Light-adjusting sheet

Abstract

To provide a lighting control sheet that can improve mechanical strength in the lighting control sheet.SOLUTION: A lighting control sheet comprises: a driving part 1EC that is an overlap of two electrode sheets 10, 20 and a lighting control layer; a first non-driving part 11EA that is formed of the first electrode sheet 10; a second non-driving part 21EA that is formed of the second electrode sheet 20; and a sealing part that covers an end face of the lighting control layer at the driving part 1EC. The first electrode sheet 10 includes an end face for a sealing section 10E1 including a first end side 10EL partitioning the driving part 1EC and the second non-driving part 21EA from each other. The second electrode sheet 20 includes an end face for a terminal section 20E2 including a second end side 20EL partitioning the driving part 1EC and the first non-driving part 11EA from each other. The first end side 10EL and the second end side 20EL have one common point EP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light control sheet having a light control layer containing a liquid crystal composition between a first electrode sheet and a second electrode sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] A light-controlling sheet having two electrode sheets has separate terminals for each electrode sheet, and when a voltage is applied between the two electrode sheets, the light-controlling sheet changes the light transmittance of a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition compared to before the voltage was applied (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] 12 to 14, for example, the light-controlling sheet 100 includes a first electrode sheet 110, a second electrode sheet 120, and a light-controlling layer 131 located between the first electrode sheet 110 and the second electrode sheet 120. In FIG. 12, for convenience in explaining the shape of each sheet, the first electrode sheet 110 is indicated by a thick line, and the second electrode sheet 120 is indicated by a thin line.

[0004] 12 , one corner of the first electrode sheet 110 is provided with a first connection port 110C. The first connection port 110C exposes a portion of the second electrode sheet 120 from the light control layer 131. The other corner of the second electrode sheet 120 is provided with a second connection port 120C. The second connection port 120C exposes a portion of the first electrode sheet 110 from the light control layer 131.

[0005] 13, the first electrode sheet 110 includes a first transparent base material 111 and a first transparent electrode layer 112. The first connection port 110C includes an end face of the first transparent base material 111, an end face of the first transparent electrode layer 112, and an end face of the light control layer 131. The portion of the second electrode sheet 120 separated by the first connection port 110C is a second terminal 120P connected to the second wiring board 142.

[0006] 14, the second electrode sheet 120 includes a second transparent base material 121 and a second transparent electrode layer 122. The second connection port 120C includes an end face of the second transparent base material 121, an end face of the second transparent electrode layer 122, and an end face of the light control layer 131. The portion of the first electrode sheet 110 separated by the second connection port 120C is a first terminal 110P to which a first wiring board 141 is connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 194278 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] A light-control sheet that has a light-control layer containing a liquid crystal composition between electrode sheets requires sealing of the liquid crystal composition in areas other than the terminals. In a light-control sheet with a light-control layer thickness of less than 500 μm, contact between the sealant and a wide surface, including the edge surfaces of the thin light-control layer, is required.

[0009] For example, as shown in FIG. 15 , the light controlling sheet 100 includes a driving unit 100A and a non-driving unit 100B. The driving unit 100A overlaps the first electrode sheet 110 and the second electrode sheet 120 within the light controlling sheet 100. In the non-driving unit 100B, the first electrode sheet 110 protrudes from the second electrode sheet 120. The driving unit 100A and the non-driving unit 100B are separated by a sealed partition end face 120E, which is an end face of the second electrode sheet 120. The non-driving unit 100B is sandwiched between the outer peripheral end face 110E and the sealed partition end face 120E, which are end faces of the first electrode sheet 110. The edge sealing portion 151E included in the non-driving unit 100B is in close contact with almost the entire sealed partition end face 120E, including the end face of the light controlling layer 131, and is also in close contact with the first transparent electrode layer 112. The edge sealing portion 151E is made of a resin sealing material.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 16, the above-mentioned edge sealing portion 151E is arranged so as to face toward the back of the paper in Fig. 16. Application of such edge sealing portion 151E to the first connection port 110C as well as to the non-drive portion 100B is also being considered. Meanwhile, application of electrode sealing portion 151P, which is separate from edge sealing portion 151E, to second connection port 120C, which exposes the edge surface of light-switching layer 131 like first connection port 110C, is being considered. This electrode sealing portion 151P is in close contact with second connection port 120C and also with second terminal 120P. The electrode sealing portion 151P is arranged so as to face toward the front of the paper in Fig. 16.

[0011] In this way, edge sealing portion 151E is disposed on the second electrode sheet 120 side relative to first electrode sheet 110, while electrode sealing portion 151P is disposed on the first electrode sheet 110 side relative to second electrode sheet 120. When viewed from the perspective facing the first electrode sheet 110, edge sealing portion 151E and electrode sealing portion 151P have a boundary 100C on one sheet end surface 100E of light controlling sheet 100. More specifically, a portion of edge sealing portion 151E extending in first direction D1 along sheet end surface 100E and a portion of electrode sealing portion 151P extending in second direction D2 perpendicular to first direction D1 are joined at boundary 100C.

