Light control device and lighting device

Abstract

The light control device 30 includes: a liquid crystal element 40 that transmits and emits incident light L2 incident along a first direction D1; and a second lens 70 that receives emitted light L3 from the liquid crystal element 40. When no potential is applied, a first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40 emits emitted light L3 along the first direction D1; when a potential is applied, the emitted light L3 emits along a second direction D2, different from the first direction D1. A second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40 emits emitted light L3 along the first direction D1. The second lens 70 has a reflective surface 72 that causes total internal reflection of emitted light L3 incident along the first direction D1 along a third direction D3 toward a second emission surface 73, and refracts and emits emitted light L3 incident along the second direction D2 along a fourth direction D4 deviating from the second emission surface 73.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to light control devices and lighting devices. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle headlight capable of controlling an illumination area (illumination range) as an example of a light control device. The vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1 includes a light source, a polarizing beam splitter, a reflector, and a liquid crystal element. The light from the light source is split into two polarized beams by the polarizing beam splitter. One of the two polarized beams is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter and directed towards the liquid crystal element. The other polarized beam passes through the polarizing beam splitter, is reflected by the reflector, and is directed towards the liquid crystal element. In other words, the two polarized beams are concentrated on the liquid crystal element. This improves the light utilization efficiency of the light source.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-50134 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the light control device of Patent Document 1, the orientation of polarized light needs to be adjusted with high precision to ensure it is incident on the liquid crystal element. The orientation of this polarized light varies due to variations in the dimensions and arrangement of the components. Therefore, the light control device of Patent Document 1 requires high precision in the dimensions and arrangement of the components. Consequently, it is difficult to easily switch the illumination range.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a light control device that can easily switch the illumination range.

[0009] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] The light control device disclosed herein includes: a liquid crystal element having a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and transmitting and emitting incident light incident along a first direction; and a lens having a first surface for incident light from the liquid crystal element to be incident upon and for the emitted light to be diffused and emitted, the liquid crystal element having: a first region having a plurality of element groups disposed on the first substrate, and a third electrode disposed on the second substrate overlapping a resistive film when viewed from above, the element groups including the resistive film and a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the resistive film in a state of being opposite to each other; and a second region having no resistive film disposed thereon. The film, wherein the first region of the liquid crystal element, when no potential is applied to the element group and the third electrode, causes the emitted light to be emitted along the first direction; and when a potential is applied to the element group and the third electrode, causes the emitted light to be emitted along a second direction different from the first direction, the second region of the liquid crystal element causes the emitted light to be emitted along the first direction, and the lens further has a second surface, the second surface causing the emitted light incident along the first direction to be totally internally reflected along a third direction toward the first surface, and causing the emitted light incident along the second direction to be refracted and emitted along a fourth direction deviating from the first surface.

[0011] In addition, the lighting device disclosed herein includes: the aforementioned light control device; and a light source that emits light incident on the light control device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a top view of a liquid crystal element.

[0014] Figure 3 It is along the liquid crystal element Figure 2 The cross-sectional view along line III-III shown.

[0015] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing the potential of the resistive film when the liquid crystal element refracts incident light and the phase difference of the incident light passing through the liquid crystal layer.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the first illumination range.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the second lighting range.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the third illumination range of a lighting device according to a variation of an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the constituent elements described below include elements readily conceived by those skilled in the art, and substantially the same elements. Moreover, the constituent elements described below can be appropriately combined.

[0020] It should be noted that the disclosure is ultimately just an example, and appropriate modifications that can be readily conceived by those skilled in the art while maintaining the spirit of this disclosure are of course included within its scope. Furthermore, to make the description clearer, the width, thickness, shape, etc., of various parts are sometimes shown schematically relative to the actual aspects in the drawings, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of this disclosure. Additionally, in this specification and the figures, the same reference numerals are sometimes used for elements that are previously described with reference to existing figures, and detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted.

[0021] The X and Y directions shown in the accompanying drawings correspond to directions parallel to the surface of the substrate of the liquid crystal element, as described later. The Z direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal element. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, in this specification, "viewing from above" refers to viewing the liquid crystal element along the Z direction. It should be noted that the X, Y, and Z directions are examples, and this disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0022] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the configuration of a lighting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lighting device 1 is, for example, a vehicle headlight or spotlight. The lighting device 1 includes a light source 10, a first lens 20, and a light control device 30. The light control device 30 includes a liquid crystal element 40 and a second lens 70 (equivalent to "lens").

