bremsekraft

Bremsekraft, or braking force, is the force that acts to reduce the motion of a vehicle or other object when a braking system is engaged. In road vehicles, this force is primarily the frictional force between brake components—such as pads or shoes and rotors or drums—that is transmitted to the wheels to produce deceleration.

The braking force relates to the resulting deceleration through basic dynamics. If Fb is the braking force at the wheel contact and m is the vehicle mass, the longitudinal deceleration a is approximately a = Fb / m. The braking torque T applied at the wheel equals Fb times the effective wheel radius r, contributing to rotational deceleration as well. In many systems, Fb can be estimated by Fb = μN, where μ is the coefficient of friction between the brake interface and the surface, and N is the normal force on the brake. N is influenced by vehicle weight and dynamic weight transfer during braking.

Several factors affect Bremsekraft. Road surface condition, tire grip, weather, speed, vehicle load, and brake temperature all influence the achievable braking force. Heat buildup can cause brake fade, reducing μ and Fb. Modern vehicles may use anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to optimize Fb during hard braking by preventing wheel lock. Regenerative braking in hybrid or electric vehicles can supplement braking force with electrical energy recovery.

Performance is typically described by braking distance and deceleration rate, reflecting how quickly kinetic energy is dissipated as heat. These metrics, along with brake balance and reliability, are central to vehicle safety and braking system design.