Method and system for predicting properties of a coating and a substrate comprising said coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for predicting properties of a coating CL or of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one further coating. The present invention further relates to the use of the computer-implemented method of the present invention for screening a coating CL or a coated substrate comprising at least one coating CL and optionally at least one further coating according to at least one criterion. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a substrate coated with a coating CL and at least one further coating, wherein the transmission and / or reflection properties of the substrate are derived with the computer-implemented method of the present invention. Finally, the present invention relates to a client device for generating a request to initiate a prediction of at least one property of a coating CL or of at least one transmission and / or reflection property of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one further coating at a server device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The aspects described herein generally relate to methods and systems for predicting the properties of a coating or the transmission and / or reflection properties of a coated substrate. More specifically, the aspects described herein relate to predicting the properties of a coating CL or the transmission and / or reflection properties of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating by determining a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating CL. The determined measure can then be used, optionally in combination with a measure indicating the dielectric constant of an additional coating present on the substrate, to predict the transmission and / or reflection properties of such coated substrates. Background Technology

[0002] To improve vehicle safety, radar devices that measure distances and warn drivers when the car approaches an object have become the new standard. These radar devices can be installed in various parts of the car, such as behind the radiator grille, bumper, etc. The development of autonomous vehicles will further increase the demand for various radar-sensitive sensors. For future cars, approximately 80 sensors may be installed, measuring the distance and speed of surrounding objects in various directions.

[0003] It is generally desirable to conceal sensors (such as radar sensors) discreetly behind trim components (such as bumpers on motor vehicles) to minimize their negative impact on the overall visual appearance of the car. These trim components are typically coated with a coloring composition (i.e., primer composition) that is essentially the same as that used for painting the car body to create a uniform, high-end optical appearance for the observer. Today, most automotive primer compositions include effect pigments (such as metallic or pearlescent pigments), which has become standard practice. These flake-like pigments are oriented parallel to the substrate. In the case of metallic flakes, they act as small mirrors, resulting in a high metallic sheen and an angle-dependent color flop effect (the variation in brightness when viewed at different angles of incidence), as well as excellent hiding power. In most cases, metallic pigments are aluminum pigments, producing a silvery metallic coating. In the case of pearlescent pigments, interference colors are produced and the coating exhibits optical depth.

[0004] Because the radar sensor is concealed behind the decorative element, the emitted radar waves, as well as those reflected from surrounding objects, must radiate through the decorative element. However, a portion of the emitted radar waves is reflected off the decorative element. This reflection reduces the radar sensor's range on one hand, and on the other hand, degrades the performance of the angle-resolved radar sensor due to interference signals generated by the reflected radar waves. Furthermore, coatings applied to the decorative element's substrate can absorb emitted radar waves, further reducing the radar sensor's range. In this regard, it is well known that coatings containing metallic effect pigments (such as aluminum pigments) can cause high reflection and absorption of emitted radar waves, resulting in unacceptable damping of the emitted radar signal.

[0005] The radar waves used in sensors are typically in the frequency range of 65 to 85 GHz, corresponding to a wavelength range of approximately 4 to 5 mm. Although these wavelengths are much larger than the size of the effect pigment or the thickness of the coating, the observed attenuation is due to the very high conductivity within such aluminum pigments, which induces anti-electromagnetic waves, leading to the observed radar wave attenuation. To ensure sufficient performance of the radar sensor mounted behind the coated substrate, the attenuation observed by the coated substrate must be less than 3 dB, preferably less than 2 dB, of the emitted radar intensity when measured at a vertical angle of incidence.

[0006] To overcome these adverse effects, it is known to combine paint layers containing special pigments that do not significantly reduce the intensity of the emitted radar with precisely defined geometry and highly accurate dielectric properties of decorative components.

[0007] However, the use of specialized paint layers, precisely defined application processes, and precisely defined geometries of decorative components significantly increases the cost of manufacturing such coated substrates. Furthermore, these coated substrates cannot be repaired by simply applying an external coating to the damaged portion, as is routinely done during a repair process, because such external coating would significantly alter the optimization system of the decorative components and paint layers in terms of radar intensity attenuation during transmission.

[0008] Therefore, there is a desire for efficient computer-based methods and systems capable of calculating the attenuation effects of coatings, particularly primer layers, and coated objects comprising at least one coating (particularly at least one primer layer). This would allow for the screening of existing coating formulations, especially primer formulations, considering their suitability for coatings on decorative components installed in front of devices that emit and detect reflected electromagnetic radiation (such as radar sensors). This would avoid the use of expensive paint layers containing special effect pigments, which must be applied under very specific conditions to reduce the attenuation of emitted electromagnetic radiation, such as radar intensity. Such methods and systems would also make it possible to repair such decorative components using conventional repair processes.

[0009] definition

[0010] A “data-driven model” can refer to a model that is at least partially derived from data. Using a data-driven model allows for the description of relationships that cannot be modeled using physical and chemical laws. It allows for the description of relationships without solving equations according to physical and chemical laws. This can reduce computational requirements and increase speed. Data-driven models can originate from statistics (Statistics 4th edition, David Freedman et al., WW Norton & Company Inc., 2004). Data-driven models can originate from machine learning (Machine Learning and Deep Learning frameworks and libraries for large-scale data mining: a survey, Artificial Intelligence Review 52, ​​77-124 (2019), Springer). Data-driven models can include empirical models or so-called “black-box models.” An empirical model or “black-box model” can refer to a model built using one or more of machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, or other forms of artificial intelligence. An empirical model or “black-box model” can be any model that produces a good fit between training and test data. Alternatively, data-driven models can include rigorous models or “white-box” models. A rigorous model, or "white-box" model, is a model based on the laws of physicochemical processes. These laws can be derived from first principles. Physicochemical laws can include one or more of the following: chemical kinetics, the laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, particle populations of arbitrary dimensions, and physical and / or chemical relationships. A rigorous or "white-box" model can be chosen based on the physicochemical laws governing the problem. Data-driven models can also include hybrid models. A "hybrid model" is a model that includes both white-box and black-box models; see, for example, the review paper of Von Stoch et al., 2014, Computers & Chemical Engineering, 60, Pages 86 to 101.

[0011] "Numerical representation" can refer to the representation of coating CL, the coated substrate, and all other coatings CL-x besides coating CL and previous coatings in a computer-readable form. Specifically, the numerical representation of coating CL and previous coatings can be, for example, the composition of the coating material used to prepare the respective coating, data regarding at least one property of the coating material used to prepare the respective coating, data regarding at least one property of the respective coating, or any combination thereof. The numerical representation of the coated substrate can be, for example, the layer thickness of the substrate, the layer thickness of coating CL and any other existing coatings CL-x, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate, or any combination thereof. The numerical representation of the other coatings CL-x can be, for example, the composition of the coating material used to prepare each other coating CL-x, data regarding at least one property of each coating material used to prepare the other coatings CL-x, data regarding at least one property of the other coating CL-x, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the other coating CL-x, or any combination thereof.

[0012] "Machine learning" can refer to machine learning algorithms that are improved through experience and built on models based on sample data (usually described as training data).

[0013] A "communication interface" can refer to a software and / or hardware interface used to establish communication, such as the transmission or exchange of signals or data. A software interface can be, for example, a function call or an API. A communication interface can include a transceiver and / or a receiver. Communication can be wired or wireless. A communication interface can be based on or support one or more communication protocols. Communication protocols can be wireless protocols, such as short-range communication protocols, such as... This could be Wi-Fi, or a long-range communication protocol such as cellular or mobile networks, for example, second-generation cellular networks (“2G”), 3G, 4G, Long Term Evolution (“LTE”), or 5G. Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface could even be based on proprietary short-range or long-range protocols. The communication interface can support any one or more standards and / or proprietary protocols.

[0014] "Computer processor" refers to any logic circuit configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally refers to a device configured to perform computational or logical operations. Specifically, a processing unit or computer processor may be configured to process the basic instructions that drive a computer or system. As an example, a processing unit or computer processor may include at least one arithmetic logic unit ("ALU"), at least one floating-point unit ("FPU") (such as a math coprocessor or a number coprocessor), multiple registers (specifically registers configured to provide operands to the ALU and store the results of operations), and memory (such as L1 and L2 caches). Specifically, a processing unit or computer processor may be a multi-core processor. Specifically, a processing unit or computer processor may be or may include a central processing unit ("CPU"). A processing unit or computer processor may be a Complex Instruction Set Computing ("CISC") microprocessor, a Reduced Instruction Set Computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a Very Long Instruction Word ("VLIW") microprocessor, or a processor that executes other instruction sets or combinations of instruction sets. Processing units can also be one or more dedicated processing devices, such as application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), field-programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), complex programmable logic devices (“CPLDs”), digital signal processors (“DSPs”), network processors, etc. The methods, systems, and devices described herein can be implemented as software in a DSP, microcontroller, or any other side processor, or as hardware circuitry within an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA. It should be understood that the terms processing unit or processor can also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed system of processing devices located on multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and are not limited to a single device, unless otherwise specified.

[0015] "Substrate coated with coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x" refers to a substrate comprising coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x. Coating CL does not necessarily have direct contact with the substrate; that is, at least one additional coating CL-x may be present between the substrate and coating CL. Furthermore, at least one additional coating may be present on top of coating CL, i.e., on the side of coating CL facing away from the substrate. Coating CL and all additional coatings CL-x present on the substrate other than coating CL are preferably cured. "Cure" of the coating is understood to mean that such a film is transformed into a ready-to-use state, i.e., a state in which the substrate with the corresponding coating is ready for transport, storage, and use as intended. More specifically, the cured coating is no longer soft or sticky, but is adjusted to a solid coating that does not undergo any further significant change in properties (such as hardness or adhesion to the substrate) even upon further exposure to the curing conditions described below.

[0016] In the context of this invention, "a substrate transparent to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies of 22 to 300 GHz" refers to a substrate that exhibits at least 70% transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of 22 to 300 GHz, preferably in the frequency range of 22 to 144 GHz. For example, the transmission percentage can be determined by mounting the substrate between the electromagnetic radiation transmitter and receiver antenna, measuring the amount of transmitted signal not detected at any point by the receiver (represented as IL in the formula below), and calculating the transmission percentage according to the following formula:

[0017] % transmission = 100 x 10 IL / 10

[0018] "Vehicle identification data" refers to data that can identify a vehicle. Such data may include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a portion of the VIN, the vehicle's manufacturer, the vehicle's manufacturer's factory location, the vehicle's brand, model or model year, paint color code, the vehicle's production serial number, or a combination thereof.

