The Use of the Computer in Determining Brake Balance

In order to predict vehicle brake performance, calculations are made to determine the size of brakes, wheel cylinders, proportioning valves, and metering valves to give the desired results.

To achieve this, basic data are required of brake torque output versus brake force input. This requires that a large amount of test data be accumulated from both dynamometer and vehicle tests to obtain the coefficient of friction of disc brake linings and brake factors for drum brakes.

All the data available has to be presented in a meaningful form that can be understood with a minimum of study. This report deals with gathering of test data, brake balance calculations, and presentation in a graphical form by means of the IBM 1130 computer and graphing system.