Brakes - Lesson 1 PDF

Brakes Automotive brakes are vital components in vehicles, responsible for converting kinetic energy into heat through friction to slow down or halt the vehicle. Understanding the function, components, and types of automotive brakes is crucial for engineers, mechanics, and enthusiasts alike to ensu...

Brakes Automotive brakes are vital components in vehicles, responsible for converting kinetic energy into heat through friction to slow down or halt the vehicle. Understanding the function, components, and types of automotive brakes is crucial for engineers, mechanics, and enthusiasts alike to ensure vehicle safety, performance, and maintenance efficiency. is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction. Brakes Brake Function Functions of the brake system in vehicles:  To slow down or to stop the vehicle as and when required.  To control the vehicle when the vehicle is rolling down on a slope road downward.  To travel smoothly and safely even in heavy flow of traffic by controlling the movement of the vehicle Brakes  The braking system is a balanced set of mechanical and hydraulic devices used to retard the motion of the vehicle.  Transmission is connected to accelerating and moving the vehicle, and suspension relates to smooth driving, while the braking system serves to halt the motion of the vehicle.  The braking system works by applying a static surface to the moving surface of the vehicle, thus causing friction and converting kinetic energy into heat energy.  When the brakes are applied, rough surface brake pads or brake shoes are pressed against the rotating parts of the vehicle, be it disc or drum.  The momentum of the vehicle is converted into heat resulting in the slowing of the motion of the wheels.  Friction between the tires and the road surface slows the speed of the vehicle.  The amount of the resistance or friction to the movement depends upon the type of the material in contact, the texture of the rubbing surfaces, and the pressure holding them together.  When a vehicle comes to a stop, it is held in place by static friction.  Upon release of brakes, the static friction is overcome by the engine power converted into kinetic energy by transmission and drive train, and the vehicle starts moving Brakes Principles of Braking  Braking is the process of converting the kinetic energy (movement energy) of the vehicle in motion into heat energy.  The motion energy of the vehicle turns into heat energy generated by the friction of the pads against the disc, and the vehicle slows down or stops.  When the driver presses the brake pedal:  The pushing movement is transmitted to the brake servo by a push rod.  The brake pedal connection works like a lever, increasing the thrust force and transmitting it to the brake servo.  The brake booster transmits the thrust to the piston rod in the brake main center just in front of it, increasing the driver’s thrust even more.  Hydraulic brake oil in the brake main center is pressurized by pistons in the brake center.  The pressurized hydraulic fluid is transmitted to the brake cylinders in the wheels and the pistons in the calipers via hydraulic pipes and hoses.  The pushing movement of the driver on the pedal is further strengthened by the servo. Brakes Disc brakes have brake caliper. Pressurized hydraulic fluid pushes the piston in the cylinder in the caliper towards the disc, there is a brake pad in front of the piston, by the brake pad rubbing against the disc, the disc fixed to the wheel center slows down, the wheel slows down or stops. Drum brakes have a wheel brake cylinder inside the drum. Brakes Brake Systems Parts and Their Functions:  Disc Brake Mechanism: This is the part where braking occurs. Pressurized brake fluid coming from the brake main center acts on the piston in the caliper, the piston moves forward with pressure and presses the brake pad in front of the brake disc, and the disc-wheel slows down or stops as a result of friction. In new generation passenger cars, disc brakes are used on both the front and rear wheels, however, disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear are very common in passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. For more information (See: Disc Brake System)  Drum Brake Mechanism: The drum brake mechanism is generally used on the rear wheels of commercial vehicles (trucks), passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. With the effect of the hydraulic oil sent from the brake main center to the brake cylinder located on the brake plate, the pistons in the cylinder open to both sides and press the brake shoes with brake pads against the drum, thus braking is realized. The brake pad also contains the handbrake mechanism. Brakes Brake Fluid: A specially formulated hydraulic fluid that transfers the pressure from the master cylinder to the calipers or wheel cylinders. It must withstand high temperatures and provide consistent performance under varying conditions. Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes Brakes