View source for Brake

{{Short description|Mechanical device that inhibits motion}}
{{About|the vehicle component}}
{{Distinguish|Break (disambiguation){{!}}Break|label 1=}}
[[File:Disc brake.jpg|right|thumb|[[Disc brake]] on a [[motorcycle]]]]
A '''brake''' is a [[machine|mechanical device]] that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1y4_cfXy0AC&pg=PA472 |page=472 |title=Design of machine elements |first=V.B. |last=Bhandari |publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill |year=2010 |isbn=9780070681798 |access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref> It is used for [[Acceleration|slowing]] or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/brake |title=Definition of brake |work=The Collins English Dictionary |access-date=9 February 2016}}</ref>

==Background==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2016}}
Most brakes commonly use [[friction]] between two surfaces pressed together to convert the [[kinetic energy]] of the moving object into [[heat]], though other methods of energy conversion may be employed. For example, [[regenerative braking]] converts much of the energy to [[electrical energy]], which may be stored for later use. Other methods convert [[kinetic energy]] into [[potential energy]] in such stored forms as [[Compressed air energy storage|pressurized air]] or pressurized oil. [[Eddy current brakes]] use magnetic fields to convert kinetic energy into electric current in the brake disc, fin, or rail, which is converted into heat. Still other braking methods even transform [[kinetic energy]] into different forms, for example by transferring the energy to a rotating flywheel.

Brakes are generally applied to rotating axles or wheels, but may also take other forms such as the surface of a moving fluid (flaps deployed into water or air). Some vehicles use a combination of braking mechanisms, such as drag racing cars with both wheel brakes and a parachute, or airplanes with both wheel brakes and drag flaps raised into the air during landing.

Since kinetic energy increases [[quadratic function|quadratically]] with [[velocity]] (<math>K=mv^2/2</math>), an object moving at 10&nbsp;m/s has 100 times as much energy as one of the same mass moving at 1&nbsp;m/s, and consequently the theoretical [[braking distance]], when braking at the traction limit, is up to 100 times as long. In practice, fast vehicles usually have significant air drag, and energy lost to air drag rises quickly with speed.

Almost all [[wheel]]ed [[vehicle]]s have a brake of some sort. Even [[baggage cart]]s and [[shopping cart]]s may have them for use on a [[moving ramp]]. Most [[fixed-wing aircraft]] are fitted with [[Aircraft disc brake|wheel brakes]] on the [[Landing gear|undercarriage]]. Some aircraft also feature [[air brake (aircraft)|air brakes]] designed to reduce their speed in flight. Notable examples include [[Glider aircraft|glider]]s and some [[World War II]]-era aircraft, primarily some [[fighter aircraft]] and many [[dive bombers]] of the era. These allow the aircraft to maintain a safe speed in a steep descent. The [[Saab 17|Saab B 17]] [[dive bomber]] and [[Vought F4U Corsair]] fighter used the deployed undercarriage as an air brake.

Friction brakes on [[automobile]]s store braking heat in the [[drum brake]] or [[disc brake]] while braking then conduct it to the [[air]] gradually. When traveling downhill some vehicles can [[engine braking|use their engines to brake]].

When the brake [[Automobile pedal|pedal]] of a modern vehicle with [[hydraulic brake]]s is pushed against the [[master cylinder]], ultimately a [[piston]] pushes the [[brake pad]] against the [[Disc brake|brake disc]] which slows the wheel down. On the [[brake drum]] it is similar as the cylinder pushes the [[brake shoe]]s against the drum which also slows the wheel down.

