JP6852437B2 - Vehicle dimming system, dimming member control method, dimming member control program, vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle dimming system, a method for controlling a dimming member, a control program for a dimming member, and a vehicle.

Conventionally, for example, various devices have been proposed for a dimming member (dimming film) that is attached to a window to control the transmission of external light (Patent Documents 1 and 2). One of such dimming members uses a liquid crystal. In such a light control film using a liquid crystal, a liquid crystal material is sandwiched between transparent film materials provided with transparent electrodes to manufacture a liquid crystal cell, and the liquid crystal cell is sandwiched by a linear polarizing plate.
In this dimming member, the transmission of external light is controlled by changing the electric field applied to the liquid crystal to change the orientation of the liquid crystal.

Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance is changed according to the amount of incident light entering the vehicle with respect to the use of such a dimming member in a vehicle.
Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance of the dimming member is changed by contacting a specific portion of the dimming member.
Further, Patent Document 5 discloses a configuration in which the transmittance of the dimming member is reduced by parking at a specific location such as a garage.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 03-47392 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 08-184273 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-22245 International Publication 2015/098312 JP-A-2007-326526

By the way, in general, in a vehicle such as a passenger car, the inside of the vehicle cannot be visually recognized or is difficult to be visually recognized from the window where the outside light of the vehicle is incident from the viewpoint of protecting the privacy inside the vehicle and preventing the vehicle from being damaged. It is hoped that Therefore, a colored film or the like that reduces the light transmittance may be attached to the window of the vehicle in advance.
However, when a colored film or the like is attached to the window in this way, it becomes difficult to confirm the safety at the start of driving the vehicle or while driving, or when the outside of the vehicle is dark such as at night, it becomes more difficult to visually recognize the outside of the vehicle. In some cases, it was not desirable from the viewpoint of safe driving of the vehicle.
An object of the present invention is to appropriately control a dimming member arranged at a portion where external light of a vehicle is incident, according to a state of the vehicle.

Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A vehicle dimming system provided in a vehicle in which a dimming member is arranged at a portion where external light is incident.
A state determination unit that determines the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
It is provided with a drive control unit that changes the transmittance of the dimming member.
The drive control unit
When the state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a runnable state, the transmittance of the dimming member is controlled so as to satisfy the control standard.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(2) In (1)
The state determination unit
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking state for a certain period of time or longer, it is determined that the vehicle is in the parked state.
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking release state, it is determined that the vehicle is in the travelable state.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(3) In (1)
The state determination unit
When the start switch of the vehicle is in the off state, it is determined that the vehicle is in the parked state, and the vehicle is determined to be in the parked state.
When the start switch of the vehicle is on, it is determined that the vehicle is in a runnable state.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(4) In any of (1) to (3),
The drive control unit
In a state where the vehicle can travel, the transmittance of the dimming member is changed according to the operation of the occupant within a range satisfying the control standard.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(5) In any of (1) to (4),
It is provided with a position information acquisition unit that acquires information on the current position of the vehicle.
When it is determined that the vehicle is in a parked state, the drive control unit sets the transmittance of the dimming member as the control reference based on the information of the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit. Controlling to be satisfied,
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(6) In any of (1) to (5),
Further equipped with a vehicle speed acquisition unit for acquiring information on the speed of the vehicle,
The drive control unit
When the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit is higher than zero, the transmittance of the dimming member is controlled so as to satisfy the control standard.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(7) In any of (1) to (6),
The dimming member is divided into a plurality of segments, and the dimming member is divided into a plurality of segments.
The drive control unit
To control the transmittance of a plurality of the segments individually,
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(8) In any of (1) to (7),
The dimming member is arranged in the side window of the vehicle.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(9) In any of (1) to (8),
The dimming member is arranged in each of the side window on the driver's seat side and the side window on the passenger's seat side of the vehicle.
The drive control unit individually controls the transmittance of the dimming member of the side window on the driver's seat side and the dimming member of the side window on the passenger seat side.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(10) In (8) or (9)
The control standard is the transmittance standard specified in the safety standard of the Road Transport Vehicle Law.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring.

(11) A method of controlling a dimming member arranged at a portion where external light of a vehicle is incident.
A state determination step for determining the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
A drive control step for changing the transmittance of the dimming member is provided.
The drive control step
When it is determined that the vehicle is in a runnable state by the state determination step, control is performed so as to satisfy the control standard.
A method for controlling a dimming member.

(12) In (11)
The control standard is the transmittance standard specified in the safety standard of the Road Transport Vehicle Law.
A method for controlling a dimming member.

(13) Control of the dimming member that controls the transmittance of the dimming member arranged at the portion where the outside light of the vehicle is incident by causing the information processing device to execute a predetermined processing procedure by the execution by the information processing device. It ’s a program
The processing procedure
A state determination step for determining the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
A drive control step for changing the transmittance of the dimming member is provided.
The drive control step
When it is determined that the vehicle is in a runnable state by the state determination step, control is performed so as to satisfy the control standard.
A control program for a dimming member.

(14) In (13)
The control standard is the transmittance standard specified in the safety standard of the Road Transport Vehicle Law.
A control program for a dimming member.

(15) With any of the mobile dimming systems from (1) to (10),
An information processing device that executes the mobile dimming system and
Vehicles equipped with.

According to the present invention, the dimming member arranged at the portion where the outside light of the vehicle is incident can be appropriately controlled according to the state of the vehicle.

It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the light control film used in the light control system of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the vehicle which has the dimming system of embodiment. It is a figure explaining the form of the transparent electrode of a light control film. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the dimming system of embodiment.

[Embodiment]
[Dimming film]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a light control film which is a light control member used in the light control system of the embodiment.
The light control film 1 is a film-like member that controls transmitted light by using a liquid crystal, and is configured by sandwiching a liquid crystal cell 4 for a light control film between linear polarizing plates 2 and 3.

[Linear polarizing plate]
The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are not particularly limited as long as they include a polarizing element, and may have a polarizing plate protective film on one side or both sides of the polarizing element.
The polarizer is formed by immersing a film made of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in an aqueous solution containing iodine as a dichromatic dye and stretching the film to form a complex of polyvinyl alcohol and iodine. Examples thereof include a polarizing element, a polarizing element made of a polymer obtained by treating a plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride and orienting a polyene.
When a bicolor dye is used as a bicolor dye instead of iodine, the bicolor dye is an azo dye, a stillben dye, a methine dye, a cyanine dye, a pyrazolone dye, or a triphenylmethane dye. , Kinolin dyes, oxazine dyes, thiazine dyes, anthraquinone dyes and the like are used.

