Light control unit

Abstract

To provide a light control unit capable of reducing the initial cost required for manufacturing a wiring board.SOLUTION: A light control unit 10 includes: a light control sheet 11; a first wiring connection part 12 including a first wiring board 30; and a second wiring connection part 13 including a plurality of second wiring boards 40. The light control sheet 11 includes a plurality of light control regions SL. The second wiring board 40 includes: one or more second connection terminal parts each connected to a second transparent electrode layer for each light control region SL; second terminal leading lines extending one by one from the respective second connection terminal parts; and second extension leading lines whose number is more than or equal to the number of second connection terminal parts. The second wiring boards 40 are arranged along an outer edge of the light control sheet 11, and adjacent second wiring boards 40 are connected to each other, so that the second terminal leading line of one of the second wiring boards 40 is connected to the second extension leading line of the other of the second wiring boards 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light control unit including a light control sheet with variable light transmittance. [Background technology]

[0002] The light-controlling sheet includes a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition and a pair of transparent electrode layers sandwiching the light-controlling layer. A driving voltage is applied between the pair of transparent electrode layers. The orientation state of the liquid crystal compound in the light-controlling layer changes depending on whether or not the driving voltage is applied, making it possible to switch between a transparent state in which light passes through the light-controlling layer and an opaque state in which light transmission through the light-controlling layer is suppressed by scattering or the like.

[0003] In recent years, a light-control sheet has been proposed in which one of the transparent electrode layers is divided into a plurality of regions, thereby enabling each region to be switched between a transparent state and an opaque state (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-126153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The light-controlling sheet is provided with a wiring connection section for connecting the transparent electrode layer to a power supply. An example of the configuration of the wiring connection section for a light-controlling sheet that can be driven individually for each divided area will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0006] As shown in Figure 8, the light controlling sheet 100 includes a first electrode sheet 101 having a first transparent electrode layer, a second electrode sheet 102 having a second transparent electrode layer, and a light controlling layer 103 sandwiched between the first electrode sheet 101 and the second electrode sheet 102. When viewed from a position facing the surface of the light controlling sheet 100, the light controlling sheet 100 has multiple light controlling regions SL extending in strip shapes. Between adjacent light controlling regions SL, the first transparent electrode layer of the first electrode sheet 101 is conductive, and the second transparent electrode layer of the second electrode sheet 102 is insulated.

[0007] At an end of the light controlling sheet 100, a first wiring connection portion 110 is connected to the first transparent electrode layer of the first electrode sheet 101. Similarly, a second wiring connection portion 120 is connected to the second transparent electrode layer of the second electrode sheet 102. The wiring connection portions 110, 120 include wiring substrates 111, 121 having connection terminal portions 112, 122 joined to the transparent electrode layers.

[0008] Because the first transparent electrode layer is conductive between the multiple dimming areas SL, one first connection terminal 112 is connected to the first transparent electrode layer. On the other hand, because the second transparent electrode layer is insulated between the multiple dimming areas SL, a separate second connection terminal 122 is connected to the second transparent electrode layer for each dimming area SL. Therefore, the second wiring connection unit 120 has multiple second connection terminals 122. Since the size that can be efficiently manufactured for one wiring substrate is limited, when there are a large number of dimming areas SL or the width of the dimming area SL is large, the second wiring connection unit 120 is configured to include multiple second wiring substrates 121, and each wiring substrate 121 has one or more second connection terminals 122.

[0009] 9 is a diagram showing the light controlling sheet 100, the first wiring board 111, and the second wiring board 121 separated from each other. In the example shown in the drawing, the light controlling sheet 100 has 15 light controlling regions SL, the second wiring connection portion 120 has three second wiring boards 121, and each second wiring board 121 has five second connection terminal portions 122. The three second wiring boards 121, namely, second wiring boards 121a, 121b, and 121c, are lined up in this order along one side of the light controlling sheet 100. Adjacent second wiring boards 121 are connected to each other, and the second wiring board 121c at the end is connected to the first wiring board 111.

[0010] The configuration of the conductor portion of second wiring board 121 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 in addition to FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the end of second wiring connection portion 120 farthest from first wiring connection portion 110, i.e., the periphery of the end of second wiring board 121a, and the arrangement of second conductor portions 125a of second wiring board 121a is indicated by solid lines. Second conductor portion 125a includes five second connection terminal portions 122a and second terminal lead-out wires 123a extending from each second connection terminal portion 122a. Of these, FIG. 10 shows three second connection terminal portions 122a and the second terminal lead-out wires 123a extending from these second connection terminal portions 122a.

[0011] Although not shown in the drawings, in the above configuration, five second terminal lead-out wires 123a extending one by one from each of five second connection terminal portions 122a are located at the end of second wiring board 121a connected to second wiring board 121b. Then, in second wiring board 121b, in addition to the five second connection terminal portions 122b and second terminal lead-out wires 123b extending from each second connection terminal portion 122b outlined in Fig. 9, second terminal lead-out wires 123a extending from second wiring board 121a due to the connection between second wiring board 121a and second wiring board 121b are located.

[0012] 11 is an enlarged view of the end of second wiring connection portion 120 closest to first wiring connection portion 110, i.e., the vicinity of the end of second wiring board 121c, and the arrangement of second conductor portion 125c of second wiring board 121c is indicated by solid lines. Second conductor portion 125c includes five second connection terminal portions 122c, second terminal routing wires 123c extending from each second connection terminal portion 122c, second terminal routing wire 123a extending from second wiring board 121a by connecting second wiring boards 121 to each other, and second terminal routing wire 123b extending from second wiring board 121b by connecting second wiring boards 121 to each other. Of these, FIG. 11 shows three second connection terminal portions 122c and second terminal routing wires 123a, 123b, and 123c.

[0013] In this way, second terminal lead-out wires 123a, 123b, and 123c extending from connection terminal portions 122a, 122b, and 122c are located at the end of second wiring board 121c that is connected to first wiring board 111. Then, by connecting first wiring board 111 and second wiring board 121c, conductor wires that are conductive to second terminal lead-out wires 123a, 123b, and 123c are routed up to the end of first wiring board 111 where the drive voltage is input.

