Light control device

Abstract

At least one of a plurality of light control panels in this light control device comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate; a liquid crystal layer; a first electrode laminated on the first substrate; a second electrode laminated on the second substrate; and an insulating layer containing silicon nitride or silicon oxide. The insulating layer is laminated on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and is provided in the active area.

Description

dimmer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light control device.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses a light control device having a plurality of stacked light control panels. When incident light enters a light control panel, the light transmittance of the incident light is adjusted in the light control panel, and this adjusted transmitted light exits the light control device. In this light control device, adjacent light control panels are bonded together via an optical adhesive such as OCA.

[0003] JP 2010-230887 A

[0004] In order to prevent a decrease in light transmittance, an insulating layer such as SiN is not provided in the active area where the liquid crystal layer is provided, but in this case, the color temperature of the light emitted from the light control device may decrease.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a light control device that can suppress a decrease in the color temperature of emitted light.

[0006] A dimming device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a panel unit in which a plurality of dimming panels are stacked in a first direction, and at least one of the plurality of dimming panels includes a first substrate, a second substrate overlapping the first substrate in the first direction, a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first electrode stacked on the first substrate, a second electrode stacked on the second substrate, and an insulating layer containing at least one of silicon nitride and silicon oxide, and the insulating layer is stacked on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and is provided in an active area.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a dimming panel according to a first embodiment, as seen from above. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first substrate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a dimming panel in which the second substrate of FIG. 4 is superimposed on the first substrate of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of four dimming panels constituting a dimming device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a dimming device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a graph showing chromaticity when an insulating layer is disposed on the active area and when it is not disposed. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a first substrate according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a dimming panel in which the second substrate of FIG. 12 is superimposed on the first substrate of FIG. 11. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to a modified example of the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to another modified example of the second embodiment. Fig. 16 is a plan view of a first substrate according to a third embodiment. Fig. 17 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the third embodiment. Fig. 18 is a plan view of a dimming panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 17 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a plan view of a first substrate according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 21 is a plan view of a dimming panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 20 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 19. Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing a cross section of a panel unit according to a modified example.

[0008] Modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the components described below include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially identical. Furthermore, the components described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0009] It should be noted that the disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive of while maintaining the gist of the disclosure are naturally included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may show the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part schematically compared to the actual embodiment, but these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in this specification and each drawing, elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous drawings may be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In the XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure, the X direction is the left-right direction, and the X1 side is opposite the X2 side. The X1 side is also referred to as the left side, and the X2 side is also referred to as the right side. The Y direction is the front-to-back direction, and the Y1 side is opposite the Y2 side. The Y1 side is also referred to as the front side, and the Y2 side is also referred to as the rear side. The Z direction is the up-down direction (stacking direction). The Z1 side is opposite the Z2 side. The Z2 side is also referred to as the upper side, and the Z1 side is also referred to as the lower side. The Z direction is also referred to as the first direction.

[0011] First Embodiment First, a description will be given of a light control panel 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light control panel according to a first embodiment, viewed from above.

[0012] 1 , the dimming panel 1 includes a first substrate 2 and a second substrate 3 disposed on the upper side (Z2 side) of the first substrate 2. The dimming panel 1 is octagonal in plan view, and has a first side 11, a second side 12, a third side 13, a fourth side 14, a fifth side 15, a sixth side 16, a seventh side 17, and an eighth side 18. Note that, in the present invention, the shape of the dimming panel 1 is not particularly limited, and polygons other than an octagon, as well as circles and ellipses, are also included in the present invention.

[0013] An end 2c on the Y1 side of the first substrate 2 is exposed at the first side 11. A first terminal group 10 is provided at the end 2c. The first terminal group 10 is provided on the X1 side of the end 2c.

