Transparent Infrared-Absorbing Alignment Marks for Transfer Films

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transfer ribbons for credential production suffer from waste and quality issues due to visible alignment marks, leading to uneven tension and wrinkling, which affects the transfer process.

Innovation Solution

The use of an intermediate transfer film with transparent to visible light and infrared-absorbing alignment marks, allowing for precise alignment without visible marks, reducing ribbon width and eliminating tension variances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If black alignment marks are printed on the transfer ribbon, then the alignment precision is improved, but the ribbon width must be increased to accommodate the marks outside the transfer sections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidribbon width

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment marks are changed from black (visible) to transparent with infrared-absorbing properties. This allows the marks to be detected by infrared sensors for precise alignment while being invisible to the human eye, eliminating the need for additional ribbon width to accommodate visible marks outside the transfer sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The detection method is substituted from visual detection of black marks to infrared optical detection. Infrared sensors detect the transparent infrared-absorbing marks, enabling precise alignment without requiring the marks to be visible in the conventional spectrum, thus optimizing ribbon width utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If black alignment marks are printed on the transfer ribbon, then the alignment function is achieved, but the marks cause uneven tension and wrinkling during the transfer process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment functionVSAvoidtransfer process quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment marks are changed from black resin material to transparent infrared-absorbing material. This material change eliminates the thickness variation that causes uneven tension and wrinkling, while maintaining the alignment detection function through infrared absorption properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The optical parameters of the alignment marks are changed from visible light absorption (black) to infrared light absorption (transparent). This parameter change allows the marks to perform their alignment function without the physical side effects of causing tension variations and wrinkling during the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the ribbon width is increased to accommodate alignment marks, then the alignment marks can be placed outside transfer sections, but material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemark placement flexibilityVSAvoidtransfer layer waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment marks are made transparent to visible light while absorbing infrared light. This allows the marks to be positioned within the transfer sections without creating visible defects on the final credential, enabling full utilization of the ribbon width and eliminating material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment marks are created as transparent infrared-absorbing features rather than physical black resin deposits. This copying approach allows the marks to be detected optically without adding physical thickness or requiring additional space outside the transfer sections, maximizing material utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 solution minimizes ribbon waste, prevents wrinkling, and maintains image quality by allowing for a narrower ribbon width and reduced tension variations during the transfer process.

Implementation Method 1

The alignment marks are substantially transparent to visible light and absorb infrared light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9821548B2Intermediate transfer film having substantially transparent alignment marks

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 ASSA ABLOY AB

AI summary

An intermediate transfer film for use in a transfer lamination device includes a carrier layer, a transfer layer on the carrier layer, and a plurality of alignment marks supported on the carrier layer. The transfer section is configured to be transferred from the carrier layer to a substrate through a transfer lamination operation. Each alignment mark is substantially transparent to visible light and absorbs infrared light.