Optical laminate and manufacturing method thereof, smart window including the same, and vehicle or building fittings using the same

Abstract

To provide a variable transmittance optical laminate and manufacturing method thereof, smart window including the optical laminate, and vehicle or building fittings using the optical laminate.SOLUTION: A variable transmittance optical laminate includes: a first polarizing plate 100-1; a first transparent conductive layer 200-1 formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate; a second polarizing plate 100-2 opposite to the first polarizing plate; a second transparent conductive layer 200-2 formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate and opposite to the first transparent conductive layer; and a liquid crystal layer 300 provided between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer and including ball spacers 320, where at least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate includes a functional layer 500 having a plurality of pattern portions satisfying Equation 1, and the ball spacers are incorporated into the pattern portions 510. [Equation 1] 2 μm≤a≤2r (In Equation 1, (a) is a distance between nearest adjacent peaks in each pattern portion, and r is a radius of the ball spacer.).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a variable transmittance optical laminate, a method for manufacturing the same, a smart window including the same, and a vehicle or building fixture to which the same is applied.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an external light blocking coating is often applied to the glass window of a moving means such as a vehicle. However, the glass window of a conventional moving means has a fixed transmittance, and the external light blocking coating also has a fixed transmittance. Therefore, the overall transmittance of such a conventional moving means window is fixed, which may induce an accident. For example, when the overall transmittance is set low, there is no problem during the daytime when the light amount around is sufficient, but in the case of nighttime when the light amount around is not sufficient, there is a problem that it is only difficult for a driver or the like to properly check the periphery of the moving means. Or when the overall transmittance is set high, there is a problem that it may cause glare to a driver or the like during the daytime when the light amount around is sufficient. Thus, a variable transmittance optical laminate that can change the light transmittance when a voltage is applied has been developed.

[0003] The variable transmittance optical laminate is driven by driving liquid crystal by voltage application to vary the transmittance. However, the variable transmittance optical laminates developed to date are manufactured with spacers in the liquid crystal layer to maintain the cell gap of the liquid crystal layer.

[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-010035 also discloses a variable transmittance optical laminate in which a liquid crystal layer including ball spacers is applied to maintain a predetermined cell gap. However, when using ball spacers to maintain the cell gap of the liquid crystal layer, it is impossible to maintain a firm cell gap due to phenomena such as the bias of the ball spacers by gravity, and it is difficult to maintain a constant optical hue in the plane, and there are problems such as inducing a current short circuit in the optical laminate.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to develop a transmissivity-variable optical laminate that can maintain a uniform cell gap of liquid crystal, minimize current short circuits in the laminate, maintain a constant in-plane optical hue, and minimize liquid crystal defects.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmissivity-variable optical laminate that incorporates a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions on a polarizing plate and can minimize the flow of ball spacers by causing the ball spacers to be recessed into the pattern portions.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmissivity-variable optical laminate that can maintain a constant in-plane optical hue and minimize liquid crystal defects by maintaining a uniform cell gap of liquid crystal.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transmissivity-variable optical laminate with a simplified manufacturing process by not including a separate substrate for forming a transparent conductive layer.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a smart window including the transmissivity-variable optical laminate and a building fixture for an automobile or a building to which the same is applied.

[0011] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The present invention relates to a transmissivity variable optical laminate including: a first polarizing plate; a first transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate; a second polarizing plate facing the first polarizing plate; a second transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate and facing the first transparent conductive layer; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer and including ball spacers, wherein at least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate includes a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions satisfying the following Mathematical Formula 1, and the ball spacers are recessed on the pattern portions.

[0013] [Mathematical Formula 1] 2 μm ≤ a ≤ 2r (In the above Mathematical Formula 1, a is the distance between the closest peaks in each pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.) In a first aspect of the present invention, the pattern portion may satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 2.

[0014] [Mathematical Formula 2] 1 μm ≤ h ≤ r (In the above Mathematical Formula 2, h is the height of the pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.) In a second aspect of the present invention, the pattern portion may satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 3.

[0015] [Mathematical Formula 3] 2r ≤ L (In the above Mathematical Formula 3, r is the radius of the ball spacer, and L is the distance between each pattern portion.) In a third aspect of the present invention, the pattern portion may include a first concavo-convex portion and a second concavo-convex portion.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the functional layer may include a cured product of a composition for forming the functional layer.

[0017] In its fifth aspect, the composition for forming the functional layer may include a photocurable composition and a photoinitiator.

[0018] In its sixth aspect, the liquid crystal behavior mode of the liquid crystal layer may be any one selected from the group consisting of TN (Twisted nematic) mode, STN (Super twisted nematic) mode, IPS (In-plane switching) mode, FFS (Fringe-field switching) mode, ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) mode, and VA (Vertical alignment) mode.

[0019] In its seventh aspect, at least one of the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer may contain a conductive polymer.

[0020] In its eighth aspect, the conductive polymer may contain one or more selected from the group consisting of polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polyacenylene, polydiacetylene, polyphenylene, polyphenylene vinylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polythienylene vinylene, polythiophene vinylene, polyfluorene, polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):camphor sulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):toluene sulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, polyaniline:polystyrene sulfonate, polyaniline:camphor sulfonic acid, polypyrrole:polystyrene sulfonate, polypyrrole:camphor sulfonic acid, polypyrrole:toluene sulfonic acid, polypyrrole:dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, polythiophene:polystyrene sulfonate, polythiophene:camphor sulfonic acid, polythiophene:toluene sulfonic acid, and polythiophene:dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[0021] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer may be formed in direct contact without including a separate substrate between the layer and any one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate.

[0022] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate may further include one or more selected from the group consisting of a protective layer, a retardation adjusting layer, and a refractive index adjusting layer.

