vehicle

Abstract

Provided are a dimming film that is difficult to detect flickering when observing external light through the dimming film, a dimming component including the dimming film, a vehicle, and a method for powering the dimming film. In a vehicle (130), a dimming film (1) having a vertically oriented liquid crystal layer is installed on a sunroof (132), and the dimming film (1) is installed on the sunroof (132) of the vehicle (130) in such a way that the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is toward the rear of the vehicle (130). Therefore, passengers in the vehicle do not feel flickering in the vehicle and do not feel uncomfortable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dimming film, a dimming component, a vehicle, and a power supply method for the dimming film. Background Art

[0002] Among the liquid crystal display devices used in liquid crystal TVs and the like, there are liquid crystal display devices that use fluorescent lamps as backlights. In such liquid crystal display devices, in some cases, the lighting cycle of the fluorescent lamp determined by the inverter and the cycle of data scanning for liquid crystal driving interfere with each other, thereby generating "ripples (interference ripples)". In the past, in order to eliminate this "ripple", there was a technology that synchronized the lighting cycle determined by the inverter with the cycle of data scanning (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] As a device similarly using liquid crystal, there is a light-adjusting film that is attached to the sunroof of a vehicle and controls the transmission of external light. The light-adjusting film changes the orientation of the liquid crystal by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal, thereby changing the amount of external light transmitted.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-341262

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-160804 Summary of the invention

[0008] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0009] When the amount of external light incident on the dimming film of a sunroof of a vehicle changes periodically, such as light emitted from a fluorescent lamp, "flicker" may be observed in the light transmitted through the dimming film.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a dimming film that makes flicker less noticeable when observing external light through the dimming film, a dimming member and a vehicle including the dimming film, and a method for supplying power to the dimming film.

[0011] [Technical solutions for solving technical problems]

[0012] The present invention provides the following technical solutions to solve the above problems.

[0013] (1) A vehicle having a sunroof on which a dimming film having a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer is mounted, wherein the dimming film is mounted on the sunroof of the vehicle in such a manner that the direction in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0014] (2) In (1), the power supply position of the light control film is a position of the edge of the light control film that is rearward of the center of the light control film in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0015] (3) In (1), the light-adjusting film is mounted on a sunroof of the vehicle such that a direction in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is obliquely rearward of the vehicle.

[0016] (4) In (1), the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules of the dimming film tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is a direction of ±135° or its vicinity when the vehicle's traveling direction is 0° in the in-plane direction of the dimming film.

[0017] (5) In (1), the position where the light control film is supplied with electricity is at an edge of the light control film and obliquely behind the vehicle.

[0018] (6) A dimming film, comprising: a planar transparent electrode, which is arranged on a substrate and has a power supply point connected to a driving power source, and an electrical wiring electrically connected to the above-mentioned transparent electrode; the above-mentioned power supply point is arranged at the outer edge of the above-mentioned transparent electrode; the above-mentioned electrical wiring extends from the above-mentioned power supply point along the above-mentioned outer edge of the above-mentioned substrate, and is electrically connected to the above-mentioned transparent electrode at a connection point arranged at a position different from the above-mentioned power supply point.

[0019] (7) In (6), the substrate includes a first substrate and a second substrate; the transparent electrode includes a first transparent electrode arranged on the first substrate and a second transparent electrode arranged on the second substrate; the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in a manner that the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are opposed to each other with a liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween; a first exposed surface that does not overlap with the second substrate is formed on the surface of the first substrate on the second substrate side; a second exposed surface that does not overlap with the first substrate is formed on the surface of the second substrate on the first substrate side; and the electrical wiring is arranged on the first exposed surface and the second exposed surface.

[0020] (8) In (6), the substrate includes a first substrate and a second substrate; the transparent electrode includes a first transparent electrode arranged on the first substrate and a second transparent electrode arranged on the second substrate; the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged in a manner that the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode are opposed to each other with liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween; the first substrate and the second substrate are stacked in a manner that can produce overlapping stacked regions and non-overlapping exposed surfaces; in the stacked regions, liquid crystal and a sealing material arranged so as to surround the liquid crystal are arranged; in the portion of the first substrate where the sealing material is arranged, there is a first exposed region that does not include the first transparent electrode; in the portion of the second substrate where the sealing material is arranged, there is a second exposed region that does not include the second transparent electrode.

[0021] (9) In (8), preferably, a portion of the second transparent electrode is insulated from other portions, and the portion is electrically connected to the first transparent electrode.

[0022] (10) In (6), the electrical wiring is preferably a flexible printed circuit board having a copper foil thickness of 9 μm or more.

[0023] (11) In (10), preferably, in the flexible printed wiring board, two layers of copper foil are laminated with an insulating layer interposed therebetween.

[0024] (12) In (6), the electric wiring preferably extends along two sides extending in different directions starting from the power feeding point.

[0025] (13) In (6), a light adjusting member includes a transparent member and a light adjusting film disposed on the transparent member.

[0026] (14) In (6), a vehicle is provided, including a light-adjusting film arranged at a location where external light is incident.

[0027] (15) A method for supplying power to a dimming film, the dimming film comprising: a planar transparent electrode having a power supply point connected to a driving power source, and an electrical wiring electrically connected to the transparent electrode; supplying power to the transparent electrode from the power supply point disposed at an outer edge of the transparent electrode and a connection point disposed at a position different from the power supply point.

[0028] [Effects of the invention]

[0029] According to the present invention, a dimming film that is less likely to flicker when external light is observed through the dimming film, a dimming member and a vehicle including the dimming film, and a method for supplying power to the dimming film can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a vehicle according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic structure of the light control film used in the vehicle according to the first embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 : is a graph showing the relationship between the driving voltage and the transmittance in the light-adjusting film.

[0033] Figure 4 This is the measurement result of the amount of external light based on the light emitted by the fluorescent lamp.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the frequency of transmitted light when external light having an external light frequency of 100 Hz is transmitted through a light-adjusting film having a transmittance frequency of 43 Hz.

[0035] Figure 6 is with Figure 5 When the same light-adjusting film is used under the same lighting, the difference between the measured values ​​and the measured values ​​when the viewing angle direction is changed is Figure 5 Same chart.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the definition of the azimuth angle and the like in a single domain method.

[0037] Figure 8 This is a graph showing changes in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage when the voltage applied to the light-adjusting film is changed and the light-adjusting film is observed from different angles.

[0038] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the light-adjusting film disposed on the sunroof and the position in the vehicle.

[0039] Fig.10 This is a graph showing how the voltage changes when the polarity of the voltage applied to the light-adjusting film is reversed.

[0040] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing the results of simulating the relationship between the position and voltage inside the light control film immediately after power is supplied to the light control film from one point.

[0041] Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining the azimuth angle in the multi-domain system of the second embodiment, and shows a state where liquid crystal molecules are tilted in directions at 90° to each other.

[0042] Fig.13 This is a graph showing changes in transmittance with respect to applied voltage when the light-adjusting film according to the second embodiment is observed from different angles.

[0043] Fig.14This is a diagram showing the relationship between the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the light-adjusting film disposed on the sunroof and the position in the vehicle in the second embodiment.

[0044] Fig.15 The diagram shows a state in which the liquid crystal molecules in each domain tilt in directions forming an angle of 180° with each other in a multi-domain system (two domains).

[0045] Fig.16 It is shown in Fig.15 A graph showing changes in transmittance relative to applied voltage when the light-adjusting film is observed from different angles in the case of .

[0046] Fig.17 The diagram is a diagram for explaining the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film and the direction in which the observer observes the light-adjusting film.

[0047] Fig.18 1 and 2 are simulation results showing potential distribution of transparent electrodes when a driving voltage of 10 V at a frequency of 60 Hz is applied in a comparative method. (a) shows the potential distribution of the lower transparent electrode, and (b) shows the potential distribution of the upper transparent electrode.

[0048] Fig.19 It is a comparative method. Fig.18 A graph showing the relationship between the distance from the power feeding point P0 and the potential of the transparent electrode.

[0049] Fig. 20 is a comparative method, showing Fig.18 The electric field between the upper transparent electrode and the lower transparent electrode under the same conditions.

[0050] Fig.21 It is a comparative method. Fig. 20 A graph showing the distance from the power feeding point P0 and the electric field strength.

[0051] Fig. 22 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic structure of the light-adjusting film according to the third embodiment.

[0052] Fig.23 It is a top view of the light-adjusting film of the third embodiment.

[0053] Fig.24 The voltage between the two transparent electrodes when the thickness of the copper foil of the FPC is 35 μm and the frequency of the driving voltage is 240 Hz is shown. (a) shows the potential of the electrode of the lower laminate, and (b) shows the potential of the electrode of the upper laminate.

[0054] Fig.25This is a diagram showing an electric field generated between an upper laminate and a lower laminate when the thickness of the copper foil of the FPC is 35 μm and the frequency of the rectangular wave driving voltage supplied from the power supply is 240 Hz.

[0055] Fig.26 The figure shows the relationship between the potential difference between the upper transparent electrode and the lower transparent electrode and the distance from the power supply point when the thickness of the copper foil of the FPC is 35 μm and the frequency of the rectangular wave driving voltage supplied from the power supply is different.

[0056] Fig. 27 It is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the power feeding point and the potential difference in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment.

[0057] Fig.28 The graph shows the relationship between the potential difference between the upper transparent electrode and the lower transparent electrode and the distance from the power supply point when the thickness of the copper foil of the FPC is 9 μm and the frequency of the voltage supplied from the power supply is different. Fig.26 The corresponding figure.

[0058] Fig.29 1 and 10 are plan views of a light-adjusting film according to a fifth embodiment, wherein (a) is a view illustrating a pattern shape of an upper transparent electrode, and (b) is a view illustrating a pattern shape of a lower transparent electrode.

[0059] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 (a) is an enlarged view of a region S surrounded by a dashed line.

[0060] Fig.31 1 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the light control film 1B.

[0061] Fig.32 1 and 10 are plan views of a light-adjusting film according to a sixth embodiment, wherein (a) is a view illustrating a pattern shape of an upper transparent electrode, and (b) is a view illustrating a pattern shape of a lower transparent electrode.

[0062] Fig.33 yes Fig.32 The enlarged view of the region S surrounded by the single-dot chain line is a view for explaining the pattern shape of the upper and lower transparent electrodes.

[0063] Fig.34 It is along Fig.33 A-B line cross-sectional view.

[0064] Fig.35 This is a top view of the light-adjusting film of variation 2.

[0065] Fig.36 It is a top view of the light-adjusting film of the seventh embodiment.

[0066] Fig.37 It is a diagram for explaining the pattern shape of the upper and lower transparent electrodes at the connection point P1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] (First embodiment)

[0068] 〔vehicle〕

[0069] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle 130 including a sunroof 132 on which the dimming film 1 in the first embodiment is installed. An opening 131 is provided on the vehicle 130 to install the sunroof 132 in a manner covering the head of the passenger. A laminate of the dimming film 1 is arranged in the opening 131 to form the sunroof 132. However, the installation method of the dimming film 1 is not limited to the case of installing it on the sunroof, and it can also be applied to the case of installing it on a display window, a part of the vehicle where external light is incident, that is, other windows (for example, front windows, side windows, rear windows, sunroofs, sun visors, etc.), window glass of a building, a display cabinet, a transparent partition wall in a house, and other parts that require dimming.

[0070] In the vehicle 130 of this embodiment, the driver's seat is arranged at the right front portion of the vehicle 130. Figure 1 As shown, the sunroof 132 is provided in a manner that covers from the front seats such as the driver's seat to the rear seats. In addition, the dimming film 1 is used as a laminated body laminated on a transparent member forming the sunroof 132 using an adhesive, a bonding agent, etc. Without being limited thereto, the dimming film 1 may also be sandwiched by laminated glass (transparent member). In addition, the transparent member may use glass, a transparent resin substrate, etc.

[0071] 〔Basic composition of dimming film〕

[0072] Figure 2 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a basic structure of a light control film 1 used in a vehicle according to the first embodiment. The light control film 1 is a film-like member that controls transmitted light using liquid crystals, and is composed of a liquid crystal cell 4 for the light control film sandwiched between linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 .