[0014] An end 2d on the X1 side of the first substrate 2 is exposed at the second side 12. A second terminal group 20 is provided at the end 2d. The second terminal group 20 is provided on the Y1 side of the end 2d. The active area AA is located inside a circular edge AAa in plan view.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the light-modulating panel 1 includes a first substrate 2, a second substrate 3, a sealing material 600, a translucent electrode 45, an alignment film 51, an insulating layer 44, an insulating layer 441, a spacer 610, wiring 611, and a liquid crystal layer 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 , outside the active area AA (outside the active area 120), wiring 611 is provided on the upper side (Z2 side) of the first substrate 2, and an insulating layer 44 is provided on the upper side of the wiring 611 and the first substrate 2. The insulating layer 44 can be, for example, an inorganic insulating layer such as silicon nitride (SiN). An alignment film 51 is provided on the upper side of the insulating layer 44. The alignment film 51 is made of, for example, polyimide (PI). The alignment film is provided to orient the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer in a predetermined direction (initial alignment direction) when no electric field is applied, and the initial alignment direction is obtained by subjecting the alignment film to a rubbing treatment or photo-alignment treatment.

[0017] Outside the active area AA, wiring 611 is provided on the underside (Z1 side) of the second substrate 3, and an alignment film 51 is provided below the wiring 611. A sealant 600 is provided between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3. A spacer 610 is provided inside the sealant 600. A liquid crystal layer 4 is filled between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 and inside the sealant 600.

[0018] A translucent electrode 45 is provided on the upper side of the first substrate 2 in the active area AA. The translucent electrode 45 is made of a translucent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). A plurality of spacers 610 are provided between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 in the active area AA. The spacers 610 may be, for example, a photospacer (PS material) or a metal film provided in a photolithography process. An insulating layer 441 and an alignment film 51 are provided between the lower ends of the spacers 610 and the translucent electrode 45. Specifically, the insulating layer 441 is provided above the translucent electrode 45, and the alignment film 51 is provided above the insulating layer 441. The alignment film 51 is provided over substantially the entire surface of the active area AA, in addition to above the insulating layer 441. The insulating layer 441 may be, for example, an inorganic insulating layer such as silicon nitride (SiN) or silicon oxide (SiO). Alternatively, the insulating layer 441 may be a stack of a silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer, and may be made of the same material as the insulating layer 44 formed outside the active area AA.

[0019] In the active area AA, a translucent electrode 45 is provided below the second substrate 3 , and an alignment film 51 is provided below the translucent electrode 45 .

[0020] Next, the wiring of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 will be described. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the first substrate according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the second substrate according to the first embodiment. Note that in Fig. 4, although each electrode is located below the second substrate 3, these electrodes and wiring are shown with solid lines for ease of understanding. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a light control panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 4 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 3.

[0021] 3, wiring, drive electrodes, and connection portions are provided on the first substrate 2. Note that connection portion C1 of the first substrate 2 and connection portion C3 (see FIG. 4) of the second substrate 3 are electrically connected via a conductive member (not shown). Similarly, connection portion C2 of the first substrate 2 and connection portion C4 (see FIG. 4) of the second substrate 3 are electrically connected via a conductive member (not shown).

[0022] The first substrate 2 is octagonal in plan view, and has a first side 211, a second side 212, a third side 213, a fourth side 214, a fifth side 215, a sixth side 216, a seventh side 217, and an eighth side 218.

[0023] The first terminal group 10 includes a first terminal 101, a second terminal 102, a third terminal 103, and a fourth terminal 104. The first terminal 101, the second terminal 102, the third terminal 103, and the fourth terminal 104 are arranged side by side in the X direction from the X1 side to the X2 side.

[0024] The second terminal group 20 includes a fifth terminal 201, a sixth terminal 202, a seventh terminal 203, and an eighth terminal 204. The fifth terminal 201, the sixth terminal 202, the seventh terminal 203, and the eighth terminal 204 are arranged side by side in the Y direction from the Y1 side to the Y2 side.

