A SYNOPSIS ON

ABS
OBJECTIVE: To make a mechanism to control the skids of vehicle
at the time of braking when the vehicle is in speed.

INTRODUCTION:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an automobile safety system that
allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the
road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the
wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled
skidding. It is an automated system that uses the principles of threshold
braking and cadence braking which were practiced by skillful drivers with
previous generation braking systems. It does this at a much faster rate and
with better control than a driver could manage.
ABS generally offers improved vehicle control and decreases stopping
distances on dry and slippery surfaces for many drivers; however, on loose
surfaces like gravel or snow-covered pavement, ABS can significantly
increase braking distance, although still improving vehicle control.
Antilock braking systems (ABSs) are electronic systems that monitor and
control wheel slip during vehicle braking. ABS scan improve vehicle
control during braking, and reduce stopping distances on slippery (split or
low coefficient of friction) road surfaces by limiting wheel slip and
minimizing lockup. Rolling wheels have much more traction than locked
wheels. Reducing wheel slip improves vehicle stability and control during
braking, since stability increases as wheel slip decreases.
ABS

was

first

developed

French automobile and

aircraft

for aircraft use

in

1929

pioneer Gabriel

Voisin,

by

the

as threshold

braking on

airplanes

is

nearly

impossible.

These

systems

use

a flywheel and valve attached to a hydraulic line that feeds the brake
cylinders. The flywheel is attached to a drum that runs at the same speed
as the wheel. In normal braking, the drum and flywheel should spin at the
same speed. However, if a wheel were to slow down, then the drum would
do the same, leaving the flywheel spinning at a faster rate. This causes the
valve to open, allowing a small amount of brake fluid to bypass the master
cylinder into a local reservoir, lowering the pressure on the cylinder and
releasing the brakes. The use of the drum and flywheel meant the valve
only opened when the wheel was turning. In testing, a 30% improvement
in braking performance was noted, because the pilots immediately applied
full brakes instead of slowly increasing pressure in order to find the skid
point. An additional benefit was the elimination of burned or burst tires.
The first fully electronic anti lock system was developed in the late 60s for
the Concorde aircraft.

COMPONENTS:
There are four main components of ABS: speed sensors,valves, a pump,
and a controller.
Speed sensors
A speed sensor is used to determine the acceleration or
deceleration of the wheel.these sensors use a magnet and a coil of
wire to generate a signal. The rotation of the wheel or differential
induces a magnetic field around the sensor. The fluctuations of this
magnetic field generate a voltage into the sensor since the voltage
inducted on the sensor is a result of the rotating wheel, this sensor
can become inaccurate at slow speeds. The slower rotation of the
wheel can cause inaccurate fluctuations in the magnetic field and
thus cause inaccurate readings to the controller.

Valves
There is a valve in the brake line of each brake controlled by
the ABS. On some systems, the valve has three positions:

In position one, the valve is open; pressure from the master

cylinder is passed right through to the brake.

In position two, the valve blocks the line, isolating that brake
from the master cylinder. This prevents the pressure from
rising further should the driver push the brake pedal harder.

In position three, the valve releases some of the pressure from

the brake.

The majority of problems with the valve system occur due to

clogged valves. When a valve is clogged it is unable to open,
close, or change position. An inoperable valve will prevent the
system from modulating the valves and controlling pressure
supplied to the brakes.
Pump
The pump in the ABS is used to restore the pressure to the
hydraulic brakes after the valves have released it. A signal from the
controller will release the valve at the detection of wheel slip. After
a valve release the pressure supplied from the user, the pump is
used to restore a desired amount of pressure to the braking system.
The controller will modulate the pumps status in order to provide
the desired amount of pressure and reduce slipping.
Controller
The controller is an ECU type unit in the car which receives
information from each individual wheel speed sensor, in turn if a
wheel loses traction the signal is sent to the controller, the

controller will then limit the brake force (EBD) and activate the
ABS modulator which actuates the braking valves on and off.

Stopping a car in a hurry on a slippery road can be very challenging. Antilock braking systems (ABS) take a lot of the challenge out of this
sometimes nerve-wracking event. In fact, on slippery surfaces, even
professional drivers can't stop as quickly without ABS as an average driver
can with ABS.

WORKING:
Anti-lock
1.

Brake

Systems

(ABS)

operate

as

follows:

When the brakes are applied, fluid is forced from the brake master
cylinder outlet ports to the HCU inlet ports. This pressure is
transmitted through four normally open solenoid valves contained
inside the HCU, then through the outlet ports of the HCU to each
wheel.

2.

The primary (rear) circuit of the brake master cylinder feeds the
front brakes.

3.

The secondary (front) circuit of the brake master cylinder feeds the
rear brakes.

4.

