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What is an ABS and how does it work? Advantages and Disadvantages
In the simplest of terms, an Anti Lock Braking is essentially a technology that's to assist in perfect braking for an automotive. There are mostly advantages and few disadvantages associated with this technology.
Like many other technologies of the automotive world, anti lock braking system too bears the ancestry to the aerospace industry. ABS is essentially an electronic device that interfaces with the mechanical(usually hydraulic) braking circuit. Once in a while, you must have encountered the strange and perilous behavior of car/motorbike on heavy braking. The wheels may lock up and you potentially lose control of the vehicle's dynamics and more you steer, the more the vehicle skids sidewards, appearing to be partially or totally out of your control. Or it may have happened that you suddenly see a kid crossing the road, barely few meters from you and your heart skips a beat when you realize that you don't have sufficient distance to stop the vehicle by braking it and desperately try either to swerve it or brake it or both(leading to situation stated above). There may be countless variations of this, especially on areas with extreme rainfall/snowfall.
Now, what this ABS does is simple. It has a sensor that monitors the rotation of the wheels. A control unit then analyses whether the wheel is getting locked up or not, with respect to the vehicle speed. As soon it is almost on the threshold to lock up, the control unit reduces the pressure of the brake via the actuator and wheel does not lock up. As soon as the sensor detects that the braking has reduced to a value that will hamper the braking distance, it again increases the pressure up to the point of just before locking and so on and so forth. All these calculations and done with ZERO interference or involvement of driver, who just simply presses the brake pedal/lever.
The advantages of ABS are:
- Shorter stopping distance
- Better handling in case of sudden braking
- Almost skidless braking in moderate snow covered road (with a larger braking distance)
The disadvantages of ABS (cons of ABS)
The being said, if you are sad about having a lower end model of a car/bike without Anti-lock braking System, don't be disheartened. Though ABS goes a long way in making your trips safe, you can mimic the same effect on a non-ABS vehicle, similar to what the professional drivers do. To prevent wheel lock there has been a classical method to 'pump' the brake pedal. Essentially you don't press all the way down and lock your brake to that position. You need to provide a short press and release cycle yourself and you may achieve a similar effect with varying degrees of result. Mind you also that the ABS system has certain disadvantages like the loss of braking bite. You make notice a longer stopping distance for normal road conditions and worse that it may fluctuate from time to time! Also, you may feel a clunking or shuddering noise/vibration while braking. Thirdly, the repairs are expensive and sophisticated. Never seek cheap mechanics, a miscalibrated ABS is worse than a non-ABS! Apparently many racers love to disable ABS on their bikes on track as well as during stunts.
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