Liquid crystal optical element and illuminating device

Abstract

A liquid crystal optical element has a first liquid crystal cell, a second liquid crystal cell, and an optical element that refracts light, the first and second liquid crystal cells each having a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates, the first substrate having a first electrode group in which a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode are alternately disposed in parallel in a first direction, and a second electrode group in which a fifth transparent electrode and a sixth transparent electrode are alternately disposed in parallel in the first direction, the second substrate having a third electrode group in which a third transparent electrode and a fourth transparent electrode are alternately disposed in parallel in a second direction, and a fourth electrode group in which a seventh transparent electrode and an eighth transparent electrode are alternately disposed in parallel in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One embodiment of the present invention relates to an element that uses the optical properties of liquid crystal to control light distribution, and an illumination device including an element that uses the optical properties of liquid crystal to control light distribution. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid crystal lenses are known as optical elements (liquid crystal optical elements) that use a liquid crystal to change its refractive index by supplying a voltage to the liquid crystal, thereby electrically controlling the focal length. For example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, or Patent Document 5 discloses an illumination device that uses liquid crystal cells with electrodes arranged in a concentric circle to control the diffusion of light emitted from a light source. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 4 discloses a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens. Moreover, Patent Document 3 discloses a beam shaping device pattern that controls light distribution by changing the shape of the electrodes used to supply voltage to the liquid crystal.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-317879

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-230887

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-160277

[0008] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-089782

[0009] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-276685 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0011] In liquid crystal lenses or lighting devices, the direction of light illumination often remains constant for the object being illuminated. Therefore, efficiently illuminating moving objects or objects located in multiple different positions presents a technical challenge.

[0012] In view of the above problems, one of the objectives of an embodiment of the present invention is to change the direction of the light illuminating the moving object or the object located in multiple different positions, so as to efficiently irradiate the moving object with light.

[0013] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a liquid crystal optical element comprising: a first liquid crystal cell; a second liquid crystal cell overlapping the first liquid crystal cell; and an optical element overlapping the second liquid crystal cell to refract light. The first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell each have a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has: a first electrode group consisting of a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode arranged alternately in parallel in a first direction; and a second electrode group consisting of a fifth transparent electrode and a sixth transparent electrode arranged alternately in parallel in the first direction and disposed adjacent to the first electrode group. The second substrate has: a third electrode group consisting of a third transparent electrode and a fourth transparent electrode arranged alternately in parallel in a second direction intersecting the first direction and disposed opposite to the first electrode group; and a fourth electrode group consisting of a seventh transparent electrode and an eighth transparent electrode arranged alternately in parallel in the second direction, disposed adjacent to the third electrode group and disposed opposite to the second electrode group.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a lighting device having a light source and the liquid crystal optical element. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal optical element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal optical element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a top view of a prism on a second liquid crystal cell in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the arrangement of a first transparent electrode, a second transparent electrode, a fifth transparent electrode, and a sixth transparent electrode on a first substrate in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth transparent electrodes on the second substrate in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7This is a cross-sectional view showing the orientation of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the orientation of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element.

[0027] Figure 12 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 13 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element.

[0030] Figure 15 In a liquid crystal optical element according to one embodiment of the present invention, supplies are provided to each transparent electrode. Figure 13 A photograph of the light distribution pattern obtained by applying the voltage shown.

[0031] Figure 16 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 17 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 18This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element.

[0034] Figure 19 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 20 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 21 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth transparent electrodes on the second substrate in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 22 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the ninth transparent electrode on the second substrate in a liquid crystal optical element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 23 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 24 (A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 24 (B) is a top view showing the Fresnel lens included in the lighting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 25 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 26 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 27 This is a schematic graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 28 This is a top view showing the prism on the second liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal optical element according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 29This is a top view showing the prism in the liquid crystal optical element according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 30 This is a top view showing the prism in the liquid crystal optical element according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 31 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 32 Figure (A) is an example showing that the shape of the liquid crystal lens included in the liquid crystal optical element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is triangular in cross-section. Figure 32 Figure (B) is an example showing that the shape of the liquid crystal lens included in the liquid crystal optical element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is trapezoidal in cross-section. Figure 32 Figure (C) is a diagram showing an example in which the shape of the liquid crystal lens included in the liquid crystal optical element according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is convex in cross section.

[0048] Figure 33 This is a perspective view of the liquid crystal optical element according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 34 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode, the fifth transparent electrode, and the sixth transparent electrode on the first substrate in the liquid crystal optical element according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 35 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a lighting device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 36 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode, the fifth transparent electrode, and the sixth transparent electrode on the first substrate in the liquid crystal optical element according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 37 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth transparent electrodes on the second substrate in the liquid crystal optical element according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 38 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in the liquid crystal optical element according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 39This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in the liquid crystal optical element according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different ways and is not limited to the description of the embodiments illustrated below. To make the description clearer, the drawings may sometimes schematically show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of various parts compared to the actual embodiments, but these are only examples and do not limit the interpretation of this disclosure. In addition, in this specification and the drawings, for the same elements as those described with respect to the existing drawings, letters such as a, b, A, B, etc., may be added after the same reference numerals or numbers, or hyphens and numbers may be added after numbers, appropriately omitting detailed descriptions. Furthermore, the words "first" and "second" for each element are convenient identifiers used to distinguish each element and do not have any other meaning unless specifically explained.

[0056] In this specification, the phrase "above (or below) other components or regions" means, unless otherwise specified, not only the case where a component or region is directly above (or directly below) other components or regions, but also the case where it is above (or below) other components or regions, that is, the case where another constituent element is included in the process of being above (or below) other components or regions.

[0057] Furthermore, in this specification, when multiple structures are formed by processing a single membrane, each structure may sometimes have different functions or roles, and the substrates on which each structure is formed may sometimes be different. However, these multiple structures originate from membranes formed as the same layer in the same process and have the same material. Therefore, these multiple membranes are defined as existing in the same layer.

[0058] Furthermore, in this specification, expressions such as "α includes A, B, or C," "α includes any one of A, B, and C," and "α includes one of the groups selected from A, B, and C," unless otherwise expressly stated, do not exclude the possibility that α includes multiple combinations of A to C. Moreover, these expressions do not exclude the possibility that α includes other elements.

[0059] <First Implementation Method>

[0060] <1-1. Composition of the liquid crystal optical element 10>

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a liquid crystal optical element 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the liquid crystal optical element 10 includes a first liquid crystal unit 110, a second liquid crystal unit 120, a first transparent bonding layer 130, a second transparent bonding layer 140, and an optical element 150. The liquid crystal optical element 10 is generally divided into a second region 170 and a first region 160. The first transparent bonding layer 130 is disposed between the first liquid crystal unit 110 and the second liquid crystal unit 120. The second transparent bonding layer 140 is disposed between the second liquid crystal unit 120 and the optical element 150. In the liquid crystal optical element 10, the first liquid crystal unit 110, the second liquid crystal unit 120, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second transparent bonding layer 140, and the optical element 150 are stacked in the z-axis direction.

[0062] The first transparent bonding layer 130 can bond and fix the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the second liquid crystal cell 120. Similarly, the second transparent bonding layer 140 can bond and fix the second liquid crystal cell 120 and the optical element 150.

[0063] The materials used to form the first transparent bonding layer 130 and the second transparent bonding layer 140 can be optically elastic resins. For example, optically elastic resins are bonding materials that include acrylic resins that are translucent.

[0064] Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal optical element 10. Specifically, Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view within the zx plane cut by line A1-A2. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the yz plane cut by line B1-B2. In this embodiment, the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction intersecting the x-axis direction, and the z-axis direction intersecting both the x-axis and y-axis are sometimes referred to as the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction, respectively. Furthermore, the x-axis and y-axis are orthogonal, and the z-axis is perpendicular to the xy-plane (x-axis and y-axis).

[0065] The first liquid crystal unit 110 includes a first substrate 111-1, a second substrate 111-2, a first transparent electrode 112-1, a second transparent electrode 112-2, and a third transparent electrode 112-3. Figure 6 ), fourth transparent electrode 112-4, fifth transparent electrode 112-5, sixth transparent electrode 112-6, seventh transparent electrode 112-7 ( Figure 6 The components include an eighth transparent electrode 112-8, a liquid crystal layer 113, a first alignment film 114-1, a second alignment film 114-2, and a sealing material 115.

[0066] The second liquid crystal unit 120 includes a first substrate 121-1, a second substrate 121-2, a first transparent electrode 122-1, a second transparent electrode 122-2, and a third transparent electrode 122-3. Figure 6 ), fourth transparent electrode 122-4, fifth transparent electrode 122-5, sixth transparent electrode 122-6, seventh transparent electrode 122-7 ( Figure 6 The components include an eighth transparent electrode 122-8, a liquid crystal layer 123, a first alignment film 124-1, a second alignment film 124-2, and a sealing material 125.

[0067] As will be described later, the optical element 150 is a transparent body having two or more optical planes and at least one set of prisms whose optical planes are not parallel. The prisms are, for example, triangular prisms. For example, in this embodiment, the optical element 150 has a plurality of triangular prisms (prisms) arranged parallel or substantially parallel in the x-axis direction or parallel or substantially parallel in the y-axis direction.

[0068] The liquid crystal optical element 10 has two liquid crystal cells, but the two liquid crystal cells have the same configuration. In the following description, the configuration of the first liquid crystal cell 110 will be mainly described, and the configuration of the second liquid crystal cell 120 will sometimes be described in addition.

[0069] A first transparent electrode 112-1, a second transparent electrode 112-2, a fifth transparent electrode 112-5, and a sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are disposed on a first substrate 111-1. A first alignment film 114-1 is disposed such that it covers the surface and interior of each of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, and the first substrate 111-1.

[0070] The third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are disposed on the second substrate 111-2. The second alignment film 114-2 is disposed such that it covers the surface and side surface of each of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8.

[0071] Details will be described later. The first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are disposed in the second region 170, and the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are disposed in the first region 160.

[0072] In the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2, the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 on the first substrate 111-1 are disposed opposite to the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 on the second substrate 111-2, sandwiching the liquid crystal layer 113.

