Optical Element Transfer Structure for Pigment-Free Structural Color

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for imparting color to man-made objects rely on pigments or dyes, which can be environmentally unfriendly and lack aesthetic appeal, while existing structural color technologies may not provide sufficient variability in color appearance.

Innovation Solution

The use of an optical element transfer structure that applies a multilayer reflector or filter to a thermoplastic surface, creating structural colors through optical effects like scattering, refraction, and interference, without the need for pigments or dyes, and optionally combined with a textured surface to enhance color appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If pigments or dyes are used to impart color to articles, then color can be achieved, but environmental harm increases and aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor applicationVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical coloration methods (pigments and dyes) with a physical/optical method using structural color. The optical element with microlens arrays and phase shift layers creates color through optical interference and diffraction effects, eliminating the need for harmful chemical substances while maintaining color application capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of color generation from chemical composition (pigment/dye concentration) to physical structure (optical element geometry, lens spacing, phase shift values). By adjusting structural parameters like lens diameter, focal length, and layer thickness, diverse colors are achieved without chemical changes, resolving the environmental harm issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional pigments or dyes are used for coloration, then color can be applied, but aesthetic appeal and color variability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor applicationVSAvoidcolor appearance variability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic and adjustable color properties through the optical element design. The phase shift layers and microlens arrays can be configured to produce different color effects, and the structure allows for iridescence and angle-dependent color variations that conventional pigments cannot achieve, greatly enhancing color appearance variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite optical structure combining multiple functional layers (microlens arrays, phase shift layers, reflective layers) to achieve complex color effects. This composite approach enables simultaneous control over hue, saturation, and iridescence, providing superior color variability compared to single-material pigment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If structural color optical elements are applied to articles, then aesthetic appeal and color variability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor appearanceVSAvoidoptical element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical element into segmented functional layers: microlens arrays for light focusing, phase shift layers for optical path modulation, and reflective layers for color enhancement. Each layer performs a specific function, allowing independent optimization and simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process despite the complex overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical element design serves multiple functions simultaneously: the microlens arrays focus light, the phase shift layers create interference patterns, and the combined structure produces structural color, iridescence, and angle-dependent effects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while enhancing color appearance versatility.

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

This method allows for the creation of aesthetically appealing structural colors on various articles, such as footwear and apparel, that differ from the underlying surface, offering flexibility in hue, lightness, and iridescence, while being environmentally friendly by eliminating the need for pigments and dyes.

Implementation Method 1

structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects (e.g., through scattering, refraction, reflection, interference, and/or diffraction of visible wavelengths of light)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 4

The optical element can include a multilayer reflector or a multilayer filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3705293B1Structurally-colored articles and methods for making and using structurally-colored articles

Publication Date: 2023.11.29 NIKE INNOVATE CV

Figure 1A~1M
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide optical element transfer structures that include an optical element releasably coupled with a transfer medium and methods of making and using the optical element transfer structures. The optical element transfer structures can be used to dispose an optical element onto an article, whereby the optical element imparts a structural color to the article.