Dimmers and panels

Abstract

This light adjustment device comprises: a panel unit in which a plurality of light adjustment panels each having first and second substrates and each having two or more terminal groups are layered in a first direction; and flexible printed boards connected to the respective terminal groups of one of the light adjustment panels. When the panel unit is seen from the first direction, a plurality of the terminal groups to which the flexible printed boards are connected are provided in the light adjustment panel at an end in a second direction crossing the first direction and at an end in a third direction opposite to the second direction, and the flexible printed boards are not superposed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light control device and a light control panel. [Background technology]

[0002] The light control device of Patent Document 1 includes a light control panel. The light control panel has a plurality of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the substrates. When incident light enters the light control panel, the light transmittance of the incident light is adjusted in the light control panel, and the adjusted transmitted light exits the light control device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-333567 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple light control panels are stacked and each panel is connected to a printed circuit board via a flexible printed circuit board, it is desirable to reduce the number of printed circuit boards. In this case, several flexible printed circuit boards are connected to the same printed circuit board, but if these flexible printed circuit boards overlap each other with the same shape due to the stacking of light control panels, it becomes difficult to connect them to the printed circuit board.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a dimming device and a dimming panel that can be connected to a printed board without the flexible printed boards overlapping each other, even when a printed board is connected to each of multiple stacked dimming panels via a flexible printed board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A dimming device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a panel unit in which dimming panels each having a first substrate having two or more terminal groups each consisting of a plurality of terminals connectable to a single flexible printed circuit board and a second substrate overlapping the first substrate are stacked in a first direction, and flexible printed circuit boards each connected to one of the terminal groups of the dimming panel, wherein when the panel unit is viewed from the first direction, the terminal groups to which the flexible printed circuit boards are connected are provided in multiple numbers at each end of the dimming panel in a second direction intersecting the first direction and at each end in a third direction that is opposite to the second direction, and the multiple flexible printed circuit boards are non-overlapping.

[0007] A light control panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a light control panel having a first substrate having a first terminal group and a second terminal group each consisting of a plurality of terminals connectable to a single flexible printed circuit board, and a second substrate overlapping the first substrate, wherein the first substrate has a first side and a second side intersecting the first side, the first terminal group being provided along the first side, and the second terminal group being provided along the second side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a light control device according to an embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of FIG. 1A. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the light control panel according to the embodiment, viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the surface of the array substrate according to the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the front surface, on which wiring is provided, of the counter substrate according to the embodiment when turned over. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an effective area of ​​the array substrate according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the effective area of ​​the counter substrate according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing the front surface of the counter substrate turned over like FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a first light control panel constituting the light control device of FIG. 1A, seen from above. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second light control panel constituting the light control device of FIG. 1A, seen from above. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third light control panel constituting the light control device of FIG. 1A, seen from above. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fourth light control panel constituting the light control device of FIG. 1A, seen from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The form (embodiment) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiment. In addition, the components described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the components described below can be appropriately combined.

[0010] The disclosure is merely an example, and those who are skilled in the art can easily conceive of appropriate modifications that maintain the gist of the disclosure are naturally included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, in order to make the explanation clearer, the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part may be shown diagrammatically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. In addition, in this specification and each figure, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous figures may be given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations may be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a light control device according to an embodiment as viewed from above. Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of Fig. 1A. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a light control panel according to an embodiment as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a surface of an array substrate according to an embodiment as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a surface of an opposing substrate according to an embodiment, which is a surface on which wiring is provided, when the opposing substrate is turned over.

[0012] In the XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure, the X direction is the left-right direction, and the X1 direction is opposite to the X2 direction. The X1 direction is also called the left direction, and the X2 direction is also called the right direction. The Y direction is the front-back direction, and the Y1 direction is opposite to the Y2 direction. The Y1 direction is also called the front direction, and the Y2 direction is also called the rear direction. The Z direction is the up-down direction (stacking direction). The Z1 direction is opposite to the Z2 direction. The Z1 direction is also called the up direction, and the Z2 direction is also called the down direction. The Z direction is also called the first direction, the Y1 direction is also called the second direction, the Y2 direction is also called the third direction, and the X direction is also called the fourth direction. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular (intersect). The first direction and the third direction are perpendicular (intersect). The second direction is opposite to the third direction. The fourth direction is perpendicular (intersect) to the first direction and the second direction. The fourth direction is perpendicular to (intersects with) the first and third directions.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1A, a light control device 100 according to the embodiment includes a panel unit 110 and flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs: FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUITS) 400, 410, 420, and 430.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1A, in the embodiment, the panel unit 110 is a regular octagon in plan view, but is not limited to a regular polygon. That is, the shape of the panel unit 110 according to the present invention can be a polygon with four or more sides. The panel unit 110 is formed by stacking a plurality of light control panels 1 in the Z direction (first direction). In this embodiment, a plurality of light control panels 1 (four in the embodiment) shown in FIG. 2 are stacked.

