Glass pane with a coating for reducing bird collisions

Abstract

The invention relates to a glass pane 1), comprising a substrate (2) made of glass, and a coating (3) for reducing bird collisions, wherein at least one surface (I, II) of the substrate (2) has a pattern of coated regions (b), which are provided with the coating (3), and wherein the coating (3) is formed on the basis of silicon-zirconium mixed nitride (SiZrN).

Description

[0001] Glass pane with a coating to reduce bird collisions

[0002] The invention relates to a glass pane with a coating for reducing bird collisions, a laminated pane containing the glass pane, an insulating glazing containing the glass pane or laminated pane, and the production and use of the glass pane.

[0003] A common problem with building glazing is that birds fail to recognize it as an obstacle and collide with it. This not only negatively impacts the bird population but also causes inconvenience for the building operator. Dead birds must be disposed of. If the glazing is damaged or even broken in the collision, it must be replaced at great expense and effort.

[0004] Often, attempts are made to address this problem by applying adhesive films to the glazing to make it more noticeable to birds. Black adhesive films featuring the silhouette of a bird of prey are very common. Alternatively, prints on the glazing or etched structures can be used. However, all of these solutions have only very limited success, presumably due to the lack of visual contrast for the bird to perceive.

[0005] The bird's eye detects not only radiation in the (for humans) visible spectral range, but also significantly in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral range. This can be used to increase the contrast of structures and make them more noticeable to birds. For example, glass panes are known from US2013087720A1 that are coated with a pattern of areas. The coating absorbs radiation in the UV range and re-emits longer-wavelength radiation, which is also in the UV range.

[0006] EP3148329B1 discloses glass panes provided with a pattern of coated areas that reflect radiation in the UV range. The coating is formed from titanium oxide (TiO2) or as a multilayer system consisting of alternating layers of tin oxide (SnO2) and silicon oxide (SiO2). The present invention is based on the object of providing further improved glass panes and glazings with a coating for reducing bird collisions.

[0007] The object is achieved by a glass pane according to independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0008] The glass pane according to the invention comprises at least a glass substrate and a coating for reducing bird collisions. At least one surface of the substrate has a pattern of coated areas. The coated areas are provided with said coating. According to the invention, said coating is based on silicon zirconium mixed nitride (SiZrN). SiZrN is also referred to below as silicon zirconium nitride. The substrate is, in particular, a plate- or disk-like glass object having two main surfaces intended for viewing and arranged substantially parallel to one another, and an edge surface extending therebetween.

[0009] The surface of the glass pane is not fully coated with the coating in question. There are a number of coated areas which are coated with the coating according to the invention. In addition to the coated areas, there is one or more uncoated areas which are not coated with the coating in question and which separate or separate adjacent coated areas from one another. The proportion of coated areas relative to the total surface of the substrate is, for example, from 1% to 90%. When naming the areas, “coated” and “uncoated” refers to the coating according to the invention for reducing bird collisions. This coating is only present in the coated areas, while the remaining surface is not coated with the coating in question.However, other coatings may well be present in the uncoated areas, for example a full-surface coating which is applied to the surface in addition to the coating according to the invention in order to provide it with additional functions.

[0010] The SiZrN-based coating according to the invention has reflective properties in the visible, but especially also in the UV range. This allows birds to perceive the pattern with high contrast. In particular, it is possible to adjust the reflection spectrum by adjusting the refractive index and the layer thickness so that the reflective properties are more pronounced in the UV range than in the visible spectral range. This is advantageous because people are then unable to perceive the reflections as strongly, so that the glass pane has a comparatively homogeneous appearance despite the area coated with the pattern. The pattern is not as noticeable to humans. Compared to other known coatings based on TiO2 or comprising SiO2, the SiZrN can be applied to the surface at significantly higher deposition rates, which speeds up production and makes it more cost-effective.In contrast to TiO2, SiZrN does not exhibit photocatalytic or self-cleaning properties. These can lead to an unsightly appearance in TiO2-based panes, as some areas of the pane are self-cleaning while others are not. Therefore, more severe local contamination occurs in the non-self-cleaning areas, which is avoided by the solution according to the invention. These are major advantages of the present invention.

[0011] In one advantageous embodiment, the coating according to the invention has a refractive index of at least 2.1. This achieves particularly good reflective properties, so that birds can perceive the pattern with high contrast. The higher the refractive index, the greater the reflectance of the coating. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the coating has a refractive index of at least 2.2. In the context of the present invention, the refractive index is specified based on a wavelength of 550 nm. Due to the optical dispersion properties of high-refractive index materials, the refractive index can be even higher in the UV range, making the coating even more effective in the UV range. The refractive index is fundamentally independent of the measurement method. It can be determined, for example, using ellipsometry. Ellipsometers are commercially available, for example from Sentech.

[0012] The refractive index can be adjusted in particular by the proportion of zirconium (Zr) in the SiZrN. In an advantageous embodiment, the SiZrN has a ratio of the proportion of Zr to the sum of the proportions of silicon (Si) and Zr of at least 10 wt.%, preferably at least 15 wt.%. This ratio can also be at least 20 wt.% or even at least 25 wt.% to further increase the reflectance. The ratio of the proportion of Zr to the sum of the proportions of Si and Zr is, for example, from 10 wt.% to 50 wt.%, in particular from 15 wt.% to 50 wt.% - thus, refractive indices of 2.0 to 2.5, in particular from 2.1 to 2.5, are easily achievable. The Zr proportion, in addition to increasing the refractive index, improves the chemical resistance of the coating. In addition to the proportion of zirconium, the proportion of nitrogen also influences the refractive index.

