Light-adjusting component and light-adjusting device

Abstract

To provide a dimming member capable of shielding or transmitting external light in various forms.SOLUTION: A dimming member 1 controllable in transmissivity comprises a first laminate 5A having a first base material 6, a second laminate 5B having a second base material 15, and a liquid crystal layer 8 held between the first laminate 5A and the second laminate 5B. The first laminate 5A includes a first electrode 11 divided in a first electrode pattern on a liquid crystal layer 8 side of the first base material 6. The second laminate 5B includes a second electrode 16 divided in a second electrode pattern on a liquid crystal layer 8 side of the second base material 15. A plane shape of the first electrode pattern and a plane shape of the second electrode pattern differ from each other in a plane view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a light-adjusting component has been known as a light-blocking means used in, for example, vehicle side windows, in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a transparent substrate having a common transparent electrode and a transparent substrate having a transparent electrode divided into multiple parts. This light-adjusting component can block or transmit external light by controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-130981 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional light-controlling component described above, the transparent electrodes divided into strips are arranged vertically, so the direction in which external light is transmitted or blocked is limited to the vertical direction, like opening and closing blinds. Even if the transparent electrodes divided into strips were arranged horizontally, the direction in which external light is transmitted or blocked would still be limited to the horizontal direction, like opening and closing curtains.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a light control member and a light control device that can block or transmit external light in various forms. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the problems by the following means. 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 to these. Furthermore, the configurations described with reference numerals may be modified as appropriate, and at least a portion of the configurations may be replaced with other components.

[0007] The first invention is a light-controlling element (1) capable of controlling transmittance, comprising a first laminate (5A) having a first substrate (6), a second laminate (5B) having a second substrate (15), and a liquid crystal layer (8) sandwiched between the first laminate and the second laminate, wherein the first laminate comprises a first electrode (11) divided by a first electrode pattern on the liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, and the second laminate comprises a second electrode (16) divided by a second electrode pattern on the liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, and the planar shape of the first electrode pattern and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern are different in plan view.

[0008] A second invention is a dimming component according to the first invention, wherein the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each striped electrode patterns, and the first electrode and the second electrode have their respective striped electrode patterns intersecting each other.

[0009] A third invention is the light control member according to the second invention, wherein the striped electrode pattern is linear or non-linear.

[0010] A fourth invention is a light-adjusting component (1A) capable of controlling transmittance, comprising a first laminate (5A) having a first substrate (6), a second laminate (5B) having a second substrate (15), a third laminate (5C) having a third substrate (20), a first liquid crystal layer (9) sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate, and a second liquid crystal layer (10) sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate, wherein the first laminate comprises an undivided first common electrode (14) on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate comprises an undivided second common electrode (23) on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, and the third laminate comprises a first electrode (18) divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, and a second electrode (21) divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate.

[0011] A fifth invention is a light-adjusting component (1B) capable of controlling transmittance, comprising a first laminate (5A) having a first substrate (6), a second laminate (5B) having a second substrate (15), a third laminate (5C) having a third substrate (20), a first liquid crystal layer (9) sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate, and a second liquid crystal layer (10) sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate, wherein the first laminate comprises a first electrode (24) divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate comprises a second electrode (27) divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, and the third laminate comprises an undivided first common electrode (25) on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate and an undivided second common electrode (26) on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate.

[0012] A sixth invention is a light-adjusting component (1C) capable of controlling transmittance, comprising a first laminate (5A) having a first substrate (6), a second laminate (5B) having a second substrate (15), a third laminate (5C) having a third substrate (20), a first liquid crystal layer (9) sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate, and a second liquid crystal layer (10) sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate, wherein the first laminate comprises an undivided first common electrode (28) on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate comprises a second electrode (32) divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, and the third laminate comprises a first electrode (29) divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, and an undivided second common electrode (31) on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate.

[0013] A seventh invention is a dimming component according to any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, wherein the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each striped electrode patterns, and the first electrode and the second electrode have their respective striped electrode patterns intersecting each other.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the light control member according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the striped electrode pattern is linear or non-linear.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a light-controlling member according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein the light-controlling member is provided on at least one of a side window (41), a rear window, and a roof window of a vehicle (40).

[0016] A tenth invention relates to a dimming device comprising a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate arranged opposite the first transparent substrate, and the dimming member according to any one of the first to eighth inventions provided between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the light-adjusting member and light-adjusting device of the present invention, it is possible to block or transmit external light in various forms. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1 of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a light control film 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1(A) and 1(B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the light control film 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 40 on which the light control film 1 is arranged and a drive device for the light control film 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1(A) to 1(C) are diagrams illustrating an example of use of the light control film 1. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1A of a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1B according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1C according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] 10(A) to 10(D) are diagrams illustrating a first method for producing a third laminate 5C in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(E) to 10(H) are diagrams illustrating a first method for producing a third laminate 5C in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10(A) to 10(D) are diagrams illustrating a second method for producing a third laminate 5C in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a light control film 1D of a first modified embodiment. [Figure 13] 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a light control film 1E of a second modified embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the drawings attached to this specification are schematic diagrams, conceptual diagrams, etc., and the shape, scale, aspect ratio, etc. of each part have been modified or exaggerated from the actual product in consideration of ease of understanding, etc. In this specification, terms that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and the extent of these, such as "direction," include not only the strict meaning of the term but also the range that can be roughly regarded as that direction.

[0020] The left-right and up-down directions of the light control film 1 are not particularly specified, but in this specification, the directions of the light control film 1 will be described based on mutually orthogonal coordinate axes of X, Y, and Z. Specifically, based on the state in which the light control film 1 is placed on the side windows 41A to 41D (hereinafter simply referred to as "side windows") of a vehicle 40 (see FIG. 4), the two directions parallel to the film surface of the light control film 1 and perpendicular to each other are defined as the X direction and the Y direction. Of these, the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 to 3 is defined as the X (X1-X2) direction, the up-down direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y (Y1-Y2) direction, and the thickness direction perpendicular to the film surface (XY plane) is defined as the Z (Z1-Z2) direction. Furthermore, when the light control film 1 is applied to the side windows of a vehicle 40 (see FIG. 4), it is placed so that the Z1 side of the Z direction is the outside of the vehicle and the Z2 side is the inside of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this specification, the "~ direction" will also be referred to as the "~ side" as appropriate.

