by intersection of a notch line of the second transparent electrode sheet and a notch line of the first transparent electrode sheet defining the outer shape of the first area and the second area is an obtuse angle. Device. a light control sheet comprising a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition, a first transparent electrode sheet, and a second transparent electrode sheet;
a first connection portion for connecting the first transparent electrode sheet and a power supply;
a second connection portion for connecting the second transparent electrode sheet and a power supply;
A light control device comprising
The first transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a first transparent electrode layer on a first transparent support layer,
The second transparent electrode sheet is formed by depositing a second transparent electrode layer on a second transparent support layer,
The light control layer is sandwiched between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet so as to face the first transparent electrode layer side and the second transparent electrode layer side,
The first connection portion includes a first conductive adhesive layer bonded to a first region on the first transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the second transparent electrode sheet, and the first conductive adhesive layer. A first wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply,
The second connecting portion includes a second conductive adhesive layer bonded to a second region on the second transparent electrode layer exposed by cutting the first transparent electrode sheet, and the second conductive adhesive layer. a second wiring member that is joined to and electrically connected to an external power supply;
The first region and the second region are configured to be in contact with each other at one point in a plan view of the light control sheet,
A light control device, wherein the notch line of the second transparent electrode sheet and the notch line of the first transparent electrode sheet defining the outlines of the first area and the second area are curved lines.

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