Light control components, light control devices

Abstract

To provide a lighting control member and a lighting control device having high translucency while having a good dynamic range.SOLUTION: A lighting control member 10 includes: a photochromic layer 13 configured to change permeability when receiving excitation light; a first shield layer 11 and a second shield layer 14 arranged on both sides of the photochromic layer 13 and configured to shield at least part of excitation light; and a light guide part 12 arranged between the first shield layer 11 and the second shield layer 14 and configured to guide light incident from an edge face and then emit at least part of light to a photochromic layer 13 side. The light guide part 12 includes: a first high refractive index layer 122 and a second high refractive index layer 124; a first low refractive index layer 121 and a second low refractive index layer 125 respectively positioned outside these and having lower refractive indexes than these; and a course change part C configured to change a course of progress of part of the guided light. A plurality of course change parts C are aligned along a light guide direction of the light guide part 12 and configured to reflect light to change a course thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light-adjusting member and a light-adjusting device capable of changing the light transmittance. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, light-adjusting components that change the light transmittance using a photochromic material have been widely known (for example, Patent Document 1). A light-adjusting component that uses a photochromic material has the advantage that the difference between the maximum and minimum transmittance (hereinafter, also referred to as the dynamic range of the transmittance) is wider than a light-adjusting component that uses a liquid crystal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4862784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned light-adjusting components using photochromic materials, there are some in which a member that diffuses (scatters) light is disposed within a light-guiding member that guides the excitation light that excites the photochromic material in order to emit the excitation light to the photochromic layer. When such a light-adjusting component is attached to a window or the like, there is a problem in that the scenery (transmitted image) observed through the window to which the light-adjusting component is attached becomes cloudy or blurred.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a light control component and a light control device that have a good dynamic range and high transparency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems by the following solving means. Note that, for ease of understanding, the following description will be given with reference numerals corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first invention includes a photochromic layer (13, 313) whose transmittance changes when excitation light in a specific wavelength range is received, a first shielding layer (11) arranged on a first surface side of the photochromic layer and reflecting or absorbing to shield at least a part of the excitation light, a second shielding layer (14, 314) arranged on a second surface side of the photochromic layer and reflecting or absorbing to shield at least a part of the excitation light, and a shielding layer (14, 314) arranged between the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer and guiding light incident from an end face. and a light guide section (12, 212, 312, 412) that outputs at least a portion of the light toward the photochromic layer, wherein the light guide section includes a light guide layer (122, 124) through which light is guided, and a path changing section (C) located within the light guide layer that changes the direction of travel of a portion of the guided light, wherein a plurality of the path changing sections are arranged along the light guiding direction of the light guide section, and reflect the light to change the direction of travel of the light. A second invention is a light control component (10, 20) characterized in that, in the light control component of the first invention, the light guide section (12, 212) comprises a first low refractive index layer (121) arranged on a first surface side of the light guide layer (122, 124) and having a lower refractive index than the light guide layer, and a second low refractive index layer (125) arranged on a second surface side of the light guide layer and having a lower refractive index than the light guide layer. A third invention is a light control component (10, 210, 310, 410) characterized in that, in the light control component of the first or second invention, the light guide layer has a first light guide layer (122) and a second light guide layer (124) located on the second surface side of the first light guide layer, and the path changing section (C) is formed by stacking a transparent layer (123) having a refractive index different from those of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer along a convex unit optical shape (122a) formed on the second surface side of the first light guide layer and being sandwiched between the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer. A fourth invention is a light control component according to the first or second invention, characterized in that the light guide layer has a first light guide layer (122) and a second light guide layer (124) located on the second surface side of the first light guide layer, the path changing section (C) is formed by sandwiching the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer by stacking a reflective layer along a convex unit optical shape (122a) formed on the second surface side of the first light guide layer, and the reflective layer is a semi-transmissive reflective layer that reflects part of the incident light and transmits part of it. A fifth invention is a light control component (10, 210, 310, 410) according to the third or fourth invention, characterized in that the first light guide layer (122) and the second light guide layer (124) have the same refractive index or a difference in refractive index that is small enough to be considered equal. A sixth invention is a light-adjusting component (210, 310, 410) characterized in that, in any one of the light-adjusting components of the first to fifth inventions, the light-guiding section (212, 312, 412) has a first transparent substrate layer (226) between the light-guiding layer (122, 124) and the second shielding layer (314). A seventh invention is a light-adjusting component (410) according to the sixth invention, characterized in that it comprises a second transparent substrate layer (433) on the second surface side of the second shielding layer (314), and intermediate films (431, 432) are positioned between the first transparent substrate layer (226) and the second transparent substrate layer to sandwich the second shielding layer and bond the first transparent substrate layer and the second transparent substrate layer together, and the first transparent substrate layer and the second transparent substrate layer are bonded together by the intermediate film to form laminated glass (430). An eighth invention is a light control device (1, 2, 3, 4) including a light control member (10, 210, 310, 410) according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, and an excitation light source (20) that irradiates the excitation light to an end of the light control member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light control component and a light control device that have a good dynamic range and high transparency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a light-adjusting device 1 and a light-adjusting member 10 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a light-adjusting device 1 and a light-adjusting member 10 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the course changing unit C. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an excitation light source 20 is caused to emit light in the light control device 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram illustrating a light-adjusting device 2 and a light-adjusting member 210 according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram illustrating a light control device 3 and a light control member 310 according to a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram illustrating a light-adjusting device 4 and a light-adjusting member 410 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of a light control device 5 and a light control member 510. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing the state of light at the interfaces between a first high refractive index layer 122 and a transparent layer 123, and between the transparent layer 123 and a second high refractive index layer 124. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, etc. Note that each of the drawings shown below, including Fig. 1, is a schematic diagram, and the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated to facilitate understanding. In this specification, terms specifying shapes or geometric conditions, such as parallel and orthogonal, are intended to include not only their strict meanings but also states that have a similar optical function and have an error that can be regarded as parallel or orthogonal. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​such as the dimensions of each component and the names of materials described in this specification are merely examples of an embodiment, and are not intended to be limiting, and may be appropriately selected and used.

