e-ISSN (O): 2348-4470

Scientific Journal of Impact Factor (SJIF): 4.72

p-ISSN (P): 2348-6406

International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research

Development
Volume 4, Issue 11, November -2017

Design of Braking System of BAJA Vehicle

Vivek Singh Negi 1, Nayan Deshmukh 2, Amit Deshpande 3
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhawa
2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhawa
3
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhawa

Abstract — An important factor in handling of any vehicle is making it to come quick and easy stop. Retarding a vehicle
in manner such that driver has complete control over it is essential. The safety while braking is paramount and is
quantified by evaluating mathematical model of braking. The evaluation of model is done by calculation of braking
torque and comparing it with required value. The paper discusses ideas for using various components in the system,
design variables and logic behind selecting correct values of those variables. The design of braking system consists of
evaluating multitude of scenarios and using them to achieve optimum, yet effective braking. The data related to them is
used to extract average values of design parameters, making the theoretical calculations as realistic as possible.

Keywords: Braking system, Frictional Braking, Biasing effect, Weight Transfer, Hydraulic Pressure, Pascal’s Law

I. INTRODUCTION

The basic function of braking system is to retard a vehicle in motion A quality braking system enables driver with range
of braking effort.[1] This will allow him to feather the pedal for obtaining required amount of braking, getting desired
motion while navigating corners and curves. In this way, braking system contributes majorly in terms of safety and
handling. Importance of reliable braking mechanism in any vehicle is paramount.
Brakes use principle of energy conversion, transforming kinetic energy in heat, thereby retarding velocity of vehicle. This
is achieved by fiction between brake rotor and pads along with clamping force applied by caliper pads. This generates
large amount of heat which is dissipated to air. The components in vicinity of such high temperature exhibit excellent
thermal stability.[2]
The common goal of designing braking system is to implement a fully effective braking system in allocated space. The
features of system should not have interference with other assemblies, either in static or dynamic condition. Therefore,
the mounting and packaging of various sub-assemblies is as unique as the design of vehicle it is implemented in. BAJA
buggies require compact and light weight systems which are reliable and provide satisfactory braking under tough
conditions.
This calls for proper selection of components and their placing in minimum space possible. Components such as rigid
pipes are routed such that they do not hinder any other assembly on vehicle. The pedal box requires arrangement such
that driver is able to actuate system on moment’s notice and can comfortably ride for four hours of endurance race.

An array of calculations dictate the design procedure and validate the condition of wheel-lock. These are performed in
iterations to achieve required results

II. OVERVIEW OF BRAKING ASSEMBLY

The objective of this year’s design was to produce light weight brake assembly, reliable throughout different terrains and
effective to satisfy the wheel-lock condition. Weight of system is important factor since it adds to unsprung mass and
becomes partial reason for unbalance. In addition, the target weight of vehicle is drastically affected by proper utilization
of components
Followings are the major components of any braking system:

2.1 Master Cylinder:

A master cylinder pressurises braking fluid with help of driver’s input. The various types of master cylinder provide
designer with range of choices for intended application. A variant of such types is Tandem master cylinder. Tandem
master cylinder provides split circuiting for each pair of wheels. This allows driver to brake even if one of the circuit fails
due to leakage. Hence, tandem master cylinder was selected.

Due to dynamic weight transfer, front requires more braking torque than rear. This calls for measure of creating brake
bias. The biasing effect can be achieved by different means. They include- use of bias bar, use of callipers with different
bore and use of stepped master cylinder.[3]

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 11, November-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Calipers of different sizes for front and rear are used to create biasing effect. After performing initial iterations of
calculations, it was found out that ¾ Inch diameter cylinder satisfies requirements.

Figure 1. Tandem master Cylinder

2.2 Brake Rotor:

Main function of brake rotor is to retard motion of wheel. It applies braking torque on the same. There are two types of
brakes, viz. disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are widely used since they are more efficient. They are better in
heat dissipation and cool relatively quickly. Brake rotors are clamped in brake pads when brakes are actuated and
withstand the compressive forces. The system uses custom brake rotor rather OEM which reduces weight of system
considerably.

One of the major parameters that dictate size of brake rotor is diameter of rim. The rotor has to fit properly in packaging
space available. For current BAJA vehicle, rim used was of 10-Inch diameter and hence, maximum allowed size for disc
was 7 Inch of diameter, after considering size of calliper and clearance space. The minimum size of OEM disc available
was 200 mm and hence it was decided to use customised disc with diameter of 175 mm.

The material used for rotor is Stainless steel of grade 410. It is highly resilient to corrosion and wear and ready to be heat
treated for increased wear resistance.[4]

Figure 2. Disc-type brake rotors: Front and Rear

2.3 Brake Callipers:

Once the master cylinder and brake disc size is decided, the other two parameter, which can be varied, are pedal ratio and
calliper size. Due to dynamic weight transfer, more braking force is required at the front as compared to rear.[5] The
brake force distribution required is 70 % in front and 30 % in rear. It is crucial to maintain this ratio. Hence, It is logical
to use a 38mm bore brake calliper in front and a 32mm brake calliper in rear. It also ensures proper brake force
distribution as well as brake force balance.

