Dimmer

Abstract

To provide a dimmer capable of restraining visual recognition of short-circuiting between two dimming sheets and a gap between dimming sheets.SOLUTION: One of a pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1, 21A2 is a first object electrode layer. One of a pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1, 22A2 is a second object electrode layer, and an electric signal applied to the second object electrode layer differs from an electric signal applied to the first object electrode layer. On a cross section orthogonal to a surface 11S, a distance between the first object electrode layer and the second object electrode layer is equal to or more than 50 μm. A first dimming sheet 21 has a first end face 21S along a thickness direction, and a second dimming sheet 22 has a second end face 22S along a thickness direction. A distance between the first end face 21S and the second end face 22S is less than 0.5 mm. A dielectric is positioned between the first object electrode layer and the second object electrode layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light control device. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of a light-controlling sheet includes a first transparent sheet including a first transparent electrode layer and a first transparent substrate, a second transparent sheet including a second transparent electrode layer and a second transparent substrate, and a light-controlling layer made of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal. The light-controlling layer is sandwiched between the first transparent conductive sheet and the second transparent conductive sheet. When an AC voltage is applied between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, the liquid crystal compound in the light-controlling layer is driven. This changes the diffuse transmittance of the light-controlling sheet before and after the voltage is applied. A light-controlling body is obtained by attaching the light-controlling sheet to the surface of a transparent support with an adhesive layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-024227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, multiple light-controlling sheets may be attached to the surface of a transparent support. In this case, it is necessary to reduce the gap between the light-controlling sheets in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the light-controlling body when viewed from the viewpoint opposite the surface of the transparent support. However, reducing the gap between the light-controlling sheets may cause short circuits between the two light-controlling sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A light control device for solving the above problem includes a support substrate having a surface, a first light control sheet attached to the surface of the support substrate, and a second light control sheet attached to the surface of the support substrate so as to be adjacent to the first light control sheet. The first light control sheet includes a pair of first transparent electrode layers facing each other in the thickness direction of the support substrate and a first light control layer located between the pair of first transparent electrode layers. The second light control sheet includes a pair of second transparent electrode layers facing each other in the thickness direction and a second light control layer located between the pair of second transparent electrode layers. One of the pair of first transparent electrode layers is a first target electrode layer. One of the pair of second transparent electrode layers is a second target electrode layer, and an electrical signal applied to the second target electrode layer is different from the electrical signal applied to the first target electrode layer. In a cross section perpendicular to the surface, the positions of the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer in the thickness direction are different from each other, and the distance between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is 50 μm or more. The first light controlling sheet has a first edge surface along the thickness direction. The second light controlling sheet has a second edge surface along the thickness direction. The distance between the first edge surface and the second edge surface is less than 0.5 mm. A dielectric is located between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer.

[0006] According to the above-mentioned light control device, since a dielectric is positioned between target electrode layers to which different electrical signals are applied and the distance between the target electrode layers is 50 μm or more, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the target electrode layers. Furthermore, since the distance between the first end face and the second end face is less than 0.5 mm, it is possible to prevent gaps between the end faces from being visible.

[0007] In the light control device, the first end surface may be in contact with the second end surface.

[0008] According to the light control device, even if the first light control sheet and the second light control sheet are in contact with each other at the end surfaces, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the target electrode layers.

[0009] In the above-mentioned dimming device, when viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface of the support substrate, the second end face is located away from the first end face, the dimming device has a sealing portion located between the first end face and the second end face, and the dielectric may be the sealing portion.

[0010] According to the light control device, the sealing portion located between the first end surface and the second end surface further prevents short circuits between the first light control sheet and the second light control sheet.

[0011] In the above-mentioned dimming device, the first dimming sheet may include a pair of first transparent substrates, each of which supports one of the first transparent electrode layers; the second dimming sheet may include a pair of second transparent substrates, each of which supports one of the second transparent electrode layers; and the dielectric may be composed of the first transparent substrate supporting the first target electrode layer and the second transparent substrate supporting the second target electrode layer.

[0012] According to the above-mentioned dimming device, the transparent substrate constituting each dimming sheet is used as a dielectric located between the target electrode layers, so that the configuration of the dimming device can be simplified compared to when the dimming device has a dielectric separate from the dimming sheet.

[0013] In the above-mentioned dimming device, the pair of first transparent substrates may be composed of a first thick substrate and a first thin substrate that is thinner than the first thick substrate, the pair of second transparent substrates may be composed of a second thick substrate and a second thin substrate that is thinner than the second thick substrate, and the dielectric may be composed of the first thick substrate and the second thick substrate.

[0014] According to the above-described light control device, the position of the first target electrode layer and the position of the second target electrode layer can be made different in the thickness direction by varying the thickness between the pair of transparent base materials provided in each light control sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The light control device of the present disclosure can prevent short circuits between two light control sheets and prevent gaps between the light control sheets from being visible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a light control device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the cross section shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a table showing the evaluation results for the light control devices of the examples and the comparative examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of a light control device will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control device along a plane that is perpendicular to the surface of the support substrate and extends in the direction in which the first light control sheet and the second light control sheet are aligned.

[0018] 1, the light control device 10 includes a support substrate 11, a first light control sheet 21, and a second light control sheet 22. The support substrate 11 includes a surface 11S. The first light control sheet 21 is attached to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. The second light control sheet 22 is attached to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 so as to be adjacent to the first light control sheet 21.