[0021] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1 of the first embodiment. Figures 2 and 3(A), (B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the light control film 1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the light control film 1 when viewed from the Z1 direction. Figure 3(A) is a plan view of the first laminate 5A when viewed from the Z1 direction. Figure 3(B) is a plan view of the second laminate 5B when viewed from the Z1 direction. In Figures 2, 3(A), and (B), the outlines of each component are shown with solid lines, except for the areas where the electrodes overlap.

[0022] When the light control film 1 is placed in a vehicle 40, it is manufactured to fit the shape of the side windows 41A to 41D (see FIG. 4). Therefore, when the light control film 1 is applied to a vehicle 40, it may be curved rather than flat in cross section, or may have various shapes in plan view. Here, however, an example in which the light control film 1 is rectangular (square) will be described to make it easier to understand the shapes of the electrode patterns, etc. Note that a plan view refers to, for example, when the light control film 1 is viewed from the Z1 direction. Furthermore, in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3(A) and (B), illustrations of the liquid crystal layer, alignment layer, etc. are omitted.

[0023] The light control film 1 is a film-like member that can adjust the light transmittance by controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 8 by applying a voltage to transparent electrodes 11 and 16 (described later). As shown in Fig. 1, the light control film 1 is composed of a first laminate 5A, a second laminate 5B, and a liquid crystal layer 8 sandwiched between these laminates. The first laminate 5A includes a substrate (first substrate) 6, a transparent electrode (first electrode) 11, and an alignment layer 13. The transparent electrode 11 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 11A to 11F according to a first electrode pattern described below, as shown in FIG. 3(A). In this embodiment, the first electrode pattern is a striped electrode pattern divided along the X direction and extending along the Y direction. For convenience of explanation, this embodiment will describe an example in which the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are each divided into six, but the number of divisions of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 is not limited to six.

[0024] The second laminate 5B includes a substrate (second substrate) 15, a transparent electrode (second electrode) 16, and an alignment layer 17. The transparent electrode 16 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 16A to 16F according to a second electrode pattern described below, as shown in FIG. 3(B). In this embodiment, the second electrode pattern is a striped electrode pattern divided along the Y direction and extending along the X direction.

[0025] As described above, the planar shape of the first electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 11 of the first laminate 5A and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 16 of the second laminate 5B are different from each other in a planar view. That is, although the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each striped electrode patterns, when the light control film 1 is viewed in a planar view, the two electrode patterns have planar shapes that intersect with each other at 90° on the XY axis. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the light control film 1 is viewed in a planar view, the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other at 90°.

[0026] As will be described later, the light control film 1 can control the transmittance for each region corresponding to the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A, and can also control the transmittance for each region corresponding to the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B. Furthermore, the light control film 1 can selectively control the transmittance for each region (hereinafter also referred to as "block region") where the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other.

[0027] Although various transparent resin films can be used as the substrates 6 and 15, it is preferable to use a transparent resin film that has small optical anisotropy and a transmittance of 80% or more in the visible wavelength range (380 to 800 nm). Examples of materials for transparent resin films include acetylcellulose-based resins such as triacetylcellulose (TAC), polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyolefin-based resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polymethylpentene, and EVA, vinyl-based resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, acrylic resins, polyurethane-based resins, polysulfone (PEF), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone, polyether (PE), polyether ketone (PEK), (meth)acrylonitrile, cycloolefin polymer (COP), and cycloolefin copolymer. In particular, resins such as polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are preferred. In this embodiment, the base materials 6 and 15 are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having a thickness of, for example, 125 μm, but transparent resin films of various thicknesses can also be used.

[0028] The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 described above are composed of the transparent resin film and a transparent conductive film laminated on the transparent resin film. The transparent conductive film can be made of various transparent electrode materials that are used for this type of transparent resin film, including oxide-based transparent metal thin films with a total light transmittance of 50% or more, such as tin oxide, indium oxide, and zinc oxide.

[0029] Examples of tin oxide (SnO2) based materials include NESA (tin oxide SnO2), ATO (antimony tin oxide: antimony-doped tin oxide), and fluorine-doped tin oxide. Examples of indium oxide (In2O3) based materials include indium oxide, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide). Zinc oxide (ZnO) based materials include zinc oxide, AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), and gallium-doped zinc oxide.

[0030] In this embodiment, an example in which a transparent conductive film is formed using ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) will be described. As described above, the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 in this embodiment are each divided into a plurality of partial electrodes. Such partial electrodes can be formed, for example, by forming a transparent conductive film over the entire surface of the substrate and then patterning the transparent conductive film according to the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern described above. In this case, alignment layers 13 and 17 (described below) are formed over the entire surface of the patterned transparent conductive film. Alternatively, the transparent conductive film and the alignment layer may be formed in that order over the entire surface of the substrate, and then the unnecessary transparent conductive film may be patterned along with the alignment layer.

[0031] The spacers 12 are members provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8. A wide variety of resin materials can be used for the spacers 12. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which spherical spacers (hereinafter also referred to as "bead spacers") are used as the spacers 12, but the spacers 12 may also be, for example, columnar spacers.

[0032] The bead spacers used for the spacers 12 can be known beads used in liquid crystal displays, color filters, etc. Specifically, spherical, cylindrical, or cylindrical granular bodies, porous bodies, hollow bodies, etc. obtained by polymerization methods such as suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization of materials such as glass, silica, and metal oxides (MgO, Al2O3) as inorganic components, and acrylic resins, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, melamine resins, unsaturated polyester resins, divinylbenzene copolymers, divinylbenzene-acrylic ester copolymers, diacrylic phthalate copolymers, and allyl isocyanurate copolymers as organic components, or seed polymerization using core particles obtained by emulsion polymerization can be used.

[0033] Furthermore, in order to improve the dispersibility and adhesion of the beads on the alignment layer, the surfaces of the bead spacers may be subjected to a surface treatment. The surface coating material is not particularly limited as long as it does not cause problems with immobilization on the bead surface or leakage of chemical substances into the liquid crystal material. For example, polyethylene, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene / acrylic acid ester copolymer, polymethyl (meth)acrylate polymer, SBS type styrene / butadiene block copolymer, epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, etc. can be used.

[0034] The alignment layers 13 and 17 are formed of photo-alignment layers. As photo-alignment materials applicable to the photo-alignment layers, a wide variety of materials to which photo-alignment techniques can be applied can be used, and examples thereof include photodecomposition type, photodimerization type, and photoisomerization type. In this embodiment, a photodimerization type material is used. Examples of photodimerization type materials include polymers containing cinnamate, coumarin, benzylidenephthalimidine, benzylideneacetophenone, diphenylacetylene, stilbazole, uracil, quinolinone, maleimide, or cinnamylideneacetic acid derivatives. Among these, polymers containing one or both of cinnamate and coumarin are preferred because of their excellent alignment control ability. Specific examples of such photodimerization type materials include compounds described in JP-A-9-118717, JP-A-10-506420, JP-A-2003-505561, and WO2010 / 150748. Instead of the photo-alignment layer, the alignment layer may be prepared by a rubbing treatment, or the alignment layer may be prepared by a shaping treatment to form fine line-shaped irregularities.

