Abstract: A method of stabilizing a vehicle is provided. The vehicle is travelling at a forward speed and a lateral speed, and comprises a lateral acceleration sensor, a yaw sensor adapted to detect an actual yaw rate of the vehicle around a central axis, a steering mechanism adapted to steer the vehicle by a steered yaw rate, and an electronic stability control system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for making lane determinations as to a roadway on which the vehicle is travelling. A determination is made as to a lane of a roadway in which a vehicle is travelling. An identification is made as to an adjacent lane that is adjacent to the lane in which the vehicle is travelling. An assessment is made as to a drivability of the adjacent lane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting road bank and determining road bank angle include determining a road bank angle as a function of difference in slip angle where the difference in slip angle is a function of difference in course angle and difference in yaw angle.

Abstract: A controller of an active rear steering (ARS) control system includes a processor and a software module. The software module includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine rear steering angles, determine a vehicle state, determine shaping functions, and determine a rear steering command.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling torque at one or more wheels of a vehicle, including controlling both positive torque (acceleration) and negative torque (braking) with a single torque command. According to one embodiment, the method interprets the acceleration and braking intent of the driver, takes into consideration certain special conditions (e.g., vehicle dynamic conditions like wheel slip, over- and under-steer, etc.), and generates one or more individual torque commands that are sent to individual wheels or corners of the vehicle. The individual torque commands may address certain chassis and powertrain functions like acceleration and braking, and may provide full-feature torque control (i.e., acceleration, braking, vehicle dynamics, etc.) on an individual wheel basis. It is also possible for the method to be used in a system where a number of the common chassis, powertrain and/or vehicle dynamic modules have been integrated into a single torque control module or the like.

Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution.

Abstract: An exemplary engine control system and method for controlling a vehicle engine during certain shifting maneuvers that involve a manual transmission, such as a ‘no-lift upshift’ where the driver does not release the accelerator pedal during manual shifting. The engine control method may be used to temporarily control the vehicle engine during a no-lift upshift maneuver so that the engine performs well without reaching excessively high engine speeds that could result in vehicle instability or damage. The engine control method described herein may be used with other performance driving maneuvers and techniques as well, such as a power shift maneuvers, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing movement of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels. A plurality of wheel direction values are obtained. Each of the wheel direction values pertains to a direction of wheel rotation of a respective wheel. An average value of the wheel direction values is calculated. A direction of movement of the vehicle is obtained via a controller using the average value. In addition, a signed velocity is determined for and indicative of both forward and reverse motions using the wheel direction values.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a desired yaw rate for a vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of handling states and comprises a yaw rate sensor for determining an actual yaw rate. The method comprises selecting one of the plurality of handling states, determining the desired yaw rate for the vehicle based on the road wheel angle, the velocity, and the selected one of the plurality of handling states, and activating one or more vehicle stability control measures if the difference between the desired yaw rate and the actual yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for estimating the normal force at a wheel of a vehicle and the vertical acceleration of the vehicle that has particular application for ride and stability control of the vehicle. The method includes obtaining a suspension displacement value from at least one of a plurality of suspension displacement sensors mounted on the vehicle and estimating a spring force acting on a spring of a suspension element of the vehicle, a damper force acting on a damper of the suspension element of the vehicle, and a force acting at a center of a wheel. The method further includes determining a normal force at the wheel of the vehicle and a vertical acceleration of the vehicle based on the spring force, the damper force and the force at the center of the wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle engine during one or more performance driving events, such as a performance takeoff, shifting or cornering event. The engine control system may be used to maintain stability when the vehicle is being driven in a competitive or aggressive fashion by temporarily controlling the vehicle engine through the manipulation of engine torque, engine speed or some other means. If the engine control system receives competing command signals from different vehicle subsystems, then the system may arbitrate or otherwise manage the competing command signals so that different subsystems can function together properly. In one embodiment, the engine control system blends the commands signals from two or more subsystems.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity that defines a relationship between front and rear axle lateral forces and front and rear axle side-slip angles. The method includes providing measurements of vehicle yaw-rate, lateral acceleration, longitudinal speed, and steering angle. The method also includes using these measurements to provide a measurement of the front and rear axle forces. The method calculates a front axle lateral velocity and a rear axle lateral velocity, and calculates a front axle side-slip angle based on the rear axle lateral velocity and a rear axle side-slip angle based on the front axle lateral velocity. The method then estimates front and rear axle forces, and selects a virtual lateral velocity that minimizes an error between the estimated and measured lateral axle forces. The method then provides an estimated vehicle lateral velocity using the selected virtual lateral velocity.

