Card Uniform Color via Grey Masking Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cards with electrically conductive patterns suffer from uneven color differences when covered with a non-conductive layer, particularly when a white layer is applied, leading to undesirable visual inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A card design featuring a second predetermined pattern with a specific grey percentage, which is the negative of the first pattern, ensures the non-conductive covering layer is uniformly colored by balancing the colors of the conductive material, the covering layer, and any additional information layer, effectively masking the conductive pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-conductive covering layer is applied over the conductive pattern, then the conductive material is protected and covered, but color differences and uneven appearance occur in the covering layer
Solution Approach 1:
A grey background layer is introduced as an intermediary between the conductive pattern and the non-conductive covering layer. This intermediate layer acts as a mediator that absorbs or masks the color differences caused by the conductive material, allowing the covering layer to appear uniform in color while still providing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The color parameter of the background layer is specifically adjusted to grey with a predetermined percentage, which is determined by the type and color of the conductive material and the covering layer. This parameter optimization ensures that the grey background counteracts the color effects of the conductive material, achieving uniform appearance in the final covering layer.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple covering layers or more opaque layers are applied to reduce color differences, then color uniformity may improve, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grey background layer is applied in advance, before the non-conductive covering layer. This preliminary action prepares the surface by establishing a neutral base that compensates for the conductive material's color effects, so that when the covering layer is applied, uniform color is achieved without requiring multiple covering layers or complex opaque coatings.
Data Source
AI summary
A card, comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate; a first predetermined pattern of electrically conductive material applied on said electrically non-conductive substrate; and an electrically non-conductive covering layer applied on said electrically conductive material arranged on said substrate such that said first predetermined pattern of electrically conductive material is covered; said card further comprises a second predetermined pattern in a predetermined grey percentage applied on said electrically non-conductive substrate, said predetermined second pattern being the negative of said first predetermined pattern, and said electrically non-conductive covering layer is also applied on said second predetermined pattern such that said second predetermined pattern is covered, and the greyness of said second predetermined pattern has been determined such that the colour of the electrically non-conductive covering layer is uniform.