Dimming sheet

Abstract

The light control sheet is further provided with: a back-facing sealing section (42E) that is supported by a portion of the transparent surface base material that is exposed from the light control layer and that is located between a front-outer end surface (21E) and a back-facing terminal-defining surface (32E), and that seals a portion of the end surfaces of the light control layer that overlaps the back-facing terminal-defining surface (32E); and a surface-facing sealing part (41E) that is supported by a portion of the back-surface transparent substrate that is exposed from the light modulation layer and that is located between a back-surface outer end surface (31E) and a surface inner end surface (22E), and that seals a portion of the end surfaces of the light modulation layer that overlaps the surface inner end surface (22E), the surface-facing sealing part (41E) being connected to the back-surface-facing sealing part (42E) via a slit (S), and the surface-facing sealing part (41E) being supported by a portion of the back-surface transparent substrate that is exposed from the light modulation layer and that overlaps the surface inner end surface (22E). The sealing portion (42E) overlaps with the back-facing sealing portion (42E) in a region including the slit (S).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light-adjusting sheet including a light-adjusting layer between a front transparent substrate and a rear transparent substrate. Background Art

[0002] The dimming film has a surface transparent substrate and a back transparent substrate. One side of the surface transparent substrate supports the surface transparent electrode layer. One side of the back transparent substrate supports the back transparent electrode layer. The dimming layer is arranged between the surface transparent electrode layer and the back transparent electrode layer. The dimming layer includes a transparent polymer layer defining a plurality of gaps and a liquid crystal composition filling each gap. The voltage change between the surface transparent electrode layer and the back transparent electrode layer changes the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound contained in the liquid crystal composition in the dimming layer, thereby changing the transparency of the dimming film.

[0003] The edge of the dimming sheet extending in the circumferential direction includes an end face of a back transparent substrate, an end face of a dimming layer, and an end face of a front transparent substrate. The end face of the front transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer are arranged at a position on the inner side of the back transparent substrate than the end face of the back transparent substrate at the edge of the dimming sheet. One side of the back transparent substrate includes a back support portion and a back edge portion. The back support portion supports the dimming layer on one side of the back transparent substrate. From a viewpoint opposite to one side of the front transparent substrate, the end face of the front transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer separate the back edge portion from the back support portion. Corresponding to the end face of the front transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer being arranged on the inner side of the back transparent substrate than the end face of the back transparent substrate, the back edge portion is exposed from the dimming layer. The edge sealing portion is arranged at the back edge portion of the back transparent substrate, and seals the end face of the dimming layer that separates the back edge portion from the back support portion. Thus, in the circumferential direction of the dimming sheet, high sealing of the dimming layer is achieved, and the sealing is stabilized (for example, refer to patent document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-177039 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] On the other hand, each transparent electrode layer has a circuit portion in contact with the dimming layer and a terminal exposed from the dimming layer. The surface transparent electrode layer has a surface circuit portion and a terminal facing the back surface. The back transparent electrode layer has a back circuit portion and a terminal facing the surface. The circuit portion is electrically connected to the terminal. The voltage signal for driving the dimming film is input to the terminal of each transparent electrode layer.

[0009] The surface terminal is exposed from the dimming layer in the back transparent electrode layer, similar to the above-mentioned back edge portion. The end face of the surface transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer are arranged in the surface terminal at a position closer to the inner side of the back transparent substrate than the end face of the back transparent substrate. When observed from a viewpoint opposite to a side surface of the surface transparent substrate, the surface terminal is separated from the back circuit portion by the end face of the surface transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer, similar to the back edge portion. The surface terminal sealing portion is arranged at the edge of the surface terminal and seals the end face of the dimming layer separating the surface terminal. In this way, the surface terminal sealing portion and the above-mentioned edge sealing portion are supported by one side surface of the common back transparent substrate and follow the end face of the common surface transparent substrate. Therefore, the surface terminal sealing portion can extend from the edge sealing portion along the end face of the surface transparent substrate.

