ABS brake Full Form
ABS stands for “Anti-lock Braking System." It is a safety and anti-skid system that is used in many vehicles, like cars, buses, aeroplanes, trucks, and many others. The main role of this system is to prevent the wheels of vehicles from skidding and locking when brakes are applied. It uses the principles of threshold and cadence braking systems. It also reduces the braking system and prevents any sudden obstructions. This system is also known as an anti-skid braking system.
- Components of ABS
- Working of ABS
- Advantages of ABS
- Disadvantages of ABS
This system activates faster than the drivers. It also results in improved vehicle handling and decreases stopping distances in snowy conditions. It makes contact with the road, prevents the skidding of the wheels, and maintains good vehicle control. It is a safety measure that is used in all modern vehicles to ensure the safety of travellers. In modern vehicles, there is also an option for front to rear brake bias, which is also known as an emergency brake support system.
Components of ABS
There are four main components of the anti-lock braking system. They are:
Speed sensors: These are the sensors which are used to detect how fast the wheels of vehicles are rotating.
Pump: It is a hydraulic fluid filled pump which exert pressure on the callipers and braking drums.
Valves: Valves help the brake line to allow, block and release pressure on the brakes.
Controller: It is also known as the Electronic Control Unit(ECU) that reacts to the signals from the speed sensors.
Working of ABS
When the brakes are applied, the speed sensors of ABS track the decreasing rotation of the wheels. When the wheels are ready to stop, these sensors send a signal to the Electronic Control Unit. This control unit releases the brake pads from the wheels partially and leads to the rotation of the wheels. Without the Anti lock braking system the wheels stop rotation and the vehicles may skid. When the vehicle skids, it would cover a long distance and the driver loses control of the vehicle and is unable to steer the wheels as they are locked.
Advantages of ABS
The major advantages of ABS are:
Prevent the car from spinning
Provide high stability
Reduces the friction of wheels
Increases the efficiency of tires
Good braking performance
ABS reduces wearing of brake discs and pads
Avoids uneven tyre wear
Reduces the braking distance by applying the required pressure
Disadvantages of ABS
ABS also has some disadvantages. They are as follows:
Different braking distances due to different types of surfaces
Sensors and Electronic Control Unit increases the complexity
Expensive and difficult to maintain
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
During the poor conditions of weather, these systems reduce the collisions on road surfaces. In case of snowy weather the wheel that skids create a snow wedge that makes the vehicle stop. It also controls and prevents any locking or skidding during these conditions.
Based on the number of sensors and valves, there are three types of ABS. They are:
Four channel four sensor ABS
Three channel four sensor ABS
Three channel three sensor ABS
ABS doesn’t work on very wet surfaces, gravel surfaces, or icy conditions. When the brakes are applied, ABS allows the wheels to continue rotation, but these surfaces don't have enough friction for the wheels to recollect traction force.
According to the Monash University Accident Research by Australia research, ABS
Reduces the risk of accidents by 18 percent and
ABS vehicles are 37 percent less involved in fatal crashes than vehicles without ABS.
The modern ABS system was invented in 1971 by Marip Palazzetti, and now it is used in almost all cars. In India, it was first invented by Bosch in 2005, and ESP products were also introduced by Bosch in 2009. Bosch keeps on updating the ABS and ESP products.
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