Lujie Brake helps you analyze the composition of the braking system

When we talk about the performance of a car, we often measure whether a car's performance is outstanding based on parameters such as 0-100/km/h acceleration time, engine torque, power, etc. But many people often overlook a very important issue, which is braking. As the saying goes, even if you run fast, you must be able to stop. Braking is actually an important part of a car's performance parameters, so today we will take you to learn about some of the world's top brake products.

In fact, there are many factors that affect the braking performance of a car, such as the balance between body weight and braking force, and the size of tire width friction. These factors are actually crucial, but in terms of hardware, the most direct impact on braking performance is the braking system. At present, we can have the most exposure to the brake systems based on original civilian sedans, which are roughly divided into two types: drum brake and disc brake.

Drum brakes

Drum braking, also known as block braking, is achieved by pressing the brake pads onto the brake wheels. Drum brake is an early designed braking system, and its brake drum design was already used on carriages in 1902. It was not until around 1920 that it began to be widely used in the automotive industry. The mainstream of drum brakes nowadays is the internal tension type, where the brake pads (brake shoes) are located on the inner side of the brake wheel. When braking, the brake pads open outward and rub against the inner side of the brake wheel to achieve the purpose of braking.

Drum brakes accumulate a large amount of heat during the braking process, and the brake pads and wheel drums are prone to extremely complex deformation under the influence of high temperature, which can easily lead to brake recession and vibration, leading to a decrease in braking efficiency. In addition, after using the drum brake for a period of time, it is necessary to regularly adjust the gap between the brake shoes, and even remove the entire brake drum to clean the accumulated brake powder. Of course, drum brakes are not useless either. They are cheap and conform to traditional designs, so they are currently generally used in some lower priced economy cars.

Disc Brakes

At present, the more mainstream still uses disc brakes. Disc brakes, also known as disc brakes, are named after their shape as the name suggests. Disc brakes are available in hydraulic type and are controlled by hydraulic pressure. The main components include brake discs, wheel cylinders, brake calipers, oil pipes, etc. The brake disc is made of alloy steel and fixed to the wheels, rotating with the wheels. The wheel cylinder is fixed on the bottom plate of the brake and remains stationary. The two friction plates on the brake caliper are installed on both sides of the brake disc. The piston of the wheel cylinder is driven by hydraulic pressure from the oil pipe to press the friction plates against the brake disc, causing friction braking. The action is like using pliers to clamp the rotating plate and force it to stop.

The disc brake has fast heat dissipation, light weight, simple structure, and convenient adjustment. Especially under high loads, it has good high-temperature resistance, stable braking effect, and is not afraid of mud and water invasion. When driving in winter and harsh road conditions, disc brake is more likely to stop the car in a shorter time than drum brake. Many cars use flat brake discs, perforated brake discs, and lined brake discs, among which the braking effect and ventilation and heat dissipation ability of the lined brake disc are more outstanding.

Brake Enemy "Heat"

The braking system stops a car through friction, and whether it is a disc brake or a drum brake, there is actually a phenomenon of friction overheating, which is collectively referred to as heat attenuation. For mainstream disc brakes, "heat" not only leads to brake performance degradation, but also causes many problems such as brake disc overheating and expansion. Therefore, whether it is racing or retrofitting, we need stronger calipers and brake discs to help us reduce speed. Below, we will bring you the world's top disc brake system.