[0014] In the above configuration, the closer second wiring board 121 is to first wiring connection portion 110, the greater the number of second terminal lead-out wires 123 that second wiring board 121 has, and therefore the numbers of second terminal lead-out wires 123 that multiple second wiring boards 121 have are different from one another. That is, the patterns of the conductor portions that multiple second wiring boards 121 have are different from one another. Therefore, initial costs such as data editing costs and film costs are required for each of multiple second wiring boards 121, which poses a problem of unavoidable increase in manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] Various aspects of the dimming unit for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A light control unit including: a light control sheet including a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition; and a pair of transparent electrode layers sandwiching the light control layer, the pair being a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer; a first wiring connection including a first wiring substrate; and a second wiring connection including a plurality of second wiring substrates, wherein the light control sheet has a plurality of light control regions when viewed from a position facing the surface of the light control sheet, and the second transparent electrode layer is insulated between adjacent light control regions; the first wiring substrate has an input end portion to which a drive voltage is input; and a first conductor portion of the first wiring substrate includes a first connection terminal portion connected to the first transparent electrode layer, a first terminal lead-out wire extending from the first connection terminal portion, and a plurality of first extended lead-out wires extending together with the first terminal lead-out wire to the input end portion; and the second conductor portion of each second wiring substrate is a light control unit including one or more second connection terminals connected to the second transparent electrode layer for each of the light control areas, one or more second terminal pull-out wires extending one by one from each of the second connection terminals, and a number of second extended pull-out wires equal to or greater than the number of the second connection terminals, wherein the plurality of second wiring boards are arranged along the outer edge of the light control sheet, and adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other so that the second terminal pull-out wire of one of the second wiring boards that is farther from the first wiring board is connected to the second extended pull-out wire of the other second wiring board, and the second wiring board at an end of the plurality of second wiring boards is connected to the first wiring board, so that each of the second terminal pull-out wire and the second extended pull-out wire of the second wiring board is connected to the first extended pull-out wire.

[0016] According to the above configuration, multiple second wiring boards can be used with wiring boards having the same conductor pattern. Therefore, compared to when multiple second wiring boards have different conductor patterns, it is possible to reduce the initial cost required for manufacturing the second wiring boards. Furthermore, the efficiency of manufacturing and managing the second wiring boards and the efficiency of connecting the second wiring boards to each other can be improved.

[0017] [Aspect 2] The dimming unit described in [Aspect 1], wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3, the second wiring connection portion includes n second wiring substrates, the second conductor portion includes n-1 times the number of second extension wiring wires as the number of second connection terminal portions, and adjacent second wiring substrates are connected to each other, so that the second terminal extension wiring wires of one second wiring substrate and the n-2 times the number of second extension wiring wires as the number of second connection terminal portions are each connected to the second extension wiring wires of the other second wiring substrate.

[0018] According to the above configuration, wiring boards having the same conductor pattern can be used for three or more second wiring boards, which increases the effect of reducing the initial cost required for manufacturing the second wiring boards.

[0019] [Aspect 3] The second extension wire is composed of a connection wire located at an end of the second wiring board and an extension wire connected to the connection wire, the second connection terminal portion, the second terminal connection wire, and the extension wire are located on one of two surfaces of the second wiring board, and the connection wire is located on the other of the two surfaces, the connection wire and the extension wire are connected via a through hole, and adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other, so that the second terminal connection wire of one second wiring board is connected to the connection wire of the other second wiring board. This is a dimming unit described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2]. According to the above configuration, since the connection line is located on the surface of the second wiring board opposite to the other portion of the second conductor, the conductor line can be easily connected by connecting the wiring board.

[0020] [Aspect 4] The second conductor portion includes the same number of connection lines as the total number of the second terminal pull-out lines and the extension lines, and these multiple connection lines are lined up at the end of the second wiring board, and the multiple connection lines include conductor lines that are not connected to the extension lines, and adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other, so that each of the second terminal pull-out lines and the extension lines of one second wiring board is connected to the connection line of the other second wiring board.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the number of conductor lines located at each end of the second wiring board is the same. Therefore, at the connection portion between the second wiring boards, changes in the material and thickness of the joining partner depending on the position of the conductor line are suppressed. This ensures stable joining strength throughout the entire connection portion between the second wiring boards.

[0022] [Aspect 5] A dimming unit described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the first transparent electrode layer is conductive between adjacent dimming areas, and when viewed from a position facing the surface of the dimming sheet, the dimming sheet has a first side and a second side extending in a direction intersecting the first side, the ends of the multiple dimming areas are aligned along the direction in which the second side extends, the first wiring board is positioned along the first side, and the multiple second wiring boards are aligned along the second side. According to the above configuration, it is easy to connect the ends of the first wiring board and the second wiring board close to each other, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the wiring routing distance and the size of the wiring boards.

[0023] [Aspect 6] A dimming unit described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 5], wherein each of the first wiring board and the second wiring board is a flexible printed circuit board, adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other via an anisotropic conductive material, and the second wiring board at the end and the first wiring board are connected to each other via an anisotropic conductive material.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the pattern of the conductor portion can be easily formed, a thin wiring board can be suitably realized, and the wiring board can also be suitably connected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the initial cost required for manufacturing wiring boards and to improve the efficiency of the process of connecting wiring boards to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a light control unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the light control unit taken along line 2-2 in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the light control unit taken along line 3-3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the components of the light control unit of one embodiment in a separated manner. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second wiring substrate according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the second wiring board according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first wiring substrate according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a planar structure of a conventional light control unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the components of a conventional light control unit in a separated state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of a conventional second wiring board. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of a conventional second wiring board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An embodiment of a light control unit will be described with reference to the drawings. [Configuration of dimming unit] The overall configuration of the light-adjusting unit 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The light-adjusting unit 10 includes a light-adjusting sheet 11, a first wiring connection portion 12, and a second wiring connection portion 13. The wiring connections 12 and 13 are connected to the ends of the light-adjusting sheet 11. The first wiring connection portion 12 is connected to one of a pair of transparent electrode layers included in the light-adjusting sheet 11, and the second wiring connection portion 13 is connected to the other of the pair of transparent electrode layers.

