JP2018180169A - Light control film and method for producing light control film - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a light control film and a method for manufacturing the light control film, which can be efficiently manufactured by effectively avoiding the bubble mixing into the liquid crystal cell.
A light control film 1 of the present invention is provided on a first laminate 5D provided with a transparent electrode 11 and a surface of the first laminate 5D on the transparent electrode 11 side, and the light control film 1 of the liquid crystal arrangement region 25 is provided. A seal portion 19 forming an outer frame, a second laminate 5U provided with a transparent electrode 16, and the liquid crystal arrangement region 25 are disposed and held between the first laminate 5D and the second laminate 5U. And a corner portion of the liquid crystal arrangement region 25 has a chamfered shape.
[Selected figure] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a light control film and a method for producing the light control film.

  Conventionally, various ideas concerning a light control film that can be used, for example, as an electronic blind that is attached to a window to control the transmission of extraneous light have been proposed variously (Patent Documents 1 and 2). One of such light control films is one using a liquid crystal. In a light control film using liquid crystal, first, the liquid crystal is sandwiched by a laminate provided with a transparent electrode to manufacture a liquid crystal cell. Next, the liquid crystal cell is held by a linear polarizing plate to form a light control film. Then, in the light control film, the orientation of the liquid crystal is changed by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal, and the external light is changed, whereby the transmission of the external light is controlled.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 03-47392 Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 08-184273

  In the case of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell by sandwiching a liquid crystal by a laminate, it is required to efficiently produce the liquid crystal cell while avoiding the mixing of air bubbles in the liquid crystal cell.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light control film and a method for manufacturing the light control film which can be efficiently manufactured by effectively avoiding the bubble mixing into the liquid crystal cell.

(1) A first laminate provided with a transparent electrode, a seal part provided on the surface on the transparent electrode side of the first laminate, surrounding the outer frame of the liquid crystal arrangement region, and a transparent electrode And a liquid crystal layer disposed in the liquid crystal arrangement region and sandwiched between the first laminate and the second laminate, the corner of the seal portion having a chamfered shape The light control film which it has.

(2) In (1), the chamfering shape of the corner may be a curved shape.

(3) In (1), the chamfered shape of the corner may be a polygonal shape.

(4) A seal portion manufacturing step of forming a seal portion surrounding a liquid crystal arrangement region on a surface on the transparent electrode side in the first laminate provided with a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal dropping step of dropping liquid crystal in the liquid crystal arrangement region And a laminating step of laminating a second laminate provided with a transparent electrode on the first laminate, and holding the liquid crystal between the first laminate and the second laminate. It is a manufacturing method, Comprising: The said sealing part preparation process is a manufacturing method of the light control film which forms a sealing part so that the corner part of a sealing part may become a chamfering shape.

(5) In (4), the chamfering shape of the corner may be a curved shape.

(6) In (5), the curved shape of the corner portion is an arc shape, and in the liquid crystal dropping step, the liquid crystal is dropped at the center of the circle forming the arc in the liquid crystal arrangement region. Good.

(7) In (5), the curved shape of the corner is an elliptical arc, and the liquid crystal dropping step drops the liquid crystal to the focal point of an ellipse forming the elliptical arc in the liquid crystal arrangement region. Good.

(8) In (4), the chamfered shape of the corner may be a polygonal shape.

(9) In (8), the polygonal shape of the corner is a shape in which a triangle is cut off from the corner, and the liquid crystal is one side of the triangle in the liquid crystal arrangement area, the liquid crystal arrangement area It may be dropped at a plurality of points along a line parallel to the side left as a part of the outer circumference of.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide a light control film and a light control film manufacturing method that can be efficiently manufactured by effectively avoiding bubble mixing in the liquid crystal cell.

It is sectional drawing explaining the basic composition of a light control film. It is a flowchart explaining the manufacturing method of the light control film of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the shape of the sealing part formed in the sealing part preparation process of 1st Embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position where liquid crystal is dropped in a liquid crystal dropping process. It is a 1st comparative example, and is a figure showing how liquid crystal spreads when a liquid crystal dropping position is not provided in a connecting part adjacent field. It is a figure which shows how the liquid crystal of 1st Embodiment spreads. It is a figure explaining the shape of the sealing part of a 2nd comparative example, and the liquid crystal dropping position where a liquid crystal is dropped in a liquid crystal dropping process. It is a figure which shows how to spread the liquid crystal of a 2nd comparative example. It is a figure explaining the shape of a seal part formed in the seal part production process of a 2nd embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position where liquid crystal is dropped in a liquid crystal dropping process. It is a figure which shows how to spread the liquid crystal of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the shape of a seal part formed in the seal part production process of a 3rd embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position where liquid crystal is dropped in a liquid crystal dropping process. It is a figure which shows how to spread the liquid crystal of 3rd Embodiment.

