JP2548967B2 - Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents
Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the sameInfo
- Publication number
- JP2548967B2 JP2548967B2 JP13058088A JP13058088A JP2548967B2 JP 2548967 B2 JP2548967 B2 JP 2548967B2 JP 13058088 A JP13058088 A JP 13058088A JP 13058088 A JP13058088 A JP 13058088A JP 2548967 B2 JP2548967 B2 JP 2548967B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- liquid crystal
- epoxy resin
- refractive index
- light control
- light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Landscapes
- Liquid Crystal (AREA)
Description
【発明の詳細な説明】 〔産業上の利用分野〕 本発明は、光学的性質に差を生じさせることができる
ブラインド、ドーム、採光材、ディスプレイ、間仕切り
等を製作するような場合に好適に用いられる調光材用シ
ート、調光材及びその製造方法に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention is preferably used for manufacturing blinds, domes, daylighting materials, displays, partitions, etc., which can cause differences in optical properties. The present invention relates to a sheet for light control material, a light control material, and a method for manufacturing the same.
樹脂マトリクス中に液晶を含む調光材としては、ネマ
チック液晶をポリビニルアルコール水溶液中に乳化分散
させてカプセル化し、これを透明電極基板上に塗布して
乾燥させた後、該塗膜の上に対向電極となるもう一枚の
透明電極板を接着したものが知られている（特表昭58−
501631号）。As a light control material containing a liquid crystal in a resin matrix, a nematic liquid crystal is emulsified and dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution to be encapsulated, and this is coated on a transparent electrode substrate and dried, and then facing the coating film. It is known that another transparent electrode plate that serves as an electrode is adhered (Tokusho Sho-58-
No. 501631).
また、ビスフェノールＡ型のエポキシ樹脂マトリクス
中に液晶をカプセル化しないで分散させた樹脂皮膜を、
相対向する透明電極板の間に形成した調光材も知られて
いる（特表昭61−502128号）。In addition, a resin film in which a liquid crystal is dispersed without being encapsulated in a bisphenol A type epoxy resin matrix,
A light control material formed between transparent electrode plates facing each other is also known (Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-502128).
しかしながら、特表昭58−501631号に開示された調光
材は、液晶をポリビニルアルコール水溶液中に機械的に
分散させてカプセル化するため、生成するカプセル化液
晶の粒径に大きいバラツキがある。このように粒径のバ
ラツキが大きいと、双方の透明電極間に電界をかけて光
散乱状態から光透過状態に変化させるとき、小さな粒径
のカプセル中の液晶分子が電界の方向に配列し難くなる
ので、相当高い電界をかけないと調光材にかすかな散乱
状態や曇りが残ってしまい、コントラストが悪くなると
いう問題がある。However, the light control material disclosed in JP-A-58-501631 has a large variation in the particle size of the encapsulated liquid crystal to be formed because the liquid crystal is mechanically dispersed in an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol to be encapsulated. When the variation in particle size is large as described above, when an electric field is applied between both transparent electrodes to change from a light scattering state to a light transmitting state, it is difficult for liquid crystal molecules in a capsule with a small particle diameter to be aligned in the direction of the electric field. Therefore, unless a considerably high electric field is applied, there is a problem that a slight scattering state or clouding remains on the light control material, resulting in poor contrast.
一方、特表昭61−502128号に開示された調光材は、分
散された液晶の粒径のバラツキがカプセル化液晶の場合
よりも遥かに小さい。けれども、ビスフェノールＡ型な
どの芳香族エポキシ樹脂マトリクスは一般に1.55より大
きい屈折率を有するのに対し、一般的な液晶の通常光屈
折率は1.53以下と小さいため、電界をかけて光透過状態
に変化させても、両者の屈折率差によって光の散乱が生
じ、やはり透明になりにくいという問題がある。かかる
問題は、屈折率の小さい硬化剤を選択使用して芳香族エ
ポキシ樹脂マトリックスの屈折率を下げることにより、
ある程度改善できるが、現在のところ、芳香族エポキシ
樹脂マトリックスの屈折率を液晶の通常光屈折率とほぼ
同程度まで下げることができる硬化剤は見当たらない。
また、ビスフェノールＡ型などの芳香族エポキシ樹脂は
その構造中に二重結合を含む関係で耐光性に劣ってお
り、そのため樹脂皮膜が比較的短期間のうちに黄変する
という問題もある。On the other hand, in the light control material disclosed in JP-A-61-502128, the dispersion of the particle size of the dispersed liquid crystal is much smaller than that of the encapsulated liquid crystal. However, while the aromatic epoxy resin matrix such as bisphenol A type generally has a refractive index higher than 1.55, the ordinary light refractive index of a general liquid crystal is as small as 1.53 or less, so that it changes to a light transmitting state by applying an electric field. Even if it is made, there is a problem that light is scattered due to the difference in refractive index between the two, and it is difficult to be transparent. Such a problem is caused by lowering the refractive index of the aromatic epoxy resin matrix by selectively using a curing agent having a small refractive index,
Although it can be improved to some extent, at present, no curing agent is found that can lower the refractive index of the aromatic epoxy resin matrix to almost the same level as the ordinary light refractive index of liquid crystals.
Further, an aromatic epoxy resin such as bisphenol A type is inferior in light resistance due to the fact that a double bond is contained in the structure thereof, so that there is also a problem that the resin film turns yellow in a relatively short period of time.
本発明は上記問題に鑑みてなされたものであって、そ
の目的とするところは、光透過状態と光散乱状態のコン
トラストが良好で電界が低くても高い透明度が得られ、
しかも黄変しにくい調光材用シート、調光材、及びその
製造方法を提供することにある。The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to obtain high transparency even when the electric field is low and the contrast between the light transmitting state and the light scattering state is good,
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light control sheet, which does not easily turn yellow, a light control material, and a manufacturing method thereof.
かかる目的を達成するため、本発明の調光材用シート
は、硬化したエポキシ樹脂マトリックス中に液晶が相分
離して液滴状態で分散された樹脂皮膜より成る調光材用
シートであって、上記樹脂マトリックスが少なくとも一
種類の脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を含み、且つ、上記樹脂マト
リックスの屈折率と上記液晶の通常光屈折率との差が0.
02以内にあることを必須とするものであり、また、本発
明の調光材は、この調光材用シートの両面に透明電極を
積層して成るものである。In order to achieve such an object, the light modulating material sheet of the present invention is a light modulating material sheet comprising a resin film in which liquid crystals are phase-separated in a cured epoxy resin matrix and dispersed in a droplet state, The resin matrix contains at least one type of aliphatic epoxy resin, and the difference between the refractive index of the resin matrix and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is 0.
It is indispensable to be within 02, and the light control material of the present invention is formed by laminating transparent electrodes on both surfaces of this light control material sheet.