[0028] The light controlling sheet 11 is fixed to a transparent plate made of glass, resin, or the like. Examples of the transparent plate include window glass in various buildings, partitions installed indoors, and window glass or windshields in moving objects such as vehicles and aircraft. The surface of the transparent plate may be flat or curved. The light controlling sheet 11 may be fixed to one transparent plate by attaching the front or back surface of the light controlling sheet 11 to the transparent plate, or may be sandwiched between two transparent plates.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 1. First, the layer structure of the light controlling sheet 11 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0030] The light-controlling sheet 11 includes a light-controlling layer 20, a first transparent electrode layer 21, a second transparent electrode layer 22, a first transparent support layer 23, and a second transparent support layer 24. The light-controlling layer 20 is sandwiched between the first transparent electrode layer 21 and the second transparent electrode layer 22 and is in contact with these transparent electrode layers 21, 22. The first transparent support layer 23 supports the first transparent electrode layer 21 on the side opposite the light-controlling layer 20 with respect to the first transparent electrode layer 21, and the second transparent support layer 24 supports the second transparent electrode layer 22 on the side opposite the light-controlling layer 20 with respect to the second transparent electrode layer 22.

[0031] The surface of the first transparent support layer 23 opposite the first transparent electrode layer 21 is the front surface of the light-controlling sheet 11, and the surface of the second transparent support layer 24 opposite the second transparent electrode layer 22 is the back surface of the light-controlling sheet 11.

[0032] The detailed structure of each layer is described below. The light-controlling layer 20 includes a transparent polymer layer and a liquid crystal composition. The transparent polymer layer has voids, which are filled with the liquid crystal composition. The shape of the voids is spherical, ellipsoidal, or irregular.

[0033] The structure of the photochromic layer 20 is either a polymer network type, a polymer dispersion type, or an capsule type. The polymer network type photochromic layer 20 has a polymer network with a three-dimensional mesh structure. The polymer network is an example of a transparent polymer layer, and a liquid crystal composition is held in the voids of the interconnected mesh in the polymer network. The polymer dispersion type photochromic layer 20 has a transparent polymer layer that defines a large number of isolated voids, and the liquid crystal composition is held in the voids dispersed in the transparent polymer layer. The capsule type photochromic layer 20 holds the liquid crystal composition in the voids within capsules dispersed in the transparent polymer layer.

[0034] The transparent polymer layer is a polymer of a photopolymerizable compound. The photopolymerizable compound is, for example, an ultraviolet-polymerizable compound. The ultraviolet-polymerizable compound is, for example, an acrylate compound such as butyl ethyl acrylate or cyclohexyl acrylate, a methacrylate compound such as N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or phenoxyethyl methacrylate, a stilbene compound, a diacrylate compound, a dimethacrylate compound, a triacrylate compound, a trimethacrylate compound, a tetraacrylate compound, a tetramethacrylate compound, or an oligomer of each of these compounds. The proportion of the transparent polymer layer to the total mass of the light-controlling layer 20 is preferably 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[0035] The liquid crystal composition contains, for example, a liquid crystal compound having positive dielectric anisotropy, that is, the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal compound in the long axis direction is greater than the dielectric constant of the liquid crystal compound in the short axis direction. The liquid crystal compound is, for example, a Schiff base-based, azo-based, azoxy-based, biphenyl-based, terphenyl-based, benzoate ester-based, tolan-based, pyrimidine-based, pyridazine-based, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid ester-based, phenylcyclohexane-based, biphenylcyclohexane-based, dicyanobenzene-based, naphthalene-based, or dioxane-based compound.

[0036] In addition to the liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition may contain a dichroic dye, a viscosity reducing agent, an antifoaming agent, an antioxidant, a weathering agent, etc. Examples of the weathering agent include an ultraviolet absorber and a light stabilizer. The photochromic layer 20 may also include spacers dispersed throughout the transparent polymer layer. The spacers define the thickness of the photochromic layer 20 around the spacers, thereby making the thickness of the photochromic layer 20 uniform. The spacers may be bead spacers or photospacers formed by exposing and developing a photoresist.

[0037] Each of the first transparent electrode layer 21 and the second transparent electrode layer 22 is conductive and transparent to light in the visible region. Examples of materials for the transparent electrode layers 21 and 22 include indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), silver, and silver alloys.

[0038] Each of the first transparent support layer 23 and the second transparent support layer 24 is a base material that is transparent to light in the visible region. The transparent support layers 23, 24 are made of, for example, a synthetic resin or an inorganic compound. Examples of synthetic resins include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, polyacrylates such as polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonates, and polyolefins. Examples of inorganic compounds include silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride.

[0039] Next, the structure near the wiring connections 12 and 13 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, a first connection area SA is provided at an end along one side of the light-controlling sheet 11. In the first connection area SA, the first transparent electrode layer 21 is exposed from the light-controlling layer 20, the second transparent electrode layer 22, and the second transparent support layer 24. The first wiring connection area 12 is connected to this exposed surface of the first transparent electrode layer 21.

[0040] The first wiring connection portion 12 includes a first wiring substrate 30 and a first conductive adhesive layer 51. The first conductive adhesive layer 51 is bonded between the first transparent electrode layer 21 and a first connection terminal portion 31 of the first wiring substrate 30. The first connection terminal portion 31 is a part of a conductor portion of the first wiring substrate 30. This fixes the first wiring substrate 30 to the first transparent electrode layer 21, and establishes electrical continuity between the first transparent electrode layer 21 and the conductor portion of the first wiring substrate 30. In the first connection region SA, the first transparent electrode layer 21 and the first wiring connection portion 12 may be covered with a first sealing portion 15.

[0041] 3, a second connection region SB is provided at an end along the other side of the light-controlling sheet 11. In the second connection region SB, the second transparent electrode layer 22 is exposed from the light-controlling layer 20, the first transparent electrode layer 21, and the first transparent support layer 23. The second wiring connection portion 13 is connected to the exposed surface of the second transparent electrode layer 22.