The above-mentioned polarizing plate protective film is not particularly limited as long as it can protect the above-mentioned polarizer and has desired transparency. Examples of the material of the polarizing plate protective film include acetyl cellulose resin, cycloolefin resin, polyether sulfone resin, amorphous polyolefin, modified acrylic polymer, polystyrene, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyamide. Examples thereof include based resins, polyimide resins, polyester resins and the like, heat-curable resins such as acrylic, urethane, acrylic urethane, epoxy and silicone resins, and ultraviolet curable resins. Above all, it is preferable to use an acetyl cellulose-based resin, a cycloolefin-based resin, or an acrylic-based resin as the above-mentioned resin material. Among them, triacetyl cellulose (TAC), which is an acetyl cellulosic resin, is particularly preferable.
The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are arranged in the liquid crystal cell 4 by an adhesive layer made of an acrylic transparent adhesive resin or the like by the cross Nicol arrangement. The linear polarizing plates 2 and 3 are provided with retardation films 2A and 3A for optical compensation on the liquid crystal cell 4 side, respectively, but the retardation films 2A and 3A may be omitted if necessary. .. Further, instead of the cross Nicol arrangement, the parallel Nicol arrangement may be used.

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

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

〔Base material〕
Various transparent resin films can be applied to the base materials 6 and 15, but the transparent resin films have low optical anisotropy and have a transmittance of 80% or more in the visible wavelength (380 to 800 nm). It is desirable to apply.
Examples of the material of the transparent resin film include an acetyl cellulose resin such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC), a polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). Polysulfone, polymethylpentene, EVA and other polyolefin resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride and other vinyl resins, acrylic resins, polyurethane resins, polysulfone (PEF), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate ( Examples thereof include resins such as PC), polysulfone, polyether (PE), polyether ketone (PEK), (meth) acronitrile, cycloolefin polymer (COP), and cycloolefin copolymer.
In particular, resins such as polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are preferable.
In the present embodiment, a polycarbonate film having a thickness of 100 μm is applied to the base materials 6 and 15, but transparent resin films having various thicknesses can be applied.

[Transparent electrode]
The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 are composed of the transparent resin film and a transparent conductive film laminated on the transparent resin film.
As the transparent conductive film, various transparent electrode materials applied to this kind of transparent resin film can be applied, and examples thereof include a transparent metal thin film having an oxide-based total light transmittance of 50% or more. .. Examples thereof include tin oxide-based, indium oxide-based, and zinc oxide-based.

Examples of the tin oxide (SnO2) system include nesa (tin oxide SnO2), ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide: antimony-doped tin oxide), and fluorine-doped tin oxide.
Examples of the indium oxide (In2O3) system include indium oxide, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and IZO (Indium Zic Oxide).
Examples of the zinc oxide (ZnO) system include zinc oxide, AZO (aluminum-doped zinc oxide), and gallium-doped zinc oxide.
In this embodiment, a transparent conductive film is formed by ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).
The specific configurations of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the present embodiment will be described in detail later.

〔Spacer〕
The spacer 12 is provided to define the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 8, and various resin materials can be widely applied. Here, there are mainly two types of spacers 12: spherical spacers (hereinafter, referred to as “bead spacers”) and columnar spacers (hereinafter, referred to as “photo spacers”).
Here, in the light control film 1, it is conceivable to form a photospacer by using a photolithography method in which a photosensitive resin is applied, exposed, and developed after forming an alignment layer on a base material. In this case, it is not preferable because the alignment layer is damaged by the exposure or development process, which causes poor alignment. Further, it is conceivable to apply the alignment layer after the photo spacer is first produced on the base material, but in this case, the alignment layer around the photo spacer cannot be given a sufficient orientation regulating force. It is not preferable because it causes poor orientation. Therefore, the light control film produced by the photo spacer may not be able to be accurately controlled to a desired transmittance due to poor orientation.
On the other hand, the bead spacer is sprayed on the alignment layer after forming the alignment layer, and since the contact area with the alignment layer is narrow, the alignment layer as described above is damaged or the alignment is poor. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of problems such as the occurrence of.
Therefore, by applying the bead spacer as the spacer 12, the transmittance of the produced light control film 1 can be changed more precisely and finely than when the photo spacer is used.
Here, since the light control film 1 of the present embodiment is arranged in the vehicle 20, it is necessary to accurately control the transmittance as needed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the bead spacer is applied to the spacer 12.

Here, as the bead spacer used for the spacer 12, known beads used for a liquid crystal display device, a color filter, or the like can be applied. Specifically, the inorganic components include glass, silica, metal oxides (MgO, Al2O3), etc., and the organic components include acrylic resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and divinylbenzene. Seed polymerization method using core particles obtained by suspension polymerization, emulsion polymerization, or emulsion polymerization of material systems such as polymers, divinylbenzene-acrylic ester copolymers, diacrylic phthalate copolymers, and allyl isocyanurate copolymers. Spherical, cylindrical, cylindrical or the like obtained by a polymerization method such as, or a porous body, a hollow body or the like can be used.
Further, from the viewpoint of improving the dispersibility and adhesion of the beads 12 on the alignment layer, the surface of the bead spacer may be surface-treated. The surface coating material is not particularly limited as long as immobilization on the bead surface and outflow of chemical substances into the liquid crystal material are not a problem, but for example, polyethylene and ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer weight. Combined, ethylene / acrylic ester copolymer, polymethyl (meth) acrylate copolymer, SBS type styrene / butadiene block copolymer, epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin and the like can be used.
In the above description, the spacer 12 is provided on both the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body are not limited thereto. It may be provided in either one of 5D.

[Orientation layer]
The alignment layers 13 and 17 are formed by a photo-alignment layer. As the photo-alignment material applicable to the photo-alignment layer, various materials to which the photo-orientation method can be applied can be widely applied, and examples thereof include a photodegradable type, a photodimerization type, and a photoisomerization type. it can.
In this embodiment, a photodimerized material is used. Examples of the photodimerized material include cinnamates, coumarins, benzylidenephthalimidines, benzylideneacetophenones, diphenylacetylenes, stillbazoles, uracils, quinolinones, maleimides, and polymers having a cinnamicylene acetate derivative. Among them, a polymer having one or both of cinnamate and coumarin is preferably used because of its good orientation-regulating power. Specific examples of such a photodimerized material include the compounds described in JP-A-9-118717, JP-A-10-506420, JP-A-2003-505561 and WO2010 / 150748. Can be mentioned.
Instead of the photo-alignment layer, the alignment layer may be produced by a rubbing treatment, or the alignment layer may be produced by shaping a fine line-shaped uneven shape.

