JP2010085686A - Electric instrument and method for manufacturing variable structural color forming member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric device in which a variable structure color forming member is incorporated in an exterior material, and the color of the exterior material is deep and variable with a metallic gloss.
An electrical apparatus of the present invention includes a substrate, a structural color forming layer that is stacked on the substrate to form a structural color, and a transparent protective film that seals an outer surface of the structural color forming layer. A structural color forming layer driving means for electrically variably controlling the structural color or reflection characteristics of the variable structural color forming member 1 and an input means, the housing having the variable structural color forming member 1 incorporated on the surface thereof, Display color setting means for determining display color setting information, which is setting information for the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member 1, based on the information input by the input means, and the display determined by the display color setting means Control means for outputting a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means based on the color setting information.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric device using a variable structure color forming member and a method for manufacturing the variable structure color forming member.

  Various electric devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras are required to have a highly decorative appearance in order to meet various needs of users. Accordingly, various exterior materials have been developed, such as exterior materials that make full use of coating technology, exterior materials that incorporate display elements, and exterior materials that have a structural color with a fine structure formed on the outer surface.

  When painting on the exterior of small electrical equipment such as mobile phones, after dust removal and static elimination treatment, paint with electrostatic spindle coating technology, etc., dry far infrared, and then UV hard coat on it In general, a method is used in which a finish coating is performed, and characters are screen-printed or pad-printed, followed by baking. On the other hand, when painting large objects such as the outer plate of an automobile, undercoating such as electrodeposition coating is applied to the anticorrosive steel sheet, and after baking, the intermediate coating or base coat is applied, and after baking or preheating, clear coating is applied. The method of performing and baking is common.

Such painting techniques are roughly divided into solid painting and metallic painting. Solid coatings by solid coating often have pigment particles dispersed in enamel in the top coat layer. Reflected light from the solid coating is specularly reflected on the surface of the coating, Consisting of diffuse reflection light and epidermis diffuse reflection light, the diffuse reflection light is light that is uniformly reflected in the hemispherical direction, and its intensity is as weak as about 10 ⁻³ times that of specular reflection light.

  On the other hand, the overcoat layer of a metallic coating by metallic coating is formed from a clear layer and a base layer. The base layer contains a bright material such as scale-like aluminum flakes and mica flakes in addition to the pigment, and is solid. Compared with the case of reflection by the coating film, reflected light with directionality is added depending on the orientation state of the glittering material, the diffuse reflection distribution in the layer of the metallic coating film shows anisotropy, the angle of incident light and light reception Different corners look different colors. The metallic feeling comes from the sensation that flakes in the paint film appear to shine. The color feels from the color of the painted surface and the depth from the perspective of the glittering material. It is said that “color” and “depth” are combined to feel “depth”.

  However, recently, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, regulations on the emission of volatile organic compounds have been strengthened. Instead of solvent-type paints, paints with low volatile organic compounds such as water-based and powder paints and paints with low environmental impact A method is required.

  In addition, to achieve vivid color coating with depth and depth, many processes are required and the cost is high, but for mobile phones, etc., models with different color variations within the same model to meet the needs of users. There is a problem that it is difficult to harmonize both the cost and the user's needs because it is not possible to meet the needs of all users just by preparing several color variations. .

  Furthermore, even if the user selects any color, the user may get bored while using it, and there is a demand for a different color depending on the location and situation. For manufacturers, it is difficult to prepare various colors according to the various needs of such users because it is difficult to predict the demand for each color, resulting in poor production and sales management efficiency.

  In order to solve such problems, watches, cellular phones, and the like are on the market that have a part of the exterior and a part of the exterior and a panel that can be changed. In the case of electrical equipment that can change the exterior part or panel, it is possible to change the appearance at low cost because it is only necessary to replace a part of the exterior part or parts. However, there is a problem that the design and structure are restricted, there is a limit to the change in appearance due to changing clothes, and it is troublesome to replace and install changing parts.

  In addition, some cellular phones or the like include a light emitting element such as a multicolor LED on a part or the inner surface of an exterior to notify the type of incoming call or switch the illumination color. Also, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-519462 (Patent Document 1) proposes a method in which the housing of the mobile phone itself is made of an electrochromic material that changes its color by an oxidation-reduction reaction, and the color of the housing is electrically changed. Has been.

  However, such display elements, lighting, and illumination methods have high functionality but little effect of changing the exterior, and it is difficult to express different textures, textures, depth and depth of gloss, etc. There was a problem. In addition, even when the power supply and illumination are on, vivid coloring is possible, but when the power supply is not turned on, the polarizing plate is limited to the dark black or light color and lacks the appearance. In addition, since the surface is composed of a film, a polarizing plate or the like, the exterior material has low robustness and durability, and the outside needs to be covered with a transparent glass or acrylic cover.

  On the other hand, in nature, there are so-called structural colors with metallic luster and vivid colors such as iridescents, morpho butterflies, pearls and opals. This refers to color development or gloss caused by an optical phenomenon based on a physical structure such as interference color or play color phenomenon due to a diffraction grating structure, color development due to thin film interference or multilayer film interference, and the like.

  Recently, research on photocatalyst structures that develop color with a structure that mimics the scales of morpho butterflies, photonic crystals in which materials with different dielectric constants are alternately stacked, and nanostructures has been actively conducted in the field of optical communications. As an invention using structural colors, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-17349 (Patent Document 2) alternately stacks a plurality of high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers (air layers) constituting morpho butterfly scales. A proposal has been made using the interference action of a shelf structure in which pillars are formed between rows of high refractive index layers, and the width of the high refractive index layer and the width of the pillars to provide stable light interference action. The relationship and the conditions of the thickness of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are described. In the invention described in Patent Document 2, there is also a proposal that the effect as a diffraction grating can be obtained by changing the width of the high refractive index layer to form a shelf structure in a tree shape.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-34324 (Patent Document 3) discloses a double structure of a laminated portion in which two layers of polyester and nylon having different refractive indexes are alternately stacked, and a polyester protective layer covering the laminated portion. This realizes beautiful colored fibers.

  However, the use of these structural colors has a problem in that the structure and the manufacturing method are complicated, the cost is high, and it is difficult to use in a wide area such as an exterior of a device. Moreover, since the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are fixed, the color cannot be changed according to the user's needs.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-195825 (Patent Document 4), a shelf structure (lamellar structure) is formed of a piezoelectric material, electrodes are formed at both ends in the expansion / contraction direction, and a voltage is applied to the electrodes. Therefore, a proposal has been made to change the optical distance by changing the thickness of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer to variably control the color of the structural color. There has also been a proposal to provide a reflective information display device using external light.
JP 2005-519462 A JP-A-6-17349 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-34324 JP 2005-195825 A

  As described above, various proposals have been made regarding structures using structural colors, but few proposals have been made to variably control the structural colors. Further, in the proposal of a variable structure color forming member that is a structure in which the structural color can be variably controlled, there is a proposal that uses this variable structure color forming member as a pixel of an information display device in a small area. No proposal has been made to use a variable structure color forming member with a large area as in the case of using it as an exterior of an electric device.

  The present invention relates to an electrical device in which the color of the exterior material is variable by incorporating the variable structure color forming member into the exterior material, and a wide area variable structure color formation member incorporated into the exterior material of such an electrical device. It is an object to provide a manufacturing method.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an electrical device, wherein the substrate, a structural color forming layer stacked on the substrate to form a structural color, a transparent protective film that seals an outer surface of the structural color forming layer, A structural color forming layer driving means for electrically variably controlling the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member, and an input means. Display color setting means for determining display color setting information, which is setting information for structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member, based on information input by the input means; and determined by the display color setting means Control means for outputting a drive signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means based on the displayed display color setting information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the first aspect, the structural color forming layer is a multilayer film structure formed by alternately laminating a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer. The high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are formed at a thickness of about ¼ wavelength of the wavelength of visible light or a periodic interval of about ½ wavelength of the wavelength of visible light, and the high refractive index layer The structural color of the variable structural color forming member is variably controlled by electrically controlling and changing the optical distance between the index layers.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the second aspect, the structural color forming layer has a shelf structure in which the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are stacked in multiple stages on the substrate. The shelf structure is formed by arranging a support member having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer between the rows of the high refractive index layers to form columns of the shelf structure. The low refractive index layer is formed between the rows of the high refractive index layers and on the periphery of the support member.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to the third aspect, the support member is an actuator, a transparent electrode is disposed between the actuator and the high refractive index layer, and the high refraction The rate layer and the transparent electrode are connected to the same layer of different shelf structures by a connecting portion, and the outermost surface of the structural color forming layer is formed by a gap between the shelf structures and the connecting portion. The opening has a rectangular shape, and the opening is a diffraction grating. The actuator is divided into a plurality of parts in the same layer of one shelf structure and is located in the same layer of the other shelf structure. The support member is also divided and disposed, and by electrically controlling the actuator, the thickness of the low refractive index layer is changed, and the structural color is continuously variably controlled.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the high refractive index layer is formed of a high refractive index dielectric, and the low refractive index layer is It is characterized by being an air layer.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the third aspect, a transparent electrode is disposed between the substrate, the protective film, and the structural color forming layer, and each of the transparent electrode and the structure is arranged. An alignment film is disposed between the color forming layers, a liquid crystal is injected between the shelf structures and between the rows of the high refractive index layers, and the liquid crystal is sealed at the periphery of the structural color forming layer. It is sealed with a material, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is changed by electrically controlling the liquid crystal, and the structural color is variably controlled by changing the optical distance between the high refractive index layers. .

