DE102023200239A1 - Method for testing the odor behavior of a material sample - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for testing the odor behavior of a material sample, in particular an automobile interior component, in which at least two, in particular disjoint, retention time intervals are defined on the basis of a composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography applied to the material sample (step 120), the concentrations (n) of the individual substances whose retention times (tR) lie in the respective retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) are combined to form a total concentration (n_1, n_2, n_3) of the respective retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) (step 130) and an evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample is determined on the basis of the total concentrations (n_1, n_2, n_3) (step 140).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for testing the odor behavior of a material sample.

Odor behavior is the tendency of materials - especially after storage at a specific temperature and climate for a specific period of time - to release volatile components that have a perceptible odor. A test of odor behavior is particularly necessary for materials used in automotive interior components in order to decide whether the material is suitable for use in the interior of a car. A material installed in the interior of a car with an overly intense odor can lead to a strong odor development in the interior, which is perceived as disturbing.

An example of such a method is the odor test for automotive interior components according to the VDA 270 standard. After seven days of preconditioning, material samples are subjected to an odor test by at least three people. Each person perceives the odor of the sample with their sense of smell and then rates the intensity of the odor using a rating scale with grades 1 to 6. An arithmetic mean is calculated from the grades awarded, which represents the final grade for the sample. The grade represents an assessment that can be used to decide whether the material is suitable for installation in the interior of an automobile. At the time of filing this application, the method according to the valid VDA 270 standard is the widely recognized and most commonly used way of determining the odor behavior of material samples of automotive interior components.

The method described above has many disadvantages. Firstly, the result of the test depends on the subjective olfactory perception of the test person, which can sometimes fluctuate greatly depending on the constitution of the test person, for example. Furthermore, the number of samples that can be tested in succession is limited to a small number, as the sensitivity of the sense of smell decreases with an increasing number of samples. In this regard, the VDA 270 standard recommends that no more than six samples should be tested in one run and that a break of at least two hours should be taken between each test run. Furthermore, the scale from 1 to 6 is relatively coarse, so that in borderline cases in particular, material samples are assessed as unsuitable due to rounding, even though they would still be assessed as suitable if a finer scale and/or a more objective odor detection method were used. In addition, the duration of the procedure is extremely long due to the long preconditioning period of seven days. In the case of production batches that are to be tested for their odor behavior, this means that the entire batch must be stored for at least seven days before the result of a material sample from this batch is available and the batch can be released for delivery.

In addition, so-called "electronic noses" are known from the state of the art, i.e. arrays with gas sensors designed to detect certain substances. With such a system, it would theoretically be possible to carry out an objective test of the odor behavior of a material sample. However, due to their complicated structure, such systems are expensive and require a lot of maintenance. For example, electronic noses often experience fluctuations in the measurement stability of the sensors, which is why appropriate countermeasures must be taken. With such a system, the substances to be detected must also be known in advance so that the array can be equipped with the corresponding gas sensors.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for testing the odor behavior of a material sample that provides objective and precise test results with little effort and in a short time. In particular, a method is to be provided with which a high throughput of samples can be achieved. At least the disadvantages of the prior art are to be at least partially avoided.

This object is achieved by a computer-implemented method for testing the odor behavior of a material sample with the features of claim 1. Preferred features are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features can be found in the general description and the embodiments.

• - Empfangen eines Zusammensetzungsdatensatzes, der mittels einer auf die Materialprobe angewendeten Gaschromatographie (GC), insbesondere einer Gaschromatographie mit Massenspektrometrie-Kopplung (GC-MS), gewonnen wurde, wobei der Zusammensetzungsdatensatz Daten über eine jeweilige Konzentration von Einzelstoffen der Materialprobe in Abhängigkeit einer jeweiligen Retentionszeit der Einzelstoffe enthält;
• - Definieren zumindest zweier insbesondere disjunkter Retentionszeitintervalle, wobei in zumindest einem der definierten Retentionszeitintervalle die Retentionszeiten zumindest zweier unterschiedlicher Einzelstoffe liegen;
• - Zusammenfassen der Konzentrationen der Einzelstoffe, deren Retentionszeiten in dem jeweiligen Retentionszeitintervall liegen, zu einer Gesamtkonzentration des jeweiligen Retentionszeitintervalls;
• - Ermitteln einer Bewertung für das Geruchsverhalten der Materialprobe auf Basis der Gesamtkonzentrationen.

