WO2011132327A1

WO2011132327A1 - Seal tape, light modulating element, light modulating structure and method for producing light modulating structure

Info

Publication number: WO2011132327A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/061983
Authority: WO
Inventors: 茂敏早田; 雄一苣木; 真悟古川; 洋平齋藤; 順恒徳永
Original assignee: 株式会社正興電機製作所
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2010-07-15
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: CN102859422B; CN102859422A

Abstract

Provided is a seal tape that can prevent deterioration of a light modulating layer by an intermediate film that includes a plasticizer and that can also improve workability during the production of a light modulating structure. The seal tape (10) comprises: a band-like base material (11); an adhesive section (12) formed by the provision of an adhesive on both edges (11a) in the longitudinal direction of the base material (11); an exposed section of base material (11b) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the base material (11) and is a region between both edges (11a) of the base material (11) located on the surface on which the adhesive section (12) is formed; and a releasing material (13) which covers the adhesive section (12) on both edges (11a) of the base material (11).

Description

Sealing tape, light control element, light control structure, and method of manufacturing light control structure

The present invention relates to a pair of substrates (hereinafter referred to as insulating substrates) having at least one substrate having transparency and electrical insulation, and transparent electrodes respectively disposed on the pair of insulating substrates. A pair of light control elements, each including a lead electrode electrically connected to the exposed transparent electrode on the opposing surface of the pair of insulating substrates, and a light control layer sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates. The present invention relates to a sealing tape that is disposed on a peripheral portion of an insulating substrate and seals a light control layer, a light control element using the sealing tape, a light control structure, and a method for manufacturing the light control structure.

In recent years, light control windows in which light control elements such as liquid crystal films and light control films are laminated on a glass substrate or the like have been used for windows, partitions, etc. in offices, medical facilities or commercial facilities.

This light control element is applied between the two film substrates by applying and not applying a voltage from an external circuit connected via a connection terminal to the transparent electrodes disposed on the two film substrates. The transparent state and the opaque state of the sandwiched light control layer are switched.

For example, in a conventional optical element, the electrode connecting portions of both substrates are on the same side of the element, and each electrode connecting portion has an electrode portion in a region where one electrode connecting portion and the other electrode connecting portion do not face each other. Are electrically connected to an external circuit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, in the conventional light control material, electrodes are formed on both the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal, and at least at the same edge of both electrodes, the collector electrode portions are arranged in a positional relationship so as not to overlap each other in a plan view. Each collector part is connected to each electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Originally, a liquid crystal film was provided with a sealing material at the peripheral edge of the film substrate to suppress the intrusion of air, moisture, etc. into the inside, and to prevent contact between the liquid crystal layer and air, moisture, etc. However, in a large-sized liquid crystal film such as a dimming window, the liquid crystal film is hermetically sealed with an adhesive (such as an intermediate film) used for glass bonding between a pair of glass substrates. There are also liquid crystal films that do not use a sealing material.

In the liquid crystal film that does not use this sealing material, the infiltration of air, moisture, etc. from the outside of the light control window can be prevented by the intermediate film, but since the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal film and the intermediate film are in direct contact, The liquid crystal layer was eroded by the plasticizer contained in the liquid crystal layer, and the liquid crystal layer near the peripheral edge of the liquid crystal film deteriorated. The deterioration of the liquid crystal layer means that the deteriorated area is always transparent when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer (transparent state) and in the non-application state (white turbid state). It gradually erodes from the periphery to the inside.

On the other hand, in the conventional window panel, the intermediate layer material contains no plasticizer or one plasticizer that does not diffuse into the liquid crystal film structure. (See, for example, Patent Document 3).

In addition, the conventional light control structure includes a tape in which a polyester adhesive is laminated on a polyester base material on an end surface of a light control structure in which a liquid crystal layer made of liquid crystal dispersed in a resin is sandwiched between transparent electrode layers. It is used and sealed (for example, refer to Patent Document 4).

JP 2007-57925 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-65322 JP 2009-534557 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-165011

However, in the conventional optical element, the electrode part connected to the external circuit is disposed on the front and back surfaces of the T-shaped connection terminal, respectively, so that the external circuit and the electrode part are connected by fitting. There is a problem that a special connector is required and a connection method is limited.

Also, in the conventional light control material, a metal foil tape such as a copper foil tape or a thin metal piece such as phosphor bronze, copper, or aluminum is suitably used as a terminal piece for lead connection to be attached to the collector electrode portion. In particular, when using metal foil tape as a terminal piece, the strength of the metal foil tape is weak, so the metal foil tape is used during transport of the light control material, during lamination with two glass substrates, and during subsequent handling. Is damaged, and the light control material becomes a defective product. Also, the connection between the external circuit and the metal foil tape requires soldering or connection with a conductive adhesive, and particularly the connection by soldering has poor workability. In addition, when a conventional light control material is laminated with two glass substrates and the external circuit and the metal foil tape are connected by soldering, heat is applied to the glass substrate, and the glass substrate is cracked. There are challenges.

In addition, when using a metal thin piece as a terminal piece, when a high pressure is applied between the two glass substrates by evacuation when laminating with two glass substrates, the metal thin piece comes into contact with the glass substrate, There is a problem that the glass substrate is damaged. In particular, in the conventional light modulating material, one transparent electrode film is cut off, the other transparent electrode film is exposed, and the metal flakes are adhered to the collector electrode portion formed in the exposed portion with an adhesive or the like. In order to prevent contact between the metal flake and the glass substrate, the thickness of the metal flake is limited by the thickness of the other transparent electrode film.

Further, the conventional window panel has a narrow range of choice of the intermediate layer material in contact with the liquid crystal film, so that the intermediate layer has desired characteristics (for example, coloring, acoustic control characteristics, optical / thermal control characteristics). In addition, there is a problem that it is necessary to newly laminate an intermediate layer having desired characteristics as a layer not in contact with the liquid crystal film. In particular, newly laminating the intermediate layer has a problem in that the transparency of the entire surface of the window panel is impaired, and the number of members, the manufacturing process, and the manufacturing cost are increased.

Further, in the conventional light control structure, the tape to be used is one in which an adhesive is laminated on the entire surface of the base material, and when one end surface of the liquid crystal film is first thermocompression bonded with this tape, the thermocompression bonding is performed later. There is a problem that the adhesive of the part is unnecessarily adhered to another member, and workability is poor in manufacturing the light control structure.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In preventing the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer (decrease in display quality) due to the intermediate film containing the plasticizer, the present invention provides a light control structure. The present invention provides a sealing tape capable of improving workability, a light control element using the sealing tape, a light control structure, and a method for manufacturing the light control structure.

In addition, the present invention prevents a glass substrate from being damaged by a terminal for connecting to an external circuit, and can also improve workability in attaching a light control structure to a window, a partition, or the like. An optical structure is provided.

In the sealing tape according to the present invention, a strip-shaped base material, an adhesive part formed by disposing an adhesive on both edges in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and a base material on the surface on which the adhesive part is formed It is the area | region between these both edge parts, and is provided with the base-material exposed part extended in the longitudinal direction of a base material, and the peeling material which coat | covers the adhesion part in both edge parts of a base material.

In the light control device according to the present invention, the extraction electrode protrudes from the pair of insulating substrates and includes a terminal made of a metal piece electrically connected to the protruding extraction electrode.

In the sealing tape according to the present invention, a strip-shaped base material, an adhesive part formed by disposing an adhesive on both edges in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and a base material on the surface on which the adhesive part is formed A base material exposed portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material, and a release material that covers the adhesive portion on the both edge portions of the base material, thereby providing a plasticizer. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the light control layer (decrease in display quality) due to the intermediate film that is included, and improve workability in manufacturing the light control structure.