[0013] The coated areas of the glass pane preferably have a reflectance of at least 10% in the spectral range from 300 nm to 420 nm, more preferably at least 20%, most preferably at least 30%. This means that the maximum reflectance occurring in the reflection spectrum in the spectral range from 300 nm to 420 nm is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, most preferably at least 30%. The glass pane is then easily perceived by birds as an obstacle. The reflection spectrum is measured with an irradiation and detection angle of 8° to the surface normal.

[0014] For the visibility of the glass pane for birds, it is particularly advantageous if the coated areas also exhibit significant reflection in the near-UV visible spectral range. Therefore, the coated areas of the glass pane preferably also exhibit a reflectance of at least 10% in the spectral range from 400 nm to 420 nm, preferably at least 15%.

[0015] According to the invention, the coating is based on SiZrN. In the context of the invention, this means that the coating consists predominantly of SiZrN, in particular essentially of SiZrN. However, the coating may contain dopants and impurities. Dopants can be used, in particular, to further increase the refractive index of the coating and / or to adjust the thermomechanical and chemical resistance of the coating. Thus, in advantageous embodiments, the SiZrN can be doped with aluminum (Al), hafnium (Hf), niobium (Nb), or titanium (Ti), wherein the proportion of dopants is preferably less than 20 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 10 wt.%. The proportion of SiZrN in the coating is therefore preferably at least 80 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 90 wt. The SiZrN can be deposited stoichiometrically, substoichiometrically, or superstoichiometrically, based on the nitrogen content.

[0016] The coating according to the invention can be single-layered and comprise only a single layer based on SiZrN. However, the coating can also be multi-layered and comprise a plurality of layers, wherein all layers are preferably based on SiZrN and particularly preferably differ in the proportion of Zr and / or the proportion of dopants. This can be advantageous in order to be able to adjust the effective refractive index of the overall coating. The higher the refractive index, the closer the layers are arranged to the glass substrate. This achieves a particularly intense reflective effect. For example, the coating can comprise two layers based on SiZrN which have different refractive indices, wherein, starting from the substrate, the layer with the higher refractive index is present first, followed by the layer with the lower refractive index.The different refractive index is achieved in particular by the layer with the higher refractive index having a higher Zr content. Preferably, however, the coating according to the invention does not comprise any layers that are not based on SiZrN. This means that there is no layer that is applied only in the coated areas and not in the uncoated areas, and that is not based on SiZrN. However, it is fundamentally possible for the glass pane to be provided with additional coatings, in particular with large-area or even full-area coatings that cover both the coated and uncoated areas.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the coating according to the invention for reducing bird collisions has a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm, preferably of 20 nm to 40 nm, most preferably of 25 nm to 35 nm. This achieves particularly good results, in particular a high degree of reflection in the UV range.

[0018] The coating is, in particular, a (partially) transparent coating, so that visibility through the glass pane is not obstructed in the coated areas. The transmission of the coating in the entire visible spectral range from 400 nm to 800 nm is preferably more than 50%, particularly preferably more than 60%.

[0019] According to the invention, at least one surface of the substrate has a pattern of coated areas provided with the coating according to the invention for reducing bird collisions. The pattern is preferably a regular pattern. In a regular pattern, a basic motif occurs that repeats periodically. Particularly preferably, the distances between adjacent coated areas are constant across the entire substrate surface. However, the coated areas can also be distributed irregularly across the substrate surface (irregular pattern).

[0020] The dimensions are generally not restricted within the scope of the present invention, as any pattern is perceptible to birds and therefore has a positive effect in preventing bird collisions. However, the American Bird Conservancy suggests certain patterns and dimensions that have proven particularly effective (see the website "https: / / abcbirds.org / glass-collisions / stop-birds-hitting-windows / ," accessed on March 18, 2022). These patterns with the suggested dimensions can be used with particular preference.

[0021] In a first preferred embodiment, the coated regions are formed in the form of stripes on the surface of the substrate. The stripes are preferably arranged parallel to one another. The stripes preferably run horizontally or vertically, in each case relative to the installation position of the glass pane according to the invention, in particular as a window pane or component thereof. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the stripes to run obliquely. The stripes can extend to the side edges of the substrate surface or end at a distance therefrom. Each stripe preferably has a constant width. Furthermore, the widths of all stripes are preferably the same. Particularly preferably, the stripes are arranged regularly, i.e. the pattern is formed as a regular stripe pattern in which the widths of the stripes and the distances between adjacent stripes are the same and constant.

[0022] The width of the strips is, in an advantageous embodiment, from 0.2 cm to 10 cm, preferably from 0.3 cm to 10 cm, or even from 0.5 cm to 5 cm. The distance between adjacent strips is, in an advantageous embodiment, from 2 cm to 20 cm, preferably from 4 cm to 12 cm. This achieves particularly good results. The American Bird Conservancy ideally suggests a width of at least 1 / s inch (about 0.32 cm) and a distance of 2 inches (about 5 cm) or 4 inches (about 10.1 cm).