If the anti-lock brake control module senses a wheel is about to

lock, based on anti-lock brake sensor data, it closes the normally
open solenoid valve for that circuit. This prevents any more fluid
from entering that circuit.

5.

The anti-lock brake control module then looks at the anti-lock

brake sensor signal from the affected wheel again.

6.

If that wheel is still decelerating, it opens the solenoid valve for

that circuit.

7.

Once the affected wheel comes back up to speed, the anti-lock

brake control module returns the solenoid valves to their normal
condition allowing fluid flow to the affected brake.

8.

The anti-lock brake control module monitors the electromechanical

components of the system.

9.

Malfunction of the anti-lock brake system will cause the anti-lock

brake control module to shut off or inhibit the system. However,
normal power-assisted braking remains.

10.

Loss of hydraulic fluid in the brake master cylinder will disable the
anti-lock system. [li[The 4-wheel anti-lock brake system is selfmonitoring. When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position,
the anti-lock brake control module will perform a preliminary selfcheck on the anti-lock electrical system indicated by a three second
illumination of the yellow ABS wanting indicator.

11.

During vehicle operation, including normal and anti-lock braking,

the anti-lock brake control module monitors all electrical anti-lock
functions and some hydraulic operations.

12.

Each time the vehicle is driven, as soon as vehicle speed reaches

approximately 20 km/h (12 mph), the anti-lock brake control module
turns on the pump motor for approximately one-half second. At this
time, a mechanical noise may be heard. This is a normal function of
the self-check by the anti-lock brake control module.

13.

When the vehicle speed goes below 20 km/h (12 mph), the ABS
turns off.

14.

Most malfunctions of the anti-lock brake system and traction

control system, if equipped, will cause the yellow ABS warning
indicator to be illuminated.

ADVANTAGES OF ABS:
The main benefits of an anti-lock brake system (ABS) include.

Stopping on ice. As mentioned above, an ABS prevents lock-ups

and skidding, even in slippery conditions. Anti-lock brakes have
been proven to save lives in some situations by helping drivers
keep control of a vehicle.

Lower insurance costs. Because it is a thoroughly tested safety

device with a track record of effectiveness, insurers often give
customers specific discounts for having an ABS system on their
vehicle.

Higher resale value. As a feature on a car or truck, an ABS raises

the market value of the vehicle. Nowadays, where ABS technology
has become standard on many vehicles, not having it could result
in a lower price for resale.

Traction control. An ABS shares some of the infrastructure of a

traction control system, where new technology helps ensure that
each wheel has traction on the road. That makes it easy for
manufacturers to install both of these features at the factory.

DISADVANTAGES OF ABS:
Despite the fact that anti-lock brakes are proven to be a safety feature in
most situations, and insurers consider them to significantly lower risk for a
vehicle, not all drivers are sold on this option for a car or truck. Here are
some of the down sides that drivers find in this kind of brake system.

Inconsistent stop times. Anti-lock brakes are made to provide for

surer braking in slippery conditions. However, some drivers report
that they find stopping distances for regular conditions are
lengthened by their ABS, either because there may be errors in the

system, or because the clunking or noise of the ABS may

contribute to the driver not braking at the same rate.

Expense. An ABS can be expensive to maintain. Expensive

sensors on each wheel can cost hundreds of dollars to fix if they
get out of calibration or develop other problems. For some, this is a
big reason to decline an ABS in a vehicle.

Delicate systems. It's easy to cause a problem in an ABS by

messing around with the brakes. Problems include disorientation of
the ABS, where a compensating brake sensor causes the vehicle to
shudder, make loud noise or generally brake worse.

APPLICATIONS:
There are many different variations and control algorithms for use in ABS.
One of the simpler systems works as follows:
1. The controller monitors the speed sensors at all times. It is looking
for decelerations in the wheel that are out of the ordinary. Right
before a wheel locks up, it will experience a rapid deceleration. If
left unchecked, the wheel would stop much more quickly than any
car could. It might take a car five seconds to stop from 60 mph
(96.6 km/h) under ideal conditions, but a wheel that locks up could
stop spinning in less than a second.
2. The ABS controller knows that such a rapid deceleration is
impossible, so it reduces the pressure to that brake until it sees an
accelleration then it increases the pressure until it sees the
deceleration again. It can do this very quickly, before the tire can
actually significantly change speed. The result is that the tire slows
down at the same rate as the car, with the brakes keeping the tires

very near the point at which they will start to lock up. This gives
the system maximum braking power.
3. This replaces the need to manually pump the brakes while driving
on a slippery or a low traction surface, allowing to steer even in
the most emergency braking conditions.
4. When the ABS is in operation the driver will feel a pulsing in the

brake pedal; this comes from the rapid opening and closing of the
valves. This pulsing also tells the driver that the ABS has been
triggered. Some ABS systems can cycle up to 16 times per second.