What is the difference between floating discs and fixed discs?

[SanJosie]

The differences between floating discs and fixed discs are: Different structures: Fixed type mainly refers to the fixed brake caliper; Floating type refers to the floating brake caliper. Different braking principles: In the fixed type, the piston inside the brake caliper extends to clamp the brake pads against the brake disc, generating friction and braking torque. In the floating type, the brake caliper slides freely on the axle pins that cooperate with the bracket. When braking, the piston extends, and the inner brake pad contacts the brake disc first. The fixed brake has the following disadvantages: More cylinders, making the brake caliper structure complex. The cylinders are placed on both sides of the brake disc, requiring internal or external oil passages to connect across the brake disc. This inevitably makes the brake caliper too large to be installed in the rims of modern cars. Under high thermal load, the brake fluid in the cylinders (especially the outer cylinders) and the oil pipes or passages across the brake disc is prone to vaporization due to heat. If parking brake is also required, a mechanically actuated parking brake caliper must be added. The brake is a component that generates braking torque to hinder the movement or tendency of movement of the vehicle. Currently, friction brakes are widely used in automobiles, which use the friction between the fixed and rotating components to generate braking torque. According to the installation position, brakes can be divided into wheel brakes and central brakes. The rotating component fixed on the wheel or axle is called a wheel brake; the rotating component fixed on the transmission shaft of the transmission system is called a central brake. Wheel brakes are generally used for service brakes, and some are also used for emergency brakes and parking brakes; central brakes are generally only used for parking brakes and retarder brakes. According to the different rotating components, friction brakes can be divided into two categories: drum brakes and disc brakes. In drum brakes, the rotating component of the friction pair is the brake drum, with its cylindrical surface as the working surface; in disc brakes, the rotating component of the friction pair is the disc-shaped brake disc, with its end face as the working surface. Disc brakes can be further divided into caliper disc brakes and full disc brakes according to the different structural forms of their fixed components. In full disc brakes, both the fixed and rotating components of the friction pair are disc-shaped, called the fixed disc and rotating disc, respectively. The entire working surface of the brake disc can contact the friction plate simultaneously, and its structural principle is similar to that of a friction clutch.