[0073] 〔Linear polarizing plate〕

[0074] After iodine or the like is impregnated into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), it is stretched to form an optical functional layer that performs an optical function as a linear polarizer, and the optical functional layer is sandwiched by a substrate composed of a transparent film material such as TAC (triacetyl cellulose), thereby manufacturing linear polarizers 2 and 3. The linear polarizers 2 and 3 are arranged on the liquid crystal cell 4 in an orthogonal polarization configuration using an adhesive layer such as an acrylic transparent adhesive resin. In addition, phase difference films 2A and 3A for optical compensation are respectively provided on the liquid crystal cell 4 side on the linear polarizers 2 and 3, but the phase difference films 2A and 3A may be omitted as needed.

[0075] 〔Liquid crystal unit〕

[0076] The liquid crystal cell 4 is configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal layer 8 between a lower stacked body 5D and an upper stacked body 5U in a film form.

[0077] [Lower laminate, upper laminate]

[0078] The lower stack 5D is formed by manufacturing a transparent electrode (lower transparent electrode, second transparent electrode) 11, a spacer 12 and an orientation layer (lower orientation layer) 13 on a substrate (lower substrate) 6 made of a transparent film material. The upper stack 5U is formed by stacking a transparent electrode (upper transparent electrode, first transparent electrode) 16 and an orientation layer (upper orientation layer) 17 on a substrate (upper substrate) 15 made of a transparent film material.

[0079] 〔Base material〕

[0080] Various transparent film materials can be applied to the substrates 6 and 15, but film materials with low optical anisotropy are preferably applied. In this embodiment, polycarbonate films with a thickness of 100 μm are applied to the substrates 6 and 15, but film materials with various thicknesses can be applied, and further, COP (cycloolefin polymer) films can also be applied.

[0081] 〔Transparent electrode〕

[0082] The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are planar and can be made of various electrode materials suitable for such film materials. In the present embodiment, they are formed of a transparent electrode material made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0083] 〔Spacer〕

[0084] The spacer 12 is provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, and various resin materials can be widely used. In the present embodiment, the spacer is made of photoresist, and is prepared by coating the photoresist on the substrate 6 on which the transparent electrode 11 is formed, exposing, and developing. The spacer 12 can be provided on the upper stack 5U, or on both the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D. In addition, the spacer 12 can also be provided on the alignment layer 13. Furthermore, the spacer can also be a so-called bead spacer.

[0085] 〔Orientation layer〕

[0086] The orientation layers 13 and 17 are formed by a photo-orientation layer. The photo-orientation material applicable to the photo-orientation layer can widely adopt various materials to which the photo-orientation method can be applied, but in this embodiment, for example, a photo-dimerization type material is used. The photo-dimerization type material is disclosed by "M. Schadt, K. Schmitt, V. Kozinkov and V. Chigrinov: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 31, 2155 (1992)", "M. Schadt, H. Seiberle and A. Schuster: Nature, 381, 212 (1996)" and the like. In addition, the orientation layer can be made by rubbing treatment instead of the photo-orientation layer, and the orientation layer can also be made by performing a shaping treatment of fine linear concave and convex shapes.

[0087] 〔Liquid crystal layer〕

[0088] The liquid crystal layer 8 can be widely applied to various liquid crystal layer materials applicable to the dimming film 1. Specifically, as the liquid crystal layer 8, for example, a liquid crystal material such as MLC2166 produced by Merck can be applied. In addition, the liquid crystal unit 4 is provided with a sealing material 19 in a manner of surrounding the liquid crystal layer 8, and the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D are held together by the sealing material 19 to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal material. Here, the sealing material 19 can be applied to, for example, epoxy resin, ultraviolet curing resin, etc.

[0089] 〔Drive power〕

[0090] The driving power source S1 applies a rectangular wave driving voltage whose polarity is switched at a certain time interval between the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the dimming film 1. When the driving voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 provided on the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D, an electric field is generated on the liquid crystal layer 8. The orientation of the liquid crystal layer material provided in the liquid crystal layer 8 is controlled by the electric field generated on the liquid crystal layer 8. Thus, the transmitted light of the dimming film 1 can be controlled, and dimming can be achieved.

[0091] The VA method (Vertical Alignment) is applied to the alignment control of the liquid crystal layer 8 in the dimming film 1 of the embodiment. In the VA method, when the amplitude of the driving power source S1 is 0V (when the driving voltage is 0V) and there is no electric field, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically aligned, thereby, the dimming film 1 shields the incident light and becomes a light-shielding state. In addition, when the amplitude of the driving power source S1 is increased to increase the driving voltage, the liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal layer 8 is horizontally aligned, and the dimming film 1 allows the incident light to pass.

[0092] In addition, the liquid crystal cell 4 of the present embodiment is driven by so-called single domain.

[0093] [Changes in transmittance]

[0094] Figure 3 : is a graph showing the relationship between the driving voltage and the transmittance in the light-adjusting film 1 .

[0095] As shown in the figure, a rectangular waveform driving voltage whose polarity is switched at a certain time interval is applied between the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the light-adjusting film 1 by a driving power source S1.

[0096] When the polarity of the driving voltage is reversed, the electrostatic capacitance of the liquid crystal layer between the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 is charged and discharged. The time required for charging and discharging varies depending on the electrostatic capacitance of the dimming film 1, the resistance value of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and the connection method from the power supply. Figure 2 In the example, charging and discharging are performed with a time constant of about 1 millisecond. The larger the area of ​​the light-adjusting film 1, the larger the electrostatic capacitance, and the resistance value of the electrode is difficult to be less than a predetermined value, and it is difficult to extremely shorten the time constant.

[0097] Therefore, the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer 8 is temporarily reduced, and as a result, the electric field acting on the liquid crystal molecules is reduced in an instant. As a result, the liquid crystal layer molecules of the liquid crystal layer temporarily change direction in conjunction with the reduction of the electric field, and then return to the original state. As a result, the transmittance of the dimming film 1 is temporarily reduced. That is, the transmittance of the dimming film 1 is not constant, but changes at the same first frequency (hereinafter referred to as the transmittance frequency) as the frequency of the change in its driving voltage.

[0098] [Flicker caused by the relationship between external light and transmittance changes]

[0099] In this way, when external light whose light quantity varies at a second frequency (hereinafter referred to as external light frequency) passes through the dimming film 1 whose transmittance varies at a predetermined transmittance frequency, "flicker" may be observed in the light passing through the dimming film 1 due to the relationship between the transmittance frequency and the external light frequency. Here, flicker is perceived according to the brightness of the light, and therefore is difficult to recognize when the light quantity change in the transmitted light quantity is small. In addition, flicker is generally difficult to recognize if the frequency is above 30 Hz.

[0100] 〔External Light Frequency〕

[0101] Figure 4This is the measurement result of the amount of external light based on the emitted light of the fluorescent lamp. When the fluorescent lamp is driven by a commercial power supply with a frequency of 50Hz, the discharge in the tube is performed in each half cycle of the commercial power supply. And, by the discharge in the tube, the phosphor emits light and emits the emitted light, thereby emitting the emitted light whose light amount changes in a roughly sinusoidal shape with a frequency of 100Hz. Therefore, although the amount of external light brought by the fluorescent lamp changes at a frequency of 100Hz, it is not recognized as flicker in this case because it is a frequency of more than 30Hz.

[0102] In recent years, LED lighting fixtures, etc., which are often used for lighting, have their brightness controlled by pulse width modulation. The light amount of pulse width modulation varies greatly, and thus it is easily recognized as flickering. In LED lighting fixtures, etc., the frequency is driven at a frequency of 100 Hz or more, which is a frequency higher than 30 Hz. In addition, the frequency of the external light from the lighting fixture that changes by such driving is called the external light frequency.

[0103] 〔Transmittance frequency〕

[0104] On the other hand, when the frequency of the driving voltage of the dimming film 1 (the same frequency as the transmittance frequency) is high, the transmittance decreases each time the polarity is switched, so the average transmittance decreases. Therefore, it is preferred that the driving voltage frequency (transmittance frequency) is not as high as the external light frequency and is above 30 Hz. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmittance frequency is 43 Hz. When the transmittance frequency is set to 30 Hz or more, it is also possible to prevent flickering of the transmitted light caused by changes in the transmittance of the light-adjusting film itself.

[0105] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the frequency of the transmitted light when the external light with a frequency of 100 Hz is transmitted through the dimming film 1 with a transmittance frequency of 43 Hz. As shown in the figure, if observed microscopically, although the amount of light of the transmitted light changes at the same frequency as the external light frequency, each wave peak formed by the external light frequency pulsates at the transmittance frequency, resulting in an interference wave of a third frequency (hereinafter referred to as the interference light frequency) of 0.075 seconds (13 Hz) in wavelength. The interference light frequency of 13 Hz is a lower frequency than the limit frequency of 30 Hz that is difficult to be recognized as flickering, so it is recognized as flickering.

[0106] on the other hand, Figure 6 is with Figure 5 When the same light-adjusting film is used under the same lighting, the difference between the measured values ​​and the measured values ​​when the viewing angle direction is changed is Figure 5 Same graph. In this case, the modulation of the transmittance by interference is low and is not recognizable as "flicker". In other words, when the viewing angle is changed, the way the "flicker" is visible will differ.

[0107] Next, the difference in the way “flicker” is seen due to the angle at which the light control film 1 is viewed will be described.

[0108] Figure 7 This is a diagram for explaining the definition of the azimuth angle and the like in a single domain system.

[0109] Figure 7 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dimming film 1. State A shows the state of the liquid crystal molecules 4a when no electric field is generated between the transparent electrodes 11 and 16. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules 4a are in a vertical orientation with their long axis direction being perpendicular to the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1. State B shows the state in which the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted when an electric field is generated. At this time, the liquid crystal molecules 4a begin to rotate toward the horizontal orientation under the action of the electric field generated by the electrodes, so that the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a becomes the in-plane direction.

[0110] Figure 7 (b) is a diagram illustrating the angle of observation of the dimming film, namely, the polar angle α. As shown in the figure, the polar angle in this embodiment is the angle (observation angle) formed by the direction of the dimming film 1 observed by the observer E relative to the normal direction (thickness direction) of the dimming film 1 when the dimming film 1 is observed from the bottom. Figure 7 Therefore, when the observer E looks up directly upward, that is, observes the light-adjusting film 1 from a direction perpendicular to the film surface, the polar angle α=0°.

[0111] Figure 7 (c) is a diagram for explaining the azimuth angle of the liquid crystal molecules. When an electric field is generated, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film 1 is defined as an azimuth angle of 0° and a clockwise direction.

[0112] Here, the relationship between the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4 a and the direction in which the observer E observes the light-adjusting film 1 will be further described.

[0113] Fig.17 The diagram is a diagram for explaining the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4 a in the in-plane direction of the light adjusting film 1 and the direction in which the observer E observes the light adjusting film 1 .

[0114] As described above, in the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1, the direction in which the electric field is generated and the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted is set to an azimuth angle of 0°. At this time, for example, when the observer E observes the dimming film 1 at an azimuth angle of 0°, Fig.17 As shown in (a), in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film 1, the direction K1 in which the observer E observes the light-adjusting film 1 (liquid crystal molecules 4a) becomes the direction of azimuth 0°. That is, the angle between the direction in which the observer E looks (observation direction) and the azimuth 0° is 0°.

[0115] In addition, for example, when the light-adjusting film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of 30° and when it is observed at an azimuth angle of 180°, Fig.17 As shown in (b) and (c), in the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1, the directions K2 and K3 in which the observer E observes the dimming film 1 (liquid crystal molecules 4a) are respectively directions with azimuth angles of 30° and 180°. That is, the angles formed by the direction in which the observer E looks (the direction of observation) and the azimuth angle of 0° are respectively 30° and 180°.

[0116] Figure 8 The graph shows the change in transmittance relative to the applied voltage when the voltage applied to the dimming film 1 is changed and the dimming film 1 is observed from different angles. The dimming film 1 is observed from below in the vehicle, as when the dimming film 1 is installed on the sunroof 132.

