DBU

Collage of Engineering
Department of MEng. Motor Vehicle
 Introduction
Brakes are the most important component of an automobile.
• The vehicle is started, accelerated and it runs on the road. but stopping of the
vehicle is as essential as its staring. brakes are provided to stop the vehicle with in
the shortest possible distance.
• Brakes are 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
• Braking achieved by converting kinetic energy in to heat energy.
brake system functions are:-
• slow moving vehicle
• bring vehicle to a stop with in the shortest possible distance.
• hold vehicle stationary
TYPES OF BRAKES
• Mechanical brakes(Disc type and Drum type)
• Hydraulic brakes
• Power brakes(air brakes, air-hydraulic brakes, vaccum brakes, and electric
brakes )
MECHANICAL BRAKE SYSTEM
mechanical brakes are assemblies consisting of mechanical elements for the
slowing or stopping the vehicle.
• Are operated mechanically by a means of
• pedal, levers, cables and cams for purpose of braking.
 Advantage and Disadvantage of Mechanical Brake
Advantages Of Mechanical Brakes
 Simple in construction and maintenance
 Less expensive compared to hydraulic brake
 They are good for emergency and parking brakes
 Low cost compare to hydraulic brake
Disadvantages Of Mechanical Brakes
• wear and tear happens at brake surfaces
• heat dissipation is not uniform
• they are less effective compared to hydraulic brake
• Mechanical Brake Depends On The Following Factors
• The ability of brake to dissipate heat
• Coefficient of friction
• Radius of brake drum
• Contacting area of braking surfaces
• Unit pressure between braking surfaces
• Speed of the drum
General Working Principle Of Mechanical Brake System
When the brake pedal is pressed, the force is transmitted to the cams and to
the brake lever by means of flexible cables(links) that operate the the cams,
and the brake lever in turn, operate the brake shoes.
 Mechanical Brake System Classification
are two types:
• Drum type brake and
• Disc type brake
Drum brakes:- are either the external
contracting or internal expanding type, depending on
how the nonrotating braking surface is
forced against the rotating braking surface.
1. Internal expanding brake: consists of two shoes
S1 and S2. The outer surface of the shoes are lined
with some friction material to increase the
coefficient of friction and to prevent wearing away
of the metal. Each shoe is pivoted at one end
about a fixed fulcrum O1 and O2 and made to
contact a cam at the other end. When the cam
rotates, the shoes are pushed outwards against the
rim of the drum.
The friction between the shoes and the drum produces the braking torque and
hence reduces the speed of the drum. The shoes are normally held in off
position by a spring . the drum encloses the entire mechanism to keep out dust
and moisture. This type of brake is commonly used in motor cars and light
trucks.

• The nonrotating unit may be placed inside the rotating drum with the drum
acting as a cover for the braking surfaces. because the nonrotating braking
surface is forced outward against the drum to produce braking action. this
type of brake is used on the wheel brakes of cars and trucks because it
permits a more compact and economical construction.
2. External contracting brake: When a brake shoe or a brake BRAKE LEVER

band is applied against the outside of a rotating brake drum.

on this type of brake, the nonrotating braking surface must
be forced inward against the drum
to produce the friction necessary for braking. the brake
band is tightened around the drum by moving the brake FULCRUM

lever. an elaborate cover is provided, unless the external -

contracting brake is exposed to dirt, water, and other
foreign matter which rapidly wears the lining and drum.
available on crawler tractors.
 Disk brakes
• Are constructed of brake pads, a caliper, and rotor which is a
rotating member. a brake pad is positioned on each side of the rotor.
the brakes operate by squeezing together and grasping the rotor to
slow or stop the disk.
Parking brake:- also known as a handbrake or emergency
brake. is a mechanism used to keep the vehicle securely
motionless when parked. Historically, it was also used to

help perform an emergency stop even if there is a failure in

hydraulic or pneumatic energy. Parking brakes often consist
of a cable connected to two wheel brakes, which is then
connected to a pulling mechanism. The mechanism may be a
hand-operated lever(center lever type), a straight pull handle
located near the steering column (stick type), or a foot-
operated pedal located with the other pedals.
• A Bicycle brake:- reduces the speed of a bicycle or prevents it
from moving. the main type is: rim brake, most bicycle brake
systems consist of three main components:
• a mechanism for the rider to apply the brakes, such as brake
levers
• a mechanism for transmitting that signal, such as Bowden
cables, rods, or the bicycle chain
• and the brake mechanism itself, i.e. a caliper to press two or
more surfaces together in order to convert, the kinetic
energy of the bike and rider into thermal energy (heat
energy) to be dissipated.