Dimming sheet

Abstract

To provide a light control sheet capable of enhancing the sealability of a light control layer.SOLUTION: A light control sheet includes: a rear facing seal part 42E supported by a part between a front outer end surface 21E exposed from a light control layer and a rear facing terminal division surface 32E in a front transparent base material in a plane view and for sealing a part overlapping the rear facing terminal division surface 32E in the end surfaces of the light control layer; a front facing seal part 41E supported by a part between the a rear outer end surface 31E exposed from the light control layer and a front inner end surface 22E in a rear transparent base material and for sealing a part overlapping the front inner end surface 22E in the end surfaces of the light control layer; and a front facing seal part 42E connected to the rear facing seal part 42E through a slit S and superimposed on the rear facing seal part 42E in an area including the slit S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dimming sheet provided with a dimming layer between a front transparent substrate and a back transparent substrate.

Background Art

[0002] The dimming sheet includes a front transparent substrate and a back transparent substrate. One side surface of the front transparent substrate supports a front transparent electrode layer. One side surface of the back transparent substrate supports a back transparent electrode layer. The dimming layer is disposed between the front transparent electrode layer and the back transparent electrode layer. The dimming layer includes a transparent polymer layer partitioning a plurality of voids and a liquid crystal composition filling each void. A change in the voltage between the front transparent electrode layer and the back transparent electrode layer changes the alignment state of the liquid crystal compound in the dimming layer, thereby changing the transparency of the dimming sheet.

[0003] The edge extending in the circumferential direction of the dimming sheet includes an end surface of the back transparent substrate, an end surface of the dimming layer, and an end surface of the front transparent substrate. The end surface of the front transparent substrate and the end surface of the dimming layer are disposed inside the back transparent substrate rather than the end surface of the back transparent substrate at the edge of the dimming sheet. One side surface of the back transparent substrate includes a back support portion and a back edge portion. The back support portion supports the dimming layer on one side surface of the back transparent substrate. When viewed from a viewpoint facing one side surface of the front transparent substrate, the end surface of the front transparent substrate and the end surface of the dimming layer separate the back edge portion and the back support portion. The back edge portion is exposed from the dimming layer by the amount that the end surface of the front transparent substrate and the end surface of the dimming layer are disposed inside the back transparent substrate rather than the end surface of the back transparent substrate. The edge sealing portion is disposed at the back edge portion of the back transparent substrate and seals the end surface of the dimming layer separating the back edge portion and the back support portion. Thereby, in the circumferential direction of the dimming sheet, high sealing performance of the dimming layer is achieved and stabilization of the sealing performance is achieved (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

[0005] On the other hand, each transparent electrode layer comprises a circuit section in contact with the dimming layer and terminals exposed from the dimming layer. The front transparent electrode layer comprises a front circuit section and terminals facing inwards. The back transparent electrode layer comprises a back circuit section and terminals facing outwards. The circuit sections are electrically connected to the terminals. A voltage signal that drives the dimming sheet is input to the terminals of each transparent electrode layer.

[0006] The front terminals, like the back edge portion described above, are exposed from the dimming layer within the back transparent electrode layer. The end face of the front transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer are positioned inside the back transparent substrate at the front terminals. Viewed from a viewpoint opposite one side of the front transparent substrate, the front terminals, like the back edge portion, are separated from the back circuit portion by the end face of the front transparent substrate and the end face of the dimming layer. The front terminal sealing portion is positioned at the edge of the front terminals and seals the end face of the dimming layer that separates the front terminals. Thus, the front terminal sealing portion and the edge sealing portion are supported by a common side of the back transparent substrate and follow the common end face of the front transparent substrate. For this reason, the front terminal sealing portion can be extended from the edge sealing portion along the end face of the front transparent substrate.

