Coated Glass Pane Anti-Reflection Layer for Heat Treatability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coated glass panes with low-e and solar control coatings, particularly those containing silver-based IR-reflecting layers, face challenges in heat treatability, as existing coatings often suffer from high haze values and reduced robustness during thermal processing, making them unsuitable for automotive and building applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compound layer with a mixture of (oxy)nitrides of Si and/or Al and ZnO in the anti-reflection layers, which can be deposited as either homogeneous or graded layers, to enhance mechanical and chemical durability while maintaining low-e and solar control performance, and ensuring heat treatability without significant optical property modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coatings with Zn-Sn oxide anti-reflection layers are used, then heat treatability is achieved, but haze values increase significantly during heat treatments above 650°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite anti-reflection layer comprising both Zn-Sn oxide and Si (oxy)nitride materials. This composite structure combines the heat treatability benefits of Zn-Sn oxide with the low haze properties of Si (oxy)nitride, achieving both heat treatability and low haze values simultaneously.
2Reliability
If coatings with Si (oxy)nitride anti-reflection layers are used, then mechanical and chemical robustness is improved, but heat treatability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite anti-reflection layer combining Zn-Sn oxide and Si (oxy)nitride, where Zn-Sn oxide provides heat treatability and Si (oxy)nitride provides mechanical and chemical robustness. The synergistic combination allows the coating to withstand both heat treatment and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the anti-reflection layer have different compositions optimized for specific functions: Zn-Sn oxide-rich regions provide heat treatability while Si (oxy)nitride-rich regions provide mechanical and chemical durability, creating local functional differentiation within the layer.
3Reliability
If silver-based IR-reflecting layers are used, then solar control and low-e properties are achieved, but the coating becomes sensitive to oxygen diffusion and agglomeration during heat treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The Zn-Sn oxide layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the silver-based IR-reflecting layer and the external environment during heat treatment. It prevents oxygen diffusion to the silver layer and captures diffusing oxygen, thereby protecting the silver layer from oxidation and agglomeration while maintaining solar control performance.
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 use of (oxy)nitride-ZnO compound layers in coated glass panes results in improved mechanical and chemical robustness, low haze values, and high light transmittance, even after heat treatment, achieving superior performance compared to coatings using primarily silicon nitride layers, with haze values below 0.5% and high light transmittance, suitable for automotive and building glazings.
Implementation Method 1
providing a barrier or capturing/absorbing function for oxygen which diffuses through the coating to the IR-reflecting layer(s)
Implementation Method 2
capturing/absorbing function for oxygen which diffuses through the coating to the IR-reflecting layer(s)
Implementation Method 3
stabilizing the IR-reflecting layer(s) against agglomeration
Implementation Method 4
transparent lower and upper dielectric anti-reflection layers
Implementation Method 5
at least one IR-reflecting layer which is embedded between transparent lower and upper dielectric anti-reflection layers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a coated glass pane with a low-e and/or solar control coating comprising at least one layer sequence which comprises at least the following transparent layers:a lower anti-reflection layer,an IR-reflecting layer,an upper anti-reflection layer.At least one of the anti-reflection layers comprises at least one compound layer containing a mixture of an (oxy)nitride of Si and/or Al and of ZnO. The inventive coated glass panes are preferably heat treatable, e.g. toughenable and/or bendable.