Security Element Diffractive Structures Single Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current security elements lack effective features that prevent reproduction and falsification while ensuring simple verification of their presence and integrity, often requiring complex manufacturing processes and multiple layers that can lead to contamination and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A security element with a transparent plastic layer featuring microstructures and diffractive surface structures formed on the same layer surface, allowing for simultaneous formation of both during a single process, which enhances security by combining microstructures with diffractive effects for verification and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate layers and components are used to create security features, then the security element can provide multiple security functions, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature integrityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines microstructures and diffractive structures into a single integrated layer, eliminating the need for separate layers and reducing structural complexity while maintaining multiple security functions. The microstructures and diffractive structures are formed in the same transparent plastic layer, creating a unified security element that is both simpler and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single transparent plastic layer serves multiple security functions simultaneously by incorporating both microstructures (for magnification and image formation) and diffractive structures (for color effects and verification). This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple separate components while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate embossing tools and steps are used to form different security structures, then various security features can be created, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity feature varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the formation of microstructures and diffractive structures into a single embossing step using one embossing tool. The embossing tool contains both microstructure-forming elements and diffractive structure-forming elements that simultaneously create both security features during one manufacturing process, significantly simplifying production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing tool is pre-configured with all necessary elements to form both microstructures and diffractive structures in a single operation. This preliminary preparation of the tool allows for efficient one-step formation of multiple security features without requiring sequential processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional layers and components are added to enhance security, then the security element provides more verification features, but the manufacturing precision requirements and contamination risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification capabilityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By combining microstructures and diffractive structures in a single layer formed through one embossing process, the patent eliminates alignment issues between separate layers. The integrated formation ensures precise spatial relationships between different security features without requiring complex precision alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution significantly increases the difficulty of manipulating or imitating the security element, provides a simple and reliable verification method, and eliminates the need for additional embossing tools or steps, thereby improving security and production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

diffractive surface structures are formed in the same layer surface... diffractive effects for verification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

microstructures can be designed, for example, as a lenticular lens system... focusing effect of the lenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2867031B1Safety element having microstructures having diffractive structures, and a method for manufacture and verification
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP2867031B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2867031B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP2867031B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety element (1) comprising a device body (2) having a transparent plastic layer (3), on a layer surface (4) of which microstructures (5) are forrmed, wherein diffractive surface structures (7) are additionally formed in the same layer surface (4), and the invention also relates to a method for manufacture, a lamination sheet and a verification method.