JPS5810723A - Variable stop device using electrooptically controlling element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a variable stop device where the response is quick and uniform with a low voltage, by providing by-pass electric paths in or near gaps by which a band-shaped transparent electrode of an electrooptically controlling element is divided and supplying electric energy to respective parts of the transparent electrode through these electric paths. CONSTITUTION:A band-shaped transparent electrode 2 is provided to face a common electrode 3 on a transparent substrate 1 through a solid-state electrochromic element 4. The band-shaped transparent electrode 2 has plural band-shaped transparent electrode pieces 2a-2c and gaps which insulate and divide these electrode pieces from one another, and they are formed to concentric ring band-shaped patterns, and electric good conductors 7a, 7b, and 7c are provided in these gaps 5, and conductor 7a and 7b are brought into contact with transparent electrodes 2a and 2b and are conductive to them, and the conductor 7c is brought into contact with the outside circumference of the transparent electrode 2c. The common transparent electrode 3 is provided with electric good conductors 9a-9c facing to gaps 5, and the element 4 is colored uniformly and quickly when a low voltage is applied across an electrode 10 and lead terminals 6a-6c, and the color is erased quickly also.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a variable diaphragm device using an electro-optic light control element such as a liquid crystal or an electrochromic device, and particularly to an improvement of a variable light amount diaphragm device used in an optical system.

An electro-optical light control element such as a liquid crystal or an electrocoumic element is interposed between a patterned transparent electrode having a pattern of numbers, letters, figures, etc. formed thereon and another electrode, and a voltage is applied between the two electrodes. A display element that displays the pattern by changing the transparency (transmittance) of the electro-optical light control element in the electric field generated by the electro-optical light control element is known, and has extremely low battery consumption.
Because they can be made thin and compact, they are often used as display devices for precision machinery such as watches and optical instruments. Utilizing such a change in light transmittance of the electro-optic light control element, the shape of the patterned transparent electrode of the display element described above is formed into a plurality of concentric strip patterns, and the strip-shaped transparent electrode constituting the pattern is formed into a plurality of concentric strip patterns. Variable aperture devices are also known in which the aperture is narrowed by applying voltage sequentially or simultaneously from the outer side of the piece to the inner side.

However, materials such as indium oxide (In!os) and tin oxide (SnO) used in the transparent electrodes of the above-mentioned display elements and aperture devices are larger than metals such as gold, silver, and aluminum. Since the material has a resistance value, as it moves away from the voltage application point, there is a delay in coloring and decoloring, resulting in a lack of quick response, and color unevenness (difference in transmittance) occurs in areas far from the voltage application point.

In order to eliminate this drawback, transparent electrodes formed in an annular/cuttern shape are provided on both sides of the common electrode through electrochromic elements, and the lead wire connection portions of these two transparent electrodes are connected at a relative angle of 180 degrees. A force that is provided on opposite sides and is shifted to shorten the delay in coloring and decoloring by half;
Although this is known, since the thickness is about twice as large, it is difficult to design when it is narrowed down and incorporated into an optical system, and it also has the drawback that the transparency decreases when decoloring.

The object of the present invention is to obtain a variable diaphragm device that has very quick response during color development and decolorization, and has almost no reaction delay or color unevenness.

For this reason, in the present invention, in or near a gap that insulates a plurality of concentric band-shaped transparent electrode pieces provided on at least one of a pair of transparent electrodes facing each other via an electro-optic light control element. The variable aperture device is characterized in that a strip-shaped electrically conductive material is provided to form a bypass circuit, and the variable aperture device is configured to supply electrical energy to each part of the transparent electrode via this electrically electrically conductive material.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to Examples.

1 and 2 show a known light amount control device using an electrochromic element, in which a transparent electrode 2 having a pair of annular patterns on a transparent substrate 1 and a co-M transparent electrode 3 are connected via an electrochromic element 4, respectively. The transparent electrode 2 includes a plurality of transparent electrode pieces 2m, 2
b.

The transparent electrode pieces are formed into an annular pattern with 2C, and are insulated and partitioned by gaps 5, and are configured to be colored or decolored by applying a voltage to the lead terminal portions 6m, 6b, and 6c, respectively. Moreover, the lead terminal portions 6m, 6b, and 6c of the pair of upper and lower annular electrodes are 180 mm.
゜Since they are provided on opposite sides, the delay in coloring and decoloring from the part close to the terminal part to the part further away from the terminal part can be reduced by 1.
It has the advantage that it can be reduced by half compared to the case using a single EC element, and color unevenness disappears quickly. However, this configuration still has the disadvantage that the speed is insufficient and the thickness is approximately doubled, resulting in a decrease in light transmittance.

5, 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 3 and 5 are plan views showing an annular transparent electrode and a common transparent electrode, respectively, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an annular transparent electrode and a common transparent electrode. FIG. Reference numeral 1 indicates a transparent substrate, and reference numeral 2 indicates a band-shaped transparent electrode, which is provided facing a common electrode 5 via a solid-state EC element (hereinafter abbreviated as "solid-state EC element") 4.