[Liquid crystal layer]
As the liquid crystal layer 8, various liquid crystal materials applicable to this type of light control film 1 can be widely applied. Specifically, a nematic liquid crystal compound, a smectic liquid crystal compound, and a cholesteric liquid crystal compound can be applied to the liquid crystal layer 8 as a liquid crystal compound having no polymerizable functional group.
Examples of the nematic liquid crystal compound include biphenyl compounds, terphenyl compounds, phenylcyclohexyl compounds, biphenylcyclohexyl compounds, phenylbicyclohexyl compounds, trifluoro compounds, phenyl benzoate compounds, and phenyl cyclohexyl benzoate compounds. , Phenylbenzoate phenyl compound, bicyclohexylcarboxylic acid phenyl compound, azomethine compound, azo compound, and azooxy compound, stilben compound, trans compound, ester compound, bicyclohexyl compound, phenylpyrimidine compound , Biphenylpyrimidine-based compounds, pyrimidine-based compounds, biphenylethine-based compounds and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the smectic liquid crystal compound include ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal compounds such as polyacrylate-based, polymethacrylate-based, polychloroacrylate-based, polyoxylan-based, polysiloxane-based, and polyester-based compounds.
Examples of the cholesteric liquid crystal compound include cholesteryl linoleate, cholesteryl oleate, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, polypeptides and the like.

In the liquid crystal cell 4, the sealing material 19 is arranged so as to surround the liquid crystal layer 8. The upper laminated body 5U and the lower laminated body 5D are integrally held by the sealing material 19, and leakage of the liquid crystal material is prevented. As the sealing material 19, for example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an acrylic resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like can be applied.

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

A VA method (Vertical Orientation type) is applied to the orientation control of the liquid crystal layer 8 in the light control film 1 of the embodiment. The VA method has a configuration in which an alignment film having an orientation regulating force in the vertical direction is provided on a transparent electrode formed on a substrate, and a liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between upper and lower substrates.
In the VA method, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 8 are vertically aligned when there is no electric field, whereby the light control film 1 is in a light-shielded state by blocking the incident light, and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 8 is applied by applying this electric field. Is horizontally oriented, and the light control film 1 transmits the incident light and becomes a transmitted state.
Like this VA method, a light control mode in which light is shielded when there is no electric field and is transmitted when an electric field is applied is called a normally black mode.

However, instead of the VA method, various drive methods such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) method, an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, and a GH (Guest Host) method may be applied.
Here, the TN method has a configuration in which an alignment film that has been subjected to a rubbing treatment or the like so that the orientation directions differ by 90 ° is attached on a transparent electrode formed on the substrate, and the liquid crystal layer 8 is sandwiched between the upper and lower substrates. Due to the alignment restricting force of the alignment film, the liquid crystal molecules are aligned along the orientation direction of the alignment film, and other liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the liquid crystal molecules, so that the direction of the liquid crystal molecules is twisted by 90 °. Then, a polarizing plate is arranged on the outside of the upper and lower substrates in parallel with the orientation direction of the alignment film.
In the TN method, when there is no electric field, the light that has passed through the polarizing plate becomes linearly polarized light and enters the liquid crystal. Since the liquid crystal molecules are twisted and oriented by 90 °, the incident light is also twisted and passed by 90 °, so that the liquid crystal molecules can pass through the polarizing plate below. As a result, the light control film 1 transmits the incident light and becomes a transmitted state.
Further, the application of this electric field causes the liquid crystal molecules to stand upright and be twisted, but since the orientation regulating force is stronger on the surface of the alignment film, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules remains along the alignment film. In such a state, since the liquid crystal molecules are isotropic with respect to the passing light, rotation of the linearly polarized light incident on the liquid crystal layer 8 in the polarization direction does not occur. Therefore, the linearly polarized light that has passed through the upper polarizing plate cannot pass through the lower polarizing plate, and the light control film 1 blocks the incident light and is in a light-shielding state.
Like this TN method, a light control mode in which a light is transmitted when there is no electric field and is shielded when an electric field is applied is called a normally white mode.

Further, the GH method is a method in which a liquid crystal composition in which a dichroic dye is dissolved as a guest in a nematic liquid crystal as a host is used. Since the dichroic dye has a uniaxial light absorption axis and absorbs only light vibrating in the light absorption axis direction, the orientation of the dichroic dye is changed according to the movement of the liquid crystal by the electric field. By controlling the orientation of the light absorption axis, the transmission state of the liquid crystal cell can be changed. When the light control film 1 is manufactured by the GH method, the linear polarizing plate can be omitted.
Further, the liquid crystal cell 4 may be driven by a so-called multi-domain method by patterning the photoalignment layer or the like, or may be driven by a single domain.
Further, the light control film 1 can be widely applied when various light control films whose transmitted light amount can be adjusted are used in addition to the above-mentioned liquid crystal light control film.

[Multi-segment]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 20 having the dimming system 22 of the first embodiment. The vehicle 20 in FIG. 2 is a schematic view seen from the side of the passenger seat side.
The dimming film 1 of the present embodiment is substantially the entire surface of the front passenger side window 23A, the rear seat side window 23B, the driver side front seat side window 23C, and the rear seat side window 23D of the vehicle (passenger car) 20. It is arranged in each. The light control film 1 is configured so that drive power can be individually supplied to each of the windows 23A to 23D, whereby the transmittance can be adjusted individually to each of the windows 23A to 23D.
Further, the light control film 1 provided in each window is produced by dividing the transparent electrode 11 and / or the transparent electrode 16 into a plurality of insulated partial electrodes (regions) capable of individually supplying a drive power source. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the light control film 1 is a multi having SG1 to SG4 having a plurality of regions (hereinafter, each region is appropriately referred to as a segment) in which the transmittance can be changed independently. Formed by segments.

It is also possible to spread a plurality of dimming films in the planes of the side windows 23A to 23D of the vehicle 20 so that each dimming film corresponds to the above-mentioned segment, but in this case, between adjacent dimming films. The joint (boundary) of the light may be conspicuous, which may spoil the appearance.
On the other hand, the light control film 1 of the present embodiment is composed of one film, and only the transparent electrodes constituting the light control film 1 are divided into a plurality of regions (partial electrodes) as described above. Has been done. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the boundary between the segments of the light control film 1 from being conspicuous as much as possible, and it is also possible to improve the work efficiency of arranging the light control film 1 on the side windows 23A to 23D.

