Currently, there are two types of braking systems available in the market: drum brakes and disc brakes. Drum brakes consist of a brake master cylinder, piston, brake shoes, and a drum. When braking, high-pressure brake fluid from the brake master cylinder pushes the piston, which in turn applies force to two crescent-shaped brake shoes. These shoes press against the inner wall of the drum, and their frictional force stops the brake drum from rotating, achieving the braking effect.
For disc brakes, when braking, the fluid is pressed into both the inner and outer wheel cylinders. The pistons in these cylinders, under hydraulic pressure, press two brake pads against a brake disc. The resulting frictional torque then achieves braking. Broadly, disc brakes can be categorized into caliper disc types and full disc types.
Emergency braking is not the same as regular braking. Emergency braking refers to the rapid response by the driver, using the correct braking system when faced with sudden situations while driving, to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance possible. Emergency braking can cause relatively significant damage to the car's braking system compared to regular braking. In contrast, normal braking, which involves at least pressing the brake pedal to decelerate, allows for more gradual deceleration and results in less wear to the braking system.
Main effects of emergency braking include tire wear, brake pad wear, impact deformation of the suspension system, and potential damage to the transmission system's driven components. Furthermore, it not only impacts a breaking-in brake system but also increases the impact load on the chassis and engine. Therefore, vehicles should maintain a safe following distance and be driven cautiously during transit.