[0073] Sealing material 115 is disposed on the peripheral portions of the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2, bonding the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2. A liquid crystal layer 113, including liquid crystal, is disposed in the space surrounded by the first substrate 111-1 (more specifically, the first alignment film 114-1), the second substrate 111-2 (more specifically, the second alignment film 114-2), and the sealing material 115.

[0074] The first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2 can be made of a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate that is transparent to light. For example, the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2 are glass substrates, quartz substrates, sapphire substrates, polyimide resin substrates, acrylic resin substrates, silicone resin substrates or fluoropolymer substrates.

[0075] The first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the fifth transparent electrode 122-5, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 function as electrodes for forming an electric field on the liquid crystal layer 113. The materials used to form the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the fifth transparent electrode 122-5, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 can be transparent conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

[0076] The liquid crystal layer 113 can refract transmitted light or change the polarization state of transmitted light depending on the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules. For example, the liquid crystal included in the liquid crystal layer 113 can be a twisted nematic liquid crystal. In this embodiment, as an example, a positive twisted nematic liquid crystal is used, but a negative twisted nematic liquid crystal can also be used by changing the initial orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules. In addition, the liquid crystal preferably includes a chiral agent that imparts twist to the liquid crystal molecules.

[0077] The first alignment film 114-1 and the second alignment film 114-2 have the function of aligning liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer 113 in a predetermined direction. The material forming the first alignment film 114-1 and the second alignment film 114-2 can be a polyimide resin. The first alignment film 114-1 and the second alignment film 114-2 can also be endowed with alignment properties through an alignment treatment. For example, the alignment treatment can use a rubbing method or a photoalignment method. The rubbing method is a method of rubbing the surface of the alignment film in one direction. The photoalignment method is a method of irradiating the alignment film with linearly polarized ultraviolet light.

[0078] For example, the sealant 115 can use an epoxy resin bonding material or an acrylic resin bonding material. The bonding material can be UV-curable or thermosetting.

[0079] Details will be described later. The liquid crystal optical element 10, comprising two liquid crystal units (a first liquid crystal unit 110 and a second liquid crystal unit 120), is capable of controlling the distribution of unpolarized light to form a light distribution pattern. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a pair of polarizing plates on the outer surfaces of the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 121-2, as is the case with the surface and back of a liquid crystal display element.

[0080] <1-2. Composition of optical element 150>

[0081] Figure 4 This is a top view of the optical element 150 on the second liquid crystal cell 120 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Along Figure 4 The schematic cross-sectional view of the optical element 150 cut off along line A1-A2 shown is within the zx plane. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the optical element 150 shown.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, the optical element 150 has, for example, a plurality of prisms arranged parallel or substantially parallel in the x-axis direction or parallel or substantially parallel in the y-axis direction. Figure 4 The solid line shown, parallel to the y-axis, represents the apex of a prism.

[0083] Optical element 150 causes incident light to bend, disperse, or undergo total internal reflection. That is, optical element 150 causes incident light to exit in a direction different from the incident direction. For example, optical element 150 causes (incident) light to refract. The prisms disposed in the second region 170 and the first region 160 are arranged symmetrically or substantially symmetrically with respect to the line 151 connecting the centers of the sides parallel to the x-axis direction. As a result, light incident on the prisms disposed in the second region 170 and the first region 160 can be independently bent, dispersed, or undergo total internal reflection.

[0084] For example, the material used to form the optical element 150 can be an organic resin such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin.

[0085] The optical element 150 can change its apex angle according to the application, thus changing the bending, dispersion, or total internal reflection of incident light according to the application. In this embodiment, the light incident on the prism disposed in the second region 170 can be bent, dispersed, or totally internally reflected according to the voltage supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 disposed in the second region 170, and the light incident on the prism disposed in the first region 160 can be bent, dispersed, or totally internally reflected according to the voltage supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 disposed in the first region 160.

[0086] In this embodiment, in the optical element 150, the prism disposed in the second region 170 is sometimes referred to as the first optical conversion unit, and the prism disposed in the first region 160 is referred to as the second optical conversion unit.

[0087] <1-3. Configuration of Transparent Electrodes>

[0088] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 on the first substrate 111-1 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 6 This is a schematic top view showing the arrangement of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 on the second substrate 111-2 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. It should be noted that... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram shows the transparent electrode and other components included in the first liquid crystal cell 110. However, by replacing the transparent electrode 112 and the first substrate 111 in the first liquid crystal cell 110 with the transparent electrode 122 and the second substrate 121, the second liquid crystal cell 120 can be described.

[0089] like Figure 5As shown, the first electrode group 117-1 disposed in the second region 170 includes a first transparent electrode 112-1 and a second transparent electrode 112-2. The first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 are alternately arranged in the x-axis direction and extend in the y-axis direction. The width of the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the width of the second transparent electrode 112-2 in the x-axis direction is a first width a1. The distance between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 in the x-axis direction (electrode spacing) is a first electrode spacing b1. The pitch between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 is a first pitch p1, which satisfies p1 = a1 + b1. In addition, the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 are electrically connected to a first wiring 116-1 and a second wiring 116-2 formed on the first substrate 111-1, respectively. The first wiring 116-1 can be formed below or above the first transparent electrode 112-1. Alternatively, the first wiring 116-1 can be formed on the same layer as the first transparent electrode 112-1. The second wiring 116-2 has the same configuration as the first wiring 116-1.

[0090] like Figure 5 As shown, the second electrode group 117-2 disposed in the first region 160 includes a fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and a sixth transparent electrode 112-6. The electrode width of the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the electrode width of the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the electrode distance (electrode spacing) between the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 in the x-axis direction, and the electrode pitch between the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are the same as the electrode width of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the electrode width of the second transparent electrode 112-2, the electrode distance (electrode spacing) between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 in the x-axis direction, and the electrode pitch between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2, respectively. Furthermore, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are electrically connected to the seventh wiring 116-7 and the eighth wiring 116-8 formed on the first substrate 111-1, respectively. The seventh wiring 116-7 can be formed below or above the fifth transparent electrode 112-5. Additionally, the seventh wiring 116-7 can be formed on the same layer as the fifth transparent electrode 112-5. The configuration of the eighth wiring 116-8 is also the same as that of the seventh wiring 116-7.

[0091] The first alignment film 114-1 is aligned in the x-axis direction. In this case, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side of the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 113 is aligned in the x-axis direction. That is, the alignment direction (x-axis direction) of the first alignment film 114-1 is orthogonal to the extension direction (y-axis direction) of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6.

[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, the third electrode group 117-3 disposed in the second region 170 includes a third transparent electrode 112-3 and a fourth transparent electrode 112-4. The third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are alternately arranged in the y-axis direction and extend in the x-axis direction. The width of the electrode of the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the width of the electrode of the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the y-axis direction is a second width a2. The electrode distance (electrode spacing) between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the x-axis direction is a second electrode distance b2. The pitch between the electrodes of the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 is a second pitch p2, which satisfies p2 = a2 + b2. In addition, the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are electrically connected to the third wiring 116-3 and the fourth wiring 116-4 formed on the second substrate 111-2, respectively. The third wiring 116-3 can be formed below or above the third transparent electrode 112-3. Alternatively, the third wiring 116-3 can be formed on the same layer as the third transparent electrode 112-3. The fourth wiring 116-4 has the same configuration as the third wiring 116-3.

[0093] like Figure 6As shown, the fourth electrode group 117-4 disposed in the first region 160 includes a seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and an eighth transparent electrode 112-8. The electrode width of the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, the electrode width of the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the electrode distance (electrode spacing) between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 in the y-axis direction, and the electrode pitch between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are the same as the electrode width of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the electrode width of the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the electrode distance (electrode spacing) between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the y-axis direction, and the electrode pitch between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, respectively. Furthermore, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are electrically connected to the ninth wiring 116-9 and the tenth wiring 116-10 formed on the second substrate 111-2, respectively. The ninth wiring 116-9 can be formed below or above the seventh transparent electrode 112-7. Additionally, the ninth wiring 116-9 can be formed on the same layer as the seventh transparent electrode 112-7. The tenth wiring 116-10 has the same configuration as the ninth wiring 116-9.

[0094] The second alignment film 114-2 is aligned in the y-axis direction. In this case, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side of the liquid crystal molecules constituting the liquid crystal layer 113 is aligned in the y-axis direction. That is, the alignment direction (y-axis direction) of the second alignment film 114-2 is orthogonal to the extension direction (x-axis direction) of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8.

[0095] The first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 can be formed on the first substrate 111-1 in a comb-like pattern with a first pitch p1. The fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 can be formed on the first substrate 111-1 in a comb-like pattern with a first pitch p1. Similarly, the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 can be formed on the second substrate 111-2 in a comb-like pattern with a second pitch p2. The seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 can be formed on the second substrate 111-2 in a comb-like pattern with a second pitch p2.

[0096] In the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 are opposite to the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 through the liquid crystal layer 113, and the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are opposite to the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 through the liquid crystal layer 113.

[0097] Here, the extending directions (y-axis direction) of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are orthogonal to the extending directions (x-axis direction) of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8. In other words, the comb-shaped electrode pattern formed on the first substrate 111-1 and the comb-shaped electrode pattern formed on the second substrate are orthogonal to each other when viewed from above.

[0098] Additionally, a fifth wiring 116-5, a sixth wiring 116-6, an eleventh wiring 116-11, and a twelfth wiring 116-12 are formed on the first substrate 111-1. When the first substrate 111-1 is bonded to the second substrate 111-2, the third wiring 116-3 and the fourth wiring 116-4 are electrically connected to the fifth wiring 116-5 and the sixth wiring 116-6 disposed on the first substrate 111-1, respectively. Similarly, the ninth wiring 116-9 and the tenth wiring 116-10 are electrically connected to the eleventh wiring 116-11 and the twelfth wiring 116-12 disposed on the first substrate 111-1, respectively.

[0099] For example, the third wiring 116-3 and the fifth wiring 116-5, the fourth wiring 116-4 and the sixth wiring 116-6, the ninth wiring 116-9 and the eleventh wiring 116-11, and the tenth wiring 116-10 and the twelfth wiring 116-12 can be electrically connected using silver paste or conductive particles. It should be noted that conductive particles include particles coated with metal.

