Light control device

Abstract

This light control device comprises: a panel unit having a prism shape in which a plurality of polygonal liquid crystal panels are stacked; and a plurality of conductive members provided on a side surface of the panel unit. A lower substrate or an upper substrate has a terminal group including a first terminal electrically connected to a first drive electrode, a second terminal electrically connected to a second drive electrode, a third terminal electrically connected to a third drive electrode, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to a fourth drive electrode. The terminal group is provided along one side of the lower substrate or the upper substrate that is polygonal. The terminal group in one predetermined liquid crystal panel among the plurality of liquid crystal panels is exposed, and the terminal group in another liquid crystal panel other than the one predetermined liquid crystal panel is sealed.

Description

dimmer

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

[0002] The light control device of Patent Document 1 includes a panel unit in which multiple liquid crystal panels are stacked. The liquid crystal panel includes, for example, a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer sealed between these substrates. When incident light enters from one side of the panel unit in the stacking direction, the light transmittance of the incident light is adjusted, and this adjusted transmitted light exits from the other side of the panel unit in the stacking direction. Each of the multiple liquid crystal panels in the panel unit is provided with a terminal group, and each of the terminal groups is electrically connected to, for example, flexible printed circuits (FPCs).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-333567

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, since one flexible printed circuit board is connected to each of the plurality of liquid crystal panels, the number of steps required to connect the flexible printed circuit boards increases.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a light control device that can reduce the number of steps required to connect a flexible printed circuit board or the like.

[0006] A light control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a panel unit having a prismatic shape formed by stacking a plurality of polygonal liquid crystal panels in a first direction, a plurality of conductive members provided on side surfaces of the panel unit and extending in the first direction, and a light source located on one side or the other side of the panel unit in the first direction and irradiating light toward the panel unit, wherein each of the plurality of liquid crystal panels includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate on one side in the first direction, the lower substrate having a plurality of first drive electrodes and second drive electrodes that are alternately arranged, the upper substrate having a plurality of third drive electrodes and fourth drive electrodes that are alternately arranged, and the lower substrate having a plurality of third drive electrodes and fourth drive electrodes that are alternately arranged. The substrate or the upper substrate has a terminal group including a first terminal electrically connected to the first drive electrode, a second terminal electrically connected to the second drive electrode, a third terminal electrically connected to the third drive electrode, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to the fourth drive electrode, the terminal group being arranged along one side of the polygonal lower substrate or the upper substrate, the terminal group in one predetermined liquid crystal panel among the plurality of liquid crystal panels being exposed, and the terminal groups in the other liquid crystal panels other than the one predetermined liquid crystal panel being sealed, and each of the plurality of conductive members being electrically connected to one of the first to fourth drive electrodes in each liquid crystal panel.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a light control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lower substrate of a liquid crystal panel. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an upper substrate of a liquid crystal panel. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel. FIG. 6A is a plan view of a first liquid crystal panel. FIG. 6B is a plan view of a second liquid crystal panel. FIG. 6C is a plan view of a third liquid crystal panel. FIG. 6D is a plan view of a fourth liquid crystal panel. FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flexible printed circuit board connected to a first liquid crystal panel. FIG. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flexible printed circuit board connected to a second liquid crystal panel. FIG. 7C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flexible printed circuit board connected to a third liquid crystal panel. FIG. 7D is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a flexible printed circuit board connected to a fourth liquid crystal panel. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a panel unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA in FIG. 8. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB in Fig. 8. Fig. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXC-IXC in Fig. 8. Fig. 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXD-IXD in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a panel unit according to a second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a plan view of a panel unit according to a third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12.

[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] The disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive while maintaining the gist of the disclosure are naturally included within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, for clarity of explanation, the drawings may schematically depict the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part 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 reference to the previous drawings are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate. In the XYZ coordinate system, the Y direction is orthogonal to (intersects with) the X direction. The Z direction is orthogonal to (intersects with) the X and Y directions. The X2 side is opposite the X1 side. The Y2 side is opposite the Y1 side. The Z2 side is opposite the Z1 side. The Z direction is also referred to as the first direction. The Z1 side is also referred to as one side or upper side of the first direction, and the Z2 side is also referred to as the other side or lower side of the first direction. Furthermore, the plan view indicates a state as seen from the Z1 side. Furthermore, in this specification, "perpendicular" means that the intersection angle is, for example, in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

[0010] First Embodiment First, a light control device according to a first embodiment will be described.

