The axle is a key component on the vehicle chassis, connected to the frame through suspension, with brakes and walking mechanisms installed at both ends. Its main function is to bear the load of the vehicle and maintain safe driving.

The braking systems of vehicles can be divided into several types, commonly known as air brake, oil brake, electromagnetic brake, etc. Below, we will introduce these braking methods separately.

Air brake

Air brakes are generally composed of air compressors, brake valves, brake chambers, air reservoirs, pressure gauges, air pumps, pressure springs, safety valves, brake pipelines, and other components. They use compressed air as the medium and use air pressure to drive and achieve dynamic braking.

The braking force output by the air brake system is only related to the air pressure inside the air reservoir and the valve opening degree, and is not related to the force used by the driver to press the brake pedal. The braking force is strong, the braking response is fast, and it is not easy to slip on slope sections. It is not easy to roll over under emergency braking conditions, and is suitable for use on medium and large trucks and buses.

However, the structure of the air brake system is relatively complex, with high requirements for installation space and relatively complex maintenance in the later stage. In addition, the air brake system belongs to the category of 'you can walk with air, you can't walk without air'. If the vehicle is not used for a long time or the driver frequently steps on the brake pedal, it can also cause insufficient air pressure in the air brake system, leading to brake failure.

Oil brake

The oil brake system is generally composed of a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, an oil cup, and connecting pipelines, which transmit braking force through brake oil. After the brake pedal is pressed, the piston or cup in the brake master cylinder is pushed to drive the brake oil, which is transmitted to the brake cylinder to push the friction plate and brake drum to generate frictional braking.

The structure of the oil brake system is simple, with fewer components and low requirements for installation space. Subsequent maintenance and repair are also relatively convenient. In addition, the size of the braking force output is related to the amount of force applied to the brake pedal, and the linear effect is obvious when the amount of force is applied.

However, compared to the air brake system, the braking force of the oil brake is weaker, and the oil circuit also needs regular maintenance to avoid blockage or oil leakage. Usually used on trucks with a capacity of less than 10 tons or medium-sized buses with a capacity of less than 19 seats.

It is worth noting that there is also a type of hydraulic brake on the market, which has the same principle as oil brake, both of which transmit braking force through braking fluid. Oil brake can also be regarded as a type of hydraulic brake. So, the commonly referred to 'hydraulic brake axle' can also be called an oil brake axle.

Electromagnetic brake

Electromagnetic brakes are generally used on small and medium-sized trailers, such as trailer trailers. They control the brake signal and braking force through current, and connect the brake controller with the tractor's braking system to synchronize the braking signals of the front and rear vehicles. Some car owners also refer to them as "electric brakes".

Compared with ordinary braking methods, electromagnetic braking has a more stable braking effect, and the braking force can be adjusted at any time based on the braking performance of different tractors or the braking habits of different drivers. Some high-end electromagnetic brakes can automatically increase or decrease the braking force according to the road slope.

In addition to the above braking methods, there are also some, such as exhaust brake and air brake, which are often consulted by car owners. In fact, exhaust brake and air brake do not achieve braking through the axle.

The exhaust brake, also known as the exhaust brake, is an auxiliary braking device that generally installs the exhaust brake valve in the upper and middle sections of the engine exhaust pipe. By adjusting the pressure inside the exhaust pipe, the engine piston is subjected to reverse gas pressure during the exhaust stroke, producing a braking effect; The air brake is a type of handbrake, also known as the parking brake, which can be different from ordinary parking brakes. The air brake can be used when the vehicle is stationary or as an emergency brake when the vehicle is moving.