[0012] 17(a), when the sheet end surface 100E is viewed from the line of sight along the second direction D2, the end surface 131A of the light-controlling layer 131 extending in the first direction D1 is covered with the electrode sealing portion 151P. The edge sealing portion 151E is located over the entire sealing partition end surface 120E up to the boundary with the second terminal 120P. The electrode sealing portion 151P on the second electrode sheet 120 and the edge sealing portion 151E below the first electrode sheet 110 are joined at the boundary 100C.

[0013] 17(b), when the sheet end surface 100E is viewed from the first direction D1, the end surface 131B of the light-controlling layer 131 extending in the second direction D2 is covered with the edge sealing portion 151E. This seals the entire end surface of the light-controlling layer 131.

[0014] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17(a), the portion of the second electrode sheet 120 where the electrode sealing portion 151P is located is not supported by the first electrode sheet 110. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the portion of the first electrode sheet 110 where the edge sealing portion 151E is located is not supported by the second electrode sheet 120. Then, as shown in FIG. 17(c), when the above-mentioned sheet end surface 100E is viewed from above the second terminal 120P, the boundary 100C is the boundary between the area where the first electrode sheet 110 is not present and the area where the second electrode sheet 120 is not present. In other words, the position of the boundary 100C in the light controlling sheet 100 is a very fragile portion where a gap offset in the thickness direction of the light controlling sheet 100 continues in the second direction D2 by the width W1 of the non-driven portion 100B. The presence of such a boundary 100C at the edge of the light controlling sheet 100 reduces the strength of the edge of the light controlling sheet 100, and therefore reduces the sealing ability of the light controlling layer 131. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The light-controlling sheet for solving the above-mentioned problems is a light-controlling sheet comprising a first electrode sheet having a first transparent electrode layer, a second electrode sheet having a second transparent electrode layer, and a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition and positioned between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, wherein, in a plan view seen from a viewpoint facing the light-controlling sheet, the light-controlling sheet comprises a driving unit which is an overlap of the first electrode sheet, the second electrode sheet, and the light-controlling layer, a terminal which is made up of a part of the first electrode sheet and adjacent to the driving unit, an edge part which is made up of a part of the second electrode sheet and adjacent to the driving unit, and a sealing part which covers an edge face of the light-controlling layer in the driving unit, and and a second outer peripheral end face constitute an end face extending in a first direction within the light-adjusting sheet, the end face of the first electrode sheet comprises the first outer peripheral end face and an end face for a sealed partition, the end face of the second electrode sheet comprises the second outer peripheral end face and an end face for a terminal partition, the end face for the sealed partition extends from the first outer peripheral end face in a direction intersecting with the first direction in the planar view and comprises a first end edge that separates the driving unit and the edge portion, the end face for the terminal partition extends from the second outer peripheral end face in a direction intersecting with the first direction in the planar view and comprises a second end edge that separates the driving unit and the terminal, and the first end edge and the second end edge share one point in the planar view.

[0016] The point shared by the first end and the second end is the boundary between the terminal and the edge, and is also the end point of the drive unit including the first electrode sheet, the second electrode sheet, and the light-controlling layer. Therefore, the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet are supported by each other via the light-controlling layer at the point shared by the first end and the second end. Therefore, the boundary between the terminal and the edge is a separate gap between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet, which increases the mechanical strength of the light-controlling sheet compared to a gap that is offset in the thickness direction of the light-controlling sheet.

[0017] In the above light-controlling sheet, it is preferable that the first edge and the second edge intersect at one point in the plan view. According to the above configuration, if the first edge and the second edge intersect, the arrangement of the first edge is permitted within the range where the first edge intersects with the second edge. Similarly, the arrangement of the second edge is permitted within the range where the second edge intersects with the first edge. As a result, it is possible to expand the design tolerance of the sealing compartment end face and the terminal compartment end face. This in turn makes it easier to process the sealing compartment end face and the terminal compartment end face.

[0018] In the above-mentioned light controlling sheet, it is preferable that, in the plan view, the angle formed between the first outer peripheral edge face and the second edge in the edge portion is an acute angle, and, in the plan view, the angle formed between the second outer peripheral edge face and the first edge in the terminal is also an acute angle. According to the above configuration, the angle formed between the first outer peripheral edge face and the second edge and the angle formed between the second outer peripheral edge face and the first edge are acute angles, so that the angle formed between the first edge and the second edge in the drive unit can be made larger compared to a configuration in which one of these angles is an obtuse angle. As a result, the area of ​​the drive unit near the point shared by the first edge and the second edge can be made larger by the amount of the larger angle formed between the first edge and the second edge in the drive unit, thereby further improving the mechanical strength of the light controlling sheet.

[0019] In the above light controlling sheet, it is preferable that the angle formed between the first end edge and the second end edge of the drive unit is an obtuse angle in the plan view. According to the above configuration, the angle formed between the first end edge and the second end edge of the drive unit is an obtuse angle, so that the area of ​​the drive unit near the point shared by the first end edge and the second end edge can be increased by the amount of the larger angle compared to when the angle is an acute angle. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the light controlling sheet can be further increased.

