Thermal Transfer Ink Layer Luminance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal transfer recording media struggle to achieve an ideal color representation of a first ink layer when it is covered by a second ink layer, especially when the second ink layer acts as the front surface side ink layer.

Innovation Solution

A thermal transfer recording medium is developed with a base material layer and sequentially laminated first and second ink layers, where the second ink layer has translucency allowing visual recognition of the first ink layer, and the color difference of reflected light from the second ink layer has an L value of 20 or less.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the second ink layer is made opaque to provide strong color coverage, then the color coverage is improved, but the visual recognition of the first ink layer through the second ink layer deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor coverageVSAvoidvisual recognition of first ink layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes principle by controlling the optical properties of the second ink layer. Specifically, it adjusts the L value (lightness) of the second ink layer to be 20 or less, making it sufficiently dark to provide strong color coverage, while maintaining translucency that allows the first ink layer to be visually recognized through it. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing the color characteristics rather than simply increasing opacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the second ink layer by controlling its L value (lightness parameter in color space) to be 20 or less. This parameter control enables the second ink layer to maintain both dark color coverage and translucency, allowing simultaneous achievement of strong color coverage and visual recognition of the underlying first ink layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If the second ink layer is made translucent to allow visual recognition of the first ink layer, then the visual recognition is improved, but the color coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual recognition of first ink layerVSAvoidcolor coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes principle by precisely controlling the L value (lightness) of the second ink layer to be 20 or less. This creates a dark-colored layer that provides strong color coverage while simultaneously maintaining translucency properties that allow the first ink layer to be visually recognized through it, thus resolving the apparent contradiction between translucency and color coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the L value of reflected light from the second ink layer is reduced to enhance color depth, then the color depth is improved, but the translucency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor depthVSAvoidtranslucency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes principle by controlling the L value (lightness parameter) of reflected light from the second ink layer to be 20 or less. This parameter optimization achieves deep, rich color appearance while maintaining sufficient translucency for visual recognition of the first ink layer, resolving the contradiction between color depth and translucency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the color of the first ink layer to be recognized through the second ink layer, effectively bringing the color close to an ideal color, such as black, even when the first ink layer is covered by the second ink layer.

Implementation Method 1

the second ink layer has translucency that allows for visual recognition of the first ink layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTranslucency:

Implementation Method 2

a thermal transfer recording medium to be transferred to a transparent film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP4566829A1Thermal transfer recording medium, transfer-completed film, and production method for transfer-completed film

Publication Date: 2025.06.11 GENERAL CO LTD

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AI summary

A thermal transfer recording medium to be transferred to a transparent film, including: a base material layer; and a first ink layer and a second ink layer that are sequentially laminated on the base material layer, in which the second ink layer has translucency that allows for visual recognition of the first ink layer, and the color difference of reflected light from the second ink layer has an L value of 20 or less. A transfer-completed film with a first ink layer, a second ink layer having translucency that allows for visual recognition of the first ink layer, and a transparent film sequentially laminated, in which the second ink layer has a total light transmittance of 16% or more, and the transparent film has a total light transmittance of 80% or more.