Car handbrake (parking brake or emergency brake) is an auxiliary braking system used to keep a vehicle stationary when parked or in emergency situations.
In today's automotive world, the two most common types of handbrakes are the traditional mechanical handbrake (Mechanical Parking Brake) and the electronic handbrake (EPB) that exist side by side, each with its own advantages and characteristics. From a technical perspective, the handbrake is not simply a lever or a button, but a complex system consisting of actuators, control units and intelligent sensors, ensuring that the vehicle is kept safely stationary in all terrain conditions.
According to safety analysis data, vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake system show a 37% reduction in parking-related incidents compared to vehicles with a traditional handbrake, mainly due to the automatic connectivity features and integration with other safety systems.” (European Vehicle Safety Institute, 2022, “Comparative Safety Analysis of Modern Braking Systems”, Belgium).
This article will take readers deep into the development history, detailed structure, operating principles, as well as analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each type of handbrake, helping you have a comprehensive view and choose the most suitable solution for your needs.
Car handbrakes have been developed through three main stages: simple mechanical handbrakes, improved mechanical handbrakes and electronic handbrakes (EPB).
Mechanical handbrakes have been around since the early years of the automobile industry. In 1902, a new braking system was tested in New York, consisting of a flexible stainless steel band wrapped around a drum on the rear axle. This mechanism set the stage for the development of mechanical handbrakes in the following years.
By 1904, most cars were equipped with external brakes on each wheel. However, these brakes quickly showed their shortcomings, such as wearing out quickly and being ineffective when parking on slopes. This led to the introduction of the internal handbrake, which increased its lifespan to 1000 miles and significantly improved braking performance.
In recent years, the electronic parking brake (EPB) has become popular in many car models. EPB uses an electric motor to operate, bringing many advantages such as compact design, automatic features and the ability to integrate with other safety systems on the car.
The handbrake is an auxiliary braking system on a car that operates independently of the main braking system. The main function of the handbrake is to keep the car stationary when parked, especially on steep terrain.
The mechanical handbrake consists of the following main components:
When the driver pulls the handbrake lever, force is transmitted through the cable to the brake shoes or pads. The brake shoes press against the brake drum (or the pads press against the brake disc), creating friction and holding the vehicle still. To release the brake, the driver simply pushes the brake lever back to its original position.
Mechanical handbrakes have advantages such as simplicity, ease of use, low repair costs... however, there are still disadvantages such as: needing a lot of cabin space, uneven braking force and being easily damaged.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Mechanical handbrakes come in two main forms:
The electronic parking brake uses an electric motor and gears to act on the brake pads. When the driver activates the EPB, a signal is sent to the controller, which then controls the electric motor to generate braking force. This system is integrated with the vehicle's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to ensure precise and safe operation.
Modern features of EPB:
3 types of EPB commonly found on modern cars:
The 4 main benefits of EPB handbrake include:
Detailed comparison table of mechanical handbrake & electronic handbrake based on the following 7 criteria:
Criteria | Mechanical handbrake | Electronic handbrake |
Mechanism of action | Mechanical | Electronic |
Space required | Loud | Compact |
Braking force | May be uneven | Even and precise |
Automatic feature | Do not have | Have |
Production/Repair Costs | Low | High |
Integration with other systems | Limit | Easily |
Reliability when out of power | High | Low |
Worn brake cables/pads, stuck brake levers are common faults in mechanical handbrakes. For electronic handbrakes, common faults include: ECU fault, electric motor fault and sensor fault.
Common errors in mechanical handbrake:
Common errors in EPB:
Solution: Use specialized diagnostic equipment to identify the fault, update the software or replace the damaged component.
Regular maintenance of handbrake
Choosing the right handbrake depends on the type of vehicle, usage needs and personal preferences as well as the development trends of car handbrakes.
4 factors influence the choice such as vehicle type, usage needs, budget and priority on convenience.
The development trend of car handbrakes is changing significantly, focusing on convenience, safety and technology integration. Here are some of the main trends:
Currently, handbrake regulations focus primarily on ensuring that the braking system operates effectively.
In the future, there may be further regulations regarding the integration of EPB safety features into new vehicle models.
Do not use the handbrake when the vehicle is moving at high speed as it may cause loss of control and an accident. The handbrake is primarily designed to hold the vehicle stationary when parked.
Some signs that your handbrake is having problems include: brake warning light on on the dashboard, the car slides when parked on a slope, the handbrake lever is loose or too hard, unusual noise when pulling/releasing the handbrake7.
In case of battery discharge, EPB usually has a mechanism to release the emergency brake manually. However, the method may vary depending on the vehicle model, so please refer to the owner's manual.
The life of the handbrake depends on many factors such as: frequency of use, environmental conditions, quality of components, maintenance and driver habits.
Thanh Phong Auto proud to be one of the leading auto repair and maintenance centers in Ho Chi Minh City, especially famous for its professional and comprehensive handbrake repair service. With a team of experienced, well-trained technicians and modern equipment, Thanh Phong Auto is committed to bringing customers absolute peace of mind when using our services.
Highlights of handbrake repair service at Thanh Phong Auto:
Extensive expertise:
Modern equipment:
Genuine spare parts:
Professional process:
Dedicated customer service:
Thanh Phong Auto understands that brake system is one of the most important safety factors of a vehicle. Therefore, we always try our best to bring customers high-quality handbrake repair services, ensuring absolute safety and peace of mind when participating in traffic.
* The cars that we have mechanics: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Daewoo, Hyundai,Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Porsche, Chevrolet, Rand Rover, Innova, Fortuner, Vios, Fiat, Bugatti, Ferrari, Bentley, Hummer , Chrysler, Dodge, Renault, Cadillac, Volvo, Subaru, Daihatsu, Ssangyong, Roll-Royce, Peugeot, Smart Fortwo, Tobe M'car, Luxgen, Zotye, Haima, Geely, Baic, Hongqi, Cmc, Mini Cooper, Buick, Opel, Acura, Aston Martin, Vinfast, TQ Wuling, BYD.
Since 2019, Thanh Phong Auto was selected to link formal training with the Thu Duc College of Technology, Vietnam-USA College, Binh Duong University, University of Science and Technology, Van Lang University. This helps Guarantee for quality and standards at Thanh Phong AutoYou can rest assured about the quality and skills of the technicians here.
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