[0007] In contrast, the reverse-facing terminals are exposed from the light-adjusting layer within the front transparent electrode layer. The end face of the back transparent substrate and the end face of the light-adjusting layer are positioned inside the front transparent substrate at the reverse-facing terminals. The reverse-facing terminals are separated from the front circuit portion by the end face of the back transparent substrate and the end face of the light-adjusting layer. The reverse-facing terminal sealing portion is positioned at the edge of the reverse-facing terminals and seals the end face of the light-adjusting layer that separates the reverse-facing terminals. Thus, the reverse-facing terminal sealing portion and the edge sealing portion are supported on one side of each transparent substrate and follow the end face of each transparent substrate. For this reason, the reverse-facing terminal sealing portion that follows the end face of the back transparent substrate is separated from the edge sealing portion that follows the end face of the front transparent substrate. This separation between the reverse-facing terminal sealing portion that seals the end face of the light-adjusting layer and the edge sealing portion that seals the end face of the light-adjusting layer hinders the sealing of the light-adjusting layer. Furthermore, the requirement to improve the sealing performance of the dimming layer applies not only to dimming sheets equipped with a back-facing terminal sealing portion and an edge sealing portion, but also to dimming sheets in which the end faces of the dimming layer are separated by different transparent substrates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A dimming sheet that solves the above problems comprises a front transparent substrate supporting a front electrode layer, a back transparent substrate supporting a back electrode layer, and a dimming layer containing a liquid crystal composition, wherein the front electrode layer and the back electrode layer are disposed between the front transparent substrate and the back transparent substrate, and the dimming layer is sandwiched between the front electrode layer and the back electrode layer. In a plan view taken from a viewpoint facing the surface of the front transparent substrate, the end face of the front transparent substrate comprises a front inner end face, a front outer end face, and a front connecting end face connecting them. The end face of the back transparent substrate comprises a back inner end face, a back outer end face, and a back connecting end face connecting them. The back inner end face is located inside the surface beyond the front outer end face, and the back outer end face is located outside the surface beyond the front inner end face, and the front connecting end face and the back connecting end face constitute a slit that penetrates from the front transparent substrate to the back transparent substrate. The dimming sheet further comprises: a reverse sealing portion that, in a plan view, is supported in the portion of the transparent substrate that is exposed from the dimming layer and is located between the outer front end face and the inner back end face, and seals the portion of the end face of the dimming layer that overlaps with the inner back end face; and a front sealing portion that is supported in the portion of the transparent substrate that is exposed from the dimming layer and is located between the outer back end face and the inner front end face, and seals the portion of the end face of the dimming layer that overlaps with the inner front end face, and is connected to the reverse sealing portion through the slit and overlaps with the reverse sealing portion in the region including the slit.

[0009] According to the above configuration, in a plan view, the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that overlaps with the inner end face is sealed by the outer sealing portion. The outer sealing portion is supported by the transparent substrate on the back. In a plan view, the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that overlaps with the inner end face is sealed by the outer sealing portion. The outer sealing portion is supported by the transparent substrate on the front. Here, the outer sealing portion is connected to the outer sealing portion through a slit and also overlaps with the outer sealing portion at a slit located at the edge of the light-adjusting sheet. As a result, the outer sealing portion is connected to the outer sealing portion, and thus the outer sealing portion and the outer sealing portion function as if they were a single sealing portion. In addition, the overlapping of the outer sealing portion with the outer sealing portion at the slit increases the mechanical strength of the sheet at the slit, which is not supported by the two transparent substrates.

[0010] In the above-described dimming sheet, the entire front connection end face may overlap with the entire back connection end face in the plan view. In a plan view, the portion of the front connecting end face that does not overlap with the back transparent substrate is mechanically weaker than the portion where the two transparent substrates overlap because it is not supported by the back transparent substrate. Similarly, the portion of the back connecting end face that does not overlap with the front transparent substrate is also mechanically weaker than the portion where the two transparent substrates overlap because it is not supported by the front transparent substrate. With the above configuration, the entire front connecting end face overlaps with the entire back connecting end face, thus increasing the mechanical strength compared to a configuration that includes a portion that does not overlap with the transparent substrate.

[0011] In the dimming sheet described above, the front electrode layer is provided with a back-facing terminal, the back-facing terminal is surrounded in the plan view by the outer front end face and the inner back end face, and the back-facing sealing portion may cover the back-facing terminal.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the reverse-facing sealing portion covers the reverse-facing terminal. Since the reverse-facing sealing portion superimposed by the slit is supported by the reverse-facing terminal, the mechanical strength of the slit, which is not supported by the two transparent substrates, is further increased. Furthermore, the sealing performance of the portion separating the reverse-facing terminal within the end face of the dimming layer is improved.