[0023] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the variable transmittance optical laminate may further include one or more selected from the group consisting of an adhesive layer, an ultraviolet absorption layer, and a hard coating layer.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a smart window including the variable transmittance optical laminate. The present invention also relates to an automobile in which the smart window is applied to at least one of a front window, a rear window, a side window, a sunroof window, and an interior partition.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a building fixture including the smart window.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention, by incorporating a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions in a polarizing plate and causing ball spacers to be recessed in the pattern portions, the flow of the ball spacers can be minimized.

[0027] Also, according to the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention, by maintaining the cell gap of the liquid crystal uniformly, a constant optical hue in the plane can be maintained and liquid crystal defects can be minimized.

[0028] Further, according to the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention, it is possible to provide a variable transmittance optical laminate with a simplified manufacturing process by not including a separate substrate for forming the transparent conductive layer.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2a

Figure 2b

Figure 2c

Figure 2d

Figure 2e

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] The present invention relates to a transmissivity variable optical laminate in which at least one of a first polarizing plate and a second polarizing plate includes a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions. Specifically, the plurality of pattern portions provided in the functional layer satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 1, and by having ball spacers indented on the pattern portions, the flow of the ball spacers is minimized, the cell gap of the liquid crystal is uniformly maintained, and a constant optical hue in the plane can be maintained. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a transmissivity variable optical laminate capable of maintaining the cell gap of the liquid crystal layer by a polymer network in the liquid crystal layer.

[0031] More specifically, the present invention relates to a transmissivity variable optical laminate including: a first polarizing plate; a first transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate; a second polarizing plate facing the first polarizing plate; a second transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate and facing the first transparent conductive layer; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer and including ball spacers, wherein at least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate includes a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions satisfying the following Mathematical Formula 1, and the ball spacers are indented on the pattern portions.

[0032] [Mathematical Formula 1] 2μm ≦ a ≦ 2r (In the above Mathematical Formula 1, a is the distance between the closest peaks in each pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.) The transmissivity variable optical laminate of the present invention is particularly suitable for the technical field of changing the light transmissibility by applying a voltage, and may be used, for example, in a smart window.

[0033] A smart window is an optical structure that controls the amount of light or heat passing through by changing the light transmittance according to the application of an electric signal. That is, a smart window is designed to be able to change to a transparent, opaque or translucent state according to voltage, and is also called variable transmittance glass, light control glass or smart glass.

[0034] The smart window may be used as a partition for dividing or protecting privacy in the interior space of a vehicle or building, or as a light window placed in an opening of a building, or as a highway sign, bulletin board, odometer, clock, or advertising screen, and may be used to replace glass in vehicles such as windows or sunroofs of automobiles, buses, airplanes, ships, or trains.

[0035] The variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention can also be used in smart windows in the various technical fields described above, but since the conductive layer is directly formed on the polarizing plate, no separate substrate is required for forming the conductive layer, and therefore the thickness is thin and the bending characteristics are advantageous, and the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention can be particularly preferably used in smart windows for vehicles or buildings. In one or more embodiments, the smart window to which the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention is applied can be used as a front window, rear window, side window, and sunroof window of an automobile, or a building fixture, and can be used not only for blocking external light, but also for dividing the interior space of an automobile or building, such as an interior partition, or for privacy protection.

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following drawings attached to this specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and to facilitate a better understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the above-mentioned content of the invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in these drawings.

[0037] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless otherwise specifically stated in the context. For example, the "polarizing plate" used in this specification may mean at least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate, and the "transparent conductive layer" may mean at least one of the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer.

[0038] As used in this specification, "comprises" and / or "comprising" are used in a sense that does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements other than the recited components, steps, operations, and / or elements. The same reference numerals throughout the specification refer to the same components.

[0039] Spatially relative terms such as "lower", "bottom surface", "lower part", "upper", "upper surface", "upper part", etc. can be used to easily describe the correlation between one element or component and another element or component as shown in the drawings. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms that include different directions of the elements relative to each other during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, when covering an element shown in the drawings, the element described as "lower" or "lower part" of another element may be placed "above" the other element. Therefore, the exemplary term "lower" can include both the lower and upper directions. The element can also be oriented in other directions, and thus the spatially relative terms can be interpreted according to the orientation.

[0040] As used within this specification, the "plane direction" can be interpreted as the direction perpendicular to the polarizing plate and / or the transparent conductive layer, that is, the direction seen from the user's viewing side.

[0041] <Variable transmittance optical laminate> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the laminated structure of a variable transmittance optical laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the laminated structure of a polarizing plate according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the variable transmittance optical laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first polarizing plate 100-1, a second polarizing plate 100-2, a first transparent conductive layer 200-1, a second transparent conductive layer 200-2, a transparent substrate 150, and a liquid crystal layer 300.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, the polarizing plate 100 includes a polarizer 110, and may further include one or more selected from the group consisting of a protective layer 120, a retardation adjusting layer 130, and a refractive index adjusting layer 140 on one or both surfaces of the polarizer 110. For example, the polarizing plate 100 may include a polarizer 110 and a protective layer 120 laminated on one or both surfaces of the polarizer 110 (see FIGS. 2a and 2b), a polarizer 110, a protective layer 120 laminated on one surface of the polarizer 110, and a retardation adjusting layer 130 laminated on the other surface of the polarizer 110 opposite to the one surface (see FIG. 2c), a polarizer 110, a protective layer 120 laminated on one surface of the polarizer, a retardation adjusting layer 130 and a refractive index adjusting layer 140 laminated in sequence on the other surface of the polarizer 110 opposite to the one surface (see FIG. 2d), or a polarizer 110, a protective layer 120 laminated on one surface of the polarizer, and a protective layer 120 and a retardation adjusting layer 130 laminated in sequence on the other surface of the polarizer 110 opposite to the one surface (see FIG. 2e).

