阅读说明：本技术 光调制装置 (Light modulation device ) 是由 林恩政 金南焄 柳正善 金真弘 李玹准 金旼俊 洪敬奇 文寅周 吴东炫 于 2018-04-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及光调制装置和眼部佩戴物。本申请通过将同样地光学上各向异性且机械上各向异性的聚合物膜应用于基底而可以提供具有优异的机械特性和优异的光学特性二者的光调制装置。(The present application relates to light modulating devices and eyewear. The present application can provide a light modulation device having both excellent mechanical characteristics and excellent optical characteristics by applying a polymer film that is optically anisotropic and mechanically anisotropic as such to a substrate.)

1. A light modulation device includes a light modulation film layer having a first polymer film substrate and a second polymer film substrate disposed opposite to each other and a light modulation layer between the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate,

Wherein each of the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate has an in-plane retardation of 4,000nm or more for light having a wavelength of 550nm,

A ratio (E1/E2) of an elongation in a first direction (E1) to an elongation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (E2) of each of the first and second polymeric film substrates is 3 or more, an

The first and second polymer film substrates are disposed such that an angle formed by the first direction of the first polymer film substrate and the first direction of the second polymer film substrate is in a range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees.

2. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate are each an electrode film substrate in which an electrode layer is formed on one side, and the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate are disposed such that the electrode layers face each other.

3. The light modulating device of claim 1, wherein the first and second polymer film substrates are polyester film substrates.

4. The light modulating device of claim 1, wherein the first and second polymeric film substrates each have an elongation in the first direction of 15% or greater.

5. The light modulation device of claim 1, wherein the first and second polymer film substrates each have an elongation in a third direction (E3) greater than an elongation in the first direction (E1), and a ratio of elongation in the third direction (E3) to elongation in the second direction (E2) (E3/E2) is 5 or greater, the third direction forming an angle in a range of 40 to 50 degrees with both the first and second directions.

6. The light modulating device of claim 1, wherein a ratio (CTE2/CTE1) of a coefficient of thermal expansion in the second direction (CTE2) to a coefficient of thermal expansion in the first direction (CTE1) of each of the first and second polymeric film substrates is 1.5 or greater.

7. The light modulating device of claim 6, wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion in the second direction (CTE2) is in a range of 5ppm/° c to 150ppm/° c.

8. The light modulation device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio (YM1/YM2) of an elastic modulus in the first direction (YM1) to an elastic modulus in the second direction (YM2) of each of the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate is 1.5 or more.

9. The light modulation device according to claim 8, wherein the elastic modulus in the first direction (YM1) is in a range of 2GPa to 10 GPa.

10. The light modulating device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a maximum stress in the first direction (MS1) to a maximum stress in the second direction (MS2) (MS1/MS2) of each of the first and second polymeric film substrates is 1.5 or greater.

11. The light modulation device of claim 10, wherein a maximum stress in the first direction (MS1) is in a range of 150MPa to 250 MPa.

12. The light modulation device of claim 1, further comprising a polarizer disposed on at least one side of the light modulation film layer.

13. The light modulation device according to claim 12, wherein an angle formed by a transmission axis of the polarizer and the first direction of the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate is in a range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees or 80 degrees to 100 degrees.

14. The light modulation device according to claim 1, comprising two light modulation film layers, wherein an angle formed by the first directions of all the first polymer film substrates and the second polymer film substrates included in each of the light modulation film layers is in a range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees.

15. The light modulating device of claim 1, wherein the light modulating layer is a liquid crystal layer, a layer of electrochromic material, a layer of photochromic material, or a layer of electrophoretic material, a dispersed particle alignment layer, or a guest-host liquid crystal layer.

16. Eyewear comprising a left and a right eye lens and a frame for supporting the left and the right eye lens,

Wherein the left eye lens and the right eye lens each comprise the light modulation device of claim 1.

Technical Field

The present application relates to light modulation devices.

The present application claims priority based on korean patent application No. 10-2017-.

Background

Light modulation devices in which a light modulation layer containing a liquid crystal compound or the like is positioned between two substrates facing each other have been used in various applications.

For example, in patent document 1 (european patent publication No. 0022311), there is known a transmittance variable device using a so-called GH cell (guest-host cell) in which a mixture of a liquid crystal host material and a dichroic dye guest is applied as a light modulation layer.

In such a device, a glass substrate having excellent optical isotropy and good dimensional stability is mainly used as a substrate.

While the application of the light modulation device is expanded to eyewear or smart windows (e.g., skylights) without being limited to display devices and the shape of the device is not limited to a plane but various designs such as a folded form are applied thereto and it appears that a so-called flexible device or the like is required, an attempt is made to apply a polymer film substrate as a substrate of the light modulation device instead of a glass substrate.

In the case of applying a polymer film substrate, in order to secure characteristics similar to those of a glass substrate, it is known to be advantageous to apply a film substrate that is as optically isotropic as possible with a small difference in physical characteristics in the so-called MD direction (machine direction) and TD direction (transverse direction).

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present application relates to light modulation devices. An object of the present application is to provide a light modulation device excellent in both mechanical characteristics and optical characteristics by applying an optically and mechanically anisotropic polymer film as a substrate.

Technical scheme

In the present specification, terms such as vertical, horizontal, orthogonal, or parallel in terms of defining angles mean substantially vertical, horizontal, orthogonal, or parallel within a range that does not impair the intended effect, and the range of vertical, horizontal, orthogonal, or parallel includes errors such as manufacturing errors or deviations (variations). For example, each of the foregoing may include an error within about ± 15 degrees, an error within about ± 10 degrees, or an error within about ± 5 degrees.

In the physical properties mentioned herein, when the measured temperature affects the relevant physical property, the physical property is a physical property measured at room temperature unless otherwise specified.

In the present specification, the term room temperature is a temperature in a state of not being particularly heated or cooled, which may mean a temperature in a range of about 10 ℃ to 30 ℃, for example, a temperature of about 15 ℃ or more, 18 ℃ or more, 20 ℃ or more, or about 23 ℃ or more and about 27 ℃ or less. Unless otherwise stated, the units for temperatures referred to herein are in degrees celsius.

The phase difference and refractive index mentioned herein mean refractive indices for light having a wavelength of about 550nm, unless otherwise specified.

Unless otherwise specified, the angle formed by any two directions referred to herein may be an acute angle formed by the two directions to an obtuse angle, or may be a small angle of angles measured in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, the angles referred to herein are positive. However, if necessary, in order to display the measurement direction between the angles measured in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, either one of the angle measured in the clockwise direction and the angle measured in the counterclockwise direction may be represented as a positive number, and the other angle may be represented as a negative number.

The liquid crystal compound contained in the active liquid crystal layer or the light modulation layer herein may also be referred to as liquid crystal molecules, a liquid crystal host (when contained together with a dichroic dye guest), or simply as liquid crystal.

The present application relates to light modulation devices. The term light modulation device may mean a device capable of switching between at least two or more different light states. Here, the different light states may mean states in which at least transmittance and/or reflectance is different.

Examples of states that the light modulation device may achieve include a transmissive mode state, a blocking mode state, a high reflective mode state, and/or a low reflective mode state.

In one example, the light modulation device may be at least a device capable of switching between a transmissive mode state and a blocking mode state, or at least a device capable of switching between a highly reflective mode state and a low reflective mode state.

The transmittance of the light modulating device in the transmissive mode may be at least 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 55% or more, 60% or more, 65% or more, 70% or more, 75% or more, or about 80% or more. Further, the transmittance of the light modulation device in the blocking mode may be 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, 45% or less, 40% or less, 35% or less, 30% or less, 25% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, or 5% or less. Since the higher the transmittance in the transmissive mode state is more advantageous and the lower the transmittance in the blocking mode state is more advantageous, the upper limit of the transmittance in the transmissive mode state and the lower limit of the transmittance in the blocking mode state are not particularly limited, wherein in one example, the upper limit of the transmittance in the transmissive mode state may be about 100% and the lower limit of the transmittance in the blocking mode state may be about 0%.

