Method and apparatus for estimating component transmission loss of a radar signal

Abstract

This invention provides a method and apparatus for estimating the transmission loss of a component. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a desired substrate standard and a desired coating standard. The component includes a desired substrate and a desired coating. A coating standard value is received, wherein the coating standard value quantifies the desired coating standard. The desired coating dielectric constant of the desired coating is estimated using the coating standard value, and an estimated component transmission loss of a radar signal passing through the component is generated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technical field relates to methods and apparatus for estimating radar signal transmission, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for estimating transmission loss of radar signals passing through components. Background Technology

[0002] Radar is used in motor vehicles to detect objects for various purposes, such as autonomous driving and automatic braking. Radar is typically mounted behind a component of the vehicle, usually a bumper or dashboard, thus covering the radar device. In this respect, the radar signal must penetrate the bumper when it reaches the object to be detected and must penetrate the bumper again when it is subsequently reflected back to the vehicle by the object. The bumper (including any coating applied to its surface) can transmit, reflect, or absorb radar. Any reflection or absorption of the radar signal limits the effective detection range of the radar. For radar to be used for automatic braking, its effective range must be at least as far as the braking distance of the vehicle at its travel speed.

[0003] If the component with the radar mounted on it (such as a bumper or vehicle panel) is metal, the radar's effective range is zero; therefore, the component used is typically made of plastic or other non-metallic materials. This component includes a substrate, but usually also includes a coating over the substrate. Paints for motor vehicles typically include a basecoat and usually also include a primer coat and / or clearcoat, with interfaces between each layer. The radar commonly used for object detection in motor vehicles is the 77 GHz category radar, which describes a class of radars operating at frequencies from approximately 76 to 81 GHz.

[0004] The approximately 76-81 GHz frequency band corresponds to a wavelength range of approximately 3.70 to approximately 3.94 mm. The length scale of radar waves is roughly the same as that of the bumper or panel covering the radar device; therefore, radar signals traveling through this coated bumper or panel cover encounter a phenomenon known as interference. Interference affects signal transmission due to the interaction of reflected signals occurring at the front and rear of the bumper cover. Reflected waves from these two surfaces can interact constructively (increasing reflection) or destructively, subsequently reducing reflection. Signal transmission can be improved by fine-tuning the bumper and coating thickness to achieve destructive interference.

[0005] The transmission of radar signals through a typical bumper substrate and its coating can be significantly altered by minute variations, with reduced reflection and absorption leading to increased transmission (i.e., lower transmission loss). The type of material in the substrate, the type of coating, the composition of the coating, and the thickness of the coating all affect transmission. The substrate and coating can be optimized to reduce the impact of reflection loss due to structural interference. If the complex permittivity properties and thickness values ​​of all constituent layers are known, the reflection and transmission of a multilayer system can be calculated.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to develop various methods and apparatuses to accurately estimate the transmission of radar signals by substrates and coatings. Furthermore, there is a need to develop various methods and apparatuses to recommend modifications to selected substrate and coating combinations to reduce transmission loss and to estimate the transmission loss of these modifications. In addition, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical and background information. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a method and apparatus for estimating component transmission loss. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a desired substrate standard and a desired coating standard. The component includes a desired substrate and a desired coating. A coating standard value is received, wherein the coating standard value quantifies the desired coating standard. The coating standard value is used to estimate the desired coating permittivity of the desired coating, and an estimated component transmission loss of radar signals passing through the component is generated.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method for estimating component transmission loss is provided. The method includes receiving a desired substrate standard, a desired coating standard, and a coating standard value for quantifying the desired coating standard. The motor vehicle component includes a desired substrate and a desired coating. The desired coating dielectric constant of the desired coating is estimated using the coating standard value, and an estimated component transmission loss of radar signals passing through the component is determined. It is then determined whether the estimated component transmission loss is less than a maximum component transmission loss. If the estimated component transmission loss is greater than the maximum component transmission loss, a recommended standard is suggested, wherein the recommended standard reduces the estimated component transmission loss to less than the maximum component transmission loss, and wherein the recommended standard is a substrate standard, a coating standard, or both.