[0044] The polarizer 110 may use a conventional or later-developed polarizer. For example, a stretched polarizer or a coating polarizer may be used.

[0045] In one embodiment, the stretched polarizer may include a stretched polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based resin. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based resin may be a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin obtained by saponifying a polyvinyl acetate-based resin. Examples of the polyvinyl acetate-based resin include polyvinyl acetate which is a homopolymer of vinyl acetate, and copolymers of vinyl acetate and other monomers copolymerizable therewith. Examples of the other monomers may include unsaturated carboxylic acid-based, unsaturated sulfonic acid-based, olefin-based, vinyl ether-based, acrylamide-based monomers having an ammonium group, and the like. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based resin may include modified ones, such as polyvinyl formal or polyvinyl acetal modified with aldehydes.

[0046] In one embodiment, the coating polarizer may be formed of a liquid crystal coating composition. At this time, the liquid crystal coating composition may include a reactive liquid crystal compound, a dichroic dye, and the like.

[0047] The reactive liquid crystal compound can mean, for example, a compound containing a mesogen skeleton and further containing one or more polymerizable functional groups. Such reactive liquid crystal compounds are variously known under the name of so-called RM (Reactive Mesogen). The reactive liquid crystal compound can form a cured film in which a polymer network is formed while maintaining a liquid crystal alignment by being polymerized by light or heat.

[0048] The reactive liquid crystal compound may be a monofunctional or polyfunctional reactive liquid crystal compound. The monofunctional reactive liquid crystal compound is a compound having one polymerizable functional group, and the polyfunctional reactive liquid crystal compound can mean a compound containing two or more polymerizable functional groups.

[0049] The dichroic dye is a component contained in the composition for liquid crystal coating that imparts polarization characteristics and has the property that the absorbance in the long axis direction of the molecule is different from the absorbance in the short axis direction. The dichroic dye may be a conventional or newly developed dichroic dye. For example, it may contain one or more selected from the group consisting of azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes, perylene dyes, merocyanine dyes, azomethine dyes, phthaloperylene dyes, indigo dyes, dioxazine dyes, polythiophene dyes, and phenoxazine dyes.

[0050] The composition for liquid crystal coating may further contain a leveling agent, a polymerization initiator, etc., within a range that does not impair the polarization characteristics of the coating film.

[0051] The protective layer 120 is for preserving the polarization characteristics of the polarizer 110 from subsequent processes and the external environment and can be embodied in the form of a protective film or the like.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the protective layer 120 may be formed in direct contact with one or both surfaces of the polarizer 110, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protective layer may be used as a multilayer structure in which one or more protective layers are continuously laminated, or may be formed in direct contact with other members.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the protective layer 130 may include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene isophthalate (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), diacetyl cellulose, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethyl acrylate (PMA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethyl acrylate (PEA), polyethyl methacrylate (PEMA), and cyclic olefin polymer (COP).

[0054] The retardation adjustment layer 130 is for compensating for the optical characteristics of the optical laminate, can be embodied in the form of a retardation film, etc., and conventional or later-developed retardation films, etc. can be used. For example, a quarter-wave plate (1 / 4 wave plate) or a half-wave plate (1 / 2 wave plate) for delaying the phase of light may be used, and these may be used alone or in combination.

[0055] The retardation adjustment layer 130 may be formed in direct contact with one surface of the polarizer 110 as shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d, but is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 2e, the retardation adjustment layer 130 may be formed on one surface of the protective layer 120, and the polarizer 110, the protective layer 120, and the retardation adjustment layer 130 may be sequentially laminated.

[0056] The retardation adjustment layer 130 can use a polymer stretched film or a liquid crystal polymerized film obtained by stretching a polymer film capable of imparting optical anisotropy by stretching in an appropriate manner.

[0057] In one embodiment, the polymer stretched film is a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) such as polynorbornene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polysulfone (PSU), an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate (PC), a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyacrylate, a cellulose ester-based polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or triacetyl cellulose (TAC), or a copolymer of two or more monomers among the monomers forming the polymer. A polymer layer including the like can be used.

[0058] The method for obtaining the polymer stretched film is not particularly limited. For example, it can be obtained by stretching the polymer material after forming it into a film shape. The method for forming it into a film shape is not particularly limited, and it can be formed into a film by known methods such as injection molding, sheet molding, blow molding, injection blow molding, inflation molding, extrusion molding, foam molding, and cast molding, and secondary processing molding methods such as pressure air molding and vacuum molding can be used. Among them, extrusion molding and cast molding are preferably used. At this time, for example, an unstretched film can be extrusion molded using an extruder equipped with a T-die, a circular die, etc. When obtaining a molded product by extrusion molding, a material obtained by previously melt-kneading various resin components, additives, etc. can be used, or it can also be molded through melt-kneading during extrusion molding. Also, after dissolving various resin components using a solvent common to various resin components, such as a solvent such as chloroform or methylene dichloride, an unstretched film may be cast-molded by cast drying and solidifying.

[0059] The polymer stretched film may be uniaxially stretched in the machine flow direction (MD; Mechanical Direction, longitudinal direction or length direction) of the formed film, uniaxially stretched in the direction transverse to the machine flow direction (TD; Transverse Direction, transverse direction or width direction), or a biaxially stretched film may be manufactured by stretching by sequential biaxial stretching methods such as roll stretching and tenter stretching, simultaneous biaxial stretching methods by tenter stretching, biaxial stretching methods by tubular stretching, etc.