[0023] In a second preferred embodiment, the coated regions are formed in the form of dots on the surface of the substrate. There is a plurality of dot-shaped coated regions, which are distributed two-dimensionally over the substrate surface. The term "dot" is of course not to be understood in a strictly mathematical sense, but rather describes a locally coated region with an extent that is much smaller than the extent of the substrate. Extent refers to the length of the longest dimension of the dot. The dots preferably have a circular shape, with the extent corresponding to the diameter of the circle. However, other shapes are also conceivable, in particular polygonal shapes, for example triangular, square, rectangular or hexagonal dots. The extents of all dots are preferably the same.Particularly preferably, the dots are regularly arranged and distributed over the substrate surface, i.e. the pattern is formed as a regular dot pattern. In one variant, the dimensions of the dots and the distances between neighboring dots can be the same across the entire surface. In another variant, the dots can be arranged in a line, with several such lines arranged parallel to one another. The distances between neighboring dots within a line are each the same, with the same distance preferably occurring across all lines. Likewise, the distance between neighboring lines is preferably the same across the entire surface. The lines can run vertically or horizontally, relative to the installation position of the glass pane.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the size of the dots (particularly the diameter in the case of circular dots) is at least 0.5 cm, preferably from 0.5 cm to 10 cm, particularly preferably from 0.6 cm to 5 cm. The spacing between adjacent dots is in an advantageous embodiment in the range of 1 cm to 10 cm, preferably from 2 cm to 5 cm. This achieves particularly good results.

[0025] However, the pattern can also be designed in any other form. For example, the coated areas can be arranged in a checkerboard pattern on the substrate surface. Irregular patterns are also possible. Dot-like coated areas in the form of symbols or logos are also possible, for example, the company logo of the glass manufacturer or, in the case of glazing for an office building, the company logo of the company that owns or leases the office space.

[0026] The glass pane according to the invention is intended or designed in particular as a window pane or as a component of a window pane, preferably of a building or a building-like facility. Such a window pane is intended to separate the interior of a window opening from the exterior environment. The substrate then has an exterior surface and an interior surface. For the purposes of the invention, the term “exterior surface” refers to the main surface which is intended to face the exterior environment in the installed position. For the purposes of the invention, the term “interior surface” refers to the main surface which is intended to face the interior in the installed position.

[0027] The coating according to the invention can be applied to the outside or the inside surface. In an advantageous embodiment, the coating is arranged on the outside surface of the substrate, i.e. the surface which, in the installed position, faces the outside environment. It has been shown that the pattern of coated areas is then particularly clearly perceptible to birds. It is particularly preferred if the said outside surface of the substrate represents the outside surface of the entire window pane which is exposed to the outside environment. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, both surfaces of the substrate are provided with the coating according to the invention, wherein the coated areas of the two surfaces preferably coincide when viewed through the window pane. This achieves particularly good results.

[0028] Said window pane can be a single pane of glass (single glazing) formed solely by the glass pane according to the invention. Such window panes can be used, for example, in conservatories, garden sheds, tool sheds, agricultural facilities (such as barns), hunting facilities (such as hunting blinds), or similar building-like facilities. The exterior surface of the substrate is then exposed to the exterior environment, and the interior surface is exposed to the interior. The coating is preferably applied to the exterior surface of the substrate, particularly preferably to both the exterior and interior surfaces. However, the coating can also be present exclusively on the interior surface of the substrate.

[0029] The invention also encompasses a composite pane comprising a glass pane according to the invention and a further pane (in particular a glass pane), wherein the glass pane according to the invention and the further pane are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. The composite pane can be provided on its own as a window pane (as a type of single glazing, for example for the purposes mentioned above in connection with the single glass pane; the said window pane is then the composite pane) or as a component of insulating glazing (multiple glazing). The composite pane has an outer pane which, in the installed position, faces the outside environment, and an inner pane which, in the installed position, faces the interior. Preferably, the glass pane according to the invention forms the outer pane of the composite pane and the further pane forms the inner pane.The outer surface of the substrate is then the outer surface of the laminated pane, which is exposed to the external environment. The inner surface of the substrate is bonded to the inner pane via the intermediate layer. The coating is preferably applied to the outer surface of the substrate, particularly preferably to both the outer and inner surfaces. However, the coating can also be present exclusively on the inner surface of the substrate.

[0030] The additional pane also has an exterior and an interior surface, with the exterior surface facing the outer pane and being bonded to the outer pane via the intermediate layer. In an advantageous embodiment, the additional pane, which in particular forms the inner pane of the composite pane, is provided with a solar protection coating. The solar protection coating serves to reflect infrared components of solar radiation, thereby improving thermal comfort in the interior, which heats up less.

[0031] The sun protection coating is preferably a thin-film stack, i.e., a sequence of thin individual layers. In one embodiment, the sun protection coating has at least one electrically conductive layer, which primarily provides the IR-reflecting effect. The electrically conductive layer is preferably a metal-based layer, particularly preferably silver-based. Alternatively, niobium, niobium nitride, titanium nitride, gold, aluminum, or copper can also be used. Dielectric layers or layer sequences are typically arranged above and below the electrically conductive layer. If the sun protection coating comprises multiple conductive layers, each conductive layer is preferably arranged between two typically dielectric layers or layer sequences, so that a dielectric layer or layer sequence is arranged between adjacent conductive layers.The coating is therefore a thin-film stack with n electrically conductive layers and (n+7) dielectric layers or layer sequences, where n is a natural number and where a lower dielectric layer or layer sequence is followed alternately by a conductive layer and a dielectric layer or layer sequence.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the sun protection coating has at least one electrically conductive layer based on silver (Ag). The conductive layer preferably contains at least 90 wt.% silver, more preferably at least 99 wt.% silver, most preferably at least 99.9 wt.% silver. The silver layer can contain dopants, for example, palladium, gold, copper, or aluminum. The thickness of the silver layer is typically between 5 nm and 20 nm.

