Method for determining a maximum coefficient of friction

Abstract

Currently available driving dynamics control systems such as ESP or TCS require in the driving dynamics limit range information about the actual maximum coefficient of friction between tires and roadway to function reliably. A proven approach is to use, once the control is active, the actual utilization of grip as the maximum coefficient of friction. The object of the invention relates to a method for determining the actual maximum coefficient of friction independently of the activation of the control. The method permanently determines values which are representative of the utilization of grip in longitudinal and/or lateral direction, based on measured and/or estimated variables that represent the actual longitudinal forces, lateral forces and vertical forces acting upon the individual wheels and tires, while using measured or calculated actual state variables representative of the tire slip angle and/or the tire slip angle velocity and/or the longitudinal slip and/or the longitudinal slip velocity. The determined values are compared to threshold values and sent to an evaluation unit for defining the maximum coefficient of friction by including further auxiliary variables when the comparison results fall below the threshold values.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for determining a maximum coefficient of friction between tires and roadway of a vehicle from information about force occurring in the contact between tires and roadway.

INTRODUCTION AND PRIOR ART

Currently available driving dynamic control systems such as ESP (Electronic Stability Program) or TCS (Traction Control System) require in the driving dynamics limit range information about the actual maximum coefficient of friction between tires and roadway to function reliably. A proven approach is to use, once the control is active, the actual utilization of grip as the maximum coefficient of friction (WO 96/16851).

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that a generic method is so implemented that values are permanently determined which are representative of the utilization of grip in longitudinal and/or lateral direction, based on measured and/or estimated variables that represent the actual longitudinal forces, lateral forces and vertical forces acting upon the individual wheels and tires, while including measured or calculated actual state variables representative of the tire slip angle and/or the tire slip angle velocity and/or the longitudinal slip and/or the longitudinal slip speed, and the determined values are compared to threshold values and sent to an evaluation unit for defining the maximum coefficient of friction by including further auxiliary variables such as longitudinal force, lateral force, vertical force, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, vehicle mass, and/or controlled variables when the comparison results fall below the threshold values. Included in the method are further auxiliary variables and/or controlled variables such as yaw rate, yaw acceleration, steering angle speed, wheel rotational speed and acceleration, longitudinal speed, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, as the case may be, engine rotational speed, engine torque, moment of inertia of the engine, efficiency, moment of inertia of the wheel, wheel radius, and brake pressure which are taken into account for determining the forces, the slip variation and/or variation of the tire slip angle.

Advantageously, the method for determining the actual maximum coefficient of friction is independent upon the entry into the control. A coefficient of friction that is estimated this way can favorably be used for detecting the driving-dynamics limit range. This renders extended ESP functionalities possible, such as sideslip angle control, or TCS functionalities.

The method is characterized by the steps of:

• • determining gradients of the utilization of grip between tires and roadway in a longitudinal direction as a function of slip or slip velocity,
  • determining gradients of the utilization of grip between tires and roadway in a transverse direction as a function of the tire slip angle or the tire slip angle velocity,
  • comparing the gradients with threshold values and determining the maximum coefficient of friction from the longitudinal, lateral, vertical forces or the longitudinal forces, the vertical forces, the lateral acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration, the vehicle mass, and/or controlled variables when the comparison result falls below the threshold values.

When a comparison result is determined where the determined value does not fall below the threshold value, an equivalent value μ₀ is used as the coefficient of friction. The equivalent value is preferably μ₀=1.

To preclude variations of gradients due to varying vertical forces F_z, the gradients are determined from the longitudinal and/or lateral forces of at least one wheel or at least one vehicle axle standardized with the vertical forces and the tire slip angle or the tire slip angle velocity or the slip or the slip velocity of at least one wheel. Advantageously, the gradients are determined from the longitudinal force of at least one vehicle that is standardized with the vertical forces according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_{x,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{\Delta F_{x,n,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{{\stackrel{.}{\lambda }}_{\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}·\mathrm{with}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.9\right)\\ F_{x,n,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{F_{x,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.6\right)\end{array}$ wherein the longitudinal forces of the front axle of the vehicle are determined according to $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{1}{r}\left(-K_{B,\mathrm{VA}}{p}_{B,\mathrm{VA}}-2J_R{\stackrel{.}{\omega }}_{R,\mathrm{VA}}\right)& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.7\right)\end{array}$ and/or the longitudinal forces of the rear axle of the vehicle are determined according to $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{1}{r}\left(M_M{i}_g\eta -K_{B,\mathrm{HA}}{p}_{B,\mathrm{HA}}-\left(2J_R+J_M{i}_g^2\right){\stackrel{.}{\omega }}_{R,\mathrm{HA}}\right).& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.8\right)\end{array}$