[0060] The liquid crystal polymer film can contain the reactive liquid crystal compound in a polymerized state. The content regarding the reactive liquid crystal compound of the coating type polarizer described above can be similarly applied to the reactive liquid crystal compound of the liquid crystal polymer film.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the retardation adjustment 130 layer may be 10 to 100 μm in the case of a polymer stretched film, or 0.1 to 5 μm in the case of a liquid crystal polymer film.

[0062] The refractive index adjustment layer 140 is provided to compensate for the refractive index difference of the optical laminate due to the transparent conductive layer 200, and may serve to improve visual recognition characteristics, etc. by reducing the refractive index difference. Further, the refractive index adjustment layer 140 may be provided to correct the hue caused by the transparent conductive layer 200. On the other hand, when the transparent conductive layer has a pattern, the transmittance difference between the pattern region where the pattern is formed and the non-pattern region where the pattern is not formed can be compensated through the refractive index adjustment layer 140.

[0063] Specifically, the transparent conductive layer 200 is laminated adjacent to another member (for example, the polarizer 110, etc.) having a different refractive index from it, and a difference in light transmittance may be induced due to the refractive index difference from the adjacent other layer. In particular, when a pattern is formed on the transparent conductive layer, a problem may occur in that it can be visually recognized so as to distinguish the pattern region and the non-pattern region. Therefore, by including the refractive index adjustment layer 140, the refractive index is compensated so that the difference in light transmittance of the optical laminate can be reduced, and in particular, when a pattern is formed on the transparent conductive layer, the pattern region and the non-pattern region are not distinguished and not visually recognized.

[0064] In one embodiment, the refractive index of the refractive index adjustment layer 140 may be appropriately selected depending on the material of another adjacent member, but is preferably 1.4 to 2.6, and more preferably may be 1.4 to 2.4. In this case, light loss due to a sharp refractive index difference between the transparent conductive layer 200 and another member such as the polarizer 110 can be prevented.

[0065] The refractive index adjustment layer 140 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent a sharp refractive index difference between the transparent conductive layer 200 and another member such as the polarizer 110, and a compound used for forming a conventional or later-developed refractive index adjustment layer may be used, for example, it may be formed from a refractive index adjustment layer forming composition containing a polymerizable isocyanurate compound.

[0066] In one embodiment, the polarizing plate 100 may further include other configurations for assisting or enhancing the characteristics of the polarizer in addition to the above-described components. For example, in order to further improve mechanical durability, it may further include an overcoat layer or the like.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the polarizing plate 100 may have a thickness of 30 to 200 μm, preferably 30 to 170 μm, and more preferably 50 to 150 μm. In this case, it is possible to manufacture an optical laminate with a thin thickness while maintaining the optical characteristics of the polarizing plate 100.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of a functional layer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a pattern portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the A-A' line shown in FIG. 3 in the thickness direction.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, a functional layer 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of pattern portions 510.

[0070] The functional layer 500 is a layer formed on the polarizing plate 100 for improving the physical or optical characteristics of the laminate, and may be, for example, a hard coating layer with high hardness, an anti-fingerprint layer with fingerprint resistance, a low reflection layer, or an anti-glare layer, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] In one embodiment, the functional layer 500 may be formed by applying a composition for forming a functional layer on the polarizing plate 100 and then curing it by light or heat. For example, after applying a composition for forming a functional layer on the polarizing plate 100 and forming a pattern portion shape on the functional layer 500 using a pattern roll having a predetermined pattern shape, the functional layer 500 provided with the pattern portion 510 can be formed by photocuring through an ultraviolet irradiator.

[0072] The composition for forming the functional layer is not particularly limited, and can include, for example, a photocurable compound and a photoinitiator.

[0073] The photocurable compound and the photoinitiator can be used without limitation as those commonly used in the art. For example, the photocurable compound may be a photopolymerizable monomer, a photopolymerizable oligomer, etc. Examples include monofunctional and / or polyfunctional (meth)acrylates. Photoinitiators include hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, acetophenone-based, oxime ester-based, etc. Commercially available products include Irgacure-184, TPO, Irgacure-907, etc.

[0074] Coating of the composition for forming the functional layer can be carried out without limitation by applying methods commonly applied in the art. For example, it can be carried out by applying gravure coating, roll coating, knife coating, etc. The coating thickness of the photocurable resin composition is 1 to 50 μm, preferably 2 to 30 μm, more preferably 2 to 10 μm.

[0075] In one embodiment, after coating the composition for forming the functional layer, it may be irradiated with UV light to cure the composition for forming the functional layer. At this time, the irradiation amount of UV light is about 0.1 to 2 J / cm 2 and preferably 0.2 to 0.5 J / cm 2 and it is preferable to use a high-pressure mercury lamp and a metal halide-based lamp having a main wavelength of 365 nm.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 4, the pattern portion 510 provided in the functional layer 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first concavo-convex portion 511 and a second concavo-convex portion 512.

[0077] In this embodiment, the pattern portion 510 will be described by taking as an example a structure in which two uneven portions 511 and 512 having a triangular cross section are separated at a constant interval and repeatedly formed. That is, the dotted line shown at the center of the pattern portion 510 in FIG. 3 means the valley between the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512, and the solid lines on both sides adjacent to the dotted line respectively mean the peaks of the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512. In the present invention, the "peak of the pattern portion" or "peak of the uneven portion" may have the same meaning, or may be the outermost point protruding from the cross-sectional shape of the pattern portion or the uneven portion. As an example, in FIG. 4, it may be the end point of the triangle of the uneven portions 511 and 512 having a triangular cross section, or may be the end point of the height h of the pattern portion.

[0078] However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pattern portion 510 can be applied with various shapes and intervals. For example, the surfaces of the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512 that are in contact with the ball spacer 320 may be formed to have a curved shape along the outer peripheral surface of the ball spacer 320.