[0033] Common dielectric layers of such a thin-film stack are, for example: anti-reflective layers, which reduce the reflection of visible light and thus increase the transparency of the coated pane, for example based on silicon nitride, silicon-metal mixed nitrides such as silicon zirconium nitride, titanium oxide, aluminum nitride or tin oxide, with layer thicknesses of, for example, 10 nm to 100 nm;

[0034] - Adaptation layers which improve the crystallinity of the electrically conductive layer, for example based on zinc oxide (ZnO), with layer thicknesses of, for example, 3 nm to 20 nm;

[0035] Smoothing layers which improve the surface structure for the overlying layers, for example based on a non-crystalline oxide of tin, silicon, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, zinc, gallium and / or indium, in particular based on tin-zinc mixed oxide (ZnSnO), with layer thicknesses of, for example, 3 nm to 20 nm.

[0036] In addition to the electrically conductive and dielectric layers, the solar protection coating can also include blocker layers that protect the conductive layers from degradation. Blocker layers are typically very thin metal-containing layers based on niobium, titanium, nickel, chromium, and / or alloys with layer thicknesses of, for example, 0.1 nm to 2 nm.

[0037] However, the sun protection coating does not necessarily have to comprise electrically conductive layers. In a further embodiment, the entire thin-film stack is formed from dielectric layers. The layer sequence comprises alternating layers with a high refractive index and a low refractive index. By appropriately selecting the materials and layer thicknesses, the reflection behavior of such a layer sequence can be specifically adjusted as a result of interference effects. This makes it possible to realize a sun protection coating with effective reflection of IR radiation. The layers with a high refractive index (optically high refractive index layers) preferably have a refractive index of greater than 1.8. The layers with a low refractive index (optically low refractive index layers) preferably have a refractive index of less than 1.8. The top and bottom layers of the thin-film stack are preferably optically high refractive index layers.The optically high-refractive-index layers are preferably based on silicon nitride, tin-zinc oxide, silicon zirconium nitride, or titanium oxide, particularly preferably based on silicon nitride. The optically low-refractive-index layers are preferably based on silicon oxide. The total number of high- and low-refractive-index layers is, for example, from 3 to 15, in particular from 8 to 15. This allows a suitable design of the reflection properties without making the layer structure too complex. The layer thicknesses of the dielectric layers should preferably be from 30 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably from 50 nm to 300 nm.

[0038] The solar control coating can be applied to the outer surface of the inner pane, where it is advantageously protected from corrosion within the laminated pane. This is particularly the case if the laminated pane is intended as a window pane in its own right. However, if the laminated pane is intended as the outer pane of an insulating glazing unit, the solar control coating is preferably applied to the interior surface of the inner pane. It is then protected from corrosion within the cavity of the insulating glazing unit and has a particularly advantageous effect.

[0039] The sun protection coating is preferably applied over the entire surface of the pane in question, with the exception of any uncoated peripheral edge region. Optionally, additional, locally limited areas may also be uncoated, serving as communication, sensor, or camera windows to ensure the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the laminated pane. Preferably, at least 80% of the pane in question is provided with the sun protection coating. The laminated pane can also comprise more than two glass panes. In a further advantageous embodiment, the laminated pane comprises a glass pane according to the invention (as the outer pane), a first additional glass pane (as the middle pane), and a second additional glass pane (as the inner pane).The first additional glass pane is arranged between the glass pane according to the invention with the SiZrN coating and the second additional glass pane and is connected to both via a respective thermoplastic intermediate layer. The SiZrN coating according to the invention is preferably applied to the outside surface of the substrate of the glass pane according to the invention, particularly preferably to the outside and the inside surface. The surface of the first additional glass pane facing the second additional glass pane is preferably provided with a sun protection coating. Alternatively or additionally, such a sun protection coating can also be arranged on the surface of the first additional glass pane facing the glass pane according to the invention or on the surface of the second additional glass pane facing the first additional glass pane.

[0040] The invention also encompasses insulating glazing intended for separating an interior space from an external environment. The said window pane, of which the glass pane according to the invention forms a component, is then the insulating glazing. Insulating glazing is used in particular as window panes in buildings intended for extended stays by people, for example residential buildings, commercial buildings, or office buildings. The insulating glazing comprises at least two panes of glass that are connected to one another in the edge region by a circumferential spacer. The spacer keeps the panes spaced apart from one another, forming a space between the panes, which is typically evacuated or filled with an inert gas (e.g., nitrogen or argon). The thermal conductivity is reduced by the space between the panes, thus improving thermal comfort in the interior.The spacer typically has a cavity filled with a desiccant to keep the space between the panes free of moisture.

[0041] In a first variant, the insulating glazing comprises a glass pane according to the invention, which, as a single glass pane, forms the outer pane of the insulating glazing, which, in the installed position, faces the outside environment. It also comprises a further glass pane. The glass pane according to the invention is connected to the further glass pane in the edge region via a spacer. The further glass pane can face the interior as the inner pane if the insulating glazing is double glazed. However, the insulating glazing can also be triple glazed, for example, with the further glass pane forming the middle pane and being connected to another inner pane via a spacer.In order to improve thermal comfort, the insulating glazing may be provided with a solar control coating of the type described, for example on the interior surface of the substrate, on the exterior surface of the inner pane or on one of the surfaces of a central pane, if present.