[0117] Figure 8 The "α = 0°" shown in corresponds to the case where the dimming film 1 is observed from the front direction, and shows the state where the observer looks up at the dimming film 1 located directly above (above the head) from directly below, that is, the case where the dimming film 1 is observed at a polar angle of α = 0°. In addition, Figure 8 The other angles shown, 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150°, and 180°, are azimuth angles showing the angles at which the dimming film 1 is observed, and are the state of looking up at the dimming film 1 from below at a polar angle of 30°, and observing at various azimuth angles in the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1. For example, Figure 8 The “30°” in the figure indicates that the light control film 1 is viewed from above at a polar angle α=30°, and is observed at an azimuth angle of 30° (a direction forming 30° with respect to an azimuth angle of 0°).

[0118] in addition, Figure 8 , and the following Fig.13 , Fig.16 The transmittance is calculated under the premise of looking from the bottom to the top. The transmittance is calculated using LCD Master manufactured by Symtec Co., Ltd. In addition, the tilting of the liquid crystal molecules 4a caused by the application of voltage is the concept of fixing the lower end of the liquid crystal molecules 4a and tilting the upper part.

[0119] like Figure 8 As shown, when the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of 180°, that is, when the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted toward the front direction in the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1, the transmittance begins to change from a relatively low voltage, and after reaching the saturation transmittance, the transmittance does not change much even if the voltage is increased.

[0120] like Figure 8As shown in the figure, when the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of about 120° to 180° surrounded by a single-point dashed line b, the change in transmittance with respect to the voltage change is smaller than when the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of about 0° to 45° surrounded by a dotted line a, for example, in the range of about 4 to 7 V. At this time, it is not that the liquid crystal molecules have stopped rotating, but the following state: because the transmittance at 0° to 45° is changing, although the liquid crystal molecules continue to rotate, the change in transmittance cannot be recognized due to the angle from the observer.

[0121] The reason for flicker, i.e., the change in transmittance, is that the liquid crystal molecules rotate slightly from the horizontal orientation state to the vertical orientation state due to the switching of the polarity of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal molecules. However, they do not completely return to the vertical orientation state, but only slightly return to the vertical orientation state. Therefore, when the change in transmittance is small for such a movement, flicker is difficult to be recognized. Therefore, in order to make flicker difficult to be recognized, it is sufficient to observe the dimming film 1 in a direction where the change in transmittance relative to the change in voltage is small.

[0122] When the light-adjusting film 1 is installed on the sunroof 132 of the vehicle 130, there is a deviation in the direction from which the passengers view the light-adjusting film 1. That is, the passengers in the rear seats are most likely to view the sunroof 132, and the driver is less likely to view the sunroof while driving. In addition, both the passengers and the driver are more likely (frequently) to view the front side of the sunroof, and less likely to look back at the rear side of the sunroof.

[0123] Therefore, in this embodiment, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a (the direction of the azimuth angle 0°) is determined so that the flicker is difficult to be recognized when the passengers (especially those in the rear seats) who are most likely to be observed look forward at the sunroof 132.

[0124] As mentioned above, according to Figure 8 When the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth of 120° to 180° surrounded by the single-dot chain line b, the change in transmittance of the dimming film 1 relative to the change in voltage is small. Moreover, when the change in transmittance is small, flicker is difficult to be recognized. Therefore, it is preferred that the dimming film 1 is arranged on the sunroof 132 in such a way that the direction in which the passengers in the rear seats observe the sunroof 132 is near an azimuth of 120° to 180°.

[0125] Fig. 9 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4 a of the light control film 1 disposed on the sunroof 132 and the position in the vehicle.

[0126] As described above, from the viewpoint of reducing flicker, the dimming film 1 is preferably arranged on the sunroof 132 in such a manner that the direction in which the passengers in the rear seats of the vehicle 130 observe the sunroof 132 is near an azimuth angle of 120° to 180°. That is, the dimming film 1 is preferably installed on the vehicle 130 in such a manner that the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a is toward the rear of the vehicle 130 (including the oblique rear).

[0127] In this embodiment, as an example, Fig. 9 As shown, the liquid crystal molecules 4a tilt to the left rear. In addition, in the present embodiment, the driver's seat is arranged at the right front as described above, but when the driver's seat is arranged at the left front, the liquid crystal molecules 4a tilt to the right rear.

[0128] The reason why the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted obliquely is as follows.

[0129] The dimming film 1 is made in a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and is set so that the slow axis direction of the linear polarizers 2 and 3 is parallel to one side of the rectangular shape. When the linear polarizers 2 and 3 are made into rectangles, in order to increase the number of acquisitions in the manufacturing process, they are made in a manner such that the slow axis direction is in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. Moreover, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a of the dimming film 1 is an angle tilted relative to the slow axis. Therefore, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a of the dimming film 1 is tilted relative to the traveling direction of the vehicle 130. In the case of adopting such a method, the flicker can be sufficiently reduced in practical terms.

[0130] However, in the case where the reduction in the number of acquisitions can be sufficiently allowed, and further, in the case where the slow axis directions of the linear polarizers 2 and 3 are set to be inclined directions so that the number of acquisitions of the linear polarizers can be sufficiently ensured, the dimming film 1 may be installed on the sunroof 132 in such a manner that the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted not obliquely rearward but rearward in the opposite direction of the traveling direction (180° rearward with respect to the traveling direction) with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle 130. In this case, passengers in the rear seats of the vehicle 130 observe the sunroof 132 and the dimming film 1 at an azimuth angle of 180°, and flicker can be more effectively reduced compared with the case where the liquid crystal molecules 4a are arranged in such a manner that they are tilted obliquely rearward.

[0131] The reason why the liquid crystal molecules 4a are tilted to the left rear is that since the driver at the right front is less likely to look back at the sunroof, the direction in which the driver looks back, i.e., the left rear direction, is set to an azimuth angle of 0°.

[0132] At this time, in further detail, when the driver's seat is arranged at the right front part of the vehicle 130, the tipping direction of the liquid crystal molecule 4a (azimuth angle 0° direction) is preferably set to a direction rotated 135° counterclockwise relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle 130. In addition, when the driver's seat is arranged at the left front part of the vehicle 130, the tipping direction of the liquid crystal molecule 4a is preferably set to a direction rotated 135° clockwise relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle. If symmetry is taken into account, the tipping direction of the liquid crystal molecule 4a is most preferably 180° relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle 130. However, in this case, the utilization efficiency of the polarizing plate becomes low as described above, which will lead to an increase in cost. Therefore, it is preferred that the tipping direction of the liquid crystal molecule 4a (azimuth angle 0° direction) is set to a direction rotated 135° counterclockwise or clockwise relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle 130.

[0133] According to this embodiment, when the passenger observes the sunroof 132 directly above and in front of the seat, the change in transmittance of the light-adjusting film 1 of the sunroof 132 is more noticeable than when the passenger observes from other directions. Therefore, the passenger is less likely to observe flickering when observing external light through the sunroof 132.

[0134] (Relationship with power supply location)

[0135] Fig.10 This is a graph showing the change in voltage when the polarity of the voltage applied to the light-adjusting film 1 is reversed. It shows the relationship between the elapsed time and the voltage at a predetermined position when a voltage of 10V is applied to the transparent electrode 11 when the time constant is 10μsec, 0.1msec, and 1msec. As shown in the figure, when the time constant becomes longer, the time for the voltage in the transparent electrode 11 to be lower than 10V becomes longer, that is, the rise of the voltage becomes slower.

[0136] When the voltage rises slowly, the liquid crystal molecules rotate under the influence of the voltage, and thus the transmittance of the light-adjusting film 1 changes. Fig.10 The transmittance graph in shows the change in transmittance when the time constant is 1 msec.

[0137] In addition, as the distance from the power supply position increases, the time constant becomes longer. Therefore, as the distance from the power supply position in the dimming film 1 increases, the voltage rises slowly and the liquid crystal rotates, and the transmittance changes, so the flicker becomes easy to be visually recognized. Furthermore, as the distance from the power supply position increases, the voltage cannot rise completely within the time constant, and the effective voltage becomes lower.

[0138] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing the result of simulating the relationship between the position and the voltage inside the light control film 1 immediately after power is supplied from the power supply position P0 of the transparent electrode 11 of the light control film 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0139] In the embodiment, the left oblique rear position of the dimming film 1 indicated by the arrow in the figure is the power supply position P0. The so-called left oblique rear position is a position on the straight line L1 at the edge of the dimming film 1 that is inclined at an angle θ relative to the straight line L from the center of the dimming film 1 toward the front side of the traveling direction of the vehicle 130. The angle θ is greater than 90° and less than 180°.

[0140] like Fig.11 As shown, the effective voltage is higher at the left oblique rear near the power supply position P0, and the effective voltage becomes lower as the distance from the power supply position P0 increases. In addition, the time constant is shorter at the left oblique rear near the power supply position P0, and the time constant becomes longer as the distance from the power supply position P0 increases. Therefore, the change in transmittance is smaller at the left oblique rear near the power supply position P0, and the possibility of visual recognition of flicker is lower. When the distance from the power supply position P0 increases, the change in transmittance is larger, and flicker becomes easier to be visually recognized.

[0141] First, the case where the power supply position for the dimming film 1 is set at the right oblique front of the vehicle 130 is described. In this mode, the change of the liquid crystal molecules caused by the polarity switching becomes small in the right oblique front around the power supply position. However, the change of the liquid crystal molecules becomes large near the left oblique rear far from the power supply position.

[0142] At this time, the light passing through the dimming film 1 obliquely from the front of the vehicle 130 to the rear of the vehicle becomes incident light from a direction where the transmittance changes less with respect to the change of the liquid crystal molecules (the direction of the azimuth angle of 120° to 180°), and it is difficult to recognize the flicker caused by the change of the liquid crystal molecules caused by the polarity switching of the voltage. Therefore, even if the light passes through the area far from the power supply position behind the vehicle, it is difficult to recognize the flicker.

[0143] However, because the light passing through the rear area of ​​the dimming film 1 from the rear of the vehicle 130 obliquely toward the front of the vehicle interior is in the same direction where the transmittance changes greatly (azimuth angle 0° to 45° direction) as when the passengers in the vehicle look up at the rear of the vehicle, the changes in the liquid crystal molecules caused by the switching of the voltage polarity are easily recognizable as flickering.

[0144] In addition, most of the light passing through the front area of ​​the dimming film 1 obliquely from the rear side of the vehicle 130 to the front area inside the vehicle will be emitted to the outside of the vehicle through the front windshield of the vehicle 130. Therefore, even if the power supply position is arranged in front of the vehicle and the fluctuation of the liquid crystal molecules in the front area of ​​the dimming film 1 is reduced, its effect cannot be enjoyed.

[0145] In contrast, when the power supply position is arranged at the rear of the vehicle 130, when light passes through the dimming film 1 obliquely from the rear of the vehicle 130 toward the front of the vehicle interior, flicker can be suppressed in the area behind the vehicle 130 close to the power supply position because the fluctuation of the liquid crystal molecules becomes smaller.

[0146] Also, similar to the case where the power supply position is located in front of the vehicle 130 , since most of the light passing through the front area of ​​the light control film 1 obliquely toward the front of the vehicle interior is emitted to the outside of the vehicle through the windshield, flickering is difficult to be visually recognized.

[0147] Furthermore, light that passes through the light control film 1 from directly above the vehicle body 130 (light that passes through the light control film 1 from a normal direction to the surface of the light control film 1 ) is less likely to flicker when viewed from any direction.

[0148] Therefore, in order to reduce the flicker when light is incident on the dimming film 1 obliquely from the rear of the vehicle, the power supply position P0 of the dimming film 1 is preferably set at the rear of the vehicle 130, that is, at the edge of the dimming film 1 that is rearward of the center point of the dimming film 1 in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle 130. Fig. 9 The illustrated portion is a portion of the side 1 a behind the vehicle 130 .

[0149] Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, the power supply position P0 is set at the left rear oblique side of the vehicle 130. Here, as described above, in this embodiment, since the liquid crystal molecules 4a of the dimming film 1 are tilted toward the left rear oblique side of the vehicle 130 in the in-plane direction of the dimming film 1, when the passengers in the vehicle observe the sunroof, the flicker in front of the vehicle 130 is difficult to be recognized, but the flicker in the rear is easier to be recognized than in the front.