Here, the form of the electrode of the light control film 1 of the present embodiment having a plurality of segments will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a form of a transparent electrode of a light control film. In FIG. 3, in order to clarify the explanation, the illustration of the configurations other than the transparent electrodes constituting the light control film 1 is omitted.
The transparent electrodes 11 and 16 of the light control film 1 are divided as follows, for example.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the transparent electrode 16 provided in the light control film 1 is divided into four by a strip-shaped region extending in the horizontal direction, so that the transparent electrode 16 is divided into a plurality of partial electrodes 16A to 16D. It is formed on the base material 15 in a divided state. Further, the transparent electrode 11 facing the transparent electrode 16 is formed on the entire surface of the base material 6 without being divided. As a result, the multi-segment light control film 1 having the segments SG1 to SG4 is formed.
In the above description, an example in which the transparent electrode 16 is divided into four is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, the transparent electrode 11 is divided into four, and the transparent electrode 16 is formed on the entire surface of the base material 15. You may do so.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the transparent electrode 11 and the transparent electrode 16 may be divided in the same manner as the transparent electrode 16 in FIG. 3A. Specifically, the transparent electrode 16 is formed by a plurality of partial electrodes 16A to 16D, and the transparent electrode 11 is divided so as to correspond to the transparent electrode 16, that is, the transparent electrode 11 is formed by the plurality of partial electrodes 11A to 11D. By doing so, a multi-segment light control film 1 having segments SG1 to SG4 is formed.
Such division of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 can be produced by patterning the transparent electrodes.

In addition, in the division by patterning of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16, the number of divisions of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 facing each other may be different.
Further, in the above-mentioned examples shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the patterning of the transparent electrodes 11 and 16 is divided into a band shape extending in the horizontal direction, but the patterning is limited to this. For example, it may be divided by a band shape extending in the vertical direction or the diagonal direction, and further divided into various shapes such as a hexagonal shape, a trapezoidal shape, a parallelogram shape, and a triangular shape. It may be.

Since each segment SG1 to SG4 can be individually driven by multi-segmentation in this way, the light control film 1 transmits in a stepwise manner from the lower side to the upper side, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C. The rate can be set to increase, and a shade can be provided on the upper part of the side windows 23A to 23D so as not to be noticeable.
Further, the number of segments of the light control film 1 is increased, and for example, the transmittance of each segment is gradually changed from the upper end to the lower end of the side window to form a gradation as shown in FIG. 3 (d). You may try to do it. In FIG. 3D, the boundary line between each segment is not shown.
Here, as described above, in the light control film 1 of the present embodiment, since the bead spacer is applied to the spacer 12, the transmittance of each segment is more accurately compared to the case where the photo spacer is applied. It can be changed, and the amount of incident light of external light can be smoothly changed from the upper end to the lower end of the side window.

In this embodiment, as described above, a light control film having flexibility as a light control member will be described in each side window, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the base material of the above-mentioned light control film 1 may be used as a glass plate to form a light control member having no flexibility, and the light control member may be arranged in the vehicle 20 instead of each side window. Good.

〔vehicle〕
The vehicle 20 of the present embodiment is a four-seater passenger car. In the vehicle 20, almost the entire surface of the front passenger side window 23A, the rear side window 23B, the driver side front side window 23C, and the rear side window 23D, which are the parts where the outside light mainly enters the vehicle. The above-mentioned light control film 1 is arranged in each of the above-mentioned light control films 1, and the light control film 1 can take in external light into the vehicle as needed and adjust the amount of external light incident on the vehicle.
If necessary, the dimming film 1 may be provided not only on the side window of the vehicle 20 but also on the front window, the rear window, and the like.

The vehicle 20 drives and controls the dimming film 1, the state determination unit 25, the position information acquisition unit 26, the map information storage unit 27, the vehicle speed acquisition unit 29, and the dimming film 1 arranged in the side windows 23A to 23D described above. A dimming system (vehicle dimming system) 22 having a unit 30 is provided.
In the present embodiment, the vehicle dimming system 22 having the state determination unit 25, the position information acquisition unit 26, the map information storage unit 27, the vehicle speed acquisition unit 29, and the drive control unit 30 of the dimming film 1 is a dimming film. The control program is configured to be executed by an information processing device (for example, an electronic control unit (ECU 31) provided in the vehicle 20).
Here, the ECU 31 is an input circuit unit and an arithmetic processing unit that input various signals such as vehicle speed pulses output by various sensors provided in the vehicle, position information of the vehicle 20, and operation signals output from the operation panel. Controls to control each part such as (hereinafter referred to as "CPU"), various arithmetic programs executed by the CPU, the control program of the above-mentioned dimming film, a storage circuit unit for storing the arithmetic results, and the drive source (engine) of the vehicle 20. It includes an output circuit unit and the like that output a signal, a control signal for controlling the light control film 1, and the like.
The vehicle dimming system 22 is not limited to the above control program, and each part constituting the vehicle dimming system 22 may be configured as a processing circuit.

The vehicle dimming system 22 is a system that controls the amount of external light incident on the vehicle by controlling the transmittance of the dimming films 1 provided on the side windows 23A to 23D. The control makes it difficult to see the inside of the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle, and conversely, makes it possible to sufficiently see the outside of the vehicle from the inside of the vehicle.

The state determination unit 25 is a unit that determines the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle 20.
Here, the parked state is a state in which the vehicle 20 is continuously stopped, or a state in which the vehicle 20 is stopped and the driver of the vehicle 20 cannot immediately drive away from the vehicle 20.
Specifically, for example, the parking brake mechanism is in a braking state for a certain period of time or longer, or in the case of an automatic vehicle, the shift lever is located in the parking range or the neutral range, a gasoline engine, or the like. In the case of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine, the power of the drive control circuit that drives the electric motor is cut off when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and in the case of a vehicle powered by an electric motor such as an electric vehicle. This means that all passengers have disembarked and the door is locked.

Here, the state in which the shift lever is located in the parking range is a state in which the power transmission path is blocked so that the driving force from the engine is not transmitted, and the wheel is locked by the lock mechanism so as not to rotate. The state of being.
The state in which the shift lever is located in the neutral range means a state in which the power transmission path is cut off so that the driving force from the engine is not transmitted.
When the shift lever is located on the right side or the left side of the driver's seat, the shift lever switching position of the vehicle 20 is, for example, a parking range or a reverse range from the front side to the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 20. , Neutral range, drive range in that order. When the shift lever is provided in the front (instrument panel) of the vehicle, for example, the parking range, the reverse range, the neutral range, and the drive range are arranged in this order from the vertically upper side to the lower side.
As the drive range, in addition to the normal drive range of high geared, a low range which is a low geared drive range, and a plurality of middle ranges which are intermediate between the high geared and the low geared may be arranged in parallel.