[0042] In a second variant, the insulating glazing comprises a composite pane according to the invention, which forms the outer pane of the insulating glazing, which faces the outside environment in the installed position. The composite pane is constructed from a glass pane according to the invention as the outer pane, a further pane as the inner pane, and a thermoplastic intermediate layer which connects the outer pane to the inner pane. The insulating glazing also comprises a further glass pane. The composite pane according to the invention is connected to the further glass pane in the edge region via a spacer. The further glass pane can face the interior as the inner pane if the insulating glazing is double glazing. However, the insulating glazing can also be triple glazing, for example, with the further glass pane forming the middle pane and being connected to another inner pane via a spacer.To improve thermal comfort, the laminated pane preferably has a solar control coating, in particular on the interior-facing surface of the inner pane of the laminated pane. Alternatively, a solar control coating can also be applied to the exterior surface of the inner pane of the laminated pane, to the exterior surface of the inner pane of the insulating glazing, or to one of the surfaces of a central pane of the insulating glazing, if present.

[0043] In both variants, the outer surface of the substrate is the outer surface of the insulating glazing, which is exposed to the external environment. The coating according to the invention is preferably applied to the outer surface of the substrate, particularly preferably to the outer and inner surfaces. However, the coating can also be present exclusively on the inner surface of the substrate. The spacer is typically frame-like and arranged in the edge region between the two panes in order to keep them (usually plane-parallel) at a defined distance from one another. The spacer is typically made of a light metal (especially aluminum) or of polymeric materials (e.g. polypropylene or styrene-acrylonitrile). It is preferably in contact with the two panes via a sealing compound, in particular a butyl sealing compound.An external sealing compound, particularly organic sealing compounds made of or based on polysulfides, silicones, RTV (room temperature curing) silicone rubber, HTV (high temperature curing) silicone rubber, peroxide-cured silicone rubber and / or addition-cured silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber, and / or polyacrylates, is preferably filled into the marginal space between the panes, which is open to the outside. The inner space between the panes, which is delimited and enclosed by the glass panes and the spacer, is preferably evacuated or filled with an inert gas, for example, argon or krypton.

[0044] According to the invention, the substrate is made of glass, preferably soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. In principle, however, the substrate can also be made of other types of glass, for example quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass. The glass is preferably clear (plain glass), i.e., it has no tints or colors. The thickness of the substrate can be selected to suit the requirements of the individual case. Thicknesses of 0.5 mm to 12 mm are particularly common, preferably 1 mm to 10 mm, and particularly preferably 3 mm to 8 mm. The substrate is typically flat, as is common for building glazing. However, curved substrates are certainly conceivable, for example as or for glazing in modern high-rise buildings.

[0045] The statements regarding the material and thickness of the substrate also apply accordingly to the additional pane in the case of a laminated pane according to the invention and the inner pane in the case of an insulating glazing according to the invention. These are also preferably made of clear soda-lime glass with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 12 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm to 10 mm. In particular, the additional pane of the laminated pane can alternatively also be made of rigid, clear plastics, for example, polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.

[0046] The intermediate layer in the case of the composite pane according to the invention is preferably formed from at least one thermoplastic film (bonding film). The at least one film is preferably based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyurethane (PU), particularly preferably based on PVB. This means that the film predominantly contains the said material (a proportion of greater than 50% by weight) and can optionally contain further components, for example, plasticizers, stabilizers, UV or IR absorbers. The thickness of each thermoplastic film is preferably from 0.2 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably from 0.3 mm to 1 mm. For example, films, in particular PVB films, with standard thicknesses of 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm can be used.

[0047] The invention also includes a method for producing a glass pane according to the invention, wherein the coating according to the invention is applied to at least one surface of the substrate in the form of a pattern of coated areas.

[0048] The coating is preferably deposited on the substrate surface by vapor deposition, for example, by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), or atomic layer deposition (ALD). Physical vapor deposition (PVD), for example, vapor deposition, is particularly preferred, and cathodic sputtering and, in particular, magnetic field-assisted cathodic sputtering (magnetron sputtering) are particularly preferred.

[0049] The pattern of coated areas can be created in different ways. In a first embodiment, a masking coating is first applied, covering those areas not to be coated with the coating according to the invention. The coating according to the invention is then applied by vapor deposition, and then the masking coating (with the SiZrN coating applied thereon) is removed again. The masking coating can, for example, be formed by an adhesive film, which is also adhered to the substrate surface and can then be removed again. Alternatively, the masking coating can be printed, for example, in the form of a washable printing ink, which can then be washed off again.In a second embodiment, during the vapor deposition, an aperture is arranged between the substrate and the target, wherein the aperture is designed in such a way that only the areas to be coated are provided with the coating, while the areas not to be coated are shaded by the aperture and are therefore not provided with the coating.

[0050] In a third embodiment, the substrate surface is first coated over its entire surface by vapor deposition, and the coating is then removed locally to create the uncoated areas. Removal can be achieved, for example, by mechanical abrasion or laser ablation.

