Teach students that The ABS system/Electronic Brake Control is designed to prevent wheels locking or skidding, no matter how hard the brakes are applied or how slippery the road surface, and to maintain steering control of the vehicle. Instruct them that the primary components of the ABS braking system are:
1. ABS master cylinder: Creates hydraulic pressure for each of the two hydraulic brake circuits.
2. EBCM or electronic control unit (ECU): An onboard computer that is programmed to monitor sensor data and send output control signals to the electronic solenoid valves, which modify brake pressure to individual wheel brake units.
3. Hydraulic control unit (HCU) or modulator: Contains electric solenoid valves controlled by the EBCM to modify hydraulic pressure in each hydraulic circuit. Most systems also contain an accumulator to store brake fluid under pressure.
4. Power booster: Boosts driver brake pedal force on the master cylinder,
5. Wheel speed sensor: A device that monitors wheel speed and sends that signal to the EBCM.
6. Brake switch: An on/off switch that informs the EBCM of whether or not the driver is applying the brakes.
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Inform them that the EBCM may be located inside the vehicle, mounted near the HCU, or it could be integrated into the HCU. Explain that in many cases, it is a separate module from the power train control module and may be part of the vehicle’s body control module (BCM). Tell them the body control module is the computer that controls the electrical system in the body of the vehicle, and that the EBCM receives input signals from the ABS sensors, compares that data to information stored in its memory, decides what actions are necessary, and sends output commands to the HCU.
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Instruct them that the HCU or modulator is connected in-line with the brake lines between the master cylinder and the wheel brake units. It houses electric solenoid valves that control the flow of brake fluid to each wheel The HCU receives operating signals from the EBCM to control the brakes under ABS conditions.
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Tell students the power booster and master cylinder assembly is mounted on the firewall. Let them know that in most current applications, these components operate similarly to non-ABS power boosters and tandem master cylinders. Inform them that some manufacturers use a portless master cylinder to allow brake fluid to return to the master cylinder reservoir more easily than a master cylinder fitted with a compensating port.
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Instruct students that when the brakes are operating without ABS action, the brake pressure is controlled by the driver’s foot pressure, which is assisted by the power booster. Explain that in other words, the ABS system only affects brake pressure when one or more wheels are starting to skid.
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Teach students that the wheel speed sensor consists of a toothed tone wheel (or tone ring) that rotates with the road wheels and a pick-up assembly that generates a speed signal. Tell them the wheel speed sensor is located near the wheel hub in many applications. Instruct them that the wheel speed sensor sends an electrical signal that varies with the speed of the wheel to the EBCM.
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Let students know that wheel speed sensors can be variable reluctance sensors (magnetic induction), generating an analog AC sine wave signal, and wheel speed sensors can also be of the magneto-resistive or Hall Effect type, generating a digital square wave signal. These signals can be used by the EBCM to determine the speed of each wheel.
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