Light control device

Abstract

This light control device includes a panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels are stacked. The light control panel has a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first seal material that extends along the edge of the liquid crystal layer and is provided with an injection port, and a second seal material that seals the injection port. At an end point on one side of a third direction there is a first drive electrode, and at an end point on the other side of the third direction there is an other first drive electrode, and a straight line positioned at the center in the third direction is defined as a first straight line. At an end point on one side of a second direction there is, from among a plurality of second drive electrodes, a second drive electrode, and at an end point on the other side of the second direction there is an other second drive electrode. When a straight line positioned at the center in the second direction is defined as a second straight line, the injection port (gap) for the first seal material does not overlap with the first straight line and the second straight line when viewed from the first direction.

Description

dimmer

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

[0002] The light control device includes, for example, a panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels are stacked vertically (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The light control panel includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and a first sealant and a liquid crystal layer sealed between the lower and upper substrates. When a liquid crystal injection port is provided in the first sealant, the injection port is sealed with a second sealant.

[0003] Here, various durability tests are conducted on the light control device before shipping. These durability tests include, for example, a test to check for corrosion of the drive electrodes. The injection port of the first sealant is sealed with the second sealant. However, during high-load tests under high humidity environments, water vapor may penetrate between the second sealant and the injection port, causing condensation and resulting in water droplets on the drive electrodes. The drive electrodes with water droplets on them may corrode and become open.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-333567

[0005] When the drive electrode is in an open state, the drive electrode in the open state is not driven, and therefore, there is a possibility that a part of the light-transmitting region of the light control device becomes dark.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a light control device that prevents a part of a light-transmitting region of the light control device from becoming dark.

[0007] A light control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels are stacked in a first direction, the light control panel including a lower substrate having a plurality of first drive electrodes, an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate in the first direction and having a plurality of second drive electrodes, a liquid crystal layer located between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, a first sealant extending along an edge of the liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and having an injection port, and a second sealant sealing the injection port, the first sealant extending continuously from one end to the other end, a gap between the one end and the other end serving as the injection port, each of the plurality of first drive electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and a third sealant intersecting the first direction and the second direction, the plurality of second drive electrodes extend in the third direction and are spaced apart in the second direction, and when a first line is a straight line extending in the second direction and located at a center in the third direction between a first drive electrode located at an end on one side of the plurality of first drive electrodes in the third direction and a first drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the third direction among the plurality of first drive electrodes, and a second line is a straight line extending in the third direction and located at a center in the second direction between a second drive electrode located at an end on one side of the second direction and a second drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the second direction among the plurality of second drive electrodes, the gap in the first sealing material does not overlap the first line and the second line when viewed from the first direction.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dimming device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a cross section of the dimming device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a dimming panel according to the first embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a lower substrate included in the dimming panel of FIG. 3, as viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an upper substrate included in the dimming panel of FIG. 3, as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which the lower substrate of FIG. 4 and the upper substrate of FIG. 5 are superimposed. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a dimming panel located at the topmost position in a panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a dimming panel located second from the top in a panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a dimming panel located third from the top in a panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a dimming panel located fourth from the top in a panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram comparing four dimming panels included in a panel unit according to the first embodiment with four dimming panels included in a panel unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a dimming device according to a second embodiment, viewed from above. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located at the uppermost position in a panel unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a lower substrate included in the dimming panel of FIG. 13, viewed from above. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an upper substrate included in the dimming panel of FIG. 13, viewed from above. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the lower substrate of FIG. 14 and the upper substrate of FIG. 15 are superimposed. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located first from the top in a panel unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located second from the top in a panel unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located third from the top in a panel unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the fifth light control panel from the top in the panel unit according to the second embodiment.

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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 Z1 side is also referred to as the upper side, and the Z2 side is also referred to as the lower side. The Z direction is also referred to as the first direction. The Z2 side is also referred to as one side of the first direction, and the Z1 side is also referred to as the other side of the first direction. The X direction is also referred to as the second direction. The X1 side is also referred to as one side of the second direction, and the X2 side is also referred to as the other side of the second direction. The Y direction is also referred to as the second direction. The Y1 side is also referred to as one side of the third direction, and the Y2 side is also referred to as the other side of the third direction.

[0012] [First embodiment] A light control device according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light control device according to the first embodiment as seen from above. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the light control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a light control panel according to the first embodiment as seen from above. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a lower substrate included in the light control panel of Fig. 3 as seen from above. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an upper substrate included in the light control panel of Fig. 3 as seen from above. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the lower substrate of Fig. 4 and the upper substrate of Fig. 5 are superimposed.