[0011] (Configuration of light control device) Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a light control device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 .

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the light control device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a panel unit 111, a conductive member 500, and an LED (light source) 110. The panel unit 111 is configured by stacking a plurality of liquid crystal panels 11 in the Z direction (first direction). In this embodiment, examples of the liquid crystal panels 11 include a first liquid crystal panel 10, a second liquid crystal panel 20, a third liquid crystal panel 30, and a fourth liquid crystal panel 40. Specifically, in the panel unit 111, the first liquid crystal panel 10, the second liquid crystal panel 20, the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 are stacked in the Z direction from the Z1 side (one side in the first direction) to the Z2 side (the other side in the first direction). Note that in the panel unit 111 according to this embodiment, a liquid crystal panel for p-wave polarization and a liquid crystal panel for s-wave polarization are stacked and combined.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the panel unit 111 has a rectangular prism shape. Specifically, the panel unit 111 of the first embodiment is an octagonal prism. Therefore, the shape of the liquid crystal panel 11, which will be described later, is also octagonal in plan view. Thus, the panel unit 111 has an octagonal prism shape (rectangular prism shape) formed by stacking multiple octagonal (polygonal) liquid crystal panels 11 in the Z direction in plan view. However, in the present invention, the outer shapes of the panel unit 111 and the liquid crystal panels 11 are not particularly limited, and polygons other than octagons are also included in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the panel unit 111 has a first side 71, a second side 72, a third side 73, a fourth side 74, a fifth side 75, a sixth side 76, a seventh side 77, and an eighth side 78 in plan view.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2 , in the light control device 100, four liquid crystal panels 11 are stacked from the Z1 side to the Z2 side. Specifically, a first liquid crystal panel 10, a second liquid crystal panel 20, a third liquid crystal panel 30, and a fourth liquid crystal panel 40 are stacked from the Z1 side to the Z2 side. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal panels 11 stacked in the Z direction (axial direction) are four liquid crystal panels 11 each having the same configuration. That is, the first liquid crystal panel 10, the second liquid crystal panel 20, the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 have the same configuration and differ only in the angle around the central axis in a plan view. Adjacent liquid crystal panels 11 in the Z direction are bonded together via an adhesive layer 57. The first liquid crystal panel 10 includes a lower substrate S11, an upper substrate S12 disposed on the Z1 side of the lower substrate S11, and a liquid crystal layer 60 filled between the lower substrate S11 and the upper substrate S12. The second liquid crystal panel 20 has a lower substrate S21, an upper substrate S22 arranged on the Z1 side of the lower substrate S21, and a liquid crystal layer 60 filled between the lower substrate S21 and the upper substrate S22. The third liquid crystal panel 30 has a lower substrate S31, an upper substrate S32 arranged on the Z1 side of the lower substrate S31, and a liquid crystal layer 60 filled between the lower substrate S31 and the upper substrate S32. The fourth liquid crystal panel 40 has a lower substrate S41, an upper substrate S42 arranged on the Z1 side of the lower substrate S41, and a liquid crystal layer 60 filled between the lower substrate S41 and the upper substrate S42.

[0015] 1 , in a plan view, the conductive member 500 is disposed at the center of the side of the panel unit 111. In detail, the conductive member 510 is disposed on the first side 71, the conductive member 520 is disposed on the third side 73, the conductive member 530 is disposed on the fifth side 75, and the conductive member 540 is disposed on the seventh side 77.

[0016] 2, the conductive member 500 is provided on the side surface of the panel unit 111 along the Z direction (first direction), extending from the Z2 end of the panel unit 111 to the Z1 end. The conductive member 500 can be made of, for example, silver (Ag), carbon (C), or a material containing these conductive materials. The conductive member 500 is formed, for example, by applying a paste containing a conductive material to the side surface of the panel unit 111 and then curing it.

[0017] 2 , the LED (light source) 110 is located on the Z2 side of the panel unit 111. Specifically, the LED 110 is located at a distance from the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 in the panel unit 111 on the Z2 side, and emits light L toward the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0018] (Configuration of Liquid Crystal Panel) The terminals and wiring of each substrate will be described using the lower substrate S1 and upper substrate S2 included in the liquid crystal panel 11 as examples. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower substrate of the liquid crystal panel. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper substrate of the liquid crystal panel. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the liquid crystal panel.

