Introduction

This page gives an overview on the research on brakes to gain a better understanding. A research log, if you will. All parts in blue are personal comments which hopefully add to the decision making for the brake system.

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• Main difference is where the friction is applied. Both systems have cylindrical object used to create friction against. The difference is that disc brakes applies a force to the flat faces of the cylinder, whereas drum brakes apply force to the curved surface.

  • I believe most modern cars use disc brakes, and they were used in MSXII and MSXIV

  • From an early look disc brakes seem to take up less space than drum brakes, which will be good for a catamaran design if that route is chosen

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Brake “signal” to create friction on the rotor (disc brakes) or drum sent through the car in a few ways.

• Mechanically

  • Might have to many moving parts, higher likelihood of failure

• Hydraulics

  • What MSXII and MSXIV were going to use

  • MSXIV has unused parts that can be designed around, might need to think about the length of the brake lines

• Pneumatics

  • I believe these are used on semi trucks (big truck for transport), some more research can be done

• Electrically (Brake by Wire)

  • Could this take away the power for the propulsion?

Research Questions:

•  How much heat is created in the process of braking?
•  Is it high enough to potentially damage other systems?
•  How would regenerative braking factor into this?
•  What is the elec-mech integration of the system?
•  What would mech need to contribute to the system?
•  Would an electrical brake system take way a significant amount of power from propulsion?
•  Is there a difference between disc and drum brakes for:
•  Mass
•  Volume Occupied (next to the wheel specifically, not the signaling components)

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