[0079] In one embodiment, the pattern portion 510 may be repeatedly provided on the entire surface of one side of the functional layer 500, or may be provided at a predetermined interval. Further, the pattern portion 510 may be formed in the machine direction (MD) and / or the direction (TD) perpendicular to the machine direction, and is preferably formed in the machine direction (MD) from the viewpoint of the processability of forming the pattern portion.

[0080] There has been an attempt to prevent the flow of the ball spacer by forming a fine bend under the dispersed ball spacer after forming an alignment film after spraying a conventional ball spacer, or by dispersing the ball spacer in a composition for forming an alignment film and then forming an alignment film. However, in the conventional method, since the ball spacer is sprayed before forming a fine bend on the alignment film, there is a limit to separating the ball spacers at a constant interval.

[0081] However, the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention has a structure including a functional layer 500 provided with a plurality of pattern portions 510 on a polarizing plate 100. After forming the pattern portion 510 into which the ball spacer is to be recessed first, the ball spacer 320 is then scattered. Therefore, by scattering the ball spacer 320 intensively on the portion where the pattern portion 510 is formed, the ball spacers 320 can be separated at regular intervals without being agglomerated and can be evenly dispersed. As a result, by maintaining the cell gap of the liquid crystal uniformly, a certain in-plane optical hue can be maintained and liquid crystal defects can be minimized.

[0082] The pattern portion 510 may satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 1. [Mathematical Formula 1] 2μm ≦ a ≦ 2r In the above Mathematical Formula 1, a is the distance between the closest peaks within each pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 4, a in the above Mathematical Formula 1 indicates the distance between the highest portions, i.e., the peaks, of the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512. In order for the ball spacer 320 for maintaining the cell gap of the liquid crystal layer 300 to be recessed between the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512 of the pattern portion, it is preferable that a is 2 μm or more. Further, when a exceeds the diameter of the ball spacer 320 (i.e., 2r), the ball spacer 320 may not adhere to either one of the first uneven portion 511 and the second uneven portion 512 of the pattern portion 510, and it may be difficult to prevent the flow of the ball spacer. Therefore, it is preferable that a is 2r or less.

[0084] In one embodiment, the pattern portion 510 may satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 2.

[0085] [Mathematical Formula 2] 1μm ≦ h ≦ r In the above Mathematical Formula 2, h is the height of the pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 4, h in the above-mentioned mathematical formula 1 represents the distance from the surface of the functional layer 500 to the highest part, that is, the peak, of the first concavo-convex portion 511 and the second concavo-convex portion 512. In order for the ball spacer 320 to be trapped between the first concavo-convex portion 511 and the second concavo-convex portion 512 of the pattern portion to minimize fluidity, it is preferable that the h is 1 μm or more. Further, when the h exceeds the radius (that is, r) of the ball spacer 320, the ratio of the pattern portion 510 in the liquid crystal layer 300 may be high and may affect the helical alignment of the liquid crystal compound, and thus it may be difficult to exhibit a certain in-plane optical hue. Therefore, it is preferable that the h is r or less.

[0087] In one embodiment, the pattern portion 510 may be provided at a predetermined interval on one surface of the functional layer 500, and preferably, it may satisfy the following mathematical formula 3.

[0088] [Mathematical formula 3] 2r≦L In the above-mentioned mathematical formula 3, r is the radius of the ball spacer, and L is the distance between each pattern portion.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, L in the above-mentioned mathematical formula 3 represents the separation distance between each pattern portion 510. When the interval L between each pattern portion 510 is formed to be equal to or greater than the diameter of the ball spacer 320 (that is, 2r), it may be advantageous to prevent each ball spacer 320 from being in contact with each other and scattered, and to maintain the cell gap and a certain in-plane optical hue. Since the alignment of the liquid crystal compound can be improved by the flat surface where the pattern portion 510 is not formed, it is preferable. Further, from the viewpoint of maintaining the minimum interval between the ball spacers 320, the L may be formed to be 5 mm or less.

[0090] The transparent conductive layer 200 is provided for driving the liquid crystal layer 300 and may be formed in direct contact with the polarizing plate 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first transparent conductive layer 200-1 and the second transparent conductive layer 200-2 may be formed in direct contact with the first polarizing plate 100-1 and the second polarizing plate 100-2, respectively.

[0091] An optical laminate used in the manufacture of conventional smart windows or the like was manufactured by forming a conductive layer for driving liquid crystals on one surface of a substrate and bonding the other surface of the substrate to a polarizing plate. However, the variable transmittance optical laminate according to the present invention is characterized in that, without including a separate substrate for forming a conductive layer, by directly forming a conductive layer on one surface of a polarizing plate, the thickness of the laminate is reduced while improving the transmittance and bending characteristics in the light-transmitting mode.

[0092] In one embodiment, the transparent conductive layer 200 may be formed by directly depositing it on one surface of the polarizing plate 100. At this time, in order to improve the adhesive force between the transparent conductive layer 200 and the polarizing plate 100, after performing a pretreatment such as corona treatment or plasma treatment on one surface of the polarizing plate 100, it may be formed in direct contact with the pretreated surface of the polarizing plate 100. The pretreatment is not limited to corona treatment or plasma treatment, and pretreatment steps that are conventional or developed later can be used within the scope that does not impair the object of the present invention.