[0019] The liquid crystal panel 11 has a lower substrate S1, an upper substrate S2 disposed on the Z1 side of the lower substrate S1, and a liquid crystal layer 60 (see FIG. 2) filled between the lower substrate S1 and the upper substrate S2.

[0020] 3 and 5, the lower substrate S1 has an octagonal shape 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 in a plan view.

[0021] The lower substrate S1 has a plurality of first drive electrodes 230 and second drive electrodes 240 that are alternately arranged. The first drive electrodes 230 extend in the X direction. The plurality of first drive electrodes 230 are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The first drive electrodes 230 include a connection portion 231. The connection portion 231 is electrically connected to the conductive member 500. The connection portion 231 is connected to wirings 232 and 233. The wiring 232 extends along the fourth side 214. The wiring 233 extends along the sixth side 216. The plurality of first drive electrodes 230 extend in the X direction from the connection portion 231 and the wirings 232 and 233. The second drive electrode 240 includes a connection portion 241. The connection portion 241 is electrically connected to the conductive member 500. The connection portion 241 is connected to the wirings 242 and 243. The wiring 242 extends along the second side 212. The wiring 243 extends along the eighth side 218. A plurality of second drive electrodes 240 extend in the X direction from the connection portion 241 and the wirings 242 and 243.

[0022] Furthermore, a terminal group 200 is provided along an eighth side 218 of the lower substrate S1. The terminal group 200 includes a first terminal 210, a second terminal 220, a third terminal 310, and a fourth terminal 320. The first terminal 210, the second terminal 220, the third terminal 310, and the fourth terminal 320 are arranged in order from the seventh side 217 toward the eighth side 218. The first terminal 210 is electrically connected to a first drive electrode 230. The second terminal 220 is electrically connected to a second drive electrode 240.

[0023] 4 and 5, the upper substrate S2 has an octagonal shape 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 in a plan view.

[0024] The upper substrate S2 has a plurality of third drive electrodes 330 and a plurality of fourth drive electrodes 340 that are alternately arranged. The third drive electrodes 330 extend in the Y direction. The plurality of third drive electrodes 330 are arranged at intervals in the X direction. The third drive electrode 330 includes a connection portion 331. The connection portion 331 is electrically connected to the conductive member 500. The connection portion 331 is connected to wirings 332 and 333. The wiring 332 extends along the sixth side 316. The wiring 333 extends along the eighth side 318. The plurality of third drive electrodes 330 extend in the Y direction from the connection portion 331 and the wirings 332 and 333. The fourth drive electrode 340 includes a connection portion 341. The connection portion 341 is electrically connected to the conductive member 500. The connection portion 341 is connected to the wirings 342 and 343. The wiring 342 extends along the fourth side 314. The wiring 343 extends along the second side 312. A plurality of fourth drive electrodes 340 extend in the Y direction from the connection portion 341 and the wirings 342 and 343. In addition, a connection point 310a is electrically connected to the wiring 333. The connection point 310a is connected to the third terminal 310 via a conductive bead not shown. The wiring 343 is electrically connected to a connection point 320a. The connection point 320a is connected to the fourth terminal 320 via a conductive bead not shown. The third terminal 310 is electrically connected to the third drive electrode 330. The fourth terminal 320 is electrically connected to the fourth drive electrode 340.

[0025] (Aspects of each liquid crystal panel provided in the panel unit) Next, the aspects of each liquid crystal panel 11 provided in the panel unit 111 will be described. Fig. 6A is a plan view of a first liquid crystal panel. Fig. 6B is a plan view of a second liquid crystal panel. Fig. 6C is a plan view of a third liquid crystal panel. Fig. 6D is a plan view of a fourth liquid crystal panel. Fig. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a cross section in which a flexible printed circuit board is connected to a first liquid crystal panel. Fig. 7B is a schematic diagram showing a cross section in which a flexible printed circuit board is connected to a second liquid crystal panel. Fig. 7C is a schematic diagram showing a cross section in which a flexible printed circuit board is connected to a third liquid crystal panel. Fig. 7D is a schematic diagram showing a cross section in which a flexible printed circuit board is connected to a fourth liquid crystal panel.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6A, the first liquid crystal panel 10 is oriented such that the connection portion 231 is located on the X1 side and the connection portion 241 is located on the X2 side with respect to the center of the first liquid crystal panel 10. In other words, in a plan view, a line connecting the connection portions 231 and 241 faces the X direction, and the direction from the connection portion 241 to the connection portion 231 is the direction from the X2 side to the X1 side. As shown in Figures 6A and 7A, one flexible printed circuit board 400 (FPC: Flexible Printed Circuits) is electrically connected to the terminal group 200 of the first liquid crystal panel 10. In other words, the terminal group 200 of the first liquid crystal panel 10 is exposed and not sealed, and is electrically connectable to one flexible printed circuit board 400.