[0013] In the dimming sheet described above, the surface electrode layer is provided with a reverse-facing terminal, the reverse inner end face is provided with a first reverse inner end face and a second reverse inner end face, the distance between the surface outer end face and the first reverse inner end face is greater than the distance between the surface outer end face and the second reverse inner end face, the first reverse inner end face and the surface outer end face sandwich the reverse-facing terminal in the plan view, and the surface connection end face may connect the second reverse inner end face and the surface outer end face in the plan view.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the area of ​​the reverse-facing terminal connected to the wiring is larger because the distance between the outer front end face and the first inner back end face is greater than the distance between the outer front end face and the second inner back end face. Also, the length of the front connection end face is shorter because the distance between the outer front end face and the second inner back end face is smaller than the distance between the outer front end face and the first inner back end face. In other words, the size of the slit that penetrates from the front transparent substrate to the back transparent substrate is smaller because the distance between the outer front end face and the second inner back end face is smaller. As a result, while the area of ​​the reverse-facing terminal is secured, the reduction in mechanical strength due to the part not supported by the transparent substrate is suppressed. Furthermore, the distance between the reverse-facing terminal and the slit in the first direction is longer due to the interposition of the second inner back end face. The reverse-facing terminal to which the external wiring is connected is subjected to mechanical loads such as warping and tension from the external wiring. The above configuration, in which the slit and the reverse-facing terminal are spaced apart and not supported by the two transparent substrates, reduces the mechanical load on the slit itself in the dimming sheet.

[0015] In the above-mentioned dimming sheet, the outer front end surface and the outer back end surface may be connected in a straight line in the plan view, and the inner front end surface may have a straight line that follows the outer back end surface. According to the above configuration, the front outer end face and the back outer end face are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, compared to cases where the front outer end face and the back outer end face are spaced apart from each other or bent, the mechanical strength is increased at the edge of the dimming sheet composed of the front outer end face and the back outer end face. Thus, the front sealing portion is positioned along the edge of the dimming sheet, which has thus been strengthened mechanically. As a result, the sealing performance by the front sealing portion is improved, and the mechanical strength of the slit, which is not supported by the two transparent substrates, is further increased.

[0016] In the dimming sheet, the front electrode layer includes a back-facing terminal, the back electrode layer includes a front-facing terminal, the inner back end face includes a first inner back end face and a second inner back end face, and in the plan view, the front outer end face and the back outer end face are linearly continuous. The second inner back end face has a linear shape following the front outer end face and is linearly continuous with the front inner end face. The distance between the front outer end face and the first inner back end face is greater than the distance between the front outer end face and the second inner back end face. The first inner back end face and the front outer end face sandwich the back-facing terminal in the plan view. The front connection end face connects the second inner back end face and the front outer end face in the plan view, and the gap between the front inner end face and the back outer end face may be connected to the front-facing terminal.

[0017] As described above, the back-facing terminals and front-facing terminals to which external wiring is connected are subjected to mechanical loads such as warping and tension received from the external wiring. A configuration in which the slit not supported by the two transparent base materials and the two terminals are separated reduces the mechanical load itself at the slit in the dimming sheet.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the dimming sheet of the present disclosure, the sealing property of the dimming layer can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a dimming sheet. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an end face of the dimming sheet. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dimming sheet. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a dimming sheet of a modified example. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a dimming sheet of a modification example.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the dimming sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the dimming sheet 10 includes a front transparent film 20, a back transparent film 30, and a dimming layer 40 (see FIG. 2). A part of the end face of the dimming sheet 10 is a sheet end face 11E. The sheet end face 11E extends in the first direction D1. The sheet end face 11E includes one front outer end face 21E and two back outer end faces 31E. The front outer end face 21E is a part of the end face of the front transparent film 20. The two back outer end faces 31E are parts of the end face of the back transparent film 30. One front outer end face 21E is sandwiched between the two back outer end faces 31E.

[0021] The second direction D2 is orthogonal to the first direction D1 in a plan view as viewed from a viewpoint facing the surface of the dimming sheet 10. The second direction D2 faces the sheet end face 11E from the center of the dimming sheet 10. Note that the dimming sheet 10 may have a planar shape including the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, or may have a curved surface shape. The sheet end face 11E may have a linear shape or a curved shape.

[0022] [Sheet Layer Configuration] As shown in FIG. 2, the front transparent film 20 includes a front transparent base material 23 and a front electrode layer 24. The front transparent base material 23 supports the front electrode layer 24. The back transparent film 30 includes a back transparent base material 33 and a back electrode layer 34. The back transparent base material 33 supports the back electrode layer 34.

[0023] The front electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34 are positioned between the front transparent substrate 23 and the back transparent substrate 33. The light-adjusting layer 40 is sandwiched between the front electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34. The light-adjusting layer 40 is driven by a voltage signal supplied between the front electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34. The light-adjusting sheet 10 may further include an alignment layer between the front electrode layer 24 and the light-adjusting layer 40. The light-adjusting sheet 10 may further include an alignment layer between the back electrode layer 34 and the light-adjusting layer 40.