[0042] The second wiring connection portion 13 includes a second wiring substrate 40 and a second conductive adhesive layer 52. The second conductive adhesive layer 52 is bonded to the second transparent electrode layer 22 and a second connection terminal portion 41 of the second wiring substrate 40 between them. The second connection terminal portion 41 is a part of a conductor portion of the second wiring substrate 40. This fixes the second wiring substrate 40 to the second transparent electrode layer 22, and establishes electrical continuity between the second transparent electrode layer 22 and the conductor portion of the second wiring substrate 40. In the second connection region SB, the second transparent electrode layer 22 and the second wiring connection portion 13 may be covered with a second sealing portion 16.

[0043] Each of the first wiring board 30 and the second wiring board 40 has a structure in which a conductor portion made of a metal foil such as copper foil is disposed on a resin base material made of polyimide or the like. The wiring boards 30 and 40 are preferably flexible printed circuits (FPCs). The first conductive adhesive layer 51 and the second conductive adhesive layer 52 are each formed of an anisotropic or isotropic conductive material. The conductive adhesive layers 51 and 52 are preferably anisotropic conductive films (ACFs).

[0044] The first sealing portion 15 and the second sealing portion 16 are components of the dimming unit 10. The sealing portions 15 and 16 are formed from a resin such as a photocurable resin or a thermosetting resin. Examples of the resin material for the sealing portions 15 and 16 include polyacrylate resin, epoxy resin, allyl resin, polyurethane resin, and silicone resin.

[0045] 4 is a diagram showing the light controlling sheet 11, the first wiring board 30, and the second wiring board 40 in a separated state. First, the planar structure of the light controlling sheet 11 will be described with reference to FIG. When viewed from a position facing the surface of the light controlling sheet 11, the light controlling sheet 11 has multiple light controlling regions SL and the above-mentioned first connection region SA and second connection region SB. The light controlling region SL is a region where the light controlling layer 20 is sandwiched between the first transparent electrode layer 21 and the second transparent electrode layer 22, and is a region where the light transmittance is variable.

[0046] When viewed from a position facing the surface of the light controlling sheet 11, the light controlling sheet 11 has a first side L1 and a second side L2 extending in a direction intersecting the first side L1. For example, if the light controlling sheet 11 has a substantially rectangular shape, the first side L1 and the second side L2 extend in directions perpendicular to each other. The multiple light controlling regions SL are arranged so that their ends are aligned along the direction in which the second side L2 extends. For example, the light controlling region SL has a strip shape extending in the same direction as the first side L1, and the multiple light controlling regions SL are aligned along the direction in which the second side L2 extends.

[0047] A second connection region SB for each light control region SL is connected to the end of each light control region SL. That is, the light controlling sheet 11 has second connection regions SB in a number corresponding to the number of light control regions SL. The multiple second connection regions SB are lined up along the second side L2 of the light controlling sheet 11. The first connection region SA is connected to at least one light control region SL and is located along the first side L1.

[0048] As long as the multiple light control areas SL are arranged so that the multiple second connection areas SB are aligned along the second side L2, in other words, so that the ends of the multiple light control areas SL are aligned along a single line, there are no limitations on the shape of each light control area SL or the overall shape of the light control sheet 11. The multiple light control areas SL may include light control areas SL with different shapes.

[0049] Furthermore, the first side L1 and the second side L2 do not have to intersect directly. As shown in Fig. 4, the corner Cn corresponding to the intersection of the first side L1 and the second side L2 may have a shape in which the vicinity of the intersection is partially missing depending on the arrangement of the connection areas SA and SB. The corner Cn of the light controlling sheet 11 is a region near the corner of one of the light controlling areas SL, and is a corner formed around the intersection of the first side L1 or its extension and the second side L2 or its extension.

[0050] In the above configuration, between adjacent light control regions SL, the first transparent electrode layer 21 is conductive, while the second transparent electrode layer 22 is insulated. The insulating portion of the second transparent electrode layer 22 may be formed by, for example, laser irradiation. The light control layer 20 and the transparent support layers 23, 24 are each continuous between adjacent light control regions SL.

[0051] The second transparent electrode layer 22 is conductive between adjacent light control regions SL and second connection regions SB. That is, the second transparent electrode layer 22 is integrated between adjacent light control regions SL and second connection regions SB, and the second connection terminal portion 41 connected to each second connection region SB can be considered to be connected to the second transparent electrode layer 22 for each light control region SL. The second transparent electrode layer 22 is insulated between adjacent second connection regions SB. The second transparent support layer 24 is continuous between adjacent light control regions SL and second connection regions SB, and between adjacent second connection regions SB. Furthermore, the first transparent electrode layer 21 is conductive and the first transparent support layer 23 is continuous between adjacent light control regions SL and first connection regions SA.

[0052] The operation of the light controlling sheet 11 will now be described. The transparent electrode layers 21 and 22 are electrically connected to a power supply device via wiring connections 12 and 13. The power supply device applies a driving voltage, which is an AC voltage, to the transparent electrode layers 21 and 22 to change the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound.

[0053] In the light controlling sheet 11 configured as described above, a common voltage signal is input to the first transparent electrode layers 21 of all light controlling regions SL through the first connection terminal 31. Meanwhile, a voltage signal for each light controlling region SL is input to the second transparent electrode layer 22 through the second connection terminal 41 for each light controlling region SL. This makes it possible to apply a drive voltage independently to each light controlling region SL.

[0054] The dimming region SL switches between a transparent state and an opaque state based on a change in the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound. The transparent state is a state in which the light transmittance, i.e., the parallel ray transmittance, is relatively high, and the opaque state is a state in which the light transmittance is relatively low. The transparent state is a state in which the haze is relatively low, and the opaque state is a state in which the haze is relatively high.

[0055] When no driving voltage is applied, the orientation of the long axis of the liquid crystal compound is random. Therefore, due to the birefringence of the liquid crystal compound and the difference in refractive index between the liquid crystal compound and the transparent polymer layer, light incident on the dimming region SL is scattered in various directions by the dimming layer 20. Therefore, when no driving voltage is applied, the dimming region SL is in an opaque state.

