The Development of 4-Wheel Disc Brake Systems in Europe

As a major contribution to the active safety of a vehicle, disc brakes have been available for over 20 years. However, recent efforts to improve directional stability when braking, and the implications of the various European and American legal requirements, particularly their influence on brake system design and performance, gives cause for a general review of the disc brake, how it has been used in the past, and what the future will mean. It is concluded that while some vehicle manufacturers are showing the way to improved braking performance, it will be desirable for others to follow suit to meet the challenges facing the automotive industry of the next decade.