During which step is fluid pressure delivered to brake calipers and wheel cylinders?

Fluid pressure is delivered to brake calipers and wheel cylinders during hydraulic operation when the pressure moves through hydraulic circuits. When the driver applies the brake pedal, it compresses the brake fluid in the master cylinder, creating hydraulic pressure. This pressure then travels through the hydraulic lines to reach the brake calipers in disc brakes or the wheel cylinders in drum brakes. The increased fluid pressure causes the calipers or wheel cylinders to activate, resulting in the application of the brake.

This function of hydraulic systems is key to their effectiveness because they enable force multiplication; the small force from the driver pressing the brake pedal can produce a much larger force at the wheels. Understanding this hydraulic principle is critical in the context of vehicle braking systems, as it highlights the essential mechanics behind how braking force is generated and applied.