Method for implementing vehicle stability enhancement reference models for active steer systems

• US 20030221899A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Boswell, Karen A., Bedner, Edward J., Martens, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/446
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/008 Changing the transfer ratio between the steering wheel and the steering gear by variable supply of energy, e.g. by using a superposition gear
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 6/003 in order to control vehicle yaw movement, i.e. around a vertical axis B62D6/007 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for implementing a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system for a vehicle is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes receiving a handwheel angle input and adjusting the handwheel angle input in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle. The adjusted handwheel angle input is inputted into a reference model, the reference model thereby outputting one or more desired vehicle handling aspects.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system for a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a handwheel angle input;

adjusting said handwheel angle input in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle; and

inputting said adjusted handwheel angle input into a reference model, said reference model thereby outputting one or more desired vehicle handling aspects.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said variable steering ratio is generated by an active front steering system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said adjusting said handwheel angle input comprises summing an offset angle with said handwheel angle input to produce an effective handwheel angle input, said offset angle being a function of said variable steering ratio.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting a vehicle speed into said reference model.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said one or more desired vehicle handling aspects comprises a desired yaw rate and a desired sideslip.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said reference model further comprises:

a plurality of lookup tables corresponding to said desired handling aspects; and

a filter coupled to outputs from said plurality of lookup tables.

7. A vehicle stability enhancement system, comprising:

a vehicle reference model for determining one or more desired vehicle handling aspects in response to a handwheel angle input, said handwheel angle input being adjusted in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle; and

a control block for receiving said desired vehicle aspects and for generating vehicle control outputs in response to said desired vehicle aspects, and further in response to vehicle inputs thereto.

8. The vehicle stability enhancement system of claim 7, wherein said variable steering ratio is generated by an active front steering system.

9. The vehicle stability enhancement system of claim 7, wherein said adjusting said handwheel angle input comprises summing an offset angle with said handwheel angle input to produce an effective handwheel angle input, said offset angle being a function of said variable steering ratio.

10. The vehicle stability enhancement system of claim 7, further comprising inputting a vehicle speed into said reference model.

11. The vehicle stability enhancement system of claim 10, wherein said one or more desired vehicle handling aspects comprises a desired yaw rate and a desired sideslip.

12. The vehicle stability enhancement system of claim 10, wherein said vehicle reference model further comprises:

a plurality of lookup tables corresponding to said desired handling aspects; and

a filter coupled to outputs from said plurality of lookup tables.

13. A storage medium, comprising:

a machine readable computer program code for implementing a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system for a vehicle; and

instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, the method further comprising;

receiving a handwheel angle input;

adjusting said handwheel angle input in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle; and

inputting said adjusted handwheel angle input into a reference model, said reference model thereby outputting one or more desired vehicle handling aspects.

14. A computer data signal, comprising:

code configured to cause a processor to implement a method for implementing a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system for a vehicle, the method further comprising;

receiving a handwheel angle input;

adjusting said handwheel angle input in response to a variable steering ratio generated in the vehicle; and

inputting said adjusted handwheel angle input into a reference model, said reference model thereby outputting one or more desired vehicle handling aspects.