本発明の調光材用シートや調光材のように、硬化した
エポキシ樹脂マトリックス中に液晶が相分離して液滴状
態で分離されていると、液滴状態の液晶（以下、液晶滴
と記す）の粒径がほぼ均一となり、大きいバラツキ生じ
ない。従って、電界をかけた場合に液晶分子の配列が困
難になるほど微小な液晶滴は極めて少ないので、かける
電界が低くても、殆ど全ての液晶滴中の液晶分子が電界
の方向に配列する。しかも、本発明の調光材用シートや
調光材は、硬化したエポキシ樹脂マトリックスと液晶の
通常光屈折率との差が0.02以内であるため、電界をかけ
た光透過状態では、両者が光学的に同一又は近似物質と
なり、光の散乱を全く又は殆ど生じない。このように、
本発明の調光材用シートや調光材は電界をかけたときの
液晶分子の配列性が良く、マトリックスと液晶と屈折率
差による光の散乱も全く又は殆ど生じないので、かける
電界が低くても高い透明度が得られ、光透過状態と光散
乱状態とのコントラストが良好である。When the liquid crystal is phase-separated into the cured epoxy resin matrix and is separated in the liquid droplet state like the light modulating material sheet or the light modulating material of the present invention, the liquid crystal in the liquid droplet state (hereinafter, referred to as liquid crystal droplets and The particle size of (1) is almost uniform, and large variations do not occur. Therefore, since minute liquid crystal droplets are so small that it becomes difficult to align the liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied, even if the applied electric field is low, the liquid crystal molecules in almost all liquid crystal droplets are aligned in the direction of the electric field. Moreover, since the difference between the cured epoxy resin matrix and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal of the light control material sheet or light control material of the present invention is 0.02 or less, both of them are optical in the light transmission state under the electric field. Are the same or similar substances, and cause little or no light scattering. in this way,
The light modulating material sheet or the light modulating material of the present invention has good alignment of liquid crystal molecules when an electric field is applied, and light scattering due to the difference in refractive index between the matrix and the liquid crystal does not occur at all or hardly occurs. However, high transparency is obtained, and the contrast between the light transmitting state and the light scattering state is good.
また、本発明の調光材用シートや調光材のようにエポ
キシ樹脂マトリックスが脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を必須成分
として含んでいると、該脂肪族エポキシ樹脂が分子構造
的に芳香族エポキシ樹脂より優れた耐光性を有するた
め、黄変しにくくなる。しかも、脂肪族エポキシ樹脂は
硬化前の屈折率が芳香族エポキシ樹脂のそれよりかなり
低いため、硬化剤として屈折率が特に低いものを選択使
用しなくても、硬化後のエポキシ樹脂マトリックスの屈
折率と液晶の通常光屈折率（一般に1.48〜1.53である）
との差を0.02以内に調節することが可能であり、従っ
て、本発明の調光材用シートや調光材はエポキシ樹脂マ
トリックスの硬化剤の種類について制約を受けることが
殆どない。Further, when the epoxy resin matrix contains an aliphatic epoxy resin as an essential component like the light modulating material sheet or the light modulating material of the present invention, the aliphatic epoxy resin is superior in molecular structure to the aromatic epoxy resin. It also has light resistance and is less likely to yellow. Moreover, since the refractive index of the aliphatic epoxy resin before curing is much lower than that of the aromatic epoxy resin, the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix after curing does not have to be selected and used as the curing agent. And the normal light refractive index of liquid crystal (generally 1.48 ~ 1.53)
Can be adjusted to within 0.02, and therefore, the dimmer sheet or dimmer of the present invention is hardly restricted by the type of curing agent of the epoxy resin matrix.
前記した本発明の調光材用シートの製造は、少なくと
も一種類の脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を含み、且つ、硬化後の
屈折率と液晶の通常光屈折率との差が0.02以内となる未
硬化のエポキシ樹脂マトリックスに上記液晶を溶解して
材料を調製し、この材料で皮膜を形成して硬化させるこ
とを要旨とする本発明製造方法によって容易に実施され
る。The above-described production of the sheet for light control material of the present invention contains at least one type of aliphatic epoxy resin, and the difference between the refractive index after curing and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is 0.02 or less uncured. It is easily carried out by the production method of the present invention, which is characterized in that the above liquid crystal is dissolved in an epoxy resin matrix to prepare a material, and a film is formed and cured with this material.
また、前記した本発明の調光材の製造は、同様に材料
を調製し、この材料を少なくとも一枚の透明電極を含む
透明基板の間に介在させて硬化させることを要旨とする
本発明製造方法によって容易に実施される。Further, the production of the above-mentioned light control material of the present invention is characterized in that a material is prepared in the same manner, and the material is interposed and cured between transparent substrates including at least one transparent electrode. It is easily carried out by the method.
本発明製造方法によって調光材用シートや調光材を製
造すると、皮膜は透明基板間の材料を硬化させるとき、
初めエポキシ樹脂マトリックス中に溶解していた液晶
は、エポキシ樹脂マトリックスの架橋硬化が進むにつれ
て次第に不溶性となって相分離を起こし、最終的にエポ
キシ樹脂マトリックスが硬化した状態では、液晶がほぼ
均一な粒径を有する略球状の独立した液晶滴となってエ
ポキシ樹脂マトリックス中に分散する。このように本発
明製造方法は相分離法を適用して液晶をエポキシ樹脂マ
トリックス中に分散させるものであるが、一般に相分離
法で液滴を形成すると粒径がほぼ均一になることは広く
知られている。When a sheet for light control material or a light control material is manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention, when the film cures the material between the transparent substrates,
The liquid crystal that was initially dissolved in the epoxy resin matrix gradually becomes insoluble and undergoes phase separation as the crosslinking and curing of the epoxy resin matrix progresses, and in the final state when the epoxy resin matrix is cured, the liquid crystal is almost uniform particles. Dispersed in the epoxy resin matrix as independent spherical liquid crystal droplets having a diameter. As described above, in the production method of the present invention, the liquid crystal is dispersed in the epoxy resin matrix by applying the phase separation method. Generally, it is widely known that when the droplets are formed by the phase separation method, the particle diameter becomes almost uniform. Has been.
以下、図面を参照しながら本発明を更に詳しく説明す
る。Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
第１図は本発明調光材の模式断面図で、１は樹脂皮膜
よりなる本発明の調光材用シートであり、この調光材用
シート１の両面には、透明電極２が透明基板2aと共に積
層されている。この樹脂皮膜よりなる調光材用シート１
（以下単に樹脂皮膜と記す）は、硬化したエポキシ樹脂
マトリックス1a中に液晶が相分離してほぼ球状の独立し
た液晶滴３となって分散した構造を有するもので、該エ
ポキシ樹脂マトリックス1aは少なくとも一種の脂肪族エ
ポキシ樹脂を必須成分として含んでおり、液晶滴３の通
常光屈折率との屈折率差が0.02以内、好ましくは0.01以
内となっている。屈折率差が0.02より大きいと、既述し
たように、電界をかけて光透過状態としても、光の散乱
によって樹脂皮膜１が曇り、高い透明度が得られないの
で、本発明の目的を達成できない。FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light control material of the present invention, in which 1 is a light control material sheet of the present invention made of a resin film, and transparent electrodes 2 are provided on both sides of the light control material sheet 1 and transparent substrates. Stacked with 2a. Sheet 1 for light control material comprising this resin film
(Hereinafter, simply referred to as a resin film) has a structure in which liquid crystal is phase-separated in a cured epoxy resin matrix 1a and dispersed as substantially spherical independent liquid crystal droplets 3, and the epoxy resin matrix 1a is at least It contains one kind of aliphatic epoxy resin as an essential component, and the refractive index difference between the liquid crystal droplet 3 and the normal light refractive index is 0.02 or less, preferably 0.01 or less. If the refractive index difference is larger than 0.02, as described above, even if an electric field is applied to bring the resin into a light-transmitting state, the resin film 1 becomes cloudy due to light scattering and high transparency cannot be obtained, so that the object of the present invention cannot be achieved. .