[0150] As described above, by setting the power supply position P0 at the left oblique rear of the vehicle 130, flickering at the left oblique rear becomes difficult to occur. When the power supply position P0 is set at the left oblique rear, flickering at the right oblique front far from the power supply position P0 becomes easy to occur, but as described above, flickering at the front is difficult to be recognized because the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a is at the left oblique rear of the vehicle 130. Therefore, even if the left oblique rear is the power supply position P0, the possibility of flickering at the front being recognized is low.

[0151] As described above, according to the present embodiment, flickering is less likely to occur in light incident from the front and rear of the light control film 1. Therefore, passengers in the vehicle do not feel flickering and do not feel uncomfortable in the vehicle.

[0152] In addition, in the present embodiment, the power supply position P0 of the dimming film 1 is preferably located at the rear of the vehicle 130. As an example, the power supply position P0 is located at the oblique left rear of the vehicle 130. However, in the case where the flicker reduction effect on the front side of the sunroof 132 of the vehicle 130 is important, or when the flicker of light obliquely incident from the area on the rear side of the sunroof 132 (dimming film 1) to the front of the vehicle interior can be ignored, the power supply position P0 can also be located in the front of the vehicle 130. In this case, the power supply position P0 is preferably located specifically at Fig. 9 Somewhere on edge 1b as shown.

[0153] (Second embodiment)

[0154] Next, a light-adjusting film according to a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the liquid crystal molecules 4a of the light-adjusting film 1 are arranged in a multi-domain manner. The rest is the same as the first embodiment, and therefore duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0155] Fig.12 This is a diagram for explaining the azimuth angle in a multi-domain system composed of two domains, and shows a state where liquid crystal molecules 4 a - 1 and 4 a - 2 in each domain are tilted at an angle of 90° to each other.

[0156] like Fig.12 As shown, in this embodiment, by applying voltage, the liquid crystal molecules 4a-1 and 4a-2 tilt in directions 90° to each other in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film 1. In this case, the direction of arrow C, which is 1 / 2 of the angle formed by the tilting directions of the two liquid crystal molecules 4a-1 and 4a-2, is set as the azimuth angle 0°.

[0157] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 In the case of the first embodiment Figure 8 The same graph is a graph showing changes in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage when the voltage applied to the light control film 1 is changed and the light control film 1 is observed from different angles.

[0158] Fig.13 The "α = 0°" shown in Figure 8 The same diagram shows the state of looking up at the light-adjusting film from directly below, that is, the state of observing the light-adjusting film 1 at a polar angle α=0°. Fig.13 The other angles shown are 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 180° and the above Figure 8 Similarly, the azimuth angles of the light-adjusting film 1 are shown, showing the state of looking up at the light-adjusting film 1 from below at a polar angle of 30°, and observing at various azimuth angles in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film 1. Fig.13The azimuth angle shown is as above Fig.12 As described above, the direction of arrow C is assumed to be an azimuth angle of 0°.

[0159] In the second embodiment, when the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of about 120° to 180°, the change in transmittance with respect to voltage change is smaller in a range of about 4 to 7 V, for example, compared to the case where the dimming film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of about 0° to 60°. However, compared to the first embodiment, since the liquid crystal molecules in the multi-domain tilt in two directions, they are averaged, and the change in transmittance with respect to voltage change is slow.

[0160] In the second embodiment, since flicker is difficult to be recognized when the transmittance variation is small, the light control film 1 is arranged so as to be observed in a direction where the transmittance variation with respect to the voltage variation is small in order to make flicker difficult to be recognized.

[0161] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a is determined so that the flicker is difficult to be recognized when the passengers (especially passengers in the rear seats) who are most likely to be observed look forward.

[0162] As mentioned above, according to Fig.13 When the light-adjusting film 1 is observed at an azimuth angle of 120° to 180° within a voltage range of about 4 to 7 V, the change in transmittance with respect to the change in voltage is small. Furthermore, when the change in transmittance is small, flicker is difficult to be recognized.

[0163] Therefore, the light control film 1 is disposed on the sunroof 132 so that the direction from which the rear seat passenger views the sunroof 132 is in the vicinity of an azimuth angle of 120° to 180°.

[0164] Fig.14 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a of the light-adjusting film 1 disposed on the sunroof 132 and the position in the vehicle. Fig.14 As shown, the liquid crystal molecules 4a in each domain are arranged to tilt obliquely to the left or right.

[0165] Here, tilting left and right to the rear obliquely means that when the traveling direction of the vehicle 130 is set to 0°, the upper end of the liquid crystal molecule 4a tilts to the rear obliquely, for example, in the direction of ±135° relative to the traveling direction. At this time, when the traveling direction of the vehicle 130 is set to 0°, the azimuth angle 0° becomes the direction of 180°.

[0166] In the second embodiment, the light-adjusting film 1 is also arranged on the sunroof 132 of the vehicle so that the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a is obliquely rearward and leftward. Therefore, when the passenger observes the sunroof 132 just above and further in front of the seat, the change in the transmittance of the light-adjusting film 1 of the sunroof 132 is more noticeable than when the passenger observes from other directions. Therefore, when the passenger observes external light through the sunroof 132, flicker is less likely to be observed.

[0167] Moreover, in the second embodiment, it is also preferred to set the power supply position P0 at the rear of the vehicle 130, for example, the power supply position P0 is set at the left oblique rear of the vehicle 130. In this way, flickering at the left oblique rear becomes difficult to occur. Here, when the power supply position P0 is set at the left oblique rear, flickering at the right oblique front far from the power supply position P0 becomes easy to occur, but because the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules 4a is obliquely rearward, flickering at the front is difficult to be recognized. Therefore, even if the left oblique rear is the power supply position P0, the possibility of flickering at the front being recognized is low.

[0168] As described above, in the second embodiment, flickering is less likely to occur regardless of whether the light incident from the front or the back of the light control film 1. Therefore, passengers in the vehicle do not feel flickering and do not feel uncomfortable in the vehicle.

[0169] Fig.15 This also shows that in a multi-domain system (two domains), the liquid crystal molecules in each domain tilt in directions forming an angle of 180° with each other.

[0170] In this case, a liquid crystal molecule (for example, Fig.15 In the figure, the liquid crystal molecule 4a-1) is used as the reference, and its tilting direction ( Fig.15 The direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. 1 is set to an azimuth angle of 0°.

[0171] Fig.16 It is shown in Fig.15 The graph is a graph showing the change in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage when the voltage applied to the light-adjusting film 1 is changed and the light-adjusting film is observed from different angles.

[0172] Fig.16 The angles 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° shown in the figure are consistent with the above Figure 8 The azimuth angles of the light-adjusting film 1 are similarly shown, showing the state of looking up at the light-adjusting film 1 from below at a polar angle of 30°, and observing at various azimuth angles in the in-plane direction of the light-adjusting film 1. Fig.16 The azimuth angle shown is as above Fig.15 As described above, the direction of arrow D is assumed to be an azimuth angle of 0°.

[0173] In addition, in this mode, since the angle formed by the tilting directions of the liquid crystal molecules 4a-1 and 4a-2 is 180°, Fig.16 The results at azimuth angles of 0 to 90° are shown in . The reason is that, since the angle formed by the tilting directions of the liquid crystal molecules 4a-1 and 4a-2 is 180°, for example, the transmittance at azimuth angles of 10° and 190° is equal to the transmittance at azimuth angles of 350° and 170°, and the transmittance at azimuth angles of 90° to 180° is substantially equal to the transmittance at azimuth angles of 90° to 0°.

[0174] As shown in the figure, in this case, the change in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage does not change much depending on the azimuth angle at which the dimming film 1 is observed. Therefore, the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules is not particularly limited relative to the traveling direction of the vehicle 130. However, in this case, by setting the power supply position P0 of the dimming film 1 behind the vehicle 130, the light from the back becomes less likely to flicker. In addition, when the power supply position P0 of the dimming film 1 is set in front of the vehicle, the light from the front becomes less likely to flicker.

[0175] The dimming films and power supply methods of the third to seventh embodiments are described below. The dimming films of the third to seventh embodiments can be mounted on a sunroof 132 or window of a vehicle 130 or a window of a building, similarly to the dimming film 1 of the first embodiment.

[0176] In addition, the third to seventh embodiments are embodiments regarding the direction of power supply to the light-adjusting film, and there is no particular limitation on the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the light-adjusting film.

[0177] 〔Comparison method〕

[0178] Next, in order to facilitate the description of the third to seventh embodiments described below, a comparative example will be described first. Fig.18 This is a diagram for explaining a comparative method of the third to seventh embodiments. In this comparative method, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, a power supply point P0 is provided at one of the four corners of the rectangular dimming film 1. Voltage is supplied from the power supply point P0 to the two lower transparent electrodes 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 of the liquid crystal unit 4 of the dimming film 1. In addition, this comparative method does not limit the tilting direction of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0179] Fig.18 The simulation results show the potential distribution of the transparent electrodes when a driving voltage of 10V with a frequency of 60Hz is applied, (a) shows the potential distribution of the lower transparent electrode 11, and (b) shows the potential distribution of the upper transparent electrode 16. The transparent electrode is ITO with a thickness of 100nm, and the size of the dimming film is 1.2(m)×0.8(m).

[0180] Fig.19 Yes Fig.18 A graph showing the relationship between the distance from the power feeding point P0 and the potential of the transparent electrodes: A shows the potential of the upper transparent electrode 16 , and B shows the potential of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0181] Fig. 20 Shown with Fig.18 The electric field between the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11 under the same conditions.

[0182] Fig.21 Yes Fig. 20 A graph showing the distance from the power supply point P0 and the electric field strength.

[0183] In the comparison method, as shown in the figure, the voltage near the power supply point P0 is high, and the voltage decreases as the distance from the power supply point P0 increases. Even if a voltage of 10V is applied to the power supply point P0, the voltage at the point P3 at the diagonal position of the power supply point P0 is Fig.18 In the example of , it is about 6.5V. That is, the time constant when the polarity of the driving voltage is reversed is also longer at a position far from the power supply point P0, and there is a tendency for the transmittance to decrease more. Therefore, in the comparison method, the transmittance changes more in the portion far from the power supply point P0, and the flicker is easy to be recognized.

[0184] (Third embodiment)

[0185] Fig. 22 It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the basic structure of the light regulating film 1A according to the third embodiment.

[0186] Fig.23 It is a plan view of the light control film 1A according to the first embodiment.

[0187] As shown in the figure, the difference between the dimming film 1A of the third embodiment and the above-mentioned first embodiment is that the aspect ratios of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are slightly different from each other, and they are arranged in a manner that their sides are staggered from each other, and the power supply method is different. Other than this, it is the same as the dimming film 1 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0188] In the third embodiment, as in the comparative embodiment, as shown by the arrow in the figure, a power supply point P0 is provided at one of the four corners of the rectangular dimming film 1. Voltage is supplied from the power supply point P0 to the two lower transparent electrodes 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 of the liquid crystal cell 4 of the dimming film 1.

[0189] In addition, in this embodiment, since the lower transparent electrode 11 is provided on the entire surface of the substrate 6 and the upper transparent electrode 16 is provided on the entire surface of the substrate 15 , the lower transparent electrode 11 is the same shape as the substrate 6 , and the upper transparent electrode 16 is the same shape as the substrate 15 .

[0190] In the present embodiment, the adhesive layer 6 a is provided on the surface of the substrate 6 on the lower transparent electrode 11 side, and the adhesive layer 15 a is provided on the surface of the substrate 15 on the upper transparent electrode 16 side.

[0191] The adhesion layers 6a and 15a are formed of inorganic substances, organic substances, or mixtures thereof. As the inorganic substance, SiO X (x=1-2), MgF2, Al2O3, TiO2, Nb2O5, etc. Examples of organic substances include acrylic resins, urethane resins, melamine resins, alkyd resins, and siloxane polymers, and preferably a thermosetting resin composed of a mixture of melamine resins, alkyd resins, and organic silane condensates is used.

[0192] The adhesive layers 6a and 15a may be produced by a dry process such as vacuum deposition, sputtering, or ion plating, or a wet process (coating).

[0193] The adhesion layers 6a and 15a are single layers or multiple layers of two or more layers, and the overall thickness is preferably about 1 to 300 nm.

