Patent Publication Number: US-11650464-B2

Title: Optical element

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-062042 filed on Mar. 31, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     What is disclosed herein relates to an optical element. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A light adjustment panel as an exemplary optical element includes, for example, an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal layer sealed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a spacer provided in the liquid crystal layer (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2020-34612, for example). In the light adjustment panel, the spacer is provided to maintain a cell gap as the distance between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. When incident light enters the light adjustment panel, the optical transmittance of the incident light is adjusted by the light adjustment panel, and transmitted light thus adjusted is output from the light adjustment panel. 
     Simplification has been desired for work of forming spacers in manufacturing an optical element such as a light adjustment panel. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an optical element that can further simplify work of forming spacers for maintaining a cell gap as the distance between an upper substrate and a lower substrate. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect, an optical element includes: a first substrate including a first electrode; a second substrate stacked on the first substrate and including a second electrode; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealing member extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer; a first spacer provided on an inner side of the sealing member; and a conductive column provided on an outer side of the sealing member and electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The conductive column and the first spacer include the same material. 
     According to an aspect, an optical element includes: a first substrate; a second substrate stacked on the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealing member extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer; and a second spacer provided on an inner side of the sealing member and contacting the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealing member and the second spacer include the same material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a light adjustment panel according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of an array substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of a counter substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram of the counter substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic diagram of the array substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view taken along line X-X in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according to a second embodiment when viewed from above; 
         FIG.  12    is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in  FIG.  11   ; and 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according to a modification when viewed from above. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects (embodiments) of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Contents described below in the embodiments do not limit the present disclosure. Components described below include those that could be easily thought of by the skilled person in the art and those identical in effect. Components described below can be combined as appropriate. 
     What is disclosed herein is merely exemplary, and any modification that could be easily thought of by the skilled person in the art as appropriate without departing from the gist of the disclosure is contained in the scope of the present disclosure. For clearer description, the drawings are schematically illustrated for the width, thickness, shape, and the like of each component as compared to an actual aspect in some cases, but the drawings are merely exemplary and do not limit interpretation of the present disclosure. In the present specification and drawings, any element same as that already described with reference to an already described drawing is denoted by the same reference sign, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate in some cases. 
     In this disclosure, when an element is described as being “on” another element, the element can be directly on the other element, or there can be one or more elements between the element and the other element. 
     In an XYZ coordinate system illustrated in the drawings, an X direction is a right-left direction, and an X 1  direction and an X 2  direction are opposite to each other. The X 1  direction is also referred to as a left direction, and the X 2  direction is also referred to as a right direction. A Y direction is a front-back direction, and a Y 1  direction and a Y 2  direction are opposite to each other. The Y 1  direction is also referred to as a front direction, and the Y 2  direction is also referred to as a back direction. A Z direction is an up-down direction (stacking direction). A Z 1  direction and a Z 2  direction are opposite to each other. The Z 1  direction is also referred to as an up direction, and the Z 2  direction is also referred to as a down direction. An alignment film that controls the orientation of liquid crystal molecules is provided for wiring in an active region (refer to an active region  40  in  FIG.  1   ) but is omitted in the drawings in some cases. 
