Apparatus for changing braking mode and method for changing braking mode

Abstract

An apparatus for changing a braking mode provided in a vehicle including a plurality of braking modes includes: a receiving unit configured to receive vehicle state information; a condition determination unit configured to: determine whether a condition for preparing to change the braking mode and a condition for changing the braking mode are satisfied based on the vehicle state information; an electromechanical braking (EMB) device configured to generate a braking force on the vehicle; and a braking mode changing unit configured to change the braking mode based on the determination of the condition determining unit, where the braking mode changing unit generates vibration using the EMB device when the braking mode is changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for changing a braking mode and a method for changing a braking mode. Background Art

[0002] The braking system is essential for controlling the speed and safety of a moving vehicle as it plays a key role in reducing speed and stopping the vehicle. It does this by using friction to convert the rotational energy of the wheels and tires into heat.

[0003] The modern emphasis on driving comfort has led to a diversification of the braking modes in vehicles. As a result, several braking modes are now integrated into vehicles, each of which is able to generate a different braking force.

[0004] For example, the user switches between these braking modes via a physical button or by navigating a user selection menu displayed on a touch screen.

[0005] Conventional methods for adjusting the braking mode involve the user accessing a menu of a touch screen or manually operating a physical button associated with the driving mode, which can be inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for changing a braking mode using a brake pedal and a method for changing a braking mode.

[0007] According to one aspect of the subject matter described in the present application, a device for changing a braking mode set in a vehicle including multiple braking modes includes: a receiving unit configured to receive vehicle status information; a condition determination unit configured to: determine whether a condition for preparing to change the braking mode and a condition for changing the braking mode are satisfied based on the vehicle status information; an electromechanical braking (EMB) device configured to generate a braking force on the vehicle; and a braking mode changing unit configured to: change the braking mode based on a determination of the condition determination unit, wherein when the braking mode is changed, the braking mode changing unit generates vibration using the EMB device.

[0008] In the plurality of braking modes, the slope of the deceleration according to the stroke of the brake pedal may be configured differently.

[0009] The vehicle state information may include at least one of brake pedal travel information, brake pedal pressure information, engaged gear information, vehicle travel speed information, and information on an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

[0010] The condition determination unit may determine whether the preparation condition is satisfied based on at least one of a current engaged gear, a traveling speed of the vehicle, and an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

[0011] The conditions for changing the braking mode may include a first change condition and a second change condition, and the condition determination unit may determine whether the first change condition is satisfied by whether the stroke of the brake pedal is equal to or greater than a predetermined level of pedal stroke, and may determine whether the second change condition is satisfied by whether the maintenance time for satisfying the first change condition is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period.

[0012] The condition determination unit may further include a timer configured to count time, and the condition determination unit may initialize the timer when the preparation condition is satisfied, and may update the maintenance time by counting the timer from a time when the first change condition is satisfied.

[0013] The EMB device may include: an EMB driving unit configured to receive electric power and generate a driving force; and a braking force generating unit configured to move by receiving the driving force and generate a braking force by depressing a brake disc, wherein the braking mode changing unit may control the EMB driving unit and may generate vibration by allowing the braking force generating unit to contact the brake disc.

[0014] The EMB device may further include a return unit, in which the braking force generating unit may generate an elastic restoring force in a direction away from the brake disc.

[0015] The return unit may include a main body unit coupled to a torque member supported by a vehicle body, and an elastic force generating unit configured to generate an elastic restoring force so that the braking force generating unit can move away from the brake disc, the elastic force generating unit protruding from the main body unit and supported by the main body unit, and obliquely contacting with a surface of the braking force generating unit.

[0016] The braking mode changing unit can control the EMB driving unit, can cause the braking force generating unit to move in a direction away from the brake disc for a predetermined first time period, can cause the braking force generating unit to move in a direction closer to the brake disc for a predetermined second time period, and can allow the braking force generating unit to contact the brake disc, and the second time period can be configured to be shorter than the first time period.

[0017] The apparatus may further include a notification unit configured to notify the driver of the changed braking mode in a visual manner or an auditory manner.

