Abstract: Provided is a braking system which can enhance the power generation efficiency of a thermoelectric conversion element by efficiently recovering the heat generated during braking, or by increasing the temperature difference between a heat source and the thermoelectric conversion element. A brake pad body in a brake pad is provided with a thermoelectric conversion element. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer are provided in a recess formed in the back surface of the brake pad body.

Abstract: A vehicle brake unit (10) includes a brake drum (11) as a rotating member of metal, brake shoes (12) as a friction engagement means, and a parking brake mechanism (20) for frictionally engaging the shoes (12) with a friction sliding surface (11a) of the drum (11) in accordance a parking brake operation by a driver. The brake unit (10) has a corrosion prevention device (30) composed of permanent magnets (31) and a coil (32) which constitute a power generation means, a battery (33) as a power storage means, and electrodes (34) as an electrical-conduction allowing means. By using electric power generated by the permanent magnets (31) and the coil (32) due to change in magnetic flux and stored in the battery (33), the corrosion prevention device (30) applies predetermined electric power to the drum (11) via the electrodes (34) which are electrically connected to the drum (11) when the brake shoes (12) are frictionally engaged with the friction sliding surface (11a) by the parking brake mechanism (20).

Abstract: Provided is a braking system which can enhance the power generation efficiency of a thermoelectric conversion element by efficiently recovering the heat generated during braking, or by increasing the temperature difference between a heat source and the thermoelectric conversion element. A brake pad body in a brake pad is provided with a thermoelectric conversion element. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer are provided in a recess formed in the back surface of the brake pad body.