[Light control film]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a light control film used in the light control system for a mobile according to the first embodiment.
The light control film 1 is a film-like member that controls transmitted light using liquid crystal, and is configured by sandwiching the liquid crystal cell 4 for the light control film between the linear polarizers 2 and 3.

[Linear polarizing plate]
The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are not particularly limited as long as they include a polarizer, and may have a polarizing plate protective film on one side or both sides of the polarizer.
For example, a polarizer is made to form a complex of polyvinyl alcohol and iodine by immersing a film made of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in an aqueous solution containing iodine, which is a dichroic dye, and stretching it. And a polarizer comprising a polyene oriented by processing a plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride.
When a dichroic dye is used as a dichroic dye instead of iodine, an azo dye, a stilbene dye, a methine dye, a cyanine dye, a pyrazolone dye, a triphenylmethane dye as a dichroic dye Quinoline dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, anthraquinone dyes and the like are used.

The above-mentioned polarizing plate protective film is not particularly limited as long as it can protect the above-described polarizer and has desired transparency. As a material of the polarizing plate protective film, for example, acetyl cellulose resin, cycloolefin resin, polyether sulfone resin, amorphous polyolefin, modified acrylic polymer, polystyrene, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polyamide Examples thereof include thermosetting resins such as acrylic resins, urethane resins, acrylic urethane resins, epoxy resins and silicone resins, and ultraviolet curable resins. Among them, it is preferable to use an acetyl cellulose resin, a cycloolefin resin, or an acrylic resin as the above-mentioned resin material. Among them, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), which is an acetyl cellulose resin, is particularly preferable.
The linear polarizers 2 and 3 are disposed in the liquid crystal cell 4 by an adhesive layer made of an acrylic transparent adhesive resin or the like in a cross nicol arrangement. In addition, although the retardation films 2A and 3A for optical compensation are each provided in the liquid crystal cell 4 side in the linear polarizing plates 2 and 3, the retardation films 2A and 3A may be abbreviate | omitted as needed. . Further, instead of the cross nicol arrangement, the arrangement may be a parallel nicol arrangement.

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

[Lower stack, upper stack]
The lower laminate 5D is formed by forming the transparent electrode 11, the spacer 12, and the alignment layer 13 on the base material 6.
The upper laminate 5U is formed by laminating the transparent electrode 16 and the alignment layer 17 on the base material 15.

〔Base material〕
Although various transparent resin films can be applied to the substrates 6 and 15, a transparent resin film having a small optical anisotropy and having a transmittance of 80% or more at a visible wavelength (380 to 800 nm) It is desirable to apply
Examples of the material of the transparent resin film include acetyl cellulose-based resins such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester-based resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) Polyolefin resins such as polystyrene, polymethylpentene and EVA, vinyl resins such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, polysulfone (PEF), polyether sulfone (PES), polycarbonate Mention may be made of resins such as PC), polysulfone, polyether (PE), polyether ketone (PEK), (meth) acronitrile, cycloolefin polymer (COP), cycloolefin copolymer and the like.
In particular, resins such as polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are preferable.
In the present embodiment, a polycarbonate film with a thickness of 100 μm is applied to the substrates 6 and 15, but transparent resin films with various thicknesses can be applied.

[Transparent electrode]
The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are comprised from the transparent conductive film laminated | stacked on the said transparent resin film and a transparent resin film.
As the transparent conductive film, various transparent electrode materials applied to this kind of transparent resin film can be applied, and a transparent metal thin film having an oxide-based total light transmittance of 50% or more can be mentioned. . For example, tin oxide type, indium oxide type and zinc oxide type can be mentioned.