[0018] According to another aspect of the subject matter described in the present application, a method for changing a braking mode in a vehicle including multiple braking modes includes: receiving vehicle status information; determining whether a condition for preparing to change the braking mode is met based on the vehicle status information; determining whether a condition for changing the braking mode is met based on the vehicle status information; changing the braking mode when the preparation condition and the change condition are met; and notifying the change of the braking mode, wherein notifying the change of the braking mode includes: notifying the change of the braking mode by generating vibrations by operating an electromechanical brake (EMB) device configured to generate braking force on the vehicle.

[0019] In the plurality of braking modes, the slope of the deceleration according to the stroke of the brake pedal may be configured differently.

[0020] The vehicle state information may include at least one of brake pedal travel information, brake pedal pressure information, engaged gear information, information about a travel speed of the vehicle, and information about an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

[0021] Determining whether the preparation condition is satisfied may include determining whether the preparation condition is satisfied based on at least one of a current engaged gear, a travel speed of the vehicle, and an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

[0022] The determining whether the preparation condition is satisfied may include determining whether the preparation condition for changing the braking mode is satisfied by a condition determination unit including a timer, and preparing to change the braking mode to initialize the timer when it is determined that the preparation condition is satisfied.

[0023] Determining whether the condition for changing the braking mode is satisfied may further include: determining whether the condition for changing the braking mode is satisfied by a condition determination unit including a timer; determining whether a first change condition is satisfied; and determining whether the second change condition is satisfied using the timer.

[0024] Determining whether the first change condition is met may include: determining whether the first change condition is met based on whether the travel of the brake pedal is equal to or greater than a predetermined pedal travel, and determining whether the second change condition is met may include: determining whether the second change condition is met based on whether the maintenance time for satisfying the first change condition is equal to or longer than a predetermined time period.

[0025] The determining whether the first change condition is satisfied may include updating a maintenance time during which the first change condition is satisfied by counting the timer when it is determined that the first change condition is satisfied.

[0026] The method may further include notifying a driver of the changed braking mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a braking mode.

[0028] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus configured to change a braking mode.

[0029] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of an EMB brake system.

[0030] Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process for generating sound and vibration using an EMB device.

[0031] Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process for generating sound and vibration using an EMB device.

[0032] Figure 4C is a diagram illustrating an exemplary process for generating sound and vibration using an EMB device.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a return unit of the EMB device.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a (brake) pad liner.

[0035] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of changing a braking mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a braking mode.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 , the braking mode may include at least three braking modes.

[0038] One of the at least three braking modes may be referred to as a first braking mode 10 , another braking mode may be referred to as a second braking mode 20 , and another braking mode may be referred to as a third braking mode 30 .

[0039] Reference Figure 1 The first to third braking modes 10, 20, 30 may be configured to form different slopes. That is, in the first to third braking modes 10, 20, 30, the braking diagrams may be configured so that the magnitude of the deceleration corresponding to the pedal stroke required by the driver may be different.

[0040] More specifically, in the first braking mode 10, the increase or decrease rate of the deceleration in response to the change of the pedal stroke input by the driver can be relatively larger than the increase or decrease rate of the deceleration in the second braking mode 20 or the third braking mode 30. In addition, in the first braking mode 10, the magnitude of the deceleration required by the driver corresponding to the same pedal stroke can be relatively larger than the magnitude of the deceleration in the second braking mode 20 or the third braking mode 30.

[0041] Therefore, in the first braking mode 10 , the driver can generate a relatively large braking force using a relatively small pedal travel compared to the second braking mode 20 or the third braking mode 30 .

[0042] The second braking mode 20 may be configured to have a smaller increase / decrease rate of the braking map than the first braking mode 10. The third braking mode 30 may be configured to have a smaller increase / decrease rate in the map than the second braking mode 20.

[0043] By configuring three braking modes for braking, the driver can drive while feeling the difference in braking comfort according to each braking mode.

[0044] In some implementations, the braking mode may not necessarily be limited to three modes, and three or more braking modes may be configured.

[0045] also, Figure 1 An example of a driver-required deceleration for a pedal stroke is shown, but the example may also be applied to a driver-required deceleration for a pedal effort.

[0046] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for changing a braking mode.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 , the apparatus for changing a braking mode may include a receiving unit 100 , a condition determining unit 200 , a braking mode changing unit 300 , an electromechanical braking (EMB) device 400 , and a notifying unit 500 .