[0015] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, the four dimming panels 1 are a first dimming panel 1A, a second dimming panel 1B, a third dimming panel 1C, and a fourth dimming panel 1D. The four dimming panels 1 are stacked in the order of the first dimming panel 1A, the second dimming panel 1B, the third dimming panel 1C, and the fourth dimming panel 1D from the bottom. Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, effective areas 270 and 280 are shown, and the peripheries of the effective areas 270 and 280 and the end positions 100a located outside the effective areas 270 and 280 are aligned when viewed in the stacking direction of the four dimming panels 1. That is, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the left end position 100a of the fourth light control panel 1D in FIG. 1B coincides with the left end position 100a of the second light control panel 1B in FIG. 1B, and the right end position 100a of the third light control panel 1C in FIG. 1B coincides with the right end position 100a of the first light control panel 1A in FIG. 1B. In addition, in the light control panel 1, a seal 600 is provided on the outside of the liquid crystal layer 4, and a filler 601 is provided on the outside of the seal 600. In addition, the light control panels 1 adjacent to each other vertically are bonded via a light-transmitting adhesive 720. For example, the array substrate 2 of the second light control panel 1B is bonded to the opposing substrate 3 of the third light control panel 1C via a light-transmitting adhesive 720. In addition, when a light source is provided in the panel unit 110, the light source is provided directly below the panel unit 110 when viewed in FIG. 1B.

[0016] Moreover, the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are electrically connected to one light control panel 1, one by one. As shown in FIG. 1A, the flexible printed circuit boards 400 and 420 extend in the Y1 direction, and the flexible printed circuit boards 410 and 430 extend in the Y2 direction. When the light control device 100 is viewed from above, the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 do not overlap each other. Ends of the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are electrically connected to a connector 510 provided on the printed circuit board 500. A harness 520 is provided on the printed circuit board 500. The connector 510 is electrically connected to the harness 520.

[0017] 2, the light control panel 1 includes an array substrate (first substrate) 2 and an opposing substrate (second substrate) 3 disposed on the upper side of the array substrate 2. The light control panel 1 is a regular octagon in plan view, and has a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13, a fourth side 14, a fifth side 15, a sixth side 16, a seventh side 17, and an eighth side 18.

[0018] The first side 11 is located on the Y1 side of the light control panel 1. The first side 11 extends in the X direction. The first side 11 of the light control panel 1 overlaps with the first side 211 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3. In contrast, the first side 311 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG. 4 is located on the Y2 side of the first side 211 of the array substrate 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the counter substrate 3 is stacked on the upper side of the array substrate 2, the end portion 2c on the Y1 side of the array substrate 2 is exposed. A first terminal group 10 is provided on the end portion 2c.

[0019] The second side 12 is located on the X1 side of the light-adjusting panel 1. The second side 12 extends in the Y direction. The second side 12 of the light-adjusting panel 1 overlaps with the second side 212 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3. In contrast, the second side 312 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG. 4 is located on the X2 side of the second side 212 of the array substrate 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the counter substrate 3 is stacked on the upper side of the array substrate 2, an end portion 2d on the X1 side of the array substrate 2 is exposed. A second terminal group 20 is provided at the end portion 2d.

[0020] The third side 13 intersects with both the X1 direction and the Y1 direction at an intersecting angle of 45 degrees. The third side 13 overlaps with the third side 213 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the third side 313 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG.

[0021] The fourth side 14 intersects with both the X1 direction and the Y2 direction at an intersection angle of 45 degrees. The fourth side 14 overlaps with the fourth side 214 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the fourth side 314 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG.

[0022] The fifth side 15 is located on the Y2 side of the light control panel 1. The fifth side 15 overlaps with the fifth side 215 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the fifth side 315 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG.