The method according to the invention for testing the odor behavior of a material sample, in particular an automobile interior component, comprises the following steps:

• - Receiving a composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography (GC), in particular gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), applied to the material sample, wherein the composition data set contains data on a respective concentration of individual substances in the material sample as a function of a respective retention time of the individual substances;
• - defining at least two, in particular disjoint, retention time intervals, wherein the retention times of at least two different individual substances lie in at least one of the defined retention time intervals;
• - summarising the concentrations of the individual substances whose retention times lie within the respective retention time interval to give a total concentration for the respective retention time interval;
• - Determine an assessment of the odor behavior of the material sample based on the total concentrations.

The invention is based on the following findings: The individual substances responsible for the odor behavior of the material sample are generally sufficiently volatile to be detected by means of gas chromatography applied to the material sample. The extent to which an individual substance influences the odor behavior of the material sample correlates with the retention time of this substance, i.e. the total time that the substance requires to pass through the gas chromatography column. It is now claimed that, when testing the odor behavior of a material sample, it is advantageous to group the individual substances according to their retention time when evaluating the composition data set obtained by GC and to consider the properties of the group instead of analyzing each individual substance individually. For this purpose, certain retention time intervals are defined and the concentrations of those individual substances whose retention times lie in a common interval are combined to form a total concentration that is representative of the retention time interval. With a clever choice of suitable retention time intervals, a meaningful assessment of the odor behavior of the material sample can be made with a clear number of determined total concentrations. Since the influence of an individual substance on the odor behavior of the material sample correlates with its retention time, different total concentrations are usually included in the calculation of the assessment to different degrees. For example, different threshold values and/or weighting factors can be set for individual total concentrations.

Each retention time interval can be defined by a minimum retention time as the lower limit and a maximum retention time as the upper limit. For example, using a composition data set in the form of a gas chromatography spectrum, the peaks in the spectrum that occur in one of the defined retention time intervals can be evaluated together, from which the total concentration of the retention interval can be calculated. Instead of the (total) concentration, an equivalent value that indicates the amount of the respective substance can also be used. Since the total concentration in a certain retention time interval is primarily important for the odor behavior, the identification of the individual substances can be dispensed with. However, it can also be advantageous if at least certain individual substances can be identified. In this way, negative odor behavior can sometimes be traced back to one or more individual substances. With the help of this information, targeted modifications can be made to the composition of the material that lead to better odor behavior. Preferably, therefore, a composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used. A mass spectrometer is used as the detector of the gas chromatograph. Alternatively, instead of a mass spectrometer, another suitable detector can be used to identify the individual substances. Preferably, a composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography using at least one non-polar GC column is received.

The method according to the invention enables an objective and precise test of the odor behavior of a material sample, regardless of the matrix of the sample. The method makes use of the advantages of proven and time-efficient gas chromatography, with which a high throughput of material samples can be achieved, for example using an autosampler. By summarizing data from the composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography, this can be evaluated in an efficient manner.

• - Erfassen der Bewertung in einem Bewertungsdatensatz.

Preferably, after determining the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample on the basis of the total concentrations, the method comprises the following step:

• - Recording the rating in a rating record.

wobei n_i die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem i-ten Retentionszeitintervall und SW_i den intervallspezifischen Schwellenwert für das i-te Retentionszeitintervall darstellt.In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in order to determine the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample, each total concentration is compared with a threshold value defined for the respective retention time interval. In particular, an evaluation indicating a negative odor behavior of the material sample is determined if at least one of the total concentrations exceeds a threshold value defined for the respective retention time interval. A negative odor behavior of the material sample is in particular an overly intense odor behavior, which can lead to an odor development in the interior of, for example, automobiles that is perceived as disturbing. Preferably, a different threshold value for the total concentration is defined for each defined retention time interval. This takes into account the knowledge that the totality of the individual substances in a retention time interval has a different influence on the odor behavior of the material sample than the totality of the individual substances in a different retention time interval. The respective threshold value can, for example, have been determined empirically. An example of a mathematical implementation for N defined retention time intervals is the criterion $$\text{n}\_\text{i}<\text{SW}\_\text{i};\text{i}=\mathrm{1,}\dots ,\text{N}$$

where n_i is the determined total concentration in the i-th retention time interval and SW_i is the interval-specific threshold value for the i-th retention time interval.