[0194] In addition, if Fig. 22 and Fig.23 As shown, in the light control film 1A of the present embodiment, the sizes of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are different.

[0195] That is, the length LU of the upper transparent electrode 16 in the long side direction is longer than the length LD of the lower transparent electrode 11 , and the length WU of the upper transparent electrode 16 in the short side direction is shorter than the length WD of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0196] The two lower transparent electrodes 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 having different shapes are arranged so that their central axes coincide with each other. Thus, the upper first side 5UL extending from the power supply point P0 in the long-side direction (first direction) among the four sides of the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower first side 5DL extending from the power supply point P0 in the long-side direction among the four sides of the lower transparent electrode 11 maintain a parallel relationship with each other and are separated by, for example, about 2 mm. In addition, they do not need to be strictly parallel.

[0197] Moreover, the upper second side 5US extending from the power supply point P0 along the short side direction (second direction) among the four sides of the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower second side 5DS extending from the power supply point P0 along the short side direction among the four sides of the lower transparent electrode 11 maintain a parallel relationship with each other and are separated by, for example, about 2 mm.

[0198] Thus, in the upper transparent electrode 16 , an exposed surface (first exposed surface) 5 u facing the lower transparent electrode 11 is formed on the edge portion extending from the feeding point P0 to P2 in the short-side direction.

[0199] In addition, in the lower transparent electrode 11, an exposed surface (second exposed surface) 5d facing the upper transparent electrode 16 side is formed on the edge portion extending from the feeding point P0 to P1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0200] The FPC (flexible printed circuit) 21 extends from the driving power source S1 to the power supply point P0 of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 , and is point-connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the power supply point P0 .

[0201] FPC21 is stacked with two layers of copper foil separated by an insulating layer. At the power supply point P0, one of the two layers of copper foil is configured to be electrically connected to a transparent electrode (for example, an upper transparent electrode), and the other copper foil is configured to be electrically connected to another transparent electrode (for example, a lower transparent electrode). Moreover, FPC21 branches into FPC21a and FPC21b in two directions from the power supply point P0. In addition, for FPC21a and FPC21b, separately made FPCs can be connected to FPC21 respectively, or two FPC21a and FPC21b that are separately made and connected can be connected to FPC21. FPC21a extends along the exposed surface 5d, and FPC21b extends along the exposed surface 5u.

[0202] In this embodiment, the surface of the copper foil of FPC21 is further covered with a cover layer, and a 5-layer FPC is used in the order of cover layer, copper foil, insulating layer, copper foil, and cover layer in the thickness direction. In addition, the stacked structure of FPC21 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately selected and used, for example, a form in which more than 3 layers of copper foil are stacked in the thickness direction through an insulator can also be adopted.

[0203] The FPCs 21a and 21b are fixed by tape or the like, but are not limited thereto, and may be attached by an adhesive.

[0204] Furthermore, the FPCs 21a and 21b extend along the outer edges of the substrates 6 and 15, respectively, and are electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the connection points P1 and P2 provided at the corners adjacent to the power supply point P0. At this time, at the corresponding connection points, one of the two-layered copper foils of the FPCs 21a and 21b is configured to be electrically connected to one transparent electrode (for example, the upper transparent electrode), and the other copper foil is configured to be electrically connected to the other transparent electrode (for example, the lower transparent electrode).

[0205] The FPCs 21 a and 21 b are not electrically connected to the electrodes except at the power feeding point P0 and the connection points P1 and P2 provided at the corners adjacent thereto.

[0206] That is, the FPCs 21 a and 21 b are not electrically connected continuously to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 in a plane (line) manner, but are electrically connected at a plurality of points (power supply points and connection points) spaced at predetermined intervals.

[0207] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the FPC 21a is electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at two points, namely, the power supply point P0 and the connection point P1 provided at the corner adjacent thereto, and the FPC 21b is electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at two points, namely, the power supply point P0 and the connection point P2 provided at the corner adjacent thereto. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each of the FPCs 21a and 21b may be electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at two or more points.

[0208] In the present embodiment, the FPC 21 is connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the connection points P1 and P2 at the corners. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the FPC 21 may be connected to a location other than the corners.

[0209] Fig.24 The copper foil of the FPC has a thickness of 35 μm and a width of 2 mm, and is applied with a driving voltage of 10 V with polarity switched at a frequency of 240 Hz, and the potentials of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are shown in (a) and (b) respectively. The potential of the electrode of the upper stack 5U is shown, and the potential of the electrode of the lower stack 5D is shown.

[0210] In addition, the thickness of the copper foil of the FPC is not limited to 35 μm, and may be 9 μm or more.

[0211] Fig.25 It is a diagram showing the electric field generated between the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D under the same conditions.

[0212] Fig.26The relationship between the potential difference between the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 and the distance from the power feeding point P0 under the same conditions is shown.

[0213] Fig. 27 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the distance from the power feeding point P0 and the potential difference between the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment described later under the same conditions.

[0214] (Effects of the third embodiment)

[0215] (1) Fig.24 and Fig.25 As shown, according to this embodiment, Fig.18 Compared with the comparison method, the voltage drop in the surface of the dimming film 1A is smaller. Fig.26 As shown, regarding the frequency of switching the polarity, when the frequency is high, the ratio of the voltage drop generated becomes larger as the distance from the power supply point P0 becomes longer.

[0216] Moreover, if Fig. 27 As shown, when a driving voltage of 10V with switching polarity at a frequency of 240Hz is applied, the potential difference between the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11 at a position about 1.4m away from the power supply point P0 (near P3 diagonally opposite to the power supply point P0) is about 9.7V 1msec after the polarity switching.

[0217] The difference between this value and 10V is Fig. 27 The potential difference of 6.5 V in the comparative example shown is much smaller than the difference of 10 V.

[0218] That is, at a position far from the power feeding point P0, the time constant when the polarity of the driving voltage is reversed is shorter than that in the comparative method, and the decrease in transmittance is smaller. Therefore, at a portion far from the power feeding point P0, the change in transmittance is also smaller, and the flicker becomes difficult to be recognized.

[0219] (2) According to the present embodiment, there is only one power supply point P0 directly connected from the driving power source S1. The FPC 21 is extended from the power supply point P0 in two directions along the sides of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16. The FPC 21 is extended in this way and connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the connection points P1 and P2 away from the power supply point P0, so that power is supplied to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 from other than the power supply point P0.

[0220] This makes wiring easier than when the number of feed points P0 is increased, and reduces the decrease in transmittance with easy installation work.

[0221] (3) For example, it is also conceivable that the sheet resistance of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 is substantially reduced by configuring a bus line in the dimming film 1A of the present embodiment. In this case, although the power supply efficiency is improved, the bus line will cause damage to the appearance. In the case where the bus line is formed thinner in order to make it less noticeable, it will lead to an increase in cost. However, in the present embodiment, because the FPC 21 is provided at the periphery, the FPC 21 can be covered when the dimming film 1A is installed on the skylight 132, without damaging the appearance, and in addition, the cost will not increase due to the thinner formation.

[0222] In addition, the FPC 21 is not connected to the side of the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 as a whole, but is electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at a position (connection points P1 and P2) away from the power supply point P0 by a predetermined distance. When the side is connected as a whole, a voltage drop will occur in the middle, but because the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are connected at the connection points P1 and P2 away from the power supply point P0, the voltage drop at the connection points is small.

[0223] In addition, in this embodiment, the dimming film 1A illustrates an example of a method of using substrates 6 and 15 to clamp the liquid crystal layer 8, but is not limited to this. In a dimming film driven by an AC voltage and having no hysteresis or memory, such as an SPD (Suspended Particle Device) method, the same effect can be obtained by setting the same structure as the power supply method.

[0224] [Transformation method 1]

[0225] In addition, Fig.26 In the figure, when the frequency of the driving voltage increases, the charging time (or discharging time) of each film is 8.3msec at 60Hz, 4.2msec at 120Hz, and 2.1msec at 480Hz. The time constant is an inherent value of the dimming film 1A and does not depend on the frequency. When the distance from the power supply point P0 becomes farther, if the time constant becomes longer and the charging and discharging are not completed within the above time, the effective voltage becomes lower. Because the degree of voltage reduction increases with time shortening, the higher the frequency, the greater the degree of voltage reduction.

[0226] exist Fig.26 In the embodiment, the frequency dependence of the potential difference becomes larger as the distance from the power supply position increases. This means that the time constant becomes longer as the distance from the power supply position increases. Therefore, in the case where the flicker is obvious even when driven at 30Hz to 60Hz, it is preferable to increase the number of connection points more than in the present embodiment. For example, one of FPC21a and 21b can be extended to Fig.23A connection point is also provided at a position P3 diagonal to the power feeding point P0 shown in the figure. In this way, according to the modified form, the reduction of the electric field can be reduced even at a position far from the power feeding point P0.

[0227] [Transformation method 2]

[0228] exist Fig.23 , an example is shown in which FPCs 21a and 21b extend from a power supply point P0 in two directions and are electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at two connection points P1 and P2, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the number of connection points may be one.

[0229] Fig.35 This is a top view of the light-adjusting film of variation 2. Fig.35 (a) is a top view of an example of a light-adjusting film according to a second modification (light-adjusting film 1D-1). Fig.35 (b) is a plan view of another example of a modified dimming film (a dimming film 1D-2).

[0230] like Fig.35 As shown in (a), in the dimming film 1D-1, one FPC 21a extends from the power supply point P0 along the exposed surface 5d in one direction and is electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the connection point P1. That is, in the dimming film 1D-1, the electrodes are only connected at two points, the power supply point P0 and the connection point P1.

[0231] In addition, if Fig.35 As shown in (b), in the dimming film 1D-2, an FPC 21b extends from the power supply point P0 along the exposed surface 5u in one direction and is electrically connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 at the connection point P2. That is, in the dimming film 1D-2, the electrodes are only connected at two points, the power supply point P0 and the connection point P2.

[0232] In the case of adopting such a method, the gradient of the potential difference becomes slightly steeper than that of the third embodiment described above, but flicker (flicker) can be sufficiently reduced in practicality. In addition, especially when the size of the dimming film is smaller than the size (1.2m×0.8m) shown in the third embodiment, the gradient of the potential difference becomes slow, which can effectively reduce flicker.

[0233] Furthermore, when such a method is adopted, the number of components required for wiring and the like can be reduced, and flicker can be sufficiently reduced while suppressing production costs and the like.

[0234] (Fourth embodiment)

[0235] Fig.28The graph shows the relationship between the potential difference between the two electrodes and the distance from the power supply point P0 when the thickness of the copper foil of FPC21 is 9 μm and the frequency of the voltage supplied from the driving power supply S1 is 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 240 Hz, and 480 Hz. Fig.26 The corresponding Fig. In addition, the width of the copper foil is 2 mm.

[0236] and Fig.26 In contrast, the effective voltage becomes lower as the distance from the power supply point P0 increases. In the case of 240 Hz, the potential difference becomes less than 9 V within the allowable range at a distance of about 1.4 m from the power supply point P0. Therefore, flicker becomes noticeable.

[0237] However, at 60 Hz or 120 Hz, since the effective voltage at the point P3 on the diagonal line is 9 V or more, which is the allowable range, no significant difference in transmittance is observed when the frequency is driven at 60 Hz or less.

[0238] However, when the thickness of the copper foil is 9 μm, the flicker is obvious due to the long time constant. As mentioned above, by adding one more connection point, for example, at position P3, the flicker can be improved. In addition, by further widening the line width from 2 mm, the flicker can also be improved.

[0239] (Fifth embodiment)

[0240] Next, a light control film 1B according to a fifth embodiment will be described. Fig.29 1 and 2 are plan views of a light-adjusting film 1B according to a fifth embodiment, wherein (a) is a view for explaining the pattern shape of the upper transparent electrode 16 , and (b) is a view for explaining the pattern shape of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0241] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the third embodiment. The fifth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the shapes of the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11. In addition, in the following description, the description of the alignment layers 17 and 13 is omitted, but the alignment layers 17 and 13 are formed on the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11.

