JPH1134662A - Dimmer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a bright and dark pattern of transmitted incident light from becoming an offense to the eye in a dimmer. SOLUTION: This apparatus adjusts the transmittance by changing the relative positioning of a first and a second light adjusting plates between a light shielding state in which a light transmissive part 31 of the first light adjusting plate 16 and a light-shielding part 43 of the second light adjusting plate are set on the opposite to each other and the light transmissive surface area is controlled to be the minimum and a light transmissive state in which a light transmissive part 31 of the first light adjusting plate and a light transmissive part 41 of the second light adjusting plate are set on the opposite to each other and the light transmissive surface area is controlled to be the maximum. The light transmissive part of the first light adjusting plate is made to be a region surrounded by a closed curve such as a circle or an ellipse.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light control device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a light control device used by being attached to a window or the like of various buildings, in addition to a rear window, a side window, a sun visor, and a roof window of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of light control devices of this type have been proposed. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the utility model publication No. 3034784 discloses a square light-shielding portion 1a that does not transmit light and a square transparent light-transmitting portion having the same dimensions as the light-shielding portion 1a. Two light control plates 1 provided with a portion 1b in a checkerboard pattern are provided in parallel with each other, and at least one of the light control plates 1 is movable in the direction of arrow A. In this light control device, the light transmittance can be adjusted by relatively moving the two light control plates 1 and adjusting the area where the light shielding portions 1a overlap each other (light transmission portions 1b). .

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-6798 according to the present applicant is disclosed.
In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2004-209, two light control plates 2 in which light-shielding portions 2a and light-transmitting portions 2b in the form of horizontal stripes having the same width are alternately and continuously provided are provided in parallel with each other. To arrow B
A dimmer that is movable in a direction is described. Also in the case of this light control device, the light transmittance is adjusted by relatively moving the two light control plates 2 and adjusting the area where the light-shielding portions 2a overlap each other (light-transmitting portions 2b). Can be.

[0004]

When the dimmer shown in FIG. 17 is used by attaching it to the rear window of a car,
The light-shielding portions 1a of the light control plates 1 coincide with each other, and the light-transmitting portions 1b
When the two light control plates 1 are positioned so as to be coincident with each other, incident light such as direct sunlight is directly transmitted and radiated onto the dashboard in a portion where the light transmitting portions 1b of the two light control plates 1 overlap, while the light control plate 1 The incident light is blocked at a portion where the light-shielding portions 1a overlap each other, and is not irradiated on the dashboard. As a result, a checkerboard-like pattern due to the light and shade of light appears on the dashboard. The checkered lattice pattern is a pattern composed of only straight lines, and when such a pattern is reflected on the dashboard, the passenger may feel obstructive.

When the apparatus shown in FIG. 17 is used by attaching it to a side window, a sun visor, a roof window of a motor vehicle, a window of various buildings, or the like, the above-mentioned obtrusive checkerboard-like light and dark pattern is formed in the vehicle interior or the room. Will be reflected.

Similarly, when the light control device shown in FIG. 18 is used by attaching it to a rear window of an automobile, a light and dark pattern of horizontal stripes appears on a dashboard or the like, but the stripe pattern is a pattern consisting only of straight lines. , Passengers and the like feel unsightly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional light control device, and has as its object to prevent a light and dark pattern formed by transmitted incident light from being obstructive.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a light control device according to the present invention is provided with a transparent or translucent light-transmitting portion and an opaque light-shielding portion, respectively, and is arranged in parallel and opposed to each other. A light-transmitting part of the first light control plate and a second light control device, comprising: a first light control plate; a second light control plate; and driving means for moving at least one of the first and second light control plates in a predetermined direction. The light-shielding portion of the plate opposes each other, and the light-transmitting area of the first light control plate and the light-transmitting portion of the second light control plate oppose each other. In the light control device, the relative transmittance of the first and second light control plates is changed to adjust the light transmittance between a light transmissive state in which the light transmissible area is maximized. It is characterized in that the light-transmitting portion of one light control plate is a region surrounded by a closed curve.

In the light control device according to the present invention having the above-described structure, the light-transmitting portion of the first light control plate is an area surrounded by a closed curve. Does not include only a straight line including a curved line, so that it is possible to reduce the unpleasant feeling of a passenger or the like with respect to such a light and dark pattern.

More specifically, the shape of the light transmitting portion of the first light control plate includes a circle, an ellipse, and the like.

[0011] More specifically, the first light control plate includes:
A plurality of rows of circular light-transmitting portions that are continuous in a direction orthogonal to the direction of relative movement between the first light control plate and the second light control plate are provided, and the remaining region is used as a light-shielding portion. The light plate is provided with light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions in the form of horizontal stripes in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction.