この樹脂皮膜１の形成に用いる材料は、硬化剤を配合
した脂肪族エポキシ樹脂の単独又は芳香族エポキシ樹脂
との混合物よりなる未硬化のエポキシ樹脂マトリックス
に液晶を溶解したもので、エポキシ樹脂マトリックスと
しては、上記のように硬化後の屈折率と液晶の通常光屈
折率との差が0.02以内となるものを選択使用することが
必要である。エポキシ樹脂マトリックスの硬化後の屈折
率は、必須成分の脂肪族エポキシ樹脂、任意成分の芳香
族エポキシ樹脂、硬化剤の組み合わせ（種類や配合割
合）によって種々変化するので、実際に硬化後のエポキ
シ樹脂マトリックスの屈折率をアツべ屈折率計等で測定
し、液晶の通常光屈折率の測定値との差が0.02以内とな
る組み合わせを選択するのがよい。液晶の通常光屈折率
は一般に1.48〜1.53の範囲内にあるから、必然的に硬化
後の屈折率が1.46〜1.55の範囲内にあるエポキシ樹脂マ
トリックスが選択されることになる。The material used for forming the resin film 1 is a material in which liquid crystal is dissolved in an uncured epoxy resin matrix composed of an aliphatic epoxy resin mixed with a curing agent alone or a mixture with an aromatic epoxy resin. It is necessary to select and use those having a difference between the refractive index after curing and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal within 0.02 as described above. The refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix after curing varies variously depending on the combination (type and blending ratio) of the essential component aliphatic epoxy resin, the optional component aromatic epoxy resin, and the curing agent. It is preferable to measure the refractive index of the matrix with an attitudinal refractometer or the like, and select a combination in which the difference from the measured value of the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is within 0.02. Since the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is generally in the range of 1.48 to 1.53, an epoxy resin matrix in which the refractive index after curing is in the range of 1.46 to 1.55 is inevitably selected.
上記の脂肪族エポキシ樹脂としては、グリシジルエス
テル系エポキシ樹脂、グリシジルエーテル系エポキシ樹
脂、グリシジルアミン系エポキシ樹脂等が用いられ、具
体的にはナガセ化成工業（株）製のデナコールEX−31
4、同EX−320、三井石油化学工業（株）製のエポミック
Ｒ−540、東都化成（株）製YH−300、エーシーアイジャ
パンリミテッドから入手されるMK−107等が好適に使用
される。また、適宜混合される芳香族エポキシ樹脂とし
ては、ビスフェノールＡ型エポキシ樹脂、例えば油化シ
ェルエポキシ（株）製のエピコート828等が使用され
る。硬化剤としてはアミン系、酸無水物系、メルカプタ
ン系など各種の硬化剤が使用可能であり、具体的には和
光純薬工業（株）製のトリエチレンテトラミン、三井石
油化学工業（株）製のエポミックＱ−610、油化シェル
エポキシ（株）製のCAPCURE3−800等を初めとして、そ
の他入手可能な硬化剤の殆どの全てのものが使用され
る。このように硬化剤の種類に制約を受けないのは、エ
ポキシ樹脂マトリックスの必須成分である脂肪族エポキ
シ樹脂の屈折率（未硬化の単体の屈折率）が芳香族エポ
キシ樹脂のそれより遥かに低いため、種々の硬化剤を使
用しても、硬化後のエポキシ樹脂マトリックスの屈折率
と液晶の通常光屈折率との差を0.02以内とすることがで
きるからである。As the above-mentioned aliphatic epoxy resin, glycidyl ester-based epoxy resin, glycidyl ether-based epoxy resin, glycidyl amine-based epoxy resin, and the like are used, and specifically, Nagase Kasei Co., Ltd. Denacol EX-31.
4, EX-320, Epomic R-540 manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd., YH-300 manufactured by Tohto Kasei Co., Ltd., MK-107 obtained from AC Japan Limited, etc. are preferably used. Further, as the aromatic epoxy resin which is appropriately mixed, a bisphenol A type epoxy resin such as Epicoat 828 manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd. is used. As the curing agent, various curing agents such as amine type, acid anhydride type and mercaptan type can be used. Specifically, triethylenetetramine manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., Mitsui Petrochemical Industry Co., Ltd. Epomic Q-610, CAPCURE3-800 manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd., and almost all other available curing agents are used. In this way, the type of curing agent is not restricted, and the refractive index of the aliphatic epoxy resin (the refractive index of the uncured simple substance), which is an essential component of the epoxy resin matrix, is much lower than that of the aromatic epoxy resin. Therefore, even if various curing agents are used, the difference between the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix after curing and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal can be kept within 0.02.
参考までに、代表的なエポキシ樹脂について硬化前の
単体の屈折率と各種の硬化剤で硬化させた後の屈折率を
下記第１表に示す。尚、屈折率の値はアッベ屈折率計に
よる測定値であり、また、硬化後の屈折率はエポキシ樹
脂と硬化剤を理論当量で配合して硬化させたものについ
ての測定値である。For reference, the refractive index of a simple substance of a typical epoxy resin before curing and the refractive index after curing with various curing agents are shown in Table 1 below. The value of the refractive index is a value measured by an Abbe refractometer, and the refractive index after curing is a value measured by mixing an epoxy resin and a curing agent in a theoretical equivalent amount and curing the mixture.
注） EX314:ナガセ化成工業（株）製のデナコールEX31
4（グリセロールポリグリシジルエーテル） EX320:ナガセ化成工業（株）製のデナコールEX320（ト
リメチロールプロパンポリグリシジルエーテル） YH300:東都化成（株）製のYH300（トリメチロールプロ
パンポリグリシジルエーテル） R540:三井石油化学工業（株）製のエポミックR540（ジ
グリシジルヘキサヒドロフタレート） 820:油化シェルエポキシ（株）製のエピコート828（ビ
スフェノールＡ型エポキシ樹脂） 807:油化シェルエポキシ（株）製のエピコート807（ビ
スフェノールＦ型エポキシ樹脂） MK107:エーシーアイジャパンリミテッドより入手される
MK107（ジメチロールシクロヘキサンのジグリシジルエ
ーテル） Q610:三井石油化学工業（株）製のエポミックQ610（変
性脂肪族ポリアミン） TTA:トリエチレンテトラミン ３−800:油化シェルエポキシ（株）製のCAPCURE3−800
（メルカプタン系） この第１表より、脂肪族エポキシ樹脂は未硬化の単体
の屈折率が低いため、硬化後の屈折率がいずれも1.53以
下であり、液晶の通常光屈折率（1.48〜1.53）の範囲内
にあることが判る。また、脂肪族エポキシ樹脂と芳香族
エポキシ樹脂の混合物も、硬化後の屈折率が1.53より低
く、液晶の通常光屈折率の範囲内にあることが判る。こ
れに対し、芳香族エポキシ樹脂は未硬化の単体の屈折率
が高いため、硬化後の屈折率がいずれも1.55以上であ
り、液晶の通常光屈折率との差が0.02より大きいことが
判る。従ってこの測定結果から、脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を
必須成分として含むエポキシ樹脂マトリックスは調光材
用シートの樹脂マトリックスとして適しており、芳香族
エポキシ樹脂のみのエポキシ樹脂マトリックスは不適当
であることが明らかである。 Note) EX314: Denacor EX31 manufactured by Nagase Kasei Co., Ltd.
4 (Glycerol polyglycidyl ether) EX320: Denacol EX320 (trimethylolpropane polyglycidyl ether) manufactured by Nagase Kasei Co., Ltd. YH300: YH300 (trimethylolpropane polyglycidyl ether) manufactured by Toto Kasei Co., Ltd. R540: Mitsui Petrochemical Epomic R540 (diglycidyl hexahydrophthalate) manufactured by Kogyo Co., Ltd. 820: Epicoat 828 (bisphenol A type epoxy resin) manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd. 807: Epicoat 807 (bisphenol manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd.) F type epoxy resin) MK107: Obtained from AC Japan Limited
MK107 (Diglycidyl ether of dimethylolcyclohexane) Q610: Epomic Q610 (modified aliphatic polyamine) manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemical Co., Ltd. TTA: Triethylenetetramine 3-800: CAPCURE3-800 manufactured by Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., Ltd.