The gradients are determined from the lateral force of at least one vehicle axle standardized with the vertical forces according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_{y,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=-\frac{{\stackrel{.}{a}}_{y,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{g}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\alpha }}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.11\right)\end{array}$

Advantageously, the longitudinal-force/circumferential-slip gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_x=\frac{\partial F_{x,n}}{\partial \lambda }=\frac{d{F}_{x,n}}{dt}·\frac{dt}{d\lambda }\approx \frac{\Delta F_{x,n}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\lambda }}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.3\right)\end{array}$ and/or the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_y=-\frac{\partial F_{y,n}}{\partial \alpha }=-\frac{d{F}_{y,n}}{dt}·\frac{dt}{d\alpha }\approx -\frac{\Delta F_{y,n}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\alpha }}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.5\right)\end{array}$

It is expedient that the vertical forces are determined in a model-based fashion according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{\mathrm{z\_vl}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{h}g-{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{vl}}+b_{\mathrm{vr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_vr}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{h}g-{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{vl}}+b_{\mathrm{vr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_hl}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{v}g+{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{hl}}+b_{\mathrm{hr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_hr}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{v}g+{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{hl}}+b_{\mathrm{hr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)& \mathrm{equation}\left(1.1\right)\end{array}$

The vertical forces of an axle result from the sum of the vertical forces of the wheels of an axle. The model-based determination of the vertical forces from driving and vehicle state variables is favorable because it obviates the need for sensors for sensing the vertical forces.

Further, it is favorable that the maximum utilization of grip is determined for each individual wheel according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}\mu =\frac{\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}}{F_z}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.13\right)\end{array}$ and the maximum utilization of grip is determined for the rear axle of the vehicle according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}-{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}},\mathrm{with}{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{\sqrt{F_{x,\mathrm{VA}}^2+F_{y,\mathrm{VA}}^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.15\right)\end{array}$ or for the front axle of the vehicle according to the relation $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}-{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}},\mathrm{with}{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{\sqrt{F_{x,\mathrm{HA}}^2+F_{y,\mathrm{HA}}^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.17\right)\end{array}$

Advantageously, a microcontroller program product is provided which can be loaded directly into the memory of a driving dynamics control, such as ESP, ACT*, ABS (anti-lock system) control, and like systems and comprises software code sections by means of which the steps according to any one of claims 1 to 11 are implemented when the product operates on a microcontroller. The microcontroller program product is stored on a medium suitable for a microcontroller. ‘Microcontroller’ refers to a large-scale integrated component integrating on a chip the microprocessor, program memory, data memory, input and output serial interfaces and periphery functions (such as counter, bus controller, etc.).

Favorable improvements of the invention are indicated in the subclaims.

An embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail in the following.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the tire forces in a wheel-mounted system of coordinates.

FIG. 2 shows

• • a) a utilization-of-grip/slip curve
  • b) a utilization-of-grip/tire-slip-angle curve

FIG. 3 shows a schematic control structure with gradients determined on each wheel.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic control structure with gradients determined per axle.

FIG. 5 shows a utilization-of-grip/vertical-force curve.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplarily the tire forces in the systems of coordinates of a vehicle mounted on the wheels. The forces of the individual wheels that occur at the tires due to the tire/roadway contact can be wheel longitudinal or circumferential forces, transverse forces, and/or vertical wheel forces. FIG. 1 exemplarily depicts wheel longitudinal forces F_x and transverse forces F_y in the systems of coordinates of a vehicle mounted on the wheels. The forces are designated by indices. There applies

• • H=rear axle of the vehicle
  • V=front axle of the vehicle
  • R=right
  • L=left
  • l=distance between the axle and the center of gravity
  • b=half track of the wheel.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD

The contact forces of the individual wheels that occur due to the contact between tires and roadway are used for the method. These forces can be produced e.g. by appropriate sensor equipment such as sidewall torsion sensors, force-measuring wheel rims, surface sensors, determination of clamping force/pressure from actuating signals of the brake actuator by way of a mathematical model or measurement of clamping force/pressure of the brake actuator (circumferential forces), spring travel sensors or pressure sensors with pneumatic springs or with a wheel load model based on transverse and longitudinal acceleration information (vertical forces) or can be derived indirectly from vehicle state variables by way of a mathematical model. These forces can be longitudinal wheel forces, transverse forces, and/or vertical wheel forces. As a substitute of said forces, measured or estimated longitudinal accelerations, lateral accelerations, rotational wheel speeds and accelerations as well as engine torque and speed can be used in approximation. The signal information can be utilized either directly or as processed information, e.g. filtered with different time constants.

FIG. 2 shows typical variations of the longitudinal force F_x of a tire in dependence on the longitudinal slip λ (FIG. 2a) and the transverse force F_y in dependence on the tire slip angle α (FIG. 2b). The method of determining the actual maximum coefficient of friction makes use of the fact that the gradient of these characteristic curves will fall at increasing utilization of grip, i.e., at increasing longitudinal slip λ or tire slip angle α. This applies also to combined loads in longitudinal and transverse directions, e.g. braking operations during cornering. Only the maximums are shifted to higher slip values or tire slip angle values. When any one of the gradients C_x or C_y drops below defined thresholds, it is assumed that the maximum coefficient of friction between tires and roadway is reached. This analysis can be performed for each individual wheel of a vehicle or also axlewise. The axlewise analysis is preferably realized in maneuvers related to transverse dynamics. Differences in coefficients of friction right and left play a rather insignificant role in transverse-dynamics maneuvers.

The method being shown in its basic structure in FIGS. 3 and 4 is composed of three parts that found on each other.

Calculation of the Gradients C_x and C_y

(gradient of the tire characteristic curves) from the measured or calculated tire forces F_x, F_y, F_z of at least one wheel or axlewise in approximation of F_x from the measured or calculated engine torque, the engine rotational speed, the brake pressure and the rotational wheel speed and acceleration and in approximation of F_y from the measured or calculated lateral acceleration a_y of at least one vehicle axle, the measured or calculated tire slip angle α or alternatively the tire slip angle velocity α (tire slip angle variation), the measured or calculated longitudinal slip λ or alternatively the slip speed λ (slip variation) of at least one wheel, as well as further auxiliary quantities such as yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}, yaw acceleration {umlaut over (ψ)}, steering angle δ, steering angle speed {dot over (δ)}, rotational wheel speed ω_R, rotational wheel acceleration {dot over (ω)}_R, the longitudinal speed v_x, the longitudinal acceleration a_x as well as the wheel radius r.

Criteria for Determining the Coefficient of Friction μ_max Between Tire and Roadway.

It is decided by way of comparing the calculated gradients C_x or C_y with defined thresholds whether the maximum of the utilization of grip prevails and which frictional value is used as coefficient of friction μ_max.

Calculation of the Coefficient of Friction μ_max

When the criteria are not fulfilled, there is a standard specification for the coefficient of friction μ_max=μ₀. When the criteria are fulfilled, then the instantaneously prevailing utilization of grip is used as the coefficient of friction μ_max,i per wheel or axlewise as μ_max,VA/HA. The prevailing utilization of grip can be determined either directly from the tire forces (Kamm circuit) or indirectly from controlled variables such as longitudinal and lateral acceleration, engine torque, engine rotational speed, brake pressure and wheel rotational speed and acceleration. In an axlewise determination of the coefficient of friction μ_max,VA/HA, a distribution of the frictional values is additionally executed in dependence on the measured or calculated vertical wheel forces F_z,i.

2.1 Determination of the Gradients C_x and C_y

2.1.1 Wheelwise Determination of the Gradients from the Tire Forces

To rule out gradient variations due to varying vertical forces F_z, the longitudinal and lateral forces are standardized with the vertical force, i.e. $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,n}=\frac{F_x}{F_z},F_{y,n}=\frac{F_y}{F_z}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.1\right)\end{array}$

