The Theory behind Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Have you ever driven a car on high speed or on slippery grounds and suddenly had to apply your brakes? These surely would have been a nerve breaking moment for you. This is the moment where Anti-lock Braking System or ABS comes on the fore to help you out of the situation.

So what exactly is ABS??  ABS is an automobile safety system that helps the wheels of the vehicle to maintain traction with the road and avoid locking of the wheels and uncontrolled skidding thus enabling the driver to maintain control of the steering and stop the vehicle in the shortest possible time.

Basically Anti-lock Braking System consists of:

• Controller- This is called the brain of the system. This component reads the inputs and avoids the wheels from locking and skidding.
• Speed Sensors- Speed Sensors informs the controller that the wheel has locked up.
• Valves- The Valves works in sync with the Controller and the Pump to add or release pressure from the individual wheel brakes for controlled braking.
• Pumps- The pumps help in restoring the pressure back.

So, how does Anti-lock Braking System works?

When brakes are applied in the vehicle it pressurizes the hydraulic system thus squeezing the brake pads which slows down the car. If there is any difference between the tyres speed in slowing down, the speed sensors tracks this and then automatically reduces the brake pressure on the wheel by opening the pressure release valve in the hydraulic system.   The pumps then help the vehicle to build back the pressure. Overall, the system works very quickly.

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