[0023] Light source 10 emits light L1 that is incident on light control device 30. Specifically, light L1 from light source 10 is incident on liquid crystal element 40 via first lens 20. Light source 10 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode).

[0024] The first lens 20 is an optical element that makes the direction of light L1 from the light source 10 parallel. The first lens 20 is a collimating lens. The first lens 20 makes the incident light L2 incident on the liquid crystal element 40 parallel light and emitted.

[0025] The liquid crystal element 40 is a refractive plate that refracts incident light L2. The liquid crystal element 40 has a first incident surface 40a (the surface on the -Z side) into which the incident light L2 is incident. The direction of travel of the incident light L2 (parallel light) is defined as a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is parallel to the Z direction. The liquid crystal element 40 transmits and emits the incident light L2 incident along the first direction D1.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the liquid crystal element 40. Figure 3 It is along the liquid crystal element 40 Figure 2 The cross-sectional view along line III-III is shown. The first incident surface 40a has an incident region LA for incident light L2 to enter.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid crystal element 40 has a first substrate 41, a second substrate 42, and a liquid crystal layer 43 located between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42. The first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 are transparent. The first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 are, for example, glass substrates, resin substrates, or resin films.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the incident region LA of the liquid crystal element 40 has a first region A1 and a second region A2.

[0029] The first region A1 is located on the -Y side of the incident region LA. Viewed from above, the first region A1 has four sides, roughly trapezoidal in shape. The first side S1 and the second side S2 extend along the X direction and are opposite each other in the Y direction. The first side S1 is shorter than the second side S2. The third side S3 extends along the Y direction and connects with the first side S1 and the second side on the -X side. The fourth side S4 extends from the +X end of the first side S1 along a direction inclined relative to both the X and Y directions, and is opposite to the second side S2 in the Y direction.

[0030] The second region A2, viewed from above, is the region outside the first region A1 within the incident region LA.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple element groups 50 and a third electrode 60 are arranged in the first region A1.

[0032] Specifically, multiple component groups 50 are disposed on the first substrate 41. The component group 50 includes a resistive film 51, a first electrode 52, and a second electrode 53.

[0033] When viewed from above, the resistive film 51 appears as a strip extending along the Y direction. The material of the resistive film 51 is a transparent, conductive material such as IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide). The resistance of the resistive film 51 is greater than the resistance of the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53.

[0034] The first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53 are electrically connected to the resistive film 51.

[0035] The first electrode 52 extends along the Y direction when viewed from above, and overlaps with the resistive film 51 at its first end (+X side) in the X direction. The first electrode 52 is in contact with the resistive film 51.

[0036] The second electrode 53 extends along the Y direction when viewed from above, and overlaps with the resistive film 51 at its second end (-X side) in the X direction. The second electrode 53 is in contact with the resistive film 51.

[0037] When viewed from above, the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53 overlap with the resistive film 51 in a state of being opposite each other in the X direction.

[0038] In the resistive film 51, the portion that overlaps with the first electrode 52 when viewed from above is designated as the first repeating portion 51a, the portion that overlaps with the second electrode 53 when viewed from above is designated as the second repeating portion 51b, and the portion between the first repeating portion 51a and the second repeating portion 51b is designated as the intermediate portion 51c. In the X direction, the length of the intermediate portion 51c is longer than the length obtained by combining the lengths of the first repeating portion 51a and the second repeating portion 51b.

[0039] In this embodiment, in the X direction, the +X side end of the resistive film 51 is consistent with the +X side end of the first electrode 52, and the -X side end of the resistive film 51 is consistent with the -X side end of the second electrode 53. However, they may not be consistent with each other.