[0024] Each transparent substrate 23, 33 has light transmittance, allowing visible light to pass through, and electrical insulation properties, respectively. The material constituting each transparent substrate 23, 33 is either an organic polymer compound or an inorganic polymer compound. An example of an organic polymer compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, and polyolefin. An example of an inorganic polymer compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, and silicon nitride.

[0025] Each electrode layer 24, 34 has light transmittance that allows visible light to pass through, and electrical conductivity, respectively. An example of the material constituting each electrode layer 24, 34 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.

[0026] The light-adjusting layer 40 causes the light transmittance after voltage application to differ from the light transmittance before application by the application of voltage. An example of the light-adjusting layer 40 comprises a transparent organic polymer layer and a liquid crystal composition. The transparent organic polymer layer demarcates a void between the front electrode layer 24 and the back electrode layer 34, which is filled by the liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition fills the void in the transparent organic polymer layer. The liquid crystal composition includes a liquid crystal compound. An example of a liquid crystal compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of Schiff base compounds, azo compounds, azoxy compounds, biphenyl compounds, terphenyl compounds, benzoic acid ester compounds, transyl compounds, pyrimidine compounds, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid ester compounds, phenylcyclohexane compounds, and dioxane compounds.

[0027] An example of the type of holding method for the liquid crystal composition in the light-adjusting layer 40 is selected from the group consisting of polymer network type, polymer dispersion type, and capsule type. The polymer dispersion type has numerous isolated voids within a transparent organic polymer layer, and holds the liquid crystal composition within the voids dispersed in the polymer layer. The polymer network type has a transparent polymer network having a three-dimensional mesh structure, and holds the liquid crystal composition within the interconnected mesh-like voids. The polymer network is an example of a transparent organic polymer layer. The capsule type holds a liquid crystal composition having a capsule structure within a transparent organic polymer layer. In addition to the liquid crystal compounds described above, the liquid crystal composition may also contain monomers for forming the transparent organic polymer layer and dichroic dyes.

[0028] [Sheet Planar Configuration] Returning to Figure 1, the end face of the transparent substrate 23 comprises one outer end face 21E, two inner end faces 22E, and two front connecting end faces 1B. The end face of the transparent substrate 23 further comprises a front terminal section screen 23E. The one outer end face 21E, the two inner end faces 22E, the two front connecting end faces 1B, and the one front terminal section screen 23E have a single bent shape that does not branch in a plan view.

[0029] The outer surface end face 21E constitutes the sheet end face 11E. The outer surface end face 21E extends in the first direction D1 in a plan view. The outer surface end face 21E has a straight shape in a plan view.

[0030] The inner surface end face 22E, like the outer surface end face 21E, extends in the first direction D1 in a plan view. The inner surface end face 22E has a straight line in a plan view. One outer surface end face 21E is sandwiched between two inner surface end faces 22E in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the length of the outer surface end face 21E may be longer than the length of the inner surface end face 22E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the inner surface end face 22E. In the first direction D1, the lengths of the two inner surface end faces 22E may be equal to each other, or they may be different.

[0031] The end face of the transparent surface substrate 23 has two surface connecting end faces 1B. Each surface connecting end face 1B connects one surface inner end face 22E to each end of the surface outer end face 21E. The surface connecting end faces 1B extend in a second direction D2 in a plan view. The length of the surface connecting end face 1B in the second direction D2 is shorter than the length of the surface outer end face 21E in the first direction D1. The length of the surface connecting end face 1B in the second direction D2 is shorter than the length of the surface outer end face 21E in the second direction D2. The length of the surface connecting end face 1B in the second direction D2 is shorter than the length of the surface inner end face 22E in the first direction D1. Each end of the surface outer end face 21E is connected to a separate surface connecting end face 1B. Each surface connecting end face 1B is connected to an end of a separate surface inner end face 22E.

[0032] The front terminal section screen 23E has an inverted U-shape in plan view. The front terminal section screen 23E is positioned in a first direction D1 of one front inner end face 22E in plan view. The front terminal section screen 23E is connected to one front inner end face 22E. The front terminal section screen 23E is positioned in a direction opposite to a second direction D2 with respect to the front inner end face 22E in plan view. In the first direction D1, the length of the front terminal section screen 23E may be longer than the length of the front outer end face 21E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the front outer end face 21E. In the first direction D1, the length of the front terminal section screen 23E may be longer than the length of the front inner end face 22E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the front inner end face 22E.

