Lighting control unit and lighting control sheet

Abstract

To provide a lighting control unit and a lighting control sheet capable of optimizing a fitting structure of a lighting control sheet to a transparent body unit.SOLUTION: The lighting control unit includes: a transparent body unit including a plurality of transparent bodies and a connection part connecting the plurality of transparent bodies; and a lighting control sheet to be attached to the transparent body unit so as to bulge from the plurality of transparent bodies toward the connection part. The lighting control sheet is to be attached to a transparent body unit including a plurality of transparent bodies and a connection part connecting the plurality of transparent bodies. The lighting control sheet is to be attached to the transparent body unit so as to bulge from the plurality of transparent bodies toward the connection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-controlling unit and a light-controlling sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a glass plate joining structure in which a joint space, which is a gap between end faces of glass plates arranged so that the end faces face each other, is filled with a filler.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a light-control sheet comprising a first transparent coated substrate having a first bonding surface, a second transparent coated substrate having a second bonding surface, and a light-control film positioned between the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-167264 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-140076 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, according to the inventor's intensive research, there is room for improvement in terms of a suitable structure when a light-control sheet such as that in Patent Document 2 is attached to a glass plate having a glass plate bonding structure such as that in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention was developed based on the above-mentioned concerns, and aims to provide a light-controlling unit and a light-controlling sheet that can optimize the mounting structure of the light-controlling sheet to the transparent body unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The dimming unit of this embodiment is characterized by having a transparent body unit having a plurality of transparent bodies and a connecting portion connecting the plurality of transparent bodies, and a dimming sheet attached to the transparent body unit so as to protrude from the plurality of transparent bodies toward the connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light control unit and a light control sheet that can optimize the mounting structure of the light control sheet to the transparent body unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of a double glazing unit as a glass unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a light controlling sheet. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light control unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light control unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light control unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light control unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a light control unit according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In this specification, "upper side" and "lower side" and "top surface" and "bottom surface" may be defined, for example, based on the vertical direction in the drawing. Furthermore, in this specification, "outside" and "outer support layer" may be defined as the outside of a certain reference (center) layer, or as a layer supported on the outside of a certain reference (center) layer, regardless of the vertical direction in the drawing. For example, consider a laminated structure in which a certain reference (center) layer A is provided, layer B is provided on both sides of layer A, and layer C is provided on both sides of layer B. In this case, layer B is an "outer support layer" supported on the "outside" of layer A, and layer C is an "outer support layer" supported on the "outside" of layers A and B. In this sense, "outside" and "outer support layer" may be read as "upper layer" and "upper support layer," and in this case, the further away from a certain reference (center) layer, the higher the layer side, and the closer to a certain reference (center) layer, the lower the layer side.

[0011] In this specification, the term "transparent body" may be interpreted as a "transparent body," a "transparent member," a "light-transmitting member," a "transparent window," or a "light-transmitting window," and is used to refer to a concept including a "glass plate," a "glass portion," and a "glass window." That is, in this specification, a "glass plate (glass portion, glass window)" is described as an example of a "transparent body (light-transmitting body, transparent member, light-transmitting member, transparent window, light-transmitting window)." However, a "transparent body (light-transmitting body, transparent member, light-transmitting member, transparent window, light-transmitting window)" may be composed of materials other than glass, such as various plastics and other materials. For example, a "transparent body (light-transmitting body, transparent member, light-transmitting member, transparent window, light-transmitting window)" may be made of polycarbonate.

[0012] In this specification, a "transparent body unit" means a group of "transparent bodies (translucent bodies, transparent members, transparent windows, translucent windows)" which includes the above-mentioned "glass plate (glass portion, glass window)" and is connected by connecting portions.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are schematic or conceptual, and the dimensions and proportions of each drawing are not necessarily the same as those of the actual drawing. Furthermore, even when the same parts are shown in different drawings, the dimensional relationships and proportions may be different. In particular, the following embodiments are illustrative of devices and methods for embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and the shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the components do not specify the technical concept of the present invention. In the following description, elements having the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0014] <Configuration of the double glass panel 10 as a glass unit> 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a double glazing unit (glass unit, transparent body unit) 10 as a glass unit. Fig. 1A is a top view of double glazing unit 10, and Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1B-1B in Fig. 1A.