[0056] When the liquid crystal compound has a positive dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal compound is oriented such that its long axis is aligned with the electric field when a driving voltage is applied. That is, the orientation of the liquid crystal compound changes so that its long axis is aligned with the thickness direction of the switchable layer 20. As a result, light scattering in the switchable layer 20 is suppressed, and light can easily pass through the switchable region SL. Therefore, the switchable region SL is in a transparent state when a driving voltage is applied.

[0057] Furthermore, the layer structure of the dimming sheet 11 may be different from the above-described structure as long as it is configured so that the transparent state and opaque state of the dimming region SL can be switched based on the change in the orientation state of the liquid crystal compound due to the application of a driving voltage.

[0058] For example, the light-controlling sheet 11 may include a pair of alignment layers sandwiching the light-controlling layer 20 between the light-controlling layer 20 and the transparent electrode layers 21 and 22. The alignment layers are layers that control the alignment of the liquid crystal compound contained in the light-controlling layer 20. The liquid crystal composition contained in the light-controlling layer 20 may also include a liquid crystal compound with negative dielectric anisotropy. For example, if the alignment layer is a vertical alignment film and the liquid crystal compound has negative dielectric anisotropy, the light-controlling region SL will be transparent when no drive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layers 21 and 22, and will be opaque when a drive voltage is applied to the transparent electrode layers 21 and 22.

[0059] Wire Connection Configuration The detailed configuration of the wiring connection portions 12, 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 1, the first wiring connection portion 12 is located along the first side L1 of the light controlling sheet 11, and the second wiring connection portion 13 is located along the second side L2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the first wiring connection portion 12 includes one first wiring board 30, and the second wiring connection portion 13 includes multiple second wiring boards 40.

[0060] In the example shown in the drawings, second wiring connection portion 13 includes second wiring boards 40a, 40b, and 40c, which are three second wiring boards 40. Second wiring boards 40a, 40b, and 40c are arranged in this order along the direction in which second side L2 extends, with second wiring board 40c being located closest to first wiring board 30. Ends of adjacent second wiring boards 40 are connected to each other, and an end of second wiring board 40c and an end of first wiring board 30 are connected to each other.

[0061] The first wiring board 30 and the second wiring board 40c are connected outside the corner Cn of the light controlling sheet 11. As a result, the structure made up of the first wiring connection part 12 and the second wiring connection part 13 has a shape that bends along the edge of the light controlling sheet 11 as a whole.

[0062] The configuration of the conductor portions of wiring boards 30, 40 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 shows second wiring board 40. Multiple second wiring boards 40 have the same conductor pattern and are formed to the same outer shape. Note that second wiring board 40 has a structure in which conductor portions are arranged on both sides of a resin base material, but in Figures 5 and 6, for ease of understanding, all of the conductor portions of second wiring board 40 are projected onto one surface and shown by solid lines.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, the second wiring board 40 has a strip shape and has a far end 47, which is the end farthest from the first wiring board 30 of the two ends in the direction in which the second wiring board 40 extends, and a near end 48, which is the end closer to the first wiring board 30 of the two ends.

[0064] The second conductor portion 49 of the second wiring board 40 includes a plurality of second connection terminal portions 41, second terminal pull-out wires 42 extending one by one from each second connection terminal portion 41, a plurality of connection wires 43 located at the distal end portion 47, and a plurality of extension wires 44 extending from the connection wires 43.

[0065] The second connection terminal 41 is located at an end of the second wiring board 40 in the width direction. The second connection terminal 41 is arranged so as to overlap the second connection region SB of the light controlling sheet 11, and is connected to the second transparent electrode layer 22 in the second connection region SB via the second conductive adhesive layer 52. When the second connection terminal 41 has a comb-tooth shape, the second wiring board 40 is more firmly fixed to the second transparent electrode layer 22 via the second conductive adhesive layer 52 than when the second connection terminal 41 has a flat film shape. The second wiring board 40 shown in FIG. 5 has five second connection terminals 41 arranged at intervals according to the arrangement of the light controlling region SL and the second connection region SB.

[0066] The second terminal wiring wires 42 extend from the second connection terminal portion 41 to the proximal end portion 48 along the extension direction of the second wiring board 40. The second terminal wiring wires 42 are arranged along the width direction of the second wiring board 40 so that the closer the second connection terminal portion 41 is to the proximal end portion 48, the closer the second terminal wiring wires 42 extending from the second connection terminal portion 41 pass through a position closer to the light controlling sheet 11. The second wiring board 40 shown in FIG. 5 has five second terminal wiring wires 42.

[0067] The connection lines 43 have a short line shape extending in the extension direction of the second wiring substrate 40. The multiple connection lines 43 are aligned in the width direction of the second wiring substrate 40. The second wiring substrate 40 has a number of connection lines 43 that matches the number of dimming regions SL. In other words, the number of connection lines 43 included in the second wiring substrate 40 matches the total number of second connection terminal portions 41 included in the second wiring connection portion 13. The number of connection lines 43 included in the second wiring substrate 40 is an integer multiple of the number of second connection terminal portions 41 included in the second wiring substrate 40, and matches the total number of second terminal lead-out lines 42 and extension lines 44 included in the second wiring substrate 40. The second wiring substrate 40 shown in FIG. 5 has 15 connection lines 43.

[0068] Extension wires 44 extend from a position corresponding to the end of connection wire 43, passing outside second terminal lead-out wire 42, to proximal end 48. Second wiring board 40 has extension wires 44 in a number equal to the total number of second connection terminal portions 41 provided in second wiring connection portion 13 minus the number of second connection terminal portions 41 provided in second wiring board 40. The number of extension wires 44 provided in second wiring board 40 is an integer multiple of the number of second connection terminal portions 41 provided in second wiring board 40. Second wiring board 40 shown in FIG. 5 has ten extension wires 44.

[0069] Of the second conductor portion 49, the second connection terminal portion 41, the second terminal wiring line 42, and the extension line 44 are located on the back surface of the second wiring board 40, i.e., the surface facing the second transparent electrode layer 22, and the connection line 43 is located on the front surface of the second wiring board 40.

