Liquid crystal light control device

Abstract

To provide a liquid crystal light control device 1 which is capable of making the other side of a half-mirror 10 invisible from one side thereof even when the other side becomes bright.SOLUTION: A liquid crystal light control device 1 provided herein comprises a half-mirror 10 and a liquid crystal diffusion element 20 provided to overlap the half-mirror 10, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 being capable of switching between a transmissive state 20A that allows incident light to be transmitted and output and a diffusive state 20B that allows incident light to be diffused and output.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] One known light-controlling component is a half mirror, which changes whether it transmits or reflects light depending on the brightness of one side and the other. When a half mirror is viewed from the bright side to the dark side, it reflects light and is seen as a mirror, and when viewed from the dark side to the bright side, light is seen as being transmitted through the bright side.

[0003] One use of a half mirror is to use it as a window separating two rooms, for example, so that one room is always kept dark and the state of the other room can be observed through the half mirror.

[0004] Another use of a half mirror is, for example, the photo holder described in Patent Document 1. Figures 1 to 3 and the abstract of Patent Document 1 state that a cylindrical body (21) fitted into a picture frame (1) has a light entrance hole (22), the front is closed by a half mirror (3), a rear opening is fitted with a lid-shaped photo attachment part (4) with a photo (A) attached to the inside, and a light (5) is provided to illuminate the photo (A), allowing the photo to be hidden by turning the light on and off. Furthermore, paragraph 0005 of Patent Document 1 states that when the photo is illuminated, it can be seen from the outside through the half mirror on the front, and that when the light is turned off, the inside of the body becomes dark and the half mirror part is visible from the outside, allowing it to be used as a mirror. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-38320 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a half mirror is used for observation purposes, there is a problem in that if one room becomes bright, it can be seen from the other room.

[0007] Even in the case of an application such as that of Patent Document 1, there are cases where it is desired to prevent the light from turning on at an unintended timing and revealing the photograph.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal light control device that can make one surface of a half mirror invisible even when the other surface becomes bright. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the liquid crystal light control device of the present invention has a half mirror and a liquid crystal diffusion element arranged to overlap the half mirror, and is characterized in that the liquid crystal diffusion element is capable of switching between a transmission state in which incident light is transmitted and emitted, and a diffusion state in which incident light is diffused and emitted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal light control device that can make one surface of a half mirror invisible even when the other surface becomes bright. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of a liquid crystal light control device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a first substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4. [Figure 13] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4 due to an electric field on the first substrate side. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4 due to an electric field on the second substrate side. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 5. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal light control device according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing and each embodiment, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Example]

[0013] 1 to 4 are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of the liquid crystal light control device of the first embodiment.

[0014] This embodiment shows an example in which the liquid crystal light control device 1 is applied to an observation purpose. The liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is used, for example, as a window or partition of a room 111, and the outside of the room 111 can be observed through the liquid crystal light control device 1 from inside the room 111.

[0015] The liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment includes a half mirror 10, a liquid crystal diffusion element 20 arranged to overlap the half mirror 10, and a control device 30 that controls switching between the transmissive state 20A and the diffusing state 20B of the liquid crystal diffusion element 20.

[0016] The liquid crystal diffusion element 20 can be switched between a transmission state 20A in which incident light is transmitted and emitted, and a diffusion state 20B in which incident light is diffused and emitted. The liquid crystal diffusion element 20 can be, for example, a light control film that can switch between transmission and diffusion by switching the voltage applied to the liquid crystal.

[0017] 1, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is in the transmissive state 20A and the light 112 in the room 111 is turned off and the inside of the room 111 is dark, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 operates in the same manner as a normal half mirror 10. To a first person 101 outside the room 111, the liquid crystal light control device 1 is seen as a mirror, reflecting light as indicated by a first arrow 121. On the other hand, to a second person 102 inside the room 111, the liquid crystal light control device 1 is seen as a transmittance as indicated by a second arrow 122, allowing the outside of the room 111 to be seen.

[0018] 2, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is in the transmitting state 20A and the light 112 in the room 111 is on and the inside of the room 111 is bright due to the illumination light 113, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 operates in the same manner as the normal half mirror 10. From the perspective of a first person 101 outside the room 111, the liquid crystal light control device 1 transmits light as indicated by a third arrow 123, allowing the inside of the room 111 to be seen. Also, from the perspective of a second person 102 inside the room 111, the liquid crystal light control device 1 transmits light as indicated by a fourth arrow 124, allowing the outside of the room 111 to be seen.