[0015] The multi-panel glass 10 is implemented as a multi-panel glass partition, for example, as a partition structure that divides spaces within a building. The multi-panel glass 10 (multi-panel glass partition) can realize the construction of a seamless, sophisticated, and clear space by connecting the glass panes with highly transparent joints (caulking) without obstructing the view.

[0016] The multi-panel glass 10 has multiple glass plates (glass portions, transparent bodies) 20 and joint portions (connecting portions, caulking portions) 30 that connect the multiple glass plates (glass portions) 20. In the illustrated example, three glass plates 20 are lined up in the left-right direction, and two joint portions 30 that connect adjacent glass plates 20 among the three glass plates 20 are depicted. However, there is a degree of freedom in the number, arrangement, and size of the glass plates 20 and the joint portions 30, and various design modifications are possible. For example, two or four or more glass plates 20 may be installed, and the number of joint portions 30 may be changed accordingly.

[0017] The three glass plates 20 illustrated in Fig. 1 have the same (substantially the same) dimensions. That is, the three glass plates 20 have the same (substantially the same) vertical width (the length in the vertical direction in Fig. 1A, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 1B), horizontal width (the length in the left-right direction in Figs. 1A and 1B), and thickness (the length in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 1A, the vertical direction in Fig. 1B). The three glass plates 20 are arranged with both ends in the vertical direction aligned and with a predetermined gap between both ends in the horizontal direction.

[0018] The two joint portions 30 fill gaps at both lateral ends of adjacent glass plates 20 among the three glass plates 20 to join them together (joining mutually facing end faces). More specifically, the two joint portions 30 are formed by hardening a filler that has been filled into the gaps at both lateral ends of adjacent glass plates 20 among the three glass plates 20. Examples of types of filler that constitute the joint portions 30 include epoxy resins, two-component curing urethane adhesives, polyester urethane adhesives, polyether urethane adhesives, acrylic adhesives, polyester adhesives, polyamide adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and ultraviolet curing adhesives.

[0019] FIG. 1B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the joining structure of two adjacent glass plates 20 and one joint 30 between them. As shown in FIG. 1B, one end (lower end) of the two glass plates 20 and one joint 30 in the thickness direction is flush (approximately flush). On the other hand, the other end (upper end) of the two glass plates 20 and one joint 30 in the thickness direction is not flush. More specifically, the other end (upper end) of the two glass plates 20 in the thickness direction is flush (approximately flush), but the other end (upper end) of one joint 30 in the thickness direction has a non-planar irregularity. Furthermore, a filled space FS is formed between the imaginary line (two-dot chain line) connecting the other end (upper end) of the two glass plates 20 in the thickness direction and the non-planar irregularity of the other end (upper end) of one joint 30 in the thickness direction. In other words, one joint portion 30 is formed at a position slightly lower than the two glass plates 20 on either side thereof so as to form a filled space FS.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1A, the double glazing unit 10, which is made up of three glass panes 20 and two joints 30, is rectangular, and the periphery of the rectangle (the top, bottom, left, and right edges in the figure) is covered with a covering material such as a sash and is not exposed. In Figure 1A, the area of ​​the double glazing unit 10 that is covered with a covering material and is not exposed is drawn in grayscale.

[0021] <Configuration of light control sheet (light control film) 40> FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the light control sheet (light control film) 40. As shown in FIG.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the light-controlling sheet 40 has a light-controlling layer (liquid crystal layer) 41. The light-controlling layer 41 contains a liquid crystal composition. The light-controlling layer 41 is composed of, for example, a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC), a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), or a nematic curvilinear aligned phase (NCAP). For example, a polymer network liquid crystal has a three-dimensional mesh-like polymer network and holds liquid crystal molecules in the voids of the polymer network. The liquid crystal molecules contained in the light-controlling layer 41 have, for example, a positive dielectric anisotropy, and the dielectric constant in the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is larger than the dielectric constant in the short axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules are, for example, Schiff base-based, azo-based, azoxy-based, biphenyl-based, terphenyl-based, benzoate-based, tolan-based, pyrimidine-based, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid ester-based, phenylcyclohexane-based, or dioxane-based liquid crystal molecules.

