Magnetization Device for Security Element Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetization devices for testing magnetizable security elements struggle to reliably distinguish between high-coercive and low-coercive magnetic materials due to inhomogeneous magnetic fields, which are sensitive to transport fluctuations and require multiple magnets, increasing complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A magnetization device using two cuboid permanent magnets arranged with their north and south poles facing each other, generating distinct magnetic field regions to achieve antiparallel magnetization of high- and low-coercive materials, allowing for reliable differentiation even with transport fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If one magnet is used to generate both magnetic field regions, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but magnetic field inhomogeneity increases and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of magnetsVSAvoiddistinction between magnetic materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the magnetic field generation into two separate magnets instead of using one magnet for both field regions. This segmentation allows each magnet to be optimized for its specific function (first magnet for strong field, second magnet for weaker field), achieving homogeneous magnetic fields in both regions while enabling reliable distinction between high-coercive and low-coercive magnetic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If one magnet is used to generate both magnetic field regions, then device complexity is reduced, but magnetization reliability deteriorates due to transport fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of magnetsVSAvoidmagnetization consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the magnetic field generation into two independent magnets positioned at different locations, the patent creates two distinct magnetic field regions. This segmentation ensures that each region can be independently optimized and controlled, making the magnetization process reliable even when documents experience transport fluctuations, as each magnet stabilizes its respective field region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If two magnets are used to generate separate magnetic field regions, then measurement precision and antiparallel magnetization are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistinction between magnetic materialsVSAvoidnumber of magnets
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs two magnets that work cooperatively within a single integrated magnetization device. While two magnets are used, they function as a unified system where each magnet serves a specific purpose (first magnet for strong field region, second magnet for weaker field region), achieving antiparallel magnetization and reliable material distinction without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simpler and more reliable method to distinguish between magnetic materials by ensuring opposite magnetization directions, reducing sensitivity to transport disruptions and minimizing the number of magnets required, thus enhancing evaluation accuracy and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a first magnet (11) and a second magnet (12) which cooperatively generate both the first and the second magnetic field region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the security element is first exposed to a first, stronger magnetic field region and as a result a high-coercive and a low-coercive magnetic material of the security element is pre-magnetized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetization: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3084731B1Magnetisation device for the testing of a security element
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP3084731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3084731B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3084731B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to the magnetization of a magnetizable security element (31) when testing the latter. In this case, two magnetic field areas (15, 16) having a different magnetic field direction are provided along a transport area (20), wherein the magnetic field strength of the downstream magnetic field area (16) is lower than the magnetic field strength of the first magnetic field area (15) in the direction of transport. According to the invention, two magnets (11, 12) are used to cooperatively generate the two magnetic field areas (15, 16). For this purpose, these magnets are arranged in such a manner that the north poles and south poles of the first magnet (11) and of the second magnet (12) are opposite one another with respect to the transport area (20).