Faceted Decorative Element Flat Back Microstructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional faceted decorative elements, such as gemstones, with a brilliant cut have superior optical properties but are bulky and difficult to attach to flat surfaces, while flat-backed gemstones lack these properties due to the absence of pavilion facets.

Innovation Solution

A decorative element with a faceted body and a flat back surface featuring a concavo-convex microstructure and an at least partially reflective layer, which mimics the light reflection of a pavilion by reflecting light through the microstructure and decorative body, enhancing optical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional brilliant cut gemstones are used, then superior optical properties are achieved, but the gemstones become bulky and difficult to attach to flat surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical propertiesVSAvoidvolume
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the brilliant cut gemstone structure into two separate components: a flat-backed decorative body and a microstructure layer. The microstructure layer contains the pavilion-like facets that provide optical properties, while the decorative body provides a flat back surface for attachment. This segmentation allows the optical functions to be separated from the bulky pavilion structure, enabling attachment to flat surfaces while maintaining superior optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a three-dimensional pavilion structure to a two-dimensional microstructure pattern on the flat back surface. By arranging faceted patterns in a planar configuration rather than a volumetric one, the gemstone achieves brilliant cut optical effects without the height and volume of traditional pavilions, allowing direct attachment to flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If flat-backed gemstones are used, then ease of application is improved, but optical properties deteriorate due to absence of pavilion facets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidoptical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating faceted microstructures only in specific regions of the flat back surface where they are needed for optical effects. The microstructure layer contains pavilion-like facets arranged in patterns that provide brilliant cut optical properties at localized areas, while the rest of the back surface remains flat for attachment purposes. This allows the gemstone to maintain ease of application while achieving superior optical properties through localized faceting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a decorative element with superior optical properties similar to brilliant cuts while maintaining the ease of application and versatility of flat-backed gemstones, offering improved light reflection and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

an at least partially reflective layer on at least a portion of the faceted region of the microstructure; wherein the combination of the faceted region and the at least partially reflective layer is configured to reflect light incident on the at least partially reflective layer through the decorative body and/or the microstructure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the microstructure reflects light that passes through the decorative body at angles dictated by the refractive index of the microstructure and the angles of the faceted region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4051047B1Decorative element
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 D SWAROVSKI & CO
  • EP4051047B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP4051047B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4051047B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

A decorative element (400) comprises a faceted decorative body with a flat back surface, a microstructure on the flat back surface of the decorative body, the microstructure comprising a faceted region, and an at least partially reflective layer (240) on at least a portion of the faceted region of the microstructure. The combination of the faceted region and the at least partially reflective layer is configured to reflect light incident on the at least partially reflective layer through the decorative body in multiple directions. Methods for manufacturing a decorative element and a faceted microstructure for improving the appearance of a flat-back decorative body are described.