[0019] The support substrate 11 has, for example, a rectangular shape. The support substrate 11 is, for example, a transparent member. The support substrate 11 may be, for example, a synthetic resin plate or a glass plate. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 is a flat surface. The surface 11S may also be a curved surface. When viewed from a viewpoint opposite the surface 11S, the support substrate 11 is larger than the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22. When viewed from a viewpoint opposite the surface 11S, the area of ​​the support substrate 11 is larger than the sum of the area of ​​the first light controlling sheet 21 and the area of ​​the second light controlling sheet 22.

[0020] The first light controlling sheet 21 includes a pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 and a first light controlling layer 21B. The pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 face each other in the thickness direction of the support substrate 11. The first light controlling layer 21B is located between the pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2.

[0021] The first light controlling sheet 21 further includes a pair of first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2. Each of the first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2 supports one of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2. Of the pair of first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2, the first first transparent substrate 21C1 supports the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1, and the second first transparent substrate 21C2 supports the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2.

[0022] The second light control sheet 22 includes a pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 and a second light control layer 22B. The pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 face each other in the thickness direction of the support substrate 11. The second light control layer 22B is located between the pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2.

[0023] The second light controlling sheet 22 further includes a pair of second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2. Each of the second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2 supports one of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2. Of the pair of second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2, the first second transparent substrate 22C1 supports the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1, and the second second transparent substrate 22C2 supports the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2.

[0024] The first light controlling sheet 21 has a first edge surface 21S that extends along the thickness direction of the support substrate 11. The second light controlling sheet 22 has a second edge surface 22S that extends along the thickness direction of the support substrate 11. The first edge surface 21S is in contact with the second edge surface 22S. The first edge surface 21S includes the edge surfaces of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2, the edge surface of the first light controlling layer 21B, and the edge surfaces of the first transparent base materials 21C1 and 21C2 that extend along the thickness direction. The second edge surface 22S includes the edge surfaces of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2, the edge surface of the second light controlling layer 22B, and the edge surfaces of the second transparent base materials 22C1 and 22C2 that extend along the thickness direction.

[0025] The light control device 10 further includes an adhesive layer 12 and a sealing portion 13. The adhesive layer 12 is located between the support substrate 11 and the first light control sheet 21 and between the support substrate 11 and the second light control sheet 22. The adhesive layer 12 may be a self-adhesive layer. The sealing portion 13 covers the edge of the first end surface 21S and the edge of the second end surface 22S. The sealing portion 13 is located at the boundary between the first light control sheet 21 and the second light control sheet 22 and spans the first light control sheet 21 and the second light control sheet 22. This prevents the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S from being exposed to the outside. As a result, moisture and the like are less likely to reach the first light control layer 21B and the second light control layer 22B.

[0026] The materials forming each of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1, 21A2 and each of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1, 22A2 may be conductive inorganic oxides, metals, conductive organic polymer compounds, or laminates thereof. The conductive inorganic oxides may be any one selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, tin oxide, and zinc oxide. The metals may be gold nanowires, silver nanowires, or silver alloys. The conductive organic polymer compounds may be any one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene).

[0027] Each of the light-controlling layers 21B and 22B may include a transparent polymer layer having a large number of domains that are voids, and a liquid crystal composition held in the domains. The light-controlling layer may be a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer or a polymer-network liquid crystal layer.

[0028] Each of the first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2 and each of the second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2 transmits visible light. The material forming the transparent substrates 21C1, 21C2, 22C1, and 22C2 may be a synthetic resin or an inorganic compound. The synthetic resin may be, for example, polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, or polyolefin. The polyester may be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate. The polyacrylate may be, for example, polymethyl methacrylate. The inorganic compound may be, for example, silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, or silicon nitride.

[0029] The adhesive layer 12 may attach each of the light controlling sheets 21, 22 to the support substrate 11 by self-adhesion. The self-adhesion of the adhesive layer 12 makes it possible to peel the light controlling sheets 21, 22 from the support substrate 11 and re-adhere the light controlling sheets 21, 22 to the support substrate 11. Adhesion by self-adhesion does not require processing such as heating or drying when the adhesive layer 12 is in contact with the light controlling sheets 21, 22 and the support substrate 11, nor does it require pressing the light controlling sheets 21, 22 against the support substrate 11. Adhesion by self-adhesion adheres the light controlling sheets 21, 22 to the support substrate 11 by the weight of the light controlling sheets 21, 22 themselves.

[0030] The adhesive layer 12 may be formed from at least one selected from the group consisting of polyolefin resins, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyvinyl resins, polycarbonate resins, polyacrylate resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins. The material forming the adhesive layer 12 is preferably a combination of these materials and an elastomer.

[0031] The sealing portion 13 may have higher self-adhesiveness than the adhesive layer 12, or may not have self-adhesiveness and may be photocurable or thermosetting. The material forming the sealing portion 13 may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins, for example.

[0032] 1, for convenience of illustration, the thickness of the support substrate 11 is thinner than the thickness of each of the light controlling sheets 21 and 22. However, in reality, the thickness of the support substrate 11 is thicker than the thickness of each of the light controlling sheets 21 and 22.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 of the light controlling device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the light control device 10 includes a first driver 31 and a second driver 32. The first driver 31 is connected to the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 of the first light control sheet 21. The second driver 32 is connected to the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 of the second light control sheet 22.