[0100] In this embodiment, the first direction in which the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 are alternately arranged is orthogonal to the second direction in which the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are alternately arranged, but they may be slightly offset and intersect, as long as they intersect. Similarly, in this embodiment, the first direction in which the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are alternately arranged is orthogonal to the second direction in which the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are alternately arranged, but they may be slightly offset and intersect, as long as they intersect. It should be noted that the orthogonal angle or the slightly offset and intersecting angle can be 0 degrees, or it can be more than 80 degrees and less than 100 degrees (90±10 degrees).

[0101] Details will be described later. By intersecting the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 of the first substrate 111-1 in the second region 170 with the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 of the second substrate, the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode can be controlled, thereby controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 113.

[0102] In addition, in this embodiment, by intersecting the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 of the first substrate 111-1 in the first region 160 with the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 of the second substrate, the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode can be controlled, thereby controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer 113.

[0103] As a result, by using the liquid crystal optical element 10, the light distribution or light distribution pattern can be controlled independently in the first region 160 and the second region 170.

[0104] On the side of the first substrate 111-1 opposite to the second substrate 111-2, or on the side of the second substrate 111-2 opposite to the first substrate 111-1, an optical isolator (not shown) is formed to maintain the distance between the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2.

[0105] The materials used to form the first wiring 116-1, the second wiring 116-2, the third wiring 116-3, the fourth wiring 116-4, the fifth wiring 116-5, the sixth wiring 116-6, the seventh wiring 116-7, the eighth wiring 116-8, the ninth wiring 116-9, the tenth wiring 116-10, the eleventh wiring 116-11, and the twelfth wiring 116-12 can be metallic or transparent conductive materials. Examples of metallic or transparent conductive materials include aluminum, molybdenum, indium tin oxide (ITO), or indium zinc oxide (IZO). It should be noted that wiring 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, 116-4, 116-5, 116-6, 116-7, 116-8, 116-9, 116-10, 116-11, and 116-12 can be configured for connecting to external devices. The terminals connected, including the first wiring 116-1, the second wiring 116-2, the third wiring 116-3, the fourth wiring 116-4, the fifth wiring 116-5, the sixth wiring 116-6, the seventh wiring 116-7, the eighth wiring 116-8, the ninth wiring 116-9, the tenth wiring 116-10, the eleventh wiring 116-11, and the twelfth wiring 116-12, can also be terminals used for connecting to external devices.

[0106] The first wiring 116-1, the second wiring 116-2, the fifth wiring 116-5 (or the third wiring 116-3), the sixth wiring 116-6 (or the fourth wiring 116-4), the seventh wiring 116-7, the eighth wiring 116-8, the eleventh wiring 116-11 (or the ninth wiring 116-9), and the twelfth wiring 116-12 (or the tenth wiring 116-10) are electrically insulated from each other. Therefore, in the first liquid crystal cell 110, different voltages can be supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, respectively. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 can be controlled using each transparent electrode.

[0107] <1-4. Control of light distribution by liquid crystal optical element 10>

[0108] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 7 and Figure 8 respectively with Figure 2 and Figure 3 This corresponds to a portion of the cross-sectional view of the first liquid crystal cell 110 included in the second region 170 shown. The second region 170 and the first region 160 have the same configuration. In the following description, the configuration of the first liquid crystal cell 110 or the second liquid crystal cell 120 included in the second region 170 will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration of the first liquid crystal cell 110 or the second liquid crystal cell 120 included in the first region 160 will be omitted.

[0109] exist Figure 7 The image shows a liquid crystal optical element 10 in a state where no voltage is supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, the second transparent electrode 122-2, and the third transparent electrode 122-3. Figure 8The image shows a liquid crystal optical element 10 in which voltages are supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, the second transparent electrode 122-2, and the third transparent electrode 122-3. Specifically, a low potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the third transparent electrode 112-3 of the first liquid crystal cell 110, and a high potential is supplied to the second transparent electrode 112-2 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 (not shown). Similarly, a low potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 122-1 and the third transparent electrode 122-3 of the second liquid crystal cell 120, and a high potential is supplied to the second transparent electrode 122-2 and the fourth transparent electrode 122-4 (not shown). Figure 8 For convenience, the Low and High potentials are illustrated using "-" and "+" symbols, respectively. In this embodiment, the electric field generated between adjacent transparent electrodes is sometimes referred to as the transverse electric field.

[0110] The first alignment film 114-1 is oriented in the x-axis direction. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side of the liquid crystal layer 113 are oriented along the x-axis direction. That is, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side is orthogonal to the extension direction (y-axis direction) of the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2. Furthermore, the second alignment film 114-2 is aligned in the y-axis direction. Additionally, the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side of the liquid crystal layer 113 are oriented along the y-axis direction. That is, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side of the liquid crystal layer 113 is orthogonal to the extension direction (y-axis direction) of the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4. Figure 6 The direction of extension (x-axis direction) is orthogonal to the direction of extension. Therefore, as the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 113 move from the first substrate 111-1 toward the second substrate 111-2, the orientation of the long axis gradually changes from the x-axis direction to the y-axis direction, and is oriented in a state of twisting 90 degrees.

[0111] When a potential is supplied to the transparent electrode 112, such as Figure 8As shown, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules changes. Due to the influence of the lateral electric field between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 of the liquid crystal layer 113, the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side of the liquid crystal layer 113 are generally oriented into an arc shape convex in the x-axis direction relative to the first substrate 111-1. Similarly, due to the influence of the lateral electric field between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 of the liquid crystal layer 113, the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side of the liquid crystal layer 113 are generally oriented into an arc shape convex in the y-axis direction relative to the second substrate 111-2. The orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 located approximately at the center between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 is almost unaffected by any lateral electric field. Therefore, light incident on the liquid crystal layer 113 diffuses in the x-axis direction according to the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules convex in the x-axis direction on the first substrate 111-1 side, and diffuses in the y-axis direction according to the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules convex in the y-axis direction on the second substrate 111-2 side.

[0112] It should be noted that, since the first substrate 111-1 and the second substrate 111-2 have a sufficiently separated inter-substrate distance, the lateral electric field between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 of the first substrate 111-1 will not affect the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side, or is so small as to be negligible. Similarly, the lateral electric field between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 of the second substrate 111-2 will not affect the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side, or is so small as to be negligible.

[0113] When a potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 122-1 to the fourth transparent electrode 122-4, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 123 are the same as those of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 113, so the description is omitted here.

[0114] Next, the light distribution of the transmissive liquid crystal optical element 10 will be explained. The light emitted from the light source has a polarized component along the x-axis (P-polarized component) and a polarized component along the y-axis (S-polarized component), but for convenience, the light will be explained below as having both P-polarized and S-polarized components. That is, the light emitted from the light source (refer to...) Figure 7 and Figure 8 (1) includes first polarized light 310 with a P-polarized light component and second polarized light 320 with an S-polarized light component. It should be noted that... Figure 7 and Figure 8The arrows and the crosses inside the circles represent the P-polarized light component and the S-polarized light component, respectively. It should be noted that the light emitted from the light source is the same light incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10 (incident light 180).

[0115] After the first polarized light 310 is incident on the first substrate 111-1, it changes from a P-polarized light component to an S-polarized light component as it moves toward the second substrate 111-2, according to the twisting of the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8 (2) to (4)). More specifically, the first polarized light 310 has a polarization axis in the x-axis direction on the first substrate 111-1 side, but its polarization axis gradually changes as it passes through the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 113. In addition, the first polarized light 310 has a polarization axis in the y-axis direction on the second substrate 111-2 side, and then exits from the second substrate 111-2 side (see reference ). Figure 7 and Figure 8 (5) in the middle.

[0116] Here, when a transverse electric field is generated between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2, the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side are oriented into a convex arc shape in the x-axis direction due to the influence of this transverse electric field, resulting in a change in the refractive index distribution. Therefore, the first polarized light 310 diffuses in the x-axis direction according to the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules. Furthermore, when a transverse electric field is generated between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side are oriented into a convex arc shape in the y-axis direction due to the influence of this transverse electric field, resulting in a change in the refractive index distribution. Therefore, the first polarized light 310 diffuses in the y-axis direction according to the change in the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0117] Therefore, in the absence of a transverse electric field (refer to...) Figure 7 The polarization component of the first polarized light 310 transmitted through the first liquid crystal cell 110-1 changes from the P-polarized component to the S-polarized component. On the other hand, in the case of generating a transverse electric field (refer to...), Figure 8 The polarization component of the first polarized light 310 transmitted through the first liquid crystal cell changes from the P polarization component to the S polarization component and diffuses in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0118] After the second polarized light 320 is incident on the first substrate 111-1, it changes from an S-polarized light component to a P-polarized light component as it moves toward the second substrate 111-2, according to the twisting of the liquid crystal molecules (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8(2) to (4)). More specifically, the second polarized light 320 has a polarization axis in the y-axis direction on the first substrate 111-1 side, but its polarization axis gradually changes as it passes through the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 113. In addition, the second polarized light 320 has a polarization axis in the x-axis direction on the second substrate 111-2 side, and then exits from the second substrate 111-2 side (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8 (5) in the middle.

[0119] Here, when a transverse electric field is generated between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2, the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side are oriented into a convex arc shape in the x-axis direction due to the influence of this transverse electric field, resulting in a change in the refractive index distribution. However, since the polarization axis of the second polarized light 320 is orthogonal to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules on the first substrate 111-1 side, it is unaffected by the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules and passes directly without diffusion. Similarly, when a transverse electric field is generated between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side are oriented into a convex arc shape in the y-axis direction due to the influence of this transverse electric field, resulting in a change in the refractive index distribution. However, since the polarization axis of the second polarized light 320 is orthogonal to the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules on the second substrate 111-2 side, it is unaffected by the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules and passes directly without diffusion.

[0120] Therefore, not only in the case where no transverse electric field is generated (refer to...) Figure 7 ), under the condition of generating a transverse electric field (refer to Figure 8 The polarization component of the second polarized light 320 transmitted through the first liquid crystal unit 110-1 also changes from the S polarization component to the P polarization component, but does not diffuse.

