Sliding dimmer and manufacturing method of sliding dimmer

Abstract

To provide a sliding dimmer, etc. capable of adjusting light to a neutral color tone, having a simple structure, manufactured at low cost, and being lightweight.SOLUTION: There is provided a sliding dimmer in which two polarizing substrates with polarizing layers, each having a polarization pattern in a mutually different polarization direction, disposed side by side along a sliding direction, are slidably disposed in a superimposed state. The sliding dimmer is configured to be in a low light-transmitting state when polarizing layers with a first polarization pattern and polarizing layers with a second polarization pattern having a polarization direction different from that of the first polarization pattern are located in mutually superimposed positions, and to be in a high light-transmitting state when the polarizing layers with the first polarizing pattern are located in the mutually superimposed positions or the polarizing layers with the second polarizing pattern are located in the mutually superimposed positions. The polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film, and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye laminated and aligned on the alignment film.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding type light control device in which polarizing substrates are slid relative to one another to superimpose polarizing layers having polarization patterns with different polarization directions or superimpose polarizing layers having polarization patterns with the same polarization direction, and a method for manufacturing the sliding type light control device. [Background technology]

[0002] A sliding light control device is a light control device that controls light by relatively moving opposing polarizing substrates having polarization patterns with different polarization directions in the planar direction. Such a sliding light control device does not require constant power application, unlike a liquid crystal voltage-driven light control device that controls light by applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer to control the orientation of the liquid crystal, or an electrochromic light control device that controls light by applying a voltage / current to an electrochromic layer to change the color of the electrochromic layer. Therefore, almost no power consumption is required, and the light control speed is faster than that of an electrochromic light control device.

[0003] Various configurations have been proposed as a sliding light control device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a sliding light control device having a light control member in which first and second patterned polarizers are arranged parallel to each other and are configured to be slidable in the plane direction. This light control device has retardation plates arranged on the outside of the first patterned polarizer and the outside of the second patterned polarizer, and having an in-plane retardation value of 100 nm or more at a wavelength of 590 nm. Each of the first and second patterned polarizers has a first polarizing region and a second polarizing region with different absorption axis directions, the absorption axis direction of the first polarizing region is at 45° with respect to the horizontal plane, the absorption axis direction of the second polarizing region is perpendicular to the absorption axis direction of the first polarizing region, and the slow axis direction of the retardation plate is non-parallel to the absorption axis directions of the first and second polarizing regions.

[0004] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes a light control polarizing plate in which a film, a polarizer, and a light-transmitting substrate are laminated, and the single-plate transmittance T1(λ)% and crossed transmittance T2(λ)% at a wavelength of λnm satisfy 55%≧T1(430)≧38%, 60%≧T1(590)≧42.5%, 1.0≧T1(430) / T1(590)≧0.9, and T2(430)≧0.02%. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6616943 [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-092707 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes that by configuring the sliding light control device in this way, when the light control device is observed from an oblique direction, the transmittance difference between the first polarizing region and the second polarizing region becomes small, and color unevenness is unlikely to occur in the plane, resulting in a natural appearance. In particular, it describes that since the retardation plates are provided on the outer sides of the first patterned polarizing plate and the second patterned polarizing plate, color unevenness is unlikely to occur whether the light control device is viewed from the first patterned polarizing plate or the second patterned polarizing plate.

[0007] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is intended to prevent color unevenness in a light control device, and is not intended to control light to a neutral color. In addition, since it is necessary to provide a retardation plate on the outer side of the first and second patterned polarizing plates, the device has a problem that a multi-layered structure is required, which makes the device structure complicated. Furthermore, since the device has a multi-layered structure, not only is the manufacturing process complicated and the manufacturing cost high, but it is also difficult to reduce the weight.

[0008] Patent Document 2 describes that coloring can be reduced by configuring the transmittance of the polarizing plate in this way. However, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has problems in that the transmittance conditions are strict and manufacturing is difficult.

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve such problems of the conventional technology, and its object is to provide a slide-type dimmer that can adjust light to a neutral color and has a very simple configuration, and a method for manufacturing a slide-type dimmer.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sliding dimmer that can adjust the light to a neutral color, is simple to manufacture, has low manufacturing costs, and is lightweight, and a manufacturing method for the sliding dimmer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a sliding light control device in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarization pattern with a different polarization direction, are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other along the sliding direction and are slidably arranged in a superposed state. This sliding light control device is configured so that when a polarizing layer having a first polarization pattern and a polarizing layer having a second polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from that of the first polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position, the device is in a low light-transmitting state (a state with low light transmittance, hereinafter referred to as a light-shielding state) and when the polarizing layers having the first polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position or the polarizing layers having the second polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position, the device is in a high light-transmitting state (a state with high light transmittance, hereinafter referred to as a light-transmitting state), and the polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye that are laminated and aligned on the alignment film.

[0012] A polarizing substrate is arranged such that two polarizing layers having polarization patterns with different polarization directions (a polarizing layer having a first polarization pattern and a polarizing layer having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from that of the first polarization pattern) are adjacent to each other along the sliding direction. Since each polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmissive alignment film, a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye laminated and arranged on the alignment film, the structure is very simple. Nevertheless, it is possible to perform dimming with a neutral color tone, and since it requires fewer manufacturing steps, the manufacturing is simple and the manufacturing cost is low, and weight reduction can be achieved.

[0013] When the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern and the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern are superimposed so that their polarization directions are the same, the ratio T1(450 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 450 nm is 0.64 < T1(450 / 550) < 0.82, and the ratio T2(650 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 650 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm is 0.84 < T2(650 / 550) < 1.12, which is also preferable. By setting the transmittance ratios T1 and T2 within such ranges, a slide-type dimming device capable of dimming with a neutral color tone can be easily manufactured.

