UV-Reflective Glazing Coating for Durable Bird Collision Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV reflective coatings for minimizing bird collisions with glass surfaces lack the necessary chemical and mechanical durability, especially when used on exterior surfaces, and may not maintain optimal optical properties.
Innovation Solution
A glazing design with UV reflective coatings applied in alternating regions of varying thickness, protected by a durable protective coating based on metalloid oxides or nitrides, ensuring durability without compromising visibility or effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV reflective coating is applied to glass to minimize bird collisions, then bird collision reduction effectiveness is improved, but chemical and mechanical durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite coating structure where a UV-reflective coating (e.g., TiO2, SiO2, ZnO) is combined with a protective top coating (e.g., SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3). This composite structure allows the UV-reflective layer to maintain bird collision reduction effectiveness while the protective top layer provides enhanced chemical and mechanical durability, allowing the coating to pass the Oil Rub Test and withstand external environmental conditions for at least 20 years.
2Reliability
If a UV reflective coating is applied to the external surface of glass, then bird collision reduction is improved, but chemical durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite coating system where the UV-reflective coating is paired with a chemically resistant top coating such as silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). This protective top layer shields the UV-reflective coating from chemical degradation caused by external factors including acid rain and pollution, while maintaining the UV reflection properties that deter bird collisions.
3Reliability
If a UV reflective coating is applied to minimize bird collisions, then bird safety is improved, but mechanical durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a UV-reflective coating with a mechanically robust top coating layer such as silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicon nitride (Si3N4), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). This protective top layer significantly enhances mechanical durability, enabling the coating to withstand the Oil Rub Test and other mechanical stress conditions that would otherwise damage the UV-reflective layer, thereby ensuring long-term bird safety without compromising coating integrity.
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 glazing provides enhanced chemical and mechanical durability, passing standard tests like the Oil Rub Test, while maintaining minimal impact on optical properties and bird collision reduction efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
UV reflective coatings for minimising bird collisions are known in the art. Such glazings may utilise a patterned UV reflective coating which is visible to birds but substantially invisible or barely visible to the human eye.
Implementation Method 2
the UV reflective coating is coated with a protective coating, wherein the protective coating is based on an oxide or nitride of a metalloid or an oxide or nitride of a metal
Data Source
AI summary
A glazing for minimising bird collisions with glazings has at least one substrate including a first major surface. The first major surface includes one or more first regions and one or more second regions, and the one or more first regions are coated with a UV reflective coating of a thickness of at least 5 nm. The one or more second regions are at least partially coated with the UV reflective coating at a thickness of less than 5 nm, or the UV reflective coating is completely absent in the one or more second regions. The UV reflective coating is coated with a protective coating, with the protective coating being based on an oxide or nitride of a metalloid or an oxide or nitride of a metal.