[0009] In another embodiment, an apparatus for estimating component transmission loss is provided. The apparatus includes a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program. The computer program is configured to receive a desired substrate standard for a desired substrate and a desired coating standard for a desired coating, wherein the component includes a desired substrate and a desired coating. Coating standard values ​​are received, wherein the coating standard values ​​quantify the desired coating standard. The desired coating dielectric constant of the desired coating is estimated using the coating standard values, and an estimated component transmission loss of radar signals passing through the component is generated. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein the same numbers denote the same elements, and wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 It is a perspective cross-sectional view of one implementation scheme of the component;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a method for determining the transmission loss of an estimation component for a radar signal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 This is an example graph showing the relationship between the weight percentage of exemplary effect pigments in a dry coating and the dielectric constant of the dry coating.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a graph showing the relationship between the transmission loss of the radar signal and the radar signal frequency for an exemplary component.

[0015] Figure 5 This is based on an exemplary implementation. Figure 2 A flowchart of the steps of the method;

[0016] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional graph showing the relationship between transmission loss and the required substrate thickness and the dielectric constant of the base coat; and

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a computer that can be used to implement a method for estimating the transmission loss of components in a radar signal, according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application or use. Furthermore, it is not intended to be bound by any express or implied theory given in the foregoing technical field, background art, summary of the invention, or the following detailed description.

[0019] As used herein, a “component” of a vehicle includes a plastic or polymer substrate having a coating overly applied. As used herein, the term “overly applied” means that the material overly applied is physically in contact with the substrate below, or that the material overly applied is physically separated from the substrate below by an intermediate material, such as a varnish overly applied being separated from the substrate below by a base coat. It should be understood that components can rotate or move, and therefore, the phrase “one component overly applied to another component” refers to the orientation shown in the figure; it should be understood that the actual component can be rotated to different orientations. As used herein, the term “vehicle” means a motorized vehicle, such as a car, truck, aircraft, or other device propelled through space by an engine (motor or engine). The term “vehicle” includes vehicles propelled by an engine powered by burning fuel, as well as vehicles propelled by an engine using electricity. The coating overly applied to a component includes one or more of a primer, a base coat, and a varnish.

[0020] This invention describes a technique for estimating the transmission loss of radar signals using a theoretical component, where the transmission loss can be estimated without actually manufacturing and testing the component. Therefore, the composition of the component can be modified to provide a design that limits the transmission loss to less than or equal to the maximum transmission loss, and then a physical form of the component can be produced. It has been found that many factors can affect the transmission loss of radar signals passing through a component in unexpected ways. For example, in some cases, transmission loss can be reduced by producing a thicker substrate layer and / or one or more coating layers. Furthermore, variations in pigment loading in the coating can have a significant impact, with some pigments having a much greater effect on transmission loss than others. Other components of the coating can also affect transmission loss. For example, adhesion promoters in the primer layer can affect transmission loss, with different concentrations and types of adhesion promoters having different degrees of influence.

[0021] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1An exemplary desired component 30 is shown. The desired component 30 may not be real, as it is theoretical, but this illustration simplifies the understanding of the desired component 30. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the desired component 30 may be physically manufactured, so all features of the desired component 30 can be replicated in a real, actual component. The desired component 30 includes a desired substrate 32 and a desired coating 34, wherein the desired coating 34 includes one or more of a desired primer 36, a desired base coat 38, and a desired clear coat 40. The desired substrate 32 and the desired coating 34 have several criteria representing the physical properties of the desired substrate 32 and the desired coating 34, which are referred to herein as "desired" criteria when used to describe the desired substrate 32 and / or the desired coating 34. The desired substrate 32 has several desired substrate criteria, such as a desired substrate material, a desired substrate thickness 42, and optional other possibilities, such as one or more desired substrate additives, or a desired shape. For example, the required base material can be polypropylene, polycarbonate, a mixture of polycarbonate and ABS plastic with a specific concentration, glass fiber with a specific type of resin, carbon fiber with a specific type of resin, polyethylene, layered polypropylene and polyethylene with a specified thickness, homogeneous and heterogeneous polymer mineral mixtures and composite materials, etc.

