TN engineer develops low-cost brake system for four-wheelers

The system would prevent unnecessary movement of the vehicle when stopped on an uneven surface and gradient, and would also reduce workload of the driver while traversing through both city traffic and the winding hills, claimed Yuvaraja P, the inventor of the system.

The device consists of electronic control module (ECM) and brake modulator. “ECM is programmable according to the vehicle configuration and models,” he said. 

In this system, a brake modulator is fitted between the master cylinder and wheel cylinder in the case of hydraulic brake system vehicle. Once the ignition is on, the system would sense the data from vehicle speed sensor, throttle position sensor and pedal position sensor. When the driver stops the vehicle, the braking system would receive data from the speed sensor. Then, instruction would be sent to brake modulator to maintain pressure between master cylinder and wheel cylinder. Due to this, even if the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle would not move.

When the driver wants to move the vehicle, she should engage the gear, release the clutch and press the accelerator. At this point of time, the throttle position sensor and pedal position sensor would send the data to the brake system. Without any time lag, the brake system would send the command to the brake  modulator to release the pressure. 

The sensible brake system, which was tested by the Automotive Research Association of India, a research institute run by Ministry of Heavy Industries, would ensure that the vehicle to hold on slope. The brake system has been installed on some buses at Institute of Road Transport and  Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai, for testing, Yuvaraja added.