[0033] Returning to Figure 2, the end face of the surface electrode layer 24 is connected to the end face of the surface transparent substrate 23. The end face of the surface electrode layer 24 is connected in the thickness direction of the surface transparent substrate 23 from the surface outer end face 21E, the surface connection end face 1B, the surface inner end face 22E, and the surface terminal section screen 23E, respectively. In a plan view, the end face of the surface electrode layer 24 coincides with the end face of the surface transparent substrate 23.

[0034] Returning to Figure 1, the end face of the transparent back substrate 33 comprises two back outer end faces 31E, two back connecting end faces 2B, and a back-facing terminal section screen 32E having an inverted U-shape as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1. The back-facing terminal section screen 32E is an example of a back inner end face. The two back outer end faces 31E, the two back connecting end faces 2B, and the back-facing terminal section screen 32E have a single, unbranched bent line shape in plan view.

[0035] The back outer end face 31E constitutes the sheet end face 11E. The two back outer end faces 31E each extend in the first direction D1. In a plan view, the back outer end faces 31E have a linear shape that is continuous with the front outer end face 21E of the front transparent film 20.

[0036] The reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E is positioned on the inside of the surface of the front transparent substrate 23 beyond the front outer end face 21E in a plan view. The reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E is positioned on the inside of the surface of the front transparent substrate 23 beyond the front connection end face 1B of the front transparent film 20 in a plan view. The reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E is sandwiched between the two reverse outer end faces 31E in a first direction D1. In the first direction D1, the length of the reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E may be longer than the length of the front terminal section screen 23E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the front terminal section screen 23E. In the first direction D1, the length of the reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E may be longer than the length of the front inner end face 22E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the front inner end face 22E. In the second direction D2, the length of the reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E may be longer than the length of the front terminal section screen 23E, or it may be less than or equal to the length of the front terminal section screen 23E.

[0037] The end face of the transparent back substrate 33 has two back connection end faces 2B. Each back connection end face 2B connects one back outer end face 31E to each end of the back-facing terminal section screen 32E. The back connection end faces 2B extend in a second direction D2 in a plan view. Each back outer end face 31E is connected to a separate back connection end face 2B. Each back connection end face 2B is connected to a separate end of a single back-facing terminal section screen 32E. The boundary point between the back connection end face 2B and the back-facing terminal section screen 32E is one end of the front inner end face 22E in a plan view. In other words, the front inner end face 22E of the transparent front film 20 extends in a second direction D2 from the boundary point between the back connection end face 2B and the back-facing terminal section screen 32E in a plan view.

[0038] Returning to Figure 2, the end face of the back electrode layer 34 is connected to the end face of the back transparent substrate 33. The end face of the back electrode layer 34 is connected in the thickness direction of the back transparent substrate 33 from the back outer end face 31E, the back terminal section screen 32E, and the back connection end face 2B, respectively.

[0039] Returning to Figure 1, the end face of the dimming layer 40 has a portion that coincides with the back-facing terminal area screen 32E of the back transparent film 30 in a plan view. The front electrode layer 24 has a front circuit portion and a back-facing terminal 12E. The front circuit portion is the portion of the front electrode layer 24 that is in contact with the dimming layer 40.

[0040] The reverse-facing terminal 12E is exposed from the dimming layer 40 within the front electrode surface 24S of the front electrode layer 24. In a plan view, the reverse-facing terminal 12E is surrounded by the front outer end face 21E and the reverse-facing terminal section screen 32E. In a plan view, the end face of the dimming layer 40 divides the front electrode layer 24 into the front circuit section and the reverse-facing terminal 12E. In a plan view, the end face of the back transparent film 30 divides the front electrode layer 24 into the front circuit section and the reverse-facing terminal 12E.

[0041] The end face of the dimming layer 40 has a portion that coincides with the front terminal section screen 23E in a plan view. The back electrode layer 34 has a back circuit section and a front terminal 13E. The back circuit section is the portion of the back electrode layer 34 that is in contact with the dimming layer 40.

[0042] The front terminal 13E is exposed from the dimming layer 40 within the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34. In a plan view, the front terminal 13E is surrounded by the back outer end face 31E and the front terminal area screen 23E. In a plan view, the end face of the dimming layer 40 separates the back electrode layer 34 into the back circuit section and the front terminal 13E. In a plan view, the end face of the front transparent film 20 separates the back electrode layer 34 into the back circuit section and the front terminal 13E.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the reverse-facing terminal 12E is bonded to the front-facing wiring board 50 via a conductive adhesive 53. The conductive adhesive 53 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic conductive paste, isotropic conductive film, and isotropic conductive paste. The front-facing wiring board 50 receives a drive signal to the reverse-facing terminal 12E through the conductive adhesive 53.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the front terminal 13E is bonded to the back wiring board 60 via a conductive adhesive 63. The conductive adhesive 63 is, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of anisotropic conductive film, anisotropic conductive paste, isotropic conductive film, and isotropic conductive paste. The back wiring board 60 receives a drive signal to the front terminal 13E through the conductive adhesive 63.