[0121] The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 123 of the second liquid crystal cell 120 also have the same refractive index distribution as the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 113 of the first liquid crystal cell 110-1. However, since the polarization axes of the first polarized light 310 and the second polarized light 320 change after passing through the first liquid crystal cell 110-1, the polarized light affected by the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 123 is opposite. That is, not only in the absence of a transverse electric field (refer to...) Figure 7 ), under the condition of generating a transverse electric field (refer to Figure 8 The polarization component of the first polarized light 310 transmitted through the second liquid crystal cell 120 also changes from the S-polarized component to the P-polarized component, but does not diffuse (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 8 (6) to (8)). On the other hand, in the case where no transverse electric field is generated (see (6) to (8)). Figure 7The polarization component of the second polarized light 320 transmitted through the second liquid crystal cell 120 changes only from the P-polarized component to the S-polarized component, but under the condition of generating a transverse electric field (refer to...) Figure 8 The polarization component of the second polarized light 320 transmitted through the second liquid crystal unit 120 changes from the P polarization component to the S polarization component, and diffuses in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0122] As can be seen from the above, in the liquid crystal optical element 10, by stacking two liquid crystal units (first liquid crystal unit 110 and second liquid crystal unit 120) having the same structure, the polarization component of the light incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10 changes by 2 degrees. As a result, in the liquid crystal optical element 10, the polarization component before and after incident can remain unchanged (refer to...). Figure 7 and Figure 8 (1) and (9) in the above). That is, in the liquid crystal optical element 10, the polarization component of the incident light 180 and the polarization component of the outgoing light 190 can be kept unchanged.

[0123] Furthermore, the liquid crystal optical element 10 supplies a potential to the transparent electrode 112, causing a change in the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 of the first liquid crystal unit 110, thereby enabling the refraction of light transmitted through the first liquid crystal unit 110. Specifically, the first liquid crystal unit 110-1 can diffuse the first polarized light 310 (P-polarized light component) in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, or both x-axis and y-axis directions, and the second liquid crystal unit 120 can diffuse the second polarized light 320 (S-polarized light component) in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, or both x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0124] <1-5. Method for controlling the emission direction of emitted light from liquid crystal optical element 10>

[0125] The liquid crystal optical element 10 can control the light source 210 by sending control signals to each transparent electrode. Figure 11 The emitted light. See below for reference. Figures 9-17 Several light distribution patterns controlled by the liquid crystal optical element 10 are illustrated. However, the light distribution patterns controlled by the liquid crystal optical element 10 are not limited to the examples shown here. Table 1 shows the control signals V sent to the first transparent electrode 112-1. 11 The control signal V sent to the second transparent electrode 112-2 12 The control signal V sent to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 15 The control signal V sent to the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 16 The control signal V sent to the third transparent electrode 112-3 13The control signal V sent to the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 14 The control signal V sent to the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 17 The control signal V sent to the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 18 (Previously belonging to the first liquid crystal unit), the control signal V sent to the first transparent electrode 122-1 21 The control signal V sent to the second transparent electrode 122-2 22 The control signal V sent to the fifth transparent electrode 122-5 25 The control signal V sent to the sixth transparent electrode 122-6 26 The control signal V sent to the third transparent electrode 122-3 23 The control signal V sent to the fourth transparent electrode 122-4 24 The control signal V sent to the seventh transparent electrode 122-7 27 and the control signal V sent to the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 28 (Previously belonging to the second liquid crystal unit) and Figure 10 , Figure 12 , Figure 16 and Figure 18 The control signals shown correspond to those shown.

[0126] [Table 1]

[0127]

[0128] Furthermore, in the following description, for convenience, the voltages supplied to each transparent electrode will be described as a first potential (variable potential, e.g., a Low potential of 0V and a High potential of 30V), a second potential (variable potential, e.g., a Low potential of 0V and a High potential of 30V) opposite in phase to the first potential, and a third potential (intermediate potential, e.g., 15V). The third potential is the potential between the Low potential and the High potential, and can be a fixed potential or a variable potential. However, the light distribution pattern controlled by the liquid crystal optical element 10 is not limited to the example shown here. It should be noted that the value of the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode is not limited to... Figure 10 , Figure 13 , Figure 17 , Figure 20 and Figure 38 The recorded values ​​are 0V, 12V, 15V, 18V, and 30V.

[0129] <1-5-1. The direction of the emitted light is the central direction>

[0130] use Figures 9-11 For the light emitted from the light source 210 (incident light 180 ( Figure 11 The example of control is given where the light is emitted towards the center relative to the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 9 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle when the emitted light direction is the central direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 10 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode when the emission direction of the emitted light is the central direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element 10, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0131] like Figure 10 As shown, in the first liquid crystal cell 110, a third potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 disposed in the second region 170. A third potential is also supplied to the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 disposed in the second region 170. A third potential is supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 disposed in the first region 160. Finally, a third potential is supplied to the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 disposed in the first region 160.

[0132] Therefore, no potential difference is generated between the electrodes. Furthermore, due to the liquid crystal layer 113 (in the first liquid crystal cell 110) Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal unit 120 Figure 2 and Figure 3 No electric field is generated in the liquid crystal layer 113 and liquid crystal layer 123, so the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules does not change from the initial orientation. Therefore, the light source 210 ( Figure 11 ) emitted light (incident light 180 ( Figure 11 )) Incident into the first region 160 ( Figure 11 ) and the second area 170 ( Figure 11 In the light that transmits the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120 and the second transparent bonding layer 140, the polarized light component that passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123 passes through without diffusion.

[0133] The result, such as Figure 11As shown, incident light 180, which is incident on the first region 160, is incident on the prism of the first region 160 of the optical element 150 and becomes refracted light (outgoing light 190-2). Similarly, incident light 180, which is incident on the second region 170, is incident on the prism of the second region 170 of the optical element 150 and becomes refracted light from the second region 170 to the first region 160 (outgoing light 190-1).

[0134] That is, the incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123, and in this state, it is incident on the prism of the first region 160 of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the first region 160, as in... Figure 9 Like the "outgoing light from the first region" shown by the long dashed line, it becomes refracted light. For example, this refracted light is light refracted from left to right (outgoing light 190-2). Figure 11 Additionally, incident light 180, incident on the second region 170, passes through liquid crystal layers 113 and 123 and is incident on the prism on the second region 170 side of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the second region 170, as in... Figure 9 Like the "outgoing light from the second region" indicated by the short dashed line, it becomes refracted light (outgoing light 190-1). For example, this refracted light is light refracted from right to left (outgoing light 190-1). Figure 11 As a result, the liquid crystal optical element 10 can emit light from its center or approximately its center that combines the light emitted from the second region with the light emitted from the first region, i.e., in... Figure 9 The emitted light is represented by the solid line in the middle.

[0135] <1-5-2. The emitted light is emitted in the right direction>

[0136] use Figures 12-15 For the light emitted from the light source 210 (incident light 180 ( Figure 14 The example of control being to emit light in the right direction relative to the liquid crystal optical element 10 will be explained. Figure 12 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle when the emitted light direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10 is to the right. Figure 13 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode when the emitted light is emitted in the right direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element 10, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 15 In the liquid crystal optical element 10, supplies are provided to each transparent electrode. Figure 13A photograph of the light distribution pattern obtained by applying the voltage shown.

[0137] like Figure 13 As shown, in the first liquid crystal cell 110, a third potential is supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 disposed in the first region 160. A first potential or a second potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the third transparent electrode 112-3, and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 disposed in the second region 170.

[0138] No potential difference is generated between the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 disposed in the first region 160, and between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 disposed in the first region 160. In the first region 160, since the liquid crystal layer 113 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal unit 120 Figure 2 and Figure 3 Since no electric field is generated in the liquid crystal cell 110, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 in the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal cell 120 will not change from the initial orientation. Therefore, in the first region 160, the light source 210 ( Figure 14 ) emitted light (incident light 180 ( Figure 14 )) Incident into the first region 160 ( Figure 14 In the light that transmits the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120 and the second transparent bonding layer 140, the polarized light component that passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123 passes through without diffusion.

[0139] On the other hand, such as Figure 13 As shown, in the first liquid crystal cell 110, a first potential or a second potential is supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2, and the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 disposed in the second region 170. The phases of the first potential supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the third transparent electrode 112-3, and the second potential supplied to the second transparent electrode 112-2 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are reversed. Furthermore, the phases of the second potential supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the third transparent electrode 112-3, and the first potential supplied to the second transparent electrode 112-2 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 are reversed.

[0140] Therefore, a potential difference (e.g., +30V or -30V) is generated between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 disposed in the second region 170, and between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 disposed in the second region 170. Therefore, in the second region 170, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 in the first liquid crystal unit 110 and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal unit 120 changes from the initial orientation, as the light source 210 ( Figure 14 ) emitted light (incident light 180 ( Figure 14 The polarized light component that passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123 diffuses in the light 190-4 that transmits through the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120 and the second transparent bonding layer 140.

[0141] The result, such as Figure 14 As shown, incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 is incident on the prism of the first region 160 of the optical element 150 and becomes refracted light (outgoing light 190-2). Incident light 180 incident on the second region 170 diffuses in the liquid crystal layer 113 and liquid crystal layer 123 and is incident on the prism of the second region 170 side of the optical element 150, becoming diffused light (outgoing light 190-1).

[0142] That is, the incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123, and is incident on the prism of the first region 160 of the optical element 150, becoming refracted light (outgoing light 190-2). For example, the liquid crystal optical element 10 is as follows: Figure 12 The light emitted from the first region, as indicated by the long dashed line, has a peak polar angle of 20 degrees. For example, the refracted light (emitting light 190-2) is light refracted from left to right (emitting light 190-2...). Figure 14 Furthermore, the incident light 180 incident on the second region 170 is sufficiently diffused in the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123, and in this state, it is incident on the prism on the second region 170 side of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the second region 170 is as follows: Figure 12 Like the "outgoing light from the second region" shown by the short dashed line, it becomes light that diffuses widely from left to right (outgoing light 190-1). Figure 14 )).

[0143] As a result, the liquid crystal optical element 10 can emit light from its right side or approximately its right side, which is a combination of the light emitted from the first region and the light emitted from the second region. Figure 12 The emitted light is represented by a solid line. For example, as... Figure 15As shown, by using the liquid crystal optical element 10, a light distribution pattern can be formed that combines laterally diffused light (mainly outgoing light 190-2) with light that converges to the right or approximately the right (mainly outgoing light 190-1).

