Difference Between Disk and Drum Brake

Brakes

A device whose sole purpose is to make any rotating mechanism slow or stop or control it as required is called brake. Brake can generally be divided in to two main parts; one forces applying part and second force transferring part. Force taking part is one which takes force from operator and turns that force into pressure which can be applied to second part. Second part takes pressure from first part and transferring it to rotating mechanism after converting it to torque. 

There are two main types of braking mechanism available 

1. Drum Brake

2. Disk Brake

Drum Brake

Drum brakes get their name from the one of their part shape which looks like an empty drum. Drum brake usually consist of three main parts; shoes, shoes pad and drum. Drum is the part which is attached with the rotating part of the mechanism where shoes pads which are attached to shoes are attached to the hydraulic or any other force providing mechanism. When force is provided by the hydraulic or any other force providing mechanism to shoes of the brake then shoes presses the shoes pads with drum of the brake. Force provided to the drum is used against the motion of the mechanism and stop that mechanism as the result of that force.

Disk Brake

Disk brakes get their name from the one of their part shape which looks like a disk. Disk brake usually consist of three main parts; shoes, shoes pad and rotor (disk). Rotor (disk) is the part which is attached with the rotating part of the mechanism where shoes pads which are attached to shoes are attached to the hydraulic or any other force providing mechanism. When force is provided by the hydraulic or any other force providing mechanism to shoes of the brake then shoes presses the shoes pads with rotor (disk) of the disk brake. Force provided to the rotor (disk) is used against the motion of the mechanism and stop that mechanism as the result of that force.

Comparison between Disk brake and Drum brake

Disk brake and drum brake both are used to provide resisting power to stop different mechanism but both have same working principles. In order to know which type of brake can be used for some particular work following is the comparison of disk brake with drum brake. 

Number of Components

Number of components of a braking system means the total number of components any braking system have which includes working and supporting components. With only three working and one supporting components ( rotor, shoes hydraulic system and pad) the disk brake has the minimum number of components than the drum brake which have total of six components ( drum, shoes, pads, anchor pins, retracting springs, and cam to expand brake shoes)

Installation

Installation of braking system means how much time it takes to install or remove any braking system for maintenance or replacement. Due to its simple design and ability of self adjustment disk brakes takes much less time for installation and removal. 

Maintenance

Maintenance of braking system means how much time and money it takes to repair any braking system during maintenance. Due to its simple design and less parts disk brake takes much less time and money for maintenance

Cost

Cost of braking system means how much money it takes to purchase, install and repair any braking system during its life time. Due to its simple design and less parts disk brake is much more cost effective than disk brake.