[0093] In another embodiment, in order to improve the adhesive force between the transparent conductive layer 200 and the polarizing plate 100, it may be formed in direct contact with the polarizing plate 100 with an easy-adhesion layer (not shown) provided on one surface of the polarizing plate 100 interposed therebetween. As the easy-adhesion layer, among the other members described later, the materials described for the adhesive layer can be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0094] As a method of vapor-depositing and coating the transparent conductive layer 200 on one surface of the polarizing plate 100, it may be formed by a method commonly used in the art. For example, coating processes such as spin coating method, roller coating method, bar coating method, dip coating method, gravure coating method, curtain coating method, die coating method, spray coating method, doctor coating method, kneader coating method, etc.; printing processes such as screen printing method, spray printing method, inkjet printing method, letterpress printing method, gravure printing method, lithographic printing method, etc.; vapor deposition processes such as CVD (chemical vapor deposition), PVD (physical vapor deposition), PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition), etc. Among these methods, an appropriate process may be selected for formation.

[0095] In the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention, the transparent conductive layer 200 preferably has a transmittance of 50% or more with respect to visible light. For example, it may contain one or more selected from the group consisting of transparent conductive oxides, metals, carbon-based substances, conductive polymers, conductive inks, and nanowires, but is not limited thereto, and materials of conventional or later-developed transparent conductive layers may also be used.

[0096] In one or more embodiments, the transparent conductive oxide may include one or more selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), indium zinc tin oxide (IZTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), gallium zinc oxide (GZO), fluorine tin oxide (FTO), and zinc oxide (ZnO). Further, the metal may include one or more selected from the group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and alloys containing at least one of these, for example, it may include a silver-palladium-copper (APC) alloy or a copper-calcium (CuCa) alloy. The carbon-based material may include one or more selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene.

[0097] The conductive polymer may be a conventional or newly developed conductive polymer material, such as polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polyacenylene, polydiacetylene, polyphenylene, polyphenylenevinylene, polyphenylenesulfide, polythienylenevinylene, polythiophenvinylen, polyfluorene, polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):camphorsulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):toluenesulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, polyaniline:polystyrenesulfonate, polyaniline:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:polystyrenesulfonate, polypyrrole:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:toluenesulfonic acid, polypyrrole:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, polythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate, polythiophene:camphorsulfonic acid, polythiophene:toluenesulfonic acid, and polythiophene:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The conductive polymer may preferably be poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene). The conductive ink may be an ink in which metal powder and a curable polymer binder are mixed, and the nanowire may be, for example, a silver nanowire (AgNW). Further, the first transparent conductive layer 200-1 may be formed in a two-layer or more structure by combining the substances. For example, it may be formed in a two-layer structure including a metal layer and a transparent conductive oxide layer so as to reduce the reflectance of incident light and increase the transmittance.

[0098] In the variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention, at least one of the first transparent conductive layer 200-1 and the second transparent conductive layer 200-2, i.e., the transparent conductive layer 200, contains the conductive polymer, and preferably has a transmittance of 50% or more with respect to visible light. In this case, even when the transparent conductive layer is deformed by an external stress, it is possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the transparent conductive layer, and thus to prevent an excessive increase in surface resistance.

[0099] In one embodiment, when the transparent conductive layer 200 contains a conductive polymer, the surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer 300 may be rubbed and oriented. Unlike the transparent conductive layer containing a metal component, the conductive polymer contained in the transparent conductive layer 200 of the present invention can form certain grooves on the surface, whereby the liquid crystal compounds in the liquid crystal layer can be aligned in desired positions and directions. In this case, the transparent conductive layer 200 can serve as an electrode for driving the liquid crystal layer and also as an alignment film, and since it does not include a separate alignment film, it is possible to manufacture an optical laminate with a thinner thickness, and the manufacturing process can also be simplified.

[0100] The liquid crystal layer 300 can change the driving mode of the optical laminate by adjusting the transmittance of light incident from one or more directions by an electric field.

[0101] The liquid crystal layer 200 may contain a liquid crystal compound 310, and for example, it can be located in the space provided by a sealant layer (not shown) and a ball spacer 320 provided between the first polarizing plate 100-1 and the second polarizing plate 100-2 in the light control region.

[0102] The liquid crystal compound 310 is driven by an electric field and is not particularly limited as long as it can control the light transmittance, and conventional or later-developed liquid crystal compounds may be used. For example, the content regarding the reactive liquid crystal compound of the coating type polarizer described above can be similarly applied.

[0103] The liquid crystal compound may contain a chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystal compound, and the chiral nematic liquid crystal compound may contain a nematic liquid crystal compound and a chiral compound.

[0104] The nematic liquid crystal compound has long rod-shaped molecules arranged parallel to each other. Although there is no regularity in the central positions of the molecules, it has order in the molecular axis direction. Each molecule of the nematic liquid crystal compound can move freely in the long axis direction, so it has low viscosity and good fluidity. Since the directions of each molecule are almost the same up and down, the polarization is canceled out and generally does not show strong ferroelectricity. The type of the nematic liquid crystal compound is not particularly limited, and any compound containing a mesogenic group is possible without limitation.

[0105] The chiral compound has a three-dimensional structure that is symmetric to each other like the relationship between the right hand and the left hand. Although the chemical structure and physical properties are the same, since they are in a mirror image relationship with each other, they are compounds with different three-dimensional structures. If a chiral compound is contained in the nematic liquid crystal compound in a certain content, a helical period will be induced. The type of the chiral compound is not particularly limited as long as it can induce the target helical period without damaging the liquid crystallinity of the liquid crystal compound, for example, the nematic regularity.

[0106] The chiral compound for inducing a helical period in the liquid crystal compound needs to contain at least chirality in the molecular structure. Examples of the chiral compound include a compound having one or more asymmetric carbons, a compound having an asymmetric point on a heteroatom such as a chiral amine or a chiral sulfoxide, or a compound having an axially asymmetric and optically active site such as cumulene or binaphthol.