Further, the first light control plate has circular light transmitting portions at equal intervals in a moving direction of the relative movement of the first light control plate and the second light control plate and in a direction perpendicular thereto. The second light control plate may be provided with a square light-shielding portion and a light-transmitting portion in a lattice shape while providing the remaining region as a light-shielding portion.

Further, the first light control plate is provided with a plurality of circular light transmitting portions, and the remaining area is used as a light shielding portion, while the second light control plate is provided with the light transmitting portion of the first light transmitting plate. A circular light-shielding part may be provided at a position corresponding to the light part, and the remaining area may be a light-transmitting part.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described in detail. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a light control device 10 of the present invention is used by being attached to a rear window 12 of a car 11 on the side of a cabin 13.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Has a transparent case 14 composed of a transparent plate member 14a and a main body 14b. A first light control plate 16 is held by the transparent case 14 so as to be movable in directions indicated by arrows C1 and C2. Further, the plate member 14 is provided in the transparent case 14.
A second light control plate 17 is fixed to a, and the first and second light control plates 16 and 17 are opposed to each other in parallel at a predetermined interval. A projection 14c is provided on the plate member 14a. The protrusion is provided at a notch 17 provided at the center of the upper end of the second light control plate 17.
a, and is inserted into a notch 16 a provided at the center of the upper end of the first light control plate 16.
Is restricted in the directions of the arrows C1 and C2. The light control device 1 is located at a required position of the transparent case 14.
A suction cup 15 for detachably fixing 0 to the vehicle interior 13 side of the rear window 12 is attached.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a rack 18 is provided at the lower end of the first light control plate 16. A shaft 19 is rotatably supported on the lower side of the transparent case 14, and the rack 18 meshes with a pinion gear 21 fixed to the shaft 19. A shaft 24 is rotatably accommodated in a casing 23 provided at a lower end portion of the transparent case 14, and a pinion gear 25 fixed to the shaft 24 meshes with the pinion gear 21. Further, the pinion gear 25 is
And the pinion gear 27 attached to the output shaft 26a. The motor 26 is connected to a power supply and operation switches (not shown).

When the operation switch is operated to rotate the motor 26 forward or reverse, the rotation of the output shaft 26a is
The light is transmitted to the rack unit 18 via 7, 25, and 21, and the first dimmer 16 is moved in accordance with the arrow C in accordance with the rotation direction of the output shaft 26a.
It moves in the direction indicated by 1, C2. When the motor 26 is not operating, the first light control plate 1 is moved by a positioning mechanism (not shown).
The relative positional relationship between 6 and the second light control plate 17 is maintained.

The first light control plate 16 is made of a rectangular film, and has a moving direction (arrow C) as shown in FIGS.
A circular light transmitting portion 31 is continuously provided in a direction orthogonal to (1, C2), and a plurality of rows 32 of the light transmitting portions 31 are provided at equal intervals in the moving direction. The adjacent light transmitting portions 31 in each row 32 are in contact with each other. First dimmer 1
In a region between the rows 32 of the six light transmitting portions 31, a horizontal stripe-shaped light shielding portion 33 in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the first light control plate 16 is provided. The width L1 of the light shielding portion 33 is
1 is larger than the diameter d1.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the second light control plate 17 is made of a rectangular film having the same shape as the first light control plate 16, and Light-transmitting portions 41 and light-shielding portions 43 in the form of horizontal stripes orthogonal to the moving direction are provided alternately and continuously. The light transmitting part 41 and the light shielding part 4
3 have the same width L2, which is larger than the diameter d1 of the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16, and
The width is set to be smaller than the width L1 of the light shielding portion 33 of the light control plate 16.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the first light control plate 16 is in the initial position, as indicated by an arrow D in FIG.
The first and second light control plates 16 and 17 as viewed from the side are shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second positions are in the initial position.
The upper and lower ends of the light control plates 16 and 17 coincide. In this state, the light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 overlaps the row 32 of the light transmission portions 31 of the first light control plate 16, and the light transmission portion 41 of the second light control plate 17 is Are overlapped. As a result, in the initial state, the entire surface of the light control device 10 becomes opaque,
The light transmittance becomes 0% (light blocking ratio 100%) (light blocking state).

FIG. 8 shows that the motor 26 is driven to move the first light control plate 16 below the second light control plate 17 by the diameter d1 of the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16. The lower end position is shown. In this state, the first light control plate 16
The row 32 of the circular light transmitting portions 31 and the horizontal stripe-shaped light transmitting portion 41 of the second light control plate 17 face each other. Further, the light-shielding portion 33 and the second light-modulating plate 1 sandwiched between the rows 32 of the light-transmitting portions 31 of the first light-modulating plate 16 are formed.
7 light-shielding portions 43 face each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the portion corresponding to the first light transmitting portion 31 is transparent, and the other portions are opaque. At this time, the light transmittance is 40%
(Light blocking ratio: 60%), and the light transmittance becomes maximum (light transmitting state).