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to the sixth aspect, the high refractive index layer is formed of a high refractive index dielectric, and the support member is formed of a low refractive index dielectric. It is characterized by.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the first aspect, the structural color forming layer is formed between a pair of high refractive index layers which are semi-transmissive mirrors and the pair of high refractive index layers. A low-refractive-index layer, and the low-refractive-index layer is formed to a thickness that is an integral multiple of half the wavelength of visible light, and between the pair of high-refractive-index layers. The support member having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer is disposed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the eighth aspect, the support member is an actuator, and a transparent electrode layer is disposed between the actuator and the pair of high refractive index layers. By electrically controlling the actuator, the thickness of the low refractive index layer is changed, and the structural color is continuously variably controlled.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to the fourth, fifth, or ninth aspect, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator formed of a piezoelectric element, and the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric actuator is electrically performed. It is characterized in that the thickness of the low refractive index layer is continuously controlled by controlling to.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the eighth aspect, a transparent electrode is disposed between the substrate, the protective film, and the structural color forming layer, and the pair of high refractive index layers and the pair An alignment film is disposed between the low-refractive index layers, liquid crystal is injected between the pair of high-refractive index layers, and the liquid crystal is sealed by a sealing material disposed at the periphery of the low-refractive index layer. The liquid crystal is electrically controlled to change the refractive index of the liquid crystal, and the structural color is variably controlled by changing the optical distance between the pair of high refractive index layers.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the high refractive index layer is formed of a multi-film layer or a metal film made of a high refractive index dielectric. It is a semi-transmission mirror.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the display color setting means is setting information of a structural color or a reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member. A plurality of storage means for storing display color setting information; display a plurality of display color setting information stored in the storage means according to a display instruction from the input means; and selection from the input means Desired display color setting information is selected from display color setting information displayed on the display means by an instruction, and the control means is configured to select the structure based on the display color setting information selected by the display color setting means. A drive signal corresponding to the color forming layer driving means is output.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to the thirteenth aspect, the display color setting means outputs information for custom setting of a display color to the display means, and the display means When the custom display color setting information is set by the input means on the custom setting screen, the display color setting means displays the custom display color setting information determined by the input means. One of the corresponding color, RGB value, HSV value, or chromaticity coordinate is added to the storage means and stored, or overwritten and registered in advance. To do.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the control unit executes a function of the device based on information input by the input unit. The operation of the function unit is controlled, the display color setting unit determines display color setting information based on the state of the function executed by the function unit, and the control unit displays the display color determined by the display color setting unit By outputting a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means based on setting information, the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member changes when any function of the device is executed. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, the storage means stores display color setting information that is a basis of the casing when the main power is OFF. When the main power supply is in the OFF state, the control means outputs a corresponding drive signal to the structural color forming layer drive means by standby power based on basic display color setting information stored in the storage means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the control unit supplies any electric power supplied to the structural color forming layer driving unit when the main power is OFF. Is stopped, and the default structural color of the variable structural color forming member is restored.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electrical device according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, a color coating film is provided on the lowermost end of the structural color forming layer or on the substrate surface, and the color coating film The structural color and optical characteristics of the variable structural color forming member are changed on the basis of the color.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electric device according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, a light emitting element is disposed at the lowermost end of the structural color forming layer or on the surface of the substrate. A diffuse reflection layer for diffusing and reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting element is formed in the vicinity, and the diffuse reflection light from the diffuse reflection layer and the structural color by the variable structural color forming member are mixed so that the exterior color of the casing is It is formed.

  The invention according to claim 20 is a method of manufacturing a variable structure color forming member, wherein a high refractive index layer is formed in a predetermined selected region of the substrate surface, and the high refractive index layer on the high refractive index layer is formed. Forming a structural color forming layer by alternately stacking the high refractive index layer and the supporting member in order to form a structural color forming layer. The organic material is sequentially embedded and planarized, and the high refractive index layer and the support member are formed on the flat surface as needed.Then, the organic material in the non-selection region in the structural color forming layer is replaced with an acid or an acid that melts the organic material. Removed by heat treatment, forming a gap in which an air layer to be a low refractive index layer is formed in a part of the upper and lower layers of the high refractive index layer, and the support member and the high refractive index layer to be pillars in multiple stages Stacked and structured color with multiple shelves arranged on the board And forming a stratified.

  According to the present invention, the variable structure color forming member is incorporated in the exterior material, so that the color of the exterior material can be changed, and the wide area variable structure color incorporated in the exterior material of such an electrical apparatus. And a forming member manufacturing method.

  The electric device of the best mode for carrying out the present invention seals a substrate 11, a structural color forming layer 12 laminated on the substrate 11 to form a structural color, and an outer surface of the structural color forming layer 12 Structure color formation having a housing in which a variable structure color forming member 1 having a transparent protective film 13 is incorporated on the surface and electrically variably controlling the structure color or reflection characteristics of the variable structure color forming member 1 Display color for determining display color setting information (structural color setting information) that is information on the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on information input by the layer driving means, the input means, and the input means A setting unit; and a control unit that outputs a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving unit based on the display color setting information determined by the display color setting unit.

  The structural color forming layer 12 of the variable structural color forming member 1 has a multilayer structure formed by alternately laminating the high refractive index layer 23 and the low refractive index layer 24. The high refractive index layer 23 The low refractive index layer 24 is formed at a thickness of about ¼ wavelength of the wavelength of visible light or a periodic interval 20 of about ½ wavelength, and the low refractive index layer 24 is electrically controlled to achieve high refraction. The structural color is variably controlled by changing the optical distance between the index layers 23.

  Further, the structural color forming layer 12 is formed by regularly arranging a shelf structure 25 in which a high refractive index layer 23 and a low refractive index layer 24 are laminated in multiple stages on the substrate 11, and the shelf structure 25 is The support member 21 having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer 23 is disposed between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 to form a column, and between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 and the periphery of the support member 21 Is the low refractive index layer 24.

  Further, the support member 21 is an actuator, and a transparent electrode 22 is disposed between the actuator and the high refractive index layer 23. The high refractive index layer 23 and the transparent electrode 22 are the same layer of different shelf structures 25. The outermost surface of the structural color forming layer 12 has a rectangular opening formed by a gap between each shelf structure 25 and a connecting portion, and the structural color forming layer 12 The outermost surface is formed as a diffraction grating by a gap between each shelf structure 25 and a connecting portion that connects the same layer of each shelf structure 25 of the high refractive index layer 23, and the actuator is arranged between the rows of each high refractive index layer 23. Are arranged intermittently in the gaps between the shelf structures 25, and the actuator is electrically controlled to change the thickness of the low refractive index layer 24, thereby changing the structural color. The variable control is continuously performed.

  The high refractive index layer 23 is formed of a high refractive index dielectric, the low refractive index layer is an air layer, and the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator formed of a piezoelectric element. The thickness of the low refractive index layer is continuously controlled by electrically controlling the expansion and contraction of the film.

  The display color setting means has storage means for storing a plurality of display color setting information, which is the setting information of the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member, and is stored in the storage means by a display instruction from the input means. The display means displays a plurality of display color setting information, and selects the desired display color setting information from the display color setting information displayed on the display means according to a selection instruction from the input means. Based on the display color setting information selected by the display color setting means, a drive signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means is output.

  The display color setting means outputs information for custom setting of the display color to the display means, the display means displays the custom setting screen, and the custom display is displayed by the input means on the custom setting screen. When the color setting information is set, the display color setting means is either a color corresponding to the custom display color setting information determined by the input means, an RGB value, an HSV value, or a chromaticity coordinate. Is added to the storage means and stored, or the information stored in advance is overwritten and registered.

  Further, the display color setting means determines display color setting information based on the state of the function executed by the function means that executes the function of the device, and the control means uses the display color setting information determined by the display color setting means. Based on this, by outputting a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means, the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member changes when any function of the device is executed.

  The storage means stores basic display color setting information when the main power supply is off, and the control means stores the basic display color stored in the storage means when the main power supply is off. Based on the setting information, a corresponding drive signal is output to the structural color forming layer driving means by the standby power.

  Then, the manufacturing method of the variable structure color forming member 1 includes forming a high refractive index layer 23 in a predetermined selection region on the surface of the substrate 11, and a selection region smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer 23 on the high refractive index layer 23. In the formation of the structural color forming layer 12, the organic material is sequentially added to the non-selection region in the formation of the structural color forming layer 12. The embedded layer is flattened to form the high refractive index layer 23 and the support member 21 as needed on the flat surface, and then the organic matter in the non-selection region in the structural color forming layer 12 is removed by acid or heat treatment for melting the organic matter. In addition, a gap in which an air layer to be the low refractive index layer 24 is formed is formed in a part of the upper and lower layers of the high refractive index layer 23, and the support member 21 serving as a column and the high refractive index layer 23 are laminated in multiple stages. Thus, the structural color forming layer 12 in which a plurality of shelf structures 25 are arranged on the substrate 11 is formed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a variable structural color forming member 1 having a variable structural color incorporated in a casing of an electrical device in the present embodiment has a structural color that is laminated on the substrate 11 and forms a structural color. It is formed from the forming layer 12 and the protective film 13 and the overcoat layer 14 laminated on the structural color forming layer 12, and the structural color is formed by the structural color forming layer 12.

  The substrate 11 is formed of a metal plate, a glass plate, or the like, and is a member that forms a casing in an electric device such as a digital camera or a mobile phone or forms a surface of an optical system that is built therein.

  The structural color forming layer 12 is formed by regularly arranging on the substrate 11 a shelf structure 25 in which a high refractive index layer 23 and a low refractive index layer 24 are laminated in multiple stages. The shelf structure 25 includes a support member 21 disposed between rows of the high refractive index layers 23 to form columns, and a low refractive index layer 24 formed between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 and formed at the periphery of the support member 21. The transparent member 22 is arranged between the support member 21 and the high refractive index layer 23. The support member 21 is formed in an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer 23 and can be expanded and contracted. The structure color is variable because the support member 21, which is the actuator, is extended, the thickness between the rows of the high refractive index layer 23 is changed, and the optical distance is also changed. It is.

Further, the shelf structure 25 has the total thickness of the two transparent electrodes 22 and the high refractive index layer 23 and the thickness of the support member 21 when the wavelength of visible light is λ ₀ (about 380 to 760 nm). is consists of respectively about λ _0/4 (about 95～190Nm) thickness, or, one of the high refractive index layer 23 and a support member 21 as well as two electrodes located on both sides of the support member 21 in which periodic interval 20 is approximately λ _0/2.

  Further, gaps 26 are formed between the rows of the shelf structures 25 arranged on the substrate 11, and the total width of the predetermined one row of the shelf structures 25 and the width of the gaps 26 is about 500 nm to 1 μm. As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 21 that is an actuator is divided into a plurality of parts within the same layer of one shelf structure 25 and is also separated from the support members 21 that are located in the same layer of another row. However, the transparent electrode 22 and the high refractive index layer 23 are formed as one layer in the same layer of one shelf structure 25 and are also connected to the same layer in the other row by a connecting portion. Is. Therefore, the surface of the structural color forming layer 12 is formed with regular square openings formed by the gaps 26 and the connecting portions between the shelf structures 25 to form a diffraction grating.