wobei n_1, ..., n_N die jeweiligen ermittelten Gesamtkonzentrationen in dem ersten Retentionszeitintervall bis zum N-ten Retentionszeitintervall darstellen, wobei F_1, ..., F_N die jeweiligen intervallspezifischen Gewichtungsfaktoren für das erste bis zum N-ten Retentionszeitintervall darstellen, wobei SW den Schwellenwert für die gewichtete Summe darstellt.In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a particularly weighted sum of the total concentrations is compared with a defined threshold value to determine the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample. In particular, an evaluation indicating a negative odor behavior of the material sample is determined if the particularly weighted sum of the total concentrations exceeds a defined threshold value. In the case of a weighted sum, the respective total concentrations are each multiplied by a weighting factor and then added together. Preferably, a different weighting factor is assigned to the weighted sum for each defined retention time interval. This takes into account the knowledge that the total of the individual substances in a retention time interval has a different influence on the odor behavior of the material sample than the total of the individual substances in a different retention time interval. The respective weighting factor can, for example, have been determined empirically. An example of a mathematical implementation for N defined retention time intervals is the criterion $$\text{n}\_1*\text{F}\_1+\dots +\text{n}\_\text{N}*\text{F}\_\text{N}<\text{SW}$$

where n_1, ..., n_N represent the respective determined total concentrations in the first retention time interval to the N-th retention time interval, where F_1, ..., F_N represent the respective interval-specific weighting factors for the first to the N-th retention time interval, where SW represents the threshold value for the weighted sum.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a first retention time interval, a second retention time interval and a third retention time interval are defined, the lower limit of the second retention time interval being greater than the lower limit of the first retention time interval, the lower limit of the third retention time interval being greater than the lower limit of the second retention time interval. The upper limit of the second retention time interval is also preferably greater than the upper limit of the first retention time interval, the upper limit of the third retention time interval being greater than the upper limit of the second retention time interval. The retention time intervals are advantageously disjoint, in particular disjoint in pairs. It has surprisingly been found that the evaluation of the composition data set already delivers excellent results if three, in particular exactly three, retention time intervals are defined, each with a different lower or upper limit. In this way, for example, a suitable classification of individual substances into highly volatile, medium volatile and low volatile groups can be carried out.

• - weist das erste Retentionszeitintervall eine untere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 600 bis 670 entspricht, und eine obere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 900 bis 1000 entspricht; und/oder
• - weist das zweite Retentionszeitintervall eine untere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 900 bis 1000 entspricht, und eine obere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 1300 bis 1400 entspricht; und/oder
• - weist das dritte Retentionszeitintervall eine untere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 1300 bis 1400 entspricht, und eine obere Grenze auf, die einem Retentionsindex von 2200 bis 2400 entspricht.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention

• - the first retention time interval has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 600 to 670 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 900 to 1000; and/or
• - the second retention time interval has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 900 to 1000 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 1300 to 1400; and/or
• - the third retention time interval has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 1300 to 1400 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 2200 to 2400.

Surprisingly, it has been found that with such a definition of the retention time intervals, the collective odor behavior of the individual substances grouped in the intervals can be brought into particularly good agreement with models that can be evaluated using weighted sums based on threshold values, which makes evaluation simple and enables excellent analysis results. In gas chromatography, the (Kovats) retention index is used to convert retention times into system-independent constants. For any gas chromatograph, the above-mentioned retention indices can be converted in a known manner into corresponding retention times of the composition data set obtained with the gas chromatograph.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the threshold value set for the first retention time interval is greater than the threshold value set for the second retention time interval and smaller than the threshold value set for the third retention time interval. This takes into account the knowledge that low-volatility substances are less intensely perceived by the human sense of smell than highly volatile substances and that medium-volatility substances are in turn more intensely perceived than highly volatile substances.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the weighting factor assigned to the weighted sum of the first retention time interval is smaller than the weighting factor assigned to the weighted sum of the second retention time interval and larger than the weighting factor assigned to the weighted sum of the third retention time interval. This takes into account the knowledge that low-volatility substances are less intensely perceived by the human sense of smell than high-volatility substances and medium-volatility substances are in turn more intensely perceived than high-volatility substances.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a forecast of the temporal course of the total concentration is determined for each of the total concentrations, in particular on the basis of a constant decay rate, whereby a forecast total concentration is determined for each of the total concentrations for a point in time in the future and the evaluation of the odor behavior of the material sample is determined on the basis of the forecast total concentrations. The forecast total concentrations can be processed in the same way as the total concentrations described above, i.e. in particular individually with respective threshold values and as a weighted sum compared with a defined threshold value. In this way, a well-founded forecast of the odor behavior for the future can be made (e.g. the odor behavior in seven days). As a rule, a newly manufactured material gives off a particularly large number of odorous substances, but quickly loses odor intensity over time. The forecast can take this fact into account so that there is no unnecessary waste of materials that would be classified as suitable after a storage period of a few days, for example. Preferably, a different decay rate is assigned to the respective forecast for the time course of the total concentration for each defined retention time interval. The respective decay rate can, for example, have been determined empirically. This takes into account the knowledge that the total of the individual substances in a retention time interval has a different evaporation behavior (e.g. due to different boiling points of the different sized molecules) than the total of the individual substances in a different retention time interval.

