What is Air Brake System - How Does It Work?
Air brake systems are used in heavy vehicles such as Bus, Truck, Truck. This system basically works with a tool called an air compressor. It is the braking system that turns this compressed air into mechanical power when the brake pedal is pressed and stops. In heavy-duty vehicles, it is not possible to brake when the hydraulic systems run out of oil. However, even if the air is discharged in the air brake systems, the vehicle tries to stop.
Air Brake System Elements:
Air Compressor
- It provides the necessary air to the system with the power it receives from the engine.
Distributor Valve
- It is the valve that distributes the air coming from the compressor to the tires as needed when the brake pedal is pressed. Air enters through the supply inlet and exits through the delivery holes with the corresponding bars. In new systems, this apparatus is integrated on the Relief Valve together with the Dryer Valve (Air Processing Unit).
Brake Pedal Valve
- It is the valve that initiates the braking event, transfers the command from the pedal to the system and is generally integrated with the pedal. It is the transfer of the pressure obtained by the driver to the tires by converting the pressure obtained by pressing the pedal to a pneumatic energy.
Release Valve
- It is also called the regulating valve, that is, the Regulator valve. It serves to evacuate the air remaining in the brake pipes after the braking process in the system. In recent years, this valve has started to be used by integrating it with the air dryer valve, which also incorporates the drying process and extends the life of the system by drying the air in the system.
Relay Valve
- It is the valve that serves to stabilize the pressure value occurring in the air line in the brake system. This valve increases, decreases or distributes the air pressure according to the amount of air in the system.
Load Regulating Valves
- According to the total amount of load on the vehicle, it takes into account the weights on the right and left sides, and decides how much air should be left to which wheel and prevents the load from tipping over. Thanks to an equipment attached to the chassis of the vehicle, it works independently of the driver.
Bellows and Emergency Bellows
- These are the mechanisms that enable the compressed air coming from the air compressor to be converted into mechanical power and affect the brake disc or drum. Logically, it consists of two air chambers connected to each other by a piston. The air filled in one of the chambers pushes the piston with pressure and activates the shaft connected to the other chamber. It expands the pad by converting vertical movement to horizontal movement. lining; The braking process takes place by rubbing the disc or drum.
Hand Brake Valve
- The handbrake is independent of the general braking system, but still works with air.