[0014] Preferably, the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern is different from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern by a predetermined angle in the range of 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

[0015] The polarization direction of the second polarization pattern is different from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern by 90 degrees, and further includes a polarizing layer having a third polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern by 45 degrees, and a polarizing layer having a fourth polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from the polarization direction of the third polarization pattern by 90 degrees. It is also preferable that the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern, the polarizing layer having the third polarization pattern, the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern, and the polarizing layer having the fourth polarization pattern are arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction in this order.

[0016] It is also preferable that the length in the sliding direction of the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern and the length in the sliding direction of the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern are a predetermined value within the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

[0017] It is also preferable that the polarizing substrate comprises a glass substrate, an alignment film laminated on the glass substrate, and a layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye laminated on the alignment film.

[0018] It is also preferable that the polarizing substrate comprises a glass substrate, a low birefringent or super birefringent light-transmitting film laminated on the glass substrate via an adhesive layer, an alignment film laminated on the light-transmitting film, and a layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye laminated on the alignment film.

[0019] It is also preferable that the alignment film contains a silane coupling agent.

[0020] It is also preferable that the alignment film is made of polyamic acid, polyimide or acrylic.

[0021] It is also preferable that the polymerizable liquid crystal compound has a nematic or smectic phase.

[0022] The dichroic dye has a maximum absorption wavelength (λ MAX It is also preferable that the dye comprises a dye having the formula (I).

[0023] According to the present invention, there is further provided a method for manufacturing a sliding type light control device in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarization pattern with a different polarization direction arranged so as to be adjacent to the other along the sliding direction, are slidably arranged in a state of being stacked together. The manufacturing method of the present invention includes an alignment film forming step of forming an alignment film on a substrate, and an alignment step of laminating and aligning a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye on the alignment film formed by the alignment film forming step. The alignment film forming step includes a step of forming a photo-alignable resin film on the entire surface of the substrate, a step of partially exposing a predetermined region on the formed photo-alignable resin film to polarized light while the predetermined region is shielded by a light shielding means, thereby forming a plurality of stripe-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a predetermined direction, and a step of partially exposing a region other than the above-mentioned predetermined region on the photo-alignable resin film to polarized light while the region is shielded by a light shielding means, thereby forming a plurality of stripe-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned predetermined direction.

[0024] A slide-type light control device is manufactured in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarizing layer with a different polarization direction and arranged adjacent to each other along the slide direction, are arranged in a superimposed state. Since a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye are laminated and aligned on an alignment film formed by an alignment film forming process, a slide-type light control device capable of dimming neutral colors can be provided despite its very simple configuration, and since it requires fewer manufacturing steps, it is easy to manufacture and has low manufacturing costs. In addition, a lightweight slide-type light control device can be provided. Furthermore, since the alignment film is manufactured by partially exposing a predetermined region on a photoalignment resin film formed on the entire surface of the substrate to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means to form a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a predetermined direction, and partially exposing a region other than the above-mentioned predetermined region on the photoalignment resin film to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means to form a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned predetermined direction, the alignment film can be easily formed.

[0025] According to the present invention, there is further provided a method for manufacturing a sliding type light control device in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarizing layer with a polarization pattern of a different polarization direction arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, are slidably arranged in a state of being superimposed. The manufacturing method of the present invention includes an alignment film forming step of forming an alignment film on a substrate, and an alignment step of laminating and aligning a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye on the alignment film formed by the alignment film forming step. The alignment film forming step includes a step of forming a photoalignment resin film on the entire surface of the substrate, a polarization pattern forming step of exposing the entire region of the formed photoalignment resin film to polarized light to form a polarization pattern polarized in a predetermined direction, and a step of partially overwriting and exposing the predetermined region on the photoalignment resin film polarized by the polarization pattern forming step to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means to form a plurality of stripe-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction in a region other than the above-mentioned predetermined region.

[0026] A slide-type light control device is manufactured in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarizing layer with a different polarization direction and arranged so as to be adjacent to the other along the slide direction, are arranged in a superimposed state. Since a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye are laminated and aligned on an alignment film formed by an alignment film forming process, a slide-type light control device capable of dimming a neutral color can be provided despite its very simple configuration, and since it requires only a few manufacturing steps, it is easy to manufacture and the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, a lightweight slide-type light control device can be provided. Furthermore, a polarization pattern polarized in a predetermined direction is formed by exposing the entire area of ​​a photo-aligned resin film formed on the entire surface of the substrate to polarized light, and a predetermined area on the polarized photo-aligned resin film is partially overwritten and exposed to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means, thereby forming a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction in areas other than the above-mentioned predetermined area to manufacture an alignment film, which reduces the number of steps, simplifies the process, and reduces the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, since the shape precision of the boundary parts of the polarization pattern areas can be improved, it is possible to provide a sliding dimming device that reduces dimming unevenness (noise) that occurs at the boundary parts when switching dimming and improves dimming uniformity.

[0027] It is preferable that the method further comprises a step of fixing the alignment by subjecting the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye aligned in the alignment step to an ultraviolet crosslinking reaction.

[0028] In this specification, the angles (for example, 90 degrees and 45 degrees), as well as orthogonal, perpendicular and parallel are meant to include the range of error permitted in the technical field of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0029] The sliding dimming device of the present invention is arranged in a state in which two polarizing substrates are stacked together, with polarizing layers having polarization patterns with different polarization directions (a polarizing layer having a first polarization pattern and a polarizing layer having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from that of the first polarization pattern) being arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, and each polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye that are laminated and arranged on the alignment film.As a result, despite the extremely simple configuration, it is possible to adjust the light to a neutral color, and moreover, since only a few manufacturing steps are required, manufacturing is easy and inexpensive, and the weight can be reduced.