     First Embodiment 
     First, a light adjustment panel according to a first embodiment will be described below. The light adjustment panel is an exemplary optical element according to the present invention. That is, the optical element of the present invention is not limited to a light adjustment panel but may be, for example, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid crystal antenna.  FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the light adjustment panel according to the first embodiment.  FIG.  2    is a schematic diagram of an array substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram of a counter substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  5    is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in  FIG.  5   .  FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram of the counter substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  8    is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  9    is a schematic diagram of the array substrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  10    is a sectional view taken along line X-X in  FIG.  9   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a light adjustment panel  1  according to the first embodiment includes an array substrate (first substrate)  2 , a counter substrate (second substrate)  3 , a liquid crystal layer  4 , a sealing member  5 , and first spacers  72  to be described later. The counter substrate  3  is disposed on the upper side (Z 1  side) of the array substrate  2 . The liquid crystal layer  4  is provided between the counter substrate  3  and the array substrate  2 . The sealing member  5  extends along the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer  4 . The sealing member  5  includes an inflow port  51  for liquid crystal on the Y 2  side. The active region  40  is a region in which the liquid crystal layer  4  is provided, a frame region is a region outside the liquid crystal layer  4 , and a first area  21  and a second area  22  are terminal regions. A first terminal group  10  of the array substrate  2  can be electrically coupled to a flexible printed circuit (FPC)  400 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the array substrate  2  is larger than the counter substrate  3 . That is, the area of the counter substrate  3  is smaller than the area of the array substrate  2 . The array substrate  2  includes a transparent glass  23  (refer to  FIG.  2   ). The counter substrate  3  includes a transparent glass  31  (refer to  FIG.  3   ). In the first embodiment, the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  have square shapes in plan view from above, but the shapes of substrates according to the present invention are not limited to square shapes. In plan view from above, an end of the counter substrate  3  on the X 1  side is provided at substantially the same position in the X direction as that of an end of the array substrate  2  on the X 1  side, and an end of the counter substrate  3  on the Y 2  side is provided at substantially the same position in the Y direction as that of an end of the array substrate  2  on the Y 2  side. Consequently, an end part of a front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  on the Y 1  side and an end part of the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  on the X 2  side are exposed. The sealing member  5  extends in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the counter substrate  3 . The array substrate  2  or the counter substrate  3  may be formed of transparent resin not glass. 
     In other words, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  4   , the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  includes a first area (first side)  21  and a second area (second side)  22 , and the first area  21  and the second area  22  are exposed. The first area  21  and the second area  22  are orthogonal to (intersect) each other. The first area  21  is positioned at the end part of the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  on the Y 1  side and extends in the X direction. The second area  22  is positioned at the end part of the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  on the X 2  side and extends in the Y direction. The first area  21  and the second area  22  form an L shape when viewed from above. The first terminal group  10  is disposed on the first area  21 , and a second terminal group  20  is disposed on the second area  22 . The first terminal group  10  and the second terminal group  20  are exposed since the area of the counter substrate  3  is smaller than that of the array substrate  2  in the light adjustment panel  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the first terminal group  10  includes a first terminal  101 , a second terminal  102 , a third terminal  103 , and a fourth terminal  104 . The first terminal  101 , the second terminal  102 , the third terminal  103 , and the fourth terminal  104  are sequentially arranged from the X 1  side toward the X 2  side in the right-left direction (X direction). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  4   , the second terminal group  20  includes a fifth terminal  201 , a sixth terminal  202 , a seventh terminal  203 , and an eighth terminal  204 . The fifth terminal  201 , the sixth terminal  202 , the seventh terminal  203 , and the eighth terminal  204  are sequentially arranged from the Y 2  side toward the Y 1  side in the front-back direction (Y direction). 
     The following describes wiring lines of the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3 . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , wiring lines are provided on the front surface of each substrate, among the front and back surfaces thereof. In other words, a surface on which wiring lines are provided is referred to as the front surface, and a surface opposite to the front surface is referred to as the back surface. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , wiring lines are provided on the front surface  2   a  on the upper side among the front surface  2   a  and a back surface  2   b  of the array substrate  2 , and wiring lines are provided on a front surface  3   a  on the lower side among the front surface  3   a  and a back surface  3   b  of the counter substrate  3 . In this manner, the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  are disposed so that the front surface  2   a  and the front surface  3   a  are opposite to each other with the liquid crystal layer  4  interposed therebetween. The wiring lines of the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  are supplied with, for example, alternating current (AC) with a pulse wave form having a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined period (for example, ±15 V) from a power source, which is not illustrated. Detailed description thereof will be given below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a first electrode  200  including wiring lines, liquid crystal drive electrodes, and coupling portions is provided on the front surface  2   a  of the transparent glass  23  of the array substrate  2 . In other words, the array substrate  2  includes the first electrode  200 . A coupling portion C 1  (refer to  FIG.  2   ) as the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and a coupling portion C 3  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) as a second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  are electrically coupled to each other through a conductive column  61  (refer to  FIGS.  5  and  6   ) capable of conducting electricity. Similarly, a coupling portion C 2  (refer to  FIG.  2   ) as the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and a coupling portion C 4  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) as the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  are electrically coupled to each other through a conductive column  62  (refer to  FIG.  5   ) capable of conducting electricity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the first terminal  101  and the fifth terminal  201  are electrically coupled to each other through wiring lines (first wiring lines)  241 ,  242 , and  243 . The wiring line  241  extends in the X 1  direction from the first terminal  101 . The wiring line  242  extends straight in the Y 2  direction from an end of the wiring line  241  to the coupling portion C 1 . The wiring line  243  extends in the X 2  direction from the coupling portion C 1  and is coupled to the fifth terminal  201 . The wiring lines  241 ,  242 , and  243  are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member  5 . A configuration can be employed in which one, some, or all of the wiring lines  241 ,  242 , and  243  are disposed on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . 
