How Does a Braking System Work?

Effective brakes on a vehicle are crucial. But how does a braking system transfer the pressure of a driver’s foot on a pedal to the four wheels of a heavy vehicle surging along a road?
ABS
Vehicles have one of two braking systems: ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) and non-ABS. But the basic principles of the systems are the same. Pressure on a vehicle’s brake pedal causes a rise in brake fluid pressure that in turn operates the brakes on the wheels.ABS brakes also have a computer-based speed system that uses sensors on each wheel. These sensors note when a wheel is not turning as quickly as the others. ABS corrects the problem by adjusting the brake pressure across all four wheels to bring them back into harmony. As a result, a driver is less likely to lose control of a vehicle.
Front and Rear Brakes
On a standard car, the design of the front and rear brakes is different. Front brakes are usually disc brakes; rear brakes are drum brakes.With disc brakes, brake pads apply pressure to a rotating disc. This pressure slows the disc and hence the wheel. Brake pads are usually a mix of materials such as steel, brass and copper bonded with a resin. Some high performance vehicles use ceramic brake pads. Either way, the pads wear down over time.
Rear brake systems have two curved “shoes” inside each drum. Wheel cylinders force the shoes against the inside edge of the drum and cause the wheel to slow down.
Hydraulic Force
Brake pads and brake shoes require force to work. This comes from hydraulics within a braking system. The control behind the hydraulics is the brake fluid. A driver controls the pressure of this with the brake pedal.When a driver puts his or her foot on the brake pedal, the action transfers immediately to a brake master cylinder. The master cylinder, and the brake lines that connect the master cylinder to the front and rear brakes, are full of brake fluid.
Any increase in brake fluid pressure transmitted by the master cylinder causes caliper pistons at the end of the brake lines to move. These pistons force the brake pads and shoes against the brake discs and drums respectively.
As with any hydraulic system, the initial force – in this case the pressure of a foot on a brake pedal - multiplies significantly. Some vehicles increase this force still further with vacuum or hydro-boost systems. These give a driver greater control over the brakes for less effort. The condition of your brakes and the design of your car, together with your reactions as a driver can make a huge difference to your stopping distance.
Re: Parking Near Private Driveway: What is the Law?
I live on a dead end street and I am one house down from the dead end. At this dead end there is a…
Re: Automatic or Manual Cars: Which is Safer?
Recently my husband had the exact experience that Nobby was describing! He was reversing my car out of the Car…
Re: Is There a Minimum Speed On the Motorway?
I was recently on the 284 bus going eastbound on the a48 from ealing upon thames and was appauled by the number…
Re: Is this a Legal Road Marking?
I think that someone has painted their own H bar outside their properties (2 houses I think). It looks too thin, it's not like…
Re: How Close Can you Legally Park Next to Another Car?
My nebour parking in such a way that i can not park or remove my car from my parking zone.please…
Re: Is this a Legal Road Marking?
Hi do l need planning permission to have the H bar painted on the road at the end of my driveway as deterrent to stop drivers…
Re: Parking Near Private Driveway: What is the Law?
how can I stop people keep packing across my drive. and knowing I have a white line across my drive
Re: Is this a Legal Road Marking?
I’ve just bought a house, my neighbour has a H line painted out side his small drive way. The H line goes across my front gate…
Re: Parking Near Private Driveway: What is the Law?
I have had a h bar put in front of my drive as people regulary parked over it , my neighbours since I…
Re: Parking Near Private Driveway: What is the Law?
We have a drop curb drive we have where we can park outside our front and a garage my neighbour gets cars…