Multilayer Security Element with Translucent Metallization and Color Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard holograms with aluminum reflective layers are becoming increasingly available, leading to a reduction in security standards for documents of value, making them more susceptible to forgery.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer security element is developed, comprising a first transparent layer structure with translucent metallization and diffraction structures, and a second opaque layer structure with a color shift effect, arranged one above the other to partially overlap, enhancing security through a combination of translucency, color shift, and diffraction effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard holograms with aluminum reflective layers are used, then manufacturing cost and availability are improved, but security against forgery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is divided into multiple transparent layer structures (first, second, and third layer structures) with different optical functions. Each layer structure contains specific transparent areas and optically active elements, creating a segmented architecture that combines multiple security mechanisms in one element, thereby maintaining high security while remaining manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite transparent layer structures combining different materials with specific optical properties: transparent polymers for substrate, metallizations for reflective effects, liquid crystal materials for color shift effects, and diffraction grating materials. This composite approach creates a security element with multiple simultaneous optical effects that are difficult to forge while using commercially available materials and processes.
2Reliability
If multiple transparent layer structures with overlapping transparent areas are used, then security against forgery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transparent layer structures with different optical functions (diffraction gratings, color shift effects, reflective metallizations) are merged into a single integrated security element. The transparent areas of different layers are positioned to overlap, allowing light to pass through multiple layers and accumulate multiple optical effects simultaneously, thereby enhancing security while maintaining a compact single-element structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention exploits the third dimension (depth/layers) by stacking multiple transparent layer structures with overlapping transparent areas. This vertical arrangement allows light to interact with multiple optically active elements at different depths, creating cumulative optical effects that are difficult to replicate, thereby enhancing security without significantly increasing lateral complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If translucent metallization and diffraction structures are added to the first layer structure, then optical effect complexity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first layer structure contains translucent metallization and diffraction structures only in specific local areas (first transparent areas) rather than uniformly across the entire layer. This localized approach allows precise optical effects where needed while reducing overall manufacturing complexity and alignment requirements compared to full-coverage structures.
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 multilayer security element significantly increases the difficulty of forgery by providing a visually appealing and complex optical effect that is challenging to replicate, thus enhancing the security of documents of value.
Implementation Method 1
The first partial areas additionally have diffraction structures
Implementation Method 2
The color shift effect of a multi-layer thin-layer structure is based on interference effects due to multiple reflections in the various sub-layers of the thin-layer element
Implementation Method 3
The second layer structure comprises a layer of liquid crystal material and a dark layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~4a
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-layer security element having a first transparent layer construction with first translucent sub-regions, and a second, opaque layer construction which exhibits a colour flop effect and has second transparent sub-regions.