In the light control device according to the present invention, the extraction electrode protrudes from the pair of insulating substrates and includes a terminal made of a metal piece electrically connected to the protruding extraction electrode, thereby connecting to the external circuit. Therefore, the glass substrate can be prevented from being damaged by the terminal, and workability can be improved when the dimming structure is attached to a window or a partition.

(A) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the sealing tape which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view of the AA line of the sealing tape shown to Fig.1 (a). (C) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the roll of the sealing tape shown to Fig.1 (a). 2A is a plan view of an insulating substrate on which a transparent electrode and a connection terminal are arranged, and FIG. 2B is a light control device manufactured by arranging two insulating substrates shown in FIG. FIG. (A) is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the front side of the light control element shown in FIG.2 (b), (b) is shown to Fig.3 (a). It is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the back side of a light control element. (A) is the top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape 10 to the edge | side which the connection terminal does not protrude among four sides of the light control element shown in FIG.3 (b), (b) FIG. 5 is a plan view of a light control structure in which the light control element shown in FIG. 4A is sandwiched between two transparent rigid substrates 40 via an intermediate film. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the dimming structure shown in FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view CC of the dimming structure shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of a line. (A) is a top view which shows the other schematic structure of the sealing tape which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view of the DD line of the sealing tape shown to Fig.6 (a) It is a figure, (c) is a top view which shows the state which peeled one peeling material of the sealing tape shown to Fig.6 (a), (d) is the arrow of the sealing tape shown in FIG.6 (c). It is a fragmentary sectional view of line EE. (A) is a top view of the insulating board | substrate with which the transparent electrode and the extraction electrode were arrange | positioned, (b) is for demonstrating the surface where two insulating boards shown in FIG. It is a perspective view. (A) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (b) is from the edge | side side where a terminal protrudes among four sides of the light modulation element shown to Fig.8 (a). FIG. (A) is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the front side of the light control element shown to Fig.8 (a), (b) is shown to Fig.9 (a). It is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the back side of a light control element. (A) is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape 10 to the edge | side which the terminal does not protrude among the four sides of the light control element shown in FIG.9 (b), (b) is a figure. It is a top view of the light control structure which clamped the light control element shown to 10 (a) between two transparent rigid board | substrates via the intermediate film. FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the dimming structure shown in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 10B is an BB view of the dimming structure shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of a line. It is the partial side view of the light control structure which abbreviate | omitted the sealing tape seen from the edge | side side which a terminal protrudes among four sides of the light control structure shown in FIG.10 (b). (A) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element which concerns on Example 2, (b) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element which concerns on Example 3, (c) is an Example. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a light control element according to FIG. (A) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light control element which concerns on Example 5, (b) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light control element which concerns on Example 6, (c) is an Example. FIG. 7D is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the light control element according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. (A) is a side view which shows schematic structure of the terminal which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (b) is the elements on larger scale which show the state which used the terminal shown to Fig.15 (a) for a light control element, (C) is a front view which shows the other schematic structure of the terminal which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (d) is a left view of the terminal shown in FIG.15 (c), (e) is FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which show the state which used the terminal shown to c) for a light control element. (A) is a front view which shows other schematic structure of the terminal which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (b) is a left view of the terminal shown to Fig.16 (a), (c) is FIG.16. It is a right view of the terminal shown to (a), (d) is a top view of the terminal shown to Fig.16 (a), (e) used the terminal shown to Fig.16 (a) for the light control element. It is the elements on larger scale which show a state.

(First embodiment of the present invention)
As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing tape 10 includes a strip-shaped base material 11, an adhesive portion 12 formed by disposing an adhesive on both edges 11 a in the longitudinal direction of the base material 11, and an adhesive portion 12. Is a region between both edge portions 11 a of the base material 11 on the surface on which the base material 11 is formed, and a base material exposed portion 11 b extending in the longitudinal direction of the base material 11 and an adhesive portion 12 on both edge portions 11 a of the base material 11. Are provided with two release materials 13 respectively covering the two.

The base material 11 is a film having transparency, electrical insulation, flexibility, toughness, heat resistance, cold resistance or chemical resistance, for example, a polyester film, in particular, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). ) Film. In addition, the base material 11 which concerns on this embodiment uses "Lumirror (trademark)" by Toray Industries, Inc. as width 6mm.

The adhesive part 12 may be formed by directly applying an adhesive to the substrate 11 and drying the applied adhesive, or by attaching one surface of a double-sided adhesive tape to the substrate 11. Good. In addition, the adhesion part 12 which concerns on this embodiment has peeled and used the peeling liner (polyester film) for Nitto Denko Co., Ltd. "ultra-thin double-sided adhesive tape" as width 2mm. In addition, since the adhesive of the "ultra-thin double-sided adhesive tape" manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation is an acrylic adhesive, the adhesive part 12 includes a plasticizer.

The release material 13 is a film having flexibility or chemical resistance, and the release material 13 according to the present embodiment uses “PET Separator” manufactured by Nipper Corporation with a width of 3.25 mm. In addition, a double-sided adhesive tape (for example, “Ultra-thin double-sided adhesive tape” manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) is used as the adhesive portion 12, and the release material (release liner) on the other surface not attached to the substrate 11 is used as the release material. 13 may be used.

Further, the release material 13 is colored so that it can be distinguished from the transparent base material 11 and the adhesive portion 12, and it is easy to pick only the release material 13 from the sealing tape 10, and the light control described later. Workability in manufacturing the structure 100 (the light control element 20) can be improved. Further, as the colored release material 13, for example, it is possible to use “PET Separator (Rainbow Series)” manufactured by Nipper Corporation.

In addition, as shown in FIG.1 (c), the sealing tape 10 which concerns on this embodiment is a roll wound around the cylindrical core 14 at the time of unused, and cut | disconnects by length required at the time of use. use.

Further, in the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment, the width of the release material 13 is wider than the width of the adhesive portion 12, and the release material 13 is formed on both edge portions 11 a of the substrate 11 as shown in FIG. Therefore, it becomes easy to pick only the release material 13 from the sealing tape 10, and the workability in manufacturing the light control structure 100 (light control element 20) to be described later is improved. be able to.

In addition, the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment includes the concave portion 11c that the base material exposed portion 11b extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the base material 11 so that the base material 11 is placed with the adhesive portion 12 inside. It is easy to bend, suppresses the warp in the opposite direction to make the adhesive part 12 outside, and improves workability in manufacturing the light control structure 100 (light control element 20) described later. In particular, the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment is formed with a recess 11c having a width of about 0.5 mm extending from the both edges 11a of the substrate 11 in the substrate exposed portion 11b at equal intervals.

As shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the dimming structure 100 includes a pair of insulating substrates 21 having at least one substrate having transparency and having insulating properties on which the transparent electrodes 22 are respectively disposed. And a dimming element 20 having a dimming layer 23 sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates 21, a sealing tape 10 disposed on the peripheral edge of the pair of insulating substrates 21, and an intermediate including a plasticizer. A film 30 and a substrate having transparency and rigidity and sandwiching the light control element 20 through the intermediate film 30 (hereinafter referred to as a transparent rigid substrate 40) are provided.

In the sealing tape 10, the release material 13 is peeled off, the base material exposed portion 11 b is disposed to face the light control layer 23 at the peripheral edge of the pair of insulating substrates 21, and the adhesive portion 12 is insulated. The base material 11 is adhered to the conductive substrate 21.

The transparent rigid substrate 40 according to the present embodiment uses a glass substrate, but is not limited to a glass substrate as long as the substrate has transparency and rigidity.

