Method and system for onboard zero offset compensation for electric power assist steering torque sensor

A method for compensating a torque sensor, comprising:

• applying a torque with a steering motor connected to a steering column in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction until a movement is generated with respect to said steering column;
• storing a threshold value of a torque signal determined by a torque sensor in said clockwise direction and said counterclockwise direction, when said torque exceeds a reaction torque in order to cause an acceleration of a shaft, such that said reaction torque is determined;
• performing an auto zeroing operation a particular number of times if a magnitude of a positive signal and a negative signal of said torque sensor are approximately equal and an absolute magnitude of said positive and said negative signal falls below a general torque limit set under conditions of known near zero reaction torque on handlebars associated with a similar vehicle, thereby reducing an error due to an offset drift of said torque sensor;
• associating a controller with said steering motor, wherein said controller calculates a value of said torque;
• and
• associating an assistance torque component with said controller, wherein said assistance torque component is indicative of a torque generated by said steering motor attached to said steering column.

A torque sensor compensation system, comprising:

• a steering motor connected to a steering column, wherein a torque is applicable to said steering motor connected to said steering column in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction until a movement is generated with respect to said steering column;
• a memory storing a threshold value of a torque signal determined by a torque sensor in said clockwise direction and said counterclockwise direction, when said torque exceeds a reaction torque in order to cause an acceleration of a shaft, such that said reaction torque is determined;
• and
• an auto zeroing mechanism performing an auto zeroing operation a particular number of times if a magnitude of a positive signal and a negative signal of said torque sensor are approximately equal and an absolute magnitude of said positive and said negative signal falls below a general torque limit set under conditions of known near zero reaction torque on handlebars associated with a similar vehicle, thereby reducing an error due to an offset drift of said torque sensor.