The high refractive index layer 23 constituting the shelf structure 25 is a rectangular thin film elongated in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the same layer of the high refractive index layer 23 in the other rows of the shelf structure 25 by a connecting portion. Formed of a dielectric material having a high refractive index, for example, an oxide or fluoride of titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ ), or the like. In addition, a plurality of high-refractive index layers 23 and low-refractive index layers 24 having different refractive indexes are alternately stacked in a plurality of stages to form a multi-stage structure and form a structural color due to multilayer film interference. The low refractive index layer 24 formed between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 is an air layer formed by air having a refractive index n = 1.0.

The transparent electrode 22 is a rectangular thin plate elongated in the front-rear direction, and is disposed between the support member 21 and the high refractive index layer 23 and connected to the upper and lower surfaces of the support member 21. The expansion / contraction distance of the actuator is continuously controlled by applying a voltage to the support member 21 serving as the actuator. As the material for forming the transparent electrode 22, silver (Ag), silver palladium (AgPd), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), nickel ( Ni), iridium (Ir), iridium oxide (IrOx), strontium ruthenate (SrRuO ₃ ), or the like can be used.

  Further, the support member 21 is a rectangular thin film elongated in the front-rear direction, and the width is formed narrower than the width of the transparent electrode 22 and the high refractive index layer 23, and the length in the front-rear direction is also the transparent electrode 22 and the high refraction. It is formed shorter than the length of the rate layer 23. Therefore, the support member 21 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the horizontal direction between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 (including the transparent electrodes 22), but is formed narrower than the width of the high refractive index layers 23. Therefore, an air layer that forms the low refractive index layer 24 is formed between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 (including the transparent electrode 22) and at the periphery of the support member 21, and the column of the shelf structure 25 It functions as. Further, since the support member 21 is formed shorter than the length in the front-rear direction of the transparent electrode 22 and the high refractive index layer 23, the plurality of support members 21 are divided in the same layer of the same shelf structure 25. It is regularly arranged in the state.

  The support member 21 serving as an actuator is a piezoelectric actuator formed of a piezoelectric material such as barium titanate, lithium niobate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), or lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT). It can be expanded and contracted in the range of several tens to several hundreds of nanometers by applying a voltage from the transparent electrodes 22 connected vertically.

そして、圧電素子の変位特性をグラフに表すと図３（ａ）示すようなグラフとなり、０〜最大変位量までの間を略電圧と比例して伸張するものである。尚、電圧を下げた場合の収縮量の方が電圧を上げた場合の伸張量よりも僅かに大きな変位量となる。このように圧電素子の変位特性は、電圧と略比例するため数値化することが可能であり、圧電アクチュエータとされる支持部材21の厚みを連続的に制御することができるため、低屈折率層24の厚みをアクチュエータによって連続的に制御することが可能となるものである。 The displacement characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator due to the voltage are as follows: the length in the polarization direction is L, the applied voltage (electric field) is E, the displacement amount in the polarization direction is ΔL, the number of layers is N, the voltage is V, and the piezoelectric constant is d. Assuming that ₃₃ , ΔL can be calculated by equation (1), and equation (2) is derived. Incidentally, PZT is (lead zirconate titanate) in _d 33 = _300~450pm / V, the BaTiO _{3 d 33} = approximately 190pm / V, the PNN-PZT based piezoelectric material _{d 33} = about 1200pm / V.

Then, when the displacement characteristics of the piezoelectric element are represented in a graph, a graph as shown in FIG. 3A is obtained, and the range from 0 to the maximum displacement amount is expanded in proportion to the voltage. It should be noted that the amount of contraction when the voltage is lowered is slightly larger than the amount of expansion when the voltage is increased. Thus, the displacement characteristics of the piezoelectric element can be quantified because it is substantially proportional to the voltage, and the thickness of the support member 21 that is a piezoelectric actuator can be continuously controlled. The thickness of 24 can be continuously controlled by an actuator.

  A shape memory type piezoelectric actuator may be used as the support member 21. This shape memory type piezoelectric actuator is a type of piezoelectric material, such as PZT, that accumulates electric charges on the element surface by applying a high voltage of about 700 V at a high temperature of about 150 ° C. As shown in the graph of FIG. 3B, the memory function can be given to the dielectric constant and the refractive index by the strain stress simultaneously with the piezoelectric displacement, as shown in the graph of FIG. 3B. By using a simple shape memory type piezoelectric actuator, distortion and displacement due to a voltage once applied can be held for a long time without applying a voltage at all times, and a structural color can be held for a long time and power consumption can be reduced. It will be.

  Furthermore, the protective film 13 covering the surface of the structural color forming layer 12 is formed by a transparent glass plate or a transparent resin film, and is for protecting the structural color forming layer 12. The overcoat layer 14 is a film formed by hard coat coating or the like, and is the outermost layer of the variable structure color forming member 1, and is variable by moisture adhering directly to the protective film 13, etc. The structural color forming member 1 is prevented from deteriorating. The overcoat layer 14 can obtain the same effect by attaching a protective film, and can be integrated with the protective film 13.

  Next, structural colors will be described. In nature, metallic gloss and vivid color can be seen without pigments, glittering materials, light emitting elements, and the like. Such gloss and color development occur based on a physical structure such as an interference color or play-color phenomenon due to a regular fine structure of the order of the wavelength of light or a diffraction grating structure, thin film interference, or multilayer film interference.

This multilayer film interference refers to each film when light is incident on a multilayer film in which high refractive index (N _H ) thin films H and low refractive index (N _L ) thin films L are alternately stacked as shown in FIG. This is reflected light in multiple stages generated between the respective films due to the difference in refractive index between them. In other words, the light applied to the multilayer film is split into reflected light reflected on the surface of the multilayer film and transmitted light transmitted therethrough, and this phenomenon is repeated at each stage, so that the reflection reflected at each stage. This is a phenomenon in which the color of the light is synchronized to produce a beautiful color.

青色光の波長が選択されて反射され、青色の構造色が生み出されることがわかる。 For example, Morpho butterflies inhabiting the Amazon river basin in South America have a beautiful blue color that is said to be a butterfly jewel, but Morpho butterflies have no blue pigment and form a beautiful blue color due to the fine shape of the scales. Is. The morpho butterfly scale is a thin film having a length of 0.2 mm, a width of 0.1 mm, and a thickness of 3 μm. On the scale, a line like a diffraction grating called a ridge is about 0.7 μm to It is regularly formed at intervals of 1 μm. In addition, this line has a pillar in the center and has a shelf structure with shelves protruding on the both sides of the pillar at intervals of about 0.2 μm. The line is not a diffraction grating but a half diffraction grating. Multilayer interference occurs. The shelf (refractive index 1.5) and air layer (refractive index 1.0) are considered as one layer, and the multilayer interference formula λ = 2 · n · d (λ: wavelength, n: refractive index, (d: space between shelves), the wavelength λ is about 0.48 μm as shown in the equation (3).

It can be seen that the wavelength of the blue light is selected and reflected, producing a blue structural color.

よって、積層数ｍを多くするほど、又、高屈折率Ｎ_Ｈと低屈折率Ｎ_Ｌの屈折率の比が大きい材料の組み合わせほど反射率が高くなることがわかる。 Further, the reflection characteristics of the multilayer film of m set alternately laminated thickness of each of the thin film L of the thin film H and a low refractive index of the high refractive index as lambda _0/4, as shown in the graph of FIG. 5, the wavelength lambda is _{λ 0, λ 0/3,} λ 0/5, shows the reflection characteristic at which the reflectance has a peak at the time of ..., the maximum reflectance _{R m} is the refractive index of the substrate and _{N S,} (4) The wavelength range is expressed by equation (5).

Therefore, it can be seen that the reflectivity increases as the number m of layers increases, and the combination of materials having a large ratio of the refractive index of the high refractive index _NH and the low refractive index _NL increases.

The variable structure color forming member 1 of the present embodiment has a structure that is substantially the same as the structure that forms the structural color of the morpho butterfly scale, and the interval between the shelves is the same as that shown in FIG. because it is similar to lambda _0/4, the multilayer interference is obtained by the difference in refractive index between the periphery of the air layer and the high refractive index layer 23 of the support member 21, similar to that shown in the graph of FIG. 5 The reflection characteristics are shown. Further, since the surface of the structural color forming layer 12 is formed with a diffraction grating, it is possible to obtain a metallic gloss and color structural color like the surface of a compact disc (CD).

  Next, variable control of structural color in the variable structural color forming member 1 will be described. The variable structural color forming member 1 of the present invention applies a DC voltage, an AC voltage, or a pulse current to the supporting member 21 that is a piezoelectric actuator of the structural color forming layer 12 to expand and contract the thickness of the piezoelectric material. By increasing or decreasing the thickness of the low-refractive index layer 24 formed on the periphery, the wavelength characteristics of the reflected light of the multilayer film by the high-refractive index layer 23 and the low-refractive index layer can be variably controlled.

  As shown in the graph of FIG. 6, the change in the structural color due to the thickness change of the low refractive index layer 24 indicates that the peak wavelength is located in the blue region (435 to 480 nm) when the thickness of the air layer is 100 nm. However, since the color continuously changes such as a green region (500 to 560 nm) at 120 nm, a yellow region (580 to 595 nm) at 140 nm, and a red region (610 to 750 nm) at 170 nm, the structural color is continuously variably controlled. It is something that can be done. In the graph of FIG. 6, silicon dioxide having a refractive index n = 1.46 and a thickness of 100 nm is used as the high refractive index layer 23, and the thickness of the air layer serving as the low refractive index layer 24 is 100 nm. This is a simulation of changes in reflection characteristics when the supporting member 21 serving as a piezoelectric actuator is extended by the structural color forming layer 12 laminated in eight layers.

