Understanding How Car Brakes Work, Types and How to Care for Them!
The function of the car's brakes is very important in terms of driving safety. Understanding how car brakes work is a necessity for you four-wheeled vehicle drivers.
Car brakes that don't work properly can lead to unwanted accidents. You've often seen how many accidents are caused by faulty brakes, right?
So, how do car brakes actually work? Check out the full explanation below!
How Car Brakes Work
You may have never thought why a speeding car can stop as soon as you step on the brake pedal?
The working principle of brakes on cars is a form of extraordinary scientific and technological discoveries, involving complex components and systems.
A moving car is the result of kinetic energy or motion. Car brakes must work against and stop the kinetic energy for the car to stop.
Here's how the brakes work on a car:
1. Friction ( friction ) and Gravity Weight Transfer
As the wheel rotates, there is friction between the wheel and the road surface. The job of the car brakes is to run the braking system from the inside so that the car stops.
While the friction of the outer wheels with the road will also help reduce the speed of the car. The friction effect on these two surfaces helps the vehicle to stop, generally producing a squeaky sound during the braking process.
When you step on the brake pedal, the vehicle's center of gravity will also move to the active brake. Usually, the brakes are applied starting from the front wheels and then the rear wheels until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
2. Changes in Kinetic Energy into Heat
The working principle of a car brake is to convert kinetic energy (a moving car) into heat energy. Vehicles must waste kinetic energy in order to stop.
This process is carried out using friction (from friction between the wheels and the road surface) which is converted into heat energy. Well, the heat energy will be thrown into the air.
To withstand thermal forces, brake pads must also be made of non-melting materials such as composites, alloys, and ceramics.
However, the wheels of the car do not stop just like that. When you brake, the car may still run for a while until it finally comes to a complete stop. That's because the car engine does not completely lose kinetic force.
On the other hand, the engine and engine of the vehicle work on the principle of heat which is converted into kinetic force.
3. Principle of Hydraulic Pressure
This is how a car's hydraulic brakes work. When you press the brake pedal, the brake lever engages and pushes the piston (brake block device) into the master cylinder (hydraulic component for converting pressure force into hydraulic pressure).
This master cylinder will be filled with hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic fluid is sprayed along the piping system to other cylinders that are on the brake side of each wheel of the car.
The pressure from your feet when you hit the brakes will also increase the strength of the hydraulic system so that it has enough power for the braking process to make the car stop. The braking process can involve disc brakes or drum brakes.
Well, how the car brake system works is quite complex. It involves friction, heat, and hydraulic pressure working systematically at one time after you hit the brake pedal to bring the car to a stop.
Types of Car Brakes and Their Working Principle
In order to better understand how car brakes work, let's understand what the following types of car brakes are:
1. Disc Brake
Disc brakes consist of brake discs, brake calipers and brake pads. mounted systematically on the wheel. Car disc brakes work by using hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder.
This causes the brake calipers (brake pad holders on the outside of the rotor) to press against the brake pads on both sides of the rotor. Friction between the rotor and the bearings (converting kinetic energy into heat) will stop the vehicle from moving.
2. Drum Brakes
Drum brakes are installed on the inside of the wheels. The way a car's drum brake works is by using hydraulic pressure which will press the two brake shoes onto the brake drum. Converts kinetic force into heat until the vehicle slows down and stops.
Newer cars usually have disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels. Meanwhile, luxury cars usually have disc brakes on all four wheels. Old cars or small cars usually use drum brakes on all four wheels
3. Emergency Brake
Emergency brake or also known as hand brake and parking brake. This is the brake that you apply while parking to make sure the car stays still. Can also be used in an emergency when there is a disturbance in the workings of the brake master on the car or when the brake master fails to use.
How the car handbrake works with a secondary system or works alone with power from a cable that puts pressure on the car's wheels when activated. Make sure the car has no more kinetic force and stop.
4. anti-Lock Brakes (Abs)
Anti-Lock Brakes are a safety feature on the latest cars, namely a braking system so that the wheels are not locked when the vehicle may slip. This system will help drivers stay safe driving on wet, slippery roads or to avoid accidents.
How ABS brakes work on cars using a hydraulic system that will read the needs of the braking system, including distributing brake fluid as needed.
This braking system will help slow down the vehicle and the wheels will not lock so you can still control the accident.
Well, that's a discussion about how the brake system works on a car. It is recommended to replace the brake pads, brake fluid, check the brake pedal, and of course check the overall condition of the car. Hopefully this information about how car brakes work is useful!
Tips from Auto Insurance Agencies! The car brake system is very important to stop the car for safety and security. If the brakes fail, the risk of an accident is high.
How to care for car brakes by doing regular service, especially when you realize the brakes are no longer gripping. Pay attention to several components such as car brake linings. and car brake fluid which greatly affect the performance of the brakes.
Take Advantage of Car Insurance to Cover Repair Costs at the Workshop
Having a car, of course, must be prepared with the various costs that come with it. What usually drains the pocket the most is the cost of repairing the car at the workshop.
Therefore, so that your finances are not burdened by the high cost of car service, use the best car insurance that can cover the cost of damage, both small and large.
Find the car insurance that suits your needs through the quiz from Auto Insurance Agencies below. After that, calculate the cost of the insurance premium that you must pay using a calculator that has been adjusted to the rules of the Financial Services Authority.
