Inboard brakes are used primarily to improve a vehicle's handling and ride by reducing unsprung weight.
Understanding Inboard Brakes and Their Benefits
Inboard brakes are a braking system where the brake discs and calipers are located near the differential, rather than inside the wheels themselves. This design choice offers several advantages, primarily related to vehicle dynamics and handling. The key benefit, as highlighted in the provided reference, is the reduction of unsprung weight.
What is Unsprung Weight?
Unsprung weight refers to the mass of all components of a vehicle that are not supported by the suspension springs. This includes:
- Wheels
- Tires
- Brakes
- Hubs
- A portion of the suspension components
How Inboard Brakes Reduce Unsprung Weight
By moving the heavy brake components inboard, closer to the chassis, less weight is directly connected to the wheel assembly. This means the suspension has less mass to control when reacting to bumps and imperfections in the road.
Advantages of Reduced Unsprung Weight:
- Improved Handling: Lower unsprung weight allows the suspension to react more quickly and effectively to road irregularities, maintaining better tire contact and improving overall grip and handling.
- Enhanced Ride Quality: Less unsprung mass means the suspension can absorb bumps more efficiently, resulting in a smoother and more comfortable ride for the occupants. The suspension does not have to resist twisting when the brakes are applied.
- Greater Flexibility in Wheel Offset and Suspension Placement: Because the wheels don't enclose the brake mechanism, inboard brakes allow for more flexibility in wheel offset and placement of suspension members.
Summary of Advantages
| Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Reduced Unsprung Weight | Moving the brake components inboard reduces the mass directly connected to the wheels. |
| Improved Handling | The suspension reacts faster, maintaining better tire contact. |
| Enhanced Ride Quality | Bumps are absorbed more efficiently, providing a smoother ride. |
| Design Flexibility | Allows greater flexibility in wheel offset, and placement of suspension members. |