[0051] The composite pane according to the invention can be manufactured using conventional methods. The glass pane according to the invention is bonded to the other pane via the thermoplastic intermediate layer. Known lamination processes are used, for example, autoclave processes, vacuum bag processes, vacuum ring processes, calender processes, vacuum laminators, or combinations thereof. The bonding of the panes via the intermediate layer is typically carried out under the influence of heat, vacuum, and / or pressure.

[0052] The invention also encompasses the use of a glass pane according to the invention as a window pane of a building or a building-like facility or as a component thereof, in particular as a component of a laminated pane and / or an insulating glazing, as already described above.

[0053] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way. It shows:

[0054] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the glass pane according to the invention,

[0055] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section along X-X' through the glass pane according to Figure 1,

[0056] Fig. 3 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the glass pane according to the invention,

[0057] Fig. 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the inventive

[0058] glass pane,

[0059] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the inventive

[0060] glass pane,

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a cross section through an embodiment of the inventive

[0062] composite pane,

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a cross section through an embodiment of the inventive

[0064] Insulating glazing,

[0065] Fig. 8 shows a cross section through a further embodiment of the inventive

[0066] Insulating glazing,

[0067] Fig. 9 Reflection spectra of glass panes according to Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2,

[0068] Fig. 10 Reflection spectra of glass panes according to Examples 2, 5 and 6.

[0069] Figure 1 and Figure 2 each show a detail of a glass pane 1 according to the invention. The glass pane 1 is intended, for example, as a window pane of a simple building-like facility (for example, as single glazing in a garden shed) or as a component of a laminated pane and / or insulating glazing. The glass pane comprises a substrate 2 made of clear soda-lime glass with a thickness of, for example, approximately 5.9 mm. The substrate 2 has two main surfaces, namely an outside surface I, which, in the installed position of the window pane, faces the outside environment, an inside surface II, which, in the installed position, faces the interior, and an edge surface extending therebetween.

[0070] The glass pane 1 also includes a coating 3 to reduce bird collisions. The outer surface I has a pattern of coated areas b, which are provided with the coating 3, while the remaining surface I is not provided with the coating 3. The pattern is formed as a regular stripe pattern, with the stripes arranged vertically in the installed position. The stripes have, for example, a width of approximately 1 cm, and the spacing between adjacent stripes is approximately 5 cm.

[0071] The coating 3 is made of silicon zirconium nitride (SiZrN), with the ratio of the proportion of zirconium (Zr) to the sum of the proportions of silicon (Si) and Zr being approximately 17 wt.%. It has a refractive index of approximately 2.1 (measured at 550 nm). Due to the comparatively high refractive index, the coating 3 has reflective properties, particularly in the UV range, which is perceptible to birds. The striped pattern is therefore visible to birds with high contrast, enabling them to identify the glass pane 1 as an obstacle. For example, reflections of the sky due to the striped pattern deviate significantly from the bird's natural perception of the sky.

[0072] The refractive index of coating 3 can be further increased, for example, by increasing the Zr content or by adding refractive index-increasing dopants such as hafnium, niobium, or titanium, or by changing the nitrogen content. The reflective properties can be specifically adjusted by selecting the refractive index and thickness of coating 3. Ideally, coating 3 should have a high reflectance in the UV range, making it easily visible to birds, and a comparatively low reflectance in the visible spectral range (for humans), minimizing the impact on the appearance of glass pane 1 on human perception.

[0073] SiZrN can be deposited on surface I with high deposition rates, for example, by magnetic-field-assisted sputtering. Glass pane 1 can therefore be manufactured comparatively cost-effectively.

[0074] Figure 3 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the glass pane 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment in Figure 1, the strip-shaped coated regions b with the coating 3 are not arranged vertically, but horizontally with respect to the installation position. The substrate 2, the coating 3 and the width and spacing of the stripes otherwise correspond to the embodiment in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the glass pane 1 according to the invention. The coated regions b are not designed as stripes, but as circular dots with a diameter of, for example, 1 cm. The dots are distributed in the form of a regular pattern over the surface 1 of the substrate 2. The dots are distributed horizontally in lines, with several of these lines being distributed vertically across the pane.The distance between adjacent points within a line is constant, with the same distance occurring in each line. The distance between adjacent lines is also constant. Substrate 2 and coating 3 otherwise correspond to the previous embodiments.

[0075] The number of coated stripes or dots in the preceding exemplary designs may not be realistic. These illustrations are intended merely to illustrate the principle. It is readily apparent that, with the dimensions of the coated areas mentioned, typical building glazing will have a significantly higher number of coated areas than shown.

[0076] Figure 5 shows a plan view of a further embodiment of the glass pane 1 according to the invention. The coated areas b are distributed in a checkerboard pattern across the surface I of the substrate 2. The dots are distributed horizontally in lines, with several of these lines distributed vertically across the pane. The spacing between adjacent dots within a line is constant, with the same spacing occurring in each line. The spacing between adjacent lines is also constant. The substrate 2 and the coating 3 otherwise correspond to the previous embodiments.

[0077] Figure 6 shows a cross-section through a composite pane V according to the invention. It is formed from a glass pane 1 according to the invention and a further pane 4, which are connected to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer 5. The glass pane 1 is provided with the pattern of coated areas B on the outer surface I of the substrate 2. The glass pane 1 is, for example, the one from Figure 1. The further pane 4 is, for example, also a clear pane of soda-lime glass with a thickness of 5.9 mm. The thermoplastic intermediate layer is formed, for example, from a PVB film with a thickness of 0.76 mm. The composite pane V can also be provided as a window pane of a simple building-like facility (for example, as a type of single glazing of a garden shed) or as a component of insulating glazing.The glass pane 1 according to the invention forms the outer pane of the composite pane V, which, in the installed position, faces the outside environment. The further pane 4 forms the inner pane, which, in the installed position, faces the interior.

