Electrochromic element, eyeglasses lens, eyeglasses, and mold

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: an electrochromic element in which the difference in reflectance is adjusted to a predetermined range to control corrugations; an eyeglass lens; and the like. This electrochromic element (10) is obtained by laminating a lens base material (1) and an electrochromic film (2), the absolute value of the difference in the degree of reflection between 30% or more of adjacent partial regions among the partial regions obtained by dividing the surface center thereof into 5 mm within a range of 40 mm being 0.05 D or more and 0.5 D or less, and the surface of the electrochromic film has corrugations. The maximum height ripple (Wz) in 30% or more of each partial region obtained by dividing the surface center within a range of 40 mm to 5 mm is 6 [mu] m or more and 30 [mu] m or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrochromic element capable of reversibly controlling color development and color elimination by electric power, a lens for spectacles, spectacles, and a mold for manufacturing the electrochromic element. Background Art

[0002] An electrochromic element utilizing an electrochromic phenomenon in which a redox reaction reversibly occurs by application of a voltage to reversibly change color can be used as, for example, a lens for spectacles.

[0003] In the process of manufacturing an electrochromic element, for example, an electrochromic film is preformed into a curved surface, and then the electrochromic film is placed in a mold and injection molded into a lens substrate. The manufactured electrochromic element has a curved surface shape in which the electrochromic film is laminated on the surface of the lens substrate.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-25243 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] The heating conditions during the preforming and injection molding are, for example, 100° C. or higher, so the surface of the electrochromic element is affected by the heat and produces ripples. The ripples cause the surface to show depth when current flows through the electrochromic element to color it.

[0009] However, the surface ripples have not been controlled in the past. Therefore, the presence of ripples leads to a larger difference in depth on the surface. In addition, when the electrochromic element is made into a lens for glasses and applied to glasses, the left and right lenses have a larger difference in depth, resulting in product defects.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic element and an eyeglass lens in which the difference in reflectance and the maximum height of the ripples are adjusted to a given range to control the ripples.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide glasses with reduced left-right depth difference using glasses lenses whose absolute value of the difference in reflectance and maximum height ripples are adjusted within a given range.

[0012] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mold used in manufacturing an electrochromic element.

[0013] Solutions to the problem

[0014] An electrochromic element of one embodiment of the present invention is formed by laminating a lens substrate and an electrochromic film, wherein the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between more than 30% of adjacent local areas in each local area divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range in the center of the surface is greater than 0.05D and less than 0.5D, and the surface of the above-mentioned electrochromic film has corrugations.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum height waviness (Wz) in 30% or more of each local area divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range at the center of the surface is preferably 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 50% or more of the local regions is preferably 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance is preferably 0.1D or more and 0.5D or less.

[0018] A spectacle lens according to one embodiment of the present invention uses the electrochromic element described above.

[0019] The spectacles according to one embodiment of the present invention use a plurality of the above-described spectacle lenses.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a mold, which is a mold for manufacturing an electrochromic element formed by laminating a lens substrate and an electrochromic film, the mold having a first mold and a second mold, the electrochromic film is arranged in contact with the inner surface of the first mold, and the material constituting the lens substrate is injection molded into a mold groove between the first mold and the second mold, thereby realizing the manufacture of the electrochromic element formed by joining the lens substrate and the electrochromic film, and the inner surface of the first mold in contact with the electrochromic film has corrugations.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum height waviness (Wz) in 30% or more of each local area divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range at the center of the inner surface is preferably 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the electrochromic element of the present invention, the difference in reflectance and the maximum height ripple are adjusted to a given range, so that the difference in depth can be suppressed. In addition, when the electrochromic element is applied to glasses, the difference in depth between left and right can be reduced, thereby improving the yield rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2A It is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2B It is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2C It is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2D It is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2E It is an explanatory diagram showing the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element of this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a 3D image of glasses using electrochromic technology.

