What are the types of braking methods?
4 Answers
They are divided into two main categories: drum brakes and disc brakes (also known as disc brakes). Here is the relevant information: 1. Disc brakes or ventilated disc brakes: Also called disc brakes, when you look through the wheel gaps, you can see the brake disc, and the brake caliper is clamped on the brake disc. Nowadays, some advanced brake discs have hollow points for heat dissipation, hence the name ventilated disc brakes. 2. Drum brakes: These are less common now. When you look into the wheel gaps, there is a round iron box at the axle position, and you cannot see the brake disc or caliper. This is a drum brake. The combination of the two types of brakes is quite common. In the past, front and rear drum brakes were common, but now most vehicles have front and rear disc brakes, and some vehicles have front disc and rear drum brakes.
I know this stuff well, you pick it up naturally after driving enough cars. Brakes come in two basic types: disc brakes and drum brakes. Look at the new cars on the road these days - most come with disc brakes, which cool quickly and respond fast, especially since they don't trap water in rainy weather. Drum brakes are more old-school, commonly seen on rear wheels - they pack more stopping power but are prone to heat fade. These days electronic systems are the big thing, with ABS anti-lock brakes being standard equipment, while slightly more upscale models come with EBD brake force distribution. Driving cars with driver assistance is even more amazing - automatic emergency braking will slam the brakes for you. Oh right, parking brakes also come in mechanical handbrake and electronic handbrake varieties. The combinations across different models are truly diverse.
Actually, the braking method mainly depends on the type of braking components. Disc brakes are common in family cars, featuring simple structure and good heat dissipation. Drum brakes, like the ones on my old car, are now mostly used for rear wheels. The control methods vary significantly: mechanical hydraulic brakes rely on pedal feedback, while electronic brakes directly control the force via chips. Hybrid vehicles even utilize energy recovery braking, which charges the battery as soon as you release the accelerator. Recently, while helping my dad pick a car, I noticed that parking brakes have all been replaced with electronic buttons, eliminating the need for the noisy handbrake lever. When choosing a car, it's important to check if the heat dissipation comes with ventilated discs.
Modification enthusiasts pay the most attention to these aspects. The foundation lies in the foot-operated hydraulic braking system, with the core being the caliper of the wheel cylinder. For track racing, upgrading to drilled brake discs paired with large four-piston calipers is a must. Nowadays, top-tier vehicles come equipped with the electronic braking assistance trio: ABS anti-lock, EBD brake force distribution, and ESP electronic stability program. New energy vehicles offer even more variety, with single-pedal mode kinetic energy recovery capable of handling up to 80% of braking. The tire contact area directly affects braking distance. And for drifting, modifying the hydraulic handbrake lever is essential.
