As we know a vehicle moves due to the frictional force between the tyre and road. When we apply brakes, the brakes apply a torque in the opposite direction as that of friction and the wheel gradually comes to rest. This is how normal brakes work.
Now, whenever we are traveling on smooth surfaces like snow the friction coefficient is low and hence less frictional force. When a brake is applied in these conditions or even when you brake hard on a regular surface the amount of torque is so high that the vehicle's wheels stop rotating and start sliding. This is known as locking of wheels. Unless you are a skilled drifter this is potentially a dangerous situation as you don't have control over the wheels. (Experienced it firsthand a few months ago.)
So here comes the use of ABS. The function of abs is to prevent the wheels from locking even under very hard braking or on surfaces with low friction like snow, wet roads.
A typical ABS consists of the following parts
1. ECU
2. Four sensors for monitoring wheel speed
3. A pair of valves in each brake unit.
The ECU monitors the speed of each wheel.
If it detects that any wheel rotating at a slower speed than others (this indicates an imminent wheel lock) it redirects the valves to reduce brake pressure. Conversely if it detects a wheel faster than the others it instructs the valves to increase brake pressure. All of this helps us maintain control of our car even in extreme situations.
EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution System)
EBD is basically a subsystem of ABS and it always works in conjunction with an ABS system. There main job of EBD is to optimise brake force on each wheel individually so to get maximum breaking power without losing control. It can alter braking pressure on each wheel individually depending on the conditions and weight distribution of the vehicle at that moment.
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