[0031] Figure 4A This is a diagram conceptually showing the waviness on the surface of a pair of eyeglass lenses, and shows a comparative example.

[0032] Figure 4B FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the corrugations on the surface of a pair of eyeglass lenses, which shows an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 5A 1 is an experimental result of the reflectance of each local area in the example, and is a conceptual diagram showing each local area obtained by dividing a 40 mm square range of the central surface of the electrochromic element into 5 mm squares.

[0034] Figure 5B The experimental results of the reflectance of each local area in the example show the reflectance of each local area obtained by dividing the 40 mm square area of ​​the central surface of the electrochromic element into 5 mm square areas.

[0035] Figure 6 It shows that according to Figure 5B A table of the differences in reflectance between adjacent local areas obtained by calculating the reflectance of each local area.

[0036] Figure 7 The experimental results of the reflectance of each local area in the comparative example are shown.

[0037] Figure 8 It shows that according to Figure 7 A table of the differences in reflectance between adjacent local areas obtained by calculating the reflectance of each local area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail.

[0039] <Electrochromic element 10 of this embodiment>

[0040] Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrochromic element 10 according to the present embodiment. The electrochromic element 10 includes a lens substrate 1 and an electrochromic film 2 laminated on the surface of the lens substrate 1 .

[0041] [Lens substrate 1]

[0042] The lens substrate 1 is required to be transparent and have high transmittance. The material of the lens substrate 1 is not limited, and may be, for example, a resin substrate capable of being molded, such as polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, or a glass substrate. Among them, the lens substrate 1 is preferably formed of a polycarbonate resin from the viewpoint of moldability and manufacturing cost.

[0043] [Electrochromic film 2]

[0044] The electrochromic film 2 includes a pair of first substrates 3 and second substrates 4, a pair of first electrode layers 5 and second electrode layers 6 provided on the inner surfaces of the first substrates 3 and second substrates 4, and an electrochromic layer 7 provided between the first electrode layer 5 and the second electrode layer 6. The electrochromic layer 7 includes a reduction layer 7a provided on the first electrode layer 5 side, an oxidation layer 7b provided on the second electrode layer 6 side, and an electrolyte layer 7c provided between the reduction layer 7a and the oxidation layer 7b. In this way, the electrochromic film 2 is Figure 1 The layers are stacked in the order of second substrate 4 / second electrode layer 6 / oxidation layer 7b / electrolyte layer 7c / reduction layer 7a / first electrode layer 5 / first substrate 3 from the bottom. It should be noted that reference numeral 16 denotes a sealing layer, and reference numeral 17 denotes a metal terminal portion.

[0045] The substrates 3 and 4 constituting the electrochromic film 2 are in the form of films or sheets and can be formed of the same resin material as the lens substrate 1. The substrates 3 and 4 are also required to be transparent and have high transmittance, similarly to the lens substrate 1. The substrates 3 and 4 are preferably formed of polycarbonate resin, similarly to the lens substrate 1.

[0046] The properties required of the electrode layers 5 and 6 constituting the electrochromic film 2 include transparency, high transmittance, and excellent conductivity. In order to satisfy such properties, the electrode layers 5 and 6 are transparent electrode layers, and ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) is particularly preferably used.

[0047] The reduction layer 7 a , the oxidation layer 7 b , and the electrolyte layer 7 c constituting the electrochromic layer 7 can be made of existing materials.

[0048] The reduction layer 7a is a layer that develops color with the reduction reaction. The reduction layer 7a can use an existing reduced electrochromic compound. There is no limitation on whether it is an organic or inorganic substance, and examples thereof include azobenzenes, anthraquinones, diarylethenes, dihydroprenes, bipyridines, styryls, styrylspiropyrans, spiropyrans, and spiropyrans. Oxiranes, spirothiopyrans, thioindigos, tetrathiafulvalenes, terephthalic acids, triphenylmethanes, triphenylamines, naphthyrans, viologens, pyrazolines, phenazines, phenylenediamines, phenanthenes, Oxazines, phenothiazines, phthalocyanines, fluorenes, fulgides, benzopyrans, metallocenes, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, iridium oxide, titanium oxide, etc.