[0048] The receiving unit 100 may receive information about the vehicle state. For example, the receiving unit 100 may receive information about the vehicle state, including information about the travel size of the brake pedal of the vehicle, information about the engaged gear, information about the driving speed of the vehicle, information about the inclination angle of the road surface on which the vehicle is located, and information about whether each component is damaged.

[0049] The receiving unit 100 can be connected to a sensor provided in the vehicle using a network provided in the vehicle, and can receive information about the driving state of the vehicle. For example, the receiving unit 100 can receive information about the brake pedal stroke from a brake pedal sensor using a controller area network (CAN) of the vehicle.

[0050] The condition determination unit 200 may determine whether a preparation condition for changing the braking mode is satisfied based on the vehicle state information received from the receiving unit 100, and when the preparation condition is satisfied, determine whether the change condition is satisfied.

[0051] When the current gear of the vehicle is in the parking gear (P gear), the driving speed is 0, and the inclination angle of the road surface on which the vehicle is located is equal to or less than a predetermined inclination angle, the condition determination unit 200 can determine that the preparation condition is met.

[0052] Here, the predetermined tilt angle may be configured in various ways according to the type of vehicle.

[0053] When the preparation condition is satisfied, the condition determination unit 200 may determine whether a condition for changing the braking mode is satisfied.

[0054] The condition determination unit 200 may determine whether the first change condition and the second change condition satisfy the condition for changing the braking mode.

[0055] Here, the first change condition may be related to the travel value of the brake pedal, and the second change condition may be related to the brake pedal depression time.

[0056] Here, the condition determination unit 200 may further include a timer for determining the second change condition.

[0057] When the preparation condition is satisfied, the condition determination unit 200 may initialize a timer.

[0058] When the travel value of the brake pedal satisfies the first change condition, the condition determination unit 200 may count time using a timer.

[0059] When the counted time satisfies a predetermined second change condition, the condition determination unit 200 may determine that all conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied.

[0060] The braking mode changing unit 300 may change the currently determined braking mode. When the condition for changing the braking mode is met, the braking mode changing unit 300 may change the braking mode in a predetermined order. For example, the order may be the first braking mode 10-> the second braking mode 20-> the third braking mode 30-> the first braking mode 10, but the implementation is not limited thereto.

[0061] When changing the braking mode, the braking mode changing unit 300 may operate the EMB device 400 and may generate impact sound and vibration in the vehicle.

[0062] When the braking mode is changed, the driver can be intuitively informed of the change in the braking mode by generating vibration in the vehicle.

[0063] The notification unit 500 may notify the driver of the changed braking mode, that is, the state of the current braking mode. The notification unit 500 may notify the driver of the braking mode visually or audibly.

[0064] The notification unit 500 may be a display for touch recognition included in an instrument cluster of the vehicle (eg, AVN (audio, video, navigation)), a dashboard, etc., or may be an audio system provided in the vehicle.

[0065] For example, the notification unit 500 may display the current braking mode as a pop-up message on a display included in the vehicle instrument cluster, and may notify the driver of the current braking mode. In addition, the vehicle's audio system may be used to notify the driver of the vehicle's braking mode (e.g., "changed to the first braking mode 10", etc.).

[0066] The EMB device 400 may be mounted on a single wheel provided in a vehicle and may generate a braking force. In addition, the EMB device 400 may generate sound and vibration in the vehicle.

[0067] The components of the apparatus for changing the braking mode may be connected in a wired or wireless manner to exchange information. For example, data may be exchanged using Ethernet, Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST), Flexray, Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN), Internet, LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), Zigbee, or Radio Frequency (RF).

[0068] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an EMB brake system. Figures 4A to 4C is a diagram illustrating a process for generating sound and vibration using an EMB device.

[0069] Reference Figure 3 and Figures 4A to 4C , the EMB device 400 may be installed on each wheel installed on the vehicle. Hereinafter, in some implementations, for a vehicle including four wheels, first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403, and 404 may be included, but the implementation is not limited thereto, and the number of the EMB devices 400 may vary according to the number of wheels of the vehicle and the EMB braking system.

[0070] The braking mode changing unit 300 to be described later may be connected to the first to fourth EMB devices 401 , 402 , 403 , and 404 , respectively, and may control the first to fourth EMB devices 401 , 402 , 403 , and 404 .