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 11, November-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Figure 3. Floating-type brake calliper

2.4 Brake Pedal Box:

The mounting of brake pedal, along with acceleration pedal should use packaging space wisely. The orientation of brake
master cylinder should be such that it will not protrude out of vehicle, i.e. it must lie inside the roll-cage. The pedal
should be able to trace curve without any hindrance. One of the important considerations while placing pedal box is that
driver should be able to reach both pedals comfortably.[6]

The length of pedal is defined by pedal ratio to be used. Another major constraint is the space available below and behind
the pedal for swinging motion. The space is highly compact as it already contains steering column and steering rack,
latter covered with protective shielding, which adds up space utilised. Therefore, mounting of pedal should be such that it
will satisfy required pedal ration, without obstructing any component.

III. Braking Calculations

Following calculations are founding stones for designing the braking system. They validate that design satisfies
necessary requirements:

Table 1. Design input variables

Data Required for calculations

Sr. No. Parameter Value Unit

1 Pedal Ratio 5.1 -

2 Master Cylinder Bore Diameter 19.05 mm

3 Brake Rotor Front 175 mm

Rear 175 mm

4 Weight Distribution Ratio 45:55 -

5 Total Weight 161 kg

6 Driver Weight 75 kg

7 Wheelbase 56 Inch

8 C.G. Height 17.14 Inch

9 Static Weight 105.75 kg

Distribution
129.25 kg

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 11, November-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

3.1 Calculations for torque requirement:

Figure 4. Schematic representation of weight distribution

Abbreviations:

Fzf – Front Axle Reaction Force

Fzr – Rear Axle Reaction Force
Fxf – Front Axle Braking Force
Fxr – Rear Axle Braking Force
Txf – Front Wheel Braking Torque
Txr – Rear Wheel Braking Torque
lf – Distance of front wheel centre from C.G.
lr- Distance of rear wheel centre from C.G.
a – Acceleration
µ - Coefficient of friction
∆dyn – Dynamic Weight transfer

Calculations:

Lf =
= 30.8”
LR = L-Lf
= 25.2”
Ψ=
= 0.55

Dynamic Axle Load: FzF , dyn = (1-ψ + χa)W

Where, χ = =

χ = 0.3060

∆dyn wt transfer = χaW

a = µg
µ = 0.503

Therefore, ∆dyn = * a * W
=36.211Kg

FzF,dyn = 141.961Kg (1392.63N)

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 11, November-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

FzR,dyn = 93.039Kg (912.712N)

Front axle Braking force:

FxF = µ * FzF , dyn

= 947.841 N
Rear axle Braking force:
FxR = µ * FzR, dyn
= 638.8988 N

Torque Calculations:

TxF =

= 255.7807 Nm

TxF = 127.89036 Nm (single)

TxR =

= 166.6355 Nm

TxR = 83.8177 Nm (single)

Validation of Brake Torque Requirement:

Data:
Master cylinder bore: 19.05mm
Area of master cylinder: 2.85*10-4 m2
Brake rotor: F: 175mm (72.5mm effective radius)
R: 175mm (72.5 m effective radius)
Calliper front: 38mm(area=1134.1149mm2)
Calliper rear: 32mm(area=804.2477mm2)
Pedal force: 250N
Pedal Ratio= 5:1
Leverage efficiency=0.8

Calculations:
Fmc = P.R*P.F*0.8
= 1000N
Pmc = = 35.08489 bar
=3508489.318 N/m2
Fcalliper = Pmc * Acalliper * ηwc
Fcalliper front = 3899.054349 N
Force on disc = 2*0.4*3899.05
= 3119.243479 N
Fcalliper rear = 2765.260575 N
Force on disc = 2*0.35*2765.260
= 1995.682403 N
Torque generated:
Torque front = 226.145122 Nm
Torque rear = 140.3369742 Nm

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 11, November-2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Results

Table 2. Validation of satisfaction of braking torque requirnment

Required Braking Torque Generated Braking Torque
Front 127.89036 Nm 226.145122 Nm
Rear 83.8177 Nm 140.3369742 Nm

Hereby we can say that, torque generated at the front and rear is greater than the required torque.

IV. Braking System Layout

The layout of braking system and specifications of components are as follows:

Figure 5. Specifications of Braking System Components.

V. Conclusion

After initial testing of the setup and its implementation on the vehicle, the overall adjustability of the braking system
meets the design goals of possessing better and responsive braking system. The other design objective of achieving
minimum stopping distance was also achieved. The calculations validate that selected specifications of braking
components satisfy the design goal and their use in practice of BAJA vehicle demonstrates competitive system. We can
conclude that initial objective of designing braking system for BAJA vehicle is satisfied and serves as ground for further
research on said system.

VI. References
1. Walker James. The Physics of Racing Braking System, StopTech Braking System 2005
2. Rudolf Limpert, Brake design and Safety, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2011
3. Taxis Janson, Bachelors Thesis, Braking system design of 2013 Bearcats BAJA Team
4. Kodgire V. D., Material Science and Metallurgy
5. Milliken and Milliken, Race Car Vehicle Dynamics
6. Volvo Installation Guideline Manual

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