[0023] A transparent conductive layer (transparent electrode layer) 42X is provided on the outer side of one surface (upper surface in FIG. 2) of the light-controlling layer 41, and a transparent substrate layer 43X is provided on the outer side of the transparent conductive layer 42X.

[0024] A transparent conductive layer (transparent electrode layer) 42Y is provided on the outside of the other surface (the lower surface in Figure 2) of the dimming layer 41, a transparent substrate layer 43Y is provided on the outside of the transparent conductive layer 42Y, and an adhesive layer (attachment portion) 44Y is provided on the outside of the transparent substrate layer 43Y.

[0025] The transparent conductive layer 42X and the transparent base layer 43X, and the transparent conductive layer 42Y, the transparent base layer 43Y and the adhesive layer 44Y function as outer support layers for the light-controlling layer 41.

[0026] The transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y are transparent layers having electrical conductivity. Examples of materials that can be used to form the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y include indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), tin oxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes (CNT), polymers containing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and multilayer films containing Ag alloy thin films.

[0027] The transparent substrate layers 43X and 43Y are each made of, for example, a PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) layer. A functional film layer (outer support layer) including at least one of, for example, a HC (Hard-Coating) layer, a smoke layer, and a UV (ultraviolet) cut layer may be provided on the outside of the transparent substrate layers 43X and 43Y.

[0028] The adhesive layer 44Y is a layer (a layer facing the glass plate 20) for attaching the light-control sheet 40 to the glass plate 20 of the double glazing 10. As will be described in detail later, the adhesive layer 44 not only faces the glass plate 20, but also protrudes from the glass plate 20 to face the joint portion 30, and plays a role in attaching the light-control sheet 40 to the joint portion 30 of the double glazing 10 in cooperation with a filling portion 50 (for example, a sealant or adhesive) described later.

[0029] Although not shown in the figure, each of the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y has an electrode portion that applies a driving voltage to the light-controlling sheet 40, and each electrode portion is connected to a wiring portion composed of an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits) or the like.

[0030] In the light controlling sheet 40, when a driving current is applied to the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y via the electrode portions and wiring portions described above, a driving voltage is applied between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y, that is, to the light controlling layer 41.

[0031] When no driving voltage is applied between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y (light-adjusting layer 41), the long axis directions of the liquid crystal molecules in the light-adjusting layer 41 are irregular. As a result, light incident on the light-adjusting layer 41 is scattered, and the light-adjusting sheet 40 appears cloudy. In other words, the light-adjusting sheet 40 is opaque.

[0032] On the other hand, when a drive voltage is applied between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y (light-controlling layer 41), the liquid crystal molecules in the light-controlling layer 41 are oriented, and the long axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is oriented along the electric field direction between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y. As a result, light can easily pass through the light-controlling layer 41, and the light-controlling sheet 40 becomes transparent.

[0033] The layered structure of the light-controlling sheet 40 in FIG. 2 is merely one example, and various design modifications are possible. For example, the light-controlling sheet 40 may include a pair of alignment layers sandwiching the light-controlling layer 41 between the light-controlling layer 41 and the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y. The alignment layers control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules contained in the light-controlling layer 41, and align the liquid crystal molecules along the normal direction of the alignment layers when no driving voltage is applied. In a configuration including alignment layers, the light-controlling sheet 40 becomes opaque when a driving voltage is applied between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y (the light-controlling layer 41), and becomes transparent when no driving voltage is applied between the transparent conductive layers 42X and 42Y (the light-controlling layer 41). Examples of materials that can be used to form the alignment layers include polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polysiloxane, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, and polyacrylates such as polymethyl methacrylate. The alignment treatment for forming the alignment layer is, for example, a rubbing treatment, a polarized light irradiation treatment, or a microfabrication treatment.

[0034] The light-controlling layer 41 may also contain a dye having a predetermined color that does not interfere with the movement of liquid crystal molecules in response to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling layer 41. With this configuration, a light-controlling sheet 40 having a predetermined color is realized.

