Abstract: A method for estimation of a vehicle tire force includes: receiving, by a controller of a vehicle, a measured vehicle acceleration of the vehicle; receiving, by the controller, a measured wheel speed and a measured yaw rate of the vehicle; forming, by the controller, inertia matrices based on an inertia of rotating components of the vehicle; calculating torques at corners of the vehicle using the inertia matrices; estimating tire forces of the vehicle based on the measured vehicle acceleration, the measured wheel speed, and the inertia matrices; and controlling, by the controller, the vehicle, based on the plurality of estimated longitudinal and lateral tire forces.

Abstract: A method of controlling an active aerodynamic system of a vehicle includes calculating a first spring force estimated value from at least one sensed vehicle handling characteristic, and a second spring force estimated value from a nominal spring characteristic curve. When a difference between the first and second spring force estimated values is equal to or greater than a spring threshold value, a nominal spring characteristic curve is adjusted to define an adjusted spring characteristic curve, and the active aerodynamic system is controlled using the adjusted spring characteristic curve. When the difference between the first and second spring force estimated values is equal to or greater than the spring threshold value, a signal may also be engaged to provide a service recommendation.

Abstract: A method for dynamically determining a mass of a vehicle including a propulsion system coupled to a drive wheel is described, and includes monitoring vehicle operating conditions, executing an event-based estimation method based upon the vehicle operating conditions to determine a first vehicle mass state, and executing a recursive estimation method based upon the vehicle operating conditions to determine a second vehicle mass state. A final vehicle mass is determined based upon the first and second vehicle mass states.

Abstract: A method of controlling an active aerodynamic system of a vehicle includes calculating a first spring force estimated value from at least one sensed vehicle handling characteristic, and a second spring force estimated value from a nominal spring characteristic curve. When a difference between the first and second spring force estimated values is equal to or greater than a spring threshold value, a nominal spring characteristic curve is adjusted to define an adjusted spring characteristic curve, and the active aerodynamic system is controlled using the adjusted spring characteristic curve. When the difference between the first and second spring force estimated values is equal to or greater than the spring threshold value, a signal may also be engaged to provide a service recommendation.

Abstract: A combined slip based driver command interpreter for a vehicle is provided which may be communicatively coupled to a steering wheel angle sensor, an acceleration pedal position sensor and a brake pedal position sensor, the combined slip based driver command interpreter including, but not limited to a memory configured to store a non-linear combined lateral slip model and a non-linear combined longitudinal slip model, and a processor, the processor configured to determine a driver's intended vehicle lateral velocity and a driver's intended vehicle yaw rate based upon the angle of the steering wheel, the position of the acceleration pedal, the position of the brake pedal, a longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, the non-linear combined lateral slip model and the non-linear combined longitudinal slip model.

Abstract: A vehicle, system and a method of driving a performance vehicle. The system includes a sensor for detecting a value of driver input to the vehicle, and a processor. The processor is configured to compare the value of the driver input to a threshold value for the driver input, switch to a performance mode operation for the vehicle when the value of the driver input is greater than the threshold value, generate a command at the vehicle based on the value of the driver input using a performance model of the vehicle activated in the performance mode, and activate a performance actuator of the vehicle to generate a dynamic parameter at the vehicle from the command.

Abstract: A combined slip based driver command interpreter for a vehicle is provided which may be communicatively coupled to a steering wheel angle sensor, an acceleration pedal position sensor and a brake pedal position sensor, the combined slip based driver command interpreter including, but not limited to a memory configured to store a non-linear combined lateral slip model and a non-linear combined longitudinal slip model, and a processor, the processor configured to determine a driver's intended vehicle lateral velocity and a driver's intended vehicle yaw rate based upon the angle of the steering wheel, the position of the acceleration pedal, the position of the brake pedal, a longitudinal velocity of the vehicle, the non-linear combined lateral slip model and the non-linear combined longitudinal slip model.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control system of a vehicle includes a utilization module that, based on a longitudinal force on a tire in a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal force on the tire in a latitudinal direction, determines a utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and a direction of the utilization force. A maximum module, based on the direction of the utilization force, determines a maximum force of the tire for maintaining traction between the tire and a road surface contacting the tire. A difference module determines a difference between the utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and the maximum force on the tire. An aerodynamic actuator control module selectively adjusts a position of an aerodynamic actuator of the vehicle based on the difference.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor for propelling the vehicle and at least one active aerodynamic element configured to generate a variable amount of aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also includes at least one driver input sensor configured to detect a driver input and generate a feedforward signal indicative of a desired behavior of the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a controller in communication with the at least one driver input sensor and the at least one active aerodynamic element and configured to regulate the at least one active aerodynamic element at least partially in response to the feedforward signal. A method for controlling such an active aerodynamic element and a system for controlling an aerodynamic downforce on a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, processes, and techniques for calibrating an onboard sensor of a vehicle are presented here. The vehicle has a control system that is capable of performing at least some of the tasks related to the calibration procedure. An exemplary methodology collects vehicle status data and obtains navigation map data during operation of the vehicle. A current calibration factor is calculated for the onboard sensor, based on the collected vehicle status data and the obtained navigation map data. More specifically, the vehicle status and navigation map data can be used to determine when the current conditions are suitable for performing calibration. When the current conditions are satisfactory, the calibration factor is calculated. Thereafter, the onboard sensor can be calibrated in response to the current calibration factor.