[0010] In contrast, the back terminal is exposed from the dimming layer in the surface transparent electrode layer. The end face of the back transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer are arranged in the back terminal at a position closer to the inner side of the surface transparent substrate than the end face of the surface transparent substrate. The back terminal is separated from the surface circuit by the end face of the back transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer. The back terminal sealing portion is arranged at the edge of the back terminal and seals the end face of the dimming layer separating the back terminal. In this way, the back terminal sealing portion and the above-mentioned edge sealing portion are supported by one side of the independent transparent substrate and follow the end face of the independent transparent substrate. Therefore, the back terminal sealing portion following the end face of the back transparent substrate is disconnected from the edge sealing portion following the end face of the surface transparent substrate. Moreover, the disconnection of the back terminal sealing portion that seals the end face of the dimming layer and the edge sealing portion that seals the end face of the dimming layer will hinder the sealing of the dimming layer. Furthermore, the requirement for improving the sealing property of the light-adjusting layer is common not only to the light-adjusting sheet having the rear terminal sealing portion and the edge sealing portion, but also to the light-adjusting sheet having the end surface of the light-adjusting layer separated by an independent transparent substrate.

[0011] Means for solving problems

[0012] The dimming sheet for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises: a surface transparent substrate supporting a surface electrode layer; a back transparent substrate supporting a back electrode layer; and a dimming layer containing a liquid crystal composition, wherein the surface electrode layer and the back electrode layer are arranged between the surface transparent substrate and the back transparent substrate, and the dimming layer is sandwiched by the surface electrode layer and the back electrode layer. When viewed from a top view from a viewpoint opposite to the surface of the surface transparent substrate, the end face of the surface transparent substrate comprises a surface inner end face, a surface outer end face, and a surface connecting end face connecting them. The end face of the back transparent substrate comprises a back inner end face, a back outer end face, and a back connecting end face connecting them. The back inner end face is arranged at a position closer to the inside of the surface than the surface outer end face, and the back outer end face is arranged at a position closer to the outside of the surface than the surface inner end face, and the surface connecting end face and the back connecting end face constitute a slit penetrating from the surface transparent substrate to the back transparent substrate. The dimming sheet further comprises: a back-facing sealing portion, which is a portion of the surface transparent substrate exposed from the dimming layer and is between the surface outer end face and the back inner end face when viewed from above, and seals a portion of the end face of the dimming layer that overlaps with the back inner end face; and a surface-facing sealing portion, which is a portion of the back transparent substrate exposed from the dimming layer and is between the back outer end face and the surface inner end face when viewed from above, and seals a portion of the end face of the dimming layer that overlaps with the surface inner end face, the surface-facing sealing portion is connected to the back-facing sealing portion via the slit, and overlaps with the back-facing sealing portion in a region including the slit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view showing a dimming film.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the end surface of the dimming sheet.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the dimming film.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a top view of a dimming sheet showing a modified example.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a top view of a dimming sheet showing a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 5 An embodiment of a dimming sheet will be described.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the dimming sheet 10 includes a surface transparent film 20, a back transparent film 30 and a dimming layer 40 (see Figure 2 ). A portion of the end surface of the dimming sheet 10 is a sheet end surface 11E. The sheet end surface 11E extends along the first direction D1. The sheet end surface 11E includes a surface outer end surface 21E and two back outer end surfaces 31E. The surface outer end surface 21E is a portion of the end surface of the surface transparent film 20. The two back outer end surfaces 31E are a portion of the end surface of the back transparent film 30. One surface outer end surface 21E is sandwiched by two back outer end surfaces 31E.

[0022] The second direction D2 is orthogonal to the first direction D1 when viewed from a viewpoint opposite to the surface of the dimming sheet 10. The second direction D2 extends from the center of the dimming sheet 10 toward the sheet end surface 11E. In addition, the dimming sheet 10 may have a planar shape including the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, or may have a curved surface. The sheet end surface 11E may have a straight line shape or a curved line shape.

[0023] [Layer composition]

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, the front transparent film 20 includes a front transparent substrate 23 and a front electrode layer 24. The front transparent substrate 23 supports the front electrode layer 24. The back transparent film 30 includes a back transparent substrate 33 and a back electrode layer 34. The back transparent substrate 33 supports the back electrode layer 34.