[0030] The manufacturing method of the slide type light control device of the present invention manufactures a slide type light control device in which two polarizing substrates, each having a polarizing layer with a different polarization direction and arranged so as to be adjacent to the other along the slide direction, are arranged in a state of being stacked. Since a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye are laminated and aligned on the alignment film formed by the alignment film forming process, a slide type light control device capable of dimming with a neutral color can be provided despite its very simple configuration, and since it requires only a few manufacturing steps, it is easy to manufacture and the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, a lightweight slide type light control device can be provided. Furthermore, a polarization pattern polarized in a predetermined direction is formed by exposing the entire area of ​​the photo-aligned resin film formed on the entire surface of the substrate to polarized light, and a predetermined area on the polarized photo-aligned resin film is partially overwritten and exposed to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means, thereby forming a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction in areas other than the predetermined area to manufacture the alignment film, so that the number of steps is reduced, simplification can be achieved, and manufacturing costs are low. Furthermore, since the shape precision of the boundary parts of the polarization pattern areas can be improved, it is possible to provide a sliding dimming device that reduces dimming unevenness (noise) that occurs at the boundary parts when switching dimming and improves dimming uniformity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1]1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration and principle of an embodiment of a slide-type light control device of the present invention when viewed from a plan view. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional view of the configuration and principle of the slide-type light control device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a polarizing layer in the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the characteristics of human visibility, with the horizontal axis representing the wavelength of light (nm) and the vertical axis representing the relative visibility. [Diagram 5] This is a diagram showing the light absorption spectrum of a dichroic dye, with the horizontal axis representing the wavelength of light (nm) and the vertical axis representing the absorbance. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a manufacturing method for the slide-type light control device in the embodiment of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing process of a polarizing layer. [Figure 8] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a step of orienting a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye in a manufacturing process of a polarizing layer. [Figure 9] 11 is an explanatory diagram roughly illustrating the configuration and principle of another embodiment of a sliding light control device of the present invention as viewed from a cross-sectional direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is an explanatory diagram roughly illustrating the configuration and principle of still another embodiment of a sliding light control device of the present invention, as viewed from a cross-sectional direction. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram showing the distribution of judgment results for Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, in which the horizontal axis represents the transmittance ratio T1 (450 / 550) and the vertical axis represents the transmittance ratio T2 (650 / 550). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration and principle of one embodiment of a sliding light control device of the present invention, viewed from a planar direction. FIG. 1A shows a case where two polarizing substrates are arranged so that a first polarization pattern is superimposed on the first polarization pattern and a second polarization pattern is superimposed on the second polarization pattern to be in a light-transmitting state, and FIG. 1B shows a case where the two polarizing substrates are slid so that the first polarization pattern is superimposed on a second polarization pattern having a polarization direction different from that of the first polarization pattern to be in a light-shielding state. However, in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the two polarizing substrates are shown slightly shifted in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S to make the sliding operation easier to understand.

[0033] 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sectional views of the configuration and principle of a sliding light control device according to this embodiment, in which (A) shows the case where the polarization directions of the two polarizing substrates are aligned to achieve a light-transmitting state, and (B) shows the case where the polarization directions of the two polarizing substrates are offset by 90 degrees to achieve a light-blocking state.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the sliding dimmer of this embodiment is configured so that two polarizing substrates 10 and 11 can be switched between a light-transmitting state (state with high light transmittance, high light-transmitting state) and a light-blocking state (state with low light transmittance, low light-transmitting state) by sliding relatively a predetermined distance (pattern width) in the sliding direction indicated by arrow S.

[0035] The polarizing substrate 10 has polarizing layers 10a having a first polarization pattern and polarizing layers 10b having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is 90 degrees different from that of the first polarization pattern, which are alternately provided along the sliding direction S. The first polarization pattern has a polarization direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S, and the second polarization pattern has a polarization direction parallel to the sliding direction S. The polarizing layers 10a and 10b are laminated on a transparent glass substrate 10e. The length (width) of the polarizing layers 10a and 10b in the sliding direction is a predetermined value in the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

[0036] The polarizing substrate 11 also has polarizing layers 11a having a first polarization pattern and polarizing layers 11b having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is 90 degrees different from that of the first polarization pattern, which are alternately provided along the sliding direction S. The first polarization pattern has a polarization direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S, and the second polarization pattern has a polarization direction parallel to the sliding direction S. These polarizing layers 11a and 11b are laminated on a transparent glass substrate 11e. The length (width) of the polarizing layers 11a and 11b in the sliding direction is a predetermined value in the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the basic configuration of the polarizing layers 10a, 10b, 11a and 11b in this embodiment.

[0038] As shown in the figure, each of the polarizing layers 10a, 10b, 11a, and 11b is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film 13 and a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 14 containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye as main components, which is laminated on the alignment film 13. The alignment film 13 is formed of polyamic acid, polyimide, or acrylic, and contains a silane coupling agent. The polarizing layers 10a and 11a are polarized in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S, and the polarizing layers 10b and 11b are polarized in a direction along the sliding direction S. The alignment film 13 has an alignment control force, and the polarization direction of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 14 laminated thereon is fixed to the alignment direction of the alignment film 13.

[0039] In this embodiment, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound used has at least one polymerizable group in the molecule and has a nematic phase or a smectic phase for horizontal alignment. The dichroic dye has a maximum absorption wavelength (λ ) in the range of 300 to 700 nm. MAX ) is preferable. Examples of such dichroic dyes include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes. The dichroic dyes may be used alone or in combination, but when polarization performance is required over the entire visible light range, it is preferable to use three or more types in combination.

[0040] Each of the polarizing layers 10a, 10b, 11a, and 11b is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film 13 and a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 14 composed mainly of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, which is laminated and aligned on the alignment film 13. The hue is adjusted by the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 14, so that color tone adjustment can be performed with a very simple configuration. By simply using polarizing substrates in which the polarizing layers of this configuration are arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, hue adjustment (neutral color dimming) suitable for the light control glass can be performed without adding other elements (e.g., retardation plates, etc.). Therefore, the number of manufacturing steps is small, and the manufacturing is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, the light control device itself can be made lighter.