Abstract: An aerodynamic control system of a vehicle includes a utilization module that, based on a longitudinal force on a tire in a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal force on the tire in a latitudinal direction, determines a utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and a direction of the utilization force. A maximum module, based on the direction of the utilization force, determines a maximum force of the tire for maintaining traction between the tire and a road surface contacting the tire. A difference module determines a difference between the utilization force on the tire of the vehicle and the maximum force on the tire. An aerodynamic actuator control module selectively adjusts a position of an aerodynamic actuator of the vehicle based on the difference.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating motion of a vehicle are provided. Radar data pertaining to one or more stationary objects in proximity to the vehicle are obtained via one or more radar units of the vehicle. The motion of the vehicle is estimating using the radar data via a processor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body having a front end facing oncoming ambient airflow. The system includes a vehicle control device for receiving operator input to command a target vehicle dynamic response. A vehicle subsystem adjusts an actual vehicle dynamic response to the operator input. The system also includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and a mechanism for varying the element's position to control movement of the airflow relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and communicates a feedback signal indicative of the detected vehicle dynamic response to a controller. The controller also determines a target position for the aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and regulates the aerodynamic-aid element to its target position via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.

Abstract: A system is configured to control aerodynamics of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body having a front end facing oncoming ambient airflow. The system includes a vehicle control device for receiving operator input to command a target vehicle dynamic response. A vehicle subsystem adjusts an actual vehicle dynamic response to the operator input. The system also includes an adjustable aerodynamic-aid element and a mechanism for varying the element's position to control movement of the airflow relative to the vehicle. At least one sensor detects the adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and communicates a feedback signal indicative of the detected vehicle dynamic response to a controller. The controller also determines a target position for the aerodynamic-aid element using the detected adjusted actual vehicle dynamic response and regulates the aerodynamic-aid element to its target position via the mechanism to control the aerodynamics and achieve the target dynamic response of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor for propelling the vehicle and at least one active aerodynamic element configured to generate a variable amount of aerodynamic downforce on the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also includes at least one driver input sensor configured to detect a driver input and generate a feedforward signal indicative of a desired behavior of the vehicle. The vehicle additionally includes a controller in communication with the at least one driver input sensor and the at least one active aerodynamic element and configured to regulate the at least one active aerodynamic element at least partially in response to the feedforward signal. A method for controlling such an active aerodynamic element and a system for controlling an aerodynamic downforce on a vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle employing an active aerodynamic control system is described. A method for controlling the active aerodynamic control system includes determining a target acceleration downforce associated with an acceleration request and vehicle speed, determining a target braking downforce associated with a braking request and vehicle speed, and determining a target cornering downforce associated with a cornering request and vehicle speed. A maximum downforce request and a second greatest downforce request of the target acceleration downforce, the target braking downforce, and the target cornering downforce are determined. A preferred front/rear distribution of downforce is determined based upon the maximum downforce request and the second greatest downforce request. The active aerodynamic control system is controlled based upon the preferred front/rear distribution of downforce and the maximum downforce request.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, data indicating at least one of a tire tread temperature and a force distribution on a tire; determining, by the processor, a vehicle reference value based on the data; and controlling, by the processor, at least one feature of the vehicle based on the vehicle reference value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating motion of a vehicle are provided. Radar data pertaining to one or more stationary objects in proximity to the vehicle are obtained via one or more radar units of the vehicle. The motion of the vehicle is estimating using the radar data via a processor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a longitudinal acceleration estimation module, a vehicle longitudinal acceleration sensor, a road grade estimation module, and an actuator control module. The longitudinal acceleration estimation module estimates a longitudinal acceleration of a vehicle based on at least one of a transmission output speed and a wheel speed. The vehicle longitudinal acceleration sensor measures the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The road grade estimation module estimates a grade of a road on which the vehicle is traveling based on the estimated longitudinal acceleration and the measured longitudinal acceleration. The actuator control module controls an actuator of the vehicle based on the estimated road grade.