AIRBACK BRAKE
RETRACTION SYSTEM
®
ost drivers are blissfully
unaware that their disc
brakes never completely
release after use. As a result,
brake pads are likely to
remain in firm contact with the adjacent
disc throughout an entire journey,
regardless of the fact that they will have
remained unused for the majority of this
time.
M
The negative effect of this ‘drag’ is well
known in the Automotive Industry
and has been viewed, until now, as an
acceptable compromise to this otherwise
simple and economical brake system.
For the vehicle owner the significance
of this side effect is a reduction in
performance, fuel economy (or range with
electric cars) and reduced brake service
intervals. Excessive drag can also cause
over-heating and glazing of brake pads.
CO2 emissions and airborne brake dust
pollution is increasingly of concern for
Governments, Health Professionals and
Scientists worldwide. Many countries
including the UK are now facing air
pollution fines, for failure to rectify
breaches in agreed air quality standards.
With some 60 million plus cars produced
annually worldwide and growing, this
problem needs to be addressed now!
At AirBack® we have spent the past
six years developing systems that can
effectively remove brake drag. The latest
design reliably backs-off the caliper
pistons after braking and then closes
this minute gap just prior to the next
application of the brake.
Our latest patent pending design uses
a micro compressor, the length of a
matchstick, to reduce the pressure
(relative to that of atmosphere) in the
master cylinder reservoir. This has the
effect of pulling back the brake caliper
pistons after each brake application.
Upon the prediction of a brake
application, the compressor outputs
positive air pressure to the reservoir. This
has the effect of closing the gap between
the pad and disc, in readiness for brake
activation.
The system is failsafe in operation as it has
no direct effect on the vehicles braking
performance - it merely creates a small
degree of pad retraction.
For those of you who are concerned about
any contaminants entering the brake
reservoir, there is an isolating diaphragm
separating the brake fluid from the air
supply.
The benefit of the system is to
substantially reduce the vehicle rolling
resistance by up to 70% with potential
fuel savings clearly evident depending
on how you like to drive. For those with a
sports leaning, the vehicle is likely to feel
more agile and perform rather better.
The effect of applying positive air
pressure to the master cylinder reservoir
can further benefit ‘Circuit Racing or
Rally Cross’, drivers. Brake caliper’s can
suffer forces that cause the slave pistons
to retract from their normal position
i.e. catching the ramped crown of a
race circuit bend. The effect (known as
knockback) is loss of brakes, which has
hitherto been recovered by the drivers
frantically pumping their brakes!
The AirBack® system simply applies a
pre-set higher pressure, activated via
a momentary switch mounted on the
steering wheel. So you can see that
the AirBack® system has something for
everyone!
Trevor Mennie
airback.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Tel+44 (0)1435 872624