[0022] The desired coating 34 includes several possible desired coating standards. For example, the desired coating thickness 44 is the sum of the desired primer thickness 46, the desired base coat thickness 48, and the desired clear coat thickness 50. Any of the desired primer 36, base coat 38, or clear coat 40 can each be applied in one, two, or more layers. For example, if the desired clear coat 36 is applied in two layers, the combined two layers can be considered as the desired clear coat 36. In some embodiments, other optional coatings may also be present, such as sealants, second primers (surfacers), adhesion promoters, midcoats, etc. Figure 1 As shown, the desired base coat 38 includes the desired pigment 52 as an effect pigment flake. In some embodiments, more than one desired pigment 52 may be present, such as effect pigment flakes, interference flakes, colored pigments, etc. Furthermore, the desired pigment 52 can be further described using additional, optional desired coating criteria, such as colored effect pigment flakes, effect pigment flakes with different aspect ratios, effect pigment flakes with physical vapor deposition coatings, thinly ground flakes, colorless and colored mica, and glass flakes, etc.

[0023] Other variations in the required coating criteria include the adhesion promoters optionally present in the primer and / or basecoat, the type of adhesion promoter, the concentration of the adhesion promoter, etc. Various conductive additives may also be included as coating criteria in one or more of the required primers 36, basecoats 38, and clear coats 40, wherein the conductive additives may be present at different concentrations. Another potential required coating criterion includes the type of resin in one or more of the required primers 36, basecoats 38, and clear coats 40, such as acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, etc. The number of variables that can potentially affect the transmission loss of the required component 30 is large. Transmission loss in the figures is expressed as a negative decibel value, where a 0 dB value represents no transmission loss. Therefore, the further the value is from 0, the greater the transmission loss, where a larger transmission loss indicates a reduction in radar power penetrating the required component 30.

[0024] Figure 2 Method 58 for estimating component transmission loss of radar signals is shown in the figure. Continue to refer to Figure 1 The method includes a step 60 of receiving a desired substrate standard and a step 62 of receiving a desired coating standard. In one exemplary embodiment, a user selects various standards, and a computer receives the selected items. The desired substrate standard may include more than one desired substrate standard. For example, step 60 of receiving a desired substrate standard may include receiving multiple layers of desired substrate 32, wherein the composition and thickness of each layer are received. Alternatively, the composition and total thickness percentage of each layer may be received. In another embodiment, the composition may be received without a corresponding desired substrate thickness 42. A default desired substrate standard may also be provided, such that when no desired substrate standard is received, a default selection of a desired substrate standard is provided, such as a substrate component of polypropylene in one exemplary embodiment. Other default standards may be utilized in alternative embodiments.

[0025] Step 62, receiving the desired coating standard, may include receiving one or more desired coating standards. For example, the thickness of each layer may be received, where unreceived layer thickness values ​​may default to a value of zero (0). Additionally, the desired pigment 52 may be received, and the user may provide the desired pigment 52 and the desired base coat thickness 48, taking into account factors such as the degree to which the desired base coat 38 will cover the underlying layers. The thicknesses of the desired primer 44, base coat 46, and clear coat 48 may be the thicknesses when the corresponding layers are dried, but in alternative embodiments, wet layer thicknesses may be used. A computer program or other device may request information from the user so that the user can provide the information received by the computer.