The vertical forces are either measured or determined in an e.g. model-based manner, e.g. with the vehicle mass m, the height of center of gravity h and the acting lever arms (cf. FIG. 1). $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{\mathrm{z\_vl}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{h}g-{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{vl}}+b_{\mathrm{vr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_vr}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{h}g-{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{vl}}+b_{\mathrm{vr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_hl}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{v}g+{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}-\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{hl}}+b_{\mathrm{hr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)F_{\mathrm{z\_hr}}=\frac{m}{\left(l_v+l_h\right)}\left(l_{v}g+{\mathrm{ha}}_x\right)\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{h}{\left(b_{\mathrm{hl}}+b_{\mathrm{hr}}\right)g}{a}_y\right)& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.2\right)\end{array}$

The longitudinal-force/circumferential-slip gradient C_x is achieved with the longitudinal slip λ that can be determined from vehicle and wheel speeds according to $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_x=\frac{\partial F_{x,n}}{\partial \lambda }=\frac{d{F}_{x,n}}{dt}·\frac{dt}{d\lambda }\approx \frac{\Delta F_{x,n}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\lambda }}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.3\right)\end{array}$

When the slip is not available, the gradient can be determined by means of the slip speed {dot over (λ)}. The slip speed {dot over (λ)} can be determined from further auxiliary signals such as the wheel rotational speed ω_R, the wheel rotational acceleration {dot over (ω)}_R, the vehicle longitudinal speed v_x, the vehicle longitudinal acceleration a_x and the wheel radius r. The quantity T_A is the sampling time. $\begin{array}{cc}\stackrel{.}{\lambda }=\frac{{\stackrel{.}{\omega }}_{R}r}{v_x}-\frac{{\omega }_{R}r·a_x}{v_x^2}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.4\right)\end{array}$

The lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradient C_y can be determined with a measured or estimated tire slip angle α. When there is no tire slip angle, the tire slip angle velocity {dot over (α)} can be used to determine the gradient in the form of $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_y=-\frac{\partial F_{y,n}}{\partial \alpha }=-\frac{d{F}_{y,n}}{dt}·\frac{dt}{d\alpha }\approx -\frac{\Delta F_{y,n}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\alpha }}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.5\right)\end{array}$

The tire slip angle velocity {dot over (α)} can be determined from further auxiliary signals, cf. embodiment. The quantity T_A is the sampling time.

2.1.2 Axlewise Determination of the Gradients

An axlewise standardized longitudinal force can be calculated from the longitudinal forces and the vertical force of the axle according to $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,n,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{F_{x,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.6\right)\end{array}$

In a standard drive, the longitudinal force at the front axle can be calculated in approximation from the brake pressure p_B,VA as a sum of the brake pressures at the axle, a proportionality factor K_B,VA, the wheel inertia moment J_R, the wheel radius r and the wheel rotational acceleration {dot over (ω)}_R,VA (average value of the wheel rotational accelerations of the axle), according to $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{1}{r}\left(-K_{B,\mathrm{VA}}{p}_{B,\mathrm{VA}}-2J_R{\stackrel{.}{\omega }}_{R,\mathrm{VA}}\right).& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.7\right)\end{array}$

The longitudinal force at the rear axle can be calculated in approximation from the brake pressure p_B,HA as a sum of the brake pressures at the axle, a proportionality factor K_B,HA, the wheel inertia moment J_R, the wheel radius r and the wheel rotational acceleration {dot over (ω)}_R,HA (average value of the wheel rotational accelerations of the axle), the engine torque M_M, the engine inertia torque J_M, the transmission ratio as the ratio between the engine rotational speed and the wheel rotational speed i_g=ω_M/ω_R,HA and the efficiency η, according to $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{x,\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{1}{r}\left(M_M{i}_g\eta -K_{B,\mathrm{HA}}{p}_{B,\mathrm{HA}}-\left(2J_R+J_M{i}_g^2\right){\stackrel{.}{\omega }}_{R,\mathrm{HA}}\right).& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.8\right)\end{array}$

The longitudinal rigidity per axle results from $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_{x,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{\Delta F_{x,n,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{T_A}·\frac{1}{{\stackrel{.}{\lambda }}_{\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}.& \mathrm{Equation}\left(2.9\right)\end{array}$

