The braking system is the most crucial safety feature of a car. When the brake pedal is applied, this mechanism aids in slowing the spinning of the wheels, ensuring a vehicle comes to a complete stop. During this procedure, a braking system is engaged in a lot of activity. Let’s find out how a car braking system works and the different types of braking systems in cars.
Components of A Basic Car Braking System
Each component of a braking system is essential to the stopping process. Understanding the components of a car braking system will help you identify when a component needs to be fixed or replaced as well as when it’s time to seek out maintenance services. Detailed below are the basic components of a car braking system.
ABS Control Module
The ABS module, which is only found in cars with ABS brakes, runs diagnostic tests on the ABS braking system and decides when to apply the right amount of pressure to each wheel to prevent the locking up of wheels.
Brake Booster
The brake booster reduces the amount of force required to brake. It increases the force the brake pedal applies to the master cylinder by making use of engine suction and pressure.
Disc Brakes
When the brake pedal is pressed to stop the car, disc brakes, which are typically located on the front wheels, use the brake pads to press against a disc (rotor). The brake pads are connected to the brake calliper assembly.
Drum Brakes
Drum brakes in the vehicle’s rear, have brake shoes, wheel cylinders, and a braking drum. Upon pressing the brake pedal, the brake shoes are pushed into the drums by the wheel cylinders resulting in stopping the car.
Emergency Brake
Another important component of the car braking system is the emergency brake. It is sometimes referred to as a parking brake, hand brake, or e-brake, and is primarily used to keep the car in place when it is parked. It prevents the car from rolling away by operating separately from the main braking system.
Master Cylinder
The master cylinder transforms non-hydraulic pressure into hydraulic pressure, which is then used by the wheel cylinders to press the brake pads against the rotors and stop the car.
Brake Pedal
To engage the brakes, the driver presses down on the brake pedal. When the pedal is pressed, the master cylinder’s piston moves to create the required pressure to stop the car. One of the common car brake problems is a spongy brake pedal which requires you to put extra effort in braking.
Wheel Speed Sensors
Speed sensors, which are a component of the ABS brake system, track each tyre’s speed and transmit the data to the ABS control module. A bad ABS control module will show inaccurate speed on the speedometer which can be dangerous.
How Does a Car Braking System Work
Detailed below is the basic function of a car braking system.
When the brake pedal is pressed, the pushrod presses the master cylinder (which is filled with hydraulic fluid). The brake calliper pistons are actuated by the cylinder pistons, which discharge fluid into the brake callipers through the brake lines.
The disc brake’s calliper pistons force the brake pads up against the rotor, causing friction that slows down the car. Similar to this, the brake shoes in a drum brake push on the brake drum. As a result, friction converts kinetic energy into heat energy causing the car to stop.
Types of Car Braking Systems
Below are common types of braking systems for cars.
Hydraulic Braking System
In a car hydraulic braking system, the master cylinders are filled with hydraulic brake fluid from a reservoir. The system is connected to the wheel’s cylinders via connections made from a variety of metal pipes and rubber connectors.
Two opposed pistons are mounted on the band or drum brakes of the wheel. The brake pads are forced into the cylinders by pressure, which causes the piston to separate and stops the wheel from turning.
Anti-Lock Braking System
One of the modern types of braking systems in vehicles is the anti-lock braking system. The anti-lock brakes keep your wheels from locking using the pressure modulation system. The ABS control module analyses and processes data from the wheel-speed sensors as per the braking requirement.
Consequently, the pressure on the wheels is swiftly adjusted when you apply the brakes. This is how the anti-lock braking system works to safely stop the car while preventing the wheels from locking.
Mechanical Braking System
The force delivered to the brake pedal is transmitted through numerous mechanical linkages in the mechanical braking system in car to the ultimate brake drum. Even though older vehicles still employ this technology, current automobiles primarily use it to activate the emergency brake.
Air Braking System
Heavy vehicles like trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles frequently use air braking systems. The air braking system is a common yet one of the oldest car braking system types. The brake pedal is pressed like it is with other models. However, air from the environment enters the compressor via an air filter and exits via an unloader valve to the reservoir. It then passes via a brake valve, installed to regulate the level of braking before entering the brake chamber. This results in stopping the vehicle.
Electromagnetic Braking System
The electromagnetic braking system is one of the modern designs found in cars. It uses an electric motor that facilitates the vehicle to stop. The majority of hybrid vehicles use electromagnetic braking systems, which use an electric motor to charge the batteries and operate the brakes. Certain buses use a secondary retarder brake with an internal short circuit and generator.
That is all about the common types of braking systems in cars. Learning about your car’s braking system will make it easier for you to detect which part has undergone wear and tear and requires repair or replacement. Also, make sure you get the maintenance of the car braking system done timely to prevent any issues with this crucial system.
That said, if your car braking system is posing recurrent problems you can consider switching to another car. Explore this plethora of used cars for sale in the UAE to find your ideal one.
For more information on car parts and accessories, stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog.
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