[0035] For example, a guest-host liquid crystal composition or a dichroic dye composition can be used for the liquid crystal layer 8. By adding a chiral agent to the guest-host liquid crystal composition, when the liquid crystal molecules are aligned horizontally, they may be aligned in a helical shape in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the liquid crystal layer 8.

[0036] The light control film 1 is composed of vertical alignment layers in which the alignment regulating force of the alignment layers 13 and 17 is set so that the light-blocking state occurs due to the alignment of the guest-host liquid crystal composition when an electric field is applied. This configures the light control film 1 as normally clear. Normally clear refers to a structure that is transmissive when no electric field is applied and is in a light-blocking state when an electric field is applied. The light control film 1 may also be configured as normally dark so that the light-blocking state occurs when an electric field is applied. Normally dark refers to a structure that is in a light-blocking state when no electric field is applied and is in a transmissive state when an electric field is applied. In this embodiment, an example in which a guest-host liquid crystal composition is used as the liquid crystal layer 8 has been described, but other liquid crystal compositions may also be used as long as the transmissive state and the light-blocking state can be controlled by applying or not applying an electric field.

[0037] A sealant 7 is arranged in the light control film 1 in the shape of a frame that surrounds the liquid crystal layer 8 in a plan view. The sealant 7 holds the second laminate 5B and the first laminate 5A together and prevents leakage of the liquid crystal material. The sealant 7 can be made of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin, or an ultraviolet-curable resin.

[0038] In the light control film 1, a square-wave AC voltage whose polarity switches at a predetermined cycle is applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and this AC voltage forms an electric field in the liquid crystal layer 8. This electric field also controls the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 8, thereby controlling the transmitted light.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 40 on which the light control film 1 is arranged and a drive device for the light control film 1. Fig. 4 shows the entire vehicle 40 as seen from the side. The light control film 1 of this embodiment is disposed over substantially the entire surface of a front seat side window 41A, a rear seat side window 41B, a front seat side window 41C, and a rear seat side window 41D of a vehicle (vehicle) 40. The light control film 1 of this embodiment is sandwiched between two glass plates (not shown) that constitute the side windows. That is, the side windows are configured as laminated glass (light control devices) in which the light control film 1 is disposed between a first transparent substrate made of a glass plate and a second transparent substrate made of a glass plate that is disposed opposite the first transparent substrate. Note that only the positions of the front seat side window 41C and the rear seat side window 41D are indicated by arrows. The light control film 1 of this embodiment is flexible, and therefore can be disposed on curved side windows, etc.

[0040] The light control film 1 is configured so that it can supply driving power to each of the side windows 41A to 41D individually. Therefore, the transmittance of each of the side windows 41A to 41D can be controlled individually. In other words, by arranging the light control film 1 on each of the side windows 41A to 41D, it is possible to transmit external light to enter the vehicle interior or block external light from entering the vehicle interior as needed in each of the side windows 41A to 41D.

[0041] The vehicle 40 includes an operation information acquisition unit 42, a power supply unit 43, and a drive control unit 44 as drive devices for the light control films 1 arranged on the above-mentioned side windows 41A to 41D. The operation information acquisition unit 42 is a device that is operated by the driver and passengers seated in the passenger seat, rear seat, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as "drivers, etc.") when adjusting the amount of external light entering through the side windows 41A to 41D, and is configured, for example, with a touch panel. The driver, etc. can operate the touch panel provided on the door side to adjust the amount of external light entering through the side windows 41A to 41D simultaneously or individually. The power supply unit 43 is a power supply device that supplies power to the drive control unit 44 .

[0042] The drive control unit 44 is a device that controls the AC voltage applied to the light control film 1 using power supplied from the power supply unit 43, thereby controlling the transmittance of the light control film 1. This allows each of the side windows 41A to 41D (see FIG. 4) to block external light, making it difficult to see inside the vehicle from outside, or to transmit external light, making it easier to see outside the vehicle from inside.

[0043] Although not shown, the drive control unit 44 is composed of a drive circuit that applies a square-wave AC voltage to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the light control film 1, and a processor unit that controls the operation of this drive circuit. The processor unit is a control device that includes a processor, ROM, RAM, etc. In the processor unit, the processor (CPU) reads and executes the control program for the light control film 1 stored in the ROM, thereby controlling the operation of the drive circuit described above.

[0044] Next, an example of using the light control film 1 configured as above will be described. Figures 5(A) to 5(C) are diagrams illustrating an example of using the light control film 1. As mentioned above, the light control film 1 placed in the vehicle 40 is manufactured to fit the shape of the window, but for ease of understanding, Figures 5(A) to 5(C) illustrate an example in which the light control film 1 is rectangular. In Figures 5(A) to 5(C), the "shaded" areas indicate areas in the light control film 1 where external light is blocked. The "white" areas indicate areas in the light control film 1 where external light is transmitted. Figures 5(A) to 5(C) also schematically illustrate areas where light is blocked and transmitted by partial electrodes.

[0045] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating how the light-controlling film 1's light-blocking and light-transmitting properties are changed in the horizontal direction. For example, when the entire surface of the light-controlling film 1 is in a light-blocking (transmitting) state, the light-controlling film 1 can be sequentially switched to a transmitting (light-blocking) state from the X1 side to the X2 side by controlling the conduction of current to the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first laminate 5A in order from the partial electrode 11A closest to the X1 side to the partial electrode 11F closest to the X2 side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the light-controlling film 1 switches to a transmitting (light-blocking) state in the horizontal direction from the X1 side to the X2 side. FIG. 5A shows how the light-controlling film 1 changes from a light-blocking state to a transmitting state in the regions corresponding to the partial electrodes 11A to 11C. On the other hand, when the light-controlling film 1 is switched from a transmitting state to a light-blocking state, the regions corresponding to the partial electrodes 11A to 11C in FIG. 5A change from a transmitting state to a light-blocking state. In FIG. 5(A), the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second stack 5B are not shown.

[0046] Furthermore, when the entire surface of the light-controlling film 1 is in a light-blocking (transmitting) state, in order to sequentially place the light-controlling film 1 in a transmitting (light-blocking) state from the X2 side toward the X1 side, it is sufficient to control the flow of current in the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first laminate 5A in order from the partial electrode 11F closest to the X2 side toward the partial electrode 11A closest to the X1 side.