[0045] [Sealing part] Returning to Figure 2, the front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B form a slit S that penetrates from the front transparent substrate 23 to the back transparent substrate 33. The entire front connecting end face 1B overlaps with the entire back connecting end face 2B in a plan view. The slit S extends in the second direction D2. The slit S is the overlap between the front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B in a plan view.

[0046] The dimming sheet 10 comprises a front-facing sealing portion 41E and a back-facing sealing portion 42E. In Figure 1, the area occupied by the front-facing sealing portion 41E is indicated by dark dots. The area occupied by the back-facing sealing portion 42E is indicated by light dots. The area where the front-facing sealing portion 41E and the back-facing sealing portion 42E overlap is indicated by dark dots, similar to the area occupied by the front-facing sealing portion 41E.

[0047] The front-facing sealing portion 41E and the back-facing sealing portion 42E are both made of a hygroscopic, insulating resin. The sealing agent constituting the front-facing sealing portion 41E and the back-facing sealing portion 42E is an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin, etc.

[0048] As shown by the faint dots in Figure 1, the reverse sealing portion 42E is supported in a plan view in the portion between the outer front end face 21E and the reverse terminal section screen 32E within the front electrode surface 24S of the front electrode layer 24. The reverse sealing portion 42E covers the reverse terminal 12E, the conductive adhesive 53, and the front wiring board 50. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reverse sealing portion 42E covers the periphery of the reverse terminal 12E within the back surface of the back transparent film 30. The reverse sealing portion 42E seals the portion of the end face of the dimming layer 40 that overlaps with the reverse terminal section screen 32E.

[0049] As shown by the dark dots in Figure 1, the front sealing portion 41E is supported in a plan view in the portion between the back outer end face 31E and the front terminal area screen 23E within the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34. The front sealing portion 41E covers the front terminal 13E, the conductive adhesive 63, and the back wiring board 60. The front sealing portion 41E covers the periphery of the front terminal 13E within the surface of the front transparent film 20. The front sealing portion 41E seals the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the front terminal area screen 23E.

[0050] Furthermore, in a plan view, the front-facing sealing portion 41E is supported in the portion of the back electrode surface 34S of the back electrode layer 34 between the back outer end face 31E and the front inner end face 22E. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front-facing sealing portion 41E covers the periphery of the front inner end face 22E on the surface of the front transparent film 20. The front-facing sealing portion 41E seals the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer 40 that overlaps with the front inner end face 22E. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the front-facing sealing portion 41E is connected to the back-facing sealing portion 42E through the slit S. The front-facing sealing portion 41E overlaps with the back-facing sealing portion 42E in the region including the slit S.

[0051] According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In a plan view, the portion of the end face of the dimming layer 40 that overlaps with the inner surface end face 22E is sealed by the outer sealing portion 41E. This seals the portion of the end face of the dimming layer 40 that overlaps with the inner surface end face 22E.

[0052] (2) In a plan view, the portion of the end face of the dimming layer 40 that overlaps with the back-facing terminal section screen 32E is sealed by the back-facing sealing portion 42E. This seals the portion of the end face of the dimming layer 40 that overlaps with the back-facing terminal section screen 32E.

[0053] (3) The front sealing portion 41E is connected to the back sealing portion 42E through the slit S and overlaps with the back sealing portion 42E at the slit S located on the edge of the dimming sheet 10. As a result, the connection between the back sealing portion 42E and the front sealing portion 41E ensures continuous sealing of the end face of the dimming layer 40. In other words, the back sealing portion 42E and the front sealing portion 41E, which are separated into front and back, function as if they were a single sealing portion. Furthermore, the overlapping of the back sealing portion 42E with the front sealing portion 41E at the slit S increases the mechanical strength of the sheet at the slit S, which is not supported by the front transparent substrate 23 or the back transparent substrate 33.

[0054] (4) In a plan view, the portion of the front connecting end face 1B that does not overlap with the back transparent substrate 33 is mechanically weaker than the portion of the front transparent substrate 23 that overlaps with the back transparent substrate 33 because it is not supported by the back transparent substrate 33. Similarly, the portion of the back connecting end face 2B that does not overlap with the front transparent substrate 23 is also mechanically weaker than the portion of the front transparent substrate 23 that overlaps with the back transparent substrate 33 because it is not supported by the front transparent substrate 23. In this respect, the configuration in which the entire front connecting end face 1B overlaps with the entire back connecting end face 2B has higher mechanical strength compared to the configuration that includes portions that do not overlap with the transparent substrates 23 and 33.