[0034] One of the pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1, 21A2 is a first target electrode layer. One of the pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1, 22A2 is a second target electrode layer. An electrical signal applied to the second target electrode layer is different from an electrical signal applied to the first target electrode layer. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 are connected to a ground potential. The second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2 have a predetermined potential difference with respect to the ground potential.

[0035] In the thickness direction of the support substrate 11, the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1, the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2, the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1, and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2 are arranged in the listed order. The electrical signal applied to the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the electrical signal applied to the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 are different from each other. Therefore, the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 is an example of a first target electrode layer, and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 is an example of a second target electrode layer.

[0036] In a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the positions of the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer in the thickness direction are different from each other, and the distance D1 between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is 50 μm or more. The distance between the first end face 21S and the second end face 62S is less than 0.5 mm. A dielectric is located between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first end face 21S and the second end face 22S are in contact with each other. That is, the distance between the first end face 21S and the second end face 22S is 0 mm. Therefore, the edge of the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 are located on the same line extending in the thickness direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A1 in the thickness direction needs only to be 50 μm or more.

[0038] In the thickness direction, the second first transparent substrate 21C2 and the first second transparent substrate 22C1 are located between the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1. In this embodiment, the first transparent substrate 21C2 and the second transparent substrate 22C1 are an example of a dielectric located between the first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A1.

[0039] The second transparent base material 22C1, which is located between the first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A1, contacts the end faces of the first transparent base materials 21C1 and 21C2, the end faces of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2, and the end face of the first light control layer 21B. The first transparent base material 21C2, which is located between the first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A1, contacts the end faces of the second transparent base materials 22C1 and 22C2, the end faces of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2, and the end face of the second light control layer 22B. This prevents the light control layers 21B and 22B from being exposed to the outside.

[0040] According to the light control device 10 of this embodiment, a dielectric is positioned between the transparent electrode layers 21A2 and 22A1 to which different electrical signals are applied, and the distance D1 between the transparent electrode layers 21A2 and 22A1 is 50 μm or more. Therefore, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the target electrode layers. Furthermore, because the distance between the first end face 21S and the second end face 22S is less than 0.5 mm, the gap between the end faces 21S and 22S is prevented from being visible.

[0041] As described above, the first end surface 21S is in contact with the second end surface 22S. In this way, even if the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 are in contact with each other at the end surfaces 21S and 22S, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the target electrode layers.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the dielectric is composed of the first transparent base material 21C2 that supports the first target electrode layer and the second transparent base material 22C1 that supports the second target electrode layer. In this way, the transparent base materials 21C2 and 22C1 that constitute the light controlling sheets 21 and 22 are used as the dielectric located between the target electrode layers, so the configuration of the light controlling device 10 can be simplified compared to when the light controlling device 10 includes a dielectric that is separate from the light controlling sheets 21 and 22.

[0043] The pair of first transparent base materials 21C1, 21C2 is composed of a first thick base material and a first thin base material that is thinner than the first thick base material. In this embodiment, the first first transparent base material 21C1 is an example of a first thin base material, and the second first transparent base material 21C2 is an example of a first thick base material. That is, the thickness of the first first transparent base material 21C1 is thinner than the thickness of the second first transparent base material 21C2.

[0044] The pair of second transparent base materials 22C1, 22C2 are composed of a second thick base material and a second thin base material that is thinner than the second thick base material. In this embodiment, the first second transparent base material 22C1 is an example of a second thick base material, and the second second transparent base material 22C2 is an example of a second thin base material. That is, the thickness of the first second transparent base material 22C1 is thicker than the thickness of the second second transparent base material 22C2.

[0045] As described above, the dielectric is composed of the second first transparent substrate 21C2, which is an example of the first thick substrate, and the first second transparent substrate 22C1, which is an example of the second thick substrate. Therefore, the difference in thickness between the pair of transparent substrates included in each of the light controlling sheets 21 and 22 makes it possible to make the positions of the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer different in the thickness direction.

[0046] 2, the thickness of the first transparent substrate 21C1 is equal to the thickness of the second transparent substrate 22C2, and the thickness of the first transparent substrate 21C2 is equal to the thickness of the second transparent substrate 22C1. The thickness of the first light control layer 21B is equal to the thickness of the second light control layer 22B. The thickness of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 is equal to the thickness of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2. In the light control device 10, the light control sheets 21 and 22 are attached to the support substrate 11 so that the first transparent substrate 21C1 contacts the second transparent substrate 22C1 and the first transparent substrate 21C2 contacts the second transparent substrate 22C2. Therefore, the positions of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 and the positions of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 are different from each other in the thickness direction.

[0047] In a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 have a pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 that are offset from the pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 when the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 are located on the same plane and the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2 are located on the same plane. As a result, the distance between the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 in the thickness direction of the support substrate 11 is 50 μm or more.

[0048] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the light control device, the following effects can be obtained. (1-1) A dielectric is positioned between the transparent electrode layers 21A2 and 22A1, to which different electrical signals are applied, and the distance between the transparent electrode layers 21A2 and 22A1 is 50 μm or more. This makes it possible to prevent short circuits between the transparent electrode layers 21A2 and 22A1. Furthermore, the distance between the first end face 21S and the second end face 22S is less than 0.5 mm, which prevents the gap between the end faces 21S and 22S from being visible.

[0049] (1-2) Even if the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 are in contact with each other at the end faces 21S and 22S, it is possible to prevent short circuits between the target electrode layers. (1-3) Since the transparent substrate constituting each of the dimming sheets 21 and 22 is used as a dielectric located between the target electrode layers, the configuration of the dimming device 10 can be simplified compared to when the dimming device 10 has a dielectric separate from the dimming sheets 21 and 22.