[0025] The surface electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34 are arranged between the surface transparent substrate 23 and the back transparent substrate 33. The dimming layer 40 is sandwiched by the surface electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34. The dimming layer 40 is driven by a voltage signal supplied between the surface electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34. The dimming sheet 10 may also include an orientation layer between the surface electrode layer 24 and the dimming layer 40. The dimming sheet 10 may also include an orientation layer between the back electrode layer 34 and the dimming layer 40.

[0026] Each transparent substrate 23, 33 has light transmittance for transmitting visible light and electrical insulation. The material constituting each transparent substrate 23, 33 is an organic polymer compound or an inorganic polymer compound. An example of an organic polymer compound is at least one selected from polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyolefin. An example of an inorganic polymer compound is at least one selected from silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride.

[0027] Each electrode layer 24, 34 has light transmittance and electrical conductivity. An example of a material constituting each electrode layer 24, 34 is at least one selected from indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes, and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).

[0028] The light-adjusting layer 40 makes the transmittance after the voltage is applied different from the transmittance before the voltage is applied. An example of the light-adjusting layer 40 includes a transparent organic polymer layer and a liquid crystal composition. The transparent organic polymer layer defines a gap filled with the liquid crystal composition between the surface electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34. The liquid crystal composition is filled in the gap of the transparent organic polymer layer. The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound. An example of the liquid crystal compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of Schiff base compounds, azo compounds, azoxy compounds, biphenyl compounds, terphenyl compounds, benzoate compounds, diphenylacetylene compounds, pyrimidine compounds, cyclohexanecarboxylate compounds, phenylcyclohexane compounds, and dioxane compounds.

[0029] An example of a retention type of the liquid crystal composition in the dimming layer 40 is any one selected from the group consisting of a polymer network type, a polymer dispersion type and a capsule type. The polymer dispersion type has a plurality of isolated voids in a transparent organic polymer layer, and retains the liquid crystal composition in the voids dispersed in the polymer layer. The polymer network type has a transparent polymer network with a three-dimensional mesh shape, and retains the liquid crystal composition in the mesh-like voids interconnected with each other. The polymer network is an example of a transparent organic polymer layer. The capsule type retains the liquid crystal composition having a capsule shape in a transparent organic polymer layer. In addition, the liquid crystal composition may also contain a monomer for forming a transparent organic polymer layer, and a dichroic pigment in addition to the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound.

[0030] [Plane composition]

[0031] return Figure 1 The end surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 includes a surface outer end surface 21E, two surface inner end surfaces 22E, and two surface connection end surfaces 1B. The end surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 also includes a surface terminal demarcation surface 23E. The surface outer end surface 21E, the two surface inner end surfaces 22E, the two surface connection end surfaces 1B, and the surface terminal demarcation surface 23E have a non-branching fold line shape when viewed from above.

[0032] The outer surface end surface 21E constitutes the sheet end surface 11E. The outer surface end surface 21E extends in the first direction D1 in a plan view. The outer surface end surface 21E has a linear shape in a plan view.

[0033] The surface inner end face 22E is the same as the surface outer end face 21E, and extends along the first direction D1 when viewed from above. The surface inner end face 22E has a straight line shape when viewed from above. One surface outer end face 21E is sandwiched by two surface inner end faces 22E in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the length of the surface outer end face 21E may be longer than the length of the surface inner end face 22E, or may be less than the length of the surface inner end face 22E. In the first direction D1, the lengths of the two surface inner end faces 22E may be equal to each other, or may be different from each other.

[0034] The end face of the surface transparent substrate 23 has two surface connection end faces 1B. Each surface connection end face 1B is connected to a surface inner end face 22E at each end of the surface outer end face 21E. The surface connection end face 1B extends in the second direction D2 when viewed from above. The length of the surface connection end face 1B in the second direction D2 is shorter than the length of the surface outer end face 21E in the first direction D1. The length of the surface connection end face 1B in the second direction D2 is shorter than the length of the surface inner end face 22E in the first direction D1. Each end of the surface outer end face 21E is connected to a different surface connection end face 1B. Each surface connection end face 1B is connected to a different end of the surface inner end face 22E.