     The second terminal  102  and the sixth terminal  202  are electrically coupled to each other through wiring lines (second wiring lines)  244  and  245 . The wiring line  244  is coupled to the second terminal  102  and extends in the Y 2  direction. The wiring line  245  extends in the X 2  direction from an end of the wiring line  244  located in the Y 2  direction and is coupled to the sixth terminal  202 . The wiring lines  244  and  245  are disposed on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . A configuration can be employed in which one or both of the wiring lines  244  and  245  are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member  5 . 
     The third terminal  103  and the seventh terminal  203  are electrically coupled to each other through wiring lines (third wiring lines)  246 ,  247 , and  240 . The wiring line  246  is coupled to the third terminal  103  and extends in the X 2  direction. The wiring line  247  extends in the Y 2  direction from an end of the wiring line  246  located in the X 2  direction and is coupled to the wiring line  240 . The wiring line  240  is coupled to the seventh terminal  203 . The wiring lines  246  and  247  are disposed on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . A configuration can be employed in which one, some, or all of the wiring lines  246 ,  247 , and  240  are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member  5 . 
     The fourth terminal  104  and the eighth terminal  204  are electrically coupled to each other through wiring lines (fourth wiring lines)  248  and  249 . The wiring line  248  extends straight from the fourth terminal  104  to the coupling portion C 2 . The wiring line  249  extends straight in the Y 2  direction from the coupling portion C 2  and is coupled to the eighth terminal  204 . The wiring lines  248  and  249  are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member  5 . A configuration can be employed in which one or both of the wiring lines  248  and  249  are disposed on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . 
     Liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  are coupled to the wiring line  244 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  extend straight in the X 2  direction from the wiring line  244 . The seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  are disposed at equal intervals along the Y direction. 
     Liquid crystal drive electrodes  262  are coupled to the wiring line  247 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , six liquid crystal drive electrodes  262  are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the six liquid crystal drive electrodes  262  extend straight in the X 1  direction from the wiring line  247 . The six liquid crystal drive electrodes  262  are disposed at equal intervals in the Y direction. The liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  and  262  are alternately arranged in the Y direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the second electrode  300  including wiring lines  340 ,  341 ,  342 , and  343 , liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  and  362 , and the coupling portions C 3  and C 4  is provided on the front surface  3   a  of the counter substrate  3 . In other words, the counter substrate  3  includes the second electrode  300 . 
     The wiring line  340  extends straight in the Y 1  direction from the coupling portion C 3 . The wiring line  341  extends straight in the X 2  direction from the coupling portion C 3 . 
     The wiring line  342  is coupled to the coupling portion C 4 . The wiring line  343  is coupled to the wiring line  342  and extends straight in the X 1  direction. 
     The liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  are coupled to the wiring line  341 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  extend straight in the Y 1  direction from the wiring line  341 . The seven liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  are disposed at equal intervals along the X direction. 
     The liquid crystal drive electrodes  362  are coupled to the wiring line  343 . As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , six liquid crystal drive electrodes  362  are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the six liquid crystal drive electrodes  362  extend straight in the Y 2  direction from the wiring line  343 . The six liquid crystal drive electrodes  362  are disposed at equal intervals along the X direction. The liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  and  362  are alternately arranged in the X direction. 