Examples of tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) include nesa (tin oxide SnO ₂ ), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide: antimony-doped tin oxide), and fluorine-doped tin oxide.
Examples of indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ) systems include indium oxide, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and IZO (Indium Zic Oxide).
Examples of zinc oxide (ZnO) -based include zinc oxide, AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), and gallium-doped zinc oxide.
In the present embodiment, a transparent conductive film is formed of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

〔Spacer〕
The spacer 12 is provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, and various resin materials can be widely applied. In this embodiment, a photoresist is produced by coating a photoresist on the substrate 6 which is made of a photoresist and the transparent electrode 11 is produced, and is produced by exposure and development. 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. Alternatively, the spacer 12 may be provided on the alignment layer 13.
In addition, the spacer 12 is not limited to preparation by such a photoresist. For example, the spacer 12 may be a bead spacer. In this case, after forming the alignment layer, the bead spacers are dispersed on the alignment layer, dispersed in a photo alignment material (described later) forming the alignment layer, or dispersed in a liquid crystal material. It is arranged by doing.

[Alignment layer]
The alignment layers 13 and 17 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 method can be applied can be widely applied. For example, photo decomposition type, photo dimerization type, photo isomerization type, etc. may be mentioned. it can.
In the present embodiment, a light dimerization type material is used. Examples of the photo-dimerization type material include cinnamate, coumarin, benzylidene phthalimidine, benzylidene acetophenone, diphenyl acetylene, stilbazole, uracil, quinolinone, maleimide, or a polymer having a cinnamylidene acetic acid derivative. Among them, a polymer having one or both of cinnamate and coumarin is preferably used in that it has a good alignment control force. As specific examples of such photo-dimerization type materials, for example, compounds described in JP-A-9-118717, JP-A-10-506420, JP-A-2003-505561 and WO2010 / 150748 are disclosed. Can be mentioned.
In addition, it may replace with a photo alignment layer, an alignment layer may be produced by a rubbing process, and a fine line-shaped uneven | corrugated shape may be formed and processed to produce an alignment layer.

[Liquid crystal layer]
The liquid crystal layer 8 can be widely applied to various liquid crystal materials applicable to the light control film 1 of this type. Specifically, a nematic liquid crystal compound, a smectic liquid crystal compound and a cholesteric liquid crystal compound can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 8 as a liquid crystal compound having no polymerizable functional group.
Examples of nematic liquid crystal compounds include biphenyl compounds, terphenyl compounds, phenylcyclohexyl compounds, biphenylcyclohexyl compounds, phenylbicyclohexyl compounds, trifluoro compounds, phenyl benzoate compounds, cyclohexyl benzoate phenyl compounds , Phenylbenzoic acid phenyl compounds, bicyclohexylcarboxylic acid phenyl compounds, azomethine compounds, azo compounds, azooxy compounds, stilbene compounds, tolane compounds, ester compounds, bicyclohexyl compounds, phenylpyrimidine compounds And biphenyl pyrimidine compounds, pyrimidine compounds, and biphenyl ethyne compounds.

Examples of smectic liquid crystal compounds include ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal compounds such as polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polychloroacrylates, polyoxiranes, polysiloxanes, and polyesters.
As a cholesteric liquid crystal compound, cholesteryl linoleate, cholesteryl oleate, cellulose, a cellulose derivative, polypeptide etc. can be mentioned, for example.

  In the liquid crystal cell 4, a sealing material 19 is disposed to surround the liquid crystal layer 8. The upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D are integrally held by the sealing material 19, and the liquid crystal material is prevented from leaking. For example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be used as the sealing material 19.

  In the light control film 1, an alternating current voltage whose polarity is switched in a predetermined cycle is applied to the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, and an electric field is formed in the liquid crystal layer 8 by the alternating current voltage. Further, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules provided in the liquid crystal layer 8 is controlled by this electric field, and the transmitted light is controlled.

The VA method (Virtical Alignment, vertical alignment type) is applied to the alignment control of the liquid crystal layer 8 in the light control film 1 of the embodiment. In the VA system, an alignment film having an alignment control force in the vertical direction is provided on a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, and the liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates.
In the VA mode, when no electric field is applied, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically aligned, whereby the light control film 1 blocks incident light and becomes a light blocking state, and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 8 is applied by applying this electric field. Are horizontally oriented, and the light control film 1 transmits incident light to be in a transmission state.
A light control mode in which light is blocked when no electric field occurs and light is transmitted when an electric field is applied as in the VA mode is referred to as a normally black mode.

  However, instead of the VA method, various driving methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, and a GH (Guest Host) method may be applied.