[0055] (5) Since the reversed sealing portion 42E is supported over the entire reversed terminal 12E, the mechanical strength at the slit S is further increased. In addition, the sealing performance of the portion separating the reversed terminal 12E within the end face of the dimming layer 40 is improved.

[0056] (6) Because the front outer end face 21E and the back outer end face 31E are aligned in a straight line, the mechanical strength at the edge of the dimming sheet 10 is increased compared to cases where the front outer end face 21E and the back outer end face 31E are spaced apart from each other or where the front outer end face 21E and the back outer end face 31E are bent. As the front sealing portion 41E is positioned along the mechanically strengthened edge of the dimming sheet 10 in this way, the sealing performance by the front sealing portion 41E is increased, and the mechanical strength at the slit S is further increased.

[0057] The above embodiment can also be implemented with the following modifications. [Front connection end face 1B, back connection end face 2B] The end face of the reverse-facing terminal 12E may be positioned further inward on the surface of the transparent substrate 23 than the outer front end face 21E in a plan view. In this case, the outer back end face 31E may be positioned further inward on the surface of the transparent substrate 23 than the outer front end face 21E. That is, the outer front end face 21E and the outer back end face 31E may be connected in a bent or curved shape in a plan view. Also, the outer front end face 21E and the outer back end face 31E may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1 in a plan view. If the outer front end face 21E and the outer back end face 31E are spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1, then the front connection end face 1B and the back connection end face 2B will also be spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1 in a plan view.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the front connection end face 1B and the back connection end face 2B may be positioned in the second direction D2 of the back-facing terminal section screen 32E. Even with this configuration, the effects similar to those described in (1) to (6) above can be obtained.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7, the back-facing terminal section screen 32E may have a first back-inner end face 1E and a second back-inner end face 2E in a plan view. The distance between the front-outer end face 21E and the first back-inner end face 1E may be greater than the distance between the front-outer end face 21E and the second back-inner end face 2E. In a plan view, the first back-inner end face 1E and the front-outer end face 21E sandwich the back-facing terminal 12E. The front-connecting end face 1B may connect the second back-inner end face 2E and the front-outer end face 21E in a plan view.

[0060] According to the above example of changes, the following effects can be obtained. (7) The area of ​​the reverse-facing terminal 12E connected to the wiring is larger by the amount by which the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the first back inner end face 1E is greater than the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the second back inner end face 2E.

[0061] (8) The length of the front connecting end face 1B is shorter by the amount by which the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the second back inner end face 2E is smaller than the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the first back inner end face 1E. In other words, the size of the slit S that penetrates from the front transparent substrate 23 to the back transparent substrate 33 is smaller by the amount by which the distance between the front outer end face 21E and the second back inner end face 2E is smaller. As a result, the area of ​​the back-facing terminal 12E is secured, while the reduction in mechanical strength due to the portion not supported by the transparent substrates 23 and 33 is suppressed.

[0062] (9) The distance between the inverted terminal 12E and the slit S in the first direction D1 is longer by the amount of the intervening second inverted end face 2E. The inverted terminal 12E, to which the external wiring is connected, is subjected to mechanical loads such as warping and tension from the external wiring. The configuration in which the slit S, which is not supported by the transparent substrates 23, 33, and the inverted terminal 12E are separated reduces the mechanical load on the slit S in the dimming sheet 10.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the second inner back end face 2E may have a linear shape that follows the outer front end face 21E. In this case, the second inner back end face 2E may be linearly connected to the inner front end face 22E, and the gap between the inner front end face 22E and the outer back end face 31E may be connected to the outer front terminal 13E.

[0064] As described above, the back-facing terminal 12E and the front-facing terminal 13E to which the external wiring is connected are subjected to mechanical loads such as warping and tension from the external wiring. In this regard, according to the above modification example, the slit S and the two terminals 12E and 13E, which are not supported by the two transparent substrates 23 and 33, are spaced apart by the length of the second back inner end face 2E and the length of the front outer end face 21E. As a result, the effect similar to (9) above is further enhanced.

[0065] [Back electrode layer 34] The end face of the back electrode layer 34 may be positioned on the inside of the surface of the front transparent substrate 23 in a plan view, relative to the back outer end face 31E. The end face of the back electrode layer 34 may overlap the front inner end face 22E in a plan view. Alternatively, the back electrode layer 34 may be cut along a line that overlaps the front inner end face 22E in a plan view.