[0010] Furthermore, the terms plate, sheet, film, etc. are used in this specification, and in general, these are used in the order of thickness, plate, sheet, film, etc., and this specification follows suit. However, since there is no technical meaning behind such distinction, these terms can be used interchangeably as appropriate. Furthermore, in this specification, the term "sheet surface" refers to a surface of a sheet-like member that is in the planar direction of the sheet when the sheet is viewed as a whole. The same applies to a plate surface and a film surface.

[0011] (First embodiment) 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a light control device 1 and a light control member 10 of the first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows an enlarged view of a cross section of the light control member 10 of the light control device 1 of the present embodiment, that is, a cross section parallel to the thickness direction of the light control member 10 and the light guide direction of the excitation light (a cross section parallel to a third direction d3 and a first direction d1 described later). Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the light control device 1 of the present embodiment, in which the light control member 10 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface. The light control device 1 includes a light control member 10 and an excitation light source 20. The light control device 1 is attached to, for example, a window of a building, a window of a vehicle, or the back surface of a transparent transmission screen, and has a light control effect of changing the transmittance of light.

[0012] The light control member 10 of this embodiment is a sheet-shaped optical member that includes, in the thickness direction from the first surface side to the second surface side, a first shielding layer 11, a light guiding section 12, a photochromic layer 13, and a second shielding layer 14. However, the light control member 10 is not limited to this, and may be in the form of a plate or a film. The light-adjusting member 10 has a rectangular shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sheet surface (shape in plan view). In this embodiment, the shape of the light-adjusting member 10 in plan view is a rectangle as shown in Fig. 2, but the shape in plan view may be any shape as long as light can be incident from the end where the excitation light source 20 is arranged.

[0013] 2 has two sides parallel to a first direction d1 and two sides parallel to a second direction d2. The first direction d1 and the second direction d2 are parallel to the sheet surface and perpendicular to each other. The first direction d1 and the second direction d2 are also perpendicular to the thickness direction (third direction d3) of the light adjusting member 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, there is no need to distinguish between the front and back when using the dimming component 10, but since it is not symmetrical in the thickness direction, in the following description, in Figure 1, the left side in the thickness direction (third direction d3) will be referred to as the first surface side and the right side will be referred to as the second surface side, but these orientations may be changed as appropriate.

[0014] The photochromic layer 13 is a photoresponsive layer whose transmittance changes when it receives excitation light in a specific wavelength range. The photochromic layer 13 of this embodiment usually has a high transmittance of visible light and is substantially transparent to visible light, but when it receives ultraviolet light, it turns gray or black and its transmittance of visible light decreases. After receiving ultraviolet light, the photochromic layer 13 gradually increases its transmittance of visible light and returns to a transparent state when the reception of ultraviolet light is terminated. The photochromic layer 13 is made of a resin containing a photochromic material. Examples of the photochromic material include diarylethene compounds, spiropyran compounds, spiroperimidine compounds, fulgide compounds, hexaarylbiimidazole compounds, and naphthopyran compounds, but are not limited to these. Any conventionally known photochromic material can be used as appropriate.

[0015] In the photochromic layer 13 of this embodiment, when not discolored by ultraviolet light, the maximum transmittance of vertically incident visible light (visible light with an incident angle of 0°) is 80% from 430 nm to 660 nm, and when most deeply discolored by ultraviolet light, the minimum transmittance of vertically incident visible light (visible light with an incident angle of 0°) is 20% from 430 nm to 660 nm.

[0016] The first shielding layer 11 is disposed on the first surface side of the light guiding section 12, and is a layer that blocks transmission of ultraviolet light, which is excitation light. In the present embodiment, the first shielding layer 11 is described as an ultraviolet absorbing layer, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an ultraviolet reflective layer. The first shielding layer 11 transmits light in bands other than the ultraviolet light that it blocks (it has a sufficiently high transmittance), and is therefore substantially transparent to visible light. The first shielding layer 11 of this embodiment is disposed on the outermost surface on the first surface side of the light adjusting component 10.

[0017] The second shielding layer 14 is disposed on the second surface side of the photochromic layer 13, and is a layer that blocks transmission of ultraviolet light, which is excitation light. In the present embodiment, the second shielding layer 14 is described as an ultraviolet absorbing layer, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an ultraviolet reflective layer. The second shielding layer 14 transmits light in a band other than the ultraviolet light to be blocked (has a sufficiently high transmittance), and is therefore substantially transparent to visible light. In this embodiment, the second shielding layer 14 is disposed on the outermost surface on the second surface side of the light control component 10.

[0018] In this embodiment, the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14 are both ultraviolet absorbing layers that shield (absorb) 90% or more of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 280 nm to 380 nm that is perpendicularly incident on the sheet surface of the light adjusting component 10 (incident on the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14 at an incident angle of 0°). More preferably, the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14 shield (absorb) 95% or more of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 280 nm to 380 nm that is perpendicularly incident on the sheet surface of the light adjusting component 10 (incident on the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14 at an incident angle of 0°).

[0019] Since the photochromic layer 13 is located between the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14, most of the ultraviolet light reaching the light-adjusting component 10 from the first surface side and the second surface side is blocked by the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14 and does not reach the photochromic layer 13. Therefore, the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 does not change due to external light.