[0050] (1-4) By varying the thickness between the pair of transparent base materials included in each of the light controlling sheets 21 and 22, it is possible to make the position of the first target electrode layer and the position of the second target electrode layer different in the thickness direction.

[0051] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the light control device will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the first end surface 21S of the first light control sheet 21 is spaced apart from the second end surface 22S of the second light control sheet 22. Therefore, while this difference will be described in detail below, common features between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0052] FIG. 3 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control device along a plane that is perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 and extends in the direction in which the first light control sheet 21 and the second light control sheet 22 are aligned. As shown in FIG. 3, the light control device 40 includes a first light control sheet 21 and a second light control sheet 22.

[0053] The first light controlling sheet 21 has a first edge surface 21S along the thickness direction. The second light controlling sheet 22 has a second edge surface 22S along the thickness direction. The first edge surface 21S is the edge surface that is closest to the second edge surface 22S of the second light controlling sheet 22 among the edge surfaces of the first light controlling sheet 21 in the direction in which the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 are aligned.

[0054] When viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the second end surface 22S is located away from the first end surface 21S, and the distance between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S is less than 0.5 mm. The distance D2 (see FIG. 4) between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S is the longest distance between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S each have a linear shape. Therefore, the longest distance between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S is the distance in the direction in which the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S are aligned. Each end surface 21S, 22S may have a curved or broken line shape.

[0055] The light control device 40 has a sealing portion 43 located between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S. The sealing portion 43 also covers a portion of the first transparent base material 21C1 and a portion of the second transparent base material 22C1. In a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S, the sealing portion 43 has a T-shape, and the sealing portion 43 has a shape in which T-shaped cross sections are connected in the direction in which the sealing portion 43 extends. In the light control device 40 of this embodiment, the dielectric located between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is the sealing portion 43. The material used to form the sealing portion 43 can be the same as the material used to form the sealing portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 of the light controlling device 40. As shown in FIG. 4, a gap is located between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S. The sealing portion 43 fills the gap between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S. The distance D2 between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S is greater than 0 mm and less than 0.5 mm. This further reduces short circuits between the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22 by the sealing portion 43 located between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S. Because the distance D2 between the end surfaces 21S and 22S is less than 0.5 mm, the gap between the end surfaces 21S and 22S is also less visible.

[0057] 4, i.e., the direction in which sealing portion 43 extends, distance D2 may include multiple values. In this case, by setting the maximum value of distance D2 to less than 0.5 mm, gaps are prevented from being visible over the entire length of each of end faces 21S, 22S.

[0058] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the light control device, in addition to the above-mentioned (1-1) and (1-4), the following effects can be obtained. (2-1) The sealing portion 43 located between the first end surface 21S and the second end surface 22S further prevents short circuits between the first light controlling sheet 21 and the second light controlling sheet 22. In addition, because the distance between the end surfaces 21S and 22S is less than 0.5 mm, the gap between the end surfaces 21S and 22S is prevented from being visible.

[0059] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of a light control device will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the pair of first transparent base materials 21C1 and 21C2 have the same thickness, and the pair of second transparent base materials 22C1 and 22C2 have the same thickness. Therefore, these differences will be described in detail below, while common features between the third embodiment and the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control device along a plane that is perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 and extends in the direction in which the first light control sheet and the second light control sheet are aligned. 5, the light control device 50 includes a first light control sheet 61 and a second light control sheet 62. The first light control sheet 61 includes a pair of first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2, a first light control layer 21B, and a pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2, as well as a first adhesive layer 61D and a third transparent substrate 61E. The first adhesive layer 61D is located between the third transparent substrate 61E and the first transparent substrate 21C1. The first adhesive layer 61D attaches the third transparent substrate 61E to the first transparent substrate 21C1.

[0061] The first end surface 61S of the first light-controlling sheet 61 includes the end surfaces of the first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2, the end surface of the first light-controlling layer 21B, and the end surfaces of the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2, as well as the end surface of the first adhesive layer 61D and the end surface of the third transparent substrate 61E.

[0062] The second light controlling sheet 62 further includes a second adhesive layer 62D and a fourth transparent substrate 62E in addition to the pair of second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2, the second light controlling layer 22B, and the pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2. The second adhesive layer 62D is located between the fourth transparent substrate 62E and the second transparent substrate 22C2. The second adhesive layer 62D attaches the fourth transparent substrate 62E to the second transparent substrate 22C2.

[0063] The second end surface 62S of the second light-controlling sheet 62 includes the end surfaces of the second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2, the end surface of the second light-controlling layer 22B, and the end surfaces of the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2, as well as the end surface of the second adhesive layer 62D and the end surface of the fourth transparent substrate 62E.

[0064] A first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 contacts a second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62. The sealing portion 63 covers a part of the third transparent base material 61E and a part of the second transparent base material 22C1. As a result, the sealing portion 63 covers the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. The material for forming the sealing portion 63 can be the same as the material for forming the sealing portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0065] The first transparent base materials 21C1 and 21C2 have the same thickness. The first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 have the same thickness. The second transparent base materials 22C1 and 22C2 have the same thickness and are the same thickness as the first transparent base materials 21C1 and 21C2. The second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 have the same thickness and are the same thickness as the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2. The first dimming layer 21B has the same thickness as the second dimming layer 22B.

