The caliper of a low-drag floating caliper brake is mounted on the bracket via guide pins and can float axially. The low-drag fixed caliper brake uses a return spring with a return function to actively pull the brake pads back.

The low-drag disc brake assembly is a disc brake system component that, based on conventional disc brakes, significantly reduces the residual contact force (i.e., drag torque) between the friction plate and the brake disc when the vehicle is not braking, through structural optimization.

Drag torque is the frictional force generated by scraping between the rotating brake disc and the friction plate. In traditional floating caliper disc brakes, after braking is released, the friction plate is pushed away by the rotation of the brake disc to achieve retraction. However, there is still some contact between the friction plate and the brake disc, generating drag torque and causing additional energy loss.

According to the report '2026-2031 China Low-Drag Disc Brake Assembly Industry Market In-Depth Research and Development Prospect Forecast Report' released by the New Thinking Industry Research Center, the low-drag disc brake assembly significantly reduces drag torque by introducing active retraction mechanisms, optimizing guide pin structures, improving seal ring groove designs, and other technical means, achieving active separation of the friction plate after braking is released. Its main purpose is to reduce fuel consumption, enhance vehicle endurance, and reduce brake heating and wear.

Based on the caliper structure, low-drag disc brake assemblies can be divided into two categories: low-drag floating caliper brakes and low-drag fixed caliper brakes. The caliper of a low-drag floating caliper brake is mounted on the bracket via guide pins and can float axially. The low-drag fixed caliper brake uses a return spring with a return function to actively pull the brake pads back.

The patent 'Low-Drag Automotive Disc Floating Brake and Its Braking Method' from Wuhan University of Technology includes products such as mounting brackets, floating calipers, piston rods, guide pins, linings, and friction plates. It achieves active retraction of the friction plate after braking is released by fitting elastic components over the guide pins. The patent 'A Low-Drag Fixed Caliper Assembly' from Zhejiang Asia-Pacific Mechanical & Electronic Co., Ltd. includes products such as inner/outer calipers, inner/outer brake pads, and pistons. The brake pads move away from the brake disc under the action of the return force from the caliper spring legs and the rotational force of the brake disc.

Low-drag disc brake assemblies are widely used in the wheel-end braking systems of passenger and commercial vehicles, particularly aligning with the energy-saving and endurance needs of new energy vehicles. Their low-drag resistance calipers can effectively reduce drag and increase the driving range of electric vehicles. According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in 2025, the production and sales of new energy vehicles in China were 16.626 million and 16.490 million units, respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 29.0% and 28.2%. Against the backdrop of the vigorous development of China's new energy vehicle industry, the application of low-drag disc brake assemblies is accelerating.

Industry analysts from New Thinking state that the key companies Layout (Note: ' Layout ' is not translated as it seems to be a placeholder or error in the original text; if it means 'involved in the layout' or similar, it could be translated as 'involved in the development') in China's low-drag disc brake assembly sector include Wuhu Bethel Automotive Safety Systems Co., Ltd. and Xi'an Zhengchang Electronics Co., Ltd. Wuhu Bethel Automotive Safety Systems Co., Ltd. offers a comprehensive range of disc brake products, covering the full spectrum of needs from traditional to new energy vehicles and from mid-to-low-end to high-end models. Its product matrix has expanded from floating calipers to fixed calipers, and it is comprehensively developing lower drag torque caliper assemblies and low-runout brake products.

New Thinking Industry Research Institute