Can Brakes on the Drive Shaft Improve Vehicle Performance?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the feasibility of implementing brakes on a vehicle's drive shaft as opposed to traditional wheel hub brakes. Key points include the potential for uneven traction between wheels, which could hinder braking effectiveness, and the increased stress on the drive shaft and transmission components, leading to wear or failure. Historical references indicate that while some vehicles, like early BRM F-1 racers, experimented with transaxle brakes, issues with heat management ultimately limited their effectiveness. The conversation also touches on the possibility of using dynamic (regenerative) braking systems in conjunction with drive shafts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vehicle braking systems
  • Knowledge of drive shaft mechanics
  • Familiarity with traction dynamics in vehicles
  • Basic principles of heat dissipation in mechanical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research dynamic (regenerative) braking systems and their applications
  • Explore the mechanics of drive shafts and their stress limits
  • Investigate historical implementations of transaxle brakes in motorsport
  • Learn about heat management techniques in braking systems
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, vehicle performance enthusiasts, and anyone interested in advanced braking technologies and their implications on vehicle dynamics.

Chandrakiran
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Brakes on Drive Shaft ??

HI all,

I am new to this forum. I have a doubt on braking system. Any help in this regard is highly appreciated.

Why can not we have brake on drive shaft or some point at flywheel ??

Any discussion in this regard is appreciated. I am hoping to find a solution here.

Thanks!
Shekar
 
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what is the problem with the brakes with wheel hub??
 
HI,

There is no problem with the brakes on hub. But anyway the wheel hub is rotating by a shaft which in turn rotating with a drive shaft. So a simple arrangement to stop or slowingdown the drive shaft, results the same, thus I can eliminate the brakes on wheel. What are the limitations I have to think like this ??

Shekar
 
If you put a brake on a car's drive shaft instead of one on each wheel, then if one wheel was getting traction but the other wasn't getting traction, you'd not be able to slow the car down.
 
Chandrakiran said:
HI all,

I am new to this forum. I have a doubt on braking system. Any help in this regard is highly appreciated.

Why can not we have brake on drive shaft or some point at flywheel ??

Any discussion in this regard is appreciated. I am hoping to find a solution here.

Thanks!
Shekar
There would be the disadvantage of putting high stresses in the drive shaft or transmission to wheels, leading to increased wear or perhaps failure of the drive shaft, gears, joints or connecting rods between transmission and wheels.

On a car with two wheel drive - as opposed to 4-wheel - the braking on the drive shaft would affect only two wheels connected to the transmission, and one would still need additional breaking on the other two wheels.

There is a possibility to use dynamic (regenerative) breaking associated with the drive shaft, either electrically or mechanically.
 
like most other ideas on cars it has been done
early 60's BRM F-1 racers had a brake on the transaxle
problems with heat killed the transaxle brake

a flywheel is not a good place to brake and add heat
remember brakes work by making heat
and the flywheel needs to turn or the motor stops
 
I've only seen one setup where the brake was on the drive shaft, but early Jags and maybe a few other makes had inboard discs that worked on the axle shafts.
The drive shaft one was actually referred to as a differential brake, because it was attached where the drive shaft entered the banjo. It was on 'X-treme 4x4' (Spike channel), on a rock crawler.
 
Most drivehafts are made of thinwall tubing, u-joints are designed to transmit power of acceleration, and stopping a fast moving vehicle will in many cases involve far more stress on these two items, than they will endure.
Many big trucks, and lots of heavy machinery have brakes on drive shafts, but the purpose is only to hold a stationary position.
 
HI all,

Thanks for the time and discussion. I understand now, the limitations to have a brake system on drive shaft.

But added to this, suppose if I am thinking of a 4 wheel drive, with a brake arrangement on front / rear transaxle, with a sufficient method to heat dissipation, I must be able to design a brake system right ?

Can anyone help me in providing some information about Dynamic ( Regernerative) braking system ? Some useful site ??
 

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