Security Element Combining Refractive and Diffractive Optical Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security elements lack sufficient protection against counterfeiting, as they rely on single physical effects that can be easily imitated.
Innovation Solution
A security element combining light-refracting structures and diffractive structures, where the light-refracting structures generate a focal line image and the diffractive structures produce a diffraction image, enhancing the complexity and memorability of the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single physical effects are used in security elements, then manufacturing is simpler, but security against counterfeiting is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines refractive structures and diffractive structures into a single security element. The refractive structures generate a focal line image while the diffractive structures generate a diffraction image, creating a composite security feature that requires replication of two different optical phenomena simultaneously, significantly increasing counterfeiting difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The security element uses composite optical structures integrating both refractive and diffractive components. These composite structures produce multiple overlapping images with different optical characteristics, creating a complex visual pattern that is memorability and difficult to replicate
2Reliability
If complex structures are used to increase security, then counterfeit protection improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The security element creates visually distinct images through optical effects. The focal line image and diffraction image produce different visual patterns, colors, and light distributions that are easily distinguishable by the human eye, allowing quick verification without technical aids
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates images that are perceptible at different depths or surfaces when viewed in transmission. The focal line image appears on or in a first surface while the diffraction image appears on or in a second surface, providing a multi-dimensional visual experience that is easily observable and memorable
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 combination of refractive and diffractive structures significantly increases the security against counterfeiting by creating a unique and memorable image that is difficult to replicate, even without technical aids or specific training.
Implementation Method 1
a first region is formed with light-refracting structures, wherein the light-refracting structures are designed to refract incident light and, in particular, to generate a focal line image in transmission or transmitted light on a viewing plane
Implementation Method 2
a second region is formed with diffractive structures, wherein the diffractive structures are designed to diffract incident light and, in particular, to generate a diffraction image when the security element is viewed from one of the two sides in transmission
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a security element (1), as well as a security document or security paper. The security element (1) has a first side (2) and a second side (3) and comprises a carrier layer (4) and a security feature formed by structures. It is provided that a first region (5) is formed with light-refracting structures (6), wherein the light-refracting structures (6) are designed to refract incident light and produce a focal line image, and that a second region (7) is formed with diffractive structures (8), wherein the diffractive structures (8) are designed to diffract incident light and produce a diffraction image.