Optically Variable Security Element with Multi-Level Relief Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optically variable security elements lack the ability to provide multiple distinct appearances or effects in different colors while maintaining perfect register, which is essential for enhanced security against forgery and visual attractiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optically variable security element with a multicolored reflective surface area featuring two relief structures at different height levels, each with a distinct color coating, where the higher-lying relief structure has recesses that allow for a two-color registration feature that changes color impression based on the viewing angle, creating a dynamic and three-dimensional effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple relief structures with different color coatings are arranged at different height levels, then multiple distinct color impressions and effects are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is divided into multiple relief structures (first and second relief structures) arranged at different height levels, each with distinct color coatings. This segmentation allows each structure to contribute a different color impression, enabling multiple distinct appearances while maintaining a manageable overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension (z-axis) by arranging relief structures at different height levels rather than merely lateral positioning. This dimensional approach allows multiple color coatings to be stacked vertically, creating depth effects and enabling the security element to display different colors from different viewing angles without requiring extensive lateral expansion.
2Manufacturing precision
If recesses are created in the color coating to enable two-color registration, then perfect register and visual attractiveness are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are pre-formed in the first color coating at defined positions and dimensions (greater than 140 μm) before the second color coating is applied. This preliminary structuring ensures that when the second color coating is deposited, it automatically aligns with the recesses, achieving perfect register without requiring complex real-time alignment procedures during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are created only in specific overlapping areas where the first and second relief structures overlap, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized modification allows the color registration feature to be achieved precisely where needed while minimizing the overall impact on manufacturing complexity and maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the recess dimensions are increased above the resolution limit of the naked eye, then the two-color registration feature becomes visually detectable, but the area available for reflective surface decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The recess dimensions are specifically optimized to be greater than 140 μm, which exceeds the resolution limit of the naked eye, making the two-color registration feature visually detectable. This parameter change ensures that the security feature can be easily observed and verified by humans without requiring magnification instruments, while the recesses are positioned in overlapping areas to minimize impact on the total reflective surface area.
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 solution significantly enhances security against forgery by providing multiple, precisely registered color and effect combinations that are difficult to reproduce, while also increasing visual attractiveness through dynamic color shifts and three-dimensional appearances.
Implementation Method 1
optically variable elements that give the viewer a different image impression from different viewing angles and, for example, show a different color or brightness impression and/or a different graphic motif depending on the viewing angle
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5(b)
Figure 5(c)~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an optically variable security element (12), wherein the surface area thereof defines a perpendicular z-axis thereon, comprising a multi-coloured, reflective surface region (20), wherein: the reflective surface region (20) includes a first higher relief structure (34) and a second lower relief structure (24) which are arranged in the z-direction at different height levels; the first relief structure (34) is provided with a first colour coating (36) and the second relief structure (24) is provided with a second different colour coating (26); the two relief structures (24, 34) overlap in an overlapping regions; the first colour coating (36) of the higher first relief structure (34) has at least one recess (42) in the overlapping region (36), with a dimension of greater than 140 μm, wherein the first colour coating (36) has an edge region adjacent to the recess; and, as a two-coloured fudicial alignment-based feature, the first relief structure (34) makes the edge region of the first colour coating (36) visible with a first colour impression and the second relief structure (24) makes the second colour coating (36) visible via the recess (42) with a second different colour impression, in a perfectly aligned coordinated manner.