On the other hand, in one example, in a light modulation device that can be switched between a transmission mode state and a blocking mode state, a difference between the transmittance in the transmission mode state and the transmittance in the blocking mode state (transmission mode-blocking mode) may be 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, or 40% or more, or may be 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, or 45% or less.

The transmittance may be, for example, a linear light transmittance. Linear light transmission is the percentage of the ratio of light transmitted in the same direction as the incident direction to light incident on the device. For example, if the device is in the form of a film or sheet, the percentage of light transmitted through the device in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the surface of the film or sheet, among light incident in a direction parallel to the normal direction, may be defined as the transmittance.

The reflectance of the light modulation device in the high reflection mode state may be at least 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, or 40% or more. Further, the reflectance of the light modulation device in the low reflection mode state may be 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, or 5% or less. Since the higher reflectance in the high reflectance mode is more advantageous and the lower reflectance in the low reflectance mode is more advantageous, the upper limit of the reflectance in the high reflectance mode state and the lower limit of the reflectance in the low reflectance mode state are not particularly limited, wherein in one example, the reflectance in the high reflectance mode state may be about 60% or less, 55% or less, or 50% or less, and the lower limit of the reflectance in the low reflectance mode state may be about 0%.

Further, in an example, in a light modulation device capable of switching between a low reflection mode state and a high reflection mode state, a difference between a reflectance in the high reflection mode state and a reflectance in the low reflection mode state (high reflection mode-low reflection mode) may be 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, or 40% or more, or may be 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, or 45% or less.

The above-mentioned transmittance and reflectance may each be a transmittance or reflectance for any wavelength in the visible light region, for example, for any wavelength in the range of about 400nm to 700nm or about 380nm to 780nm, or a transmittance or reflectance for the entire visible light region, a maximum or minimum transmittance or reflectance in the transmittance or reflectance for the entire visible light region, or an average value of the transmittance or reflectance in the visible light region.

The light modulation device of the present application may be designed to switch between at least two or more states selected from any one state of a transmission mode, a blocking mode, a high reflection mode, and a low reflection mode, and another state. If necessary, other states than the above states, for example, other third states or more states including an intermediate transmittance state in the transmissive mode state and the blocking mode state, an intermediate reflectance state in the high reflection mode state and the low reflection mode state, and the like may also be realized.

The switching of the light modulation means may be controlled depending on whether an external signal, such as a voltage signal, is applied. For example, the light modulation device may maintain any one of the above states in a state where an external signal such as a voltage is not applied, and then may be switched to another state when a voltage is applied. By varying the intensity, frequency and/or shape of the applied voltage, the state of the mode may be changed or a third, different mode state may also be achieved.

The light modulation device of the present application may basically include a light modulation film layer having two substrates disposed opposite to each other and a light modulation layer positioned between the substrates. Hereinafter, for convenience, any one of two substrates disposed opposite to each other is referred to as a first substrate, and the other substrate is referred to as a second substrate.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary light modulating film layer of the present application, wherein the light modulating film layer may include a first polymer film substrate 11 and a second polymer film substrate 13 and a light modulating layer 12 present between the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate.

In the light modulation device of the present application, a polymer film substrate is applied as a substrate. The substrate of the light modulating device may not include a glass layer. By providing a polymer film substrate having high anisotropy optically and anisotropy even in mechanical properties in a specific relationship, the present application can constitute a device having no optical defect such as a so-called iridescence phenomenon but having excellent mechanical properties. Such results are contrary to the general knowledge of the prior art: an optically isotropic substrate must be applied to ensure excellent optical characteristics and a substrate having isotropic mechanical characteristics is advantageous in terms of mechanical characteristics such as dimensional stability of a device.

In the present specification, a polymer film substrate having anisotropy in optical and mechanical properties may be referred to as an asymmetric substrate or an asymmetric polymer film substrate. Here, the fact that the polymer film substrate is optically anisotropic is the case with the above-described in-plane retardation, and the fact that it is anisotropic in mechanical properties is the case with the physical properties described below.

Hereinafter, the physical property of the polymer film substrate referred to herein may be a physical property of the polymer film substrate itself, or a physical property in a state where an electrode layer is formed on one side of the polymer film substrate. In this case, the electrode layer may be an electrode layer formed in a state where the polymer film substrate is included in the optical device.

The measurement of the physical properties of each of the polymeric film substrates mentioned herein was performed according to the method described in the examples section of the present specification.

In one example, the in-plane retardation of the first polymeric film substrate and the second polymeric film substrate may be about 4,000nm or greater, respectively.

In this specification, in-plane retardation (Rin) may mean a value calculated by the following equation 1.

[ equation 1]

Rin＝dX(nx-ny)

In equation 1, Rin is an in-plane retardation, d is a thickness of the polymer film substrate, nx is a refractive index in a slow axis direction of the polymer film substrate, and ny is a refractive index in a fast axis direction, which is a refractive index in an in-plane direction perpendicular to the slow axis direction.

The in-plane retardation of each of the first polymeric film substrate and the second polymeric film substrate may be 4,000nm or more, 5,000nm or more, 6,000nm or more, 7,000nm or more, 8,000nm or more, 9,000m or more, 10,000m or more, 11,000m or more, 12,000m or more, 13,000m or more, 14,000m or more, or about 15,000m or more. The in-plane retardation of each of the first polymeric film substrate and the second polymeric film substrate may be about 50,000nm or less, about 40,000nm or less, about 30,000nm or less, 20,000nm or less, 18,000nm or less, 16,000nm or less, 15,000nm or less, or about 12,000nm or less.

As a polymer film having such a large retardation, a film called a so-called high stretch PET (poly (ethylene terephthalate)) film, an SRF (super retardation film), or the like is generally known. Thus, in the present application, the polymeric film substrate may be, for example, a polyester film substrate.

Films having extremely high retardation as above are known in the art, and such films exhibit high asymmetry even in mechanical properties by high-power stretching or the like during the production process and optically high anisotropy. Representative examples of polymer film substrates in the state of the art are polyester films such as PET (poly (ethylene terephthalate)) films, and for example, there are films of the SRF (ultra-retardation film) series available under the trade name Toyobo co.

In one example, in each polymer film substrate, a ratio (E1/E2) of an elongation (E1) in any one first direction in a plane to an elongation (E2) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction may be 3 or more. In another example, the ratio (E1/E2) can be about 3.5 or greater, 4 or greater, 4.5 or greater, 5 or greater, 5.5 or greater, 6 or greater, or 6.5 or greater. In another example, the ratio (E1/E2) can be about 20 or less, 18 or less, 16 or less, 14 or less, 12 or less, 10 or less, 8 or less, or 7.5 or less.

As used herein, the terms "first direction", "second direction", and "third direction" of a polymeric film substrate are each any in-plane direction of the film substrate. For example, when the polymer film substrate is a stretched polymer film substrate, the in-plane direction may be an in-plane direction formed by the MD direction (machine direction) and the TD direction (transverse direction) of the polymer film substrate. In one example, the first direction described herein may be any one of a slow axis direction and a fast axis direction of the polymer film substrate, and the second direction may be the other one of the slow axis direction and the fast axis direction. In another example, when the polymer film substrate is a stretched polymer film substrate, the first direction may be any one of an MD direction (machine direction) and a TD direction (transverse direction), and the second direction may be the other one of the MD direction (machine direction) and the TD direction (transverse direction).

In one example, the first direction of the polymeric film substrate referred to herein may be the TD direction or the slow axis direction.

Here, the elongation of each of the first and second polymer film substrates in the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) may be 15% or more, or 20% or more. In another example, the elongation may be about 25% or greater, 30% or greater, 35% or greater, or 40% or greater, or may be about 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, or 45% or less.

In one example, in each of the first and second polymeric film substrates, the elongation in the third direction (E3) forming an angle in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees or about 45 degrees with the first and second directions, respectively, is greater than the elongation in the first direction (E1), wherein the ratio of the elongation in the third direction (E3) to the elongation in the second direction (E2) (E3/E2) may be 5 or greater.