[0027] 6B , the second liquid crystal panel 20 is disposed in a state rotated 180 degrees clockwise around the center of the first liquid crystal panel 10 relative to the first liquid crystal panel 10 in a plan view. The terminal group 200 of the second liquid crystal panel 20 is sealed. More specifically, the terminal group 200 is covered with a sealing portion 200A. The sealing portion 200A is formed of, for example, silicone (silicon resin).

[0028] 6C , the third liquid crystal panel 30 is disposed in a state rotated 90 degrees clockwise around the center of the first liquid crystal panel 10 relative to the first liquid crystal panel 10 in a plan view. The terminal group 200 of the third liquid crystal panel 30 is sealed. More specifically, the terminal group 200 is covered with a sealing portion 200A.

[0029] 6D , the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 is disposed in a state rotated 270 degrees clockwise around the center of the first liquid crystal panel 10 relative to the first liquid crystal panel 10 in a plan view. The terminal group 200 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 is sealed. More specifically, the terminal group 200 is covered with a sealing portion 200A.

[0030] Furthermore, one flexible printed circuit board 400 may be connected to any of the four liquid crystal panels. For example, it may be connected to the terminal group 200 of the second liquid crystal panel 20 as shown in Fig. 7B, to the terminal group 200 of the third liquid crystal panel 30 as shown in Fig. 7C, or to the terminal group 200 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 as shown in Fig. 7D.

[0031] In this way, the terminal group 200 of one predetermined liquid crystal panel 11 among the four liquid crystal panels 11 is exposed, and the terminal groups 200 of the other liquid crystal panels 11 other than the one predetermined liquid crystal panel are sealed. The exposed terminal group 200 of the one predetermined liquid crystal panel 11 is electrically connected to one flexible printed circuit board 400.

[0032] (Cross-sections at each portion of the panel unit) Next, cross-sections at each portion of the panel unit 111 will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the panel unit according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXA-IXA in Fig. 8. Fig. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXB-IXB in Fig. 8. Fig. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXC-IXC in Fig. 8. Fig. 9D is a cross-sectional view taken along line IXD-IXD in Fig. 8.

[0033] 9A , the conductive member 500 includes a main body 501 and a protruding portion 502. The main body 501 extends in the Z direction along the side surface of the panel unit 111. The protruding portion 502 protrudes from the main body 501 in the Y direction and is inserted between the lower substrate and the upper substrate of each liquid crystal panel 11. The protruding portion 502 is electrically connected to the connecting portions 231, 241, 331, and 341. The lower substrate includes a glass substrate 300, and the upper substrate includes a glass substrate 301.

[0034] As shown in Figure 9A, the conductive member 520 is electrically connected to the connection portion 341 of the upper substrate S12 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, the connection portion 331 of the upper substrate S22 of the second liquid crystal panel 20, the connection portion 241 of the lower substrate S31 of the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the connection portion 231 of the lower substrate S41 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9A, the conductive member 540 is electrically connected to the connection portion 331 of the upper substrate S12 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, the connection portion 341 of the upper substrate S22 of the second liquid crystal panel 20, the connection portion 231 of the lower substrate S31 of the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the connection portion 241 of the lower substrate S41 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0036] As shown in Figure 9B, the conductive member 530 is electrically connected to the connection portion 231 of the lower substrate S11 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, the connection portion 241 of the lower substrate S21 of the second liquid crystal panel 20, the connection portion 341 of the upper substrate S32 of the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the connection portion 331 of the upper substrate S42 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9B, the conductive member 510 is electrically connected to the connection portion 241 of the lower substrate S11 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, the connection portion 231 of the lower substrate S21 of the second liquid crystal panel 20, the connection portion 331 of the upper substrate S32 of the third liquid crystal panel 30, and the connection portion 341 of the upper substrate S42 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0038] 9C, the terminal group 200 of the lower substrate S11 of the first liquid crystal panel 10 is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board 400. The terminal group 200 of the lower substrate S21 of the second liquid crystal panel 20 is covered and sealed by a sealing portion 200A.

