Syllabus Dot Point
Historical developments of braking systems including band, drum, disc, ABS, regenerative brake systems and the automotive hand brake
Engineering innovations in braking systems and their effect on people’s lives
Environmental implications from the use of materials in braking systems
What roles might a materials engineer perform before, during and after a project?
What roles might a mechanical engineer perform before, during and after a project?
Discuss how engineers might collect data for a project.
How might that data be presented?
Describe how engineers use the design process to develop engineering solutions.
Discuss examples that highlight why teamwork is important in engineering.
Explain the reasons why graphical communication is a key element in engineering.
Electronic stability control, traction control, antilock braking, electronic brake force distribution, brake-by-wire and regenerative braking are just a few examples of the advanced technical advancements automotive brake manufacturers have introduced in the past to meet more stringent standards.
Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle or object by converting its kinetic energy into a form that can be either used immediately or stored until needed.
The safety concept developed by Subaru detects any possible danger way before it happens. This indeed is the best option for any vehicle, as it can avoid many accidents, which may otherwise occur on the roads. The outstanding working of this feature lets you minimize the chances of accidents on the roads. The pre-collision braking system lets the vehicle adjust the system and work as per the system that is specially installed to detect the accidents in advance.
Electronic stability control (ESC) is a computerized technology that improves a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction (skidding). When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help steer the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter oversteer, or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2004 and 2006 respectively, one-third of fatal accidents could be prevented by the use of the technology. In Europe the electronic stability program has saved an estimated 15,000 lives.
What is the traction control system?
The traction control system (TCS) is an active vehicle safety feature. It prevents loss of traction of the wheels driven on roads. It becomes active when the engine torque and throttle input do not match with the surface you are driving.
ABS Braking
The basic premise is that an anti-lock braking system can sense individual wheel speeds, which means it knows when one wheel has stopped spinning. That means that wheel has locked and the brakes are no longer effective at stopping the car.The ABS system then releases the brake pressure on that wheel, then quickly reapplies it, continuing that rapid-fire cycle over and over until the car is stopped.
Adaptive Brake is an intelligent brake system which adjusts its braking according to the driving situation. It does so as to achieve the best possible and safe braking of the vehicle. Manufacturers term this system as adaptive brake technology.
Why are brakes bad for the environment?
Brakes and tyres wear as we drive, as does the surface of roads. Most of the wear material ends up as dust at the kerb or gets washed into drains but some wear-particles are small enough to be inhaled, and contribute to our air pollution. These particles are rich in transition metals which add to the toxicity of our urban air.
Asbestos in Brake Pads
The majority of auto manufacturers haven’t installed asbestos-containing brake pads since the 1990’s due to health concerns for those that perform brake-related automotive repair or maintenance. And yet, asbestos-containing products are still used in the automotive aftermarket industry in the US, primarily due to high sales of low-cost, asbestos-containing brake parts from countries such as China and India.
What is a Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical Engineer information sheet.