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Dynamics - Brakes Overview

Dynamics - Brakes Overview

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.

Relevant Regulations

Review relevant regs from

https://uwmidsun.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/GEN/pages/2971402294

ASC’s Full Regulations Document

https://www.americansolarchallenge.org/ASC/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ASC2021-Regs-EXTERNAL-RELEASE-B.pdf

Research

Brakes intended to reduce the kinetic energy of the vehicle when desired in a controlled way.

Standard method to reduce the kinetic energy for a vehicle is to turn it into heat through friction.

  • Research into regenerative braking.

The two most common brake systems are disc brakes and drum brakes.

  • 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

Disc Brakes
Drum Brakes

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)

Sources

https://uwmidsun.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/MECH/pages/8486968 Brake Handbook - Fred Puhn