Pushcarts - Brakes

How has it been done before?

Questions and Decisions

• requires the least amount of effort (force) from the driver
• does not distract or divert the driver from other tasks (such as steering the cart) when it is being applied
• stops the pushcart in the shortest possible time and distance
• is safe (which means that when the brakes are applied the cart does not skid uncontrollably, veer to one side or become unstable and tip over)
• can be used over and over again without loss of performance (the brakes have to survive testing and until the end of the actual event at the very least)
• does not break the cart when used in an emergency stop.

The last aspect is easy to forget when designing your pushcart. Trialing is the best way to be sure that the cart will survive. If you apply the brakes and the wheel snaps off or the cart frame breaks the driver or pusher could be injured!

You may want to add more to the above list or change the priority. But be prepared to explain why you have done so.

Suggestions and Choices

Brakes work by applying friction (usually to the wheels)! Brake mechanisms use levers to apply the force. Things you need to investigate are the length of lever needed to apply enough force (effort) and how you can apply that effort while you are still controlling your steering.

It is best to have your braking system on the back wheels (driving wheels) rather than the front wheels (steering wheels).

There are two types of brakes you could make or find:

Drum brakes (radial lever): use a brake pad to rub against either the inside or top surface of the wheel.

Disc brakes (axial brakes): use a brake disc or callipers to rub against a disc. Bicycle brakes are usually disc brakes.

You also need to consider how you will release your brakes when they are not needed and how to keep them off while you are driving.

This is a drum brake

This has drum brakes on both wheels