JP2018109737A - Light control member, structure, and arrangement method of light control member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the amount of transmitted light in a translucent state more effectively as compared with the conventional case when a dimming member by a guest host method is used. SOLUTION: A dimming member 1, 21, 22, 23 is a member arranged in a portion where external light is incident from the outside of a structure 20 to adjust the light shielding and transmission of the incident external light, and the dimming. The members 1, 21, 22, and 23 are provided with a polarizing member arranged on the side where the external light is incident, and the direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure 20. It is characterized by. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control member, a structure, and a method for arranging the light control member.

  Conventionally, for example, various devices related to a light control member (light control film) that is attached to a window and controls transmission of external light have been proposed (Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3). One such light control member uses liquid crystal. A light control member using such a liquid crystal is manufactured by sandwiching a liquid crystal material with a transparent film material having a transparent electrode, and manufacturing the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is sandwiched between linear polarizers and applied to the liquid crystal. The transmission of extraneous light is controlled by changing the orientation of the liquid crystal by changing the electric field.

  In such a light control member, various driving methods applicable to the liquid crystal display panel can be applied, such as a VA (Vertical Alignment) method, a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In-Plane-Switching) method, and the like. The driving method can be applied.

  In addition, as such a light control member, one utilizing a guest-host type liquid crystal has been proposed (Patent Documents 4 and 5). In a liquid crystal cell having such a guest-host type liquid crystal, the amount of transmitted light is changed by controlling the electric field between the randomly aligned liquid crystal composition and the dichroic dye composition and the so-called twisted state. Control. In a liquid crystal cell having such a guest-host type liquid crystal, a linearly polarizing plate can be disposed on one surface of the liquid crystal cell to reduce the amount of transmitted light in a light-shielded state.

Patent Document 6 discloses a structure in which a liquid crystal display panel is manufactured by stacking liquid crystal cells by a guest-host method.
Although it is considered that various configurations applied to the liquid crystal display panel can be applied to the light control member, when the light control member is disposed on a vehicle window, a building window, etc., the color and the viewing angle. When emphasizing characteristics, it is desirable to use guest-host liquid crystal.
Moreover, the light control member may be arrange | positioned in the site | part which requires incidence | injection of external light, such as sunlight, applying to various structures. Here, the structure means a building represented by a building, a house, etc., a vehicle such as an automobile or a train, a moving body represented by a ship or an aircraft, a partition (partition plate) used in a room or the like. It has an opening for the purpose of transmitting light.

JP 03-47392 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-184273 JP-A-11-94880 JP 2013-139521 A JP 2012-31384 A JP-A 63-25629

When such a light control member is used for a moving body or a structure such as a building, it is desired to further increase the amount of transmitted light.
An object of the present invention is to increase the amount of transmitted light in a light-transmitting state more effectively than when using a light control member.

  Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A dimming member that is disposed at a site where external light is incident from the outside of the structure, and that controls blocking and transmission of the incident external light,
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
The light control member characterized by this.

(2) In (1),
The polarizing member is a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal composition and a dichroic dye composition,
The liquid crystal layer has an absorption axis direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to a vertical direction of the structure;
The light control member characterized by this.

(3) In (1) or (2),
A linearly polarizing plate is provided on the opposite side of the polarizing member from which the external light is incident,
The direction of the absorption axis of the linearly polarizing plate is a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure,
The light control member characterized by this.

(4) A structure in which a dimming member that adjusts the shielding and transmission of the incident external light is provided at a site where external light is incident from the outside,
The light control member is
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is arranged in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
A structure characterized by

(5) In (4),
The polarizing member is a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal composition and a dichroic dye composition,
The direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure;
A structure characterized by

(6) In (5),
A polarizer is provided on the side opposite to the incident side of the external light of the liquid crystal layer,
The polarizer includes a second liquid crystal layer having a second liquid crystal composition and a second dichroic dye composition;
A structure characterized by

(7) In (5) or (6),
In the light shielding state of the light control member,
The long axis direction of the dichroic dye composition at least on the incident side of the external light of the liquid crystal layer is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction;
A structure characterized by

(8) In (4) or (5),
A linearly polarizing plate is provided on the opposite side of the polarizing member from which the external light is incident,
The direction of the absorption axis of the linearly polarizing plate is a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure,
A structure characterized by

(9) An arrangement method of a light control member, wherein a light control member for adjusting the shielding and transmission of the incident external light is disposed at a site where external light is incident from the outside of the structure,
The light control member is
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is arranged in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
The arrangement method of the light control member characterized by these.

  According to the present invention, when the light control member is used, the amount of transmitted light in the light transmitting state can be increased more effectively than in the past.