In another example, the ratio (E3/E2) may be 5.5 or greater, 6 or greater, 6.5 or greater, 7 or greater, 7.5 or greater, 8 or greater, or 8.5 or greater, and may be about 20 or less, 18 or less, 16 or less, 14 or less, 12 or less, or 10 or less.

The elongation of each of the first and second polymeric film substrates in the third direction may be 30% or greater. In another example, the elongation may be about 35% or greater, 40% or greater, 45% or greater, 50% or greater, or 55% or greater, or may be about 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, or 65% or less.

In each of the first and second polymeric film substrates, a ratio of a coefficient of thermal expansion in the second direction (CTE2) to a coefficient of thermal expansion in the first direction (CTE1) (CTE2/CTE1) may be 1.5 or greater. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE1, CTE2) are each values determined in the temperature range of 40 ℃ to 80 ℃. In another example, the ratio (CTE2/CTE1) may be about 2 or greater, about 2.5 or greater, 3 or greater, or 3.5 or greater, or may be 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, or 4 or less.

The coefficient of thermal expansion in the second direction (CTE2) can be in a range from 5 ppm/deg.C to 150 ppm/deg.C. The coefficient of thermal expansion can be about 10 ppm/deg.C or greater, 15 ppm/deg.C or greater, 20 ppm/deg.C or greater, 25 ppm/deg.C or greater, 30 ppm/deg.C or greater, 35 ppm/deg.C or greater, 40 ppm/deg.C or greater, 45 ppm/deg.C or greater, 50 ppm/deg.C or greater, 55 ppm/deg.C or greater, 60 ppm/deg.C or greater, 65 ppm/deg.C or greater, 70 ppm/deg.C or greater, 75 ppm/deg.C or greater, or 80 ppm/deg.C or greater, or can be 140 ppm/deg.C or less, 130 ppm/deg.C or less, 120 ppm/deg.C or less, 100 ppm/deg.C or less, 95 ppm/deg.C or less, 90 ppm/deg.C or less, 85 ppm/deg.C or less, 80 ppm/deg.C or less, 40 ppm/deg.C or less, 30 ppm/deg.C or less, or less, Or 25 ppm/deg.C or less.

In each of the first and second polymer film substrates, a ratio (YM1/YM2) of an elastic modulus in the first direction (YM1) to an elastic modulus in the second direction (YM2) may be 1.5 or greater. In another example, the ratio (YM1/YM2) may be about 2 or greater, or may be 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, 4 or less, 3 or less, or 2.5 or less.

The modulus of elasticity in the first direction (YM1) may be in the range of about 2GPa to 10 GPa. In another example, the modulus of elasticity (YM1) may be about 2.5GPa or greater, 3GPa or greater, 3.5GPa or greater, 4GPa or greater, 4.5GPa or greater, 5GPa or greater, or 5.5GPa or greater, or may also be about 9.5GPa or less, 9GPa or less, 8.5GPa or less, 8GPa or less, 7.5GPa or less, 7GPa or less, 6.5GPa or less, or 6GPa or less.

The elastic modulus is a so-called young's modulus, which is measured according to the method of the examples described below.

In each of the first and second polymeric film substrates, a ratio of a maximum stress in the first direction (MS1) to a maximum stress in the second direction (MS2) (MS1/MS2) may be 1.5 or greater. In another example, the ratio (MS1/MS2) may be about 2 or greater, or may be 10 or less, 9 or less, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, 5 or less, 4 or less, 3 or less, or 2.5 or less.

The maximum stress (MS1) in the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) may be in the range of about 80MPa to 300 MPa. In another example, the maximum stress (MS1) can be about 90MPa or greater, about 100MPa or greater, about 110MPa or greater, about 120MPa or greater, about 130MPa or greater, about 140MPa or greater, about 150MPa or greater, about 155MPa or greater, 160MPa or greater, 165MPa or greater, 170MPa or greater, 175MPa or greater, or 180MPa or greater, or can also be about 300MPa or less, about 290MPa or less, about 280MPa or less, about 270MPa or less, about 260MPa or less, about 250MPa or less, about 245MPa or less, 240MPa or less, 235MPa or less, 230MPa or less, 225MPa or less, 220MPa or less, 215MPa or less, 210MPa or less, 205MPa or less, 200MPa or less, 195MPa or less, 190MPa or less.

In the light modulation device of the present application, an absolute value of an angle formed by the first direction of the first polymer film substrate and the first direction of the second polymer film substrate may be in a range of 0 degree to 10 degrees or 0 degree to 5 degrees, or the first directions may be substantially horizontal to each other. The first direction may be the slow axis direction or the TD direction of the polymer film substrate as described above.

Since the device is configured by disposing the polymer film substrate having asymmetric optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics to have such a specific relationship as described above, the present application can realize excellent optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics.

Although the reason for achieving such an effect is not clear, it is considered to be because a better balance of optical characteristics and mechanical characteristics is ensured by similarly controlling the high asymmetry possessed by at least two polymer film substrates and setting the two asymmetries to be symmetrical again based on a specific axis, as compared with the application of a film having an isotropic structure.

As described above, a representative example of a polymer film having high optical and mechanical asymmetry as above is a stretched PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film or the like called a so-called high-power stretched polyester film, and such a film is industrially easily available.

In general, the stretched PET film is a uniaxially stretched film of one or more layers produced by forming a PET-based resin into a film by melting/extrusion and stretching the film, or a biaxially stretched film of one or more layers produced by stretching the film in the longitudinal and transverse directions after film formation.

The PET-based resin generally means a resin in which 80 mol% or more of the repeating units are ethylene terephthalate, which may further contain other dicarboxylic acid components and diol components. The other dicarboxylic acid component is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, isophthalic acid, p- β -oxyethoxybenzoic acid, 4 '-dicarboxybiphenyl, 4' -dicarboxybenzophenone, bis (4-carboxyphenyl) ethane, adipic acid, sebacic acid, and/or 1, 4-dicarboxycyclohexane, and the like.

The other diol component is not particularly limited, but may include propylene glycol, butylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, diethylene glycol, cyclohexanediol, an ethylene oxide adduct of bisphenol a, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and/or polybutylene glycol, and the like.

If necessary, the dicarboxylic acid component or the diol component may be used in combination of two or more. Furthermore, oxycarboxylic acids, such as p-oxybenzoic acid, may also be used in combination. Further, as other copolymerization components, a diol component or a dicarboxylic acid component containing a small amount of an amide bond, a urethane bond, an ether bond, a carbonate bond, and the like may also be used.

As a method for producing a PET-based resin, the following method is employed: a method of directly polycondensing terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and/or (if necessary) another dicarboxylic acid or another diol, a method of polycondensing a dialkyl ester of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol and/or (if necessary) a dialkyl ester of another dicarboxylic acid or another diol by transesterification, and a method of polycondensing an ethylene glycol and/or (if necessary) another diol of terephthalic acid and/or (if necessary) another dicarboxylic acid, and the like.

For each polymerization reaction, a polymerization catalyst containing an antimony-based compound, a titanium-based compound, a germanium-based compound, or an aluminum-based compound, or a polymerization catalyst containing a composite compound may be used.

The polymerization reaction conditions may be appropriately selected according to the monomers, the catalyst, the reaction equipment, and the intended physical properties of the resin, and are not particularly limited, but for example, the reaction temperature is generally about 150 ℃ to about 300 ℃, about 200 ℃ to about 300 ℃, or about 260 ℃ to about 300 ℃. Further, the reaction pressure is usually from atmospheric pressure to about 2.7Pa, wherein the pressure may be reduced in the latter half of the reaction.

The polymerization reaction is carried out by volatilizing the remaining reactants such as glycol, alkyl compound or water.

The polymerization apparatus may be a polymerization apparatus which is completed by one reaction tank or a plurality of reaction tanks are connected. In this case, the polymerization is carried out while the reactants are transferred between the reaction tanks, depending on the degree of polymerization. Further, a method of: wherein a horizontal reaction apparatus is provided in the latter half of the polymerization and the reactants are volatilized while being heated/kneaded.