[0013] 1 and 2 , a light control device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a panel unit 110 and a light source 120. In the light control device according to the embodiment, a light control panel (liquid crystal cell) for p-wave polarization and a light control panel (liquid crystal cell) for s-wave polarization are stacked and combined. Specifically, a plurality of p-wave polarization light control panels and a plurality of s-wave polarization light control panels formed by rotating the p-wave polarization light control panel by 90 degrees are stacked.

[0014] 1, in this embodiment, the edge of the panel unit 110 is square when viewed in the Z direction. Note that in the present invention, the shape of the panel unit 110 is not limited to a square, and various shapes such as polygons such as an octagon or hexagon, which will be described later, can be applied.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , the panel unit 110 is formed by stacking multiple dimming panels 1 in the Z direction (first direction). In this embodiment, multiple dimming panels 1 (four dimming panels in this embodiment) are stacked. Specifically, the four dimming panels 1 are, from top to bottom, dimming panel 1A, dimming panel 1B, dimming panel 1C, and dimming panel 1D. Each of the dimming panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D includes a lower substrate 2 and an upper substrate 3. The surface 2a of the lower substrate 2 and the surface 3a of the upper substrate 3 face each other with a liquid crystal layer 4 sandwiched therebetween. The back surface 2b of the lower substrate 2 is the surface opposite the surface 2a. The back surface 3b of the upper substrate 3 is the surface opposite the surface 3a. The dimming panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are bonded together via a light-transmitting adhesive 140. That is, all of the dimming panels adjacent to each other in the Z direction are bonded together via the light-transmitting adhesive 140. The number of dimming panels 1 included in the dimming device 100 is not limited to four, and may be two or more. The light source 120 is disposed on the Z2 side of the panel unit 110. Light 130 irradiated from the light source 120 enters the panel unit 110 from the lower side, passes through the light-transmitting region B10 from the dimming panel 1D to the dimming panel 1A, travels toward the Z1 side, and is emitted from the uppermost dimming panel 1A.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the dimming panel 1 includes a lower substrate 2, an upper substrate 3, a liquid crystal layer 4, a first sealant 5, and a second sealant 6. As shown in Fig. 3, the dimming panel 1 has a rectangular shape that is long in the X direction when viewed from the Z direction. That is, the edges of the dimming panel 1 include an edge 111, an edge 112, an edge 113, and an edge 114, and these edges 111, 112, 113, and 114 form a rectangle that is long in the X direction. Note that a two-dot chain line 119 on the Y1 side and the edges 112, 113, and 114 form a square. The edge 111 is located on the Y2 side of the two-dot chain line 119.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the light control panel 1 is provided with a liquid crystal layer 4. The area where the liquid crystal layer 4 is provided is a light-transmitting area (effective area) B10. The area outside the light-transmitting area (effective area) B10 is a light-shielding area (frame area) A10. As shown in Figure 3, the liquid crystal layer 4 is substantially square when viewed from the Z direction. That is, the liquid crystal layer 4 has sides 41, 42, 43, and 44.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , a first sealant 5 is provided along the edges (sides 41, 42, 43, and 44) ​​of the liquid crystal layer 4. The first sealant 5 has sides 57, 52, 53, and 54, and has a square shape when viewed in the Z direction. An injection port 50 is provided on the side 57. That is, bent portions 55 and 56 are provided on the side 57, and the space between the bent portions 55 and 56 forms the injection port 50. In other words, the first sealant 5 extends continuously from the bent portion 55 at one end to the bent portion 56 at the other end, and the gap 51 between the one end and the other end forms the injection port 50. Liquid crystal is injected from the injection port 50 toward the inside of the first sealant 5. A second sealant 6 is bonded to the Y1-side ends of the bent portions 55 and 56. The second sealant 6 is cured, for example, by applying a UV-curable resin and drying it. The second sealant 6 seals the injection port 50 and prevents the liquid crystal from leaking out.