[0071] On the other hand, the first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403 and 404 may include an EMB central controller, and the EMB central control device may be connected to an EMB controller 410, which is individually provided in the first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403 and 404 and may individually control the first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403 and 404.

[0072] Furthermore, the EMB central controller may determine the braking force generated by each EMB based on information such as the pedal travel amount, wheel speed, longitudinal acceleration, and yaw of the vehicle while the vehicle is traveling.

[0073] Therefore, in Figure 3 In the embodiment, the braking mode changing unit 300 can be connected to the EMB controller 410 respectively provided in the first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403 and 404, but its implementation is not limited thereto, and the braking mode changing device 300 can be connected to the EMB central controller, and the sound and vibration can be generated by operating the first to fourth EMB devices 401, 402, 403 and 404 using the EMB central controller.

[0074] Reference Figure 3 and Figures 4A to 4C The EMB device 400 may include an EMB controller 410 , an EMB driving unit 420 , a power transmission unit 430 , a power conversion unit 440 , and a braking force generation unit 450 .

[0075] The EMB controller 410 may control the EMB driving unit 420 through a collision control unit or an EMB central controller to generate braking force or sound and vibration in the EMB device.

[0076] The EMB driving unit 420 may provide a driving force for generating a braking force in the braking force generating unit 450. The EMB driving unit 420 may be configured as an actuator for receiving power and generating a driving force. The EMB driving unit 420 may generate a driving force through a rotational motion generated by the actuator.

[0077] The power transmission unit 430 may receive a driving force caused by the rotational movement of the EMB driving unit 420. The power transmission unit 430 may include a spindle, may be connected to the EMB driving unit 420, and may receive rotational energy from the EMB driving unit.

[0078] The power conversion unit 440 can convert the driving force of the rotational motion received by the power transmission unit 430 into linear motion. For example, the power conversion unit 440 can be configured as a ball screw. When the driving force of the rotational motion received from the power transmission unit 430 rotates the screw, the ball can move linearly along the screw.

[0079] Alternatively, the power conversion unit 440 may include a bolt that rotates integrally with the spindle, a nut that moves forward and backward according to the rotation of the bolt, and a piston that moves together with the nut.

[0080] One end of the power conversion unit 440 may be connected to the power transmission unit 430 for transmitting a driving force of a rotational motion, and the other end may be connected to the braking force generation unit 450 .

[0081] The braking force generating unit 450 may be connected to the power converting unit 440 , may be linearly movable, and may generate a braking force by pressing a brake disc 452 .

[0082] For example, the braking force generating unit 450 may include at least one brake pad 451. In addition, the braking force generating unit 450 may be two brake pads 451 disposed opposite to each other with the brake disc 452 interposed therebetween.

[0083] The braking force generation unit 450 may generate a braking force using a friction force generated when two brake pads 451 disposed opposite to each other press a brake disc 452 in two directions.

[0084] In other words, the EMB driving unit 420 may generate rotational motion energy based on the EMB controller 410, and the power transmission unit 430 may receive the rotational motion energy of the EMB driving unit 420 and transmit the energy to the power conversion unit 440. The power conversion unit 440 may convert the rotational motion energy of the EMB driving unit 420 received from the power transmission unit 430 into linear motion energy. The braking force generating unit 450 may generate a braking force by moving and pressing the brake disc 452 according to the converted linear motion energy.

[0085] The EMB device 400 may further include a return unit 460. The return unit 460 may be configured to reduce a contact drag force between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 when braking is completed.

[0086] In a state where the pressing of the brake disc 452 of the braking force generation unit 450 is finished, the return unit 460 may allow the braking force generation unit 450 to stably drop from the brake disc 452 together with the power conversion unit 440 .

[0087] Figure 5is a perspective view showing a return unit of the EMB device. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a (brake) pad lining.

[0088] The return unit 460 will refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 A more detailed description is given.

[0089] Reference Figure 5 The return unit 460 may include a torque member 461 and a plate bushing 462 . The torque member 461 is fixedly supported on the vehicle body by being coupled to the steering knuckle. The plate bushing 462 is disposed between the torque member 461 and the brake pad 451 and fixedly supported on the torque member 461 .