[0144] <1-5-3. The emitted light is emitted in the left direction>

[0145] use Figures 16-18 For the light emitted from the light source 210 (incident light 180 ( Figure 18 The example of controlling emission to the left relative to the liquid crystal optical element 10 will be explained. Figure 16 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle when the emitted light direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10 is to the left. Figure 17 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode when the emitted light is emitted in the left direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional view used to illustrate an example of an illumination device including a liquid crystal optical element 10, and an example of emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0146] like Figure 17 As shown, in the first liquid crystal cell 110, a first potential or a second potential is supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 disposed in the first region 160, and to the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 disposed in the first region 160. The phases of the first potential supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the second potential supplied to the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are reversed. Furthermore, the phases of the second potential supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the first potential supplied to the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are reversed.

[0147] Therefore, a potential difference (e.g., +30V or -30V) is generated between the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 disposed in the first region 160, and between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 disposed in the first region 160. Therefore, in the first region 160, the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 in the first liquid crystal unit 110 and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal unit 120 changes from the initial orientation, as the light source 210 ( Figure 18 ) emitted light (incident light 180 ( Figure 18 Light 190-4 (transmitted through the first liquid crystal unit 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal unit 120, and the second transparent bonding layer 140) Figure 18In the liquid crystal layer 113 and liquid crystal layer 123, the polarized light component diffuses.

[0148] On the other hand, no potential difference is generated between the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2, and between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, which are disposed in the second region 170. In the second region 170, since the liquid crystal layer 113 (in the first liquid crystal cell 110) Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal unit 120 Figure 2 and Figure 3 No electric field is generated in the liquid crystal cell 110, so the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 113 in the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the liquid crystal layer 123 in the second liquid crystal cell 120 will not change from the initial orientation. Therefore, in the second region 170, the light source 210 ( Figure 18 ) emitted light (incident light 180 ( Figure 18 )) Incident into the second region 170 ( Figure 18 In the light that transmits the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120 and the second transparent bonding layer 140, the polarized light component that passes through the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123 passes through without diffusion.

[0149] The result, such as Figure 18 As shown, incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 diffuses in the liquid crystal layer 113 and liquid crystal layer 123, and then incident on the prism of the first region 160 of the optical element 150, becoming diffused light (outgoing light 190-2). Incident light 180 incident on the second region 170 incident on the prism of the second region 170 of the optical element 150, becoming refracted light (outgoing light 190-1).

[0150] That is, the incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 is sufficiently diffused in the liquid crystal layer 113 and the liquid crystal layer 123, and in this state, it is incident on the prism on the first region 160 side of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the first region 160 is as follows: Figure 16 Like the "outgoing light from the first region" shown by the long dashed line, it becomes light that diffuses widely from left to right (outgoing light 190-2). Figure 18 Incident light 180, incident on the second region 170, passes through liquid crystal layers 113 and 123, and is incident on the prism of the second region 170 of the optical element 150, becoming refracted light. For example, the liquid crystal optical element 10, as in... Figure 16Like the "outgoing light from the second region" indicated by the short dashed line, the outgoing light has a polar angle of -20 degrees at its peak. For example, the light refracted from the second region 170 to the first region 160 is light refracted from right to left (outgoing light 190-1...). Figure 18 )).

[0151] As a result, the liquid crystal optical element 10 can emit light from its left side or approximately its left side, which is a combination of the light emitted from the first region and the light emitted from the second region. Figure 16 The emitted light is shown by solid lines. For example, although the illustration is omitted, by using the liquid crystal optical element 10, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern that combines the laterally diffused light (mainly emitted light 190-1) with the light that converges to the left or approximately the left (mainly emitted light 190-2).

[0152] <1-5-4. The emitted light is emitted from slightly to the left of the center.>

[0153] use Figure 19 and Figure 20 For the light emitted from the light source 210 (incident light 180 ( Figure 20 The example of controlling the emission to be directed slightly to the left of the center relative to the liquid crystal optical element 10 will be explained. Figure 19 This is a graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle when the emitted light direction in the liquid crystal optical element 10 is to the left of the center. Figure 20 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode when the emitted light direction is to the left of the center in the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0154] Figure 19 The curve shown is Figure 16 The difference between the curves shown is that the emitted light is emitted from slightly to the left of the center. Figure 20 The timing diagram shown is Figure 17 Compared to the timing diagram shown, the Low potential of the first potential and the High potential of the second potential (variable potential) are 12V and 18V respectively, i.e., the potential difference is 6V. The difference lies in the phase reversal of the second potential relative to the first potential. Other than this, the points are the same as... Figure 19 and Figure 20 The diagrams shown are the same; therefore, this section mainly focuses on the diagrams related to... Figure 19 and Figure 20 Explain the different points.

[0155] By Figure 19 and Figure 16By comparing the graphs shown, it can be understood that in the liquid crystal optical element 10, the relative intensity of light with respect to the polar angle can be controlled by changing the potential supplied to each transparent electrode. That is, in the liquid crystal optical element 10, the emission direction and the degree of diffusion of light can be changed by changing the potential supplied to each transparent electrode.

[0156] For example, when supplying liquid crystal optical element 10 Figure 20 At the indicated potential, incident light 180 incident on the first region 160 is affected by the potential supplied to the transparent electrode in the second region 170, while being transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 113 and liquid crystal layer 123, and in this state is incident on the prism on the first region 160 side of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the first region 160 is as follows: Figure 19 Like the light emitted from the first region, as indicated by the long dashed line, this light has a relatively weak peak intensity at a polar angle of 20 degrees and diffuses extensively from left to right. Furthermore, because the potential of the transparent electrode supplied to the second region 170 is small, the diffusion degree of the incident light 180 incident on the second region 170 within the liquid crystal layers 113 and 123 is similar to... Figure 16 The diffusion level shown is relatively small, and in this state, the prism incident on the first region 160 side of the optical element 150. Therefore, the outgoing light from the second region 170 is as follows: Figure 19 Like the "outgoing light from the second region" shown by the short dashed line, it becomes light with a peak intensity that is stronger than the "outgoing light from the first region" at a polar angle of -20 degrees, and diffuses widely from left to right.

[0157] As a result, the liquid crystal optical element 10 is able to combine the light emitted from the first region and the light emitted from the second region, that is, in... Figure 19 The emitted light, as shown by the solid line, is emitted slightly to the left of the center of the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0158] <1-6. First Modification of Transparent Electrode>

[0159] Figure 21 This is a top view showing the configuration of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 on the second substrate 111-2 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 21 The transparent electrodes shown are Figure 6 Compared to the transparent electrodes shown, the linewidth, inter-electrode distance (electrode spacing), and inter-electrode pitch differ. Other points are different. Figure 6 The diagrams shown are the same, so this section mainly focuses on the diagrams shown. Figure 6The differences will be explained. It should be noted that in this first modified example, the configuration of the first substrate side adopts the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

[0160] like Figure 21 As shown, the width of the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the width of the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the y-axis direction are the second width a² / 2. The distance between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the x-axis direction (electrode spacing) is the second electrode distance b² / 2. The pitch between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 is the second pitch p² / 2, which satisfies p² / 2 = a² / 2 + b² / 2. In addition, the width of the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, the width of the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the distance between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 in the y-axis direction (electrode spacing), and the pitch between the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are the same as the width of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the width of the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the distance between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 in the y-axis direction (electrode spacing), and the pitch between the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, respectively.

[0161] The third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 can be formed on the second substrate 111-2 in a comb-like pattern with a second pitch p2 / 2, and the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 can be formed on the second substrate 111-2 in a comb-like pattern with a second pitch p2 / 2.

[0162] In the first variation, the width, inter-electrode distance, and inter-electrode pitch of the third transparent electrode 112-3 and the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 on the second substrate 111-2 are narrower than those of the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 on the first substrate 111-1. Furthermore, the width, inter-electrode distance, and inter-electrode pitch of the seventh transparent electrode 112-7 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 on the second substrate 111-2 are narrower than those of the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 on the first substrate 111-1.

[0163] By reducing the width of the electrodes, the distance between the electrodes, and the pitch between the electrodes, the range of liquid crystal orientation can be controlled within a small range when a potential is supplied to the transparent electrodes. That is, light can be diffused more in the x-axis or y-axis direction. In this embodiment, a first liquid crystal cell 110 and a second liquid crystal cell 120 having the same transparent electrode configuration can be stacked to further diffuse light in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0164] <1-7. Second variation of transparent electrode>

[0165] Figure 22 This is a top view showing the configuration of the ninth transparent electrode 112-9 on the second substrate 111-2 in the liquid crystal optical element 10. Figure 22 The ninth transparent electrode 112-9 shown is... Figure 6 and Figure 21 Compared to the transparent electrodes shown, they are formed all over the second substrate 111-2. Other points are... Figure 6 and Figure 21 The diagrams shown are the same, so this section mainly focuses on the diagrams shown. Figure 6 and Figure 21 Explain the different points.

[0166] When using the ninth transparent electrode 112-9, it is possible to use Figure 10 or Figure 17 The timing diagram shown supplies a potential to the ninth transparent electrode 112-9. For example, the ninth transparent electrode 112-9 is connected to the control signal V sent to the third transparent electrode 112-3. 13 The control signal V sent to the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 14 Similarly, it is supplied with 15V.

[0167] In the second modified example, where a ninth transparent electrode is formed throughout the second substrate 111-2, it is not necessary to form multiple transparent electrodes compared to the example where multiple transparent electrodes are formed on the second substrate 111-2. Therefore, for example, in the second modified example, the manufacturing steps associated with patterning for forming transparent electrodes can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal cell can be reduced by using the second modified example.

[0168] use Figures 1 to 22 The liquid crystal optical element 10 is described. Figures 1 to 22 The method shown is one example; the method of the liquid crystal optical element 10 is not limited to... Figures 1 to 22 As shown in the diagram.