[0020] The light guiding section 12 is disposed between the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14, and guides light incident from an end of the light adjusting member 10, and outputs at least a portion of the light to the photochromic layer 13. In this embodiment, the light guiding section 12 is disposed closer to the first surface than the photochromic layer 13. The light-guiding section 12 is a member that guides the light (excitation light) incident from the end portion 10a along a first direction d1. In this embodiment, the light-guiding direction of the excitation light is from bottom to top along the first direction d1 in FIG. Light guide section 12 has, in order from the first surface side, a first low refractive index layer 121, a first high refractive index layer 122 (first light guide layer), a transparent layer 123, a second high refractive index layer 124 (second light guide layer), and a second low refractive index layer 125. Transparent layer 123 has a refractive index difference between first high refractive index layer 122 and second high refractive index layer 124. Light guide section 12 also has therein a plurality of path changing sections C that change the traveling direction of guided light.

[0021] First high refractive index layer 122, transparent layer 123, and second high refractive index layer 124 are regions through which excitation light (ultraviolet light in this embodiment) emitted from excitation light source 20 is guided, and serve as light guide layers. The first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are both layers having a higher refractive index than the first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125 . The first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are desirably formed using a material having high transmittance for visible light and ultraviolet light, which is excitation light. From the viewpoint of increasing the transparency of the light-adjusting member 10, the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 preferably have the same refractive index or a refractive index difference that is small enough to be considered to be equal. In this embodiment, the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are made of the same material and have the same refractive index.

[0022] The first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are formed from ultraviolet curing resins having high optical transparency, such as urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, epoxy acrylate, polyether acrylate, polythiol, butadiene acrylate, or the like. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet curable resin is used as an example of the resin forming the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. However, the resin is not limited to this, and may be, for example, another ionizing radiation curable resin such as an electron beam curable resin, or a thermoplastic resin.

[0023] A plurality of unit optical shapes 122a each having a convex shape are formed on the second surface side of the first high refractive index layer 122. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the unit optical shapes 122a extending in the second direction d2 are arranged at a predetermined interval along the first direction d1. Correspondingly, on the first surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124, concave shapes that are the inverse type of the unit optical shapes 122a are arranged.

[0024] The unit optical shape 122a has a shape that is convex toward the second surface side, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, has a triangular cross-sectional shape and has a first surface 122b and a second surface 122c. The angle between the first surface 122b and the direction parallel to the sheet surface of the light adjusting member 10 is α, and the angle between the second surface 122c and the direction parallel to the sheet surface is β. The angles α and β satisfy the relationship α<β. It is preferable that the angle α is set to be equal to or greater than 5° and equal to or less than 10°.

[0025] Moreover, the width of the unit optical shapes 122a in the first direction d1 which is the light guide direction is W, and the arrangement pitch of the unit optical shapes 122a is P. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the unit optical shapes 122a are arranged at a predetermined interval, and the arrangement pitch P and the width W are P>W.

[0026] The transparent layer 123 is a layer sandwiched between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124, and is in contact with the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. The transparent layer 123 has a refractive index difference between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. The transparent layer 123 is desirably formed using a material having a high transmittance of visible light and ultraviolet light, which is excitation light. The absolute value ΔN3 of the refractive index difference between the transparent layer 123 and the first high refractive index layer 122 is smaller than the absolute value ΔN1 of the refractive index difference between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the first low refractive index layer 121. In addition, the absolute value ΔN4 of the refractive index difference between the transparent layer 123 and the second high refractive index layer 124 is smaller than the absolute value ΔN2 of the refractive index difference between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the second low refractive index layer 125. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the refractive index differences are ΔN1=ΔN2 and ΔN3=ΔN4, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0027] The transparent layer 123 may be a layer having a refractive index larger or smaller than those of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. In this embodiment, an example in which the transparent layer 123 is a layer having a refractive index larger than those of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 will be described. The refractive index difference between the transparent layer 123 and the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 is preferably 0.01 or more and 0.1 or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining light guide efficiency and efficiently emitting excitation light to the photochromic layer 13 side.

[0028] The transparent layer 123 is formed from an ultraviolet-curable resin having high transparency, such as a urethane acrylate, polyester acrylate, epoxy acrylate, polyether acrylate, polythiol, or butadiene acrylate. In this embodiment, the transparent layer 123 is formed of an ultraviolet curable resin, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be formed of other ionizing radiation curable resins such as electron beam curable resins, or may be formed of thermoplastic resins. The transparent layer 123 may be formed of a dielectric multilayer film or a dielectric single layer film.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the state of light at the interfaces between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the transparent layer 123, and between the transparent layer 123 and the second high refractive index layer 124. Fig. 9 shows a part of the cross section of the light control member 10 shown in Fig. 1 in an enlarged manner, and for ease of understanding, only the first high refractive index layer 122, the transparent layer 123, and the second high refractive index layer 124 are shown. The transparent layer 123 is layered as described above, and the interface between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the transparent layer 123 and the interface between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the transparent layer 123 are parallel. Therefore, when the refractive indexes of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are equal as in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the light La that enters the transparent layer 123 and passes through it exits from the other interface at an exit angle θ1 that is the same as the incident angle θ1. In addition, the light Lb that enters the transparent layer 123 and passes through it exits from the other interface at an exit angle θ2 that is the same as the incident angle θ2. Therefore, the light that passes through the transparent layer 123 does not change its traveling direction and is not diffused. Therefore, from the viewpoint of increasing the transparency of the light-adjusting component 10, it is preferable that the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 have a small refractive index difference such that the refractive indexes can be considered to be equal, and it is even more preferable that the refractive indexes are equal.

[0030] The first low-refractive index layer 121 is disposed adjacent to the first surface side of the first high-refractive index layer 122, and has a lower refractive index than the first high-refractive index layer 122. The second low-refractive index layer 125 is disposed adjacent to the second surface side of the second high-refractive index layer 124, and has a lower refractive index than the second high-refractive index layer 124. The first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125 are desirably formed using a material that has high transmittance for visible light and ultraviolet light, which is excitation light.

