In any CMV, the pneumatic braking system plays a key role. Not only the safety of the driver depends on the operation of the brakes, but also the safety of other road users and the cargo being transported. Any trailer weighs a lot, and a high-quality braking system plays a really very important role. However, how do the brakes work in a truck?
Understanding the operation of the truck brakes allows the driver to better respond in emergency situations and know the capabilities of his CMV. The truck brakes work as follows: the system takes air, filtering it into special cylinders before pressing the pedal. The pressure from the pedal goes all the way to the brake tap.
When the pedal is pressed, the device for blocking the continuous air layer is released, and the tap is triggered, after which the system is filled with air in a fraction of a second, providing the entire system with the necessary pressure level. Special attention should be paid to the golden rod, which pushes the air with its power from the rear wall of the brake.
The truck's braking system, in fact, consists of such subsystems:
In addition to the components discussed above, the system includes:
In modern commercial trucks, the braking system is pneumatic, only in older models there are hydraulics. It is also worth considering the fact that when connecting a trailer to a truck, it also has a separate braking system that allows you to stop the car better.
The pneumatic brake can be of different types in terms of rigidity: soft, medium, and hard. Many trucks are equipped with 2 or even 3 types of brake systems according to the type of rigidity for the most comfortable control and safety.
To better understand how the Air Brakes work, we took the video from the channel: TAT Express Inc.
When the motor starts, the compressor starts, which receives the airflow and directs it to the brake system until the desired pressure is created. This parameter is controlled by a regulator, which, if necessary, removes excess air outside the mechanisms of the truck. At the next stage, the flow is directed to the dryer, where excess additives are removed from it and moisture is removed.
The cleaned and dried stream guarantees stable and uninterrupted system operation, primarily in cold weather. As a rule, the dehumidifier and the regulator are located in the same housing, where a receiver for regeneration is additionally provided. After the air is prepared, it is distributed using a 4-circuit valve in the following directions:
The receivers provide the necessary volume of compressed air, the supply of which is regulated by the driver by pressing and lowering the brake pedal. Through a special tap, the flow under pressure goes to the chambers (first the front and then the rear).
Next, the rods act on the separation/compression elements of the pads of the system, and the machine stops. An important element of the pneumatic system is a pressure gauge, by which you can see the pressure, as well as indicator lamps of different colors that provide control and timely information about the presence of failures in the system. All the necessary information is displayed to the driver on the dashboard.
The pneumatic brake system is a complex mechanism consisting of many components. Each of the elements is very important because it ensures the adequacy and predictability of the operation of a truck in different conditions.
At the same time, the driver must know the device, the features of the work, and the purpose of the main elements, as well as be able to do a simple repair of the brake system. With proper operation and timely maintenance, truck brakes will never fail and will help out even in an extreme situations.
Get highlights and special offers twice a month.
We use a tool to capture how users interact with our websites so we can analyze and improve the user experience. Clicking “Accept” allows us to use this tool when you visit our websites. For more information, read our Privacy Center article on Cookies and tracking.