The dimming element 20 is electrically connected to the transparent electrode 22 exposed in a region where the pair of insulating substrates 21 are not opposed to each other, and a voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 22 so that the dimming layer 23 is transparent and opaque. A connection terminal 27 for electrically connecting to a wiring (lead wire) of an external device (power supply circuit or the like) (not shown) that controls the state is provided.

In the following description, a dimming element 20 using a transparent insulating substrate (transparent insulating substrate) as the pair of insulating substrates 21 and using the liquid crystal layer 23a as the dimming layer 23. Although (liquid crystal film) is demonstrated, it is not restricted to this structure.

For example, the light control element 20 may be a light control film in which an SPD (Suspended Particle Device) layer is formed of a matrix resin in which microcapsules enclosing light distribution particles are dispersed as the light control layer 23.

Moreover, the light control element 20 uses a transparent insulating board | substrate as one board | substrate among a pair of insulating board | substrates 21, and uses the opaque insulating board | substrate which vapor-deposited silver on the board | substrate as another board | substrate, and is transparent. It is conceivable that the voltage applied to the electrode 22 is controlled to switch between the transparent state and the opaque state of the light control layer 23 to function as a mirror surface member or an opaque member. Moreover, the light control element 20 uses a translucent insulating board | substrate which vapor-deposited silver on the board | substrate as another board | substrate, using a transparent insulating board | substrate as one board | substrate among a pair of insulating board | substrates 21, It is conceivable that the voltage applied to the transparent electrode 22 is controlled to switch between the transparent state and the opaque state of the light control layer 23 to function as a translucent member and an opaque member.

The insulating substrate 21 is an inorganic sheet (for example, glass, silicon) or a polymer film (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, polyethylene naphthalate) or the like as a material. In the present embodiment, A flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film is used.

The transparent electrode 22 has at least surface uniform conductivity that transmits incident light, metal (for example, gold, silver, aluminum), metal oxide (for example, indium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide), sputtering method. A multilayer film in which a metal (for example, silver) film formed by sol-gel and a sol-gel film formed by a sol-gel method are alternately arranged, or a conductive organic polymer (for example, polythiophene or polyaniline) is formed. In this embodiment, a transparent conductive film made of indium tin oxide (ITO) is used.

The liquid crystal layer 23a is a self-holding type liquid crystal composite composed of a cholesteric liquid crystal and a transparent resin, and the cholesteric liquid crystal is dispersed in a polymer matrix (transparent resin). The liquid crystal layer 23a does not need to be a self-holding type liquid crystal composite, and may be composed of only liquid crystals. Further, the liquid crystal layer 23a does not need to be a cholesteric liquid crystal, and may be a nematic liquid crystal or the like.

As the cholesteric liquid crystal, nematic liquid crystal or smectic liquid crystal (for example, Schiff base, azo, azoxy, benzoate, biphenyl, terphenyl, cyclohexylcarboxylate, phenylcyclohexane, biphenylcyclohexane) , Pyrimidine series, dioxane series, cyclohexyl cyclohexane ester series, cyclohexyl ethane series, cyclohexane series, tolan series, alkenyl series, stilbene series, condensed polycyclic series), or a mixture thereof, optically active materials (for example, steroidal cholesterol derivatives) , Schiff base, azo, ester, biphenyl) and the like.

The polymer matrix has a function of holding cholesteric liquid crystal and suppressing the flow of liquid crystal due to deformation of the light control element 20, and uses a liquid that does not dissolve in the liquid crystal material and is incompatible with the liquid crystal. It is preferable to use a polymer material.

As the polymer matrix, water-soluble polymer materials (eg, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose derivatives, polyacrylic acid polymers, ethyleneimine, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polystyrene sulfonate, polyamidine, isoprene sulfonic acid) Polymer), or a material that can be emulsified in water (for example, fluororesin, silicon resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, epoxy resin).

Further, when the liquid crystal layer 23a is a self-holding type liquid crystal composite composed of a cholesteric liquid crystal and a polymer matrix (transparent resin), PDLC (polymer-dispersed) in which the cholesteric liquid crystal is dispersed in droplets in the polymer skeleton. A liquid crystal structure can be used. The PDLC structure includes a PNLC (polymer network liquid crystal) structure in which a continuous resin of a cholesteric liquid crystal contains a network-like resin, a nematic curve aligned phase (neCap) structure, and the like.

This PDLC structure is an existing method for phase-separating a polymer and a liquid crystal, for example, PIPS (Polymerization Induced Phase Separation) method, emulsion method, TIPS (Thermally
It can be formed by an induced phase separation (SIP) method, a SIPS (Solvent Induced Phase Separation) method, or the like.

The liquid crystal layer 23a according to the present embodiment has a PNLC structure. However, the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer due to the plasticizer described above is a phenomenon that occurs in the PNLC structure, and the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment has a PNLC structure. This is particularly useful for the liquid crystal layer 23a.

The connection terminal 27 is formed of metal (for example, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, iron), carbon, a composite in which these are dispersed in a polymer, a conductive polymer (for example, polythiophene-based, polyaniline-based), or the like. Terminal. The connection terminal 27 according to the present embodiment uses “conductive tape (single-sided adhesive), copper foil embossing” manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd., and one end of the conductive tape is aligned with the end surface of the insulating substrate 21. The adhesive surface of the tape is attached to the transparent electrode 22, and the other end of the conductive tape is bent to protrude from the insulating substrate 21. In addition, the dimming element 20 according to the present embodiment includes a conductive double-sided adhesive tape between the transparent electrode 22 and the connection terminal 27, in order to improve the adhesion and conductivity between the transparent electrode 22 and the connection terminal 27, A conductive paste may be applied.

The intermediate film 30 is a resin having performance of adhesive strength and transparency (total light transmittance) with a glass substrate as an intermediate film of a laminated glass. For example, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer It is formed using a heat-sensitive adhesive film in which a resin is formed into a film. In addition, the intermediate film 30 according to the present embodiment has a light control element 20 sandwiched between two heat-sensitive adhesive films, and a laminated glass using a pair of transparent rigid substrates 40 is formed.

Next, a manufacturing method of the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment, in particular, an attaching process for attaching the sealing tape 10 to the light control element 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the light control element 20 is an existing liquid crystal film in which a sealing material is not provided on the periphery of the insulating substrate 21, and detailed description of the manufacturing method of the light control element 20 is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the insulating substrate 21 is partially cut away at two opposite sides to form a half-cut line 21a and transparent to almost the entire area (entire surface) of one surface. The electrode 22 is disposed, and a conductive tape as the connection terminal 27 is attached to the transparent electrode 22.

In addition, a mixed liquid of cholesteric liquid crystal and a polymer matrix (transparent resin) mixed at a predetermined ratio is dropped on one insulating substrate 21 on the surface on which the transparent electrode 22 is disposed, and FIG. ), The other insulating substrate 21 on which the transparent electrode 22 and the connection terminal 27 are disposed is overlaid and laminated so that the transparent electrodes 22 face each other.

Then, the mixed liquid sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates 21 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cause photopolymerization phase separation, thereby constructing a liquid crystal layer 23a having a PNLC structure, and the light control element 20 is completed. Note that the length of the half cut line 21a is longer than the half length of one side of the insulating substrate 21 when the half cut line 21a is not formed. The optical element 20 includes a notch (hereinafter referred to as a full cut region 20b).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3A, among the four sides of the light control element 20, the sealing tape 10 is adhered onto the half cut line 21a on the side where the connection terminal 27 protrudes.

In this case, first, the release material 13 that covers one adhesive portion 12 of the adhesive portions 12 on both edges 11a of the base material 11 of the sealing tape 10 is peeled off, and the pair of insulating substrates 21 are separated. The base material 11 is stuck to one insulating substrate 21 (first sticking step).