It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the light control film of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle by which the light control film of 1st Embodiment was arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the transmittance | permeability in the translucent state of a light control film, and the inclination of the major axis direction of a dichroic dye composition. It is a figure explaining the building by which the light control film of 2nd Embodiment was arrange | positioned. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the light control film of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the light control film of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle by which the light control film of 4th Embodiment was arrange | positioned. It is a figure explaining the structure of the light control film of 5th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
[Light control film]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light control film of the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, an example in which a film-like light control film is applied as the light control member will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The light control film 1 is a member that controls the amount of transmitted light by changing the electric field applied to the liquid crystal composition. In the present embodiment, the light control film 1 is formed by a liquid crystal cell 4 (polarizing member) using a guest-host method.

[Liquid crystal cell]
The liquid crystal cell 4 is configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal layer 8 between a film-like lower laminate 5D and an upper laminate 5U.

[Lower laminate and upper laminate]
The lower laminate 5D is formed by disposing a transparent electrode 11, a spacer 12, and an alignment layer 13 on a substrate 6 made of a transparent film material.
The upper laminate 5U is formed by disposing a transparent electrode 16 and an alignment layer 17 on a base material 15 made of a transparent film material. The light control film 1 changes the electric field to the guest host liquid crystal composition 8A provided in the liquid crystal layer 8 by driving the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 provided in the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D. The transmittance of incident light can be controlled.

〔Base material〕
Various transparent film materials applicable to this kind of film material can be applied to the base materials 6 and 15. In this embodiment, although a polycarbonate film is applied to the substrates 6 and 15, a COP (cycloolefin polymer) film, a TAC film, or the like may be applied.

[Transparent electrode]
Various electrode materials applied to this kind of film material can be applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and in this embodiment, the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are formed of a transparent electrode material made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

〔Spacer〕
The spacer 12 is provided in order to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, and various resin materials can be widely applied. In the present embodiment, the spacer 12 is made of a photoresist, and is made by applying a photoresist on the substrate 6 on which the transparent electrode 11 is formed, and exposing and developing.
The spacer 12 may be provided on the upper laminate 5U, or may be provided on both the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D. The spacer 12 may be provided on the alignment layer 13. Furthermore, the spacer 12 is not limited to the above-described photoresist, and for example, a bead spacer may be applied.

(Orientation layer)
The alignment layers 13 and 17 are produced by rubbing a polyimide resin layer. The alignment layers 13 and 17 can employ various configurations capable of expressing the alignment regulating force with respect to the liquid crystal material related to the liquid crystal layer 8, and may be formed using a so-called photo alignment layer.
In addition, although various materials to which a photo-alignment technique can be applied can be applied to the material of the photo-alignment layer, for example, after the alignment, the alignment does not change due to ultraviolet irradiation. For example, the photo-dimerization type The material can be used. The photodimerization type material is described in “M. Schadt, K. Schmitt, V. Kozinkov and V. Chigrinov: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 31, 2155 (1992)”, “M. Seiberle and A. Schuster: Nature, 381, 212 (1996).

[Liquid crystal layer]
The liquid crystal layer 8 is formed of a guest-host liquid crystal solution by a guest-host liquid crystal composition 8A and a dichroic dye composition 8B formed in a rod shape, and various liquid crystal layer materials applicable to this kind of light control film 1 Can be widely applied.

  In the light control film 1, the electric field of the liquid crystal layer 8 is changed by changing the voltage applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and the orientation of the guest-host liquid crystal composition 8A is changed between vertical alignment and horizontal alignment. The light control film 1 is a dichroic dye whose major axis direction changes between the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 8 and the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction in conjunction with the change in orientation of the guest-host liquid crystal composition 8A. Transmission of incident light is controlled by the composition 8B.

The light control film 1 applies a so-called positive type liquid crystal composition to the guest-host liquid crystal composition, and vertically aligns the guest-host liquid crystal composition when no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 8 (alignment in the thickness direction of the light-control film). When the electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 8, the guest-host liquid crystal composition is horizontally aligned (orientated in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light control film), thereby forming a so-called normally white.
The light control film 1 applies a so-called negative liquid crystal composition to the guest-host liquid crystal composition, and horizontally aligns the guest-host liquid crystal composition when no electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer 8. The guest-host liquid crystal composition may be vertically aligned at the time of application, and thereby constituted by so-called normally black.
Further, the liquid crystal composition may be swirled during these horizontal alignments, and various driving methods such as the VA method and the TN method can be widely applied.
Here, in the VA (Vertical Alignment) method, when there is no electric field, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically aligned, whereby the light control film 10 shields incident light and enters a light shielding state. The TN (Twisted Nematic) method is a method in which the orientation of liquid crystal molecules is changed between the vertical direction (thickness direction) and the horizontal twist direction by applying an electric field, and the amount of transmitted light is controlled using the optical rotation of light. It is.

[Sealant]
In the light control film 1, a sealing material 19 is disposed so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 8, and the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D are integrally held by the sealing material 19, and leakage of the liquid crystal material is prevented. .

The above-mentioned light control film (light control member) is arrange | positioned in the site | part which external light, such as sunlight, injects from the outer side of a structure, and is used in order to restrict | limit the light quantity which enters into a structure. Here, the structure means a moving body represented by a vehicle such as an automobile or a train, a ship or an aircraft, a building represented by a building or a house, a partition (partition plate) used in a room or the like. It has an opening for the purpose of transmitting light.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the light control film 1 is disposed in a vehicle (passenger car) that is an example of a structure will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is applied to other structures such as buildings. You may make it do.

〔vehicle〕
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle on which the light control film of the first embodiment is arranged. FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle as viewed from above.
The vehicle 20 of the present embodiment is a passenger car, and the light control film 1 is disposed at a site where external light is incident toward a site where a passenger is riding.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 20 is provided with a front window 21, a rear window 22, and a side window 23 as parts for entering light into the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the above-described adjustment is performed. The optical film 1 is attached to the plurality of side windows 23.
The vehicle 20 may be applied to a vehicle such as a truck or a bus instead of the passenger car.

  Each light control film 1 arrange | positioned at the several side window 23 is each connected to the drive power supply not shown individually, and is comprised so that a voltage may be applied separately. Thereby, the vehicle 20 can adjust the transmitted light of each side window 23 individually.

  In addition, the light control film 1 is affixed on an adhesive etc. from the vehicle inner side of each side window 23, and is arrange | positioned. When reliability such as weather resistance sufficient for practical use can be ensured, it may be attached and arranged from the outside of the vehicle. Moreover, you may comprise these windows with a laminated glass and apply a light control film as an intermediate material of a laminated glass.

  Here, the guest-host type liquid crystal layer 8 provided in the light control film 1 functions as a polarizing plate in a light-shielding state in which the dichroic dye composition 8B is aligned in the horizontal direction with respect to the plane of the substrate. However, even when the dichroic dye composition is slightly inclined with respect to the plane (when the light control film is from a light-transmitting state to a halftone state), it has a function as a polarizing plate.

In the light control film 1 provided in each side window, the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 20 (direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction), more preferably 10 It is arranged to be in the direction of less than degrees.
Here, the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is orthogonal to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 8 in a state where the dichroic dyes of the liquid crystal layer 8 are aligned in a horizontal direction with respect to the plane of the substrate (light-shielded state). This refers to the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B located on the incident side of external light within the surface to be performed. More specifically, the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 means that the dichroic dye of the liquid crystal layer 8 is linearly polarized in the liquid crystal layer 8 in a state where the liquid crystal layer 8 is aligned in a horizontal direction with respect to the plane of the substrate (light-shielding state). It refers to the direction that coincides with the direction of the transmission axis of the linearly polarizing plate in the state where the transmittance is lowest when the plates are stacked.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the transmittance of the light control film in the light-transmitting state and the inclination in the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B. Here, the vertical axis | shaft in FIG. 3 shows the transmittance | permeability of a light control film, and a horizontal axis shows the inclination of the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B.
Here, FIG. 3 is a measurement result in which measurement light by linearly polarized light is incident from one direction of the light control film 1 and a change in transmittance in the light transmission state of the light control film is measured. In this measurement, the measurement light was horizontally polarized, and the light control film 1 was gradually tilted around an axis parallel to the measurement light to measure the transmittance. The horizontal axis shown in FIG. 3 shows the inclination with respect to the vertical (vertical) direction of the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B on the incident surface side of the light control film 1.

  Note that the liquid crystal layer 8 used in this measurement is a guest-host type liquid crystal (normally black, which is in a light-shielding state when electroless), and is manufactured with a thickness of 9.0 μm. In addition, the guest host liquid crystal composition was driven from the horizontal alignment state to the vertical alignment state by applying a voltage, and the turning angle of the guest host liquid crystal composition 8A was 360 degrees.

According to this measurement result, as shown in FIG. 3, it is confirmed that the transmittance of the light control film 1 changes according to the polarization plane of the incident light in the light transmitting state.
Further, as shown by the symbol b in FIG. 3, when the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B is the polarization plane on the incident surface side, the transmittance becomes the lowest, and the dichroic dye composition 8B. It can be seen that the transmissivity is the lowest when the long axis direction is horizontal (90 degrees with respect to the vertical).
Further, as shown by reference symbol a in FIG. 3, when the direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction is the polarization plane on the incident surface side, the transmittance is highest, and this orthogonal direction (vertical direction) is transmitted. It can be seen that the rate is the highest.