[0041] In the above explanation, the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern of the polarizing layers 10a and 11a and the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern of the polarizing layers 10b and 11b differ by 90 degrees, but this is not limited to 90 degrees, and it is sufficient that the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern and the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern differ by a predetermined angle in the range of 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

[0042] The relative sliding movement of the polarizing substrates 10 and 11 may be performed by guiding the polarizing substrates 10 and / or 11 using a groove member (not shown) provided along the sliding direction, or by other known methods. The sliding drive of the polarizing substrates 10 and / or 11 is performed manually or electrically using a motor or solenoid (not shown).

[0043] Next, the configuration of the polarizing layer for further reducing the change in hue difference in the slide-type light control device of this embodiment will be described.

[0044] In general, the human eye is less likely to perceive color differences in wavelength regions with low light transmittance (light-shielding state) where polarizing layers are superimposed so that the polarization directions differ by 90 degrees, but is more likely to perceive color differences in wavelength regions with high light transmittance (light-transmitting regions and intermediate regions with light transmittance of 40 to 50%) where polarizing layers are superimposed so that the polarization directions are parallel. Therefore, it is important to achieve a neutral color (blackness) with little change in hue difference in this high light transmittance region.

[0045] Colors can be made black by mixing yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C). Black has the same absorption rate across the entire wavelength range, and it is often thought that mixing equal amounts of these colors will produce a neutral black color. However, the human eye has luminosity characteristics as shown in Figure 4, and so it is necessary to set the light absorption rate (light transmittance) taking this luminosity into account. In the luminosity characteristics of Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents the wavelength of light (nm) and the vertical axis represents the relative luminosity.

[0046] In order to set the light absorptance (light transmittance) taking into account the luminosity, in this embodiment, the light absorptance (light transmittance) of pure blue light (450 nm) in the blue-violet to blue region relative to yellow-green light (550 nm) which has the highest luminosity is specified for the polarizing layer, and the absorptance (light transmittance) of the red region relative to yellow-green light (550 nm) which has the highest luminosity is specified. Note that, in this case, the higher the luminosity is, the greater the influence of the wavelengths in the blue-violet to blue region and the wavelengths in the red region.

[0047] Specifically, when the polarizing layer 10a or 11a having the first polarization pattern and the polarizing layer 10b or 11b having the second polarization pattern are superimposed so that their polarization directions are the same, the ratio T1(450 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 450 nm is 0.64 < T1(450 / 550) < 0.82, and the ratio T2(650 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 650 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm is 0.84 < T2(650 / 550) < 1.12. The polarizing layer 10a or 11a and the polarizing layer 10b or 11b are configured in this manner (for the numerical ranges of the transmittance ratios T1 and T2, refer to the examples described later). In order to obtain such a polarizing layer 10a or 11a and polarizing layer 10b or 11b, in this embodiment, as the dichroic dye of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 14, a dichroic dye M-1012, YH-428, or S-428 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. is used, and the film thickness at the time of drying is set to 2.1 μm or 3.1 μm to form the polarizing layer. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the light absorption spectra of dichroic dyes M-1012, YH-428, S-428, SI-497, M-412, M-483, M-137, SI-426, and SI-486 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. The horizontal axis represents the wavelength (nm) of light, and the vertical axis represents the absorbance. Note that the absorbance is a dimensionless quantity representing how much the intensity of light weakens when passing through an object, and the light transmittance is represented by 100 / (10^(absorbance)).

[0048] Next, a method for manufacturing the slide type dimming device of this embodiment will be described.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows the steps of the manufacturing method of the slide type dimming device in this embodiment, and FIG. 7 explains the manufacturing process of the polarizing layer.

[0050] First, a transparent glass substrate serving as a base material is prepared (step S1).

[0051] Next, an alignment film is applied onto the glass substrate (step S2). A polyimide-based material or an acrylic-based material is used as the material for the alignment film. For the polyimide-based material, polyamic acid (manufactured by JNC Corporation) is dissolved in NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) or DMF (N,N-dimethylformamide) and applied. For the acrylic-based material, acrylic is dissolved in a ketone, ester, or glycol-based solvent and applied. It is desirable to use an alignment film suitable for horizontal alignment. It is also desirable to use a surfactant such as Megafac F-477 (manufactured by DIC Corporation). The coating method is a known method, such as a spin coating method, a gravure coater method, a reverse gravure method, a method using a Mayer bar coater, a method using a die coater, a method using a reverse roll coater, a method using a fountain reverse roll coater, a method using a kiss roll coater, a method using a bar coater, a method using a knife coater, a method using a lip coater, a method using a resist coater, or an inkjet method. The thickness of the alignment film to be applied is preferably 10 to 500 nm, and optimally 50 to 200 nm.

[0052] Next, the applied alignment film is dried (step S3). The drying temperature is 80° C. This drying temperature is preferably 40 to 150° C., and most preferably 60 to 120° C. Fig. 7(A) shows the alignment film 20 that has been applied over the entire surface of a glass substrate and dried.

[0053] Next, the alignment film 20 is exposed to polarized light (step S4). Irradiation of the alignment film 20 with polarized light is performed by irradiating the film with polarized light from a single direction. As the irradiation light, X-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet light, visible light, or infrared light (heat rays) can be used, but it is particularly preferable to use ultraviolet light. Since the alignment film 20 has high sensitivity to the long wavelength region of ultraviolet light, particularly to a wavelength of 365 nm, ultraviolet light is preferably used. However, an exposure machine that irradiates light with a wavelength of 254 to 360 nm can also be used. As the light source, a low-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an extra-high-pressure mercury lamp, a high-pressure discharge lamp, a short arc discharge lamp (metal halide lamp), or an LED lamp can be used, and preferably a high-pressure mercury lamp, an extra-high-pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, or an LED lamp can be used. It is particularly preferable to use linearly polarized light. The irradiation amount is 10 to 20,000 mJ / cm. 2 It is preferable that the concentration is 20 to 5000 mJ / cm. 2 It is most desirable that:

[0054] The exposure method for producing polarization patterns with different polarization directions may be the sequential exposure method shown in FIGS. 7(B) to (D) or the overwriting exposure method shown in FIGS. 7(E) to (G).