(Mercaptan-based) From Table 1, since the refractive index of the uncured simple substance of the aliphatic epoxy resin is low, the refractive index after curing is 1.53 or less, and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal (1.48 to 1.53) It turns out that it is within the range of. It is also found that the refractive index of the mixture of the aliphatic epoxy resin and the aromatic epoxy resin after curing is lower than 1.53, which is within the range of the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal. On the other hand, since the aromatic epoxy resin has a high refractive index of the uncured simple substance, the refractive index after curing is 1.55 or more, and the difference from the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is larger than 0.02. Therefore, from this measurement result, it is clear that the epoxy resin matrix containing the aliphatic epoxy resin as an essential component is suitable as the resin matrix of the sheet for the light control material, and the epoxy resin matrix containing only the aromatic epoxy resin is unsuitable. is there.
また、脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を必須成分として含む上記
のエポキシ樹脂マトリックスは、該脂肪族エポキシ樹脂
が分子構造的に芳香族エポキシ樹脂よりも耐光性に優れ
ているため、紫外線を受けても黄変しにくく、優れた透
明性を維持できる。下記第２表は、代表的な脂肪族エポ
キシ樹脂と芳香族エポキシ樹脂についての黄変の難易を
調べたものであるが、これを見れば、脂肪族エポキシ樹
脂であるYH300,EX314を硬化剤TTA,Q610で硬化させたも
のは、紫外線を100時間照射しても黄変しないのに対
し、芳香族エポキシ樹脂であるエピコート828を硬化剤T
TAで硬化させたものは、紫外線を25時間照射した時点で
微黄変し、100時間照射すると完全に黄変することが判
る。このように芳香族エポキシ樹脂が黄変しやすいの
は、その分子構造中に二重結合を含むためと考えられ
る。尚、測定は、各サンプルに東芝製FL20S・BL,20Wの
紫外線照射ランプから10cm離して紫外線を照射し、表面
の黄変度を目視により判定した。In addition, the above-mentioned epoxy resin matrix containing an aliphatic epoxy resin as an essential component, because the aliphatic epoxy resin is superior in light resistance to the aromatic epoxy resin in terms of its molecular structure, yellowing occurs even when receiving ultraviolet rays. It is difficult and can maintain excellent transparency. Table 2 below shows the yellowing difficulty of typical aliphatic epoxy resins and aromatic epoxy resins. The results show that aliphatic epoxy resins YH300 and EX314 were used as hardener TTA. While the one cured with Q610 does not turn yellow even if it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for 100 hours, Epicoat 828, which is an aromatic epoxy resin, is used as the curing agent T.
It can be seen that the one cured with TA slightly turns yellow when it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for 25 hours, and it completely turns yellow when it is irradiated for 100 hours. It is considered that the reason why the aromatic epoxy resin is easily yellowed is that the molecular structure contains a double bond. The measurement was carried out by irradiating each sample with ultraviolet rays at a distance of 10 cm from an ultraviolet irradiation lamp of FL20S.BL, 20W manufactured by Toshiba, and visually observing the degree of yellowing of the surface.
一方、エポキシ樹脂マトリックスに溶解する液晶とし
ては、電卓、時計、車載用メーターパネル等の表示用液
晶セルに汎用されている各種の液晶が使用可能であり、
例えば、ロディック（株）製のRO−TN−403やメルクジ
ャパン（株）より入手されるBDH社製のE7、E43等のネマ
ティック液晶が好適に用いられる。 On the other hand, as the liquid crystal that dissolves in the epoxy resin matrix, various liquid crystals that are commonly used in display liquid crystal cells such as calculators, watches, and vehicle-mounted meter panels can be used.
For example, a nematic liquid crystal such as RO-TN-403 manufactured by Rodick Co., Ltd. or E7, E43 manufactured by BDH Co., which is obtained from Merck Japan Co., Ltd. is preferably used.
この液晶の配合割合は、調光材の光学特性に大きい影
響を及ぼす。即ち、エポキシ樹脂マトリックスに対する
液晶の配合量が少ないと、光学的性質を決める樹脂皮膜
１中の液晶滴３の数が少なくなり、入射光の散乱率が小
さくなる。逆に液晶の配合量が多いと、樹脂皮膜１中の
液晶滴３が合体して大きくなり、液晶滴３の数が減少す
るため、やはり入射光の散乱率が小さくなる。また、高
価な液晶を多量に使用することはコスト高となる。従っ
て、エポキシ樹脂マトリックスと液晶の配合割合は、入
射光の散乱率が許容される範囲内であれば特に制限され
ないけれども、高価な液晶を使用することの経済性を考
えると、重量比でエポキシ樹脂マトリックス１に対して
液晶を２〜0.01の範囲内、なかんずく１〜0.1の範囲内
となるように混合するのが好ましい。The mixing ratio of the liquid crystal has a great influence on the optical characteristics of the light control material. That is, when the compounding amount of the liquid crystal with respect to the epoxy resin matrix is small, the number of the liquid crystal droplets 3 in the resin film 1 that determines the optical properties is small and the scattering rate of incident light is small. On the contrary, when the compounding amount of the liquid crystal is large, the liquid crystal droplets 3 in the resin film 1 coalesce and become large and the number of the liquid crystal droplets 3 decreases, so that the scattering rate of the incident light also decreases. In addition, using a large amount of expensive liquid crystal results in high cost. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the epoxy resin matrix and the liquid crystal is not particularly limited as long as the incident light scattering rate is within the allowable range, but considering the economical efficiency of using the expensive liquid crystal, the epoxy resin is used in a weight ratio. It is preferable to mix the liquid crystal with the matrix 1 so as to be in the range of 2 to 0.01, especially 1 to 0.1.
上記の配合割合で液晶をエポキシ樹脂マトリックスに
溶解して調製した材料を用いて樹脂皮膜１を形成する
と、分散する液晶滴３の粒径はバラツキを生じても0.5
〜５μの範囲内となり、実際には液晶の大部分が１μ前
後の粒揃いの液晶滴となる。このような粒径１μ前後の
液晶滴は、光学的性質上、きわめて好ましいものであ
る。一般に液晶滴の粒径が0.5μよりも小さい場合は光
散乱状態の時でも透光して曇りにくくなり、また10μよ
り大きい場合でも、表面積の減少により乱反射が少なく
なるため、やはり曇りにくくなる。従って、液晶滴３の
粒径については、光学的性質上、0.5〜10μの範囲内に
あることが必要であるが、特に上記の液晶滴のように１
μ前後である場合は、入射光が充分に散乱されて強い曇
りを生じ、光透過状態とのコントラストが良好となるの
で極めて好ましい。When the resin film 1 is formed by using the material prepared by dissolving the liquid crystal in the epoxy resin matrix in the above blending ratio, the dispersed liquid crystal droplets 3 have a particle diameter of 0.5 even if they vary.