[0026] Once the desired coating standard 62 is received, a coating standard value 63 quantifying the desired coating standard is received. In some embodiments, the desired substrate standard may also be quantified, but in alternative embodiments, the desired substrate standard may not be quantified. The coating standard value is a quantification of the desired coating standard using a measurable value. For example, the coating standard value may be the desired base coat thickness 48, which can be measured to provide a specific coating standard value. In an alternative embodiment, the coating standard value may be a concentration, such as the concentration of the desired pigment 52 in the desired base coat 40. The selection of a resin type, such as an acrylic resin, is not quantifiable. However, the concentration of the resin in the dry coating can be quantified. The user can provide the coating standard value. Furthermore, receiving a coating standard value 63 quantifying the desired coating standard may include receiving more than one coating standard value for more than one desired coating standard.

[0027] Once the desired coating standard is received and quantified using the coating standard value, the desired coating dielectric constant 64 is estimated. In one exemplary embodiment, the computer estimates the dielectric constant, wherein the coating standard value is input into the estimate. A model can be built for each desired coating standard based on actual test data of physical samples, and the computer can use these models to estimate the desired coating dielectric constant.

[0028] For example, for each potential desired coating standard, multiple physical samples with multiple known standard values ​​can be produced for each desired coating standard, wherein these multiple known standard values ​​are varied and all other coating parameters remain constant. The known coating dielectric constant of each sample can then be physically determined, and a mathematical model or other estimation technique can be generated that correlates the multiple known coating dielectric constants with the multiple different known standard values ​​of the desired coating standard. The desired coating standard values ​​can then be input into the mathematical model to estimate the desired coating dielectric constant. The effects of each potential desired coating standard can be weighted and combined to give a technique for estimating the desired coating dielectric constant 64 of the desired coating using multiple different desired coating standards and combinations of multiple different coating standard values. The weighting or other techniques for combining the effects of different desired coating standards can be determined experimentally using representative examples, and a mathematical model incorporating the effects of different desired coating dielectric constants on the estimated desired coating dielectric constant can be generated. This test can then be included in the mathematical model for estimating the desired coating dielectric constant 64 of the desired coating. The same method can be used for the desired coating loss tangent of the desired coating. The required coating loss tangent can be determined by the required coating dielectric constant, and the estimation and use of the required coating loss tangent and the loss tangent of other layers are not specifically described in this specification but are included in the discussion of dielectric constant or transmission loss herein.

[0029] refer to Figure 3 In one exemplary embodiment, the weight percentage of effect pigment flakes in the dry base coat is physically determined and the dielectric constant is tested, with the base coat thickness, resin, and other factors kept constant. It has been found that the presence of metallic effect pigment flakes in the base coat has a greater impact on the dielectric constant than many other possible desired coating criteria such as the type of resin used in any layer, the presence of other types of pigments, or the presence of a varnish. Figure 3 The dots indicate the various concentrations of the effect pigment flakes in the dry film, where each measured concentration of the effect pigment flake is one of the multiple different coating standard values. The dielectric constant of the dry film is then determined for each concentration of the effect pigment flake in the dry film.

[0030] A graph showing the relationship between the dielectric constant of the coating and the concentration of effect pigment flakes in the base coat was generated, and... Figure 3 The figure is shown in the diagram. This figure can help estimate the desired dielectric constant of the desired coating. In one embodiment, a mathematical model is generated to show the relationship between the dielectric constant and the concentration of the effect pigment flakes, where... Figure 3 The dashed line in the diagram illustrates an example of a linear mathematical model. This mathematical model can then be used to estimate the dielectric constant of the desired base coat 38, and this dielectric constant can be included in the estimation of the dielectric constant (or transmission loss) of the desired component 30. Other types of mathematical models, such as exponential models, can be utilized in alternative embodiments. The type of mathematical model used may vary depending on the desired coating standard, where known values ​​determined experimentally can serve as guidance for the technique used to estimate the dielectric constant of the desired coating. Some coating standards may have little impact on the estimation of component transmission loss, and therefore default values ​​can be used. For example, for certain types of resins, the desired varnish thickness 50 has little impact on the estimation of component transmission loss.