     The following describes the light adjustment panel  1 , particularly focusing on the conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers (spacer)  72 . In the first embodiment, the conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  include the same conductive material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the sealing member  5  is provided in an annular shape in the light adjustment panel  1 . The sealing member  5  has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The two conductive columns  61  and  62  are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member  5 . The conductive column  61  is disposed at an end part of the counter substrate  3  (light adjustment panel  1 ) on the Y 2  side and the X 1  side. The conductive column  62  is disposed at an end part of the counter substrate  3  on the Y 1  side and the X 2  side. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , insulating layers  81  and  82  and the first spacers  72  are provided on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . The insulating layers  81  and  82  have rectangular shapes in plan view. The insulating layer  81  is provided to the array substrate  2 , and the insulating layer  82  is provided to the counter substrate  3 . The insulating layers  81  and  82  overlap with each other when viewed from above. The first spacers  72  each have a column shape. A plurality of the first spacers  72  are scattered at equal intervals. Specifically, in the first embodiment, nine first spacers  72  are provided in total and disposed at equal intervals. Specifically, three of the nine first spacers  72  are disposed on a first line closest to the Y 2  side, another three are disposed on a second line adjacent to the first line located on the Y 1  side of the first line, and the other three are disposed on a third line adjacent to the second line located on the Y 1  side of the second line. The three first spacers  72  on the first line are disposed at equal intervals in the X direction, the three first spacers  72  on the second line are disposed at equal intervals in the X direction, and the three first spacers  72  on the third line are disposed at equal intervals in the X direction. 
     A configuration in which the first spacer  72  has a column shape means that the height H of the first spacer  72  is greater than the maximum width d of the first spacer  72  when viewed in plan view (d&lt;H) as illustrated in  FIG.  6    or the height H is equal to the width d (d=H). In the former case, d≤H/2 is preferably satisfied. Furthermore preferably, d≤H/3 is satisfied. Most preferably, d≤H/5 is satisfied. Similarly, a configuration in which the second spacer  71  has a column shape means that the height of the second spacer  71  is greater than or equal to the maximum width of the second spacer  71  when viewed in plan view. 
     The planar shape of the first spacer  71  when viewed in plan view is not limited to a circular shape or an oval shape and can be a polygonal shape or a polygon-like shape such as a square shape and a rectangular shape having rounded corners. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the conductive column  61  electrically connects the coupling portion (first electrode  200 ) C 1  of the array substrate  2  to the coupling portion (second electrode  300 ) C 3  of the counter substrate  3 . In other words, the conductive column  61  is provided between the coupling portion (first electrode  200 ) C 1  and the coupling portion (second electrode  300 ) C 3 . The conductive column  61  is made of a conductive material. Specifically, the conductive column  61  includes a resin  611  and a conductive bead  612  contained in the resin  611 . The conductive bead  612  contacts both the coupling portion (first electrode  200 ) C 1  and the coupling portion (second electrode  300 ) C 3 . The resin  611  may be, for example, an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin or a thermosetting resin. The UV curable resin is a synthesis resin that chemically changes from liquid to solid through reaction with ultraviolet light energy. The diameter of the conductive bead  612  is preferably, for example, in a range of 10 micrometers to 100 micrometers inclusive, and the thicknesses of the first electrode  200  and the second electrode  300  are preferably, for example, in a range of 30 nanometers to 250 nanometers inclusive. A cell gap as the distance between the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  and the front surface  3   a  of the counter substrate  3  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is preferably, for example, in a range of 10 micrometers to 150 micrometers inclusive, more preferably, in a range of 20 micrometers to 100 micrometers inclusive. Furthermore, the cell gap can be in a range of 30 micrometers to 80 micrometers inclusive. A cell gap of a liquid crystal cell used for a conventional liquid crystal display device is in a range of 3 micrometers to 5 micrometers inclusive. Thus, the cell gap of the light adjustment panel  1  of the present embodiment is considerably greater than that of such a conventional liquid crystal display device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , each first spacer  72  is provided between the insulating layer  81  of the array substrate  2  and the insulating layer  82  of the counter substrate  3 . In the sectional view of  FIG.  6   , the insulating layer  81  is provided on the second wiring line  245  and the liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  and  262 . In addition, the insulating layer  82  is provided on the liquid crystal drive electrodes  361  and  362 . The insulating layers  81  and  82  are made of a transparent inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride. Each first spacer  72  includes the resin  611  and the conductive bead  612  contained in the resin  611 . In this manner, each first spacer  72  is made of the same material as that of the conductive column  61 . The first spacer  72  overlaps with the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  with the insulating layers  81  and  82  interposed therebetween. In the present disclosure, the first spacer  72  may overlap with the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  with the insulating layer  81  interposed therebetween, or may overlap with the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  with the insulating layer  82  interposed therebetween. In other words, the first spacer  72  overlaps with at least one of the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  with at least one of the insulating layers  81 ,  82  interposed therebetween. With this configuration, although the first spacers  72  are conductive, insulation between the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3  is maintained by the insulating layers  81  and  82 . 