Here, in the TN method, an alignment film subjected to rubbing processing or the like that has an alignment direction different by 90 ° is attached on a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, and the liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the alignment direction of the alignment film by the alignment regulating force of the alignment film, and the other liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the liquid crystal molecules, so that the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a 90 ° twisting direction. Then, polarizing plates are disposed outside the upper and lower substrates in parallel with the alignment direction of the alignment film.
In the TN mode, when there is no electric field, light passing through the polarizing plate becomes linearly polarized light and enters the liquid crystal. Since the liquid crystal molecules are oriented at 90 ° twist, the incident light is also allowed to pass at 90 °, so that it can pass through the lower polarizing plate. Thereby, the light control film 1 transmits incident light and is in a transmission state.
In addition, although the liquid crystal molecules can stand upright and get twisted by the application of this electric field, the alignment control force of the liquid crystal molecules on the surface of the alignment film is stronger, so that the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules remains along the alignment film. In such a state, since the liquid crystal molecules are isotropic to the light passing therethrough, no rotation of the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal layer 8 occurs. Therefore, linearly polarized light that has passed through the upper polarizer can not pass through the lower polarizer, and the light control film 1 blocks incident light to be in a light shielding state.
A control mode of light which is in the transmission state in the absence of an electric field and in the light shielding state in the application of an electric field as in the TN method is referred to as a normally white mode.

  In the IPS method, electrodes are formed collectively on one substrate, and the amount of transmitted light is controlled by rotating liquid crystal molecules aligned by an electric field by the electrodes in a lateral (horizontal) direction with respect to the substrate. is there.

Furthermore, the GH method is a method using a liquid crystal composition in which a dichroic dye is dissolved as a guest in a host nematic liquid crystal. Since the dichroic dye has a uniaxial light absorption axis and absorbs only light oscillating in the light absorption axis direction, it changes the orientation of the dichroic dye in accordance with the movement of the liquid crystal due to the electric field. By controlling the direction of the light absorption axis, the transmission state of the liquid crystal cell can be changed.
Liquid crystal compositions used in the GH system are roughly classified into positive type and negative type depending on the difference in the long axis direction of liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied.
A positive nematic liquid crystal is a liquid crystal whose dielectric constant is large in the long axis direction and small in the direction perpendicular to the long axis and whose dielectric anisotropy is positive. When no electric field is applied, the long axis direction of liquid crystal molecules is relative to the optical axis. It is vertical, and the major axis direction of liquid crystal molecules is parallel to the optical axis when an electric field is applied.
On the other hand, a negative nematic liquid crystal is a liquid crystal in which the dielectric constant is small in the major axis direction and the dielectric anisotropy is large in the direction perpendicular to the major axis, and the major axis direction of liquid crystal molecules is the optical axis when no electric field is applied. They are parallel to each other, and the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecules is perpendicular to the optical axis when an electric field is applied.
Here, since the dichroic dye molecules are aligned in the same direction as the liquid crystal molecules, when a positive nematic liquid crystal is used as a host, the dichroic dye molecules are shielded when no electric field is applied and are transmitted when an electric field is applied (normally Black mode).
On the other hand, when a negative nematic liquid crystal is used as a host, on the other hand, it is in the transmission state in the absence of an electric field, and in the light shielding state when the electric field is applied (normally white mode).
The dichroic dye used in the GH system is a dye having solubility in liquid crystal and high dichroism, preferably a dye having an order parameter (S value) of 0.7 or more, for example, azo Dichroic dyes such as a system, anthraquinone system, quinophthalone system, perylene system, indigo system, thioindigo system, merocyanine system, styryl system, azomethine system, tetrazine system and the like can be mentioned.
In addition, when the light control film 1 is manufactured by GH system, a linear-polarizing plate can be abbreviate | omitted.

In addition, the liquid crystal cell 4 may drive the liquid crystal material by so-called multi-domain method by patterning of the photo alignment layer or the like, and may further drive by a single domain.
Furthermore, the light control film 1 can be widely applied when using various light control films capable of adjusting the amount of transmitted light, in addition to the above-described light control films using liquid crystals.

〔Manufacturing process〕
(Electrode production process)
Next, the manufacturing process of the light control film 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the method of manufacturing the light control film 1 of the embodiment.