[0066] At least one of the adhesive layers 61D, 62D and the transparent base materials 61E, 62E may be a functional layer having a predetermined function. The functional layer may be, for example, an ultraviolet absorbing layer or an infrared absorbing layer. Furthermore, for example, the hardness of the transparent base materials 61E, 62E may be higher than the hardness of the first transparent base materials 21C1, 21C2 and the hardness of the second transparent base materials 22C1, 22C2.

[0067] The adhesive layers 61D, 62D may be self-adhesive or may not be self-adhesive and may be photo-curable or thermosetting. The material forming the adhesive layers 61D, 62D may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate resins, epoxy resins, allyl resins, polyurethane resins, and silicone resins.

[0068] The third transparent substrate 61E and the fourth transparent substrate 62E transmit visible light. The material forming the transparent substrates 61E, 62E may be a synthetic resin or an inorganic compound. The synthetic resin may be, for example, polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, or polyolefin. The polyester may be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate. The polyacrylate may be, for example, polymethyl methacrylate. The inorganic compound may be, for example, silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, or silicon nitride.

[0069] 6, the distance D1 between the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1, which is an example of a first target electrode layer, and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2, which is an example of a second target electrode layer, is 50 μm or more. In this embodiment, the thicknesses of the pair of transparent substrates, the thickness of the light control layer, and the sum of the thicknesses of the pair of transparent electrode layers are the same between the first light control sheet 61 and the second light control sheet 62. Therefore, the distance D1 between the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2 is adjusted to be 50 μm or more by the thicknesses of the adhesive layers 61D, 62D and the thicknesses of the transparent substrates 61E, 62E.

[0070] Each light controlling sheet 61, 62 has an adhesive layer 61D, 62D and a transparent base material 61E, 62E. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the thickness of each transparent base material 21C1, 21C2, 22C1, 22C2 is increased compared to when the distance between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is adjusted only by the first transparent base material 21C1, 21C2 and the second transparent base material 22C1, 22C2.

[0071] As described above, according to the third embodiment of the light control device, in addition to the effect (1-1) described above, the following effect can be obtained. (3-1) Compared to when the distance D1 between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is adjusted only by the first transparent base material 21C1, 21C2 and the second transparent base material 22C1, 22C2, the degree of freedom in the thickness of each transparent base material 21C1, 21C2, 22C1, 22C2 is increased.

[0072] (3-2) At least one of the adhesive layers 61D, 62D and the transparent base materials 61E, 62E has a predetermined function, so that the light controlling sheets 61, 62 can be given that function.

[0073] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the light control device will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that the first end surface 61S of the first light control sheet 61 is spaced apart from the second end surface 62S of the second light control sheet 62. Therefore, while this difference will be described in detail below, common features between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

[0074] FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional structure of the light control device along a plane that is perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 and extends in the direction in which the first light control sheet 61 and the second light control sheet 62 are aligned. 7, the light control device 70 includes a first light controlling sheet 61 and a second light controlling sheet 62. The first light controlling sheet 61 includes a first edge surface 61S along the thickness direction. The second light controlling sheet 62 includes a second edge surface 62S along the thickness direction. The first edge surface 61S is the edge surface of the first light controlling sheet 61 that is closest to the second edge surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62 in the direction in which the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 are aligned.

[0075] When viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the second end surface 62S is located away from the first end surface 61S, and the distance between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S is less than 0.5 mm. The distance D2 (see FIG. 8) between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S is the longest distance between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S each have a linear shape. Each of the end surfaces 61S, 62S may have a curved shape or a broken line shape.

[0076] The light control device 70 has a sealing portion 73 located between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. The sealing portion 73 also covers a portion of the third transparent base material 61E and a portion of the second transparent base material 22C1. In a cross section perpendicular to the surface 11S, the sealing portion 73 has a T-shape, and the sealing portion 73 has a shape in which T-shaped cross sections are connected in the direction in which the sealing portion 73 extends. In the light control device 70 of this embodiment, the dielectric located between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is the sealing portion 73. The material for forming the sealing portion 73 can be the same as the material for forming the sealing portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged cross-sectional structure of the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 of the light controlling device 70. As shown in FIG. 8, a gap is located between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. The sealing portion 73 fills the gap between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. The distance between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S is less than 0.5 mm. This further reduces short circuits between the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 by the sealing portion 73 located between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. Because the distance D2 between the end surfaces 61S and 62S is less than 0.5 mm, the gap between the end surfaces 61S and 62S is also prevented from being visible.

[0078] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the light control device, it is possible to obtain the effects (1-1), (1-4), (2-1), (2-2), (3-1), and (3-2) described above.

[0079] [Example] An example and a comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. The following materials were used to manufacture the two light-control sheets used in each of the examples and comparative examples.