[0090] In addition, refer to Figure 6 The plate bushing 462 may include: a main body unit 463, which is coupled to the torque member 461; a guide portion 464, which protrudes from the main body unit 463, is inserted into a portion of the brake pad 451, and forms a moving path of the brake pad 451; and an elastic force generating unit 465, which is configured to: generate an elastic restoring force in a direction away from the brake disc 452 based on the movement of the brake pad 451.

[0091] The elastic force generating unit 465 may be configured to protrude in a direction from the main body unit 463 to the brake pad 451 , and may be in oblique contact with one surface of the brake pad 451 at an angle so that the brake pad 451 may be moved away from the brake disc 452 .

[0092] The elastic force generating unit 465 may be formed of an elastic material and may generate an elastic restoring force in the body unit 463 in the direction of the brake pad 451 .

[0093] When braking is completed, the brake pad 451 may be separated from the brake disc 452 and may return to its original position due to the elastic force generating unit 465 , and dragging caused by the brake pad 451 contacting the brake disc 452 may be prevented.

[0094] The operation of the elastic force generating unit 465 will be described in more detail.

[0095] When the braking force is generated, the brake pad 451 may move in the direction of the brake disc 452 by the driving force generated by the EMB driving unit 420 , may press the brake disc 452 , and may generate the braking force.

[0096] Here, one side may contact one surface of the brake pad 451 , and the return unit 460 fixed to the torque member 461 may be deformed as the brake pad 451 moves to the brake disc 452 , and an elastic restoring force may be generated.

[0097] Therefore, when braking is completed and the driving force generated by the EMB driving unit 420 and applied to the brake pad 451 is removed, the brake pad 451 may move in a direction away from the brake disc 452 according to the elastic restoring force of the return unit 460 .

[0098] You can refer to Figures 4A to 4C The process of generating sound and vibration using the EMB device 400 is described.

[0099] Reference Figure 4A , when the EMB device 400 does not generate braking force, the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 may be increased as much as a predetermined rest position in consideration of braking responsiveness and drag.

[0100] Here, the EMB device 400 may directly sense the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 , and may adjust the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 .

[0101] Alternatively, the EMB device 400 may adjust the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 by controlling the rotation of a motor included in the EMB driving unit 420 using a motor position sensor.

[0102] Reference Figure 4B and Figure 4C , when the sound and vibration are generated using the EMB device 400 , the EMB device 400 may allow the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 to be further increased than the equilibrium position by controlling the EMB driving unit 420 .

[0103] In addition, the EMB device 400 may increase the forward speed of the braking force generating unit 450 by adjusting the current value applied to the EMB driving unit 420, and the braking force generating unit 450 may contact the brake disc 452 at a strong speed and may generate impact sound and vibration.

[0104] In particular, the EMB device 400 may quickly move the braking force generating unit 450 in a state where the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 is greater than the equilibrium position, which may generate greater impact sound and vibration.

[0105] The device for changing the braking mode may perform the braking mode change by depressing the brake pedal so that the EMB device 400 may start operating in a state in which the brake disc 452 and the braking force generating unit 450 are in contact with each other.

[0106] Similarly, even when the brake disc 452 and the braking force generating unit 450 contact each other, the EMB device 400 can increase the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 farther than the equilibrium position by controlling the EMB driving unit 420 and can strongly contact the brake disc 452 again.

[0107] Here, the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 and the speed at which the braking force generating unit 450 contacts the brake disc 452 may be adjusted.

[0108] For example, the distance between the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 that falls outside the equilibrium position can be controlled by adjusting the operation time of the EMB driving unit 420, and the speed at which the braking force generating unit 450 contacts the brake disc 452 can be adjusted by controlling the current applied to the EMB driving unit 420.

[0109] In addition, the braking mode changing unit 300 moves the braking force generating unit 450 in a direction away from or closer to the brake disc 452 by controlling the EMB driving unit 420. In some implementations, since the brake disc 452 and the braking force generating unit 450 operate in a state of contact with each other, sound and vibration can be generated using the EMB device 400 by adjusting the operation time of the EMB driving unit 420.

[0110] For example, the braking mode changing unit 300 may allow the braking force generating unit 450 to move in a direction away from the brake disc 452 during a predetermined first period and to move to contact the brake disc 452 during a predetermined second period by controlling the EMB driving unit 420 .

