ABS is an anti-lock braking system used in vehicles to prevent wheels from locking during braking. It uses sensors to monitor wheel speed and pumping valves to regulate brake pressure and allow wheel rotation. This improves vehicle control and reduces braking distances. ABS was first experimented with in aircraft in the 1920s and became mandatory equipment in many vehicles by the 2000s. Modern ABS systems now include additional sensors and controls to further optimize braking in different road conditions and when cornering.
2. What is ABS and purpose of ABS:
ABS is an automated safety anti skid system used in vehicles such as cars, bikes,
busses, trucks and even in aircrafts and railways. This feature offers more control
over vehicle during braking. ABS use threshold braking and cadence braking
techniques.
Use of ABS while braking reduces the braking distance and to avoid locking of
wheels while braking.
History of ABS:
In 1920 Gabriel Vision experimented ABS in aircraft and saw 30% improvement in
braking. In 1958 Royal Enfield tested ABS in bikes and produced. In 1961 Ferguson
introduced ABS in Ferguson P99. In 1966 Jensen used ABS in Jensen FF
and produced. In 1969 Concorde aircraft used electronic ABS. The
modern day ABS is invented by Mario Palazzetti this system is used in
cars.
3. Components of ABS:
• Speed sensor-Sense the speed of the wheel
• Valves
• Pump
• Controller unit-Controls ABS working
4. Working of ABS:
When we press brake pedal the brakes are applied. In few cases the tires get locked
up and stops rotating. Here comes ABS which overwrites human input and reduces
the pressure in brakes thus braking force is reduced and wheel starts to rotate and
braking force is increased by ABS and brakes are applied.
Note: Braking force is high when wheels get locked up. By using ABS we can
achieve this condition also without skidding. Thereby braking distance is reduced.
5.
6. Advantages of ABS:
-> Reduce braking distance in dry surfaces
-> Avoid skidding
-> Increased tire life
Disadvantages of ABS
-> Increased braking distance in sand, snow, loose gravel
-> Cost is marginally high
-> Speed sensor malfunction.
Law and regulation:
Indian government made ABS mandatory for all four wheelers and two wheelers of
125cc and above from 1st April 2019.
In Europe ABS is mandatory in cars sold since 2004.
7.
8. Advancement in ABS:
Nowadays ABS comes with modes in which you can adjust ABS based
on road conditions. In motorcycles ABS is equipped with CBS-Combined
Braking System, in cars ABS is equipped with electronic brake force
distribution to alter the front-to-rear brake bias
Cornering ABS/Optimized Curve Braking:
Standard ABS makes motorcycles to skid when brakes applied while negotiating a
turn as brake force is high and traction is less. To avoid this Bosch and Continental
invented Cornering ABS which use Lean angle sensor and cornering force sensor in
addition to wheel speed sensor. These sensors calculate the braking force required
to stop bike while turning thus avoid skidding and control over vehicle while
turning.