     Although not illustrated in the figure, a configuration can be employed in which an alignment film is provided on each of the insulating layers  81  and  82  to control the initial orientation of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer  4 . 
     The sealing member  5  is made of an insulating material. Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the sealing member  5  includes an insulating resin  52  and the insulating bead  53  contained in the resin  52 . The insulating bead  53  may be, for example, a resin bead or a silica bead. 
     The following briefly describes a method of manufacturing the light adjustment panel  1  according to the first embodiment with reference to  FIGS.  5  to  10   . 
     First, as illustrated in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the conductive columns  61  and  62 , the insulating layer  82 , and the first spacers  72  are formed on the counter substrate  3 . In this case, a plurality of counter substrates  3  that are continuous in the right-left direction can be formed by using, for example, one glass substrate that is long in the right-left direction. 
     Specifically, the insulating layer  82  is first formed on the counter substrate  3  on which the wiring lines are patterned. The insulating layer  82  having a rectangular shape is provided at a central part of the counter substrate  3  by using a transparent inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride as described above. Thereafter, the conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  are provided. The conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  are formed of the same material as described above. In the present embodiment, for example, mixture of the conductive bead  612  with the resin  611  such as a UV curable resin is applied in point shapes. Since the nine first spacers  72  are provided, the mixture is applied at equal intervals as nine dots on the insulating layer  82 . 
     Subsequently, as illustrated in  FIGS.  9  and  10   , the insulating layer  81  and the sealing member  5  are formed on the array substrate  2 . In this case, a plurality of array substrates  2  that are continuous in the right-left direction can be formed by using, for example, one glass substrate that is long in the right-left direction. Specifically, the insulating layer  81  having a rectangular shape is provided on the array substrate  2  by using a transparent inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride. In addition, the sealing member  5  obtained by mixing the insulating bead  53  in the resin  52  is applied along the outer periphery of the insulating layer  81  through a dispenser. The sealing member  5  may be formed by printing. 
     Then, after the counter substrate  3  and the array substrate  2  are bonded to each other, the conductive columns  61  and  62 , the first spacers  72 , and the sealing member  5  are cured by applying light (ultraviolet light) and/or heat thereto. Specifically, the two above-described glass substrates that are long in the right-left direction are boded to each other. Thereafter, the bonded glass substrates are cut into sets of the counter substrate  3  and the array substrate  2 . Then, after liquid crystal is injected to the inner side of the sealing member  5  through the inflow port  51  of the sealing member  5 , the inflow port  51  is sealed with a sealant (not illustrated), thereby bringing the light adjustment panel  1  to completion. 
     As described above, the light adjustment panel  1  according to the first embodiment includes: the array substrate  2  including the coupling portions C 1  and C 2  (first electrode  200 ); the counter substrate  3  including the coupling portions C 3  and C 4  (second electrode  300 ); the liquid crystal layer  4  provided between the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3 ; the sealing member  5  extending along the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer  4 ; the first spacers  72  provided on the inner side of the sealing member  5 ; the conductive column  61  provided on the outer side of the sealing member  5  and electrically connecting the coupling portion C 1  and the coupling portion C 3 ; and the conductive column  62  provided on the outer side of the sealing member  5  and electrically connecting the coupling portion C 2  and the coupling portion C 4 . The conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  include the same material. 