[0031] The first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125 are formed of, for example, a polyester resin such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) having high light transmittance, an acrylic resin, a styrene resin, an acrylic styrene resin, a PC (polycarbonate) resin, an alicyclic polyolefin resin, a TAC (triacetyl cellulose) resin, or the like. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125 are made of the same material and have the same refractive index.

[0032] The light-guiding section 12 has the configuration as described above, i.e., the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 sandwiching the transparent layer 123 are further sandwiched between the first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125. In the light guiding section 12, excitation light from the excitation light source 20 that reaches these interfaces at an angle larger than the critical angle is totally reflected at the interface between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the first low refractive index layer 121 and the interface between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the second low refractive index layer 125. Then, the excitation light is guided in the light guiding direction (the direction from bottom to top along the first direction d1 in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0033] Further, the light guiding section 12 includes a plurality of path changing sections C that change the direction of a portion of the guided light. This course changing section C is formed by laminating a transparent layer 123 on the unit optical shape 122a of the above-mentioned first high refractive index layer 122, and further laminating a second high refractive index layer . 2, the path changing portions C (unit optical shapes 122a) extend in a direction perpendicular to the light guiding direction (first direction d1), i.e., in the second direction d2, to both ends of the second direction d2 while maintaining the same cross-sectional shape along the second direction d2. The path changing portions C are disposed at intervals along the light guiding direction (first direction d1).

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the path changing section C. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of a part of a cross section similar to the cross section of the light adjusting member 10 shown in Fig. 1, that is, a cross section parallel to the light guiding direction of the excitation light of the light guiding section 12 (first direction d1) and the thickness direction of the light adjusting member 10 (third direction d3). The unit optical shape 122a forming the course changing section C of this embodiment has a triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 1 above, but is not limited thereto, and for example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the first surface 122b may have a curved shape that is convex toward the second high refractive index layer 124 in the cross section. In this case, the first surface 122b may have an arc shape or a partial shape of an ellipse.

[0035] Furthermore, in the course changing section C, in a cross section parallel to the first direction d1 and the third direction d3, the unit optical shape 122a may be symmetrical in the first direction d1. For example, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the cross-sectional shape of the unit optical shape 122a may be a part of a circular arc, or as shown in FIG. 3(c), the cross-sectional shape of the unit optical shape 122a may be an isosceles triangle shape that is convex toward the second high refractive index layer 124. The shape is not limited to the one exemplified in FIG. 3, and can be appropriately selected as long as it can change the path of the excitation light and appropriately direct it to the photochromic layer 13 and can obtain the desired optical performance of the light-adjusting component 10.

[0036] The light guide section 12 of this embodiment can be formed, for example, by the following method. First, a sheet-like second low refractive index layer 125 is used as a base material, and a layer is formed by applying an ultraviolet-curable resin that forms a second high refractive index layer 124 to one side of the base material, and then a layer is formed by applying an ultraviolet-curable resin that forms a transparent layer 123 on top of the ultraviolet-curable resin. Then, a molding die for forming a concave shape corresponding to the unit optical shape 122a is pressed onto the transparent layer 123 while applying pressure, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated to perform pressure molding and curing by the ultraviolet rays. After the transparent layer 123 and the second high refractive index layer 124 are hardened, an ultraviolet-curable resin that forms the first high refractive index layer 122 is applied from above the transparent layer 123, a sheet-like first low refractive index layer 121 is laminated, and the first high refractive index layer 122 is hardened by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays. By such a method, the light guide section 12 can be formed. The method of forming light guide section 12 is not limited to this, and may be appropriately adopted depending on the resin forming each layer.

[0037] The excitation light source 20 is disposed at the end 10a of the light-adjusting component 10, emits ultraviolet light that serves as excitation light, and irradiates the end 10a with the excitation light. The excitation light irradiated to the end 10a enters mainly the first high refractive index layer 122 or the second high refractive index layer 124 from the end 10a and travels in the light guide direction. In this embodiment, the excitation light source 20 is a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) light sources that are point light sources.

[0038] Although not shown in the figure, it is desirable to arrange a light-shielding film or light-shielding member or the like at the ends other than the end of the light-guiding section 12, particularly at the end of the photochromic layer 13, so that excitation light does not directly enter. In addition, for end 10b opposite end 10a and ends 10c and 10d extending along the light guide direction (first direction d1) of the dimming component 10, for example, an ultraviolet light reflective material (not shown) that reflects the excitation light may be arranged to return the excitation light, or an ultraviolet light absorbing material (not shown) that absorbs the excitation light may be arranged.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the excitation light source 20 is caused to emit light in the light control device 1 of the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the light control member 10 similar to Fig. 1, and also expresses a state in which the photochromic layer 13 has changed color and the transmittance has decreased by densely showing dots. Also, a part of the excitation light guided in the light guide section 12 is illustrated by an arrow. Note that in Fig. 4, the light that transmits through the transparent layer 123 without being reflected at the path changing section C is omitted for ease of understanding. When excitation light source 20 emits light, excitation light enters from end portion 10a and travels, for example, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4. As described above, the excitation light traveling through light-guiding section 12 is totally reflected when it reaches the interface between first high-refractive index layer 122 and first low-refractive index layer 121 and the interface between second high-refractive index layer 124 and second low-refractive index layer 125 at an angle greater than the critical angle. By repeating this process, the excitation light is guided in the light-guiding direction.

