What are the types of vehicle braking devices classified by braking force source?
4 Answers
Vehicle braking devices can be classified into pneumatic and hydraulic types based on the braking force source. Below are detailed introductions to these two types of vehicle braking systems: 1. Pneumatic: Pneumatic braking uses a brake pedal to control an air valve for braking force regulation. During braking, the air pressure from the air reservoir to each brake cylinder is controlled by the pedal travel. The air pressure in the brake lines activates the brake cylinders, which in turn operate the brakes. Pneumatic braking typically employs drum brakes and is more suitable for heavy-duty vehicles. 2. Hydraulic: During braking, the brake pedal directly drives the master cylinder to generate pressure, which is transmitted to each brake cylinder through hydraulic lines. To reduce the required operating force, most systems are equipped with a booster. Hydraulic brakes commonly use disc brakes.
I've driven both old and new cars for many years and am very familiar with braking systems. Based on the power source, service brakes can be roughly divided into four types: Mechanical brakes rely on physical levers to transmit force, like in old-style jeeps. They're simple but require heavy pedal effort without power assistance, suitable for easy maintenance. Hydraulic brakes are mainstream in passenger cars - stepping on the pedal pressurizes the system through the master cylinder and brake lines to clamp the calipers onto discs, offering stable force and quick response, but failure occurs if lines leak. Pneumatic brakes used in trucks or buses rely on air compressors to release or apply brakes, with strong instant response, but inadequate braking when air pressure is low requires regular pressure checks on long descents. Electric brakes are common in new energy vehicles, where motors reverse to regenerate power or directly drive braking during deceleration, being both energy-efficient and quiet, but braking force may weaken during electrical failures. When driving hydraulic cars, I change brake fluid every six months to prevent aging and avoid accidents. Choose the type based on usage environment - electric brakes are more worry-free for city driving.
As a modern car owner, I pay attention to new technology braking systems. Vehicle braking force sources are divided into mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric braking. Mechanical types are rare and only found in older car models; hydraulic systems are mainstream in gasoline cars using fluid pressure; pneumatic systems are specialized for large vehicles relying on air pressure; electric braking focuses on energy recovery while charging. Driving a hybrid, I prefer regenerative braking for deceleration and charging, which reduces brake pad wear, but hydraulic braking is more direct and reliable in emergency stops. Pneumatic systems are efficient in fleets but require frequent checks for air leaks, while electric systems need protection against short circuits when exposed to moisture. During routine maintenance, checking brake disc thickness and fluid levels ensures safety. Choosing a braking type depends on the vehicle model—electric is the most eco-friendly, but pneumatic is more stable for heavy-duty vehicles.
When repairing vehicles, various braking issues may be encountered. Classified by power source, there are mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric brakes. Mechanical brake cables are prone to wear and heavy braking; hydraulic brakes, driven by oil pumps, are common but may experience soft braking due to oil pipe leaks, requiring annual oil changes; pneumatic brakes use compressed air, with quick-release valves on large vehicles to prevent pressure loss, requiring regular checks for air leaks; electric brakes are sensitive to circuit issues, making fault recovery difficult. Key inspection points include checking hydraulic lines for air bubbles, ensuring pneumatic sealing points are tight, and verifying electric connections are secure. Early maintenance can prevent major accidents, and simple tools can be used to detect potential hazards.