[0047] According to this control mode, it is possible to control the lateral blocking and transmission of external light in the light control film 1, like opening and closing a curtain. Therefore, for example, if a passenger wants to see only a little of the outside scenery, the light blocking state and transmission state of the light control film 1 can be changed sequentially along the lateral direction as described above, allowing external light to pass through only to the required extent.

[0048] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating how the light-controlling film 1's light-blocking and light-transmitting properties change in the vertical direction. For example, when the entire surface of the light-controlling film 1 is in a light-blocking (transmitting) state, the light-controlling film 1 can be sequentially switched to a transmitting (light-blocking) state from the Y2 side to the Y1 side by controlling the conduction of current to the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second laminate 5B in order, starting from the partial electrode 16A closest to the Y2 side to the partial electrode 16F closest to the Y1 side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the light-controlling film 1 changes to a transmitting (light-blocking) state in the vertical direction from the Y2 side to the Y1 side. FIG. 5B shows how the light-controlling film 1 changes from a light-blocking state to a transmitting state in the regions corresponding to the partial electrodes 16A to 16C. On the other hand, when the light-controlling film 1 is switched from a transmitting state to a light-blocking state, the regions corresponding to the partial electrodes 16A to 16C in FIG. 5B change from a transmitting state to a light-blocking state. In FIG. 5(B), the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first stack 5A are not shown.

[0049] Furthermore, when the entire surface of the light-controlling film 1 is in a light-blocking (transmitting) state, in order to sequentially place the light-controlling film 1 in a transmitting (light-blocking) state from the Y1 side to the Y2 side, it is sufficient to control the flow of current in the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second laminate 5B in sequence from the partial electrode 16F closest to the Y1 side to the partial electrode 16A closest to the Y2 side.

[0050] According to this control mode, it is possible to control the blocking and transmission of external light in the vertical direction in the light control film 1, similar to opening and closing blinds. Therefore, for example, if a passenger wants to block out the sunlight while viewing the scenery outside, by sequentially changing the light blocking and transmitting states of the light control film 1 along the vertical direction as described above, it is possible to block out the area exposed to sunlight while transmitting external light only in the required area.

[0051] In addition to the above control modes, the light-controlling film 1 can also selectively control the transmittance of the block regions where the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other (however, all block regions where the energized partial electrodes intersect with each other are subject to control).

[0052] FIG. 5(C) is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the central portion of the light control film 1 is transparent and the surrounding area is light-shielded. As shown in FIG. 5(C), the light control film 1 can be used in a configuration in which multiple block areas are selectively transparent or light-shielded. To achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 5(C), for example, partial electrodes 11C and 11D of the first laminate 5A are made conductive, and the conduction of partial electrodes 16C and 16D of the second laminate 5B is controlled. This allows the central portion of the light control film 1 to be transparent and the surrounding area to be light-shielded, as shown in FIG. 5(C).

[0053] In Fig. 5(C), there may be more than one transparent region. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5(C), the transparent (or light-shielding) region is not limited to the central portion, but may be formed at any position. Furthermore, the shape of the transparent (or light-shielding) region is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be, for example, a strip shape extending in the horizontal or vertical direction.

[0054] As described above, the light control film 1 of the first embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the horizontal direction, like opening and closing curtains, or in the vertical direction, like opening and closing blinds. The light control film 1 of the first embodiment can also selectively control the blocking and transmission of external light. Therefore, the light control film 1 of the first embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways.

[0055] In the light control film 1 of the first embodiment, the planar shape of the first electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 11 and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 16 may be reversed. That is, the first electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the Y direction and extending along the X direction, and the second electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the X direction and extending along the Y direction.

[0056] (Second embodiment) The light control film 1A of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a third laminate 5C. The other configurations of the light control film 1A of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 6, only a cross-sectional view showing the characteristic configuration of the second embodiment is shown, and other illustrations are omitted. Furthermore, in the description and drawings of the second embodiment, components and the like that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, the laminates are given the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, except for some configurations.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1A of the second embodiment. The light control film 1A of the second embodiment is composed of a first laminate 5A, a second laminate 5B, a third laminate 5C, a first liquid crystal layer 9, and a second liquid crystal layer . The first laminate 5A includes a substrate (first substrate) 6, a common transparent electrode (first common electrode) 14, and an alignment layer 13. The common transparent electrode 14 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the substrate 6. The common transparent electrode 14 is made of, for example, ITO.

[0058] The second laminate 5B includes a base material (second base material) 15, a common transparent electrode (second common electrode) 23, and an alignment layer 17. The common transparent electrode 23 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the base material 15. The common transparent electrode 23 is made of, for example, ITO.

[0059] The third laminate 5C is a laminate disposed between the first laminate 5A and the second laminate 5B. The third laminate 5C includes a transparent electrode (first electrode) 18 and an alignment layer 19 on the Z1 side of a substrate (third substrate) 20, and also includes a transparent electrode (second electrode) 21 and an alignment layer 22 on the Z2 side of the substrate 20.

[0060] The transparent electrode 18 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 18A to 18F according to the same first electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 11A to 11F shown in Fig. 3(A) are replaced with the partial electrodes 18A to 18F. Like the partial electrodes 11A to 11F, the partial electrodes 18A to 18F are divided along the X direction and extend along the Y direction. The alignment layer 19 is, for example, the same as the alignment layer 13 of the first laminate 5A.

[0061] The transparent electrode 21 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 21A to 21F according to the same second electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 16A to 16F shown in FIG. 3(B) are replaced with the partial electrodes 21A to 21F. Like the partial electrodes 16A to 16F, the partial electrodes 21A to 21F are divided along the Y direction and extend along the X direction. The alignment layer 22 is, for example, the same as the alignment layer 13 of the first laminate 5A.

[0062] In the liquid crystal cell 4 of the light control film 1A, a first liquid crystal layer 9 is sandwiched between the first laminate 5A and the third laminate 5C. A second liquid crystal layer 10 is sandwiched between the second laminate 5B and the third laminate 5C. The first liquid crystal layer 9 and the second liquid crystal layer 10 are, for example, the same as the liquid crystal layer 8 of the first embodiment.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the first electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 18 provided on the Z1 side of the third laminate 5C into partial electrodes 18A to 18F and the second electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 21 provided on the Z2 side of the third laminate 5C into partial electrodes 21A to 21F are the same electrode patterns as in the first embodiment and intersect with each other at 90° on the XY axes. Therefore, in the light control film 1A, the partial electrodes 18A to 18F of the third laminate 5C and the partial electrodes 21A to 21F of the third laminate 5C intersect with each other at 90°, for example, as in the light control film 1 shown in FIG.