  The configuration of setting data for setting the structural color of the variable structural color forming member 1 is shown in the table of FIG. This table shows the color code, RGB values, chromaticity coordinates, etc. of the structural color corresponding to the voltage value V applied to the piezoelectric actuator or the optical characteristics such as phase difference δ, nd or Δnd in the reflection characteristics. is there. Note that the order of the interference colors that appear when the phase difference δ = 2π (nd / λ) or nd is changed in the interference color due to the multilayer film is roughly determined. This is the same as the relationship between the retardation used in the polarization microscope observation and the polarization color. Color charts such as interference color charts and color order, and optical characteristics such as phase difference δ and nd It can also be configured to correspond. In the present embodiment, these pieces of information are stored in a ROM built in the control circuit 130 described later.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the variable structure color forming member 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and FIG. First, a substrate molding process for molding a resin or metal plate as the substrate 11 of the variable structure color forming member 1 is performed (step S101), and the substrate molded in the substrate molding process (step S101) is cleaned and flattened, and dust is removed. The substrate 11 is manufactured by performing the substrate cleaning process (step S103). Then, a transparent electrode forming process is performed on the substrate 11 by forming a transparent electrode 22 in a predetermined selected region by a thin film forming technique such as imprinting, vapor deposition, sputtering, etc. (step S105), and imprinting in a narrow region on the transparent electrode 22 is performed. A support member forming process for forming a layer of piezoelectric material by a printing technique or the like is performed (step S107), and an organic substance or the like is poured into a space region other than the position where the transparent electrode 22 and the support member 21 are located, as shown in FIG. In this way, a flattening process for flattening is performed by setting the tip of the support member 21 and the surface of the organic material to the same height (step S109).

  Next, a transparent electrode forming process (step S111) is performed to form a transparent electrode 22 by sputtering or the like in a predetermined selection region on the flat surface formed by the flattening process (step S109), and further, sputtering is performed on the transparent electrode 22. A dielectric layer forming process for forming a high refractive index layer 23 that is a layer made of a high refractive index dielectric or the like is performed (step S113), and an organic substance or the like is applied to a space region other than the transparent electrode 22 and the high refractive index layer 23. As shown in FIG. 9B, the surface of the high-refractive index layer 23 and the surface of the organic material are made to have the same height, thereby performing a flattening process (step S115). Then, a layer number determination process is performed to determine whether the required number of layers has been formed (step S117). If the required number of layers is insufficient, a transparent electrode formation process (in which a transparent electrode 22 is formed in a predetermined selection region ( From step S105) to the planarization process (step S115) for planarizing by making the surface of the high refractive index layer 23 and the surface of the organic substance the same height, the required number of layers is obtained as shown in FIG. 9C. Repeat until it reaches.

  When the required number of layers is satisfied in the number-of-layers determination process (step S117), as shown in FIG. 9 (d), an organic substance removal process for removing a part such as an organic substance by dissolution with acid, heating, etc. (Step S119), as shown in FIG. 9E, a finishing process (Step S121) is performed to form the protective film 13 and the overcoat layer 14 on the outermost surface, and finally, an inspection or the like is performed to form a variable structure color. The manufacture of the member 1 is completed.

  Further, by manufacturing the variable structure color forming member 1 in this way, accurate manufacturing in nanometer units is possible, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, and the variable structure color forming member 1 having a large area can be obtained. It can be manufactured.

Next, a thin film forming technique in the manufacturing method of the variable structure color forming member 1 will be described. Vapor deposition methods such as EB (electron beam) vapor deposition have high film thickness controllability and a high film deposition rate, and therefore, a film of a low refractive index material such as a fluoride such as MgF ₂ can be formed.

  In addition, ion plating such as RF sputtering and IAD (ion assisted deposition) tends to form a rough film with conventional EB deposition, and water adsorption and poor optical properties are conspicuous, so plasma is also used for EB deposition. It is what. This RF sputtering method is a manufacturing method in which ions are accelerated toward the substrate dome by a self-bias phenomenon generated by applying a high frequency to the substrate dome, and a dense film can be obtained by sputtering. This is a manufacturing method in which the deposited film can be made dense by accelerating ions from the ion gun onto the substrate dome. These ion platings are characterized by the ability to produce dense films even at low temperatures, excellent film thickness controllability, and high film deposition rates. Similar to sputtering, oxides utilizing reactions from metal materials Etc. can also be formed.

Further, sputtering is a manufacturing method in which a target material is irradiated with ions such as Ar, O ₂ , and N ₂ , and a film is formed by utilizing a phenomenon in which constituent atoms of the target material are released from the target surface. Use power or RF power. This sputtering is capable of forming a uniform film with a large area of up to about 210 × 300 mm (A4 size), a standard of about 100 mm to 300 mm on a side, and a dense and highly durable film even at a low temperature. There is a feature that almost all inorganic materials including high melting point materials can be formed.

  In addition, recent thin film manufacturing techniques include microcontact printing and nanoimprinting. This microcontact printing is a technique for creating a stamp based on a mold, printing by pressing ink such as active molecules, etc., and producing a mask, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). First, a precise photoresist pattern (original plate) 401 is formed by photolithography technology or the like, and a stamp material 402 such as PDMS (silicon rubber) is pressed against the photoresist pattern 401, and a photoresist pattern as shown in FIG. A stamp 403 having a 401 shape is produced. Next, after the stamp 403 is applied to the ink of the active molecule solution, as shown in FIG. 10D, the active molecule 406 is pressed against the surface of the substrate 405 on which gold (Au) or the like is deposited. Transcript to. Then, the active molecules 406 are chemisorbed on the surface of gold or the like, and a stable self-assembled film (SAM) 407 is formed on the surface of the substrate 405 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, using the self-assembled film 407 formed in this manner as a mask, fine etching processing or the like can be performed as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, the nano-imprint technology is a technology in which an original plate is embossed (imprinted) on a resist and polymerized by irradiating with ultraviolet rays (UV) to ripen or produce a mask, as shown in FIG. First, a transparent original plate 411 such as quartz is prepared, and an imprint resist 413 is applied to the flattened surface of the substrate 412. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the original 411 is pressed against the fluid of the resist 413, and as shown in FIG. 11 (c), ultraviolet light UV is irradiated from the back of the transparent original 411 to the fluid of the resist 413. When the original 411 is removed from the substrate 412 as shown in FIG. 11D after the fluid of the resist 413 is solidified by polymerization, the pattern of the original 411 is completed. Further, as shown in FIG. 11E, a fine etching process or the like may be performed using a copy of the original 411 as a mask.

  When the above-described piezoelectric material thin film actuator is formed, an electron beam is formed on a substrate 421 such as STO (strontium titanate) as shown in FIG. 12A as shown in FIG. Then, a desired resist 422 is prepared, and as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D, the resist 422 is filled with a gel of PLZT or a zinc titanate-based piezoelectric material 423 and dried. As shown in FIG. 12 (e), the resist 422 portion is removed and the dried gel is baked to form a PLZT crystal having a desired shape as shown in FIG. 12 (f).

According to the variable structural color forming member 1 produced by the method as described above, a high refractive index layer 23 and the low refractive index layer 24 of the structural color forming layer 12 was set to lambda _0/4 degree of thickness alternately laminated to form, or by laminating a high refractive index layer 23 and the low refractive index layer 24 alternately lambda _0/2 degree periodic interval 20, it is possible to obtain a structural color with metallic luster Thus, the variable structural color forming member 1 capable of obtaining a deep structural color can be provided.

  In addition, by using the support member 21 as an actuator and changing the optical distance between the rows of the high refractive index layer 23 by using this actuator, the variable structural color forming member 1 that can variably control various color tones and gloss unique to the structural color is provided. It can be done.

  Furthermore, the structural color forming layer 12 has a structure in which a shelf structure 25 in which a high refractive index layer 23 and a low refractive index layer 24 are stacked in multiple stages is regularly arranged on the substrate 11, thereby preventing multilayer film interference. Thus, it is possible to provide the variable structural color forming member 1 that can obtain a structural color according to the above, and thus a vivid structural color having a depth like a morpho butterfly.

  Further, by forming a diffraction grating on the surface of each structural color forming layer 12, it is possible to obtain a structural color with a metallic depth by the diffraction grating, and the shelf structure 25 functions as a semi-diffraction grating, so that multilayer film interference A deep and vivid structural color can be obtained. Furthermore, since the transparent electrode 22 is connected to the same layer of each shelf structure 25, all actuators can be controlled without individual wiring, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  By using a high refractive index dielectric as the high refractive index layer 23 and using the low refractive index layer 24 as an air layer, the difference in refractive index can be increased, resulting in a more vivid structural color. The variable structure color forming member 1 can be provided.

  Also, by using a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric element as the actuator, the thickness between rows of the high refractive index layer 23 can be easily and continuously changed by simply changing the applied voltage. The variable structure color forming member 1 can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the variable structural color forming member 1 of the present example, as the number of the structural color forming layers 12 is increased and the refractive index ratio is increased, a vivid structural color can be obtained, and the metallic color It is possible to express a vivid and glossy color without using pigments, dyes, flake materials, etc., and environmentally friendly surface processing is possible.

  Also, without using semiconductor lithography technology, ordinary sputtering, vacuum deposition, micro contact printing, imprinting, etc. can be manufactured at low cost even in large areas by molding a mold. It can also be used as the structural color forming member 1.

  Furthermore, unlike conventional display elements and electrical decorations, vivid structural colors and gloss can be obtained even when the power is not turned on, and when the power is turned on, depending on the state of the device and the color set by the user Can be changed to a variety of colors, color schemes, and glosses, so new decorations can be added, and the color pattern of the appearance can be freely customized according to the user's preference and situation, extending the product life can do.

In the variable structural color forming member 1 of the present embodiment, the structural color forming layer 12 is formed by laminating the transparent electrode 22 and the support member 21 having the actuator and the high refractive index layer 23, but FIG. 13 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the high refractive index layer 23 is a conductive thin film 28 using a metal film or a conductive thin film instead of a dielectric, and the support member 21 which is a piezoelectric actuator and the conductive thin film 28 are approximately λ. _0/4 by also be configured to be stacked alternately. In this case, the piezoelectric actuator can be expanded and contracted by directly applying a voltage to the high refractive index layer 23 made of the conductive thin film 28, and the manufacturing process is reduced, thereby facilitating the manufacturing. Even when the conductive thin film 28 and the piezoelectric actuator are laminated as described above, the transparent electrode 22 and the high-refractive index layer 23 made of a dielectric are laminated similarly as described above. An effect can be obtained.

  Furthermore, although the support member 21 is a piezoelectric actuator, it is possible to use an actuator using a conductive polymer or an electromagnetic voice coil or the like as an actuator, which can be controlled in nanometer units and has a response speed. If it is a fast actuator, it is not restricted to a piezoelectric actuator.

  Next, a digital camera 100 in which the variable structure color forming member 1 is incorporated in a housing will be described as an electric apparatus using the variable structure color forming member 1 described above. As shown in FIG. 15, the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment is provided with a flash 111, an infrared sensor 112, an imaging optical system 113, and the like on the front surface of the front case 102 that forms the front of the camera housing 101. A movable lens cover 115 that covers the imaging optical system 113 is attached, and a shutter button 116 and a power switch 117 are disposed on the upper surface of the camera housing 101. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, a display device 121, a zoom button 122, a direction key 123, a menu button 124, and the like are arranged on the back surface of the rear case 103 that forms the rear of the camera casing 101. Furthermore, the above-described variable structure color forming member 1 is incorporated on the surfaces of the front case 102 and the rear case 103, and the color and gloss of the camera casing 101 are variably controlled.