[0020] The light-modulating sheet for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises a first transparent sheet, a second transparent sheet, and a light-modulating layer containing a liquid crystal composition and positioned between the first transparent sheet and the second transparent sheet, and in a plan view seen from a viewpoint facing the light-modulating sheet, the light-modulating sheet comprises: a driving section which is an overlap of the first transparent sheet, the second transparent sheet, and the light-modulating layer; a first edge section which is made up of a part of the first transparent sheet and adjacent to the driving section; a second edge section which is made up of a part of the second transparent sheet and adjacent to the driving section; and a sealing section which covers an end face of the light-modulating layer in the driving section, and the first outer peripheral end face of the first edge section and the second outer peripheral end face of the second edge section are aligned in a front direction. The light-adjusting sheet has an end surface extending in a first direction, the end surface of the first transparent sheet having the first outer peripheral end surface and a first sealing partition end surface, the end surface of the second transparent sheet having the second outer peripheral end surface and a second sealing partition end surface, the first sealing partition end surface having a first end edge that extends from the first outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting with the first direction in the planar view and separates the drive unit and the second edge portion, the second sealing partition end surface having a second end edge that extends from the second outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting with the first direction and separates the drive unit and the first edge portion in the planar view, and the first end edge and the second end edge share one point in the planar view.

[0021] The point shared by the first end edge and the second end edge is the boundary between the first edge and the second edge, and is also the end point of the drive unit including the first transparent sheet, the second transparent sheet, and the light-controlling layer. Therefore, the first transparent sheet and the second transparent sheet are supported to each other via the light-controlling layer at the point shared by the first end edge and the second end edge. Therefore, the boundary between the first edge and the second edge is a separate break between the first transparent sheet and the second transparent sheet, which increases the mechanical strength compared to a break that is offset in the thickness direction of the light-controlling sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the mechanical strength of the light controlling sheet can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view showing one edge of the light controlling sheet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the light controlling sheet seen from the opposite side to FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing the boundary between the first non-driven portion and the second non-driven portion in the light controlling sheet. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the sheet end surface of the light controlling sheet. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a step of forming the outer shape of the light controlling sheet in the manufacturing process of the light controlling sheet. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a step of cutting the first electrode sheet, which is a step subsequent to the step of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a step of cutting the second electrode sheet, which is a step subsequent to the step of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the light controlling sheet at the shared point. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example of the laminated structure of the light controlling sheet. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional light controlling sheet. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a sealing portion in a conventional light controlling sheet. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of an edge sealing portion and an electrode sealing portion in a conventional light controlling sheet. [Figure 17]Figure 17(a) is a front view of the sheet end surface of a conventional light-adjusting sheet, Figure 17(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in Figure 17(a), and Figure 17(c) is a plan view of the portion shown in Figure 17(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the light controlling sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. [Planar structure of light-control sheet] As shown in FIG. 1, the light-controlling sheet includes a first electrode sheet 10, a second electrode sheet 20, and a light-controlling layer 31 (see FIG. 3). The light-controlling layer 31 is located between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. The first electrode sheet 10 is located on the near side of the paper relative to the second electrode sheet 20. The second electrode sheet 20 is located on the far side of the paper relative to the first electrode sheet 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for convenience in explaining the relative positions of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20, the first electrode sheet 10 is indicated by a thin line and the second electrode sheet 20 is indicated by a thick line.

[0025] The light controlling sheet has one sheet end surface 1E extending in the first direction D1. The light controlling sheet has a driven portion 1EC and a non-driven portion 1EA in a plan view seen from a viewpoint facing the light controlling sheet.

[0026] The driving unit 1EC includes a first electrode sheet 10, a second electrode sheet 20, and a light-controlling layer 31. The driving unit 1EC is the portion of the light-controlling sheet where the first electrode sheet 10, the second electrode sheet 20, and the light-controlling layer 31 overlap. In the driving unit 1EC, a voltage is applied between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20, which causes the light-controlling layer 31 to change its light transmittance.

[0027] The non-driving section 1EA is composed of either the first electrode sheet 10 or the second electrode sheet 20 of the light-controlling sheet. The non-driving section 1EA does not include the light-controlling layer 31. The non-driving section 1EA is located around the driving section 1EC, and is thereby responsible for applying the voltage required to drive the driving section 1EC and for sealing the driving section 1EC to protect it.

[0028] The portion of the non-driven portion 1EA that is configured from the first electrode sheet 10 is a first non-driven portion 11EA, which is an example of a first edge portion. The first non-driven portion 11EA faces toward the back of the paper in FIG. 1. The first non-driven portion 11EA includes a first terminal 12P, as shown by the thick dashed line in FIG. 1. The first terminal 12P is connected to the first external wiring 1FP. The first terminal 12P applies a voltage to the first electrode sheet 10 via the first external wiring 1FP.

[0029] The portion of the non-driven portion 1EA that is configured from the second electrode sheet 20 is a second non-driven portion 21EA, which is an example of a second edge portion. The second non-driven portion 21EA faces toward the front side of the paper in FIG. 1. As shown by the thin line in FIG. 1, the second non-driven portion 21EA is located over almost the entire outer periphery of the light-controlling sheet in a plan view, excluding the first non-driven portion 11EA. The second non-driven portion 21EA and the first terminal 12P are arranged side by side on one sheet end surface 1E. The second non-driven portion 21EA includes a second terminal 22P. The second terminal 22P is connected to the second external wiring 2FP. The second terminal 22P applies a voltage to the second electrode sheet 20 via the second external wiring 2FP.

