Question one.

a.) state the purpose of anti – lock braking system.

- The anti-lock braking system is a system that prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking in
order for the wheels not to start skidding.

b.) list two types of A.B.S.

- Four wheel A.B.S

- Two wheel A.B.S

c.) explain the function of the following

i.) Wheel speed sensor.

- The wheel speed sensor monitors the speed of the wheel and sends a wheel speed signal to the E.C.U.

ii.) E.C.U

- The E.C.U receives wheel speed signals from the wheel speed sensors and use the signals to anticipate
wheel locking action. If the E.C.U anticipates wheel lock, it sends a signal to the actuator which is the
solenoid valve in the A.B.S module to control the brake pressure for the affected wheel.

iii.) solenoid and valves.

- The solenoid valves receive control signals from the E.C.U and open or close according to the signals
received. This either allows or stops the flow of brake pressure to the wheel cylinders from the master
cylinder.

Question two.

a.) Explain the term fail safe in relation to A.B.S

- There is a primary system and secondary system, if the primary system fails the secondary system will
still work. If the A.B.S system fail, the brakes can still be applied by the driver.

b.) Explain the operation of the A.B.S during

i) Normal braking

- During normal braking, the a.b.s system is not in operation because no wheel locking has been
anticipated by the E.C.U. The brake fluid pressure from the master cylinder is not interrupted and fluid
flows freely.
ii) Pressure hold

- During pressure hold, the E.C.U anticipates wheel locking from the wheel speed sensors, a signal is sent
to the A.B.U module to control a solenoid valve and close the brake fluid line for the locking wheel and
stop the flow of fluid pressure to the locking wheel. This holds the brake pressure for the locking wheel
form increasing.

iii) Pressure reduction

- During pressure reduction, after the E.C.U holds the brake pressure, a signal is sent to the A.B.S
module to control the solenoid valve and open the brake line for the affected wheel and pump back the
brake fluid to the master cylinder thus reducing the brake pressure of the affected wheel and prevent it
from locking and skidding.

iv) Pressure increasing

C.) Explain the purpose of the following parts in braking system.

i.) Load sensitive regulator

- A load sensitive regulator is a braking system component that controls the brake pressure to the rear
wheels based on the vehicle load to prevent the rear wheels from locking and skidding.

ii.) inertia sensitive limiter

- An inertia sensitive limiter is a braking system component that limits the the brake pressure to the
rear wheels based on the rate of deceleration.

iii.) pressure sensitive limiter.

- A pressure sensitive limiter is a braking system component that limits the brake pressure to rear
wheels until the fluid pressure overcomes the spring pressure.

D.) State the necessities used to produce power to operate power brakes

- In power brakes, the vacuum created in the inlet manifold is used by the brake booster to help reduce
the effort required by the driver to apply the brakes.

E.) State four differences in application and construction between hydraulic and pneumatic braking
system.

- The application of hydraulic brakes is usually in medium and light weight vehicles while the application
of pneumatic brakes is in heavy vehicles.

- In construction, hydraulic brakes consist of the master cylinder and the wheel cylinders while
pneumatic brakes consist of a compressor, foot control vale and brake chambers.

F.) State two advantages of hydraulic of system components to mechanical braking system
- Hydraulic braking systems are fully compensational, all the wheel cylinders receive equal amouts of
braking force while mechanical brake are not.

- Hydraulic brakes require less amout of pedal effort compared to mechanical brakes for the same
braking force.