[0023] The sixth side 164 intersects with both the X2 direction and the Y2 direction at an intersection angle of 45 degrees. The sixth side 164 overlaps with the sixth side 216 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the sixth side 316 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG.

[0024] The seventh side 17 is located on the X2 side of the light control panel 1. The seventh side 17 overlaps with the seventh side 217 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG 3 and the seventh side 317 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG 4.

[0025] The eighth side 18 intersects with both the X2 direction and the Y1 direction at an intersection angle of 45 degrees. The eighth side 18 overlaps with the eighth side 218 of the array substrate 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the eighth side 318 of the counter substrate 3 shown in FIG.

[0026] In this way, since the area of ​​the counter substrate 3 is smaller than that of the array substrate 2, the first terminal group 10 provided at the end 2c of the array substrate 2 and the second terminal group 20 provided at the end 2d are exposed. The third side 13 connecting the first side 11 and the second side 12 is a straight line intersecting the first side 11 and the second side 12, but may be a curve such as a convex arc. The same is true for the fourth side 14, the sixth side 16, and the eighth side 18.

[0027] Next, the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the front surface 3a, which is the surface on which wiring is provided, among the front and back surfaces of the counter substrate 3. Therefore, the directions of X1 and X2 in the counter substrate 3 in Fig. 4 are opposite to the directions of X1 and X2 in the array substrate 2 in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a center line CL1 that passes through the center of the array substrate 2 in the X direction and extends in the Y direction, and a center line CL2 that passes through the center of the array substrate 2 in the Y direction and extends in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 3, at the end 2c along the first side 211 of the array substrate 2, a first terminal group 10 is provided at the first end 21 (shown by a two-dot chain line) on the second side 212 side (or the third side 213 side) from the center of the first side 211. That is, the end 2c is an end on the Y1 side of the array substrate 2, and a first end 21 indicated by a two-dot chain line is disposed on the X1 side of the center line CL1 of the end 2c. A first terminal group 10 is provided on the first end 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the first terminal group 10 includes a first terminal 101, a second terminal 102, a third terminal 103, and a fourth terminal 104. The first terminal 101, the second terminal 102, the third terminal 103, and the fourth terminal 104 are disposed in order in the X direction (fourth direction) from the X1 side toward the X2 side. These terminals 101 to 104 have a pair of short sides 105 parallel to the first side 211 and a pair of long sides 106 parallel to the second side 212.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, in an end 2d along the second side 212 of the array substrate 2, a second terminal group 20 is provided at a second end 22 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) closer to the first side 211 side (or the third side 213 side) than the center of the second side 212. That is, the end 2d is an end on the X1 side of the array substrate 2, and the second end 22 indicated by the two-dot chain line is disposed on the Y1 side of the portion of the end 2d from the center line CL2. The second terminal group 20 is provided at the second end 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the second terminal group 20 includes a fifth terminal 201, a sixth terminal 202, a seventh terminal 203, and an eighth terminal 204. The fifth terminal 201, the sixth terminal 202, the seventh terminal 203, and the eighth terminal 204 are arranged in sequence in the front-rear direction (Y direction) from the Y1 side to the Y2 side. These terminals 201 to 204 have a pair of long sides 107 parallel to a first side 211 and a pair of short sides 108 parallel to a second side 212 .

[0029] Next, we will explain the wiring of the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3. Of the front and back surfaces of the substrates, the wiring is provided on the front surface. That is, the surface on which the wiring is provided is referred to as the front surface, and the surface opposite the front surface is referred to as the back surface.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, wiring, liquid crystal driving electrodes, and connecting parts are provided on the surface 2a of the array substrate 2. The connecting part C1 of the array substrate 2 and the connecting part C3 of the counter substrate 3 (see Fig. 4) are electrically connected via a conductive pillar (not shown). Similarly, the connecting part C2 of the array substrate 2 and the connecting part C4 of the counter substrate 3 (see Fig. 4) are electrically connected via a common electrode (not shown) which is conductive.

[0031] The first terminal 101 and the fifth terminal 201 are electrically connected via a wiring (first wiring) 241. A branch point 242 is provided midway along the wiring 241, and the wiring extends from the branch point 242 to a connection part C1.