[0242] (Sealing layer)

[0243] In the fifth embodiment, as described in the third embodiment, the adhesion layer 15 a is formed on the surface of the substrate 15 (hereinafter referred to as the upper substrate in this embodiment), and the upper transparent electrode 16 is provided on the adhesion layer 15 a .

[0244] Furthermore, an adhesion layer 6 a is formed on the surface of the substrate 6 (referred to as a lower substrate in the present embodiment), and a lower transparent electrode 11 is provided on the adhesion layer 6 a .

[0245] The sealing layers 15a and 6a are provided to improve the adhesion between the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6. However, the adhesion between the sealing material 19 and the sealing layers 15a and 6a is also higher than the adhesion between the sealing material 19 and the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11.

[0246] like Fig.29 As shown in (a), the aspect ratios of the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 are slightly different from each other, and the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 are arranged so that their sides are offset from each other.

[0247] In this way, since the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 are arranged in a staggered manner, an exposed surface 5u1 and an exposed surface 5u2 facing the lower substrate 6 are formed outside the stacking region of the upper substrate 15 that overlaps with the lower substrate 6. In addition, an exposed surface 5d1 and an exposed surface 5d2 facing the upper substrate 15 are formed outside the stacking region of the lower substrate 6 that overlaps with the upper substrate 15 (see FIG. Fig.29 (b)).

[0248] (Upper transparent electrode)

[0249] In this embodiment, the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided on the entire surface of the upper substrate 15, but there is a first exposed region 30 where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed. The upper transparent electrode 16 is divided by the first exposed region 30 into a plurality of mutually electrically connected (continuous) regions.

[0250] The plurality of regions of the upper transparent electrode 16 are the following regions.

[0251] (1) The exposed surface electrode portion 16a1 provided on the exposed surface 5u1, and the exposed surface electrode portion 16a2 provided on the exposed surface 5u2.

[0252] (2) A rectangular inner electrode portion 16 b that is provided inside the stacking region of the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 at a certain distance from the outer edge and is slightly smaller than the stacking region.

[0253] (3) Corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2 are provided in the stacking area of ​​the upper substrate 15 with the lower substrate 6, in a peripheral area of ​​a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 16b, and near the power supply point P0 (P0u), the connection point P1 (P1u), and the connection point P2 (P2u), respectively.

[0254] Here, in the fifth embodiment, among the power supply points P0, a power supply point that supplies power to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P0u, and a power supply point that supplies power to the lower transparent electrode 11 is referred to as P0d. The power supply point P0u is a power supply point provided on the exposed surface 5u2 among the power supply points P0, and the power supply point P0d is a power supply point provided on the exposed surface 5d1 among the power supply points P0.

[0255] Among the connection points P1 , the connection point connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P1u, and the connection point connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 is referred to as P1d.

[0256] The connection point P1d is a connection point provided on the exposed surface 5d1 among the connection points P1.

[0257] The connection point P1u is a connection point provided on the exposed surface 5u1 among the connection points P1, and is located where the FPC 21a further extends from the connection point P1d.

[0258] Of the connection points P2 , the connection point connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P2u, and the connection point connected to the lower transparent electrode 1 is referred to as P2d.

[0259] The connection point P2u is a connection point provided on the exposed surface 5u2 among the connection points P2.

[0260] The connection point P2d is a connection point provided on the exposed surface 5d1 among the connection points P2, and is located where the FPC 21b further extends from the connection point P2u.

[0261] That is, the portion of the upper substrate 15, excluding the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, from the outer peripheral region of a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 16b in the stacking region is the first exposed region 30 where the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided. In this portion, the adhesion layer 15a as the lower layer of the upper transparent electrode 16 is exposed.

[0262] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 (a) is an enlarged view of the area S surrounded by a single-dot chain line. As shown in the figure, in the corner electrode portion 16c1 ( Fig.30 (Not shown in the figure, but the same applies to the corner electrode portions 16c0 and 16c2), the upper transparent electrode 16 is partially removed, the adhesion layer 15a is exposed in strips, and a plurality of first exposed areas 30 are also provided in this portion.

[0263] The first exposed areas 30 are formed by partially removing the upper transparent electrode 16 by etching. In addition, the first exposed areas 30 are not limited to the shapes shown in the figure. For example, the strip-shaped portion provided on the corner electrode portion 16c1 may be any shape as long as it does not hinder the flow of current from the connection point P1u to the inner electrode portion 16b as shown by the arrow in the figure, or may be other shapes.

[0264] Furthermore, the inner electrode portion 16 b and the exposed surface electrode portion 16 a 1 are electrically connected to each other by the corner electrode portion 16 c 1 in the vicinity of the connection point P1 u .

[0265] Although not shown, the inner electrode portion 16b and the exposed surface electrode portion 16a2 are electrically connected by the corner electrode portion 16c0 near the feeding point P0u, and are electrically connected by the corner electrode portion 16c2 near the connection point P2u.

[0266] (lower transparent electrode)

[0267] In this embodiment, the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided on the entire surface of the lower substrate 6, and there is a second exposed region 31 where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed. The lower transparent electrode 11 is divided by the second exposed region 31 into a plurality of regions electrically connected to each other.

[0268] The plurality of regions of the lower transparent electrode 11 are the following regions.

[0269] (1) The exposed surface electrode portion 11 a 1 provided on the exposed surface 5 d 1 , and the exposed surface electrode portion 11 a 2 provided on the exposed surface 5 d 2 .

[0270] (2) A rectangular inner electrode portion 11 b that is provided inside the stacking region of the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15 at a certain distance from the outer edge and is slightly smaller than the stacking region.

[0271] (3) Corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2 are provided in the stacking area of ​​the substrate 6 with the upper substrate 15, in a peripheral area of ​​a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 11b, and near the power supply point P0 (P0d), the connection point P1 (P1d), and the connection point P2 (P2d).

[0272] That is, the portion of the lower substrate 6, which is a portion of a certain width of the outer peripheral region surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 11b in the stacking region, excluding the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, is a second exposed region 31 where no lower transparent electrode 11 is provided. In this portion, the adhesion layer 15a as the lower layer of the lower transparent electrode 11 is exposed.

[0273] In the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, the lower transparent electrode 11 is also partially removed to expose the adhesive layer 15a in stripes, and a plurality of second exposed regions 31 are also provided in this portion.

[0274] The inner electrode portion 11 b and the exposed surface electrode portion 11 a 1 are electrically connected by the corner electrode portion 11 c 0 near the feeding point P0 d , and are electrically connected by the corner electrode portion 11 c 1 near the connection point P1 d .

[0275] The inner electrode portion 11 b and the exposed surface electrode portion 11 a 2 are electrically connected by a corner electrode portion 11 c 2 near the connection point P2 d .

[0276] (Manufacturing method)

[0277] Next, a method for manufacturing the light control film 1A according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig.31 1A is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the light control film 1A.

[0278] (Lower Laminated Body Manufacturing Step SP2)

[0279] First, in the lower stacked body manufacturing step SP2, the lower stacked body 5D is manufactured.

[0280] The lower stacked body manufacturing step SP2 includes an adhesion layer manufacturing step SP2 - 1 , a lower transparent electrode manufacturing step SP2 - 2 , a lower alignment layer manufacturing step SP2 - 3 , an etching step SP2 - 4 , and a spacer arrangement step SP2 - 5 .

[0281] In the adhesion layer production step SP2 - 1 , an adhesion layer 6 a is produced on one surface of the lower substrate 6 using an acrylic resin by, for example, a coating method.

[0282] In the lower transparent electrode manufacturing step SP2 - 2 , the lower transparent electrode 11 is manufactured on substantially the entire surface of the adhesion layer 6 a of the lower substrate 6 using ITO by a vacuum film forming method such as sputtering.

[0283] In the lower alignment layer manufacturing step SP2 - 3 , a coating liquid required for the alignment layer (lower alignment layer) 13 is applied onto the lower transparent electrode 11 of the lower substrate 6 , dried, and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation to manufacture the lower alignment layer 13 .

[0284] In the etching step SP2 - 4 , the lower alignment layer 13 and the lower transparent electrode 11 are partially removed by etching.

[0285] As described above, the portion from which the lower orientation layer 13 and the lower transparent electrode 11 are removed is the portion within the stacking area, an area of ​​a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 11b excluding the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, and the strip-shaped portion within the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2.

[0286] Then, the portion where the lower alignment layer 13 and the lower transparent electrode 11 are removed becomes the second exposed region 31 where the adhesion layer 6 a is exposed.

[0287] Next, in the spacer arrangement step SP2-5, a coating liquid in which bead-shaped spacers are dispersed as spacers 12 is applied by spin coating or the like, and then drying and firing are sequentially performed, thereby randomly arranging the spacers 12 (bead-shaped spacers) on the entire surface of the lower substrate 6. Thus, the lower laminate 5D is manufactured.

[0288] In addition, in this embodiment, a mode in which bead-shaped spacers are used as the spacers 12 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a photospacer may be used as in the first embodiment.

[0289] (Upper Laminated Body Manufacturing Step SP3)

[0290] The subsequent upper stack manufacturing step SP3 is the same as the lower stack manufacturing step SP2 except that it does not include the spacer placement step. That is, the upper stack manufacturing step SP3 includes an adhesion layer manufacturing step SP3-1, an upper transparent electrode manufacturing step SP3-2, an upper alignment layer manufacturing step SP3-3, and an etching step SP3-4.

[0291] In the adhesion layer manufacturing step SP3 - 1 , the adhesion layer 15 a is manufactured on one surface of the upper substrate 15 using an acrylic resin by a coating method.

[0292] In the upper transparent electrode manufacturing step SP3 - 2 , the upper transparent electrode 16 is manufactured on substantially the entire surface of the adhesion layer 15 a of the upper substrate 15 using ITO by a vacuum film forming method such as sputtering.

[0293] In the upper alignment layer manufacturing step SP3 - 3 , a coating liquid required for the alignment layer (upper alignment layer) 17 is applied onto the upper transparent electrode 16 of the upper substrate 15 , dried, and then cured by ultraviolet irradiation to manufacture the upper alignment layer 17 .

[0294] In the etching step SP3 - 4 , the upper alignment layer 17 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are partially removed by etching.

[0295] The portions from which the upper orientation layer 17 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are removed are portions within the stacking region, portions of a peripheral region of a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 16b excluding the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, and strip portions within the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2.

[0296] Then, in the portion where the upper alignment layer 17 and the upper transparent electrode 16 are removed, the adhesion layer 15 a is exposed, thereby forming a first exposed region 30 .

[0297] In the sealing material applying step SP4 subsequent to the upper laminate manufacturing step SP3 , the sealing material 19 is applied onto the lower substrate 6 using a dispenser.

[0298] At this time, the area where the sealing material 19 is applied is a certain width from the outer periphery of the stacking area. Fig.18 The area T surrounded by the single-dot chain line in FIG.

[0299] This region T is a second exposed region 31 where the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided except for the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, and the adhesion layer 6a is exposed. The adhesion layer 6a is also exposed in stripes at the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2. Therefore, the sealing material 19 is in contact with the adhesion layer 6a at the portion where the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided.

[0300] Here, since the bonding strength between the adhesive layer 6 a and the sealing material 19 is higher than the bonding strength between the lower transparent electrode 11 and the sealing material 19 , the sealing material 19 and the lower substrate 6 are well bonded.

[0301] Next, in the liquid crystal pouring step SP5 , liquid crystal is poured into the interior of the frame-shaped sealing material 19 .

[0302] In this embodiment, a multi-point ODF (One Drop Filling) method is used for the placement of liquid crystals. Multi-point ODF is a method of dropping liquid crystal materials at multiple locations in the sealing material 19 using a dispenser or the like before bonding another laminate.

[0303] In addition, the method is not limited to the multi-point ODF injection method, and a method of filling a liquid crystal material into a gap formed in a portion involving the liquid crystal layer 8 after laminating the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D may be used.

[0304] In the lamination step SP6, the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D are pressed and laminated by a roller, for example, so that the liquid crystal material disposed on the lower laminate 5D is spread. At this time, the distance between the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D at the center of the dimming film 1A is maintained at the thickness of the spacer 12 (beaded spacer).