Here, the external light arriving at the vehicle 20 includes not only direct sunlight but also reflected light reflected by the ground and surrounding buildings, and this reflected light is a horizontal polarization component compared to a vertical polarization component. Many are included.
Therefore, if the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is arranged in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 20 as in the present embodiment, the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is at an angle larger than 18 degrees. Compared with the case where the direction is arranged, the amount of transmitted light in the light-transmitting state can be increased. In addition, preferably, if the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is disposed in a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 20, the amount of transmitted light in the light-transmitting state can be further increased. More preferably, if the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is arranged so as to completely coincide with the vertical direction of the vehicle 20, the amount of transmitted light in the light-transmitting state can be increased more efficiently.
Here, if the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle, the change in the transmittance of the light control film is made substantially constant (the change rate of the transmittance (the transmission rate in the vertical direction). (The rate of change of the transmittance with respect to the rate) can be 10% or less) (range of 0 to 18 degrees in FIG. 3), but if it is greater than 18 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle, the light control film This is not desirable because the transmittance of the film becomes too low. Further, if the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is set to 10 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle, the change in the transmittance of the light control film is made more constant (the change rate of the transmittance (the transmittance in the vertical direction). The rate of change of the transmittance with respect to the above can be 2% or less).
Thereby, in this embodiment, when using the light control film by a guest host system, external light can be more effectively inject | emitted in a vehicle compared with the past.

  Further, when arranged in this way, as described above, with the increase in the transmitted light amount in the light-transmitting state, the change in the incident light amount due to the change in the viewing angle can be reduced, thereby ensuring sufficient viewing angle characteristics. be able to.

For this reason, at least on the side of the liquid crystal layer 8 where the external light is incident, the major axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B in the translucent state is set to a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction. Even when the guest host liquid crystal composition 8A is driven by various driving methods and the guest host liquid crystal composition 8A is swung in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 8, the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 Can be set to a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction.
The direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is more preferably a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, the dichroic dye composition in a light-shielded state on the outside light incident side of the liquid crystal layer 8. It is necessary to set the major axis direction of the object 8B to a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction.

The light control film 1 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned as follows to the side window 23 of the vehicle 20 as mentioned above.
Further, the light control film 1 is configured so that the absorption axis direction of the liquid crystal layer 8 is the vertical direction (vertical direction) of the vehicle 20 as shown by an arrow B in FIG. Be placed.

As described above, by arranging the light control film 1 on the side window 23 of the vehicle 20, the light incident from the outside of the vehicle 20 in the light-transmitting state of the light control film 1, particularly on the ground or a structure. Absorption of light of a horizontally polarized component contained in a large amount of reflected light can be reduced, and the amount of light transmitted into the vehicle can be effectively increased.
The light control film 1 may be selectively disposed at any one or a plurality of positions on the side window 23, and may be disposed at a front window, a rear window, a sunroof, a sun visor, or the like. Also good. Moreover, since the light control film 1 has ensured sufficient viewing angle characteristics as described above, the light control film 1 can be attached to a window inclined with respect to the vertical direction, such as a front window or a rear window of a passenger car. Good.

(1) In this embodiment, the light control film 1 provided with the liquid crystal layer 8 by the guest host liquid crystal composition 8A and the dichroic dye composition 8B is used for the liquid crystal layer 8 with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 20 (structure). Therefore, the amount of transmitted light in the light-transmitting state of the light control film 1 can be increased more effectively than in the prior art. Moreover, when arranged in this way, the change in the amount of incident light due to the change in the viewing angle can be reduced, and thereby sufficient viewing angle characteristics can be ensured.

  (2) At this time, the long axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B in the translucent state is at least the vertical direction of the vehicle 20 (structure) on the side where the external light of the liquid crystal layer 8 is incident. Since the direction is 18 degrees or less, the transmitted light amount in the light-transmitting state of the light control film 1 is more reliably increased even when the guest-host liquid crystal composition 8A is swung in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer 8. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
Drawing 4 is a figure explaining the building in which the light control film of a 2nd embodiment is arranged. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section of a building in which a light control film is arranged.
Note that, in the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
In this embodiment, the light control film 1 is arrange | positioned at the building 30 as a structure. Specifically, the light control film 1 is arrange | positioned at the window glass 31 which is an opening part of the building 30 used as the site | part which external light injects indoors.
In addition, you may make it arrange | position the light control film 1 in the door etc. which used transparent board | plate materials, such as glass and a transparent acrylic board. In addition, the light control film 1 may be applied to the outdoor side of the window glass 31 when it is possible to ensure practically sufficient reliability such as weather resistance, and is also applicable to an intermediate material of laminated glass. May be arranged.