Overall, the method according to the invention provides a simple, implementable, and automatable as well as reliable solution for evaluating the odor behavior of material samples, in particular for the automotive industry.

The present invention further relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the invention.

The present invention further relates to a computer comprising means for carrying out the method according to the invention.

• - Erstellen eines Zusammensetzungsdatensatzes mittels einer auf eine Materialprobe, insbesondere einer Automobil-Innenraumkomponente, angewendeten Gaschromatographie (GC), insbesondere einer Gaschromatographie mit Massenspektrometrie-Kopplung (GC-MS), wobei der Zusammensetzungsdatensatz Daten über eine jeweilige Konzentration von Einzelstoffen der Materialprobe in Abhängigkeit einer jeweiligen Retentionszeit der Einzelstoffe enthält;
• - Durchführen des computerimplementierten Verfahrens nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 auf Basis des erstellten Zusammensetzungsdatensatzes.

The present invention further relates to a method comprising the following steps

• - Creating a composition data set by means of gas chromatography (GC), in particular gas chromatography with mass spectrometry coupling (GC-MS), applied to a material sample, in particular an automobile interior component, wherein the composition data set contains data on a respective concentration of individual substances in the material sample as a function of a respective retention time of the individual substances;
• - Carrying out the computer-implemented method according to one of claims 1 to 11 on the basis of the created composition data set.

It is expressly pointed out that the embodiments of the invention explained above can be combined with the subject matter of the independent claims, either individually or in any technically reasonable combination, including with one another.

• 1 ein Ablaufschema einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Prüfung des Geruchsverhaltens einer Materialprobe;
• 2 einen auf dem Zusammensetzungsdatensatz basierenden Graphen der Konzentration diverser Einzelstoffe in Abhängigkeit der Retentionszeit; und
• 3 einen auf den ermittelten Gesamtkonzentrationen basierenden Graphen mit bespielhaften Prognosen eines zeitlichen Verlaufs der Konzentration unter Verwendung intervallspezifischer Abklingraten.

Modifications and embodiments of the invention as well as further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description and the drawings. The schematic figures show:

• 1 a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention for testing the odor behavior of a material sample;
• 2 a graph of the concentration of various individual substances as a function of retention time based on the composition data set; and
• 3 a graph based on the determined total concentrations with exemplary predictions of a temporal course of the concentration using interval-specific decay rates.

Parts and/or entities that have the same or similar effect are provided with identical reference numbers where appropriate.

Individual technical features of the embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described embodiments as well as the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form subject matter according to the invention.

1 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention for testing the odor behavior of a material sample. The method comprises the following steps: In step 110, a composition data set obtained by means of gas chromatography (GC) applied to the material sample, in particular gas chromatography with mass spectrometry coupling (GC-MS), is received. The composition data set contains data about a respective concentration n of individual substances in the material sample as a function of a respective retention time tR of the individual substances. The composition data set can be in the form of a gas chromatography spectrum, for example, as shown in 2 In step 120, at least two, in particular disjoint, retention time intervals are defined, wherein the retention times of at least two different individual substances lie in at least one of the defined retention time intervals (cf. e.g. 2 with three intervals I1, I2 and I3). In step 130, the concentrations of the individual substances whose retention times lie in the respective retention time interval are combined to form a total concentration for the respective retention time interval. In step 140, an assessment of the odor behavior of the material sample is then determined on the basis of the total concentrations.