[0019] 4 and 6 , the lower substrate 2 in the light-controlling panel 1 is provided with ends 21, 22, and 23. The end 21 is located on the X1 side of the liquid crystal layer 4, the end 22 is located on the Y2 side of the liquid crystal layer 4, and the end 21 is located on the X2 side of the liquid crystal layer 4. The lower substrate 2 has four sides 205, 206, 207, and 208.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, a first terminal group 10 is provided at end 21. A second terminal group 20 is provided at end 22. 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 along the Y direction. 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 along the X direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first terminal 101 and the fifth terminal 201 are connected via a wiring 24. A connection portion C2 is provided on the wiring 24. The second terminal 102 and the sixth terminal 202 are connected via a wiring 25. The third terminal 103 and the seventh terminal 203 are connected via a wiring 26. The fourth terminal 104 and the eighth terminal 204 are connected via a wiring 27. A connection portion C1 is provided on the wiring 27. A plurality of first drive electrodes 150 are provided on the lower substrate 2. Of the plurality of first drive electrodes 150, the electrode located closest to the end on the Y1 side is a first drive electrode 150A, and the electrode located closest to the end on the Y2 side is a first drive electrode 150B.

[0022] Here, the line located at the center between the first drive electrode 150A and the first drive electrode 150B is defined as the first line L1. Specifically, the first line L1 extends in the X direction. The distance D1 between the first line L1 and the first drive electrode 150B is the same as the distance D2 between the first line L1 and the first drive electrode 150A. The first drive electrode 150 also includes first drive electrodes 151 and 152. The first drive electrode 151 is connected to the wiring 26. The first drive electrode 152 is connected to the wiring 25. The first drive electrodes 151 and 152 both extend along the X direction. The first drive electrodes 151 and 152 are alternately arranged in the Y direction. The line overlapping the first drive electrode 150A is defined as the third line L3, and the line overlapping the first drive electrode 150B is defined as the fourth line L4. The third line L3 and the fourth line L4 extend in the X direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the upper substrate 3 has sides 305, 306, 307, and 308. Wiring 31 and wiring 32 extend in the X direction. Wiring 31 is provided with a connection portion C4. Wiring 32 is provided with a connection portion C3. Connection portion C4 is connected to connection portion C2 via a conductive pillar (not shown). Connection portion C3 is connected to connection portion C1 via a conductive pillar (not shown). A plurality of second drive electrodes 160 are provided on the upper substrate 3. Of the plurality of second drive electrodes 160, the electrode located closest to the end on the X1 side is second drive electrode 160A, and the electrode located closest to the end on the X2 side is second drive electrode 160B.

[0024] Here, the line located at the center between the second drive electrode 160A and the second drive electrode 160B is referred to as the second line L2. Specifically, the second line L2 extends in the Y direction. The distance D3 between the second line L2 and the second drive electrode 160A is the same as the distance D4 between the second line L2 and the second drive electrode 160B. The second drive electrode 160 also includes second drive electrodes 161 and 162. The second drive electrode 161 is connected to the wiring 31. The second drive electrode 162 is connected to the wiring 32. The second drive electrodes 161 and 162 both extend along the Y direction. The second drive electrodes 161 and 162 are alternately arranged in the X direction. The line overlapping the second drive electrode 160A is referred to as the fifth line L5, and the line overlapping the second drive electrode 160B is referred to as the sixth line L6. The fifth line L5 and the sixth line L6 extend in the Y direction.

[0025] Next, the orientations of the dimming panel 1A, dimming panel 1B, dimming panel 1C, and dimming panel 1D included in the panel unit 110 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located at the uppermost position in the panel unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located second from the top in the panel unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located third from the top in the panel unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the dimming panel located fourth from the top in the panel unit according to the first embodiment.

[0026] As described above, the four dimming panels 1 are stacked in the order of dimming panel 1A, dimming panel 1B, dimming panel 1C, and dimming panel 1D from the top. In dimming panel 1A, the injection port 50 faces the Y1 side. In dimming panel 1B, the dimming panel 1B is shown rotated 180 degrees relative to the dimming panel 1A around the intersection of the first line L1 and the second line L2. In dimming panel 1B, the injection port 50 faces the Y2 side. In dimming panel 1C, the dimming panel 1C is shown rotated 90 degrees clockwise around the intersection of the first line L1 and the second line L2. In dimming panel 1C, the injection port 50 faces the X1 side. In dimming panel 1D, the dimming panel 1D is shown rotated 180 degrees relative to the dimming panel 1C around the intersection of the first line L1 and the second line L2. In the light control panel 1D, the injection port 50 faces the X2 side.

[0027] Next, the overlapping states of the drive electrodes that may break and become open will be described by comparing the dimming panel included in the panel unit 110 according to the first embodiment with the dimming panel included in the panel unit 110A according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram comparing the four dimming panels included in the panel unit according to the first embodiment with the four dimming panels included in the panel unit according to the second embodiment.

