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2) Basic Theory of ABS Function
To give you a better understanding of the tasks and functions of ABS, we will first look at the
physics principles.
(1) Stopping distance
The stopping distance depends on the vehicle weight and initial speed when braking starts. This
also applies for vehicle with ABS, where ABS always tries to set an optimum brake force on each
wheel. As great forces are exerted between the tires and the carriageway when braking, even with
ABS the wheels may scream and rubber is left on the road. With an ABS skid mark one may be
able to clearly recognize the tire profile. The skid mark of an ABS vehicle does not however leave
any hint of the speed of the vehicle in the case of an accident, as it can only be clearly drawn at
the start of braking.
(2) Brake force on a wheel
The maximum possible brake force on a wheel depends on the wheel load and the adhesion
coefficient between tire and carriageway. With a low adhesion coefficient the brake force, which
can be obtained is very low. You are bound to know the result already from driving on winter
roads. With a high adhesion coefficient on a dry road, the brake force, which can be obtained, is
considerably higher. The brake force, which can be obtained, can be calculated from below
formula:
Maximum brake force
FBmax =
wheel load FR x coefficient of frictionMh
The braking process cannot be described
sufficiently accurately with the brake forces
calculated. The values calculated only apply if
the wheel is not locked. In the case of a
locking wheel, the static friction turns into
lower sliding friction, with the result that the
stopping distance is increased. This loss of
friction is termed "slip" in specialist literature.
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