[0035] The surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals has an inverted U-shape when viewed from above. The surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals is arranged in a first direction D1 of a surface inner end face 22E when viewed from above. The surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals is connected to a surface inner end face 22E. The surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals is arranged in a second direction D2 in a direction opposite to the surface inner end face 22E when viewed from above. In the first direction D1, the length of the surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals may be longer than the length of the surface outer end face 21E, or may be less than the length of the surface outer end face 21E. In the first direction D1, the length of the surface defining surface 23E toward the surface terminals may be longer than the length of the surface inner end face 22E, or may be less than the length of the surface inner end face 22E.

[0036] return Figure 2 The end face of the surface electrode layer 24 is connected to the end face of the surface transparent substrate 23. The end face of the surface electrode layer 24 is connected from the surface outer end face 21E, the surface connection end face 1B, the surface inner end face 22E and the surface terminal demarcation face 23E in the thickness direction of the surface transparent substrate 23. The end face of the surface electrode layer 24 is consistent with the end face of the surface transparent substrate 23 when viewed from above.

[0037] return Figure 1 The end surface of the back transparent substrate 33 includes two back outer end surfaces 31E, two back connecting end surfaces 2B, and Figure 1The dotted line of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E has an inverted U shape. The back terminal demarcation surface 32E is an example of the back inner end surface. The two back outer end surfaces 31E, the two back connection end surfaces 2B and the back terminal demarcation surface 32E have a non-branching broken line shape when viewed from above.

[0038] The rear outer end surface 31E constitutes the sheet end surface 11E. The two rear outer end surfaces 31E extend in the first direction D1. The rear outer end surface 31E has a straight line shape connected to the front outer end surface 21E of the front transparent film 20 in a plan view.

[0039] The back terminal demarcation surface 32E is arranged at a position on the inner side of the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 than the surface outer end surface 21E when viewed from above. That is, on the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23, the position of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E is closer to the inner side than the position of the surface outer end surface 21E. The back terminal demarcation surface 32E is arranged on the inner side of the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 from the surface connection end surface 1B of the surface transparent film 20 when viewed from above. The back terminal demarcation surface 32E is sandwiched by two back outer end surfaces 31E in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the length of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E can be longer than the length of the surface terminal demarcation surface 23E, or it can be less than the length of the surface terminal demarcation surface 23E. In the first direction D1, the length of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E can be longer than the length of the surface inner end surface 22E, or it can be less than the length of the surface inner end surface 22E. In the second direction D2, the length of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E may be longer than the length of the front terminal demarcation surface 23E, or may be less than the length of the front terminal demarcation surface 23E. In the second direction D2, the length of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E is longer than the length of the back connection end surface 2B.

[0040] The end face of the back transparent substrate 33 has two back connection end faces 2B. Each back connection end face 2B is connected to a back outer end face 31E at each end of the back terminal demarcation surface 32E. The back connection end face 2B extends along the second direction D2 when viewed from above. Each back outer end face 31E is connected to a different back connection end face 2B. Each back connection end face 2B is connected to a different end of a back terminal demarcation surface 32E. The boundary point between the back connection end face 2B and the back terminal demarcation surface 32E is an end of the surface inner end face 22E when viewed from above. In other words, the surface inner end face 22E of the surface transparent film 20 extends along the second direction D2 from the boundary point between the back connection end face 2B and the back terminal demarcation surface 32E when viewed from above.

[0041] return Figure 2The end face of the back electrode layer 34 is connected to the end face of the back transparent substrate 33. The end face of the back electrode layer 34 is connected in the thickness direction of the back transparent substrate 33 from the back outer end face 31E, toward the back terminal defining face 32E and the back connecting end face 2B.

