Here's a breakdown:
* Key Components: Regardless of the specific type, conventional brakes generally include:
* Friction Material: This is usually a composite material designed to withstand high temperatures and provide consistent friction. It's found on the brake pads (for disc brakes) or shoes (for drum brakes).
* Rotating Component: This is either a brake rotor (a disc) or a brake drum (a cylinder). These components are connected to the wheels.
* Calipers or Wheel Cylinders: These mechanisms apply pressure to the friction material, forcing it against the rotating component. Calipers are used with disc brakes, and wheel cylinders are used with drum brakes.
* Hydraulic System (Most Common): A master cylinder, brake lines, and calipers/wheel cylinders work together to transfer pressure from the brake pedal to the calipers/wheel cylinders. This amplifies the force applied by the driver. Some systems use a cable-based mechanical system instead of hydraulics, but these are less common in modern vehicles.
* Two Main Types:
* Disc Brakes: These use a caliper that squeezes brake pads against a rotating disc (rotor) on each wheel. They are generally more effective at dissipating heat, providing better braking performance, and are less susceptible to fading (reduced braking effectiveness due to overheating).
* Drum Brakes: These use shoes that expand outwards against the inside of a rotating drum. While simpler and often cheaper to manufacture, they are less effective than disc brakes, particularly in wet or cold conditions.
In essence, conventional brakes rely on the fundamental principle of friction to slow or stop a moving object. The force applied to the brake pedal translates into pressure that squeezes the friction material against the rotating component, generating friction and converting kinetic energy into heat, thereby slowing the vehicle.