[0028] Various durability tests are conducted on the dimming device 100 before shipping. These durability tests include, for example, tests to check for corrosion of the drive electrodes. As mentioned above, the injection port 50 is sealed with the second sealant 6. However, during high-load tests under high-humidity environments, water vapor may penetrate between the second sealant 6 and the injection port 50, condense, and form water droplets on the drive electrodes. Examples of drive electrodes prone to water droplets include the drive electrodes indicated by the thick dashed lines in FIG. 11 . Drive electrodes with water droplets are likely to corrode and become open. Below, with reference to FIG. 11 , drive electrodes that are likely to become open due to water droplets will be described. In FIG. 11 , the upper row shows four dimming panels included in the panel unit 110 according to the first embodiment, and the lower row shows four dimming panels included in the panel unit 110A according to the second embodiment. The difference between the panel unit 110 and the panel unit 110A is the position of the injection port 50. That is, the injection port 50 of the panel unit 110A is located at the end on the X1 side. Specifically, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 11 , the injection port 50 faces second drive electrodes 160C and 160D, which are located at the end on the X1 side of the plurality of second drive electrodes 160. In contrast, the injection port 50 of the panel unit 110 is positioned offset toward the X2 side from the injection port 50 of the panel unit 110A. Specifically, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 11 , the injection port 50 faces second drive electrodes 160C and 160D, which are located second and third from the end on the X1 side of the plurality of second drive electrodes 160.

[0029] In the dimming panel 1A located at the leftmost position in the panel unit 110 according to the first aspect, the first drive electrode 150 that is most likely to become open during a high-load test is the first drive electrode 150C, which is located closest to the injection port 50. The first drive electrode 150C is indicated by a thick dashed line. In the first embodiment, the first drive electrode 150C is the same as the first drive electrode 150A. Furthermore, the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D that are most likely to become open during a high-load test are the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D, which are located closest to the injection port 50. The second drive electrodes 160C and 160D are indicated by a thick dashed line. In the dimming panels 1B, 1C, and 1D described below, the first drive electrode 150C and the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D are arranged in the manner shown in the upper part of FIG. 11 .

[0030] Here, the first drive electrode 150B of the dimming panel 1B, the second drive electrode 160B of the dimming panel 1C, and the second drive electrode 160A of the dimming panel 1D are arranged to overlap on the underside (Z2 side) of the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1A. Therefore, even if the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1A is opened during the high-load test, the first drive electrode 150B, the second drive electrode 160B, and the second drive electrode 160A of the other dimming panels are closed.

[0031] Furthermore, with respect to first drive electrode 150C in dimming panel 1B, first drive electrode 150B of dimming panel 1A, second drive electrode 160A of dimming panel 1C, and second drive electrode 160B of dimming panel 1D are arranged to overlap in the Z direction. Therefore, even if first drive electrode 150C of dimming panel 1B is in an open state during a high-load test, first drive electrode 150B, second drive electrode 160A, and second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels are in a closed state.

[0032] Furthermore, the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1C is arranged to overlap the first drive electrode 150B, the second drive electrode 160A, and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels in the Z direction. The first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1D is also arranged to overlap the first drive electrode 150B, the second drive electrode 160A, and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels in the Z direction. Thus, in the first aspect, even if the first drive electrode 150C of one dimming panel is in an open state, the first drive electrode 150B, the second drive electrode 160A, and the second drive electrode 160B of the other three dimming panels are in a closed state. Regarding the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D, even if the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D of one dimming panel are in an open state, the drive electrodes of the other three dimming panels are in a closed state and overlap in the Z direction.

[0033] Next, a panel unit 110A according to a second embodiment will be described. In the light-control panel 1E located at the leftmost position in the panel unit 110A, the drive electrode among the plurality of first drive electrodes 150 that is most likely to become open during a high-load test is the first drive electrode 150C, which is located closest to the injection port 50, as in the panel unit 110. The first drive electrode 150C is indicated by a thick dashed line. In the first embodiment, the first drive electrode 150C is the same as the first drive electrode 150A. Furthermore, the drive electrodes among the plurality of second drive electrodes 160 that are most likely to become open during a high-load test are the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D, which are located closest to the injection port 50. The second drive electrodes 160C and 160D in the panel unit 110A are positioned further toward the X1 side than the second drive electrodes 160C and 160D in the panel unit 110. That is, second drive electrode 160C is located closest to the X1 side among the multiple second drive electrodes 160, and second drive electrode 160D is adjacent to second drive electrode 160C on the X2 side. Second drive electrodes 160C and 160D are indicated by thick dashed lines. Hereinafter, in light control panels 1F, 1G, and 1H, first drive electrode 150C and second drive electrodes 160C and 160D are arranged in the manner shown in the lower part of FIG. 11 .