[0040] Multiple component groups 50 are arranged along the X direction. As described above, the multiple component groups 50 have strip-shaped resistive films 51 extending along the Y direction. The multiple component groups 50 are arranged along the X direction with two adjacent resistive films 51 separated from each other.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, in a top-down view, multiple resistive films 51 overlap with the first region A1. The Y-direction lengths of the multiple resistive films 51 located between the first side S1 and the second side S2 are the same. The Y-direction lengths of the multiple resistive films 51 located between the fourth side S4 and the second side S2 decrease as they move from the -X side towards the +X side.

[0042] Similarly, the Y-direction lengths of the plurality of first electrodes 52 located between the first side S1 and the second side S2 are the same. In addition, the Y-direction lengths of the plurality of first electrodes 52 located between the fourth side S4 and the second side S2 decrease from the -X side toward the +X side.

[0043] Similarly, the Y-direction lengths of the plurality of second electrodes 53 located between the first side S1 and the second side S2 are the same. Furthermore, the Y-direction lengths of the plurality of second electrodes 53 located between the fourth side S4 and the second side S2 decrease from the -X side towards the +X side.

[0044] The liquid crystal element 40 has a plurality of first connection members 54 electrically connecting two adjacent first electrodes 52. The first connection members 54 and the two first electrodes 52 electrically connected to the first connection members 54 are hereinafter referred to as a set of first electrodes C1. Figure 2 The diagram shows a group of three first electrodes C1 and one first electrode 52. It should be noted that, obviously, the number of first electrodes C1 and the number of first electrodes 52 are not limited to a certain value. Figure 2 The number shown.

[0045] Furthermore, the liquid crystal element 40 includes a plurality of second connection members 55 electrically connecting two adjacent second electrodes 53. The second connection members 55 and the two second electrodes 53 electrically connected to the second connection members 55 are hereinafter referred to as a set of second electrodes C2. Figure 2 The diagram shows a group of three second electrodes C2 and one second electrode 53. It should be noted that, obviously, the number of groups of second electrodes C2 and second electrodes 53 is not limited to a certain limit. Figure 2 The number shown.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the insulating layer IL and the first alignment film AL1 are disposed on the first substrate 41. Multiple resistive films 51 are electrically insulated from each other by the insulating layer IL. The first alignment film AL1 is disposed on the +Z side in the Z direction, further from the multiple element groups 50 and the insulating layer IL.

[0047] The third electrode 60 and the second alignment film AL2 are disposed on the second substrate 42. The second alignment film AL2 is disposed on the -Z side in the Z direction, which is closer to the third electrode 60.

[0048] The third electrode 60 overlaps with multiple resistive films 51 when viewed from above. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the third electrode 60 overlaps with the first region A1 when viewed from above. The third electrode 60 is trapezoidal.

[0049] The materials of the first electrode 52, the second electrode 53, and the third electrode 60 are transparent conductive materials such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), IGO (Indium Gallium Oxide), and IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide).

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid crystal layer 43 is sandwiched between a first alignment film AL1 and a second alignment film AL2. The liquid crystal layer 43 is disposed in the first region A1. Furthermore, when viewed from above, the liquid crystal layer 43, the insulating layer IL, the first alignment film AL1, and the second alignment film AL2 overlap with the first region A1 and form a roughly trapezoidal shape similar to the first region A1. Additionally, when viewed from above, a sealing member is disposed around the liquid crystal layer 43.

[0051] The first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2 determine the orientation (initial orientation) of the liquid crystal molecules LM contained in the liquid crystal layer 43 when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element 40. Under the initial orientation of the liquid crystal molecules LM, the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules LM is orthogonal to the Z direction. The orientation direction of the first alignment film AL1 and the orientation direction of the second alignment film AL2 are orthogonal to each other when viewed from above.

[0052] The liquid crystal element 40 is a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal element. It should be noted that, needless to say, the liquid crystal element 40 is not limited to a twisted nematic liquid crystal element.

[0053] In the second region A2, no liquid crystal layer 43 is disposed between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42. That is, when viewed from above, the liquid crystal layer 43 overlaps with the first region A1 and is isolated from the second region A2. Furthermore, in the second region A2, no insulating layer IL, first alignment film AL1, second alignment film AL2, and resistive film 51 are disposed between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42. In the second region A2, a resin component 46 is disposed between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42.