[0032] The second terminal 102 and the sixth terminal 202 are electrically connected via wiring (second wiring) 243, 245. A branch point 244 is provided in the wiring 243, and a wiring 246 extends from the branch point 244 to an end 247.

[0033] The third terminal 103 and the seventh terminal 203 are electrically connected via a wiring (third wiring) 248. The fourth terminal 104 and the eighth terminal 204 are electrically connected via wiring (fourth wiring) 249, 251. The wiring 249 extends from the fourth terminal 104 toward the X2 side to a branch point 250. The wiring 251 extends from the branch point 250 to the eighth terminal 204. The wiring extends from the branch point 250 to the connection part C2.

[0034] The liquid crystal driving electrodes 261 are connected to the wirings 243 and 246. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 261 extend linearly along the X direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 261 are disposed at equal intervals in the Y direction.

[0035] The liquid crystal driving electrodes 262 are connected to the wiring 248. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 262 extend linearly along the X direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 262 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 261 and the liquid crystal driving electrodes 262 are arranged alternately in the Y direction.

[0036] 4, wiring, liquid crystal driving electrodes, and connecting portions are provided on a surface 3a of the counter substrate 3. Note that center lines CL1 and CL2 shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the center lines CL1 and CL2 shown in FIG.

[0037] The connection portion C3 is connected to the wires 342 and 343 via a branch point 341. The wire 342 extends to an end 348. The wire 343 extends to an end 349. The connection portion C4 is connected to the wires 345 and 346 via a branch point 344. The wire 346 extends to an end 347.

[0038] The liquid crystal driving electrodes 361 are connected to the wirings 342 and 343. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 361 extend linearly along the Y direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 361 are disposed at equal intervals in the X direction.

[0039] The liquid crystal driving electrodes 362 are connected to the wiring 346. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 362 extend linearly along the Y direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 362 are arranged at equal intervals in the X direction. The liquid crystal driving electrodes 361 and the liquid crystal driving electrodes 362 are arranged alternately in the X direction.

[0040] Next, the effective areas of the array substrate and the counter substrate will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the effective area of ​​the array substrate according to the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the effective area of ​​the counter substrate according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing the surface 3a by turning the counter substrate 3 over, similar to Fig. 4. Therefore, the directions of X1 and X2 on the counter substrate 3 in Fig. 6 are opposite to the directions of X1 and X2 on the array substrate 2 in Fig. 5.

[0041] 5, an effective area 270 indicated by a dashed line is disposed in the center of the array substrate 2. The effective area 270 is a regular octagon. Specifically, the effective area 270 has a first side 271, a second side 272, a third side 273, a fourth side 274, a fifth side 275, a sixth side 276, a seventh side 277, and an eighth side 278.

[0042] A first side 271 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the Y2 side of the first side 211 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the first side 211. The separation distance between the first side 211 and the first side 271 is a distance d1.

[0043] The second side 272 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X2 side of the second side 212 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the second side 212. The separation distance between the second side 212 and the second side 272 is a distance d2. The third side 273 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X2 side and the Y2 side of the third side 213 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the third side 213. The fourth side 274 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X2 side and the Y1 side of the fourth side 214 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the fourth side 214. The fifth side 275 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the Y1 side of the fifth side 215 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the fifth side 215. The separation distance between the fifth side 215 and the fifth side 275 is a distance d3. The sixth side 276 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X1 side and the Y1 side of the sixth side 216 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the sixth side 216. The seventh side 277 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X1 side of the seventh side 217 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the seventh side 217. The separation distance between the seventh side 217 and the seventh side 277 is a distance d4. The eighth side 278 of the effective area 270 is disposed on the X1 side and the Y2 side of the eighth side 218 of the array substrate 2, and is parallel to the eighth side 218. As shown in FIG. 5, the outside of the effective area 270 is a non-effective area 279. Also, the above-mentioned distances d1, d2, d3, and d4 are the same.

[0044] 6, an effective area 280 indicated by a dashed line is disposed in the center of the counter substrate 3. The effective area 280 is a regular octagon. Specifically, the effective area 280 has a first side 281, a second side 282, a third side 283, a fourth side 284, a fifth side 285, a sixth side 286, a seventh side 287, and an eighth side 288.

