Optically Variable Security Element Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security elements for data carriers often have the same appearance on both sides, providing insufficient protection against forgery, as the visual effects are not symmetrically integrated across the front and back, limiting their authenticity verification capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A security element with a front-side translucent or transparent surface and a back-side opaque surface, utilizing crosslinking radiation to align platelet-shaped effect pigments differently on both sides, creating a unified see-through image that is difficult to replicate, and incorporating micro-optical relief elements for enhanced visual effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional security elements are used with the same appearance on both sides, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the security against forgery is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating different visual appearances on the front and back sides of the security element. The front side displays a first visual appearance while the back side displays a second visual appearance that is different from the first, making the element asymmetric and significantly harder to forge while maintaining manageable structural complexity through the use of effect pigments and controlled alignment fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of security by utilizing three-dimensional alignment of effect pigments that can be oriented in different directions. By controlling the spatial orientation of these pigments using alignment fields and crosslinking mechanisms, the invention creates depth and dimensional variation in the visual appearance, transforming a two-dimensional security feature into a three-dimensional one that is much more difficult to replicate.
2Reliability
If different visual appearances are created on front and back sides, then security against forgery is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the effect pigments in the desired orientations before the final crosslinking step. Alignment fields are applied to orient the pigments while the material is still in a uncrosslinked, flexible state, allowing easy manipulation. Once aligned, the material is crosslinked to fix the orientation permanently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the complexity of creating different appearances on both sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the physical and chemical state of the material during manufacturing. The material transitions from a uncrosslinked, flexible state during alignment to a crosslinked, rigid state for final fixation. By changing parameters such as crosslinking degree, alignment field strength, and material viscosity, the manufacturing process achieves different visual appearances on front and back sides while remaining manageable.
3Reliability
If effect pigments are aligned in different ways on front and back surfaces, then optically variable effects are enhanced, but the alignment and production precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using controllable alignment fields that can be adjusted in strength, direction, and duration during the manufacturing process. The alignment fields dynamically orient the effect pigments to different degrees and directions on the front and back sides, allowing precise control over the optical variable effects. This dynamic control mechanism achieves high pigment alignment precision without requiring overly complex manufacturing equipment.
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 security element achieves a high degree of authenticity verification by presenting a unique visual appearance from both sides with common see-through information, making it challenging to forge, while maintaining an aesthetically appealing design.
Implementation Method 1
the first surface area of the front security feature having a higher permeability for crosslinking radiation, in particular for UV radiation, than the second surface area
Implementation Method 2
an effect layer with platelet-shaped, three-dimensionally alignable effect pigments
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 2(d)~2(e)
AI summary
The invention relates to an optically variable security element (50) for securing valuables, which has a different visual appearance when viewed from the front and back, while displaying common see-through information. The security element comprises a front-facing security feature (30; 54) with a first, translucent or transparent surface area (34; 60), and a second, opaque surface area (32; 58), wherein the first surface area (34; 60) of the front-facing security feature has a higher transmittance for crosslinking radiation, in particular for UV radiation, than the second surface area (32; 58), and wherein the two surface areas create the front-facing visual appearance of the security element.The security element further comprises a reverse-facing, optically variable security feature (40) with a cross-linked effect layer (62) containing plate-shaped, three-dimensionally oriented effect pigments (68, 80), with a first (42) and a second surface area (44, 46) in which the effect pigments are oriented differently, and wherein the two surface areas generate the different reverse-facing appearance of the security element. The first surface area (34; 60) of the front-facing security feature is congruent with the first surface area (42; 76) of the reverse-facing security feature, and the two first surface areas (34, 42; 60, 76) generate the common see-through information.