[0080] [First light control sheet 61] First transparent substrate 21C1, 21C2: PET film (thickness: 125 μm) First transparent electrode layers 21A1, 21A2: ITO layer (thickness: 30 nm) Liquid crystal compounds: Cyanobiphenyl compounds UV-curable compound: a mixture of isobornyl acrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and urethane acrylate Polymerization initiator: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by BASF Japan) Spacer: PMMA spherical particles (particle size: 25 μm) First adhesive layer 61D: polyurethane resin Third transparent substrate 61E: PET film

[0081] [2nd light control sheet 62] Second transparent substrate 22C1, 22C2: PET film (thickness: 125 μm) Second transparent electrode layers 22A1, 22A2: ITO layer (thickness: 30 nm) Liquid crystal compounds: Cyanobiphenyl compounds UV-curable compound: a mixture of isobornyl acrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and urethane acrylate Polymerization initiator: 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by BASF Japan) Spacer: PMMA spherical particles (particle size: 25 μm) Second adhesive layer 62D: polyurethane resin ·Fourth transparent substrate 62E: PET film

[0082] A coating liquid for forming the first and second dimming layers 21B and 22B was prepared by mixing a liquid crystal compound, an ultraviolet-curable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a spacer. In the coating liquid, the blending ratio of the liquid crystal compound was set to 51% by mass, the blending ratio of the ultraviolet-polymerizable compound was set to 47% by mass, the blending ratio of the polymerization initiator was set to 1% by mass, and the blending ratio of the spacer was set to 1% by mass.

[0083] First transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2 on which first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 were formed, and second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2 on which second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 were formed were prepared. Subsequently, a coating liquid was applied to the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 to form a coating layer. The first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2 were then bonded together so that the pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 sandwiched the coating layer. Then, each of the first transparent substrates 21C1 and 21C2 was irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 365 nm, thereby forming a first photochromic layer 21B from the coating layer. At this time, the intensity of the ultraviolet light was set to 7.2 mW / cm. 2 and the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light was set to 120 seconds. Next, the third transparent base material 61E was attached to the first transparent base material 21C1 with the first adhesive layer 61D. In this way, the first light controlling sheet 61 was obtained.

[0084] A coating liquid was applied onto the second transparent electrode layer 22A1 to form a coating layer, and then the pair of second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2 were bonded together so that the pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 sandwiched the coating layer. Then, the second transparent substrates 22C1 and 22C2 were irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 365 nm, thereby forming the second light control layer 22B from the coating layer. At this time, the intensity of the ultraviolet light was set to 7.2 mW / cm. 2 and the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light was set to 120 seconds. Next, the fourth transparent base material 62E was attached to the second transparent base material 22C2 with the second adhesive layer 62D. In this way, the second light controlling sheet 62 was obtained.

[0085] [Comparative Example 1] A glass plate was prepared as the support substrate 11. An adhesive layer 12 made of a polyurethane resin was attached to the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. In Comparative Example 1, the first adhesive layer 61D, the second adhesive layer 62D, the third transparent substrate 61E, and the fourth transparent substrate 62E were not used. As a result, the first transparent electrode layer 21A1, which is the first target electrode layer, and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2, which is the second target electrode layer, were positioned on the same plane. That is, the distance between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 in the thickness direction was set to 0 μm. The first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were attached to the adhesive layer 12 so that the distance D2 between the first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62 was 0.5 mm when viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. Furthermore, it was found that the position of the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 was the same as the position of the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 in the thickness direction. In this way, the light control device 70 of Comparative Example 1 was obtained.

[0086] Comparative Example 2 In Comparative Example 1, the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were attached to the adhesive layer 12 so that the distance D2 between the first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62 was 0.1 mm when viewed from the viewpoint opposite the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. Otherwise, the light controlling device 70 of Comparative Example 2 was obtained by the same method as in Comparative Example 1.

[0087] Comparative Example 3 In Comparative Example 1, the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were attached to the adhesive layer 12 so that the first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62 were in contact. In Comparative Example 3, the thicknesses of the first adhesive layer 61D, the second adhesive layer 62D, the third transparent substrate 61E, and the fourth transparent substrate 62E were set so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1, which is the first target electrode layer, and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2, which is the second target electrode layer, was 22 μm. Otherwise, the light controlling device 70 of Comparative Example 3 was obtained by the same method as in Comparative Example 1.

[0088] Comparative Example 4 In Comparative Example 1, the dimming device 70 of Comparative Example 4 was obtained by the same method as in Comparative Example 1, except that the gap between the first end surface 61S of the first dimming sheet 61 and the second end surface 62S of the second dimming sheet 62 was filled with a sealing portion 73.

[0089] [Example 1] In Comparative Example 1, the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were attached to the adhesive layer 12 so that the distance D2 between the first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62 was 0.4 mm when viewed from the perspective facing the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. The thicknesses of the first adhesive layer 61D, the second adhesive layer 62D, the third transparent substrate 61E, and the fourth transparent substrate 62E were set so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 50 μm. A sealing portion 73 was filled between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. The light controlling device 70 of Example 1 was obtained by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 except for the above.

[0090] [Example 2] In Example 1, the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 100 μm. Otherwise, the light control device 70 of Example 2 was obtained by the same method as in Example 1.

[0091] [Example 3] In Example 1, the thicknesses of the third transparent substrate 61E and the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 200 μm. Otherwise, the light control device 70 of Example 3 was obtained by the same method as in Example 1.

[0092] [Example 4] In Example 1, the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 300 μm. Otherwise, the light control device 70 of Example 4 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0093] [Example 5] In Example 1, the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 500 μm. Otherwise, the light control device 70 of Example 5 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0094] [Example 6] In Example 1, the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were arranged on the surface 11S of the support substrate 11 so that the first end surface 61S of the first light controlling sheet 61 was in contact with the second end surface 62S of the second light controlling sheet 62. In addition, a sealing portion 63 was formed so as to cover the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S. Otherwise, the light controlling device 50 of Example 6 was obtained by the same method as in Example 1.

[0095] [Example 7] The dimming device 50 of Example 7 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 100 μm.

