Unveiling the Power of Hydraulic Braking Systems: How They Work and Why They Matter
What is a Hydraulic Braking System and How It Works?
Introduction
Bleeding? , Brake oil? Yeah right, whenever we face problem with your car’s or bike’s braking system we often hear these terms from the mechanic, and also if we talk about the two wheeler’s dis brake we only see a hard black color pipe connecting the brake lever with the caliper, we don’t see any mechanical linkage like our bicycles, right? So now the questions arise how these brakes work without any mechanical connection between the actuator (lever or pedal) and the drum shoe or disc caliper? , why do we need brake oil for our braking system? So let’s just dig into this article to find out.
Why We Need Hydraulic Braking System
Prior to the hydraulic braking system the type of braking system used was mechanical braking system, so now the question arise if we already have mechanical braking system so why hydraulic braking system? Let’s just find out.
- As the braking of an automobile vehicle is a very crucial safety part so the responses from the brake pedal to the final braking must be very quick which was a failure of a mechanical type braking system and is very well achieved by the hydraulic braking system which provides quick braking.
- The brake force generated by hydraulic braking system is very high as compared to the mechanical braking which is a very important factor for today’s super and hyper series of vehicles.
- Frictional wear and tear in case of mechanical braking system was very high due to the involvement of many moving parts, which is very well reduced to the optimum level with the introduction of the hydraulic braking system which has very less moving parts as compared to the mechanical one.
- Brake failure chances in the case of hydraulic braking system is very less as compared to the mechanical system due to the direct connection between the actuator ( brake pedal or lever) and the brake disc or drum.
- Design complexity in the case of mechanical braking was very high which is reduced with the introduction of the hydraulic braking system which has a simple and easily assembled design.
- The maintenance in the case of mechanical braking system was high due to the involvement of complex and more number of member which is not a problem with the hydraulic braking system as it has a simple design with less moving parts.
Different Types of Braking Systems On Power Source Basis
1. Mechanical Brakes:
It is the type of braking system in which the brake force applied by the driver on the brake pedal is transferred to the final brake drum or disc rotor through various mechanical linkages like cylindrical rods, fulcrums, springs etc. In order to de-accelerate or stop the vehicle.
- Mechanical brakes were used in various old automobile vehicles but they are obsolete now days due to their less effectiveness.
2. Hydraulic Brakes:
It is the type of braking system in which the brake force applied by the driver on the brake pedal is first converted into hydraulic pressure by the Master cylinder (for reference read the article on master cylinder) than this hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder is transferred to the final brake drum or disc rotor through brake lines.
- Instead of mechanical linkages, brake fluid is used in hydraulic brakes for the transmission of brake pedal force in order to stop or de accelerates the vehicle.
- Almost all the bikes and cars on the road today are equipped with the hydraulic braking system due to it high effectiveness and high brake force generating capability.
3. Air or Pneumatic Brakes:
It is the types of braking system in which atmospheric air through compressors and valves is used to transmit brake pedal force from brake pedal to the final drum or disc rotor.
- Air brakes are mainly used in heavy vehicles like busses and trucks because hydraulic brakes fails to transmit high brake force through greater distance and also pneumatic brakes generates higher brake force than hydraulic brake which is the need of the heavy vehicle.
- The chances of brake failure is less in case of pneumatic brakes as they are usually equipped with a reserve air tank which comes in action when there is a brake failure due to leakage in brake lines.
- High end cars these days are using air brakes system due to its effectiveness and fail proof ability.
4. Vacuum Brakes:
It is the conventional type of braking system in which the vacuum inside the brake lines causes brake pads to move which in turn finally stops or de accelerates the vehicle.
- The exhauster, main cylinder, brake lines, valves along with the disc rotor or drum are the main components that combine together to make a vacuum braking system
- Vacuum brakes were used in old or conventional trains and are replaced with air brakes nowadays because of their less effectiveness and slow braking.
- Vacuum brakes are cheaper than air brakes but are less safe than air brakes.
5. Magnetic Brakes:
In this types of braking system, the magnetic field generated by permanent magnets is used to cause the braking of the vehicle.
- It works on the principle that when we pass a magnet through a cooper tube, eddy current is generated and the magnetic field generated by this eddy current provide magnetic braking.
- This is the friction less braking system thus there is less or no wear and tear.
- This is the advanced technology in which no pressure is needed to cause braking.
- The response to the braking in this is quite quick as compared to other braking systems.
6. Electrical Brakes:
(i) Plugging Brakes-When the brake pedal is pressed in the electric vehicle equipped with plugging braking, the polarity of the motors changes which in turn reverses the direction of the motor and causes the braking.
(ii) Regenerative Braking- It is the type of electrical braking in which at the time of braking the motor which is the main power source of the vehicle becomes the generator i.e. when brakes are applied, the power supply to the motor cuts off due to which the mechanical energy from the wheels becomes the rotating force for the motor which in turn converts this mechanical energy into the electric energy which is further stored in the battery.
- Regenerative braking saves the energy and are widely used in today’s electric vehicles.
- Tesla Model-S provides the most effective regenerative braking.
Application of Hydraulic Braking
- Drum Type Hydraulic Brakes- They are used in some low speed four wheelers like Tata Ace.
- Disc Type Hydraulic Brakes- They are widely used in almost all the cars like Maruti Suzuki swift, Hyundai i20 etc and also in bikes like Bajaj pulsar 180, Ktm Duke 390 etc.
- Single Acting Hydraulic Brakes- Front brakes of pulsar 180 is of single acting type.
- Dual Acting Hydraulic Brakes – All the cars mentioned above.
Conclusion
Here we have learned about what is Hydraulic Braking System, its construction details, working and application. I think you have gain a good amount of knowledge from this piece of information. If you like it and found it valuable then don’t forget to like and share it. In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive engineering, the braking system stands as a testament to innovation, reliability, and safety. From the mechanical marvels of drum and disc brakes to the advanced capabilities of ABS and ESC, each component plays a vital role in shaping the driving experience. As we embrace the future of mobility, let us never forget the fundamental importance of a well-engineered braking system—where safety begins and journeys thrive.
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