What is automotive braking system?

Brakes are mechanical devices that hinder movement by absorbing energy from a moving system, usually through friction. Their purpose is to slow down or stop a vehicle. While the components of a braking system are complex, its operation seems simple, as all four wheels’ brakes are activated by pressing a single pedal. The deceleration process is achieved through hydraulic fluid, which usually needs to be bled for optimal braking performance and to remove air for effective component operation.

Traditionally, most brakes rely on friction between surfaces, converting the kinetic energy of the moving object into heat through pressure. Nevertheless, various methods of energy conversion have been employed. In modern vehicles, friction brakes use either drum or disc brakes to generate braking heat and gradually dissipate it into the air. Notably, the efficiency of hydraulic braking systems is often attributed to their ability to convert mechanical force into hydraulic pressure, effectively transmitting braking force to the vehicle’s braking components and ensuring responsive and controlled deceleration.

There are two main types of braking systems: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are used on the front wheels of vehicles, while drum brakes are typically installed on the rear wheels. However, some contemporary high-end vehicles employ disc brakes on all four wheels.

When a driver presses the brake pedal, a force is generated, which is then amplified by engine vacuum. This amplification ensures a quicker and more effective brake response. The force applied by the vacuum booster pushes the piston in the master cylinder against a spring, causing the brake fluid to flow under pressure. This pressurized fluid travels through fluid lines to the brake calipers (for disc brakes) or the brake cylinders (for drum brakes).

Braking systems in vehicles serve the following functions:

• Stopping the Vehicle: The braking system converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into heat energy, bringing the vehicle to a stop in the shortest possible distance.
• Mechanical Control: The braking system acts as a mechanical mechanism that intervenes in movement and quickly and effectively stops a moving entity in a short period.

The following are the components used in a vehicle’s braking system:

• Brake Pedal: This component is located inside the vehicle between the accelerator pedal and the clutch pedal. It is pressed with the foot to activate the brakes.
• Fluid Reservoir: The fluid reservoir holds the brake fluid or brake oil used in the braking system.
• Fluid Lines: Fluid lines are the pipes through which brake fluid circulates within the vehicle.
• Brake Pads: Used in disc brakes, brake pads are steel backplates typically made from materials like ceramic, metal, or durable composites.
• Brake Shoes: Brake shoes consist of two connected steel plates used to support the brake lining.
• Brake Drum: An essential rotating drum-shaped component of drum brake systems.
• Rotors: Usually made from cast iron or reinforced materials like carbon-carbon or ceramic, rotors serve as the brake discs attached to the wheels or axles.
• Brake Linings: Positioned inside the brake shoes, brake linings are made from heat-resistant, high-friction materials, balancing softness and toughness.

The following are different types of braking methods used in automotive applications:

• Electromagnetic Braking System:
  This emerging brake design integrates an electric motor within the vehicle to facilitate parking. These systems are used in hybrid vehicles, where the motor charges the battery and powers the brakes. Some buses use secondary retarders that utilize internal short circuits and generators.

• Hydraulic Braking System:
  Hydraulic brakes use a master cylinder to receive hydraulic oil from the reservoir. The system is connected to the wheel cylinders through metal tubes and rubber fittings. Brake pressure pushes the pistons outward, engaging the brake pads and stopping the wheels.

• Air Braking System:
  Air brakes are used in heavy vehicles like trucks and buses and rely on compressed air. Air enters the compressor through a filter, moves through an unloader valve into the air tank, and reaches the brake chamber via a brake valve. This setup controls the braking intensity.

• Parking and Emergency Braking Systems:
  These systems operate mechanically through levers and cables, controlled by force or buttons in newer vehicles. They are designed for parking on slopes or stopping in emergencies when the primary brakes fail. The mechanism includes cables, levers, and an equalizer to apply force to the brake shoes, facilitating gradual deceleration and stopping.

• Drum Braking System:
  The drum braking system is a traditional method of slowing down or stopping vehicles. It works by using the friction between the bra