And the peeling material 13 which coat | covers the other adhesion part 12 among the adhesion parts 12 in both the edge parts 11a of the base material 11 is peeled, and with respect to the other insulating board | substrate 21 among a pair of insulating boards 21 The base material 11 is stuck (2nd sticking process).

Thus, until the 2nd sticking process is performed, the sticking work of sealing tape 10 to light control element 20 consists of the 1st sticking process and the 2nd sticking process. The adhesive portion 12 is covered with the release material 13, and the other adhesive portion 12 can be prevented from being unnecessarily attached to other members, and workability can be improved.

In particular, the base material exposed part 11b of the sealing tape 10 (for example, a position equidistant from both edge parts 11a of the base material 11) is overlapped with the half cut line 21a and is inside with respect to the side face 20d of the light control element 20. The sealing tape 10 is disposed along the half-cut line 21a across the full-cut region 20b from the position (for example, 1 mm inside).

Thus, by overlapping the substrate exposed portion 11b of the sealing tape 10 with the half cut line 21a, the liquid crystal layer 23a made of a plasticizer is brought into contact with the adhesive portion 12 of the sealing tape 10 and the liquid crystal layer 23a. Can be prevented.

In addition, since one end of the sealing tape 10 is located on the inner side with respect to the side surface 20d of the dimming element 20, the adhesive portion 12 at one end of the sealing tape 10 and the liquid crystal layer on the side surface 20d of the dimming element 20 The deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 23a due to the plasticizer can be prevented without contact with the 23a.

In the present embodiment, since the sealing tape 10 is disposed along the half-cut line 21a across the full-cut region 20b, the "first insulating substrate 21" in the first sticking step. Alternatively, any one of “to another insulating substrate 21” in the second sticking step is “to the transparent electrode 22 and the connection terminal 27 on the other insulating substrate 21 and the one insulating substrate 21”. "". In particular, “for other insulating substrate 21” in the second sticking step is “to transparent electrode 22 and connection terminal 27 on one insulating substrate 21 and one insulating substrate 21”, Workability in manufacturing the dimming structure 100 (the dimming element 20) is determined by attaching the sealing tape 10 to the first insulating substrate 21 that does not cross the full-cut region 20b and has no step. Can be improved.

And the light control element 20 which arrange | positioned the sealing tape 10 is turned over, and as shown in FIG.3 (b), the light control element 20 is similar to the 1st sticking process and 2nd sticking process which were mentioned above. Of these four sides, the sealing tape 10 is adhered onto the half-cut line 21a on the side where the connection terminal 27 protrudes. In this case, each sealing tape 10 on the front and back of the light control element 20 is overlapped at least in the full cut region 20b, covers the half cut line 21a in the full cut region 20b from the front and back, and the half cut in the full cut region 20b. The liquid crystal layer 23a in the line 21a and the intermediate film 30 do not come into contact with each other, so that the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 23a due to the plasticizer can be prevented.

And as shown to Fig.4 (a), like the 1st sticking process and 2nd sticking process which were mentioned above, the edge | side which the connection terminal 27 does not protrude among four sides of the light control element 20 The sealing tape 10 is stuck to the surface.

In this case, the sealing tape 10 (hereinafter referred to as “new”) that is newly adhered to one end of the sealing tape 10 (hereinafter referred to as “terminal-side sealing tape 10a”) that has already been adhered along the half-cut line 21a. The base material exposed portion 11b of the non-terminal side sealing tape 10b) is overlapped, and both ends of the non-terminal side sealing tape 10b are respectively disposed at positions outside the half-cut line 21a.

Thus, the base material exposed part 11b of the non-terminal-side sealing tape 10b is superimposed on one end of the terminal-side sealing tape 10a, whereby the adhesive part 12 of the non-terminal-side sealing tape 10b and the half-cut line 21a. The terminal-side sealing tape 10a is interposed between the adhesive portion 12 of the non-terminal-side sealing tape 10b and the liquid crystal layer 23a, thereby preventing the liquid crystal layer 23a from being deteriorated by the plasticizer. Can do.

Further, both ends of the non-terminal-side sealing tape 10b are respectively disposed at positions outside the half-cut line 21a, so that the liquid crystal layer 23a on the side surface 20d of the light control element 20 is the non-terminal-side sealing tape 10b. It is possible to prevent the liquid crystal layer 23a from being deteriorated by the plasticizer without being in contact with the liquid crystal layer 23a on the side surface 20d of the light control element 20 that is covered.

Next, on one transparent rigid substrate 40, a heat-sensitive adhesive film to be the intermediate film 30, a light control element 20, a heat-sensitive adhesive film to be the intermediate film 30, and another transparent rigid substrate 40 are sequentially laminated. Then, heating is performed under a predetermined environment (temperature, pressure, etc.) to dissolve the heat-sensitive adhesive film.

Then, the melted heat-sensitive adhesive film is solidified, and the light control element 20 is fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40 via the intermediate film 30. As shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. The light control structure 100 which concerns on a form can be obtained.

As described above, the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment prevents the liquid crystal layer 23a from being deteriorated by the plasticizer without causing the adhesive portion 12 and the intermediate film 30 of the sealing tape 10 and the liquid crystal layer 23a to contact each other. In addition, the adhesive portion 12 can be prevented from unnecessarily sticking to other members, and workability in manufacturing the light control structure 100 (light control device 20) can be improved. There is an effect.

As shown in FIG. 1, the release material 13 according to this embodiment includes two release materials 13 that respectively protect the adhesive portions 12 on both edge portions 11 a of the base material 11. ) And FIG. 6 (b), the adhesive portion 12 may be integrally covered with a single release material 13 and located on both edge portions 11 a of the substrate 11.

In this case, the release material 13a in the region covering one adhesive portion 12a of the adhesive portions 12 on both edge portions 11a of the base material 11 is replaced with the release material 13a on both edge portions 11a of the base material 11 among the adhesive portions 12 on the both edge portions 11a. The release material 13b in the region covering the other adhesive portion 12b is bent, and the release material 13a is peeled from only one adhesive portion 12a. And after sticking the base material 11 with respect to the one insulating board | substrate 21 by the one adhesion part 12a, the peeling material 13b is peeled from the other adhesion part 12b (one piece of peeling material from the adhesion part 12). 13 is completely peeled off), and the base material 11 may be adhered to the other insulating substrate 21 by the other adhesive portion 12b.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, one release material 13 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the release material 13 (for example, from both edges in the longitudinal direction of the release material 13). It is preferable that perforations (perforations) 13 c extending in the interval position are formed on the release material 13. Accordingly, the release material 13 is easily bent at the perforation 13c, and in some cases, the release material 13a in the region covering the one adhesive portion 12a and the release material 13b in the region covering the other adhesive portion 12b. It is divided at the perforation 13c portion, and as shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D, one release material 13a can be peeled from the base material 11 while leaving another release material 13b. It is possible to achieve the same effect as the case of the two release members 13.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the sealing tape 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with the concave portion 11c in the base material exposed portion 11b, but without the concave portion 11c, by pressing or the like, The substrate exposed portion 11b is bent or curved in advance at a position (for example, a position equidistant from both edge portions 11a of the substrate 11) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate 11 with the adhesive portion 12 inside. It may be.

In addition, the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment coats a film having functionality such as absorption or reflection of ultraviolet rays or reflection of heat rays on the inner (on the intermediate film 30 side) or outer surface of the transparent rigid substrate 40. May be. In addition, the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment is a member different from the insulating substrate 21 and the transparent rigid substrate 40, in which a PET film coated with a film having functionality such as absorption or reflection of ultraviolet rays or reflection of heat rays is coated. As an alternative, the transparent rigid substrate 40 may be disposed inside (on the intermediate film 30 side) or outside. As described above, the dimming structure 100 according to this embodiment suppresses deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 23a due to ultraviolet rays or heat rays by adding a film having functionality such as absorption or reflection of ultraviolet rays or reflection of heat rays. be able to.

