What does air brake mean?
3 Answers
Air brake is a braking method relative to oil brake, and also a braking system, mainly used in medium and large-sized vehicles, characterized by rapid response, harsh braking, and strong force. The information about air brake is as follows: Components: It consists of brake operating mechanism, dual-circuit braking mechanism, brake, air compressor, etc. Among them, the brake operating mechanism includes brake pedal, pedal hanger, manual brake valve, etc.; the dual-circuit braking mechanism includes air reservoir, brake valve, low-pressure alarm, air pressure regulator, brake pipe, directional valve, relay valve, safety valve, and drain valve. Working principle: The parking brake system of this type of vehicle normally uses a powerful spring to maintain the braking state. When the vehicle needs to move, the driver releases the parking brake by performing an air charging action. A certain air pressure must be reached to push open the spring, which means releasing the parking brake before the vehicle can move. In conventional braking, the parking brake locks the drive shaft, while the foot brake uses compressed air to enter the brake chamber to lock the wheels.
Let me explain what the spring brake is. It's mainly found on vehicles with air brakes, like trucks. The idea is that when the engine shuts off or the air pressure drops, the brakes automatically lock to prevent the vehicle from rolling away. The principle relies on springs pushing against the brake discs, which are normally held back by air pressure. When the air supply is cut off, the springs engage and lock the brakes. This feature is especially useful when parking on slopes to avoid accidents. I rely on it for safety during long hauls, but don’t overlook the fact that if there’s an air leak in the system or a compressor failure, the spring brake might not work properly. Always check the air pressure gauge and lines regularly. Make it a habit to engage the parking brake every time you stop—don’t cut corners, safety comes first.
From a technical perspective, the spring brake is an automatic safety mechanism in air brake systems. When the engine shuts off or air pressure drops below the safe threshold, the spring inside the brake chamber releases tension to apply braking force, preventing unintended vehicle movement. This feature is commonly used in heavy-duty vehicles and is designed with high reliability. Key components include the air pressure valve and spring assembly - if the air compressor fails or air lines deteriorate, the system may malfunction or trigger erroneously. During daily operation, drivers must wait for air pressure to reach normal levels before releasing the parking brake to avoid forced movement. For maintenance, annual inspections of the air system and replacement of worn components are recommended - don't wait for warning lights to appear. This function can be life-saving on slopes or in congested areas.