[0019] However, in the state shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the room 111 can be seen by the first person 101 outside the room 111, and therefore this is not suitable for observation purposes.

[0020] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is set to the diffusion state 20B. As a result, even when the inside of the room 111 is bright, the liquid crystal light control device 1 is reflected as indicated by the fifth arrow 125 and is seen as a mirror by the first person 101 outside the room 111. However, since the degree of reflection is weaker in Fig. 3 than in Fig. 1, the reflection arrow is shown as a thin arrow. As a result, even when the inside of the room 111 is bright, it is possible to prevent the first person 101 outside the room 111 from being able to see the inside of the room 111.

[0021] Furthermore, from the perspective of a second person 102 inside the room 111, the liquid crystal light control device 1 appears cloudy due to the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 being in the diffusion state 20B, and therefore the second person 102 cannot see the outside of the room 111 as indicated by the sixth arrow 126.

[0022] 4, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is in the diffusion state 20B and the inside of the room 111 is dark, the first person 101 outside the room 111 sees the liquid crystal light control device 1 as a mirror, as indicated by the seventh arrow 127. On the other hand, the second person 102 inside the room 111 can see the outside of the room 111 through the liquid crystal light control device 1, as indicated by the second arrow 122. The degree of reflection in this case is about the same as in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the second person 102 inside the room 111 sees the liquid crystal light control device 1 as a cloudy surface, and therefore cannot see the outside of the room 111, as indicated by the eighth arrow 128.

[0023] For observation purposes, it is desirable to normally keep the device in the state shown in FIG. 1. Even if the interior of room 111 becomes bright unintentionally or due to the need for light, it is desirable to keep the device in the state shown in FIG. 3 rather than the state shown in FIG. 2, and when the interior of room 111 returns to a dark state, it is desirable to keep the device in the state shown in FIG. 1 rather than the state shown in FIG. 4. For this reason, it is desirable that control device 30 has a control mode that controls liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to be in transmissive state 20A when illumination 112 is off and to be in diffusing state 20B when illumination 112 is on. To achieve this, control device 30 may, for example, control the on / off of illumination 112, or may detect the on / off state of illumination 112 using a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a light sensor, or the like.

[0024] Furthermore, for example, if confidentiality is important so that the inside of room 111 cannot be seen, it is conceivable to keep liquid crystal diffusion element 20 in diffusion state 20B at all times during times when observation is not required. Therefore, control device 30 may have a control mode that controls liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to diffusion state 20B regardless of whether lighting 112 is on or off. Then, when observation is required, liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is simply switched to transmission state 20A.

[0025] The control mode may be switched between a time period when observation is required and a time period when observation is not required. For example, the control device 30 may have a first control mode that controls the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to the transmissive state 20A when the illumination 112 is off and to the diffusing state 20B when the illumination 112 is on, and a second control mode that controls the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to the diffusing state 20B regardless of whether the illumination 112 is on or off.

[0026] As described above, this embodiment can realize a liquid crystal light control device 1 that can make one side of the half mirror 10 invisible even when the other side becomes bright. Furthermore, this embodiment can realize a visibility state that cannot be achieved with only either the half mirror 10 or the liquid crystal diffusion element 20, and can also realize a visibility state that is not simply a combination of the visibility states of both the half mirror 10 and the liquid crystal diffusion element 20, such as a weak reflection and a cloudy, invisible state, as shown in Fig. 3. [Example]

[0027] 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of the liquid crystal light control device of the second embodiment.

[0028] This embodiment shows an example in which the liquid crystal light control device 1 is applied to an exhibition such as a showcase. The liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is provided inside a showcase that displays a doll 131, for example, and is arranged between the doll 131 and a background 133. Furthermore, the lighting 112 adjusts the brightness of the space between the liquid crystal light control device 1 and the background 133.

[0029] The basic configuration of the liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and includes a half mirror 10, a liquid crystal diffusion element 20, and a control device 30, but the control method by the control device 30 is different.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, when the light 112 is turned off and the background 133 is dark, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is set to the diffusion state 20B. This state is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, and the liquid crystal light control device 1 is viewed as a mirror. This allows the back of the doll 131 to be seen as a mirrored image 132. Note that when the light 112 is turned off and the background 133 is dark, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 may be set to the transmission state 20A. In this case, the state is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.