[0111] Here, since the second period is configured to be shorter than the first period, the braking force generation unit 450 may strongly contact the brake disc 452 and may generate a larger sound and vibration.

[0112] Therefore, by properly configuring the first period and the second period, the braking mode changing unit 300 may generate the sound and vibration desired by the driver using the EMB device 400 .

[0113] In addition, the device for changing the braking mode may generate sound and vibration by selecting a plurality of EMB devices 400 provided in the vehicle.

[0114] For example, in the case where strong sound and vibration are desired, the sound and vibration may be enhanced by adjusting the settings of the EMB device as described above, or may be enhanced by controlling the number of the EMB devices 400 for generating the sound and vibration.

[0115] Alternatively, a portion of the EMB device 400 may generate braking force, and a portion of the EMB device 400 may generate sound and vibration. Using a portion of the EMB device 400 that generates braking force, minute motions generated by vibration of the EMB device may be prevented.

[0116] In some implementations, as described with reference to Table 1 below, by distinguishing the EMB device 400 of the front wheel and the EMB device 400 of the rear wheel from each other, the EMB device 400 of the front wheel may generate sound and vibration, while the EMB device 400 of the rear wheel may generate braking force.

[0117] Table 1 lists an example of the order of changing the braking mode, operations of the EMB device 400 and the notification unit 500 .

[0118]

Table 1

[0119]

[0120]

[0121] Referring to Table 1, once the preparation condition and the condition for changing the braking mode are satisfied, the braking mode may be changed according to a predetermined sequence.

[0122] For example, referring to column (d) of Table 1, when the current braking mode is the second braking mode 20, the mode can be changed to the third braking mode 30, when the current braking mode is the third braking mode 30, the mode can be changed to the first braking mode 10, and when the current braking mode is the first braking mode 10, the mode can be changed to the second braking mode 20.

[0123] Referring to column (b) of Table 1, an operation state of the EMB device 400 in each case is indicated.

[0124] In the case of a released state in which the brake pedal is not depressed, both the EMB device 400 on the front wheel and the EMB device 400 on the rear wheel may be in the released state.

[0125] Here, the released state may be a state in which the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 of the EMB device 400 are not in contact with each other, and may be a standby state in which the braking force generating unit 450 is in a safe position.

[0126] In a case where the brake pedal is depressed but the first change condition and the second change condition are not satisfied, both the EMB device 400 on the front wheel and the EMB device 400 on the rear wheel may be in a depressed state.

[0127] Here, the depressed state may be a state in which the braking force generating unit 450 and the brake disc 452 of the EMB device 400 contact each other.

[0128] When the brake pedal is depressed and the first and second change conditions are satisfied, the EMB device 400 on the front wheel may be temporarily released and re-depressed, and sound and vibration may be generated, while the EMB device 400 of the rear wheel may be in a depressed state.

[0129] Here, when the EMB device 400 of the front wheel is temporarily released, the braking force generating unit 450 may be disposed farther from the brake disc 452 than the position in the released state.

[0130] In addition, when the EMB device 400 of the front wheel is re-pressed, the braking force generating unit 450 may be re-pressed at a high speed. More specifically, during the re-pressing, the braking force generating unit 450 may move at a speed faster than the speed at which the braking force generating unit 450 moves in the depressed state when the brake pedal is depressed but the first change condition and the second change condition are not satisfied.

[0131] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of changing a braking mode.

[0132] Reference Figure 7 , the method of changing the braking mode can determine whether the preparation conditions are met.

[0133] The condition determination unit 200 may determine whether a preparation condition for changing a braking mode is satisfied based on the vehicle information received from the receiving unit 100 ( S610 ).

[0134] Here, when the current vehicle gear is in the parking gear (P gear), the vehicle is stopped (for example, the driving speed is 0) and the inclination angle of the road surface on which the vehicle is located is within a predetermined inclination angle (for example, the inclination angle is within 0.5 degrees), the condition determination unit 200 can determine that the preparation condition is met.

[0135] When the preparation condition is satisfied, the braking mode changing unit 300 may perform preparation for changing the braking mode. The preparation for changing the braking mode may include initializing a timer included in the condition determining unit 200 (S620).

[0136] When preparation for changing the braking mode is completed by initializing the timer, the condition determination unit 200 may determine whether a first change condition has been satisfied (S630).