[0055] In the sequential exposure method, as shown in FIG. 7(B), a resist film 21 is laminated as a light-shielding means in a portion of an alignment film 20, and the empty portions are partially exposed to polarized light in the horizontal direction in the figure, thereby forming a strip-shaped polarization pattern 22 having a horizontal polarization direction; then, this resist film 21 is removed, and as shown in FIG. 7(C), a resist film 23 is laminated in the region of polarization pattern 22, and the empty portions are partially exposed to polarized light in the vertical direction in the figure, thereby forming a strip-shaped polarization pattern 24 having a vertical polarization direction; and by removing the resist film 23, an alignment film 25 is formed in which polarization patterns having polarization directions different by 90 degrees from each other are arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, as shown in FIG. 7(D).

[0056] In the overwrite exposure method, as shown in FIG. 7(E), the entire region of the alignment film 20 is exposed to polarized light in the vertical direction in the figure, thereby forming a polarized pattern 26 having a vertical polarization direction on the entire surface, and then, as shown in FIG. 7(F), a resist film 27 is laminated on a part of the region, and the vacant portion is overwritten and exposed to polarized light in the horizontal direction in the figure, thereby forming a strip-shaped polarized pattern 28 having a horizontal polarization direction, and then, by removing the resist film 27, an alignment film 29 is formed in which polarized patterns having polarization directions different from each other by 90 degrees are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other along the slide direction, as shown in FIG. 7(G). According to this overwrite exposure method, the process can be simplified, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and further, the shape accuracy of the boundary part of the polarization pattern region is improved, and the unevenness (noise) in dimming that occurs at the boundary part during dimming switching can be reduced, and the uniformity of dimming can be improved. Note that this embodiment is an example in which a resist film is used as a light-shielding means, but another known means such as a photomask may be used.

[0057] Next, the alignment film 25 (29) thus exposed is baked at a temperature of 230°C (Step S5). However, this baking process is only performed when a polyimide-based material is used. The polyamic acid is baked at 180-240°C for 10-120 minutes to form a polyimide through a dehydration and cyclization reaction. This is expected to improve the solvent resistance and photoalignment properties. Baking is not performed when an acrylic-based material is used.

[0058] Thereafter, a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 30 consisting of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye is applied onto the alignment film thus prepared, as shown in FIG. 7(H) (Step S6). By applying and aligning the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye, polarization properties are exhibited. The liquid crystal compound used can be one having a nematic phase or a smectic phase for horizontal alignment, which has at least one polymerizable group in the molecule. The dichroic dye can be one having a maximum absorption wavelength (λ ) in the wavelength range of 300 to 700 nm. MAX) is preferable. Examples of such dichroic dyes include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes. The dichroic dyes may be used alone or in combination, but when polarization performance is required over the entire visible light range, it is preferable to use three or more types in combination. A photopolymerization initiator is added to the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye. A surfactant may be added. As the solvent, an organic solvent such as a ketone or ester is used. The content of the dichroic dye relative to the liquid crystal compound is preferably 0.1 to 30%, and most preferably 1 to 10%, from the viewpoint of improving the orientation of the dichroic dye. The thickness of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer is preferably 0.5 to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 to 10 μm. The coating method may be a known method, such as a spin coating method, a gravure coater method, a reverse gravure method, a method using a Mayer bar coater, a method using a die coater, a method using a reverse roll coater, a method using a Fountain reverse roll coater, a method using a kiss roll coater, a method using a bar coater, a method using a knife coater, a method using a lip coater, a method using a resist coater, or an inkjet method.

[0059] Next, the applied dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 30 is dried (Step S7) at a drying temperature of 80° C. This drying temperature is preferably 40 to 150° C., and most preferably 60 to 120° C.

[0060] Thereafter, the dried dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 30 is cured with ultraviolet light (UV cure) (step S8). This UV cure causes an ultraviolet crosslinking reaction in the dichroic liquid crystal composition consisting of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye, thereby fixing the alignment. FIG. 7(I) shows a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 31 with a fixed alignment. In this case, in order to react the polymerizable group of the liquid crystal, the maximum absorption wavelength (λ MAX) is used. In particular, it is optimal to use an exposure device that irradiates with a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm. Specific light sources that can be used include low pressure mercury lamps, high pressure mercury lamps, extra-high pressure mercury lamps, high pressure discharge lamps, short arc discharge lamps (metal halide lamps), and LED lamps, and preferably high pressure mercury lamps, extra-high pressure mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, or LED lamps. The irradiation dose is 10 to 5000 mJ / cm. 2 It is preferable that the intensity is 20 to 2000 mJ / cm 2 It is most desirable that the temperature of the liquid crystal during exposure is between the crystallization temperature of the liquid crystal and room temperature.

[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates the process of orienting the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye in the above-mentioned manufacturing process of the polarizing layer.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 8(A), a dichroic liquid crystal composition consisting of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound 32 and a dichroic dye 33 is applied onto an alignment film 25 or 29 in which polarization patterns with polarization directions different by 90 degrees are arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, as shown in Fig. 8(B). The applied polymerizable liquid crystal compound 32 and dichroic dye 33 are aligned in directions perpendicular and parallel to the sliding direction by the alignment regulation force of the alignment film 25 or 29 as shown in Fig. 8(C), and then the alignment directions are fixed by an ultraviolet crosslinking reaction as shown in Fig. 8(D).

[0063] As described above, according to the sliding dimming device of this embodiment, the polarizing layers 10a and 11a having a first polarization pattern and the polarizing layers 10b and 11b having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from that of the first polarization pattern are arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction in a superimposed state. Each of the polarizing layers 10a and 11a, as well as 10b and 11b, is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film 13 and a dichroic liquid crystal composition 14 composed of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, which is laminated and arranged on the alignment film 13. Therefore, despite the extremely simple configuration, it is possible to adjust the light to a neutral color. Moreover, since only a few manufacturing steps are required, manufacturing is simple and inexpensive, and weight can be reduced.