[0019] In the context of this invention, "colored coating" refers to a cured coating comprising at least one pigment and / or dye. The pigment may be selected from coloring and / or effect pigments. "Primer layer" may refer to a cured, color-imparting intermediate coating commonly used in automotive painting and general industrial painting. The primer material used to prepare the primer layer may be formulated as a solid color (straight color) or effect color coating. "Effect color coating" typically contains at least one effect pigment and optionally other colored pigments or spheres, which provide the desired color and effect. "Straight color" or "straight color coating" primarily contains colored pigments and does not exhibit a pronounced angle-dependent color or duotone metallic effect. A primer layer is formed by applying primer material to a metal or plastic substrate optionally pretreated with a filler layer, a base-second coat, or a base layer, drying the resulting primer film, and curing the dried film. "Filler layer" (base-second coat) describes an intermediate layer used to fill irregularities in the substrate to support corrosion resistance and adhesion, and to provide protection against mechanical exposure (such as stone chips). The term "base layer" describes the first layer of a multilayer coating, applied to the substrate and used to provide improved adhesion for the multilayer coating. Additionally, the base layer can provide, for example, improved corrosion protection for metallic substrates. The term "drying of the primer film" refers to the vaporization of organic solvents and / or water present in the coating material after application, resulting in a coating film with a lower solvent content than the coating material. The film is no longer free-flowing but remains soft and / or tacky, and in some cases, is only partially dried. The primer layer can be overlaid with a cured varnish layer, which protects the primer layer from weathering and mechanical and chemical erosion. If a varnish layer is overlaid on the primer layer, the primer layer and the varnish layer can also be cured together after the varnish material is applied and optionally dried.

[0020] As used herein, “appearance” refers to the perception of a surface’s spectral and geometric aspects in combination with its lighting and viewing environment. Typically, appearance includes visual texture, such as roughness caused by effect pigments, glitter, or other visual effects on the surface, especially when viewed from different angles and / or different lighting conditions.

[0021] "Data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material" can refer to data that is readily apparent from the chemical composition of the coating material. In particular, this can be, for example, the type and amount of each component present in the coating material.

[0022] "Computer-readable medium" can refer to physical and other computer-readable media used to carry or store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available medium accessible to general-purpose or special-purpose computer systems. Computer-readable media can include physical storage media that store computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media include computer hardware such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state drives ("SSDs"), flash memory, phase-change memory ("PCM"), optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other hardware storage device that can be used to store program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures accessible and executed by general-purpose or special-purpose computer systems to perform the functions of the disclosed invention.

[0023] A "database" can refer to a collection of relevant information that can be searched and retrieved. A database can be a searchable electronic document containing numbers, alphanumeric characters, or text; a searchable PDF document; or a Microsoft document. A spreadsheet; or a database known in the prior art. A database can be a set of electronic documents, photographs, images, charts, data, or drawings residing in a searchable and retrieveable computer-readable storage medium. A database can be a single database, a set of related databases, or a set of unrelated databases. A "related database" refers to at least one common information element in a related database that can be used to link such databases.

[0024] "Adjustment tool" can refer to a tool that allows modification of the numerical representations D1, D2, and optional D provided in step (i) of the method of the present invention. 3-x It is part of the graphical user interface. The adjustment tools may include representations of D1, D2, and optional D for each number provided in step (i). 3-x At least one modulator.

[0025] A "client device" can refer to a computer or program that, as part of its operation, relies on sending requests to another program or computer hardware or software to access services provided by a server. The server may or may not be located on another computer. Summary of the Invention

[0026] To address the above issues, the following viewpoints are proposed:

[0027] A computer-implemented method for predicting the properties of a coating CL or the transmission and / or reflection properties of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x, the method comprising the following steps:

[0028] (i) A digital representation D1 of coating CL, optionally a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and optionally a digital representation D of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to coating CL are provided to a computer processor via a communication interface. 3-x ;

[0029] (ii) Provide the computer processor with a data-driven model of the following parameterization via a communication interface.

[0030] -Numerical representation of historical coatings D h ,as well as

[0031] - A historical measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating;

[0032] (iii) Using a computer processor, determine a measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL based on the following:

[0033] - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and

[0034] - The numerical representation of the coating CL is D1;

[0035] (iv) Optionally, a metric is determined using a computer processor based on the following: the metric indicates the dielectric constant of at least one additional coating CL-x layer present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL.

[0036] - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and

[0037] - Additionally, the numerical designation of the CL-x coating is D. 3-x ;

[0038] (v) Optionally, a computer processor is used to determine at least one transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate based on the following:

[0039] -A measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL provided in step (iii),

[0040] -Optionally, the numerical representation of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate besides the coating CL is D. 3-x Alternatively, it may be combined with a digital representation of the dielectric constant of an additional coating CL-x, D, for which no measure indicating dielectric constant is provided in step (iv).3-x The measure of the dielectric constant of at least one additional coating CL-x provided in step (iv), and

[0041] - The digital representation of the coated substrate is D2;

[0042] (vi) Provide, via a communication interface, a determined measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL and / or a determined at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate.

[0043] The proposed method significantly reduces the time required to obtain the properties of the coating CL or the transmission and / or reflection properties of the coated substrate by reducing the need to measure the properties for each coating or coated substrate. Furthermore, the proposed method can be used to screen existing coating formulations and multilayer coatings based on at least one predefined criterion (e.g., typically combined with the dielectric constant at frequencies used in radar sensing equipment in the automotive industry or attenuation of transmission and / or reflection), thereby selecting suitable coating formulations without the need for extensive experimentation to determine whether the criteria are met.

[0044] Further details are as follows:

[0045] A computing device, comprising:

[0046] - Communication interface;

[0047] - A processing module, which includes at least one computer processor; and

[0048] - A memory that stores instructions that, when executed by a processing module, configure the system to perform the steps of a computer implementation of the invention disclosed therein.

[0049] Further details are as follows:

[0050] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method of the present invention disclosed therein.

[0051] This disclosure also applies to the methods, computer apparatus, computer program, computer-readable non-transitory medium, and computer program product disclosed herein. Therefore, there is no distinction between the methods, computer apparatus, computer program, computer-readable non-volatile storage medium, and computer program product. All features disclosed in connection with the computer implementation of the present invention are equally applicable to the computer apparatus, computer program, computer-readable non-transitory storage medium, and computer program product disclosed herein.

[0052] A system is also disclosed comprising at least one coating CL and at least one measure indicating at least one dielectric constant of said at least one coating CL, wherein said measure indicating dielectric constant is determined according to the method disclosed therein.

[0053] Further disclosed is the use of the computer-implemented method of the present invention for screening coatings CL or coated substrates comprising at least one coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x according to at least one criterion. In one example, the at least one criterion is a predefined range or value indicating a measure of dielectric constant, particularly a predefined range or numerical value of dielectric constant. In another example, as previously stated, the at least one criterion is a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance. This allows screening of multilayer coatings on existing coating formulations and substrates (particularly plastic substrates) for their use in conjunction with radar sensing devices. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use special pigments, special substrate shapes, or defined multilayer coatings to prepare coated substrates with a visually appealing impression and suitable for use in conjunction with radar sensing devices.

[0054] A substrate coated with a coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x is also disclosed, wherein the transmission and / or reflection properties of the substrate are derived according to the computer implementation method of the invention disclosed herein.

[0055] A client device is further disclosed for generating a request to initiate, at a server device, a prediction of at least one property of a coating CL or at least one transmission and / or reflection property of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x, wherein the client device is configured to provide the server device with a digital representation D1 of the coating CL, an optional digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and an optional digital representation D of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL. 3-x And optional characteristic tolerances.

[0056] Example

[0057] Embodiments of the method of the present invention:

[0058] Transmission and / or reflection characteristics can be predicted at frequencies commonly used in conjunction with radar sensing equipment in the automotive industry (hereinafter referred to as radar transmission and / or reflection characteristics). Preferred radar transmission and / or reflection characteristics are those of reduced radar transmission and / or reflection. Radar transmission and / or reflection characteristics may be of particular interest when the coated substrate is to be installed before radar sensing equipment commonly used in the automotive industry, as such coated substrates must meet predefined transmission and / or reflection criteria to prevent negative impacts on the performance of the radar sensing equipment.

[0059] Transmission and / or reflection characteristics can be categorized as "suitable" or "unsuitable". This can be derived from predefined thresholds, specifically predefined maximum attenuation of radar transmission and / or reflection.

[0060] On the one hand, the substrate can be transparent to electromagnetic radiation with frequencies of 22 to 300 GHz, preferably 22 to 144 GHz. Suitable substrates may include or consist of: polycarbonate, blends of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, elastomer-modified polypropylene, blends of polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers with polycarbonate, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, polyamides and blends thereof, polyurethane, blends of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, blends of polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof. Using such transparent substrates reduces the negative impact on electromagnetic radiation propagating through the substrate.

[0061] On the one hand, the coating CL can be selected from a coloring coating, preferably from a primer layer. Using a coloring coating, especially a primer layer, provides a coated substrate with a visually appealing impression.

[0062] The substrate may be coated with only one coating, namely coating CL, or the substrate may be coated with at least two coatings, namely coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x. In one aspect, the substrate may be coated with a multilayer coating comprising the following layers, particularly in the order stated: optionally at least one base layer PL, coating CL, particularly a primer layer, optionally at least one additional primer layer different from coating CL, and at least one clear coat layer CL. Such multilayer coatings are commonly used in the automotive industry to provide a high-quality visually appealing impression of the coated substrate.

[0063] Step (i):

[0064] In step (i), the numbers represent D1 and optionally D2 and D 3-x The data is provided to at least one processor via a communication interface. The numerical representation in step (i) can be provided by manually entering the corresponding data, by importing the corresponding data from a computer-readable medium (such as a file, database, or cloud), or by obtaining the corresponding data from a measuring device (such as a spectrophotometer) and providing the obtained data via the communication interface. The communication interface may include a display, preferably a display with a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI can facilitate data input, for example by providing adjustment tools for inputting the corresponding data or by providing buttons for data import.

[0065] In one aspect, step (i) provides a numerical representation D1 for coating CL and / or a numerical representation D2 for the coated substrate and / or a numerical representation D for each additional coating CL-x. 3-x The steps include providing vehicle identification data, and obtaining digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D based on the provided vehicle identification data. 3-x And provide the obtained digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D 3-x Vehicle identification data can be manually entered by the user, selected from a list of available vehicle identification data, or obtained by scanning a corresponding label, such as a barcode or QR code. This yields a numerical representation of D1 and / or D2 and / or D... 3-x This can be further defined as searching for the digital representation in a database based on the input vehicle identification data. The use of vehicle identification data can increase the availability of the required digital representations D1, D2, and optionally D in step (i). 3-x This improves user comfort because the data does not need to be manually entered.

[0066] On one hand, the step of providing the digital representation D1 of the coating CL may include:

[0067] - Provides data derived from the chemical compositions of coating materials used to prepare coating CL.