Furthermore, since the dimming structure 100 according to the present embodiment coats a hydrophilic film such as titanium oxide on the outer surface of the transparent rigid substrate 40, water attached to the transparent rigid substrate 40 does not become water droplets. Antifogging property can be expressed.
(Second embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 7A is a plan view of an insulating substrate on which a transparent electrode and an extraction electrode are disposed, and FIG. 7B shows a surface of the two insulating substrates shown in FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8B shows a terminal protruding from the four sides of the light control device shown in FIG. It is a side view seen from the side to do. Fig.9 (a) is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the front side of the light control element shown to Fig.8 (a), FIG.9 (b) is FIG. It is a top view of the light control element which stuck the sealing tape on the half cut line of the back side of the light control element shown to a). FIG. 10A is a plan view of the light control device in which the sealing tape 10 is attached to the side where the terminal does not protrude among the four sides of the light control device shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 10B is a plan view of a light control structure in which the light control element shown in FIG. 10A is sandwiched between two transparent rigid substrates through an intermediate film. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the dimming structure shown in FIG. 10B, and FIG. 11B is an arrow of the dimming structure shown in FIG. 10B. It is a fragmentary sectional view of line BB. FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the light control structure in which the sealing tape viewed from the side from which the terminal projects out of the four sides of the light control structure shown in FIG. 10B is omitted. FIG. 13A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control device according to the third embodiment. (C) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element concerning Example 4. FIG. FIG. 14A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control device according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 14B is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the light control device according to the sixth embodiment. (C) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element which concerns on Example 7, FIG.14 (d) is a top view which shows schematic structure of the light modulation element which concerns on Example 8. FIG. 7 to 14, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 denote the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light control element 20 includes a pair of opposing insulating substrates 21 in which at least one substrate has transparency, and transparent electrodes 22 disposed on the pair of insulating substrates 21, respectively. The light control layer 23 sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates 21 and the transparent electrode 22 exposed in the non-opposing regions (hereinafter referred to as half-cut regions 20a) on the opposing surfaces of the pair of insulating substrates 21. And an extraction electrode 24 that is electrically connected.

In the light control element 20, the extraction electrode 24 protrudes from the pair of insulating substrates 21 in a region where the pair of insulating substrates 21 does not exist (full cut region 20 b), and is electrically connected to the protruding extraction electrodes 24. From a metal piece for electrically connecting to a wiring (lead wire) of an external device (power supply circuit or the like) (not shown) that applies a voltage to the transparent electrode 22 to control the transparent state and the opaque state of the light control layer 23 Terminal 25 is provided.

Further, in the light control element 20 having a structure in which the liquid crystal layer 23 a and the intermediate film 30 described later are in direct contact, the liquid crystal layer 23 a is eroded by the plasticizer included in the intermediate film 30, and the liquid crystal near the peripheral portion of the light control element 20. The layer 23a deteriorates.

In particular, the liquid crystal layer 23a according to the present embodiment has a PNLC structure, and the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer by the plasticizer is a phenomenon that occurs in the PNLC structure. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the sealing tape 10 is disposed at the boundary between the liquid crystal layer 23 a and the intermediate film 30. If the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 23a can be prevented, a sealing material may be disposed on the periphery of the insulating substrate 21 between the pair of insulating substrates 21, without disposing the sealing tape 10. It is conceivable to use an intermediate film 30 that does not contain a plasticizer.

The extraction electrode 24 has flexibility, metal (for example, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, iron), carbon, a composite in which these are dispersed in a polymer, and a conductive polymer (for example, polythiophene-based). , Polyaniline type) or the like. In addition, the extraction electrode 24 according to the present embodiment uses “conductive tape (single-sided adhesive), copper foil embossing” manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd., and one end of the conductive tape is aligned with the end surface of the insulating substrate 21. The adhesive surface of the tape is attached to the transparent electrode 22, and the other end of the conductive tape is projected into the full cut region 20b. In addition, the dimming element 20 according to the present embodiment includes a conductive double-sided adhesive tape between the transparent electrode 22 and the extraction electrode 24, in order to enhance the adhesion and conductivity between the transparent electrode 22 and the extraction electrode 24, A conductive paste may be applied.

The terminal 25 is formed of a piece of metal (for example, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, iron) having rigidity as compared with the lead electrode 24 (conductive tape) having flexibility. The other end protrudes from the insulating substrate 21 and is fixed to the extraction electrode 24.

In addition, the light control element 20 which concerns on this embodiment is a flat connector which is an electrical connector which combined the mail tab (tab terminal) and the flat connection terminal which can be easily inserted and extracted without using a tool. And connected to an external device (not shown). Here, the mail tab is a flat male terminal that is inserted into the flat connection terminal, and the flat connection terminal is a female terminal that allows easy insertion and removal of the mail tab without using a tool. Further, the mail tab is provided with a detent 25a made of a dent (dimple) or hole provided on the mail tab in order to accommodate the protrusion of the flat connection terminal.

The terminal 25 according to the present embodiment uses a mail tab (model name “22001”) manufactured by Japan Crimp Terminal Manufacturing Co., Ltd., but is not limited to this mail tab, and is, for example, a flat connection terminal. There may be. When a flat connection terminal is used as the terminal 25, a mail tab that can withstand a high pressure applied between the two transparent rigid substrates 40 is inserted by evacuation during lamination with the two transparent rigid substrates 40. The light control structure 100 is required to have a structure that does not crush the insertion hole and prevents the intermediate film 30 from entering the insertion hole.

Further, the terminal 25 according to the present embodiment is fixed to the extraction electrode 24 using a conductive adhesive (conductive agent 26), but is soldered, a conductive double-sided adhesive tape or an anisotropic conductive film. It may be fixed to the extraction electrode 24 by (Anisotropic Conductive Film: ACF). Even if the terminal 25 is fixed to the extraction electrode 24 and then the extraction electrode 24 is adhered to the transparent electrode 22, the terminal 25 is fixed to the extraction electrode 24 by soldering. Can be welded at a position that does not conduct to the insulating substrate 21 or the liquid crystal layer 23a.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that the lead electrode 24 and the terminal 25 are provided instead of the connection terminal 27, and other than the function and effect of the lead electrode 24 and the terminal 25. Produces the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

Next, a method for manufacturing the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the light control element 20 is an existing liquid crystal film in which a sealing material is not provided on the periphery of the insulating substrate 21, and detailed description of the manufacturing method of the light control element 20 is omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the insulating substrate 21 is partially cut away at two opposite sides to form a half-cut line 21a and transparent to almost the entire area (entire surface) of one surface. The electrode 22 is disposed, and a conductive tape as the extraction electrode 24 is attached to the transparent electrode 22. In addition, when the extraction electrode 24 is attached to the transparent electrode 22, the terminal 25 is fixed to the extraction electrode 24 in advance via the conductive agent 26.

In addition, a mixed liquid of cholesteric liquid crystal mixed with a predetermined ratio and a polymer matrix (transparent resin) is dropped on one insulating substrate 21 on the surface on which the transparent electrode 22 is disposed, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8, the other insulating substrate 21 on which the transparent electrode 22 and the extraction electrode 24 are disposed is overlapped and laminated so that the transparent electrodes 22 face each other.