[0031] 6, when the light 112 is turned on and the background 133 is switched to a bright state by the illumination light 113, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is set to the transmissive state 20A. This allows the liquid crystal light control device 1 to be seen through, and the tree 134 in the background 133 to be seen superimposed on the doll 131.

[0032] 7, when the light 112 is on and the background 133 is bright, if the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 is in the diffusion state 20B, the liquid crystal light control device 1 is perceived as a mirror with a low degree of reflection. This allows the back of the doll 131 to be seen as a mirror image 132, while the background 133 becomes invisible.

[0033] Here, the control device 30 is made capable of adjusting the strength of diffusion in the diffusion state 20B of the liquid crystal diffusion element 20, and by controlling the strength of diffusion in the diffusion state 20B of the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to gradually increase or decrease, it is possible to create an effect in which the background 133 gradually appears or gradually disappears.

[0034] Furthermore, for example, if background 133 contains information that should be kept secret until a certain time, or if another doll 131 that should be kept secret until a certain time is placed behind liquid crystal light control device 1, there may be cases where the back side of liquid crystal light control device 1 does not want to be seen even if light 112 is unintentionally turned on and the space between liquid crystal light control device 1 and background 133 becomes bright until a certain time. For this reason, control device 30 may have a control mode that controls liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to diffusion state 20B regardless of whether light 112 is on or off. Then, when it is desired to show the back side of liquid crystal light control device 1, control device 30 may switch to a control mode that brightens the back side of liquid crystal light control device 1 and sets liquid crystal diffusion element 20 to transmission state 20A.

[0035] In this embodiment, too, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal light control device 1 that can be made invisible from one side even when the other side of the half mirror 10 becomes bright. It is also possible to create effects such as showing the back side of the liquid crystal light control device 1 or gradually making it visible. [Example]

[0036] 8 to 11 are diagrams illustrating the schematic configuration and operation of the liquid crystal light control device of the third embodiment.

[0037] This embodiment shows an example in which the liquid crystal light control device 1 is applied to a window 141 of a store or the like. The liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is provided in a window 141 of the store. In this embodiment, a table 142 and a chair 143 are provided inside the store, and a third person 103 is present outside the store.

[0038] The basic configuration of the liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1, and includes a half mirror 10, a liquid crystal diffusion element 20, and a control device 30, but in this embodiment, the illustration of each component is omitted.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 of the liquid crystal light control device 1 is in the transmissive state 20A, the outside of the window 141 can be seen through the liquid crystal light control device 1 from inside the store.

[0040] 9, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 of the liquid crystal light control device 1 is in the diffusion state 20B, the liquid crystal light control device 1 appears cloudy from inside the store, and the outside of the window 141 cannot be seen. This makes it possible to block the view outside the window 141 in cases where being able to see what is happening outside would be distracting and prevent one from concentrating, for example, during a meeting or study.

[0041] 10, when the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 of the liquid crystal light control device 1 is in the transmitting state 20A, if the inside of the store is bright, the inside of the window 141 can be seen from outside the store through the liquid crystal light control device 1. Although not shown in the figure, if the inside of the store is dark, for example because the store has closed, the liquid crystal light control device 1 can be seen as a mirror from outside the store. Therefore, when the inside of the store is dark, the inside of the store cannot be seen.

[0042] However, there may be cases where the store is closed and it is desired to conceal the interior of the store, but the interior of the store is bright due to cleaning or the like.

[0043] 11, by setting the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 of the liquid crystal light control device 1 to the diffusion state 20B, the liquid crystal light control device 1 is perceived as a mirror from outside the store. As a result, the mirrored image 132 of the third person 103 is reflected in the liquid crystal light control device 1, and the inside of the store is not visible. In this case, if the inside of the store is bright, it is perceived as a mirror with a low degree of reflection, and if the inside of the store is dark, it is perceived as a mirror with a high degree of reflection.

[0044] In this embodiment as well, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal light control device 1 that can make one surface of the half mirror 10 invisible even when the other surface becomes bright. [Example]

[0045] Example 4 is an example that explains an example of the structure of the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 that can be used in Examples 1 to 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 may have another structure.

