Optically variable security element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically variable security elements face challenges in production complexity and limited light reflection due to the requirement for fine gridding of ink coatings, which affects their visibility and authenticity verification.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optically variable security element features two independent relief structures at different height levels, each with a reflection-enhancing coating that allows for high reflectance and transmittance at different wavelengths, enabling enhanced visibility and luminosity without the need for gridded coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fine gridded ink coating is applied to the relief structure, then the optically variable effect is achieved, but the production complexity increases and the reflected light proportion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the gridded ink coating from the higher-level relief structure, replacing it with a reflection-enhancing coating. This eliminates the production complexity associated with fine gridding while maintaining the optically variable effect through the interaction between the relief structure geometry and the simplified coating
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the coating by using a reflection-enhancing coating with different reflective properties compared to the traditional gridded ink coating. This allows the coating to enhance reflection without requiring fine gridding, thus reducing production complexity while maintaining authenticity verification
2Reliability
If a fine gridded ink coating is applied to the relief structure, then the optically variable effect is achieved, but the reflected light proportion is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light-limiting gridded ink coating and replaces it with a reflection-enhancing coating that increases the reflected light proportion while maintaining the optically variable effect through the relief structure's geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using a coating with enhanced reflective properties, transforming it from a light-absorbing gridded ink coating to a light-reflecting coating, thereby increasing the reflected light proportion while preserving authenticity verification
3Illumination intensity
If a semitransparent first reflection-enhancing coating is used, then high reflectance and transmittance at different wavelengths are achieved, but the coating must be precisely engineered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a semitransparent reflection-enhancing coating with specifically engineered optical parameters that reflect certain wavelengths while transmitting others. This wavelength-selective coating achieves high luminosity through constructive interference effects, and while the coating requires precision, the patent provides guidance on achieving the necessary optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite coating structure that combines reflective and transmissive properties in a single layer or multi-layer system. This composite coating material is designed to exhibit wavelength-dependent optical properties, achieving high luminosity while managing the manufacturing precision requirements through material selection and layer design
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 simplifies production, enhances the visual appeal with strong luminosity, and improves the recognition of optically variable effects from different viewing directions, making it more effective for protecting valuable objects.
Implementation Method 1
the first reflection-enhancing coating is formed with a—preferably wavelength-dependent—reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range
Implementation Method 2
the first reflection-enhancing coating is formed with a—preferably wavelength-dependent—reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range
Data Source
AI summary
An optically variable security element is provided for protecting objects of value. The reflective area region includes two independent relief structures, which are arranged at different levels in the z-direction and form a lower-level relief structure and a higher-level relief structure. The higher-level relief structure is supplied with a first reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile, and the lower-level relief structure is supplied with a second reflection-enhancing coating following the relief profile. The first reflection-enhancing coating is formed in the visible spectral range with a reflection and transmission in the visible spectral range, so that the higher-level relief structure shows a first optically variable effect in a first color, and the lower-level relief structure shows a second optically variable effect through the first reflection-enhancing coating, wherein the second optically variable effect shows itself in a second, different color.