Method for automatically adjusting reference models in vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) systems

A storage medium, comprising:

• computer program code comprising:
• instructions for causing a computer to implement a method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system, the VSE system used in conjunction with a steering system, the method comprising:
• configuring a reference model within the VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, said desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to a steering system;
• and
• determining which of a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated with the steering system is activated;
• wherein each of said desired vehicle handling aspects generated is further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected;
• and
• wherein said desired vehicle handling aspects comprises a desired steady state yaw rate;
• and said one or more driver inputs comprises an effective road wheel position.

A computer data signal, comprising:

• code configured to cause a processor to implement a method for automatically adjusting a vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system, the method further comprising:
• configuring a reference model within a VSE system to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, said desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to the steering system;
• and
• determining which of a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated with the steering system is activated;
• wherein each of said desired vehicle handling aspects generated is further dependent upon a specific steering mode selected;
• wherein said desired vehicle handling aspects comprises a desired steady state yaw rate;
• and said one or more driver inputs comprises an effective road wheel position.

A vehicle stability enhancement (VSE) system, comprising:

• a reference model configured to generate desired vehicle handling aspects, said desired vehicle handling aspects being a function of one or more driver inputs to a steering system, said steering system having a plurality of driver-selectable steering modes associated therewith;
• a vehicle state estimator, said vehicle state estimator accepting vehicle inputs thereto and generating vehicle parameter estimations therefrom;
• and
• a vehicle control block, said vehicle control block receiving said desired vehicle handling aspects and said vehicle parameter estimations as inputs thereto, and said vehicle control block further generating vehicle control outputs to be applied to said steering system;
• wherein each of said desired vehicle handling aspects generated is further dependent upon a specific driver-selectable steering mode selected;
• and
• wherein said desired vehicle handling aspects comprises a desired steady state yaw rate and said one or more driver inputs comprises an effective road wheel position.