UV Shadow Pattern for Bird Collision Reduction on Glazing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for reducing bird collisions with window glazing are expensive, ineffective, and unappealing, lacking practicality for retrofitting, which poses a significant threat to wild bird populations due to their inability to be scaled up effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a UV light source and a perforated opaque object to project UV light patterns onto window glass, creating a shadow visible to birds but invisible to humans, which alerts birds to the presence of the glass, thereby reducing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional bird-safe glazing systems are installed, then bird collision reduction is achieved, but cost and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses UV light to create a shadow pattern on the glass that is visible to birds (who can perceive UV) but invisible to humans. This changes the optical properties of the glass surface in a wavelength-specific manner, making it bird-safe without affecting human aesthetic perception or requiring expensive conventional treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the illumination parameters by introducing UV light at a specific wavelength range that birds can detect. This parameter change creates a visual deterrent for birds while remaining invisible to humans, providing a low-cost solution that maintains aesthetic appeal.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive bird-safe glazing systems are used, then bird collision reduction is achieved, but scalability and practicality for retrofitting deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical or material-based bird-safe glazing systems with an optical illumination system using UV LEDs. This substitution enables easy installation on existing windows without replacing the glass itself, making retrofitting practical and scalable across different building types.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light acts as an intermediary between the glass surface and birds, creating a visual warning pattern without requiring physical modification of the glass. This intermediary approach allows retrofittable installation while maintaining glass transparency and aesthetic appearance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV light pattern is projected on glass, then bird collision reduction is achieved, but human visibility of the pattern deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality differences in light visibility by exploiting the fact that birds and humans have different spectral sensitivity. The UV shadow pattern has high visibility quality for birds (who see UV) while having zero visibility quality for humans (who cannot see UV), achieving selective visibility based on observer species.
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 system effectively reduces bird collisions by utilizing UV light patterns that are perceivable to birds but not to humans, providing a practical and scalable solution for both new and existing window installations.
Implementation Method 1
UV light source located adjacent an edge of the glass panel and configured to project UV light rays onto a planar surface of the glass panel
Implementation Method 2
perforated opaque object located between the UV light source and the planar surface of the glass panel, such that UV light rays passing through the perforated object cast onto the planar surface of the glass panel a UV shadow visible to birds and substantially invisible to humans
Implementation Method 3
Birds can perceive this range as well but can also see light at wavelengths from 300 to 400 nanometers, the so called 'near UV range' which is otherwise invisible to the naked human eye
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing bird collisions with glazing utilizes a UV light source and a perforated opaque object. The UV light source is located adjacent an edge of a glass panel and is configured to project UV light rays onto a planar surface of the glass panel. The perforated opaque object is located between the UV light source and the planar surface of the glass panel, such that UV light rays passing through the perforated object cast onto the planar surface of the glass panel a UV shadow visible to birds and substantially invisible to humans.