[0064] Like the first embodiment, the light control film 1A of the second embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the horizontal direction, like opening and closing curtains, and the blocking and transmission of external light in the vertical direction, like opening and closing blinds. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the partial electrodes to be energized, the light control film 1A of the second embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the areas where the energized partial electrodes intersect. Therefore, the light control film 1A of the second embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways.

[0065] Furthermore, in the light control film 1A of the second embodiment, partial electrodes 18A-18F and partial electrodes 21A-21F are formed on both sides of one third laminate 5C, so there is no need to align the partial electrodes 18A-18F with the partial electrodes 21A-21F when assembling the light control film 1A. By manufacturing the third laminate 5C (light control film 1A) of the second embodiment by the first manufacturing method of the fifth embodiment or the second manufacturing method of the sixth embodiment described below, the partial electrodes 18A-18F and partial electrodes 21A-21F can be formed on the substrate 20 with a more accurate positional relationship.

[0066] In the light control film 1A of the second embodiment, the planar shape of the first electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 18 and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 21 may be reversed. That is, the first electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the Y direction and extending along the X direction, and the second electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the X direction and extending along the Y direction.

[0067] (Third embodiment) The light control film 1B of the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the arrangement of the divided transparent electrodes and common electrode. The other configurations of the light control film 1B of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 7, only a cross-sectional view showing the characteristic configuration of the third embodiment is shown, and other illustrations are omitted. Furthermore, in the description and drawings of the third embodiment, components and the like that perform the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, with the exception of some configurations, the laminate is given the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1B of the third embodiment. The light control film 1B of the third embodiment is composed of a first laminate 5A, a second laminate 5B, a third laminate 5C, a first liquid crystal layer 9, and a second liquid crystal layer . The first laminate 5A includes a substrate (first substrate) 6, a transparent electrode (first electrode) 24, and an alignment layer 13. The transparent electrode 24 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 24A to 24F according to the same first electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 11A to 11F shown in FIG. 3(A) are replaced with the partial electrodes 24A to 24F. Like the partial electrodes 11A to 11F, the partial electrodes 24A to 24F are divided along the X direction and extend along the Y direction. The transparent electrode 24 is formed of, for example, ITO.

[0069] The second laminate 5B includes a substrate (second substrate) 15, a transparent electrode (second electrode) 27, and an alignment layer 17. The transparent electrode 27 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 27A to 27F according to the same second electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 16A to 16F shown in FIG. 3(B) are replaced with the partial electrodes 27A to 27F. Like the partial electrodes 16A to 16F in the first embodiment, the partial electrodes 27A to 27F are divided along the Y direction and extend along the X direction. The transparent electrode 27 is formed of, for example, ITO.

[0070] The third laminate 5C includes a common transparent electrode (first common electrode) 25 and an alignment layer 19 on the Z1 side of the substrate (third substrate) 20, and includes a common transparent electrode (second common electrode) 26 and an alignment layer 22 on the Z2 side of the substrate 20. The common transparent electrode 25 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the Z1 side of the substrate 20. The common transparent electrode 26 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the Z2 side of the substrate 20. The common transparent electrodes 25 and 26 are formed of, for example, ITO.

[0071] In the third embodiment, the first electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 24 provided on the first laminate 5A into partial electrodes 24A to 24F and the second electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 27 provided on the second laminate 5B into partial electrodes 27A to 27F are the same electrode patterns as in the first embodiment and intersect with each other at 90° on the XY axes. Therefore, in the light control film 1B, the partial electrodes 24A to 24F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 27A to 27F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other at 90°, for example, as in the light control film 1 shown in FIG.

[0072] Like the first embodiment, the light control film 1B of the third embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the horizontal direction, like opening and closing curtains, and the blocking and transmission of external light in the vertical direction, like opening and closing blinds. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the partial electrodes to be energized, the light control film 1B of the third embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the areas where the energized partial electrodes intersect. Therefore, the light control film 1B of the third embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways.

[0073] In the light control film 1B of the third embodiment, the planar shape of the first electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 24 and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 27 may be reversed. That is, the first electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the Y direction and extending along the X direction, and the second electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the X direction and extending along the Y direction.

[0074] (Fourth embodiment) The light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the arrangement of the divided transparent electrodes and common electrode. The other configurations of the light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, in FIG. 8, only a cross-sectional view showing the characteristic configuration of the fourth embodiment is shown, and other illustrations are omitted. Furthermore, in the description and drawings of the fourth embodiment, components and the like that perform the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. Furthermore, with the exception of some configurations, the laminate is given the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment. The light control film 1C of the third embodiment is composed of a first laminate 5A, a second laminate 5B, a third laminate 5C, a first liquid crystal layer 9, and a second liquid crystal layer . The first laminate 5A includes a base material (first base material) 6, a common transparent electrode (first common electrode) 28, and an alignment layer 13. The common transparent electrode 28 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the base material 6. The common transparent electrode 28 is made of, for example, ITO.

[0076] The second laminate 5B includes a substrate (second substrate) 15, a transparent electrode (second electrode) 32, and an alignment layer 17. The transparent electrode 32 is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 32A to 32F according to the same second electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 16A to 16F shown in FIG. 3(B) are replaced with the partial electrodes 32A to 32F. Like the partial electrodes 16A to 16F in the first embodiment, the partial electrodes 32A to 32F are divided along the Y direction and extend along the X direction. The transparent electrode 32 is formed of, for example, ITO.

[0077] The third laminate 5C includes a transparent electrode (first electrode) 29 and an alignment layer 19 on the Z1 side of the substrate (third substrate) 20. The transparent electrode 29 is electrically divided into a plurality of partial electrodes 29A to 29F according to the same first electrode pattern as in the first embodiment. That is, the partial electrodes 11A to 11F shown in FIG. 3(A) are replaced with the partial electrodes 29A to 29F. Like the partial electrodes 11A to 11F, the partial electrodes 29A to 29F are divided along the X direction and extend along the Y direction. The transparent electrode 29 is made of, for example, ITO. The third laminate 5C also includes a common transparent electrode (second common electrode) 31 and an alignment layer 22 on the Z2 side of the substrate 20. The common transparent electrode 31 is a transparent conductive film formed on the entire surface of the Z2 side of the substrate 20. The common transparent electrode 31 is made of, for example, ITO.