After completion of the polymerization, the resin is discharged from the reaction tank or the horizontal reaction apparatus in a molten state, and then obtained in the form of a sheet cooled and pulverized in a cooling drum or a cooling belt, or in the form of pellets which are cut after being introduced into an extruder and extruded in a strand form. Further, solid-phase polymerization may be carried out as needed to increase the molecular weight or reduce the low-molecular weight component. As the low molecular weight component that can be contained in the PET resin, a cyclic trimer component can be exemplified, but the content of such a cyclic trimer component in the resin is usually controlled to 5,000ppm or less, or 3,000ppm or less.

When the PET-based resin is dissolved in a mixed solvent of phenol/tetrachloroethane (50/50 (weight ratio)) and expressed as an intrinsic viscosity measured at 30 ℃, the molecular weight of the PET-based resin is generally in the range of 0.45dL/g to 1.0dL/g, 0.50dL/g to 10dL/g, or 0.52dL/g to 0.80 dL/g.

Further, the PET-based resin may contain additives as necessary. The additives may include lubricants, antiblocking agents, heat stabilizers, antioxidants, antistatic agents, light stabilizers, impact resistance improvers, and the like. The amount added thereof is preferably within a range that does not adversely affect the optical characteristics.

For the formulation of such additives and the film formation to be described below, the PET-based resin is used in the form of pellets assembled by a common extruder. The size and shape of the pellets are not particularly limited, but they are generally cylindrical, spherical or oblate spheroid in shape, both in height and diameter of 5mm or less. The PET-based resin thus obtained may be molded into a film form and subjected to a stretching process to obtain a transparent and homogeneous PET film having high mechanical strength. The production method is not particularly limited, and for example, the following method is employed.

Pellets made of the dried PET resin are supplied to a melt extrusion apparatus, heated to a melting point or higher and melted. Next, the molten resin is extruded from the die and quenched and solidified on a rotating cooling drum to a temperature below the glass transition temperature to obtain an unstretched film in a substantially amorphous state. The melting temperature is determined according to the melting point of the PET-based resin to be used or an extruder, which is not particularly limited, but is generally 250 to 350 ℃. In order to improve the planarity of the film, it is also preferable to enhance the adhesion between the film and the rotating cooling drum, and it is preferable to employ an adhesion method by electrostatic application or an adhesion method by liquid coating. The bonding method by electrostatic application is generally a method of: wherein a linear electrode is disposed on the upper surface side of the film in a direction perpendicular to the flow of the film and a direct current voltage of about 5kV to 10kV is applied to the electrode to supply an electrostatic charge to the film, thereby improving adhesion between the rotary cooling drum and the film. Further, the bonding method by liquid coating is a method of improving bonding between a rotary cooling drum and a film by uniformly applying a liquid to all or part of the surface of the rotary cooling drum (for example, only a portion in contact with both film ends). They may be used in combination if necessary. The PET-based resin to be used may be mixed with two or more resins, or resins having different structures or compositions, if necessary. For example, it may include using a mixture of pellets and unblended pellets blended with a particulate filler material as an anti-blocking agent, an ultraviolet absorber, an antistatic agent or the like, and the like.

Further, the lamination number of the film to be extruded may also be two or more layers, if necessary. For example, it may include preparing pellets in which a particulate filler material as an anti-blocking agent is blended and unblended pellets, and supplying from another extruder to the same die to extrude a film composed of two three layers (i.e., "filler material blended/unblended/filler material blended"), and the like.

The unstretched film is usually first longitudinally stretched in the extrusion direction at a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature. The stretching temperature is usually 70 ℃ to 150 ℃, 80 ℃ to 130 ℃, or 90 ℃ to 120 ℃. Further, the stretching ratio is usually 1.1 to 6 times or 2 to 5.5 times. The stretching may be ended once or may be divided more than once as desired.

Thereafter, the thus obtained longitudinally stretched film may be subjected to a heat treatment. Then, if necessary, relaxation treatment may be performed. The heat treatment temperature is usually 150 ℃ to 250 ℃, 180 ℃ to 245 ℃, or 200 ℃ to 230 ℃. Further, the heat treatment time is usually 1 second to 600 seconds, or 1 second to 300 seconds, or 1 second to 60 seconds.

The temperature of the relaxation treatment is usually 90 ℃ to 200 ℃ or 120 ℃ to 180 ℃. Further, the amount of relaxation is typically from 01% to 20%, or from 2% to 5%. The relaxation treatment temperature and the relaxation amount may be set so that the thermal shrinkage rate of the PET film after the relaxation treatment at 150 ℃ is 2% or less.

In the case of obtaining a uniaxially stretched film and a biaxially stretched film, the transverse stretching is usually performed by a tenter after the longitudinal stretching treatment or (if necessary) after the heat treatment or the relaxation treatment. The stretching temperature is usually 70 ℃ to 150 ℃, 80 ℃ to 130 ℃ or 90 ℃ to 120 ℃. Further, the stretching ratio is usually 1.1 to 6 times or 2 to 5.5 times. Thereafter, heat treatment and, if necessary, relaxation treatment may be performed. The heat treatment temperature is usually 150 ℃ to 250 ℃, or 180 ℃ to 245 ℃, or 200 ℃ to 230 ℃. The heat treatment time is generally 1 second to 600 seconds, 1 second to 300 seconds, or 1 second to 60 seconds.

The temperature of the relaxation treatment is usually 100 ℃ to 230 ℃, 110 ℃ to 210 ℃, or 120 ℃ to 180 ℃. Further, the amount of relaxation is typically 0.1% to 20%, 1% to 10%, or 2% to 5%. The relaxation treatment temperature and the relaxation amount may be set so that the thermal shrinkage rate of the PET film after the relaxation treatment at 150 ℃ is 2% or less.

In the uniaxial stretching treatment and the biaxial stretching treatment, in order to reduce deformation of the orientation main axis by bending, the heat treatment may be performed again or the stretching treatment may be performed after the transverse stretching. The maximum value of the deformation of the orientation main axis by bending with respect to the stretching direction is generally within 45 degrees, within 30 degrees, or within 15 degrees. Here, the stretching direction also means a stretching major direction in the longitudinal stretching or the transverse stretching.

In biaxial stretching of a PET film, the transverse direction stretching ratio is generally slightly greater than the longitudinal direction stretching ratio, wherein the stretching direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the long direction of the film. Further, uniaxial stretching is generally stretching in the transverse direction as described above, wherein the stretching direction also refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Further, the orientation principal axis means a molecular orientation direction at any point on the stretched PET film. Further, the deformation of the orientation main axis with respect to the stretching direction refers to an angle difference between the orientation main axis and the stretching direction. Further, the maximum value thereof means the maximum value among values in the perpendicular direction with respect to the long direction.

The direction of the principal axis of orientation is known, and may be measured using, for example, a retardation film/optical material inspection apparatus RETS (manufactured by Otsuka Densi KK) or a molecular orientation system MOA (manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments).

The stretched PET film used in the present application may be imparted with an antiglare property (haze). The method of imparting the antiglare property is not particularly limited, and for example, the following methods are employed: a method of mixing inorganic fine particles or organic fine particles into a raw material resin to form a film; a method of forming a stretched film from an unstretched film having a layer in which inorganic fine particles or organic fine particles are mixed on one side based on a method of manufacturing a film; or a method of forming an antiglare layer by coating a coating liquid formed by mixing inorganic fine particles or organic fine particles with a curable binder resin on one side of a stretched PET film and curing the binder resin; and so on.

The inorganic fine particles for imparting the antiglare property are not particularly limited, but may include, for example, silica, colloidal silica, alumina sol, aluminosilicate, alumina-silica composite oxide, kaolin, talc, mica, calcium carbonate and the like. In addition, the organic fine particles are not particularly limited, but may include, for example, crosslinked polyacrylic acid particles, methyl methacrylate/styrene copolymer resin particles, crosslinked polystyrene particles, crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate particles, silicone resin particles, polyimide particles, and the like. The haze value of the thus obtained stretched PET film imparted with the antiglare property may be in the range of 6% to 45%.