==Types==
[[File:Drum brake testrender.jpg|thumb|Rendering of a drum brake]]
[[File:Bicycle caliper brake highlighted.jpg|thumb|left|Single pivot side-pull [[Bicycle brake#Caliper brakes|bicycle caliper brake]]]]
Brakes may be broadly described as using friction, pumping, or electromagnetics. One brake may use several principles: for example, a pump may pass fluid through an orifice to create friction:

===Frictional===
[[File:Impianto frenante.svg|thumb|typical braking system for cars:<br />
FAD: Brake disc front<br />
FPD: Brake disc rear<br />
FPT: Rear brake drum<br />
CF: Brake control<br />
SF: servo brake<br />
PF: Brake Pump<br />
SLF: Brake Fluid Reservoir<br />
RF: Splitter braking<br />
FS: Parking Brake]]
Frictional brakes are most common and can be divided broadly into "[[Brake shoe|shoe]]" or "[[Brake pad|pad]]" brakes, using an explicit wear surface, and hydrodynamic brakes, such as parachutes, which use friction in a working fluid and do not explicitly wear. Typically the term "friction brake" is used to mean pad/shoe brakes and excludes hydrodynamic brakes, even though hydrodynamic brakes use friction. Friction (pad/shoe) brakes are often rotating devices with a stationary pad and a rotating wear surface. Common configurations include shoes that contract to rub on the outside of a rotating drum, such as a [[band brake]]; a rotating drum with shoes that expand to rub the inside of a drum, commonly called a "[[drum brake]]",   although other drum configurations are possible; and pads that pinch a rotating disc, commonly called a "[[disc brake]]". Other brake configurations are used, but less often. For example, [[PCC trolley]] brakes include a flat shoe which is clamped to the rail with an electromagnet; the Murphy brake pinches a rotating drum, and the [[Ausco Lambert disc brake]] uses a hollow disc (two parallel discs with a structural bridge) with shoes that sit between the disc surfaces and expand laterally.

A [[drum brake]] is a vehicle brake in which the friction is caused by a set of [[brake shoe]]s that press against the inner surface of a rotating drum.  The drum is connected to the rotating roadwheel hub.

Drum brakes generally can be found on older car and truck models. However, because of their low production cost, drum brake setups are also installed on the rear of some low-cost newer vehicles. Compared to modern disc brakes, drum brakes wear out faster due to their tendency to overheat.

The [[disc brake]] is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a road wheel.  A brake disc (or rotor in U.S. English), usually made of [[cast iron]] or [[ceramic]], is connected to the wheel or the axle.  To stop the wheel, [[friction]] material in the form of [[brake pad]]s (mounted in a device called a [[brake caliper]]) is forced [[mechanical engineering|mechanically]], [[hydraulics|hydraulically]], [[compressed air|pneumatically]] or [[electromechanics|electromagnetically]] against both sides of the disc.  Friction causes the disc and attached wheel to slow or stop.

===Pumping===
Pumping brakes are often used where a pump is already part of the machinery. For example, an internal-combustion piston motor can have the fuel supply stopped, and then internal pumping losses of the engine create some braking. Some engines use a valve override called a [[Jake brake]] to greatly increase pumping losses. Pumping brakes can dump energy as heat, or can be [[regenerative brake]]s that recharge a pressure reservoir called a [[hydraulic accumulator]].

===Electromagnetic===
{{main|Electromagnetic brake|Regenerative braking}}
Electromagnetic brakes are likewise often used where an electric motor is already part of the machinery. For example, many hybrid gasoline/electric vehicles use the electric motor as a generator to charge electric batteries and also as a [[regenerative brake]]. Some diesel/electric railroad locomotives use the electric motors to generate electricity which is then sent to a resistor bank and dumped as heat. Some vehicles, such as some transit buses, do not already have an electric motor but use a secondary "retarder" brake that is effectively a generator with an internal short circuit. Related types of such a brake are [[eddy current brake]]s, and [[electro-mechanical brake]]s (which actually are magnetically driven friction brakes, but nowadays are often just called "electromagnetic brakes" as well).

[[Electromagnetic brake]]s slow an object through [[electromagnetic induction]], which creates [[Electrical resistance and conductance|resistance]] and in turn either heat or electricity. Friction brakes apply pressure on two separate objects to slow the vehicle in a controlled manner.