[0031] Alternatively, this figure can be directly used to estimate the desired dielectric constant 64 of the desired coating, such as that obtained from... Figure 3 The dielectric constant of the desired base coat 38 is obtained by interpolation of the values ​​plotted in the figure. In this exemplary embodiment, the concentration of the effect pigment flakes in the base coat is a known coating standard value, and this known coating standard value is along... Figure 3 The Y-axis is used for positioning in the diagram. The dielectric constant of the desired base coat 38 can be estimated by weighted average of known coating dielectric constants measured using samples with effect pigment flake concentrations slightly higher and slightly lower than the desired base coat 38. In some embodiments, interpolation can be performed mathematically.

[0032] Return to reference Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1The estimated component transmission loss 66 of the radar signal passing through the desired component is generated using the received required substrate standard and the estimated required coating dielectric constant 64. In various embodiments, different techniques can be used to determine the estimated component transmission loss 66 of the radar signal passing through the desired component. For example, in one embodiment, the general transformation matrix method can be used; in another embodiment, ray transfer matrix analysis can be used; and in yet another embodiment, the transmission line method can be used. Alternative techniques can also be used in alternative embodiments. Such analysis is described in many references, and such calculations are understood by those skilled in the art. However, all models require dielectric constant values ​​for each layer. Therefore, estimating the required coating dielectric constant 64 of the desired coating is a crucial component in determining the estimated component transmission loss 66 of the radar signal passing through the desired component.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, a maximum component transmission loss is provided, which is the transmission loss that still allows radar to detect objects at distances greater than the vehicle's stopping distance. Of course, in alternative embodiments, the maximum component transmission loss can be calculated in different ways. For example, the maximum component transmission loss could be the transmission loss that still allows object detection within the maximum braking distance experienced during adverse weather conditions. In different embodiments, the maximum component transmission loss can be used for different purposes. Once an estimated component transmission loss is determined, it can be compared to the maximum component transmission loss to determine if the estimated component transmission loss is less than the maximum component transmission loss 68. This is a simple question of determining which value, the estimated component transmission loss or the maximum component transmission loss, is smaller.

[0034] The estimated transmission loss of components varies with different radar frequencies. Radars commonly used in motor vehicles to detect objects typically operate at frequencies of approximately 76 to approximately 81 GHz, and radars at this frequency are sometimes referred to as "77 GHz" radar. While the term "77 GHz radar" may indeed refer to a radar with a frequency of 77 GHz, in the industry, the term "77 GHz radar" is understood to refer to radar with a frequency range of approximately 76 to approximately 81 GHz. In this disclosure, references to "77 GHz" are... Category "Radar" will refer to radar with a frequency range of 76 to 81 GHz, while mentioning "77 GHz radar" without the word "type" will refer to radar with a frequency of approximately 77 GHz. Figure 4 As shown, the frequency of 77GHz radar may affect transmission loss. Figure 4 The transmission loss of a radar signal in the radar frequency range is shown for an exemplary required component 30, wherein the lowest transmission loss is at a radar frequency of approximately 77 to 78 GHz. Reference Figure 2In some embodiments, the method 58 for estimating component transmission loss optionally includes the step of receiving a desired radar frequency 70 to generate the estimated component transmission loss. However, in some embodiments, a default radar frequency is used. In yet another embodiment, it is suggested to recommend a radar frequency to reduce the estimated component transmission loss 71.

[0035] Still referencing Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1 , 3 Method 58, as shown in section 4, is another optional step. Method 58 includes steps 60, 62, 63, 64, and 66 described above, but the method may then suggest recommended criteria to reduce estimated component transmission loss 72. Optional step 72 may replace steps 68 and 71, or may be used in addition to steps 68 and 71. Method 58 includes one or more of steps 68, 71, and 72. Recommended criteria are substrate criteria, coating criteria, or both. For example, method 58 may suggest changing the desired substrate thickness 42, or changing the desired base coat thickness 48, or changing the desired radar frequency (as detailed above), or changing the desired base coat pigment loading, or even combinations thereof. Recommended criteria are one or more of potential substrate criteria and / or potential coating criteria, wherein the recommended criteria may or may not be the initially received desired substrate criteria or desired coating criteria. This provides an alternative method for providing estimated component transmission loss for radar signals and facilitates the development and design of vehicle components with reduced component transmission loss. In one exemplary implementation, if the estimated component transmission loss is greater than the maximum component transmission loss, a recommendation to use a standard is made, and the recommendation reduces the estimated component transmission loss to a value less than the maximum component transmission loss.