[0040] In addition, a portion of the excitation light that reaches the course change section C is reflected at the interface between the transparent layer 123 of the first surface 122b and the first high refractive index layer 122 and at the interface between the transparent layer 123 of the first surface 122b and the second high refractive index layer 124, and the direction of travel is significantly changed. For example, a portion of the excitation light L1 enters the path changing section C from the second high refractive index layer 124 side, and a portion of the light is reflected at the interface between the transparent layer 123 of the first surface 122b and the second high refractive index layer 124, changing its traveling direction. Then, this excitation light L1 enters the interface between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the second low refractive index layer 125 at an angle smaller than the critical angle, exits the light guide section 12, and reaches the photochromic layer 13. This reduces the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13.

[0041] In addition, the light entering transparent layer 123 of path changing section C from the first high refractive index layer 122 side also changes its path significantly, but the path changes so that the light enters at a larger angle at the interface between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the first low refractive index layer 121, or the interface between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the second low refractive index layer 125, and therefore the light is totally reflected at each interface and travels through the light guiding section 12. In this way, when the excitation light source 20 emits excitation light, the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 decreases, and the transmittance of external light passing through the light-adjusting member 10 decreases. This allows the light-adjusting member 10 to exhibit a so-called light-adjusting effect.

[0042] As described above, the path changing section C changes the path of the excitation light, thereby directing the excitation light toward the photochromic layer 13. Therefore, the distribution of the excitation light heading toward the photochromic layer 13 changes depending on the extent to which the excitation light hits the path changing section C. In order to make the transmittance throughout the photochromic layer 13 uniform, it is desirable to appropriately optimize the arrangement of the path changing portion C.

[0043] In the case of the shape of the course change section C as in this embodiment, the angle α that the first surface 122b of the unit optical shape 122a of the course change section C makes with the direction parallel to the sheet surface, the arrangement pitch P of the course change section C, etc. can be changed depending on the position in the light guide direction, thereby making it possible to uniformly distribute the amount of emitted excitation light. Specifically, it is preferable to make the angle α that the first surface 122b of the trajectory changing section C closer to the excitation light source 20 makes with the direction parallel to the sheet surface smaller than the angle α that the first surface 122b of the trajectory changing section C farther from the excitation light source 20 makes with the direction parallel to the sheet surface. In addition, the angle α that the first surfaces 122b of the multiple trajectory change sections C make with the direction parallel to the sheet surface may change for each trajectory change section C along the light guiding direction (first direction d1), or may change stepwise for each multiple trajectory change sections C along the light guiding direction.

[0044] It is also possible to make the distribution of the emission light amount of the excitation light uniform by changing the width (dimension in the light guiding direction) W of the path changing section C and its arrangement pitch P. For example, it is preferable to make the arrangement pitch P of the path changing section C on the side farther from the excitation light source 20 smaller than the arrangement pitch P of the path changing section C on the side closer to the excitation light source 20. It is also preferable to make the width W of the path changing section C on the side farther from the excitation light source 20 larger than the width W of the path changing section C on the side closer to the excitation light source 20. In the present embodiment, as an example, the width W and the arrangement pitch P of the path changing portion C are constant in the light guiding direction (first direction d1).

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, the light-adjusting member 10 does not contain a light diffusing material that diffuses (scatters) light, and therefore, when the light-adjusting effect is not exerted, external light passing through the light-adjusting member 10 is not diffused. Therefore, when a user or the like observes a scene on the other side through the light-adjusting member 10, the transmitted image can be observed clearly without being whitened or blurred. Furthermore, as described above, the photochromic layer 13 has a maximum transmittance of 80% and a minimum transmittance of 20%, and therefore has a higher dynamic range of transmittance than a dimming component that uses liquid crystal or the like, and a larger difference between when transmitting and when dimming (when transmittance is reduced), making it possible to form a highly useful dimming component 10 and dimming device 1.

[0046] Furthermore, since the decrease in transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 occurs substantially simultaneously when the excitation light source 20 emits excitation light, the light-adjusting member 10 and the light-adjusting device 1 can have a high response speed in the change in transmittance. In addition, the light-adjusting member 10 is configured by sandwiching the photochromic layer 13 between the first shielding layer 11 and the second shielding layer 14. Therefore, the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 does not change due to external light. In addition, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from being emitted from the light-adjusting member 10.

[0047] Second embodiment FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the light control device 2 and the light control member 210 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, like the light control device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a part of the cross section (cross section parallel to the thickness direction and light guide direction of the light control member 210) of the light control device 2 of the second embodiment is enlarged and shown. In FIG. 5, the state in which the photochromic layer 13 changes color and the transmittance is reduced is expressed by densely showing dots, and a part of the excitation light guided in the light guide section 212 is shown by an arrow. In FIG. 5, like FIG. 4, the light that transmits through the transparent layer 123 without being reflected at the path change section C is omitted for easy understanding. The light control device 2 of the second embodiment is similar to the light control device 1 shown in the first embodiment described above, except that in the light control member 210, a first transparent substrate layer 226 is adjacent to the second surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, parts that perform the same functions as in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals or with the same reference numerals at the end, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the light control device 2 of the second embodiment includes a light control member 210 and an excitation light source 20. The light adjusting member 210 of the second embodiment includes a first shielding layer 11, a light guiding section 212, a photochromic layer 13, and a second shielding layer 14 in this order from the first surface side in the thickness direction (third direction d3) thereof. The light guide section 212 has, in order from the first surface side in its thickness direction (third direction d3), a first low refractive index layer 121, a first high refractive index layer 122, a transparent layer 123, a second high refractive index layer 124, a first transparent substrate layer 226, and a second low refractive index layer 125.