[0137] Here, whether the first change condition is satisfied may be determined by comparing the stroke of the brake pedal with a predetermined stroke.

[0138] When the brake pedal stroke received by the receiving unit 100 is greater than a predetermined brake pedal stroke, the condition determination unit 200 may determine that the first change condition is satisfied.

[0139] When the first change condition is not satisfied, the mode may return to the preparation-to-change braking mode, a timer may be initialized, and it may be determined whether the first change condition has been satisfied.

[0140] When the first change condition is satisfied, a maintenance time during which the first change condition is satisfied may be updated by counting a timer included in the condition determination unit 200 ( S640 ).

[0141] Here, the maintenance time may be updated by additionally counting a predetermined period of time (eg, 0.001 seconds) from a previous maintenance time counted in a timer.

[0142] When the timer is updated, the condition determination unit 200 may determine whether the second change condition has been satisfied (S650).

[0143] Here, whether the second change condition is satisfied may be determined by comparing the maintenance time of the updated timer with a predetermined period of time.

[0144] When the updated maintenance time of the timer is less than the predetermined period of time, the condition determination unit 200 may repeatedly perform operations S630 and S640 and may repeatedly update the maintenance time of the timer.

[0145] When the maintenance time of the updated timer is further extended beyond the predetermined period of time, the condition determination unit 200 may change the braking mode (S660).

[0146] The condition determination unit 200 may repeatedly perform operations S630 and S640 when the maintenance time of the updated timer is less than a predetermined period of time, and when operation S630 is not satisfied, perform operation S620 in which the timer is initialized again.

[0147] When the braking mode is changed, the braking mode changing unit 300 may generate sound and vibration using the EMB device 400, thereby notifying a driver riding in the vehicle that the braking mode has been changed (S670).

[0148] The method of changing the braking mode may use the vibration of the vehicle to visually notify the driver of the change in braking mode.

[0149] In addition, the notification unit 500 may notify the driver of the changed braking mode using sound or a display ( S680 ).

[0150] For example, the driver may be notified of the changed braking mode by displaying a pop-up message “CHANGED TO SECOND BRAKING MODE” on a display included in the instrument cluster.

[0151] Alternatively, the driver may be notified of the changed braking mode by generating a voice message “changed to the second braking mode” using an audio system in the vehicle.

[0152] In some implementations, an apparatus for changing a braking mode and a method for changing a braking mode may allow a driver to conveniently change a braking mode by sensing an operation of a brake pedal under a predetermined condition and changing the braking mode.

[0153] In addition, using the device for changing the braking mode and the method for changing the braking mode, when the braking mode changes, by generating vibration using the EMB device 400, the driver can feel the change of the braking mode through the vibration, so that the driver can recognize the change of the braking mode more directly and intuitively.

[0154] Furthermore, the apparatus for changing a braking mode and the method for changing a braking mode may be implemented using components including the EMB apparatus 400 provided in a general vehicle, so that the apparatus and the method may be implemented without increasing cost and weight, which may be advantageous.

[0155] The method according to the implementation can be implemented in the form of program instructions executed by various computer means and can be written on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium can include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. The program instructions written on the computer readable medium can be specially designed and configured for the implementation, or can be known and available to technicians in the field of computer software.

[0156] Examples of computer-readable media may include hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Examples of program instructions may include machine codes created by a compiler, and high-level language codes executed by a computer using an interpreter. The above-mentioned hardware devices may be configured to operate together with at least one software module to perform the operations in the implementation, and vice versa.

Claims

1. A device configured to change a braking mode of a vehicle, the device comprising: a receiver configured to receive vehicle status information; A condition determination unit implemented using one or more computing devices, configured to: determine whether one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode and one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied based on the vehicle state information; an electromechanical brake (EMB) device configured to generate a braking force on the vehicle; and A braking mode changing unit implemented using one or more computing devices, configured to: change the braking mode based on determining that one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode and one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied, The braking mode changing unit is configured to generate vibration through the EMB device based on the braking mode being changed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle is configured to implement multiple braking modes, and In the plurality of braking modes, a deceleration slope that varies based on a stroke of the brake pedal is configured differently.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle state information includes at least one of brake pedal travel information, brake pedal pressure information, engaged gear information, vehicle travel speed information, or information on an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The condition determination unit is configured to: Whether one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode are satisfied is determined based on at least one of a currently engaged gear, a travel speed of the vehicle, or an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