Functional layers such as a conductive layer, a hard coat layer, and a low-reflectance layer may also be laminated on the stretched PET film imparted with the antiglare property. Further, as the resin composition constituting the antiglare layer, a resin composition having any of these functions may be selected.

The haze value can be measured according to JIS K7136 using, for example, a haze permeameter HM-150 (manufactured by Murakami Color Research Laboratory, Co., Ltd.). In measuring the haze value, in order to prevent the film from warping, for example, a measurement sample in which the film surface is bonded to a glass substrate using an optically transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the surface imparted with the antiglare property becomes a surface may be used.

A functional layer other than an antiglare layer or the like may be laminated on one side or both sides of the stretched PET film used in the present application unless the functional layer interferes with the effect of the present application. The functional layers to be laminated may include, for example, a conductive layer, a hard coat layer, a smoothing layer, an easy-slip layer, an anti-blocking layer, an easy-adhesion layer, and the like.

The above-described method for manufacturing a PET film is one exemplary method for obtaining the polymer film substrate of the present application, wherein any kind of commercially available products may be used as long as the polymer film substrate applicable to the present application has the above-described physical properties.

In one example, the polymer film substrate may be a film substrate having an electrode layer formed on one side. Such a film substrate may be referred to as an electrode film substrate. The above-described retardation characteristics, mechanical characteristics, or the like may be used for a polymer film substrate on which an electrode layer is not formed, or for an electrode film substrate.

In the case of an electrode film substrate, each electrode layer may be formed on at least one side of a polymer film substrate, and the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate may be disposed such that the electrode layers face each other.

As the electrode layer, a known transparent electrode layer may be applied, and for example, a so-called conductive polymer layer, a conductive metal layer, a conductive nanowire layer, or a metal oxide layer (e.g., ITO (indium tin oxide)) may be used as the electrode layer. In addition, various materials and formation methods capable of forming a transparent electrode layer are known, and these materials and methods can be applied without limitation.

Further, an alignment film may be formed on one side of the polymer film substrate, for example, in the case of an electrode film substrate, an alignment film may be formed on an upper portion of the electrode layer. A known alignment film may be formed as the alignment film, and the kind of alignment film that may be applied according to a desired mode is known.

As described above, in the present application, the light modulation layer included in the light modulation film layer is a functional layer capable of changing transmittance, reflectance, and/or haze of light according to whether an external signal is applied. Such a light modulation layer may be referred to herein as an active light modulation layer.

An external signal herein may mean any external factor, such as an external voltage, that may affect the behavior of a material (e.g., a light modulating material) included in a light modulating layer. Therefore, the state of no external signal may mean a state in which no external voltage or the like is applied.

In the present application, the type of the light modulation layer is not particularly limited as long as it has the above function, and a known light modulation layer may be applied. The light modulating layer may be, for example, a liquid crystal layer, an electrochromic material layer, a photochromic material layer, an electrophoretic material layer, or a dispersed particle alignment layer. Hereinafter, the above-described light modulation layer will be described by specific examples, but the configuration of the light modulation layer is not limited to the following, and the known matters related to the light modulation layer may be applied to the present application without limitation.

The liquid crystal layer is a layer containing a liquid crystal compound. In the present specification, the term liquid crystal layer includes all layers comprising liquid crystal compounds, for example, a so-called guest-host layer comprising a liquid crystal compound (liquid crystal host) and a dichroic dye is also a liquid crystal layer as defined herein, as described below. The liquid crystal layer may be an active liquid crystal layer, and thus a liquid crystal compound may be present in the liquid crystal layer such that an alignment direction is changed according to whether an external signal is applied. As the liquid crystal compound, any kind of liquid crystal compound can be used as long as the alignment direction can be changed by applying an external signal. For example, a smectic liquid crystal compound, a nematic liquid crystal compound, or a cholesteric liquid crystal compound can be used as the liquid crystal compound. Further, the liquid crystal compound may be, for example, a compound having no polymerizable group or crosslinkable group so that the alignment direction can be changed by applying an external signal.

The liquid crystal layer may contain a liquid crystal compound having positive or negative dielectric anisotropy. The absolute value of the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal can be appropriately selected in consideration of the purpose of the present application. The term "dielectric constant anisotropy (Δ ∈)" may mean a difference (∈// - ∈ f) between a horizontal dielectric permittivity (∈//) and a vertical permittivity (∈ f) of the liquid crystal. In this specification, the term horizontal permittivity (∈//) means a dielectric constant value measured in the electric field direction in a state where a voltage is applied so that the director of the liquid crystal is substantially horizontal to the direction of the electric field of the applied voltage, and vertical permittivity (∈ ″) means a dielectric constant value measured in the electric field direction in a state where a voltage is applied so that the director of the liquid crystal and the direction of the electric field of the applied voltage are substantially vertical.

The driving mode of the liquid crystal layer may be exemplified by, for example, a DS (dynamic scattering) mode, an ECB (electrically controllable birefringence) mode, an IPS (in-plane switching) mode, an FFS (fringe field switching) mode, an OCB (optically compensated bend) mode, a VA (vertical alignment) mode, an MVA (multi-domain vertical alignment) mode, a PVA (patterned vertical alignment) mode, a HAN (hybrid aligned nematic) mode, a TN (twisted nematic) mode, an STN (super twisted nematic) mode, and the like.

In one example, the liquid crystal layer may be a polymer network liquid crystal layer. Polymer network liquid crystal layers are high-level concepts including so-called polymer dispersed liquid crystal layers or polymer stabilized liquid crystal layers, and the like. The polymer network liquid crystal layer may include, for example, a polymer network and a liquid crystal region containing a liquid crystal compound dispersed in a phase-separated state. Here, the liquid crystal compound may be present in a polymer network such that the orientation is switchable. The polymer network may be a polymer network comprising precursors of polymerizable or crosslinkable compounds, wherein the polymerizable or crosslinkable compounds may form a polymer network in a polymerized state or a crosslinked state. As the polymerizable or crosslinkable compound, for example, a compound having a (meth) acryloyl group can be used, but is not limited thereto.

In another example, the liquid crystal layer may be a pixel-isolated liquid crystal layer (PILC). The pixel isolation liquid crystal layer means a liquid crystal layer in which a barrier rib structure for maintaining a cell gap is introduced for each pixel. The pixel isolation liquid crystal layer may include a liquid crystal compound whose alignment direction may be changed by an externally applied signal. The pixel isolating liquid crystal layer may also control light transmittance using an alignment state of such a liquid crystal compound.

The electrochromic material layer utilizes, for example, a phenomenon in which the light transmittance of the electrochromic material is changed by an electrochemical redox reaction. The electrochromic material cannot be colored in a state where an electric signal is not applied, but may be colored in a state where an electric signal is applied, so that light transmittance may be controlled.

The photochromic material layer may change light transmittance, for example, by utilizing a phenomenon in which the bonding state of the photochromic material changes and the color changes (reversibly) when light of a specific wavelength is irradiated. Generally, a photochromic material is colored when exposed to ultraviolet rays and has an inherent light color when irradiated with visible light, but is not limited thereto.

The layer of electrophoretic material may change the light transmittance, for example, by a combination of a dielectric liquid and an electrophoretic material. In one example, as the electrophoretic material, particles having a positive (+) charge or a negative (-) charge and having a color may be used, wherein light transmittance may be controlled to express a desired color by: the electrophoretic particles are rotated or moved closer to electrodes having different polarities according to voltages applied to two electrodes on the top and bottom of the electrophoretic material layer, but is not limited thereto.

The dispersed particle alignment layer contains, for example, a structure in which a thin film laminate of nano-sized rod-shaped particles floats on liquid crystal. For example, the dispersed particle alignment layer may block and absorb light when the suspended particles exist in a non-aligned state in a state where an external signal is not applied, and may transmit light when the suspended particles are aligned in a state where an external signal is applied, but is not limited thereto.