[0030] The first electrode sheet 10 has a first sheet peripheral edge surface 10E. In a plan view, the first sheet peripheral edge surface 10E is an edge surface that extends over the entire periphery of the first electrode sheet 10. The second electrode sheet 20 has a second sheet peripheral edge surface 20E. In a plan view, the second sheet peripheral edge surface 20E is an edge surface that extends over the entire periphery of the second electrode sheet 20.

[0031] The first sheet peripheral end surface 10E has a sealed partition end surface 10E1 and a first outer peripheral end surface 10E2. In a plan view, the sealed partition end surface 10E1 is located inside the second electrode sheet 20 relative to the second outer peripheral end surface 20E1. The sealed partition end surface 10E1 is the boundary between the second non-driving portion 21EA, which is part of the non-driving portion 1EA, and the driving portion 1EC. A portion of the sealed partition end surface 10E1 frames a portion of the second terminal 22P. The first outer peripheral end surface 10E2, as part of the sheet end surface 1E, frames a portion of the first terminal 12P.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the second sheet peripheral end surface 20E includes a second outer peripheral end surface 20E1 and a terminal compartment end surface 20E2. In a plan view, the second outer peripheral end surface 20E1 is located on the outer side of the first electrode sheet 10 relative to the sealing compartment end surface 10E1. A portion of the second outer peripheral end surface 20E1 frames a portion of the second terminal 22P as part of the sheet end surface 1E. The terminal compartment end surface 20E2 is located on the inner side of the first outer peripheral end surface 10E2 in the first electrode sheet 10. The terminal compartment end surface 20E2 is the boundary between the first non-driving portion 11EA, which is part of the non-driving portion 1EA, and the driving portion 1EC. The terminal compartment end surface 20E2 frames a portion of the first terminal 12P.

[0033] Thus, in plan view, the drive unit 1EC is bounded by the sealed compartment end face 10E1 and the terminal compartment end face 20E2. In plan view, the first terminal 12P is bounded by the first outer peripheral end face 10E2 of the first electrode sheet 10 and the terminal compartment end face 20E2 of the second electrode sheet 20. In plan view, the second terminal 22P is bounded by a part of the sealed compartment end face 10E1 of the first electrode sheet 10 and a part of the second outer peripheral end face 20E1 of the second electrode sheet 20.

[0034] [Cross-sectional structure of light-control sheet] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the light-transmitting first electrode sheet 10 includes a first transparent substrate 11 and a first transparent electrode layer 12. The light-transmitting second electrode sheet 20 includes a second transparent substrate 21 and a second transparent electrode layer 22. The light-switching layer 31 is located between the first transparent electrode layer 12 and the second transparent electrode layer 22. The first terminal 12P is a portion of the first transparent electrode layer 12 that is exposed from the second electrode sheet 20 and the light-switching layer 31 due to the arrangement of the terminal compartment end face 20E2 relative to the first transparent electrode layer 12. The second terminal 22P is a portion of the second transparent electrode layer 22 that is exposed from the first electrode sheet 10 and the light-switching layer 31 due to the arrangement of the sealing compartment end face 10E1 relative to the second transparent electrode layer 22.

[0035] 3, the sealed compartment end surface 10E1 includes a first substrate end surface 11E which is an end surface of the first transparent substrate 11, a first electrode layer end surface 12E which is an end surface of the first transparent electrode layer 12, and a light control layer end surface 31E which is an end surface of the light control layer 31. The sealed compartment end surface 10E1 is covered with a peripheral sealing portion 51.

[0036] In a light-controlling sheet in which the thickness of the light-controlling layer 31 is less than 500 μm, the peripheral sealing portion 51 must be in contact with a wide surface, including the end surface 31E of the thin light-controlling layer. The peripheral sealing portion 51 is in close contact with almost the entire sealing partition end surface 10E1 and also with the second non-driving portion 21EA. This allows the surface area of ​​the peripheral sealing portion 51 in contact with the peripheral sealing portion 51 to be wider than the end surface 31E of the light-controlling layer, improving the adhesion between the end surface 31E of the thin light-controlling layer and the peripheral sealing portion 51. The peripheral sealing portion 51 is disposed over the entire second non-driving portion 21EA, including the second terminal 22P. In the second non-driving portion 21EA, the peripheral sealing portion 51 reaches the boundary between the second non-driving portion 21EA and the first non-driving portion 11EA.

[0037] 4, the terminal section end face 20E2 includes a second substrate end face 21E which is an end face of the second transparent substrate 21, a second electrode layer end face 22E which is an end face of the second transparent electrode layer 22, and a light control layer end face 31E. The terminal section end face 20E2 is covered with a terminal sealing portion 52.

