What is the Principle of Drum Brakes?
1 Answers
Drum brakes operate by using stationary brake shoes inside the brake drum to create friction against the rotating drum, which is connected to the wheel, thereby reducing the wheel's rotational speed. Below are some advantages of drum brakes: 1. Function: Drum brakes have excellent self-braking properties. As the brake shoes expand outward, the rotation of the wheel causes the expanding brake drum to twist slightly (though not enough to be easily noticeable). The greater the outward tension of the brake shoes (braking force), the more pronounced this effect becomes. Therefore, drum brakes are commonly used in large vehicles, not only because they are more cost-effective but also because the main difference between drum brakes in large and small vehicles is that large vehicles often use pneumatic assistance, while small vehicles use vacuum assistance to aid braking. 2. Lower Cost: The manufacturing technology for drum brakes is less complex, and they were the first type of braking system used, making them cheaper to produce compared to disc brakes. 3. Installation: The handbrake mechanism is easier to install. Some models with rear disc brakes may still incorporate a drum brake handbrake mechanism in the center of the brake disc.