[0035] The light control sheet 40 is used for various purposes, for example, by cutting into a desired shape a large sheet made of a multilayer body including each layer that constitutes the light control sheet 40. For example, the light control sheet 40 is attached to a double glass 10 (double glass partition), which is normally transparent glass, and is used to provide the function of blocking views from inside and outside only at specific times.

[0036] <Conventional technical issues> Hereinafter, a glass unit with a light control sheet attached to it will be referred to as a "light control unit." In conventional light control units, the technical common sense was to prepare multiple light control sheets corresponding to the multiple glass sheets of the glass unit, taking into account work tolerances, and to attach each sheet smaller than the size of each glass sheet. This resulted in areas on the glass sheets where the light control sheet could not be attached, and in areas where light could not be controlled, such as the joints connecting the glass sheets, where the light control sheet could not be attached and the joints were exposed, resulting in areas where light could not be controlled.

[0037] Furthermore, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for double-pane glass and dimming units that emphasize design, but if the dimming sheet cannot be attached, the exposed joint area will be large and noticeable, which could impair the design.

[0038] It would be ideal if the light-control sheet could be spread and attached to the joints of double-paned glass, but because the surface of the joints is uneven, problems such as the light-control sheet floating or air bubbles forming between the light-control sheet and the unevenness of the joints are unavoidable.

[0039] <Technical Concept of the Invention> The inventors recognized the above problems as important technical challenges and came up with the idea of ​​a light-control unit and a light-control sheet that can optimize the mounting structure of the light-control sheet to a glass unit. That is, when mounting the light-control sheet to a glass unit, the light-control sheet is mounted over a large area of ​​multiple glass plates (for example, the entire area not covered by a covering member such as a sash) as well as over one or all of the areas of the joints connecting the multiple glass plates (a light-control sheet that exhibits light-control function over a large area is attached to a connected glass).

[0040] In the light control unit of this embodiment, when attaching a light control sheet to a glass unit having multiple glass panes and connecting portions connecting the multiple glass panes, the light control sheet protrudes from the multiple glass panes onto the connecting portions. This allows the light control sheet to be attached over a large area of ​​the multiple glass panes (for example, the entire area not covered by a covering member such as a sash) as well as over a portion or the entire area of ​​the connecting portion connecting the multiple glass panes (attaching a light control sheet that exhibits light control function over a large area to the glass unit). As a result, the light control area (area exhibiting light control function) in the glass unit where the light control sheet is attached can be enlarged. Furthermore, the exposed area of ​​the connecting portion can be reduced, improving design (designability).

[0041] In the light control unit of this embodiment, the light control sheet is attached to multiple glass sections using an attachment section, and a filler (e.g., sealant or adhesive) is filled between the protruding portion of the light control sheet and the connecting section. This allows the filler to fill in the uneven spaces between the light control sheet and the joints, preventing the light control sheet from lifting or generating air bubbles. This also improves the strength, durability, and stability of the light control sheet mounting structure, particularly the mounting structure for the protruding portion of the light control sheet to the connecting section.

[0042] First Embodiment 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the configuration of the light control unit 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 3A is a top view of the light control unit 1, and Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in Fig. 3A. The light control unit 1 has a light control sheet 40 attached to a glass unit (a multi-pane glass 10).

[0043] In the light control unit 1 of the first embodiment, the double glazing 10 has two glass plates 20 lined up in the left-right direction in the figure, and one joint portion 30 located between the two glass plates 20 and connecting them. The light control sheet 40 is provided as a single light control sheet that spans the two glass plates 20, and the single light control sheet 40 protrudes from the two glass plates 20 onto the entire joint portion 30. In other words, the light control sheet 40 covers the entire area (substantially the entire area) of the glass plates 20 and joint portion 30 of the double glazing 10. The rectangular peripheral portions of the light control unit 1 (the top, bottom, left, and right ends in FIG. 3A ) are covered by a covering member 1X such as a sash and are not exposed.

[0044] Furthermore, the portions of the light controlling sheet 40 that face the two glass plates 20 are attached to the two glass plates 20 by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 44Y that serves as an attachment portion.

