This model is used to approximate the equation
y = if x > 0 then y1 else y2;
by a smooth characteristic, so that the expression is continuous and differentiable:
y = smooth(1, if x > x_small then y1 else
if x < -x_small then y2 else f(y1, y2));
In the region -x_small < x < x_small a 2nd order polynomial is used for a smooth transition from y1 to y2.