In addition to their basic operation, anti-lock systems have two other things in common. First, they do not operate until the brakes are applied with enough force to lock or nearly lock a wheel. At all other times, the system stands ready to function but does not interfere with normal braking. Second, if the anti-lock system fail in any way, the brakes continue to operate without anti-lock capability. A warning light on the instrument panel alerts the driver when a problem exists in the anti-lock system.
The current Bosch component Anti-lock Braking System (ABSⅡ), is a second generation design wildly used by European automakers such as BWM, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. ABSⅡ system consists of : four wheel speed sensor, electronic control unit and modulator assembly.
A speed sensor is fitted at each wheel sends signals about wheel rotation to control unit. Each speed sensor consists of a sensor unit and a gear wheel. The front sensor mounts to the steering knuckle and its gear wheel is pressed onto the stub axle that rotates with the wheel. The rear sensor mounts the rear suspension member and its gear wheel is pressed onto the axle. The sensor itself is a winding with a magnetic core. The core creates a magnetic field around the winding, and as the teeth of the gear wheel move through this field, an alternating current is induced in the winding. The control unit monitors the rate o change in this frequency to determine impending brake lockup.
The control unit’s function can be divided into three parts: signal processing, logic and safety circuitry. The signal processing section is the converter that receives the alternating current signals form the speed sensors and converts them into digital form for the logic section. The logic section then analyzes the digitized signals to calculate any brake pressure changes needed. If impending lockup is sensed, the logic section sends commands to the modulator assembly.
Modulator assembly
The hydraulic modulator assembly regulates pressure to the wheel brakes when it receives commands from the control utuit. The modulator assembly can maintain or reduce pressure over the level it receives from the master cylinder, it also can never apply the brakes by itself. The modulator assembly consists of three high-speed electric solenoid valves, two fluid reservoirs and a turn delivery pump equipped with inlet and outlet check valves. The modulator electrical connector and controlling relays are concealed under a plastic cover of the assembly.
Each front wheel is served by electric solenoid valve modulated independently by the control unit. The rear brakes are served by a single solenoid valve and modulated together using the select-low principle. During anti-braking system operation, the control unit cycles the solenoid valves to either hold or release pressure the brake lines. When pressure is released from the brake lines during anti-braking operation, it is routed to a fluid reservoir. There is one reservoir for the front brake circuit. The reservoirs are low-pressure accumulators that store fluid under slight spring pressure until the return delivery pump can return the fluid through the brake lines to the master cylinder.
汽车制动系统
制动系统是汽车中最重要的系统。 如果制动失灵，结果可能是损失惨重的。制动器实际就是能量转换装置，它将汽车的动能（动量）转化成热能（热量）。当驾驶员踩下制动踏板，所产生的制动力是汽车运动时动力的10倍。制动系统能对四个刹车系统中的每个施加数千磅的力。
每辆汽车上使用两个完全独立的制动系统，即行车制动器和驻车制动器。
行车制动器起到减速、停车、或保持车辆正常行驶。制动器是由司机用脚踩、松制动器踏板来控制的。驻车制动器的主要作用就是当车内无人的时候，汽车能够保持静止。当独立的驻车制动器—踏板或手杆，被安装时，驻车制动器就会被机械地操作。
制动系统是由下列基本的成分组成:位于发动机罩下方，而且直接地被连接到制动踏板的“制动主缸”把驾驶员脚的机械力转变为液压力。钢制的“制动管路”和有柔性的“制动软管”把制动主缸连接到每个轮子的“制动轮缸”上。 制动液, 特别地设计为的是工作在极端的情况，填充在系统中。“制动盘”和“衬块”是被制动轮缸推动接触“圆盘”和“回转体”如此引起缓慢的拖拉运动, (希望)使汽车减慢速度。