[0068] -Optionally, data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the coating CL are provided, and

[0069] -Optionally, data on at least one physical property of the coating CL may be provided.

[0070] Providing the aforementioned data in step (i) may include manually inputting the data, importing the data from a computer-readable medium, or manipulating an adjustment tool displayed to the user via a communication interface. Data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material may include the type and amount of each pigment (particularly effect pigments) present in the coating material. Such data can be provided by importing a formulation of the coating material from a computer-readable medium (such as a database, computer file, etc.). Particularly preferably, the formulation is input from at least one database connected to at least one processor via a communication interface. Data regarding at least one physical property may refer to data obtained during the determination of said property. Such physical property data for the coating material may include, for example, solids content. Such physical property data for the coating CL may include, for example, appearance data, such as angle-dependent colorimetric index data, color values, data describing the orientation of effect pigments (preferably aluminum pigments) within the coating CL, data obtained during the application of the coating material used to prepare the coating CL, and combinations thereof. Particularly preferably, data regarding at least one physical property of the coating CL includes angle-dependent colorimetric index data. It may be preferred if data on at least one physical property of the coating material and data on at least one physical property of the coating CL are provided in combination with data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material, as this can improve the accuracy of the determination of the measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating CL, and thus also improve the accuracy of the proposed method.

[0071] In one aspect, the step of providing a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate may include providing the thickness of the substrate, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate, the layer thickness of the coating CL, and optionally the layer thickness of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL. The term "layer thickness" refers to the dry film thickness of the coating CL and (if present) the additional coatings CL-x. The thickness of the substrate and the layer thickness of the coating CL and optionally each additional coating CL-x present in addition to the coating CL can be manually entered or imported from a computer-readable medium (such as a file or database). Such data can also be retrieved from a database via vehicle identification number as previously described. The measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate can be determined by measurement or can use a standard measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate. The term "standard measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate" refers to a measure indicating the dielectric constant that is representative of the substrate typically used in the relevant application (such as the automotive industry).

[0072] On the one hand, it provides a numerical representation D of each additional coating CL-x present in the substrate besides the coating CL. 3-x The steps may include:

[0073] - Provides a measure of the dielectric constant of the additional coating CL-x present, or

[0074] - Provide data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x layer and / or provide data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x layer and / or provide at least one physical property of the additional CL-x layer.

[0075] In addition to the coating CL, any other coatings and their corresponding numerical representations are typically specified by CL-x and D3-x, where x is replaced with another appropriate letter in the naming of a particular individual coating and its numerical representation. For example, if there happens to be one additional coating, such as a clear coat, it is represented as CL-1. The corresponding numerical representation is represented as D3-x. 3-1 If two additional coatings exist, such as a base layer and a clear coat, they are designated CL-1 and CL-2, respectively. The corresponding numerical designations are D. 3-1 and D 3-2 Providing the above data in step (i) may include manually entering the data or importing the data from a computer-readable medium (such as a database or computer file). Data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material may include the type and amount of components present in the coating material. Data regarding the properties of the coating material used to prepare the additional coating may include, for example, the solids content of the coating material. Data regarding the additional coating CL-x may include, for example, appearance data, such as angle-dependent color index data; color values; data describing the orientation of the effect pigment (preferably an aluminum pigment) within the coating CL-x; data acquired during the application of the coating material used to prepare the coating CL-x; the electrical conductivity of the coating CL-x, and combinations thereof. Where the additional coating CL-x does not contain any pigments known to have an effect on the transmission and / or reflection of electromagnetic radiation, a standard measure indicating the dielectric constant is provided as a numerical representation D. 3-x That may be sufficient. The term "standard measure indicating dielectric constant" refers to a measure indicating the dielectric constant, which represents the corresponding additional coating CL-x, such as, for example, a base layer or varnish layer. In cases where the additional coating CL-x does not contain effect pigments (such as aluminum pigments), the number is represented by D. 3-x Preferably, data is included at least from the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the additional coating CL-x. In this respect, it may be further preferred if data on at least one physical property of the coating material and the coating CL-x are provided in conjunction with the data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material, as this can improve the accuracy of the determination of the measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating CL-x, and thus also improve the accuracy of the proposed method.

[0076] Step (ii):

[0077] In step (ii), a data-driven model is provided, which is a digital representation of the historical coating D.h Historical measures indicating the dielectric constant of the coating are parameterized. A data-driven model provides the relationship between these measures of dielectric constant and the properties of the coating, and is derived from the digital representation of historical coatings. h The dielectric constant of the coating is derived from historical measurements. The properties of the coating can be chemical and / or physical. Chemical properties may include the type and amount of components present in the coating material used to prepare the coating. Physical properties may include data regarding at least one physical property of the coating material and data regarding at least one physical property of the coating. Specifically, the number represents D. h This includes the formulation of the coating material used to prepare the historical coating, physical property data of the coating material (such as solids content), and physical property data of the historical coating, such as angle-dependent colorimetric index data, color values, data describing the orientation of pigments (preferably aluminum pigments) in the historical coating, data acquired during the application of the coating material used to prepare the historical coating, and combinations thereof.

[0078] On one hand, the data-driven model can be a rigorous model, an empirical model, or a combination thereof, preferably a rigorous model. A rigorous model can be developed by determining the relationship between a measure indicating the dielectric constant and data regarding the properties of historical coating materials and coatings prepared from those materials. An empirical model can be developed using an artificial intelligence model, described later, to determine these relationships. This can be achieved by providing the model with a digital representation of the historical coatings, D. h The model is trained using historical measures indicating the dielectric constant of the coating.

[0079] Step (iii):

[0080] In step (iii) of the proposed method, the measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL is determined based on a data-driven model and a digital representation D1 of the coating CL. In one aspect, the data-driven model provides a relationship between at least one descriptor D and the measure of the dielectric constant. In a preferred example, this relationship is linear. In another example, the relationship is non-linear, such as a polynomial relationship. The descriptor D describes the effect of the amount and type of pigment (preferably an effect pigment) relative to the solids content of the coating on the measure of the dielectric constant. The descriptor D may further describe the effect of other components present in the coating material besides the pigment on the measure of the dielectric constant and / or the effect of the properties of the coating CL or another coating CL-x on the measure of the dielectric constant. The properties of the coatings CL and CL-x may include chemical and / or physical properties, such as appearance, such as the angle-dependent color index, color value, orientation of the effect pigment within the corresponding coating, data acquired during the application of the coating material used to prepare the corresponding coating, electrical conductivity, and combinations thereof. Taking into account the influence of components other than pigments on the measurement of the dielectric constant and / or the influence of the properties of coating CL or additional coating CL-x on the measurement of the dielectric constant can improve the accuracy of the relationship and thus provide a better prediction of at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate.

[0081] Descriptor D is based on pigment content descriptor D PIG And optionally based on component descriptor D R and / or feature descriptor D PROP Calculation. In one example, descriptor D is calculated via D PIG With D R and / or D PROP Multiplication from D PIG With D R and / or D PROP Calculation. In another example, the descriptor D is calculated by... PIG With D R and / or D PROP Add, from D PIG With D R and / or D PROP calculate.

[0082] Pigment content descriptor D PIG It can be obtained from formula (I)

[0083]

[0084] in

[0085] A represents the weight percentage of pigment (preferably aluminum pigment) present in the coating material based on the total weight of the coating material.

[0086] S represents the solids content of the coating material, expressed as a weight percentage, and

[0087] W PIG This represents the pigment weighting factor.

[0088] In cases where the coating material used to prepare coating CL contains aluminum pigment and other pigments known to have no significant effect on the transmission and / or reflection properties of the coated substrate, the pigment descriptor D... PIG It can be obtained from formula (Ia)

[0089]

[0090] in

[0091] A represents the weight percentage of aluminum pigment present in the coating material based on the total weight of the coating material, and W PIG S has the same meaning as in formula (I).

[0092] Pigment weighting factor W PIG The effect of each pigment on the measure of the dielectric constant is described and can be derived, for example, from the BET surface of the pigment and / or from the pigment grains. This factor can be derived by determining a measure of the dielectric constant of the coating and relating that measure to the properties of the pigment present in the coating material used to prepare the coating.

[0093] Component descriptor D R It can be obtained through formula (II)

[0094]

[0095] in

[0096] A R This represents the weight percentage of each component present in the coating material, excluding pigments, based on the total weight of the coating material.

[0097] n represents the number of components present in the coating material, and

[0098] W R This represents the component weighting factor.

[0099] Component weighting factor W R The effect of each component (excluding pigments) present in the coating material on a measure indicating the dielectric constant is described. In the case of a polymer in the coating material, this factor can be derived from a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the polymer. The measure indicating the dielectric constant of the polymer can be derived, for example, from the polymer's structure. For this purpose, crystallinity and / or the presence of functional groups can be considered.

[0100] Feature descriptor D PROPIt can be obtained through formula (III)

[0101]

[0102] in

[0103] P represents the properties of the coating CL.

[0104] n represents the value used to calculate D. PROP The number of characteristics, and

[0105] W PROP This represents the characteristic weighting factor.

[0106] Feature weighting factor W PROP This describes the effect of each property of the coating on a measure indicating the dielectric constant. The factor can be derived by determining a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating and relating that measure to the corresponding property. Properties that can be considered include appearance, such as the angle-dependent color index or luminance, color data, such as color space data, the orientation of the effect pigments in the coating CL, or the type of coating material used to prepare the coating CL. An example of color space data is defined by L*a*b*, where L* represents luminance, a* represents red / green appearance, and b* represents yellow / blue appearance. Another example of color space data is defined by L*, C*, h, where L* represents luminance, C* represents chromaticity, and h represents hue.

[0107] Optional step (iv):

[0108] In optional step (iv), the measure indicating the dielectric constant of at least one additional coating CL-x can be based on a data-driven model and a digital representation of the coating D. 3-x To determine. In the case of more than one additional coating CL-x, optional step (iv) can be performed on each of the existing additional coatings CL-x. In another example, optional step (iv) can be performed on a portion of all the existing additional coatings CL-x. Preferably, optional step (iv) is performed on additional coatings CL-x that contain additional components and pigments known in the art to have a significant influence on the measure indicating the dielectric constant. This improves the accuracy of the proposed method because the use of standard measures indicating the dielectric constant may not adequately account for the presence of such pigments and / or additional components. Step (iv) is preferably combined with step (iii) as previously described by using the corresponding numerical representation D. 3-x Instead of using the numerical representation D1 to execute.

[0109] On the one hand, the measure indicating the dielectric constant can be selected from the relative dielectric constant ε. r .

[0110] Optional step (v):

[0111] In an optional step (v) of the proposed method, at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coating CL or the coated substrate is determined at least based on a measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL and a numerical representation D2 of the coated substrate, as provided above. Step (v) can be performed according to various alternatives listed below in a non-limiting manner.