[0036] Some examples of recommendations to change the recommended criteria to produce reduced estimated component transmission losses are shown in

[72] . Figure 5 Shown in and continue to refer to Figure 1-4 Step 72 may include suggesting a required substrate thickness to reduce the required component transport loss 74. Alternatively or additionally, step 72 may include generating a graph 76 showing the relationship between the estimated component transport loss and substrate standards. Yet another embodiment of step 72 includes generating a graph 78 showing the relationship between the estimated component transport loss and coating standards. In some embodiments, combinations of different graphs, figures, or suggestions are also possible. The above-described graph may be a typical two-dimensional graph, but in some embodiments, the graph may be a three-dimensional graph, such as... Figure 6 As shown. Figure 6 The plane at approximately -0.5 dB of transmission loss represents an instance of maximum component transmission loss, and this may or may not exist in the above figure. Figure 6The curves shown illustrate how increasing the required substrate thickness 42 can actually reduce the required component transmission loss, where the estimated component transmission loss has minimum values ​​at required substrate thicknesses of about 2.3 mm and about 3.6 mm, but the estimated component transmission loss is much higher at about 3 mm.

[0037] Alternatively, step 72 can suggest recommended criteria, and this can be done without using the above-mentioned figures. The figures above and Figure 6 The exemplary implementation described herein is a technique for suggesting recommended standards to reduce transmission losses 72 in the required components, but other techniques for suggesting recommended standards may also be utilized. For example, the recommendations of a recommended standard may be simple textual or auditory suggestions. In some implementations, the recommendations of a recommended standard may include recommendations for more than one recommended standard, such as recommending a required substrate thickness 42 to achieve an optimal level and recommending a required base coat thickness 48. Various recommendations for various recommended standards may be used in various implementations, including recommendations for more than one recommended standard at a time, with or without the use of diagrams.

[0038] The design of actual components can be based on the various required standards described herein, thus enabling the implementation of required coating standards and required substrate standards as actual coating standards and actual substrate standards. The above method allows for the design of actual components with low radar signal transmission loss.

[0039] refer to Figure 7 The computer 10 can be used as an apparatus for implementing the techniques and methods described herein. The computer 10 may include an input device 12, such as a keyboard 14, a mouse 16, an electronic communication device such as a modem, or various other communication devices. The input device 12 communicates with the computer's processing unit 18 and / or memory 20, wherein the processing unit 18 and memory 20 communicate with each other. Various embodiments of the processing unit 18 and memory 20 are known to those skilled in the art. The computer 10 also includes an output device 22, such as the monitor shown. Other exemplary embodiments of the output device 22 include a modem, a printer, or other components known to those skilled in the art. The above-described methods and techniques can be implemented on the computer 10.

[0040] Computer-readable medium 24 includes a computer program that instructs a computer to perform the methods and techniques described above. The computer-readable medium may be an SD card, USB storage medium, floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD, hard disk, or other computer-readable device, including memory for storing the computer program. In some embodiments, the computer program may be downloaded electronically to the computer, but the downloaded computer program may be stored on a physical device somewhere.

[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, the computer program instructs the computer to request input from input device 12, wherein the requested input includes received desired substrate standards, desired coating standards, and coating standard values. The computer program instructs processing unit 18 to estimate the desired coating dielectric constant, wherein processing unit 18 can access a mathematical model for estimating the desired coating dielectric constant from the computer program or from other memory 20. The computer program instructs processing unit 18 to generate an estimated component transmission loss 66 for radar signals passing through the desired component, wherein the processing unit can access calculations and data for this estimation from memory 20 or from the computer program. The computer program instructs output device 22 to provide one or more of the following: (a) estimated component transmission loss, (b) maximum component transmission loss, (c) recommended coating standards, recommended substrate standards, or both, (d) a graph illustrating the estimated component transmission loss relative to the substrate standards, and (e) a graph illustrating the estimated component transmission loss relative to the coating standards or other information described above.