[0045] On the other hand, the portion of the light-controlling sheet 40 (adhesive layer 44Y) facing the joint portion 30 forms a filled space FS between the joint portion 30, and this filled space FS is filled with a filled portion 50. That is, the filled portion 50 is filled in the filled space FS between the joint portion 30 and the portion of the single light-controlling sheet 40 (adhesive layer 44Y) that protrudes over the entire surface of the joint portion 30. As a result, the light-controlling sheet 40 and the joint portion 30 are joined to each other via the adhesive layer 44Y and the filled portion 50.

[0046] According to the light control unit 1 of the first embodiment, when attaching the light control sheet 40 to the double glass pane 10, the light control sheet 40 can be attached to a large area of ​​the two glass panes 20 (for example, the entire area not covered by the covering member 1X such as a sash) as well as the entire area of ​​the joint portion 30 connecting the two glass panes 20 (the light control sheet 40 that exhibits light control function over a large area can be attached to the double glass pane 10). As a result, the light control area (light control function area) where the light control sheet 40 is attached in the double glass pane 10 can be enlarged (the entire area in the left-right direction in FIG. 3B is the light control area). In addition, the exposed area of ​​the joint portion 30 can be reduced (reduced to zero) to improve the design (designability).

[0047] According to the light control unit 1 of the first embodiment, the light control sheet 40 is attached to two glass plates 20 by an adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y, and a filling portion 50 is filled between the joint portion 30 and the portion of the adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y that protrudes over the entire surface of the joint portion 30. This allows the filling space FS between the unevenness of the light control sheet 40 and the joint portion 30 to be filled with the filling portion 50, preventing the light control sheet 40 from floating or generating air bubbles. This also improves the strength, durability, and stability of the attachment structure of the light control sheet 40, particularly the attachment structure of the protruding portion of the light control sheet 40 to the joint portion 30. The filling portion 50 can be made of various sealants or adhesives.

[0048] Second Embodiment 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the configuration of the dimming unit 1 of the second embodiment. Fig. 4A is a top view of the dimming unit 1, and Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4B-4B in Fig. 4A. Descriptions of configurations common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0049] In the light control unit 1 of the second embodiment, the double glass panel 10 has three glass plates 20 lined up in the left-right direction in the figure, and two joint sections 30 located between adjacent glass plates 20 of the three glass plates 20 to connect them. The light control sheets 40 are provided as three light control sheets corresponding to the three glass plates 20, and the three light control sheets 40 protrude onto the surfaces of some of the joint sections 30 between adjacent glass plates 20 of the three glass plates 20.

[0050] Figure 4B shows adjacent glass plates 20 on the left and right and the joint area 30 located between them. In Figure 4B, the right end of the light-controlling sheet 40 attached to the left glass plate 20 protrudes onto a portion of the surface to the left of the joint area 30, and the left end of the light-controlling sheet 40 attached to the right glass plate 20 protrudes onto a portion of the surface to the right of the joint area 30. A filling space FS' is formed between the opposing end faces of the left and right light-controlling sheets 40. In other words, the light-controlling sheet 40 covers a large area of ​​the glass plates 20 and joint areas 30 of the double glazing unit 10, excluding the filling space FS'.

[0051] In FIG. 4B, the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 that face the two left and right glass plates 20 are attached to the two left and right glass plates 20 by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 44Y as an attachment portion.

[0052] On the other hand, the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 (adhesive layers 44Y) facing the joint portions 30 each form a filling space FS between the joint portions 30, and the filling portion 50 is filled in this filling space FS. That is, the filling portion 50 is filled in the filling space FS between the joint portions 30 and the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 (adhesive layers 44Y) that protrude onto some surfaces of the joint portions 30. As a result, the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 and the joint portions 30 are joined to each other via the adhesive layers 44Y and the filling portions 50.

[0053] Furthermore, a filling section 50' is filled in the filling space FS' formed between the opposing end faces of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40. That is, the filling section 50' is filled so as to fill the entire filling space FS' between the two left and right light controlling sheets 40. A sealing section 55 is formed at the upper end of the filling section 50' to seal the adjacent upper end faces of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 together.