[0034] Here, the first drive electrode 150B of the dimming panel 1F, the second drive electrode 160B of the dimming panel 1G, and the second drive electrode 160A (second drive electrode 160C) of the dimming panel 1H are arranged to overlap the underside (Z2 side) of the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1E. Therefore, even if the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1A is in an open state during a high-load test, the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels are in a closed state. However, because the second drive electrode 160A (second drive electrode 160C) of the dimming panel 1H is in an open state, there is one less electrode in a closed state than in the panel unit 110. In other words, if the first drive electrode 150C of one dimming panel is in an open state, the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other two dimming panels are in a closed state.

[0035] Furthermore, the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1F is overlapped in the Z direction by the first drive electrode 150B of the dimming panel 1E, the second drive electrode 160A (second drive electrode 160C) of the dimming panel 1G, and the second drive electrode 160B of the dimming panel 1H. Therefore, even if the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1F is in an open state during a high-load test, the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels are in a closed state. However, because the second drive electrode 160A (second drive electrode 160C) of the dimming panel 1G is in an open state, there is one less electrode in a closed state than in the panel unit 110. Furthermore, the first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1G is overlapped in the Z direction by the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels. The first drive electrode 150C of the dimming panel 1H is also arranged to overlap the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other dimming panels in the Z direction. Thus, in the second aspect, when the first drive electrode 150C of one dimming panel is in the open state, the first drive electrode 150B and the second drive electrode 160B of the other two dimming panels are in the closed state. Note that even if the second drive electrode 160C of one dimming panel is in the open state, the drive electrodes (first drive electrode 150B and second drive electrode 160B) of the other two dimming panels are in the closed state and overlap in the Z direction.

[0036] As described above, the light control device 100 includes a panel unit 110, and the panel unit 110 includes a plurality of light control panels 1. The light control panel 1 includes a lower substrate 2, an upper substrate 3, a liquid crystal layer 4, and a first sealant 5 and a second sealant 6 that seals an injection port 50. A gap 51 between one end and the other end of the first sealant 5 serves as the injection port 50. The first drive electrode 150 extends in the X direction, and the second drive electrode 160 extends in the Y direction. A line located at the center between the first drive electrode 150A and the first drive electrode 150B is defined as a first line L1. A line located at the center between the second drive electrode 160A and the second drive electrode 160B is defined as a second line L2. When viewed from the Z direction, the gap 51 in the first sealant 5 does not overlap the first line L1 or the second line L2.

[0037] As mentioned above, in a high-load test under a high-humidity environment, water vapor may penetrate between the second sealant and the injection port, condensing and forming water droplets on the drive electrodes. The drive electrodes with water droplets may corrode and become open. When the drive electrodes become open, they become non-driven, which may darken part of the light-transmitting area of ​​the light control device.

[0038] Assuming that the gap 51 of the first sealant 5 overlaps the first line L1, there is a possibility that the drive electrodes closest to the first line L1 will be open. Here, the panel unit 110 is formed by stacking multiple (four in this embodiment) dimming panels 1 in the Z direction, rotated 90 degrees around the intersection of the first line L1 and the second line L2. Therefore, when the panel unit 110 is viewed from above, the open drive electrodes are concentrated in the center of the light-transmitting region. That is, for example, assuming that two first drive electrodes 150 are open across the first line L1, the two first drive electrodes 150 extending in the X direction will be open in the first dimming panel 1A and the second dimming panel 1B from the top, and the two first drive electrodes 150 extending in the Y direction will be open in the third dimming panel 1C and the fourth dimming panel 1D from the top. Therefore, a square dark area may appear in the center of the light-transmitting region.

[0039] In contrast, in this embodiment, the gap 51 of the first sealant 5 does not overlap with the first line L1 or the second line L2. Therefore, assuming that two first drive electrodes 150 are open in one dimming panel 1, the open drive electrodes are not concentrated in a specific location even when four dimming panels 1 are stacked. This prevents a portion of the light-transmitting region of the dimming device 100 from becoming dark.

[0040] If the line overlapping with the second drive electrode 160A is the fifth line L5 and the line overlapping with the second drive electrode 160B is the sixth line L6, when viewed from the Z direction, the gap 51 of the first sealing material 5 is located between the fifth line L5 and the sixth line L6 but at a position that does not overlap with the fifth line L5 or the sixth line L6.

