How Do Brakes Work?
In short: How a push on the brake pedal travels through fluid to discs and drums, why heat and wheel lock-up shape brake design, and why brake dust is the next engineering challenge.
A 1:58 short film in the series “How Things Work”, narrated by intellect_voice_01.
Sources used in this film: Springer Nature (International Journal of Automotive Technology), “Model-Based Antilock Brake System with Integrated Wheel Brake Pressure Sensing for Robust Slip Control - International Journal of Automotive Technology”; Springer Nature (Springer Vieweg), proceedings of the 14th International Munich Chassis Symposium 2023; authors from IAV GmbH and Volkswagen AG, “Regulation of brake particle emissions by Euro 7 - requirements and trends in future chassis development”; European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC); article published in Atmosphere (MDPI), 2023, “Comprehensive analysis of current primary measures to mitigate brake wear particle emissions from light-duty vehicles”; Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Hydraulic brake | technology | Britannica”; SAGE Publications (journals.sagepub.com); review article by Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei and Jingjing He, 2026, “A review of thermal performance analysis and optimization research on automotive disc brakes - Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei, Jingjing He, 2026”; Springer (Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology), “Effects of brake disk structure on heat dissipation and wear performance - Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology”; Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio, Springer Nature), “Improved deep reinforcement learning controls anti-lock braking via electro-hydraulic composite systems in in-wheel motor-driven electric vehicles - Scientific Reports”.
Sources used in this film
- Springer Nature (International Journal of Automotive Technology) — Model-Based Antilock Brake System with Integrated Wheel Brake Pressure Sensing for Robust Slip Control - International Journal of Automotive Technology · View →
- Springer Nature (Springer Vieweg), proceedings of the 14th International Munich Chassis Symposium 2023; authors from IAV GmbH and Volkswagen AG — Regulation of brake particle emissions by Euro 7 - requirements and trends in future chassis development · View →
- European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC); article published in Atmosphere (MDPI), 2023 — Comprehensive analysis of current primary measures to mitigate brake wear particle emissions from light-duty vehicles · View →
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Hydraulic brake | technology | Britannica · View →
- SAGE Publications (journals.sagepub.com); review article by Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei and Jingjing He, 2026 — A review of thermal performance analysis and optimization research on automotive disc brakes - Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei, Jingjing He, 2026 · View →
- Springer (Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology) — Effects of brake disk structure on heat dissipation and wear performance - Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology · View →
- Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio, Springer Nature) — Improved deep reinforcement learning controls anti-lock braking via electro-hydraulic composite systems in in-wheel motor-driven electric vehicles - Scientific Reports · View →
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Springer Nature (International Journal of Automotive Technology): Model-Based Antilock Brake System with Integrated Wheel Brake Pressure Sensing for Robust Slip Control - International Journal of Automotive Technology
- Also: Springer Nature (Springer Vieweg), proceedings of the 14th International Munich Chassis Symposium 2023; authors from IAV: Regulation of brake particle emissions by Euro 7 - requirements and trends in future chassis development
- Also: European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC); article published in Atmosphere (MDPI), 2023: Comprehensive analysis of current primary measures to mitigate brake wear particle emissions from light-duty vehicles
- Also: Encyclopaedia Britannica: Hydraulic brake | technology | Britannica
- Also: SAGE Publications (journals.sagepub.com); review article by Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei: A review of thermal performance analysis and optimization research on automotive disc brakes - Shiwei Xu, Shaoxiong Guo, Xiaopeng Zhang, Xuebo Li, Lulu Wei, Jingjing He, 2026
- Also: Springer (Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology): Effects of brake disk structure on heat dissipation and wear performance - Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
- Also: Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio, Springer Nature): Improved deep reinforcement learning controls anti-lock braking via electro-hydraulic composite systems in in-wheel motor-driven electric vehicles - Scientific Reports
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