[0054] The filling portion 50, filling portion 50', and sealing portion 55 are made of the same material and have a generally I-shaped cross section. The components of the connection portion between filling portion 50 and filling portion 50' (the connection portion at the lower end of the generally I-shaped) and the components of the connection portion between filling portion 50' and sealing portion 55 (the connection portion at the upper end of the generally I-shaped) are also made of the same material. The filling portion 50, filling portion 50', and sealing portion 55 work together to stably attach the light-controlling sheet 40 to the double glazing 10. Furthermore, the light-controlling sheet 40, filling portion 50, filling portion 50', and sealing portion 55 work together to cover the entire area (almost the entire area) of the glass plates 20 and joint portion 30 of the double glazing 10.

[0055] According to the second embodiment of the light control unit 1, when attaching the light control sheet 40 to the double glass pane 10, in addition to a large area of ​​the three glass panes 20 (for example, the entire area not covered by the covering member 1X such as a sash), the light control sheet 40 can be attached so as to cover almost the entire area of ​​the two joints 30 connecting the three glass panes 20 (the entire area excluding the area between the opposing end faces of the light control sheet 40) (the light control sheet 40 that exhibits light control function over a large area can be attached to the double glass pane 10). As a result, the light control area (light control function area) where the light control sheet 40 is attached in the double glass pane 10 can be enlarged (in FIG. 4B, only the area between the opposing end faces of the light control sheet 40 is the non-light control area, and most of the other areas are light control areas). In addition, the exposed area of ​​the joints 30 can be reduced, improving the design (designability).

[0056] According to the second embodiment of the light control unit 1, the light control sheet 40 is attached to the glass plate 20 by the adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y, and the filler portion 50 is filled between the joint portion 30 and the portion of the adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y that protrudes onto a portion of the joint portion 30. This fills the filled space FS between the unevenness of the light control sheet 40 and the joint portion 30 with the filled portion 50, preventing the light control sheet 40 from lifting or generating air bubbles. This also improves the strength, durability, and stability of the attachment structure of the light control sheet 40, particularly the attachment structure of the protruding portion of the light control sheet 40 to the joint portion 30. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the filled portion 50' that fills the filled space FS' between the opposing end faces of adjacent light control sheets 40 and the sealing portion 55 that seals the adjacent upper end faces of adjacent light control sheets 40 can optimize the attachment structure of the light control sheet 40 to the double glass panel 10.

[0057] <Third embodiment> 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the dimming unit 1 of the third embodiment. Fig. 5A is a top view of the dimming unit 1, and Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in Fig. 5A. Descriptions of the configuration common to the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0058] In the second embodiment (FIGS. 4A and 4B), the filling section 50' is filled so as to fill the entire filling space FS' between the opposing end faces of adjacent light controlling sheets 40. In contrast, in the third embodiment (FIGS. 5A and 5B), a portion (center portion) between the opposing end faces of adjacent light controlling sheets 40 is left as a gap, exposing the joint portion 30, and the opposing end faces of adjacent light controlling sheets 40 are sealed with separate sealing sections 55'. In the sense of filling a portion of the filling space between the opposing end faces of adjacent light controlling sheets 40, the sealing section 55' may also be read as filling section 55'. In other words, in the second embodiment (FIGS. 4A and 4B), the filling section 50' is filled entirely between the multiple light controlling sheets 40 (between the opposing end faces), whereas in the third embodiment (FIGS. 5A and 5B), the sealing section (filling section) 55' is filled only partially between the multiple light controlling sheets 40 (between the opposing end faces).

[0059] In the third embodiment (Figures 5A and 5B), the light-controlling sheet 40 covers a large area of ​​the glass plates 20 and joint portion 30 of the double glazing 10, excluding the gap portion between the opposing end faces of adjacent light-controlling sheets 40 (the gap portion excluding the sealing portion 55').

[0060] In FIG. 4B, the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 that face the two left and right glass plates 20 are attached to the two left and right glass plates 20 by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer 44Y as an attachment portion.

[0061] On the other hand, the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 (adhesive layers 44Y) facing the joint portions 30 each form a filling space FS between the joint portions 30, and the filling portion 50 is filled in this filling space FS. That is, the filling portion 50 is filled in the filling space FS between the joint portions 30 and the portions of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 (adhesive layers 44Y) that protrude onto some surfaces of the joint portions 30. As a result, the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 and the joint portions 30 are joined to each other via the adhesive layers 44Y and the filling portions 50.

