Brakes I Definition, Types, Advantages, Disadvantages [Full Guide]

By | December 16, 2021

What is a Brake?

Brake is a mechanical device which absorbs kinetic energy of moving systems and brings them to rest. This absorbed kinetic energy is converted into heat and then dissipated to the environment.

One of the well-known use of brakes is in automobiles, where they are used to either slow down or stop the vehicle completely.

Classification of Brakes

  1. Mechanical brake
  2. Hydraulic and pneumatic brake
  3. Electrical brake

1. Mechanical brakes

These brakes are operated by mechanical means like pedals, springs and lever.

hydraulic rim brake

Types of Mechanical Brakes

Depending on the shape of friction material mechanical brakes can further be categorized into

  • Block brake
  • Disk brake
  • External and internal shoe brake
  • Band brake

Advantages of mechanical brakes

  • Simple in construction and maintenance
  • Less expensive compared to hydraulic brake
  • They are good for emergency and parking brakes

Disadvantages of mechanical brakes

  • Wear and tear happens at brake surfaces
  • They are not as effective than hydraulic brake
  • Heat dissipation is not uniform
  • They are less effective compared to hydraulic brake

Capacity of Mechanical brakes depends on following factors

  • The ability of brake to dissipate heat
  • Coefficient of friction
  • Radius of brake drum
  • Contacting area of braking surfaces
  • Unit pressure between braking surfaces

2. Hydraulic and pneumatic brakes

These brakes work on the basis of fluid pressure such as oil or gas.

Advantages of hydraulic and pneumatic brakes

  • Heat dissipation is more thorough compared to mechanical brake
  • They are durable due to less wear and tear
  • They are safe
  • They are more effective than mechanical brake
  • Braking effort is same for each tire

Disadvantages of hydraulic and pneumatic brakes

  • They are more costly than mechanical brake
  • Fluid used should be compatible with brake material
  • Braking fluid leakage could happen which will result in brake failure
  • Construction and maintenance is not as simple as mechanical brake

3. Electrical brakes

These brakes work on the principles of electromagnetic forces.

Electrical brakes have following types

  • Eddy current brake
  • Hysteresis brake
  • Magnetic particle brake

Advantages of electrical brakes

  • They are quick
  • There is almost zero maintenance cost
  • Its operation is smooth

Disadvantages of electrical brakes

  • They only work while vehicle is moving. It means if we have to park vehicle on a road which has a slope than we have to use mechanical brake. Otherwise the vehicle will move downwards due to gravity.
  • They have high initial cost
  • Not suitable for high temperatures

Other methods of classification of brake systems

1. On the basis of brake contact surface

  • External contracting brakes
  • Internal expending brakes

2. On the basis of wheel location

  • Rear wheel brake
  • Front wheel brake

3. On the basis of operation mode

  • Vacuum brakes
  • Mechanical brakes
  • Hydraulic brakes
  • Air brakes
  • Hydraulic brakes

4. On the basis of actuation mode

  • Hand brake
  • Foot brake

Automatic Emergency Braking System

Automatic Braking System is an advanced technology which stops a vehicle and prevents collision, even if the driver is not conscious.

How automatic braking system works?

An Automatic Braking system is provided with sensors, which continuously detect the objects coming in front of car. This system is smart enough to differentiate between the object and part of scenery.

When these sensors find an object in front of the car, and a collision is suspected, a buzzer is beeped inside the car (In some cars, it is assisted with a light focused on the driver’s eyes) so that  the driver becomes aware and applies the brakes himself. Otherwise, automatic system works and brakes are applied automatically.

Also read:

What is a coupling?

Working of spark plug

Advantages of Supercharger in an engine

Types of Clutch

What is a carburetor?

Image source:

Attribution: By AndrewDressel at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34204441

5 thoughts on “Brakes I Definition, Types, Advantages, Disadvantages [Full Guide]

  1. Jaxtermwita

    This information was very helpful and I would like it to be put in PDF format

    Reply
  2. Thembisile Qondeni Ntuli

    thank you, this information is, helpful!.

    Reply

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