[0041] As described in the first aspect above, even if the drive electrode of one dimming panel is in the open state, the drive electrodes of the other three dimming panels are in the closed state. That is, even if one drive electrode is in the open state, the three drive electrodes overlap in the Z direction in the closed state.

[0042] In contrast, in the second aspect in which gap 51 overlaps with fifth line L5 or sixth line L6, if the drive electrodes of one dimming panel are in the open state, the drive electrodes of the other two dimming panels are in the closed state and overlap in the Z direction. That is, the number of drive electrodes in the closed state that overlap in the Z direction is greater in the first aspect than in the second aspect. Therefore, the first aspect more effectively prevents a portion of the light-transmitting region of dimming device 100 from becoming dark.

[0043] If the line overlapping with the first driving electrode 150A is the third line L3 and the line overlapping with the first driving electrode 150B is the fourth line L4, when viewed from the Z direction, the gap 51 of the first sealing material 5 is located between the third line L3 and the fourth line L4 but at a position that does not overlap with the third line L3 or the fourth line L4.

[0044] This assumes, for example, an embodiment in which injection port 50 is provided on side 52 or 54 of first sealing material 5 in Fig. 3. That is, for injection port 50 provided on side 52 or 54 of first sealing material 5, gap 51 is disposed between third line L3 and fourth line L4 but at a position that does not overlap with third line L3 or fourth line L4.

[0045] In this case, as in the comparison between the first and second aspects described above, if the drive electrodes in one dimming panel are in an open state, the number of closed drive electrodes that overlap the open drive electrodes in the Z direction will be greater, thereby further preventing part of the light-transmitting area of ​​the dimming device 100 from becoming dark.

[0046] The edge of the panel unit 110 and the edge of the light control panel 1 are polygonal (quadrilateral) when viewed from the Z direction.

[0047] Therefore, since the dimming panels 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are rectangular, when the dimming panel 1 is rotated by 90 degrees or 180 degrees and stacked, it is sufficient to match the sides of each dimming panel 1 when viewed from the Z direction, making the stacking work easy.

[0048] [Second Embodiment] A light control device according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a light control device according to a second embodiment, viewed from above. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a light control panel located at the uppermost position in a panel unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a lower substrate included in the light control panel of FIG. 13, viewed from above. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an upper substrate included in the light control panel of FIG. 13, viewed from above. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the lower substrate of FIG. 14 and the upper substrate of FIG. 15 are superimposed. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a light control panel located first from the top in a panel unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a light control panel located second from the top in a panel unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a light control panel located third from the top in a panel unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a light control panel located fifth from the top in a panel unit according to a second embodiment.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the panel unit and the light control panel have a rectangular shape, but in the second embodiment, the panel unit and the light control panel have an octagonal shape.

[0050] A light control device 100B according to the second embodiment includes a panel unit 110B. As shown in Fig. 12 , the panel unit 110B has a regular octagonal shape when viewed from the Z direction. The panel unit 110B is formed by stacking four light control panels 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H in the Z direction (first direction). That is, the four light control panels are, from top to bottom, light control panel 1E, light control panel 1F, light control panel 1G, and light control panel 1H.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 12 , a circle B100 indicated by a two-dot chain line is the boundary between the light-shielding region (frame region) A20 and the light-transmitting region (effective region) B20. The inside of the circle B100 is the light-transmitting region B20, and the outside of the circle B100 is the light-shielding region A20. The circle B100 coincides with inner edges 341a and 342a of flat electrodes 341 and 342, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 13 , the light-control panel 1E has end portions 21, 22, and 23. The first terminal group 10 is provided at the end portion 21, and the second terminal group 20 is provided at the end portion 23. The first sealant 5A is provided outside the circle B100. The first sealant 5A extends continuously from a bent portion 55 at one end to a bent portion 56 at the other end, and a gap 51 between the one end and the other end serves as an injection port 50. The light control panel 1E has a lower substrate 2E and an upper substrate 3E.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the lower substrate 2E includes sides 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, and 218.

[0053] The lower substrate 2E is provided with wiring, liquid crystal drive electrodes, and connection portions. Note that connection portion C1 of the lower substrate 2E is electrically connected to connection portion C3 of the upper substrate 3E (see FIG. 15) via a conductive pillar (not shown). Similarly, connection portion C2 of the lower substrate 2E is electrically connected to connection portion C4 of the upper substrate 3E (see FIG. 15) via a conductive pillar (not shown).

[0054] The first terminal 101 and the fifth terminal 201 are electrically connected via a wiring 241. The wiring 241 is connected to the connection portion C1.