5. The device according to claim 1, in, The one or more conditions for changing the braking mode include one or more first change conditions and one or more second change conditions, and Wherein, the condition determination unit is configured as follows: determining whether the one or more first change conditions are satisfied based on the travel of the brake pedal being equal to or greater than a predetermined level of pedal travel; and Whether the one or more second change conditions are satisfied is determined based on a maintenance time for satisfying the one or more first change conditions being equal to or greater than a predetermined period of time.

6. The device according to claim 5, in, The condition determination unit includes a timer configured to count time, and Wherein, the condition determination unit is configured as follows: The timer is initialized based on satisfaction of one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode, and the maintaining time is updated by counting the timer from the time when the one or more first change conditions are satisfied.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The EMB device comprises: An EMB driving unit configured to receive electric power and generate driving force; and a braking force generating unit configured to move based on receiving the driving force and to generate a braking force based on depressing a brake disc, and Wherein, the braking mode changing unit is configured as follows: controlling the EMB driving unit; and The vibration is generated by allowing the braking force generating unit to come into contact with the brake disk.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The EMB device further includes a return unit in which the braking force generating unit generates an elastic restoring force in a direction away from the brake disk.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The return unit comprises: a main body unit coupled to a torque member supported by the vehicle body; and The elastic force generating portion is configured to generate an elastic restoring force so that the braking force generating unit moves away from the brake disk, the elastic force generating portion protrudes from the main body unit and is supported by the main body unit, and is in oblique contact with the first surface of the braking force generating unit.

10. The device according to claim 7, in, The braking mode changing unit is configured to: Controlling the EMB driving unit; moving the braking force generating unit in a direction away from the brake disc for a predetermined first period of time; moving the braking force generating unit in a direction closer to the brake disc for a predetermined second period of time; as well as allowing the braking force generating unit to contact the brake disc, and The predetermined second time period is configured to be smaller than the predetermined first time period.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The notification unit is configured to notify the driver of the changed braking mode in a visual or auditory manner.

12. A method for changing a braking mode of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: Receive vehicle status information; determining, based on the vehicle state information, whether one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode are satisfied; determining, based on the vehicle state information, whether one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied; changing the braking mode based on satisfying one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode and one or more conditions for changing the braking mode; as well as Notify the change of the braking mode, The step of notifying the change of the braking mode comprises: The vibrations are generated by operating an electromechanical brake (EMB) device configured to generate a braking force on the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The vehicle is configured to implement multiple braking modes, and In the plurality of braking modes, a deceleration slope that varies based on a stroke of the brake pedal is configured differently.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The vehicle state information includes at least one of brake pedal travel information, brake pedal pressure information, engaged gear information, information about a driving speed of the vehicle, or information about an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of determining whether one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode are met comprises: Whether one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode are satisfied is determined based on at least one of a currently engaged gear, a travel speed of the vehicle, or an inclination angle of a road surface on which the vehicle is located.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of determining whether one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are met comprises: Whether one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied is determined by a condition determination unit, which (i) includes a timer and (ii) is configured to initialize the timer based on satisfying one or more conditions for preparing to change the braking mode.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of determining whether one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are met further comprises: determining, by a condition determination unit including a timer, whether one or more conditions for changing the braking mode are satisfied; determining whether one or more first change conditions are satisfied; and The timer is used to determine whether one or more second change conditions are satisfied.

18. The method according to claim 17, in, The step of determining whether the one or more first change conditions are met comprises: determining whether the one or more first change conditions are satisfied based on the travel of the brake pedal being equal to or greater than a predetermined pedal travel, and The step of determining whether the one or more second change conditions are met includes: Whether the one or more second change conditions are satisfied is determined based on a maintenance time for satisfying the one or more first change conditions being equal to or greater than a predetermined period of time.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The step of determining whether the one or more first change conditions are met comprises: The maintenance time during which the one or more first change conditions are satisfied is updated by counting the timer based on a determination that the one or more first change conditions are satisfied.

20. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: The driver is informed of the changed braking mode.

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