  As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 17, the digital camera 100 includes a control system as a control means and a display color setting means, a photographing system as a functional means for executing the functions of the digital camera 100, a photographing auxiliary system, and an input means. The operation system, display system as display means, exterior color system as structural color formation layer driving means, power supply system, image file storage system, audio output system, etc. It can be used in different modes such as a mode and a setting mode.

  The control system block includes a control circuit 130 and an image / audio CODEC 131. The control circuit 130 stores various setting data such as a CPU, a program for executing each function, display color setting information (structural color setting information), and the like. Consists of a ROM for storing data, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, and the like, and controls each system to control the operation of the digital camera 100 intensively. Image display control means, image data storage control means, image adjustment means In addition to functioning as image generation means, data arrangement means, etc., it also functions as display color setting means for determining the color of the exterior.

  The image / audio CODEC 131 compresses image data and audio data files and converts them into small-capacity data. Further, the power supply system includes a battery 133 such as a battery that serves as electric power, and a power supply circuit 132 that supplies electric power from the battery 133 to the control circuit 130 or the like.

  The photographing system includes a photographing lens group 135 and an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that converts a subject image that has passed through the photographing lens group 135 into a two-dimensional image signal. 138, a signal processing unit 139 that performs required image processing on the image signal from the image sensor 138, an image memory 141 that temporarily stores the image signal after image processing, and lenses of the photographing lens group 135 A lens driving unit 142 that realizes focusing and zooming by driving, and an image sensor driving unit 143 that drives the image sensor 138 are provided.

  Further, the imaging system includes a conversion mirror 145 that converts the optical axis direction of incident light into the optical axis direction of the imaging lens group 135, and the variable structure color forming member 1 described above is attached to the reflection surface of the conversion mirror 145. The conversion mirror 145 is connected to a mirror driving unit 146 including structural color forming layer driving means for driving the structural color forming layer 12 of the variable structural color forming member 1. The support member 21 serving as an actuator in the structural color forming layer 12 expands and contracts by the driving voltage supplied from the structural color forming layer driving means, and the structural color and reflection characteristics of the structural color forming layer 12 change. As described above, since the reflection characteristic becomes variable by incorporating the variable structure color forming member 1 on the surface of the conversion mirror 145, the wavelength characteristic of the incident light is controlled by controlling the variable structure color forming member 1 with the mirror driving unit 146. It can be changed or the brightness can be reduced.

  Further, as a photographing auxiliary system, the above-described flash 111, an LED driving circuit 151 for driving the illumination LED light included in the flash 111, a flash driving circuit 152 for driving a high-intensity light as a photographing flash, and a reflection surface Reflector 153 that collects the light of an illumination LED light or high-intensity light, to which variable structure color forming member 1 described above is attached, and the structural color forming layer of variable structure color forming member 1 incorporated in the reflective surface of reflector 153 12 includes a reflecting mirror driving unit 154 provided with a structural color forming layer driving means for driving 12, and a shutter driving unit 155 driven according to the shutter button 116. Then, the reflection wavelength characteristics (spectral reflectance) and reflectance of the reflector 153 are changed by the structural color forming layer driving means in the reflector driving section 154, and the spectral reflectance characteristics, directivity direction, white balance, etc. of the entire illumination light are changed. Can be adjusted.

  The operation system includes various operation buttons provided on each part of the camera casing 101, that is, an operation input unit 158 such as a shutter button 116, a zoom button 122, a direction key 123, a menu button 124, and the like. An input circuit 159 for inputting an operation signal from the input unit 158 to the CPU, a communication device 165 such as a remote control for operating photographing and reproduction by wireless communication, and a receiving device 166 for receiving a signal from the communication device 165 It is to be prepared.

  Further, the image file storage system includes a memory interface 161 and an external memory 162 such as a memory card that is detachably connected to the memory interface 161. The display system includes a display device 121 such as a liquid crystal display device and a display drive unit 163 that controls the display device 121 in accordance with display data appropriately output from the CPU.

  The exterior color system includes a variable structure color forming member 1 attached to the surface of the front case 102 and the rear case 103, and an exterior color drive that changes the exterior color by applying a voltage to the variable structure color forming member 1. The exterior color driving unit 171 includes a structural color forming layer driving unit that electrically variably controls the structural color or reflection characteristics of the variable structural color forming member 1. Then, the structural color forming layer driving means supplies a driving voltage to the supporting member 21 that is an actuator in the structural color forming layer 12 to expand or contract the supporting member 21, and the structural color or reflection of the structural color forming layer 12 is reflected. Change the characteristics. The display color setting information which is the setting information of the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member 1 is determined by the control circuit 130, and the structural color forming layer driving means is determined to be supplied from the control circuit 130. Based on the drive signal corresponding to the display color setting information, the structural color forming layer 12 is driven as described above. That is, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 130 has a function as display color setting means. The display color setting information is determined by determining how many colors the exterior color of the digital camera 100 is changed or by determining the gloss. The structural color and reflection of the variable structure color forming member 1 are changed. Determining characteristics.

  The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment has a function of changing the exterior color according to the startup mode and a function of changing the exterior color according to the operation when the operation input unit 158 serving as an input unit is operated. A function for changing the exterior color to the color selected by the user, a function for changing the exterior color based on a function executed by a function unit such as a photographing system, and a corresponding exterior color when the power is off. It has a function.

  When the exterior color is changed according to the mode at the time of startup, when the power is turned on, the control circuit 130 (more precisely, the CPU in the control circuit 130) sets the current mode to the shooting mode and the playback mode. The setting mode is determined, display color setting information corresponding to the determined mode is read from a built-in storage means (ROM), and a drive signal corresponding to the display color setting information is externally color driven. The structural color forming layer driving unit outputs the exterior color by operating the actuator of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the driving signal. When the control circuit 130 outputs a driving signal corresponding to the setting information to the structural color forming layer driving means, the display color setting information (structural color setting information) and the voltage value corresponding to the display color setting information are determined based on the table of FIG. The information such as the voltage value is determined and output to the structural color forming layer driving means as a driving signal. Thus, by changing the exterior color according to the mode at the time of activation, the user can instantly know the current mode, thereby eliminating the need for troublesome operations such as a confirmation operation.

  Further, when the exterior color is changed in accordance with the operation when the operation input unit 158 serving as an input unit is operated, the display color setting information corresponding to the input operation is input to the control circuit 130 by a built-in storage unit ( Read from the ROM), and outputs a drive signal corresponding to the display color setting information to the structural color forming layer driving means. The structural color forming layer driving means operates the actuator of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the display color setting information. This changes the exterior color. Thus, by changing the exterior color in accordance with the operation input, the user can determine what operation has been performed, and can enjoy the exterior color that changes with each operation input.

  Further, when changing the exterior color to the color selected by the user, a structure based on a plurality of display color setting information stored in advance in storage means (ROM) built in the control circuit 130 by the operation of the operation input unit 158 When the color selection screen is displayed by the display means and the user selects a predetermined structural color by operating the operation input unit 158 from the information displayed on the structural color selection screen, the control circuit 130 displays the selected display color. A driving signal corresponding to the color setting information is output to the structural color forming layer driving unit, and the structural color forming layer driving unit changes the exterior color by operating the actuator of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the driving signal. Is. By allowing the user to set the exterior color in this way, the exterior color can be freely changed according to the mood, and the changed color is also a deep metallic color and gloss, so it gets tired. It can be a digital camera 100 that does not come.

  When the exterior color is changed based on the function executed by the functional unit such as the photographing system, the corresponding display color setting information stored in the storage unit in advance by the control circuit 130 based on the state executed by the functional unit. And the driving signal corresponding to the display color setting information is output to the structural color forming layer driving unit, and the structural color forming layer driving unit operates the actuator of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the driving signal. This changes the exterior color. In this way, by changing the exterior color according to the function, the function being executed can be easily understood, and the change of the exterior color can be enjoyed.

  Further, when changing to the corresponding exterior color when the power is off, the control circuit 130 stores the basic color of the casing when the main power is off, which is stored in the storage means as one of the display color setting information. The information is read out, and the corresponding driving signal is output to the structural color forming layer driving means by the standby power based on the read basic color information, and the structural color forming layer driving means changes the exterior color based on the driving signal. Thus, the basic color when the power is off can be changed. In this way, since the basic colors can be enjoyed even when the power is turned off, the user can enjoy the deep metallic color and gloss even when not in use, even when not in use. .

  It should be noted that when the main power is turned off, all the power supplied to the structural color forming layer driving means is stopped and the structure color can be restored to the default structural color of the variable structural color forming member 1. By stopping all power in this way, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed and the life of the battery can be extended, and the variable structure color forming member 1 forms a structural color by a physical structure. Therefore, you can enjoy the deep metallic color and gloss.

  Then, according to the digital camera 100 in the present embodiment, the variable structural color forming member 1 that can change the color and reflection characteristics of the structural color described above is attached to the front case 102 and the rear case 103, and the exterior color drive unit By changing the exterior color according to 171, it is possible to provide the digital camera 100 with a metallic appearance with a deep structure color, and to change the color of the camera housing 101, so that the electric power that does not get tired A digital camera 100 as a device can be provided.

  Further, the variable structure color forming member 1 is attached to the reflecting surface of the conversion mirror 145, and the mirror drive unit 146 is connected to the variable structure color forming member 1 so that the reflection characteristics of the conversion mirror 145 are variable. The wavelength characteristics can be changed or the brightness can be reduced, and the luminance, brightness, etc. of the image can be physically changed without performing image processing on the image data.

  Further, the variable structure color forming member 1 is attached to the reflecting surface of the reflector 153, the variable structure color forming member 1 and the reflecting mirror driving unit 154 are connected, and the reflecting mirror driving unit 154 is attached to the reflecting surface of the reflector 153. By controlling the variable structure color forming member 1, the reflection wavelength characteristic (spectral reflectance) and reflectance of the reflector 153 can be changed. Therefore, the spectral reflectance characteristic of the entire illumination light, the directivity direction, white balance, etc. Can be adjusted.

