TYPES OF BRAKES

Brakes is one of the most important elements of automobile. There are many types of
brakes available in automobile industries. These are primary brake, Secondary brakes,
vacuum brake, air brake, disk brake, drum brake etc. The classification of brakes are
as follow.

1. Primary or service brake:

This brake is used when the vehicle is in running condition to stop or slow down the
vehicle. This is the main braking system, which is situated in both rear and front
wheels of the vehicle.

2. Secondary brakes

Secondary brakes, which is also known as parking brake or emergency brake , are
used to keep the vehicle stationary. It is generally operated by hand, so also known as
hand brake. The main function of this brake, is to keep the vehicle stationary when it
is parked.

ACCORDING TO THE CONSTRUCTION:

1. Drum brake:

In this type of brakes, a drum is attached to the axle hub whereas on the axle casing is
mounted a back plate. The back plate is made of pressed steal sheet. It provides
support for the expander, anchor and brake shoes. It also protects the drum and shoe
assembly from mud and dust. It also known as the torque plate because it absorbed the
complete torque reaction of the shoe. Two brake shoes are mounted on back plate with
friction linings. On or two retractor spring are used to separate brake shoe from drum
when the brakes are not applied. The brake shoe is anchored at one end, whereas on
the other ends force is applied by means of some brake actuating mechanism which
forces the brake shoe against the revolving drum, so the friction force is generated
between drum and the shoe and brake applied.

An adjuster is also provided to compensate for wear of friction lining with use. This
brake is widely used in motorcycle and the cars.

2. Disk brake:

Disk brake consists of a cast iron disc bolted to the wheel hub and a stationary
housing called caliper. The caliper is connected to some stationary part of the vehicle
and it cast in two parts, each part containing a piston. In between each piston and the
disc there is a friction pad held in position by retaining pins, springs plates etc. There
are arrangements in the caliper for the fluid to enter or leave each housing. There
passages are also connected to another one for bleeding. Each cylinder contains a
rubber sealing ring between the cylinder and the piston.

When the brakes are applied, hydraulically actuated piston move the friction pads into
contact with the disc, applying equal and opposite forces on the later. On releasing the
brakes, the rubber sealing rings act as return springs and retract the pistons and the
friction pads away from the disc.

BASED ON POWER SOURCE

1. Mechanical Brakes

It is the type of braking system in which the brake force applied by the driver on the
brake pedal is transferred to the final brake drum or disc rotor through the various
mechanical linkages like cylindrical rods, fulcrums, springs etc. In order to de
accelerate or stop the vehicle.
Mechanical brakes were used in various old automobile vehicles but they are obsolete
now days due to their less effectiveness.

2. Hydraulic Brakes-

It is the type of braking system in which the brake force applied by the driver on
brake pedal is first converted into hydraulic pressure by master cylinder (for reference
read article on master cylinder) than this hydraulic pressure from master cylinder is
transferred to the final brake drum or disc rotor through brake lines.
Instead of mechanical linkages, brake fluid is used in hydraulic brakes for the
transmission of brake pedal force in order to stop or de accelerates the vehicle.
Almost all the bikes and cars on the road today are equipped with the hydraulic
braking system due to it high effectiveness and high brake force generating capability.

3. Air or Pneumatic Brakes

It is the types of braking system in which atmospheric air through compressors and
valves is used to transmit brake pedal force from brake pedal to the final drum or disc
rotor.
Air brakes are mainly used in heavy vehicles like busses and trucks because hydraulic
brakes fails to transmit high brake force through greater distance and also pneumatic
brakes generates higher brake force than hydraulic brake which is the need of the
heavy vehicle.
The chances of brake failure is less in case of pneumatic brakes as they are usually
equipped with a reserve air tank which comes in action when there is a brake failure
due to leakage in brake lines.
High end cars these days are using air brakes system due to its effectiveness and fail
proof ability.

4. Vacuum Brakes-

It is the conventional type of braking system in which vacuum inside the brake lines
causes brake pads to move which in turn finally stops or de accelerate the vehicle.
Exhauster , main cylinder , brake lines , valves along with disc rotor or drum are the
main components that combines together to make a vacuum braking system
Vacuum brakes were used in old or conventional trains and are replaced with air
brakes now days because of its less effectiveness and slow braking.
Vacuum brakes are cheaper than air brakes but are less safe than air brakes.
5. Magnetic Brakes–

In this type of braking system, the magnetic field generated by permanent magnets is
used to cause the braking of the vehicle.
It works on the principle that when we pass a magnet through a cooper tube, eddy
current is generated and the magnetic field generated by this eddy current provide
magnetic braking.
This is the friction less braking system thus there is less or no wear and tear.
This is the advanced technology in which no pressure is needed to cause braking.
The response to the braking in this is quite quick as compared to other braking
systems.

6. Electrical Brakes-

It is type of braking used in electric vehicle in which braking is produced using the
electrical motors which is the main source of power in electric vehicles, it is further
divided into 3 types-

(i) Plugging Brakes-

When the brake pedal is pressed in the electric vehicle equipped with plugging
braking, the polarity of the motors changes which in turn reverses the direction of the
motor and causes the braking.

(ii) Regenerative Braking-

It is the type of electrical braking in which at the time of braking the motor which is
the main power source of the vehicle becomes the generator i.e. when brakes are
applied, the power supply to the motor cuts off due to which the mechanical energy
from the wheels becomes the rotating force for the motor which in turn converts this
mechanical energy into the electric energy which is further stored in the battery.

Regenerative braking saves the energy and are widely used in today’s electric
vehicles.
Tesla Model-S provides the most effective regenerative braking.

(iii) Dynamic or Rheostat Braking-

It is the type of electrical braking in which resistance provided by the rheostat causes
the actual braking, in this type a rheostat is attached to the circuit that provides the
resistance to the motor which is responsible for de acceleration or stopping of the
vehicle.

ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM (EBS)

Electronic activation of the EBS braking components reduces response and build-up
times in brake cylinders. This in turn reduces braking distance by several meters,
which can be decisive in some situations. The integrated ABS function ensures
driving stability and steerability throughout the braking procedure.

Benefits

• Increased braking comfort

• Improved vehicle safety
• Improved brake wear
• Easier maintenance
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which independently intervenes to adjust engine
and brake controls to reduce rollover, skidding, spinning and jack-knifing
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) interface, with driver alert system that automatically
monitors traffic and senses distance from the vehicle in front
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Differential Slip Control (DSR)
• Automatic Traction Control (ATC)

Features

• Electronic activation of all braking system components

• Retarder and engine brake integration into the service brake application
• Brake force distribution adapts to load distribution
• Brake compatibility between tractor and trailer
• Comfortable deceleration control
• Continuous self-testing via integrated diagnostic and monitoring functions

BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in brake applications for automobiles and
light trucks. It is used to transfer force under pressure from where it is created through
hydraulic lines to the braking mechanism near the wheels. Braking applications
produce a lot of heat so brake fluid must have a high boiling point to remain effective
and must not freeze under operating conditions. Brake fluid is also designed to protect
against corrosion of the systemmaterials it contacts, however, those corrosion
inhibitors deplete over time.

Excessive moisture is also an issue. MAP continues to seek additional information

from brake fluid manufacturers and other technical experts to identify the point of
vaporization that may seriously affect braking efficiency and safety.