  In the manufacturing process of the light control film 1, the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are formed on the base members 6 and 15 of the lower laminate 5D and the upper laminate 5U by ITO using sputtering or the like in the electrode production process SP2. Make. Here, the electrode production step SP2 may further include the step of patterning the transparent electrode.

(Spacer manufacturing process)
Then, a manufacturing process manufactures the spacer 12 in the base material 6 in which the transparent electrode 11 was formed in spacer manufacturing process SP3. In addition, the shape of the spacer 12 created at this process is mentioned later.
Spacer preparation process SP3 is made to dry, after applying the coating liquid of a photoresist on base material 6 concerning lower side layered product 5D in photoresist coating process SP3-1, and thereby manufacture a photoresist layer. Do.
In the subsequent exposure step SP3-2, the photoresist layer is exposed by the exposure device.
In the development step SP3-3, after development with a developer, washing, rinsing and drying are carried out, and a spacer 12 is produced from these.
In the present embodiment, the spacer 12 is provided on the base 6 side, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the spacer 12 is manufactured on both the base 15 side and both the base 6 and the base 15 It may be done.

(Coating process)
In the subsequent coating process SP4, the coating liquid relating to the alignment layer 13 is applied to the base material 6 having the spacer 12 thus manufactured, and then dried and cured, whereby the material layer of the alignment layer 13 is manufactured. . Moreover, the material layer of the orientation layer 17 is produced similarly about the other base material 15 as well.

(Rubbing process)
In the rubbing step SP5, the substrates 6 and 15 according to the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D, in which the material layers of the alignment layers 13 and 17 are produced in this manner, are rubbed to produce alignment layers 13 and 17. . In addition, when applying a photo-alignment layer to the alignment layers 13 and 17, in place of the coating step SP4 and the rubbing step SP5, processing of coating and exposure of a coating liquid related to the photo-alignment layer is performed.

(Step of making seal part)
In the seal portion production step SP6, a sealing material is applied to either the upper laminate 5U or the lower laminate 5D using a dispenser or printing to form a frame-like seal portion 19 in which liquid crystal is disposed. The details of the seal portion manufacturing process will be described later.

(Liquid crystal dropping process)
Subsequently, in the liquid crystal dropping process SP7, the liquid crystal is dropped on the upper laminate 5U. The liquid crystal is dropped by a dispenser or an inkjet. The details of the liquid crystal dropping step will be described later.

(Lamination process)
In the laminating process SP8, the upper laminate 5U is stacked and pressed on the lower laminate 5D in which the liquid crystal is disposed.
The liquid crystal dropping step SP <b> 7 and the subsequent stacking step SP <b> 8 are generally performed under reduced pressure in order to prevent air bubbles from being mixed into the liquid crystal cell 4. For example, it is carried out under an atmosphere of 100 Pa or less, more preferably in an atmosphere of 50 Pa or less.

(Integration process)
In the subsequent integration step SP9, after the seal portion 19 is semi-cured by irradiation of ultraviolet rays, it is heated, whereby the substrates 6 and 15 related to the upper laminate 5U and the lower laminate 5D are integrated by bonding. . For bonding, vacuum bonding, normal pressure bonding, vertical press, lamination, etc. are used.

(Trimming process)
The laminated body of the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D thus manufactured is cut into a desired size in the subsequent trimming step SP10, whereby the liquid crystal cell 4 is manufactured.

(Bonding process)
In the subsequent bonding step SP11, the linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are bonded with an adhesive to produce the light control film 1.
In addition, when using a guest host type liquid crystal, since a linear-polarizing plate is not required, you may omit this bonding process.

First Embodiment
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the shape of the seal portion 19 forming the outer frame in the seal portion manufacturing process SP6 of the first embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position P in the liquid crystal dropping process SP7.

(Shape of seal part)
As illustrated, the seal part 19 of the first embodiment formed in the seal part manufacturing step SP6 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and includes two first extending parts 21 extending in the first direction, and It includes two second extending portions 22 extending in a second direction orthogonal to one direction, and a connecting portion 23 connecting the first extending portion 21 and the second extending portion 22 adjacent to each other.
The connection portion 23 is formed in a curved shape, and in the present embodiment, is formed in an arc shape. Therefore, in the connecting portion 23, the end portion of the first extending portion 21 and the end portion of the second extending portion 22 are connected so as to form an arc in the connecting portion 23.
The radius of the circle forming the arc is preferably 0.1 mm to 2000 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 50 mm, when the size of the frame formed by the seal portion 19 is 10 mm × 4000 mm. Further, the frame shape of the seal portion 19 is not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a deformed shape.
That is, the corner of the liquid crystal disposition area 25 in which the outer frame is formed by the seal portion 19 in which the two first extending portions 21 and the two second extending portions 22 are connected by the connecting portion 23 is a circle. It has an arc-shaped chamfered shape.