[0049] The oxide layer 7b is a layer that develops color with an oxidation reaction. The oxide layer 7b can use an existing oxidative electrochromic compound. There is no limitation on whether it is an organic or inorganic substance, and for example, it can be selected from a composition containing a radical polymerizable compound having a triarylamine, a Prussian blue complex, nickel oxide, iridium oxide, etc.

[0050] The electrolyte layer 7c has electronic insulation and ion conductivity, and is preferably transparent. The electrolyte layer 7c can be a solid electrolyte, a gel, a liquid, etc. In order to maintain high ion conductivity, it is preferably a gel. Although not limited, existing electrolyte materials such as inorganic ion salts such as alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts, quaternary ammonium salts, acids, etc. can be used.

[0051] In addition, although Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, a functional layer such as a hard coating layer and an anti-reflection layer may be provided on the surface of the electrochromic film 2 .

[0052] <Method for producing electrochromic element according to the present embodiment>

[0053] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for manufacturing the electrochromic element according to the present embodiment.

[0054] exist Figure 2A In the present invention, an electrochromic film 2 is prepared, which has a pair of substrates 3 and 4, electrode layers 5 and 6 disposed inside the substrates 3 and 4, and an electrochromic layer 7 sandwiched between the electrode layers 5 and 6. It should be noted that the stacked structure of the electrochromic film 2 is not limited, and may be any other structure. Figure 2A Other stacked structures.

[0055] Next, if Figure 2BAs shown, the electrochromic film 2 is preformed into a curved surface. At this time, the electrochromic film 2 is heated. The heating temperature is not limited, and is, for example, about 100°C.

[0056] When the electrochromic element of the present embodiment is applied to eyeglass lenses, since the eyeglass lenses have three-dimensional curved surfaces, it is preferable to preform the electrochromic film 2 into a three-dimensional curved surface before molding the lens substrate 1 .

[0057] Then, in Figure 2C In the process, the preformed electrochromic film 2 is placed inside a mold 20 composed of a first mold 21 and a second mold 22, and the lens substrate 1 is injection molded using an injection molding machine 23. During the injection molding, heating is performed. The heating temperature is not limited, for example, it is about 120°C. It should be noted that Figure 2C In FIG. 1 , the internal space of the mold 20 is shown in a rectangular shape, but the inner surface in contact with the electrochromic film 2 and the inner surface on the injection port side are curved.

[0058] Next, if Figure 2D As shown, the electrochromic element 10 formed by laminating the lens substrate 1 and the electrochromic film 2 is taken out from the mold 20. Figure 2E As shown, the electrochromic element 10 is cut into the shape of a lens for glasses to obtain a lens 30 for glasses.

[0059] <About Conventional Problems of Electrochromic Elements and Overview of the Present Embodiment>

[0060] The electrochromic element is an element that utilizes the electrochromic phenomenon that a redox reaction reversibly occurs when a voltage is applied to both electrodes, thereby reversibly changing the color.

[0061] For example, Figure 3 As for the glasses 32 shown, the electrochromic element using electrochromic technology is made into a pair of glasses lenses 30 and mounted on a frame 31, so that it can function as sunglasses in bright places and as transparent lenses in dark places. It can be adjusted to the optimal brightness by switch operation or automatically.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the electrochromic element 10 has a laminated structure in which an electrochromic film 2 having an electrode layer and an electrochromic layer is laminated on the surface of a lens substrate 1 .

[0063] When the electrochromic element is applied to glasses 32 as eyeglass lenses 30 and current is passed to color sunglasses, depth may appear on the lens surface. It is known that the depth is clearly expressed according to the size of the ripples on the lens surface.