[0169] By using the liquid crystal optical element 10, the potentials supplied to the transparent electrodes in the first region 160 and the second region 170 can be changed. As a result, the direction of light illumination can be changed for the object being illuminated. For example, in mobile units such as cars, airplanes, and trams, a single liquid crystal optical element 10 having multiple regions can replace reading lights or spotlights that are individually provided for each seat. By using the liquid crystal optical element 10, the direction of light illumination can be changed according to the seat, thus reducing power consumption and enabling efficient illumination of light individually compared to providing reading lights for each seat.

[0170] <Second Implementation Method>

[0171] In the second embodiment, the illumination device 20 equipped with the liquid crystal optical element 10B will be described. Figure 23 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device 20 including a liquid crystal optical element 10B according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 24 (A) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device 20B including a liquid crystal optical element 10C. Figure 24 (B) is a top view showing the Fresnel lens 240 included in the lighting device 20B. Figure 25 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device 20C including a liquid crystal optical element 10. Figures 23-25 The method shown is one example, and the lighting device involved in the second embodiment is not limited to that described above. Figures 23-25 The method shown is as described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same descriptions as in the first embodiment are sometimes omitted.

[0172] exist Figure 23 In the manner shown, the lighting device 20 includes a light source 210, a Fresnel lens 240, and a liquid crystal optical element 10B.

[0173] The light source 210 illuminates the liquid crystal optical element 10B. For example, a light bulb, fluorescent lamp, cold cathode tube, light-emitting diode (LED), or laser diode (LD) can be used as the light source 210. Preferably, the light source 210 of the lighting device 20 is an LED. The lighting device 20 using a high-efficiency LED as the light source 210 has high brightness and low power consumption. It should be noted that LED and LD respectively include organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and organic laser diode (OLD).

[0174] A Fresnel lens 240 is positioned between the liquid crystal optical element 10B and the light source 210. For example, as... Figure 23 As shown, Fresnel lens 240 is a lens with a sawtooth cross-section, such as... Figure 24As shown in (B), the lens is divided into concentric regions by etching concentric grooves into the lens formed of resin. The Fresnel lens 240 can converge light incident from the light source 210. Therefore, by using the Fresnel lens 240, the converged light can be incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10B. Therefore, by using the Fresnel lens 240, the loss of light incident from the light source 210 onto the liquid crystal optical element 10B can be reduced.

[0175] Compared to the configuration of liquid crystal optical element 10, the configuration of liquid crystal optical element 10B is the same as that of optical element 150, except that optical element 150 is replaced by optical element 150B. All other configurations are the same as those of liquid crystal optical element 10, therefore, the description here is omitted.

[0176] Optical element 150B is bonded and fixed to second liquid crystal cell 120 using second transparent bonding layer 140. Compared with optical element 150, optical element 150B has a configuration in which multiple prisms are arranged in the same orientation relative to the x-axis direction.

[0177] When viewed in cross-section, the length of one side of the triangle of the prism in optical element 150B is length C, and the angle relative to the surface on which the prisms are stacked is angle α. By changing the length C and the angle α, optical element 150B can be formed to correspond to the specifications or uses of the illumination device 20. For example, in the second embodiment, the length C is 0.9 mm and the angle α is 40 degrees.

[0178] In the illumination device 20, incident light 180 from the light source 210 is converged by a Fresnel lens 240, and the converged light is incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10B. The light incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10B passes through the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120, and the second transparent bonding layer 140, and is refracted in the optical element 150B, becoming outgoing light 190-3 and exiting. In the illumination device 20, light incident on the prisms respectively disposed in the first region 160 and the second region 170 can be bent, dispersed, or totally internally reflected in the same direction. Furthermore, in Figure 23 In the manner shown, by adjusting the potential of each transparent electrode supplied to the first liquid crystal unit 110 and the second liquid crystal unit 120, the direction of light irradiation can also be changed for the object to which the light is irradiated.

[0179] exist Figure 24 In the lighting device 20B shown in (A), relative to Figure 23The illumination device 20 shown differs in that the optical element 150B is positioned between the Fresnel lens 240 and the first liquid crystal cell 110. In the illumination device 20B, incident light 180 from the light source 210 is converged by the Fresnel lens 240, and the converged light is refracted in the optical element 150B, transmitting through the second transparent bonding layer 140, the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, and the second liquid crystal cell 120. In the illumination device 20B, by adjusting the potential of each transparent electrode supplied to the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the second liquid crystal cell 120, the direction of light illumination can also be changed for the object being illuminated.

[0180] Figure 25 The lighting device 20C shown is relative to Figure 23 The illumination device 20 shown differs from the other in that the liquid crystal optical element 10B is replaced by the liquid crystal optical element 10, and the Fresnel lens 240 is positioned above the optical element 150 along the z-axis. In the illumination device 20C, incident light 180 from the light source 210 is incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10. The incident light passes through the first liquid crystal cell 110, the first transparent bonding layer 130, the second liquid crystal cell 120, and the second transparent bonding layer 140, and is refracted by the prisms in the first region 160 and the second region 170. The refracted light is then converged and emitted by the Fresnel lens 240. In the illumination device 20C, by adjusting the potential of each transparent electrode supplied to the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the second liquid crystal cell 120, the direction of light illumination can also be changed for the object being illuminated.

[0181] <Third Implementation Method>

[0182] In the third embodiment, the illumination device 20D having a liquid crystal optical element 10D will be described. Figure 26 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device 20D including a liquid crystal optical element 10D according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 27 It is a schematic graph showing the relationship between relative brightness and polar angle in the emitted light from the liquid crystal optical element 10D. Figure 28 This is a top view showing the prism of the optical element 150 on the second liquid crystal cell 120 in the liquid crystal optical element 10D. Figures 26-28 The method shown is one example, and the lighting device involved in the third embodiment is not limited to that described above. Figures 26-28 The method shown is as described. In the description of the third embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first and second embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0183] exist Figure 26In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting device 20D includes a light source 210 and a liquid crystal optical element 10D. The lighting device 20D differs from the first embodiment in that it includes the liquid crystal optical element 10D. Figure 11 The methods shown are different. In addition, unlike the first embodiment where the liquid crystal optical element 10 has two regions, a first region 160 and a second region 170, the third embodiment differs in that the liquid crystal optical element 10D has three regions, including a third region 250 between the first region 160 and the second region 170.

[0184] In the third region 250, the first liquid crystal cell 110 can use the same transparent electrode configuration as the first electrode group 117-1 and the second electrode group 117-2, or the same transparent electrode configuration as the third electrode group 117-3 and the fourth electrode group 117-4. The second liquid crystal cell 120 can also use the same configuration as the first liquid crystal cell 110.

[0185] In optical element 150, multiple prisms are provided relative to the first region 160 and the second region 170, exhibiting a serrated shape when viewed in cross-section, while the third region 250 has a flat surface when viewed in cross-section. For example, in optical element 150, there are... Figure 28 The plane shown.

[0186] In the liquid crystal optical element 10D, potentials can be independently supplied to each transparent electrode of the first region 160, the second region 170, or the third region 250. For example, in the illumination device 20D, the second region 170 and the third region 250 are controlled to emit diffused light, and by controlling the potential of the transparent electrode of the first region 160, light can be emitted from the liquid crystal optical element 10D as... Figure 27 The light emitted from the right side is adjusted as shown in the "light emitted from the first region". Furthermore, in the illumination device 20D, the first region 160 and the third region 250 are controlled to emit diffused light. By controlling the potential of the transparent electrode in the second region 170, light can be emitted from the liquid crystal optical element 10D as... Figure 27 The light emitted from the left side, as shown in the "light emitted from the second region," is adjusted. Furthermore, in the illumination device 20D, the first region 160 and the second region 170 are controlled to emit diffused light, and by controlling the potential of the transparent electrode in the third region 250, light can be emitted from the liquid crystal optical element 10D as... Figure 27 The “outgoing light from the third region” indicates that the light emitted from the center has been adjusted.

[0187] It should be noted that in the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention, the first region 160 and the second region 170 shown in the first embodiment, and the third region 250 between the first region 160 and the second region 170 shown in the third embodiment, are examples only. The configuration of the liquid crystal optical element is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment and the third embodiment. For example, the liquid crystal optical element may have four regions or more than five regions. By having multiple regions, the liquid crystal optical element of the present invention can control the potential supplied to the transparent electrode within a small range. As a result, the orientation of the liquid crystal can be controlled within a small range, and therefore the peak value of the relative brightness can be controlled within a smaller range. For the object to be illuminated, the direction of light illumination can be precisely controlled.

[0188] <Fourth Implementation Method>

[0189] In the fourth embodiment, the optical element 150 is described as having multiple optical elements. Figure 29 and Figure 30 A top view is shown of a liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which includes a plurality of prisms with different orientations. Figure 29 and Figure 30 The method shown is one example; the method of optical element 150 is not limited to... Figure 29 and Figure 30 The method shown is as described. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first to third embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0190] exist Figure 29 In the manner shown, the optical element 150 includes: a first optical element 150-1 having a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel in the y-axis direction; a second optical element 150-2 having a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel in the y-axis direction; a third optical element 150-3 having a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel in the x-axis direction; and a fourth optical element 150-4 having a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel in the x-axis direction.

[0191] exist Figure 30 In the manner shown, the optical element 150 has a first optical element 150-1, a second optical element 150-2, a third optical element 150-3, and a fourth optical element 150-4, which have a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel in a direction tilted at approximately 45 degrees in a plane including the x-axis and y-axis.

[0192] In the liquid crystal optical element 10 that includes the optical element 150 according to the fourth embodiment, the relative brightness and peak angle can be changed by adjusting the potential of each transparent electrode supplied to the first liquid crystal unit 110 and the second liquid crystal unit 120. Therefore, the direction of light illumination can be changed for the object to be illuminated.