[0025] The first terminal 101 and the fifth terminal 201 are electrically connected via a wiring 241. A connection portion C1 is provided midway along the wiring 241.

[0026] The second terminal 102 and the sixth terminal 202 are electrically connected via wires 243 and 245. A branch point 244 is provided in the wire 243, and a wire 246 extends from the branch point 244 to an end 247.

[0027] The third terminal 103 and the seventh terminal 203 are electrically connected via a wiring 248. The fourth terminal 104 and the eighth terminal 204 are electrically connected via wirings (fourth wirings) 249 and 251. A connection portion C2 is provided between the wiring 249 and the wiring 251.

[0028] The plurality of drive electrodes (first electrodes) 261 are connected to the wiring 243 and 246. The plurality of drive electrodes (first electrodes) 262 are connected to the wiring 248. Both the drive electrodes 261 and 262 extend in the X direction. Specifically, the drive electrodes 261 and 262 are bent in a V-shape convex toward the Y2 side. The drive electrodes 261 and 262 are arranged alternately in the Y direction. A plurality of insulating layers 441 are arranged above the drive electrodes 261 and 262. The insulating layers 441 are circular in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , the insulating layers 441 have a circular shape that is the same as or slightly larger than the outer shape of the spacer 610 and overlap the plurality of adjacent drive electrodes 261 and 262. The insulating layers 441 may be provided to cover the straight portions of each drive electrode 261 and 262 or may be provided to cover the bent portions of each drive electrode 261 and 262.

[0029] 4 , wiring, drive electrodes, and connection portions are provided on the second substrate 3. The second substrate 3 is octagonal in plan view, and has a first side 311, a second side 312, a third side 313, a fourth side 314, a fifth side 315, a sixth side 316, a seventh side 317, and an eighth side 318.

[0030] The connection portion C3 is connected to the wiring 343. The connection portion C4 is connected to the wiring 346. The wiring 343 extends along the first side 311, the third side 313, and the eighth side 318. The wiring 346 extends along the fourth side 314, the fifth side 315, and the sixth side 316.

[0031] A plurality of drive electrodes (second electrodes) 361 are connected to wiring 343. A plurality of drive electrodes 362 (second electrodes) are connected to wiring 346. Both the drive electrodes 361 and 362 extend in the Y direction. Specifically, the drive electrodes 361 and 362 are bent in a V-shape convex toward the X2 side. The drive electrodes 361 and 362 are arranged alternately in the X direction. A plurality of spacers 610 are arranged below the drive electrodes 361 and 362. The spacers 610 are circular in plan view.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 5 , in the light-control panel 1 in which the second substrate 3 of Fig. 4 is superimposed on the first substrate 2 of Fig. 3 , ends 2c and 2d of the first substrate 2 are exposed. In the state in which the second substrate 3 is superimposed on the first substrate 2, the first side 311, the third side 313, and the second side 312 of the second substrate 3 are located inside (the central part in a plan view) the first side 211, the third side 213, and the second side 212 of the first substrate 2. In this way, since the area of ​​the second substrate 3 is smaller than the area of ​​the first substrate 2, in Fig. 5 , the first terminal group 10 provided at the end 2c of the first substrate 2 and the second terminal group 20 provided at the end 2d of the first substrate 2 are exposed.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5 , the driving electrodes 361 and 362 are arranged to intersect with the driving electrodes 261 and 262. The spacer 610 and the insulating layer 441 are both circular in plan view. The insulating layer 441 and the spacer 610 overlap in the Z direction (first direction). Because the insulating layer 441 is larger than the spacer 610, in Fig. 5 , the outer periphery of the insulating layer 441 is located outside the outer periphery of the spacer 610.

