Brake motors are used all of the time, whether you notice them or not. These motors are what allows equipment and vehicles to slow down or completely stop. Without them, there would be nothing that allows you to stop your vehicle at a red light, stop sign, or slow down when you’re turning.
The brake contains either a DC or AC unit that is mounted to the non-drive end of the motor. In a DC brake, there is a brake coil that is fed in the motor and will automatically switch to the AC motor supply.
Let’s look a bit closer into how a brake motor works.
Different Types of Brakes
There are multiple types of brakes one may have, from single face to power off to a particle brake.
A single face brake uses one friction surface. It will engage with the input and output parts of the clutch. These are some of the most common brakes out there.
A power off brake can both stop and hold a load when power is disconnected. Another name for these brakes is “fail-safe brakes.” You would find these brakes likely on an electric motor.
There is a spring type brake that functions when no electricity is used for the brake. Instead, a spring pushes against a pressure plate. This creates friction.
Brakes in a Motor Vehicle
The braking system in a motor vehicle must work to slow down an entire vehicle. Without it, the vehicle would keep running, and wouldn’t stop until it ran into something. For a modern car, there will be a brake on every wheel. Typically, though, the front brakes are the ones most relied on compared to the rear brakes.
There is a hydraulic system that works the brakes, which contains a fluid-filled master and a slave cylinder. These are both connected by pipes. When you push down on the brake in your vehicle, it releases a piston in the master cylinder which will force fluid through the pipe. This fluid continues to travel to the slave cylinders that are on each wheel, forcing the pistons out to activate the brakes.
Many vehicles will have power-assisted breaks to make the process simpler. Others will have disc brakes that turn with the wheel. The disc has a small hydraulic piston that works from the pressure of the master cylinder. The pistons then push down on the pads that will clamp the disc together. This clamping will slow down the vehicle.
Brakes are a crucial element to any vehicle and machinery. They are needed to keep things from continually moving when they shouldn’t be.
There are many types of brakes out there, depending on what they are used for. Knowing which brake system you have will be important for maintaining the brake motor. Continuous maintenance is essential to prolong the life of the brake motor, and to ensure it works correctly.