In a portion corresponding to the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16, incident light such as direct sunlight from the outside 20 of the vehicle interior is
It is transmitted as it is and radiated on a dashboard (not shown), while incident light in other portions is blocked. Therefore, a circular pattern appears on the dashboard due to the brightness formed by the transmitted incident light. Since the light and dark pattern is a circular pattern, that is, a pattern composed of curved lines, the passenger feels less obstructive than a light and dark pattern consisting only of straight lines such as a checkered lattice pattern.

The light transmittance can be adjusted by appropriately positioning the first light control plate 16 between the above-described initial position (light-shielded state) and the lower end position (light-transmitted state). The light and dark pattern formed on the dashboard or the like by the incident light from the first light control plate 16 is a pattern including a part of a circle corresponding to the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16. Therefore, the light and dark pattern in this case also has less unpleasant feeling for the occupant compared to the light and dark pattern consisting of only straight lines.

Since the width L2 of the light transmitting portion 41 of the second light control plate 17 is set to be larger than the diameter d1 of the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16, as described above, Light control plate 17
Even if there is a slight error in the positioning of the lens, the above-mentioned light transmitting state can be reliably realized.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment,
Only the structure of the first and second light control plates is different from that of the first embodiment, and the other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The first light control plate 16 has circular light transmitting portions 31 at equal intervals in the moving direction and the direction perpendicular thereto.
Are provided, and the remaining area is a light shielding section 33. The distance L4 between the left and right and up and down between the light transmitting portions 31 is the light transmitting portion 3
1 is larger than the diameter d2.

The second light control plate 17 has a square light transmitting portion 41.
The light-transmitting part 41 and the square light-shielding part 43 having the same size as the light-transmitting part 41 are alternately provided vertically and horizontally to form a lattice shape. Upper and lower and left and right side lengths L5 of the light transmitting portion 41 and the light shielding portion 43 are set to be larger than the diameter d2 of the first light control plate 16 and smaller than the interval L4.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the first light control plate 16 is set at the initial position, the circular light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 and the square light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 face each other. And
The square light transmitting portion 41 of the second light control plate 17 is
6 and the light shielding portion 33. As a result, in the initial state, the entire surface of the light control device 10 becomes opaque, and the light control device 10 is in a light-shielded state with a light transmittance of 0%.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the first light control plate 16 is moved upward by the side length L5 of the light transmitting portion 41 and the light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17, the first light control plate 16 The circular light transmitting portion 31 faces the square light transmitting portion 41 of the second light control plate 17, and the light blocking portion 33 of the first light controlling plate 16 faces the light blocking portion 43 of the second light controlling plate 17. Therefore, the first light control plate 16
The circular portion corresponding to the light transmitting portion 31 is transparent, and the other portions are opaque, and the light transmitting state is 40% light transmittance.

In this light-transmitting state, at a portion corresponding to the light-transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16, incident light such as direct sunlight from the outside of the vehicle compartment 14 is transmitted as it is and is irradiated on the dashboard. In other areas, the incident light is blocked, and a circular light and dark pattern appears on the dashboard and the like. Also, the first
Even when the light control plate 16 is appropriately positioned between the light blocking state and the light transmitting state, a light and dark pattern partially including a circle corresponding to the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 is reflected on the dashboard. As described above, also in the light control device of the second embodiment, the light and dark pattern formed by the incident light is not constituted only by the straight line, but includes a curved line, so that the occupant does not feel uncomfortable.

As described above, the side length L5 of the light transmitting portion 41 and the light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 is changed to the first light control plate 16
Is set to be larger than the diameter d2 of the light transmitting portion 31, the light transmitting state can be reliably realized even when there is a slight error in the positioning of the first light control plate 16.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 13 to 16 show a third embodiment of the present invention. First, the first light control plate 1
6 has a circular light transmitting portion 31 similar to the first and second embodiments.
Is provided. The diameter d3 of each light transmitting portion 31 is such that the adjacent light transmitting portions 31 are in contact with each other, and the light transmitting portions 31 are densely provided on the entire surface of the first light control plate 16.

On the other hand, the second light control plate 17 is provided with circular light shielding portions 43 having a diameter d4 at equal intervals L6 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The region is a light transmitting portion 41. The diameter d4 and the interval L6 of the light shielding portion 43 are set equal. Also, the second light control plate 17
The diameter d4 of the light shielding portion 43 is set smaller than the diameter d3 of the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the first light control plate 16 is at the initial position, the circular light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 and the circular light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 Opposite so that their centers coincide. Since the diameter d4 of the light shielding portion 43 is set to be larger than the diameter d3 of the light transmitting portion 31 as described above, the outer diameter of the light transmitting portion 31 is equal to the diameter d3 of the opposing portion of the light transmitting portion 31 and the light shielding portion 43. , And an annular transparent portion having an inner diameter equal to the diameter d4 of the light shielding portion 43 is formed. on the other hand,
Except for the transparent portion, an opaque portion is formed by the light shielding portions 31 and 43 of the first light control plate 16 or the second light control plate 17. In the third embodiment, the light transmittance at this initial position is about 40%.
And the least light-shielded state.

