Hydraulic Brake Systems for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
I.D. # C0509 Duration 3 Days

Hydraulic brake systems, one of the most important safety features on many road vehicles today, must meet manufacturer and customer requirements in addition to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This course will analyze automotive braking from a system's perspective, emphasizing legal requirements as well as performance expectations such as pedal feel, stopping distance, fade and thermal management. Calculations necessary to predict brake balance and key system sizing variables that contribute to performance will be discussed. Major components of a brake system, including calipers, boosters, master cylinders, drum brakes, and park brakes will be presented in detail highlighting the many design variations. An overview of the chassis control components and operating principles will be presented with an emphasis on ABS, traction control and stability control.

This course has been approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for 18 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon completion of this seminar, accredited reconstructionists should contact ACTAR, 800-809-3818, to request CEUs. As an ACTAR approved course, the fee for CEUs is reduced to $5.00.
Learning Objectives
By attending this seminar, you will be able to:
  • Design a brake system in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
  • Calculate the ideal brake balance for a vehicle under any loading condition
  • Calculate the actual brake balance and brake output for a selected set of brake components and evaluate the effects of changing component parameters
  • Determine the effects of variation in component parameters on the system performance
  • Describe the basic function of major brake components
  • Describe various chassis control systems and their role in vehicle safety
  • Determine the appropriate design variation for a particular application
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for engineers interested or responsible for the specification, prediction and validation of braking system performance. It will also benefit engineers responsible for brake component design by providing insight into the interaction of components and the contribution to system level performance metrics.
Prerequisites
A basic understanding of vehicle dynamics and familiarity with hydraulic principles would be helpful, but is not required.
Seminar Content

DAY ONE

  • System Level Requirements
    • Emphasis on FMVSS 135 and ECE 13 -- Effects of requirements on design; Tradeoffs with other system requirements; Partial system considerations; Loading conditions
    • Stopping Distance -- Actual vs. magazine; Contributions of subsytems; Effects of driver
    • Thermal management -- Conservation of energy; Abuse schedules; Mountain descents; Design for max speed vs. high use
    • NVH & pedal feel -- Metrics and criteria; Objective techniques
  • Brake Balance and System Output Calculations
    • Ideal brake force derivation
    • Actual brake output
    • Effects of variation, planned and unplanned

DAY TWO

  • Workshop - The student will design a brake system for a vehicle of their choice and predict the performance to key system level targets
  • Component Functional Review
    • Brake pedal assembly -- Variable ratio; Adjustable; Composite
    • Brake booster options -- Vacuum; Hydroboost; Active
    • Master cylinder
    • Fluid, pipes, and hoses
    • Proportioning and metering valves
    • Disc brakes -- Fixed; Floating; Multi-piston; Vented; 2-piece

DAY THREE

  • Component Functional Review (continued)
    • Drum brakes -- Leading-trailing; Duo-servo; Self-adjusting; Static Brake
    • Parking Brakes -- Foot vs. hand; Cables and tensioning; Drum-in-hat; Caliper mechanisms
  • Workshop - The student will determine the effects of component variation on their design from Day 2
  • Anti-lock Braking Systems
    • Mechanization
    • Performance
    • Dynamic rear proportioning/electronic brake force distribution
  • Advanced Concepts and Technology
    • Panic brake assist
    • Hybrid/regenerative braking
    • Brake-by-wire
    • Electric parking brake
Instructor(s): Thomas J. Hall
Thomas J. Hall currently owns and manages MaxG Technology LLC. a technical consulting and training company, specializing in Vehicle Braking and Stability technology, formerly the Chief Engineer for Global Brake Systems - General Motors for the Robert Bosch Chassis Systems Division. Prior to that, he was the Engineering Manager for System Design and Validation at ITT Automotive, Continental Teves. His experience also includes development of ABS, TCS and Stability Control Systems, responsibility for application of system engineering principles and process to the brake industry and development and promotion of brake system proposals and advance braking technologies. Mr. Hall has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Fiance from Walsh College.
Testimonial
"This was an excellent overview of the topic, but it dealt with enough specifics to give me a good knowledge base to help me do my job better."
Alan S. Halvorson
Project Engineer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company

"I felt the class was well-organized, structered efficiently, and the instructor utilized significant industry experience to present real-world examples and illustrate his points clearly. Overall, it was a great class."
Joshua Marletti
Application Engineer
Honeywell Friction Materials

"Great introductory class, well balanced with vehicle and main component based level with good industry examples."
Joe Lepito
Brake Design Engineer
Honda R&D Americas

Fees: $1595 SAE Members*: $1275 - $1435
* The appropriate SAE Member discount will be applied through the Registration process.  Discounts vary according to level of membership: Elite Member 20%; Premium Member 15%; Classic Member 10%
CEU 2