[0078] In the fourth embodiment, the first electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 29 provided on the third laminate 5C into partial electrodes 29A to 29F and the second electrode pattern that divides the transparent electrode 32 provided on the second laminate 5B into partial electrodes 32A to 32F are the same electrode patterns as in the first embodiment and intersect with each other at 90° on the XY axes. Therefore, in the light control film 1C, the partial electrodes 29A to 29F of the third laminate 5C and the partial electrodes 32A to 32F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other at 90°, for example, as in the light control film 1 shown in FIG.

[0079] Like the first embodiment, the light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the horizontal direction, like opening and closing curtains, and the blocking and transmission of external light in the vertical direction, like opening and closing blinds. Furthermore, by appropriately selecting the partial electrodes to be energized, the light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment can control the blocking and transmission of external light in the areas where the energized partial electrodes intersect. Therefore, the light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways.

[0080] In the light control film 1C of the fourth embodiment, the planar shape of the first electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 29 and the planar shape of the second electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 32 may be reversed. That is, the first electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the Y direction and extending along the X direction, and the second electrode pattern may be a striped electrode pattern divided along the X direction and extending along the Y direction.

[0081] (Fifth embodiment) Next, a first manufacturing method for the third laminate 5C in the second embodiment (light control film 1A) will be described. Figures 9(A) to (D) and 10(E) to (H) are diagrams illustrating the first manufacturing method for the third laminate 5C in the second embodiment. In the description and drawings of the fifth embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Also, although XYZ coordinate axes are not shown in Figures 9(A) to (D) and 10(E) to (H), the lower side of the figure will be the Z1 side and the upper side will be the Z2 side, as in the coordinate system shown in Figure 6.

[0082] 9(A), a first transparent conductive film 180 is formed on the Z1 side of the substrate 20, and a second transparent conductive film 210 is formed on the Z2 side. The first transparent conductive film 180 is a transparent conductive film that becomes the partial electrodes 18A to 18F (see FIG. 6). The second transparent conductive film 210 is a transparent conductive film that becomes the partial electrodes 21A to 21F (see FIG. 6).

[0083] 9(B), a first resist film 181 is formed on the surface of the first transparent conductive film 180, and a second resist film 211 is formed on the surface of the second transparent conductive film 210. In the following description, the substrate 20 on which the first transparent conductive film 180, the second transparent conductive film 210, the first resist film 181, and the second resist film 211 are formed, as shown in FIG. 9(B), is also referred to as the "intermediate laminate 120."

[0084] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(C), a first photomask 51 is placed on the first resist film 181 side of the intermediate laminate 120, and a second photomask 52 is placed on the second resist film 211 side of the intermediate laminate 120. The first photomask 51 is a photomask having a first mask pattern corresponding to the first electrode pattern. The second photomask 52 is a photomask having a second mask pattern corresponding to the second electrode pattern. The mask patterns of the first photomask 51 and the second photomask 52 are aligned with high precision. Note that in the third laminate 5C of the second embodiment, the partial electrodes 18A to 18F and the partial electrodes 21A to 21F intersect with each other at 90° in a plan view, but in FIGS. 9(C) to 9(H), they are illustrated as extending in the same direction to make the shape of the patterned resist easier to understand.

[0085] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(C), ultraviolet rays UVa are irradiated toward the first resist film 181 of the intermediate laminate 120 from the side of the first photomask 51. At the same time, ultraviolet rays UVb are irradiated toward the second resist film 211 of the intermediate laminate 120 from the side of the second photomask 52. In the first resist film 181, areas corresponding to the transparent portions (white background) of the first photomask 51 are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays UVa. On the other hand, in the first resist film 181, areas corresponding to the light-shielding portions (black background) of the first photomask 51 are not irradiated with ultraviolet rays UVa and therefore remain uncured. Similarly, in the second resist film 211, areas corresponding to the transparent portions of the second photomask 52 are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays UVb. On the other hand, in the second resist film 211, areas corresponding to the light-shielding portions of the second photomask 52 are not irradiated with ultraviolet rays UVb and therefore remain uncured. In the first manufacturing method of the third laminate 5C, the cumulative light intensity of the ultraviolet rays UVa and UVb is set to appropriate conditions depending on the thickness of the resist film, the type of resist, etc., so as not to harden the resist films on opposite sides of each other.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 9(D), by irradiating the intermediate laminate 120 with ultraviolet light, cured regions 181a and uncured regions 181b corresponding to the first mask pattern are formed in the first resist film 181. Furthermore, cured regions 211a and uncured regions 211b corresponding to the second mask pattern are formed in the second resist film 211. Note that Fig. 9(D) and Figs. 10(E) and (F) schematically show the cured regions and uncured regions of each resist film.

[0087] Next, the intermediate laminate 120 is set in a resist stripping device (not shown), and as shown in Fig. 10(E), the uncured regions 181b of the first resist film 181 and the uncured regions 211b of the second resist film 211 are removed. In Fig. 10(E), the positions of the uncured regions before removal are indicated by reference numerals.

[0088] Next, the intermediate laminate 120 is set in an etching device (not shown), and as shown in Figure 10(F), the area 180a of the first transparent conductive film 180 that is not covered by the hardened area 181a of the first resist film 181 and the area 210a of the second transparent conductive film 210 that is not covered by the hardened area 211a of the second resist film 211 are removed.

[0089] Next, the first resist film 181 remaining on the surface layer on the Z1 side of the intermediate laminate 120 and the second resist film 211 remaining on the surface layer on the Z2 side are removed. As a result, as shown in Fig. 10(G), the transparent electrode 18 (partial electrodes 18A to 18F) is formed on the Z1 side of the base material 20, and the transparent electrode 21 (partial electrodes 21A to 21F) is formed on the Z2 side.

[0090] 10(H), an alignment layer 19 is formed on the transparent electrode 18 formed on the Z1 side of the substrate 20, and an alignment layer 22 is formed on the transparent electrode 21 formed on the Z2 side of the substrate 20. This results in a third stacked body 5C (see FIG. 6) in which the transparent electrode 18 (partial electrodes 18A to 18F) and the alignment layer 19 are formed on the Z1 side of the substrate 20 and the transparent electrode 21 (partial electrodes 21A to 21F) and the alignment layer 22 are formed on the Z2 side.