[0034] Here, the active area (effective area) AA will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 , in the light-controlling panel 1, the drive electrodes 261 and 262 of the first substrate 2 and the drive electrodes 361 and 362 of the second substrate 3 intersect in a planar view. By supplying drive voltages to the drive electrodes 261 and 262 and the drive electrodes 361 and 362, respectively, it becomes possible to control the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 4. This region where the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 4 can be controlled is referred to as the "active area AA." By changing the refractive index distribution of the liquid crystal layer 4 in this active area AA, it becomes possible to control the diffusion degree of light passing through the active area AA of the light-controlling panel 1. For this reason, the active area AA can be referred to as a "diffusion control effective area" where the diffusion degree of the transmitted light can be controlled. 5 , the initial alignment direction of the alignment film 51 on the first substrate 2 side is formed from the Y1 direction to the Y2 direction, and the initial alignment direction of the alignment film 51 on the second substrate 3 side is formed from the X1 direction to the X2 direction, so that the initial alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 4 (the direction of the long axis of the liquid crystal molecules) gradually rotates from the first substrate 2 side toward the second substrate 3 side, and finally rotates by 90 degrees. When an electric field is generated between the adjacent electrodes of each substrate, the liquid crystal molecules that were originally aligned in the initial alignment direction rotate their orientation from the initial alignment direction in accordance with the direction of the electric field, thereby generating a refractive index distribution of light in the liquid crystal layer 4. Note that although the initial alignment directions on the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 differ by 90 degrees, this is not limited to 90 degrees and can be changed as appropriate within a range of 80 to 90 degrees.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the light control device 100 according to the first embodiment will be briefly described. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of four light control panels constituting the light control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the light control device according to the first embodiment.

[0036] 6 and 7 , the dimming device 100 includes a light source 620 and a panel unit 110. The light source 620 is located on the upper side (Z2 side) of the panel unit 110. The panel unit 110 includes, stacked from the top, a first dimming panel 1A, a second dimming panel 1B, a third dimming panel 1C, and a fourth dimming panel 1D. The number of dimming panels 1 included in the dimming device 100 is not limited to four, and may be two or more.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, in the first dimming panel 1A, the first terminal group 10 (see Fig. 5) provided on the end 2c of the first substrate 2 is located on the Y1 side, and the flexible printed circuit board 41 is electrically connected to the first terminal group 10. In the second dimming panel 1B, the first dimming panel 1A is rotated 180 degrees in a plan view. Therefore, the first terminal group 10 is located on the Y2 side, and the flexible printed circuit board 41 is electrically connected to the first terminal group 10.

[0038] The third dimming panel 1C is obtained by rotating the first dimming panel 1A by 90 degrees counterclockwise in a plan view, so that the second terminal group 20 provided at the end 2d is located on the Y1 side, and the flexible printed circuit board 41 is electrically connected to the second terminal group 20. The fourth dimming panel 1D is obtained by rotating the first dimming panel 1A by 90 degrees clockwise in a plan view, so that the second terminal group 20 provided at the end 2d is located on the Y2 side, and the flexible printed circuit board 41 is electrically connected to the second terminal group 20.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, two of the four dimming panels 1 are provided with the circular insulating layer 441 shown in FIG. 5 . That is, the first dimming panel 1A and the second dimming panel 1B are not provided with the insulating layer 441. The third dimming panel 1C and the fourth dimming panel 1D each have the insulating layer 441 on both the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3. Also, for example, the dimming panel 1 provided with the insulating layer 441 can be a dimming panel 1 for S-wave polarization, and the dimming panel 1 without the insulating layer 441 can be a dimming panel 1 for P-wave polarization. However, for example, the dimming panel 1 provided with the insulating layer 441 can be a dimming panel 1 for P-wave polarization, and the dimming panel 1 without the insulating layer 441 can be a dimming panel 1 for S-wave polarization.