[0042] return Figure 1 The end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 has a portion that coincides with the rear terminal demarcation surface 32E of the rear transparent film 30 in a plan view. The surface electrode layer 24 has a surface circuit portion and rear terminals 12E. The surface circuit portion is a portion of the surface electrode layer 24 that is in contact with the light-adjusting layer 40.

[0043] The back-facing terminal 12E is exposed from the light-adjusting layer 40 in the surface electrode surface 24S of the surface electrode layer 24. The back-facing terminal 12E is surrounded by the surface outer end surface 21E and the back-facing terminal demarcation surface 32E when viewed from above. The end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 divides the surface electrode layer 24 into the surface circuit portion and the back-facing terminal 12E when viewed from above. The end surface of the back transparent film 30 divides the surface electrode layer 24 into the surface circuit portion and the back-facing terminal 12E when viewed from above.

[0044] The end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 includes a portion that coincides with the front-facing terminal defining surface 23E in a plan view. The back electrode layer 34 includes a back circuit portion and the front-facing terminals 13E. The back circuit portion is a portion of the back electrode layer 34 that is in contact with the light-adjusting layer 40 .

[0045] The surface-facing terminal 13E is exposed from the light-adjusting layer 40 in the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34. The surface-facing terminal 13E is surrounded by the back outer end surface 31E and the surface-facing terminal delimiting surface 23E in a plan view. The end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 divides the back electrode layer 34 into the back circuit portion and the surface-facing terminal 13E in a plan view. The end surface of the surface transparent film 20 divides the back electrode layer 34 into the back circuit portion and the surface-facing terminal 13E in a plan view.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the back-facing terminal 12E is bonded to the front-facing wiring substrate 50 via a conductive adhesive 53. The conductive adhesive 53 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic conductive paste, isotropic conductive film, and isotropic conductive paste. The front-facing wiring substrate 50 inputs a drive signal to the back-facing terminal 12E via the conductive adhesive 53.

[0047] like Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the front-facing terminal 13E is bonded to the back-facing wiring substrate 60 via a conductive adhesive 63. The conductive adhesive 63 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic conductive paste, isotropic conductive film, and isotropic conductive paste. The back-facing wiring substrate 60 inputs a driving signal to the front-facing terminal 13E via the conductive adhesive 63.

[0048] [Seal part]

[0049] return Figure 2 The front connection end face 1B and the back connection end face 2B constitute a slit S that penetrates from the front transparent substrate 23 to the back transparent substrate 33. The entire front connection end face 1B overlaps the entire back connection end face 2B when viewed from above. The slit S extends in the second direction D2. The slit S is the overlap of the front connection end face 1B and the back connection end face 2B when viewed from above.

[0050] The light control sheet 10 includes a front-facing sealing portion 41E and a back-facing sealing portion 42E. Figure 1 In the figure, the area occupied by the front-facing seal portion 41E is indicated by dark dots. The area occupied by the back-facing seal portion 42E is indicated by light dots. The area where the front-facing seal portion 41E and the back-facing seal portion 42E overlap is indicated by dark dots, like the front-facing seal portion 41E.

[0051] The front sealing portion 41E and the back sealing portion 42E are each made of a hygroscopic insulating resin. The sealing agent constituting the front sealing portion 41E and the back sealing portion 42E is an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, or the like.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown in the shallow point of FIG. 1 , the back-facing sealing portion 42E is supported by the portion between the surface outer end surface 21E and the back-facing terminal demarcation surface 32E in the surface electrode surface 24S of the surface electrode layer 24 when viewed from above. The back-facing sealing portion 42E covers the back-facing terminals 12E, the conductive adhesive 53, and the surface wiring substrate 50. Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the back-facing seal portion 42E covers the periphery of the back-facing terminals 12E on the back side of the back transparent film 30. The back-facing seal portion 42E seals a portion of the end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the back-facing terminal defining surface 32E.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown by the thick dots, the surface sealing portion 41E is supported on the portion between the rear outer end surface 31E and the surface defining surface 23E of the surface terminal in the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34 in a plan view. The surface sealing portion 41E covers the surface terminals 13E, the conductive adhesive 63, and the back wiring substrate 60. The surface sealing portion 41E covers the periphery of the surface terminals 13E on the surface of the surface transparent film 20. The surface sealing portion 41E seals the portion of the end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the surface defining surface 23E of the surface terminal.