[0064] The ripples are generated by applying heat to the electrochromic film 2 during the manufacturing process of the electrochromic element 10. The heating temperature is not limited, for example, heat of 100° C. or more is applied to the electrochromic film 2. In addition, the heating process is not limited, such as Figure 2B and Figure 2C As shown, the process includes a pre-molding step of making the electrochromic film 2 into a three-dimensional shape, a molding step of placing the electrochromic film 2 in a mold 20 and injection molding the lens substrate 1, and the like.

[0065] Figure 4A , Figure 4B 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the corrugations on the surface of each of the eyeglass lenses 30 when a pair of eyeglass lenses 30 are arranged on the left and right sides of an eyeglass frame. Figure 4A A comparative example is shown. Figure 4B It should be noted that in Figure 4A , Figure 4B In FIG. 1 , the ripples are shown in an exaggerated manner.

[0066] like Figure 4A As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 1 , if the wave A of the left spectacle lens is very small and the wave B of the right spectacle lens is very large, for example, different depths will appear on the left and right, resulting in a defective product. In the past, the wave was not controlled, so different depths were likely to appear on the left and right, resulting in a reduction in the yield rate.

[0067] To this end, the inventors conducted in-depth research and found that the difference in reflectivity was adjusted to a given range, thereby controlling the ripples. That is, in this embodiment, the electrochromic film has ripples on its surface, and further, the difference in reflectivity is adjusted to a given range, thereby suppressing the depth difference on the surface of the electrochromic film, and reducing the deviation in depth between each lens.

[0068] That is, Figure 4B As shown in the embodiment, corrugations C and D are formed on the surfaces of the left and right spectacle lenses, and the corrugations C and D are larger than Figure 4A The ripple B of the comparative example shown is small. Thus, the depth difference that occurs on the surface can be suppressed. Figure 4B As shown, the deviation ratio of ripple C to ripple D is Figure 4A The deviation between the ripple A and ripple B shown is small and closer to being equal. Figure 4A Compared with the comparative example, Figure 4B In the embodiment, the left and right difference in depth can be reduced, thereby improving the yield rate.

[0069] <Detailed explanation on the difference in reflectivity>

[0070] In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 30% or more of the local areas divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range at the center of the surface of the electrochromic element is preferably 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less.

[0071] The difference in reflectance is described below with reference to experiments.

[0072] [Example 1]

[0073] (1) Production of injection molding molds

[0074] Figure 2C The material of the mold 20 for injection molding shown is mold steel STAVAX. At this time, the injection molding of the electrochromic element with a center thickness of about 2.0 mm for eyeglass lenses can be realized, and the mold 20 is prepared with a first mold 21 (convex bottom mold) having a shape corresponding to the convex surface of a spherical lens that can make the reflectivity of -2.0D (degrees, Diopter), and a second mold 22 (concave mold) corresponding to the first mold 21.

[0075] (2) Processing of micro-corrugations (embossing)

[0076] The convex bottom mold is set in a micro-curved surface forming device, which has a triangular hat-shaped (it can also be a spherical or semicircular) diamond drill with a blade diameter of about 0.5mm to 10mm (preferably several mm to about 5mm). The micro-curved surface forming device is close to the structure of a milling machine with an automatic rotation mechanism. At this time, it is set in the micro-curved surface forming device in a manner that the center of the convex bottom mold, that is, the center of the finely processed lens becomes the center of the embossing process. Then, the front end of the diamond drill bit is abutted against a position about 0.5mm to 5mm (preferably several mm) outward from the center of the inner surface of the convex bottom mold in a manner that the load is in the range of about 0.01 to 0.50kgf. It should be noted that the load is preferably about a few tenths of kgf to 0.50kgf.