The strip-shaped transparent electrode 2 includes a plurality of strip-shaped transparent electrode pieces 2a, 2b%
2C and a gap 5 that insulates and partitions this band-shaped transparent electrode piece, is formed into a concentric ring pattern, and furthermore, this gap 5
There is a good electrical conductor 7a inside.

7b are provided so as to be in contact with and electrically conductive with the band-shaped transparent electrodes 2a and 2b, respectively, and a good electrical conductor 7C is further provided in contact with the outside of the band-shaped transparent electrode 2C.

These good electrical conductors include gold, silver, and aluminum.
A metal having a resistance value lower than that of the transparent electrode is used, and is insulated by an insulating coating 8 so as not to come into contact with the inside of the solid-state EC element 4 (and the band-shaped transparent electrode 2b12c. Also, in this embodiment, the lead terminal portion 6
Although a, 6b, and 6c are made of the same metal as the electrically conductive material, they may be made of the same material as the transparent electrode as in the known example shown in FIG. Between the common transparent electrode 3 and the substrate, there are concentric strip-shaped electrically conductive conductors 9 at positions facing the gaps and having substantially the same width as the gaps 5 that partition the strip-shaped transparent electrodes.
a, 9b, and 9c are provided. When voltage is applied to the lead terminal 10, it passes through the electrical conductors 9a, 9b, 9c,
The entire surface of the common transparent electrode 5 immediately becomes at the same potential. On the other hand, band-shaped transparent electrodes 2m and 2b face this common transparent electrode.

2c, electrically conductive conductors 7m and 7 are connected to this, respectively.
Since the reaction immediately proceeds from the outer periphery to the inner side via the elements b and 7c, there is almost no delay in partial reaction when the element 40 develops color and decolors, and the response is quick. Note that the solid-state EC element corresponding to the gap 5 does not develop color (%), so when the EC element develops color, light leaks from this gap, but since the electrically conductive material is made of opaque metal, almost no color develops. No light leaks.Furthermore, when erasing the color, the electrically conductive (metal) part remains opaque, but during this time, the width of the l!150 is only about 10 mm, so the transparent electrode is 2m wide. It is extremely small compared to the area of 2b and 2c, and the reduction in transmitted light is substantially negligible.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a common transparent electrode 5 and electrically conductive conductors 9m, 9b, and 9c are provided on a transparent substrate 1.
By reversing this, as shown in FIG. 6, a concentric band-shaped transparent electrode 211.
2b, 2c and the electrical conductors 7m, 7b, 7e may be provided directly on the transparent substrate 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, both of a pair of electrodes facing each other via a solid EC element are formed of circular strip-shaped transparent electrode pieces 2m, 2b, and 2c, and good electrical conductors 7a, 7b, and 7c are in contact with each transparent electrode piece, respectively. Of course, it may be configured to be electrically conductive.

In this case, as is clear from FIGS. 6 and 7, the openings 2° and 3° at the center of the diaphragm are provided only in the upper transparent electrode that is not in contact with the substrate. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the solid-state EC element 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 is replaced with a liquid crystal or liquid electrolyte EC element 4°. In this case, both transparent electrodes 2.5 are each provided on a transparent substrate, and after the liquid crystal or liquid electrolyte type EC element is sealed between both transparent electrodes 2.50, it is sealed with low melting point glass or epoxy resin 11. . Also, the electrical conductors 7m, 7b, 7c and 9m, 9b, 9c are the same as in Fig. 4, but the transparent electrode 2 is formed so as to cover the entire surface of the transparent substrate for the purpose of sealing. FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the gap portion of another embodiment using a solid-state EC element. In both cases, the band-shaped transparent electrodes are formed in a circular ring pattern as shown in FIG. 5, and the solid EC element 4 is formed in the same concentric band pattern with the band-shaped transparent electrode pieces 2m, 2b, and 2c as shown in FIG. The transparent electrode pieces 21.2b, 2c and the solid EC element pieces 4m, 4b, 4c are separated by a common gap, and within this common gap 5', a good electrical conductor 17 coated with an insulating coating 18 is placed. It is provided. The insulating coating may be opaque. Through a portion 19 of this electrically conductive material 17 where a portion of the insulating coating is removed, it is brought into contact with the inner band-shaped transparent electrodes 2b and 2c, respectively.

FIG. 10 shows two electrically conductive conductors 17.2 in the common gap 51.
0 are provided so as to be insulated from each other by an insulating coating 18,
One of the electrically conductive conductors 17 is connected to the inner band-shaped transparent electrodes 2g, 2b, 2c through a partially removed portion 19 of the insulating coating.
The other electrode 20 is formed to be in direct contact continuity with the common electrode. FIG. 11 shows that both transparent electrodes sandwiching a solid-state EC element have a common gap P15° formed as an insulating section, and two electrically conductive conductors 17.2° are formed in the common gap.
are provided to be insulated from each other by an insulating coating 18, and are electrically connected to the inner transparent electrodes 2a1 and 5a, respectively, through the removed portions 19.21 of the insulating coating. As the electrical conductors 17 and 20, an opaque metal conductor is generally used as in the above-mentioned embodiments, but in particular when it is desired to avoid loss of transmitted light during extinction even at the expense of light leakage during color development. is made of the same material as the transparent electrode (indium oxide IJ
o3 or tin oxide (5nO1) can be used.