Within the range of ˜5 μ, most of the liquid crystal is actually liquid crystal droplets with a particle size of about 1 μ. Such liquid crystal droplets having a particle size of about 1 μm are extremely preferable in terms of optical properties. Generally, when the particle size of the liquid crystal droplets is smaller than 0.5 μ, it is transparent even in the light-scattering state to make it difficult to cloud, and even when it is larger than 10 μ, diffuse reflection is reduced due to the reduction of the surface area, and therefore it is hard to cloud. Therefore, the particle size of the liquid crystal droplets 3 is required to be in the range of 0.5 to 10 μ in view of the optical property, but especially as in the above liquid crystal droplets,
When it is around μ, the incident light is sufficiently scattered to cause strong clouding, and the contrast with the light transmitting state becomes good, which is extremely preferable.
更に、上記の材料には、樹脂皮膜１の厚みを均一に出
すために少量のマイクロビーズをスペーサとして添加す
ることが好ましい。マイクロビーズとしては、エポキシ
樹脂マトリックスの屈折率と同一又は近似した屈折率を
有する粒径５〜30μ程度の合成樹脂ビーズ等が好適に使
用される。Furthermore, it is preferable to add a small amount of microbeads to the above materials as spacers in order to make the thickness of the resin film 1 uniform. As the microbeads, synthetic resin beads having a refractive index that is the same as or close to the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix and has a particle size of about 5 to 30 μ are preferably used.
樹脂皮膜１の両面に積層される透明電極２は、例えば
ITO等の金属酸化物の蒸着膜や透明導電性塗料の塗膜な
どから成るもので、第１図に示す調光材のように透明電
極２を透明基板2aと共に積層することは必ずしも必要で
なく、透明基板2aを単独で樹脂皮膜１の両面に積層する
ようにしてもよい。しかしながら、透明電極２が露出す
ると、安全性その他種々の点で問題を生じるので、第１
図の調光材のように、透明電極２を予め形成した透明基
板2aを用いて、その透明電極２を内側にして樹脂皮膜１
の両面に積層し、透明電極２が透明基板２で被覆保護さ
れる構造とするのが好ましい。透明電極２は樹脂皮膜１
の上下両面を全面的に覆う面状電極であってもよく、ま
た種々の模様又は図柄パターン状にエッチングされたパ
ターン電極としてもよい。パターン電極とする場合は、
双方の透明電極２に電圧を印加して電界をかけると調光
材が模様又は図柄パターン状に透明となり、電界をかけ
ないと全体が白濁する。また、少なくとも一方の透明基
板、例えば上側の透明基板2aの表裏に透明電極２を二枚
形成し、その一方の透明電極を模様又は図柄パターン状
にエッチングして透明パターン電極となすことによっ
て、この透明パターン電極と下側透明基板2aの透明電極
２との間に電圧を印加して電界をかけると模様又は図柄
パターン状に透明となり、上側透明基板2aのもう一方の
エッチングしない透明電極と下側透明基板2aの透明電極
２との間に電圧を印加して電界をかけると全面が透明と
なるように切り換え自在に構成してもよい。また、樹脂
皮膜１は後述するように加熱によっても透明となるの
で、少なくとも一方の透明基板、例えば上側の透明基板
2aの表裏に面状の透明電極２を二枚形成し、一方の透明
電極は下側透明基板2aの透明電極２との間に電圧を印加
するための電極、他方の透明電極は電流を通して面状発
熱体として使用するための電極とすることによって、電
界をかけた場合でも、面状発熱体を発熱させた場合で
も、透明となるように構成することができる。The transparent electrodes 2 laminated on both sides of the resin film 1 are, for example,
It consists of a vapor deposition film of metal oxide such as ITO or a coating film of transparent conductive paint, and it is not always necessary to stack the transparent electrode 2 together with the transparent substrate 2a like the light control material shown in FIG. Alternatively, the transparent substrates 2a may be independently laminated on both surfaces of the resin film 1. However, if the transparent electrode 2 is exposed, problems may occur in safety and various other points.
Like the light control material in the figure, a transparent substrate 2a on which a transparent electrode 2 is formed in advance is used, and the resin film 1 is formed with the transparent electrode 2 inside.
It is preferable to have a structure in which the transparent electrode 2 is laminated on both surfaces and the transparent electrode 2 is covered and protected by the transparent substrate 2. Transparent electrode 2 is resin film 1
It may be a planar electrode that entirely covers both upper and lower surfaces of the above, or may be a patterned electrode that is etched into various patterns or pattern patterns. When using as a pattern electrode,
When a voltage is applied to both transparent electrodes 2 and an electric field is applied, the light control material becomes transparent in a pattern or a pattern pattern, and if the electric field is not applied, the whole becomes cloudy. Further, by forming two transparent electrodes 2 on the front and back of at least one transparent substrate, for example, the upper transparent substrate 2a, and etching one of the transparent electrodes into a pattern or a pattern pattern to form a transparent pattern electrode. When a voltage is applied between the transparent pattern electrode and the transparent electrode 2 of the lower transparent substrate 2a to apply an electric field, the pattern becomes transparent in a pattern or a pattern pattern, and the other transparent electrode on the upper transparent substrate 2a which is not etched and the lower side. It may be configured so that the entire surface becomes transparent when a voltage is applied to the transparent electrode 2 of the transparent substrate 2a to apply an electric field. Further, since the resin film 1 becomes transparent by heating as described later, at least one transparent substrate, for example, the upper transparent substrate.
Two planar transparent electrodes 2 are formed on the front and back sides of 2a. One transparent electrode is an electrode for applying a voltage between it and the transparent electrode 2 of the lower transparent substrate 2a, and the other transparent electrode is a surface through which a current is passed. By using an electrode for use as a sheet heating element, it can be made transparent even when an electric field is applied or when the sheet heating element is heated.
透明電極２を予め形成する透明基板2aとしては、例え
ばポリエチレンテレフタレート、ポリサルフォン、ポリ
エーテルサルフォン（PES）、ポリフェニレンサルファ
イド（PPS）、アクリル等の透明な合成樹脂フィルムや
板、或いはガラス板などが好適に使用される。As the transparent substrate 2a on which the transparent electrode 2 is formed in advance, for example, a transparent synthetic resin film or plate of polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), acrylic or the like, or a glass plate is suitable. Used for.
以上のような構造の調光材は、透明電極２を予め形成
した上下の透明基板2aの間に、前述の樹脂皮膜形成用の
材料を介在させて硬化させることにより、容易に製造す
ることができる。具体的に説明すると、一方の透明基板
2aの透明電極２の上に前述の材料をバーコーター、ドク
ターブレード、ロールコーター等で一定の厚みに塗布
し、その上から他方の透明基板2aを透明電極２を内側に
して重ねてオーブン等の加熱装置で加熱し、透明基板2
a,2a間の材料を硬化させる。このように透明基板2a,2a
の間に介在させた材料を硬化させると、既述したよう
に、初めエポキシ樹脂マトリックス中に溶解していた液
晶が次第に不溶性となって相分離を起こし、最終的にエ
ポキシ樹脂マトリックス1aが硬化した状態では、液晶が
１μ前後のほぼ均一な粒径を有する略球状の独立した液
晶滴３となって分散した構造の樹脂皮膜１が形成され
る。と同時に、透明電極２を形成した透明基板2aと樹脂
皮膜１が強固に接着され、樹脂皮膜１の両面に透明電極
２と透明基板2aが剥離不能に積層される。The light control material having the above structure can be easily manufactured by interposing the above-mentioned material for forming a resin film between the upper and lower transparent substrates 2a on which the transparent electrodes 2 are formed in advance and curing the same. it can. Specifically, one transparent substrate
On the transparent electrode 2a of 2a, the above-mentioned materials are applied to a certain thickness with a bar coater, a doctor blade, a roll coater or the like, and the other transparent substrate 2a is overlaid on the transparent electrode 2 so that the transparent electrode 2 may be overlaid. Heated with a heating device, transparent substrate 2
The material between a and 2a is hardened. In this way the transparent substrate 2a, 2a
When the material interposed between the two was cured, as described above, the liquid crystal that was initially dissolved in the epoxy resin matrix gradually became insoluble and phase separation occurred, and finally the epoxy resin matrix 1a was cured. In the state, the resin film 1 having a structure in which the liquid crystal is dispersed as the substantially spherical independent liquid crystal droplets 3 having a substantially uniform particle diameter of about 1 μm is formed. At the same time, the transparent substrate 2a having the transparent electrode 2 formed thereon and the resin film 1 are firmly adhered to each other, and the transparent electrode 2 and the transparent substrate 2a are irremovably laminated on both surfaces of the resin film 1.
