Information Recording Medium Layer Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing information recording medium for identification cards faces challenges in achieving high-resolution printing and heat resistance due to the thick spacer layers required between color developing layers, which lead to prolonged printing times and unintended color development at lower temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of the information recording medium is modified by rearranging the color developing layers and spacer layers, with the cyan color developing layer, having the lowest temperature, moved closer to the front surface, and thinner spacer layers used between the other color developing layers, allowing for selective heat control and improved heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thick spacer layers are arranged between color developing layers to prevent heat transfer, then heat insulation is improved, but printing resolution deteriorates due to heat expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thicknesses of spacer layers at different locations between color developing layers. Specifically, the first spacer layer (between yellow and magenta layers) has a thickness of 5-15 μm, while the second spacer layer (between magenta and cyan layers) has a thickness of 15-25 μm. This local differentiation allows optimized heat insulation where needed while minimizing heat expansion effects in critical printing areas, thereby resolving the contradiction between heat insulation and printing resolution.
2Temperature
If thick spacer layers are used to insulate heat between color developing layers, then heat insulation is improved, but printing time increases due to prolonged heat transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a differentiated spacer layer structure where the first spacer layer has a thickness of 5-15 μm and the second spacer layer has a thickness of 15-25 μm. This local quality approach ensures that heat insulation is provided where necessary while avoiding excessive thickness that would prolong heat transfer time, thereby optimizing the balance between heat insulation and printing time.
3Ease of operation
If the cyan color developing layer is positioned at the most distant position from the front surface, then color development selectivity is improved, but heat resistance deteriorates due to unintended color development at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the spacer layers, specifically setting the first spacer layer thickness to 5-15 μm and the second spacer layer thickness to 15-25 μm. These parameter changes optimize the thermal insulation properties, preventing unintended heat transfer to the cyan color developing layer at lower temperatures, thereby improving heat resistance while maintaining color development selectivity.
4Ease of operation
If the cyan color developing layer is positioned at the most distant position from the front surface, then color development selectivity is improved, but printing resolution deteriorates due to heat expansion from thick spacer layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs local quality by differentiating the thickness of spacer layers: the first spacer layer is 5-15 μm thick while the second spacer layer is 15-25 μm thick. This localized thickness optimization allows the cyan layer to be positioned at the most distant position for selective color development, while minimizing heat expansion effects from the spacer layers to maintain high printing resolution.
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 configuration enables high-resolution printing by eliminating the need for thick spacer layers, reducing printing time, and enhancing the heat resistance of the medium, allowing for more precise temperature control and improved color development.
Implementation Method 1
When, of two main surfaces of the information recording medium, one surface which is to be irradiated with laser is called a front surface, a prescribed region on the front surface is irradiated with laser and the color developing layer is heated
Implementation Method 2
the heat generated in the vicinity of the front surface with laser irradiation is transferred to the respective layers and the temperatures of the respective layers are changed
Implementation Method 3
Spacer layers having heat insulating property are arranged among the three color developing layers so as to delay heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An information recording medium having a front surface and a back surface has a first color developing layer, a second color developing layer and a third color developing layer. The first color developing layer develops yellow at a temperature not less than a first threshold value. The second color developing layer is arranged at the back surface side with respect to the first color developing layer. The second color developing layer develops magenta at a temperature not less than a second threshold value that is lower than the first threshold value. The third color developing layer is arranged at the front surface side with respect to the first color developing layer. The third color develops cyan at a temperature not less than a third threshold value that is higher than the first threshold value.