[0112] According to the first alternative, at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coating CL is determined based on a measure of the dielectric constant provided in step (iii) and a numerical representation D2 of the coated substrate. This allows for the screening of different coating formulations based on the satisfaction of certain requirements, such as the desired transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the resulting coating CL. For this purpose, the same reference substrate, i.e., the same dielectric constant of the substrate, is used during the determination of the transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the respective coating CL.

[0113] According to the second alternative, at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of a coated substrate comprising at least two coatings (i.e., coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x) is determined based on a measure indicating the dielectric constant provided in step (iii), a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and a measure indicating the dielectric constant of each additional coating CL-x. The measure indicating the dielectric constant of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate can be obtained in various ways.

[0114] In one example, the corresponding number provided in step (i) represents D. 3-x For each additional coating CL-x, a measure indicating the dielectric constant is retrieved. This measure is chosen if it has been previously determined experimentally, or if a standard measure indicating the dielectric constant is available and said measure is contained in the provided numerical representation D for each additional coating CL-x. 3-x In this case, it might be the preferred option.

[0115] In another example, the measure of the dielectric constant, as determined in step (iv), is used for all additional coatings CL-x in step (v). The provided numerical representation D... 3-x This option can be used if none of the steps include a measure of the dielectric constant required in step (v).

[0116] In yet another example, the measure of the dielectric constant, as determined in step (iv), can be used for a portion of the additional coating CL-x, while the remaining additional coating CL-x is represented by the corresponding numerical value D provided. 3-xThe metric is retrieved from the table. It may be advantageous if the metric indicating the dielectric constant is experimentally determined only for a portion of the additional coating CL-x, or if a standard measurement can be used for that portion, while for the remaining additional coating CL-x, the measurement is unknown and therefore needs to be determined in step (iv).

[0117] In one aspect of optional step (v), at least one transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate may be selected from (i) a transmission spectrum; (ii) attenuation in transmission, preferably unidirectional and / or bidirectional attenuation in transmission; (iii) a reflection spectrum; (iv) attenuation in reflection; and (v) a combination thereof. In one example, the transmission spectrum and the reflection spectrum can each be calculated using a transfer matrix method. This method is well known in the art and is based on the fact that, according to Maxwell's equations, there exists a simple continuity condition for the electric field across a boundary from one medium to another. If the field at the beginning of the layer is known, the field at the end of the layer can be derived from simple matrix operations. The stack of layers can then be represented as a system matrix, which is the product of the individual layer matrices. The final step of the method involves converting the system matrix back to the reflection and transmission coefficients.

[0118] Transmission and reflection spectra can each be calculated within the frequency range typically used in conjunction with the coated substrate. Because the frequency range can be freely chosen, the proposed method is generally applicable to all coated substrates used in conjunction with devices that emit and detect reflected electromagnetic radiation. In the case of the coated substrate being used in conjunction with radar sensing equipment in the automotive field, a frequency range of 15 to 300 GHz can be used. In one example, the transmission and reflection spectra can therefore be calculated respectively within a frequency range of 15 to 300 GHz, preferably within a frequency range of 15 to 150 GHz, very preferably within a frequency range of 15 to 40 GHz, and / or within a frequency range of 60 to 90 GHz and / or within a frequency range of 125 to 155 GHz. Attenuation in transmission, preferably in unidirectional and / or bidirectional transmission, and attenuation in reflection can each be obtained from the transmission and reflection spectra at frequencies of 24 GHz and / or 76.5 GHz and / or 137 GHz.

[0119] Step (vi):

[0120] In step (vi), a measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL, as determined as previously described, and / or at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic, as previously determined, are provided via a communication interface. Providing the measure or at least one characteristic may include displaying the measure or at least one characteristic to a user via a display. The display may include a GUI to increase user comfort. The determined measure or characteristic may be transferred to a computer-readable medium, such as a database, for storage. The determined measure or characteristic may be provided to a computer processor for use in additional steps executed on the processor. This may be particularly preferred if the proposed method includes optional step (v) or additional steps as described below.

[0121] Additional steps:

[0122] On one hand, the proposed method may further include the following steps:

[0123] (vii) Optionally determine whether at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is within at least one predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance;

[0124] (viii) Optionally, the determined result of the action performed in step (vii) may be provided via a communication interface;

[0125] (ix) If at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is outside the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance, a recommendation may optionally be provided via a communication interface;

[0126] (x) By modifying the numerical representation D1 and / or numerical representation D2 and / or numerical representation D provided in step (i). 3-x To optimize at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) until a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance is achieved;

[0127] (xi) Provides optimized digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D2 via a communication interface. 3-x And at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate.

[0128] Optional step (vii) may include comparing at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) with at least one predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance. The tolerance may be numerical or a range of values ​​and may be manually defined by the user before performing step (vii) or stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a database. In one example, the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance may describe an attenuation value in transmission and / or reflection that should not be exceeded to provide acceptable performance for a radar sensing device mounted behind the coated substrate. This comparison may be performed manually or automatically. Manual comparison may be performed by a person and may include comparing one or more characteristics provided in step (vi) with tolerances known to the user. Automatic comparison may be performed by at least one processor and may be initiated by the user after at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic is provided to the user via a communication interface, or may be initiated automatically after at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate is determined, for example by automatically providing the one or more characteristics to at least one processor via a communication interface and performing the comparison.

[0129] In optional step (viii), the determined result performed in optional step (vii) can be provided via a communication interface. This may be preferred if at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is automatically compared with a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance. The determined result can be displayed to the user via the communication interface. In another example, the determined result can be provided via a communication interface to at least one processor or computer-readable medium, such as a database. This may be preferred if a recommendation is to be provided if at least one characteristic provided in step (vi) exceeds a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance.

[0130] In optional step (ix), if at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is outside a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance, a recommendation can be provided via a communication interface. The recommendation can be stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a database. In the example, at least one processor can access the database containing recommendations and can retrieve the corresponding recommendation based on the determination result provided to the processor via the communication interface in step (vii). The retrieved recommendation can then be displayed to a user via a communication interface including a display (particularly a display including a GUI). An example recommendation might be “Radar requirements not met. Please modify the thickness of the substrate and / or the thickness of at least one layer of the coating present on the substrate.” Another example recommendation might be “Radar requirements not met. Please modify the coating composition.”

[0131] In step (x), by modifying the numerical representation D1 and / or numerical representation D2 and / or numerical representation D provided in step (i) 3-xTo optimize at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) until a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance is achieved.

[0132] In one example, in step (x), the numerical representation D1 and / or the numerical representation D2 and / or the numerical representation D... 3-x It may include manipulating at least one of a plurality of adjustment tools displayed on a communication interface (which includes a display with a graphical user interface), each of the adjustment tools corresponding to a specific numerical representation D1, D2 and optional D provided in step (i). 3-x The numbers provided in step (i) represent D1 and / or D2 and / or D... 3-x The adjustment tool can be used to display the adjustment by setting the adjuster to the position corresponding to the numerical representation. The user can then make modifications by moving at least one adjuster of at least one adjustment tool, for example, via a computer mouse or finger (in the case of a touchscreen display). In addition to displaying at least one adjuster, a numerical value can be displayed for each numerical representation provided in step (i). This value can be automatically updated in response to adjusting the adjuster to provide the user with interactive guidance for the optimization process.

[0133] In step (x), modify the numerical representations D1 and / or D 3-x This may include providing digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x Different numbers represent D 1m and / or D 2m and / or D 3-xm And in response to the provided digital representation D 1m and / or D 2m and / or D 3-xm Optionally, the adjustment tool displayed on the communication interface, including a display with a graphical user interface, can be automatically moved. Modified digital representation D 1m and / or D 2m and / or D 3-xm The digital representation can be provided by importing it from a computer-readable medium such as a database. After the modified digital representation is provided, the user can further manipulate the updated adjustment tools as described above.

[0134] In another example, in step (x), the numerical representation D1 and / or the numerical representation D2 and / or the numerical representation D... 3-x This can be included in the digital representation D containing historical coatings. 1h and D 3h-x And / or a digital representation of a historical coated substrate associated with at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic (D). 2hThe search is performed in at least one database. Search results can be displayed on a communication interface, including a user interface, where the user can select appropriate results. The displayed results can be sorted based on their relevance. Relevance can be calculated using predefined criteria and can provide guidance to the user. Alternatively, the closest match can be automatically selected and used to modify the corresponding numerical representation. The closest match can be determined based on predefined criteria.

[0135] In yet another example, in step (x), the numerical representations D1 and / or D are modified. 3-x This includes obtaining the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-xm Digital representation D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm If coating CL and / or additional coating CL-x are used to provide a specific visual impression to the substrate, such as a specific color and / or appearance, this may be particularly preferred, for example, if coating CL and at least one optional additional coating CL-x are used as a primer layer.

[0136] In one example, a digital representation D with acceptable color deviation is obtained. 1m and / or D 3-xm This may include determining the proposed coating formulation and associated proposed color values, and calculating the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The difference between the color value and the proposed color value is used to define the difference color value, and the numbers provided in step (i) are represented as D1 and / or D. 3-x The color values ​​and differential color values ​​are input into the artificial intelligence model, which is then used to determine whether the proposed color solution is acceptable. Color values ​​can include color space values, reflectance values, or other suitable color attributes. One example of a color space value is defined by L*a*b*, where L* represents luminance, a* represents red / green appearance, and b* represents yellow / blue appearance. Another example of a color space value is defined by L*, C*, and h, where L* represents luminance, C* represents chromaticity, and h represents hue. The numbers represent D1 and / or D... 3-x The color values ​​of the proposed coating formulation can be obtained using multi-angle or spherical geometric color measuring equipment, spectrophotometer, digital camera or other suitable equipment.

[0137] The step of determining the proposed coating formulation and the associated proposed color values ​​can be further defined as based on the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The color values ​​are searched in the database for the proposed color solution. For this purpose, the numbers represent D1 and / or D... 3-xColor values ​​can be provided via a communication interface including a display with a GUI, for example by having the user input the color values ​​or by importing these color values ​​from computer-readable media such as files or databases.

[0138] The numbers provided in step (i) represent D1 and / or D 3-x The difference between the proposed color value and the actual color value is calculated using a computer to define the difference color value. The difference color value is typically expressed as ΔL*, ΔC*, Δh* or ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*. The calculation of the difference color value can be performed using any suitable mathematical computation known in the art.

[0139] The difference color values ​​are then input into the artificial intelligence model. These input values ​​aggregate and assist the artificial intelligence model in determining the most accurate acceptability rating for the proposed coating formulation.