wobei n_1 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem ersten Retentionszeitintervall 11, n_2 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem zweiten Retentionszeitintervall 12, n_3 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem dritten Retentionszeitintervall I3, SW_1 den intervallspezifischen Schwellenwert für das erste Retentionszeitintervall 11, SW_2 den intervallspezifischen Schwellenwert für das zweite Retentionszeitintervall I2 und SW_3 den intervallspezifischen Schwellenwert für das dritte Retentionszeitintervall I3 darstellt. Das Kriterium ist somit nur dann erfüllt, wenn sämtliche ermittelten Gesamtkonzentrationen n_1, n_2, n_3 kleiner sind als ihre jeweiligen zugeordneten Schwellenwerte SW_1, SW_2, SW_3.In the present embodiment, step 140 includes a comparison of each total concentration with a threshold value defined for the respective retention time interval with step 141. An example of a mathematical implementation for the 2 defined three retention time intervals I1, I2, I3 is the criterion $$\begin{array}{lllll}\text{n}\_1<\text{SW}\_1\hfill & \text{AND}\hfill & \text{n}\_2<\text{SW}\_2\hfill & \text{AND}\hfill & \text{n}\_3<\text{SW}\_3\hfill \end{array}$$

where n_1 is the determined total concentration in the first retention time interval 11, n_2 is the determined total concentration in the second retention time interval 12, n_3 is the determined total concentration in the third retention time interval I3, SW_1 is the interval-specific threshold value for the first retention time interval 11, SW_2 is the interval-specific threshold value for the second retention time interval I2 and SW_3 is the interval-specific threshold value for the third retention time interval I3. The criterion is therefore only met if all determined total concentrations n_1, n_2, n_3 are smaller than their respective assigned threshold values SW_1, SW_2, SW_3.

wobei n_1 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem ersten Retentionszeitintervall 11, n_2 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem zweiten Retentionszeitintervall 12, n_3 die ermittelte Gesamtkonzentration in dem dritten Retentionszeitintervall I3, F_1 den intervallspezifischen Gewichtungsfaktor für das erste Retentionszeitintervall 11, F_2 den intervallspezifischen Gewichtungsfaktor für das zweite Retentionszeitintervall I2, F_3 den intervallspezifischen Gewichtungsfaktor für das dritte Retentionszeitintervall I3 und SW den Schwellenwert für die gewichtete Summe darstellt.Furthermore, step 140 in the present embodiment includes, together with step 142, a comparison of a weighted sum of the total concentrations with a specified threshold value. An example of a mathematical implementation for the 2 defined three retention time intervals I1, I2, I3 is the criterion $$\text{n}\_1*\text{F}\_1+\text{n}\_2*\text{F}\_2+\text{n}\_3*\text{F}\_3<\text{SW}\text{,}$$

where n_1 is the determined total concentration in the first retention time interval 11, n_2 is the determined total concentration in the second retention time interval 12, n_3 is the determined total concentration in the third retention time interval I3, F_1 is the interval-specific weighting factor for the first retention time interval 11, F_2 is the interval-specific weighting factor for the second retention time interval I2, F_3 is the interval-specific weighting factor for the third retention time interval I3 and SW is the threshold value for the weighted sum.

Steps 141 and 142 can obviously also be carried out in reverse order. In particular, a negative evaluation of the material sample is determined if at least one of the aforementioned criteria of steps 141 and 142 is not met.

Finally, in step 150, the evaluation is recorded or stored in an evaluation data record.

2 shows a graph or spectrum based on the composition data set of the concentration n of various individual substances as a function of the retention time tR. The individual substances can be recognized and, if necessary, identified by means of the respective peak. The concentration n of the individual substances results in particular from the area below the peak, which can be determined, for example, by means of integration. The retention time tR of an individual substance results in particular from the position of the respective maximum. In the present case, exactly three disjoint retention time intervals I1, I2, I3 are defined. The concentrations n of the individual substances contained in the respective retention time intervals I1, I2, I3 are summarized, for example added, to form a total concentration n_1, n_2, n_3 for the respective retention time interval I1, I2, I3. The total concentrations n_1, n_2, n_3 form the basis for determining or calculating an assessment of the odor behavior of the material sample.

3 shows a graph based on the determined total concentrations n_1, n_2, n_3 with example forecasts n_1(t), n_2(t), n_3(t) of a temporal course of the concentration n using interval-specific decay rates. Based on these forecasts n_1(t), n_2(t), n_3(t), a forecast total concentration n_1(t1), n_2(t1), n_3(t1) can be determined for the total concentrations n_1, n_2, n_3 for a point in time in the future (t1). The forecast total concentrations n_1(t1), n_2(t1), n_3(t1) form the basis for determining or calculating an assessment of the odor behavior of the material sample. In this way, a well-founded prediction of odor behavior for the future can be made (e.g. the odor behavior in t1 = 7 days). Since a newly manufactured material usually releases a particularly large amount of odorous substances and quickly loses odor intensity, the prediction can prevent unnecessary rejection of materials that would, for example, be classified as suitable after a storage period of a few days. Since it is assumed that the total of the individual substances in one retention time interval has a different evaporation behavior than the total of the individual substances in a different retention time interval, a different decay rate is specified for each forecast n_1 (t), n_2(t), n_3(t).