(Liquid crystal dropping position)
In addition, the liquid crystal disposition area 25 has an outer peripheral area 26 having a predetermined width from the seal portion 19 and an inner area 27 surrounded by the outer peripheral area 26 and positioned inside the outer peripheral area 26.

(Drop position in the inner area)
The symbol P in FIG. 3 denotes a liquid crystal dropping position where the liquid crystal 8a is dropped in the liquid crystal dropping process SP7, P1 of which is a position where the liquid crystal 8a is dropped in the outer peripheral area 26, and P2 is the liquid crystal 8a in the inner area 27. It is a position to be dropped.
The liquid crystal dropping position P2 of the inner region 27 is an intersection of the imaginary straight lines 28 drawn in a lattice. However, the arrangement pattern of the liquid crystal dropping position P2 is not limited to this, and in the inner region 27, when the upper laminate 5U is pressed toward the lower laminate 5D in the inner region 27, the liquid crystal spreads uniformly in the inner region 27. Other arrangement patterns may be used if they have such a configuration.
For example, it may be a so-called two-dimensional face-centered pattern in which one liquid crystal dropping position is further provided at the center of the region surrounded by the four liquid crystal dropping positions P2.
Furthermore, it is possible to use a hexagonal grid pattern in which a dropping position is provided at the apex of a regular hexagon and its center instead of the grid. In the case of a hexahedral grid, the vertical side and the horizontal side do not have uniform dropping patterns.

(Drop position in the external area)
In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is provided not only at the liquid crystal dropping position P2 at which the inner area 27 is provided, but also at the connecting portion adjacent area 26a near the connecting portion 23 in the outer peripheral area 26.

(How to spread the liquid crystal)
The liquid crystal 8a dropped to the liquid crystal dropping position P2 of the inner region 27 in the liquid crystal dropping step SP7 is pressed by the upper laminate 5U in the stacking step SP8 and spreads to the outer peripheral region 26.
The liquid crystal 8 a is not yet in contact with the seal portion 19 in the laminating process SP <b> 8. If the seal portion 19 and the liquid crystal come into contact with each other before the seal portion 19 is semi-cured in the integration step SP9, the seal portion 19 may be contaminated. Depending on the kind and combination of the seal part 19 and the liquid crystal material, there may be no problem even if the uncured seal part 19 and the liquid crystal come in contact with each other.
In the integration step SP9, after the seal portion 19 is semi-cured by ultraviolet light, the liquid crystal 8a further spreads to the seal portion 19 and comes in contact with the seal portion 19. At this time, since the seal portion 19 is semi-cured, it is not contaminated by the liquid crystal 8a.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is provided not only in the inner area 27 as described above, but also in the connecting part adjacent area 26a near the connecting part 23 in the outer peripheral area 26.

(First comparative example)
On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a first comparative example, and is a view showing how the liquid crystal 8a spreads when the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is not provided in the connecting portion adjacent region 26a close to the connecting portion 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is not provided in the connecting portion adjacent area 26a, and the radius of the circle of the arc-like connecting portion 23 is the distance between the liquid crystal dropping position P2a and the connecting portion 23 If the length is shorter than this, the curve of the arc of the connecting portion 23 is sharper than the shape in which the liquid crystal 8a spreads. Therefore, the liquid crystal 8a dropped to the liquid crystal dropping position P2a may not spread to the connecting portion 23.

  Then, air bubbles (vacuum bubbles, vacuum air bubbles) 30 may remain in the connecting portion 23. The bubbles include not only bubbles generated by negative pressure but also bubbles generated by positive pressure. Further, as described above, although the integration step SP9 is performed under reduced pressure, it may not be a complete vacuum, and there may be a possibility that air bubbles 30 may remain at the corners. If such air bubbles 30 remain, this air bubbles 30 of the light control film 1 locally impair the control of transmitted light.