[0054] The refractive index of the resin component 46 is approximately the same as that of the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42. Therefore, a decrease in optical properties can be suppressed in the second region A2. It should be noted that the resin component 46 may not be disposed between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 in the second region A2. In this case, an air layer exists between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 in the second region A2. Alternatively, a liquid crystal layer 43 may be disposed between the first substrate 41 and the second substrate 42 in the second region A2.

[0055] Next, the operation of the liquid crystal element 40 in refracting the incident light L2 will be explained. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in the liquid crystal element 40, incident light L2 is incident on the first incident surface 40a along the first direction D1.

[0056] In the second region A2, no liquid crystal layer 43 is disposed, and the liquid crystal element 40 does not refract the incident light L2. That is, in the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40, the incident light L2 passes through without refraction and exits from the first emission surface 40b (the surface on the +Z side). In other words, in the second region A2, the emitted light L3 emitted by the liquid crystal element 40 is along the first direction D1. Hereinafter, the emitted light L3 along the first direction D1 emitted by the liquid crystal element 40 will be referred to as the first emitted light L3a.

[0057] Furthermore, when no potential is applied to the multiple element groups 50 and the third electrode 60 in the first region A1, the liquid crystal molecules LM of the liquid crystal layer 43 maintain their initial orientation, and the liquid crystal element 40 does not refract the incident light L2. That is, in this case, in the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40, without generating a phase difference in the incident light L2, the incident light L2 passes through without refraction and is emitted from the first emission surface 40b as the first emitted light L3a.

[0058] On the other hand, when a potential is applied to the plurality of element groups 50 and the third electrode 60 in the first region A1, the incident light L2 is refracted in the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40, as described later, and emitted from the first emission surface 40b along the second direction D2. The second direction D2 is a direction different from the first direction D1. Specifically, the second direction D2 is a direction inclined from the first direction D1 (Z direction) towards the +X side. The emitted light L3 along the second direction D2 emitted from the liquid crystal element 40 will be referred to as the second emitted light L3b below. It should be noted that when describing without distinguishing between the first emitted light L3a and the second emitted light L3b, it will only be referred to as "emitted light L3".

[0059] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the potential of the resistive film 51 when the liquid crystal element 40 refracts the incident light L2 and the phase difference of the incident light L2 passing through the liquid crystal layer 43.

[0060] Figure 4 The horizontal axis shown represents the position (coordinate) in the X direction. Additionally, with... Figure 4 The arrows corresponding to the bracketed reference numerals in the attached figures indicate the range of the resistive film 51.

[0061] When the incident light L2 is refracted by the liquid crystal element 40, a first potential E1 is applied to the first electrode 52 and a second potential E2, which is higher than the first potential E1, is applied to the second electrode 53 by a control circuit (not shown). Additionally, the first potential E1 is applied to the third electrode 60. The first potential E1 is, for example, a reference potential of the control circuit.

[0062] In this case, within a resistive film 51, the potential of the second repeating portion 51b, which contacts the second electrode 53, is equal to the second potential E2. Furthermore, within a resistive film 51, the potential of the intermediate portion 51c between the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53 changes linearly in the X direction from the - side towards the + side from the second potential E2 to the first potential E1. Moreover, within a resistive film 51, the potential of the first repeating portion 51a, which contacts the first electrode 52, is equal to the first potential E1.

[0063] The potential difference between the first potential E1 and the second potential E2 is determined based on the angle formed by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In other words, the angle formed by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can be adjusted by the potential difference between the first potential E1 and the second potential E2.

[0064] An electric field generated by applying potentials to the first electrode 52, the second electrode 53, and the third electrode 60 acts on the liquid crystal layer 43, causing the liquid crystal molecules LM to tilt. As a result, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 43 changes in the X direction, generating a phase difference in the incident light L2 passing through the liquid crystal layer 43.

[0065] about Figure 4 The phase of the incident light L2 passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 is defined as follows: the phase at the position corresponding to the -X side end of a resistive film 51 (i.e., the -X side end of the second repeating portion 51b) in the X direction is set as the reference (i.e., the phase difference is 0). The maximum value of the phase difference generated by the potential of the resistive film 51 when the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53 are applied is set as the maximum phase difference R. It should be noted that... Figure 4 The solid line shown illustrates the phase difference of the incident light L2, indicating a trajectory that is in phase with the reference.

