Security Element Magnetic Particle Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security elements using magnetically aligned pigment flakes for optically variable effects are not distinct enough, making it difficult to authenticate documents of value, as they lack a strong and recognizable optical effect compared to holographic and lenticular devices.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a soft magnetisable sheet to enhance the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, allowing for closer proximity and focused magnetic field orientation of magnetic particles, resulting in a highly distinct and recognizable optical effect with a 3-dimensional appearance that moves when tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional permanent magnets are used to align magnetic particles, then the magnetic field can be generated, but the optical effect is indistinct and not particularly apparent to the observer
Solution Approach 1:
A soft magnetisable sheet is introduced as an intermediary between the permanent magnet and the magnetic particle layer. The sheet has high magnetic permeability that concentrates and enhances the magnetic field lines, causing the magnetic particles to align more strongly and distinctly. This mediator amplifies the magnetic effect without requiring a more complex magnet system.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic properties of the sheet are specifically selected with high permeability to enhance magnetic field concentration. By changing the magnetic parameter (permeability) of the intermediate material, the optical effect distinctness is significantly improved while keeping the magnet system simple.
2Force
If additional permanent magnets are positioned behind the engraved magnetic layer to improve the magnetic field, then the field strength increases, but the magnets must be spaced from the layer which reduces the overall improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The soft magnetisable sheet serves as a mediator that can be placed in direct contact with or very close to the magnetic particle layer. It transmits and concentrates the magnetic field effectively over this short distance, achieving strong particle alignment without requiring large spacing between the permanent magnet and the magnetic layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft magnetisable sheet creates a localized concentration of magnetic field lines where needed - at the magnetic particle layer interface. This local enhancement of magnetic flux density achieves strong alignment效果 without requiring the permanent magnet to be positioned extremely close to the entire layer.
3Reliability
If magnetic particles are aligned to create optically variable effects, then security authentication is enabled, but the effects are not distinct enough to easily distinguish from counterfeit
Solution Approach 1:
The soft magnetisable sheet enhances the magnetic alignment of particles to create sharp, well-defined optical patterns. This produces distinct visual effects that are easy to detect and differentiate from counterfeit, while maintaining the authentication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced magnetic alignment creates distinct optical patterns including color shifts and three-dimensional effects that are clearly visible and difficult to replicate. These optical changes provide reliable visual cues for authentication.
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 provides a security element with a sharp and well-defined visual appearance, significantly improving the ability to distinguish genuine from counterfeit documents by creating a strong, dynamic optical effect that is easily recognizable.
Implementation Method 1
a soft magnetisable sheet to enhance the magnetic field of a permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
allowing for closer proximity and focused magnetic field orientation of magnetic particles
Implementation Method 3
The planar oriented flakes reflect incident light back to the viewer, while the reoriented flakes do not, providing the appearance of a three dimensional pattern in the coating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A security element is provided, comprising a layer disposed on a substrate. The layer comprises a composition having magnetic or magnetisable particles therein, each particle having at least one substantially planar surface. The magnetic or magnetisable particles vary in orientation across the layer such that: at a first part of the layer, the particles are orientated with their planar surfaces substantially parallel to the normal to the layer, the angle between the planar surfaces of the particles and the normal gradually increasing with increasing radial distance from the first part to a maximum of approximately 90 degrees at a first radial position of the layer before decreasing gradually again until a second, father, radial position of the layer, the normals to the planar surfaces of the particles disposed between the first part and the second radial position intersecting one another at points on a first side of the layer, and from the second radial position, the angle between the planar surfaces of the particles and the normal of the layer gradually increases with increasing radial distance, the normals to the planar surfaces of the particles intersecting one another at points on a second side of the layer, opposite to the first side. The security element displays a bright edge corresponding to the first radial position, between a first dark area which includes the first part of the layer, and a second dark area, at least when the security element is viewed along a direction substantially normal to the plane of the substrate.