The Progression of Brake Technology in Cars
Since people first started using transportation, the requirement for brakes has existed. As mechanical vehicles started to replace horse-drawn carriages and other forms of transportation, the speed has improved. With the increase in speed, brake machinery advanced to offer better safety. Today, we use different types of brakes in our automobiles, drum brakes, disc brakes to anti-lock brakes plus many more. The choices are many and it’s important that we know a bit more about the differences between various brakes.
First car brakes were usually a form of drum brake. A drum brake functions by using a drum which is wrapped around an axle. When force is applied, usually through a metal band, the drum would compress around the axle, producing decreased speed. However, this kind of brakes did not perform well when wet. Because of this failure of drum brakes, disc brakes were invented.
A disc brake works by a set of shoes, or brake pads, which push against a disc that spins with the vehicle’s wheels. You may employ this brake by using pneumatic, electromagnetic, mechanical or hydraulic power. You’ll find the disc brake placed within the wheel. Because of increases in materials producing technology, disc brakes have become a better choice than drum brakes. Disc brakes utilize brake pads made of asbestos, ceramics, and a range of other compounds, giving them a longer running life.
While disc brakes grew to become an industry benchmark, there still remained the problem of the brakes locking up. Because of this, we required a superior brake system and anti-lock brake systems were invented. Anti-lock braking systems function by using speed sensors, pumps, valves, and a controller to involuntarily regulate the brake pressure when stopping on slippery surfaces. Today we’ve got computer controlled anti-lock brakes. Each wheel has got a sensor that determines the requirement of braking pressure. As a result of their near perfect performance, anti-lock brake systems have become an imperative safety item in all current vehicles.
No matter what sort of brakes you have, it’s essential to make sure that they’re operational in top shape at all times to remain safe on the road. Qualified car mechanics can inspect your brakes for performance as well as safe operation, so it will be wise to have your brakes inspected often. They be familiar with the functions of different types of brakes and can carry out any servicing which the brakes might require to keep you safe and secured on the road.