In the light control film 1, the direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer 8 is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the building 30, more preferably 10 degrees or less, and still more preferably the architecture. It arrange | positions so that it may correspond with the vertical direction of the thing 30. FIG.
Therefore, in the light control film 1, the long axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 8B is vertical to the building 30 at least on the side where the external light of the liquid crystal layer 8 is incident (outside the building 30). It arrange | positions so that it may correspond to the direction below 18 degree | times with respect to a direction, More preferably, it is a direction below 10 degree | times, More preferably, it corresponds to the perpendicular direction of the building 30.

  Thereby, the building 30 can increase the transmitted light amount in the light transmission state of the light control film 1 more effectively compared with the past, similarly to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment. Moreover, when arranged in this way, the change in the amount of incident light due to the change in the viewing angle can be reduced, and thereby sufficient viewing angle characteristics can be ensured.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light control film of the third embodiment.
Note that, in the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
In this embodiment, it replaces with the light control film 1, and this light control film 41 is the same as 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment except the point applied to structures, such as a moving body and a building. Composed.

In the light control film 41, a polarizer 42 is laminated on the liquid crystal cell 4.
The polarizer 42 is configured in the same manner as the liquid crystal cell 4, and is driven so that the guest host liquid crystal composition 48A is horizontally aligned in one direction in the light shielding state, and the guest host liquid crystal composition 48A is vertical in the light transmitting state. Driven to align.
Here, the polarizer 42 exhibits an optical function as a polarizer when the guest-host liquid crystal composition 48A is horizontally aligned in one direction.

  The light control film 41 is disposed such that the liquid crystal cell 4 is located on the side where the external light is incident (outside the structure) and the liquid crystal cell 42 is located inside the structure. Further, at least on the side of the liquid crystal layer 8 where external light is incident, the dichroic dye composition 8B is arranged so that the major axis direction thereof is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure. As a result, the liquid crystal layer 8 of the liquid crystal cell 4 is arranged such that the absorption axis direction is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction.

Further, the liquid crystal cell 48 has a dichroic dye in which the long axis direction of the dichroic dye composition 48B on the side where the external light is incident is located on the side where the external light of the liquid crystal cell 8 is emitted (inside the structure). It arrange | positions so that it may orthogonally cross with the composition 8B.
Thereby, in the light control film 41, the difference of sufficient light quantity is securable between a light-shielding state and a translucent state.

  As described above, even when the polarizer 42 made of the guest-host liquid crystal is laminated on the liquid crystal cell 4, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
[Light control film]
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light control film of the fourth embodiment.
Note that, in the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
The light control film 101 is a member that controls the amount of transmitted light by varying the electric field applied to the liquid crystal composition. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. It is constituted by sandwiching.

[Linear polarizing plate]
The linear polarizing plates 102 and 103 are formed by impregnating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with iodine or the like and then stretched to form an optical functional layer that performs an optical function as a linear polarizing plate, such as TAC (triacetyl cellulose). The optical functional layer is sandwiched between base materials made of a transparent film material. The linearly polarizing plates 102 and 103 are arranged in the liquid crystal cell 104 by an adhesive layer made of an acrylic transparent adhesive resin or the like in a crossed Nicol arrangement. The linearly polarizing plates 102 and 103 may be arranged in a parallel Nicols arrangement instead of the crossed Nicols arrangement.

[Liquid crystal cell]
The liquid crystal cell 104 is configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal layer 108 between a film-like lower laminate 105D and an upper laminate 105U.

[Lower laminate, upper laminate]
The lower laminate 105D is formed by disposing a transparent electrode 111, a spacer 112, and an alignment layer 113 on a base material 106.
The upper laminate 105U is formed by disposing a transparent electrode 116 and an alignment layer 117 on a base material 115. The light control film 101 is incident on the liquid crystal composition provided in the liquid crystal layer 108 by changing the electric field by driving the transparent electrodes 111 and 116 provided in the upper laminate 105U and the lower laminate 105D. The light transmittance can be changed.

〔Base material〕
Various transparent film materials can be applied to the base materials 106 and 115, but it is desirable to apply a film material having a small optical anisotropy. In the present embodiment, a polycarbonate film having a thickness of 100 μm is applied to the substrates 106 and 115, but film materials having various thicknesses can be applied, and further, a COP (cycloolefin polymer) film or the like is applied. Also good.