尚、樹脂皮膜１の両面に透明電極２のみを積層した構
造の調光材を製造する場合は、前述の材料を適宜基板の
上に一定の厚みに塗布して皮膜を形成し、この皮膜を加
熱硬化させたのち剥離するか、又は皮膜を剥離したのち
加熱硬化させることによって、樹脂皮膜１のみからなる
本発明の調光材用シートをまず製造し、その両面に透明
導電性塗料を塗布するか、又は金属酸化物等を蒸着して
透明電極2,2を積層すればよい。When manufacturing a light control material having a structure in which only the transparent electrodes 2 are laminated on both sides of the resin film 1, the above-mentioned materials are appropriately applied on a substrate to form a film, and the film is formed. The sheet for light control material of the present invention consisting of the resin film 1 alone is first produced by heating and then peeling off, or by peeling the film and then heating and curing, and the transparent conductive paint is applied to both surfaces thereof. Alternatively, the transparent electrodes 2 and 2 may be laminated by vapor-depositing a metal oxide or the like.
また、本発明の調光材は、第２図のように、耐候性に
優れたアクリルフィルム６等を表面に積層した透明度の
高いポリカーボネート板、アクリル板、ポリ塩化ビニル
板などより成る透明樹脂板７を、上下の透明基板2a,2a
の表面にそれぞれ接着剤で貼り合わせた構造としてもよ
い。この場合は、透明樹脂板７として紫外線吸収剤を混
入した透明樹脂板を使用し、紫外線が樹脂皮膜１に殆ど
照射されないようにカットして、樹脂皮膜１の黄変や劣
化を極力抑制し、耐久性を向上させるのが望ましい。
尚、アクリルフィルム６は必ずしも必要ない。また、そ
の他透明基板2a,2aにアクリルフィルム等よりなる透明
フィルムを貼り合わせたり、前記透明基板2a,2aとして
紫外線吸収剤を混入したフィルムを用いれば、可撓性を
有する調光剤を得ることができる。The light control material of the present invention is, as shown in FIG. 2, a transparent resin plate made of a highly transparent polycarbonate plate, an acrylic plate, a polyvinyl chloride plate, etc., on the surface of which an acrylic film 6 having excellent weather resistance is laminated. 7 the upper and lower transparent substrates 2a, 2a
A structure may be used in which each surface is attached with an adhesive. In this case, a transparent resin plate mixed with an ultraviolet absorber is used as the transparent resin plate 7, and the resin film 1 is cut so that it is hardly irradiated with ultraviolet rays to suppress yellowing and deterioration of the resin film 1 as much as possible. It is desirable to improve durability.
The acrylic film 6 is not always necessary. In addition, if a transparent film made of an acrylic film or the like is attached to the other transparent substrate 2a, 2a, or a film containing an ultraviolet absorber is used as the transparent substrate 2a, 2a, a flexible light control agent can be obtained. You can
尚、樹脂皮膜１は、後述するように加熱するだけでも
光散乱状態から光透過状態に変化するので、この樹脂皮
膜１に適当な加熱手段を付加するのみで調光材として使
用可能であるが、ブラインド、ドーム、採光材、ディス
プレイ、間仕切り等の調光材として使用する場合には、
前述のように樹脂皮膜１の両面に透明電極2,2を対向し
て積層し、電界をかけて光散乱状態から光透明状態に変
化させ、電界の強さを変えることによって調光するのが
好ましい。Since the resin film 1 changes from the light scattering state to the light transmitting state by simply heating it as described later, it can be used as a light control material only by adding an appropriate heating means to the resin film 1. , When using it as a light control material for blinds, domes, daylighting materials, displays, partitions, etc.
As mentioned above, the transparent electrodes 2 and 2 are laminated on both sides of the resin film 1 so as to face each other, an electric field is applied to change the light scattering state to a light transparent state, and the intensity of the electric field is changed to perform dimming. preferable.
以上のような本発明の調光材は、透明電極2,2間に電
圧を印加して樹脂皮膜１に電界をかけることにより、光
学的性質に差を生じさせることができる。The light control material of the present invention as described above can cause a difference in optical properties by applying a voltage between the transparent electrodes 2 and 2 and applying an electric field to the resin film 1.
第３図及び第４図を参照しながら説明すると、第３図
に示す電界をかけていない状態では、液晶滴３中の液晶
分子４が自由な状態で不規則に配列している。そして、
この液晶滴３の異常光屈折率がエポキシ樹脂マトリック
ス1aの屈折率と異なっているため、入射した光は液晶滴
３とエポキシ樹脂マトリックス1aとの界面５で散乱さ
れ、或いは屈折されて液晶滴３内に入射し、更に該液晶
滴３内部で散乱され、該液晶滴３から出てくる光があら
ゆる方向を向いているので、樹脂皮膜１はスリガラスの
ように白濁する。白濁の程度は、液晶滴３の粒径によっ
て異なるが、本発明の調光材は、既述したように液晶滴
３が１μ前後のほぼ均一な粒径を有し、光を充分に散乱
させるため、強く白濁する。Explaining with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid crystal molecules 4 in the liquid crystal droplets 3 are randomly arranged in a free state in the state shown in FIG. 3 in which no electric field is applied. And
Since the extraordinary refractive index of the liquid crystal droplet 3 is different from the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix 1a, the incident light is scattered or refracted at the interface 5 between the liquid crystal droplet 3 and the epoxy resin matrix 1a, and thus the liquid crystal droplet 3 Light incident on the inside of the liquid crystal 3 is scattered inside the liquid crystal drop 3, and light emitted from the liquid crystal drop 3 is directed in all directions, so that the resin film 1 becomes cloudy like ground glass. Although the degree of white turbidity varies depending on the particle size of the liquid crystal droplets 3, the light control material of the present invention has the substantially uniform particle size of the liquid crystal droplets 3 of about 1 μm as described above and sufficiently scatters light. Therefore, it becomes cloudy strongly.
これに対し、第４図に示す電界をかけた状態では、液
晶分子４が電界に沿って配列し、この液晶滴３の通常光
屈折率とエポキシ樹脂マトリックス1aの屈折率の差が0.
02以内であるため、両者は光学的に同一又は近似物質と
なる。従って、樹脂皮膜１は光散乱状態から光透過状態
に変化して透明となる。この場合、エポキシ樹脂マトリ
ックス1aの屈折率と液晶滴３の通常光屈折率との差が小
さいほど、また、液晶分子４の配列性が良好であるほ
ど、透明度は高くなるが、本発明の調光材では、液晶滴
３の粒径が１μ前後とほぼ均一で液晶分子４の配列性が
極めて良好であり、屈折率差も0.02以内と小さくて散乱
を全く又は殆ど生じないため、かける電界が低くても高
い透明度が得られる。On the other hand, when the electric field shown in FIG. 4 is applied, the liquid crystal molecules 4 are arranged along the electric field, and the difference between the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal droplet 3 and the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix 1a is 0.