[0054] Furthermore, the front sealing portion 41E is supported by a portion of the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34 between the back outer end surface 31E and the front inner end surface 22E in a plan view. Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the surface sealing portion 41E covers the periphery of the surface inner end surface 22E in the surface of the surface transparent film 20. The surface sealing portion 41E seals the portion of the end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the surface inner end surface 22E. Figure 2 , 5 As shown, the front-facing seal portion 41E is connected to the back-facing seal portion 42E via the slit S. The front-facing seal portion 41E overlaps with the back-facing seal portion 42E in a region including the slit S.

[0055] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0056] (1) In a plan view, the portion of the end surface of the light adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the front inner end surface 22E is sealed toward the front surface sealing portion 41E. Thus, the portion of the end surface of the light adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the front inner end surface 22E is sealed.

[0057] (2) In a plan view, the portion of the end surface of the light control layer 40 that overlaps with the rear terminal defining surface 32E is sealed by the rear-facing sealing portion 42E. Thus, the portion of the end surface of the light control layer 40 that overlaps with the rear terminal defining surface 32E is sealed.

[0058] (3) The front-facing sealing portion 41E is connected to the back-facing sealing portion 42E via the slit S, and the back-facing sealing portion 42E overlaps with the slit S disposed at the edge of the dimming sheet 10. Therefore, the connection between the back-facing sealing portion 42E and the front-facing sealing portion 41E makes the end face seal of the dimming layer 40 continuous. That is, the back-facing sealing portion 42E and the front-facing sealing portion 41E, which are disconnected on the front and back sides, function exactly as one sealing portion. In addition, the back-facing sealing portion 42E overlaps with the front-facing sealing portion 41E at the slit S, which improves the mechanical strength of the sheet at the slit S that is not supported by the front transparent substrate 23 and the back transparent substrate 33.

[0059] (4) In a plan view, the portion of the front connection end face 1B that does not overlap with the rear transparent substrate 33 is mechanically fragile and not supported by the rear transparent substrate 33 to a certain extent compared to the portion where the front transparent substrate 23 overlaps with the rear transparent substrate 33. The portion of the rear connection end face 2B that does not overlap with the front transparent substrate 23 is also mechanically fragile and not supported by the front transparent substrate 23 to a certain extent compared to the portion where the front transparent substrate 23 overlaps with the rear transparent substrate 33. In this regard, in a configuration in which the entire front connection end face 1B overlaps the entire rear connection end face 2B, the mechanical strength is improved compared to a configuration including a portion that does not overlap with the transparent substrates 23 and 33.

[0060] (5) Since the back-facing sealing portion 42E is supported by the entire back-facing terminal 12E, the mechanical strength at the slit S is further improved. In addition, the sealing performance of the portion of the end surface of the light-adjusting layer 40 that partitions the back-facing terminal 12E is improved.

[0061] (6) Since the front outer end surface 21E and the rear outer end surface 31E are connected in a straight line, the mechanical strength at the edge of the dimming sheet 10 is improved compared to the case where the front outer end surface 21E and the rear outer end surface 31E are separated from each other or the front outer end surface 21E and the rear outer end surface 31E are curved. In this way, since the front seal portion 41E is arranged along the edge of the dimming sheet 10 whose strength is mechanically improved, the sealing performance of the front seal portion 41E is improved, and the mechanical strength at the slit S is further improved.

[0062] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment can also be implemented by changing as follows.