Then, the mixed liquid sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates 21 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cause photopolymerization phase separation, thereby constructing a liquid crystal layer 23a having a PNLC structure, and the light control element 20 is completed. Note that the length of the half cut line 21a is longer than the half length of one side of the insulating substrate 21 when the half cut line 21a is not formed. The optical element 20 includes the full cut region 20b. Moreover, the light control element 20 is the area | region notched by the half cut line 21a in the one insulating board | substrate 21 (or other insulating board | substrate 21) and the other insulating board | substrate 21 (or one insulating board | substrate 21). The half cut area 20a is provided by the overlapping area.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, among the four sides of the light control element 20, the sealing tape 10 is adhered onto the half cut line 21a on the side where the terminal 25 protrudes.

In the present embodiment, since the sealing tape 10 is disposed along the half-cut line 21a across the full-cut region 20b, the "first insulating substrate 21" in the first sticking step. Alternatively, any one of “with respect to the other insulating substrate 21” in the second sticking step is “the transparent electrode 22 and the extraction electrode 24 on the other insulating substrate 21, the terminal 25 in the full cut region 20b, and This means “for the extraction electrode 24 and the one insulating substrate 21”. In particular, in the second sticking step “to other insulating substrate 21”, “transparent electrode 22 and extraction electrode 24 on other insulating substrate 21, terminal 25 and extraction electrode 24 in full cut region 20b, In addition, the sealing tape 10 is attached to the first insulating substrate 21 that does not cross the full-cut region 20b and has no step, and the dimming structure 100 is attached to the first insulating substrate 21. Workability in manufacturing can be improved.

And the light control element 20 which arrange | positioned the sealing tape 10 is turned over, and as shown in FIG.9 (b), the light control element 20 is similar to the 1st sticking process and 2nd sticking process which were mentioned above. Of these four sides, the sealing tape 10 is adhered onto the half-cut line 21a on the side where the terminal 25 protrudes. In this case, each sealing tape 10 on the front and back of the light control element 20 is overlapped at least in the full cut region 20b, covers the half cut line 21a in the full cut region 20b from the front and back, and the half cut in the full cut region 20b. The liquid crystal layer 23a in the line 21a and the intermediate film 30 do not come into contact with each other, so that the deterioration of the liquid crystal layer 23a due to the plasticizer can be prevented.

In particular, when the dimming element 20 manufacturing process and the laminated glass process are performed at different locations (factories), vibration during transportation of the dimming element 20 is performed in a state where the sealing tape 10 is not disposed. Accordingly, there is a possibility that the extraction electrode 24 bends at the boundary between the half-cut region 20a and the full-cut region 20b, and the terminal 25 rides on the insulating substrate 21. If the laminated glass is applied in a state where the terminal 25 is on the insulating substrate 21, the terminal 25 and the transparent rigid substrate 40 may come into contact with each other. On the other hand, disposing the sealing tape 10 on the light control element 20 causes the terminal 25 to be supported on the insulating substrate 21 via the sealing tape 10, so that the terminal 25 runs on the insulating substrate 21. The contact between the terminal 25 and the transparent rigid substrate 40 can be prevented.

And as shown to Fig.10 (a), like the 1st sticking process mentioned above and the 2nd sticking process, among the 4 sides of the light control element 20, on the side where the terminal 25 does not protrude. The sealing tape 10 is adhered.

In this case, the sealing tape 10 (non-terminal-side sealing tape) to be newly attached to one end of the sealing tape 10 (terminal-side sealing tape 10a) already attached along the half-cut line 21a. 10b), the both ends of the non-terminal side sealing tape 10b are respectively disposed at positions outside the half-cut line 21a.

Then, the melted heat-sensitive adhesive film is solidified, and the light control element 20 is fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40 via the intermediate film 30. As shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. The light control structure 100 which concerns on a form can be obtained.

Particularly, as shown in FIG. 12, the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment is disposed at a position where the terminal 25 does not contact the transparent rigid substrate 40 between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40. In FIG. 12, the sealing tape 10 is omitted in order to clarify the position of the terminal 25 in the light control structure 100.

The reason why the terminal 25 is disposed at such a position is that the terminal 25 is not disposed on the insulating substrate 21, the extraction electrode 24 has flexibility, and a half-cut region in the extraction electrode 24. This is because a flexible region 24a including only the extraction electrode 24 (without the terminal 25) exists between the boundary between the 20a and the full cut region 20b and the portion where the terminal 25 is disposed. That is, the extraction electrode 24 (terminal 25, conductive agent 26) is sandwiched between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40 via the film-like intermediate film 30 before heating, so that the flexible region 24a is curved, Since it is interposed (absorbed) in the layer formed by the intermediate film 30 dissolved after the heating, it does not come into contact with the transparent rigid substrate 40.

In the light control structure 100 according to the present embodiment, the insulating substrate 21 has a thickness of 188 μm, the transparent electrode 22 has a thickness of 30 nm, the liquid crystal layer 23a has a thickness of 7 μm to 25 μm, and is drawn out. The light control device 20 is used in which the thickness of the electrode 24 is 0.1 mm, the thickness of the terminal 25 is 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the conductive agent 26 is 50 μm to 100 μm.

Moreover, the light control structure 100 which concerns on this embodiment uses the sheet-like intermediate film 30 before the heating whose 1 sheet thickness is 0.4 mm, and the thickness of 1 sheet is 5 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm. Two transparent rigid substrates 40 are used.

Therefore, a thickness (650.03 μm to 700.03 μm) composed of the transparent electrode 22, the extraction electrode 24, the conductive agent 26 and the terminal 25 and a thickness (195.03 μm) composed of the liquid crystal layer 23a, the transparent electrode 22 and the insulating substrate 21. The difference from ˜213.03 μm (455 μm to 487 μm) exceeds the thickness of 0.4 mm of the film-like intermediate film 30 before heating.

That is, considering the conventional light control material, when the terminal piece (terminal 25) is disposed on the resin film (insulating substrate 21), the collector electrode portion (lead electrode 24) cannot be curved. Therefore, the terminal piece (terminal 25) and the glass plate (transparent rigid substrate 40) come into contact with each other, and it is impossible to prevent the glass plate (transparent rigid substrate 40) from being damaged by the terminal piece (terminal 25).

As described above, the dimming element 20 according to the present embodiment suppresses contact between the terminal 25 and the transparent rigid substrate 40 when the terminal 25 is disposed in the full cut region 20b, and the transparent rigidity by the terminal 25 is reduced. There exists an effect that breakage of substrate 40 can be prevented. In particular, the dimming element 20 according to the present embodiment is a tool in which a terminal 25 is a mail tab and a flat connector is formed by a combination with a flat connection terminal disposed at the tip of a lead wire of an external device. The mail tab can be easily inserted into and pulled out from the flat connection terminal without using the connector. That is, the light control element 20 according to the present embodiment has an effect that the workability can be improved when the light control structure 100 is attached to a window, a partition, or the like.

In addition, in the light control element 20 according to the present embodiment, the full cut region 20b is positioned approximately at the center of two opposite sides of the four sides of the light control structure 100 in the plan view shown in FIG. Further, a full cut region 20b is formed by cutting out two opposing portions facing each other to the substantially rectangular insulating substrate 21 and superimposing the two insulating substrates 21 cut out. . However, the full cut region 20b is not limited to this position, size and range, and notch configuration, and may be disposed as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, for example. In particular, the light control element 20 shown in FIGS. 8A and 13 is partially cut away from the substantially rectangular insulating substrate 21 to form a full cut region 20b, as shown in FIG. The light control element 20 forms a full cut region 20b without cutting out a part of the substantially rectangular insulating substrate 21.

In the following description, the light control element 20 shown in FIG. 8A is referred to as Example 1, the light control element 20 shown in FIG. 13A is referred to as Example 2, and FIG. The dimming element 20 shown is referred to as Example 3, and the dimming element 20 shown in FIG. In the following description, the light control element 20 shown in FIG. 14A is referred to as Example 5, the light control element 20 shown in FIG. 14B is referred to as Example 6, and FIG. The dimming element 20 shown will be referred to as Example 7, and the dimming element 20 shown in FIG.