[0038] The terminal sealing portion 52 is in close contact with almost the entire terminal partition end face 20E2 and also with the first non-driving portion 11EA. This makes the surface of the terminal sealing portion 52 in contact with the terminal sealing portion 52 wider than the light control layer end face 31E, improving the adhesion between the thin light control layer end face 31E and the terminal sealing portion 52. At the first terminal 12P, which is the first non-driving portion 11EA, the terminal sealing portion 52 reaches the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driving portion 21EA.

[0039] The first transparent substrate 11 and the second transparent substrate 21 each have optical transparency that allows visible light to pass through and electrical insulation. The materials constituting the first transparent substrate 11 and the second transparent substrate 21 are each an organic polymer compound or an inorganic polymer compound. An example of the organic polymer compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyolefin. An example of the inorganic polymer compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride.

[0040] The first transparent electrode layer 12 and the second transparent electrode layer 22 each have optical transparency that allows the transmission of visible light and electrical conductivity. An example of a material that constitutes the first transparent electrode layer 12 and the second transparent electrode layer 22 is at least one selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, carbon nanotubes, and poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene.

[0041] The light control layer 31 changes the light transmittance after application of a voltage from the light transmittance before application of the voltage. An example of the light control layer 31 includes a transparent organic polymer layer and a liquid crystal composition. The transparent organic polymer layer defines a gap between the first transparent electrode layer 12 and the second transparent electrode layer 22, which is filled with the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition fills the gap in the transparent organic polymer layer. The liquid crystal composition includes a liquid crystal compound. An example of the liquid crystal compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of Schiff base compounds, azo compounds, azoxy compounds, biphenyl compounds, terphenyl compounds, benzoate ester compounds, tolane compounds, pyrimidine compounds, cyclohexane carboxylic acid ester compounds, phenylcyclohexane compounds, and dioxane compounds.

[0042] An example of the type of liquid crystal composition retention in the light-controlling layer 31 is any one selected from the group consisting of a polymer network type, a polymer dispersion type, and a capsule type. The polymer network type has a transparent polymer network with a three-dimensional mesh structure, and retains the liquid crystal composition in the interconnected mesh-like voids. The polymer network is an example of a transparent organic polymer layer. The polymer dispersion type has a large number of isolated voids in a transparent organic polymer layer, and retains the liquid crystal composition in the voids dispersed in the polymer layer. The capsule type retains a capsule-shaped liquid crystal composition in a transparent organic polymer layer. In addition to the above-mentioned liquid crystal compound, the liquid crystal composition may contain a monomer for forming a transparent organic polymer layer and a dichroic dye.

[0043] The peripheral sealing portion 51 and the terminal sealing portion 52 are made of a hygroscopic insulating resin. For example, the peripheral sealing portion 51 and the terminal sealing portion 52 are made of an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, or the like. The peripheral sealing portion 51 and the terminal sealing portion 52 prevent the liquid crystal composition constituting the light-switching layer 31 from leaking out from the end surface 31E of the light-switching layer to the outside.

[0044] [Edge structure of light-control sheet] As shown in FIG. 5, the first terminal 12P is adjacent to the second non-driven portion 21EA at the edge of the light-controlling sheet, including the sheet end surface 1E. The terminal section end surface 20E2, which borders the first terminal 12P, and the sealing section end surface 10E1, which borders the second non-driven portion 21EA, share a common point EP, which is a single point on the sheet end surface 1E, in a planar view. In the sheet end surface 1E, the first outer peripheral end surface 10E2 and the second outer peripheral end surface 20E1 also share a common point EP in a planar view. That is, the first outer peripheral end surface 10E2 and the second outer peripheral end surface 20E1 constitute the sheet end surface 1E as a single plane extending in the first direction D1 via the common point EP. At the common point EP located on the sheet end surface 1E, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are supported by the light-controlling layer 31.

[0045] In plan view, the sealing compartment end surface 10E1 has a first end edge 10EL that extends from a common point EP on the sheet end surface 1E toward the inside of the second electrode sheet 20 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. In plan view, the first end edge 10EL and the sheet end surface 1E form a first angle θ1 within the second non-driving portion 21EA. The first angle θ1 is an acute angle.

[0046] In plan view, the terminal compartment end surface 20E2 has a second end edge 20EL that extends from the shared point EP on the sheet end surface 1E toward the inside of the first electrode sheet 10 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. In plan view, the second end edge 20EL and the sheet end surface 1E form a second angle θ2 within the first non-driving portion 11EA. The second angle θ2 is an acute angle.

[0047] The first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may be equal to or different from each other. The first angle θ1 may be greater than or smaller than the second angle θ2. The first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 are, for example, set to be equal to or greater than 20 degrees and equal to or less than 45 degrees.

[0048] The portion of the light-controlling sheet between the first edge 10EL and the second edge 20EL is the driver 1EC, which includes the first electrode sheet 10, the second electrode sheet 20, and the light-controlling layer 31. The first edge 10EL and the second edge 20EL form a third angle θ3 in the driver 1EC. The third angle θ3 may be a right angle, an acute angle, or an obtuse angle. When there is a requirement to expand the driver 1EC or to increase the mechanical strength of the light-controlling sheet, the third angle θ3 formed by the first edge 10EL and the second edge 20EL is preferably an obtuse angle. For example, the third angle θ3 is set to be greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than or equal to 140 degrees.

