Study of braking systems

Introduction

Modern cars are equipped with high-performance and reliable braking systems,able to achieve excellent
braking values even at high speeds.These performances are the result of many years of continuous
research, and of course without the progress of materials and raw materials would not have been
possible.

Short history

The history of the braking system, which, until we enjoy the hydraulic system today modern with discs
and pads, went through some stages that today would seem funny. There it is the history of car brakes.

Wooden brake pads, the first effective solution in the 1800s. Vehicles such as carriages, steam engines
or trains had been running since the 1700s and all needed one system to reduce their speed. In fact, by
definition, the brake is the process by which converts kinetic energy of motion into another energy,
usually thermal. It was absolute normal that the first cars that were born in the late 1800s to borrow
systems from these vehicles.

We must not forget that until 1846, all wheels were made of steel or wood with a steel strip. The trains
and carriages of those times braked by a very primitive method called the "Shoe Brake", what we now
call the shoe brake. That is, a material of friction press directly on the tread of the metal wheel. These
were usually blocks of wood tied to a manually operated lever. So we could say in general as the first
"brake pads" were made of wood. as regards trains, the huge steel wheels were slowed down by the
same method, but in exchange for the wood it was used iron.

Since 1846, when solid rubber for carriages was invented, brakes have began to evolve. But not
necessarily for the better. Also operated by a lever appeared different braking systems for example: a
stake was pushed into the ground and friction slowed down carriage. Or a block of wood presses directly
on the wooden "rim" from the side, so as not to damage the rubber band.

Unfortunately, these aggressive friction braking systems were only effective at speeds up to 30 km / h.
In the case of trains, at the beginning of track development railways, the rails were generally installed in
a straight line so as to avoid slowing down high speed.In addition, because the wheel brake was also
applied manually, but not by lever as in carts, but by means of a wheel that acted pressure gradually, it
took about 2 km for a train to stop completely at a cruising speed of about 60 km / h. May it was easy
with the carriages that changed these consumables every 100 km traveled: but it wasn't hard. You went
with the ax and immediately made a brake pad, ie a shoe huge wooden, in just a few minutes, which you
nailed to the lever on board.

It was not until 1899 that specialized brakes began to be used. I mean some drums installed next to the
wheel, on which some metal strips acted. The straps were flexible as well they were fitted with friction
material, either leather or rubber, and operated either on a single wheel,either on both, by a pedal or
lever. Over time they have been experienced various friction materials, such as strips lined with lead,
wood, cotton or camel hair.
Presentation of braking systems

The braking capacity of a car is of particular importance because directly determines the active safety of
the car and the possibility of full use of its speed and acceleration during operation. During braking,
some of the energy the accumulated kinetics of the car is transformed by friction into heat, and a part is
lost for overcoming rolling resistances. Braking equipment represents all braking systems on a car, which
have the role of reducing the speed of the car partially or until stopping and keep it in the stationary
position if it has already been stopped.

The service braking system is composed of all the elements whose functions can be controlled to allow
the driver to reduce the speed of the car while driving to a stop. The service braking system is the main
one braking system of the car available to the driver. It must to operate safely and efficiently, regardless
of the state of load and speed and to operate on all wheels.

From a constructive point of view, the service braking system is operated on hydraulic, pneumatic or
hydropneumatic track. Actuation can also be done with or without servomechanism.