[0140] This example could further include the step of training an artificial intelligence model to determine acceptability. Methods for training the artificial intelligence model could include using the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The color values ​​and difference color values ​​are input into the initial step of the input layer of the neural network. This is related to the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The input color values ​​and the proposed coating formulation associated with the input difference color values ​​are also fed into the AI ​​model. The AI ​​model now possesses all the necessary information and produces a numerical output indicating the acceptability of the proposed coating formulation. Weighting factors for the color values ​​are used to determine the acceptability of the numerical output. The training of the AI ​​model may include comparing the output with the known acceptability of the proposed color solution. For this purpose, the numerical output is fed into a comparator. The known acceptability of the proposed coating formulation is first converted into a known numerical output, and then the known acceptability is also input into the comparator. Known acceptability is a previously determined and known acceptability rating for the proposed coating formulation input into the AI ​​model. The comparator compares the output of the AI ​​model with the previously known acceptability of the proposed coating formulation and produces an error value. If the AI ​​model is well-trained and operating correctly, the error value is negligible, and no further action is taken. However, if the AI ​​model is in the training process, the error value may be relatively large. The error value is compared with an error limit to determine the error variation. If the error value exceeds the error limit, error feedback is provided to the AI ​​model corresponding to the error variation. The weighting factors are then adjusted based on error feedback. Typically, this training procedure will be started with hundreds or even thousands of different inputs to fully train the artificial intelligence model.

[0141] Artificial intelligence models can be embodied in neural networks. More specifically, an AI model can be a backpropagation neural network, where feedback is provided from the output to the neural network. Neural network technology is a member of a set of methods that fall under the category of artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is often associated with logic-rule-based expert systems, where the rule architecture used is inferred from human knowledge. In contrast, neural networks are self-trained based on experience gained through data compilation and computation. A neural network can include input layers and output layers. The input layer has input nodes, and the output layer has output nodes. Each output node corresponds to an input node. Between the input and output layers, there may be one or more hidden layers, each with one or more hidden nodes corresponding to the input and output node pairs. Each input variable is associated with an input node, and each output variable is associated with an output node. More specifically, a node receives an input, processes that input, and provides an output. Processing steps include summing the input, adding a bias value, and submitting the total input to an activation function that limits the magnitude of the output. Connections between nodes are weighted. The output sent from one node to another is multiplied by a weighting factor associated with those two specific nodes. The weighting factor represents the knowledge of the system and is preferably modulated during training by providing feedback from the output layer to the input layer. For example, a suitable neural network is disclosed in US 7,536,231 B2.

[0142] The output of an artificial intelligence model (particularly a neural network) indicating the acceptability of a proposed coating formulation can be converted into any desired format. For example, the output can be converted into a numerical variable indicating the acceptability of the output. The numerical variable can be a single continuous variable, which can assume any value between its two endpoints. An example is a set of real numbers between 0 and 1. As a further example, the numerical variable can take into account the inherent uncertainty in the data (e.g., color measurement data and the output of a neural network). An example is a range from 0 to 1, where 1 indicates no uncertainty in the result. The output can also be converted into a descriptive output indicating the acceptability of the output. In particular, the descriptive output can include an acceptable / moderately acceptable / unacceptable format, an acceptability factor format, or any other suitable format. The output can be provided to the user via a communication interface including a display with a GUI.

[0143] This example may further include providing, via a communication interface, the digital representation D1 and / or D provided in step (i) 3-x A digital representation of D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm The steps. In particular, modified coating formulations can be provided on a display with a GUI.

[0144] If it is determined that the proposed coating formulation is outside the acceptable range, one or more additional steps may occur. For example, a diagnostic or error-type message may be identified and sent to the user to help them modify the input provided in step (i) or (x). Step (x) discussed above is then repeated.

[0145] In another example, obtain the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-xm A digital representation of D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm This may include modifying the formulation of the coating material used to prepare coating CL and / or coating CL-x, preparing the modified coating material, applying and curing the modified coating material, obtaining the color value of the cured coating, and determining whether the color value is in the digital representation D1 and / or D2. 3-x The color values ​​are within a predefined tolerance. As previously described, modifying the coating material formulation can be done by manipulating at least one adjustment tool or by performing a search in a database. If the obtained color value exceeds a predefined threshold, such as ΔE > 1, the coating formulation is adjusted, for example, by changing the pigment concentration, to meet the predefined threshold. The corresponding numerical representation is then modified to correspond to the adjusted coating formulation, and the transmission and / or reflection characteristics are calculated as previously described to ensure that the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerances are met for the adjusted coating material. If the predefined tolerances are not met, the process is repeated.

[0146] In step (xi), at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate is provided. This may include automatically updating the at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) in response to the optimization of the at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic in step (x). Providing the optimized transmission and / or reflection characteristic may include displaying one or more of the characteristics on a display including a GUI. This may allow interactive guidance for the user, particularly if by manipulating at least one adjustment tool or by importing at least one modified digital representation D1 and / or D2 and / or D from a computer-readable medium. 3-x To execute step (x).

[0147] The proposed method, which further includes at least steps (x) and (xi), allows modification of the numerical representations D1, D2, and optional D. 3-x To optimize transmission and / or reflection characteristics, particularly attenuation in radar transmission and / or reflection, until a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance is achieved. The modified numbers represent D1 and optional D. 3-x In particular, chemical compositions can be examined regarding the numerical representation D1 and optional D provided in step (i). 3-xAcceptable color tolerance, thereby allowing selection of the digital representation D1 provided in step (i) and optional D. 3-x A coating material with the same visual appearance but with transmission and / or reflection properties within predefined tolerances. This is particularly useful if the selected coating material does not meet the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerances and adjustments are needed without visually affecting the resulting color. Furthermore, this is especially useful for repair purposes requiring the selection of a coating material that can be used to repair decorative parts with multiple layers of coating including defective areas without resulting in an unacceptable visible appearance or an unacceptable reduction in the radar strength of the multi-layer coating formed after the repair process.

[0148] Embodiments of the device of the present invention:

[0149] In one aspect, the computing device may further include at least one measuring device connected to the processing module via a communication interface. Suitable measuring devices may include color measuring devices, such as multi-angle or spherical geometric color measuring devices, spectrophotometers, digital cameras, and / or devices for determining data regarding one or more properties of the coating material. This allows the relevant data to be provided directly to the processing module, thereby reducing the amount of input required from the user.

[0150] In one aspect, the computing device may further include at least one database DB1 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB1 containing a digital representation D1 of coating CL and / or a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and / or a digital representation D of each additional coating present on the substrate besides coating CL. 3-x And / or vehicle identification data. This allows for easy selection of the desired data based on the vehicle identification number and reduces error-prone human input. In the case of scanning the vehicle identification number from a tag, the system may further include at least one reader, such as a barcode or QR code reader.

[0151] On one hand, the communication interface may include a display, particularly a display with a graphical user interface, especially a graphical user interface including at least one adjustment tool. This can allow interactive guidance to the user during data input and also allows the display of predicted measurements of the dielectric constant of the coating CL or predicted transmission and / or reflection spectra of the coated substrate.

[0152] In one aspect, the computing device may further include at least one database DB2 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB2 containing a digital representation D1 of the coating CL and / or a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and / or a digital representation D of each additional coating present on the substrate besides the coating CL associated with at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic. 3-xIf step (x) of the proposed method is performed by searching in at least one database containing the aforementioned data, this may be preferred.

[0153] In one aspect, the computing device may further include at least one database DB3 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB3 containing coating formulations and associated color values. If step (x) of the proposed method obtains the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i),... 3-x A digital representation of D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm If we execute it, then this might be the preferred method.

[0154] In one aspect, the computing device may further include at least one database DB4 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB4 containing a data-driven model. If the data-driven model is a strict model, this may be preferred.

[0155] Alternatively, the processing module may include at least one artificial intelligence module. If step (x) of the proposed method obtains the numerical representation D1 and / or D provided in step (i),... 3-x A digital representation of D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm If we execute it, then this might be the preferred method.

[0156] Embodiments of the client device of the present invention:

[0157] In one aspect of the client device of the present invention, the server device corresponds to the apparatus of the present invention previously described.

[0158] Further embodiments or aspects are described in the following numbered entries:

[0159] 1. A computer-implemented method for predicting the properties of a coating CL or the transmission and / or reflection properties of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x, the method comprising the steps of:

[0160] (i) Providing a digital representation D1 of coating CL, a digital representation D2 of the substrate optionally coated, and a digital representation D of each additional coating CL-x optionally present on the substrate in addition to coating CL to a computer processor via a communication interface. 3-x ;

[0161] (ii) Providing a data-driven model to the computer processor via a communication interface, the data-driven model being parameterized with respect to the following:

[0162] -Numerical representation of historical coatings Dh ,as well as

[0163] - A historical measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating;

[0164] (iii) A measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating CL is determined using a computer processor based on the following:

[0165] - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and

[0166] - The numerical representation of the coating CL is D1;

[0167] (iv) Optionally, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of at least one additional coating CL-x layer present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL can be determined using a computer processor based on the following:

[0168] - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and

[0169] - Additionally, the numerical designation of the CL-x coating is D. 3-x ;

[0170] (v) Optionally, a computer processor may be used to determine at least one transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate based on the following:

[0171] -A measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL provided in step (iii),

[0172] -Optionally, the numerical representation of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate besides the coating CL is D. 3-x Alternatively, it may be combined with a digital representation D of the additional coating CL-x for which no measure indicating dielectric constant is provided in step (iv). 3-x The measure of the dielectric constant of at least one additional coating CL-x provided in step (iv), and

[0173] - The digital representation of the coated substrate is D2;

[0174] (vi) Provide, via a communication interface, a determined measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL and / or a determined at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate.

[0175] 2. The method according to item 1, wherein the substrate is transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of 22 to 300 GHz, preferably 22 to 144 GHz.

[0176] 3. The method according to item 1 or 2, wherein the substrate comprises or is composed of: polycarbonate, blends of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, elastomer-modified polypropylene, blends of polypropylene and ethylene propylene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, blends of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer and polycarbonate, acrylate-styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyamide and blends thereof, polyurethane, blends of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate, blends of polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof.

[0177] 4. The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the coating CL is selected from a coloring coating, preferably from a primer layer.

[0178] 5. The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the substrate may be coated with a multilayer coating comprising, in particular, layers in the order stated: optionally at least one base layer PL, a coating CL, particularly a primer layer, optionally at least one additional primer layer different from the coating CL, and at least one clear coat layer CL.

[0179] 6. The method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the communication interface includes a display, preferably a display having a graphical user interface.

[0180] 7. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein in step (i) a digital representation D1 of coating CL and / or a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate and / or a digital representation D of each additional coating CL-x is provided. 3-x This includes providing vehicle identification data, and obtaining digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D based on the provided vehicle identification data. 3-x And provide the obtained digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D 3-x .