It should also be noted that “having” does not exclude other elements or steps. “A” or “an” does not exclude a plurality either. A firmly defined number is established by formulations such as “exactly one”, “exactly two”, etc.

The scope of the present invention is given by the patent claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

Claims (14)

Computer-implemented method (100) for testing the odor behavior of a material sample, in particular an automobile interior component, with the following steps: - receiving a composition data set that was obtained by means of gas chromatography (GC) applied to the material sample, in particular gas chromatography with mass spectrometry coupling (GC-MS) (step 110), wherein the composition data set contains data about a respective concentration (n) of individual substances in the material sample depending on a respective retention time (tR) of the individual substances; - defining at least two, in particular disjoint, retention time intervals (I1, I2, I3), where the retention times (tR) of at least two different individual substances lie in at least one of the defined retention time intervals (I1, I2, I3) (step 120); - Summarizing the concentrations (n) of the individual substances whose retention times (tR) are in the respective retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) to form a total concentration (n_1, n_2, n_3) of the respective retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) (step 130); - Determining an assessment for the odor behavior of the material sample based on the total concentrations (n_1, n_2, n_3) (step 140). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 1 , whereby to determine the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample (step 140), each total concentration (n_1, n_2, n_3) is compared with a threshold value (SW_1, SW_2, SW_3) defined for the respective retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) (step 141). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 2 , where for each defined retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) a different threshold value (SW_1, SW_2, SW_3) for the total concentration (n_1, n_2, n_3) is set. Computer-implemented method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein to determine the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample (step 140) a particularly weighted sum of the total concentrations (n_1, n_2, n_3) is compared with a defined threshold value (SW) (step 142). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 4 , where for each defined retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) a different weighting factor (F_1, F_2, F_3) is assigned for the weighted sum. Computer-implemented method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first retention time interval (11), a second retention time interval (I2) and a third retention time interval (I3) are defined, wherein the lower limit of the second retention time interval (I2) is greater than the lower limit of the first retention time interval (I1), wherein the lower limit of the third retention time interval (I3) is greater than the lower limit of the second retention time interval (I2). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 6 , wherein - the first retention time interval (11) has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 600 to 670 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 900 to 1000; and/or - the second retention time interval (I2) has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 900 to 1000 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 1300 to 1400; and/or - the third retention time interval (I3) has a lower limit corresponding to a retention index of 1300 to 1400 and an upper limit corresponding to a retention index of 2200 to 2400. Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 3 and one of the Claims 6 or 7 , wherein the threshold value (SW_1) set for the first retention time interval (11) is greater than the threshold value (SW_2) set for the second retention time interval (I2) and is smaller than the threshold value (SW_3) set for the third retention time interval (I3). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 5 and one of the Claims 6 until 8th , wherein the weighting factor (F_1) assigned to the weighted sum of the first retention time interval (11) is smaller than the weighting factor (F_2) assigned to the weighted sum of the second retention time interval (I2) and is greater than the weighting factor (F_3) assigned to the weighted sum of the third retention time interval (I3). Computer-implemented method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for the total concentrations (n_1, n_2, n_3) a forecast (n_1(t), n_2(t), n_3(t)) is determined in each case over the temporal course of the total concentration, in particular on the basis of a constant decay rate, wherein for a point in time (t1) in the future a forecast total concentration (n_1(t1), n_2(t1), n_3(t1)) is determined in each case for the total concentrations (n_1, n_2, n_3), and the evaluation for the odor behavior of the material sample is determined on the basis of the forecast total concentrations (n_1(t1), n_2(t1), n_3(t1)). Computer-implemented method (100) according to Claim 10 , where for each defined retention time interval (I1, I2, I3) a different decay rate is assigned for the respective forecast (n_1(t), n_2(t), n_3(t)) over the time course of the total concentration. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 to execute. Computer comprising means for carrying out the method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 . Method comprising the following steps - creating a composition data set by means of gas chromatography (GC), in particular gas chromatography with mass spectrometry coupling (GC-MS) applied to a material sample, in particular an automobile interior component, wherein the composition data set contains data on a respective concentration of individual substances of the material sample as a function of a respective retention time of the individual substances; - carrying out the computer-implemented method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 11 based on the created composition data set.

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