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Optical body with fresnel-rendering of complex topographical surface

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-01-08
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The optical bodies provide a 3-dimensional appearance and efficient light manipulation, effectively mimicking the complex topography of the original surface, suitable for aesthetic and utilitarian applications.

Problems solved by technology

However, the Fresnel prisms of the new optical bodies are shaped, configured, and / or arranged in ways that are unlike any conventional Fresnel lenses or Fresnel mirrors we are aware of.

Method used

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  • Optical body with fresnel-rendering of complex topographical surface
  • Optical body with fresnel-rendering of complex topographical surface
  • Optical body with fresnel-rendering of complex topographical surface

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0044]As mentioned above, we disclose herein inter alia optical articles such as optical films or the like in which a structured surface is shaped, formed, or otherwise configured to have Fresnel prisms formed therein. The structured surface (in particular, non-vertical facets of the structured surface) defines a complex topography. The structured surface may be considered to comprise a Fresnel-rendering of a non-flat topographical reference surface (TRS) which has the same or similar complex topography. The complex topography may include “wye” features, saddle points, inflection points in a slope sequence, undulating shapes in plan view, inflection points in plan view, and combinations thereof.

[0045]In FIG. 1, we see a block diagram that shows one possible relationship between a TRS and a corresponding Fresnel-rendered structured surface. In this case, a TRS of interest is selected, designed, or otherwise provided in box 110. The TRS has a complex topography. As such, the TRS may f...

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PUM

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Abstract

An optical film or other optical body has a structured surface comprising Fresnel prisms. The Fresnel prisms define a complex topography. For example, a first and second Fresnel prism may have elongated first and second plan view shapes that form a “wye” (Y-shaped) feature. Alternatively or in addition, the Fresnel prisms may be arranged such that slopes of the Fresnel prisms define one or more saddle points. Furthermore, one or more of the Fresnel prisms may have prism shapes in plan view that include undulating portions, and the Fresnel prisms may be arranged in a slope sequence that defines one or more inflection points. The Fresnel prisms may be refractive or reflective, and they may provide the structured surface with a 3-dimensional appearance.

Description

FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates to, among other things, refractive and reflective optical films and related optical bodies having a structured surface comprising Fresnel prisms. The disclosure also relates to articles and systems incorporating such optical bodies, and methods of making and using such optical bodies.BACKGROUND[0002]About 200 years ago, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel is said to have developed thinner, lighter lenses for use in early 19th century lighthouses. We refer to these lenses today as Fresnel lenses. Since that time, Fresnel lenses have been used in a multitude of applications to provide focusing of light in a thinner and lighter form than could be provided by a bulk optical lens. It was also found that curved mirrors could be replaced by analogous thin, faceted constructions by making the facets reflective. Such mirrors are referred to as Fresnel mirrors.BRIEF SUMMARY[0003]We have developed a family of optical films and other optical bodies t...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G02B5/04
CPCG02B5/045G02B3/08G02B5/09G02B5/32
Inventor WEBER, MICHAEL F.
Owner 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO