Introduction
Let us discuss about the Braking Systems used in automobiles. As we all know an automobile consists of various types of systems like lighting systems, ignition systems, air-conditioning systems, etc. Among all these systems, the braking system is one of the most important systems. Being a Mechanical Engineer one should know about all these systems. Let us start with the definition of the braking system.
Definition of Brake System for car
A brake system for car is one of the most important controls of the vehicle. It is a combination of some interactive parts. It absorbs the energy from the moving part and slows down the vehicle with the help of friction.
Functions of Brake System on car
The main function of a brake system is to stop the vehicle within the smallest possible distance. This is done by converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into heat energy which is dissipated into the atmosphere.
Types of Brake System in car
The brake system in an automobile can be classified into the following categories:
- Mechanical Brake
- Disc Brake
- Hydraulic Brake
- Power-assisted Brake
- Air Brake
- Electric and
- Hand brake System
Let us start with the Mechanical Brake System.
Mechanical Brake
The mechanical brake is used in small power vehicles such as scooters, motorcycles, and some modern vehicles. As the brake pedal is pressed, the cam rotates. This pushes the brake shoes outwards. The brake lining provided on the outer surface of the shoes rubs against rotating the drum.
This slows down or stops the vehicles because of the connection between the drum and the wheels. As the pedal is released, due to the retracting spring force the shoes return to its original position.
Advantages of Mechanical brakes
- Mechanical brakes are simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, maintain, and repair.
- They offer good stopping power for light to medium weight vehicles and equipment.
Disadvantages of Mechanical brakes
- They can be prone to wear and tear, which can lead to reduced braking performance over time.
- They can be affected by adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, which can impact their ability to stop the vehicle or equipment.
Disc Brake
The disc brake is mainly used in motor vehicles and cars. When the pedal is pressed, the piston pushes the pad with high pressure because of the hydraulic fluid.
These friction pads rub against the rotating disc that is connected to the wheels of the vehicle and thus braking takes place. As the pedal is released, friction pad returns to its original position as the pressure of hydraulic fluid is reduced.
Advantages of Disc Brake
- Disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and are more effective than drum brakes, especially in high-speed situations.
- They are less prone to fade or lose their effectiveness during prolonged use, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications.
Disadvantages of Disc Brake
- Disc brakes can be more expensive to manufacture and maintain than drum brakes.
- They can be more sensitive to heat, which can cause the rotor to warp and reduce the effectiveness of the brake.
Hydraulic Brake
Hydraulic brake works on the principle which is based on Pascal’s principle. It states that “confined liquid transmits pressure without any loss in all directions”. This is simple in construction and provides an equal braking effort to all the wheels providing smooth operation.
Advantages of Hydraulic Brake
- Hydraulic brakes are highly responsive and provide excellent stopping power, making them ideal for high-performance vehicles and heavy-duty equipment.
- They are self-adjusting, which means that they require less maintenance than mechanical brakes.
Disadvantages of Hydraulic Brake
- They can be more complex to manufacture, install, and maintain than mechanical brakes.
- They require a hydraulic fluid to operate, which can be expensive to replace and can leak if not properly maintained.
When the brake pedal is pressed, fluid from the master cylinder enters the wheel cylinders through pipelines. Due to the force of the liquid, the piston of the wheel cylinder is pushed outward which in turn pushes the shoes outward. Lining rubs against the drum and hence braking takes place. When the pedal is released, the piston of the master cylinder moves backward. The fluid from the wheel cylinder moves to the master cylinder through the check valve. Hydraulic brakes are generally used in all modern cars.
Master Cylinder
The master cylinder is the heart of the hydraulic brake system. It consists of two chambers:
- The reservoir
- Compression chamber
The piston is connected to the brake pedal through the piston rod. Fluid enters the compression chamber through the parts shown in the figure below.
The master cylinder is connected to the wheel cylinder through a pipe. A check valve is provided to give passage for the fluid entering from the wheel cylinder to the master cylinder when the pedal is released.
Power-assisted or Vacuum brake
The below line diagram indicates the construction of a power-assisted or vacuum brake. As the brake pedal is pressed, the fluid pressure causes the upper valve of the control unit to open and lower valve to close.
Thus left side of the servo cylinder piston is exposed to the atmosphere and the vacuum acts on the right side. This causes the braking effort. Braking takes place by suction from the engine inlet manifold.
Advantages of Power-assisted Brake
- Power-assisted brakes provide additional braking power, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications and high-performance vehicles.
- They are easier to operate, which can reduce driver fatigue and increase safety.
Disadvantages of Power-assisted Brake
- They can be more expensive to manufacture and maintain than traditional brakes.
- They require additional components, such as a vacuum pump or hydraulic booster, which can add weight and complexity to the braking system.
Air Brake
This type of air brake system is commonly used in heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, etc. When the brake pedal is pressed, air from the atmosphere enters the compressor through the air filter to the reservoir through unloader valve.
From the unloader valve air enters the brake chamber through the brake valve. The brake valve is fitted to control the intensity of braking. Thus braking takes place. When the pedal is pressed the shoes return to their original position due to the spring force.
Advantages of Air brakes
- Air brakes provide excellent stopping power for heavy-duty vehicles and equipment, such as trucks and buses.
- They are highly responsive, which makes them ideal for emergency braking situations.
Disadvantages of Air brakes
- They require additional components, such as an air compressor and reservoir, which can add weight and complexity to the vehicle or equipment.
- They require regular maintenance and inspection to ensure that they are working properly and are not leaking.
Girling Mechanism Brake
The Girling Brake system consists of an expander used for braking and an adjuster unit to adjust the brake shoes when desired. As the brake pedal is pressed, the pull rod of the expander is pulled out which pulls out the conical wedge. The brake shoe is connected to the conical wedge through a plunger and the steel roller ball pulls it outward. This breaks the wheel. When the pedal is released, spring force brings the brake shoe to its original position. This requires less friction.
Advantages of Girling brakes
- Girling brakes are highly responsive and provide excellent stopping power, making them ideal for high-performance vehicles and heavy-duty equipment.
- They are self-adjusting, which means that they require less maintenance than mechanical brakes.
Disadvantages of Girling brakes
- They can be more complex to manufacture, install, and maintain than mechanical brakes.
- They require regular maintenance to ensure that they are working properly and are not leaking.
Electrical Brake System
The principle of working with this type of brake is to utilize the electromagnetic force on the brake shoes. It consists of an electromagnet and an armature disc. An electromagnet is mounted on the backplate and the armature disc is fed to the drum.
Advantages of Electric brake
- Electric brake systems provide consistent and reliable braking performance.
- They are easy to operate and require minimal effort, making them ideal for individuals with limited physical capabilities.
Disadvantages of Electric brake
- They require an electrical power source to operate, which can be a problem if the battery is dead or the charging system fails.
- They can be more expensive to manufacture and maintain than traditional brakes.
Hand brake System
Hand brakes or parking brakes operate independent of the foot brakes. They are used for parking on slopes or while waiting at traffic lights. The handbrake function is mainly to minimize accidents. This brake is applied when the foot brake is not applied. These are mechanical brakes. Apart from the hydraulic braking system, all cars have a mechanical handbrake acting on the two wheels, usually the rear ones.
The handbrake gives limited braking if the hydraulic system fails, but its main purpose is to work as a parking brake. The handbrake lever pulls a cable or pair of cables linked to the brakes by a set of smaller levers, pulleys, and guides whose details vary greatly from on car to another.
A ratchet on the handbrake lever keeps the brake lock once it is applied. A push-button disengages the ratchet and frees the lever. On drum brakes, the handbrake system presses the brake linings against the drums. Disc brakes sometimes have a comparable handbrake arrangement. Because it is difficult to place the linkage on a compact caliper, there may be a completely separate set of handbrake pads for each disc.
Advantages of Hand brake
- Hand brake systems are simple to operate and can be controlled with minimal effort.
- They can be used as a backup system in case of failure of the primary braking system.
Disadvantages of Hand brake
- They may not provide sufficient stopping power for heavy-duty applications.
- They can be affected by adverse weather conditions, such as rain and snow, which can impact their ability to stop the vehicle or equipment.
Video on Working of Braking System of car
How does a motorcycle’s brake work?
FAQ’s
What is a braking system?
What are the types of braking systems?
Explain brake system for trailer?
Types of trailer brake systems: electric and hydraulic. Electric brake systems work by using an electric current to activate the brakes on the trailer. When the driver applies the brakes on the towing vehicle, an electrical signal is sent to the trailer’s brakes, causing them to engage. Hydraulic brake systems, on the other hand, use hydraulic fluid to activate the brakes. When the driver applies the brakes on the towing vehicle, the fluid is forced through the brake lines, causing the trailer’s brakes to engage.
How to choose trailer brake system?
When it comes to choosing a brake system for your trailer, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you need to determine the weight and length of your trailer, as this will dictate the type of brake system required. Secondly, you need to consider the type of towing vehicle you have and whether it’s compatible with the brake system you’re considering. Thirdly, you need to think about the terrain you’ll be driving on and whether you’ll need a brake system with more stopping power.
In conclusion, the brake system for trailers is a crucial component that ensures the safety of drivers and passengers on the road. Whether you opt for an electric or hydraulic brake system, it’s important to choose the right one for your trailer’s weight and length, and to ensure it’s properly maintained and inspected on a regular basis. With the right brake system in place, you can rest assured that you’re doing your part to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
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Conclusion
The braking systems are a crucial component of any vehicle. It is responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers and pedestrians. There are a variety of braking systems available in the market each having their own advantages and disadvantages. The advancements in technology continues to make improvements in the braking system and it’s performance.
- Read all the articles related to Automobile Engineering here
Resources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake
- “How Brake Rotors Work” by HowStuffWorks
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Great article. Brakes are the important part of any vehicle. As mentioned there are various types of braking system which have different types of functions and purpose for different vehicles. It basically works by converting kinetic energy to thermal energy by applying friction to the moving parts of the automotive system.
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