Dynamic Study of Braking Load Distribution on Energy Efficient Cars Based on Road Tests

Abstract

This study presents the design and evaluation of braking components specifically the steering knuckles, wheel arms, and brake pedal  for a prototype-class energy-efficient vehicle. The design objective was to achieve reliable braking while preserving the vehicle’s lightweight architecture, so that stopping performance is maintained without penalizing overall efficiency. The workflow comprised determination of braking-force requirements, material selection guided by strength-to-weight considerations, CAD modeling of the components, fabrication, and functional testing on the assembled vehicle. Road trials were conducted at four preset entry speeds of 2.78, 4.17, 5.56, and 6.94 m/s, representing the operating envelope of the prototype. Across these conditions, the system delivered a consistent deceleration of 8.33 m/s². The measured stopping times were 0.35 s, 0.51 s, 0.68 s, and 0.84 s, while the measured stopping distances were 0.79 m, 1.75 m, 3.00 m, and 4.58 m, respectively. These outcomes indicate that the designed components provide stable, predictable braking behavior over the tested speed range and confirm that lightweight construction can be reconciled with effective stopping capability. The results offer a practical reference for component sizing and material selection in energy-efficient vehicle prototypes and form a basis for subsequent optimization of braking response and integration with broader vehicle dynamics studies.