[0046] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the first substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4 due to an electric field on the first substrate side. Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view seen from below in Fig. 12.

[0047] 13, the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 of this embodiment has a first substrate 21, a second substrate 22, a liquid crystal layer 23 disposed between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, and a plurality of electrodes 24. The liquid crystal diffusion element 20 can be switched between a transmissive state 20A and a diffusing state 20B by applying a predetermined voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes 24. The plurality of electrodes 24 are preferably made of transparent electrodes so as to block as little light as possible. Note that the number and size of the plurality of electrodes 24 are exaggerated for clarity, and in practice, they are preferably smaller and more numerous.

[0048] 12, the plurality of electrodes 24 includes a plurality of first electrodes 24A formed on the first substrate 21 and extending in a first direction (the vertical direction in the figure in this embodiment), and a plurality of second electrodes 24B formed on the first substrate 21 and extending in the first direction. The plurality of first electrodes 24A and the plurality of second electrodes 24B are arranged alternately.

[0049] 12, the drawing wiring and terminals for applying predetermined voltages to the first electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B are not shown or are simplified, and only the electrical connection relationship using the drawing wiring is shown by lines, with part of the drawing wiring being shown as wiring 25. A voltage E1 is applied to the first electrode 24A, and a voltage E2 is applied to the second electrode 24B.

[0050] In the absence of an electric field 26, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 23 are oriented with their longitudinal direction parallel to the major surface of the first substrate 21. As shown in FIG. 13 , applying a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold between the first electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B generates an electric field 26, driving the liquid crystal layer 23 and controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules to the direction of the electric field 26. This results in a diffused state 20B. Furthermore, by setting the voltage between the first electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B to zero or a value smaller than a predetermined value, the electric field 26 is absent or weak, resulting in a transmissive state 20A. Furthermore, by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage between the first electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B, the strength of the diffusion in the diffused state 20B can be adjusted, as described in Example 2.

[0051] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the second substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of the fourth embodiment.

[0052] The second substrate 22 has a configuration similar to that of the first substrate 21, but the extending direction of the electrodes 24 is different. The multiple electrodes 24 include multiple third electrodes 24C formed on the second substrate 22 and extending in a second direction (the horizontal direction in the figure in this embodiment) different from the first direction, and multiple fourth electrodes 24D formed on the second substrate 22 and extending in the second direction. The multiple third electrodes 24C and the multiple fourth electrodes 24D are arranged alternately.

[0053] In Fig. 14, drawing wires and terminals are not shown or are simplified, as in Fig. 12. A voltage E3 is applied to the third electrode 24C, and a voltage E4 is applied to the fourth electrode 24D.

[0054] 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the liquid crystal diffusion element of Example 4 due to the electric field on the second substrate side. Note that Fig. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view seen from the lateral direction of Fig. 14.

[0055] The operation in Figure 15 is almost the same as the operation described in Figure 13, except that the first electrode 24A is replaced by the third electrode 24C and the second electrode 24B is replaced by the fourth electrode 24D, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0056] In this embodiment, the liquid crystal layer 23 is driven by both the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, which makes it possible to strengthen the diffusion in the diffusion state 20B. Furthermore, since the plurality of electrodes 24 extend in the first direction on the first substrate 21 and the plurality of electrodes 24 extend in the second direction on the second substrate 22, the diffusion direction can be made more uniform than when the liquid crystal layer 23 is driven by only one of the substrates.

[0057] The application of voltages E1 to E4 to the electrodes 24 is controlled by a control device 30. [Example]

[0058] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the second substrate in the liquid crystal diffusion element of the fifth embodiment.

[0059] Example 5 is a modification of Example 4, in which a solid common electrode is formed on the second substrate 22 side. In this example, the multiple electrodes 24 have a solid common electrode 24E formed on the second substrate 22. The common electrode 24E is formed at least in the effective area of ​​the second substrate 22. A voltage E5 is applied to the common electrode 24E. It is desirable that the voltage E5 be the same as the voltage E1 or the voltage E2.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the configuration can be made even simpler than that of the fourth embodiment.