[Transparent electrode]
Various electrode materials applied to this type of film material can be applied to the transparent electrodes 111 and 116. In the present embodiment, the transparent electrodes 111 and 116 are formed of a transparent electrode material made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

〔Spacer〕
The spacer 112 is provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 108, and various resin materials can be widely applied. In the present embodiment, the spacer 112 is made of a photoresist, and is made by applying a photoresist on the transparent electrode 111 made on the substrate 106, and exposing and developing.
The spacer 112 may be provided on the upper laminate 105U, or may be provided on both the upper laminate 105U and the lower laminate 105D. Further, the spacer 112 may be provided on the alignment layer 113. Furthermore, the spacer 112 is not limited to the above-described photoresist, and for example, a bead spacer may be applied.

(Orientation layer)
The alignment layers 113 and 117 are formed of a photo alignment layer. As the photo-alignment material applicable to the photo-alignment layer, various materials to which the photo-alignment technique can be applied can be widely applied. In this embodiment, for example, a photodimerization type material is used. The photodimerization type material is described in “M. Schadt, K. Schmitt, V. Kozinkov and V. Chigrinov: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., 31, 2155 (1992)”, “M. Schad, H. le. and A. Schuster: Nature, 381, 212 (1996).
For example, the alignment layers 113 and 117 may be formed by rubbing a polyimide resin layer instead of the photo-alignment layer, or by forming a fine line-shaped uneven shape.

[Liquid crystal layer]
Various liquid crystal layer materials applicable to this type of light control film 101 can be widely applied to the liquid crystal layer 108. Specifically, a liquid crystal material such as MLC 2166 manufactured by Merck Co. can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 108. Unlike the liquid crystal layer 8 of the first embodiment described above, the liquid crystal layer 108 of the present embodiment is a liquid crystal layer that is not a guest-host system, that is, does not contain a dichroic dye composition.
The liquid crystal cell 104 is provided with a sealing material 119 so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 108. In the liquid crystal cell 104, the upper laminate 105U and the lower laminate 105D are integrally held by the sealing material 119, and leakage of the liquid crystal material is prevented.
As the sealing material 119, for example, an epoxy resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied.

  In the light control film 101, an alternating voltage whose polarity is switched at a predetermined cycle is applied to the transparent electrodes 111 and 116, and an electric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer 108 by the alternating voltage. Further, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules provided in the liquid crystal layer 108 is controlled by this electric field, and the transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 108 is controlled.

  For the alignment control of the liquid crystal layer 108 in the light control film 101 of the present embodiment, a VA method (Vertical Alignment, vertical alignment type) is applied. In the VA system, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically aligned (aligned in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer) when there is no electric field. In addition, by applying an electric field, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 108 are horizontally aligned (aligned in a direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer). It becomes a state.

Instead of the VA method, various driving methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method and an IPS (In Plane Switching) method may be applied.
Here, the TN system is a system in which the orientation of liquid crystal molecules is changed between a vertical direction and a horizontal twist direction by applying an electric field, and the amount of transmitted light is controlled using the optical rotation of light.
The IPS method is a method of controlling the amount of transmitted light by making electrodes on one base material together and rotating liquid crystal molecules aligned by an electric field by this electrode in a horizontal (horizontal) direction with respect to the substrate. is there.
The liquid crystal cell 104 may be driven by a so-called multi-domain method by patterning the photo-alignment layer or the like, or may be driven by a single domain.

〔vehicle〕
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle on which the light control film of the fourth embodiment is arranged. FIG. 7 is a view of the vehicle as viewed from above.
The vehicle 120 according to the present embodiment is a passenger car, and the light control film 101 is disposed at a site where external light is incident toward a site where the passenger is riding.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle 120 is provided with a front window 121, a rear window 122, and a side window 123 as parts for entering light into the vehicle, and the light control film 101 is provided in each window. Pasted and placed.
The vehicle 120 may be applied to a vehicle such as a truck or a bus instead of the passenger car.

  Each of the light control films 101 disposed in the front window 121, the rear window 122, and the side window 123 is individually connected to a driving power source (not shown) and is configured to be individually applied with a voltage. Thereby, the vehicle 120 can adjust the transmitted light of each window 121,122,123 separately.

Here, the light control film 101 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned by affixing on an adhesive etc. from the vehicle inner side of each window 121,122,123, and the linearly-polarizing plate 102 (polarizing member) is the side into which external light injects. The linearly polarizing plate 103 is located on the opposite side (inner side of the vehicle) from the side on which external light is incident.
In addition, when reliability, such as weather resistance sufficient practically, can be ensured, you may make it stick and arrange | position from the vehicle outer side. Moreover, you may comprise these windows with a laminated glass and apply a light control film as an intermediate material of a laminated glass.