The dimming element 20 according to the second embodiment is substantially rectangular so that the full-cut region 20b is located at the approximate center of one of the four sides of the dimming structure 100 in the plan view shown in FIG. One full cut region 20b is formed by cutting out one side of the insulating substrate 21 and overlapping the two insulating substrates 21.

The light control element 20 according to the third embodiment has a substantially rectangular insulating shape so that the full-cut region 20b is positioned at two of the four corners of the light control structure 100 in a plan view shown in FIG. Two full cut regions 20b are formed by cutting out one corner of the conductive substrate 21 and superimposing the two cutout insulating substrates 21 on each other.

The light control element 20 according to Example 4 is formed on the substantially rectangular insulating substrate 21 so that the full cut regions 20b are positioned at the four corners of the light control structure 100 in a plan view shown in FIG. In contrast, by cutting out one corner and superimposing the two cutout insulating substrates 21, a portion formed by the cutout of each insulating substrate 21 and a portion constituted by two sides of the pair of insulating substrates 21. And four full-cut regions 20b are formed.

The dimming element 20 according to the fifth embodiment is substantially arranged so that the full cut region 20b is positioned at two adjacent corners on the opposite sides of the dimming structure 100 in the plan view shown in FIG. Two full-cut regions 20b are configured by overlapping two rectangular insulating substrates 21. In the light control element 20 according to the fifth embodiment, a region where the extraction electrode 24 or the terminal 25 is not provided between the two terminals 25 on one side of the light control element 20 (hereinafter referred to as a dead space 20c) is provided. Exists.

The light control element 20 according to Example 6 has two substantially rectangular insulating properties so that the full-cut region 20b is located at one corner of the light control structure 100 in a plan view shown in FIG. By superimposing the substrates 21, one full cut region 20 b is configured by a portion formed by two sides of the pair of insulating substrates 21. In the light control device 20 according to Example 6, a dead space 20c exists between the liquid crystal layer 23a and the extraction electrode 24 so that the two terminals 25 existing in one full cut region 20b do not overlap.

The dimming element 20 according to the seventh embodiment has two substantially rectangular shapes so that the full-cut region 20b is located at two opposing corners of the dimming structure 100 in a plan view shown in FIG. By superposing the insulating substrates 21, two full-cut regions 20 b are configured by a portion formed by two sides of the pair of insulating substrates 21. In the light control device 20 according to the seventh embodiment, a dead space 20c exists between the liquid crystal layer 23a and the extraction electrode 24 so that the two terminals 25 existing in one full cut region 20b do not overlap.

The dimming element 20 according to the eighth embodiment has two substantially rectangular shapes so that the full-cut regions 20b are located at the four opposing corners of the dimming structure 100 in a plan view shown in FIG. By superimposing the insulating substrates 21, four full-cut regions 20 b are configured by a portion formed by two sides of the pair of insulating substrates 21. In addition, since the light control element 20 according to Example 8 has the terminals 25 disposed only in the two full cut regions 20b among the four full cut regions 20b, the remaining two full cut regions 20b are dead. Space 20c is formed. In the light control device 20 according to the eighth embodiment, the dead space 20c exists between the liquid crystal layer 23a and the extraction electrode 24 so that the two terminals 25 existing in one full cut region 20b do not overlap.
Here, a table listing the characteristics of the light control elements 20 according to the first to eighth embodiments is shown in Table 1 below.

In Table 1, the item “2 systems” indicates a side (hereinafter referred to as an application target side) where an alternating voltage having the same polarity is applied to the transparent electrode 22 with respect to one insulating substrate 21 (the extraction electrode 24 is disposed). The dimming element 20 having two sides is marked with a circle, and the dimming element 20 having only one side to be applied is marked with a cross.

The dimming element 20 whose item “2 systems” is a circle is caused by, for example, a poor contact between the extraction electrode 24 and the transparent electrode 22, a poor connection between the terminal 25 and the lead wire of the external device, or a malfunction of the external device. Even when AC voltage cannot be applied to the transparent electrode 22 on one side, the AC voltage can be applied to the transparent electrode 22 on the other side, so that the dimming structure 100 attached to a window, a partition, or the like The reliability of the light control structure 100 can be improved without requiring replacement.

In Table 1, the item “opposing arrangement” indicates that the dimming element 20 on the two sides where the application target sides are opposite is circled, and the dimming element 20 on the two sides where the application target sides are adjacent is a triangular mark. The dimming element 20 having only one side to be applied is marked with a cross.

The dimming element 20 in which the item “opposing arrangement” is a circle has a distance from the transparent electrode 22 on two opposite sides to the transparent electrode 22 at an equal interval (approximately the center of the dimming element 20). The distance from the transparent electrode 22 on the application target side to the counter-application target side in the light control device 20 whose “opposite arrangement” is a cross mark is shorter than the distance (the length of one side of the light control device 20).

For this reason, the dimming element 20 in which the item “opposing arrangement” is a circle is indicated by a cross mark in the item “opposing arrangement” due to the interaction of the AC voltage applied through the transparent electrodes 22 on the two opposite sides. Compared with a certain light control element 20, the drive voltage for controlling the liquid crystal layer 23a can be lowered as much as the influence of the voltage drop is small, the power consumption of the light control element 20 is suppressed, and the voltage is reduced. It is possible to improve the handleability and economical efficiency of the light control structure 100.

The dimming element 20 whose item “opposing arrangement” is a triangular mark has a certain distance from the transparent electrode 22 on the application target side in the vicinity of the diagonal with respect to the apex angle of the two adjacent sides that are the application target side. Compared with the light control element 20 in which the item “opposing arrangement” is a circle, the influence of the voltage drop is somewhat caused, so that the triangle mark is used.

In Table 1, the item “narrow frame” indicates that the dimming element 20 in which the dead space 20c exists is marked around the dimming area of the liquid crystal layer 23a, and the dimming element 20 in which the dead space 20c does not exist. Is marked with a circle.
Since the light control element 20 whose item “narrow frame” is a circle does not have the dead space 20c, the light control structure 100 can be narrowed.

Furthermore, in Table 1, the item “wiring routing” indicates a pair in which an AC voltage is applied to the opposing transparent electrodes 22 with respect to the number of terminals 25 within a predetermined range (one full cut region 20b). The dimming element 20 in which the ratio of the number of terminals 25 to be formed is large (here, 1) is circled. In addition, the item “wiring routing” is for the number of terminals 25 forming a pair for applying an AC voltage to the opposing transparent electrodes 22 with respect to the number of terminals 25 in a predetermined range (one full cut region 20b). The dimming element 20 having a small number of sets (here, 0.5) is marked with a cross.

The dimming element 20 whose item “wiring management” is a circle is able to effectively use the full cut area 20b, and has two terminals 25 in one full cut area 20b. Wiring is easy to connect to the light source, and workability can be improved when attaching the light control structure 100 to a window or a partition.
(Third embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 15A is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the terminal shown in FIG. 15 (c) is a front view showing another schematic configuration of the terminal according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 15 (d) is a left side view of the terminal shown in FIG. 15 (c). FIG.15 (e) is the elements on larger scale which show the state which used the terminal shown in FIG.15 (c) for a light control element. 16 (a) is a front view showing still another schematic configuration of the terminal according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 16 (b) is a left side view of the terminal shown in FIG. 16 (a). 16 (c) is a right side view of the terminal shown in FIG. 16 (a), FIG. 16 (d) is a plan view of the terminal shown in FIG. 16 (a), and FIG. 16 (e) is FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which show the state which used the terminal shown to for a light control element. 15 and 16, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 14 denote the same or corresponding parts, and the description thereof is omitted.

