Depending on which VMAX model you bought from the VX2 or VX3 series, you either have an e-scooter with one or two brake levers at home. But what is behind the different number of brake levers and how does braking with your e-scooter actually work? That is what this blog post is about, in which we bring you closer to the braking system and the exciting topic of recuperation:
Basically, every e-scooter of the VMAX VX2 and VX3 series has a mechanical drum brake installed at the front and an electronic recuperation brake at the rear.
These braking systems are controlled differently depending on the model. On the LT models of the VX2 and VX3 series, the single brake lever operates both brakes simultaneously: Pulling the brake lever tightens a brake cable that is connected to the front drum brake. At the same time, a sensor is activated that triggers the rear recuperation brake.
The ST and GT models of the VX2 and VX3 series have two brake levers available for braking. As usual, the left brake lever controls both brakes at the same time. The right brake lever now enables you to specifically control the recuperation brake in the rear wheel. In this way, you can control the braking force better yourself and contribute to the non-wearing of the mechanical brake. Driving downhill is also a lot more pleasant, since the speed can be controlled well with the recuperation brake and you also ensure a little more range through energy recovery 😉. Incidentally, this can be illustrated very well with the VMAX Connect app. Just recuperate a bit going downhill and in the app under Details you can follow how the input power falls into the red.
It is important, however, that the recuperation brake is not a standstill brake, but is only intended to recover energy and gently reduce speed.
Therefore, note that this is designed so that you do not get even faster going downhill and not to bring you to a standstill as quickly as possible. Because this only happens after 8-9 meters.
So if you want to brake to come to a stop or need to perform an emergency brake, please use both braking systems.
But how do the two braking systems actually work?
Drum brake:
With drum brakes, a brake drum is fixed to the wheel and rotates with the rotation of the wheel. Inside this brake drum, which is firmly connected to the e-scooter on the brake anchor plate, there are two brake shoes, a spring and a wheel cylinder. The outward-facing brake shoes do not touch the interior of the brake drum, but are pushed inward by springs connected to the wheel cylinder.
If you now apply the brake on the handlebars, a cable will stretch, causing the wheel cylinder to spread. When this wheel cylinder spreads, the springs are pushed outwards, pushing the brake shoes against the inside of the brake drum. This friction of the brake pads exerts a braking force on the brake drum and thus also on the wheel connected to it, as a result of which the wheel is braked. If you now take the tension off your brake lever, the brake will contract and you can continue riding unbraked ;)
Regenerative brake:
With regenerative braking, the VMAX motor acts as an energy-converting generator during braking. You activate the braking process by pulling the left or right brake lever. As a result, the recuperation brake in the electric motor is activated by a sensor.
In general, electric motors generate a torque that causes the tire to rotate by applying voltage to an electromagnet in a magnetic field and the resulting Lorenz force. When braking with a recuperation brake, this kinetic energy, including the vehicle's kinetic energy, is converted back into electrical energy. This is accomplished by using the wheel's rotational energy to move an electrical conductor in the motor, which now acts as a generator. The resulting induction leads to an electrical voltage and thus to energy. The electrical energy generated is fed to the battery, recharges it and you can enjoy the ride with your VMAX e-scooter for longer.
Nevertheless, a recuperation braking system does not turn your e-scooter into a perpetuum mobile, because with each conversion, energy is lost due to electrical resistance in the form of heat.
That was our blog post about the brakes and brake systems of your e-scooter. We hope that you were able to take something away with you and that you now know a little more about the brakes on your e-scooter.
We'll read each other unchecked next time,
Your VMAX team.