[0193] <Fifth Implementation Method>

[0194] In the fifth embodiment, the optical element 150C is described as being formed using an organic resin material or an inorganic material such as glass. Figure 31 This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an illumination device 20E including a liquid crystal optical element 10E according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 32 Figure (A) is an example showing that the shape of the optical element 150C included in the liquid crystal optical element 10E is triangular in cross-section. Figure 32 Figure (B) is an example showing that the shape of the optical element 150C included in the liquid crystal optical element 10E is trapezoidal in cross-section. Figure 32 Figure (C) is an example showing that the shape of the optical element 150C included in the liquid crystal optical element 10E is a convex arc shape in cross section. Figures 31-32 The method shown in (C) is one example, and the method of the lighting device 20E according to the fifth embodiment is not limited to... Figures 31-32 The method shown in (C) is as follows. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first to fourth embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0195] like Figure 31 As shown, the lighting device 20E includes a liquid crystal optical element 10E, a light source 210, a convex lens 220, and a reflector 230. The convex lens 220 is disposed between the liquid crystal optical element 10E and the light source 210. Furthermore, the reflector 230 is disposed to surround the space between the light source 210 and the convex lens 220. The light source 210 can use the same light source as in the second embodiment.

[0196] The convex lens 220 can converge the light irradiated from the light source 210 and cause the converged light to be incident on the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0197] The reflector 230 is capable of reflecting light incident from the light source 210 and causing the reflected light to enter the convex lens. For example, the reflector 230 is generally conical in shape, but is not limited to this. In addition, the surface of the reflector 230 can be flat or curved.

[0198] Furthermore, the lighting device 20E may also include a control unit that controls the voltage supplied to the transparent electrode, enabling the formation of various light distribution patterns.

[0199] In the lighting device 20E according to the fifth embodiment, by having Figure 32 (A) Figure 32 (B) and Figure 32 The optical element 150C shown in (C), which is formed using inorganic materials such as organic resin or glass, is similar to the optical element 150 having the prism according to the first embodiment. By adjusting the potential of each transparent electrode supplied to the first liquid crystal cell 110 and the second liquid crystal cell 120, the relative brightness can be changed and the peak angle can be adjusted. Therefore, the direction of light illumination can be changed for the object to which the light is irradiated.

[0200] <Sixth Implementation Method>

[0201] In the sixth embodiment, a liquid crystal optical element 10F formed by different elements in the first and second regions and arranged in a tile-like shape will be described. Figure 33 This is a perspective view of the liquid crystal optical element 10F according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 34 This is a top view showing the configuration of the first transparent electrode 112-1 on the first substrate 111-3, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 on the first substrate 111-4 in the liquid crystal optical element 10F. Figure 33 and Figure 34 The method shown is one example, and the method of the liquid crystal optical element 10F involved in the sixth embodiment is not limited to... Figure 33 and Figure 34 The method shown is as described. In the description of the sixth embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first to fifth embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0202] like Figure 33 As shown, the liquid crystal optical element 10F is an element configured by arranging a first element 161 and a second element 171. The first element 161 and the second element 171 correspond to the elements constituting the first region 160 and the second region 170 of the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the first embodiment. Other than this, the configuration is the same as that of the elements constituting the first region 160 and the second region 170 of the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, as an example, the transparent electrode formed on the first substrate 111-3 of the first liquid crystal cell 110-1 and the transparent electrode formed on the first substrate 111-4 of the first liquid crystal cell 110-2 will be described here, and other detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0203] For example, the first element 161 includes a first liquid crystal cell 110-1, a second liquid crystal cell 120-1, a first transparent bonding layer 130-1, a second transparent bonding layer 140-1, and a first optical element 150-1. For example, the first element 161 includes a first liquid crystal cell 110-2, a second liquid crystal cell 120-2, a first transparent bonding layer 130-2, a second transparent bonding layer 140-2, and a second optical element 150-2.

[0204] like Figure 34 As shown, the first substrate 111-4 of the first liquid crystal cell 110-1 disposed on the first element 161 includes a fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and a sixth transparent electrode 112-6. In addition, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are electrically connected to the seventh wiring 116-7 and the eighth wiring 116-8 formed on the first substrate 111-1, respectively.

[0205] The first substrate 111-3 disposed on the first liquid crystal cell 110-1 of the second element 171 includes a first transparent electrode 112-1 and a second transparent electrode 112-2. In addition, the first transparent electrode 112-1 and the second transparent electrode 112-2 are electrically connected to the first wiring 116-1 and the second wiring 116-2 formed on the first substrate 111-3, respectively.

[0206] Additionally, a fifth wiring 116-5, a sixth wiring 116-6, an eleventh wiring 116-11, and a twelfth wiring 116-12 are formed on the first substrate 111-1. When the first substrate 111-1 is bonded to the second substrate (not shown), a third transparent electrode (not shown) and a fourth transparent electrode (not shown) formed on the second substrate are electrically connected to the fifth wiring 116-5 and the sixth wiring 116-6 provided on the first substrate 111-1, respectively. Similarly, a seventh transparent electrode (not shown) and an eighth transparent electrode (not shown) formed on the second substrate are electrically connected to the eleventh wiring 116-11 and the twelfth wiring 116-12 provided on the first substrate 111-1, respectively.

[0207] For example, the third wiring 116-3 and the fifth wiring 116-5, the fourth wiring 116-4 and the sixth wiring 116-6, the ninth wiring 116-9 and the eleventh wiring 116-11, and the tenth wiring 116-10 and the twelfth wiring 116-12 can be electrically connected using silver paste or conductive particles. It should be noted that conductive particles include particles coated with metal.

[0208] As shown in the sixth embodiment, the liquid crystal optical element 10F has a first region and a second region formed by different elements arranged in a tile-like pattern. In the liquid crystal optical element 10F, since multiple elements can be arranged in a tile-like pattern, the size of the liquid crystal optical element 10F can be appropriately adjusted according to the object to which diffused light or point light is to be emitted. Therefore, the liquid crystal optical element 10F shown in the sixth embodiment has excellent versatility.

[0209] <Seventh Implementation Method>

[0210] In the seventh embodiment, the lighting device 30 of the present invention will be described. Figure 35 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the lighting device 30 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 36 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the first transparent electrode 112-1, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 on the first substrate 111-1 in the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 37 This is a top view showing the arrangement of the third transparent electrode 112-3, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 on the second substrate 111-2 in the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figure 38 This is a timing diagram showing the voltage supplied to each transparent electrode included in the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Figures 35-38 The lighting device 30 shown is one example, and the lighting device 30 according to the seventh embodiment is not limited to that example. Figures 35-38 The method shown is as described. In the description of the seventh embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first to sixth embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0211] like Figure 35 As shown, the lighting device 30 includes a sensor 400, a control circuit 410, a light source 210, and a liquid crystal optical element 10. The liquid crystal optical element 10 and the light source 210 can use the same light source as in the second embodiment. The sensor 400 is electrically connected to the control circuit 410. The control circuit 410 is electrically connected to the light source 210 and the liquid crystal optical element 10.

[0212] Sensor 400 is a sensor that detects the temperature of the human body, such as an infrared sensor. For example, sensor 400 detects people near the sensor, people sitting in chairs, etc., and outputs the detection signal to control circuit 410.

[0213] The control circuit 410 includes circuitry for driving the liquid crystal optical element 10 and the light source 210. For example, when the control circuit 410 receives a detection signal from the sensor 400, it transmits the signal to the first liquid crystal cell 110 via a flexible wiring substrate (not shown). Figure 1 The control circuit 410 outputs a control signal to the second liquid crystal cell 120 to control the orientation state of the liquid crystal. In addition, when the control circuit 410 receives a detection signal from the sensor 400, it outputs a control signal to the light source 210 via the flexible wiring board (not shown) to control whether the LEDs of the light source 210 are turned on or off.

[0214] Compared to Figure 5 The first substrate 111-1 shown, Figure 36 The first substrate 111-1 shown differs from the second substrate 111-1 in that the second transparent electrode 112-2 and the sixth transparent electrode 112-6 are electrically connected to the second wiring 116-2, and in that it does not have the eighth wiring 116-8 and the twelfth wiring 116-12. Other than these, its configuration is different. Figure 5 The first substrate 111-1 shown has the same configuration, so the description here is omitted.

[0215] Compared to Figure 6 The second substrate 111-2 shown, Figure 37 The second substrate 111-2 shown differs from the first in that the fourth transparent electrode 112-4 and the eighth transparent electrode 112-8 are electrically connected to the fourth wiring 116-4, and that it does not have a tenth wiring 116-10. Other than these, its configuration is the same as the second substrate 111-2 shown. Figure 6 The second substrate 111-2 shown has the same configuration, so the description here is omitted.

[0216] like Figure 38 As shown, the first transparent electrode 112-1, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, and the third transparent electrode 122-3 are supplied with... Figure 13 The same potential is shown. A third potential is supplied to the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the second transparent electrode 122-2, the fourth transparent electrode 122-4, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6, and the eighth transparent electrode 122-8.

[0217] In addition, such as Figure 38 As shown, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, the fifth transparent electrode 122-5, and the seventh transparent electrode 122-7 are... Figure 20Compared to the timing diagram shown, the differences lie in the fact that the Low potential of the first potential and the High potential of the second potential (variable potential) are 8V and 22V respectively, i.e., the potential difference is 14V, and the phase of the second potential is reversed relative to the phase of the first potential.

[0218] Compared to the liquid crystal optical element 10 of the first embodiment, in the liquid crystal optical element 10 of the seventh embodiment, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the second transparent electrode 122-2, the fourth transparent electrode 122-4, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6, and the eighth transparent electrode 122-8 are unified and supplied with potential from a single electrode. As a result, the configuration of supplying potential from four electrodes in the liquid crystal optical element 10 of the first embodiment is changed to a configuration of supplying potential from three electrodes in the liquid crystal optical element 10 of the seventh embodiment.

[0219] In the liquid crystal optical element 10 according to the seventh embodiment, by reducing the number of electrodes supplying the potential, the degree of diffusion of light emitted from the first region 160 and the second region 170 can be controlled with a simpler configuration.

[0220] <Eighth Implementation Method>

[0221] In the eighth embodiment, a variation of the seventh embodiment will be described. Figure 35 The lighting device 30 shown Figure 36 and Figure 37 The electrodes and electrode configuration shown can be based on Figure 39 The timing diagram shown in the eighth embodiment of the present invention is operated. Figure 39 The timing diagram shown is an example, and the timing diagrams involved in the eighth embodiment are not limited to... Figure 39 The method shown is as described. In the description of the eighth embodiment, the same descriptions as those in the first to seventh embodiments are sometimes omitted.

[0222] exist Figure 39 In the timing diagram shown, Figure 35 The operation of the lighting device 30 during the first period shown is related to Figure 35 The second period of the lighting device 30 shown is different.