[0064] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration and principle of another embodiment of a sliding light control device according to the present invention.

[0065] As shown in the figure, each polarizing layer is composed of an adhesive layer 41 for adhering to a glass substrate (not shown), a low birefringent or super birefringent light-transmitting film 42 laminated on the glass substrate via the adhesive layer 41, a light-transmitting alignment film 43 laminated on the light-transmitting film 42, and a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 44 containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye as main components laminated on the alignment film 43. The light-transmitting film 42 is made of PMMA (acrylic / methacrylic resin film), COP (cycloolefin polymer film), TAC (triacetyl cellulose film) or high Re-PET (highly recycled polyethylene terephthalate film). The alignment film 43 is made of acrylic. The alignment film 43 has an alignment control force, and the polarization direction of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 44 laminated thereon is fixed to the alignment direction of the alignment film 43.

[0066] In this embodiment, the polymerizable liquid crystal compound used has at least one polymerizable group in the molecule and has a nematic phase or a smectic phase for horizontal alignment. The dichroic dye has a maximum absorption wavelength (λ ) in the range of 300 to 700 nm.MAX ) is preferable. Examples of such dichroic dyes include acridine dyes, oxazine dyes, cyanine dyes, naphthalene dyes, azo dyes, and anthraquinone dyes. The dichroic dyes may be used alone or in combination, but when polarization performance is required over the entire visible light range, it is preferable to use three or more types in combination.

[0067] The polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film 43 and a dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 44 composed mainly of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye, which is laminated and aligned on the alignment film 43. The hue adjustment is performed by this dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 44, so that color tone adjustment can be performed with a very simple configuration. By simply using polarizing substrates in which the polarizing layer having such a configuration is arranged adjacent to each other along the sliding direction, hue adjustment (neutral color dimming) suitable for the light control glass can be performed without adding other elements (e.g., retardation plates, etc.). Therefore, the number of manufacturing steps is small, and the manufacturing is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, the light control device itself can be made lighter.

[0068] In the above explanation, the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern of the polarizing layer and the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern differ by 90 degrees, but this is not limited to 90 degrees, and it is sufficient that the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern and the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern differ by a predetermined angle in the range of 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

[0069] Other configurations and other functions and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration and principle of yet another embodiment of the sliding light control device of the present invention, in which (A) shows the case where the polarization directions of the two polarizing substrates are made to coincide with each other to achieve a light-transmitting state, (B) shows the case where the polarization directions of the two polarizing substrates are made to differ by 45 degrees from each other to achieve a semi-light-transmitting state, and (C) shows the case where the polarization directions of the two polarizing substrates are made to differ by 90 degrees from each other to achieve a light-blocking state.

[0071] The sliding dimmer of this embodiment is configured so that two polarizing substrates 50 and 51 slide relatively a predetermined distance (pattern width) in the sliding direction indicated by arrow S, thereby sequentially switching between a translucent state (high light transmittance state, high translucency state), a semi-translucent state (medium light transmittance state, medium translucency state), and a light-shielding state (low light transmittance state, low translucency state), thereby obtaining a gradation.

[0072] The polarizing substrate 50 includes a polarizing layer 50a having a first polarization pattern, a polarizing layer 50b having a third polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the first polarization pattern by 45 degrees, a polarizing layer 50c having a second polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the first polarization pattern by 90 degrees and different from the third polarization pattern by 45 degrees, and a polarizing layer 50d having a fourth polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the third polarization pattern by 90 degrees and different from the second polarization pattern by 45 degrees, which are provided in this order along the sliding direction S. The first polarization pattern has a polarization direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S, the third polarization pattern has a polarization direction different from the sliding direction S by 45 degrees, the second polarization pattern has a polarization direction in the sliding direction S, and the fourth polarization pattern has a polarization direction different from the sliding direction S by 45 degrees. These polarizing layers 50a to 50d are laminated on a transparent glass substrate 50e. The length (width) of the polarizing layers 50a to 50d in the sliding direction is a predetermined value within the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

[0073] The polarizing substrate 51 also includes a polarizing layer 51a having a first polarization pattern, a polarizing layer 51b having a third polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the first polarization pattern by 45 degrees, a polarizing layer 51c having a second polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the first polarization pattern by 90 degrees and different from the third polarization pattern by 45 degrees, and a polarizing layer 51d having a fourth polarization pattern with a polarization direction different from the third polarization pattern by 90 degrees and different from the second polarization pattern by 45 degrees, which are provided in this order along the sliding direction S. The first polarization pattern has a polarization direction perpendicular to the sliding direction S, the third polarization pattern has a polarization direction different from the sliding direction S by 45 degrees, the second polarization pattern has a polarization direction in the sliding direction S, and the fourth polarization pattern has a polarization direction different from the sliding direction S by 45 degrees. These polarizing layers 51a to 51d are laminated on a transparent glass substrate 51e. The length (width) of the polarizing layers 51a to 51d in the sliding direction is a predetermined value within the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

[0074] The sliding light control device of this embodiment can obtain gradation by sequentially switching between a light-transmitting state, a semi-light-transmitting state, and a light-shielding state by relatively sliding two polarizing substrates 50 and 51 a predetermined distance (pattern width) in the sliding direction indicated by the arrow S. Other configurations and other functions and effects of this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment described in Figs. 1 to 8, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] The above describes a sliding light control device using various embodiments. However, in order to improve the contrast between the transmitting state and the blocking state, the sliding light control device of the present invention may be configured to improve the alignment order of the dichroic liquid crystal composition by, for example, (1) increasing the difference between the temperature Ta at which the liquid crystal phase transitions to an isotropic liquid and the temperature Tb at which the liquid crystal phase transitions to a crystal, (2) setting the temperature at which the liquid crystal is aligned and then fixed to a temperature close to the crystallization transition point, (3) expressing a smectic liquid crystal phase by, for example, lengthening the alkyl chain portion, or (4) suppressing dye association by adding a sugar. EXAMPLES

[0076] Hereinafter, the configuration of the polarizing layer of the sliding light control device of the present invention will be described in detail using examples and comparative examples.

