Vacuum pumps as an everyday source for brake actuation servo assistance

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Vacuum pumps as an everyday source for brake actuation servo assistance

Earle, S.R.

Vacuum brake servos have become an integral part of the standard equipment found on light commercial and passenger cars today. This monopoly is being continued by the world's motor manufacturers in an effort to achieve the most cost effective balance between the effort applied at the brake pedal and the braking force applied at the wheels. ABS is increasingly now being specified as an add-on system that requires a vacuum servo, as opposed to the original full power systems that were hydraulically boosted. As vehicle performance increases so braking performance has to increase. A description of the design and performance characteristics of the three main types of automotive vacuum pump made today, followed by a method which has been developed to determine the suitability of a vacuum pump for particular vehicles. The paper then goes on to describe the optimisation of a new vacuum pump and control system concept which offers advantages in the power saving and ease of installation over current designs.