     With this configuration, the conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  can be formed of the same material with the same equipment (for example, a robot). Thus, work of forming the first spacers  72  can be further simplified. 
     The material of the conductive columns  61  and  62  and the first spacers  72  includes the resin  611  and the conductive beads  612  contained in the resin  611 . 
     Since each first spacer  72  includes the conductive bead  612 , it is possible, by using a plurality of conductive beads  612  having the same diameter, to easily keep equal the cell gap at each area in plan view. An insulating layer is preferably provided to prevent short-circuit between the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3 . 
     Each first spacer  72  has a column shape. Therefore, the area of a region where the first spacer  72  supports the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  is larger than that in a case in which the first spacer  72  is, for example, a sphere, and thus the counter substrate  3  can be more stably supported. 
     A plurality of the first spacers  72  are scattered at equal intervals. Therefore, force for supporting the counter substrate  3  on the upper side is more equally applied on the first spacers  72  than that in a case in which the first spacers  72  are disposed at non-equal intervals, and thus the thickness of the liquid crystal layer  4  is more uniform. 
     As described above, the cell gap of the light adjustment panel  1  according to the present embodiment is considerably greater than that of a cell gap for a conventional display device. Therefore, spacers are required to have strength enough to maintain the cell gap. According to the present embodiment, the first spacer  72  is formed so as to include the conductive bead  612 , and the conductive bead  612  has sufficient compressive strength. Consequently, the first spacer  72  has sufficient supporting strength. Needless to say, the conductive bead  612  functions as what is called a support column in each first spacer  72  and contributes to keeping the shape and the attitude of the first spacer  72  that stands erect without any support from other elements in an effective area. In the first spacer  72 , the resin  611  is provided around the conductive bead  612 , and the first spacer  72  is formed on the insulating layers  81  and  82 , which function as buffer materials to reduce occurrence of damage or the like to the first spacer  72  that would be caused by the first spacer  72  coming in direct contact with electrodes and/or substrates. 
     The array substrate  2  has a rectangular shape including the first area  21  and the second area  22 . The first terminal group  10  is disposed in the first area  21 , and the second terminal group  20  is disposed in the second area  22 . The area of the array substrate  2  is larger than that of the counter substrate  3 . Thus, the first terminal group  10  and the second terminal group  20  are exposed when the counter substrate  3  is stacked on the array substrate  2 . 
     The first terminal group  10  includes the first terminal  101 , the second terminal  102 , the third terminal  103 , and the fourth terminal  104 . The second terminal group  20  includes the fifth terminal  201 , the sixth terminal  202 , the seventh terminal  203 , and the eighth terminal  204 . The first terminal  101  and the fifth terminal  201  are electrically coupled to each other through the first wiring line, the second terminal  102  and the sixth terminal  202  are electrically coupled to each other through the second wiring line, the third terminal  103  and the seventh terminal  203  are electrically coupled to each other through the third wiring line, the fourth terminal  104  and the eighth terminal  204  are electrically coupled to each other through the fourth wiring line, and the liquid crystal drive electrodes  261  are coupled to the second wiring line and the liquid crystal drive electrodes  262  are coupled to the third wiring line. 