[0091] According to the first manufacturing method of the third laminate 5C (light control film 1A) described above, ultraviolet light is irradiated simultaneously onto the first resist film 181 and the second resist film 211 through the first photomask 51 and the second photomask 52 that have been aligned in advance with high precision, so that the partial electrodes 18A to 18F (transparent electrodes 18) and the partial electrodes 21A to 21F (transparent electrodes 21) can be formed so as to have a more accurate positional relationship. Note that in the first manufacturing method, the ultraviolet light UVa and UVb may be irradiated onto the respective resist films simultaneously or sequentially (the same applies to the second manufacturing method described below).

[0092] (Sixth embodiment) Next, a second manufacturing method for the third laminate 5C in the second embodiment (light control film 1A) will be described. Figures 11(A) to 11(D) are diagrams illustrating the second manufacturing method for the third laminate 5C in the second embodiment. In the description and drawings of the sixth embodiment, the same components as those in the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Also, although XYZ coordinate axes are not shown in Figures 11(A) to 11(D), the lower side of the figure will be the Z1 side and the upper side will be the Z2 side, as in the coordinate system shown in Figure 6.

[0093] First, as shown in Fig. 11(A), two substrates 121 and 122 are bonded together via an adhesive layer 123 to produce an integrated substrate 20. The substrates 121 and 122 may be made of, for example, the same transparent resin films as the substrates 6 and 15 of the first embodiment. The adhesive layer 123 is a layer that bonds the substrates 121 and 122 together and has ultraviolet absorbing properties. The ultraviolet absorbing adhesive layer 123 may be made of, for example, OCA with a VU cut function.

[0094] 11(B), a first transparent conductive film 180 is formed on the Z1 side of the substrate 20, and a second transparent conductive film 210 is formed on the Z2 side. The first transparent conductive film 180 is a transparent conductive film that becomes the partial electrodes 18A to 18F (see FIG. 6). The second transparent conductive film 210 is a transparent conductive film that becomes the partial electrodes 21A to 21F (see FIG. 6).

[0095] 11(C), a first resist film 181 is formed on the surface of the first transparent conductive film 180, and a second resist film 211 is formed on the surface of the second transparent conductive film 210. In this embodiment as well, the base material 20 on which the first transparent conductive film 180, the second transparent conductive film 210, the first resist film 181, and the second resist film 211 are formed is also referred to as the "intermediate laminate 120."

[0096] 11(D), the first photomask 51 is placed on the first resist film 181 side of the intermediate laminate 120, and the second photomask 52 is placed on the second resist film 211 side of the intermediate laminate 120. The mask patterns of the first photomask 51 and the second photomask 52 are aligned with high precision in a plan view.

[0097] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(D), ultraviolet rays UVa are irradiated onto the first resist film 181 of the intermediate laminate 120 from the side of the first photomask 51. At the same time, ultraviolet rays UVb are irradiated onto the second resist film 211 of the intermediate laminate 120 from the side of the second photomask 52. In the first resist film 181, areas corresponding to the transparent portions (white background) of the first photomask 51 are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays UVa. On the other hand, areas corresponding to the light-shielding portions (black background) of the first photomask 51 are not irradiated with ultraviolet rays UVa and therefore remain uncured. Similarly, in the second resist film 211, areas corresponding to the transparent portions of the second photomask 52 are cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays UVb. On the other hand, areas corresponding to the light-shielding portions of the second photomask 52 are not irradiated with ultraviolet rays UVb and therefore remain uncured.

[0098] In the intermediate laminate 120 of the sixth embodiment, an adhesive layer 123 having ultraviolet absorbing properties is provided between the base materials 121 and 122. According to this configuration, when ultraviolet rays UVa and UVb are irradiated simultaneously, the ultraviolet rays UVa and UVb harden the resist films on the front side, and are then absorbed (blocked) by the adhesive layer 123, and do not reach the resist film on the opposite side. Thus, in the second manufacturing method of the third laminate 5C, even if ultraviolet rays UVa and UVb are irradiated simultaneously, the resist films on the opposite sides do not harden, and therefore the irradiation amounts of the ultraviolet rays UVa and UVb can be set to standard irradiation amounts.

[0099] From Figure 11(D) onwards, by carrying out the same processes as those shown in Figures 9(D) to (H) described in the fifth embodiment, a third laminate 5C (see Figure 6) can be obtained in which a transparent electrode 18 (partial electrodes 18A to 18F) and an alignment layer 19 are formed on the Z1 side of the substrate 20, and a transparent electrode 21 (partial electrodes 21A to 21F) and an alignment layer 22 are formed on the Z2 side.

[0100] In the second manufacturing method of the third laminate 5C (light-controlling film 1A) described above, ultraviolet light is irradiated simultaneously onto the first resist film 181 and the second resist film 211 through the first photomask 51 and the second photomask 52 that have been aligned with high precision in advance, so that the partial electrodes 18A to 18F (transparent electrodes 18) and the partial electrodes 21A to 21F (transparent electrodes 21) can be formed so as to have a more precise positional relationship.

[0101] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations, such as the modified embodiments described below, are possible, and these are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present disclosure, and are not limited to those described in the embodiments. The above-described embodiments and the modified embodiments described below can also be used in appropriate combinations, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] (First variant) In the first modified embodiment, an example will be described in which the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern extend obliquely with respect to the XY axes. 12(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a light control film 1D of a first modified embodiment. 12(A) and (B) are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 3(A) and (B) of the first embodiment. In the first modified embodiment, components and the like that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. Also, in the first modified embodiment, the entire light control film 1D is not shown.

[0103] The first electrode pattern in the first modified embodiment is a striped electrode pattern divided along the direction of line a and extending along the direction of line b, as shown in FIG. 12(A). The second electrode pattern in the first modified embodiment is a striped electrode pattern divided along the direction of line b and extending along the direction of line a, as shown in FIG. 12(B). Here, line a is a line that passes through the intersection of the X and Y axes and is tilted 45° toward the X2 side from the Y axis. Also, line b is a line that passes through the intersection of the X and Y axes and is tilted 45° toward the X1 side from the Y axis. That is, in light control film 1D, line a and line b intersect at 90°.

[0104] In the first modified embodiment, the transparent electrode 11 of the first laminate 5A is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 11A to 11F according to the first electrode pattern described above, as shown in FIG. 12(A). Furthermore, the transparent electrode 16 of the second laminate 5B is divided into a plurality of electrically insulated partial electrodes 16A to 16F according to the second electrode pattern described above, as shown in FIG. 12(B). The first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern in the first modified embodiment intersect with each other at 90° on an axis parallel to line a or line b. Therefore, in the light control film 1D, the partial electrodes 11A to 11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A to 16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other at 90°.