[0077] Example 1 A polyimide-based alignment film was laminated on a transparent glass substrate, which was prepared by dissolving polyamic acid (manufactured by JNC Corporation) in NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), exposing it to polarized light, and then sintering it. A dichroic liquid crystal composition layer consisting of a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye was laminated on the polyimide-based alignment film, and various polarizing substrates were produced by UV curing. The dichroic dye used in Example 1 was M-1012 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.). Furthermore, cyclopentanone (manufactured by DIC Corporation) was used as the organic solvent, and Megafac F-477 (manufactured by DIC Corporation) was used as the surfactant. The ratios used were 80 (phr) organic solvent, 20 (phr) liquid crystal compound, 1.2 (phr) dichroic dye, and 0.1 (phr) surfactant. The film thickness of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer when dried was 2.1 μm. LIXON COAT PLC-75TC01-0 (manufactured by JNC Corporation) was used as the liquid crystal compound.

[0078] The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm when two identical polarizing substrates thus prepared were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same. A transmittance measuring instrument V-550 manufactured by JASCO Corporation was used to measure the transmittance. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.704 and T2 (650 / 550) = 1.112. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of this Example 1, it was found to be weak in terms of blueness, strong in terms of redness, and strong in terms of yellowness, and the final judgment was "good."

[0079] Example 2 Two identical polarizing substrates prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that YH-428 (manufactured by Mitsui Fine Chemicals, Inc.) was used as the dichroic dye were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same, and the transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm. The transmittance was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.808 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.867. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of Example 2, it was found to be strong for blue, weak for red, and weak for yellow, and the final judgment was "good."

[0080] Example 3 Two identical polarizing substrates prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that S-428 (manufactured by Mitsui Fine Chemicals, Inc.) was used as the dichroic dye were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same, and the transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm. The method for measuring the transmittance was also the same as in Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.696 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.894. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of this Example 3, it was found to be weak in terms of blueness, weak in terms of redness, and weak in terms of yellowness, and the final judgment was "good."

[0081] Example 4 The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm when two identical polarizing substrates prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same, except that the film thickness of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer was 3.1 μm. The transmittance was measured in the same manner as in Example 1. The measured transmittance ratios were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.647 and T2 (650 / 550) = 1.175. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of Example 4, it was found to be weak in terms of blueness, strong in terms of redness, and strong in terms of yellowness, and the final judgment was "good."

[0082] Example 5 The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm when two identical polarizing substrates prepared in the same manner as in Example 2 were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same, except that the film thickness of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer was 3.1 μm. The transmittance was measured in the same manner as in Example 2. The measured transmittance ratios were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.741 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.857. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of Example 5, the results were strong for blue, weak for red, and weak for yellow, and the final judgment was "good."

[0083] Example 6 The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm when two identical polarizing substrates prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 were stacked so that the polarization directions were the same, except that the film thickness of the dichroic liquid crystal composition layer was 3.1 μm. The transmittance was measured in the same manner as in Example 3. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.813 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.841. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of Example 6, the results were strong for blue, weak for red, and weak for yellow, and the final judgment was "good."

[0084] Comparative Example 1 As dichroic dyes, YH-428 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) was used at a weight ratio of 8, SI-497 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) at a weight ratio of 1, and SI-486 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) at a weight ratio of 1. Except for this, two identical polarizing substrates prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 were superimposed so that the polarization directions were the same, and the transmittances at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm were measured. The method for measuring the transmittance was also the same as in Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.642 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.846. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of this Comparative Example 1, it was found to be weak in terms of blueness, green in terms of redness, and strong in terms of yellowness, and the final judgment was "poor."

[0085] Comparative Example 2 As dichroic dyes, S-428 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) was used at a weight ratio of 8, SI-497 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) at a weight ratio of 1, and SI-486 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) at a weight ratio of 1. Except for this, two identical polarizing substrates prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 were superimposed so that the polarization directions were the same, and the transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm. The method for measuring the transmittance was also the same as in Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.599 and T2 (650 / 550) = 0.859. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of this Comparative Example 2, it was found to be weak in terms of blueness, green in terms of redness, and strong in terms of yellowness, and the final judgment was "poor."

[0086] Comparative Example 3 The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm when two identical polarizing substrates prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1 were superimposed so that the polarization directions were the same, except that M-1012 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) was used as the dichroic dye at a weight ratio of 9 and SI-426 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Fine Co., Ltd.) was used at a weight ratio of 1. The transmittance was measured at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm. The method for measuring the transmittance was also the same as in Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1 (450 / 550) = 0.660 and T2 (650 / 550) = 1.300. When a sensory evaluation was performed on the hue of this Comparative Example 3, the results were weak for blue, very strong for red, and strong for yellow, and the final judgment was "poor."

[0087] Comparative Example 4 Two polarizing substrates were prepared in exactly the same manner as in Example 1, except that S-428 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) was used as the dichroic pigment at a weight ratio of 9 and SI-497 (manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) was used at a weight ratio of 1. The two substrates were overlapped so that their polarization directions were the same, and the transmittances at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm, and 650 nm were measured. The method for measuring the transmittance was also the same as in the case of Example 1. The ratios of the measured transmittances were T1(450 / 550) = 0.849 and T2(650 / 550) = 0.891. When a sensory evaluation of the hue of this Comparative Example 4 was performed, it was found that the blue tone was very strong, the red tone was weak, and the yellow tone was weak, and the final judgment was "defective".

[0088] Table 1 shows the results of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 above. Figure 11 shows the distribution of the judgment results of Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, with the ratio of transmittance T1(450 / 550) on the horizontal axis and the ratio of transmittance T2(650 / 550) on the vertical axis.

