Bird-Friendly Low-E Glass with Acid-Etched Visual Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Birds collide with glass windows due to transparency and reflexivity, which deceive them into thinking they see obstacles or reflections, posing a safety risk, especially in urban areas with high bird traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing bird-friendly glass with a low-emissivity coating and visual markers applied using acid etching on one side, creating a permanent frosted finish pattern that is visible to birds, while maintaining the low-e coating on the other side, and tempering the glass to enhance its mechanical resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the glass is made transparent to allow visibility, then the aesthetic quality and light transmission are improved, but birds cannot detect the obstacle and collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual markers in the form of colored patterns (such as dots, lines, or geometric shapes) on the glass surface. These markers change the optical properties of the glass by introducing color contrast that is visible to birds in the visible spectrum, while maintaining high light transmission in the absence of markers. The markers create a visual deterrent without significantly compromising the aesthetic quality or light transmission properties of the glass.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If visual markers are applied to the glass to deter birds, then bird safety is improved, but the transparency and aesthetic quality of the glass deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual markers only in specific localized patterns rather than covering the entire glass surface. The markers are arranged in discrete patterns (such as spaced dots or linear arrangements) that provide sufficient visual detection for birds while leaving large portions of the glass transparent and aesthetically pleasing. This localized application minimizes the impact on overall transparency and aesthetic quality.
3Reliability
If acid etching is used to create visual markers, then the markers become permanent and durable, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the acid etching process early in the manufacturing sequence, before the low-emissivity coating is applied to the glass. By performing the etching operation first on the raw glass surface, the process becomes simpler and more reliable, as the acid paste can be applied and removed without risk of damaging the delicate low-e coating. The markers are created in advance, and then the glass proceeds through standard coating and tempering processes.
4Reliability
If the low-emissivity coating is applied before acid etching, then the coating protects the glass, but the acid paste may damage the coating during the etching process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional manufacturing sequence by applying visual markers through acid etching before applying the low-emissivity coating. Instead of protecting the coating during etching, the process etches the glass first, then applies the coating over the already-formed markers. This inversion eliminates the risk of acid damage to the coating entirely, while the coating subsequently provides protection for the etched markers.
5Strength
If the glass is tempered after applying visual markers, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the markers may be damaged or removed during the tempering process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual markers through acid etching on the glass surface before the tempering process. The etched markers are formed as integral part of the glass surface structure, making them inherently resistant to damage during subsequent tempering. The glass is then tempered in the conventional manner, and the markers remain intact as they are part of the glass matrix itself rather than surface additions that could be damaged.
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 visual markers on the glass surface effectively deter birds from colliding with the windows by providing high contrast and visibility, reducing the risk of collisions while maintaining the glass's thermal insulation properties.
Implementation Method 1
performing an acid etching with an acid paste which attacks the first face of the low-e protected glass piece to print visual markers thereon
Implementation Method 2
the low-emissivity protected glass piece having a low-emissivity coating applied to the second face of the glass piece
Implementation Method 3
following the removing of the protective film, tempering the low-e marked glass
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a glazing. A low-emissivity protected glass piece has a low-emissivity coating applied to a second face thereof and a protective film covering the low-emissivity coating. The glass piece is placed on a surface of a screen printing table, the protective layer being in contact with said surface. Acid etching is performed with an acid paste which attacks the first face of the low-e protected glass piece to print visual markers thereon using a screen printing canvas on the first face. After waiting, the first face of the low-e protected glass piece is washed to remove the acid paste to obtain a permanent frosted finish pattern forming the bird-friendly visual markers on the first face. The protective film is removed to obtain a low-e marked glass having visual markers on one side and a low-e coating on another side, and then the marked glass is tempered.