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Value Creation Model

3. Markets and Products (2)

Basic Principles of Brakes

Here we explain the structure and function of Akebono's core product-brakes.

What is a Brake?

It is a device that utilizes friction to cause a vehicle to decelerate and/or stop by converting kinetic energy into heat energy. Sudden braking at 100 km/h generates enough heat to raise the temperature of two liters of water from 0°C to boiling (100°C). Brakes are relatively small compared with other major automobile components, and the space where they are mounted is restricted. Complex controls are required to absorb the output power of the engine and brake safely. Brakes are also considered an important safety component in an automobile because of their key role in ensuring vehicle safety.

Types of Brakes

Each of the four wheels on an automobile is equipped with a brake. Depending on the usage and characteristics of the car, the wheels may have disc brakes or a drum brakes. Disc brakes have the capability to stop a car in a stable manner even at a high speed, while drum brakes have the capability to stop heavier vehicles. A vehicle can be equipped with different combinations of disc and drum brakes. Some vehicles use disc brakes on the front and rear wheels, while others use disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear.

Disc Brakes
Drum Brakes