  Next, a mobile phone provided with the variable structure color forming member 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The mobile phone 200 incorporates a communication device, a photographing device, a display device, and control means and storage means for controlling these various devices, and variably controls the variable structure color forming member 1 in the same manner as the digital camera 100 described above. This is a foldable mobile phone having structural color forming layer driving means, display color setting means, and the like.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 18A, the operation unit 201 is disposed below the inner surface, the first display device 202 is incorporated above the inner surface, and the operation unit panel 205 is disposed on the periphery of the operation unit 201. Further, the periphery of the operation unit panel 205 is covered with a lower case 207 in which the variable structure color forming member 1 is incorporated on the surface, and the periphery of the first display device 202 is covered with the variable structure color forming member 1 on the surface. It is covered with the upper case 209 incorporated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B, the mobile phone 200 has a second display device 212 incorporated at a position slightly above the center of the outer surface, a camera lens 213 attached to the center slightly below, and below the camera lens 213. Is covered with a lower case 207, and an outer panel 215 having a variable structure color forming member 1 attached to the surface thereof is disposed on the periphery of the second display device 212. The periphery of the outer panel 215 is covered by the upper case 209. It is what is covered.

  Further, the lower case 207, the upper case 209, and the outer panel 215 can be set to different structural colors, and the variable structural color forming member 1 attached to the surfaces of these cases is shown in FIG. ), The surface of the case is formed by arranging a plurality of small-area variable structure color forming members 1 side by side. By changing the density of the exterior case, the exterior case can be mixed with multiple colors as shown in FIG. 19 (b), or a pattern can be created in the exterior case as shown in FIG. 19 (c). You can do it. Further, as shown in FIG. 19D, a message corresponding to an executed function such as REC (recording) can be displayed on the outer case.

  Next, the display screen and operation of the first display device 202 when changing the exterior color and pattern of the mobile phone 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 20A, tags “exterior color scheme” and “custom color configuration” are formed on the menu setting screen, and when the tag “exterior color scheme” is selected, FIG. ), For example, tags of preset color schemes such as “casual” and “chic” and tags for generating a structural color by the user such as “custom setting” are displayed.

  When the user selects a tag with a pre-set color scheme, such as “casual” or “chic”, the display color setting unit selects the corresponding display color from the display color setting information stored in advance in the storage unit. Selects setting information and outputs a driving signal corresponding to the display color setting information to the structural color forming layer driving means. The structural color forming layer driving means operates the actuator of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the driving signal. This changes the exterior color.

  When the user selects the tag “custom setting”, as shown in FIG. 20C, the structural color and pattern of the upper case 209, the structural color and pattern of the lower case 207, and the structure of the outer panel 215 A screen on which colors and patterns can be individually set is displayed, and the user can freely set a color arrangement pattern. Then, the display color setting means outputs a drive signal corresponding to the display color setting information corresponding to the color arrangement pattern set by the user to the structural color formation layer drive means, and the structural color formation layer drive means based on this drive signal. The exterior color is changed by operating the actuator of the variable structure color forming member 1 incorporated in the upper case 209, the lower case 207, and the outer panel 215.

  When the user selects the tag “color custom setting” on the menu setting screen, as shown in FIG. 20D, a screen for the user to arbitrarily select the RGB density is displayed. In addition to the preset color, the user himself can create an arbitrary color. In the case of this color custom setting, when custom display color setting information is set by the input means such as the operation unit 201, the color corresponding to the custom display color setting information determined by the input means is displayed by the display color setting means. , Or RGB value, HSV value, or chromaticity coordinate is added to the storage means and stored, or overwritten on the previously stored information and registered by the user once The custom display color setting information can be set over and over again. By selecting the tags “custom 001” and “custom 002” from the tags “exterior color scheme” shown in FIG. At the second time, custom display color setting information can be easily set. Therefore, users can have the pleasure of creating colors freely, and the same settings can be used for other occasions, and it is not necessary to repeat the same custom settings over and over. it can.

  According to the mobile phone 200 using the variable structure color forming member 1 of this embodiment, the color and pattern of the exterior case can be freely changed, and the changed color and pattern can be deep metallic. It is possible to provide a mobile phone 200 that has a distinctive appearance, has a high-class feeling, and is playful, so that the user's mind can be captured. In addition, since the color can be continuously formed by using the variable structure color forming member 1, a free custom color can be set.

  The mobile phone 200 has an exterior color and pattern that can be changed according to user settings. However, by incorporating a touch sensor, the mobile phone 200 has a structure that changes the exterior color and pattern each time the device is touched by the hand. By incorporating a sensor, the exterior color and pattern can be changed according to ambient brightness, temperature changes, etc., and by changing it according to the information detected by one of the sensors, a new preference can be set for the user. Can be provided.

  Next, a modified example of the variable structure color forming member 1 in the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 21, the variable structure color forming member 1 of this modification has a transparent electrode 22 laminated on a substrate 11 and an alignment film 55 laminated on the transparent electrode 22. A plurality of shelf structures 25 formed by alternately laminating high refractive index layers 23 and low refractive index layers 24 are regularly arranged to form a structural color forming layer 12, and this structural color forming layer The sealing material 56 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the liquid crystal 12, the liquid crystal 53 is injected into the space surrounded by the sealing material 56, and the alignment film 55 is disposed above the shelf structure 25 via the spacer 57. On the alignment film 55, the same number of transparent electrodes 22 as the shelf structures 25 are stacked above the respective shelf structures 25, and a transparent protective film 13 such as glass is stacked above the transparent electrodes 22. Is. A support member 21 that is a low refractive index thin film is disposed between the rows of the plurality of high refractive index layers 23 that form the shelf structure 25.

Further, the shelf structure 25, a support member 21 which is the high refractive index layer 23 and the thin film of low refractive index, when a predetermined visible light wavelength is lambda _{0 (approximately} 380-760 nm), the lambda _0/4 by thickness, or those which are formed by alternately stacking at periodic intervals of about λ _0/2. Further, the support member 21 is formed to be narrower than the high refractive index layer 23, and the liquid crystal 53 can be enclosed between the rows of the high refractive index layers 23 and at the periphery of the support member 21. The variable structure color forming member 1 is such that the liquid crystal 53 having refractive index anisotropy and birefringence functions as a medium to form a structural color, and applies a voltage to the upper and lower transparent electrodes 22. By controlling the liquid crystal 53 and changing the refractive index of the medium, the wavelength of the reflected light that is strengthened by the multilayer film interference is changed to variably control the structural color and reflection characteristics of the exterior surface.

  Further, the high refractive index layer 23 is partially connected to the same layer of the adjacent shelf structure 25, and the surface of the structural color forming layer 12 has regular rectangular openings due to the gaps 26 and the connecting portions. The diffraction grating is formed. Therefore, a structural color due to multilayer film interference of the shelf structure 25 and a structural color due to interference of the diffraction grating structure are formed.

Further, the support member 21 formed as a low refractive index thin film has a low refractive index dielectric as silicon oxide (SiO ₂ , n = 1.46), magnesium fluoride (MgF ₂ , n = 1.4). In addition, oxides such as aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ , n = 1.6), fluorides, sulfides, and the like are used. The alignment film 55 is disposed to align the LCD molecules in a predetermined direction, and polyimide or the like is used. Further, the spacers 57 are spherical particles or the like and are arranged so that the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is uniform.

  Further, as the liquid crystal 53, nematic liquid crystal such as MBBA, APAPA, 5CB, BL-800, or cholestic liquid crystal can be used, and the refractive index changes depending on a medium with refractive index anisotropy other than liquid crystal or voltage. It is also possible to enclose a liquid or gel-like medium.

And the voltage-refractive index characteristic of the liquid crystal layer in the nematic liquid crystal such as BL-008 has a refractive index anisotropy (birefringence) as shown in FIG. 22, and the refractive index of ordinary light is n ₀ = 1. .53, the refractive index of extraordinary light is n _e = 1.80, and the refractive index varies depending on the polarization direction. That is, the refractive index of ordinary light in the polarization direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules is constant, but the refractive index of extraordinary light in the parallel polarization direction changes the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules when the voltage at both ends is changed to about 0V to 6V. Changes and the refractive index of the liquid crystal changes between n = 1.80 and 1.53. In the case of a cholesteric liquid crystal, when a voltage is applied, the helical pitch of the liquid crystal layer that has been oriented in a helically rotated direction changes. Therefore, the physical thickness between the rows of the high refractive index layer 23 does not change, but the optical distance changes due to the change of the refractive index.

  Furthermore, when the voltage applied to both ends of the liquid crystal is varied and the refractive index n of the liquid crystal layer is varied, the reflection characteristic (spectral reflectance) in the multilayer film is increased as the voltage is increased as shown in FIG. N = 1.8 (V = 0) to n = 1.7 (V = 1.3V), n = 1.6 (V = 2.2V), n = 1.55 (V = 5V),. ··· The refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is gradually lowered, the peak wavelength and structural color of the reflectance are shifted to the short wavelength side (purple side), and the wavelength characteristics and structural color of the reflected light can be varied by the applied voltage. .

  According to this modification, the high refractive index layer 23 and the supporting member 21 formed as a low refractive index thin film are alternately stacked, and the supporting member 21 has a smaller area than the high refractive index layer 23 and has a high By providing a gap area where the support member 21 is not laminated above and below a part of the refractive index layer 23 and penetrating the liquid crystal 53, the refractive index of the liquid crystal 53 is changed to reflect strongly by multilayer interference. The structural color can be varied by changing the wavelength characteristics. In addition, as the number of layers is larger or the ratio of the refractive index is larger, darker and more vivid color development is obtained. Further, when a polarizing plate or the like for switching transmitted light is not provided as in a normal liquid crystal display element (LCD), and it is formed so as to reflect almost a predetermined wavelength band, a metallic luster can be obtained.

  Further, similarly to the variable structure color forming member 1 in the above-described embodiment, a structural color due to the diffraction grating structure and the multilayer film interference can be obtained, so that the effect of strongly diffusing in the direction perpendicular to the opening of the diffraction grating can be given. It can be done.

  Further, the high refractive index layer 23 is formed of a dielectric material having a high refractive index, and the support member 21 is formed of a dielectric material having a low refractive index, so that a multilayer film is formed between the high refractive index layer 23 and the support member 21. Since a structural color due to interference is obtained, light that becomes unnecessary light can be reduced.