  Further, in each light control film 101, the direction of the absorption axis of the linear polarizing plate 102 on the vehicle exterior side (external light incident side) of the liquid crystal cell 104 is 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle 120, more preferably 10 It arrange | positions so that it may become below. Further, the linearly polarizing plate 103 on the vehicle inner side (the side opposite to the outside light incident side) is arranged so that the absorption axis direction is 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle 120.

The light control film 101 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned as follows at each window 121-123 of the vehicle 120. FIG.
In the light control film 101, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 7, the absorption axis direction of the linear polarizing plate 102 on the vehicle exterior side (external light incident side) is vertical in the front window 121 and the rear window 122 of the vehicle 120. In addition, as indicated by an arrow B, the absorption axis direction of the linearly polarizing plate 103 on the vehicle inner side (the side opposite to the outside light incident side) is the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). Arranged in this way.
Further, the light control film 101 is arranged in the side window 123 so that the absorption axis direction of the linear polarizing plate 102 on the vehicle exterior side is the vertical direction of the vehicle 120, as indicated by an arrow C in FIG. Further, as shown by an arrow D, the linearly polarizing plate 103 on the vehicle interior side is arranged such that the absorption axis direction is the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) of the vehicle 120.
In addition, the light control film 101 may be selectively disposed in any one or a plurality of locations of the front window 121, the rear window 122, and the side window 123, and may be disposed on a sunroof, a sun visor, or the like. It may be arranged.

Here, the external light arriving at the vehicle 120 includes not only direct sunlight but also reflected light reflected by the ground and surrounding buildings as described above, and this reflected light is compared with the vertical polarization component. Therefore, a lot of horizontal polarization components are included.
Therefore, as described above, by arranging the absorption axis direction of the linearly polarizing plate 102 of the light control film 101 at 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction in each window of the vehicle 120, the light transmission state of the light control film 101 is achieved. In this case, among the light incident from the outside of the vehicle 120, in particular, the light of the horizontal polarization component contained in the reflected light reflected on the ground or the structure is arranged on the incident side of the external light of the light control film 101. Absorption by the polarizing plate 102 can be reduced, and the amount of light transmitted into the vehicle can be effectively increased.

Moreover, the polarized sunglasses worn by the passenger (driver) in the vehicle 120 are manufactured so that the absorption axis thereof is in the horizontal direction from the viewpoint of more efficiently preventing the above-described glare caused by the reflected light. .
Therefore, when external light incident from the outside of the vehicle is emitted by horizontally polarized light through the light control film 101, the light emitted from the light control film 101 is shielded by the polarized sunglasses, and the light control film is in a translucent state. Nevertheless, a passenger wearing polarized sunglasses cannot visually recognize the outside of the vehicle, and the interior of the vehicle may feel remarkably dark.

However, as in the present embodiment, the dimming film 101 is placed in each window so that the absorption axis direction of the linear polarizing plate 103 on the inner side of the dimming film 101 is 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle 120. By disposing in this manner, light that enters the vehicle through the light control film 101 in a light-transmitting state can be emitted with substantially vertical polarization. As a result, in the light-transmitting state of the light control film 101, the passenger can visually recognize the outside of the vehicle through the light control film 101 and suppress the vehicle interior from being felt as much as possible even when wearing polarized sunglasses. can do.
More preferably, by making the direction of the absorption axis of the linear polarizing plate inside the vehicle of the light control film 101 coincide with the horizontal direction of the vehicle 120, the amount of light blocked by the polarized sunglasses can be further reduced.
If the direction of the absorption axis of the linearly polarizing plate 103 on the vehicle interior side of the light control film 101 is greater than 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction of the vehicle 120, the light is horizontal to the light that enters the vehicle through the light control film 101. This is not preferable because the polarization component increases, the amount of light blocked by the polarized sunglasses increases, and the outside of the vehicle is difficult to visually recognize through the polarized sunglasses.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the light control film of the fifth embodiment.
Note that, in the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.
The light control film 201 of this embodiment is different from the light control film 1 of the first embodiment described above in that the linearly polarizing plate 203 is provided only on one surface of the liquid crystal cell 204 (polarizing member).
That is, the liquid crystal cell 204 of the light control film 201 of this embodiment mixes the dichroic dye 208B into the guest host type liquid crystal molecules 208A, and moves the dichroic dye 208B along with the movement of the guest host type liquid crystal molecules 208A. This is a guest-host method that controls light transmission / reception by moving.