[0070] As shown enlarged in FIG. 6, the end of the connection line 43 and the end of the extension line 44 are electrically connected via a through hole 46. Of the multiple connection lines 43, one extension line 44 is connected to one connection line 43 from the side closer to the second connection terminal portion 41, i.e., the side closer to the light controlling sheet 11. The connection line 43 and the extension line 44 connected to that connection line 43 form a second extension line 45. The second extension line 45 runs vertically through the second wiring board 40. The number of second extension lines 45 matches the number of extension lines 44.

[0071] Of the multiple connection lines 43, several connection lines 43 located farther from the second connection terminal portion 41 are not connected to extension lines 44. In other words, the multiple connection lines 43 include dummy lines that are disconnected as wiring. The number of dummy lines, i.e., the number of connection lines 43 to which extension lines 44 are not connected, matches the number of second connection terminal portions 41. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, extension lines 44 are connected to ten connection lines 43 from the side closest to the second connection terminal portion 41, and extension lines 44 are not connected to the remaining five connection lines 43.

[0072] In the above configuration, a plurality of conductor lines made up of a plurality of second terminal lead-out wires 42 and a plurality of extension wires 44 are located at a proximal end 48 of the second wiring board 40. The proximal end 48 is connected to the adjacent second wiring board 40 or the first wiring board 30.

[0073] Specifically, the back surface of proximal end 48 of second wiring board 40a, which is farthest from first wiring board 30, is connected to the surface of distal end 47 of second wiring board 40b via a conductive adhesive layer made of an anisotropic conductive material. As a result, second terminal lead-out wires 42 and extension wires 44 of second wiring board 40a are each connected to a corresponding connection wire 43 of second wiring board 40b.

[0074] Similarly, the back surface of proximal end 48 of second wiring board 40b is connected to the surface of distal end 47 of second wiring board 40c via a conductive adhesive layer made of an anisotropic conductive material. As a result, each of second terminal lead-out wires 42 and extension wires 44 of second wiring board 40b is connected to a corresponding connection wire 43 of second wiring board 40c. An anisotropic conductive film is preferably used as each conductive adhesive layer.

[0075] With the above configuration, second terminal outgoing wires 42 extending from second connection terminal portions 41 of second wiring board 40c, extension wires 44 electrically connected to second connection terminal portions 41 of second wiring board 40a, and extension wires 44 electrically connected to second connection terminal portions 41 of second wiring board 40b are located at proximal end portion 48 of second wiring board 40c. When second wiring board 40 shown in FIG. 5 is second wiring board 40c, of the ten extension wires 44, five extension wires 44 from the side closest to second connection terminal portions 41 are electrically connected to second connection terminal portions 41 of second wiring board 40b, and the remaining five extension wires 44 are electrically connected to second connection terminal portions 41 of second wiring board 40a.

[0076] 7 shows first wiring board 30. First wiring board 30 has connection end 37 that is connected to second wiring board 40, and input end 38 to which a drive voltage is input. The first conductor portion 39 of the first wiring board 30 includes a first connection terminal portion 31, a first terminal lead-out wire 32 extending from the first connection terminal portion 31, and a plurality of first extended lead-out wires 33 extending from the connection end portion 37.

[0077] The first connection terminal portion 31 is located at an end portion in the width direction of the first wiring substrate 30. The first connection terminal portion 31 is arranged so as to overlap with the first connection region SA of the light controlling sheet 11, and is connected to the first transparent electrode layer 21 in the first connection region SA via the first conductive adhesive layer 51.

[0078] The portion where the first connection terminal portion 31 is located and the connection end portion 37 are aligned, for example, along the extension direction of the first wiring substrate 30. The input end portion 38 extends toward the outside of the light controlling sheet 11 and protrudes, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first wiring substrate 30.

[0079] The first terminal wiring wires 32 extend from the first connection terminal portion 31 to the input end 38. The first extended wiring wires 33 are bent at appropriate positions and extend from the connection end 37 to the input end 38. The first wiring substrate 30 has the same number of first extended wiring wires 33 as the number of dimming regions SL. In other words, the first wiring substrate 30 has the same number of first extended wiring wires 33 as the number of second terminal wiring wires 42 and extension wires 44 located at the proximal end 48 of the second wiring substrate 40.

[0080] In the above configuration, a plurality of conductor wires, including one first terminal lead-out wire 32 and a plurality of first extension lead-out wires 33, are located at the input end portion 38. In the example shown in Fig. 7, 16 conductor wires, including one first terminal lead-out wire 32 and 15 first extension lead-out wires 33, are located at the input end portion 38.

[0081] The first conductor portion 39 of the first wiring board 30 is located on the surface of the first wiring board 30, i.e., the surface facing the first transparent electrode layer 21. The surface of the connection end portion 37 of the first wiring board 30 is connected to the back surface of the proximal end portion 48 of the second wiring board 40c, which is closest to the first wiring board 30, via a conductive adhesive layer made of an anisotropic conductive material. As a result, the first extended wiring wires 33 of the first wiring board 30 are connected one by one to each of the conductor wires of the second terminal wiring wires 42 and the extension wires 44 of the second wiring board 40c. An anisotropic conductive film is preferably used as the conductive adhesive layer.

[0082] With the above configuration, the input end 38 of the first wiring board 30 is provided with a first terminal wiring line 32 extending from the first connection terminal portion 31 of the first wiring board 30 and a first extended wiring line 33 electrically connected to each second connection terminal portion 41 of each second wiring board 40.

[0083] Wiring is connected to the first terminal lead-out wire 32 and each first extended lead-out wire 33 of the input end portion 38, and this wiring is connected to a power supply, thereby connecting the light controlling sheet 11 to the power supply. This allows a drive voltage to be input from the power supply to the input end portion 38, making it possible to apply the drive voltage independently to each light controlling region SL.

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, wiring boards having the same conductor pattern can be used for multiple second wiring boards 40. Therefore, compared to when multiple second wiring boards 40 have different conductor patterns, it is possible to reduce the initial cost required for manufacturing second wiring boards 40. Furthermore, the efficiency of manufacturing and managing second wiring boards 40 can be improved.

