Brake type - principles
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Drum brakes have a drum attached to the wheel hub, with disc brakes a disc attached to the wheel hub maybe clamped between 2 brake pads, and ABS prevents the wheels from locking while braking.
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Brake types
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Drum brakes have a brake shoe that expands against the inside of a drum; disc brakes clamp a flat disc between two pads; an antilock braking system is a control system that applies maximum braking force without wheel-lock or skidding.
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Air brakes
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Air brakes are used on heavy vehicles and use compressed air to provide the large braking forces required.
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Exhaust brakes
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An exhaust brake works by restricting the flow of exhaust gases through the engine, which slows engine rotation.
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Electric brakes
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Electric brakes are commonly used with trailers and are activated when the brakes in the towing vehicle are applied.
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Parking brakes
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All vehicles must have two independent braking systems. On some vehicles the park brake can also be applied manually in an emergency.
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| Engine brakes |
Engine braking is the act of using the energy-requiring compression stroke of the internal combustion engine to dissipate energy and slow down a vehicle. |