  However, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is provided in the connection portion adjacent region 26a. Thereby, the liquid crystal dropped to the liquid crystal dropping position P1 sufficiently spreads to the connecting portion 23, and the probability of the generation of the bubble 30 in the connecting portion 23 is further reduced.

Second Comparative Example
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the shape of the seal portion 19 and the liquid crystal dropping position P1 to which the liquid crystal 8a is dropped in the liquid crystal dropping step in the second comparative example.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the liquid crystal 8a of the second comparative example spreads.
Thus, even if the liquid crystal dropping position P1 is provided in the connecting portion adjacent region 26a, the first extending portion 21 and the second extending portion 22 directly intersect with each other as in the second comparative example shown in FIG. That is, when the connecting portion 23 is not chamfered (at right angles), it is difficult for the liquid crystal 8 a to sufficiently spread to the connecting portion 23 as shown in FIG. 7. Then, the air bubbles 30 may remain in the connecting portion 23.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the liquid crystal 8a spreads in the present embodiment. As illustrated, in the present embodiment, the arc shape of the connecting portion 23 is further an arc shape centered on the liquid crystal dropping position P1. That is, the connecting portion 23 is formed in accordance with the spread of the liquid crystal 8a. Therefore, the probability of the generation of the air bubbles 30 in the connecting portion 23 is further reduced.
The liquid crystal dropping position P1 is not limited to the center of the circle forming the arc shape of the connecting portion 23. In order to avoid contact between the uncured seal portion 19 and the liquid crystal 8a, it is moved to the inside from the center of the circle, or to the outside from the center of the circle in order to avoid the bubbles 30 enclosed by the insufficient spreading of the liquid crystal 8a. It is possible to adjust the dropping position according to the situation.

In the present embodiment, the probability of the occurrence of the air bubbles 30 in the connecting portion 23 is thus further reduced, so the possibility that the control of the transmitted light is locally lost by the air bubbles 30 in the light management film 1 is reduced.
Furthermore, since the connecting portion 23 is curved, the spreading of the liquid crystal 8 a is also promoted, and the mixing of the air bubbles 30 into the liquid crystal layer 8 can be further suppressed.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the shape of the seal portion 19 which forms the outer frame in the seal portion manufacturing process SP6 of the second embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position P in the liquid crystal dropping process SP7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a connecting portion adjacent area 26 a adjacent to the connecting portion 23 in FIG. 8.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the connecting portion 23 of the seal portion 19 and the position of the liquid crystal dropping position P in the outer peripheral region 26.

In the second embodiment, the connecting portion 23 between the first extending portion 21 and the second extending portion 22 of the seal portion 19 is formed in an elliptical arc shape. The liquid crystal dropping positions P in the connecting portion adjacent region 26a adjacent to the connecting portion 23 are the liquid crystal dropping positions Pa and Pb at two focal points of a circle forming an elliptical arc.
The shape of the connecting portion 23 of the seal portion 19 substantially matches the shape of the elliptical arc.

According to the present embodiment, the liquid crystal 8a at the liquid crystal dropping positions Pa and Pb, which is the focal point of the elliptic arc, is pressed by the upper laminate 5U in the stacking process SP8. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal 8a at the liquid crystal dropping positions Pa and Pb spreads in an elliptical shape so as to conform to the shape of the connecting portion 23 of the sealing portion 19.
Also in this case, the liquid crystal dropping positions Pa and Pb are not limited to the focal point of the ellipse forming the elliptical arc, but the liquid crystal dropping positions Pa and Pb are elliptical to avoid contact between the uncured seal portion 19 and the liquid crystal 8a. It is possible to move to the inside of the focal point or to move outward from the focal point of the ellipse to avoid air bubbles enclosed by the insufficient spreading of the liquid crystal 8a, or to adjust the dropping position according to the situation.
Also in the present embodiment, since the liquid crystal 8 a spreads along the elliptical arc shape of the connecting portion 23, the air bubbles are unlikely to remain. Therefore, air bubbles are less likely to remain in the integration step.

Third Embodiment
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the shape of the seal portion 19 which forms the outer frame in the seal portion manufacturing process SP6 of the third embodiment, and the liquid crystal dropping position P in the liquid crystal dropping process SP7. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the connecting portion adjacent area 26 a adjacent to the connecting portion 23.
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the connecting portion 23 of the sealing portion 19 and the position of the liquid crystal dropping position P in the outer peripheral region 26. The corner (connection part 23) of the seal part 19 of this embodiment is formed in polygonal shape.