[0085] Furthermore, because the width of the connection portions between the second wiring substrates 40 is the same for all connection portions, the size of the conductive adhesive layer, conditions such as pressure, temperature, and time when bonding the conductive adhesive layer, and manufacturing equipment that realizes these conditions can be standardized when forming each connection portion, so the process of connecting the second wiring substrates 40 can be carried out efficiently.

[0086] Furthermore, by including dummy lines among the multiple connection lines 43, the number of conductor lines located at the distal end 47 and the number of conductor lines located at the proximal end 48 are the same. This prevents the material and thickness of the joining partner from changing depending on the position of the conductor line at the connection portion between the second wiring boards 40. This ensures stable joining strength throughout the connection portion between the second wiring boards 40. Furthermore, compared to when the pattern of the conductor portion or the shape of the second wiring board 40 are formed so as to cut out the portions of the dummy lines, the second wiring board 40 can be manufactured more efficiently.

[0087] Furthermore, the first wiring connection portion 12 and the second wiring connection portion 13 are connected, and the conductor wires extending from the connection terminal portions 31, 41 are routed to the input end portion 38 of the first wiring substrate 30. Therefore, it is possible to input a voltage signal to the first transparent electrode layer 21 and to the second transparent electrode layer 22 of each dimming area SL from one input end portion 38. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which lead wires are connected to each of the wiring substrates 30, 40 and routed to connect to a power supply device, it is possible to reduce the area required for routing the wiring, and also to make the portion that functions as the routed wiring thinner.

[0088] Therefore, it is easy to arrange the entire second wiring connection portion 13 on the transparent plate to which the light controlling sheet 11 is fixed. For example, when the light controlling unit 10 is sandwiched between two transparent plates, the entire plurality of second wiring boards 40 is contained within the area sandwiched between the transparent plates, and only the input end 38 of the first wiring board 30 protrudes outside the transparent plates. This makes it possible to reduce the area required outside the transparent plates. Therefore, even when it is difficult to secure a large area outside the transparent plates, such as when the light controlling unit 10 is attached to a vehicle window, the light controlling unit 10 can be easily arranged.

[0089] If a flexible printed circuit board is used as the wiring boards 30, 40, the patterns of the conductor portions 39, 49 can be formed by etching, allowing the conductor lines to be formed as fine lines. Therefore, even if the number of dimming regions SL is large, the width of the wiring boards 30, 40 can be prevented from increasing. Therefore, even if a frame-shaped member is provided to conceal the portions where the wiring connections 12, 13 are located, the width of this member can be kept narrow.

[0090] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) A wiring board having the same conductor pattern can be used for multiple second wiring boards 40. This reduces the initial cost required for manufacturing the second wiring boards 40. Furthermore, the efficiency of manufacturing and managing the second wiring boards 40 and the efficiency of connecting the second wiring boards 40 to each other can be improved. This effect is particularly pronounced when the second wiring connection portion 13 is configured to include three or more second wiring boards 40.

[0091] (2) Second connection terminal portion 41, second terminal lead-out wire 42, and extension wire 44 are located on one of two surfaces of second wiring board 40, and connection wire 43 is located on the other of the two surfaces. Connection wire 43 and extension wire 44 are connected via through hole 46. With this configuration, connection wire 43 is located on the surface of second wiring board 40 opposite to the other portion of second conductor portion 49, and therefore, conductor wires can be easily connected by connecting second wiring boards 40 to each other.

[0092] (3) Since the multiple connection lines 43 include conductor lines that are not connected to extension lines 44, the number of connection lines 43 matches the total number of second terminal lead-out lines 42 and extension lines 44. With this configuration, the number of conductor lines located at each end of the second wiring board 40 is the same, so that changes in the material or thickness of the joining partner depending on the position of the conductor line at the connection portion between the second wiring boards 40 are suppressed. This ensures stable joining strength throughout the connection portion between the second wiring boards 40.

[0093] (4) The first side L1 on which the first wiring connection portion 12 is located and the second side L2 on which the second wiring connection portion 13 is located extend in directions that intersect with each other. This makes it easy to connect the ends of the first wiring board 30 and the second wiring board 40 close to each other, and it is possible to prevent the wiring routing distance and the size of the wiring boards 30, 40 from increasing.

[0094] (5) The wiring boards 30, 40 are flexible printed circuit boards, and the wiring boards are connected via an anisotropic conductive material. This configuration facilitates the formation of conductor patterns and makes it possible to suitably realize thin wiring boards 30, 40. Furthermore, the wiring boards 30, 40 can be suitably connected.

[0095] [Variations] The above embodiment may be modified as follows: The following modifications may be combined with each other.

[0096] The number of second wiring substrates 40 provided in the second wiring connection portion 13 may be two, or may be four or more. In addition, the number of second connection terminal portions 41 provided in the second wiring substrates 40 is not limited.

[0097] For example, when there are two second wiring substrates 40, the number of second extended wiring lines 45 may be the same as the number of second connection terminal portions 41. When n is an integer greater than or equal to 3 and second wiring connection portion 13 includes n second wiring substrates 40, the number of second extended wiring lines 45 is n-1 times the number of second connection terminal portions 41, the number of connection lines 43 is n times the number of second connection terminal portions 41, and of these, the same number of connection lines 43 as the number of second connection terminal portions 41 are dummy lines. In this case, when adjacent second wiring substrates 40 are connected to each other, the second terminal wiring lines 42 and the second extended wiring lines 45 of one second wiring substrate 40, the number of which is n-2 times the number of second connection terminal portions 41, are connected to the second extended wiring lines 45 of the other second wiring substrate 40. The one second wiring substrate 40 is the second wiring substrate 40 farthest from first wiring substrate 30.

[0098] As long as the second wiring boards 40 are configured so that the conductor wires at the far end 47 and the conductor wires at the near end 48 are connected by connecting them together, the pattern of the conductor portions on each of the front and back surfaces of the second wiring boards 40 may be different from that in the above embodiment.