[0040] In the present invention, it is sufficient to provide the insulating layer 441 on at least one of the four dimming panels 1. For example, the insulating layer 441 may be provided only on the fourth dimming panel 1D, and the insulating layer 441 may not be provided on the other dimming panels 1. Also applicable is a configuration in which the insulating layer 441 is provided on the first dimming panel 1A and the third dimming panel 1C, and the insulating layer 441 is not provided on the second dimming panel 1B and the fourth dimming panel 1D. Also applicable is a configuration in which the insulating layer 441 is not provided on the first dimming panel 1A and the third dimming panel 1C, and the insulating layer 441 is provided on the second dimming panel 1B and the fourth dimming panel 1D. Furthermore, the insulating layer 441 may be provided on both the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 of all four dimming panels 1.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to a modified example of the first embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the circular insulating layer 441 is provided on the first substrate 2 as shown in Fig. 2, but in the dimming panel 1E, the circular insulating layer 441 may be provided on the second substrate 3 as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, although not shown, the insulating layer 441 may be provided on both the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3.

[0042] 9 is a graph showing the chromaticity when an insulating layer is disposed over the entire active area and when no insulating layer is disposed in the active area, unlike Fig. 8. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, light is irradiated from a light source 620 onto a panel unit 110 in which four light-control panels 1 are stacked, and the chromaticity of the light transmitted through the panel unit 110 is measured.

[0043] 9, "No SiN" indicates the chromaticity when the insulating layer 441 is not formed on any of the active areas AA of the four dimming panels 1. "SiN 90 nm" indicates the chromaticity of light transmitted through a panel unit 110 formed by stacking four dimming panels 1, with a 90 nm thick SiN insulating layer 441 formed over the entire active area AA on each of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 constituting the dimming panel 1. "SiN 210 nm" indicates the chromaticity of light transmitted through a panel unit 110 formed by stacking four dimming panels 1, with a 210 nm thick SiN insulating layer 441 formed over the entire active area AA on each of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 constituting the dimming panel 1.

[0044] From Figure 9, it can be seen that when the insulating layer 441 is formed in the active area, the decrease in color temperature (i.e., the shift from white to yellow) is suppressed more than when the insulating layer 441 is not formed, and the chromaticity is closer to that of the light source 620.

[0045] As described above, in the light control device 100 according to the first embodiment, at least one of the plurality of light control panels 1 includes the first substrate 2, the second substrate 3, the liquid crystal layer 4, the drive electrodes 261, 262, 361, 362, and the insulating layer 441 containing SiN or SiO. The insulating layer 441 is stacked on at least one of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 and is provided in the active area AA.

[0046] As mentioned above, conventional dimming devices do not have an insulating layer such as SiN in the active area where the liquid crystal layer is provided in order to suppress a decrease in the transmittance of the emitted light, which may result in a decrease in the color temperature of the emitted light.

[0047] In contrast, in the present embodiment, an insulating layer 441 is laminated on at least one of the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3 in the active area AA. Here, as described with reference to FIG. 9 , by providing an insulating layer such as SiN, the chromaticity of the emitted light is reduced, and the color temperature is closer to that of the light source. Thus, compared to a case where an insulating layer such as SiN is not provided in the active area, this embodiment makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the color temperature of the light emitted from the dimming device 100. On the other hand, providing the insulating layer 441 leads to a decrease in the light transmittance of the dimming panel 1. Therefore, by dottedly distributing the insulating layer 441 in the active area AA as in this embodiment, the suppression of coloring and the decrease in transmittance in the dimming panel 1 can be adjusted.

[0048] Furthermore, in the active area AA, a spacer 610 is provided between the first substrate 2 and the second substrate 3. When viewed from the Z direction, the spacer 610 and the insulating layer 441 overlap each other.

[0049] Depending on the installation location and usage mode of the dimming device 100 of this embodiment, the dimming panel 1 may be exposed to high temperature and humidity conditions for a long period of time, which may cause the alignment film 51 to peel off, particularly below the spacer 610, and the spacer 610 may further scrape the drive electrode, causing a break. In this embodiment, a highly resistant insulating layer 441 is provided between the spacer 610 and the drive electrode, thereby improving reliability against breakage and the like.