[0039] 9D, the terminal group 200 of the lower substrate S31 of the third liquid crystal panel 30 is covered and sealed by a sealing portion 200A. The terminal group 200 of the lower substrate S41 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40 is covered and sealed by a sealing portion 200A.

[0040] As described above, the light control device 100 according to the first embodiment includes the panel unit 111, the conductive member 500, and the LED 110. The liquid crystal panel 11 includes a lower substrate S1 and an upper substrate S2. The lower substrate S1 or the upper substrate S2 includes a terminal group 200 in which a first terminal 210, a second terminal 220, a third terminal 310, and a fourth terminal 320 are arranged, and the terminal group is provided along one side of the polygonal lower substrate or upper substrate. The terminal group 200 of one predetermined liquid crystal panel 11 among the plurality of liquid crystal panels 11 is exposed, and the terminal groups 200 of the liquid crystal panels 11 other than the one predetermined liquid crystal panel are sealed.

[0041] As described above, in the light control device of Patent Document 1, a terminal group is provided on each of the multiple liquid crystal panels, and each of the terminal groups is electrically connected to, for example, a flexible printed circuit board, which may increase the number of steps required to connect the flexible printed circuit board to the light control device.

[0042] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, only the terminal group 200 of one predetermined liquid crystal panel 11 is exposed among the plurality of liquid crystal panels 11 that constitute the panel unit 111. Therefore, voltage can be supplied to the light control device 100 by simply electrically connecting one flexible printed circuit board 400 or the like to only the exposed terminal group 200, which makes it possible to reduce the number of steps required for the connection work.

[0043] Furthermore, the terminal groups 200 other than the exposed terminal groups are covered and sealed by the sealing portion 200A. This has the advantage of preventing the terminal groups 200 that are not connected to the flexible printed circuit board 400 from shorting out to other electric wires, etc. Therefore, for example, even if the terminal groups 200 that are not connected to the flexible printed circuit board 400 are disposed near the conductive member 500, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the conductive member 500 and the terminal groups 200, and therefore the location where the conductive member 500 is disposed can be set more freely.

[0044] [Second embodiment] Next, a light control device according to a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, and the fourth terminal are electrically connected to four metal tapes, respectively. This will be described in detail below.

[0045] Fig. 10 is a plan view of a panel unit according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 10.

[0046] In the second embodiment, a metal tape is connected to the terminal group 200 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, but the metal tape may also be connected to the terminal group 200 of the second liquid crystal panel 20, the third liquid crystal panel 30, or the fourth liquid crystal panel 40.

[0047] 10 , in the panel unit 111A according to the second embodiment, in a plan view, four metal tapes 600 are electrically connected to the first terminal 210, the second terminal 220, the third terminal 310, and the fourth terminal 320 included in the terminal group 200 of the first liquid crystal panel 10, respectively. The metal tape 600 is preferably, for example, a copper tape 610. The four copper tapes 610 are copper tapes 611, 612, 613, and 614. Therefore, for example, the copper tape 611 is electrically connected to the first terminal 210. The copper tape 612 is electrically connected to the second terminal 220. The copper tape 613 is electrically connected to the third terminal 310. The copper tape 614 is electrically connected to the fourth terminal 320.

[0048] 11 , the copper tape 610 includes bonding portions 610a and 610b and an extension portion 610c. The bonding portion 610a is bonded to the second terminal 220 and electrically connected to the second terminal 220. The bonding portion 610b is bonded to the lower surface of the glass substrate 300 of the fourth liquid crystal panel 40. The extension portion 610c connects the bonding portions 610a and 610b. The extension portion 610c extends in the Z direction along the side surface of the panel unit 111A. The conductive plate 620 is electrically connected to the copper tape 610. Specifically, the conductive plate 620 includes an extension portion 623 and a bent portion 621. The extension portion 623 extends in the Z direction. The bent portion 621 is provided at the end of the extension portion 623 on the Z1 side. The bent portion 621 has a V-shape that protrudes toward the Y1 side. The end of the bent portion 621 on the Y1 side is a contact point 622. The contact point 622 abuts on and is electrically connected to the extended portion 610c of the copper tape 610. The conductive plate 620 is connected to a wire harness or the like (not shown). This allows a voltage to be supplied from the wire harness to the second terminal 220 via the conductive plate 620 and the copper tape 610.