[0066] [Slit S] The direction of extension of the slit S is not limited to the second direction D2, but may also be in a direction intersecting the second direction D2. The shape of the slit S is not limited to a straight line in plan view, but may also be linear in shape, such as a curve or a broken line.

[0067] The front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B that constitute the slit S may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2. That is, the slit S may be the gap between the front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B in a plan view, or it may be a combination of the overlapping portion of the front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B and the gap between the front connecting end face 1B and the back connecting end face 2B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] D1…first direction D2…Second direction S...Slit 1B... Front connection end face 2B... Reverse connection end face 10… Dimming sheet 11E…Sheet edge 12E…Facing terminals 13E…Front-facing terminal 20… Transparent film 21E…Front outer end face 22E…Front inner end surface 23E... Front terminal section screen 23…Transparent base material 24...Top electrode layer 30… Transparent backing film 31E…Back outer end surface 32E... An example of a reverse-facing terminal section screen, which is the inner end face of the reverse side. 33… Transparent base material 34…Back electrode layer 40…Dimming layer 41E...Surface sealing portion 42E... Reverse sealing section

Claims

1. A transparent substrate supporting the surface electrode layer, A transparent substrate supporting the back electrode layer, A light-adjusting layer containing a liquid crystal composition, A light-adjusting sheet in which the front electrode layer and the back electrode layer are disposed between the front transparent substrate and the back transparent substrate, and the light-adjusting layer is sandwiched between the front electrode layer and the back electrode layer, In a plan view from a viewpoint opposite to the surface of the aforementioned transparent substrate, The end face of the transparent substrate comprises an inner end face, an outer end face, and a connecting end face that connects them. The end face of the transparent back substrate comprises a back inner end face, a back outer end face, and a back connecting end face that connects them. The aforementioned inner back end face is positioned on the inside of the surface more than the aforementioned outer front end face. The aforementioned outer back end face is positioned further outward than the inner front end face. The front connecting end face and the back connecting end face form a slit that penetrates from the front transparent substrate to the back transparent substrate. The dimming sheet, in the plan view, A reverse-facing sealing portion is provided within the transparent substrate on the front side, which is supported in the portion exposed from the light-adjusting layer and between the outer end face on the front side and the inner end face on the back side, and seals the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that overlaps with the inner end face on the back side, The transparent back substrate is supported in a portion of the back surface that is exposed from the light-adjusting layer and is located between the outer back end face and the inner front end face, and the outer sealing portion seals the portion of the end face of the light-adjusting layer that overlaps with the inner front end face, and the outer sealing portion is connected to the back sealing portion through the slit and overlaps with the back sealing portion in the region including the slit, further comprising A dimmable sheet characterized by the following features.

2. The entire front connecting end face overlaps with the entire back connecting end face in the plan view. The dimming sheet according to claim 1.

3. The surface electrode layer is provided with a reverse-facing terminal, The aforementioned reversed terminal is surrounded by the front outer end face and the back inner end face in the plan view. The aforementioned reverse-facing sealing portion covers the reverse-facing terminal. The dimming sheet according to claim 1.

4. The surface electrode layer is provided with a reverse-facing terminal, The aforementioned inner back end surface comprises a first inner back end surface and a second inner back end surface. The distance between the front outer end face and the first back inner end face is greater than the distance between the front outer end face and the second back inner end face, and the first back inner end face and the front outer end face sandwich the back-facing terminal in the plan view. The aforementioned front connecting end face connects the second back inner end face and the front outer end face in the plan view. The dimming sheet according to claim 1.

5. In the aforementioned plan view, The outer front end face and the outer back end face are connected in a straight line, The front inner end surface has a straight shape that follows the back outer end surface. The dimming sheet according to claim 1.

6. The surface electrode layer is provided with a reverse-facing terminal, The back electrode layer has a front terminal, The aforementioned inner back end surface comprises a first inner back end surface and a second inner back end surface. In the aforementioned plan view, The outer front end face and the outer back end face are connected in a straight line, The second inner back end surface has a straight line that follows the outer front end surface and is linearly connected to the inner front end surface, The distance between the front outer end face and the first back inner end face is greater than the distance between the front outer end face and the second back inner end face, and the first back inner end face and the front outer end face sandwich the back-facing terminal in the plan view. The aforementioned front connecting end face connects the second back inner end face and the front outer end face in the plan view. The gap between the front inner end face and the back outer end face is connected to the front terminal. The dimming sheet according to claim 5.

Images