[0062] The opposing end faces of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40 are sealed by a sealing portion 55' (a portion of the space between the opposing end faces is filled by the filling portion 55'). Furthermore, a sealing portion 55" is formed at the upper end of the sealing portion (filling portion) 55' to seal the adjacent upper end faces of the two left and right light controlling sheets 40, respectively.

[0063] The filling portion 50, the sealing portion (filling portion) 55' and the sealing portion 55" are made from the same material. The components of the connection portion between the filling portion 50, the sealing portion (filling portion) 55' and the sealing portion 55" are also made from the same material. The filling portion 50, the sealing portion (filling portion) 55' and the sealing portion 55" work together to enable the light-control sheet 40 to be stably attached to the double glazing 10. Furthermore, the light-control sheet 40, the filling portion 50, the sealing portion (filling portion) 55' and the sealing portion 55" work together to cover a large area of ​​the glass plates 20 and joint portion 30 of the double glazing 10, i.e., a large area excluding the gap between the opposing end faces of adjacent light-control sheets 40 (the gap not taking into account the sealing portion 55').

[0064] According to the third embodiment of the light control unit 1, when attaching the light control sheet 40 to the double glass pane 10, in addition to a large area of ​​the three glass panes 20 (for example, the entire area not covered by the covering member 1X such as a sash), the light control sheet 40 can be attached so as to cover almost the entire area of ​​the two joints 30 connecting the three glass panes 20 (the entire area excluding the area between the opposing end faces of the light control sheet 40) (the light control sheet 40 that exhibits light control function over a large area can be attached to the double glass pane 10). As a result, the light control area (light control function area) where the light control sheet 40 is attached in the double glass pane 10 can be enlarged (in FIG. 5B, only the area between the opposing end faces of the light control sheet 40 is the non-light control area, and most of the other areas are light control areas). In addition, the exposed area of ​​the joints 30 can be reduced, improving the design (designability).

[0065] According to the light control unit 1 of the third embodiment, the light control sheet 40 is attached to the glass plate 20 by the adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y, and the filling portion 50 is filled between the joint portion 30 and the portion of the adhesive layer (attaching portion) 44Y that protrudes onto a portion of the joint portion 30. This fills the filling space FS between the unevenness of the light control sheet 40 and the joint portion 30 with the filling portion 50, preventing the light control sheet 40 from lifting or generating air bubbles. This also improves the strength, durability, and stability of the attachment structure of the light control sheet 40, particularly the attachment structure of the protruding portion of the light control sheet 40 to the joint portion 30. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the sealing portion 55′ (filling portion 55′ that fills part of the space between the opposing end faces) that seals the opposing end faces of adjacent light control sheets 40 and the sealing portion 55″ that seals the adjacent upper end faces of adjacent light control sheets 40, respectively, optimizes the attachment structure of the light control sheet 40 to the double glass panel 10.

[0066] <Fourth embodiment> 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the configuration of the light control unit 1 of the fourth embodiment.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 6A and 6B), when focusing on the right end portion of the light-controlling sheet 40, the transparent conductive layer 42Y, the transparent base material layer 43Y, and the adhesive layer 44Y provided on one surface (the bottom surface in the drawings) of the light-controlling layer 41 are provided with a step portion DX that protrudes to the right from the light-controlling layer 41 and the transparent conductive layer 42X and transparent base material layer 43X provided on the other surface (the top surface in the drawings). Although not shown, an electrode portion that applies a drive voltage to the light-controlling sheet 40 may be provided on the upper surface of the transparent conductive layer 42Y located to the right of the step portion DX (the step portion DX may be formed to install the electrode portion).

[0068] As shown in Fig. 6A, a filling space FS is formed between the portion of the light-modulating sheet 40 (adhesive layer 44Y) that protrudes into the joint portion 30 and the joint portion 30, and as shown in Fig. 6B, a filling portion 50A is filled in the filling space FS. Also, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, a sealing portion 50B that seals the light-modulating layer 41, the transparent conductive layer 42X, the right side surface of the transparent base material layer 43X, the upper surface of the transparent conductive layer 42Y, and the upper surface of the transparent base material layer 43X is formed so as to straddle the step portion DX.