Abstract: A system and related operating method for performance launch control of a vehicle begins by receiving a user-selected driving condition setting that is indicative of road conditions. The method also collects real-time vehicle status data during operation of the vehicle, and derives a target wheel slip profile from the user-selected driving condition setting and the real-time vehicle status data. The actual propulsion system torque of the vehicle is limited using the target wheel slip profile, resulting in improved performance for standstill launches.

Abstract: An exemplary method for controlling torque at one or more wheels of a vehicle, including controlling both positive torque (acceleration) and negative torque (braking) with a single torque command. According to one embodiment, the method interprets the acceleration and braking intent of the driver, takes into consideration certain special conditions (e.g., vehicle dynamic conditions like wheel slip, over- and under-steer, etc.), and generates one or more individual torque commands that are sent to individual wheels or corners of the vehicle. The individual torque commands may address certain chassis and powertrain functions like acceleration and braking, and may provide full-feature torque control (i.e., acceleration, braking, vehicle dynamics, etc.) on an individual wheel basis. It is also possible for the method to be used in a system where a number of the common chassis, powertrain and/or vehicle dynamic modules have been integrated into a single torque control module or the like.

Abstract: A controller of an active rear steering (ARS) control system includes a processor and a software module. The software module includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine rear steering angles, determine a vehicle state, determine shaping functions, and determine a rear steering command.

Abstract: A method to control a vehicle includes monitoring desired vehicle force and moment, monitoring real-time corner constraints upon vehicle dynamics which includes monitoring corner states of health for the vehicle, and monitoring corner capacities for the vehicle. The method further includes determining a desired corner force and moment distribution based upon the desired vehicle force and moment and the real-time corner constraints, and controlling the vehicle based upon the desired corner force and moment distribution.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity and surface coefficient of friction using front and rear axle lateral force versus side-slip angle tables and sensor measurements. The sensor measurements include lateral acceleration, yaw-rate, longitudinal speed and steering angle of the vehicle. The method includes calculating front and rear axle lateral forces and front and rear side-slip angles on the axles of the vehicle. The method also includes identifying two equations from the calculated lateral forces and the vehicle measurements. The method provides tables that identify a relationship between the calculated front and rear axle lateral forces and the front and rear side-slip angles, and determines the vehicle lateral velocity and surface coefficient of friction from the tables.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating surface coefficient of friction in a vehicle system. The method includes providing a kinematics relationship between vehicle yaw-rate, vehicle speed, vehicle steering angle and vehicle front and rear axle side-slip angles that is accurate for all surface coefficient of frictions on which the vehicle may be traveling. The method defines a nonlinear function for the front and rear axle side-slip angles relating to front and rear lateral forces and coefficient of friction, and uses the nonlinear function in the kinematics relationship. The method also provides a linear relationship of the front and rear axle side-slip angles and the front and rear lateral forces using the kinematics relationship. The method determines that the vehicle dynamics have become nonlinear using the linear relationship and then estimates the surface coefficient of friction when the vehicle dynamics are nonlinear.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for assessing movement of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels. A plurality of wheel direction values are obtained. Each of the wheel direction values pertains to a direction of wheel rotation of a respective wheel. An average value of the wheel direction values is calculated. A direction of movement of the vehicle is obtained via a controller using the average value. In addition, a signed velocity is determined for and indicative of both forward and reverse motions using the wheel direction values.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating vehicle lateral velocity. The method uses a kinematic estimator constructed as a closed-loop Leunberger observer. The kinematic estimator is based on a kinematic relationship between lateral acceleration measurement and rate of change of lateral velocity. The method provides measurement updates based on virtual lateral velocity measurements from front and rear axle lateral force versus axle side-slip angle tables using the lateral acceleration, yaw-rate, longitudinal speed, and steering angle measurements. The method calculates front and rear axle lateral forces from the lateral acceleration and yaw-rate measurements. The method estimates front and rear axle side-slip angles from the calculated front and rear axle lateral forces using the tables.