Brake lever
A brake lever is a manually operated device for releasing the brake on vehicles , in which the introducing force is amplified by a lever.
A distinction is made between foot brake lever, also known as a pedal, and hand brake lever. Handbrake levers are used as service brakes on two-wheelers on the handlebars, as parking brakes on all vehicles to the right or left of the driver's seat or control panel, and on braked trailers on the drawbar.
The power transmission takes place mechanically or hydraulically .
- With mechanical transmission, a wire rope is pulled in the Bowden cable and the tensile force is transmitted to the brake.
- With hydraulic brakes there is a brake cylinder on the brake lever. When the brake lever is actuated, the master cylinder builds up pressure , which is passed on to the slave cylinder (s) via hydraulic lines .
Bicycle brake levers are available in different versions on the market. Cross-pull brakes ( V- brakes ) require brake levers with a short handle. High-quality designs of brake levers are able to limit the braking force that occurs. Brake levers are also offered with an integrated gear lever as a so-called brake gear lever .
In rail vehicles , the brake lever was initially used for pure muscle power transmission to the brake pads . With higher machine outputs, air brakes and hydraulic systems were used for power transmission , for which the hand brake lever was only used as a control instrument.
literature
- Michael Gressmann, Franz Beck, Rüdiger Bellersheim: specialist knowledge of bicycle technology. 1st edition, Verlag Europa-Lehrmittel, Haan-Gruiten, 2006, ISBN 3-8085-2291-7