     With this configuration, the first terminal group  10  or the second terminal group  20  can be disposed on the same side (for example, the Y 1  side in  FIG.  4   ) by rotating the orientation of the light adjustment panel  1  by, for example, 90 degrees. Thus, when the flexible printed circuit  400  is coupled to the first terminal group  10  or the second terminal group  20 , the flexible printed circuit  400  can be led out from the same side. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The following describes a light adjustment panel according to a second embodiment.  FIG.  11    is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according to the second embodiment when viewed from above.  FIG.  12    is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in  FIG.  11   .  FIG.  13    is a schematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according to a modification when viewed from above. In the second embodiment, a sealing member and second spacers include the same material. Detailed description thereof will be given below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , a light adjustment panel  1 A according to the second embodiment includes the array substrate (first substrate)  2 , the counter substrate (second substrate)  3 , the liquid crystal layer  4 , the sealing member  5 , and second spacers  71 . The counter substrate  3  is disposed on the upper side (Z 1  side) of the array substrate  2 . The liquid crystal layer  4  is provided between the counter substrate  3  and the array substrate  2 . The sealing member  5  extends along the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer  4 . A plurality (nine) of the second spacers  71  are scattered at equal intervals. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the sealing member  5  includes the resin  52 , which is formed of epoxy resin or acrylic resin, and the insulating beads  53  contained in the resin  52 . The insulating bead  53  may be, for example, a resin bead or a silica bead. In  FIG.  12   , three insulating beads  53  are arranged in the X direction, but the number of insulating beads  53  is not particularly limited. An embodiment can be employed in which the material forming the sealing member  5  can be formed of a material having a light-transmitting property. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  12   , an alignment film  90  is provided in the entire region of the liquid crystal layer  4 . Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG.  12   , at parts corresponding to electrodes, the alignment film  90  is disposed on, for example, the third wiring line  247  (refer to  FIG.  2   ) for the array substrate  2  and on the liquid crystal drive electrode  361  (refer to  FIG.  3   ) for the counter substrate  3 , whereas at parts not corresponding to electrodes, the alignment film  90  is disposed on the front surface  2   a  of the array substrate  2  and the front surface  3   a  of the counter substrate  3 . The second spacer  71  is provided between the third wiring line  247  and the liquid crystal drive electrodes  361 . The second spacer  71  has a column shape. In the same way as the sealing member  5 , the second spacer  71  includes the insulating resin  52  and the insulating bead  53  contained in the resin  52 . The insulating bead  53  may be, for example, a resin bead or a silica bead. The thickness of the alignment film  90  is preferably, for example, in a range of 30 nanometers to 100 nanometers inclusive. In the second embodiment as well, the cell gap is preferably, for example, in a range of 20 micrometers to 100 micrometers inclusive. 
     The sealing member is not limited to the sealing member  5  including the inflow port  51  for liquid crystal as described above but may be a sealing member  5 A having an annular shape and not including the inflow port  51  as illustrated in  FIG.  13   . The sealing member  5 A is made of the same material as that of the sealing member  5 . Liquid crystal is injected to the inner side of the sealing member  5 A before the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  are bonded to each other. 
     As described above, the light adjustment panel  1 A according to the second embodiment includes: the array substrate  2 ; the counter substrate  3 ; the liquid crystal layer  4  provided between the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3 ; the sealing member  5  extending along the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer  4 ; and the second spacers  71  provided on the inner side of the sealing member  5 . The sealing member  5  and the second spacers  71  include the same material. 
     With this configuration, the sealing member  5  and the second spacers  71  can be formed of the same material with the same equipment (for example, a robot). Thus, work of forming the second spacers  71  can be further simplified. 
     The material of the sealing member  5  and the second spacers  71  includes the resin  52  and the insulating beads  53  contained in the resin  52 . Since the second spacers  71  include the insulating beads  53 , the cell gap between the array substrate  2  and the counter substrate  3  can be easily maintained constant while insulation is maintained between the first electrode  200  of the array substrate  2  and the second electrode  300  of the counter substrate  3 . 
     More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second spacer  71  is formed so as to include the insulating bead  53 , and the insulating bead  53  has sufficient compressive strength. Consequently, the second spacer  71  has sufficient supporting strength. Needless to say, the insulating bead  53  functions as what is called a support column in each second spacer  71  and contributes to keeping the shape and the attitude of the second spacer  71  that stands erect without any support from other elements in the effective area. In the second spacer  71 , the resin  52  is provided around the insulating bead  53 , and the second spacer  71  is formed on the alignment film  90 , which function as buffer materials to reduce occurrence of damage or the like to the second spacer  71  that would be caused by the second spacer  71  coming in direct contact with electrodes and/or substrates. 
     The second spacer  71  has a light-transmitting property. With this configuration, light passes through the second spacer  71  as well, whereby decrease in the transmittance of the light adjustment panel  1 A due to the presence of the second spacer  71  can be restrained.