Next, another modification of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 24, the variable structural color forming member 1 in this modification is formed by laminating the structural color forming layer 12 on the substrate 11 and laminating the transparent cover member 45 on the structural color forming layer 12. The structural color forming layer 12 includes a pair of high-refractive index layers 23 that are semi-transmissive mirrors, and a medium layer (air layer) 44 formed between the pair of high-refractive index layers 23. A support member 21 having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer 23 and serving as an actuator is disposed between the pair of high refractive index layers 23. A transparent electrode 22 is laminated between the high refractive index layer 23. The pair of high refractive index layers 23 are formed by laminating a dielectric film, a metal thin film, etc., and the thickness of the medium layer 44 is changed by applying a voltage to the actuator through the transparent electrode 22. However, the structural color due to the multiple reflection interference becomes variable. Further, the thickness between the high refractive index layers 23 is formed at λ ₀ when a predetermined visible light wavelength is λ ₀ .

In addition, as a material for forming the high refractive index layer 23 used as a semi-transmissive mirror, when it is formed of a metal film, it is a visible light region, so silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), chromium A thin film deposited with (Cr), rhodium (Rh), or the like may be used. In the case of a dielectric multilayer film or an alternate multilayer film of a high refractive index dielectric and a low refractive index dielectric, the variable structure color forming member of the above-described embodiment is used as the high refractive index dielectric. 1, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ , refractive index n = 2.8), zinc sulfide (ZnS, n = 2.35), selenium oxide (CeO 2, n = 2.3) used in the high refractive index layer 23 in FIG. Zircon oxide (ZrO ₂ , n = 2.2), zinc oxide (ZnO, n = 2.01), hafnium oxide (HfO ₂ , n = 1.95), or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the multiple reflection interference is caused by two semi-transmissive mirror layers A and B arranged opposite to each other and a medium layer C (air layer) between the semi-transmissive mirror layers A and B. In the formed multilayer film, the light beam irradiated to the semi-transmissive mirror layer A at an angle θ is split into reflected light and transmitted light according to the reflectance of the semi-transmissive mirror layer A, and the semi-transmissive mirror layer A The light bundle that has passed through the medium layer C and is incident on the medium layer C is irradiated onto the semi-transmissive mirror B, and is split into reflected light and transmitted light according to the reflectance of the semi-transmissive mirror B. The reflected light reflected by the semi-transmissive mirror B is The light beam of a predetermined wavelength whose phase is changed according to the thickness of the medium layer C and is irradiated to the semi-transmission mirror A and which has an opposite phase due to the thickness of the medium layer C in the light beam transmitted through the semi-transmission mirror A. The bundle first cancels the beam bundle of the predetermined wavelength reflected by the transflective mirror A, and the above phenomenon is repeated. A result, the visible light of predetermined wavelength became opposite phases can not be seen by the thickness of the medium layer C, it is a phenomenon in which certain structural color is obtained.

ただし、位相差δは、入射光Ｉinの入射角度をθ、波長をλ、媒質の屈折率をｎ、媒質の厚みをｄとすると、（８）式である。よって、ｎｄがλ_０／２（所定の可視光波長）の整数倍になるように形成することにより、λ_０の波長を打ち消すことができる。

In addition, the wavefront of the transmitted light that is transmitted through the semi-transparent mirror layer A and incident on the medium layer C and is reflected between the two semi-transparent mirror layers A and B is transmitted after receiving an even number of reflections. Therefore, the incident light is Iin, the reflectance of each semi-transmissive mirror is R, the transmitted light It is expressed by equation (6), and the reflected light Ir is expressed by equation (7).

However, the phase difference δ is expressed by equation (8), where θ is the incident angle of the incident light Iin, λ is the wavelength, n is the refractive index of the medium, and d is the thickness of the medium. Thus, by nd is formed to be an integral multiple of λ _0/2 (predetermined visible light wavelength), it can be canceled wavelength of lambda _0.

このとき、他の波長では、各透過成分波面間で打ち消しあいの干渉が起こり、透過光が０近くまで減少する。よって、（１０）式となる。

よって、媒質として空気層を用いた場合には、ｎ＝１．０を代入して変形すると（１１）式となるため、

本変形例においては、θ＝０の場合を基本としてｄ又はｎｄをλ_０／２の整数倍とするものである。 Further, as shown in FIG. 26A, the transmission characteristic or reflection characteristic is when the phase difference is 0, 2π, 4π,... Between the component wavefronts, that is, under the condition shown in the equation (9). In contrast, the transmitted light is maximized and the reflected light is minimized.

At this time, at other wavelengths, interference between the transmitted component wavefronts cancels out, and the transmitted light decreases to near zero. Therefore, it becomes (10) Formula.

Therefore, when an air layer is used as the medium, the equation (11) is obtained by substituting n = 1.0 and deforming.

In this variation, in which the d or nd an integral multiple of lambda _0/2 as basic case of theta = 0.

Incidentally, the reflectance of the semi-transmissive mirror, a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, lambda _0/4 is also obtained which exceeds 99% by one by the thickness superimposed alternately 13 or more layers dielectric multilayer film or the like, If the reflectance is too high, the reflection wavelength band becomes too narrow, and it is suitable for a wavelength selection filter or the like, but unsuitable for use in the structural color of the variable structural color forming member in the visible light range.

  On the other hand, even if the reflectance of the semi-transmissive mirror is too low, the transmittance is high and it becomes transparent. However, since the reflectance in any band is extremely lowered, a color like metallic luster cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to obtain a vivid color with a metallic appearance, the reflectivity of an appropriate transflective mirror is selected from the reflectivity R = 0.3 to 0.9 in accordance with the refractive index of the substrate and the desired color development characteristics. Just design.

  Then, when the reflectance R of the semi-transmissive mirror is 0.5 (50%) and the medium is air, the reflection characteristics when the distance d between the semi-transmissive mirrors is changed are shown in FIG. Thus, as the voltage is applied to the actuator from the state where the voltage is 0V and d = 450 nm and the interval is increased as d = 550 nm, d = 650 nm,..., The peak of the reflection wavelength and the peak of the transmission wavelength are longer. It can be seen that the wavelength gradually shifts to the wavelength side. Therefore, when d = 450 nm, the blue band is canceled, so that the structural color is substantially “yellow to orange”. When d = 550 nm, the green band is canceled, so that it is substantially “purple”, and when d = 650 nm, Since the blue and red bands are canceled out, it is substantially “green”, and when the reflectance R is increased to some extent, the light in the predetermined band is almost reflected, and a metallic luster structural color is obtained.

  According to the variable structure color forming member 1 of the present modification, a predetermined wavelength canceled by the opposite phase can be variably controlled by forming a pair of semi-transmissive mirrors and changing the optical distance between the semi-transmissive mirrors. Therefore, the band of reflected light due to multiple reflection interference can be continuously changed, and the structural color and reflection characteristics can be continuously changed, so that the color control of the variable structure color forming member 1 can be performed, and The metallic luster can be obtained. And since a pair of semi-transmission mirrors should just be formed as a structure, it can manufacture easily.

  In addition, an actuator is used as the support member 21 to change the optical distance between the semi-transmission mirrors, and the physical distance between the semi-transmission mirrors is changed by variably controlling the actuator, so that the semi-transmission is achieved. The optical distance between the mirrors can be easily changed, and continuous variable control is possible.

  Furthermore, by using a high-refractive index layer 23 as a semi-transparent mirror formed of a multi-layer or metal film made of a high-refractive index dielectric material, a stable structural color can be formed with little deterioration in reflectivity and transmittance. A variable structure color forming member 1 can be provided.

Further, in this modification, an air layer is used as a medium, and a variable structural color is formed by changing the thickness of the air layer. However, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to inject 53 and use the liquid crystal 53 as a medium. In this case, the transparent electrode 22 is laminated on the uppermost surface of the high refractive index layer 23 positioned above and the lowermost surface of the high refractive index layer 23 positioned below, and oriented on the inner surface side of the pair of high refractive index layers 23. A film 55 is laminated, and a liquid crystal 53 is injected between the pair of high refractive index layers 23, and the periphery of the liquid crystal layer is sealed with a sealing material 71 such as a spacer or a seal. Also, the optical distance between the high refractive index layer 23 of a is to thickness of the medium layer 44 (nd) is what is the lambda ₀ is a predetermined visible light wavelength and lambda _0.

  In the case of performing multiple reflection interference using the liquid crystal 53 for this medium, the reflection characteristics when the refractive index n of the liquid crystal is changed when the reflectivity R of each transflective mirror is 50% and the interval d is 400 nm. As shown in FIG. 28, the change increases the voltage across the liquid crystal, and as the refractive index of the liquid crystal 53 decreases, it can be seen that the reflection band, which is strengthened by interference due to multiple reflections, sequentially shifts to the short wavelength side. Conversely, it can be seen that when the voltage is lowered and the refractive index is raised, the wavelength gradually shifts to the longer wavelength side. Note that the reflectance R of each semi-transmissive mirror is preferably about 0.3 to 0.9.

In this way, according to the variable structure color forming member 1 that performs multiple reflection interference using the liquid crystal 53 as a medium, it is possible to arbitrarily select a wavelength band in which the reflectivity is increased only by changing the voltage, and the structure on the exterior surface The color and reflection characteristics can be changed. Also, a metallic luster can be obtained by reflecting most of the light in a predetermined band. Although the optical distance between the high refractive index layer 23 of a is to thickness of the medium layer 44 is set to lambda _0, it may be an integral multiple of λ _0/2.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the exterior color in the housing of the electric device is formed only by the variable structural color forming member 1, but at the lowest end of the structural color forming layer 12 in the variable structural color forming member 1. Alternatively, by forming a color coating on the surface of the substrate 11 and changing the structural color and optical characteristics of the variable structural color forming member 1 based on the color of this color coating, the exterior color, gloss, etc. can be variably controlled. It can also be configured. By setting the basic color in such a state in advance, the exterior color when the power is turned off becomes a deep color in which the structural color and the basic color by the variable structure color forming member 1 are mixed, and a high-class electric Equipment can be provided.

  In addition, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode is disposed at the lowermost end of the structural color forming layer 12 in the variable structural color forming member 1 or on the surface of the substrate 11 and diffused to diffusely reflect light emitted from the light emitting element in the vicinity of the light emitting element. A reflection layer may be provided to diffusely reflect the light emitted from the light emitting element, and the illumination by the diffuse reflection light from the diffuse reflection layer and the structural color from the variable structural color forming member 1 may be mixed to produce a color effect. Is possible. As described above, by providing the light-emitting element, the color can be changed even in a dark place, and an electric device having new taste can be provided.