[0066] The phase difference of the incident light L2 passing through the liquid crystal layer 43 varies in a sawtooth pattern along the X direction between 0 (zero) and the maximum phase difference R. Specifically, the phase difference at the location of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the second repeating portion 51b is 0 (zero). Furthermore, the phase difference at the location of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the intermediate portion 51c varies linearly along the X direction from 0 (zero) towards the +X side to the maximum phase difference R. Moreover, the phase difference at the location of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the first repeating portion 51a is the maximum phase difference R.

[0067] It should be noted that the phase difference between two adjacent resistive films 51 in the X direction changes linearly from the -X side to the +X side from the maximum phase difference R to 0 (zero).

[0068] The tilt of the phase difference at the location of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the middle portion 51c corresponds to the angle formed by the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Furthermore, in the X direction, the length of the portion of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the middle portion 51c is longer than the length obtained by merging the portions of the liquid crystal layer 43 corresponding to the first repeating portion 51a and the second repeating portion 51b.

[0069] like Figure 4 As shown, due to the phase difference change of the incident light L2 in the liquid crystal layer 43, the incident light L2 is refracted in the liquid crystal layer 43 and emitted from the liquid crystal element 40 as the second emitted light L3b along the second direction D2.

[0070] In this way, the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40 can refract the incident light L2 with a simple configuration.

[0071] Figure 1 The second lens 70 shown allows the emitted light L3 from the liquid crystal element 40 to be incident upon it, and diffuses and emits the incident emitted light L3. The second lens 70 has a second incident surface 71, a reflecting surface 72 (equivalent to "second surface"), and a second emitting surface 73 (equivalent to "first surface").

[0072] The emitted light L3 is incident on the second incident surface 71. The second incident surface 71 is configured to be separate from the first emission surface 40b of the liquid crystal element 40. It should be noted that the second incident surface 71 can also be in contact with the first emission surface 40b. In this case, the liquid crystal element 40 and the second lens 70 are integrated.

[0073] The reflecting surface 72 is inclined relative to the second incident surface 71. The degree of inclination of the reflecting surface 72 relative to the second incident surface 71 is determined as follows: The reflecting surface 72 causes the first emitted light L3a incident along the first direction D1 to be totally internally reflected along a third direction D3 toward the second emission surface 73. In addition, the reflecting surface 72 causes the second emitted light L3b incident along the second direction D2 to be refracted and emitted along a fourth direction D4 deviating from the second emission surface 73.

[0074] The second emission surface 73 diffuses the first emitted light L3a, which is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 72, and emits it as light L4. The second emission surface 73 is spherical. Light L4 is the light emitted by the illumination device 1.

[0075] Next, the operation of the lighting device 1 will be explained if the lighting device 1 is a vehicle headlight. The control circuit sets the illumination range of the lighting device 1 to one of a first illumination range H1 and a second illumination range H2.

[0076] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the first illumination range H1. The light L4 emitted by the illumination device 1, corresponding to the first illumination range H1, is equivalent to the so-called high beam.

[0077] In the diagram, the W1 direction corresponds to the vertical direction. The +W1 side of the W1 direction corresponds to the upper part of the vertical direction. The -W1 side of the W1 direction corresponds to the lower part of the vertical direction. Furthermore, the W2 direction corresponds to the left-right direction when the vehicle's occupants are facing the vehicle's direction of travel. The -W2 side of the W2 direction is the lane side where the vehicle using lighting device 1 is traveling. On the other hand, the +W2 side of the W2 direction is the lane side where oncoming vehicles are traveling.

[0078] When the illumination range of the lighting device 1 is the first illumination range H1, the control circuit does not apply a potential to the element group 50 and the third electrode 60. In this case, as described above, the first emitted light L3a along the first direction D1 is emitted from both the first region A1 and the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40.

[0079] exist Figure 1 In the second lens 70 shown, the first emitted light L3a is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 72 towards the second emitting surface 73 and emitted as light L4 from the second emitting surface 73. Light L4 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle. That is, the first emitted light L3a emitted from the first region A1 and the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40 is emitted towards the outside of the vehicle. The illumination range of light L4 corresponds to the first illumination range H1.