[0181] 8. The method according to item 7, wherein the obtained numerical representations are D1 and / or D2 and / or D 3-x The step is further defined as searching the database for the digital representation based on the input vehicle identification data.

[0182] 9. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein the digital representation D1 of the coating CL includes

[0183] - Provides data derived from the chemical compositions of coating materials used to prepare coating CL.

[0184] -Optionally, data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the coating CL are provided, and

[0185] -Optionally, data on at least one physical property of the coating CL may be provided.

[0186] 10. The method according to item 9, wherein the data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material includes the type and amount of each pigment present in the coating material, particularly effect pigments.

[0187] 11. The method according to item 9 or 10, wherein providing data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material includes importing the formulation of the coating material from a computer-readable medium, particularly at least one database.

[0188] 12. The method according to any one of items 9 to 11, wherein data concerning at least one physical property of the coating material are selected from the solids content of the coating material.

[0189] 13. The method according to any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the data concerning at least one physical property of the coating CL is selected from (i) appearance data, such as angle-dependent colorimetric index data; (ii) color values; (iii) data describing the orientation of effect pigments (preferably aluminum pigments) within the coating CL; (iv) data acquired during the application of the coating material; and (v) combinations thereof, preferably angle-dependent colorimetric index data.

[0190] 14. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein providing a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate includes providing the thickness of the substrate, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate, the layer thickness of the coating CL, and optionally the layer thickness of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL.

[0191] 15. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein a numerical representation D is provided for each additional coating CL-x present in the substrate in addition to the coating CL. 3-x include

[0192] - Provides a measure of the dielectric constant of the additional coating CL-x present, or

[0193] - Provide data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x layer and / or provide data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x layer and / or provide data on at least one physical property of the additional CL-x layer.

[0194] 16. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein the data-driven model is a rigorous model, an empirical model, or a combination thereof, preferably a rigorous model.

[0195] 17. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein the data-driven model provides a relationship, particularly a linear relationship, between at least one descriptor D and a measure indicating the dielectric constant, the descriptor D describing the effect of the amount and type of pigment (preferably an effect pigment) related to the solids content of the coating material on the measure indicating the dielectric constant, and optionally the effect of other components of the coating material on the measure indicating the dielectric constant and / or the effect of the properties of coating CL or another coating CL-x on the measure indicating the dielectric constant.

[0196] 18. The method according to item 17, wherein descriptor D is based on pigment content descriptor D PIG And optionally based on component descriptor D R and / or feature descriptor D PROP calculate.

[0197] 19. The method according to entry 18, wherein the pigment content descriptor D PIG Obtained from formula (I)

[0198]

[0199] in

[0200] A represents the weight percentage of pigment (preferably aluminum pigment) present in the coating material based on the total weight of the coating material.

[0201] S represents the solids content of the coating material, expressed as a weight percentage, and

[0202] W PIG This represents the pigment weighting factor.

[0203] 20. The method according to item 18 or 19, wherein the component descriptor D R It can be obtained through formula (II)

[0204]

[0205] in

[0206] A R This represents the weight percentage of each component in the coating material, excluding pigments, based on the total weight of the coating material.

[0207] n represents the number of components present in the coating material, and

[0208] W R This represents the component weighting factor.

[0209] 21. The method according to any one of items 18 to 20, wherein the characteristic descriptor D PROP It can be obtained through formula (III)

[0210]

[0211] in

[0212] P represents the properties of the coating CL.

[0213] n represents the value used to calculate D. PROP The number of characteristics, and

[0214] W PROP This represents the characteristic weighting factor.

[0215] 22. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein the measure indicating the dielectric constant is selected from the relative dielectric constant ε. r .

[0216] 23. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein at least one transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate is selected from (i) transmission spectrum, (ii) attenuation in transmission, preferably attenuation in unidirectional and / or bidirectional transmission, (iii) reflection spectrum, (iv) attenuation in reflection, and (v) combinations thereof.

[0217] 24. The method according to item 23, wherein the transmission spectrum and the reflection spectrum are each calculated using the transfer matrix method.

[0218] 25. The method according to item 23 or 24, wherein the transmission spectrum and the reflection spectrum are each calculated in a frequency range of 15 to 300 GHz, preferably in a frequency range of 15 to 150 GHz, very preferably in a frequency range of 15 to 40 GHz, and / or in a frequency range of 60 to 90 GHz, and / or in a frequency range of 125 to 155 GHz.

[0219] 26. The method according to any one of items 23 to 25, wherein the attenuation in transmission, preferably the attenuation in unidirectional and / or bidirectional transmission, and the attenuation in reflection are each calculated at a frequency of 24 GHz and / or at a frequency of 76.5 GHz and / or at a frequency of 137 GHz.

[0220] 27. The method according to any one of the preceding entries, wherein providing a determined measure of the dielectric constant of the coating CL and / or a determined at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic comprises displaying the determined measure or at least one characteristic on a display and / or storing the determined measure or at least one characteristic on a computer-readable medium and / or providing the determined measure or at least one characteristic to a computer processor.

[0221] 28. The method according to any one of the preceding entries further comprises the following steps:

[0222] (vii) Optionally determine whether at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is within at least one predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance;

[0223] (viii) Optionally, the determined result of the action performed in step (vii) may be provided via a communication interface;

[0224] (ix) If at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is outside the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance, a recommendation may optionally be provided via a communication interface;

[0225] (x) By modifying the numerical representation D1 and / or numerical representation D2 and / or numerical representation D provided in step (i). 3-x To optimize at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) until a predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance is achieved;

[0226] (xi) Provides optimized digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D2 via a communication interface. 3-x And at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate.

[0227] 29. The method according to entry 28, wherein in step (x) the digital representation D1 and / or the digital representation D2 and / or the digital representation D... 3-x This includes manipulating at least one of a plurality of adjustment tools displayed on a communication interface including a display with a graphical user interface, each of the adjustment tools corresponding to a specific numerical representation D1, D2 and optional D provided in step (i). 3-x .

[0228] 30. The method according to item 28 or 29, wherein in step (x) the numerical representations D1 and / or D are modified. 3-x This includes providing the digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x Different numbers represent D 1m and / or D 2m and / or D 3-xm And in response to the provided digital representation D 1m and / or D 2m and / or D 3-xm Optionally, the adjustment tool can be automatically moved and displayed on a communication interface, including a display with a graphical user interface.

[0229] 31. The method according to item 28, wherein in step (x) the numerical representation D1 and / or the numerical representation D2 and / or the numerical representation D... 3-xIncluded in the digital representation D containing historical coatings 1h and D 3h-x And / or a digital representation of the historical coated substrate associated with at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic (D). 2h Search at least one database.

[0230] 32. The method according to entry 28, wherein in step (x) the numerical representations D1 and / or D are modified. 3-x This includes obtaining the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x Digital representation D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm .

[0231] 33. The method according to item 32, wherein a digital representation D with acceptable color deviation is obtained. 1m and / or D 3-xm This includes determining the proposed coating formulation and the associated proposed color values, and calculating the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The difference between the color value and the proposed color value is used to define the difference color value, and the numbers provided in step (i) are represented as D1 and / or D. 3-x The color values ​​and differential color values ​​are input into the artificial intelligence model, and the suitability of the proposed coating formulation is determined by utilizing the artificial intelligence model.

[0232] 34. The method according to item 33, wherein the step of determining the proposed coating formulation and the associated proposed color value is further defined as based on the numerical representation D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x The color values ​​are searched in the database for proposed color solutions.

[0233] 35. The method according to item 33 or 34 further includes the step of training an artificial intelligence model to determine acceptability.

[0234] 36. The method according to Item 35, wherein the step of training the artificial intelligence model includes the step of comparing the output with the known acceptability of the proposed color solution.

[0235] 37. The method according to item 35 or 36, wherein the artificial intelligence model is a neural network and further includes the step of providing feedback from the output to the neural network.

[0236] 38. The method according to item 37, wherein the neural network includes an input layer and an output layer, and further includes the step of providing feedback from the output to the input layer.

[0237] 39. The method according to any one of items 33 to 38, further comprising providing via a communication interface the digital representation D1 and / or D provided in step (i). 3-x Digital representation D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm The steps.

[0238] 40. The method according to any one of items 28 to 39, wherein providing at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate in step (xi) includes automatically updating at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) in response to optimizing at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic in step (x).

[0239] 41. A computing device comprising:

[0240] - Communication interface;

[0241] - A processing module, which includes at least one computer processor; and

[0242] - A memory for storing instructions that, when executed by a processing module, configure the system to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method according to any one of entries 1 to 40.

[0243] 42. The computing device according to item 41, further comprising at least one measuring device connected to the processing module via a communication interface.

[0244] 43. The computing device according to item 41 or 42, further comprising at least one database DB1 connected to a processing module via a communication interface, the database DB1 containing a digital representation D1 of coating CL and / or a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and / or a digital representation D of each additional coating present on the substrate besides coating CL. 3-x and / or vehicle identification data.

[0245] 44. The computing device according to any one of items 41 to 43, wherein the communication interface includes a display, particularly a display having a graphical user interface, particularly a graphical user interface including at least one adjustment tool.

[0246] 45. The computing device according to any one of items 41 to 44, further comprising at least one database DB2 connected to a processing module via a communication interface, the database DB2 containing a digital representation D1 of a coating CL and / or a digital representation D2 of a coated substrate, and / or a digital representation D of each additional coating present on the substrate besides the coating CL associated with at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic. 3-x .

[0247] 46. ​​The computing device according to any one of items 41 to 45, further comprising at least one database DB3 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB3 containing coating formulations and associated color values.

[0248] 47. The computing device according to any one of items 41 to 46, further comprising at least one database DB4 connected to the processing module via a communication interface, the database DB3 containing a data-driven model.

[0249] 48. The computing device according to any one of items 41 to 47, wherein the processing module includes at least one artificial intelligence module.

[0250] 49. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps according to any one of entries 1 to 40.

[0251] 50. A system comprising:

[0252] -At least one coating CL; and

[0253] - At least one measure indicating the dielectric constant of the at least one coating CL, wherein the measure indicating the dielectric constant is determined according to any one of items 1 to 40.

[0254] 51. The method according to any one of items 1 to 40 is used for screening a coated substrate comprising at least one coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x according to at least one criterion.

[0255] 52. A substrate coated with a coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x, wherein the transmission and / or reflection properties of the substrate are derived according to the method of any one of items 1 to 40.

[0256] 53. A client device for generating a request to initiate, at a server device, prediction of at least one characteristic of a coating CL or at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of a substrate coated with the coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x, wherein the client device is configured to provide the server device with a digital representation D1 of the coating CL, optionally a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and optionally a digital representation D1 of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the coating CL. 3-x And optional tolerances.

