Development of brake systems:

Since the earliest automobiles, several methods of braking have been used. As the history of brakes
progressed, each new system was built using the concepts used to design its predecessor.

Brake system evolution began in the 19 th century and continues today. The types of braking systems
that have been used over the years include:

 Wooden block brakes

The earliest brake system applied the physical principles used to design brakes today; however, the
system consisted only of wooden blocks and a single lever used by the driver to apply the brake. This
form was used on vehicles with steel-rimmed wheels, including horse-drawn vehicles and steam-
driven automobiles.

 Mechanical drum brakes

Considered to be the foundation of the modern braking system, the mechanical drum brake was
developed in 1902 by French manufacturer Louis Renault but had been invented earlier by Gottlieb
Daimler. Daimler had theorized that anchoring a cable-wrapped drum to the vehicles chassis could
be used to stop momentum, thus creating the first concept of the drum brake.

 Expanding internal shoe brakes

Before the expanding internal shoe brake was invented, all brake systems had been fastened outside
of the vehicle. Those systems were vulnerable to the elements, collecting dust and water, and being
affected by fluctuations in temperature all of which made the brake less effective. The internal shoe
brake was the first to be fixed inside the vehicles frame, an important innovation in the history of
braking systems.

 Hydraulic brakes

In 1918, the concept of a four-wheel brake system using hydraulics was first proposed by Malcolm
Loughead. The system used fluids to transfer force to the brake shoe when a pedal was pressed. This
braking system was adopted in nearly every vehicle by the late 1920's.

 Disc brakes

The disc brake was invented long before becoming popular. William Lanchester patented the disc
brake in 1902; the system was not popular until the auto industry began to boom in the mid-
20th century. The rise of disc brakes as a popular option is attributed to the increasing weight and
speed capabilities of vehicles, which caused hydraulic brakes to become less efficient in distributing

heat. The first system to use disc brakes integrated both disc and hydraulic functions and was
introduced in the Chrysler Imperial.

 Anti-lock brakes

The anti-lock brake system, better known as ABS, was created to assist previous braking systems to
prevent the brakes from locking up while in use. ABS works by sensing when a lock is about to occur
and igniting a system of hydraulic valves to reduce the pressure of a brake on a single wheel. The
system revolutionized the way brakes function and is useful in providing more control for the
modern driver. (Greg Monforton & partners, 2017)
Definition of Brake System:
A brake is one of the most important controls of the vehicle. This is a combination of some
interactive parts. It absorbs energy from the moving part and slows down the vehicle with the help
of friction. (Kumar, n.d.)

Functions of Brake System:

The function of the brake system is to stop the vehicle within the smallest possible distance and
hence this is done by converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into the heat energy which is
dissipated into the atmosphere. (Kumar, n.d.)

Components of a braking system:

 Master Cylinder and Power Brake Booster:

The master cylinder is a hydraulic pump that is actuated by the brake pedal, attached to the
pump is a brake fluid reservoir and vacuum assisted power booster to make it easier to press the
pedal.

• Rotor. A brake rotor is a heavy metal disc attached to the wheel (actually, to the
wheel hub). It spins as the wheel and tire spins. Brake rotors will wear out eventually
because of all the friction applied to them. They also are susceptible to overheating
due to aggressive driving habits or hauling heavy loads.
• Brake Pads. Brake pads are made to grab hold of a brake rotor. Sacrificial friction
material on the pads meets the rotor when you brake, producing friction and heat
used for the transfer of kinetic energy to thermal energy. Brake pad materials come
in a variety of compositions, from organic to ceramic to semi-metallic compounds.
Each type of brake pad has its advantages and disadvantages.
• Brake Shoes. Like brake pads, brake shoes create friction to stop the vehicle, but
shoes are more likely to be found on cars from decades past or on trucks.
• Brake Drum. Where a rotor is grabbed from the outside by the brake pads, a brake
drum is grabbed from within by a pair of brake shoes.
• Caliper and Caliper Bracket. A brake caliper is a hydraulic clamp that squeezes the
brake pads against the rotor in response to force applied by the brake pedal through
the master cylinder pump. The caliper bracket holds the caliper in place and
suspends the brake pads on either side of the rotor.
• Wheel Cylinder. There is no caliper in a drum brake setup. Instead, a hydraulic
device called a wheel cylinder presses the brake shoes apart and against the inside
of the drum.
 In addition to these brake system components, there are other minor parts: hardware clips,
shims, guides, pins and the like. These components might be small and seem insignificant,
but a missing clip or corroded pin can prevent brakes from working properly - or at all.
(Columbiatireauto, 2020)
Types of Brake System in Automobile:
The brake system in an automobile can be classified into these following categories:

 Mechanical Brake

 Disc Brake

 Hydraulic Brake

 Power-assisted Brake

 Air Brake

 Electric and

 Hand brake System (Kumar, n.d.)

Mechanical Brake:
The mechanical brake is used in small power automobiles like scooters, motorcycles and some
modern vehicles. The figure of the mechanical brake is shown below

Figure 1: mechanical brake

As the brake pedal is pressed cam rotates, which pushes the brake shoes outwards and hence brake
lining provided on the outer surface of the shoes rub against rotating the drum and hence slow
down or stops the vehicles because the drum is connected to the wheels.