[0080] exist Figure 5 In the first illumination range H1, the first portion HA, indicated by a single-dotted line, corresponds to the range of the first emitted light L3a emitted from the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40. Additionally, the second portion HB, indicated by a double-dotted line, corresponds to the range of the first emitted light L3a emitted from the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40. The first illumination range H1 is a range that combines the first portion HA and the second portion HB.

[0081] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the second illumination range H2. The light L4 emitted by the lighting device 1, corresponding to the second illumination range H2, is equivalent to the so-called low beam. That is, the second illumination range H2 is defined as the range that does not illuminate oncoming vehicles.

[0082] When the illumination range of the illumination device 1 is set to the second illumination range H2, the control circuit applies a potential to the plurality of element groups 50 and the third electrode 60. In this case, as described above, a first emitted light L3a along the first direction D1 is emitted from the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40. Additionally, as described above, a second emitted light L3b along the second direction D2 is emitted from the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40.

[0083] In the second lens 70, the first emitted light L3a emitted from the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40 is totally reflected by the reflecting surface 72 toward the second emission surface 73, and is emitted from the second emission surface 73 as light L4. That is, the first emitted light L3a emitted from the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40 is emitted as light L4 toward the outside of the vehicle.

[0084] On the other hand, in the second lens 70, the second emitted light L3b emitted from the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40 is refracted by the reflecting surface 72 and emitted from the second lens 70. The second emitted light L3b emitted from the reflecting surface 72 is not emitted to the outside of the vehicle.

[0085] In this case, the illumination range of light L4 corresponds to the second illumination range H2. The second illumination range H2 is the range corresponding to the first emitted light L3a emitted from the second region A2 of the liquid crystal element 40. That is, Figure 6 The second illumination range H2 shown is the same as the second partial range HB. It goes without saying that the brightness of the second partial range HB is equal to the brightness of the second illumination range H2.

[0086] Thus, depending on whether a potential is applied to the element group 50 and the third electrode 60, the first illumination range H1 and the second illumination range H2 are switched. Therefore, the light control device 30 can easily switch the illumination range.

[0087] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The content disclosed in the embodiments is ultimately just an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Appropriate modifications made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure are of course also within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0088] For example, the lighting device 1 may replace the first lens 20 with a reflector that makes the light L1 from the light source 10 parallel light and incident as incident light L2 onto the liquid crystal element 40. Alternatively, natural light may be incident on the light control device 30 instead of the light L1 from the light source 10.

[0089] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the first region A1 is not limited to a trapezoid when viewed from above; for example, it can also be a polygon such as a triangle or rectangle. The shapes of the first region A1 and the second region A2 are determined based on the desired first illumination range H1 and the second illumination range H2.

[0090] Alternatively, the first connecting member 54 can also connect three or more first electrodes 52 in parallel. The second connecting member 55 can also connect three or more second electrodes 53 in parallel.

[0091] Alternatively, the liquid crystal element 40 may not have the first connecting member 54 and the second connecting member 55. In this case, the plurality of first electrodes 52 are electrically isolated from each other. Additionally, the plurality of second electrodes 53 are electrically isolated from each other.

[0092] Alternatively, the resistive film 51 can be isolated from the first electrode 52 while still electrically connected. In this case, Figure 4 The slope of the potential and the slope of the phase difference will vary. It should be noted that the resistive film 51 and the second electrode 53 can also be isolated while electrically connected.

[0093] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a variation of an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the third illumination range H3 of the lighting device 1. The control circuit sets the illumination range of the lighting device 1 to one of the first illumination range H1, the second illumination range H2, and the third illumination range H3.

[0094] In the liquid crystal element 40, by arranging the first electrode 52 and the second electrode 53 as described in the above embodiment, the plurality of element groups 50 include at least two element groups 50 that are electrically isolated from each other. In this modified example, the control circuit sets the illumination range of the illumination device 1 to a third illumination range H3 by selecting the element group 50 from the plurality of element groups 50 to which a potential is applied.