[0305] At this time, similarly to the first embodiment, the upper stack 5U and the lower stack 5D are arranged with their sides offset, thereby forming exposed surfaces (first exposed surfaces) 5u1 and 5u2 in the upper stack 5U and exposed surfaces (second exposed surfaces) 5d1 and 5d2 in the lower stack 5D.

[0306] By this bonding, the area of ​​the upper substrate 15 that contacts the sealing material 19 is a certain width from the outer periphery of the stacking area. Fig.18 The area enclosed by a single-dot dash line.

[0307] This portion is a first exposed region 30 where the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided except for the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, and the adhesive layer 15a is exposed. In addition, the adhesive layer 15a is also exposed in strips at the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2. Therefore, the sealing material 19 contacts the adhesive layer 6a at the portion where the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided.

[0308] Here, since the bonding strength between the adhesive layer 15 a and the sealing material 19 is higher than the bonding strength between the upper transparent electrode 16 and the sealing material 19 , the sealing material 19 and the upper substrate 15 are well bonded.

[0309] Then, in the sealing material 19 curing step SP7 , the sealing material 19 is cured by ultraviolet irradiation and heating, thereby manufacturing the liquid crystal cell 4 .

[0310] In the next cutting step SP8, the laminated body produced in this way is cut into a rectangular shape. In addition, various methods applicable to cutting of such film materials, such as irradiation with a laser beam and cutting with a mold, can be widely applied for cutting.

[0311] Then, in the laminating step SP9, the linear polarizing plate 2 and the linear polarizing plate 3 are respectively laminated with an adhesive on both sides of the liquid crystal cell 4. When a guest-host liquid crystal is used and the linear polarizing plate is omitted, this laminating step can be omitted.

[0312] Furthermore, in the FPC mounting step SP10 , the FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 21 extending from the driving power source S1 is mounted on the light regulating film 1B.

[0313] The FPC is divided into two directions, one FPC 21a is connected to the power supply point P0d of the exposed surface electrode portion 11a1, and the other FPC 21b is connected to the power supply point P0u of the exposed surface electrode portion 16a2. FPC 21a and FPC 21b are two-layer structures for powering the lower transparent electrode and the upper transparent electrode, respectively.

[0314] The FPC 21a extends along the exposed surface electrode portion 11a1, and the lower transparent electrode power supply portion of the FPC 21a is electrically connected to the exposed surface electrode portion 11a1 at the power supply point P0 (P0d) and the connection point P1 (P1d) (see Fig.29 (b)), the upper transparent electrode power supply portion of FPC21a is electrically connected to the exposed surface electrode portion 16a1 at the connection point P1 (P1u) (refer to Fig.29 (a)).

[0315] The FPC 21b extends along the exposed surface electrode portion 16a2, and the upper transparent electrode power supply portion of the FPC 21b is electrically connected to the exposed surface electrode portion 11a2 at the power supply point P0 (P0u) and the connection point P2 (P2u) (see Fig.29 (a)), the lower transparent electrode power supply portion of FPC21b is electrically connected to the exposed surface electrode portion 11a2 at the connection point P2 (P2d) (refer to Fig.29 (b)).

[0316] The light control film 1B is manufactured as described above.

[0317] According to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the third embodiment, the following effects are also achieved.

[0318] According to the present embodiment, in the lower substrate 6, the area where the sealing material 19 is applied is a certain width from the outer periphery of the stacking area. Fig.30 The area surrounded by the single-dot chain line in the figure is a second exposed area 31 where the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided except for the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, and the adhesive layer 6a is exposed. The adhesive layer 6a is also exposed in strips in the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2.

[0319] In addition, in the upper substrate 15, the area in contact with the sealing material 19 is a certain width from the outer periphery of the stacking area. Fig.30 The area surrounded by a single dotted line in the figure. This portion is not provided with the upper transparent electrode 16 except for the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, and is the first exposed area 30 where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed. In the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, the adhesion layer 15a is also exposed in strips.

[0320] That is, the sealing material 19 is in contact with the sealing layer 15a provided on the upper substrate 15 and the sealing layer 6a provided on the lower substrate 6, and the bonding strength between the sealing layer 15a and the sealing layer 6a and the sealing material 19 is higher than the bonding strength between the lower transparent electrode 11, the upper transparent electrode 16 and the sealing material 19.

[0321] Therefore, the sealant 19 has good adhesion to the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15 , and the sealant 19 is less likely to be peeled off.

[0322] In addition, in this embodiment, a method is described in which, in an area with a certain width from the outer periphery of the stacking area, the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided except for the corner electrode portions 16c0, 16c1, and 16c2, and the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided except for the corner electrode portions 11c0, 11c1, and 11c2, and the sealing layer 15a is exposed.

[0323] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transparent electrodes 16 and 11 may be patterned so as to partially remain in the region other than the corner electrode portion. In this way, the adhesion is improved by the irregularities of the patterned transparent electrodes 16 and 11 .

[0324] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the adhesion layer 6 a and the adhesion layer 15 a in the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15 are exposed in the etching process, there is an effect that pattern formation is easy.

[0325] (Sixth embodiment)

[0326] Next, a light control film 1C according to a sixth embodiment will be described. Fig.32 1C are plan views of a light-adjusting film according to a sixth embodiment, wherein (a) is a view for explaining the pattern shape of the upper transparent electrode 16 , and (b) is a view for explaining the pattern shape of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0327] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the third embodiment or the fifth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment in the shapes of the substrate 15 (referred to as the upper substrate in this embodiment) and the substrate 6 (referred to as the lower substrate in this embodiment), the shapes of the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11, and the wiring method.

[0328] In the sixth embodiment, the adhesion layer 15a is formed on the surface of the upper substrate 15, and the upper transparent electrode 16 is provided on the adhesion layer 15a. In addition, the adhesion layer 6a is also formed on the surface of the lower substrate 6, and the lower transparent electrode 11 is provided on the adhesion layer 6a.

[0329] like Fig.32As shown in (a), the upper substrate 15 is a rectangular shape substantially similar to the lower substrate 6, and is smaller than the lower substrate 6. Moreover, the upper substrate 15 is stacked on the lower substrate 6 in a manner that two of the four outer peripheral sides overlap. The two overlapping sides are two sides extending from the point P4 that is diagonally opposite to the power supply point P0.

[0330] Thus, in the lower transparent electrode 11, an exposed surface 5d1 is formed at the edge extending from the power supply point P0 (P0d) along the long side direction to the connection point P1 (P1d, P1u) toward the upper transparent electrode 16. In addition, an exposed surface 5d2 is formed at the edge extending from the power supply point P0 (P0u) along the long side direction to the connection point P2 (P2d, P2u) toward the upper transparent electrode 16.

[0331] In the sixth embodiment, among the power feeding points P0 , a power feeding point for feeding power to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P0u, and a power feeding point for feeding power to the lower transparent electrode 11 is referred to as P0d.

[0332] The power feeding point P0u is a power feeding point provided on the exposed surface 5d2 among the power feeding points P0, and the power feeding point P0d is a power feeding point provided on the exposed surface 5d1 among the power feeding points P0.

[0333] Among the connection points P1 , the connection point connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P1u, and the connection point connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 is referred to as P1d.

[0334] The connection point P1u is provided at the end of the exposed surface 5d1 on the opposite side to the feed point P0. The connection point P1d is a region of the end of the exposed surface 5d1 on the opposite side to the feed point P0 but is arranged closer to the feed point P0 than the connection point P1u.

[0335] Among the connection points P2 , the connection point connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 is referred to as P2u, and the connection point connected to the lower transparent electrode 11 is referred to as P2d.

[0336] The connection point P2u is set at the end of the exposed surface 5d2 on the opposite side to the power supply point P0. The connection point P2d is an area of ​​the end of the exposed surface 5d2 on the opposite side to the power supply point P0, but is configured at a position closer to the power supply point P0 than the connection point P2u.

[0337] (Upper transparent electrode)

[0338] In this embodiment, the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided on the entire surface of the upper substrate 15, and there is a first exposed region 30 where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed. The upper transparent electrode 16 is divided by the first exposed region 30 into a plurality of regions electrically connected to each other.

[0339] The plurality of regions included in the upper transparent electrode 16 are the following regions.

[0340] (1) A rectangular inner electrode portion 16 b that is located a certain distance inward from the outer periphery of the upper base 15 and is slightly smaller than the upper base 15 .

[0341] (2) Corner electrodes 16e0, 16e1, and 16e2 provided near the feed point P0u, the connection point P1u, and the connection point P2u in the corner vicinity region of the outer peripheral region of the inner electrode portion 16b.

[0342] That is, the outer peripheral region of the upper substrate 15 with a certain width surrounding the outer periphery of the inner electrode portion 16b in the stacking region is a first exposed region 30 where no upper transparent electrode 16 is provided except for the corner electrodes 16e0, 16e1, and 16e2. In this portion, the adhesion layer 15a as the lower layer of the upper transparent electrode 16 is exposed.

[0343] In addition, similarly to the fifth embodiment, in the corner electrodes 16e0, 16e1, and 16e2, the upper transparent electrode 16 is partially removed to expose the adhesive layer in stripes, and a plurality of first exposed regions 30 are also provided in this portion.

[0344] (lower transparent electrode)

[0345] In this embodiment, the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided on the entire surface of the lower substrate 6, and there is a second exposed region 31 where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed. The lower transparent electrode 11 is divided by the second exposed region 31 into a plurality of regions electrically connected to each other.

[0346] The plurality of regions included in the lower transparent electrode 11 are as follows.

[0347] (1) A rectangular inner electrode portion 11 b that is provided inside the stacking region of the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15 at a certain distance from the outer edge and is slightly smaller than the stacking region.

[0348] (2-1) The corner electrode portion 11f1 is provided on the connection point P1d of the exposed surface 5d1, extends from the exposed surface 5d1 to the inside of the stacked region, and is electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11b.

[0349] (2-2) A corner electrode portion 11f0 is provided at the feed point P0d of the exposed surface 5d1, extends from the exposed surface 5d1 to the inside of the stacked region, and is electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11b.

[0350] (2-3) The corner electrode portion 11f2 is provided on the connection point P2d of the exposed surface 5d2, extends from the exposed surface 5d2 to the inside of the stacked region, and is electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11b.

[0351] (3-1) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 1 is provided on the connection point P1 u of the exposed surface 5 d 1 , extends from the exposed surface 5 d 1 to the inside of the stacked region, and is not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0352] (3-2) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 0 is provided at the power feeding point P0 u of the exposed surface 5 d 2 , extends from the exposed surface 5 d 2 to the inside of the stacked region, and is not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0353] (3-3) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 2 is provided on the connection point P2 u of the exposed surface 5 d 2 , extends from the exposed surface 5 d 2 to the inside of the stacked region, and is not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0354] Fig.33 yes Fig.32 The enlarged view of the region S surrounded by the single-dot chain line is a diagram for explaining the pattern shape of the upper and lower transparent electrodes. Fig.34 It is along Fig.33 A-B line cross-sectional view.

[0355] As shown in the figure, in the stacking area of ​​the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6, a bead sealing portion 191 is arranged at the portion where the corner electrode 16e1 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 provided on the lower substrate 6 overlap, and the sealing material of the bead sealing portion 191 contains conductive beads 32. The corner electrode 16e1 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 provided on the lower substrate 6 are electrically connected via the beads 32. In addition, in Fig. 20 and Fig.21 In the figure, for easy understanding, only one bead 32 is shown, but in fact, a plurality of beads are arranged. In addition, the bead 32 is made of resin and gold-plated on its surface.

[0356] In addition, although not shown in the figure, a bead sealing portion 191 is also provided in the portion where the corner electrode 16e0 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 provided on the lower substrate 6 overlap in the stacking region between the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6, and in the portion where the corner electrode 16e2 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 provided on the lower substrate 6 overlap in the stacking region between the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6.

[0357] The FPC 21 extending from the driving power source is divided into two directions. One FPC 21 a extends on the exposed surface 5 d 1 , and the other FPC 21 b extends on the exposed surface 5 d 2 .