[0049] 6, the sealed partition end face 10E1 is covered by a peripheral sealing portion 51. The terminal partition end face 20E2 is covered by a terminal sealing portion 52. The peripheral sealing portion 51 follows the sealed partition end face 10E1 along the first direction D1 to cover the light switchable layer end face 31E up to the shared point EP. The terminal sealing portion 52 follows the terminal partition end face 20E2 along the first direction D1 to cover the light switchable layer end face 31E up to the shared point EP. The terminal sealing portion 52 and the peripheral sealing portion 51 cover the entire light switchable layer end face 31E, including the shared point EP, so that a portion of the terminal sealing portion 52 and a portion of the peripheral sealing portion 51 contact each other at the shared point EP.

[0050] As described above, the first terminal 12P, which is part of the first non-driving portion 11EA, is made up of the first electrode sheet 10 and is not supported by the second electrode sheet 20. Conversely, the second non-driving portion 21EA is made up of the second electrode sheet 20 and is not supported by the first electrode sheet 10. If the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driving portion 21EA were continuous in the planar direction, this boundary would be configured to be neither directly supported by the first electrode sheet 10 nor directly supported by the second electrode sheet 20. As a result, the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driving portion 21EA becomes a very fragile portion where the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 exist separately, like a gap that is offset in the thickness direction of the light-controlling sheet.

[0051] On the other hand, the shared point EP, which is the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driven portion 21EA, is a single point located on the sheet end surface 1E in a plan view, as shown in Fig. 5, and is a single line continuing in the thickness direction of the light controlling sheet, as shown in Fig. 6. The shared point EP, which is the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driven portion 21EA, is also the end point of the driven portion 1EC that includes the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. As a result, the shared point EP, which is the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driven portion 21EA, has increased mechanical strength compared to a configuration such as a gap that is offset in the thickness direction.

[0052] [Light control sheet manufacturing method] As shown in FIG. 7, a light-controlling sheet is prepared that includes a light-controlling layer 31 between a first electrode sheet 10 and a second electrode sheet 20. For example, the first electrode sheet 10 is pulled out from a roll, and the second electrode sheet 20 is pulled out from another roll. The second electrode sheet 20 is then bonded to the first electrode sheet 10, which has been coated with a liquid crystal composition containing a UV-curable resin. Next, the liquid crystal composition is irradiated with UV light, thereby forming the light-controlling layer 31 between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. Next, the outer shape of the laminate is cut so that the outer shape of the first electrode sheet 10 matches the outer shape of the second electrode sheet 20 and so that the peripheral edge surface 10E of the first sheet matches the peripheral edge surface 20E of the second sheet, thereby preparing a light-controlling sheet.

[0053] 8, a portion of the first electrode sheet 10, together with the light-controlling layer 31 that overlaps that portion, is removed using a plot cutter 40. For example, the plot cutter 40 forms a sealing partition edge surface 10E1 including a first edge 10EL on the first sheet peripheral edge surface 10E. This separates the first sheet peripheral edge surface 10E into the sealing partition edge surface 10E1 and a first outer peripheral edge surface 10E2. Next, the edge portion of the first electrode sheet 10 separated by the sealing partition edge surface 10E1 is removed together with the light-controlling layer 31 that overlaps it, thereby separating the second non-driving portion 21EA into the light-controlling sheet.

[0054] 9, a portion of the second electrode sheet 20, together with the light-controlling layer 31 overlapping that portion, is removed using a plot cutter 40. For example, the plot cutter 40 forms a terminal section end face 20E2 including the second end edge 20EL on the second sheet peripheral end face 20E. This separates the second sheet peripheral end face 20E into the terminal section end face 20E2 and the second outer peripheral end face 20E1. Next, the edge of the second electrode sheet 20 separated by the terminal section end face 20E2 is removed together with the light-controlling layer 31 overlapping it, thereby separating the first terminal 12P into the light-controlling sheet.

[0055] Then, in a plan view, a second non-driven portion 21EA bordered by the first edge 10EL and a first terminal 12P bordered by the second edge 20EL are formed so as to share only a common point EP, which is one point on the sheet edge 1E. As described above, the light-controlling sheet having the first sheet peripheral edge 10E and the second sheet peripheral edge 20E processed has the entire light-controlling layer edge 31E covered by the peripheral sealing portion 51 and the terminal sealing portion 52.

[0056] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The shared point EP, which is the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driving portion 21EA, is also an end point of the driving portion 1EC, which includes the first electrode sheet 10, the second electrode sheet 20, and the light-adjusting layer 31. Therefore, at the shared point EP, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are supported by each other via the light-adjusting layer 31. Therefore, the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driving portion 21EA is a gap where the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are separately present, which increases the mechanical strength of the light-adjusting sheet compared to a configuration where a gap is offset in the thickness direction of the light-adjusting sheet.