[0050] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a light control panel according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a first substrate according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a light control panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 12 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 11.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the circular insulating layer 441 is provided at a position overlapping the spacer 610 in the Z direction. In the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, an insulating layer 442 is laminated on the upper side of the driving electrodes 261, 262 on the first substrate 2A. This will be described in detail below.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, in a light control panel 1F according to the second embodiment, a second substrate 3A is the same as the second substrate 3 according to the first embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10 , in the active area AA, a translucent electrode 45 is provided on the upper side of the first substrate 2A, and an insulating layer 442 is laminated on the upper side of the translucent electrode 45. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 , the insulating layer 442 is laminated on the upper side of the driving electrodes 261, 262 (translucent electrode 45). The insulating layer 442 has an elongated shape that follows the driving electrodes 261, 262 and is approximately V-shaped in plan view. As shown in FIG. 11 , the width of the insulating layer 442 is slightly larger than the width of the driving electrodes 261, 262. Furthermore, a region without the insulating layer 442 is provided between adjacent electrodes. Note that in the second embodiment, for example, the insulating layer 442 is laminated on the upper side of all of the driving electrodes 261, 262 of the first substrate 2A, but in the present invention, the insulating layer 442 may be laminated on only a portion of the driving electrodes 261, 262.

[0054] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to a modified example of the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a dimming panel according to another modified example of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, as described above, the insulating layer 442 is laminated on the driving electrodes 261, 262 of the first substrate 2A, but the insulating layer 442 may be laminated on the driving electrodes 361, 362 of the second substrate 3A as in the dimming panel 1G shown in Fig. 14, or the insulating layer 442 may be laminated on each of the driving electrodes 261, 262 of the first substrate 2A and the driving electrodes 361, 362 of the second substrate 3A as in the dimming panel 1H shown in Fig. 15.

[0055] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the insulating layer 442 is laminated on, for example, the driving electrodes 261 and 262 .

[0056] In areas where no insulating layer is provided, the emitted light has a yellowish tint, which must be corrected by providing an insulating layer. On the other hand, simply providing an insulating layer over the entire active area is likely to reduce the transmittance of the light-control panel. By providing the insulating layer 442 as in this embodiment, the coloring of the emitted light is improved while also suppressing the reduction in transmittance.

[0057] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a plan view of a first substrate according to the third embodiment. Fig. 17 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the third embodiment. Fig. 18 is a plan view of a light-control panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 17 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 16. In the third embodiment, an insulating layer 443 is provided between the drive electrode 261 and the drive electrode 262 on the first substrate 2B. A specific description will be given below.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 17, the second substrate 3B according to the third embodiment is the same as the second substrate 3 according to the first embodiment.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 , on the first substrate 2B of the dimming panel 1I, the drive electrodes 261 and the drive electrodes 262 are alternately arranged with gaps in the Y direction. An insulating layer 443 is provided in the gap between the drive electrodes 261 and 262 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The insulating layer 443 is shaped to conform to the drive electrodes 261 and 262 and is substantially V-shaped in plan view. The width of the insulating layer 443 is approximately the same as the width of the drive electrodes 261 and 262 adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The length of the insulating layer 443 is approximately the same as the length of the drive electrodes 261 and 262. In the third embodiment, the insulating layer 443 is provided in the entire gap between the drive electrodes 261 and 262. However, in the present invention, the insulating layer 443 may be provided in only a portion of the gap between the drive electrodes 261 and 262. Note that the insulating layer 443 may not be provided on the first substrate 2B and may be provided on the second substrate 3B.

[0060] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the insulating layer 443 is provided in the gap between the adjacent drive electrodes 261 and 262 .

[0061] In this case, as in the second embodiment, the coloring of the emitted light is improved and the decrease in transmittance is also suppressed.

