power brake

Thân thiện

The driver presses the power brake pedal to slow the car.

Definition

Noun: A power brake is a type of braking system for an automobile that uses a mechanism (such as a vacuum booster or hydraulic pump) to amplify the relatively small force applied by the driver's foot on the brake pedal. This creates a proportionately much larger force at the brake pads or shoes, making it easier to slow down or stop the vehicle.

Usage

The term is used specifically in automotive engineering and mechanics to describe a key safety component in modern vehicles. It distinguishes systems with assistive power from purely mechanical or manual braking systems. - Most modern cars are equipped with a power brake system for easier stopping. - If the power brake booster fails, the driver will find it very difficult to depress the brake pedal.

Advanced Usage

• "Power brake failure": Refers to a malfunction in the assistive component of the braking system. The mechanical brakes may still function but will require significantly more pedal force.
  • The mechanic diagnosed the problem as a power brake failure due to a leak in the vacuum hose.

Variants and Related Words

• Power braking (n): The action or system of using power-assisted brakes.
  • The advent of power braking greatly improved driving comfort and safety.
• Brake booster (n): A common synonym for the main amplifying component of a power brake system.
  • The brake booster is a critical part of the power brake assembly.

Synonyms

• Assisted brake(s): A general term for brakes that use an external power source to aid the driver.
• Servo brake(s): Another technical term, often used in engineering contexts, for a brake system that uses a servo mechanism to provide assistance.

Related Components and Systems

• Master cylinder (n): The hydraulic pump in the braking system that is activated by the power brake booster.
  • The power brake booster is mounted directly to the firewall and connects to the master cylinder.
• Hydraulic brake (n): The type of brake system that uses fluid pressure, which is often the system that a power brake assists.
  • A power brake unit is typically added to a standard hydraulic brake system.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a brake on an automobile that magnifies a small force applied to the brake pedal into a proportionately larger force applied to slow or stop the vehicle