[0057] (2) Because the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 are acute angles, the third angle θ3 can be made larger than in a configuration in which either the first angle θ1 or the second angle θ2 is an obtuse angle. This allows the area of ​​the drive unit 1EC in the vicinity of the shared point EP to be increased by the amount of the larger third angle θ3, thereby further increasing the mechanical strength of the light controlling sheet.

[0058] (3) Because the third angle θ3 is an obtuse angle, the area of ​​the drive unit 1EC near the shared point EP can be increased by the amount of the larger third angle θ3 compared to a configuration in which the third angle θ3 is an acute angle, thereby further increasing the mechanical strength of the light controlling sheet.

[0059] The above embodiment can be modified as follows. [Edge structure of light-control sheet] As shown in FIG. 10, the first edge 10EL of the sealing partition end face 10E1 and the second edge 20EL of the terminal partition end face 20E2 may intersect at a common point EP. Essentially, the sealing partition end face 10E1 and the terminal partition end face 20E2 need only share a common point in a plan view. Even in this configuration, the common point EP, which is the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driven portion 21EA, is a single point in a plan view and also serves as the end point of the driven portion 1EC. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the boundary between the first terminal 12P and the second non-driven portion 21EA is enhanced compared to a configuration in which a gap is offset in the thickness direction.

[0060] Furthermore, if the first end edge 10EL and the second end edge 20EL intersect, the first end edge 10EL can be positioned within the range where the first end edge 10EL intersects with the second end edge 20EL. The second end edge 20EL can be positioned within the range where the second end edge 20EL intersects with the first end edge 10EL. As a result, it is possible to expand the design tolerance of the sealing compartment end face 10E1 and the terminal compartment end face 20E2. This in turn facilitates the processing of the sealing compartment end face 10E1 and the terminal compartment end face 20E2.

[0061] If the first end edge 10EL and the second end edge 20EL share a common point EP on the sheet end surface 1E, the sheet end surface 1E is configured as a single plane extending in the first direction D1, as described above. In this case, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are supported by each other via the light control layer 31 at the common point EP located on the sheet end surface 1E. Therefore, if it is required to increase the mechanical strength of the sheet end surface 1E, it is preferable that the first end edge 10EL and the second end edge 20EL share a common point EP on the sheet end surface 1E.

[0062] [Layer structure of light-control sheet] The first electrode sheet 10 may include other functional layers such as an ultraviolet shielding layer, an infrared shielding layer, an alignment layer, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, etc. The second electrode sheet 20 may include other functional layers such as an ultraviolet shielding layer, an infrared shielding layer, an alignment layer, an adhesive layer, a protective layer, etc.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 11 , the first electrode sheet 10 may further include a protective layer 15 that covers the first transparent substrate 11. The protective layer 15 is located on the opposite side of the first transparent substrate 11 from the first transparent electrode layer 12. The protective layer 15 includes a protective layer peripheral edge surface 15E. The protective layer peripheral edge surface 15E is an edge surface that extends along the entire periphery of the protective layer 15 in a plan view. The protective layer peripheral edge surface 15E is located further inward of the first transparent substrate 11 than the first sheet peripheral edge surface 10E, which is the edge of the first transparent substrate 11. This allows the contact surface of the peripheral sealing portion 51 to be further expanded so as to cover the edge of the first transparent substrate 11.

[0064] The second electrode sheet 20 may further include an adhesive layer 25 that covers the second transparent substrate 21. The adhesive layer 25 is located on the opposite side of the second transparent substrate 21 from the second transparent electrode layer 22. The adhesive layer 25 is used, for example, to attach the light control sheet to a transparent body. The adhesive layer 25 includes an adhesive layer peripheral end surface 25E. The adhesive layer peripheral end surface 25E is an end surface that extends along the entire periphery of the adhesive layer 25 in a plan view. The adhesive layer peripheral end surface 25E is located further inward of the second transparent substrate 21 than the second sheet peripheral end surface 20E, which is the edge of the second transparent substrate 21. This allows the contact surface of the terminal sealing portion 52 to be further expanded so as to cover the edge of the second transparent substrate 21.

[0065] The light-controlling layer 31 includes a first transparent electrode layer 12 and a second transparent electrode layer 22. The first electrode sheet 10 may be replaced with a first transparent sheet from which the first transparent electrode layer 12 is omitted, and the second electrode sheet 20 may be replaced with a second transparent sheet from which the second transparent electrode layer 22 is omitted. In this case, the portion where the light-controlling layer 31 including the first transparent electrode layer 12 and the second transparent electrode layer 22, the first transparent sheet, and the second transparent sheet overlap is the driving portion. The portion of the first transparent sheet corresponding to the sealing compartment end face 10E1 is the first sealing compartment end face, and the portion corresponding to the first non-driving portion 11EA is the first edge portion. The portion of the second transparent sheet corresponding to the terminal compartment end face 20E2 is the second sealing compartment end face, and the portion corresponding to the second non-driving portion 21EA is the second edge portion.

[0066] As described above, in a plan view, setting one common point EP on the first end edge 10EL and the second end edge 20EL means that the sealing portion on the side of the first transparent sheet that faces the light-switching layer 31 and the sealing portion on the side of the second transparent sheet that faces the light-switching layer 31 are continuous at the common point EP. The first edge portion that is made up of a part of the first transparent sheet and adjacent to the driver 1EC, or the second edge portion that is made up of a part of the second transparent sheet and adjacent to the driver 1EC, can improve the sealing performance with respect to the light-switching layer end face 31E, even if the terminal function is omitted.