Further, the state in which the internal combustion engine is stopped means a state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is not in the operation start state and the internal combustion engine of the vehicle cannot continue to operate by itself.
Here, the state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is not in the operation start state can be detected based on the state of the ignition switch (start switch), the state of the starter motor, and the rotation state of the crankshaft. For example, it is determined when the ignition switch (start switch) is not located at the start position, when the starter motor used to start the internal combustion engine is not started by the starter signal, or when the crankshaft is not rotating. can do.
Further, the state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle cannot continue to operate by itself can be detected based on the state of the starter signal and the state of rotation of the crankshaft. For example, it can be determined when there is no input of the starter signal (when the starter signal is turned from on to off) or when the crankshaft is not continuously rotating. The rotation state of the crankshaft can be detected, for example, by an output pulse from a crank angle sensor that detects the rotation of a rotor plate directly attached to the crankshaft.

The state in which the power supply of the drive control circuit for driving the electric motor is cut off means the state in which power is not supplied to the drive control circuit, that is, the state in which the power supply is off, and the electric motor connected to the drive control circuit or Each device such as various sensors required for the operation of the vehicle cannot be operated immediately.

The state determination unit 25 of the present embodiment acquires the braking signal of the parking brake mechanism from the vehicle 20, and when the parking brake mechanism is in the braking state for a certain period of time or more (for example, 5 minutes or more) by time measurement by a timer, the vehicle It is determined that 20 is in the parked state. This makes it possible to distinguish between a temporarily stopped state such as waiting for a traffic light and a parked state.
The parking brake mechanism of the vehicle 20 is a foot-operated type provided next to the clutch pedal of the manual vehicle, or a manual operation lever or button operation provided on the right side, left side, or front (instrument panel) of the driver's seat. There are manual methods and automatic methods that automatically operate when the vehicle is stopped. As the braking signal of the parking brake mechanism, a signal used for lighting a warning light for notifying the driver that the parking brake has not been released can be used.

Instead of this, the parking state may be determined by detecting the off state of the start switch.
Here, the off state of the start switch means a state before the start of the internal combustion engine, that is, a stopped state of the internal combustion engine when the power of the vehicle is an internal combustion engine (engine), and a case where the power of the vehicle is an electric motor. , A state in which the power supply of the drive control unit that drives the electric motor is cut off before the power is turned on.
In the case of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, for example, a signal for driving a tachometer of the internal combustion engine can be acquired to detect a stopped state of the internal combustion engine. Further, when the vehicle 20 is a vehicle powered by an electric motor, the power supply voltage to the drive control circuit for driving the electric motor can be detected to detect the cutoff state of the power supply to the drive control circuit.

Further, instead of these, when the vehicle 20 is an automatic vehicle, the state in which the position information of the shift lever is acquired from the vehicle 20 and the shift lever is located in the parking range or the neutral range is determined to be the parking state. You may.
Further, the parking state may be determined based on the locked state of each door of the vehicle 20 and the seated state of the passengers in each seat. Specifically, the vehicle dimming system 22 is provided with a locking detection unit for detecting the locked state provided on each door and a seating state detecting unit for detecting the presence or absence of passengers in each seat, and each door is locked. When it is determined that there are no passengers in each seat, the state determination unit 25 determines that the vehicle 20 is in the parked state. In this case, for the seating state detection unit, for example, a pressure sensor provided in each seat, an imaging device for photographing each seat in the vehicle, or the like can be used.

The runnable state is a state in which the vehicle can be started immediately even if the vehicle is stopped, and includes a state in which the vehicle is actually running.
Specifically, for example, in a state where the parking brake mechanism is released from braking, or in the case of an automatic vehicle, the shift lever is in a position other than the parking range and the neutral range (for example, a drive range corresponding to forward driving, or a drive range corresponding to forward driving. In the case of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine, the vehicle is held in a reverse range (reverse range corresponding to reverse driving), the internal combustion engine is operating, and the vehicle is powered by an electric motor. In this case, it means a state in which the power is turned on in the drive control circuit that drives the electric motor.

Further, the state in which the internal combustion engine is operating means a state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is in the operation start state or the internal combustion engine of the vehicle continues to operate by itself.
Here, the state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle is in the operation start state can be detected based on the state of the ignition switch (start switch), the state of the starter motor, and the rotation state of the crankshaft. For example, it is determined when the ignition switch (start switch) is located at the start position, when the starter motor used to start the internal combustion engine is started by the starter signal, or when the crankshaft is rotating. can do.
Further, the state in which the internal combustion engine of the vehicle continues to operate by itself can be detected based on the rotational state of the crankshaft. For example, it can be determined when the crankshaft is continuously rotating. The rotation state of the crankshaft can be detected, for example, by an output pulse from a crank angle sensor that detects the rotation of a rotor plate directly attached to the crankshaft.

The state in which the power of the drive control circuit for driving the electric motor is turned on means the state in which electric power is supplied to the drive control circuit, and various types necessary for the operation of the electric motor and the vehicle connected to the drive control circuit. Each device such as a sensor can start operating immediately, or is in operation.

The state determination unit 25 of the present embodiment acquires the braking signal of the parking brake mechanism from the vehicle 20, detects the braking release state of the parking brake mechanism, and determines that the vehicle is in a travelable state.

Instead of this, the state determination unit 25 may determine the travelable state by detecting the on state of the start switch.
Here, the on state of the start switch means a state in which the internal combustion engine is operating after the internal combustion engine is started when the power of the vehicle is an internal combustion engine (engine), and the power of the vehicle is an electric motor. , A state in which power is supplied after the power of the drive control circuit that drives the electric motor is turned on.
In the case of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, for example, it is possible to acquire a signal for driving a tachometer of the internal combustion engine and detect a state in which the internal combustion engine is operating. Further, when the vehicle 20 is a vehicle powered by an electric motor, the power supply voltage to the drive control circuit for driving the electric motor can be detected to detect the power supply state to the drive control circuit.