[0045] A first side 281 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the Y2 side of a first side 311 of the counter substrate 3, and is parallel to the first side 311. A distance between the first side 311 and the first side 281 is a distance d5. A second side 282 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X2 side of a second side 312 of the counter substrate 3, and is parallel to the second side 312. A distance between the second side 312 and the second side 282 is a distance d6. A third side 283 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X2 side and the Y2 side of a third side 313 of the counter substrate 3, and is parallel to the third side 313. A fourth side 284 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X2 side and the Y1 side of a fourth side 314 of the counter substrate 3, and is parallel to the fourth side 314. The fifth side 285 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the Y1 side of the fifth side 315 of the opposing substrate 3, and is parallel to the fifth side 315. The distance between the fifth side 315 and the fifth side 285 is a distance d7. The sixth side 286 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X1 side and the Y1 side of the sixth side 316 of the opposing substrate 3, and is parallel to the sixth side 316. The seventh side 287 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X1 side of the seventh side 317 of the opposing substrate 3, and is parallel to the seventh side 317. The distance between the seventh side 317 and the seventh side 287 is a distance d8. The eighth side 288 of the effective area 280 is disposed on the X1 side and the Y2 side of the eighth side 318 of the opposing substrate 3, and is parallel to the eighth side 318. As shown in FIG. 6, the outside of the effective area 280 is a non-effective area 289. Furthermore, the above-mentioned distances d5 and d6 are the same, and the distances d7 and d8 are the same. The distances d5 and d6 are smaller than the distances d7 and d8. The distances d7 and d8 are the same as the distances d1, d2, d3, and d4.

[0046] The effective area 270 of the array substrate 2 and the effective area 280 of the counter substrate 3 have the same shape and size. That is, the effective area 270 and the effective area 280 are congruent. Therefore, when the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are laminated with their outer peripheries aligned, the effective area 270 and the effective area 280 coincide with each other in a plan view.

[0047] Next, a cross-sectional structure of the light control panel 1 will be briefly described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the light control panel 1 includes an array substrate (first substrate) 2, a counter substrate (second substrate) 3, and a liquid crystal layer 4. As shown in FIG. 7, the counter substrate 3 is disposed on the upper side (Z1 side) of the array substrate 2. A liquid crystal layer 4 is provided between the counter substrate 3 and the array substrate 2. That is, the surface 2a of the array substrate 2 and the surface 3a of the counter substrate 3 are disposed to face each other with the liquid crystal layer 4 interposed therebetween. The opposite side of the surface 2a of the array substrate 2 is the back surface 2b, and the opposite side of the surface 3a of the counter substrate 3 is the back surface 3b. As described above, the counter substrate 3 has a smaller area than the array substrate 2, so that the third terminal 103 provided on the surface 2a of the array substrate 2 is exposed. The insulating layer is provided to prevent contact between the two wirings, but in the light control panel 1 of this embodiment, the array substrate (first substrate) 2 does not have any parts where the wirings overlap, so no insulating layer is provided.

[0048] 7, an alignment film 610 is laminated on both substrates and electrodes. Specifically, the alignment film 610 is laminated on the surface 2a of the array substrate 2, the liquid crystal driving electrodes 261, 262, and part of the upper surface of the third wiring 248. The alignment film 610 is also laminated on the surface 3a of the counter substrate 3 and the upper surface of the liquid crystal driving electrode 361. The array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are bonded together by a seal 600 that surrounds the effective area, and the space formed by the seal 600 is filled with a liquid crystal layer 4.