[0096] [Example 8] The dimming device 50 of Example 8 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 200 μm.

[0097] [Example 9] The dimming device 50 of Example 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 300 μm.

[0098] [Example 10] The dimming device 50 of Example 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 6, except that the thickness of the third transparent substrate 61E and the thickness of the fourth transparent substrate 62E were changed so that the distance D1 between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 was 500 μm.

[0099] [Evaluation method] [Short circuit between light control sheets] The first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2 of the first light controlling sheet 61 were connected to a first drive unit 31, and the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 of the second light controlling sheet 62 were connected to a second drive unit 32. An AC voltage of 40 Hz and 100 V was applied to each light controlling sheet 61 and 62 so that the electrical signal applied to the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 and the electrical signal applied to the second transparent electrode layer 22A2 were different from each other. At this time, the phase of the AC voltage applied between the second transparent electrode layers 22A1 and 22A2 was not matched to the phase of the AC voltage applied between the first transparent electrode layers 21A1 and 21A2.

[0100] An ammeter was connected to the first light controlling sheet 61 to measure the current flowing through the first light controlling sheet 61 when the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62 were driven simultaneously. This confirmed whether or not a short circuit had occurred between the first light controlling sheet 61 and the second light controlling sheet 62, i.e., between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer.

[0101] [gap] It was confirmed whether the distance between the first end face 61S and the second end face 62S could be visually confirmed from a viewpoint facing the surface 11S of the support substrate 11. The results of the visual confirmation were evaluated according to the following two standards.

[0102] ◯: No gap between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S can be visually confirmed. ×: A gap between the first end surface 61S and the second end surface 62S can be visually confirmed.

[0103] [Appearance change] A moist heat resistance test was conducted on the light control devices 50 and 70 of each example and comparative example. During the test, each light control device 50 and 70 was placed in an environment of 60°C and a relative humidity of 90% for 1000 hours. After that, the appearance of each light control device 50 and 70 was visually inspected. The visual inspection results were evaluated according to the following two levels.

[0104] ◯: The appearance of the light control devices 50, 70 after the moist heat resistance test was the same as the appearance of the light control devices 50, 70 before the moist heat resistance test. ×: After the humidity and heat resistance test, moisture penetrated from the end faces 61S, 62S of the light controlling sheets 61, 62, and as a result, the outer edges of the light controlling sheets 61, 62 were found to have deteriorated compared to before the humidity and heat resistance test.

[0105] [Evaluation results] The results of evaluating the light control devices of the examples and comparative examples are shown in FIG. 9, in the light control devices 50, 70 of Comparative Examples 1 and 4 and Examples 1 to 10, it was found that when the light control sheets 61, 62 were driven, no short circuit occurred between the light control sheets 61, 62. In contrast, in the light control devices 50, 70 of Comparative Examples 2 and 3, it was found that when the light control sheets 61, 62 were driven, a short circuit occurred between the light control sheets 61, 62. From these results, it can be said that when the distance between the first transparent electrode layer 21A1, which is the first target electrode layer, and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2, which is the second target electrode layer, is 50 μm or more, short circuiting between the light control sheets 61, 62 is suppressed.

[0106] In the light control devices 50 and 70 of Comparative Examples 1 and 4, a gap between the end faces 61S and 62S was visually observed. In contrast, in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 and Examples 1 to 10, a gap between the end faces 61S and 62S was not visually observed. From these results, it can be said that by setting the distance D2 between the end faces 61S and 62S to less than 0.5 mm, the gap between the end faces 61S and 62S is prevented from being visually observed.

[0107] Furthermore, in Comparative Examples 1 to 4, deterioration in appearance was observed after the moist heat resistance test. In contrast, in Examples 1 to 10, no deterioration in appearance was observed after the moist heat resistance test. From these results, it can be said that the moist heat resistance of the light controlling sheets 61, 62 is improved by providing the light controlling devices 50, 70 with the sealing portions 63, 73 and by having the distance between the light controlling sheets 61, 62 be less than 0.5 mm.

[0108] As described above, in Examples 1 to 10, it was confirmed that both short circuits between the light controlling sheets 61 and 62 and the gap between the end faces 61S and 62S were suppressed. Furthermore, it was confirmed that deterioration of the light controlling sheets 61 and 62 after the moist heat resistance test was suppressed in Examples 1 to 10. In contrast, in Comparative Examples 1 to 4, it was confirmed that either short circuits between the light controlling sheets 61 and 62 or the gap between the end faces 61S and 62S was visible.

[0109] The above-described embodiment can be modified as follows. [First target electrode layer and second target electrode layer] Of the pair of first transparent electrode layers 21A1, 21A2, the first first transparent electrode layer 21A1 may be the first target electrode layer, and of the pair of second transparent electrode layers 22A1, 22A2, the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 may be the second target electrode layer. Alternatively, the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 may be the first target electrode layer, and the first second transparent electrode layer 22A1 may be the second target electrode layer. Alternatively, the second first transparent electrode layer 21A2 may be the first target electrode layer, and the second second transparent electrode layer 22A2 may be the second target electrode layer.

[0110] In either case, it is sufficient that the positions of the first and second target electrode layers are different from each other in the thickness direction and that the distance D1 between the first and second target electrode layers is 50 μm or more, thereby making it possible to prevent short circuits between the first and second target electrode layers.