The light modulation layer may further include a dichroic dye in controlling the light transmittance variable property. In the present specification, the term "dye" may mean a material capable of strongly absorbing and/or modifying light in at least a part or all of the range of the visible light region (e.g., in the wavelength range of 400nm to 700 nm), and the term "dichroic dye" may mean a material capable of anisotropically absorbing light in at least a part or all of the range of the visible light region. Such dyes are known as, for example, azo dyes or anthraquinone dyes, etc., but are not limited thereto.

In one example, the light modulation layer is a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystals and dichroic dyes, which may be a so-called guest-host liquid crystal layer (guest-host liquid crystal cell). The term "GHLC (guest host liquid crystal) layer" may mean such a functional layer: the dichroic dyes are arranged together according to the arrangement of liquid crystals to exhibit anisotropic light absorption characteristics with respect to the alignment direction of the dichroic dyes and the direction perpendicular to the alignment direction, respectively. For example, a dichroic dye is a substance whose absorptivity for light varies with a polarization direction, wherein if absorptivity for light polarized in a long axis direction is large, it may be referred to as a p-type dye, and if absorptivity for light polarized in a short axis direction is large, it may be referred to as an n-type dye. In one example, when a p-type dye is used, polarized light vibrating in a long axis direction of the dye may be absorbed, and polarized light vibrating in a short axis direction of the dye may be less absorbed and transmitted. Hereinafter, the dichroic dye is considered to be a p-type dye unless otherwise specified.

A light modulating film layer including a guest-host liquid crystal layer as a light modulating layer may be used as the active polarizer. In the present specification, the term "active polarizer" may mean a functional element capable of controlling anisotropic light absorption according to external signal application. Such active polarizers can be distinguished from the passive polarizers described below, which have constant light absorption or light reflection characteristics regardless of the application of an external signal. The guest-host liquid crystal layer may control anisotropic light absorption of polarized light in a direction parallel to an alignment direction of the dichroic dye and polarized light in a perpendicular direction by controlling the alignment of the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye. Since the alignment of the liquid crystal and the dichroic dye may be controlled by applying an external signal, for example, a magnetic field or an electric field, the guest-host liquid crystal layer may control the anisotropic light absorption according to the external signal application.

The thickness of the light modulation layer may be appropriately selected in consideration of the purpose of the present application. In one example, the thickness of the light modulation layer may be about 0.01 μm or more, 0.1 μm or more, 1 μm or more, 2 μm or more, 3 μm or more, 4 μm or more, 5 μm or more, 6 μm or more, 7 μm or more, 8 μm or more, 9 μm or more, or 10 μm or more. By controlling the thickness in this manner, a device having a large difference in transmittance or reflectance depending on the mode state can be realized. The thicker the thickness, the higher the transmittance and/or reflectance difference can be achieved, so that the thickness is not particularly limited, but it may be generally about 30 μm or less, 25 μm or less, 20 μm or less, or 15 μm or less.

according to an example of the present invention, when the light modulation layer is a liquid crystal layer, the arrangement of the optical axis of the light modulation layer and the first direction (for example, the above-described slow axis direction or TD direction) of the polymer film substrate in a specific state may be adjusted to further improve the optical characteristics.

In the present application, in addition to providing the above-described polymer film substrate as a substrate in the above-described manner, a known method can be applied to a method of realizing a light modulation film layer having such a shape.

Therefore, the light modulation film layer may further include a spacer or a sealant, etc., in addition to the known structures such as the substrate, the light modulation layer, and the electrode layer as described above.

The light modulating devices of the present application may also include other additional configurations, if desired, while substantially including the light modulating film layers described above. That is, depending on the drive mode, the light modulating film layer alone may implement and switch between the transmissive mode, blocking mode, highly reflective mode, and/or low reflective mode described above, but additional configurations may also be included to facilitate implementation or switching of such modes.

For example, the apparatus may further comprise a polarizer (passive polarizer) disposed on at least one side of the light modulating film layer. As an example of the above structure, fig. 2 shows such a form: wherein a polarizer 14 is disposed on the side of the light modulating film layer having the light modulating layer 12 positioned between the first polymer film substrate 11 and the second polymer film substrate 13.

In this case, the angle formed by the transmission axis, the absorption axis, or the reflection axis of the passive polarizer and the first direction of the polymer film base (for example, the above-described slow axis direction or TD direction) may be 0 degree to 10 degrees, 0 degree to 5 degrees, or about 0 degree, or may be in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, in the range of 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees. The angle is an acute angle among angles formed by the transmission axis, the absorption axis, or the reflection axis and the first direction (for example, the slow axis direction or the TD direction). This arrangement can further improve the optical and mechanical properties.

Further, in an embodiment including a polarizer, when the light modulation layer is a liquid crystal layer that may be present in a horizontally aligned state, an optical axis when the light modulation layer is horizontally aligned may be at 0 to 10 degrees, 0 to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees with a first direction (for example, a slow axis direction or a TD direction) of the first polymer film substrate and the second polymer film substrate, or may form an angle of 80 to 100 degrees, 85 to 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees.

In the present specification, the term polarizer may mean an element that converts natural light or unpolarized light into polarized light. Further, the definition of the passive polarizer and the active polarizer is as described above. In one example, the polarizer may be a linear polarizer. In this specification, a linear polarizer means a case where light selectively transmitted is linearly polarized light vibrating in any direction and light selectively absorbed or reflected is linearly polarized light vibrating in a direction orthogonal to the vibration direction of the linearly polarized light. That is, the linear polarizer may have a transmission axis and an absorption axis or a reflection axis orthogonal to each other in the plane direction.

The polarizer may be an absorptive polarizer or a reflective polarizer. As the absorptive polarizer, for example, a polarizer in which iodine is dyed to a polymer stretched film (e.g., a PVA stretched film), or a guest-host polarizer in which liquid crystal polymerized in an oriented state is used as a host and dichroic dye aligned along the orientation of the liquid crystal is used as a guest may be used, but is not limited thereto.

As the reflective polarizer, for example, a reflective polarizer called a so-called DBEF (dual brightness enhancement film) or a reflective polarizer formed by coating a liquid crystal compound (e.g., LLC (lyotropic liquid crystal)) can be used, but not limited thereto.

The light modulation device may have a structure in which polarizers are provided on both sides of the light modulation film layer. In this case, the angle formed by the transmission axes of the polarizers disposed on both sides may be in the range of 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or approximately perpendicular.

The light modulating devices of the present application may include two or more light modulating film layers. In this case, the light modulation film layers may each include two substrates, or may also share at least one substrate. For example, the light modulation device may have a structure in which: wherein the first substrate, the first light modulation layer, the second substrate, the third substrate, the second light modulation layer, and the fourth substrate are sequentially laminated, or may have a structure in which: wherein the first substrate, the first light modulation layer, the second substrate, the second light modulation layer and the third substrate are sequentially laminated. In this case, at least two substrates in the above structure may also be asymmetric polymer film substrates as described above, and all substrates may be asymmetric polymer film substrates. In one example, when all of the substrates are asymmetric polymer film substrates, the angle formed by the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) of all of the polymer film substrates may be in the range of 0 to 10 degrees, in the range of 0 to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees.

Fig. 3 illustrates a light modulation device according to an example of the present application. The light modulation device may include first to third polymer film substrates 21, 23, 25 sequentially overlapped and disposed with each other; a first light modulation layer 22 positioned between the first polymer film substrate 21 and the second polymer film substrate 23; and a second light modulation layer 24 positioned between the second polymer film substrate 23 and the third polymer film substrate 25.

In the present specification, the fact that two or more polymer film substrates are overlapped and disposed may mean that light transmitted through any one polymer film substrate may be incident on another polymer film substrate.

At least two of the first to third polymer film substrates may be asymmetric polymer film substrates as described above, and all of the polymer film substrates may be asymmetric polymer film substrates.

When all of the substrates are asymmetric polymer film substrates, the first directions (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) of the first polymer film substrate and the third polymer film substrate, respectively, may be at an angle in a range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees or 0 degrees to 5 degrees to each other, or may be substantially horizontal to each other.