In that case, when forming an insulating film, a transparent insulating film is used. Transparent electrodes are extremely thin and have high sheet resistance, but
The electrically good conductor 17.20 that bypasses free electrons has a sufficiently large cross-sectional area, so it has a sufficiently low resistance compared to the former, and
Since it is not in direct contact with the solid-state EC element, no energy is consumed for coloring and decoloring, and therefore each part of the transparent electrode can be brought to the same potential instantly. The transparent electrodes in each of the above embodiments are all formed in concentric annular patterns, but if necessary, they may be formed into concentric polygons (square, pentagon, hexagon, etc.).
There is no difference even if you change the pattern shape such as or star shape. Furthermore, if it is desired to further prevent light leakage from the gap separating the transparent electrode pieces after using the above-mentioned transparent electrically conductive material, a double diaphragm is used as is conventionally known, so that the transparent electrode and the gap are mutually connected. You can make it double-layered so that it overlaps.

Further, it is desirable to consider the thickness and refractive index of the transparent electrically conductive material so that the optical path length is the same as the optical path length passing between the transparent electrodes. This eliminates blurring and color blurring of the subject image due to differences in optical path length. In addition, opaque electrical conductors are
It does not need to be completely opaque as long as it has a light transmittance (density) equal to or lower than the light transmittance (density) at the minimum transmittance (during color development) of the electro-optic light control element.

As described above, according to the present invention, a bino path is provided in or near the gap that partitions the band-shaped transparent electrode, and electrical energy is directly supplied to each part of the transparent electrode via this bypass electric path. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a variable iris diaphragm device with extremely quick response without increasing the voltage, with almost no reaction delay or color unevenness.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conventional variable diaphragm device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof, and Figs. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view thereof, Figure 5 is a plan view of the common transparent electrode section, and Figures 6 to 1.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of each side of the present invention. 1......Transparent substrate, 2......
Band-shaped transparent electrodes, 2a, 2b, 2c...Transparent electrode pieces, 5...Common transparent electrode, 4...
...... Electro-optical light control element, 4s14b...
・・・・・・Solid electrochromic element piece, 5
.........between ffl, 7aゝ7bゝ7c, 9
a%9b%9c, 17.20...Good electrical conductor, 8.18...Insulating coating applicant
Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Agent Furuo Watanabe

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) Of a pair of transparent electrodes facing each other via an electro-optic light control element, at least one of them is concentrically formed with a plurality of transparent electrode pieces and a gap that partitions the transparent electrode pieces. A concentric strip-shaped electrically conductive material having a smaller electric resistance value than the transparent electrode and at a position corresponding to the gap is formed in a strip-like pattern so as to contact and conduct with one of the pair of transparent electrodes. A variable aperture device characterized in that it is configured such that a voltage is applied to each part of the transparent electrode via the electrically conductive material. (2) In the diaphragm device according to claim 1, the electrically conductive material is insulated from the electro-optic light control element by an insulating coating, and is connected to the transparent electrode pieces so as to be electrically connected to each of the plurality of transparent electrode pieces. A variable aperture device characterized by being arranged in parallel with an electrode piece. (5) In the aperture device according to claim 1,
The electro-optic light control element is a solid-state electric light control element formed in the same concentric band pattern together with the transparent electrode piece.
a variable p-mic device, characterized in that the electrically conductive material is provided within a common gap that partitions a plurality of the transparent electrode pieces and the solid electrochromic element pieces forming a concentric strip pattern. Squeezing device. (4) In the aperture device according to claim 3,
The variable aperture device is characterized in that the electrically conductive material is surrounded by an insulating coating, and is electrically connected to the transparent electrode piece through a partially removed portion of the coating. (5) In the aperture device according to claim 5,
A pair of mutually insulated electrically conductive conductors are provided in the common gap, one of which is connected to the band-shaped transparent electrode piece, and the other is connected to the other transparent conductor that faces the band-shaped electrode piece through the solid-state electrochromic element. A variable aperture device characterized by electrical contact with an electrode. (6) In the diaphragm device according to claim 1, the other transparent electrode facing the transparent electrode formed in the concentric strip pattern is a common transparent electrode having a size that substantially covers the diaphragm aperture; A variable aperture device characterized by forming a six-band pattern. (7) In the aperture θ aperture device according to claims 1 to 6, the electrically conductive material has a transmittance that is equal to or smaller than the transmittance at the minimum transmittance of the electro-optic light control element. A variable diaphragm device characterized in that it is made of an opaque body having a constant ratio or a transparent body having a cross-sectional thickness larger than the thickness of the transparent electrode.