[0077] While rotating the convex bottom mold at a rotation speed of about 1rpm to 100rpm, the load of the diamond drill bit is linearly changed within 5 to 300 seconds to a load between -1% and -100% relative to the set value. Then, a program is arranged to linearly restore from the reduced load to the initial set load within 5 to 300 seconds, and the program is executed for about 1 minute to 15 minutes to grind the inner surface of the convex bottom mold. It should be noted that the rotation speed is preferably set to about tens of rpm. In addition, it is preferred to linearly change the load between the initial set value and 0rpm to several rpm. In addition, it is preferred to linearly change the load between several seconds and tens of seconds. In addition, the grinding time is preferably about several minutes to 5 minutes.

[0078] Then, the diamond drill bit is further brought into contact with the outer side at a position of 0.5 mm to 15 mm (preferably several mm), and the same sequence as above is repeated to perform embossing on the inner surface of the convex bottom mold. Then, the inner surface is polished and the cut and ground angles are rounded. The embossing is set so that the maximum cross-sectional height (Rt) is less than 30 μm. Hereinafter, the mold after embossing as described above is referred to as a "convex embossing mold".

[0079] (3) Injection molding

[0080] As an injection molding machine for injection molding, α100iA (manufactured by FANUC: 100t for mold closing, 50t for injection molding) was used, and the lens substrate was injection molded using a convex embossing mold and a concave mold. The electrochromic film that had been subjected to curved surface processing by pre-molding was set on the inner side of the convex embossing mold, and polycarbonate with bisphenol A as the main raw material was injection molded. It was confirmed that the electrochromic film and the polycarbonate after injection molding were in close contact. In addition, the excess electrochromic film was cut off with a cutter.

[0081] (4) Grinding of lenses

[0082] The concave surface of the electrochromic element produced in the above step was cut and polished using a free-form wave generator, and finished to obtain a planoscopic lens with a center thickness of 2.0 mm.

[0083] (5) Electrode wiring

[0084] Electrode wiring is applied to the current-carrying extraction electrode portion of the electrochromic film of the above-mentioned planoscopic lens.

[0085] (6) Cutting and edge processing

[0086] In order to install the electrochromic element after the electrode wiring is implemented on the frame of the glasses, the cutting and edge processing are performed to obtain the glasses lens. In this embodiment, both eyes use the same round test frame with a diameter of 50 mm, and the setting is made so that the left and right differences can be compared. Then, the glasses lens is installed on the frame and connected to the power wiring of the frame. In addition to the power wiring, the frame also has a power switch and a battery.

[0087] (7) Experimental method and evaluation of reflectance difference

[0088] The reflectance distribution of the electrochromic element produced by the above operation was measured using a double-lens mapper.

[0089] like Figure 5A As shown, in the measurement of the reflectance distribution, the range of 40mm×40mm centered on the center of the convex surface of the electrochromic element is used as the measurement object area. Furthermore, the measurement object area is divided into 8×8 sections, a total of 64 sections. Each section is recorded as a "local area". The local area is 5mm square.

[0090] picture Figure 5A Thus, each of the 64 local areas was numbered 1 to 64. Then, the average reflectance of each local area was measured using a dual-lens mapper. The measurement results are shown in Figure 5B . The unit is D (degree).

[0091] Then, the difference in reflectance between adjacent local areas is calculated. Figure 6 is a table showing the difference in reflectance between adjacent local areas. The number of adjacent local areas (boundaries) is 112 in total. Figure 6 In the table, it is indicated by "Adjacent No.".

[0092] like Figure 6 As shown, for example, adjacent No. 1 indicates Figure 5A The difference in reflectivity between the local area of ​​symbol 1 and the local area of ​​symbol 2 shown. Figure 5B As shown in FIG. 1 , the average reflectivity of the local area of ​​symbol 1 is -2.00D, and the average reflectivity of the local area of ​​symbol 2 is -1.40D. Therefore, Figure 6 As shown, the difference in reflectance between adjacent No. 1 is -0.60 D. In this way, the difference in average reflectance between adjacent No. 1 to adjacent No. 112 is calculated.

[0093] Among them, if the difference in reflectivity is within the range of 0.05D and 0.5D in absolute value, the evaluation is set to ○, and if it is outside the above range, the evaluation is set to ×. In Example 1, the difference in reflectivity of 34 out of 112 is within the range of 0.05D and 0.5D in absolute value, and it can be seen that more than 30% of the adjacent local areas meet the conditions. In addition, it can be seen that the average reflectivity is within the range of ±0.2D of the design degree. The difference in reflectivity contributes to the ripples on the surface of the electrochromic film. The larger the ripples, the greater the difference in reflectivity. By making the difference in reflectivity within the range of 0.05D and 0.5D in absolute value as in the present embodiment, the ripples formed in the 40mm square range in the center of the surface can be appropriately reduced, so that the spacing of the ripples can be controlled to become basically constant.

[0094] (8) Measurement method of maximum height ripple (Wz)

[0095] Dektak XT-A manufactured by Bruker was used to perform three-dimensional mapping within a 40 mm square in the center of the surface. The scanning pitch at this time was set to 0.1 mm. It should be noted that for the uncorrected measurement data, since the curve shape of the eyeglass lens overlaps, correction was performed in a manner that the theoretical value based on the lens design reached a level, and then Wz was calculated. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0096] [Table 1]

[0097] Maximum height ripple Proportion% 1~5μm 8 6~10μm 10 11~20μm 12 21~30μm 16 30~40μm 25 41μm or more 29

[0098] As shown in Table 1, the ratio of the maximum height waviness (Wz) of 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less is 38%.

[0099] (9) Sensory evaluation when applied to glasses

[0100] The glasses using the electrochromic element of Example 1 were powered on, and the coloring state of the left and right lenses after the power was continuously applied for 5 minutes was visually evaluated. The results of checking the left and right differences in the coloring state showed that there was no particular discomfort, and the left and right lenses achieved a uniform coloring density, which was suitable for glasses. In addition, the results of actually wearing the glasses and checking the deformation of the visual field showed that there was no particularly significant difference between the left and right.

[0101] [Example 2]

[0102] In Example 2, the initial load of the embossing process of Example 1 was set to 0.03 to 0.10 kgf, and the electrochromic element and glasses were produced under the same manufacturing conditions as in Example 1. In Example 2, the initial load of the embossing process was set to be smaller than that of Example 1. The absolute value of the difference in reflectivity between adjacent local areas was measured in the same manner as in Example 1, and the result showed that the proportion falling within the range of 0.05D to 0.5D exceeded 50%. Furthermore, the glasses were applied and the same sensory evaluation as in Example 1 was implemented. As a result, there was no significant difference in the depth difference between the left and right lenses, and there was no particularly significant difference in the deformation of the field of view when wearing the glasses.

[0103] Table 2 shows the measurement results of the maximum height waviness (Wz) of Example 2.

[0104] [Table 2]

[0105] Maximum height ripple Proportion% 1~5μm 5 6~10μm 12 11~20μm 17 21~30μm 21 30~40μm 26 41μm or more 19

[0106] As shown in Table 2, the ratio of the maximum height waviness (Wz) of 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less is 50%.

[0107] [Comparative Example]

[0108] In the comparative example, an electrochromic element and glasses were produced under the same manufacturing conditions as in Example 1 except that the initial load was changed to 0.55 to 0.9 kgf so as to be larger than that in Example 1 during the embossing process.

[0109] Table 3 shows the measurement results of the maximum height waviness (Wz) of the comparative example.

[0110] [Table 3]

[0111] Maximum height ripple Proportion% 1~5μm 1 6~10μm 2 11~20μm 4 21~30μm 7 30~40μm 16 41μm or more 70

[0112] As shown in Table 3, the ratio of the maximum height waviness (Wz) of 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less was 13%.

[0113] Figure 7 The reflectance is measured in 64 local areas each of which is a 5 mm square divided into a range of 40 mm x 40 mm centered on the center of the convex surface of the electrochromic element. Figure 8 is the calculation result of the difference in reflectance between adjacent local areas. It should be noted that the number of the local area is Figure 5A Consistent.