==Characteristics==
Brakes are often described according to several characteristics including:

* '''Peak force''' – The peak force is the maximum decelerating effect that can be obtained. The peak force is often greater than the traction limit of the tires, in which case the brake can cause a wheel skid.
* '''Continuous power dissipation''' – Brakes typically get hot in use and fail when the temperature gets too high. The greatest amount of [[Power (physics)|power]] (energy per unit time) that can be dissipated through the brake without failure is the continuous power dissipation. Continuous power dissipation often depends on e.g., the temperature and speed of ambient cooling air.
* '''Fade''' – As a brake heats, it may become less effective, called [[brake fade]]. Some designs are inherently prone to fade, while other designs are relatively immune. Further, use considerations, such as cooling, often have a big effect on fade.
* '''Smoothness''' – A brake that is grabby, pulses, has chatter, or otherwise exerts varying brake force may lead to skids. For example, railroad wheels have little traction, and friction brakes without an anti-skid mechanism often lead to skids, which increases maintenance costs and leads to a "thump thump" feeling for riders inside.
* '''Power''' – Brakes are often described as "powerful" when a small human application force leads to a braking force that is higher than typical for other brakes in the same class. This notion of "powerful" does not relate to continuous power dissipation, and may be confusing in that a brake may be "powerful" and brake strongly with a gentle brake application, yet have lower (worse) peak force than a less "powerful" brake.
* ''' Pedal feel''' – Brake pedal feel encompasses subjective perception of brake power output as a function of pedal travel. Pedal travel is influenced by the fluid displacement of the brake and other factors.
* '''Drag''' – Brakes have varied amount of drag in the off-brake condition depending on design of the system to accommodate total system compliance and deformation that exists under braking with ability to retract friction material from the rubbing surface in the off-brake condition.
* '''Durability''' – Friction brakes have wear surfaces that must be renewed periodically. Wear surfaces include the brake shoes or pads, and also the brake disc or drum. There may be tradeoffs, for example, a wear surface that generates high peak force may also wear quickly.
* '''Weight''' – Brakes are often "added weight" in that they serve no other function. Further, brakes are often mounted on wheels, and [[unsprung weight]] can significantly hurt traction in some circumstances. "Weight" may mean the brake itself, or may include additional support structure.
* '''Noise''' – Brakes usually create some minor noise when applied, but often create squeal or grinding noises that are quite loud.

===Foundation components===
Foundation components are the brake-assembly components at the wheels of a vehicle, named for forming the basis of the rest of the brake system.  These mechanical parts contained around the wheels are controlled by the air brake system.

The three types of foundation brake systems are “S” cam brakes, disc brakes and wedge brakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-ministry-transportation-mto-drivers-handbook/foundation-brakes |title=Foundation Brakes |website=ontario.ca |access-date=2017-07-22}}</ref>

===Brake boost===
[[File:2008-05-05 1990 Geo Storm GSi vacuum servo.jpg|thumb|right|Brake booster from a [[Geo Storm]].]]
Most modern passenger vehicles, and light vans, use a [[Vacuum servo|vacuum assisted brake]] system that greatly increases the force applied to the vehicle's brakes by its operator.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nice |first=Karim |url=http://www.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/power-brake.htm |title=How Power Brakes Work |publisher=Howstuffworks.com |date=2000-08-22 |access-date=2011-03-12}}</ref> This additional force is supplied by the [[manifold vacuum]] generated by air flow being obstructed by the throttle on a running engine.  This force is greatly reduced when the engine is running at fully open throttle, as the difference between ambient air pressure and manifold (absolute) air pressure is reduced, and therefore available vacuum is diminished. However, brakes are rarely applied at full throttle; the driver takes the right foot off the gas pedal and moves it to the brake pedal - unless [[left-foot braking]] is used.

Because of low vacuum at high RPM, reports of [[Sudden unintended acceleration|unintended acceleration]] are often accompanied by complaints of failed or weakened brakes, as the high-revving engine, having an open throttle, is unable to provide enough vacuum to power the brake booster. This problem is exacerbated in vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions as the vehicle will automatically downshift upon application of the brakes, thereby increasing the torque delivered to the driven-wheels in contact with the road surface.