[0111] [Light-adjusting sheet] Each first light controlling sheet 21, 61 may have an alignment layer between each first transparent electrode layer 21A1, 21A2 and the first light controlling layer 21B. Each second light controlling sheet 22, 62 may have an alignment layer between each second transparent electrode layer 22A1, 22A2 and the second light controlling layer 22B. The drive type of each light controlling sheet 21, 22, 61, 62 that has an alignment layer may be a reverse type. Note that the drive type of the above-mentioned light controlling sheets 21, 22, 61, 62 that do not have an alignment layer is a normal type.

[0112] The driving type of the first light controlling sheets 21, 61 may be the same as or different from the driving type of the second light controlling sheets 22, 62. Each first light controlling sheet 21, 61 may have another functional layer between the first transparent substrate 21C1 and the first transparent electrode layer 21A1 or between the first transparent substrate 21C2 and the first transparent electrode layer 21A2. The other functional layer may be a gas barrier layer that prevents oxygen and moisture from passing through to the first light controlling layer 21B, or an ultraviolet barrier layer that prevents ultraviolet rays other than those with specific wavelengths from passing through to the first light controlling layer 21B. The other functional layer may be a hard coat layer that mechanically protects the first light controlling sheet 21, 61, or an adhesive layer that improves adhesion between layers.

[0113] Each second light control sheet 22, 62 may have another functional layer between the second transparent substrate 22C1 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A1 or between the second transparent substrate 22C2 and the second transparent electrode layer 22A2. The other functional layer may be a gas barrier layer that prevents oxygen and moisture from passing through to the second light control layer 22B, or an ultraviolet barrier layer that prevents ultraviolet light of wavelengths other than a specific wavelength from passing through to the second light control layer 22B. The other functional layer may be a hard coat layer that mechanically protects the second light control sheet 22, 62, or an adhesive layer that improves adhesion between layers.

[0114] [Light control device] The light control device may be a combination of the configuration of the first embodiment and the configuration of the third embodiment. That is, one of the first light controlling sheets 21, 61 and the second light controlling sheets 22, 62 may be the light controlling sheet described in the first embodiment, and the other may be the light controlling sheet described in the third embodiment. Alternatively, the light control device may be a combination of the configuration of the second embodiment and the configuration of the fourth embodiment. That is, one of the first light controlling sheets 21, 61 and the second light controlling sheets 22, 62 may be the light controlling sheet described in the second embodiment, and the other may be the light controlling sheet described in the fourth embodiment.

[0115] The light control device may include three or more light control sheets. In this case, the following conditions must be met between the first and second adjacent light control sheets:

[0116] (Condition 1) The positions of the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer are different from each other in the thickness direction, and the distance between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is 50 μm or more. (Condition 2) When viewed from a viewpoint opposite the surface 11S of the support substrate 11, the distance between the end face of the first light controlling sheet and the end face of the second light controlling sheet is less than 5 mm.

[0117] This makes it possible to obtain the effect similar to that of (1-1) above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10, 40, 50, 70...dimmer 11...Supporting base material 11S…Surface 12...adhesive layer 13, 43, 63, 73...Sealing section 21,61...First light control sheet 21A1,21A2...first transparent electrode layer 21B…1st light control layer 21C1,21C2...First transparent base material 22,62...Second light control sheet 22A1,22A2...Second transparent electrode layer 22B…Second light control layer 22C1,22C2…Second transparent base material 31...First drive unit 32...Second drive unit

Claims

1. a supporting substrate having a surface; a first light-modulating sheet attached to the surface of the support substrate; a second light controlling sheet attached to the surface of the support substrate so as to be adjacent to the first light controlling sheet; The first light-modulating sheet includes a pair of first transparent electrode layers facing each other in a thickness direction of the support substrate, and a first light-modulating layer located between the pair of first transparent electrode layers, The second light-controlling sheet includes a pair of second transparent electrode layers facing each other in the thickness direction, and a second light-controlling layer located between the pair of second transparent electrode layers, one of the pair of first transparent electrode layers is a first target electrode layer; one of the pair of second transparent electrode layers is a second target electrode layer, and an electrical signal applied to the second target electrode layer is different from an electrical signal applied to the first target electrode layer; In a cross section perpendicular to the surface, a position of the first target electrode layer and a position of the second target electrode layer in the thickness direction are different from each other, and a distance between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer is 50 μm or more; the first light controlling sheet has a first end surface along the thickness direction, the second light controlling sheet has a second end surface along the thickness direction, The distance between the first end surface and the second end surface is less than 0.5 mm; A dielectric is located between the first target electrode layer and the second target electrode layer. Dimmer.

2. The first end surface is in contact with the second end surface. The light control device according to claim 1 .

3. When viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface of the support substrate, the second end surface is located away from the first end surface, the light control device has a sealing portion located between the first end surface and the second end surface, The dielectric is the sealing portion. The light control device according to claim 1 .

4. The first light-controlling sheet includes a pair of first transparent substrates, each of which supports one of the first transparent electrode layers; The second light-controlling sheet includes a pair of second transparent substrates, each of which supports one of the second transparent electrode layers; The dielectric material is composed of the first transparent substrate supporting the first target electrode layer and the second transparent substrate supporting the second target electrode layer. The light control device according to claim 2 .

5. the pair of first transparent substrates are composed of a first thick substrate and a first thin substrate that is thinner than the first thick substrate, the pair of second transparent substrates are composed of a second thick substrate and a second thin substrate that is thinner than the second thick substrate, The dielectric material is composed of the first thick substrate and the second thick substrate. The light control device according to claim 4 .

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