Lenticular Security Element with Radiation-Sensitive Motif

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security elements with tilting images face challenges in precision registration with lens grids, especially in thin layer structures, making them costly and difficult to implement on an industrial scale, and struggle to achieve distinct color representations from different viewing directions.

Innovation Solution

A security element featuring a lenticular image with a radiation-sensitive motif layer and a contrast sub-layer, using pearlescent and interference pigments, arranged in register with microlenses to create transparent areas and opaque regions, allowing for precise tilting effects and color changes when viewed from different angles, and optionally incorporating a second motif layer for enhanced visual effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If microimages are printed or embossed without a lenticular grid, then production cost is reduced, but alignment precision with the lenticular grid deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the motif layer with the lenticular grid during the printing process. The motif layer is printed directly on the lenticular grid substrate with pre-established registration marks and alignment features, ensuring precise registration before the lenticular effect is applied. This eliminates the need for separate alignment steps while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If laser engraving is used to inscribe motifs into the motif layer, then alignment precision with lenses is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by transferring the motif pattern onto the lenticular grid through a master template or digital file that is repeatedly copied across the substrate. This copying process uses standard printing technology rather than complex laser engraving equipment, achieving consistent alignment through template-based reproduction while simplifying the manufacturing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If a single motif layer is used, then device complexity is reduced, but visual appeal and security against forgery deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsecurity against forgery
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the motif layer into multiple functional sub-layers, each containing different motif elements or optical properties. These segmented layers can be independently designed and manufactured, then combined to create a composite structure that provides enhanced security features and visual appeal while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 the creation of security elements with precise, cost-effective, and visually appealing tilting images that are difficult to reproduce, providing enhanced protection against forgery and ensuring authenticity through distinct appearances from different viewing directions.

Implementation Method 1

The laser radiation creates a local darkening of the data carrier, making the engraved markings visually apparent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

a lens grid image comprising a lens grid made up of a plurality of microlenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

The color layer can be an Iriodin® printing layer with mica-based pearlescent pigments. Such pearlescent pigments produce luster and color effects whose color spectrum ranges from silvery white through red and bronze earth tones to golden luster. According to current understanding, the color effects arise from an interplay of transparency, light refraction, and multiple reflections at the pigment layers.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

The color layer can be an Iriodin® printing layer with mica-based pearlescent pigments. Such pearlescent pigments produce luster and color effects whose color spectrum ranges from silvery white through red and bronze earth tones to golden luster.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 5

a lens grid image comprising a lens grid made up of a plurality of microlenses and a radiation-sensitive motif layer spaced apart from the lens grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens optical effect: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3823840B1Security element comprising a lenticular image
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP3823840B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3823840B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)
  • EP3823840B1 patent drawingFigure 5(a)~6(b)

AI summary

The invention relates to a security element (12) for securing security papers, valuable documents and other data carriers (10), said element comprising a lenticular image which contains a lenticular screen (24), consisting of a plurality of microlenses (26), and a radiation-sensitive motif layer (30) arranged at a distance from the lenticular screen, wherein the radiation-sensitive motif layer (30) contains, in one motif region, a plurality of transparency regions (40) which are generated by the action of radiation. According to the invention, the radiation-sensitive motif layer (30) has a colour sublayer (32) and a contrast sublayer (34) at least in the motif region, wherein the colour sublayer (32) comprises colour-imparting effect pigments which have a colouring effect against the background of the contrast sublayer (32) and which act transparently without a contrast layer.