As the pedal is released, due to retracting spring force shoes return to its original position.

Disc Brake:
The disc brake is used in motor vehicles and cars, etc.

When the pedal is pressed piston pushes the pad by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid. The diagram
is shown below:
Figure 2: disc brake
These friction pad rub against the rotating disc connected to the wheels of the vehicle and thus
braking takes place.

And as the pedal is released friction pad returns to its original position between the pressure of
hydraulic fluid reduces.

Hydraulic Brake:
Hydraulic brake works on the principle, which is based on Pascal’s principle, which states that
“confined liquid transmits pressure without loss in all direction”.

Figure 3: hydraulic brake

This is simple in construction and has an equal braking effort to all wheels and smooth operation.
When the brake pedal is pressed, fluid from the master cylinder enters into the wheel cylinders
through pipelines by the force of the piston.

Due to the liquid force, the piston of the wheel cylinder pushes outward which pushes the shoes
outward.

Lining rub against the drum and hence braking take place.

Now when the pedal is released, the piston of the master cylinder moves backward and fluid from
the wheel cylinder moves to the master cylinder through the check valve.
Master Cylinder:
The master cylinder is the heart of the hydraulic brake system.

It consists of two chambers:

 The reservoir.

 Compression chamber, in which piston reciprocates.

The piston is connected to the brake pedal through the piston rod. From the reservoir, fluid enters
the compression chamber through the parts as shown. The master cylinder is connected to the
wheel cylinder through the pipe.

The check valve is provided in order to give passage for entering fluid from the wheel cylinder to the
master cylinder when the pedal is released.
Figure 4: master cylinder

Figure 5: animation of the master cylinder

The animation above explains better and gives a clearer understanding.

Power-assisted or Vacuum brake:

The line diagram indicates the construction of a power-assisted or vacuums brake as shown below.
Figure 6: power assisted break
As the brake pedal is pressed, the fluid pressure causes the upper valve of a control unit to open and
lower the valve to close.

Thus left the side of the servo cylinder piston is exposed to atmosphere and vacuum acts on the
right side, which causes the braking effort.

Braking takes place by suction from the engine inlet manifold.

Air Brake:
This type of air brake system is commonly used in heavy vehicles such as buses, trucks, etc.

In this also when the brake pedal is pressed, air to atmosphere enters the compressor through the
air filter to the reservoir through unloader value.

From unloader valve air enter brake chamber through brake valve.

Brake valve is fitted in order to control the intensity of braking. Thus, braking takes place.

When the pedal is pressed shoes return to its original through position through the spring force.

Figure 7: air brake

Girling Mechanism Brake:

This system consists of an expander used for braking and adjuster unit to adjust the brake
shoes when desired.

As the brake pedal is pressed, the pulls rod of expander pulled out which pulls out the conical
wedge.

The brake shoe connected to the conical wedge through plunger and steel roller ball pulls outward.
Thus, braking the wheel.

When the pedal is released, spring force brings the brake shoe to its original position.

It requires less friction. Without jacking up vehicles brakes can be adjusted.

Figure 8: Girling mechanism brake

Electrical Brake System:

The principle of working of this type of brake is to utilize the electromagnetic force on the brake
shoes.

It consists of an electromagnet, armature disc.

An electromagnet is mounted on the backplate, and armature disc is fed to the drum.

This is simple in construction.

For working, electric current for the battery is utilized to energize the electromagnet which actuates
the cams that expands the shoes. Thus, braking the wheel.

Hand brake System:

Hand brakes or the parking brakes operate independently of the foot brakes.

These are used for parking on slopes or while waiting at traffic lights, where the handbrake function
is mainly to minimize accidents.

This brake is applied after the foot brake is applied.

These are mechanical brakes.

Apart from the hydraulic braking system, all cars have a mechanical handbrake acting on two wheels
– usually the rear ones

The handbrake gives limited braking if the hydraulic system fails completely, but its main purpose is
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 car to car.

A ratchet on the handbrake lever keeps the brake on 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, but because it is difficult to
place the linkage on a compact caliper, there may be a separate set of handbrake pads for each disc.

(Kumar, n.d.)

References
Columbiatireauto (2020). The Basics of Brakes: The Components of Your Car’s Braking System.
[online] www.columbiatireauto.com. Available at:
https://www.columbiatireauto.com/Blog/ID/273/The-Basics-of-Brakes-The-Components-of-Your-
Cars-Braking-System [Accessed 10 Oct. 2021].

Greg Monforton & partners (2017). Brake System Evolution: A History. [online] Gregmonforton.com.
Available at: https://www.gregmonforton.com/windsor/car-accident-lawyer/car-safety-evolution/
evolution-brake-systems.html.

Kumar, A. (n.d.). Brake System: Definition, Function, Types, and Applications (With PDF). [online]
Learn Mechanical. Available at: https://learnmechanical.com/brake-system/.