[0049] Next, four dimming panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D constituting the panel unit 110 shown in FIG. 1A will be described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a first dimming panel constituting the dimming device of FIG. 1A seen from above. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a second dimming panel constituting the dimming device of FIG. 1A seen from above. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third dimming panel constituting the dimming device of FIG. 1A seen from above. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a fourth dimming panel constituting the dimming device of FIG. 1A seen from above. In addition, in this embodiment, the stacking order of the four dimming panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D is described as follows: the first dimming panel 1A is placed at the bottom, the second dimming panel 1B is stacked on the upper side of the first dimming panel 1A, the third dimming panel 1C is stacked on the upper side of the second dimming panel 1B, and the fourth dimming panel 1D is placed on the top. However, the stacking order is not particularly limited and may be in various orders. 8 to 11, a center point C is indicated at the center portion of the light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 8, in the first light control panel 1A arranged at the bottom, the first terminal group 10 is located on the Y1 side, and the second terminal group 20 is located on the X1 side. The flexible printed circuit board 400 is electrically connected to the first terminal group 10 and extends to the Y1 side. The second terminal group 20 that is not mounted is sealed with a moisture-proof material such as silicone. Also, in FIG. 8 to FIG. 11, an effective area 270 (280) shown as a regular octagon is shown. In the first light control panel 1A, the alignment direction 710 of the alignment film 610 of the array substrate 2 is, for example, the Y direction, and the alignment direction 711 of the alignment film 610 of the counter substrate 3 is a direction perpendicular to the alignment direction 710 of the array substrate 2.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, in the second light control panel 1B arranged second from the bottom, the first terminal group 10 is located on the Y2 side, and the second terminal group 20 is located on the X2 side. That is, the second light control panel 1B is the same as the first light control panel 1A rotated 180 degrees in a plan view. The flexible printed circuit board 410 is electrically connected to the first terminal group 10 and extends to the Y2 side. The second terminal group 20 that is not mounted is sealed with a moisture-proof material such as silicone. In the second light control panel 1B, the orientation direction 710 of the alignment film 610 of the array substrate 2 is, for example, the Y direction, and the orientation direction 711 of the alignment film 610 of the counter substrate 3 is a direction perpendicular to the orientation direction 710 of the array substrate 2.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, in the third light control panel 1C arranged second from the top, the second terminal group 20 is located on the Y1 side, and the first terminal group 10 is located on the X2 side. That is, the third light control panel 1C is the same as the first light control panel 1A rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise in a plan view. The flexible printed circuit board 420 is electrically connected to the second terminal group 20 and extends to the Y1 side. The first terminal group 10 that is not mounted is sealed with a moisture-proof material such as silicone. In the third light control panel 1C, the orientation direction 710 of the alignment film 610 of the array substrate 2 is, for example, the X direction, and the orientation direction 711 of the alignment film 610 of the counter substrate 3 is a direction perpendicular to the orientation direction 710 of the array substrate 2.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, in the fourth light control panel 1D arranged at the top, the second terminal group 20 is located on the Y2 side, and the first terminal group 10 is located on the X1 side. That is, the fourth light control panel 1D is the same as the light control panel 1A rotated 270 degrees counterclockwise in a plan view. The flexible printed circuit board 430 is electrically connected to the second terminal group 20 and extends to the Y2 side. The first terminal group 10 that is not mounted is sealed with a moisture-proof material such as silicone. In the fourth light control panel 1D, the orientation direction 710 of the alignment film 610 of the array substrate 2 is, for example, the X direction, and the orientation direction 711 of the alignment film 610 of the counter substrate 3 is a direction perpendicular to the orientation direction 710 of the array substrate 2.

[0054] As described above, the dimming device 100 includes a panel unit 110 in which a plurality of dimming panels 1 are stacked in the Z direction (first direction), each of the dimming panels 1 having an array substrate (first substrate) 2 having two or more first terminal groups 10 and second terminal groups 20 (terminal groups) each consisting of a plurality of terminals connectable to a single flexible printed circuit board 400, 410, 420, 430, and an opposing substrate (second substrate) 3 overlapping the array substrate 2, and flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, 430 each connected to the terminal group of the single dimming panel 1. When the panel unit 110 is viewed from the Z direction, the terminal groups to which the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are connected are provided in the light control panel 1 at each of the ends in the Y1 direction (second direction) intersecting with the Z direction and the ends in the Y2 direction (third direction) opposite to the Y1 direction, and the multiple flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are not overlapped with each other. More specifically, the flexible printed circuit board 400 of the light control panel 1A and the flexible printed circuit board 420 of the light control panel 1C both extend in the Y1 direction. The first terminal group 10 of the light control panel 1A facing the flexible printed circuit board 400 and the second terminal group 20 of the light control panel 1C facing the flexible printed circuit board 420 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction in a plan view, and thus the flexible printed circuit boards 400 and 420 do not overlap with each other in a plan view. Similarly, flexible printed circuit board 410 of dimming panel 1B and flexible printed circuit board 430 of dimming panel 1D both extend in the Y2 direction, but the first terminal group 10 of dimming panel 1B facing flexible printed circuit board 410 and the second terminal group 20 of dimming panel 1D facing flexible printed circuit board 430 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction in a planar view, so that these flexible printed circuit boards 410, 430 do not overlap each other in a planar view.