  Furthermore, although the digital camera and the mobile phone are described as the electric devices in the above-described embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to these electric devices and can be used in all electric devices. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely changed and improved without departing from the gist of the invention.

Sectional drawing of the variable structure formation member which concerns on the Example of this invention. The perspective view of the variable structure formation member which concerns on the Example of this invention. The graph which shows the displacement characteristic of the piezoelectric element which concerns on the Example of this invention, and the relationship between a piezoelectric displacement, a voltage, and a distortion stress, and a voltage. The conceptual diagram explaining multilayer film interference. The graph showing the reflective characteristic of a multilayer film. The graph showing the change of the structural color by the thickness change of a low refractive index layer. The table | surface shown about the structure of the setting data which sets the structural color of a variable structural color formation member. The flowchart about the manufacturing method of the variable structure color formation member in a present Example. Sectional drawing shown about the manufacturing method of the variable structure color formation member in a present Example. Explanatory drawing about microcontact printing. Explanatory drawing about nano imprint technology. Explanatory drawing of the manufacturing method which forms the thin film actuator of a piezoelectric material. Sectional drawing of the variable structure color formation member which concerns on the modification of this invention. The perspective view of the variable structure color formation member which concerns on the modification of this invention. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a rear perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view and back view of the mobile telephone which concern on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the pattern in the housing | casing of the mobile telephone which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the exterior color setting screen of the mobile telephone which concerns on the Example of this invention. Sectional drawing of the variable structure color formation member which concerns on the modification of this invention. The graph showing the voltage-refractive-index characteristic of the liquid-crystal layer in a nematic liquid crystal. The graph showing the reflective characteristic in a multilayer film when changing the refractive index of a liquid-crystal layer. Sectional drawing of the variable structure color formation member which concerns on the modification of this invention. Explanatory drawing about multiple reflection interference. The graph which shows the transmission characteristic in multiple reflection interference, or the reflection characteristic at the time of changing the space | interval between semi-transmission mirrors. Sectional drawing of the variable structure color formation member which concerns on the modification of this invention. The graph showing the change of the reflective characteristic when changing the refractive index of a liquid crystal.

Explanation of symbols

1 Variable structure color forming material
11 Substrate 12 Structural color forming layer
13 Protective film 14 Overcoat layer
20 Period interval 21 Support member
22 Transparent electrode 23 High refractive index layer
24 Low refractive index layer 25 Shelf structure
26 Air gap 28 Conductive thin film
44 Medium layer
45 Cover member 53 LCD
55 Alignment film 56 Sealant
57 Spacer 71 Sealant
100 Digital camera 101 Camera housing
102 Front case 103 Rear case
111 Flash 112 Infrared sensor
113 Imaging optics 115 Lens cover
116 Shutter button 117 Power switch
121 Display device 122 Zoom button
123 Direction keys 124 Menu button
130 Control circuit 131 Video / audio CODEC
132 Power circuit 133 Battery
135 Shooting lens group 138 Image sensor
139 Signal processor 141 Image memory
142 Lens drive unit 143 Image sensor drive unit
145 Conversion mirror 146 Mirror drive unit
151 LED drive circuit 152 Flash drive circuit
153 Reflector 154 Reflector drive
155 Shutter drive unit 158 Operation input unit
159 Input circuit 161 Memory interface
162 External memory 163 Display driver
165 Communication device 166 Receiver
171 Exterior color drive 200 Mobile phone
201 Operation unit 202 First display device
205 Control panel 207 Lower case
209 Upper case 212 Second display
213 Camera lens 215 Outside panel
401 Photo resist pattern 402 Stamp material
403 Stamp 405 Board
406 Active molecule 407 Self-assembled membrane
411 Original 412 substrate
413 resist 421 substrate
422 Resist 423 Piezoelectric material

Claims (20)

A variable structural color forming member comprising a substrate, a structural color forming layer that is stacked on the substrate to form a structural color, and a transparent protective film that seals the outer surface of the structural color forming layer is incorporated on the surface. A housing
Structural color forming layer driving means for electrically variably controlling the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member;
Input means;
Display color setting means for determining display color setting information which is setting information of the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member based on the information input by the input means;
An electrical apparatus comprising: control means for outputting a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means based on display color setting information determined by the display color setting means.   The structural color forming layer has a multilayer structure formed by alternately stacking a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, and the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer have a wavelength of visible light. The thickness is about ¼ wavelength or a periodic interval of about ½ wavelength of visible light wavelength, and the variable is obtained by electrically controlling and changing the optical distance between the high refractive index layers. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the structural color of the structural color forming member is variably controlled. The structural color forming layer is formed by regularly arranging a shelf structure in which the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are laminated in multiple stages on the substrate,
In the shelf structure, a support member having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer is disposed between the rows of the high refractive index layers to form columns of the shelf structure, and between the rows of the high refractive index layers. The electrical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the low refractive index layer is formed on a periphery of the support member.   The support member is an actuator, and a transparent electrode is disposed between the actuator and the high refractive index layer, and the high refractive index layer and the transparent electrode are connected to the same layer and a connecting portion of different shelf structures. The outermost surface of the structural color forming layer has a rectangular opening formed by a gap between the shelf structures and the connecting portion, and the opening is a diffraction grating. The plurality of parts within the same layer of the one shelf structure and the support members located in the same layer of the other shelf structure are also separated and arranged to electrically control the actuator. 4. The electrical apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the structural color is continuously variably controlled by changing the thickness of the low refractive index layer.   The electrical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the high refractive index layer is formed of a dielectric material having a high refractive index, and the low refractive index layer is an air layer. . A transparent electrode is disposed between the substrate and the protective film and the structural color forming layer, and an alignment film is disposed between each transparent electrode and the structural color forming layer. And a liquid crystal is injected between the rows of the high refractive index layers, and the liquid crystal is sealed by a sealing material disposed on the periphery of the structural color forming layer,
The structural color is variably controlled by changing a refractive index of the liquid crystal by electrically controlling the liquid crystal and changing an optical distance between the high refractive index layers. Electrical equipment.   The electric apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the high refractive index layer is formed of a high refractive index dielectric, and the support member is formed of a low refractive index dielectric.   The structural color forming layer is a multiple reflection structure including a pair of high-refractive index layers to be a semi-transmissive mirror and a low-refractive index layer formed between the pair of high-refractive index layers. The refractive index layer is formed to have a thickness that is an integral multiple of half the wavelength of visible light, and a support member having an area smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer is disposed between the pair of high refractive index layers. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The support member is an actuator, a transparent electrode layer is disposed between the actuator and the pair of high refractive index layers, and the thickness of the low refractive index layer is controlled by electrically controlling the actuator. The electrical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the structural color is continuously changed and variably controlled.   5. The actuator according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator formed of a piezoelectric element, and the thickness of the low refractive index layer is continuously controlled by electrically controlling expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric actuator. The electric device according to claim 5 or 9. A transparent electrode is disposed between the substrate and the protective film and the structural color forming layer, an alignment film is disposed between the pair of high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layer, and the pair of high refractive indexes. Liquid crystal is injected between the refractive index layers, and the liquid crystal is sealed by a sealing material disposed at the periphery of the low refractive index layer,
9. The structural color is variably controlled by changing a refractive index of the liquid crystal by electrically controlling the liquid crystal and changing an optical distance between the pair of high refractive index layers. The electrical equipment described.   12. The electricity according to claim 8, wherein the high refractive index layer is a semi-transmissive mirror formed of a multi-layer or metal film made of a dielectric material having a high refractive index. machine. The display color setting means has storage means for storing a plurality of display color setting information, which is setting information of the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member, and the storage means according to a display instruction from the input means A plurality of display color setting information stored in the display means is displayed on the display means, and a desired display color setting information is selected from the display color setting information displayed on the display means according to a selection instruction from the input means. ,
13. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving unit based on display color setting information selected by the display color setting unit. Electrical equipment according to crab. The display color setting means outputs information for display color custom setting to the display means,
The display means displays a screen for the custom setting,
When the custom display color setting information is set by the input unit on the custom setting screen, the display color setting unit is configured to select a color corresponding to the custom display color setting information determined by the input unit, or RGB The value, HSV value, or chromaticity coordinate is added to the storage means and stored, or the information stored in advance is overwritten and registered. Electrical equipment. The control means controls the operation of the function means for executing the function of the device based on the information input by the input means,
The display color setting means determines display color setting information based on the state of the function executed by the function means,
The control means outputs a driving signal corresponding to the structural color forming layer driving means based on the display color setting information determined by the display color setting means, so that when any function of the device is executed, The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structural color or reflection characteristic of the variable structural color forming member changes.   The storage means stores basic display color setting information when the main power is off, and the control means displays the basic display stored in the storage means when the main power is off. 16. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein a driving signal corresponding to standby power is output to the structural color forming layer driving unit based on color setting information.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the main power is off, the control unit stops all power supplied to the structural color forming layer driving unit and restores the default structural color of the variable structural color forming member. The electrical device according to any one of claims 16 to 16.   A color coating film is provided at the lowest end of the structural color forming layer or on the substrate surface, and the structural color and optical characteristics of the variable structural color forming member are changed based on the color of the color coating film. The electric device according to claim 1.   A light emitting element is disposed at the lowermost end of the structural color forming layer or on the surface of the substrate, and a diffuse reflection layer for diffusing and reflecting light emitted from the light emitting element is formed in the vicinity of the light emitting element. The electrical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior color of the casing is formed by mixing reflected light and a structural color formed by the variable structural color forming member. A high refractive index layer is formed in a predetermined selection region on the substrate surface, a support member is formed in a selection region smaller than the area of the high refractive index layer on the high refractive index layer, and the high refractive index layer and the support member are formed. Are sequentially laminated to form a structural color forming layer,
In the formation of the structural color forming layer, the organic material is sequentially buried and planarized in the non-selection region, and the high refractive index layer and the supporting member are formed on the flat surface as needed.
Thereafter, the organic matter in the non-selection region in the structural color forming layer is removed by acid or heat treatment for melting the organic matter, and an air layer that becomes a low refractive index layer is formed on a part of the upper and lower layers of the high refractive index layer. Forming a gap,
Manufacturing of a variable structure color forming member, wherein the support member and the high refractive index layer which are pillars are laminated in multiple stages to form a structural color forming layer in which a plurality of shelf structures are arranged on a substrate Method.

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