[0061] As another modification of Examples 4 and 5, for example, instead of arranging the linear first electrodes 24A and the linear second electrodes 24B alternately, the shape of the electrode 24 may be other than the above. For example, the linear first electrodes 24A and the linear second electrodes 24B may be arranged alternately. [Example]

[0062] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal light control device according to a sixth embodiment.

[0063] This embodiment is a modified example of the liquid crystal light control device 1 that can be used in the first to third embodiments.

[0064] In the liquid crystal diffusion element 20 used in the liquid crystal light control device 1, the direction of diffusion of the emitted light in the diffusion state 20B may not be uniform but may be biased. For example, the bias is larger in Example 5 than in Example 4.

[0065] Therefore, the liquid crystal light control device 1 of this embodiment is configured to have multiple liquid crystal diffusion elements 20 each having a different diffusion direction of light emitted in the diffusion state 20B, thereby making it possible to make the diffusion direction of light emitted in the diffusion state 20B uniform.

[0066] The plurality of liquid crystal diffusion elements 20 are bonded together via an adhesive layer 40. The half mirror 10 and the liquid crystal diffusion elements 20 are also bonded together via an adhesive layer 40. The adhesive layer 40 can be made of an optical elastic resin such as a UV-curable elastic resin. Although FIG. 17 shows an example in which four liquid crystal diffusion elements 20 are stacked, the number of elements is not limited to this.

[0067] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. In addition, some or all of the configurations described in each embodiment may be combined and applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: LCD light control device 10: Half mirror 20: Liquid crystal diffusion element 20A: Transmitted state 20B: Diffusion state 21: First substrate 22: Second substrate 23: Liquid crystal layer 24: Electrode 24A to 24D: First electrode to fourth electrode 24E: Common electrode 25: Wiring 26: Electric field 30: Control device 40: Adhesive layer 101: The First Person 102: The second person 103: The third person 111: Room 112: Lighting 113: Illumination light 121~128: 1st Arrow~8th Arrow 131: Doll 132: Mirror image 133: Background 134: Wood 141: Window 142: Table 143: Chair E1~E5: Voltage

Claims

1. Half mirror and a liquid crystal diffusion element disposed so as to overlap the half mirror, The liquid crystal light control device is characterized in that the liquid crystal diffusion element can be switched between a transmission state in which incident light is transmitted and emitted, and a diffusion state in which incident light is diffused and emitted.

2. In claim 1, The liquid crystal diffusion element has a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a plurality of electrodes, and is characterized in that the liquid crystal light control device can switch between the transmission state and the diffusion state by applying a predetermined voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes.

3. In claim 2, A liquid crystal light control device characterized in that the plurality of electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first substrate and extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the first substrate and extending in the first direction, and arranged alternately with the plurality of first electrodes.

4. In claim 3, A liquid crystal light control device characterized in that the plurality of electrodes include a plurality of third electrodes formed on the second substrate and extending in a second direction different from the first direction, and a plurality of fourth electrodes formed on the second substrate and extending in the second direction, and arranged alternately with the plurality of third electrodes.

5. In claim 3, The liquid crystal light control device is characterized in that the plurality of electrodes include a solid common electrode formed on the second substrate.

6. In claim 1, A liquid crystal light control device comprising a control device for controlling switching between the transmission state and the diffusion state of the liquid crystal diffusion element.

7. In claim 6, The liquid crystal light control device is characterized in that the control device has a control mode that controls the liquid crystal diffusion element to the transmissive state when the lighting is off and to the diffusing state when the lighting is on.

8. In claim 6, The liquid crystal light control device has a control mode for controlling the liquid crystal diffusion element to the diffusion state regardless of whether the light is on or off.

9. In claim 6, The control device is characterized by having a first control mode that controls the liquid crystal diffusion element to the transmissive state when the light is off and to the diffusing state when the light is on, and a second control mode that controls the liquid crystal diffusion element to the diffusing state regardless of whether the light is off or on.

10. In claim 6, The liquid crystal light control device is characterized in that the control device is capable of adjusting the strength of diffusion of the diffusion state of the liquid crystal diffusion element.

11. In claim 10, The liquid crystal light control device is characterized in that the control device controls the strength of the diffusion of the liquid crystal diffusion element in the diffusion state to gradually increase or decrease.

12. In claim 1, A liquid crystal light control device comprising a plurality of the liquid crystal diffusion elements, each of which diffuses light in a different direction in the diffused state.

Images