Introduction

Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) is not a new concept for both two wheeler and for wheeler. The first two wheeler with ABS was way back in 1988 BMW introduced an electronic hydraulic ABS to its motorcycle: the BMW K100 followed by the HONDA in 1992 on the ST1100 and SUZUKI introduced in 2007 on GSF1200SA.

Anti-lock Braking Systems

Definition: The ABS systems electronically monitor the speed of the vehicles and regulate the hydraulic pressure accordingly. The aim is to maximize the breaking power while preventing the wheels from locking and skidding. ABS incorporates with the sensors and decides when a wheel is getting locked up and sends instructions to the brakes to release the braking pressure and again apply the braking pressure as the wheels continue to roll steadily until it comes to a standstill position. Skidding of a vehicle leads to accidents in many cases. Skidding starts when force applied by rider on the brake lever is more than the required. Skidding results when friction in brakes become more than the friction exists between tire and road surface. That means wheel gets locked and start skidding on road surface. Less force leads to poor braking and more force leads to skidding. So to avoid the skidding of vehicle the braking force should remain in limit. In normal bikes, the brake lever is directly connected with caliper. The force applied by the driver on lever is directly exerted on caliper & disc without any interrupt. In the case of ABS, this braking force is exerted through ECU and Hydraulic valve. The ABS prevents the wheels from locking during braking. It does this by constantly measuring the individual wheel speeds and comparing them with the wheel speeds predicted by the system.

Fig1.1 bike with ABS and without ABS

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Components Of ABS

Fig 1.2 components of ABS on two wheelers

1. Electronic Speed Sensor: This sensor will measure the wheel velocity and vehicle acceleration. Location: On wheel Hub 2. Toothed Disc: It helps the speed sensor to read the speed of wheel. Location: With Brake Disc 3. Electrical Control Unit (ECU): ECU is a microprocessor based system contains program. Location: Under the Drivers Seat 4. Electrically Controller Valve: This controller valve will control the pressure in a brake cylinder. 5. Location: With ECU.

Two Wheeler Breaking

Two wheeler braking is completely different from four-wheeler because the bikes have a high CG height and a comparatively short wheelbase than four-wheeler. This is basically due to the fact that bikes take a large bank angle which affects stability, acceleration, handling and cornering performances. A brake input on a motorcycle causes a remarkable load transfer and the optimal distribution of braking force between the front and rear tires vary widely during deceleration. This is one of the main reasons why bikes are typically provided with independently actuated braking systems for the front and rear wheels.

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Working Of ABS

1. The ABS has electronic sensors attached to each wheel which monitors the rotation of the individual wheels. ABS works in a closed loop with series of i/p and o/p. The most important i/p are from the wheel sensors and the main o/p are from the brake system pressure from the ECU Commands. 2. On application of brakes, whenever the ABS detects that the wheels are about to lock up when both wheels starts to rotate at different speeds it automatically releases and applies pressure on the brakes 3. This automatic modulation of brakes can happen multiple times in a single second which gives a sensation of pulsation while braking. What the ABS does is lets the rider remain in control on loose/slippery surface in situations of panic braking.

Advantages Of ABS
1. 2. 3. 4. Stop distance is reduced. Wheel lock could be avoided. Undue wear of tires. Riding stability is improved.

Conclusion
It is one of the safety features which is introduced into two wheelers, in India the TVS Apache RTR 180 and Honda CBR 250 are ABS equipped. ABS provides stability to the rider on wet and dry surfaces by decreasing the stopping distance and providing better handling. Bikes with disc brakes without ABS could install a mechanical ABS for efficient braking, the price of mechanical ABS is not expensive available at a very low price. Note: ABS is not a bike stunts men favorite feature. Since ABS prevents the wheels to rotate at different speeds, doing stoppies is not possible with the ABS engaged. But then there can always be an option to shut off the ABS with the flick of a switch.

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MANOJ.M Automotive Electronics Module Code: AEL501 Reg no: CDB0911005 Antilock-Breaking Systems

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