In the third embodiment, the connecting portion 23 between the first extension portion 21 and the second extension portion 22 of the seal portion 19 has an internal angle with respect to each of the first extension portion 21 and the second extension portion 22. It is formed in a straight line so as to be 135 °, and two corners are provided.
The liquid crystal dropping position P at the connecting portion adjacent region 26a adjacent to the connecting portion 23 is at two points Pc and Pd, along a straight line parallel to the connecting portion 23, substantially between the connecting portion 23 and the inner region 27. It is placed in the middle.

Also in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when the liquid crystal dropped to the liquid crystal dropping positions Pc and Pd is pressed by the upper laminate 5U in the stacking step SP8, the liquid crystal drops as shown in FIG. It spreads from position Pc and Pd, and it becomes elliptical shape which contacts connecting part 23, the 1st extension part 21, and the 2nd extension part 22 of seal part 19. As shown in FIG.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the internal angle of the corner between the connecting portion 23 and the first extending portion 21 and between the connecting portion 23 and the second extending portion 22 is 135 °. The liquid crystal penetrates to the inside of the corner and bubbles are less likely to remain than in the case where the inner angle is 90 °. Therefore, air bubbles are less likely to remain in the integration step.

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 above-mentioned embodiment variously in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

(Modified form)
(1) In the third embodiment, the connecting portion 23 is formed to have two corner portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the corner portions may be another polygonal shape having three or more corner portions. .
(2) The connecting portion 23 is not limited to an arc or an elliptic arc, and may be formed into another curve.

Reference Signs List 1 light control film 2, 3 linear polarizing plate 2A, 3A retardation film 4 liquid crystal cell 5D lower laminate 5U upper laminate 6, 15 base 8 liquid crystal layer 11, 16 transparent electrode 12 spacer 13, 17 alignment layer 19 seal Part 20 driving power supply 21 first extending part 22 second extending part 23 connecting part 25 liquid crystal arrangement area 26 outer peripheral area 26a connecting part adjacent area 27 inner peripheral area 27a connecting part adjacent area 28 imaginary straight line 30 air bubbles P, P1, P2 , Pa, Pb Liquid crystal dropping position

Claims (9)

A first laminate provided with a transparent electrode;
A seal portion provided on the surface on the transparent electrode side of the first laminate, which encloses an outer frame of a liquid crystal arrangement region;
A second laminate provided with a transparent electrode;
And a liquid crystal layer disposed in the liquid crystal arrangement region and sandwiched between the first laminate and the second laminate.
The light control film whose corner part of the said seal | sticker part has a chamfering shape. The chamfered shape of the corner is a curved shape,
The light control film of Claim 1. The chamfered shape of the corner is a polygonal shape,
The light control film of Claim 1. A seal portion producing step of forming a seal portion surrounding the liquid crystal arrangement region on the surface on the transparent electrode side in the first laminate provided with the transparent electrode;
A liquid crystal dropping step of dropping liquid crystal in the liquid crystal arrangement region;
Laminating a second laminate provided with a transparent electrode on the first laminate, and sandwiching the liquid crystal between the first laminate and the second laminate;
It is a manufacturing method of the light control film provided with
In the seal portion manufacturing step, the seal portion is formed such that the corner portion of the seal portion has a chamfered shape.
Production method of light control film. The chamfered shape of the corner is a curved shape,
The manufacturing method of the light control film of Claim 4. The curved shape of the corner is an arc shape,
In the liquid crystal dropping step, the liquid crystal is dropped at the center of a circle forming the circular arc in the liquid crystal arrangement region.
The manufacturing method of the light control film of Claim 5. The curved shape of the corner is an elliptical arc,
In the liquid crystal dropping step, the liquid crystal is dropped to a focal point of an ellipse forming the elliptic arc in the liquid crystal arrangement region.
The manufacturing method of the light control film of Claim 5. The chamfered shape of the corner is a polygonal shape,
The manufacturing method of the light control film of Claim 4. The polygonal shape of the corner is a shape in which a triangle is cut off from the corner,
The liquid crystal is dropped at a plurality of points along one of the sides of the triangle in the liquid crystal arrangement region, the line being parallel to the side left as a part of the outer periphery of the liquid crystal arrangement region.
The manufacturing method of the light control film of Claim 8.

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