Colored Transmission Optical Element with Surface Relief Micro-Grating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing micro-optical elements lack the ability to be colored without compromising their optical performance, particularly in consumer products where matching the device's appearance is important, and current manufacturing methods are not cost-effective for producing colored elements.

Innovation Solution

A transmission-type optical element with a surface relief micro-grating is created using a colored material, either through inherent properties or added color agents, allowing for flexible tinting to match device aesthetics while maintaining optical clarity and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a micro-optical element is manufactured as a thin film structure using conventional replication techniques, then mass production cost is reduced and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the element cannot be colored without compromising optical performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcoloring capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is divided into two functional layers: a colored base film providing aesthetic appearance and a transparent grating layer providing optical functionality. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the base film can be colored without affecting the optical performance of the grating layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining a colored base film material with a transparent grating material. This composite approach allows the element to exhibit both the coloring properties of the base film and the optical transmission properties of the grating layer, resolving the contradiction between appearance and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If color agent is added to the grating material to color the optical element, then appearance matching is improved, but transmittance and spectral characteristics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance matchingVSAvoidoptical performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coloring function is extracted from the grating material and placed in a separate base film layer. This extraction allows the grating material to remain transparent and optically performant while the base film provides the desired color, eliminating the trade-off between appearance and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the optical element have different properties: the base film layer is colored to match appearance requirements, while the grating layer is kept transparent to maintain optical performance. This local differentiation of properties allows both appearance matching and optical reliability to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the optical element is made transparent to maintain optical clarity, then light transmittance is improved, but the ability to match device appearance through coloring is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical clarityVSAvoidappearance customization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves from a single-layer structure to a multi-layer structure, adding a vertical dimension to the design. The base film layer handles appearance customization while the grating layer handles optical functionality, allowing both transparency and coloring to coexist in different layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables colored micro-optical elements that can be integrated into consumer products, enhancing appearance while preserving optical functionality, and can be manufactured efficiently using existing replication processes, ensuring minimal impact on transmittance and spectral characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

In diffractive optics, the operation of the optical elements are no more based on refraction of light ray at an interface between two materials having different optical densities as is the case in the refractive optics but, instead, on diffraction of light.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

at least a portion of the thickness of the optical element is formed of a colored material so as to make the optical element colored

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a layer of liquid material, for example a suitable thermosetting resin, which is curable by ultraviolet (UV) light or by heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS8894244B2Transmission type optical element, lighting arrangement, and method for manufacturing

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 NANOCOMP

AI summary

A transmission type optical element (10) comprises a surface relief micro-grating (5, 9) for guiding light (13) propagating through the optical element. According to the present invention, at least a portion (5) of the thickness of the optical element (10) is formed of a colored material (4) so as to make the optical element colored.