[0114] like Figure 8As shown in the figure, if the difference in reflectivity is within the range of 0.05D or more and 0.5D in absolute value, the evaluation is set to ○, and if it is outside the range, the evaluation is set to ×. It can be seen that in the comparative example, the difference in reflectivity of 25 out of 112 is within the range of 0.05D or more and 0.5D in absolute value, which is less than 30% between adjacent local areas. In addition, the average reflectivity exceeds ±0.2D of the design degree.

[0115] The electrochromic element of the comparative example was applied to glasses, and the glasses were subjected to sensory evaluation under the same conditions as in Example 1. As a result, uneven depth was observed on the left and right lenses, and the visual field was significantly distorted. Therefore, it was found that the electrochromic element of the comparative example could not be used in glasses.

[0116] In the present embodiment, the following structure is provided corresponding to the absolute value of the difference in the above-mentioned reflectivity. That is, in the present embodiment, the surface of the above-mentioned electrochromic film 2 has corrugations, and the maximum height corrugations (Wz) in the area of ​​more than 30% of each local area formed by dividing the 40 mm square range in the center of the surface into 5 mm squares is greater than 6 μm and less than 30 μm. It was confirmed that both Examples 1 and 2 satisfy this numerical range. In the present embodiment, the maximum height corrugations (Wz) of the corrugations formed on the surface of the electrochromic film 2 can be controlled, and the depth difference that appears on the surface when the electrochromic element is in operation can be reduced. Furthermore, when applied to glasses, the deviation of the depth that appears on the left and right lenses can be reduced, and there is no deformation of the field of vision when worn, and it can be effectively applied to glasses.

[0117] <Characteristic Configuration of the Present Embodiment>

[0118] The electrochromic element 10 of the present embodiment is an electrochromic element formed by laminating a lens substrate 1 and an electrochromic film 2, and the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 30% or more of the local areas formed by dividing the 40 mm square range in the center of the surface into 5 mm squares is 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less, and the surface of the electrochromic film 2 has corrugations. In the present embodiment, it is preferred that the maximum height corrugation (Wz) in the area of ​​30% or more of the local areas formed by dividing the 40 mm square range in the center of the surface into 5 mm squares is 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less. It is more preferred that more than 35% of the areas satisfy the above numerical range.

[0119] In the present embodiment, the surface of the electrochromic element 10 has ripples, and the ripples are preferably controlled by adjusting the absolute value of the difference in reflectivity. That is, in the present embodiment, by adjusting the absolute value of the difference in reflectivity between adjacent local areas of more than 30% of each local area to a range of more than 0.05D and less than 0.5D, the ripples can be appropriately reduced, and the spacing of the ripples is controlled to be close to being basically constant. Thus, when the electrochromic element 10 is applied to the glasses 32 as a lens 30 for glasses, the depth difference between the left and right lenses can be reduced, and there is no deformation of the visual field when wearing, and it can be effectively applied to the glasses. It should be noted that if the difference in reflectivity is to be less than 0.05D in absolute value, the restrictions on manufacturing conditions will become too strict, making it difficult to achieve stable adjustment, which is unrealistic. In addition, when the proportion of the difference in reflectivity exceeding 0.5D in absolute value increases as in the above-mentioned comparative example, the uneven depth becomes larger, which is not practical. The present embodiment allows for the presence of moire, and in order to achieve stable manufacturing and suppress uneven depth, in the present embodiment, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance is adjusted to a range of 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less.