[0107] The chiral compound may be, for example, a low molecular weight compound having a molecular weight of 1,500 or less. For example, as the chiral compound, commercially available chiral nematic liquid crystals such as chiral dopant liquid crystal S-811 commercially available from Merck or Paliocolor LC 756 (manufactured by BASF) may be used, but it is not limited thereto.

[0108] The chiral nematic liquid crystal compound may contain 75 to 99% by weight of a nematic liquid crystal compound and 1 to 25% by weight of a chiral compound based on the total weight of the chiral nematic liquid crystal compound, but it is not limited thereto. By appropriately adjusting the contents of the nematic liquid crystal compound and the chiral compound within the above range, the helical period of the chiral nematic liquid crystal compound, that is, the pitch can be adjusted. The pitch of the chiral nematic liquid crystal compound is not particularly limited, but may be 5 to 20 μm.

[0109] The liquid crystal behavior mode of the liquid crystal layer 300 is not particularly limited, and for example, a TN (Twisted nematic) mode, an STN (Super twisted nematic) mode, an IPS (In-plane switching) mode, an FFS (Fringe-field switching) mode, and a VA (Vertical alignment) mode may be used, and preferably, a TN (Twisted nematic) mode may be used.

[0110] The sealant may contain a curable resin as a base resin. As the base resin, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin known as those that can be used for sealants in the art can be used. The ultraviolet curable resin may be a polymer of an ultraviolet curable monomer. The thermosetting resin may be a polymer of a thermosetting monomer.

[0111] As the base resin of the sealant, for example, an acrylate resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, a phenol resin, or a mixture of the resins can be used. In one embodiment, the base resin may be an acrylate resin, and the acrylate resin may be a polymer of an acrylic monomer. The acrylic monomer may be, for example, a polyfunctional acrylate. In other embodiments, the sealant can further contain a monomer component in the base resin. The monomer component may be, for example, a monofunctional acrylate. As used herein, a monofunctional acrylate can mean a compound having one acrylic group, and a polyfunctional acrylate can mean a compound having two or more acrylic groups. The curable resin may be cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays and / or heating. The ultraviolet irradiation conditions or heating conditions may be appropriately carried out within a range that does not impair the object of the present application. The sealant can further contain an initiator, for example, a photoinitiator or a thermal initiator, if necessary.

[0112] The sealant may be formed by a method commonly used in the art. For example, it may be formed by drawing the sealant onto the outer contour (i.e., the inactive region) of the liquid crystal layer using a dispenser equipped with a nozzle.

[0113] The ball spacer 320 may have a diameter of 1 to 10 μm, preferably 3 to 7 μm. Also, when viewed from the planar direction, the area occupied by the ball spacer in the liquid crystal layer 300 is preferably 0.01 to 10% of the area of the liquid crystal layer 300 from the viewpoints of user visibility and improvement of transmittance in the transmissive mode.

[0114] In one embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 300 may further include an alignment film as needed, for example, it may be formed on both surfaces of the liquid crystal layer 300 containing a liquid crystal compound.

[0115] The alignment film is not particularly limited as long as it can impart alignment properties to the liquid crystal compound. For example, the alignment film may be produced by applying and curing an alignment film coating composition containing an alignment polymer, a photoinitiator, and a solvent. The alignment polymer is not particularly limited, and a polyacrylate resin, a polyamic acid resin, a polyimide resin, a polymer containing a cinnamate group, etc. may be used, and a polymer that can exhibit alignment properties developed conventionally or in the future can be used.

[0116] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the laminated structure of a variable transmittance optical laminate according to another embodiment of the present invention. The variable transmittance optical laminate of the present invention may further include other members as long as the object of the present invention is not impaired. For example, it may further include an adhesive layer 400, or may further include an ultraviolet absorption layer or the like.

[0117] The adhesive layer 400 may be formed using an adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and preferably has an appropriate adhesive force so that peeling, bubbles, etc. do not occur during handling of the optical laminate, and also has transparency and thermal stability.

[0118] As the adhesive, an adhesive developed conventionally or in the future may be used. For example, a photocurable adhesive can be used.

[0119] The photocurable adhesive is irradiated with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays (UV) and electron beams (EB), crosslinks and cures to exhibit a strong adhesive force, and may be composed of a reactive oligomer, a reactive monomer, a photoinitiator, etc.

[0120] The reactive oligomer is an important component that determines the properties of the adhesive, and forms a polymer bond by a photopolymerization reaction to form a cured film. Examples of the reactive oligomer that can be used include polyester resins, polyether resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyacrylic resins, and silicone resins.

[0121] The reactive monomer serves as a crosslinking agent and a diluent for the aforementioned reactive oligomer, and affects the adhesion properties. Examples of reactive monomers that can be used include monofunctional monomers, polyfunctional monomers, epoxy-based monomers, vinyl ethers, cyclic ethers, and the like.

[0122] The photoinitiator absorbs light energy to generate radicals or cations to initiate photopolymerization, and an appropriate one can be selected and used according to the photopolymer resin.

[0123] As the adhesive, conventional adhesives or adhesives developed in the future may be used. In one or more embodiments, acrylic adhesives, rubber adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone adhesives, polyacrylamide adhesives, cellulose adhesives, vinyl alkyl ether adhesives, and the like can be used. The adhesive is not particularly limited as long as it has adhesive strength and point elasticity, but from the viewpoint of easy availability, etc., it may preferably be an acrylic adhesive, for example, one containing a (meth)acrylate copolymer, a crosslinking agent, a solvent, and the like.

[0124] As the crosslinking agent, conventional crosslinking agents or crosslinking agents developed in the future may be used. For example, those containing polyisocyanate compounds, epoxy resins, melamine resins, urea resins, dialdehydes, methylol polymers, and the like may be used, and preferably, those containing polyisocyanate compounds may be used.

