Vehicle steering systems and methods

A power steering system for a vehicle, the power steering system being coupled to a steering input shaft in use operatively coupled to an operator steering input device and a steering output shaft in use operatively coupled to at least one ground engaging member, the power steering system comprising:

• a motor,
• a gearset operatively coupled to the motor and in use operatively coupled to the steering output shaft;
• a motor control circuit operatively coupled to the motor;
• and
• at least one sensor in use to provide an indication of an acceleration of the motor, the motor control circuit adjusting a characteristic of the motor to reduce a transmission to the operator steering input device of an unintended torque input into the steering output shaft from the at least one ground engaging member.

A method of reducing kickback at an operator steering input of a vehicle from a power steering assembly due to an unintended torque input into a steering output shaft coupled to the power steering assembly from one of a first ground engaging member of the vehicle and a second ground engaging member of the vehicle, the first ground engaging member of the vehicle and the second ground engaging member of the vehicle being operatively coupled to the steering output shaft, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring at least one characteristic of the steering assembly;
• classifying a received steering input as one of a normal operation and a potential kickback based on a character of the received steering input on the monitored at least one characteristic;
• and
• when the received steering input is classified as the potential kickback, adjusting a characteristic of a motor of the power steering system to counteract the received steering input.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of ground engaging members;
• a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members;
• at least one seat;
• a powertrain operatively coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of ground engaging members to in use propel the vehicle;
• and
• a steering system operatively coupled to at least a first ground engaging member and a second ground engaging member of the plurality of ground engaging members to steer the vehicle, the steering system including
• an operator steering input device;
• a steering input shaft operatively coupled to the operator steering input device;
• a power steering assembly including a motor, a gearset operatively coupled to the motor, and a motor control circuit operatively coupled to the motor;
• a steering output shaft operatively coupled to the steering input shaft through the power steering assembly and to the gearset of the power steering assembly;
• a torque sensor monitoring a torque between the steering input shaft and the steering output shaft;
• a first tie rod operatively coupling the steering output shaft to the first ground engaging member;
• a second tie rod operatively coupling the steering output shaft to the second ground engaging member;
• and
• at least one sensor to provide an indication of at least two characteristics of the steering system downstream of the torque sensor, the motor control circuit adjusting a characteristic of the motor to reduce a transmission to the operator steering input device of an unintended torque steering input from one of the first ground engaging member and the second ground engaging member.

A method of reducing kickback at an operator steering input of a vehicle from a power steering assembly due to an unintended torque input into a steering output shaft coupled to the power steering assembly from one of a first ground engaging member of the vehicle and a second ground engaging member of the vehicle, the first ground engaging member of the vehicle and the second ground engaging member of the vehicle being operatively coupled to the steering output shaft, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring at least two characteristics of the steering assembly including a torque exhibited between a steering input shaft operatively coupled to the operator steering input device and the steering output shaft;
• determining, independent of the torque exhibited between the steering input shaft operatively coupled to the operator steering input device and the steering output shaft, if the unintended torque input into the steering output shaft coupled to the power steering assembly from one of the first ground engaging member of the vehicle and the second ground engaging member of the vehicle is a potential kickback;
• and
• counteracting the potential kickback to reduce a transmission to the operator steering input device of the unintended torque input into the steering output shaft from one of a first ground engaging member of the vehicle and a second ground engaging member of the vehicle.