[0063] [Surface connection end face 1B, back connection end face 2B]

[0064] The end face of the back terminal 12E may also be arranged at a position that is closer to the inner side of the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 than the surface outer end face 21E when viewed from above. In this case, the back outer end face 31E may also be arranged at a position that is closer to the inner side of the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23 than the surface outer end face 21E. That is, on the surface of the surface transparent substrate 23, the position of the end face of the back terminal 12E may be closer to the inner side than the position of the surface outer end face 21E, and in this case, the position of the back outer end face 31E may be closer to the inner side than the position of the surface outer end face 21E. That is, the surface outer end face 21E and the back outer end face 31E may also be connected in a broken line or a curved line when viewed from above. In addition, the surface outer end face 21E and the back outer end face 31E may also be separated from each other in the first direction D1 when viewed from above. Furthermore, when the front outer end surface 21E and the rear outer end surface 31E are separated from each other in the first direction D1, the front connection end surface 1B and the rear connection end surface 2B are also separated from each other in the first direction D1 in a plan view.

[0065] ·like Figure 6 As shown, the front connection end surface 1B and the back connection end surface 2B may be arranged in the second direction D2 toward the back terminal defining surface 32E. Even with such a configuration, the effects based on the above (1) to (6) can be obtained.

[0066] ·like Figure 7 As shown, the back terminal demarcation surface 32E may also have a first back inner end surface 1E and a second back inner end surface 2E when viewed from above. The distance between the surface outer end surface 21E and the first back inner end surface 1E may also be greater than the distance between the surface outer end surface 21E and the second back inner end surface 2E. The first back inner end surface 1E and the surface outer end surface 21E sandwich the back terminal 12E when viewed from above. The surface connection end surface 1B may also connect the second back inner end surface 2E and the surface outer end surface 21E when viewed from above.

[0067] According to the above-mentioned modification example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0068] (7) The distance between the front outer end surface 21E and the first rear inner end surface 1E is larger than the distance between the front outer end surface 21E and the second rear inner end surface 2E, and the area of ​​the rear-facing terminals 12E connected to the wiring increases accordingly.

[0069] (8) The distance between the front outer end face 21E and the second rear inner end face 2E is smaller than the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the first rear inner end face 1E, and the length of the front connection end face 1B is correspondingly shorter. That is, the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the second rear inner end face 2E is smaller, and the size of the slit S that passes from the front transparent substrate 23 to the rear transparent substrate 33 is correspondingly smaller. Therefore, the area facing the rear terminal 12E can be ensured, and the reduction in mechanical strength caused by the portion not supported by the transparent substrates 23 and 33 can be suppressed.

[0070] (9) The distance between the back terminal 12E and the slit S in the first direction D1 is longer than the distance between the second back inner end surface 2E. The back terminal 12E connected to the external wiring bears mechanical loads such as warping and tension from the external wiring. The structure in which the slit S not supported by the transparent substrate 23, 33 is separated from the back terminal 12E reduces the mechanical load on the slit S in the dimming sheet 10.

[0071] Moreover, if Figure 7 As shown, the second back inner end face 2E may also have a straight line following the surface outer end face 21E. At this time, the second back inner end face 2E may be connected to the surface inner end face 22E in a straight line, and the gap between the surface inner end face 22E and the back outer end face 31E may be connected to the surface terminal 13E.

[0072] As described above, the rear-facing terminals 12E and the front-facing terminals 13E connected to the external wiring bear mechanical loads such as warping and tension from the external wiring. In this regard, according to the above-mentioned modification, the slit S not supported by the two transparent substrates 23 and 33 is separated from the two terminals 12E and 13E by an amount corresponding to the length of the second rear inner end surface 2E and an amount corresponding to the length of the front outer end surface 21E. As a result, the effect based on the above-mentioned (9) is further improved.

[0073] [Back electrode layer 34]

[0074] The end face of the back electrode layer 34 may be arranged at a position that is closer to the inner side of the surface of the front transparent substrate 23 than the back outer end face 31E when viewed from above. That is, on the surface of the front transparent substrate 23, the position of the end face of the back electrode layer 34 may be closer to the inner side than the position of the back outer end face 31E. The end face of the back electrode layer 34 may overlap with the front inner end face 22E when viewed from above. Alternatively, the back electrode layer 34 may be cut along a line that overlaps with the front inner end face 22E when viewed from above.