[0049] The first transparent substrate layer 226 is a layer having a higher refractive index than the second low refractive index layer 125. In addition, it is preferable that the first transparent substrate layer 226 has a refractive index equal to that of the second high refractive index layer 124, or that the difference in refractive index is small enough to be considered equal, from the viewpoints of improving the transparency of the light adjusting member 210 and suppressing losses due to interface reflection of excitation light, etc. In this embodiment, the first transparent substrate layer 226 has the same refractive index as the second high refractive index layer 124. By making the first transparent substrate layer 226 thicker than the second high refractive index layer 124, a sufficient thickness can be ensured for the light-guiding section 12, thereby improving the light-guiding efficiency of the excitation light and enabling the excitation light to be guided for a longer distance, thereby making it possible to increase the size (size in a planar view) of the dimming member 10 and improve the uniformity of the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 in the light-guiding direction. The first transparent substrate layer 226 preferably has a thickness of 1 to 5 mm, although this depends on the size of the light adjusting member 10 and the like.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the first transparent substrate layer 226 is arranged between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the second low refractive index layer 125, but this is not limited thereto, and even if it is arranged between the first low refractive index layer 121 and the first high refractive index layer 122, the same effects as in this embodiment, such as improved light guide efficiency, can be obtained.

[0051] The first transparent substrate layer 226 is preferably formed using a material with high transmittance for visible light and ultraviolet light, which is excitation light, and examples of such material include glass plates and plate-like members made of resins with high optical transmittance, such as polyester resins such as PET, acrylic resins, styrene resins, acrylic-styrene resins, PC resins, alicyclic polyolefin resins, and TAC resins. As the glass plate, a plate glass having high light transmission properties, such as soda-lime glass (blue plate glass), borosilicate glass (white plate glass), quartz glass, soda glass, or potash glass, can be used. Resin glass may also be used for the first transparent substrate layer 226. Examples of resin glass that can be used include PC resin, acrylic resin, etc. PC resin is particularly preferable in terms of heat resistance and strength. As the material for the glass plate, resin glass is more preferable than inorganic glass in terms of weight reduction, while inorganic glass is more preferable than resin glass in terms of cost, heat resistance, scratch resistance, etc.

[0052] In the present embodiment, an example has been shown in which the first transparent substrate layer 226 is laminated integrally on the surface on the second surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a bonding layer (not shown) may be provided between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226. In this case, it is preferable that the bonding layer (not shown) has a refractive index equal to those of the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226, or the difference in refractive index is small enough to be considered equal.

[0053] According to the present embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above, the thickness of the light-guiding section 212 can be made sufficiently thick, so that, compared to the first embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the light-guiding efficiency and the uniformity of the transmittance of the light-guiding member 10 in the light-guiding direction, and to increase the size of the light-adjusting member 210 in a planar view.

[0054] Third embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the light control device 3 and the light control member 310 of the third embodiment. In FIG. 6, like the light control device 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a part of the cross section (a cross section parallel to the thickness direction of the light control member 310 and the light guide direction of the excitation light) of the light control device 3 of the third embodiment is enlarged and shown. In FIG. 6, the state in which the photochromic layer 313 has changed color and the transmittance has decreased is expressed by densely showing dots, and a part of the excitation light guided in the light guide section 312 is shown by an arrow. In FIG. 6, like FIG. 4, the light that transmits through the transparent layer 123 without being reflected at the path change section C is omitted for easy understanding.

[0055] The third embodiment of the dimming device 3 is similar to the dimming device 1 shown in the first embodiment described above, except that in the dimming member 310, a first transparent substrate layer 226 is adjacent to the second surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124, the second shielding layer 314 is a layer that reflects ultraviolet light, the second low refractive index layer 125 is not provided, and the photochromic layer 313 is located on the first surface side of the light-guiding section 312. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, parts that perform the same functions as those in the first and second embodiments described above will be given the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals with the same suffixes, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the light control device 3 of the third embodiment includes a light control member 310 and an excitation light source 20. The light adjusting member 310 of the third embodiment includes a first shielding layer 11, a photochromic layer 313, a light guiding section 312, and a second shielding layer 314 in this order from the first surface side in the thickness direction (third direction d3) thereof. Further, the light guide section 312 of the present embodiment includes, in order from the first surface side in the thickness direction (third direction d3), the first low refractive index layer 121, the first high refractive index layer 122, the transparent layer 123, the second high refractive index layer 124, and the first transparent substrate layer 226. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which the first transparent substrate layer 226 is integrally laminated on the second surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124 has been shown, but this is not limiting, and for example, a bonding layer (not shown) may be provided between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226. In this case, it is preferable that the bonding layer (not shown) has a refractive index equal to that of the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226, or the difference in refractive index is small enough to be considered equal.

[0057] The photochromic layer 313 of this embodiment is a member similar to the photochromic layer 13 shown in the first embodiment, etc., but differs from the photochromic layer 13 of the first embodiment in that it is located between the first shielding layer 11 and the light-guiding section 312. The second shielding layer 314 of the present embodiment is a layer that shields ultraviolet light by reflecting it. In addition, since the light guiding section 312 includes the second shielding layer 314, the light guiding section 312 does not include the second low refractive index layer 125 located closest to the second surface side of the light guiding section in the first embodiment and the like, but can sufficiently guide the excitation light. Even with the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a light control member 310 and a light control device 3 that have high transparency and a wide dynamic range, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0058] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a light control device 4 and a light control member 410 according to the fourth embodiment. Like the light control device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of a part of a cross section (a cross section parallel to the thickness direction of the light control member 410 and the light guide direction of the excitation light) of the light control device 4 according to the fourth embodiment. The dimming device 4 of the fourth embodiment is applied to laminated glass, and has the same configuration as the dimming device 1 of the first embodiment, except that the second shielding layer 314 is an ultraviolet reflective layer as in the third embodiment described above.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the light control device 4 of the fourth embodiment includes a light control member 410 and an excitation light source 20. The dimming member 410 of the fourth embodiment has, in order from the first surface side in its thickness direction (third direction d3), a first shielding layer 11, a photochromic layer 313, a light-guiding section 412, an intermediate film 431, a second shielding layer 314, an intermediate film 432, and a second transparent substrate layer 433. The second shielding layer 314 is similar to that shown in the above-described third embodiment, and is a layer that reflects and shields ultraviolet rays.