Heavier road vehicles, as well as trains, usually boost brake power with [[compressed air]], supplied by one or more compressors.

==Noise==
[[File:Aa horsehearsebrake 00.jpg|thumb|right|Brake [[lever]] on a [[horse-drawn]] [[hearse]]]]
{{Main|Roadway noise}}
Although ideally a brake would convert all the kinetic energy into heat, in practice a significant amount may be converted into [[acoustic energy]] instead, contributing to [[noise pollution]].

For road vehicles, the noise produced varies significantly with [[tire]] construction, [[Road surface#Acoustical implications|road surface]], and the magnitude of the deceleration.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://doi.org/10.1007%2FBF00159677 | doi=10.1007/BF00159677 | title=Analysis of highway noise | year=1973 | last1=Hogan | first1=C. Michael | journal=Water, Air, and Soil Pollution | volume=2 | issue=3 | pages=387–392 | bibcode=1973WASP....2..387H | s2cid=109914430 }}</ref> Noise can be caused by different things. These are signs that there may be issues with brakes wearing out over time.

==Fires==
Railway brake malfunctions can produce sparks and cause [[forest fire]]s.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 8, 2014|title=Train-sparked fires cause explosions, destroy trailers, force evacuations|author=David Hench|newspaper=Portland Press Herald|url=http://www.pressherald.com/2014/05/08/crews_on_scene_of_four-alarm_fire_in_old_orchard_beach_/}}</ref> In some very extreme cases, disc brakes can become red hot and set on fire. This happened in the Tuscan GP, when the Mercedes car, the W11 had its front carbon disc brakes almost bursting into flames, due to low ventilation and high usage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mercedes explains Hamilton brake fire on Mugello F1 grid|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-mugello-grid-brake-fire/4875758/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=www.motorsport.com|date=16 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> These fires can also occur on some [[Mercedes-Benz Sprinter|Mercedes Sprinter]] vans, when the load adjusting sensor seizes up and the rear brakes have to compensate for the fronts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sprinter 311 Rear Brakes on fire|url=https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/sprinter-311-rear-brakes-on-fire.25771/|access-date=2020-11-21|website=Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums|date=March 2007 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Inefficiency==
A significant amount of energy is always lost while braking, even with [[regenerative braking]] which is not perfectly [[energy conversion efficiency|efficient]]. Therefore, a good metric of [[efficient energy use]] while driving is to note how much one is braking. If the majority of deceleration is from unavoidable friction instead of braking, one is squeezing out most of the service from the vehicle. Minimizing brake use is one of the [[fuel economy-maximizing behaviors]].

While energy is always lost during a brake event, a secondary factor that influences efficiency is "off-brake drag", or drag that occurs when the brake is not intentionally actuated. After a braking event, hydraulic pressure drops in the system, allowing the brake caliper pistons to retract. However, this retraction must accommodate all compliance in the system (under pressure) as well as thermal distortion of components like the brake disc or the brake system will drag until the contact with the disc, for example, knocks the pads and pistons back from the rubbing surface. During this time, there can be significant brake drag. This brake drag can lead to significant parasitic power loss, thus impacting fuel economy and overall vehicle performance.

== Future Trends ==
Due to the high cost of traditional manufacturing techniques for brake pad production, it requires a significant amount of development and production time, including multiple precision machining processes. To avoid these limitations, 3D printing technology can be used to manufacture. This method can increase some economic costs and improve environmental protection.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hentati |first=Nesrine |last2=Makni |first2=Fatma |last3=Elleuch |first3=Riadh |date=2023-04-03 |title=Braking performance of friction materials: a review of manufacturing process impact and future trends |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1080/17515831.2023.2216092 |journal=Tribology - Materials, Surfaces & Interfaces |language=en |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=136–157 |doi=10.1080/17515831.2023.2216092 |issn=1751-5831}}</ref>

==History==

===Early brake system ===

In the 1890s, Wooden block brakes became obsolete when Michelin brothers introduced rubber tires.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://didyouknowcars.com/the-history-of-brakes/|title = The History of Brakes &#124; Did You Know Cars|date = 28 August 2017}}</ref>