[0055] As described above, when connecting a printed circuit board to each of a plurality of stacked light control panels via a flexible printed circuit board, if the flexible printed circuit boards are drawn out in a plurality of directions from the light control panel in a plan view, the number of printed circuit boards increases, and the light control device may become large. Therefore, in this embodiment, the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are drawn out from the Y1 direction (second direction) and the Y2 direction (third direction) of the light control panel 1 in a plan view. As a result, when connecting the printed circuit board 500 to each of a plurality of stacked light control panels 1 via the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 in a non-overlapping state, the number of printed circuit boards 500 can be reduced.

[0056] It is also possible to pull out the flexible printed circuit boards from the light control panel in one direction in a plan view to combine the printed circuit boards into one, but in this case, there is a disadvantage that the number of flexible printed circuit boards that can be pulled out in a non-overlapping state is reduced. That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, for example, when multiple flexible printed circuit boards are pulled out in a non-overlapping state, only two flexible printed circuit boards 400 and 420 can be pulled out if they are pulled out only in the Y1 direction. However, as in this embodiment, four flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 can be pulled out from two directions, the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction.

[0057] In the first terminal group 10 and the second terminal group 20 (terminal groups) provided on the array substrate (first substrate) 2, the first terminal 101, the second terminal 102, the third terminal 103, and the fourth terminal 104 (terminals) included in the first terminal group 10 and the fifth terminal 201, the sixth terminal 202, the seventh terminal 203, and the eighth terminal 204 (terminals) included in the second terminal group 20 are electrically connected.

[0058] Therefore, it is possible to connect the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, 430 to both the first terminal group 10 and the second terminal group 20. As a result, in a panel unit 110 in which, for example, four light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D are stacked vertically, by changing the orientation of each of the light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, as shown in FIG. 1A, the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 420 drawn in the Y1 direction and the flexible printed circuit boards 410, 430 drawn in the Y2 direction do not overlap each other.

[0059] When the panel unit 110 is viewed from the Z direction, the first terminal group 10 and the second terminal group 20 to which the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are connected are arranged side by side along the X direction (fourth direction) intersecting the Z direction and the Y1 direction in the light control panel 1. According to this, when a plurality of light control panels 1 are stacked, the first terminal group 10 or the second terminal group 20 to which the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are connected are arranged on the Y1 side or the Y2 side, respectively, without overlapping in a plan view.

[0060] The array substrate 2 includes a first side 211 and a second side 212 intersecting the first side 211, and has an octagonal shape (a polygon with four or more sides). The terminal groups are provided at an end along the first side 211 of the array substrate 2, a first end 21 that is closer to the second side 212 than the center of the first side 211, and a second end 22 that is provided at an end along the second side 212 that is closer to the first side 211 than the center of the second side 212. The first terminal group 10 is provided at the first end 21, and the second terminal group 20 is provided at the second end 22.

[0061] According to this, by a simple operation of rotating the light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D having the same structure, the first terminal group 10 or the second terminal group 20 to which the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are connected are arranged on the Y1 side or the Y2 side, respectively, without overlapping. Specifically, the rotation center of the light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D is the center C (see FIGS. 8 to 11), and by a simple operation of rotating the light control panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the center C, the first terminal group 10 or the second terminal group 20 to which the flexible printed circuit boards 400, 410, 420, and 430 are connected are arranged on the Y1 side or the Y2 side, respectively, without overlapping.