Further, instead of these, when the vehicle 20 is an automatic vehicle, the state determination unit 25 acquires the position information of the shift lever from the vehicle 20 and the shift lever is at a position other than the parking range and the neutral range (for example,). The state held in the drive range or the reverse range) may be detected and determined to be in a runnable state.
Further, the travelable state may be determined based on the locked state of each door of the vehicle 20 and the seated state of the passengers in each seat. Specifically, the vehicle dimming system 22 is provided with a locking detection unit for detecting the locked state provided on each door and a seating state detecting unit for detecting the presence or absence of passengers in each seat, and each door is unlocked. The state determination unit 25 determines that the vehicle 20 is in a runnable state when it is determined that the passenger is seated in at least one of the seats. In this case, for the seating state detection unit, for example, a pressure sensor provided in each seat, an imaging device for photographing each seat in the vehicle, or the like can be used.

The location information acquisition unit 26 includes a global positioning system (GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System), a local positioning system (LPS: Local Positioning System), a geographic location information system (Geographical Location Information System, etc.). , Latitude), the current position information is repeatedly acquired, and the current position information is output to the drive control unit 30.
For example, the position information acquisition unit 26 acquires position information from a GPS receiver that receives radio waves emitted by a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, and acquires position change information with an acceleration sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or the like. However, accurate position information can be obtained by correcting the position information.
Here, the GPS receiving device receives a signal from the GPS satellite and measures the distance between the vehicle and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance for three or more satellites, whereby the current location and progress of the vehicle. The speed and direction of travel are measured, the acceleration sensor outputs information on the acceleration of the sensor itself (change in speed per second), and the vehicle speed sensor rotates the wheels for use in measuring the vehicle speed in the vehicle 20. The moving distance of the vehicle is output based on the pulse signal corresponding to the number (so-called vehicle speed pulse, which is an electric signal specified in JIS D5601-1992), and the gyro sensor outputs the steering amount of the vehicle from the angular speed of the vehicle. The geomagnetic sensor outputs information on the traveling direction from the geomagnetism.
Since the GPS receiving device mounted on the vehicle 20 accurately acquires the position information of the vehicle based on the information of each sensor as described above, the information is compared with the GPS receiving device such as a mobile terminal. The accuracy of is extremely high.

The map information storage unit 27 includes a semiconductor storage device such as a semiconductor memory element that stores information such as a road map and topography, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, and optical storage such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, MO, or DVD. It is a device or the like, and outputs road information based on stored information such as a road map and topography to the drive control unit 30.

Information such as a road map and topography may include shape information displayed on the map, character information (notes), symbol information, and the like.
Here, the shape information includes, for example, shapes related to buildings such as houses, buildings, stations, tunnels, bridges and roads, shapes related to nature such as contour lines, water life lines such as seas, rivers and lakes, prefectural boundaries, counties and cities. Information such as the shape of the ward boundaries of Tokyo and the administrative boundaries such as the ward boundaries of towns and villages and ordinance-designated cities.
In addition, the character information includes, for example, character strings related to traffic such as street names, signal names, and entrance / exit names of highways, character strings related to railways such as station names and entrance / exit numbers, character strings related to facility names such as buildings and stores, and sightseeing. Information such as character strings related to natural place names such as place names and mountain names.
Furthermore, the symbol information includes, for example, symbols related to public facilities such as city halls, libraries, police stations, elementary and junior high schools and courts, symbols related to stores such as banks, post offices, convenience stores, fast foods, coffee chains and gas stations, and traffic lights. , National highway number, city highway number, symbols related to roads such as bus stops, symbols related to recreational facilities such as ski resorts, golf courses, campgrounds, amusement parks, museums, baseball fields and beaches.

The vehicle speed acquisition unit 29 measures the traveling speed of the vehicle 20 by measuring the number of vehicle speed pulses for a time, and outputs the vehicle speed information to the drive control unit 30. The vehicle speed information may be acquired from the mechanism of the speedometer in the driver's seat, or may be acquired by a change in the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 26.

The drive control unit 30 includes a power supply unit that outputs a drive power supply to each segment SG1 to SG4 of the light control film 1, and is composed of an arithmetic processing unit that controls the power supply unit.
When the state determination unit 25 determines that the vehicle 20 is in a travelable state, the drive control unit 30 controls the transmittance of the light control film 1 which is a light control member so as to satisfy the control standard.
Here, the control standard refers to a standard that can sufficiently secure the driver's field of view and drive the vehicle 20 sufficiently safely. In this embodiment, the control standard is a transmittance of 70% or more specified in the safety standard for road transport vehicles (Article 29, Paragraph 3: Revised on November 15, 2016).
Therefore, when the state determination unit 25 determines that the vehicle 20 is in a runnable state, the drive control unit 30 sets the transmittance of the dimming film 1 to 70% so as to satisfy the above-mentioned safety standard for the road transport vehicle. Control so that it becomes the above.
As a result, the vehicle dimming system 22 maintains the front seat side windows 23A and 23C (dimming film) so as to satisfy the transmittance specified by the safety standard of the road transport vehicle while the vehicle can travel. It is possible to keep the driver's driving of the vehicle safe without violating the law.

Regarding the dimming film 1 provided on the rear seat side windows 23B and 23D, the transmittance of the rear seat side windows is not particularly specified by the safety standards of road transport vehicles. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drive control is performed. The unit 30 can change the transmittance of each segment SG1 to SG4 to a desired transmittance of the passenger according to the operation of the operation panel by the passenger regardless of the traveling state. For example, in the vehicle dimming system 22, as shown in FIG. 3C, the transmittance of each segment gradually increases from the upper segment SG1 of the dimming film toward the lower segment SG4. A awning can be provided on the side window.
As with the front seat side windows 23A and 23C, the light control film 1 provided on the rear seat side windows 23B and 23D also has the transmittance in the runnable state and the transmittance of the above-mentioned road transport vehicle safety standard. May be controlled so as to satisfy.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the drive control unit 30 determines that the vehicle 20 is in the parked state, the transmittance of each segment SG1 to SG4 of the dimming film 1 provided in each side window 23A to 23D Is set to the lowest position to block light.
As a result, the vehicle dimming system 22 can prevent the inside of the vehicle from being visually recognized from the outside of the vehicle when the vehicle 20 is parked, protects the privacy of the inside of the vehicle, and suffers damage such as vandalism on the vehicle. The possibility can be reduced.