Since it is within 02, both are optically the same or similar substances. Therefore, the resin film 1 changes from the light scattering state to the light transmitting state and becomes transparent. In this case, the smaller the difference between the refractive index of the epoxy resin matrix 1a and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal droplets 3 and the better the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 4, the higher the transparency. In the optical material, the liquid crystal droplets 3 have a substantially uniform particle size of about 1 μm, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules 4 is extremely good, and the difference in the refractive index is as small as 0.02 or less, so that scattering is not generated or hardly occurs. High transparency can be obtained even if it is low.
このように、本発明調光材は、電界をかけない光散乱
状態では強く曇り、電界をかけた光透過状態では高い透
明度が得られるので、コントラストが頗る良好である。As described above, the light control material of the present invention is strongly clouded in a light-scattering state without applying an electric field, and has high transparency in a light-transmitting state with an electric field applied, and thus has excellent contrast.
また、本発明の樹脂皮膜１のみからなる調光材用シー
トは、電界をかけると上記と同様に作用して透明とな
り、電界をかけないと白濁するのは勿論であるが、更
に、加熱すると液晶滴３が等方性液体状態となり、この
液体はエポキシ樹脂マトリックス1aの屈折率に近似する
屈折率を持つので、不透明から透明に変化する。Further, the sheet for light modulating material composed only of the resin film 1 of the present invention acts transparent when an electric field is applied, becomes transparent, and of course becomes cloudy when an electric field is not applied. The liquid crystal droplet 3 becomes an isotropic liquid state, and since this liquid has a refractive index close to that of the epoxy resin matrix 1a, it changes from opaque to transparent.
次に、本発明の実施例を挙げる。 Next, examples of the present invention will be described.
〔実施例１〕 脂肪族エポキシ樹脂として前記デナコールEX314を0.6
0g、硬化剤として前記エポミックQ610を0.40g、液晶と
して前記ROTN403を0.50gそれぞれ秤量して均一に混合
し、更に少量の架橋ポリスチレン製マイクロビーズ（平
均粒径20μ）を添加混合して材料を調製した。この材料
を、ITO透明電極が形成された二枚のPETフィルムの間に
介在させて厚みを一定にしたのち、オーブンにより70℃
で１時間加熱硬化させて調光材を得た。[Example 1] As an aliphatic epoxy resin, 0.6% of Denacol EX314 was used.
0 g, 0.40 g of the Epomic Q610 as a curing agent, 0.50 g of the ROTN403 as a liquid crystal, respectively weighed and uniformly mixed, and further mixed with a small amount of crosslinked polystyrene micro beads (average particle size 20 μ) to prepare a material. did. This material was placed between two PET films with ITO transparent electrodes to make the thickness constant, and then the oven was heated to 70 ° C.
It was heat-cured for 1 hour to obtain a light control material.
この調光材は、対向する透明電極間に印加する電圧が
0Vのときヘーズ値が90.1％、40Vのとき8.8％という特性
を有していた。This dimmer has a voltage applied between opposing transparent electrodes.
It had characteristics of a haze value of 90.1% at 0V and 8.8% at 40V.
尚、デナコールEX314とエポミックQ610を上記の割合
で混合したエポキシ樹脂マトリックスの硬化後の屈折率
と、ROTN403の通常光屈折率をアッベ屈折率計で測定し
たところ、前者は1.522、後者は1.524であり、その差は
0.002であった。Incidentally, when the refractive index after curing of the epoxy resin matrix in which Denacol EX314 and Epomic Q610 were mixed in the above ratio, and the ordinary optical refractive index of ROTN403 were measured with an Abbe refractometer, the former was 1.522 and the latter was 1.524. , The difference is
It was 0.002.
〔実施例２〕 脂肪族エポキシ樹脂として前記デナコールEX314を0.6
0g、硬化剤として前記エポミックQ610を0.40g、液晶と
して前記ROTN403を0.50gそれぞれ秤量して均一に混合
し、更に少量の架橋ポリスチレン製マイクロビーズ（平
均粒径10μ）を添加混合して材料を調製した。この材料
を、ITO透明電極が形成された二枚のPETフィルムの間に
介在させて厚みを一定にしたのち、オーブンにより70℃
で１時間加熱硬化させて調光材を得た。[Example 2] As an aliphatic epoxy resin, 0.6% of Denacol EX314 was used.
0 g, 0.40 g of the Epomic Q610 as a curing agent, 0.50 g of the ROTN403 as a liquid crystal, respectively, are weighed and uniformly mixed, and further a small amount of crosslinked polystyrene micro beads (average particle size 10 μ) are added and mixed to prepare a material. did. This material was placed between two PET films with ITO transparent electrodes to make the thickness constant, and then the oven was heated to 70 ° C.
It was heat-cured for 1 hour to obtain a light control material.
この調光材は、対向する透明電極間に印加する電圧が
0Vのときヘーズ値が84.3％、15Vのとき9.7％という特性
を有していた。This dimmer has a voltage applied between opposing transparent electrodes.
The haze value was 84.3% at 0V and 9.7% at 15V.
〔実施例３〕 脂肪族エポキシ樹脂として前記YH300お0.70g、硬化剤
として前記TTAを0.12g、液晶として前記E43を0.40gそれ
ぞれ秤量して均一に混合し、更に少量の架橋ポリスチレ
ン製マイクロビーズ（平均粒径20μ）を添加混合して材
料を調製した。この材料を、ITO透明電極が形成された
二枚のPETフィルムの間に介在させて厚みを一定にした
のち、オーブンにより70℃で１時間加熱硬化させて調光
材を得た。Example 3 0.70 g of YH300 as an aliphatic epoxy resin, 0.12 g of TTA as a curing agent, and 0.40 g of E43 as a liquid crystal were weighed and uniformly mixed, and a small amount of crosslinked polystyrene microbeads ( An average particle diameter of 20 μ) was added and mixed to prepare a material. This material was interposed between two PET films on which ITO transparent electrodes were formed to have a constant thickness, and then heat-cured in an oven at 70 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a light control material.
この調光材は、対向する透明電極間に印加する電圧が
0Vのときヘーズ値が90.7％、40Vのとき10.1％という特
性を有していた。This dimmer has a voltage applied between opposing transparent electrodes.
It had characteristics of a haze value of 90.7% at 0V and 10.1% at 40V.
尚、YH300とTTAを上記の割合で混合したエポキシ樹脂
マトリックスの硬化後の屈折率と、E43の通常光屈折率
をアッベ屈折率計で測定したところ、前者は1.525、後
者は1.524であり、その差は0.001であった。Incidentally, the refractive index after curing of the epoxy resin matrix in which YH300 and TTA were mixed in the above ratio, and the normal light refractive index of E43 were measured with an Abbe refractometer, the former being 1.525, the latter being 1.524, The difference was 0.001.
〔実施例４〕 実施例１で得られた調光材の両面に、アクリルフィル
ムを表面に積層した紫外線吸収剤入りのポリカーボネー
ト板（厚さ0.5mm）をアクリル系接着剤でそれぞれ貼り
あわせた調光材を得た。[Example 4] A polycarbonate plate (0.5 mm in thickness) containing an ultraviolet absorber having an acrylic film laminated on the surface thereof was attached to both surfaces of the light control material obtained in Example 1 with an acrylic adhesive. I got a light material.