An axlewise standardized lateral force can be calculated in approximation from the lateral acceleration of the front axle a_y,VA or rear axle a_y,VA. $\begin{array}{cc}{F}_{y,n,\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{F_{y,\mathrm{vl}}+F_{y,\mathrm{vr}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{vl}}+F_{z,\mathrm{vr}}}=\frac{F_{y,\mathrm{VA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}=\frac{m_{\mathrm{VA}}{a}_{y,\mathrm{VA}}}{m_{\mathrm{VA}}g}=\frac{a_{y,\mathrm{VA}}}{g}{F}_{y,n,\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{F_{y,\mathrm{hl}}+F_{y,\mathrm{hr}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{hl}}+F_{z,\mathrm{hr}}}=\frac{F_{y,\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}=\frac{m_{\mathrm{HA}}{a}_{y,\mathrm{HA}}}{m_{\mathrm{HA}}g}=\frac{a_{y,\mathrm{HA}}}{g}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.10\right)\end{array}$

The lateral accelerations can be determined directly from the sensor information or calculated from derived signals such as the acceleration of the center of gravity by means of the yaw rate and yaw acceleration. The lateral tire stiffness per axle is achieved with the time derivative of the lateral acceleration with $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_{y,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}=-\frac{{\stackrel{.}{a}}_{y,\mathrm{VA}/\mathrm{HA}}}{g}·\frac{1}{\stackrel{.}{\alpha }}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.11\right)\end{array}$ 2.2 Criteria for Determining the Coefficient of Friction μ_max

The criterion for determining the coefficient of friction is fulfilled when one or more values of lateral tire stiffness fall below fixed threshold values S_x, S_y, that means C_x,j<S_x, C_y,i<S_y, i ε {1 . . . 4,VA,HA}  equation (2.12) 2.3 Calculation of the Coefficient of Friction μ_max

When the criteria according to equation (2.17) are not fulfilled, there will be a standard specification for the coefficient of friction μ_max=μ₀. Otherwise, the maximum coefficient of friction can be determined from the utilization of grip and further auxiliary variables as will be described in the following.

Determination of the Utilization of Grip

The utilization of grip μ can be determined for each individual wheel according to $\begin{array}{cc}\mu =\frac{\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}}{F_z}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.13\right)\end{array}$ or axlewise with the vehicle mass m based on the approach μ_VAF_z,VA+μ_HAF_z,HA=m {square root}{square root over (a_x²+a_y² )}  equation (2.14) according to $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}-{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}},\mathrm{with}{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{\sqrt{F_{x,\mathrm{VA}}^2+F_{y,\mathrm{VA}}^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.15\right)\end{array}$

It applies for the special case that F_x,VA is small $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}-\frac{\sqrt{a_{y,\mathrm{VA}}^2}}{g}·\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.16\right)\end{array}$

For the front axle $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}-{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}},\mathrm{with}{\mu }_{\mathrm{HA}}=\frac{\sqrt{F_{x,\mathrm{HA}}^2+F_{y,\mathrm{HA}}^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.17\right)\end{array}$ applies correspondingly.

It applies for the special case that F_x,HA is small $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\mathrm{VA}}=\frac{m\sqrt{a_x^2+a_y^2}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}-\frac{\sqrt{a_{y,\mathrm{HA}}^2}}{g}·\frac{F_{z,\mathrm{HA}}}{F_{z,\mathrm{VA}}}.& \mathrm{equation}\left(2.18\right)\end{array}$

3 EMBODIMENT

The maximum coefficient of friction is estimated for each individual wheel by means of the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradient in the embodiment. The tire slip angle velocity is determined axlewise by means of $\begin{array}{cc}\stackrel{.}{\alpha }=\{\begin{array}{cc}\frac{1}{v_x}\left(a_y+l_v\ddot{\psi }\right)-\stackrel{.}{\psi }-\stackrel{.}{\delta }& \mathrm{for}\mathrm{VA}\\ \frac{1}{v_x}\left(a_y-l_h\ddot{\psi }\right)-\stackrel{.}{\psi }& \mathrm{for}\mathrm{HA}\end{array}& \mathrm{equation}\left(3.1\right)\end{array}$

The lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradient at each wheel results in dependence on the threshold value S_a in the range of 0.5-5 degrees, preferably 1 degree/s with C_y0 preferably 0.3 1/degree according to $\begin{array}{cc}{C}_y=\{\begin{array}{cc}\frac{\Delta F_{y,n}}{T_A\stackrel{.}{\alpha }}& \mathrm{for}\stackrel{.}{\alpha }\ge S_a\\ C_{\mathrm{y0}}& \mathrm{for}\stackrel{.}{\alpha }<S_a\end{array}& \mathrm{equation}\left(3.2\right)\end{array}$

The lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradient C_y is compared to the threshold value S_y. With C_y<S_y, and S_y being in the range of 0.02 to 0.06 1/degree, the maximum utilization of grip is determined for each individual wheel according to the relation $\mu =\frac{\sqrt{F_x^2+F_y^2}}{F_z}.$

The maximum coefficient of friction is determined according to $\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_{\max }=\{\begin{array}{cc}{\mu }_k& \mathrm{for}\stackrel{.}{\alpha }\ge S_{\alpha }\\ \max \left({\mu }_k,{\mu }_{k-1}\right)& \mathrm{for}\stackrel{.}{\alpha }<S_{\alpha }\end{array}& \mathrm{equation}\left(3.3\right)\end{array}$

The coefficient of friction μ_k is the actual utilization of grip at the sampling time k according to equation (2.13) in an analysis per wheel and equation (2.15) or (2.17) in an analysis per axle. The coefficient of friction μ_k-1 is the utilization of grip in the previous sampling time.

In the case of the axlewise analysis, the coefficient of friction μ_max,VA/HA along the vertical-force-responsive characteristic curve in FIG. 5 is distributed onto the wheels of the corresponding axle. This distribution takes into account that in a cornering maneuver the utilization of grip and, hence, also the maximum coefficient of friction at the relieved inside wheel is always higher than that at the loaded, outside wheel. The curve of distribution is non-linear, e.g. exponential. Depending on the wheel's relief from load or on its loading, a maximum coefficient of friction of e.g. 1.0 determined per axle must be taken into account on the curve inside with a value of 1.8 and on the curve outside with 0.9.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. Method for determining a maximum coefficient of friction between tires and roadway of a vehicle from information about force occurring in the contact between tires and roadway, wherein values are permanently determined which are representative of the utilization of grip in longitudinal and/or lateral direction, based on measured and/or estimated variables that represent the actual longitudinal forces, lateral forces and vertical forces acting upon the individual wheels and tires, while including measured or calculated actual state variables representative of the tire slip angle and/or the tire slip angle velocity and/or the longitudinal slip and/or the longitudinal slip velocity, and the determined values are compared to threshold values and sent to an evaluation unit for defining the maximum coefficient of friction by including further auxiliary variables such as longitudinal force, lateral force, vertical force, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, vehicle mass, and/or controlled variables when the comparison results fall below the threshold values.

14. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the steps of determining gradients of the utilization of grip between tires and roadway in a longitudinal direction as a function of slip or slip velocity, determining gradients of the utilization of grip between tires and roadway in a transverse direction as a function of the tire slip angle or the tire slip angle velocity, comparing the gradients with threshold values and determining the maximum coefficient of friction from the longitudinal, lateral, vertical forces or the longitudinal forces, the vertical forces, the lateral acceleration, the longitudinal acceleration, the vehicle mass and/or controlled variables when the comparison result falls below the threshold values.

15. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein an equivalent value is used as the coefficient of friction when a comparison result prevails where the determined value does not fall below the threshold value.

16. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the determination of the gradients from the longitudinal forces and/or lateral forces, standardized with the vertical forces, of at least one wheel or at least one vehicle axle and the tire slip angle or the tire slip angle velocity or the slip or the slip velocity of at least one wheel.

17. Method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the gradients from the longitudinal force of at least one vehicle axle that is standardized with the vertical forces according to the relation Cx,VA/HA=Δ⁢ ⁢Fx,n,VA/HATA·1λ.VA/HA⁢ ⁢withequation⁢ ⁢(2.9)Fx,n,VA/HA=Fx,VA/HAFz,VA/HAequation⁢ ⁢(2.6)wherein the longitudinal forces of the front axle of the vehicle are determined according to Fx,VA=1r⁢(-KB,VA⁢pB,VA-2⁢JR⁢ ⁢ω.R,VA)equation⁢ ⁢(2.7)and/or the longitudinal forces of the rear axle of the vehicle are determined according to Fx,HA=1r⁢(MM⁢ig⁢η-KB,HA⁢pB,HA-(2⁢JR+JM⁢ig2)⁢ ⁢ω.R,HA).equation⁢ ⁢(2.8)