As shown in FIG. 16, the second light control plate 17
When the first light control plate 16 is moved upward by the diameter d4 of the light shielding portion 43, the area where the light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 and the light transmitting portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 face each other is increased. The light transmission state is attained and the opaque portion having a diameter d4 corresponding to the light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17 is scattered in the transparent portion. In this state, the light transmittance is about 60%.

In the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the light and dark pattern formed on the dashboard by the incident light is always the circular light transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 or the circular light transmitting portion 31. The curve includes a curve corresponding to the circular light shielding portion 43 of the second light control plate 17. Therefore, the light and dark pattern gives the driver little unpleasant feeling.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. First, the shape of the light-transmitting portion 31 of the first light control plate 16 is not limited to a circle, but may be any shape as long as the shape includes a closed curve such as an ellipse. Also,
In the above embodiment, the first and second dimming plates 16 and 17 are driven by a DC motor, but may be driven by another type of motor such as a known electrostatic actuator. Further, the first and second light control plates 16 and 17 may be manually moved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the first light control plate 1
6 is moved, but the second light control plate 17 is moved.
A configuration in which only the first dimming plate 16 or 17 is moved may be adopted.

Further, the light control device of the present invention is not limited to the rear window of an automobile as described above, but may be fixed to or detached from a side window or a sun visor of an automobile or a window of various buildings such as stores. It may be used by being attached as possible. Also in this case, the light and dark pattern formed in the cabin such as the floor of the automobile or the interior of the building due to the incident light is not only a straight line but a curve including a curve. it can.

[0040]

As is clear from the above description, in the light control device according to the present invention, since the light transmitting portion of the first light control plate is a region surrounded by a closed curve, light transmitted through the light control device. The light and dark pattern constituted by the incident light includes a curved line and is not constituted only by a straight line, so that the light and shade pattern is less unpleasant. Therefore, the light control device of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in a rear window of an automobile.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an automobile including a dimming device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the light control device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a driving mechanism of a first light control plate.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the first light control plate in the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the second light control plate in the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the light blocking state in the first embodiment, as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a light transmitting state in the first embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a first light control plate according to a second embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a second light control plate according to the second embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a light blocking state in the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view as viewed from the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a light transmitting state in the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view as viewed from the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the first light control plate in the third embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a second light control plate according to the third embodiment as viewed from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a light blocking state in the third embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view as viewed from the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a light transmitting state in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a front view as viewed from the direction of arrow D.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing an example of a conventional light control device.

FIG. 18 is a front view showing a conventional light control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 light control device 11 automobile 12 rear window 16 first light control plate 17 second light control plate 31, 41 light-transmitting parts 33, 43 light-shielding part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first and second light control plate which is provided with a transparent or translucent light transmitting portion and an opaque light blocking portion, respectively, and is disposed in parallel and opposed to each other. A drive unit for moving at least one of the light control units in a predetermined direction, wherein the light transmitting unit of the first light control plate and the light shielding unit of the second light control plate are opposed to each other to minimize the light transmitting area. The state between the first state and the first state in which the light transmitting part of the first light control plate and the light transmitting part of the second light control plate oppose each other to maximize the light transmissible area. And a light control device in which the light transmittance is adjusted by changing the relative position of the second light control plate, wherein the light transmission part of the first light control plate is a region surrounded by a closed curve. Dimming device. 2. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting portion of the first light control plate is circular. 3. The first light control plate includes a first light control plate and a second light control plate.
A plurality of rows of circular light-transmitting portions that are continuous in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the relative movement of the light control plate are provided in a plurality of rows, and the remaining area is a light-shielding portion. 3. The light control device according to claim 2, wherein light-transmitting portions and light-shielding portions in the form of horizontal stripes in a direction perpendicular to the direction are provided alternately. 4. The first light control plate includes a first light control plate and a second light control plate.
Circular light-transmitting portions are provided at regular intervals in the moving direction of the relative movement of the light control plate and in a direction perpendicular thereto, and the remaining region is used as a light-shielding portion, while the second light control plate has a square shape. The light control device according to claim 2, wherein the light-shielding portion and the light-transmitting portion are provided in a lattice shape. 5. The first light control plate is provided with a plurality of circular light transmission portions, and the remaining region is used as a light shielding portion, while the second light control plate is provided with a light transmission portion of the first light transmission plate. The light control device according to claim 2, wherein a circular light blocking portion is provided at a position corresponding to the light portion, and a remaining region is a light transmitting portion.