[0125] The solvent may include ordinary solvents used in the field of resin compositions. For example, alcohol-based compounds such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, and propylene glycol monomethyl ether; ketone-based compounds such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diethyl ketone, and dipropyl ketone; acetate-based compounds such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and propylene glycol monomethyl acetate; cellosolve-based compounds such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and propyl cellosolve; hydrocarbon-based compounds such as hexane, heptane, benzene, toluene, and xylene may be used. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0126] The thickness of the adhesive layer 400 can be appropriately determined according to the type of resin serving as the adhesive, the adhesive strength, the environment in which the adhesive is used, and the like. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer may have a thickness of 0.01 to 50 μm, preferably 0.05 to 20 μm, and more preferably 0.1 to 10 μm in order to ensure sufficient adhesive strength and minimize the thickness of the optical laminate.

[0127] The ultraviolet absorption layer is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the deterioration of the optical laminate due to ultraviolet rays. For example, salicylic acid-based ultraviolet absorbers (such as phenyl salicylate, p-tert-butyl salicylate, etc.), benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorbers (such as 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone, etc.), benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers (such as 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert-butylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert-butylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-(3'',4'',5'',6''-tetrahydrophthalimidomethyl)-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2,2-methylenebis(4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)phenol), 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)-phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-5'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-(linear and branched dodecyl)-4-methylphenol, a mixture of octyl-3-[3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-(chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)phenyl]propionate and 2-ethylhexyl-3-[3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)phenyl]propionate, etc.), cyanoacrylate-based ultraviolet absorbers (such as 2'-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, ethyl-2-cyano-3-(3',(4’-Methylenedioxyphenyl)-acrylate, etc.), triazine-based ultraviolet absorbers, etc. may be used. Benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers and triazine-based ultraviolet absorbers with high transparency and excellent effects in preventing deterioration of polarizing plates and variable transmittance layers are preferred, and benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbers with more appropriate spectral absorption spectra are particularly preferred. The benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber may be bis-ified. For example, 6,6’-methylenebis(2-(2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)-4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenol), 6,6’-methylenebis(2-(2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)phenol), etc. may also be used.,

[0128] The present invention includes the method for manufacturing the variable transmittance optical laminate described above. The method for manufacturing the variable transmittance optical laminate is not particularly limited, and the variable transmittance optical laminate can be manufactured using any bonding technique, the photolithography technique described above, etc.

[0129] <Smart window, automotive and building fixtures> The present invention includes, in addition to the variable transmittance optical laminate, a smart window including the same. Further, the present invention includes an automobile in which the smart window is applied to at least one or more of a front window, a rear window, a side window, a sunroof window, and an interior partition, and building fixtures including the smart window.

Claims

1. A first polarizing plate; A first transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate; A second polarizing plate facing the first polarizing plate; A second transparent conductive layer formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate and facing the first transparent conductive layer; and A liquid crystal layer provided between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer and including ball spacers, At least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate includes a functional layer provided with a plurality of pattern portions that satisfy the following Mathematical Formula 1, The ball spacer is a variable transmittance optical laminate that is recessed onto the pattern portion. [Mathematical Formula 1] 2 μm ≤ a ≤ 2r (In the above Mathematical Formula 1, a is the distance between the closest peaks within each pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.)

2. The pattern portion satisfies the following Mathematical Formula 2, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1. [Mathematical Formula 2] 1 μm ≤ h ≤ r (In the above Mathematical Formula 2, h is the height of the pattern portion, and r is the radius of the ball spacer.)

3. The pattern portion satisfies the following Mathematical Formula 3, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1. [Mathematical Formula 3] 2r ≤ L (In the above Mathematical Formula 3, r is the radius of the ball spacer, and L is the distance between each pattern portion.)

4. The pattern portion includes a first concavo-convex portion and a second concavo-convex portion, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

5. The functional layer includes a cured product of a composition for forming a functional layer, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

6. The composition for forming a functional layer includes a photocurable composition and a photoinitiator, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 5.

7. The liquid crystal behavior mode of the liquid crystal layer is any one selected from the group consisting of a TN (Twisted nematic) mode, an STN (Super twisted nematic) mode, an IPS (In-plane switching) mode, an FFS (Fringe-field switching) mode, an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) mode, and a VA (Vertical alignment) mode, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

8. At least one of the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer includes a conductive polymer, and the variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

9. The conductive polymer includes one or more selected from the group consisting of polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polyacenylene, polydiacetylene, polyphenylene, polyphenylene vinylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polythienylene vinylene, polythiophene vinylene, polyfluorene, polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):camphorsulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):toluene sulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, polyaniline:polystyrene sulfonate, polyaniline:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:polystyrene sulfonate, polypyrrole:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:toluene sulfonic acid, polypyrrole:dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, polythiophene:polystyrene sulfonate, polythiophene:camphorsulfonic acid, polythiophene:toluene sulfonic acid, and polythiophene:dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid. The variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 8.

10. At least one of the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer is formed in direct contact without including a separate base material between it and one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. The variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

11. At least one of the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate further includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a protective layer, a retardation adjusting layer, and a refractive index adjusting layer. The variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

12. The variable transmittance optical laminate further includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an adhesive layer, an ultraviolet absorption layer, and a hard coating layer. The variable transmittance optical laminate according to Claim 1.

13. A smart window including the variable transmittance optical laminate according to any one of Claims 1 to 12.

14. An automobile in which the smart window according to Claim 13 is applied to at least one of a front window, a rear window, a side window, a sunroof window, and an interior partition.

15. A building fixture including the smart window according to Claim 13.

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