[0358] The line for powering the lower transparent electrode of the FPC 21a is connected to the corner electrode 11f0 at the power supply point P0d, and is connected to the corner electrode 11f1 at the connection point P1d. Since the corner electrode 11f0 and the corner electrode 11f1 are respectively connected to the inner electrode 11b, the power for powering the lower transparent electrode is supplied from the FPC 21a to the inner electrode 11b.

[0359] The upper transparent electrode power supply line of FPC21a is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 at the connection point P1u. Since the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 is connected to the corner electrode 16e1 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, the power for powering the upper transparent electrode is supplied from FPC21a to the inner electrode portion 16b. In addition, the conductive member is not limited to the bead seal portion 191 as long as it electrically connects the upper and lower transparent electrodes.

[0360] The lower transparent electrode power supply line of FPC21b is connected to the corner electrode 11f2 at the connection point P2d. Since the corner electrode 11f2 is connected to the inner electrode 11b, the power for lower transparent electrode power supply is supplied from FPC21a to the inner electrode 11b.

[0361] The upper transparent electrode power supply line of FPC21b is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 at the power supply point P0u. Since the upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 is connected to the corner electrode 16e0 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, the power for powering the upper transparent electrode is supplied from FPC21a to the inner electrode portion 16b.

[0362] The upper transparent electrode power supply line is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 at the connection point P2u. Since the upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 is connected to the corner electrode 16e2 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, the upper transparent electrode power supply power is supplied from the FPC 21a to the inner electrode portion 16b.

[0363] In this embodiment, the light control film 1C is also manufactured in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment.

[0364] That is, the sealing material 19 contacts the second exposed region 31 where the adhesive layer 15a is exposed without the lower transparent electrode 11 in the lower substrate 6. In addition, the sealing material 19 contacts the first exposed region 30 where the adhesive layer 15a is exposed without the upper transparent electrode 16 in the substrate 15.

[0365] Therefore, the sealing material 19 is in contact with the adhesion layer 15a provided on the upper substrate 15 and the adhesion layer 6a provided on the lower substrate 6, and the bonding strength between the adhesion layer 15a and the adhesion layer 6a and the sealing material 19 is higher than the bonding strength between the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 and the sealing material 19. Therefore, the sealing material 19 has good adhesion to the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15, and the possibility of the sealing material 19 peeling off is small.

[0366] (Seventh Implementation Method)

[0367] Next, a light control film 1E according to a seventh embodiment will be described.

[0368] Fig.36 It is a top view of the light control film 1E according to the seventh embodiment. Fig.36 (a) is a diagram illustrating the pattern shape of the upper transparent electrode 16, Fig.36 (b) is a diagram for explaining the pattern shape of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0369] In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those in the third embodiment, the fifth embodiment, and the sixth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The seventh embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the shapes of the substrate 15 (referred to as the upper substrate in this embodiment) and the substrate 6 (referred to as the lower substrate in this embodiment), the shapes of the upper transparent electrode 16 and the lower transparent electrode 11, the wiring method, etc.

[0370] In the present embodiment, the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 are rectangular and have the same shape, and are arranged so that four sides thereof coincide with each other when viewed in the normal direction of the plane direction of the light control film 1E.

[0371] (Upper transparent electrode)

[0372] In the present embodiment, the upper transparent electrode 16 is not provided on the entire surface of the upper substrate 15, but is formed at a position inside the first exposed area 30 provided at the peripheral portion of the upper substrate 15. The first exposed area 30 is formed along the four sides of the upper substrate 15 with a predetermined width, and is an area where the adhesion layer 15a is exposed.

[0373] (lower transparent electrode)

[0374] In this embodiment, the lower transparent electrode 11 is not provided on the entire surface of the lower substrate 6, but is formed at a position closer to the inside than the second exposed area 31 provided at the peripheral portion of the lower substrate 6. The second exposed area 31 is formed with a predetermined width (in this embodiment, the same width as the first exposed area 30) along the four sides of the lower substrate 6, and is an area where the adhesion layer 6a is exposed. In addition, the lower transparent electrode 11 has the following area.

[0375] (1) The inner electrode portion 11 b is formed inside the second exposed region 31 and is electrically connected to the feed point P0 d and the connection points P1 d and P2 d.

[0376] (2-1) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 1 provided in the connection point P1 u and the surrounding region and not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0377] (2-2) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 0 provided in the region around the power feeding point P0 u and not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0378] (2-3) The upper connecting electrode portion 11 e 2 provided in the connection point P2 u and the surrounding area and not electrically connected to the inner electrode portion 11 b .

[0379] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the first exposed region 30 and the second exposed region 31 are formed is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a mode in which the first exposed region 30 and the second exposed region 31 are not formed may be adopted.

[0380] Fig.37 It is a diagram for explaining the pattern shape of the upper and lower transparent electrodes at the connection point P1. Fig.37 (a) is Fig.36 The enlarged view of the area S2 surrounded by the single-dot chain line is shown. Fig.37 (b) is along Fig.37 A cross-sectional view of the line A2-B2 shown in (a).

[0381] When the dimming film 1E is observed from the normal direction of the plane direction of the dimming film 1E, in the area where the upper transparent electrode 16 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 provided on the lower substrate 6 overlap, a bead sealing portion 191 including conductive beads 32 as shown in the above-mentioned fourth embodiment is provided between the upper transparent electrode 16 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1, and the upper transparent electrode 16 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 are electrically connected via the beads 32.

[0382] Although not shown, when the dimming film 1E is viewed from the normal direction of the plane direction of the dimming film 1E, bead sealing portions 191 including beads 32 are also arranged at the overlapping portions of the upper transparent electrode 16 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 provided on the lower substrate 6, and at the overlapping portions of the upper transparent electrode 16 provided on the upper substrate 15 and the upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 provided on the lower substrate 6. In addition, in the present embodiment, the bead sealing portions 191 are used for explanation, but the conductive member that electrically connects each upper connecting electrode portion and the upper transparent electrode 16 is not limited to the bead sealing portions 191 as long as it electrically connects the upper and lower transparent electrodes.

[0383] exist Fig.36 Among them, FPCs 21a and 21b extend from the FPCs 21 in two directions along the sides of the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 toward adjacent corners near the corners of the light control film 1D where the power feeding points P0 (P0u and P0d) are provided.

[0384] The FPC 21 a is connected to the upper and lower transparent electrodes at a connection point P1 ( P1 u , P1 d ), and the FPC 21 b is connected to the upper and lower transparent electrodes at a connection point P2 ( P2 u , P2 d ).

[0385] In the present embodiment, the FPCs 21a and 21b are located outside the light control film 1E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the FPCs 21a and 21b may be fixed to the surface of the light control film 1D by bonding with an adhesive or the like.

[0386] In addition, the FPCs 21a and 21b include wires 21au and 21bu for supplying power to the upper transparent electrode, and wires 21bu and 21bd for supplying power to the lower transparent electrode, respectively. Fig.36 In the figure, for easy understanding, these lines are shown separately, but in reality, the lines for powering the upper transparent electrode and the lines for powering the lower transparent electrode are stacked with an insulating layer therebetween, and a structure is used in which each is constituted as one flexible printed circuit board.

[0387] The line 21d for feeding power to the lower transparent electrode of the FPC 21 is connected to the inner electrode portion 11b at a feeding point P0d.

[0388] In addition, the lower transparent electrode power supply lines 21ad and 21bd of the FPCs 21a and 21b are connected to the inner electrode portion 11b at connection points P1d and P2d, respectively.

[0389] As a result, the power for powering the lower transparent electrode is supplied from the FPC 21 to the inner electrode portion 11 b of the lower transparent electrode 11 .

[0390] The upper transparent electrode power supply line 21u of the FPC 21 is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 at the power supply point P0u. The upper connecting electrode portion 11e0 is connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, and the upper transparent electrode power supply power is supplied from the FPC 21 to the upper transparent electrode 16.

[0391] The upper transparent electrode power supply line 21au of the FPC 21a is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 at the connection point P1u. As described above, the upper connecting electrode portion 11e1 is connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, and the upper transparent electrode power supply power is supplied from the FPC 21a to the upper transparent electrode 16.

[0392] The upper transparent electrode power supply line 21bu is connected to the upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 at the connection point P2u. The upper connecting electrode portion 11e2 is connected to the upper transparent electrode 16 via the bead 32 in the bead seal portion 191, and the upper transparent electrode power supply power is supplied from the FPC 21bu to the upper transparent electrode 16.

[0393] The light control film 1E of this embodiment is manufactured in the same manner as the fifth embodiment.

[0394] In addition, Fig.36 Although not shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the sealing material 19 is provided with a predetermined width along the outer edge of the region where the inner electrode portion 11b and the upper transparent electrode 16 overlap. Moreover, in this embodiment, the sealing material 19 contacts the exposed adhesion layer 6a in the second exposed region 31 in the lower substrate 6, and contacts the exposed adhesion layer 15a in the first exposed region 30 in the upper substrate 15. As described above, the bonding strength between the adhesion layer 15a and the adhesion layer 6a and the sealing material 19 is higher than the bonding strength between the lower transparent electrode 11 and the upper transparent electrode 16 and the sealing material 19. Therefore, the adhesion between the sealing material 19 and the lower substrate 6 and the upper substrate 15 is improved, and the peeling of the sealing material 19 can be suppressed.

[0395] By adopting the above-described embodiment, the upper substrate 15 and the lower substrate 6 can be formed of the same shape, and thus the production cost can be reduced. In addition, the sealing material 19 can be prevented from peeling off, and the quality of the light-adjusting film 1E can be improved.

[0396] [Other deformation methods]

[0397] In the above-mentioned embodiments, the dimming film is shown to be attached to the sunroof of the vehicle, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can be attached to other windows of the vehicle (rear window, front window, side windows) or to windows of buildings, etc.

[0398] In the embodiments, the light-transmitting member to which the light-adjusting film is bonded is not limited to glass, and the light-transmitting member may be bonded to a plate-shaped light-transmitting member made of a resin such as acrylic or PC.

[0399] In the embodiments, the electric wiring is not limited to the FPC, and a member in which a copper foil is laminated on an insulating layer may be bonded to a light control film.

[0400] In the third to seventh embodiments, various driving methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method and an IPS (In Plane Switching) method may be applied to the liquid crystal cell 4 instead of the VA method.

[0401] In the third to seventh embodiments, the liquid crystal layer 8 may also use a guest-host type liquid crystal.

[0402] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0403] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E dimming film

[0404] 2 Linear polarizers

[0405] 2A, 3A phase difference film

[0406] 3 Linear polarizer

[0407] 4 Liquid crystal unit

[0408] 4a Liquid crystal molecules

[0409] 5D lower laminate

[0410] 5DL Lower first side

[0411] 5DS lower second side

[0412] 5DS, 5DU side

[0413] 5U upper stack

[0414] 5UL Upper 1st side

[0415] 5USC Upper 2nd side

[0416] 5d, 5u exposed face

[0417] 6. Base material (upper base material)

[0418] 8 Liquid crystal layer

[0419] 11 Transparent electrode (upper transparent electrode)

[0420] 12 Spacers

[0421] 13 Orientation layer (lower orientation layer)

[0422] 15. Base material (upper base material)

[0423] 16 Transparent electrode (upper transparent electrode)

[0424] 17 Orientation layer (upper orientation layer)

[0425] 19 Sealing material

[0426] 191 Bead seal

[0427] 130 Vehicles

[0428] 131 Opening

[0429] 132 Skylight

Claims

1. A vehicle having a light-adjusting film having a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer installed on a sunroof, The dimming film is mounted on the sunroof of the vehicle in such a manner that the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is toward the rear of the vehicle. The power supply position of the light control film is a position in the edge of the light control film and further to the rear of the vehicle than the center of the light control film in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The light-adjusting film is mounted on a sunroof of the vehicle such that a direction in which liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer is obliquely rearward of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The directions in which the liquid crystal molecules of the dimming film tilt when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer are directions of ±135° when the traveling direction of the vehicle is 0° in the in-plane direction of the dimming film.

4. A vehicle having a light-adjusting film having a vertically aligned liquid crystal layer installed on a sunroof, The dimming film is installed on the sunroof of the vehicle in such a way that the liquid crystal molecules tilt toward the rear of the vehicle when an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, and the power supply position of the dimming film is at the edge of the dimming film obliquely behind the vehicle.

Images