18. Method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the determination of the gradients from the lateral force of at least one vehicle axle standardized with the vertical forces according to the relation Cy,VA/HA=-a.y,VA/HAg·1α..equation⁢ ⁢(2.11)

19. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the longitudinal-force/circumferential-slip gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation Cx=∂Fx,n∂λ=ⅆFx,nⅆt·ⅆtⅆλ≈Δ⁢ ⁢Fx,nTA·1λ..equation⁢ ⁢(2.3)and/or the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation Cy=-∂Fy,n∂α=-ⅆFy,nⅆt·ⅆtⅆα≈-Δ⁢ ⁢Fy,nTA·1α..equation⁢ ⁢(2.5)

20. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the vertical forces are determined in a model-based fashion according to the relation Fz_vl=m(lv+lh)⁢(lh⁢g-h⁢ ⁢ax)⁢(12-h(bvl+bvr)⁢g⁢ay)Fz_vr=m(lv+lh)⁢(lh⁢g-h⁢ ⁢ax)⁢(12+h(bvl+bvr)⁢g⁢ay)Fz_hl=m(lv+lh)⁢(lv⁢g+h⁢ ⁢ax)⁢(12-h(bhl+bhr)⁢g⁢ay)Fz_hr=m(lv+lh)⁢(lv⁢g+h⁢ ⁢ax)⁢(12+h(bhl+bhr)⁢g⁢ay)equation⁢ ⁢(2.2)

21. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the maximum utilization of grip is determined for each individual wheel according to the relation μ=Fx2+Fy2Fz.equation⁢ ⁢(2.13)

22. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the maximum utilization of grip is determined per axle according to the relation μHA=m⁢ax2+ay2Fz,HA-μVA⁢Fz,VAFz,HA,withμVA=Fx,VA2+Fy,VA2Fz,VAequation⁢ ⁢(2.15)for the rear axle of the vehicle, or μVA=m⁢ ⁢ax2+ay2Fz,VA-μHA⁢ ⁢Fz,HAFz,VA,withμHA=Fx,HA2+Fy,HA2Fz,HAequation⁢ ⁢(2.17)for the front axle of the vehicle.

23. Method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the steps of determining the tire slip angle velocity {dot over (α)} at the front and rear axle of the vehicle in accordance with the lateral acceleration ay, the longitudinal speed νx, the yaw acceleration {umlaut over (ψ)}, the yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}, the steering angle velocity {dot over (δ)} and/or the distance between the center of gravity and the front axle l v or the rear axle lh, comparing the tire slip angle velocity {dot over (α)} with threshold values Sy,a, determining the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradients Cy at each wheel in dependence on the comparison result |{dot over (a)}|≧Sy,a, |{dot over (a)}|<Sy,a determining the maximum coefficient of friction μmax according to the relations for the maximum utilization of grip (equations 2.13, 2.15, 2.17), when Cy<Sy.

24. Microcontroller program product which can be loaded directly into the memory of a driving dynamics control, such as ESP, TCS, ABS control, and like systems and comprises software code sections by means of which the steps according to claim 13 are implemented when the product operates on a microcontroller.

25. Method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the longitudinal-force/circumferential-slip gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation Cx=∂Fx,n∂λ=ⅆFx,nⅆt·ⅆtⅆλ≈Δ⁢ ⁢Fx,nTA·1λ.equation⁢ ⁢(2.3)and/or the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradients for at least one wheel are determined according to the relation Cy=-∂Fy,n∂α=-ⅆFy,nⅆt·ⅆtⅆα≈Δ⁢ ⁢Fy,nTA·1α.equation⁢ ⁢(2.5)

26. Method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the steps of determining the tire slip angle velocity {dot over (α)} at the front and rear axle of the vehicle in accordance with the lateral acceleration ay, the longitudinal speed νx, the yaw acceleration {umlaut over (ψ)}, the yaw rate {dot over (ψ)}, the steering angle velocity {dot over (δ)} and/or the distance between the center of gravity and the front axle lv or the rear axle lh, comparing the tire slip angle velocity &i with threshold values Sy,a, determining the lateral-force/tire-slip-angle gradients Cy at each wheel in dependence on the comparison result |{dot over (a)}|≧Sy,a, |{dot over (a)}|<Sy,a determining the maximum coefficient of friction μmax according to the relations for the maximum utilization of grip (equations 2.13, 2.15, 2.17), when Cy<Sy.