New Device For Safer Braking
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rkA SIMPLE, compact and inexpensive device designed to give safer braking has been announced by the Dunlop Rubber Co. and is being shown by them on their stand (No. 200) at the Motor Show. It has been developed primarily for cars but can be fitted to existing hydraulic braking systems on any fourwheeled vehicle.
Two main functions are provided by the device: correction for forward weight transference during braking, and differential braking on the rear wheels when cornering or in the event of rear end "breakaway to ensure maximum stability. It is claimed that the action of applying the brakes when cornering has the effect of improving the stability of the car and that optimum braking under all conditions up to the limit of tyre adhesion is obtained.
The device consists of two hydraulic pistons in a light-alloy housing connected to an external pendulum which acts on the pistons through a beam and cam mechanism. The master cylinder in the existing braking system feeds to the front brakes and an inlet port on the unit, two outlet ports supplying hydraulic fluid to each rear wheel brake. The unit is mounted forward of the vehicle's centre of gravity and movement of the pendulum during deceleration reduces rear braking pressure to compensate for weight transference. When braking on a curve or if there is a tendency towards spinning out ", the pressures to the individual rear wheels are adjusted by sideways movement of the pendulum to give stability.