Here, even when there is no power supply to the light control film 1 in the parked state, for example, when the drive system of the light control film 1 is the VA method, the normal black mode is set, so that the light is shielded from the outside of the vehicle. It is possible to prevent the inside of the vehicle from being visually recognized. In this case, it is possible to prevent the battery of the vehicle 20 in the parked state from being consumed by the light control film 1.
Further, even when the power is not supplied from the generator such as the alternator and the power is supplied to the light control film 1 only by the battery, for example, when the drive method of the light control film 1 is the TN method, it is normal. Since it is in the white mode, as long as power can be supplied from the battery to the light control film 1, it is possible to prevent the inside of the vehicle from being visually recognized from the outside of the vehicle in a light-shielded state.

The drive control unit 30 may change the transmittance of each segment SG1 to SG4 of each dimming film to a desired transmittance by operating an operation panel (not shown) by the passenger in the parked state. ..
Further, the drive control unit 30 is in a traveling state, within a range of transmittance that satisfies the transmittance defined in the above-mentioned safety standard of the road transport vehicle, in response to the operation of the operation panel by the passenger, each segment SG1. The transmittance of ~ SG4 may be changed.

Further, since the vehicle dimming system 22 of the present embodiment includes the vehicle speed acquisition unit 29 as described above, the vehicle speed acquisition unit 29 is determined to be in the parked state by the state determination unit 25. When the vehicle speed acquired by the above is larger than zero, the transmittance of each segment SG1 to SG4 of the light control film 1 provided on the side windows 23A and 23C of the front seat is adjusted so as to satisfy the control standard, that is, described above. Control to satisfy the transmittance stipulated in the safety standards for road transport vehicles.
As a result, for example, if the vehicle is driven by forgetting to release the braking state of the parking brake mechanism, or if the parking brake mechanism is set to the braking state but the braking is weak, the vehicle is intended to be parked. It is possible to prevent the dimming film of the side window of the front seat from being in a light-shielding state and hindering the visibility from the side window when the brake is moved.

Further, the drive control unit 30 is provided on the front seat side windows 23A and 23B based on the information of the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 26 when the state determination unit 25 determines that the parking state is in the parked state. The film 1 is controlled so as to satisfy the control criteria.
More specifically, the drive control unit 30 searches the map stored in the map information storage unit 27 based on the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 26, and as a result, the current position of the vehicle 20 is on the road. When it is determined that the light control film 1 provided on the front seat side windows 23A and 23B satisfies the control standard, that is, the transmittance is specified in the above-mentioned safety standard for road transport vehicles. Each segment SG1 to SG4 is controlled so as to satisfy the existing transmittance.
As a result, for example, even if the internal combustion engine is temporarily stopped due to a signal or the like due to the idling stop function, it is possible to prevent the side windows of the front seats from being shielded from light. It is possible to secure the visibility around the vehicle and ensure the safety at the time of restart.

The vehicle dimming system 22 operates by being supplied with electric power from an alternator and a battery mounted on the vehicle 20.
Here, the alternator is a generator connected to the axle or engine of the vehicle 20, and is a rectifier called a rectifier that rectifies the generated AC voltage and converts it into a DC output voltage, and an integrated circuit. It is integrally equipped with a voltage control device called a voltage regulator that is formed by the above and controls the output voltage.
Since the voltage output from the alternator changes according to the rotation speed of the axle of the vehicle 20 or the rotation speed of the engine, the voltage regulator monitors the output voltage and controls the field current of the alternator. The output voltage is being adjusted. The voltage regulator supplies electric power at a voltage at which the electrical components of the vehicle 20 normally operate even under ever-changing driving conditions.
The battery is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lead battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, or a lithium ion battery. It stores the output voltage from the alternator and discharges the stored output voltage to supply power to the vehicle dimming system 22. Supply.
The method of supplying electric power to the vehicle dimming system 22 has shown an example in which electric power is supplied from an alternator and a battery mounted on the vehicle 20, but the method is not limited to this, and for example, the vehicle 20 Power is supplied from either one of the alternator and the battery mounted on the vehicle, a battery for the vehicle dimming system 22 is separately provided so that power is supplied from the battery, and other publicly known information. The power supply method of the above may be applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the dimming system of the embodiment.
The vehicle dimming system 22 controls the dimming film 1 by repeating the processing procedures (SP1 to SP4) shown in FIG. 4 according to the above-described configuration of each unit 25 to 30.

That is, the vehicle dimming system 22 provided in the vehicle 20 acquires the position information of the current position by the position information acquisition unit 26 (SP1), and acquires the vehicle speed information of the vehicle 20 by the vehicle speed acquisition unit 29 (SP2). ).
Subsequently, the vehicle dimming system 22 uses the state determination unit 25 to determine the state of the vehicle 20 (parking state, travelable) based on the detection signal of the braking state of the parking brake mechanism, the position information of the vehicle, and the vehicle speed information. State) is determined (SP3).
Then, the transmittance of the light control film 1 is controlled by the drive control unit 30 based on the determined state of the vehicle (SP4).

From the above, the vehicle dimming system 22 of the present embodiment has the following effects.

(1) The vehicle 20 and the vehicle dimming system 22 include a state determination unit 25 for determining the parked state and the travelable state of the vehicle 20, and a drive control unit 30 for changing the transmittance of the dimming film 1. When the state determination unit 25 determines that the drive control unit 30 is in a runnable state, the drive control unit 30 controls the transmittance of the light control film 1 so as to satisfy the control standard. As a result, when it is determined that the vehicle is in a travelable state, the transmittance of the dimming film 1 satisfies the transmittance of the safety standard of the road transport vehicle, which is the control standard, so that the driver's view is not obstructed. , The driving of the vehicle 20 can be made safe.

(2) The vehicle dimming system 22 determines that the vehicle 20 is in the parked state when the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle 20 is in the braking state for a certain period of time or longer, and the vehicle parking brake When the mechanism is in the braking release state, it is determined that the vehicle 20 is in the travelable state. This makes it possible to more specifically determine the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle 20.

(3) In the vehicle dimming system 22, when the state determination unit 25 determines that the vehicle 20 is in the parked state when the start switch of the vehicle 20 is off, and the start switch of the vehicle 20 is in the on state. In addition, it is determined that the vehicle 20 is in a runnable state. Thereby, more specifically, the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle 20 can be determined by a method different from the parking brake mechanism.

(4) In the vehicle dimming system 22, the drive control unit 30 changes the transmittance of the dimming film 1 according to the operation of the occupant within a range in which the control standard is satisfied while the vehicle 20 is in a travelable state. .. Thereby, for example, the amount of light incident on the vehicle can be adjusted within a range that does not interfere with the safe driving of the vehicle 20.