[0223] During the first period, the following electrodes are supplied with power: the first transparent electrode 112-1, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, the third transparent electrode 122-3, the fifth transparent electrode 112-5, the seventh transparent electrode 112-7, the fifth transparent electrode 122-5, the seventh transparent electrode 122-7, the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the second transparent electrode 122-2, the fourth transparent electrode 122-4, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6, and the eighth transparent electrode 122-8. Figure 38 The timing diagram shown indicates the potential.

[0224] During the second period, the potential supplied to the first transparent electrode 112-1, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, and the third transparent electrode 122-3 during the first period is supplied to them. Additionally, during the second period, the potential supplied to the fifth transparent electrode 112-1, the third transparent electrode 112-3, the first transparent electrode 122-1, and the third transparent electrode 122-3 during the first period is also supplied to them. Then, the potential supplied in the first period is supplied to the second transparent electrode 112-2, the fourth transparent electrode 112-4, the sixth transparent electrode 112-6, the eighth transparent electrode 112-8, the second transparent electrode 122-2, the fourth transparent electrode 122-4, the sixth transparent electrode 122-6 and the eighth transparent electrode 122-8.

[0225] For example, suppose that during the first period, a person is located at the first location, and during the second period, the person moves from the first location to the second location and is located at the second location.

[0226] During the first period, sensor 400 detects a person at the first location. Sensor 400 sends a first detection signal indicating the detection of a person at the first location to control circuit 410. Control circuit 410 receives the first detection signal and sends it to first liquid crystal unit 110. Figure 1 The electrodes of the second liquid crystal unit 120 are supplied with... Figure 39 The potential shown in the first period. Additionally, the control circuit 410 receives the first detection signal and outputs a control signal to the light source 210 via the flexible wiring board (not shown) to turn on the LED of the light source 210. As a result, during the first period, the sensor 400 is able to illuminate a person at the first location.

[0227] Next, during the second period, when a person moves from the first location to the second location, sensor 400 detects the person in the second location. Sensor 400 sends a second detection signal to control circuit 410. Control circuit 410 receives the second detection signal and sends it to first liquid crystal unit 110. Figure 1 The electrodes of the second liquid crystal unit 120 are supplied with... Figure 39 The potential shown in the second period. Additionally, the control circuit 410 receives the second detection signal and outputs a control signal to the light source 210 via the flexible wiring board (not shown) to turn on the LED of the light source 210. As a result, during the second period, the sensor 400 is able to illuminate a person in the second location.

[0228] The lighting device 30 shown in the eighth embodiment can detect human movement using a sensor 400 and control the voltage supplied to each electrode included in the first region 160 and the voltage supplied to each electrode included in the second region 170 using a control circuit 410. Specifically, the lighting device 30 can use the control circuit 410 to change the voltage supplied to each electrode included in the first region 160 and the voltage supplied to each electrode included in the second region 170 during a first period and a second period accompanying human movement. As a result, in the lighting device 30, the illumination area can be moved according to the human movement detected by the sensor 400.

[0229] As embodiments of the present invention, the configurations of the liquid crystal optical element and the illumination device described above can be appropriately combined to implement the invention, provided they do not contradict each other. Furthermore, any modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the configurations of the liquid crystal optical element and the illumination device, such as adding, deleting, or changing constituent elements, or adding, omitting, or changing processes or conditions, are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they capture the spirit of the invention.

[0230] Furthermore, any other effects that differ from those achieved by the methods described above, which are clearly evident from the description in this specification or easily predicted by those skilled in the art, can of course be understood as being brought about by the present invention.

[0231] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0232] 10: Liquid crystal optical element; 10B: Liquid crystal optical element; 10C: Liquid crystal optical element; 10D: Liquid crystal optical element; 10E: Liquid crystal optical element; 10F: Liquid crystal optical element; 20: Illumination device; 20B: Illumination device; 20C: Illumination device; 20D: Illumination device; 20E: Illumination device; 30: Illumination device; 110: First liquid crystal unit; 110-1: First liquid crystal unit; 110-2: First liquid crystal unit; 111: First substrate; 111-1: First substrate; 111-2: Second substrate; 111-3: First substrate; 111-4: First substrate; 112: Transparent electrode; 112-1: First transparent electrode; 112-2: Second transparent electrode; 112-3: Third transparent electrode Transparent electrode; 112-4: Fourth transparent electrode; 112-5: Fifth transparent electrode; 112-6: Sixth transparent electrode; 112-7: Seventh transparent electrode; 112-8: Eighth transparent electrode; 112-9: Ninth transparent electrode; 113: Liquid crystal layer; 114-1: First alignment film; 114-2: Second alignment film; 115: Sealing material; 116-1: First wiring; 116-10: Tenth wiring; 116-11: Eleventh wiring; 116-12: Twelfth wiring; 116-2: Second wiring; 116-3: Third wiring; 116-4: Fourth wiring; 116-5: Fifth wiring; 116-6: Sixth wiring; 116-7: Seventh wiring; 116-8: Eighth wiring; 116-9: Ninth wiring; 117-1: First electrode group; 117-2: Second electrode group; 117-3: Third electrode group; 117-4: Fourth electrode group; 120: Second liquid crystal unit; 120-1: Second liquid crystal unit; 120-2: Second liquid crystal unit; 121: Second substrate; 121-1: First substrate; 121-2: Second substrate; 122: Transparent electrode; 122-1: First transparent electrode; 122-2: Second transparent electrode; 122-3: Third transparent electrode; 122-4: Fourth transparent electrode; 122-5: Fifth transparent electrode; 122-6: Sixth transparent electrode; 122-7: Seventh transparent electrode; 122-8: Eighth transparent electrode; 123: Liquid crystal layer; 12 4-1: First alignment film; 124-2: Second alignment film; 125: Sealing material; 130: First transparent bonding layer; 130-1: First transparent bonding layer; 130-2: First transparent bonding layer; 140: Second transparent bonding layer; 140-1: Second transparent bonding layer; 140-2: Second transparent bonding layer; 150: Optical element; 150-1: First optical element; 150-2: Second optical element; 150-3: Third optical element; 150-4: Fourth optical element; 150B: Optical element; 150C: Optical element; 151: Line; 160: First region; 161: First element; 170: Second region; 171: Second element; 180: Incident light; 190: Outgoing light;190-1: Outgoing light; 190-2: Outgoing light; 190-3: Outgoing light; 190-4: Light; 210: Light source; 220: Convex lens; 230: Reflector; 240: Fresnel lens; 250: Third region; 310: First polarized light; 320: Second polarized light; 400: Sensor; 410: Control circuit.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal optical element, characterized in that, have: First liquid crystal unit; The second liquid crystal unit overlaps with the first liquid crystal unit; and The prism overlaps with the second liquid crystal cell, causing light to refract. The first liquid crystal unit and the second liquid crystal unit each have a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate has: The first electrode group is formed by alternating parallel arrangements of a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode in a first direction; and The second electrode group is composed of a fifth transparent electrode and a sixth transparent electrode arranged alternately in parallel along the first direction, and is arranged adjacent to the first electrode group. The second substrate has: The third electrode group is formed by alternatingly arranging a third transparent electrode and a fourth transparent electrode in parallel in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and is arranged opposite to the first electrode group; as well as The fourth electrode group is formed by alternating arrangements of the seventh and eighth transparent electrodes in parallel along the second direction, adjacent to the third electrode group and opposite to the second electrode group.

2. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The prism has a first optical conversion section that overlaps with the first electrode group and a second optical conversion section that overlaps with the second electrode group.

3. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

4. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The second pitch between the third transparent electrode and the fourth transparent electrode is narrower than the first pitch between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode.

5. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The second pitch between the seventh transparent electrode and the eighth transparent electrode is narrower than the first pitch between the fifth transparent electrode and the sixth transparent electrode.

6. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal optical element has a control circuit that supplies the same voltage to the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode, the third transparent electrode, the fourth transparent electrode, the fifth transparent electrode, the sixth transparent electrode, the seventh transparent electrode, and the eighth transparent electrode.

7. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal optical element has a control circuit that supplies a first voltage to the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode, the third transparent electrode, and the fourth transparent electrode. A second voltage, different from the first voltage, is supplied to the fifth transparent electrode and the seventh transparent electrode. A third voltage, different from the first voltage and the second voltage, is supplied to the sixth transparent electrode and the eighth transparent electrode.

8. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal optical element has a control circuit that supplies a first voltage to the fifth transparent electrode, the sixth transparent electrode, the seventh transparent electrode, and the eighth transparent electrode. A second voltage, different from the first voltage, is supplied to the first transparent electrode and the third transparent electrode. A third voltage, different from the first voltage and the second voltage, is supplied to the second transparent electrode and the fourth transparent electrode.

9. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal optical element has a control circuit that supplies a first voltage to the second transparent electrode, the fourth transparent electrode, the sixth transparent electrode, and the eighth transparent electrode. A second voltage, different from the first voltage, is supplied to the first transparent electrode and the third transparent electrode. A third voltage, different from the first voltage and the second voltage, is supplied to the fifth transparent electrode and the seventh transparent electrode.

10. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, When viewed from above, The first transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the first transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell along the entire extension direction. The second transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the second transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extension direction. The third transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the third transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extending direction. The fourth transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the fourth transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extending direction. The fifth transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the fifth transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extending direction. The sixth transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the sixth transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extending direction. The seventh transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the seventh transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extending direction. The eighth transparent electrode of the first liquid crystal cell overlaps with the eighth transparent electrode of the second liquid crystal cell throughout the entire extension direction.

11. The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid crystal layer contains a twisted nematic liquid crystal.

12. A lighting device, characterized in that, have: Light source; and The liquid crystal optical element according to claim 1.

13. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein, A Fresnel lens is provided between the light source and the liquid crystal optical element.

14. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein, The lighting device has a Fresnel lens on the opposite side of the side containing the light source, relative to the liquid crystal optical element.

15. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein, A convex lens is provided between the light source and the liquid crystal optical element.

16. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein, The lighting device has a reflector that reflects light incident from the light source in such a way that it is incident on the liquid crystal optical element.

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