[0055] The second terminal 102 and the sixth terminal 202 are electrically connected via wirings 243 and 245. The wiring 243 is connected to a wiring 246. The wiring 246 extends to a tip 247.

[0056] 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 a wiring 249. The wiring 249 is connected to the connection portion C2.

[0057] The lower substrate 2E is provided with a plurality of first drive electrodes 250. Of the plurality of first drive electrodes 250, the electrode located at the end closest to the Y1 side is a first drive electrode 250A, and the electrode located at the end closest to the Y2 side is a first drive electrode 250B.

[0058] Here, the line located at the center between the first drive electrode 250A and the first drive electrode 250B is defined as the first line L11. Specifically, the first line L11 extends in the X direction. The distance between the first line L11 and the first drive electrode 250B is the same as the distance between the first line L11 and the first drive electrode 250A. The first drive electrode 250 also includes first drive electrodes 251 and 252. The first drive electrode 251 is connected to the wirings 243 and 246. The first drive electrode 252 is connected to the wiring 249. The first drive electrodes 251 and 252 both extend along the X direction. The first drive electrodes 251 and 252 are alternately arranged in the Y direction. The line overlapping the first drive electrode 250A is defined as the third line L13, and the line overlapping the first drive electrode 250B is defined as the fourth line L14. The third straight line L13 and the fourth straight line L14 extend in the X direction.

[0059] 15 and 16 , the upper substrate 3E has sides 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, and 318. Two planar electrodes 341 and 342 are provided on the upper substrate 3E. The planar electrodes 341 and 342 are, for example, black metal patterns and have the effect of blocking light 130. The planar electrode 341 is located on the Y1 side, and the planar electrode 342 is located on the Y2 side. The outer edges of the planar electrodes 341 and 342 are approximately octagonal.

[0060] The upper substrate 3E is provided with a plurality of second drive electrodes 260. Of the plurality of second drive electrodes 260, the electrode located at the end closest to the X1 side is second drive electrode 260A, and the electrode located at the end closest to the X2 side is second drive electrode 260B.

[0061] Here, the line located at the center between the second drive electrode 260A and the second drive electrode 260B is referred to as the second line L12. Specifically, the second line L12 extends in the Y direction. The distance between the second line L12 and the second drive electrode 260A is the same as the distance between the second line L12 and the second drive electrode 260B. The second drive electrode 260 also includes second drive electrodes 261 and 262. The second drive electrode 261 is connected to the planar electrode 341. The second drive electrode 262 is connected to the planar electrode 342. The second drive electrodes 261 and 262 both extend along the Y direction. The second drive electrodes 261 and 262 are alternately arranged in the X direction. The line overlapping the second drive electrode 260A is referred to as the fifth line L15, and the line overlapping the second drive electrode 260B is referred to as the sixth line L16. The fifth straight line L15 and the sixth straight line L16 extend in the Y direction.

[0062] The inner edge 341a of the planar electrode 341 and the inner edge 342a of the planar electrode 342 are aligned along a circle B100 (see FIG. 13 ) whose center is the intersection of the first line L11 and the second line L12. Therefore, the area inside the inner edges 341a and 342a is a light-transmitting area (effective area) B20, and the area outside the inner edges 341a and 342a is a light-shielding area (frame area) A20. The connection portion C3 is connected to the planar electrode 341, and the connection portion C4 is connected to the planar electrode 342.

[0063] The four dimming panels 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H included in the panel unit 110B will be described in order. As shown in FIG. 17 , the injection port 50 of the dimming panel 1E faces midway between the X2 side and the Y2 side. As shown in FIG. 18 , the dimming panel 1F is rotated 180 degrees relative to the dimming panel 1E around the intersection of the first line L11 and the second line L12. As shown in FIG. 19 , the dimming panel 1G is rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the dimming panel 1E around the intersection of the first line L11 and the second line L12. As shown in FIG. 20 , the dimming panel 1H is rotated 180 degrees relative to the dimming panel 1G around the intersection of the first line L1 and the second line L2.

[0064] 17 , in the dimming panel 1E, the drive electrodes that are most likely to become open due to a high-load test among the multiple first drive electrodes 250 are first drive electrodes 250C and 250D, which are located closest to the injection port 50. The first drive electrodes 250C and 250D are indicated by thick dashed lines. Furthermore, the drive electrode that is most likely to become open due to a high-load test among the multiple second drive electrodes 260 is second drive electrode 260C, which is located closest to the injection port 50. The second drive electrode 260C is indicated by a thick dashed line. In the second embodiment, the second drive electrode 260C is the same as the second drive electrode 260B.