[0257] 54. The client device according to embodiment 53, wherein the server device is the apparatus according to any one of embodiments 41 to 48. Attached Figure Description

[0258] These and other features of the invention are set forth more fully in the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. For ease of identification of any particular element or action discussed, one or more of the most significant digits in the reference numerals refer to the figure number in which the element is first introduced. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0259] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a method for predicting the transmission and reflection properties of a substrate coated with a CL coating and optionally at least one additional CL-x coating.

[0260] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[0261] Figure 3 A computing device according to the present invention is shown.

[0262] Figure 4 The client-server setup for the proposed method is shown.

[0263] Figure 5 It is a floor plan of an input screen partially filled with data.

[0264] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the output screen, which shows the adjustment tools and is filled with data, displaying the transmission and reflection spectra as well as the attenuation in transmission and reflection. Detailed Implementation

[0265] The detailed description given below is intended as a description of various aspects of the subject matter and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the subject matter can be practiced. The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form part of the detailed description. To provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter, the detailed description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter can be practiced without these specific details.

[0266] Figure 1 A non-limiting embodiment of a computer-implemented method for predicting the transmission and reflection properties of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x is described. In this example, the coating CL is a primer layer comprising aluminum-effect pigments and the substrate further comprises a clear coat layer.

[0267] In block 102, routine 100 provides a digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL and a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate to at least one computer processor via a communication interface. In this example, the digital representation D of the clear coat layer present in addition to the primer layer is also provided. 3-1Provided via a communication interface to at least one processor, this step is typically optional. In this example, providing the digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL includes providing the following data: the amount of aluminum pigment in the coating material used to prepare the primer layer CL (by weight percentage, based on the total weight of the coating material), the solids content of the coating material used to prepare the primer layer CL, and the angle-dependent colorimetric index of the primer layer CL. In this example, providing the digital representation D2 of the coated substrate includes providing the following data: the dielectric constant ε of the standard substrate. r The thickness of the substrate, the thickness of the primer layer CL, and the thickness of the clear coat layer CL-1 are specified. In another example, the dielectric constant ε of the substrate used in combination with / to be used in combination with the primer layer CL is provided. r In this example, the numerical representation of the clear coat CL-1 is D. 3-1 Including the dielectric constant ε of the standard varnish layer r According to the present invention, the dielectric constant ε of a specific substrate or a specific varnish layer can be provided. r According to the alternative, the numerical representation of the varnish layer is D. 3-1 This can include data similar to the numerical representation of D1. If the varnish layer includes known dielectric constant ε of the varnish layer... r If the pigment has an impact, then this may be the preferred choice.

[0268] In block 104, routine 100 provides a data-driven model, a digital representation D of a historical primer layer, to at least one computer processor via a communication interface. h and the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer r Historical measurement parameterization. In this example, the numerical representation of the historical primer layer is D. h This includes formulations, such as ingredients and amounts, solids content and density of the coating material used to prepare the historical primer layer, as well as the angle-dependent colorimetric index, film thickness, and conductivity of the historical primer layer. In this example, the data-driven model is achieved by comparing the digital representation D of the historical primer layer. h Its corresponding dielectric constant ε r The obtained rigorous model provides at least one descriptor D and the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer. r The linear relationship between them. In this example, descriptor D is derived from pigment content descriptor D according to formula (I). PIG Calculate

[0269]

[0270] in

[0271] A represents the weight percentage of aluminum pigment present in the coating material based on the total weight of the coating material.

[0272] S represents the solids content of the coating material, expressed as a weight percentage, and

[0273] W PIG This represents the pigment weighting factor.

[0274] In block 106, routine 100, based on the data-driven model provided in block 104 and the digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL provided in block 102, uses at least one computer processor to determine the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL. r For this purpose, as previously stated, the described descriptor D is determined from the digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL and used in the data-driven model to obtain the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL. r .

[0275] In block 108, routine 100 is based on the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL determined in block 106. r D represented by numbers 3-1 The dielectric constant of the provided varnish layer CL-1, and the dielectric constant ε of the standard substrate provided via the digital representation D2 of the coated substrate. r The thickness of the substrate, the thickness of the primer layer CL, and the thickness of the clear coat layer CL-1 are determined using at least one computer processor, along with the transmission and reflection spectra of the coated substrate and the damping in transmission and reflection.

[0276] In block 110, routine 100 provides the transmission and reflection spectra and the attenuation in transmission and reflection as determined in block 108 via a communication interface.

[0277] Figure 2 Further non-limiting embodiments of a computer-implemented method for predicting the transmission and reflection properties of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x are depicted. In this embodiment, at least one numerical representation provided in block 202 is modified until predefined transmission and reflection tolerances are met. In this example, the coating CL is a primer layer comprising aluminum effect pigments. The steps performed in blocks 202 through 210 correspond to bonding Figure 1 The steps described are performed in boxes 102 to 110.

[0278] In block 202, routine 200 provides, via a communication interface, a digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL, a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and a digital representation D of the clear coat layer present in addition to the primer layer to at least one computer processor. 3-1 , such as combination Figure 1 The box 102 describes this.

[0279] In block 204, routine 200 provides a data-driven model, a digital representation D of a historical primer layer, to at least one computer processor via a communication interface.h and the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer r Historical metrics parameterization, such as combining Figure 1 The box 104 describes this.

[0280] In block 206, routine 200, based on the data-driven model provided in block 204 and the digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL provided in block 202, uses at least one computer processor to determine the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL. r , such as combination Figure 1 The box 106 describes this.

[0281] In block 208, routine 200 is based on the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL determined in block 206. r D represented by numbers 3-1 The dielectric constant ε of the provided varnish layer CL-1 r and the dielectric constant ε of the standard substrate provided by the digital representation D2 of the coated substrate. r The thickness of the substrate, the thickness of the primer layer CL, and the thickness of the clear coat layer CL-1 are determined using at least one computer processor, along with the transmission and reflection spectra of the coated substrate and the attenuation in transmission and reflection.

[0282] In block 210, routine 200 provides the transmission and reflection spectra and the attenuation in transmission and reflection as determined in block 208 via a communication interface.

[0283] In block 212, routine 200 determines whether the attenuation in transmission and reflection provided in block 210 is within a predefined attenuation tolerance for transmission and reflection. In this example, this is determined by the user by comparing the attenuation provided in transmission and reflection with the predefined tolerance. For example, the predefined tolerance might be a maximum attenuation of -2 dB in transmission. In another example, the comparison can be performed automatically by routine 200 on at least one computer processor. In this case, the predefined tolerance can be stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a database) and can be accessed by the computer processor to perform the comparison.

[0284] In box 214, routine 200 modifies the numeric representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D provided in box 202. 3-1To optimize the attenuation in transmission and reflection provided in box 210 until the attenuation in predefined transmission and reflection tolerances is met. In this example, the digital representation D2 of the coated substrate is modified by manipulating a virtual adjustment tool, which includes different adjusters for the substrate thickness and the layer thicknesses of the primer layer CL and the clear coat layer CL-1. For this purpose, the user moves the adjuster displaying the current thickness of the substrate by clicking and moving the adjuster until the attenuation in transmission is below the tolerance or threshold given in box 212. In another example, the digital representations D1 and / or D... 3-x It can be modified. This can be done by manipulating the virtual adjustment tool, by searching the database, or by obtaining the numerical representations D1 and / or D provided in box 202. 3-x The digital representation D with acceptable color deviation 1m and / or D 3-xm To execute.

[0285] In box 216, routine 200 provides an optimized digital representation D via a communication interface. 1m And / or numbers represent D 2m And / or numbers represent D 3-xm And at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection characteristic. The communication interface may include a display containing a GUI. In this example, the optimized thickness of the substrate and the optimized attenuation in transmission and reflection are provided to the user via the communication interface including the display. In another example, an optimized digital representation D is provided via the communication interface. 1m and / or D 3-xm And at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection characteristic.

[0286] Figure 3 An example of a computing device 300 is shown, the computing device 300 including:

[0287] Computer processor 306; communication interfaces 308, 310, 312; and memory 316 for storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the device to perform the following steps.

[0288] - The digital representations D1 of the primer layer CL, D2 of the coated substrate, and D1 of the additional clear coat layer CL-1 existing on the substrate in addition to the primer layer CL are provided to the computer processor via a communication interface. 3-1 ;

[0289] - A data-driven model is provided to the computer processor via a communication interface, which is a digital representation of the historical coating. h and the dielectric constant ε indicating the historical coating r Historical metrics parameterization;

[0290] - Based on the data-driven model provided in the steps and the digital representation D1 of the primer layer CL, the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL is determined using a computer processor. r ;

[0291] -Based on the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL r The standard dielectric constant ε of the varnish layer CL-1 r The digital representation D2 of the coated substrate is used, and a computer processor is used to determine the transmission and reflection characteristics of the coated substrate; and

[0292] - Provides defined transmission and reflection characteristics of the coated substrate via a communication interface.

[0293] In this example, the computer device further includes an input / output device 304. In this example, the data-driven model is stored in a database 302. The database 302 is connected to the computer processor via a communication interface 308. In this example, the input / output device 304 is used to provide the computer processor 306 with digital representations D1 and D2 of coatings CL and CL-1 via a communication interface 310. 3-1 In this example, the number D1 represents the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the primer layer CL, the solids content of the coating material, and the angle-dependent colorimetric index of the primer layer CL. In this example, the number D2 represents the ε of a standard substrate. r The thicknesses of the substrate, primer layer CL, and clear coat CL-1 are provided. The data-driven model is provided to the computer processor 306 via communication interface 308. The computer processor 306 determines the transmission and reflection characteristics. In this example, the transmission and reflection characteristics are provided to the input / output device 304 via communication interface 312. In another example, the transmission and reflection characteristics may be provided to the database 302 via communication interface 308.

[0294] Turning Figure 4 This illustrates an internet-based system for predicting at least one transmission and / or reflection property of a substrate coated with a coating CL and optionally at least one additional coating CL-x. System 400 includes a server 402 accessible by one or more clients 406.1 to 406.n via a network 404 (such as the internet). Preferably, the server may be an HTTP server and accessible via conventional internet-based technologies. Client 406 is a user-accessible computer terminal and may be a customized device, such as a data entry kiosk, or a general-purpose device, such as a personal computer. Printer 408 may be connected to client terminal 406. Internet-based systems are particularly useful when providing services to customers or in larger corporate settings. Clients can be used to provide digital representations D1, D2, and optionally D to the server's computer processor. 3-x .

