These
are the most common type of brakes used in modern cars and bikes. Disc brakes
use calipers to press brake pads against a disc attached to the wheel. When the
brake pads come in contact with the disc, a huge amount of friction is created
which ultimately ceases the movement of the wheel.
Typically,
the front wheels of a car are installed with disc brakes and the rear wheels
are installed with drum brakes. In some cars, all four wheels have disc brakes.
Hydraulic disc brakes are the most commonly used disc brakes to help in
retarding the motion of a wheel. There are two types in hydraulic disc brakes:
- Floating Caliper
Type (or) Self adjusting Disc brake
- Fixed Caliper
type disc brake
Floating
Caliper Type Disc Brake:
In a
floating caliper type, the caliper is not fixed in its position around a disc.
The caliper slides from left to right through pins and bushings so that the
brake pads come in complete contact with the disc and cease the movement of the
wheel. It has only one piston to transfer the brake pressure to the brake pads.
When
brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid from the master cylinder is supplied to
the caliper. The brake fluid applies the brake pressure on the inner side of
the piston. The piston presses inner brake pad against the disc. Since, the
disc is fixed, the caliper slides from left to right, therefore bringing the
outer brake pads in contact with the disc. This produces a greater friction,
thereby stopping the disc from rotating.
Floating
type disc brakes are lighter, cheaper and more reliable. It is used in most of
the vehicles.
Fixed
Caliper Type Disc Brake:
In a
fixed caliper type, the caliper is solidly mounted on the caliper bracket
around the disc. Unlike the floating type, it has a minimum of 2 pistons, one
on each side. The number of pistons can go up to 6 (3 on each side). The
pistons push the brake pads against the disc, therefore retarding the motion of
the disc.
The advantage
of multiple pistons is that the brake pressure is distributed evenly on both
sides and there is more squeezing power on the pistons.
It is
more expensive than the floating type and usually preferred in luxury cars. For
ABS application, both disc brake types are compatible.
Most of the vehicles are equipped with ventilated discs. The vents help in
dissipating the heat, therefore cooling it down.
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