[0078] The outer surface III of the additional pane 4, which faces the intermediate layer 5 and the glass pane 1, as well as the external environment in the installed position, is provided with a solar control coating 8, which is optional within the scope of the present invention. The solar control coating 8 is a thin-film stack with at least one silver layer that reflects IR components of solar radiation. This improves thermal comfort in the interior. Furthermore, the solar control coating 8 influences the appearance of the laminated pane V, in particular the reflective color.

[0079] Figure 7 shows a cross-section through an insulating glazing unit according to the invention, which is intended, for example, as a window pane in a residential or office building. It is formed from a glass pane 1 according to the invention, which forms the outer pane of the insulating glazing unit and, in the installed position, faces the outside environment, and a further glass pane 6, the glass panes 1, 6 being connected to one another in the edge region via a circumferential spacer 7. The glass pane 1 is provided with the pattern of coated areas B on the outer surface I of the substrate 2. The glass pane 1 is, for example, the one from Figure 1. The further glass pane 6 is, for example, also a clear pane of soda-lime glass with a thickness of 5.9 mm. The spacer is made, for example, of aluminum and has a cavity (not shown) filled with a desiccant.The two glass panes 1, 6 are held at a defined distance from each other by the spacer 7, the space between the panes being filled with inert gas.

[0080] In a further development of the exemplary embodiment, an optional sun protection coating can be applied to the interior-side surface I of the substrate 2 facing the further glass pane 6, or to the exterior surface of the further glass pane 6 facing the glass pane 1. It is then protected from corrosion in the space between the panes. Figure 8 shows a cross-section through a further embodiment of the insulating glazing according to the invention. In this case, the outer pane is not formed by a glass pane 1 according to the invention alone, but by a composite pane V according to the invention, of which the glass pane 1 is a component. The composite pane V essentially corresponds to that in Figure 6, with the difference that the sun protection coating 8 is applied not to the exterior, but to the interior-side surface IV of the further pane 4.Since this surface IV is connected to the further glass pane 6 via the spacer 7 and faces the space between the panes, the sun protection coating 8 is protected against corrosion.

[0081] The reflection behavior of the coated areas b was simulated for a series of examples and comparison examples using the software "CODE," which is commonly used in the field. The substrate 2 in each case was a sheet of clear soda-lime glass with a thickness of 5.9 mm.

[0082] In Examples 1 to 4 according to the invention, coating 3 was formed from SiZrN with a ratio of the Zr content to the sum of the Si content and the Zr content of 17 wt.% (SiZrN), with the coating being arranged on the outer surface I of the substrate 2. Coating 3 was deposited using a SiZr target in a nitrogen atmosphere, with the Zr content of the target being 17 wt.%. Examples 1 to 4 differ in the layer thickness of coating 3.

[0083] In Comparative Example 1, however, coating 3 was made of silicon nitride (SiN) (refractive index approximately 2.0), while in Comparative Example 2, it was made of titanium oxide (TiO2). The material of coating 3, the thickness of coating 3, and the surface of substrate 2 on which coating 3 was applied for Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are summarized in Table 1. Table 1

[0084] Figure 9 shows the reflection spectra of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. They describe the wavelength-dependent reflection behavior upon irradiation via the outer surface I of a single glass pane 1 with a light source that emits radiation with uniform intensity in the spectral range under consideration (outer reflection).

[0085] Comparing Example 2 and Comparative Example 1, which have identical layer thicknesses, it is noticeable that Example 2 (coating made of SiZrN) exhibits a significantly higher degree of reflection than Comparative Example 1 (coating made of SiN). This is attributable in particular to the higher refractive index of the SiZrN according to the invention. Furthermore, SiZrN has the advantage over SiN that the Zr content imparts greater chemical resistance to coating 3, which is particularly advantageous when coating 3 is applied to an exposed surface, in particular the externally exposed surface exposed to weathering.

[0086] A comparison of Examples 1 to 4 allows a statement to be made about the influence of the layer thickness of the coating 3 according to the invention. The reflectance increases with increasing layer thickness. However, the focus of the reflection spectrum also shifts increasingly from the UV range to the visible range with increasing layer thickness. In particular, a high reflectance in the UV range and a comparatively low reflectance in the visible range are desired. Since birds also perceive radiation in the UV range, the coated areas b are then perceptible to birds with high contrast, while the appearance of the glazing is not too significantly impaired for humans. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the layer thickness is no more than 50 nm, since this thickness marks the transition of the reflection maximum from the UV range to the visible range (cf. Example 3).In example 4 (layer thickness 70 nm), a local reflection minimum even occurs in the near UV range, which is rather undesirable. Good results are achieved with examples 1 to 3 (layer thickness 10 nm to 50 nm). A range from 20 nm to 40 nm can be considered particularly advantageous (high reflectance with a focus on the UV range), especially a range from 25 nm to 35 nm.