During the 1960s, some car manufacturers replaced drum brakes with disc brakes.<ref name="auto1"/>

===Electronic brake system ===

In 1966, the [[Anti-lock braking system|ABS]] was fitted in the [[Jensen FF]] grand tourer.<ref name="auto1"/>

In 1978, Bosch and Mercedes updated their 1936 anti-lock brake system for the [[Mercedes S-Class]]. That ABS is a fully electronic, four-wheel and multi-channel system that later became standard.<ref name="auto1"/>

In 2005, ESC — which automatically applies the brakes to avoid a loss of steering control — become compulsory for carriers of dangerous goods without data recorders in the Canadian province of Quebec.<ref>[http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises_en/camionnage/matieres_dangereuses/reglement/reglement_modifiant_reglement_transport_matiere_dangeureuses Roll Stability Control system (RSC)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716213223/http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises_en/camionnage/matieres_dangereuses/reglement/reglement_modifiant_reglement_transport_matiere_dangeureuses |date=2011-07-16 }}</ref>

Since 2017, numerous [[United Nations Economic Commission for Europe]] (UNECE) countries use ''Brake Assist System'' (BAS) a function of the braking system that deduces an emergency braking event from a characteristic of the driver's brake demand and under such conditions assist the driver to improve braking.<ref name="auto">[https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/2020/ECE-TRANS-WP.29-343-Rev.28-Add.1.pdf Agreement concerning the Adoption of Harmonized Technical United Nations Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles] unece.org</ref>

In July 2013<ref name="auto"/> UNECE vehicle regulation 131 was enacted. This regulation defines [[Advanced Emergency Braking Systems]] (AEBS) for heavy vehicles to automatically detect a potential forward collision and activate the vehicle braking system.

On 23 January 2020<ref name="auto"/> UNECE vehicle regulation 152 was enacted, defining Advanced Emergency Braking Systems for light vehicles.

From May 2022, in the European Union, by law, new vehicles will have advanced emergency-braking system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190410IPR37528/parliament-approves-eu-rules-requiring-life-saving-technologies-in-vehicles |title=Parliament approves EU rules requiring life-saving technologies in vehicles &#124; News &#124; European Parliament |publisher=Europarl.europa.eu |date=2019-04-16 |access-date=2020-08-31}}</ref>

==See also==

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Adapted automobile]]
* [[Railway air brake|Air brake (rail)]]
* [[Air brake (road vehicle)]]
* [[Anchor]]
* [[Advanced Emergency Braking System]]
* [[Anti-lock braking system]]
* Archaic past tense of the verb 'to break' (see [[wiktionary:brake|brake]])
* [[Band brake]]
* [[Bicycle brake systems]]
* [[Brake-by-wire]] (or [[electromechanical]] braking)
* [[Brake bleeding]]
* [[Brake lining]]
* [[Brake tester]]
* [[Brake wear indicator]]
* [[Braking distance]]
* [[Breeching (tack)]]
* [[Bundy tube]]
* [[Caster#Braking and locking casters|Caster brake]]
* [[Counter-pressure brake]]
* [[Disc brake]]
* [[Drum brake]]
* [[Dynamic braking]]
* [[Electromagnetic brake]]
* [[Regenerative brake]]
* [[Electronic Parking Brake]]
* [[Emergency brake (train)]]
* [[Engine braking]]
* [[Hand brake]]
* [[Line lock]]
* [[Overrun brake]]
* [[Parking brake]]
* [[Railway brake]]
* [[Retarder (mechanical engineering)|Retarder]]
* [[Threshold braking]]
* [[Trail braking]]
* [[Vacuum brake]]
* [[Scenery wagon#Wagon brakes|Wagon brake]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary}}
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/brake.htm How Stuff Works - Brakes]

{{Car-interior}}
{{Railway brakes}}
{{Chassis control systems}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Brakes| ]]
[[Category:Vehicle braking technologies]]