| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an external force sensor that can detect an external force and further maintain the detection state by incorporating a constituent for maintaining the molecular array state of a liquid crystal, into the liquid crystal which is filled between substrates that can be elastically deformed by the external force. SOLUTION: When a substrate 2 that can be elastically deformed by applying an external force is deformed, a liquid crystal composition 4 is deformed in a region corresponding to the deformation of the substrate 2, and the molecular array state of liquid crystal 6 is disturbed, thereby a contrast of the array state of the liquid crystal 6 at the reasion to other region where the external force is not applied is generated, and the external force can be detected. Even after the external force is removed and the deformation of the substrate 2 is recovered, the molecular array state of the liquid crystal 6 in the region is continuously maintained by a second constituent 8. As a result, the molecular array state of the liquid crystal 6 in the region deformed by the external force is distinguished from that of the peripheral liquid crystal 6, even after the external force is eliminated, and the state where the contrast is generated is maintained, and the detection state of the external force is retained. The detection state of the external force can be erased by applying an appropriate electric field. |
