Lenticular Security Element with Segmented Refractive Microlenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security elements with viewing-angle-dependent effects, such as lenticular images, are technically challenging to produce on an industrial scale due to the need for high resolution and precise alignment of micro-images, often requiring expensive scanning devices and separate masks for each view, which limits production speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A security element with a lens grid divided into sub-regions of differently refractive microlenses, allowing for large-area laser impingement to produce markings without a mask or fine scanning, enabling faster production and reduced equipment costs by using microlenses with varying lens surface forms that focus or non-focus independently, allowing multiple microlenses to be impinged upon simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If micro-images are structured with high resolution and precise alignment, then the quality of the lenticular image is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mask from the system by directly writing the motif information into the lens structure itself. Instead of using separate masks to define motif regions, the lens segments are directly formed with different refractive properties in the desired motif patterns, eliminating the need for physical masks and their associated alignment complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system and mask system with a direct laser writing approach. By using laser radiation to directly modify the lens material in the desired motif patterns, the system eliminates complex mechanical scanning devices and mask handling mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining high precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If scanning devices and masks are used to produce markings, then the resolution and precision are maintained, but the production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous laser writing across the entire lens surface without interruption. By directly writing motifs into the lens structure in a continuous process rather than using step-by-step scanning with masks, the production speed is significantly increased while maintaining precision through the controlled laser parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the motif creation directly during the lens formation process itself, rather than as a separate subsequent step. The motif information is embedded into the lens structure during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate masking and scanning operations that would reduce production speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate masks are used for each viewing direction, then the accuracy of each view is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motif information for multiple viewing directions directly into the lens structure through the segmentation of lenses. Different lens segments are formed with different refractive properties to create the desired motifs for different views, combining what would have been separate mask operations into a single integrated lens structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a single lens structure that serves multiple functions by embedding different motif information for different viewing directions within the same lens segments. The lens structure itself becomes universal, providing accurate markings for multiple views without requiring separate masks or scanning devices for each view.
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
This approach enables the production of security elements with multiple appearances that can be easily introduced by laser impingement, significantly increasing production speed and reducing equipment outlay, while maintaining high resolution and contrast, allowing for efficient industrial-scale manufacturing of security documents.
Implementation Method 1
the microlenses each comprise differently refractive lens surface forms
Implementation Method 2
the lens surfaces of the lens segments within a lens grid sub-region being developed to be identical but, independently of each other, focusing or non-focusing
Implementation Method 3
the laser radiation here produces a local blackening of the card body, which makes the engraved markings visually visible
Implementation Method 4
at which a metal layer is to be ablated
Data Source
AI summary
A security element for securing security papers, value documents and other data carriers, has a lenticular image that, from different viewing directions, displays at least two appearances. The lenticular image includes a lens grid composed of a plurality of microlenses and a laser-sensitive motif layer arranged spaced apart from the lens grid. The laser-sensitive motif layer comprises, in two or more motif layer sub-regions, different markings introduced by the action of laser radiation and that, when the motif layer is viewed with the lens grid, produce at least two appearances. The lens grid is divided into two or more lens grid sub-regions in which the microlenses each comprise differently refractive lens surface forms. The different lens grid sub-regions are congruent with the different motif layer sub-regions, and the markings of the motif layer sub-regions being produced by laser impingement of the lens grid sub-regions.