[0105] As with the first embodiment, the light control film 1D of the first modified embodiment can control the light blocking and transmission of areas corresponding to the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A, and can also control the light blocking and transmission of areas corresponding to the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B. Furthermore, the light control film 1D of the first modified embodiment can selectively control the transmittance of block areas where the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other. Therefore, the light control film 1D of the first modified embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways. In the first modified embodiment, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern may intersect with each other at an angle other than 90°.

[0106] (Second variant) In the second modified embodiment, an example in which the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are curved (non-linear) will be described. 13(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the light control film 1E of the second modified embodiment. 13(A) and (B) are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 3(A) and (B) of the first embodiment. In the second modified embodiment, components and the like that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals. Also, in the second modified embodiment, the entire light control film 1E is not shown.

[0107] 13(A), the first electrode pattern in the second modified embodiment is an electrode pattern divided into concentric circles centered on a base point c1 set at an end on the X2 side and an end on the Y2 side of the substrate 6. Also, as shown in Fig. 13(B), the second electrode pattern in the second modified embodiment is an electrode pattern divided into concentric circles centered on a base point c2 set at an end on the X1 side and an end on the Y2 side of the substrate 15.

[0108] In the second modified embodiment, the electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 11 of the first laminate 5A is divided into electrically insulated curved partial electrodes 11A to 11F according to the above-mentioned first electrode pattern, as shown in Fig. 13(A). Also, the electrode pattern of the transparent electrode 16 of the second laminate 5B is divided into electrically insulated curved partial electrodes 16A to 16F according to the above-mentioned second electrode pattern, as shown in Fig. 13(B).

[0109] Therefore, like the first embodiment, the light control film 1E of the second modified embodiment can control the light blocking and transmission of the areas corresponding to the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A, and can also control the light blocking and transmission of the areas corresponding to the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B. Furthermore, the light control film 1E of the second modified embodiment can selectively control the transmittance of the block areas where the partial electrodes 11A-11F of the first laminate 5A and the partial electrodes 16A-16F of the second laminate 5B intersect with each other. Therefore, the light control film 1E of the second modified embodiment can block or transmit external light in various ways. In the second modified embodiment, the base point c1 of the first electrode pattern may be set at the end of the substrate 6 on the X2 side and the end of the substrate 6 on the Y1 side, and the base point c2 of the second electrode pattern may be set at the end of the substrate 15 on the X1 side and the end of the substrate 6 on the Y1 side.

[0110] In the second modified embodiment, an example in which the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are curved has been described as an example in which the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are non-linear, but the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern may be wavy, stepped, sawtooth, etc. In other words, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern may be linear or non-linear. The first electrode pattern and second electrode pattern described in the first and second modified embodiments above can be applied not only to the light control film 1 of the first embodiment, but also to the light control films 1A to 1C of the second to fourth embodiments.

[0111] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, an example in which the light control film is disposed on the side window of the vehicle 40 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light control film may be disposed on the front window, rear window, roof window, etc. of the vehicle. The light control film may also be disposed on a partition that separates the interior of the vehicle 40 (for example, a partition that separates the front and rear seats of a taxi, etc.).

[0112] In the above embodiment, a flexible light control film is sandwiched between two glass plates (transparent substrates) constituting the vehicle's side windows as a light control member. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a non-flexible light control member may be formed by using a glass plate as the base material of the light control film, and this light control member may be disposed in place of each side window of the vehicle. The light control film may also be sandwiched between transparent resin plates (transparent substrates). That is, the light control film may be disposed between a first transparent substrate made of a transparent resin plate and a second transparent substrate made of a transparent resin plate disposed opposite the first transparent substrate. Furthermore, the light control film may be attached to a glass plate or a transparent resin plate, and this glass plate or transparent resin plate may be disposed as the vehicle's side window. Note that while a light control film sandwiched between two transparent resin plates or attached to a transparent resin plate can be applied to some vehicles, more preferred applications include window glass, as described below.

[0113] In the above embodiment, an automobile is described as an example of a vehicle to which a light control film is to be applied, but the invention is not limited to this. The light control film can also be applied to windows of, for example, railway cars, ships, aircraft, etc. Furthermore, the light control film is not limited to vehicles, but can also be applied to, for example, window glass installed in buildings, partition windows, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1, 1A to 1E Light-controlling film (light-controlling material) 5A 1st laminate 5B Second laminate 5C Third laminate 6,15,20 Base material 8 Liquid Crystal Layer 9 First liquid crystal layer 10 Second liquid crystal layer 11,16,18,21,24,27,29,32 Transparent electrode 11A~11F, 16A~16F, 18A~18F, 21A~21F, 24A~24F, 27A~27F, 29A~29F, 32A~32F Partial electrode 14,23,25,26,28,31 Common transparent electrode 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D Side windows

Claims

1. A light control member capable of controlling transmittance, a first laminate having a first substrate; a second laminate having a second substrate; a third laminate having a third substrate; a first liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate; a second liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate; Equipped with the first laminated body includes an undivided first common electrode on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate includes an undivided second common electrode on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, the third laminate includes a first electrode divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, and a second electrode divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each a striped electrode pattern, The first electrode and the second electrode have their respective stripe-shaped electrode patterns intersecting each other.

2. A light control member capable of controlling transmittance, a first laminate having a first substrate; a second laminate having a second substrate; a third laminate having a third substrate; a first liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate; a second liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate; Equipped with the first laminated body includes a first electrode divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate includes a second electrode divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, the third stacked body includes an undivided first common electrode on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, and an undivided second common electrode on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each a striped electrode pattern, The first electrode and the second electrode have their respective stripe-shaped electrode patterns intersecting each other.

3. A light control member capable of controlling transmittance, a first laminate having a first substrate; a second laminate having a second substrate; a third laminate having a third substrate; a first liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first laminate and the third laminate; a second liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the second laminate and the third laminate; Equipped with the first laminated body includes an undivided first common electrode on the first liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, the second laminate includes a second electrode divided by a second electrode pattern on the second liquid crystal layer side of the second substrate, the third stacked body includes a first electrode divided by a first electrode pattern on the first liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, and includes an undivided second common electrode on the second liquid crystal layer side of the third substrate, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern are each a striped electrode pattern, The first electrode and the second electrode have their respective stripe-shaped electrode patterns intersecting each other.

4. A dimming element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A light control component, wherein the striped electrode pattern is linear or non-linear.

5. The light control member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The light control member is provided on at least one of a side window, a rear window, and a roof window of a vehicle, and a partition that divides the interior of the vehicle.

6. a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate disposed opposite the first transparent substrate; A light control device comprising: the light control member according to claim 1 , provided between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate.

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