[0069] Fifth Embodiment 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the configuration of the light control unit 1 of the fifth embodiment. Description of the configuration common to the fourth embodiment will be omitted.

[0070] In the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 6A and 6B), the filling portion 50A and the sealing portion 50B are separate (separate) components, but in the fifth embodiment (FIGS. 7A and 7B), a sealing portion 50C is provided as a component integrated with the filling portion 50A. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the sealing portion 50C is connected to the right end of the filling portion 50A so as to extend further rightward, and seals the right side surfaces of the transparent conductive layer 42Y, the transparent base material layer 43Y, and the adhesive layer 44Y, the upper surface of the transparent conductive layer 42Y, the right side surfaces of the light-control layer 41, the transparent conductive layer 42X, and the transparent base material layer 43X, and the upper surface of the transparent base material layer 43X.

[0071] Of the above first to fifth embodiments, in the second embodiment (FIG. 4), the third embodiment (FIG. 5), and the fifth embodiment (FIG. 7), the filling portion is formed integrally with the sealing portion that seals the side surface of the light-controlling sheet. On the other hand, in the first embodiment (FIG. 3) and the fourth embodiment (FIG. 6), the filling portion is formed separately (independently) from the sealing portion that seals the side surface of the light-controlling sheet. Furthermore, the sealing portion is not limited to the location depicted in FIGS. 3 to 7, and the peripheral portion of the light-controlling sheet that is attached to the connected glass (multiple glass plates) may also be sealed by the sealing portion.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Dimming unit 1X Covering material 10 Multi-panel glass (glass unit, transparent unit) 20 Glass plate (glass part, transparent body) 30 Joint section (connection section, caulking section) 40 Light-adjusting sheet (light-adjusting film) 41 Dimming layer (liquid crystal layer) 42X 42Y Transparent conductive layer (transparent electrode layer, outer support layer) 43X 43Y Transparent base layer (outer support layer) 44Y Adhesive layer (adhesive part, outer support layer) 50 Filling section 50' Filling section 50A filling section 50B Sealing part 50C Sealing part 55 Sealing part 55' Sealing part (filling part) 55" sealing part FS FS' Filling space DX step section

Claims

1. a transparent body unit having a plurality of transparent bodies and a connecting portion that connects the plurality of transparent bodies; a light control sheet attached to the transparent body unit so as to protrude from the plurality of transparent bodies toward the connecting portion; A dimming unit comprising:

2. an attachment unit that attaches the light controlling sheet to the plurality of transparent bodies; a filling portion that is filled between the portion of the light controlling sheet that protrudes from the connecting portion and the connecting portion; 2. The dimming unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. the attachment portion is composed of an adhesive layer of the light controlling sheet facing the plurality of transparent bodies, The filling portion is filled between the portion of the adhesive layer that protrudes from the connecting portion and the connecting portion.

3. The dimming unit according to claim 2.

4. The light-controlling sheet is provided as a single light-controlling sheet spanning the plurality of transparent bodies, The single light-controlling sheet protrudes from the plurality of transparent bodies onto the entire surface of the connecting portion, The filling portion is filled between the connecting portion and the protruding portion of the single light controlling sheet.

3. The dimming unit according to claim 2.

5. The light controlling sheet is provided as a plurality of light controlling sheets corresponding to the plurality of transparent bodies, The plurality of light-controlling sheets protrude from the plurality of transparent bodies onto a surface of a part of the connecting portion, The filling portion is filled between the connecting portion and a protruding portion on a surface of the connecting portion of the plurality of light controlling sheets.

3. The dimming unit according to claim 2.

6. The filling portion is filled in a part or all of the spaces between the plurality of light controlling sheets.

6. The dimming unit according to claim 5.

7. The filling portion is formed integrally with a sealing portion that seals the side surface of the light controlling sheet.

3. The dimming unit according to claim 2.

8. A light controlling sheet attached to a transparent body unit having a plurality of transparent bodies and a connecting portion that connects the plurality of transparent bodies, The transparent bodies are attached to the transparent body unit so as to protrude from the connecting portion. A light-controlling sheet characterized by:

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