ANTI-LOCK BRAKING

SYSTEM (ABS)

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the brakes is to slow down, stop or

hold the vehicle as desired by the driver.
Brakes convert kinetic energy into heat by
creating friction.

SYSTEM BASICS

The

brake

pedal

is

applied

mechanically by the foot of the

driver.

This allows a pushrod to be

pushed linearly in and out of its
master cylinder.

This pushes brake fluid into the

brake lines which provide the
necessary force to the brake
shoes or pads.

Hydraulic

actuation

allows

multiplication of pedal force.

STOPPING DISTANCE
NORMAL
STOPPING
STOPPING IN RAIN 50%
STOPPING IN SNOW TWICE NORMAL

STOPPING ON ICE THREE TIMES NORMAL DISTANCE

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WHAT IS ABS?
(ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM)

Also

known

as

Anti-Skid

Braking System.

ABS means a portion of a

service

brake

automatically

system

that

controls

the

degree of rotational wheel slip

during braking.

ABS detects if one or more of

the tyres are slipping and
then accordingly reduces the
braking force on those tyres.

ORIGIN OF ABS
ABS was first developed for the
Jet Aircrafts where the landing
speeds/weights are high and
Runway lengths often wet and
limited.
It's been since perfected to the
extent that the Pilot can today
touch down with the Brake
Pedal 'fully home', w/o fearing
any skidding of the Aircraft,
and bring it to a safe halt.

PURPOSE OF ABS

Anti-lock braking systems works by making sure the wheels roll

without slipping.

A locked (sliding) wheel offers less braking force than a decelerating

rolling wheel.

The locked wheel also produces little lateral force, preventing

steering control.

ABS monitor wheel lock-up and modulate brake pressure to provide

controlled braking under most circumstances.

PURPOSE OF ABS
(CONTD.,)

ABS reduces stopping distances by not allowing the wheels to

lock up, especially under slippery road conditions.

Since the wheels are rolling, the driver has steering control
during braking.

Wheel speed sensors monitor each wheel speed.

ABS controller and high-pressure pump increase or reduce

pressure to wheels in order to maintain consistent wheel
speeds.
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HOW DOES ABS PREVENT WHEEL

LOCK UP?
The

ABS pump valve system blocks the hydraulic

pressure in the lines and releases it as required.

ABS

can pump the brakes 18 times per second,

compared to a maximum of 5 times per second for

professional drivers.
The

rapid pumping keeps the pressure on the rotor

close to the threshold of lock up.

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ABS SYSTEM DIAGRAM

ABS is combined with the conventional braking system and

located between the master cylinder and wheel cylinders.
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TYPES OF ABS
Anti-lock braking systems use different schemes
depending on the type of brakes in use. We will
refer to them by the number of channels:

that is, how many valves that are individually

controlled and

the number of speed sensors.

1) Four-channel, four-sensor ABS

2) Three-channel, three-sensor ABS
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3) One-channel, one-sensor ABS

TYPES OF ABS (CONTD.,)

Four-channel, four-sensor ABS

This is the best scheme.

There is a speed sensor on all four wheels and a separate
valve for all four wheels.
The controller monitors each wheel individually to make
sure it is achieving maximum braking force.

Three-channel, three-sensor ABS

This scheme, commonly found on pickup trucks with fourwheel ABS.

It has a speed sensor and a valve for each of the front
wheels, with one valve and one sensor for both rear
wheels.
The speed sensor for the rear wheels is located in the
rear axle.
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TYPES OF ABS (CONTD.,)

This system provides individual control of the front wheels, so

that both front wheels can achieve maximum braking force.

The rear wheels, however, are monitored together; they both

have to start to lock up before the ABS will activate on the rear.
With this system, it is possible that one of the rear wheels will
lock during a stop, reducing brake effectiveness.

One-channel, one-sensor ABS

This system is commonly found on pickup trucks with rearwheel ABS.

It has one valve, which controls both rear wheels, and one
speed sensor, located in the rear axle.

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TYPICAL ABS COMPONENT LEYOUT

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WHEEL SPEED SENSORS

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WHEEL SPEED SENSORS

wheel

speed

sensor

is

mounted at each wheel and

sends a wheel rotation signal
to the ABS ECU.

The front wheel sensors are

mounted

to

the

steering

knuckle.

The rear wheel sensors are

mounted
carrier.

to

the

rear

axle
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ABS ACTUATION

The actuator controls the hydraulic brake pressure

to each disc brake caliper or wheel cylinder based
on

input

from

the

system

sensors,

thereby

controlling wheel speed.

These solenoids provide three operating modes

during ABS operation:

Pressure holding

Pressure reduction

Pressure increase

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ABS ADVANTAGES

Enhanced Braking Action.

Vehicle Steerability.

Vehicle Stability.

Stopping Distance.

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WITH ABSDO

Add to your following distance in bad

weather.

Practice use of ABS.

Keep your foot firmly on the brake.

Check

owners

manual

for

special

concerns.

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WITH ABS DO NOT

Drive more aggressively.

Pump the brakes.

Steer too much.

Be alarmed by ABS noise or vibration.

CONCLUSION

Stopping a car in a hurry on a slippery road can be very

challenging. In fact, on slippery surfaces, even professional
drivers can't stop as quickly without ABS as an average
driver can with ABS.

ABS can be used effectively only if it is used within its

design parameters and its limitations are well understood.

People will always love speed, and as long as there are

cars on the road, there will be people who drive fast and
lose control.

Having ABS or not would not prevent many accidents with

a reckless driver.

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Thank You

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