antiblokksystem

The antiblokksystem, commonly known as ABS, is a safety feature found in most modern vehicles. Its primary function is to prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking. Wheel lock-up occurs when the force applied to the brakes is greater than the available grip between the tire and the road surface, causing the wheels to stop rotating while the vehicle continues to move. This loss of rotation leads to a loss of steering control and an increased stopping distance, especially on slippery surfaces.

An ABS typically consists of sensors at each wheel, a control unit (ECU), and hydraulic valves. The wheel speed sensors continuously monitor the rotational speed of each wheel. If the ECU detects that a wheel is about to lock up during braking, it signals the hydraulic valves to momentarily reduce the brake pressure to that specific wheel. This allows the wheel to regain traction and start rotating again. The system then re-applies brake pressure, repeating this rapid pulsing action multiple times per second. This pulsing allows the driver to maintain steering control even during emergency braking maneuvers, significantly improving the ability to steer around obstacles.

The benefits of ABS are well-documented. It helps to shorten stopping distances on dry and wet surfaces, and crucially, it maintains steering maneuverability, allowing the driver to avoid collisions. While ABS is a significant safety enhancement, it is important for drivers to understand how it operates. During activation, a driver may feel a pulsing sensation through the brake pedal and hear a rattling noise from the system. It is recommended to maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal and not to pump the brakes, as the ABS will manage the braking process automatically.