Abstract

This paper studies drum brake failure in Mini-buses using an experimental analysis to test the viscosities and the maximum braking force when different fluids such as clean, less dirty, dirty and soapy water solution were used in the braking system. The effects of each of these fluids when successive increments in pedal force were applied at hot and cold conditions for drum brakes were studied. The results of the Thepra Universal Brake Testing Equipment used for the braking efficiency test indicated that a pedal force of 110 kN produce a brake force of 0.61 kN for clean fluid, 0.56 kN for less dirty, 0.51 kN for dirty and 0.92 kN. The value of 0.92 kN which was achieved when the soapy water solution was used indicated a positive braking force and that soap water solution could be used to produce a high pedal force within a very short time (10-30 min) and can therefore be used only in case of emergency. It was observed that the clean brake fluid gave the best braking force followed by the less dirty and finally the dirty brake fluid. In a situation where air has been trapped in the system under hot condition with or without a servo unit, clean brake fluid performed much better at least three times better than the other three fluids. For soap solution, braking was effective only when it was operated at cold condition but less effective when the system was hot. Soap solution is therefore not reliable when used for a very long time but effective only for emergency situations.

Keywords:

Brake failure, braking force, drum brake, efficiency, pedal force,

References

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.