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Views: 29 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-15 Origin: Site
The braking system of a car is the core system to ensure driving safety and can be called the "lifeline" of the vehicle. Whether it is slowing down and stopping during daily commuting or avoiding braking in an emergency, the precise operation of the braking system is indispensable. Many car owners are accustomed to the process of "decelerating by stepping on the brakes", but they know very little about the internal structure of the braking system. This article will systematically analyze the composition and structure of the braking system of a car, from core components to auxiliary devices, to fully reveal this complex and sophisticated safety system.
Before understanding the specific components, it is necessary to first clarify the core function of the braking system: by generating a force opposite to the direction of vehicle travel, the vehicle can be slowed down, stopped or parked for a long time. According to the different functions and operation modes, the braking system of a car can be divided into two categories:
This is the braking system most commonly used by the driver. It is triggered by stepping on the brake pedal and is used to slow down and stop the vehicle during driving. Its characteristics are rapid response and adjustable braking force, which can adapt to the braking needs of different road conditions and vehicle speeds.
Commonly known as the "handbrake" or "electronic handbrake", it is used to prevent the vehicle from rolling after it has come to a complete stop. The parking brake system is independent of the driving brake system. Even if the driving brake fails, the vehicle can be fixed by the parking brake. No matter what kind of braking system, it is composed of multiple precisely matched components. These components can be divided into four core modules according to their functions: power supply device, control device, transmission device and brake. Some models are also equipped with auxiliary braking devices.
The control device is responsible for regulating the braking process, ensuring reasonable distribution of braking force and stable braking effect, and is the key to improving braking safety.
(1) Brake pedal
The brake pedal is the direct component for the driver to interact with the braking system. It transmits the driver's pedaling force to the brake master cylinder through the lever principle. The pedal travel, force and feedback will affect the driving experience. Hyundai Motor has achieved a more linear braking feel by optimizing the pedal design and booster parameters.
Cylinder Control Valve Some high-end models are equipped with a brake master cylinder control valve, which is used to dynamically adjust the hydraulic pressure output by the brake master cylinder. For example, when ABS is working, the control valve will quickly adjust the brake pressure of each wheel to prevent the wheel from locking; when the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) intervenes, the control valve will apply brakes to specific wheels to help the vehicle correct its driving trajectory.
The ABS control unit is a standard feature of modern cars and consists of a wheel speed sensor, a hydraulic pump, a solenoid valve, and an electronic control unit (ECU). When the wheel is about to lock during braking, the wheel speed sensor detects the abnormality and sends a signal to the ECU. The ECU controls the solenoid valve to quickly open and close, adjust the brake pressure, and keep the wheel in a rolling and sliding state to prevent the vehicle from losing control. ABS can significantly shorten the braking distance while retaining the steering ability, and is an important safety upgrade for the braking system.
The function of the transmission is to transmit the force generated by the energy supply device to the brake. According to the different transmission methods, it can be divided into two categories: hydraulic transmission and mechanical transmission.
Brake line: It is composed of metal hard pipes and rubber hoses. The metal hard pipes are used for fixed-path transmission (such as from the master cylinder to the chassis of the vehicle body), and the rubber hoses are used for flexible connections between the wheels and the vehicle body. They need to withstand high pressure and be resistant to aging.
Brake wheel cylinder (slave cylinder): It is installed on the brake and converts the hydraulic energy transmitted from the brake line into mechanical energy, pushing the brake pads to contact the brake disc (or brake drum) to generate friction. Disc brakes are mostly single-piston or multi-piston wheel cylinders, while drum brakes are wheel cylinder pistons.
Brake hose connector: It is used to connect the brake line and the wheel cylinder. It adopts a sealing design to prevent brake fluid leakage. The sealing ring at the connector needs to be checked regularly to avoid aging and failure.
Mechanical transmission is mainly used in the parking brake system, including the handbrake lever, cable, pawl mechanism, etc. When the handbrake is pulled, the cable drives the mechanical structure of the brake, so that the brake pads keep in contact with the brake disc (or brake drum), achieving parking brake. Some models use electronic parking systems, which use motors and gear mechanisms instead of cables, and control the brakes through buttons, which is more convenient.
Brakes are components that directly generate braking friction. They are installed on the wheels and convert the vehicle's kinetic energy into heat energy through friction to achieve deceleration and parking. According to different structures, they are divided into two categories: disc brakes and drum brakes.
Disc brakesare the mainstream configuration of modern passenger cars, especially widely used on the front wheels. They are mainly composed of the following components: Brake discs: mostly made of cast iron, fixed on the wheel hub and rotate with the wheel. The surface is smooth and flat, and the braking effect is generated by friction. High-performance models will use ventilated discs, perforated discs or carbon ceramic discs to improve heat dissipation performance. Brake pads: composed of steel backing and friction material, fixed to both sides of the brake disc by calipers. Friction materials are mostly semi-metallic, ceramic or composite materials, and must have the characteristics of high temperature resistance, wear resistance and low noise.
Brake caliper: Installed on the axle or steering knuckle, with a piston (wheel cylinder) inside. When hydraulic oil enters the caliper, the piston pushes the brake pad to clamp the brake disc, generating friction. Depending on the number of pistons, there are single-piston, double-piston, four-piston and other types. The more pistons there are, the more evenly the braking force is distributed.
Caliper bracket: Used to fix the brake caliper to ensure the relative position of the brake pad and the brake disc is accurate. The bracket must have sufficient rigidity to avoid deformation during braking.
Drum brakes were once widely used in various vehicles. Currently, they are mostly used on the rear wheels of economy cars or commercial vehicles. The structure includes:
Brake drum: Fixed on the wheel and rotates with the wheel. It has a cylindrical cavity inside. When braking, the brake pad expands inside the drum to generate friction.
Brake shoe: Arc-shaped structure, with friction pads attached to the surface, installed on a fixed bracket inside the brake drum.
Return spring: When the brake pedal is released, the return spring pulls the brake shoe back to its original position, breaking away from contact with the brake drum and reducing driving resistance. Wheel cylinders: Installed between the brake shoes, they use hydraulic pressure to push the brake shoes outward, causing the friction pads to contact the inner wall of the brake drum, generating braking.
Compared to disc brakes, drum brakes are less expensive and offer greater braking force, but they have poor heat dissipation and are prone to thermal degradation with long-term braking. Therefore, they are gradually being replaced by disc brakes.
As a car owner, understanding the components of the brake system will help you better perform daily maintenance. Regularly check the brake fluid level, monitor brake pad wear, and pay attention to any unusual noises or sensations when braking. These details can help you identify potential problems early. Remember, any malfunction in the brake system can be life-threatening. If you discover any abnormality, it is important to have it inspected by a professional immediately to ensure reliable braking every time.And if you want to replace new brake parts,you'd better choose reliable and qualified supplier.Our company EV offer high-quality and performance brake parts.Welcome to visit our website:https://www.evfriction.com. Or contact us by +86-13363216781.