[0042] This specification has expressed radar signal loss through components as transmission loss; however, there are alternative ways to express the same concept. For example, reducing reflection or absorption, or increasing the dielectric constant, are alternative ways to express the same concept. The radar frequency mentioned can be expressed as having different wavelength values ​​but with the same concept.

[0043] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been given in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that the one or more exemplary embodiments described are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or construction of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description of the invention will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for estimating the transmission loss of radar signals through a component, wherein the component is a motor vehicle component and includes a desired substrate and a desired coating, the coating comprising at least one layer selected from a primer layer, a base coat layer, a clear coat layer, and combinations thereof, the method comprising the following steps: Receive the required substrate standard for the required substrate, wherein the required substrate standard includes the required substrate material and / or the required substrate thickness; Receive the required coating standard for the desired coating; Receive coating standard values, wherein the coating standard values ​​quantify the desired coating standard; The desired dielectric constant of the desired coating is estimated using the coating standard value, wherein the estimation includes: Measure the dielectric constant of the desired coating standard at multiple known coating standard values; and, A mathematical model is established that correlates the plurality of known coating dielectric constants with multiple different known standard values ​​of the desired coating standard, and the coating standard values ​​are input into the mathematical model to estimate the desired coating dielectric constant; and The estimated component transmission loss is generated by generating radar signals passing through the component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the desired coating criterion includes selecting a base coat pigment loading, wherein the base coat pigment loading includes the type of pigment in the base coat and the concentration of pigment in the base coat.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Determine whether the estimated component transmission loss of the radar signal is less than the maximum component transmission loss.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the desired coating criterion includes selecting the type of effect pigment flakes in the base coat, and wherein quantifying the desired coating criterion includes selecting the concentration of the effect pigment flakes in the base coat.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein selecting the desired coating standard further includes selecting the aspect ratio of the effect pigment flakes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the desired substrate standard includes selecting the desired substrate material.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The estimated component transmission loss for generating radar signals through the component also includes the estimated component transmission loss for 77 GHz class radar through the component.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A recommended standard is suggested, wherein the recommended standard reduces the estimated component transmission loss, and wherein the recommended standard is a substrate standard, a coating standard, or both.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the recommended criteria further include: The relationship between the estimated component transmission loss and the substrate standard and the coating standard is plotted in a three-dimensional graph.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: It is recommended to recommend radar frequencies to reduce transmission loss of the estimated components.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: Determine whether the estimated component transmission loss of the radar signal is less than the maximum component transmission loss; and If the estimated component transmission loss is greater than the maximum component transmission loss, a recommended standard is suggested, wherein the recommended standard reduces the estimated component transmission loss to less than the maximum component transmission loss, and wherein the recommended standard is a substrate standard, a coating standard, or both.

12. A computer-readable medium comprising a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to: The required substrate standard is received, wherein the component is a motor vehicle component and includes the required substrate and a required coating, the coating comprising at least one layer selected from a primer layer, a base coat layer, a clear coat layer and a combination thereof, and further, wherein the required substrate standard includes a required substrate material and / or a required substrate thickness. Receive the required coating standard for the desired coating; Receive coating standard values, wherein the coating standard values ​​quantify the desired coating standard; Receive multiple known coating dielectric constants for the desired coating standard under multiple different coating standard values; The required dielectric constant of the desired coating is estimated using the coating standard value; and The estimated component transmission loss is generated by generating radar signals passing through the component.

13. The computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein: The computer program is also configured to suggest a required substrate thickness that minimizes the transmission loss of the estimated component.

Images