[0062] The wiring (first wiring) 241 and wiring (fourth wiring) 249, 251 of each of the array substrates 2 are electrically connected through conductive pillars to the wiring of the counter substrate 3 laminated on the array substrate 2. Therefore, with a simple structure, it is possible to electrically connect the wiring of the array substrate (first substrate) 2 and the wiring of the counter substrate (second substrate) 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Dimming Panel 11 Side 1 12 Side 2 13 Third Side 14 Side 4 15 Side 5 16 Side 6 17 Side 7 18 Side 8 1A First dimming panel (dimming panel) 1B Second dimming panel (dimming panel) 1C 3rd dimming panel (dimming panel) 1D 4th dimming panel (dimming panel) 2 Array board (first board) 2a surface 2b Back side 2c end 2d end 3 Opposing substrate (second substrate) 3a surface 3b back side 4 Liquid crystal layer 10 First terminal group 20 Second terminal group 21 First end 22 Second end 211 Side 1 212 Side 2 213 Third Side 214 Side 4 215 Side 5 216 Side 6 217 Side 7 218 Side 8 311 Side 1 312 Side 2 313 Third Side 314 Side 4 315 Side 5 316 Side 6 317 Side 7 318 Side 8 100 Dimmer 100a end position 101 1st terminal 102 2nd terminal 103 3rd terminal 104 4th terminal 105 Short side 106 Long side 107 Long side 108 Short side 110 Panel unit 201 5th terminal 202 6th terminal 203 7th terminal 204 8th terminal 241, 243, 245, 246, 248, 249, 251, 342, 343, 345, 346 Wiring 242, 244, 250, 341, 344 Junction 247, 347, 348, 349 edge 261, 262, 361, 362 Liquid crystal drive electrodes 270 Effective Area 271 Side 1 272 Side 2 273 Third Side 274 Side 4 275 Side 5 276 Side 6 277 Side 7 278 Side 8 279 Non-valid area 280 Effective Area 281 Side 1 282 Side 2 283 Third Side 284 Side 4 285 Side 5 286 Side 6 287 Side 7 288 Side 8 289 Non-valid area 400, 410, 420, 430 Flexible Printed Circuit Boards 500 Printed Circuit Boards 510 Connector 520 Harness 600 stickers 601 Filler 610 Orientation Film 710, 711 Orientation direction 720 Translucent adhesive C center C1, C2, C3, C4 connections CL1, CL2 center line

Claims

1. A panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels each having a first substrate having two or more terminal groups each including a plurality of terminals connectable to one flexible printed circuit board and a second substrate overlapping the first substrate are stacked in a first direction; and a flexible printed circuit board connected to each of the terminal groups of each of the light control panels, the first substrate has a polygonal shape including a first side and a second side intersecting the first side and having four or more sides; The terminal group on the first substrate of each of the light control panels is a first end portion provided at an end portion along the first side of the first substrate, the first end portion being closer to the second side than a center of the first side, and a second end portion provided at an end portion along the second side, the second end portion being closer to the first side than a center of the second side, When the panel unit is viewed from the first direction, The terminal group to which the flexible printed circuit board is connected is provided in a plurality of terminals at an end of the light control panel in a second direction intersecting the first direction and an end of the light control panel in a third direction opposite to the second direction, The flexible printed circuit boards are non-overlapping. Dimmer.

2. In the two or more terminal groups provided on the first substrate, A terminal included in one terminal group is electrically connected to a terminal included in another terminal group. The light control device according to claim 1 .

3. When the panel unit is viewed from the first direction, The plurality of terminal groups to which the flexible printed circuit board is connected are arranged side by side along a fourth direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction in the light control panel. The light control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The light control panel has a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate. The light control device according to claim 1 .

5. Each of the first substrates has a first terminal group and a second terminal group, The first terminal group is provided at the first end portion, and the second terminal group is provided at the second end portion. The light control device according to claim 3 .

6. the first terminal group includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal; the second terminal group includes a fifth terminal, a sixth terminal, a seventh terminal, and an eighth terminal; the first terminal and the fifth terminal are electrically connected via a first wiring, the second terminal and the sixth terminal are electrically connected via a second wiring, the third terminal and the seventh terminal are electrically connected via a third wiring, the fourth terminal and the eighth terminal are electrically connected via a fourth wiring, A liquid crystal driving electrode is connected to each of the second wiring and the third wiring. The light control device according to claim 5 .

7. the first wiring and the fourth wiring of each of the first substrates are electrically connected to wiring of a second substrate stacked on the first substrate via conductive pillars; The light control device according to claim 6.

8. A light control panel including: a first substrate having a first terminal group and a second terminal group each including a plurality of terminals connectable to one flexible printed circuit board; and a second substrate overlapping the first substrate, the first substrate includes a first side, a second side intersecting the first side, and a third side connecting the first side and the second side; the first terminal group is provided along the first side and in the vicinity of the third side, The second terminal group is provided along the second side and in the vicinity of the third side. Dimmable panel.

9. Each terminal of the first terminal group has a short side parallel to the first side and a long side parallel to the second side, Each terminal of the second terminal group has a long side parallel to the first side and a short side parallel to the second side. The light control panel according to claim 8 .

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