[0062] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 19 is a plan view of a first substrate according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 20 is a plan view of a second substrate according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 21 is a plan view of a light control panel in which the second substrate of Fig. 20 is superimposed on the first substrate of Fig. 19.

[0063] In the third embodiment, the insulating layer 443 is provided on the first substrate 2B, but in the fourth embodiment, the insulating layers 444 and 445 are provided on the first substrate 2C and the second substrate 3C, respectively. Specific explanations will be given below.

[0064] 19 , the first substrate 2C in the dimming panel 1J is the same as the first substrate 2B according to the third embodiment. That is, an insulating layer 443 is provided in the gap between the drive electrode 261 and the drive electrode 262.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , on the second substrate 3C, the drive electrodes 361 and the drive electrodes 362 are alternately arranged with gaps in the X direction. An insulating layer 445 is provided in the gap between the drive electrodes 361 and 362 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The insulating layer 445 is shaped to conform to the drive electrodes 361 and 362 and is substantially V-shaped in plan view. The width of the insulating layer 445 is approximately the same as the width between the drive electrodes 361 and 362 adjacent to each other in the X direction. The length of the insulating layer 445 is approximately the same as the length of the drive electrodes 361 and 362. In the fourth embodiment, the insulating layer 445 is provided in all of the gaps between the drive electrodes 361 and 362. However, in the present invention, the insulating layer 445 may be provided in some of the gaps.

[0066] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the insulating layer 443 is provided in the gap between the adjacent drive electrodes 261 and 262. The insulating layer 445 is provided in the gap between the adjacent drive electrodes 361 and 362.

[0067] In this case, as in the second embodiment, the coloring of the emitted light is improved and the decrease in transmittance is also suppressed.

[0068] 22 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a panel unit according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 22 , in the panel unit 110A, adjacent dimming panels 1 in the Z direction are bonded to each other via an adhesive layer 40. Examples of the adhesive layer 40 include an optically clear adhesive (OCA) film or an optically clear resin (OCR). Specifically, adhesive layers 40 are disposed between the first dimming panel 1A and the second dimming panel 1B, between the second dimming panel 1B and the third dimming panel 1C, and between the third dimming panel 1C and the fourth dimming panel 1D, and the dimming panels 1 adjacent to each other in the Z direction are bonded to each other via the adhesive layer 40. In the panel unit 110A, a total of three adhesive layers 40 are provided. Here, by increasing the thickness of the adhesive layer 40, for example, it is possible to improve the color temperature of the light emitted from the panel unit 110A.

[0069] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J Light control panel 1A First light control panel (light control panel) 1B Second light control panel (light control panel) 1C Third light control panel (light control panel) 1D Fourth light control panel (light control panel) 2, 2A, 2B, 2C First substrate 3, 3A, 3B, 3C Second substrate 4 Liquid crystal layer 10 First terminal group 20 Second terminal group 40 Adhesive layer 41 Flexible printed circuit board 44, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445 Insulating layer 100 Light control device 110, 110A Panel unit 261, 262 Drive electrode (first electrode) 361, 362 Drive electrode (second electrode) 610 Spacer AA Active area

Claims

1. A light control device comprising a panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels are stacked in a first direction, at least one of the plurality of light control panels comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate overlapping the first substrate in the first direction; a liquid crystal layer filled between the first substrate and the second substrate; a first electrode stacked on the first substrate; a second electrode stacked on the second substrate; and an insulating layer including at least one of silicon nitride and silicon oxide, the insulating layer being stacked on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and being provided in an active area.

2. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein a spacer is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate in the active area, and the spacer overlaps with the insulating layer when viewed from the first direction.

3. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating layer is laminated on at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

4. A light control device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the first electrodes and the second electrodes is provided with a gap therebetween when viewed from the first direction, and the insulating layer is provided in at least one of the gaps between adjacent first electrodes and the gaps between adjacent second electrodes.

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