[0099] For example, in the above embodiment, through hole 46 is located near far end 47, but through hole 46 may be located between far end 47 and near end 48. If through hole 46 is located on the side of second connection terminal 41 where far end 47 is located in the direction in which second wiring board 40 extends, it is easy to ensure an area for forming through hole 46. Furthermore, the position of the coverlay on second wiring board 40 can be easily adjusted.

[0100] Also, for example, the number of connection lines 43 may be the same as the number of extension lines 44, and the plurality of connection lines 43 may not include dummy lines. The first wiring board 30 and the second wiring board 40 may be connected at a position other than the outside of the corner Cn of the light controlling sheet 11.

[0101] The first side L1 on which the first wiring connection portion 12 is located and the second side L2 on which the second wiring connection portion 13 is located do not have to extend in intersecting directions. For example, the first side L1 and the second side L2 may be sides that extend parallel to each other, and at least one of the first wiring connection portion 12 and the second wiring connection portion 13 may have a bent shape, thereby connecting these wiring connection portions 12 and 13.

[0102] The first wiring board 30 may be composed of multiple wiring boards. Furthermore, if the second wiring connection portion 13 includes at least two second wiring boards having the same conductor pattern, the effect of (1) above can be obtained. The multiple wiring boards included in the second wiring connection portion 13 may include a wiring board having a conductor pattern that is different from the others.

[0103] The first transparent electrode layer 21 may also be insulated between adjacent dimming regions SL. In this case, the first wiring connection portion 12 may have a plurality of first connection terminal portions 31 connected to the first connection regions SA of the respective dimming regions SL, and conductor lines electrically connected to the respective first connection terminal portions 31 may be routed to the input end portion 38. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] SA: First connection area SB...Second connection area SL…Dimmer area 10...Dimming unit 11,100...Light-adjusting sheet 12,110...First wiring connection 13,120...Second wiring connection 20,103...Photochromic layer 21,22...Transparent electrode layer 23,24...Transparent support layer 30, 111...First wiring board 31,112...First connection terminal 32...First terminal wiring 33...First extension line 37...Connection end 38...input end 39...First conductor section 40, 40a, 40b, 40c, 121, 121a, 121b, 121c...Second wiring board 41, 122, 122a, 122b, 122c...Second connection terminal part 42...Second terminal wiring 43...Connecting wire 44...Stretched wire 45...Second extension line 46...Through hole 47...Distal end 48...Near end 49...Second conductor section 51,52...Conductive adhesive layer 101, 102...Electrode sheet 123, 123a, 123b, 123c...Second wiring

Claims

1. a light-controlling sheet including a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition and a pair of transparent electrode layers, a first transparent electrode layer and a second transparent electrode layer, sandwiching the light-controlling layer; a first wiring connection portion including a first wiring substrate; a second wiring connection portion including a plurality of second wiring substrates, When viewed from a position facing the surface of the light controlling sheet, the light controlling sheet has a plurality of light controlling regions, and the second transparent electrode layer is insulated between the light controlling regions adjacent to each other, the first wiring substrate has an input end portion to which a drive voltage is input, and the first conductor portion of the first wiring substrate includes a first connection terminal portion connected to the first transparent electrode layer, a first terminal lead-out wire extending from the first connection terminal portion, and a plurality of first extension lead-out wires extending to the input end portion together with the first terminal lead-out wire; The second conductor portion of each second wiring substrate includes one or more second connection terminal portions connected to the second transparent electrode layer for each of the dimming regions, one second terminal lead-out line extending from each second connection terminal portion, and a number of second extended lead-out lines equal to or greater than the number of the second connection terminal portions, The plurality of second wiring boards are arranged along the outer edge of the light controlling sheet, and adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other, so that the second terminal lead-out wire of one of the second wiring boards that is the second wiring board farther from the first wiring board is connected to the second extended lead-out wire of the other second wiring board, The second wiring board at the end of the plurality of second wiring boards is connected to the first wiring board, and thereby the second terminal lead-out wire and the second extension lead-out wire of the second wiring board are each connected to the first extension lead-out wire. Dimming unit.

2. n is an integer equal to or greater than 3, and the second wiring connection portion includes n second wiring substrates; the second conductor portion includes the second extended wiring lines whose number is n-1 times the number of the second connection terminal portions, By connecting the adjacent second wiring boards to each other, the second terminal lead-out wires and the second extension lead-out wires of one of the second wiring boards, the number of which is n-2 times the number of the second connection terminal portions, are each connected to the second extension lead-out wires of the other second wiring board. The dimming unit according to claim 1 .

3. the second extended wiring line is composed of a connection line located at an end of the second wiring substrate and an extension line connected to the connection line, the second connection terminal portion, the second terminal lead-out wire, and the extension wire are located on one of two surfaces of the second wiring substrate, the connection wire is located on the other of the two surfaces, and the connection wire and the extension wire are connected via a through hole; The second wiring boards adjacent to each other are connected to each other, so that the second terminal lead-out wire of one of the second wiring boards is connected to the connection wire of the other second wiring board. The dimming unit according to claim 1 .

4. the second conductor portion includes the same number of connection lines as the total number of the second terminal lead-out lines and the extension lines, the plurality of connection lines are arranged at an end of the second wiring substrate, and the plurality of connection lines includes conductor lines that are not connected to the extension lines; The second wiring boards adjacent to each other are connected to each other, so that the second terminal lead-out wires and the extension wires of one of the second wiring boards are connected to the connection wires of the other second wiring board. The dimming unit according to claim 3 .

5. the first transparent electrode layer is electrically connected between the adjacent dimming regions; When viewed from a position facing the surface of the light-modulating sheet, the light-modulating sheet has a first side and a second side extending in a direction intersecting the first side, and ends of the plurality of light-modulating regions are aligned along the direction in which the second side extends, The first wiring substrate is located along the first side, and the plurality of second wiring substrates are arranged along the second side. The dimming unit according to claim 1 .

6. Each of the first wiring board and the second wiring board is a flexible printed circuit board, and adjacent second wiring boards are connected to each other via an anisotropic conductive material, and the second wiring board at the end and the first wiring board are connected to each other via an anisotropic conductive material. The dimming unit according to claim 1 .

Images