Further, an angle formed by the first direction (e.g., the above-described slow axis direction or TD direction) of the first polymer film substrate and the third polymer film substrate and the first direction (e.g., the above-described slow axis direction or TD direction) of the second polymer film substrate may be 0 degrees to 10 degrees, 0 degrees to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees, or may be in a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees or 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or may be about 90 degrees.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a light modulation device according to another example of the present application. The light modulation device may include first to fourth polymer film substrates 31, 33, 34, 36 sequentially overlapped and disposed with each other; a first light modulation layer 32 positioned between the first polymer film substrate 31 and the second polymer film substrate 33; and a second light modulation layer 35 positioned between the third polymer film substrate 34 and the fourth polymer film substrate 36.

At least two of the first to fourth polymeric film substrates, e.g., all of the polymeric film substrates, may be the asymmetric polymeric film substrates described above.

In one example, the second and third polymeric film substrates may be disposed such that the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) is about 0 to 10 degrees, 0 to 5 degrees, or 0 degrees from each other.

In one example, an angle formed by the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) of the first and fourth polymer film substrates and the first direction (e.g., the slow axis direction or TD direction described above) of the second and third polymer film substrates may be about 0 degrees to 10 degrees, 0 degrees to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees, may be in a range of about 80 degrees to 100 degrees or 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or may be about 90 degrees.

In the light modulation device including two or more light modulation film layers, there may be a horizontal alignment state among alignment states that the first and second light modulation layers may realize, and in this case, an optical axis when the first and second light modulation layers are horizontally aligned and the first direction of the first to third polymer film substrates may be in a range of 0 to 10 degrees, or in a range of 0 to 5 degrees, or about 0 degree, or may be in a range of 80 to 100 degrees, may be in a range of 85 to 95 degrees, or may form an angle of about 90 degrees.

Further, in the light modulation device including four substrates, each of the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer may be a liquid crystal layer that may exist in a horizontally aligned state, and an optical axis when the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer are horizontally aligned and the first direction of the first polymer film substrate to the fourth polymer film substrate may be in a range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees, or in a range of 0 degrees to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees, or may be in a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, may be in a range of 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or may form an angle of about 90 degrees.

In this specification, the term horizontal alignment state may mean a state in which the director of the liquid crystal compound in the light modulation layer is aligned substantially parallel to the plane of the liquid crystal layer, for example, an alignment state of 0 to 10 degrees, 0 to 5 degrees, or about 0 degrees is formed.

In the present specification, the term vertical alignment state may mean a state in which the director of the liquid crystal compound in the light modulation layer is aligned substantially perpendicular to the plane of the liquid crystal layer, for example, an alignment state of about 80 to 100 degrees, or 85 to 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees.

In the present specification, the director of the liquid crystal molecules or the liquid crystal compound may mean an optical axis (optical axis) or a slow axis of the liquid crystal layer. The director of the liquid crystal molecules may mean a long axis direction when the liquid crystal molecules have a rod shape, and may mean a normal direction axis of a disc plane when the liquid crystal molecules have a disc shape.

When the light modulation device of the present application includes the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer, excellent left-right symmetry can be ensured by adjusting the optical axis at the time of horizontal orientation between the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer to reduce the contrast difference between the right viewing angle and the left viewing angle.

In one example, the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer may each be a liquid crystal layer that is capable of being switched between a vertically aligned state and a horizontally aligned state, and an optical axis of the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer in the horizontally aligned state may be in a range of about 80 degrees to 100 degrees, in a range of about 85 degrees to 95 degrees, or about 90 degrees.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the optical axis OA when the first light modulation layer 10 is horizontally oriented may form an angle in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees in the clockwise direction based on the horizontal axis WA, and the optical axis OA when the second light modulation layer 20 is horizontally oriented may form an angle in the range of 130 degrees to 140 degrees in the clockwise direction based on the light modulation layer horizontal axis WA.

The optical axis of such a light modulation layer is generally determined according to the orientation direction of the alignment film, which can be measured for the light modulation layer in the following manner. It can be determined by the following procedure: first, an absorptive linear polarizer was disposed on one side of the first light modulation layer or the second light modulation layer in a state where the light modulation layers were horizontally oriented, and the transmittance was measured while rotating the polarizer by 360 degrees. That is, the optical axis direction can be determined by the following procedure: the light modulation layer or the side of the absorptive linear polarizer in the above state was irradiated with light and the luminance (transmittance) of the other side was measured at the same time. For example, when the transmittance is minimized in rotating the polarizer by 360 degrees, an angle perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizer or an angle horizontal thereto may be defined as the direction of the optical axis.

In this specification, the horizontal axis (WA) of the light modulation layer may mean a direction parallel to the long axis direction of the light modulation layer, or when the light modulation layer is applied to eyewear or a display device, may mean a direction parallel to a line connecting both eyes of an observer wearing the eyewear or an observer observing the display device.

According to the light modulation device of each example, the above-described alignment films may be formed on both sides of the light modulation layer, respectively. In one example, the alignment film may be a vertical alignment film. According to an example of the present application, a light modulation device may sequentially include a first polymer film substrate, a first alignment film, a light modulation layer, a second alignment film, a second polymer film substrate, and a polarizer. According to a second example of the present application, a light modulation device may sequentially include a first polymer film substrate, a first vertical alignment film, a first light modulation layer, a second vertical alignment film, a second polymer film substrate, a third vertical alignment film, a second light modulation layer, a fourth vertical alignment film, and a third polymer film substrate. According to a third example of the present application, a light modulation device may include a first polymer film substrate, a first vertical alignment film, a first light modulation layer, a second vertical alignment film, a second polymer film substrate, a third vertical alignment film, a second light modulation layer, a fourth vertical alignment film, and a fourth polymer film substrate.

The light modulation device of the present application can control transmittance, reflectance, or haze by adjusting the orientation direction of the light modulation layer when no voltage is applied and/or when a voltage is applied. The alignment direction can be adjusted by adjusting the pre-tilt angle and the pre-tilt direction of the alignment film.

In this specification, the pretilt may have an angle and a direction. The pretilt angle may be referred to as a polar angle, and the pretilt direction may also be referred to as an azimuthal angle.

The pre-tilt angle may mean an angle formed by a director of the liquid crystal molecules with respect to a horizontal plane of the alignment film or an angle formed with a surface normal direction of the light modulation layer. When no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal cell, the pretilt angle of the vertical alignment film may cause a vertical alignment state.

In one example, the pretilt angle of the first to fourth vertical alignment films may be in a range of 70 to 89 degrees. When the pretilt angle is within the above range, a light modulation device having excellent initial transmittance can be provided. In one example, the pretilt angle may be about 71 degrees or more, 72 degrees or more, about 73 degrees or more, or about 74 degrees or more, or may be about 88.5 degrees or less, or about 88 degrees or less.

In one example, the pretilt angle of the first vertical alignment film may be an angle measured in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction based on a horizontal plane of the alignment film, and the pretilt angle of the second vertical alignment film may be an angle measured in a direction opposite to the direction (i.e., a counterclockwise direction when the pretilt angle of the first vertical alignment film is measured in a clockwise direction or a clockwise direction when the pretilt angle of the first vertical alignment film is measured in a counterclockwise direction).

Further, the pretilt angle of the third vertical alignment film may be an angle measured in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction based on the horizontal plane of the alignment film, and the pretilt angle of the fourth vertical alignment film may be an angle measured in a direction opposite to the direction (i.e., a counterclockwise direction when the pretilt angle of the third vertical alignment film is measured in the clockwise direction or a clockwise direction when the pretilt angle of the third vertical alignment film is measured in the counterclockwise direction).

The pre-tilt direction may mean a direction in which directors of the liquid crystal molecules are projected on a horizontal plane of the alignment film. In one example, the pretilt direction may be an angle formed by the projection direction and a horizontal axis (WA). When a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal cell, the pretilt direction of the vertical alignment film may cause an alignment direction of a horizontal alignment state.