[0089]

Table 1

[0090] As is clear from Figure 11, the range surrounded by the broken line A is the range where the judgment by sensory evaluation is "good". If the ratio of transmittance T1(450 / 550) is 0.64 < T1(450 / 550) < 0.82 and the ratio of transmittance T2(650 / 550) is 0.84 < T2(650 / 550) < 1.12, it was found that neutral-colored dimming is possible.

[0091] All of the above-described embodiments and examples are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive. The present invention can be implemented in various other modified forms, modified modes, and examples. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims and their equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 10, 11, 50, 51 Polarizing substrate 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d polarizing layer 10e, 11e, 50e, 51e Glass substrate 13, 20, 25, 29, 43 Alignment film 14, 30, 31, 44 dichroic liquid crystal composition layer 21, 23, 27 Resist film 22, 24, 26, 28 Polarization Pattern 32 Polymerizable liquid crystal compound 33 Dichroic Dyes 41 Adhesive layer 42 Translucent film

Claims

1. A slide-type light control device in which two polarizing substrates are slidably arranged in a superimposed state, the polarizing layers having polarization patterns with different polarization directions being arranged adjacent to each other along a sliding direction, a low light-transmitting state is achieved when a polarizing layer having a first polarization pattern and a polarizing layer having a second polarization pattern whose polarization direction is different from that of the first polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position, and a high light-transmitting state is achieved when the polarizing layers having the first polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position or the polarizing layers having the second polarization pattern are in a mutually overlapping position, The slide-type light control device, wherein the polarizing layer is composed of a light-transmitting alignment film, and a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye that are laminated and aligned on the alignment film.

2. When the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern and the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern are superimposed so that the polarization directions are the same, The ratio T1 (450 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 450 nm is 0.64<T1(450 / 550)<0.82 and The ratio T2 (650 / 550) of the transmittance at a wavelength of 650 nm to the transmittance at a wavelength of 550 nm is 0.84<T2(650 / 550)<1.12 2. The slide type light control device according to claim 1 .

3. 2. The sliding light control device according to claim 1, wherein the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern differs from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern by a predetermined angle in a range of 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

4. 2. The sliding dimmer device according to claim 1, further comprising: a polarizing layer having a third polarization pattern whose polarization direction is 45 degrees different from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern, and a polarizing layer having a fourth polarization pattern whose polarization direction is 90 degrees different from the polarization direction of the third polarization pattern, wherein the polarization direction of the second polarization pattern is 90 degrees different from the polarization direction of the first polarization pattern, and the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern, the polarizing layer having the third polarization pattern, the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern, and the polarizing layer having the fourth polarization pattern are arranged adjacent to each other in this order along the sliding direction.

5. The sliding dimming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the length in the sliding direction of the polarizing layer having the first polarization pattern and the length in the sliding direction of the polarizing layer having the second polarization pattern are predetermined values ​​in the range of 0.1 to 50 mm.

6. 2. The sliding dimming device according to claim 1, wherein the polarizing substrate comprises a glass substrate, the alignment film laminated on the glass substrate, and a layer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye laminated on the alignment film.

7. The slide-type dimming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the polarizing substrate comprises a glass substrate, a low birefringence or super birefringence light-transmitting film laminated on the glass substrate via an adhesive layer, the alignment film laminated on the light-transmitting film, and a layer of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye laminated on the alignment film.

8. 8. The slide type light control device according to claim 7, wherein the alignment film contains a silane coupling agent.

9. 2. The slide type light control device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment film is made of polyamic acid, polyimide or acrylic.

10. 2. The sliding light control device according to claim 1, wherein the polymerizable liquid crystal compound has a nematic or smectic phase.

11. 2. The sliding light control device according to claim 1, wherein the dichroic dye is a dye having a maximum absorption wavelength in the wavelength range of 300 to 700 nm.

12. A method for manufacturing a sliding type light control device in which two polarizing substrates are slidably arranged in a superimposed state, the polarizing substrates having polarizing layers with different polarization directions arranged adjacent to each other along a sliding direction, the method comprising the steps of: A manufacturing method for a sliding dimming device, comprising: an alignment film formation process for forming an alignment film on a substrate; and an alignment process for laminating and aligning a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye on the alignment film formed by the alignment film formation process, wherein the alignment film formation process comprises: a process for forming a photo-aligned resin film on the entire surface of the substrate; a process for partially exposing a predetermined area on the formed photo-aligned resin film to polarized light while shielding it from light by a shading means, thereby forming a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a predetermined direction; and a process for partially exposing an area other than the predetermined area on the photo-aligned resin film to polarized light while shielding it from light by a shading means, thereby forming a plurality of strip-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction.

13. A method for manufacturing a sliding type light control device in which two polarizing substrates are slidably arranged in a superimposed state, the polarizing substrates having polarizing layers with different polarization directions arranged adjacent to each other along a sliding direction, the method comprising the steps of: A manufacturing method for a sliding dimming device, comprising: an alignment film formation process for forming an alignment film on a substrate; and an alignment process for laminating and aligning a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a dichroic dye on the alignment film formed by the alignment film formation process, wherein the alignment film formation process comprises: a process for forming a photo-aligned resin film on the entire surface of the substrate; a polarization pattern formation process for forming a polarization pattern polarized in a predetermined direction by exposing the entire area of ​​the formed photo-aligned resin film to polarized light; and a process for partially overwriting and exposing a predetermined area on the photo-aligned resin film polarized by the polarization pattern formation process to polarized light while being shielded by a light shielding means, thereby forming a plurality of stripe-shaped polarization patterns polarized in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction in areas other than the predetermined area.

14. 14. The method for manufacturing a sliding light control device according to claim 12, further comprising a step of fixing the orientation by subjecting the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and the dichroic dye aligned in the alignment step to an ultraviolet crosslinking reaction.

Images