What is an anti-lock braking system?

 An anti-lock braking system (or ABS brake full form) is an anti-skid brakes system which is a piece of safety equipment that helps prevent the wheels of a vehicle from locking up in case someone slams the brakes harshly. For example, while on the road, if you have ever had to pull your vehicle’s brakes for an abrupt stop, you will notice that your car does not come to a sudden halt but instead slows down a little before halting completely. Yes, you might still feel the jerk from the sudden stop, but you were protected from having your vehicle skid over, resulting in a significant accident. This is what an anti-lock braking system does. It helps the driver maintain control over the steer and prevents the vehicle from going in one direction. Thus, in simple words, an anti-lock brake’s meaning is a safety system that ensures your vehicle does not topple over. The anti-lock also prevents a skid when driving on a slippery surface.

An ABS has four main components – First are the speed sensors that determine the rate of the wheel’s speed. This anti-lock braking system sensor transmits this information to a controller or an electronic control unit (ECU) or the ABS module that evaluates this information to ascertain when a wheel is going to lock up.  A signal from the controller renders the valve released, which controls the pressure when applied on the brakes. A valve has three positions. An open position allows the pressure from the master cylinder to pass through the brake. A block position blocks off an excess of the pressure on the brakes and limits it simultaneously, and the last one is the release position that releases all of the pressure on the brakes. The final component is the pump that reinstates the force released by the valves in the hydraulic brakes. The controller regulates the status of the pump to generate the desired amount of pressure.

How does an anti-lock braking system work?

The sensors (fitted at each of the four wheels) monitor the wheel’s speed and send back the data to the ABS module. After sensing that a revolution has slowed down, the module then analyses this and directs the valves to release pressure towards that wheel. Once this has been done, the pump applies the force to actuate the brake again. This way, the ABS can apply pressure up to 100 times per second.

Types of anti-lock braking systems

There are four types of anti-lock braking systems: four-channel, four-sensor, three-channel, four-sensor, three-channel, three-sensor, two-channel, and four the one-channel, one-sensor. These channels essentially mean how many valves are controlled and the number of speed sensors they contain.

• The four-channel, four-sensor ABS - has a speed sensor on all four wheels and an individual valve for each spin. This is said to be the best one out of all.

• The three-channel, four sensors have a speed sensor for all four wheels and three valves - two for the front wheels and only one for the rear wheels.

• The three-channel sensors have a speed sensor and a valve for each front wheel but the only one-speed sensor and one valve for each rear wheel. The drawback for this system is that it has just one valve to monitor the rear, which means both the wheels will have to lock for the valve to be activated.

• The two-channel, four sensors have a speed sensor present for each of the four wheels with one valve for the front wheels and one valve for the rear wheels. Like the previous system, it requires both the front and the rear wheels to activate to trigger the valves.

• The one-channel sensor has a one-speed sensor located at the rear wheels and one valve also at the rear. However, this system also carries the drawback of only one valve monitoring all four wheels and requires them to lock collectively to get triggered. 

The Benefits of ABS

An ABS vehicle is beneficial because it ensures you stop fast when slamming your brakes in a panicked state. This lowers the risk of your wheels locking up and prevents your vehicle from any skids. It helps you to retain control of the steer. It also helps in reducing the cost of your insurance. It ensures that the resale value of your vehicle is high.

To conclude, an anti-lock brake system can prove to be extremely useful in preventing accidents from happening and saves a situation from worsening. This is why it is good to have an anti-lock. It is standard in most vehicles you find today.

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