[0295] Figure 5 Shown at the beginning of the method, for example in Figure 1 and 2 A graphical user interface 500 is displayed to the user at the start of routine 100 or 200. This graphical user interface 500 can be displayed on any device including a display, such as portable and stationary devices. In this example, the GUI is displayed on a computer monitor. The graphical user interface 500 includes multiple adjustment tools 502, 504 and buttons 506, 508 for inputting various data that can be used to predict the transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the coated substrate, and multiple areas 510, 512, 518 for displaying the predicted transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the coated substrate.

[0296] In this example, various adjustment tools 502 and 504 are displayed on the GUI 500. Each adjustment tool has various adjusters that can be moved using a computer mouse or finger (in the case of a display including a touchscreen) to provide data about the coated substrate and coating CL. To enhance user guidance during the use of adjustment tools 502 and 504, values ​​corresponding to the actual positions of the adjusters are given above the respective adjusters and are automatically updated as the user moves the adjusters. The values ​​displayed in adjustment tools 502 and 504 are placeholders and need to be adjusted by the user as necessary. In another example, a button for importing data from a file or data input field can be used in place of or in conjunction with adjustment tool 502. In this example, the numerical representation of a portion of D2 is provided using adjustment tool 502. In this example, the fixed dielectric constant ε of the standard substrate is... r It is used and cannot be provided via adjustment tool 502. In another example, the dielectric constant ε r The user can input data by modifying the corresponding regulator using adjustment tool 502. In this example, adjustment tool 504 can be used to provide data on the formulation of the coating material and the properties of the resulting coating CL. In this example, coating CL is a primer layer. In another example, GUI 500 may include more than one adjustment tool 504, such as 504.1 to 504.n, to allow the user to provide data on the formulation of the coating material and the properties of the resulting coating CL-x. The data provided in adjustment tools 504.1 to 504.n can be used as a numerical representation D. 3-x For example, if two different primer coats are used and the dielectric constant ε of each primer coat needs to be determined based on the provided data. r This is the preferred option.

[0297] In this example, area 506 includes three different buttons that allow the user to switch between different data input modes in adjustment tool 504 by clicking the corresponding button. In "recipe mode" (i.e., when the "recipe" button is activated), the user can perform the following actions:

[0298] - By clicking the "Select File" button in area 508, import the coating material formulation and further performance data used to prepare the coating CL, namely the solids content of the coating material and the angle-dependent colorimetric index of the coating CL. The values ​​of aluminum content, solids content, and angle-dependent colorimetric index are automatically set. After the formulation is imported, the regulators automatically move to the values ​​of the imported data. The regulator "Al[%]" is fixed after the formulation is imported, meaning this amount cannot be adjusted using this regulator, while the regulators for solids content and angle-dependent colorimetric index can still be moved as needed after the formulation is imported.

[0299] - As mentioned earlier, the aluminum content, solid content, or angle-dependent color index is automatically set by importing data, and the remaining value is adjusted by moving the corresponding regulator.

[0300] The dielectric constant ε of the coating CL r The value is determined in "Prescription Mode" based on the input data, and the regulator "Calculated eps" automatically moves to display the determined value.

[0301] In "Dielectric Constant Mode" (i.e., when the "Dielectric Constant" button in area 506 is activated), the user can only input the desired dielectric constant ε of the coating CL by moving the "Calculated eps" adjuster in area 504. r This prevents other regulators in the region from being detected, and the transmission and reflection characteristics are predicted solely based on the input dielectric constant.

[0302] In "Free Mode" (i.e., when the "Free" button in area 506 is activated), the user can move all the adjusters displayed in area 504 to input the corresponding values. Without importing a prescription, even if the dielectric constant is entered, the transmission and reflection characteristics are predicted using only the values ​​of aluminum content, solids content, and angle-dependent color index shown in adjustment tool 504. The user can also import a prescription as described above, but in "Free Mode," the user can still adjust the aluminum content after importing the prescription.

[0303] In this example, regions 508 and 510 include the transmission and reflection spectra of the coated substrate in the frequency range of 60 to 90 GHz. The data displayed in regions 510 and 512 are placeholders and will automatically adjust once the user begins entering data in regions 502 and / or 504. In region 514, the user can select whether the graphics displayed in regions 510 and 512 have a fixed frequency and transmission range (button "Fixed Scale") or whether the displayed graphics have an automatically scaled transmission range to increase user comfort (button "Auto Scale"). In this example, the graphics displayed in regions 510 and 512 have a fixed frequency and transmission range because the "Fixed Scale" button is activated.

[0304] In this example, region 518 includes attenuation in transmission and reflection at a frequency of 76.5 GHz, as well as radar reflection obtained from the transmission and reflection spectra in regions 510 and 512. If the user begins entering data in regions 502 and / or 504, the data displayed in those regions is automatically updated placeholder data. In region 516, the user can choose whether to display attenuation in transmission and reflection and radar reflection (labeled "Simple") or whether to display more information, such as the value used to calculate descriptor D, the type of pigment present in the highest quantity, etc. (labeled "Extended"). In this example, the "Simple" label is activated.

[0305] Figure 6 A graphical user interface 600 is shown displayed to the user after a prescription has been uploaded. This graphical user interface 600 can be displayed on any suitable portable or stationary device with a display. The graphical user interface 600 includes multiple adjustment tools 602, 604 displaying the provided data, and multiple areas 610, 612, 618 displaying the transmission and / or reflection characteristics of the coated substrate predicted based on the provided data.

[0306] In this example, the thicknesses of the substrate, primer layer, and clear coat layer have been adjusted by moving the adjuster of the adjustment tool 602 to the corresponding positions.

[0307] In this example, the prescription has been uploaded by clicking the "Select File" button in area 608, and the adjuster "A1[%]" of adjustment tool 604 has been moved to the amount listed in the imported prescription. Based on this amount, the dielectric constant ε of the primer layer CL is determined. r The "Calculated EPS" adjuster of the adjustment tool 604 is determined and automatically moves to the displayed value of 15.55.

[0308] In this example, Figure 5The placeholder transmission and reflection spectra are updated based on data input via adjustment tools 602 and 604, and are displayed in regions 610 and 612, respectively. Additionally, the placeholders “attenuation in transmission and reflection at 76.5 GHz” and “radar reflection at 76.5 GHz” are updated, and the updated values ​​are displayed in region 618.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for predicting the properties of a colored coating CL or the transmission and / or reflection properties of a substrate coated with a colored coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x, the method comprising the steps of: (i) Provide to a computer processor via a communication interface a digital representation D1 of the colored coating CL, a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and a digital representation D of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the colored coating CL. 3-x ; (ii) Providing a strictly data-driven model to the computer processor via the communication interface, the strictly data-driven model being parameterized with respect to the following: - The digital representation of historical coatings D h ,as well as - A historical measure indicating the dielectric constant of the coating, wherein the rigorous data-driven model provides a relationship between at least one descriptor D and the measure indicating the dielectric constant, the descriptor D describing the effect of the amount and type of pigment, related to the solids content of the coating material, on the measure indicating the dielectric constant; (iii) The computer processor determines a measure of the dielectric constant of the colored coating CL based on the following: - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and - The numerical representation of the coloring coating CL is D1; (iv) Based on the following, the computer processor determines a measure of the dielectric constant indicating at least one additional coating CL-x layer present on the substrate in addition to the coloring coating CL. - The data-driven model provided in step (ii), and - The numerical representation of the additional coating CL-x is D 3-x ; (v) Using the computer processor, determine at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate based on the following: - The measure indicating the dielectric constant of the colored coating CL provided in step (iii) - The numerical representation D of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate besides the coloring coating CL. 3-x Or, in step (iv), the numerical representation D of an additional coating CL-x that does not provide a measure indicating the dielectric constant. 3-x In combination, the measure indicating the dielectric constant of the at least one additional coating CL-x provided in step (iv), and - The number representing the coated substrate is D2; (vi) Provide, via the communication interface, a determined measure of the dielectric constant of the colored coating CL and / or a determined at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic of the coated substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The coloring coating CL is selected from the primer layer.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In step (i), the numerical representation D1 of the colored coating CL and / or the numerical representation D2 of the coated substrate and / or the numerical representation D of each additional coating CL-x are provided. 3-x This includes providing vehicle identification data, and obtaining the digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D based on the provided vehicle identification data. 3-x And provide the obtained digital representations D1 and / or D2 and / or D 3-x .

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The digital representation D1 providing the coloring coating CL includes - Provide data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the colored coating CL. - Provide data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the colored coating CL, and - Provide data on at least one physical property of the coloring coating CL.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The digital representation D2 of the coated substrate includes providing the thickness of the substrate, a measure indicating the dielectric constant of the substrate, the layer thickness of the color coating CL, and the layer thickness of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the color coating CL.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Provide the numerical representation D of each additional coating CL-x present in the substrate besides the coloring coating CL. 3-x include - Provides a measure of the dielectric constant of the additional coating CL-x that indicates its presence, or - Provide data derived from the chemical composition of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x and / or provide data on at least one physical property of the coating material used to prepare the additional CL-x and / or provide data on at least one physical property of the additional coating CL-x.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The data-driven model provides a linear relationship between at least one descriptor D and the measure indicating the dielectric constant, the descriptor D describing the effect of the amount and type of effect pigments related to the solids content of the coating material on the measure indicating the dielectric constant, the effect of other components of the coating material on the measure indicating the dielectric constant, and / or the effect of the properties of the colored coating CL or the additional coating CL-x on the measure indicating the dielectric constant.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The descriptor D is based on the pigment content descriptor D. PIG And according to component descriptor D R and / or feature descriptor D PROP calculate.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following steps: (vii) Determine whether the at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is within at least one predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance; (viii) Provide the determined result of the action performed in step (vii) via the communication interface; (ix) If the at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) is outside the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance, a recommendation is provided via the communication interface; (x) By modifying the numerical representation D1 and / or the numerical representation D2 and / or the numerical representation D provided in step (i). 3-x To optimize the at least one transmission and / or reflection characteristic provided in step (vi) until the predefined transmission and / or reflection tolerance is reached; (xi) Provides optimized digital representation D1 and / or digital representation D2 and / or digital representation D via the communication interface. 3-x And at least one optimized transmission and / or reflection property of the coated substrate.

10. A computing device, comprising: - Communication interface; - A processing module, which includes at least one computer processor; as well as - A memory that stores instructions, when executed by the processing module, to configure the computing device to perform the steps of a computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used for screening a coating CL or a coated substrate comprising at least one colored coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x according to at least one criterion.

13. A client device for generating a request to initiate, at a server device, prediction of at least one property of a colored coating CL or at least one transmission and / or reflection property of a substrate coated with a colored coating CL and at least one additional coating CL-x, wherein, The client device is configured to provide the server device with a digital representation D1 of the coloring coating CL, a digital representation D2 of the coated substrate, and a digital representation D1 of each additional coating CL-x present on the substrate in addition to the coloring coating CL. 3-x And tolerance, wherein the server device is a computing device according to claim 10.

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