International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Design and Development of BRIBS: A Mechanically Adjustable Master Cylinder Mount with Pivot-Supported Brake Fluid Reservoir for Compact Vehicles Pruthviraj Ambadas Hatkar1 1B. E. Mechanical Engineering from SNJB's Late Sau. K. B. Jain College of Engineering, Chandwad (Maharashtra) ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------1. INTRODUCTION Abstract - Compact, high-performance vehicles such as
go-karts require braking systems that are highly responsive, reliable, and easy to service within severely constrained chassis envelopes. Conventional hydraulic brake systems typically rely on rigid master-cylinder mounting brackets with fixed-position brake fluid reservoirs. While these arrangements are functional, they significantly limit installation flexibility, hinder routine maintenance, and increase the likelihood of air entrapment caused by suboptimal reservoir orientation.
Braking system performance is a critical factor in ensuring vehicle safety and controllability, particularly in compact and high-performance platforms where rapid deceleration and precise modulation are required. Go-karts and similar lightweight vehicles operate within severely limited chassis space and are subjected to high vibration levels and frequent braking events. These operating conditions place increased emphasis on braking system reliability, packaging efficiency, and ease of maintenance.
This study presents BRIBS (Ribs for Braking System)—a mechanically adjustable master-cylinder mounting solution featuring a pivot-mounted, size-adjustable brake fluid reservoir. The proposed system enables precise angular and positional adjustment of the reservoir, ensuring consistent hydraulic head pressure while greatly enhancing accessibility for brake fluid refilling and bleeding operations.
In hydraulic braking systems, the master cylinder converts driver-applied mechanical force into hydraulic pressure, which is transmitted to the brake calipers through the fluid circuit. The brake fluid reservoir supports this process by supplying fluid to the system and accommodating volumetric changes caused by wear, temperature variation, and fluid displacement. In conventional configurations, the master cylinder and reservoir are rigidly mounted to the chassis using fixed brackets. While such arrangements are sufficient for standard road vehicles, they are less suitable for compact vehicle platforms.
The design incorporates a slotted adjustment interface coupled with a spring-assisted locking mechanism, providing robust positional stability under vibration, dynamic braking loads, and track-induced impacts. This configuration allows rapid fine-tuning without the need for complete disassembly, thereby reducing service time and improving operational reliability.
Rigid mounting restricts the ability to position the reservoir optimally relative to the master cylinder, which can compromise the maintenance of adequate hydraulic head pressure and increase the potential for air entrapment within the system. Furthermore, limited accessibility to the reservoir complicates essential maintenance operations such as brake fluid refilling and bleeding. These challenges are particularly pronounced in racing, prototype, and student-designed vehicles, where frequent servicing and rapid system adjustments are often required.
Design validation was carried out through detailed CAD modelling, preliminary finite element analysis, and prototype-level functional evaluation. The results indicate notable improvements in serviceability, a reduced tendency for air lock formation, and superior adaptability when compared to conventional fixed-mount braking assemblies. Overall, the BRIBS system offers a modular, lightweight, and cost-effective solution well suited to compact vehicle platforms, including competitive racing go-karts, electric mobility vehicles, and educational or experimental automotive applications where flexibility, ease of maintenance, and reliability are critical.
To address these shortcomings, this study introduces BRIBS (Ribs for Braking System)—a mechanically adjustable master-cylinder mounting solution incorporating a pivot-mounted brake fluid reservoir. The proposed design enables controlled adjustment of reservoir height and orientation, allowing optimal alignment with the master cylinder while enhancing service accessibility. By improving adaptability to varying chassis layouts and operating conditions, the BRIBS system aims to enhance hydraulic reliability, reduce air-
Key Words: Hydraulic braking system; Master cylinder mounting; Adjustable brake fluid reservoir; Go-kart braking; Modular braking design
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