The terminal 25 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal projecting portion 25 b that projects from between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 (c) to 15 (e), the terminal protrusion 25 b has a thickness of the transparent rigid substrate 40 with respect to the base of the terminal 25 fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40. It is a substantially L shape that bends in the direction. Thereby, the light control structure 100 can be used for a window, a partition, etc. which can connect the lead wire of an external apparatus to the terminal 25 only from the thickness direction of the transparent rigid board | substrate 40, and a window, a partition, etc. are narrow. A frame can be made.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the terminal protruding portion 25 b has a twisted shape that curves in the width direction of the transparent rigid substrate 40 with respect to the base of the terminal 25 fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40. May be. Further, the terminal protruding portion 25 b may have a substantially L shape that bends in the width direction of the transparent rigid substrate 40 with respect to the base of the terminal 25 fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40. Thereby, the light control structure 100 can be used for a window, a partition, etc. which can connect the lead wire of an external apparatus to the terminal 25 only from the width direction of the transparent rigid board | substrate 40, and a window, a partition, etc. are narrow. A frame can be made.

Further, for example, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the terminal protruding portion 25b is rotatable with respect to the root of the terminal 25 fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates 40. May be. Thereby, the light control structure 100 can change the protrusion direction of the terminal 25 according to arrangement | positioning of the lead wire of an external device, and has versatility with respect to the window, partition, etc. to attach.

One terminal 25 disposed on one insulating substrate 21 of the pair of insulating substrates 21 is disposed on the other insulating substrate 21 of the pair of insulating substrates 21. When arranged in the vicinity of another terminal 25, the terminal 25 of one terminal 25 and the other terminal 25 may protrude in the same direction or in opposite directions. The light control structure 100 is appropriately set according to the window, partition, etc. to which the light control structure 100 is attached. In particular, the terminal protrusions 25b of one terminal 25 and the other terminal 25 are projected in the same direction, so that the wiring can be easily routed to connect to the lead wire of the external device, and it can be adjusted to windows, partitions, etc. It is preferable because workability can be improved when the optical structure 100 is attached.

In addition, when there are two or more sides (two systems) for applying the same polarity AC voltage to the transparent electrode 22 with respect to one insulating substrate 21, the transparent electrode 22 on one insulating substrate 21 is applied to the transparent electrode 22. It is preferable to make the shape of one terminal 25 for applying an alternating voltage different from the shape of another terminal 25 for applying an alternating voltage to the transparent electrode 22 on the other insulating substrate 21. Thereby, the light control structure 100 prevents the artificial connection mistake in the connection between the lead wire of the external device and the one terminal 25 or the other terminal 25, and the light control structure 100 is used for a window or a partition. Workability can be improved in mounting. As the terminal 25 of the light control structure 100, for example, one terminal 25 may be a mail tab and the other terminal 25 may be a flat connection terminal.

In the third embodiment, only the shape of the terminal 25 is different from that of the second embodiment, and the first embodiment and the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except for the operational effects due to the different shape of the terminal 25. There exists an effect similar to 2nd embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sealing tape 10a Terminal side sealing tape 10b Non-terminal side sealing tape 11 Base material 11a Both edge part 11b Base material exposed part 11c Recessed

part

12,12a, 12b

Adhesive part

13,13a, 13b Release material 13c Perforation 14 Core 20 Light control element 20a Half cut region 20b Full cut region 20c Dead space 20d Side surface 21 Insulating substrate 21a Half cut line 22 Transparent electrode 23 Light control layer 23a Liquid crystal layer 24 Lead electrode 24a Region 25 Terminal 25a Detent 25b Terminal protruding portion 26 Conductivity Agent 27 Connection terminal 30 Intermediate film 40 Transparent rigid substrate 100 Light control structure

Claims

A pair of opposing insulating substrates having at least one substrate having transparency, transparent electrodes respectively disposed on the pair of insulating substrates, and the transparent exposed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of insulating substrates In a dimming element comprising a lead electrode electrically connected to an electrode and a dimming layer sandwiched between the pair of insulating substrates, disposed on a peripheral portion of the pair of insulating substrates, In the sealing tape for sealing the light control layer,
A strip-shaped substrate;
An adhesive part formed by disposing an adhesive on both edges in the longitudinal direction of the substrate;
It is a region between both edges of the substrate on the surface where the adhesive portion is formed, and a substrate exposed portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the substrate;
A release material that covers the adhesive portion on both edges of the substrate;
A sealing tape comprising:
In the sealing tape according to claim 1,
The sealing tape, wherein the substrate exposed portion includes a recess extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrate.
In the sealing tape according to claim 1 or 2,
The sealing tape, wherein the release material is composed of two release materials that respectively cover the adhesive portions at both edges of the substrate.
In the sealing tape according to claim 1 or 2,
The release material is made of a single release material that integrally covers the adhesive portion on both edges of the base material, and a perforation extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the release material is formed. Characteristic sealing tape.
In the light control element in which the light control layer is sealed with the sealing tape from which the release material according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is peeled off.
The base material exposed portion is disposed to face the light control layer in the peripheral edge portion of the pair of insulating substrates,
The light-adjusting element, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the base material to the insulating substrate.
The light control device according to claim 5,
The light control device, wherein the extraction electrode protrudes from the pair of insulating substrates, and a terminal made of a metal piece electrically connected to the protruding extraction electrodes protrudes from the pair of insulating substrates.
The light control device according to claim 6,
The light control element, wherein the region from which the extraction electrode protrudes is formed by cutting out the substantially rectangular insulating substrate.
In the light control element of Claim 6 or 7,
One of the terminals disposed on one insulating substrate of the pair of insulating substrates is another terminal disposed on the other insulating substrate of the pair of insulating substrates. The light control element characterized by being arrange | positioned in the vicinity.
The dimming element according to any one of claims 6 to 8, a pair of transparent and rigid substrates having transparency and rigidity, and an intermediate film that supports the dimming element between the pair of transparent rigid substrates. In the dimming structure provided,
The light control structure, wherein the terminal includes a terminal protrusion protruding from between the pair of transparent rigid substrates.
The light control structure according to claim 9, wherein
The light control structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal protrusion is rotatable with respect to a base of the terminal fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates.
The light control structure according to claim 9, wherein
The light control structure, wherein the terminal projecting portion has a substantially L shape that is bent in the thickness direction of the transparent rigid substrate with respect to a base of the terminal fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates. .
The light control structure according to claim 9, wherein
The light control structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal protruding portion has a twisted shape that curves in a width direction of the transparent rigid substrate with respect to a base of the terminal fixed between the pair of transparent rigid substrates.
A sealing tape from which the release material according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is peeled off, a light control element including the insulating substrate and a light control layer, an intermediate film containing a plasticizer, transparency and rigidity. And a light-modulating structure comprising a transparent rigid substrate that sandwiches the light-modulating element via the intermediate film,
The base material exposed portion is disposed to face the light control layer in the peripheral edge portion of the pair of insulating substrates,
The light-adjusting structure, wherein the adhesive portion adheres the base material to the insulating substrate.
In the manufacturing method of the light control structure of the said Claim 5,
A release material that covers one adhesive portion of the adhesive portions on both edges of the base material is peeled off, and the base material is attached to one insulating substrate of the pair of insulating substrates. A first sticking step;
The peeling material which coat | covers another adhesion part among the adhesion parts in the both edges of the said base material is peeled, and the said base material is stuck with respect to another insulating board | substrate among said pair of insulating board | substrates. A second sticking step;
The manufacturing method of the light control structure characterized by including.