[0060] The light guide section 412 includes, in order from the first surface side in its thickness direction (third direction d3), a first low refractive index layer 121, a first high refractive index layer 122, a transparent layer 123, a second high refractive index layer 124, and a first transparent substrate layer 226. In the present embodiment, an example in which the first transparent substrate layer 226 is integrally laminated on the second surface side of the second high refractive index layer 124 has been shown, but this is not limiting, and for example, a bonding layer (not shown) may be provided between the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226. In this case, it is preferable that the bonding layer (not shown) has a refractive index equal to that of the second high refractive index layer 124 and the first transparent substrate layer 226, or the difference in refractive index is small enough to be considered to be equal.

[0061] In the light control member 410 of the fourth embodiment, the first transparent substrate layer 226 and the second transparent substrate layer 433 are glass plates. In the thickness direction (third direction d3), the first transparent substrate layer 226, the intermediate film 431, the second shielding layer 314, the intermediate film 432, and the second transparent substrate layer 433 constitute a laminated glass 430. In other words, the light control member 410 has the laminated glass 430 as a part thereof. In this embodiment, the second surface side is the outdoor side (the vehicle exterior side), and the first surface side is the indoor side (the vehicle interior side).

[0062] The first transparent substrate layer 226 and the second transparent substrate layer 433 are glass plates having high optical transparency, and are two glass plates that constitute the laminated glass 430. The first transparent substrate layer 226 and the second transparent substrate layer 433 may be made of highly light-transmitting plate glass such as soda-lime glass (blue plate glass), borosilicate glass (white plate glass), quartz glass, soda glass, or potash glass. The first transparent substrate layer 226 and the second transparent substrate layer 433 may be made of resin glass. Examples of the resin glass that may be used include PC resin and acrylic resin. PC resin is particularly preferable in terms of heat resistance and strength. Furthermore, the glass plate may be subjected to a surface treatment such as a hard coat depending on the required characteristics such as scratch resistance. As the material for the glass plate, resin glass is more preferable than inorganic glass in terms of weight reduction, while inorganic glass is more preferable than resin glass in terms of cost, heat resistance, scratch resistance, etc.

[0063] The intermediate films 431, 432 are members disposed between two glass plates (the first transparent substrate layer 226 and the second transparent substrate layer 433 in this embodiment) in the laminated glass 430 to bond the two glass plates together. The intermediate films 431, 432 are formed of, for example, PVB (polyvinyl butyral), EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), COP (cycloolefin polymer), or the like. In this embodiment, the second shielding layer 314 is located inside the laminated glass 430 and is sandwiched between intermediate films 431 and 432, as shown in FIG.

[0064] Even with this configuration, it is possible to obtain a light control member and light control device that are highly transparent and have a wide dynamic range, similar to the first embodiment. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the light control device 4 can be applied to laminated glass, and application to vehicle windows and the like is expected. In general, since pressurization and heat treatment are required in the manufacturing process of laminated glass, it is difficult to manufacture the laminated glass by disposing a photochromic layer or the like inside the laminated glass. However, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a light control member 410 and a light control device 4 with high transparency, dynamic range, and high light guide efficiency, and such a light control member 410 and a light control device 4 can be applied to laminated glass. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve a thinner structure and improved transparency compared to a case where a light control member is simply attached to one side of a general laminated glass.

[0065] (Variations) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible, and these are also within the scope of the present invention. (1) In each embodiment, the transparent layer 123 is a layer having a refractive index higher than that of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transparent layer 123 may be a layer having a refractive index lower than that of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. In this case, the transparent layer 123 may be formed of a resin that satisfies the conditions of having high light transmittance, a refractive index lower than that of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124, and a refractive index higher than that of the first low refractive index layer 121 and the second low refractive index layer 125, a fluorine compound such as magnesium fluoride, SiO2, or the like. In addition, the method of forming the transparent layer 123 in this case may be appropriately selected depending on the material used. For example, the transparent layer 123 may be formed by a dip coating method, a spray method, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), or the like in addition to the deposition method. When the refractive index of the transparent layer 123 is smaller than those of the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124, the difference in refractive index between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 and the transparent layer 123 is preferably 0.01 to 0.1, as in the first embodiment described above.

[0066] (2) In each embodiment, the dimming components 10, 210, 310, 410 have a transparent layer 123 having a refractive index difference from the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124. However, this is not limited to the above, and a semi-transparent reflective layer (not shown) may be provided between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124 instead of the transparent layer 123. The semi-transmissive reflective layer is a layer made of a material having optical properties of reflecting a part of incident light and transmitting a part of it. Such a semi-transmissive reflective layer may be formed, for example, by evaporating or sputtering a metal having high light reflectivity, such as aluminum, silver, or nickel, or by transferring a metal foil or applying a paint containing a thin metal film. Such a semi-transmissive reflective layer preferably has a reflectance of 5% to 60% and a transmittance of 30% to 90% for light incident at an incident angle of 0°.

[0067] (3) In each embodiment, the course change section C extends to both ends of the dimming component 10, 210, 310, 410 along the second direction d2 and is arranged along the first direction d1 parallel to the light guide direction. However, this is not limited to the above. For example, the course change section C may have a small dimension in the second direction d2, be island-shaped when the dimming component is viewed in a plane, and be appropriately arranged along the second direction d2 and the first direction d1. The position of the island-shaped course change section C may be appropriately selected.