[0120] In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the surface of the electrochromic film 2 has corrugations, and the maximum height corrugations (Wz) in the area of ​​more than 30% of each local area formed by dividing the 40 mm square range in the center of the surface into 5 mm squares is greater than 6 μm and less than 30 μm. As such, in the present embodiment, the maximum height corrugations (Wz) of the corrugations formed on the surface of the electrochromic film 2 can be controlled, and the depth difference that appears on the surface when the electrochromic element is in operation can be reduced. Furthermore, when applied to glasses, the deviation of the depth that appears on the left and right lenses can be reduced, and there is no deformation of the field of view when worn, and it can be effectively applied to glasses.

[0121] In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 50% or more local areas in each local area is preferably 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less. This is consistent with the above-mentioned Example 2. This can more effectively reduce the depth difference on the surface when the electrochromic element is operating.

[0122] In this embodiment, the absolute value of the difference in reflectance is more preferably 0.1D to 0.5D. In Example 2, it was confirmed that the absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 30% or more local areas in each local area can be within the range of 0.1D to 0.5D.

[0123] In addition, in the present embodiment, a mold 20 is provided for manufacturing an electrochromic element 10 formed by laminating a lens substrate 1 and an electrochromic film 2. The mold 20 includes a first mold 21 and a second mold 22. The electrochromic film 2 is placed in contact with the inner surface of the first mold 21, and the material constituting the lens substrate 1 is injection molded into the mold groove between the first mold 21 and the second mold 22. At this time, the inner surface of the first mold 21 in contact with the electrochromic film 2 is characterized by having corrugations, and preferably, the maximum height corrugation (Wz) in more than 30% of each local area formed by dividing the 40 mm square range in the center of the inner surface into 5 mm squares is 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less. By using the mold to manufacture the electrochromic element 10, the corrugations formed on the surface of the electrochromic film 2 can be appropriately reduced, and the spacing of the corrugations can be controlled to be close to being substantially constant.

[0124] <Application>

[0125] The electrochromic element of this embodiment is not limited in its application, but can be preferably applied to light-adjusting eyeglass lenses.

[0126] The electrochromic element of this embodiment can also be applied to other than eyeglass lenses, for example, electrochromic dimmers, anti-glare lenses, and the like.

[0127] Industrial Applicability

[0128] The electrochromic element of the present invention controls the ripples formed on the surface by adjusting the absolute value of the difference in reflectivity and the maximum height of the ripples. As a result, the depth difference of the surface generated when the electrochromic element is in operation can be reduced. In particular, when the electrochromic element is applied to glasses, the deviation of the depth between the left and right lenses can be reduced, and there is no deformation of the field of view when wearing, and it can be effectively applied to glasses.

[0129] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-076852 filed on May 9, 2022, and all the contents thereof are included in this application.

Claims

1. An electrochromic element, which is a lens substrate and an electrochromic film laminated together, The absolute value of the difference in reflectance between adjacent 30% or more of the local areas divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square area at the center of the surface of the electrochromic element is 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less. The surface of the electrochromic film has corrugations.

2. The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum height waviness (Wz) in 30% or more of each local area divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range at the center of the surface is 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

3. The electrochromic element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The absolute value of the difference in reflectance between 50% or more of the adjacent local areas among the local areas is 0.05D or more and 0.5D or less.

4. The electrochromic element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The absolute value of the difference in reflectance is greater than or equal to 0.1D and less than or equal to 0.5D. 5 . A spectacle lens using the electrochromic element according to claim 1 . 6 . A pair of spectacles using a plurality of the spectacles lenses according to claim 5 .

7. A mold for manufacturing an electrochromic element formed by laminating a lens substrate and an electrochromic film, The mold comprises a first mold and a second mold, The electrochromic film is placed in contact with the inner surface of the first mold, and the material constituting the lens substrate is injection-molded into the mold groove between the first mold and the second mold, thereby realizing the manufacture of the electrochromic element formed by bonding the lens substrate and the electrochromic film. The inner surface of the first mold in contact with the electrochromic film has corrugations.

8. The mold according to claim 7, wherein: The maximum height waviness (Wz) in 30% or more of each local area divided into 5 mm squares within a 40 mm square range at the center of the inner surface is 6 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

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