[0067] [Outline of light control sheet] The light control sheet is not limited to a rectangular shape, but may be a geometric shape such as a polygonal shape, a circle, or an ellipse, or may be an irregular shape other than a geometric shape. The light control sheet is not limited to a two-dimensional flat shape, but may be a curved shape such as a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a wavy shape.

[0068] [Sealing part] The peripheral sealing portion 51 may be configured to follow the sealing compartment end face 10E1 along the first direction D1 and cover the light control layer end face 31E up to a position where it crosses the shared point EP. The terminal sealing portion 52 may be configured to follow the terminal compartment end face 20E2 along the first direction D1 and cover the light control layer end face 31E up to a position where it crosses the shared point EP. In this case, the terminal sealing portion 52 and the peripheral sealing portion 51 cover the entire light control layer end face 31E, including the shared point EP, so that a portion of the terminal sealing portion 52 and a portion of the peripheral sealing portion 51 overlap in the thickness direction of the light control sheet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] θ1…first angle θ2…Second angle θ3...Third angle D1…first direction D2…Second direction EP… common point 1E...Sheet end face 1EA...Non-drive section 1EC...Drive unit 10...First electrode sheet 10E1...Sealing compartment end face 10E2...First outer peripheral end surface 10EL...First edge 11EA...1st non-drive section 12...First transparent electrode layer 12P…1st terminal 20...Second electrode sheet 20E1…Second outer peripheral end surface 20E2...Terminal compartment end face 20EL…Second edge 21EA...Second non-driven section 22...Second transparent electrode layer 22P…2nd terminal 31...Photochromic layer 51...periphery sealing portion 52...Terminal sealing part

Claims

1. a first electrode sheet including a first transparent electrode layer; a second electrode sheet including a second transparent electrode layer; A light-controlling sheet including a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition and positioned between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, In a plan view seen from a viewpoint opposite the light controlling sheet, a driving section that is an overlap of the first electrode sheet, the second electrode sheet, and the light control layer; a terminal formed of a part of the first electrode sheet and adjacent to the driving unit; an edge portion formed of a part of the second electrode sheet and adjacent to the driving portion; a sealing portion that covers the entire end surface of the light-controlling layer in the driving portion, a first outer peripheral end surface of the terminal and a second outer peripheral end surface of the edge portion, the first outer peripheral end surface and the second outer peripheral end surface of the edge portion forming an end surface extending in a first direction in the light controlling sheet; the end surface of the first electrode sheet includes the first outer peripheral end surface and a sealing partition end surface; the end surface of the second electrode sheet includes the second outer peripheral end surface and a terminal section end surface, the sealing partition end surface includes a first end side that extends from the first outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting the first direction in the plan view and that separates the drive portion from the edge portion; the terminal compartment end surface includes a second end side that extends from the second outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting the first direction in the plan view and separates the drive portion and the terminal, In the plan view, one of the first end sides and one of the second end sides overlap at one common point, The sealing portion covers the common point. Dimming sheet.

2. In the plan view, one of the first end sides and one of the second end sides intersect at one of the common points. The light-controlling sheet according to claim 1 .

3. In the plan view, an angle formed between the first outer peripheral end surface and the second end side of the edge portion is an acute angle, In the plan view, the angle formed between the second outer peripheral end surface and the first end side of the terminal is an acute angle. The light-controlling sheet according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the plan view, the angle formed between the first end side and the second end side of the driving portion is an obtuse angle. The light-controlling sheet according to claim 1 .

5. A light-controlling sheet comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode layer in contact with the first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate; a second transparent electrode layer in contact with the second transparent substrate; and a light-controlling layer containing a liquid crystal composition and positioned between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, In a plan view seen from a viewpoint opposite the light controlling sheet, a driving unit that is an overlap of the first transparent substrate, the first transparent electrode layer, the second transparent substrate, the second transparent electrode layer, and the light control layer; a first edge portion including a portion of the first transparent substrate and adjacent to the drive portion; a second edge portion including a portion of the second transparent substrate and adjacent to the actuation portion; a sealing portion that covers the entire end surface of the light-controlling layer in the driving portion, a first outer peripheral end surface of the first edge portion and a second outer peripheral end surface of the second edge portion constitute end surfaces extending in a first direction in the light controlling sheet; the end surface of the first transparent base material includes the first outer peripheral end surface and a first sealing compartment end surface, the end surface of the second transparent base material includes the second outer peripheral end surface and a second sealing compartment end surface, the first sealing partition end surface includes a first end side that extends from the first outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting the first direction in the plan view and that separates the drive portion from the second edge portion; the second sealing partition end surface includes a second end side that extends from the second outer peripheral end surface in a direction intersecting the first direction in the plan view and that separates the drive portion from the first edge portion; In the plan view, one of the first end sides and one of the second end sides overlap at one common point, The sealing portion covers the common point. Dimming sheet.

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