According to the second or third example, the pretilt directions of the first and second vertical alignment films and the pretilt directions of the third and fourth vertical alignment films may intersect each other. In one example, the pretilt directions of the first and second vertical alignment films and the pretilt directions of the third and fourth vertical alignment films may be orthogonal to each other, for example, may be 85 degrees to 95 degrees or about 90 degrees. If the pretilt direction satisfies the above condition, a light modulation device having an excellent blocking ratio when a voltage is applied can be provided.

In one example, any one of the pretilt directions of the first and second vertical alignment films and the pretilt directions of the third and fourth vertical alignment films (e.g., the pretilt directions of the first and second vertical alignment films) may have an Optical Axis (OA) in a range of 40 to 50 degrees in a clockwise direction based on a horizontal axis (WA) of the light modulation layer, and the other direction (e.g., the pretilt directions of the third and fourth vertical alignment films) may have an Optical Axis (OA) in a range of 130 to 140 degrees in a clockwise direction based on the horizontal axis (WA) of the light modulation layer. By this relationship, a light modulation device having excellent left-right symmetry by reducing a contrast difference between a left viewing angle and a right viewing angle can be provided.

In one example, the pre-tilt angle and the pre-tilt direction as described above may be pre-tilt angles and pre-tilt directions measured in the respective liquid crystal layers when the liquid crystal layers are in a vertical alignment state.

The first to fourth vertical alignment films may be a rubbing alignment film or a photo-alignment film. In the case of a rubbed alignment film, the orientation direction is determined by the rubbing direction, and in the case of a photoalignment film, the orientation direction is determined by the polarization direction of the irradiated light. The pretilt angle and the pretilt direction of the vertical alignment film may be achieved by appropriately adjusting alignment conditions (e.g., rubbing conditions or pressure conditions at the time of rubbing) or optical alignment conditions (e.g., polarization state of light, irradiation angle of light, irradiation intensity of light, etc.).

For example, when the vertical alignment film is a rubbing alignment film, the pre-tilt angle may be achieved by controlling the rubbing strength of the rubbing alignment film, and the pre-tilt direction may be achieved by controlling the rubbing direction of the rubbing alignment film, wherein such a achieving method is a known method. Further, in the case of a photo-alignment film, this may be achieved by aligning the film material, the direction, state, intensity, or the like of applying polarized light for alignment.

In one example, the first to fourth vertical alignment films may be rubbing alignment films. Each of the first to fourth vertical alignment films may have a specific alignment direction.

For example, the rubbing directions of the first and second vertical alignment films are opposite to each other and may form about 170 to 190 degrees, and the rubbing directions of the third and fourth vertical alignment films are also opposite to each other and may form about 170 to 190 degrees.

The rubbing direction may be determined by measuring the pre-tilt angle, and since the liquid crystal is generally laid down along the rubbing direction and the pre-tilt angle is generated at the same time, the rubbing direction may be measured by measuring the pre-tilt angle in the manner described in the following embodiments.

In one example, as shown in fig. 6, the direction RA of rubbing orientation of the first vertical alignment film 12 may be 40 to 50 degrees, the direction RA of rubbing orientation of the second vertical alignment film 14 may be 220 to 230 degrees, the direction RA of rubbing orientation of the third vertical alignment film 22 may be 130 to 140 degrees, and the direction RA of rubbing orientation of the fourth vertical alignment film 24 may be 310 to 320 degrees. By such a relationship of the rubbing alignment directions of the first to fourth vertical alignment films, a light modulation device in which switching between a vertical alignment state and a horizontal alignment state can be efficiently performed can be provided. The direction RA of each rubbing orientation is an angle measured in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction based on the horizontal axis WA. However, the direction of the direction RA in which each rubbing orientation is measured by selecting only either one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.

The exemplary light modulation device may further include the above-described electrode layer disposed outside the first to fourth alignment films. In this specification, the outside of any configuration may mean the opposite side to the side where the light modulation layer exists. The electrode films disposed outside the first to fourth alignment films may be referred to as first to fourth electrode layers, respectively.

The electrode layer may include a transparent electrode layer. The electrode layer may apply an appropriate electric field to the light modulation layer in order to switch the alignment state of the light modulation layer. The direction of the electric field may be a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, such as a thickness direction or a planar direction of the light modulation layer.

the light modulating devices of the present application may also include a pressure sensitive adhesive. For example, the light modulation film layer and the polarizer may be present in a state of being bonded to each other by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In another example, the first light modulating film layer and the second light modulating film layer may exist in a state of being bonded to each other by a pressure sensitive adhesive. As the pressure-sensitive adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for attaching an optical member may be appropriately selected and used. The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive may be appropriately selected in consideration of the purpose of the present application.

The light modulation device of the present application may further include a hard coating film. The hard-coated film may include a base film and a hard-coated layer on the base film. The hard coating film may be appropriately selected from known hard coating films and used in consideration of the purpose of the present application. The thickness of the hard coating film may be appropriately selected in consideration of the purpose of the present application.

The hard coating film may be formed on the outside of the light modulation device by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

The light modulation device of the present application may further include an antireflection film. The antireflection film may include a base film and an antireflection layer on the base film. The antireflection film may be appropriately selected from known antireflection films and used in consideration of the purpose of the present application. The thickness of the antireflection film may be appropriately selected in consideration of the purpose of the present application.

The light modulation device of the present application may further include a dye layer having an NIR (near infrared) blocking function. Dyes may be added to eliminate sensor malfunction due to external light components by blocking IR of the region corresponding to the dominant wavelength of the IR sensor. The dye may be coated on one side of the first to fourth polymer film substrates, or when the first and second light modulating film layers are bonded together with a pressure sensitive adhesive or adhesive, the dye may also be added to the pressure sensitive adhesive or adhesive.

The antireflection film may be formed on the outside of the light modulation device by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Such light modulation devices may be applied to various applications. Applications where the light modulation device may be applied may be exemplified as an opening in an enclosed space including a building, a container, a vehicle or the like (e.g., a window or a skylight), or eyewear or the like. Here, in the scope of eyewear, all eyewear formed so that an observer can observe the outside through lenses, such as general glasses, sunglasses, sports goggles or helmets, or instruments for experiencing augmented reality, may be included.

A typical application to which the light modulation device of the present application may be applied is eyewear. Recently, for sunglasses, sports goggles, instruments for experiencing augmented reality, and the like, eyewear in which lenses are mounted so as to be inclined with respect to the front line of sight of an observer is commercially available. The light modulation device of the present application can also be effectively applied to the eyewear.

When the light modulation device of the present application is applied to eyewear, the structure of the eyewear is not particularly limited. That is, the light modulation device may be mounted and applied to a left and/or right eyeglass lens having a known eyewear structure.

For example, eyewear may include a left eye lens and a right eye lens; and a frame for supporting the left and right eye glasses.

Fig. 7 is an exemplary schematic diagram of eyewear, which is a schematic diagram of eyewear including a frame 82 and left and right eye lenses 84, but the structure of eyewear to which the light modulation device of the present application can be applied is not limited to fig. 9.

In the eyewear, the left and right eye lenses may each comprise a light modulation device. Such a lens may include only the light modulation device, or may also include other configurations.

Other configurations and designs of eyewear are not particularly limited, and known methods may be applied.

Advantageous effects

The present application can provide a light modulation device excellent in both mechanical characteristics and optical characteristics by applying an optically and mechanically anisotropic polymer film as a substrate.

Drawings

Fig. 1 to 4 are schematic diagrams of exemplary light modulation devices of the present application.

Fig. 5 shows optical axes of the first light modulation layer and the second light modulation layer in a horizontally oriented state.

Fig. 6 illustrates pretilt directions of the first to fourth vertical alignment films.

Figure 7 schematically shows eyewear.

Fig. 8 and 9 show the durability evaluation results of the examples and comparative examples.

Fig. 10 to 12 are results of observing the appearance of the light modulation device of the embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the present application will be specifically described by way of examples, but the scope of the present application is not limited by the following examples.