[0068] (4) In each embodiment, an example has been shown in which each layer, such as the first shielding layer 11 constituting the dimming member 10, 210, 310, 410, is a single layer. However, this is not limited to this, and each layer may be in a form in which a base material layer that serves as a base and an optical functional layer that performs a function or forms an optical shape are laminated.

[0069] (5) In the first embodiment, the excitation light source 20 is disposed at the end portion 10a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The excitation light source 20 may also be disposed at the end portion 10b. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modified embodiment of a light control device 5 and a light control member 510. Fig. 8 shows a cross section of a light control member 510 corresponding to the cross section of the light control member 10 of the first embodiment. In the light control device 5 of this modified embodiment, the path changing portion C (unit optical shape 522a) of the light control member 510 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the light guide direction of the excitation light (first direction d1). By adopting such a configuration, the response speed during dimming can be improved, and the uniformity of the transmittance of the photochromic layer 13 in the light guide direction can be further increased. In addition, when the course changing section C has such a configuration, a photochromic layer (not shown) may be further provided between the first shielding layer 11 and the first low refractive index layer 121. By adopting such a configuration, the dynamic range of the transmittance of the light-adjusting member 10 can be expanded.

[0070] (6) In the first and second embodiments, the dimming member 10, 210 is shown to have a first shielding layer 11 that absorbs ultraviolet light and a first low refractive index layer 121. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first shielding layer 11 may be made of a material that reflects ultraviolet light, and the first low refractive index layer 121 may be omitted (i.e., a first high refractive index layer 122 is laminated on the second surface side of the first shielding layer 11).

[0071] (7) In each embodiment, an example has been shown in which the transparent layer 123 is formed over the entire surface between the first high refractive index layer 122 and the second high refractive index layer 124, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the transparent layer 123 may be formed only on the first surface 122b of the unit optical shape 122a.

[0072] The embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination, but detailed description thereof will be omitted. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1,2,3,4 Dimmer 10,210,310,410 Light control components 11 First shielding layer 12,212,312,412 Light guide section 121 First low refractive index layer 122 First high refractive index layer 122a Unit Optical Shape 123 Transparent layer 124 Second high refractive index layer 125 Second low refractive index layer C. Course change section 13,313 Photochromic layer 14,314 2nd shielding layer 226 First transparent substrate layer 430 Laminated Glass 431,432 Interlayer 433 Second transparent substrate layer 20 Excitation Light Source

Claims

1. A photochromic layer whose transmittance changes when it receives excitation light in a specific wavelength range; a first shielding layer disposed on a first surface side of the photochromic layer and configured to reflect or absorb and shield at least a portion of the excitation light; a second shielding layer disposed on a second surface side of the photochromic layer and configured to reflect or absorb and shield at least a portion of the excitation light; a light guiding section disposed between the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer, guiding light incident from an end surface and emitting at least a portion of the light to the photochromic layer side; A light control member comprising: The light guiding section is a light guiding layer through which light is guided; a path changing section located within the light guide layer and changing a direction of a portion of the guided light; a first low refractive index layer disposed on a first surface side of the light guide layer and having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide layer; a second low refractive index layer disposed on a second surface side of the light guide layer and having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide layer; Equipped with the light guide layer includes a first light guide layer and a second light guide layer located on a second surface side of the first light guide layer, The course changing unit, a transparent layer having a refractive index different from that of the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer is laminated along a convex unit optical shape formed on the second surface side of the first light guide layer, and is sandwiched between the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer, A plurality of light guides are arranged along the light guide direction of the light guide section, and reflect the light to change the direction in which the light travels; A light-controlling component characterized by the above.

2. A photochromic layer whose transmittance changes when it receives excitation light in a specific wavelength range; a first shielding layer disposed on a first surface side of the photochromic layer and configured to reflect or absorb and shield at least a portion of the excitation light; a second shielding layer disposed on a second surface side of the photochromic layer and configured to reflect or absorb and shield at least a portion of the excitation light; a light guiding section disposed between the first shielding layer and the second shielding layer, guiding light incident from an end surface and emitting at least a portion of the light to the photochromic layer side; A light control member comprising: The light guiding section is a light guiding layer through which light is guided; a path changing section located within the light guide layer and changing a direction of a portion of the guided light; a first low refractive index layer disposed on a first surface side of the light guide layer and having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide layer; a second low refractive index layer disposed on a second surface side of the light guide layer and having a refractive index lower than that of the light guide layer; Equipped with the light guide layer includes a first light guide layer and a second light guide layer located on a second surface side of the first light guide layer, The course changing unit, a reflective layer is laminated along a convex unit optical shape formed on the second surface side of the first light guide layer and is sandwiched between the first light guide layer and the second light guide layer, A plurality of light guides are arranged along the light guide direction of the light guide section, and the light guides reflect the light to change the direction in which the light travels, the reflective layer is a semi-transmissive reflective layer that reflects a part of incident light and transmits a part of the light; A light-controlling component characterized by the above.

3. In the dimming component according to claim 1 or claim 2, The first light guide layer and the second light guide layer have the same refractive index or a difference in refractive index between them is small enough to be considered as being equal; A light-controlling component characterized by the above.

4. The light control member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the light guiding section includes a first transparent substrate layer between the light guiding layer and the second shielding layer; A light-controlling component characterized by the above.

5. The dimming element according to claim 4, a second transparent substrate layer on the second surface side of the second shielding layer; an intermediate film is positioned between the first transparent substrate layer and the second transparent substrate layer, the intermediate film sandwiching the second shielding layer and bonding the first transparent substrate layer and the second transparent substrate layer; the first transparent substrate layer and the second transparent substrate layer are bonded to each other by the intermediate film to form a laminated glass; A light-controlling component characterized by the above.

6. The light control member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, An excitation light source that irradiates the excitation light to an end portion of the light control member; A dimmer device comprising:

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