What is ABS in a car?
2 Answers
ABS, short for Anti-lock Braking System, functions to automatically control the braking force during vehicle deceleration, preventing the wheels from locking up and maintaining a rolling-sliding state (with a slip ratio around 20%) to ensure maximum traction between the tires and the road surface. The ABS sensor is located on the inner side of the car tire and can be seen when the vehicle is lifted. The ABS system primarily consists of four components: wheel speed sensors, electronic control unit (ECU), hydraulic unit, and ABS warning light. The wheel speed sensors detect the motion state of the wheels, generating sinusoidal electronic pulse AC signals. These signals are then processed by a modulator, converted into digital signals, and transmitted to the electronic control unit. The electronic central control unit (ECU) receives input signals from the wheel speed sensors, calculates parameters such as wheel speed, vehicle speed, and slip ratio, determines the wheel condition based on the slip ratio, and issues control commands to the hydraulic unit. The hydraulic unit adjusts the pressure in the brake lines according to the control commands, with the adjustment process including pressure holding, pressure increase, and pressure decrease. The ABS warning light alerts the driver to potential system malfunctions. If the ABS warning light illuminates, it is advisable not to continue driving. An illuminated ABS light indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's anti-lock braking system. During emergency braking, if the wheels lock up, the vehicle may skid uncontrollably, preventing the driver from decelerating or adjusting the vehicle's trajectory, posing significant safety risks.
ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System, and I'm always most grateful for it when driving on highways or in the rain. It prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking. The system monitors wheel speed in real-time via sensors – if it detects a wheel about to stop rotating, the computer automatically modulates brake pressure to maintain tire rotation. This allows you to steer while braking on slippery surfaces, preventing loss of control, collisions, or lane departure. Early ABS was only available on luxury vehicles, but now it's standard on nearly all new cars – technological advancements have significantly reduced accident rates. I remember testing ABS during a test drive – feeling the pedal pulsation and hearing slight clicking sounds – that's normal operation, don't lift your foot. Before driving, always check that the ABS warning light on the dashboard is off – safety comes first.