(5) The vehicle dimming system 22 includes a position information acquisition unit 26 that acquires information on the current position of the vehicle 20, and when it is determined that the vehicle 20 is in a parked state, the position information acquisition unit 26 Based on the acquired current position information, the transmittance of the light control film 1 is controlled so as to satisfy the control standard. As a result, for example, even if the internal combustion engine is temporarily stopped due to a signal or the like due to the idling stop function, the visibility around the vehicle 20 is secured and the safety at the time of restart is ensured. Can be done.

(6) The vehicle dimming system 22 further includes a vehicle speed acquisition unit that acquires vehicle speed information, so that the transmittance of the dimming film 1 satisfies the control standard when the vehicle speed is higher than zero. To control. As a result, for example, if the vehicle is driven by forgetting to release the braking state of the parking brake mechanism, or if the parking brake mechanism is set to the braking state but the braking is weak, the vehicle is intended to be parked. It is possible to prevent the dimming film of the side window of the front seat from being in a light-shielding state and hindering the visibility from the side window when the brake is moved.

(7) In the vehicle dimming system 22, the dimming film 1 is divided into a plurality of segments SG1 to SG4, and the transmittance of the plurality of segments is individually controlled. Thereby, the transmittance of each segment of the light control film 1 can be controlled, and the amount of incident light incident from the outside of the vehicle can be adjusted according to the request of the passenger.

(8) In the vehicle dimming system 22, since the dimming film 1 is arranged on the side windows 23A to 23D of the vehicle 20, the amount of light incident on the vehicle is appropriately adjusted without impairing the driving safety of the vehicle. Can be adjusted.

(9) In the vehicle dimming system 22, the dimming film 1 is arranged on each of the side windows on the driver's side and the side windows on the passenger's side in the front and rear seats of the vehicle 20, and each of these adjustments. Since the transmittance of the optical film is individually controlled, it is possible to ensure the driving safety of the vehicle and to individually adjust the amount of external light incident on each seat of the vehicle according to the request of the passenger.

(10) The method for controlling the light control film includes a state determination step (SP3) for determining the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle 20 and a drive control step (SP4) for changing the transmittance of the light control film. , When it is determined by the state determination step (SP3) that the vehicle is in a runnable state, the control is controlled so as to satisfy the control standard. As a result, when it is determined that the vehicle is in a travelable state, the transmittance of the dimming film 1 satisfies the transmittance of the safety standard of the road transport vehicle, which is the control standard, so that the driver's view is not obstructed. , The driving of the vehicle 20 can be made safe.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the specific configuration suitable for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention can be variously modified in the configuration of the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the dimming system is provided in a passenger car as a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the dimming system is provided in various vehicles (buses, trucks, etc.) other than the passenger car. May be good.

1 Dimming film 2, 3 Linear polarizing plate 2A, 3A Phase difference film 4 Liquid crystal cell 5U Upper laminate 5D Lower laminate 6, 15 Base material 8 Liquid crystal layer 11, 16 Transparent electrode 12 Spacer 13, 17 Orientation layer 19 Seal Material 20 Vehicle 22 Dimming system 23A-23D Side window 25 Status determination unit 26 Position information acquisition unit 27 Map information storage unit 29 Vehicle speed acquisition unit 30 Drive control unit SG1 to SG4 segment

Claims (10)

It is a vehicle dimming system installed in a vehicle in which a dimming member is arranged at a portion where external light is incident.
A state determination unit that determines the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
It is provided with a drive control unit that changes the transmittance of the dimming member.
The drive control unit
When the state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a runnable state, the transmittance of the dimming member is controlled to be equal to or higher than a specific transmittance.
The state determination unit
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking state for a certain period of time or longer, it is determined that the vehicle is in the parked state.
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking release state, it is determined that the vehicle is in the travelable state.
A dimming system for vehicles featuring. The drive control unit
In a state where the vehicle can travel, the transmittance of the dimming member is changed according to the operation of the occupant within the range of the specific transmittance or more.
The vehicle dimming system according to claim 1. It is provided with a position information acquisition unit that acquires information on the current position of the vehicle.
When the drive control unit determines that the vehicle is parked and the current position is on the road based on the information of the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the drive control unit determines that the current position is on the road. Controlling the transmittance of the dimming member so as to be equal to or higher than the specific transmittance.
The vehicle dimming system according to claim 1 or 2. Further equipped with a vehicle speed acquisition unit for acquiring information on the speed of the vehicle,
The drive control unit
When the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed acquisition unit is higher than zero, the transmittance of the dimming member is controlled to be equal to or higher than the specific transmittance.
The vehicle dimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the dimming system for a vehicle is characterized. The dimming member is divided into a plurality of segments, and the dimming member is divided into a plurality of segments.
The drive control unit
To control the transmittance of a plurality of the segments individually,
The vehicle dimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the dimming system for a vehicle is characterized. The dimming member is arranged in the side window of the vehicle.
The vehicle dimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The dimming member is arranged in each of the side window on the driver's seat side and the side window on the passenger's seat side of the vehicle.
The drive control unit individually controls the transmittance of the dimming member of the side window on the driver's seat side and the dimming member of the side window on the passenger seat side.
The vehicle dimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the dimming system for a vehicle is characterized. It is a control method of the dimming member arranged in the part where the outside light of the vehicle is incident.
A state determination step for determining the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
A drive control step for changing the transmittance of the dimming member is provided.
The drive control step
When it is determined by the state determination step that the vehicle is in a runnable state, it is controlled so that the transmittance is equal to or higher than a specific transmittance.
The state determination step is
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking state for a certain period of time or longer, it is determined that the vehicle is in the parked state.
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking release state, it is determined that the vehicle is in the travelable state.
A method for controlling a dimming member. It is a control program of a dimming member that controls the transmittance of a dimming member arranged at a portion where external light of a vehicle is incident by causing the information processing device to execute a predetermined processing procedure by execution by the information processing device. hand,
The processing procedure
A state determination step for determining the parked state and the runnable state of the vehicle, and
A drive control step for changing the transmittance of the dimming member is provided.
The drive control step
When it is determined by the state determination step that the vehicle is in a runnable state, it is controlled so that the transmittance is equal to or higher than a specific transmittance.
The state determination step is
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking state for a certain period of time or longer, it is determined that the vehicle is in the parked state.
When the parking brake mechanism of the vehicle is in the braking release state, it is determined that the vehicle is in the travelable state.
A control program for a dimming member. The mobile dimming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
An information processing device that executes the mobile dimming system and
Vehicles equipped with.

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