[0095] Specifically, in Figure 2 In this process, a potential is applied to one set of first electrodes C1a from a plurality of sets of first electrodes C1. Additionally, a potential is applied to one set of second electrodes C2a from a plurality of sets of second electrodes C2. In this case, a potential is applied to a group of element 50 located in a third region A3, which, when viewed from above, overlaps with the resistive film 51 corresponding to one set of first electrodes C1a and one set of second electrodes C2a from a plurality of element groups 50 located within the first region A1. The third region A3 is a part of the first region A1.

[0096] Therefore, the emitted light L3 from the third region A3 of the liquid crystal element 40 is equivalent to the second emitted light L3b along the second direction D2. Thus, the emitted light L3 from the third region A3 of the liquid crystal element 40 is emitted from the reflecting surface 72 of the second lens 70 along the fourth direction D4 and is not emitted to the outside of the vehicle.

[0097] Figure 7 The third section HC shown is the area corresponding to the third region A3. The third section HC is the area where oncoming vehicles are not illuminated.

[0098] On the other hand, the emitted light L3 from the region other than the third region A3 in the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40 and the second region A2 is equivalent to the first emitted light L3a along the first direction D1. Therefore, the emitted light L3 from the region other than the third region A3 in the first region A1 of the liquid crystal element 40 and the second region A2 is emitted as light L4 from the second emission surface 73 of the second lens 70 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0099] Therefore, the third lighting range H3 is equivalent to the range obtained by combining the first part range HA (excluding the third part range HC) and the second part range HB.

[0100] In addition, by selecting the element group 50 from the multiple element groups 50 that apply the potential, the control circuit determines that the third illumination range H3 does not illuminate oncoming vehicles and is a wider range than the second illumination range H2.

[0101] Furthermore, other effects resulting from the aspects described in the above embodiments are clear from the description in this specification or can be reasonably conceived by those skilled in the art, and can of course be understood as arising from this disclosure.

[0102] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0103] 1 lighting device

[0104] 10 Light Source

[0105] 20 First Lens

[0106] 30 Light control devices

[0107] 40 Liquid Crystal Components

[0108] 41 First substrate

[0109] 42 Second substrate

[0110] 43 Liquid Crystal Layer

[0111] 50 component group

[0112] 51 resistive film

[0113] 52 First Electrode

[0114] 53 Second Electrode

[0115] 60 Third electrode

[0116] 70 Second Lens (Lens)

[0117] 71 Second Incident Surface

[0118] 72. Reflective surface (second surface)

[0119] 73 Second ejection surface (first surface)

[0120] A1 First Area

[0121] A2 Second Area

[0122] D1 First Direction

[0123] D2 Second Direction

[0124] D3 third direction

[0125] D4 Fourth Direction

[0126] E1 First Potential

[0127] E2 Second Potential

[0128] L2 incident light

[0129] L3 emits light.

Claims

1. A light control device, comprising: A liquid crystal element has a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer located between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal element transmitting and emitting incident light incident along a first direction; as well as The lens has a first surface that allows light emitted from the liquid crystal element to enter, diffuses, and exits the light. The liquid crystal element has: In a first region, a plurality of component groups are disposed on a first substrate, and a third electrode, which overlaps with the resistive film when viewed from above, is disposed on a second substrate. The component groups include the resistive film and a first electrode and a second electrode electrically connected to the resistive film in a state of being opposite to each other. as well as The second region does not have the aforementioned resistive film. When no potential is applied to the element group and the third electrode, the first region of the liquid crystal element causes the emitted light to be emitted along the first direction; when a potential is applied to the element group and the third electrode, the emitted light is emitted along a second direction different from the first direction. The second region of the liquid crystal element causes the emitted light to be emitted along the first direction. The lens also has a second surface that causes the emitted light incident along the first direction to be totally internally reflected along a third direction toward the first surface, and causes the emitted light incident along the second direction to be refracted and emitted along a fourth direction away from the first surface.

2. The optical control device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of said element groups includes at least two said element groups that are electrically isolated from each other.

3. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein, When viewed from above, the liquid crystal layer overlaps with the first region and is isolated from the second region.

4. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein, The first electrode is given a first potential, and the second electrode is given a second potential that is higher than the first potential.

5. A lighting device comprising: The light control device according to claim 1, and A light source emits light that is incident on the light control device.

Images