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Disc Brakes: Calipers, Rotors And Brake Pads
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Published: March 28, 2007
The introduction of disc brakes to the automobile industry increased both the car's performance capabilities and the consumer's safety. Disc brakes were developed as a way to increase the functionality of the braking system offered to the consumers of both standard automobiles and enthusiasts of high performance sports cars. By increasing the capability of the internal braking system, disc brakes have allowed automobile manufacturers to produce cars with added horsepower, without having to second-guess the braking abilities of their products.
Disc-style brakes were invented in the beginning of the twentieth century in Birmingham, England. Although the basic idea for disc brakes has been around for over a century, they were not really utilized until the 1950s. In the 1950s, as the professional racing industry began to grow in both popularity and performance, disc brake technology became a necessary component. But it wasn't until the 1970s that disc brakes became an industry standard—even then it was usually only the front brakes that harnessed this technology.
Disc Brakes replaced drum brakes as the preferred method of creating both an efficient and effective way to stop a moving automobile. Drum brakes relied on a circular drum that rotated along with the wheel. Inside the drum were brake pads that, when the operator pressed the brake pedal, would push these pads against the drum.
For the most part, drum brakes were considered effective, but they weren't perfect. Under high braking situations—like going downhill or high-speed slowdowns—they would wear down and lose performance capability. Also, because the brake pads were housed in a drum, they built up heat as they were being used. This heat build up caused them to wear down quicker and would force the consumer to purchase new pads more often then with disc brakes.
Disc brakes utilize some of the same technology as drum brakes, but with vast improvements. Rather than relying on brake pads in a drum, disc brakes use a slim rotor and small caliper to slow the vehicle. The disc brake calipers connect to the disc brake pads— one on either side of the rotor—that press together when the operator pushes the brake pedal. Because the rotor is fully exposed to the air when the disc brake pads are applying pressure, there is no excessive heat build up. This ventilation system increases both the longevity and the effectiveness of the disc brake pads.
The disc brake calipers act as the gripping device for the braking system. By using either a floating or a fixed piston, the disc brake caliper is the device that presses the disc brake pads against the rotor. A fixed disc brake caliper does not move relative to the rotor, whereas a floating caliper pushes one brake pad against the rotor first and then applies the second. The floating disc brake caliper system is much cheaper than the fixed design. Subsequently, it is the more common method for mass-produced cars.
Many modern cars still come equipped with both disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are an industry standard on the front wheels where most braking pressure is applied. But for rear brakes, it will depend upon the performance capability of the automobile. Most high-end sports cars will use disc brakes on all four wheels to insure safety at top speeds. For the average consumer, disc brakes are not really necessary on all four wheels and many manufacturers (as a way to cut cost) will still use the more cost-effective drum brakes on the rear wheels.
Disc brakes were a major innovation to automobile performance and production. Today disc brakes have increased the safety of drivers and pushed the boundaries of professional racing. Disc brakes are a perfect example of an invention that has had tremendous effect on society, but continues to be taken for granted as the norm.
Sources:
Brauer, Karl. “Brakes: Drum vs. Disc.” Edmunds.com. 1995-2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43 857/article.html
“Disc Brake.” Wikipedia. 18 Mar. 2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_brake.
Nice, Karim. “How Disc Brakes Work.” How Stuff Works. 2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/disc-brake.htm.
Disc-style brakes were invented in the beginning of the twentieth century in Birmingham, England. Although the basic idea for disc brakes has been around for over a century, they were not really utilized until the 1950s. In the 1950s, as the professional racing industry began to grow in both popularity and performance, disc brake technology became a necessary component. But it wasn't until the 1970s that disc brakes became an industry standard—even then it was usually only the front brakes that harnessed this technology.
Disc Brakes replaced drum brakes as the preferred method of creating both an efficient and effective way to stop a moving automobile. Drum brakes relied on a circular drum that rotated along with the wheel. Inside the drum were brake pads that, when the operator pressed the brake pedal, would push these pads against the drum.
For the most part, drum brakes were considered effective, but they weren't perfect. Under high braking situations—like going downhill or high-speed slowdowns—they would wear down and lose performance capability. Also, because the brake pads were housed in a drum, they built up heat as they were being used. This heat build up caused them to wear down quicker and would force the consumer to purchase new pads more often then with disc brakes.
Disc brakes utilize some of the same technology as drum brakes, but with vast improvements. Rather than relying on brake pads in a drum, disc brakes use a slim rotor and small caliper to slow the vehicle. The disc brake calipers connect to the disc brake pads— one on either side of the rotor—that press together when the operator pushes the brake pedal. Because the rotor is fully exposed to the air when the disc brake pads are applying pressure, there is no excessive heat build up. This ventilation system increases both the longevity and the effectiveness of the disc brake pads.
The disc brake calipers act as the gripping device for the braking system. By using either a floating or a fixed piston, the disc brake caliper is the device that presses the disc brake pads against the rotor. A fixed disc brake caliper does not move relative to the rotor, whereas a floating caliper pushes one brake pad against the rotor first and then applies the second. The floating disc brake caliper system is much cheaper than the fixed design. Subsequently, it is the more common method for mass-produced cars.
Many modern cars still come equipped with both disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are an industry standard on the front wheels where most braking pressure is applied. But for rear brakes, it will depend upon the performance capability of the automobile. Most high-end sports cars will use disc brakes on all four wheels to insure safety at top speeds. For the average consumer, disc brakes are not really necessary on all four wheels and many manufacturers (as a way to cut cost) will still use the more cost-effective drum brakes on the rear wheels.
Disc brakes were a major innovation to automobile performance and production. Today disc brakes have increased the safety of drivers and pushed the boundaries of professional racing. Disc brakes are a perfect example of an invention that has had tremendous effect on society, but continues to be taken for granted as the norm.
Sources:
Brauer, Karl. “Brakes: Drum vs. Disc.” Edmunds.com. 1995-2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43 857/article.html
“Disc Brake.” Wikipedia. 18 Mar. 2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_brake.
Nice, Karim. “How Disc Brakes Work.” How Stuff Works. 2007. 26 Mar. 2007.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/disc-brake.htm.
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