[0049] As described above, in the second embodiment, each of the first terminal 210, second terminal 220, third terminal 310, and fourth terminal 320 included in the exposed terminal group 200 in one specified liquid crystal panel 11 is electrically connected to each of the four copper tapes 610 (metal tapes 600) extending in the Z direction along the side surface of the panel unit 111A.

[0050] The copper tape 610 is thin and therefore highly flexible, so when the copper tape 610 is arranged along the side surface of the panel unit 111, it is possible to reduce the gap between the copper tape 610 and the side surface of the panel unit 111.

[0051] Third Embodiment Next, a light control device according to a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, and the fourth terminal are electrically connected to four bus bars, respectively. This will be described in detail below.

[0052] Fig. 12 is a plan view of a panel unit according to the third embodiment, and Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in Fig. 12.

[0053] 12 , in the panel unit 111B according to the second embodiment, in a plan view, four bus bars 700 are electrically connected to the first terminal 210, the second terminal 220, the third terminal 310, and the fourth terminal 320 included in the terminal group 200 of the first liquid crystal panel 10. Therefore, for example, the bus bar 711 is electrically connected to the first terminal 210. The bus bar 712 is electrically connected to the second terminal 220. The bus bar 713 is electrically connected to the third terminal 310. The bus bar 714 is electrically connected to the fourth terminal 320.

[0054] 13, the bus bar 700 includes a bent portion 700a and an extended portion 700c. The extended portion 700c extends in the Z direction along the side surface of the panel unit 111B. The bent portion 700a is provided at the end of the extended portion 700c on the Z1 side. The bent portion 700a has a V-shape that protrudes toward the Z2 side, and has a contact point 700b at the end on the Z2 side. The contact point 700b abuts against a terminal (the second terminal 220 in FIG. 13) for electrical connection.

[0055] As described above, in the third embodiment, each of the first terminal 210, second terminal 220, third terminal 310, and fourth terminal 320 included in the exposed terminal group 200 in one specified liquid crystal panel 11 is electrically connected to each of the four bus bars 700 extending in the Z direction along the side surface of the panel unit 111B.

[0056] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 First liquid crystal panel 11 Liquid crystal panel 20 Second liquid crystal panel 30 Third liquid crystal panel 40 Fourth liquid crystal panel 100 Light control device 110 LED (light source) 111, 111A, 111B Panel unit 200 Terminal group 200A Sealing portion 210 First terminal 220 Second terminal 230 First drive electrode 240 Second drive electrode 310 Third terminal 320 Fourth terminal 330 Third drive electrode 340 Fourth drive electrode 400 Flexible printed circuit board 500, 510, 520, 530, 540 Conductive member 600 Metal tape 610, 611, 612, 613, 614 Copper tape 700, 711, 712, 713, 714 Bus bar S1 Lower substrate S2 Upper substrate

Claims

1. A panel unit having a prismatic shape formed by stacking a plurality of polygonal liquid crystal panels in a first direction; a plurality of conductive members provided on the side of the panel unit and extending in the first direction; and a light source located on one side or the other of the panel unit in the first direction and irradiating light toward the panel unit, wherein each of the plurality of liquid crystal panels has a lower substrate and an upper substrate overlapping the lower substrate on one side in the first direction, the lower substrate having a plurality of first drive electrodes and second drive electrodes that are alternately arranged, the upper substrate having a plurality of third drive electrodes and fourth drive electrodes that are alternately arranged, the lower substrate or the upper substrate having a terminal group including a first terminal electrically connected to the first drive electrode, a second terminal electrically connected to the second drive electrode, a third terminal electrically connected to the third drive electrode, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to the fourth drive electrode, the terminal group being provided along one side of the polygonal lower substrate or the upper substrate, a light control device, wherein the terminal group in one predetermined liquid crystal panel among the plurality of liquid crystal panels is exposed, and the terminal groups in the other liquid crystal panels other than the one predetermined liquid crystal panel are sealed, and each of the plurality of conductive members is electrically connected to one of the first to fourth drive electrodes in each liquid crystal panel.

2. The light control device according to claim 1, wherein the exposed terminal group of the one predetermined liquid crystal panel is electrically connected to one flexible printed circuit board.

3. The dimming device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal included in the exposed terminal group in the one specified liquid crystal panel is electrically connected to each of four metal tapes extending in the first direction along the side surface of the panel unit.

4. The dimming device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal and the fourth terminal included in the exposed terminal group in the one specified liquid crystal panel is electrically connected to each of four bus bars extending in the first direction along the side surface of the panel unit.

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