この調光材の0Vのときのヘーズ値は90.8％、40Vのと
きのヘーズ値は10.6％であった。更に、この調光材に東
芝製のFL20S・BL,20Wの紫外線照射ランプから10cm離し
て紫外線を1000時間照射し、黄変の有無を調べたが、い
ずれの調光材も黄変を生じなかった。The haze value at 0 V of this light control material was 90.8%, and the haze value at 40 V was 10.6%. Furthermore, this light control material was irradiated with UV light for 1000 hours at a distance of 10 cm from the UV irradiation lamp of Toshiba's FL20S ・ BL, 20W, and it was examined whether or not it had turned yellow. It was
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明の調光材用シ
ートや調光材は、かける電界が低くても高い透明度が得
られ、電界をかけない光透過状態では強く曇るので、コ
ントラストが極めて良く、また、耐光性が良好で黄変に
しくいため長期にわたって優れた透明性を維持できると
いった効果を奏する。しかも、本発明の製造方法によっ
て大面積のものでも容易に量産することができ、特別な
装置や器具を使用する必要が全くないので経済的に有利
である。As is clear from the above description, the light modulating material sheet and the light modulating material of the present invention can obtain high transparency even when the applied electric field is low, and it is strongly clouded in a light transmission state in which no electric field is applied, so that the contrast is extremely high. Also, since it has good light resistance and does not easily turn yellow, it is possible to maintain excellent transparency for a long period of time. In addition, the production method of the present invention allows easy mass production of large-area products, and there is no need to use any special device or instrument, which is economically advantageous.
第１図は本発明の一実施例にかかる調光材の模式断面
図、第２図は本発明の他の実施例にかかる調光材の模式
断面図、第３図及び第４図はそれぞれ電圧無印加時及び
電圧印加時における本発明調光材の作用を説明する模式
断面図である。 １……樹脂皮膜、1a……硬化したエポキシ樹脂マトリッ
クス、２……透明電極、2a……透明基板、３……液晶
滴、４……液晶分子。FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light control material according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light control material according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. It is a schematic cross section explaining an operation of the light control material of the present invention when a voltage is not impressed and a voltage is impressed. 1 ... resin film, 1a ... cured epoxy resin matrix, 2 ... transparent electrode, 2a ... transparent substrate, 3 ... liquid crystal drop, 4 ... liquid crystal molecule.
Claims (5)
晶が相分離して液滴状態で分散された樹脂皮膜より成る
調光材用シートであって、上記樹脂マトリックスが少な
くとも一種類の脂肪族エポキシ樹脂を含み、且つ、上記
樹脂マトリックスの屈折率と上記液晶の通常光屈折率と
の差が0.02以内であることを特徴とする調光材用シー
ト。1. A sheet for a light control material comprising a resin film in which liquid crystal is phase-separated in a cured epoxy resin matrix and dispersed in a droplet state, wherein the resin matrix is at least one kind of aliphatic epoxy resin. And a difference between the refractive index of the resin matrix and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal is 0.02 or less, a sheet for a light control material.
率が1.46〜1.55の範囲内にあることを特徴とする請求項
（１）に記載の調光材用シート。2. The light modulating sheet according to claim 1, wherein the cured epoxy resin matrix has a refractive index in the range of 1.46 to 1.55.
面に透明電極を積層して成ることを特徴とする調光材。3. A light control material, characterized by comprising transparent electrodes laminated on both surfaces of the light control material sheet according to claim 1.
含み、且つ、硬化後の屈折率と液晶の通常光屈折率との
差が0.02以内となる未硬化のエポキシ樹脂マトリックス
に上記液晶を溶解して材料を調製し、この材料で皮膜を
形成して硬化させることを特徴とする調光材用シートの
製造方法。4. The above liquid crystal is dissolved in an uncured epoxy resin matrix containing at least one kind of aliphatic epoxy resin and having a difference between the refractive index after curing and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal within 0.02. A method for producing a sheet for light control material, comprising preparing a material by using the material, forming a film with the material, and curing the material.
含み、且つ、硬化後の屈折率と液晶の通常光屈折率との
差が0.02以内となる未硬化のエポキシ樹脂マトリックス
に上記液晶を溶解して材料を調製し、この材料を少なく
とも一枚の透明電極を含む透明基板の間に介在させて硬
化させることを特徴とする調光材の製造方法。5. The above liquid crystal is dissolved in an uncured epoxy resin matrix containing at least one kind of aliphatic epoxy resin and having a difference between the refractive index after curing and the normal light refractive index of the liquid crystal within 0.02. A method for producing a light control material, comprising: preparing a material by using the material, and interposing the material between transparent substrates including at least one transparent electrode and curing the material.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13058088A JP2548967B2 (en) | 1988-05-28 | 1988-05-28 | Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13058088A JP2548967B2 (en) | 1988-05-28 | 1988-05-28 | Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH01299022A JPH01299022A (en) | 1989-12-01 |
| JP2548967B2 true JP2548967B2 (en) | 1996-10-30 |
Family
ID=15037617
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13058088A Expired - Lifetime JP2548967B2 (en) | 1988-05-28 | 1988-05-28 | Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the same |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2548967B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000060409A1 (en) * | 1999-04-02 | 2000-10-12 | Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. | Liquid crystal dimmer |
| JP2006142644A (en) * | 2004-11-19 | 2006-06-08 | Mitsubishi Plastics Ind Ltd | Reflective film of aliphatic polyester resin and its production method |
| US9726790B2 (en) * | 2015-04-14 | 2017-08-08 | Face International Corporation | Systems and methods for implementing selective electromagnetic energy filtering objects and coatings using selectably transmissive energy scattering layers |
-
1988
- 1988-05-28 JP JP13058088A patent/JP2548967B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH01299022A (en) | 1989-12-01 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0275999B1 (en) | Liquid crystal optical device and process for its production | |
| EP0272585B1 (en) | Liquid crystal optical device and process for its production. | |
| CN101535872B (en) | Method for manufacturing liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display | |
| JP2550627B2 (en) | Liquid crystal optical element | |
| JPH0580302A (en) | Liquid crystal electrooptical device | |
| CN109307966B (en) | Low-voltage-driven electric control liquid crystal dimming film and preparation method thereof | |
| US20050270468A1 (en) | Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof | |
| KR20220129672A (en) | Light control laminate and resin spacer for light control laminates | |
| JPH0224630A (en) | Liquid crystal optical element, reinforcing liquid crystal optical element, manufacture thereof and dimming device using it | |
| JPH01186911A (en) | Dimming device and its manufacture | |
| JPH02153318A (en) | Patterned dimming material and its production | |
| JP2548967B2 (en) | Light control material sheet, light control material, and method for manufacturing the same | |
| JP2816571B2 (en) | Patterned light control material and method of manufacturing the same | |
| JP2569676B2 (en) | Liquid crystal optical element, method of manufacturing the same, dimmer, object display, and display device using the same | |
| JPH02120827A (en) | Liquid crystal light control plate | |
| AU653208B2 (en) | Liquid crystal display device, and manufacture and application thereof | |
| JPH0626891Y2 (en) | Pattern light control sheet | |
| JP7279841B1 (en) | Light control sheet, light control device, and light control sheet manufacturing method | |
| JPH0212223A (en) | Pattern light control sheet | |
| JP3708983B2 (en) | Liquid crystal-containing / polymer microcapsule and liquid crystal electro-optical element | |
| JPH06308473A (en) | Transparent conductive base material and liquid crystal element using the same | |
| JP2550629B2 (en) | Liquid crystal optical element and manufacturing method thereof | |
| JP7260030B1 (en) | dimmer | |
| JP2790196B2 (en) | Liquid crystal structure | |
| JP2024014588A (en) | Dimming sheet |