[0065] Here, also in the second embodiment, even if the second drive electrode of one dimming panel is in the open state, the drive electrodes of the other three dimming panels are in the closed state and overlap in the Z direction. For example, the second drive electrode 260A of the dimming panel 1F shown in Fig. 18, the first drive electrode 250B of the dimming panel 1G shown in Fig. 19, and the first drive electrode 250A of the dimming panel 1H shown in Fig. 20 overlap in the Z direction below the second drive electrode 260C of the dimming panel 1E shown in Fig. 17.

[0066] As described above, the second embodiment also has the same effects as the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the gap 51 of the first sealant 5 does not overlap the first line L1 and the second line L2. Therefore, assuming that two first drive electrodes 150 are open in one dimming panel 1, even if four dimming panels are stacked, the open drive electrodes are not concentrated in a specific location. This prevents a portion of the light-transmitting region of the dimming device 100A from becoming dark.

[0067] Moreover, the edge of the panel unit 110B and the edge of the dimming panel 1E are octagonal when viewed from the Z direction. In this case, too, since the dimming panels 1E, 1F, 1G, and 1H are octagonal, when the dimming panel 1 is rotated 90 degrees or 180 degrees and stacked, the edges of the dimming panels can be aligned when viewed from the Z direction, which makes the stacking work easier.

[0068] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H Light control panel 2, 2E Lower substrate 3, 3E Upper substrate 4 Liquid crystal layer 5, 5A First sealant 6 Second sealant 50 Injection port 51 Gap 55 Bent portion (one end) 56 Bent portion (other end) 100, 100A Light control device 110, 110A Panel unit 120 Light source 130 Light 150, 150A, 150B, 150C, 151, 152 First drive electrode 250, 250A, 250B, 250C, 251, 252 First drive electrode 160, 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D, 161, 162 Second drive electrode 260, 260A, 260B, 260C, 261, 262 Second drive electrode L1, L11 First straight line L2, L12 Second straight line L3, L13 Third straight line L4, L14 Fourth straight line L5, L15 Fifth straight line L6, L16 Sixth straight line

Claims

1. A panel unit in which a plurality of light control panels are stacked in a first direction, the light control panel comprising: a lower substrate having a plurality of first drive electrodes; an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate in the first direction and having a plurality of second drive electrodes; a liquid crystal layer located between the lower substrate and the upper substrate; a first sealant extending along an edge of the liquid crystal layer between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and having an injection port, and a second sealant sealing the injection port, the first sealant extending continuously from one end to the other end, and a gap between the one end and the other end serving as the injection port; each of the plurality of first drive electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and being spaced apart in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction; each of the plurality of second drive electrodes extending in the third direction and being spaced apart in the second direction, A light control device, wherein a first line is a line extending in the second direction and located at the center in the third direction between a first drive electrode located at an end on one side of the third direction among the plurality of first drive electrodes and a first drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the third direction, and a second line is a line extending in the third direction and located at the center in the second direction between a second drive electrode located at an end on one side of the second direction among the plurality of second drive electrodes and a second drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the second direction, when viewed from the first direction, the gap of the first sealing material does not overlap the first line and the second line.

2. The light control device of claim 1, wherein a third line is a line extending in the second direction that overlaps with a first drive electrode located at an end on one side of the plurality of first drive electrodes in the third direction, and a fourth line is a line extending in the second direction that overlaps with a first drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the plurality of first drive electrodes in the third direction, and the gap in the first sealing material is located between the third line and the fourth line but at a position not overlapping with the third line and the fourth line when viewed from the first direction.

3. The light control device of claim 1 or 2, wherein a fifth line is a line extending in the third direction that overlaps with a second drive electrode located at an end on one side of the plurality of second drive electrodes in the second direction, and a sixth line is a line extending in the third direction that overlaps with a second drive electrode located at an end on the other side of the plurality of second drive electrodes in the second direction, and wherein, as viewed from the first direction, the gap in the first sealing material is located between the fifth line and the sixth line but at a position not overlapping with the fifth line and the sixth line.

4. The light control device according to claim 3, wherein an edge of the panel unit and an edge of the light control panel are polygonal when viewed from the first direction.

5. The light control device according to claim 4, wherein an edge of the panel unit and an edge of the light control panel are rectangular when viewed from the first direction.

6. The light control device according to claim 4, wherein an edge of the panel unit and an edge of the light control panel are octagonal when viewed from the first direction.

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