Fiber Composite Security Document Monocoque Structure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security and valuable documents, such as ID cards, lack sufficient mechanical stability, particularly when equipped with electronic circuits and display devices, leading to potential damage from bending stress and exposure of electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A security document with a monocoque structure formed by a fiber composite support structure layer and a circuit carrier layer, using non-fusible materials like thermoset-reinforced glass fiber composites, which provides high torsional rigidity and protects electronic components from mechanical damage, and an RFID circuit with an integrated fingerprint scanning device and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If polymer materials are used for document layers, then flexibility and ease of manufacture are improved, but mechanical stability and torsional rigidity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining a fiber-reinforced support structure layer (made of glass fiber reinforced plastic or similar composite materials) with polymer circuit carrier layers. This composite construction provides both the mechanical stability and torsional rigidity needed for security documents while maintaining flexibility in manufacturing processes. The fiber reinforcement specifically addresses the weakness of pure polymer materials in providing structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are mounted on circuit carrier layers, then functionality is improved, but vulnerability to mechanical damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidprotection against mechanical damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by creating a protective sandwich structure where the fiber-reinforced support structure layer is positioned to protect the electronic components mounted on the circuit carrier layer. The rigid composite layer acts as a protective shell that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they can reach the vulnerable electronic components, thereby preventing breakage and damage in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The use of fiber-reinforced composite materials for the support structure provides enhanced mechanical protection for electronic components. The composite structure's high strength-to-weight ratio and torsional rigidity create a protective environment that shields mounted electronics from bending, crushing, and other mechanical damages while maintaining the document's overall flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If lamination processes are used to assemble document layers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dimensional stability under thermal influences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses thermal dimensional stability by carefully selecting materials with compatible thermal expansion coefficients and optimizing the lamination process parameters (temperature, pressure, time). The fiber-reinforced composite support structure layer has low thermal expansion characteristics that counteract the thermal effects on polymer layers, maintaining dimensional stability throughout the lamination process and during document use under varying thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3265962B1Value or security document comprising an electronic circuit, and method for producing a value or security document
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3265962B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3265962B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(B)
  • EP3265962B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(D)

AI summary

In order to create a value or security document (1000) comprising an electronic circuit (1270) with greater mechanical stability, in particular in respect of bending stress, the value or security document (1000) is formed of at least two stacked document layers (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400) that are connected to one another using a joining process, the stack being formed by a supporting structural layer (1100) and a circuit carrier layer (1230) that carries the electronic circuit (1270). The supporting structural layer (1100) is made of a fiber composite.