Electric power steering systems with improved road feel

1. A method of controlling a motor drive torque in an electric power steering system having a motor and a steering assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring, with a torque sensor, internal vibrations within the steering assembly representing smooth road shake (SRS) to generate a torque signal;

processing the torque signal in accordance with a steering perception program to produce a motor control signal suitable to control the motor;

evaluating the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal and generating a dithering signal based on the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal;

superimposing the dithering signal onto the motor control signal to linearize the motor control signal with the dithering signal and produce a dithered motor control signal; and

controlling the motor drive torque of the motor on the steering assembly based on the dithered motor control signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the superimposing step includes jointly considering the torque signal and the dithering signal.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing step further includes processing the torque signal with a vibration attenuation program to produce a vibration attenuation signal as the motor control signal.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of

determining an excitation from an external source based on the torque signal, and wherein the superimposing step includes generating the dithered motor control signal such that a first mechanical response to the dithering signal, the vibration attenuation signal and the excitation is approximately equal to that of a second mechanical response to the dithering signal when the excitation and torque attenuation signal are approximately zero.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising evaluating the torque signal and selectively executing the vibration compensation program based on the torque signal.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of executing the steering perception program includes applying friction models to the torque signal.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of applying friction models includes applying LuGre′ friction maps.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving a driver selection to activate the dithering signal, and wherein the superimposing the dithering signal is based on the driver selection.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating an amount of available energy in a battery, and wherein the superimposing the dithering signal is based on the available energy in the battery.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the dithering signal includes generating the dithering signal as an applied form of noise to influence effects of stiction and friction.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing step includes processing the torque signal in accordance with the steering perception program that has a first map and a second map selected based upon the dithering signal.

12. A system for controlling a motor drive torque for a vehicle having a motor and a steering assembly, the system comprising:

a sensor configured to measure internal vibrations within the steering assembly representing smooth road shake (SRS) to generate a torque signal; and

a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to at least facilitate:

receiving the torque signal from the sensor;

processing the torque signal in accordance with a steering perception program to produce a motor control signal suitable to control the motor;

evaluating the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal and generating a dithering signal based on the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal;

superimposing the dithering signal onto the motor control signal to reduce the non-linearities of the steering system with the dithering signal and produce a dithered motor control signal; and

controlling the motor drive torque based on the dithered motor control signal.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to apply vibration attenuation algorithms to the torque signal.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to apply steering perception algorithms to the torque signal.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the steering perception algorithms are friction models.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the friction models are LuGre′ friction maps.

17. A non-transitory program product for controlling a motor drive torque for a vehicle having a motor and a steering assembly, the non-transitory program product comprising:

a program configured to at least facilitate:

receiving a torque feedback signal from a torque sensor measuring internal vibrations within the steering assembly representing smooth road shake (SRS);

applying steering perception algorithms to the torque signal to generate a motor control signal suitable to control the motor;

evaluating the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal and generating a dithering signal based on the smooth road shake (SRS) of the torque signal;

superimposing the dithering signal to the motor control signal onto produce a dithered motor control signal; and

controlling the motor drive torque based on the dithered motor control signal; and

a computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the program.