Drum brakes - the so-called brake system, which consists of a rotating drum. It achieves braking by pressing the brake pads to the drum.
As usual, pads in a system such as drum brakes are inside the drum itself. If they are located on the outside of the cast-iron flat disk, then such a mechanism is called disk. Drum brakes are still another variety - tape. In such a mechanism, braking is carried out due to the “coverage” of the drum with a brake metal flexible tape.
In such a device, which has two working cylinders, the efficiency is increased by rotating the drum when the car is moving. It during braking presses the pads even harder. There is no similar effect on disk mechanisms, since the disk rotates in the direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the braking force. When the machine moves forward, the front block begins to act. It is also called running towards the secondary brake pad (otherwise it is called the rear).
It is worth listing what basic elements a drum brake has. These are pads that carry out braking. To do this, they have linings made of
friction material. Also in its configuration there is a
brake drum, brake and wheel cylinders. The first of the listed under pressure special fluid, which is located in the hydraulic system, comes into action from the brake pedal. All of the listed parts are mounted on the brake shield (stamped base).
In addition, drum brakes have fingers (axles) of the brake pads, mechanisms that regulate the gap between the drum and pads, springs that hold the pads in place and reduce them after the driver releases the brake pedal.
And, of course, one cannot but list the advantages of this mechanism. It is used in trucks (most often) and cars. They can also be used on motorcycles. The main advantage of this mechanism is its power. Or rather, that it is extremely easy to increase by increasing the drum diameter and width. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve high absolute values of braking force, which are necessary to stop and slow down heavy vehicles (buses, trucks). Drum brakes are perfectly protected from water and dust, or rather - from their ingress. Pads on dirt or dusty roads wear less - this is an excellent quality that makes the mechanism durable. If you use it, then you can greatly simplify the equipment of the vehicle with a
parking brake. In addition, such mechanisms do not emit a lot of heat, and thanks to this, alcohol-oil-based non-hygroscopic
brake fluids can be used.
Rear drum brakes also have these advantages
. It is worth noting only one drawback - their reaction is slightly slowed down when compared with disk ones.