The light control film 201 of this embodiment includes a liquid crystal cell 204 in which a guest-host type liquid crystal layer 208 is sandwiched between an upper laminate 205U and a lower laminate 205D, and a surface on the lower laminate 205D side of the liquid crystal cell 204. And a linearly polarizing plate 203 disposed on the surface. The upper stacked body 205U, the lower stacked body 205D, and the liquid crystal layer 208 are the same as the upper stacked body 5U, the lower stacked body 5D, and the liquid crystal layer 8 in the above-described embodiments.
In the present embodiment, the linearly polarizing plate 203 is positioned inside a moving body such as a vehicle or a structure such as a building (on the side opposite to the incident side of external light), and the liquid crystal cell 204 is external light. The light control film 201 is disposed at a site where the external light of the structure enters.

Here, the liquid crystal layer 208 provided in the liquid crystal cell 204 has an absorption axis in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure body, and more preferably in a direction of 10 degrees or less. Has been placed.
Further, the linear polarizing plate 203 of the light control film 201 is disposed so that the direction of the absorption axis thereof is 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure.

By arranging in this way, in the light-transmitting state of the light control film 201, among the light incident from the outside of the structure, particularly the light of the horizontally polarized component contained in the reflected light reflected on the ground or the structure is large. Further, absorption by the liquid crystal cell 204 disposed on the incident side of the external light of the light control film 201 can be reduced, and the amount of light transmitted into the vehicle can be effectively increased.
In addition, the linearly polarizing plate 203 of the light control film 201 can emit light that enters the vehicle through the light control film 101 in a light-transmitting state with substantially vertical polarization. Thereby, in the translucent state of the light control film 201, even if it wears polarized sunglasses, a person in the structure can visually recognize the scenery outside the structure through the light control film 201, and the structure. It is possible to suppress the body from feeling dark as much as possible.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although the specific structure suitable for implementation of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention can change the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment variously in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In each above-mentioned embodiment, although the example which applies a film-like light control film as a light control member was shown, it is not limited to this. For example, you may make it arrange | position the light control member which does not have flexibility like a film which used the glass plate etc. to the base material in structures, such as the above-mentioned moving body or a building. In this case, instead of sticking the light control member to the window of the vehicle or the window glass of the building, the light control member itself may be arranged instead of the window of the vehicle or the window glass of the building.

  In the third embodiment described above, the example in which the polarizer is configured by the guest-host type liquid crystal cell has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the polarizer may be configured by a linear polarizing plate.

1, 31, 41, 101, 201 Light control film 102 Linear polarizing plate 103, 203 Linear polarizing plate 4, 104, 204 Liquid crystal cell 5U, 105U, 205U Upper laminated body 5D, 105D, 205D Lower laminated body 6, 15, 106, 115, 206, 215 Base material 8, 108, 208 Liquid crystal layer 11, 16, 111, 116, 211, 216 Transparent electrode 12, 112, 212 Spacer 13, 17, 113, 117, 213, 217 Alignment layer 19, 119, 219 Seal material 20, 120 Vehicle 21, 121 Front window 22, 122 Rear window 23, 123 Side window 30 Building 31 Window glass 42 Polarizer

Claims (9)

A dimming member that is disposed at a site where external light is incident from the outside of the structure, and that controls the shielding and transmission of the incident external light,
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
The light control member characterized by this. The polarizing member is a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal composition and a dichroic dye composition,
The liquid crystal layer has an absorption axis direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to a vertical direction of the structure;
The light control member according to claim 1. A linearly polarizing plate is provided on the opposite side of the polarizing member from which the external light is incident,
The direction of the absorption axis of the linearly polarizing plate is a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure,
The light control member of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by these. A structure in which a dimming member that adjusts the shielding and transmission of the incident external light is provided at a site where external light is incident from the outside,
The light control member is
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is arranged in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
A structure characterized by The polarizing member is a liquid crystal layer having a liquid crystal composition and a dichroic dye composition,
The direction of the absorption axis of the liquid crystal layer is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure;
The structure according to claim 4. A polarizer is provided on the side opposite to the incident side of the external light of the liquid crystal layer,
The polarizer includes a second liquid crystal layer having a second liquid crystal composition and a second dichroic dye composition;
The structure according to claim 5. In the light shielding state of the light control member,
The long axis direction of the dichroic dye composition at least on the incident side of the external light of the liquid crystal layer is a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction;
The structure according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above. A linearly polarizing plate is provided on the opposite side of the polarizing member from which the external light is incident,
The direction of the absorption axis of the linearly polarizing plate is a direction of 10 degrees or less with respect to the horizontal direction of the structure,
The structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: A method of arranging a light control member, wherein a light control member for adjusting the shielding and transmission of the incident external light is disposed at a site where external light is incident from the outside of the structure,
The light control member is
A polarizing member disposed on the light incident side of the light control member;
The direction of the absorption axis of the polarizing member is arranged in a direction of 18 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction of the structure,
The arrangement method of the light control member characterized by these.

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