[0087] Finally, Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, which have identical layer thicknesses, will be compared. The coatings 3 differ in their material: in Example 2, the coating 3 is made of SiZrN according to the invention, whereas in Comparative Example 2, a coating 3 made of titanium oxide (TiCh) is used, as is known from the prior art (EP3148329B1). It can be observed that a slightly higher reflectance is achieved in Comparative Example 2. However, TiCh has a number of disadvantages compared to SiZrN. For example, TiCh layers can only be applied with relatively low deposition rates during sputtering, which slows down and increases the cost of producing the glass pane. In addition, TiCh layers exhibit self-cleaning, photocatalytic properties.It is therefore to be expected that after a while the pattern of coated areas will be conspicuous and disturbing to the observer simply because the uncoated areas are dirtier than the coated areas.

[0088] In Examples 5 and 6 according to the invention, the coating 3 was also made of SiZrN with a ratio of the Zr content to the sum of the Si and Zr contents of 17 wt.% (SiZrN) and a layer thickness of 30 nm. Examples 2, 5, and 6 differ with regard to the surface of the substrate 2 to which the coating 3 was applied (Example 2: outside surface I, Example 5: inside surface II, Example 6: both surfaces I and II). The material of the coating 3, the thickness of the coating 3, and the surface of the substrate 2 on which the coating 3 was applied for Examples 2, 5, and 6 are summarized in Table 2.

[0089] Table 2 The corresponding reflection spectra are shown in Figure 10. Example 2 with coating 3 on the outer surface I provides an advantageously high degree of reflection. This can be further increased if the coating 3 is arranged congruently on both surfaces I, II (Example 6). With a coating only on the inner surface II, a significant

[0090] Effect is achieved (Example 5), but to a much lesser extent, which is why this design is less preferred.

[0091] List of reference symbols:

[0092] (1) Glass pane

[0093] (2) Substrat

[0094] (3) Coating to reduce bird collisions

[0095] (4) further pane of a composite pane V

[0096] (5) thermoplastic intermediate layer of a composite pane V

[0097] (6) additional glass pane of an insulating glazing

[0098] (7) Spacers for insulating glazing

[0099] (8) Sun protection coating

[0100] (V) Composite pane

[0101] (I) outer surface of the substrate 2

[0102] (II) interior surface of the substrate 2

[0103] (III) outer surface of the further pane 4

[0104] (IV) interior surface of the further pane 4

[0105] (b) coated area

[0106] X - X' intersection line

Claims

Claims: Glass pane (1) comprising a substrate (2) made of glass, a coating (3) for reducing bird collisions, wherein at least one surface (I, II) of the substrate (2) has a pattern of coated areas (b) which are provided with the coating (3), and wherein the coating (3) is based on silicon zirconia (SiZrN). Glass pane according to claim 1, wherein the coating (3) is formed in a single layer and comprises a single layer based on silicon zirconia (SiZrN), or the coating (3) comprises multiple layers, wherein all layers are based on silicon zirconia (SiZrN). Glass sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the silicon-zirconium mixed nitride has a ratio of the proportion of zirconium (Zr) to the sum of the proportions of silicon (Si) and zirconium (Zr) of at least 10 wt.%, preferably at least 15 wt.%, particularly preferably at least 20 wt.%.A glass pane according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coating (3) has a thickness of 10 nm to 50 nm, preferably 20 nm to 40 nm, and particularly preferably 25 nm to 35 nm. A glass pane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coating (3) has a refractive index of at least 2.

1. A glass pane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the glass pane (1) is provided as a window pane or component thereof for separating an interior space from an external environment, and wherein the coating (3) is arranged on the surface (I) which, in the installed position, faces the external environment, and wherein said surface (I) is preferably exposed to the external environment.

7. Glass pane according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coated areas (b) are formed in the form of strips on the surface (I, II) which have a width of 0.1 cm to 10 cm and a distance of 2 cm to 20 cm.

8. Glass pane according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coated areas (b) are formed in the form of points on the surface (I, II) which have an extent of 0.5 cm to 10 cm.

9. Glass pane according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coating (3) is formed from several layers based on silicon-zirconium mixed nitride having different refractive indices, preferably due to different proportions of zirconium.

10. Composite pane (V) comprising a glass pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 as the outer pane and a further pane (4) as the inner pane, which are connected to each other via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (5).

11. Composite pane (V) according to claim 10, wherein the further pane (4) is provided with a solar control coating (8).

12. Insulating glazing for separating an interior space from an external environment, comprising - a glass pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a laminated pane (V) according to claim 10 or 11 , and - another glass pane (6), wherein the glass pane (1) or the laminated pane (V) is connected to the other glass pane (6) in the edge area via a spacer (7) and faces the external environment.

13. Method for producing a glass pane (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coating (3) is applied to at least one surface (I, II) of the substrate (2) in the form of a pattern of coated areas (b).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the coating (3) is deposited by vapor deposition, preferably by magnetic field-assisted Cathode sputtering, and wherein the pattern of coated areas (b) is generated by - a masking coating is applied to the surface (I, II) before the gas phase deposition, which only covers the areas of the surface (I, II) that are not to be coated and which is removed again after the gas phase deposition, or - an aperture is arranged between the substrate (2) and the target used for gas phase deposition, which is designed such that only the areas (b) to be coated are provided with the coating (3) or - the surface (I, II) is coated over its entire area and the coating (3) is subsequently partially removed, forming the pattern of coated areas (b). Use of a glass pane (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 as a window pane of a building or building-like structure or as a component thereof, in particular as a component of a laminated pane (2) and / or an insulating glazing unit.

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