Have you heard that "There are two or more brakes on the truck" once? What kind of brake does it have? We will share you about the type and mechanism of braking system. 

The brakes are different depending on the size of the truck.

The general brake of cars is hydraulic type. Small trucks are the same type as the one of cars. However, air braking system is used when it is over medium size. Also, as heavy-duty trucks, auxiliary brakes such as exhaust brakes and retarders are used.

Exhaust Brake (for Heavy-Duty Trucks)

Exhaust brake is essential for auxiliary brake of truck. The exhaust brake is the same mechanism as the engine brake, and it becomes a mechanism to automatically decelerate when you release your foot from the gas pedal.

As for the specific mechanism, opening and closing valves are attached to the muffler part of the truck. When the exhaust brake switch is ON or the accelerator is not pressed, the valve is closed. That is, when you release your foot from the gas pedal, the valve closes and the exhaust pressure inside the muffler increases. As the pressure rises, the rotation speed of the engine is suppressed and decelerated.

Retarder (Heavy-Duty Trucks)

You may not have heard “Retarder” often. That means "to delay".

Retarders have permanent magnet, electromagnet, and liquid type and so on. Basically, any type is a mechanism to reduce the speed by loading to the rotation of the propeller shaft.

For example, alternately arranging magnets of S pole and N pole in two rows of yokes in the drum, only one yoke is rotated to repel the electrodes and load to the propeller shaft to suppress rotation.

Air Brake (Medium-Sized Trucks)

I told you that the hydraulic brake is amplified by the vacuum servo.

On the other hand, the air brake is a mechanism that fills a pipe between the brake pedal and the brake cylinder with high-pressure air and transmits a braking force that is even stronger than the hydraulic type.

The reason why it is possible is that air can be overwhelmingly compressed than oil (liquid). For this reason, the solid depression of the air brake becomes a sudden braking and it is very dangerous.

Hydraulic Brake (Small Truck)

When you step on the brake pedal of the truck, it is amplified by the vacuum servo and then hydraulic pressure is generated by the master cylinder.

Hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the wheel cylinder of each wheel, and the piston of the brake caliper via the hose. By doing this, the piston pushes out the brake pad and friction is applied to the rotor, thereby decelerating and stopping the truck.

There are various types of brakes on trucks. Especially for the air brake, braking force that is more than someone cannot imagine obtained so please never brake suddenly. 

It is important to use the braking system well. Please keep driving safe by slowly stepping on the brakes and taking a sufficient rest.

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