[0075] [Slit S]

[0076] The extending direction of the slit S is not limited to the second direction D2, but may be a direction intersecting the second direction D2. The shape of the slit S is not limited to a straight line in a plan view, but may be a linear shape such as a curved line or a folded line.

[0077] The surface connection end surface 1B and the back connection end surface 2B constituting the slit S may be separated from each other in the second direction D2. That is, the slit S may be a gap between the surface connection end surface 1B and the back connection end surface 2B when viewed from above, or may be a combination of a portion where the surface connection end surface 1B and the back connection end surface 2B overlap and a gap between the surface connection end surface 1B and the back connection end surface 2B.

Claims

1. A dimming film having: A surface transparent substrate supporting a surface electrode layer; a back transparent substrate supporting a back electrode layer; and A dimming layer comprising a liquid crystal composition, The surface electrode layer and the back electrode layer are arranged between the surface transparent substrate and the back transparent substrate. The dimming layer is sandwiched between the surface electrode layer and the back electrode layer. When viewed from a top viewpoint facing the surface of the surface transparent substrate, The end surface of the surface transparent substrate comprises a surface inner end surface, a surface outer end surface and a surface connection end surface connecting them. The end surface of the rear transparent substrate includes a rear inner end surface, a rear outer end surface, and a rear connecting end surface connecting them. The back inner end surface is arranged at a position closer to the inner side of the surface than the front outer end surface. The back outer end surface is arranged at a position closer to the outside of the surface than the front inner end surface. The front connection end surface and the back connection end surface constitute a slit that passes through from the front transparent substrate to the back transparent substrate. The dimming film also has: The back side sealing portion seals a portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that is supported by the front transparent substrate and exposed from the light-adjusting layer and is between the front outer end face and the back inner end face when viewed from above, and the portion that overlaps with the back inner end face of the end face of the light-adjusting layer; and The surface sealing portion is configured to seal a portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that is exposed from the light-adjusting layer in the back transparent substrate when viewed from above and is between the back outer end face and the surface inner end face, and to seal a portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that overlaps with the surface inner end face. The front-facing seal portion is connected to the back-facing seal portion via the slit, and overlaps with the back-facing seal portion in a region including the slit.

2. The dimming sheet according to claim 1, wherein: The entire surface connection end surface overlaps the entire back surface connection end surface in the plan view.

3. The dimming sheet according to claim 1, wherein: The surface electrode layer has a back-facing terminal. The rear-facing terminal is surrounded by the front outer end surface and the rear inner end surface in the plan view. The rear-facing sealing portion covers the rear-facing terminals.

4. The dimming sheet according to claim 1, wherein: The surface electrode layer has a back-facing terminal. The back inner end surface comprises a first back inner end surface and a second back inner end surface. The distance between the outer end surface of the surface and the inner end surface of the first back surface is greater than the distance between the outer end surface of the surface and the inner end surface of the second back surface, and the first back surface inner end surface and the outer end surface of the surface sandwich the back-facing terminal in the plan view. The surface connection end surface connects the second rear inner end surface and the surface outer end surface in the plan view.

5. The dimming sheet according to claim 1, wherein: In the above-mentioned top view, The outer end surface of the front surface is connected to the outer end surface of the back surface in a straight line. The front inner end surface has a linear shape following the rear outer end surface.

6. The dimming sheet according to claim 5, wherein: The surface electrode layer has a back-facing terminal. The back electrode layer has a surface-facing terminal. The back inner end surface comprises a first back inner end surface and a second back inner end surface. In the above-mentioned overlooking, The outer end surface of the front surface is connected to the outer end surface of the back surface in a straight line. The second back inner end surface has a straight line shape following the front outer end surface and is connected to the front inner end surface in a straight line shape. The distance between the outer end surface of the surface and the inner end surface of the first back surface is greater than the distance between the outer end surface of the surface and the inner end surface of the second back surface, and the first back surface inner end surface and the outer end surface of the surface sandwich the back-facing terminal when viewed from above. The surface connection end surface connects the second back inner end surface to the surface outer end surface in the plan view. A gap between the front inner end surface and the back outer end surface is connected to the surface-facing terminal.

Images