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ABS Sensors

29 Sep 2021

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a vehicle safety system that allows the wheels of a car to maintain tractive contact with the road surface while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. It is an automated system that uses the principles of cadence braking. Cadence braking is a skill practiced by skilful or professional drivers in vehicles without or prior to ABS technology. The ABS system does this at a much faster rate and with better control than many drivers could manage. ABS generally offers improved vehicle control and decreases stopping distances on dry and slippery surfaces. However, on loose gravel, ice or snow covered surfaces, ABS can increase braking distance, although still improving vehicle steering control.

Since their introduction, anti-lock braking systems have been improved considerably in a bid to further improve driver safety and comfort. Later technology not only prevents wheel lock up under braking, but can also provide data for the on board navigation system, traction control system, emergency brake assist, hill start assist, electronic stability control and the front-to-rear brake bias. None of the above would be possible without wheel speed sensors.

The ABS, or wheel speed sensor in a relatively simple yet vitally important part of the ABS system as it is used to communicate the rotational speed of the wheel to the ABS control module.

Wheel speed sensors are installed directly above or next to the pulse wheel, these are also known as a tone wheel, but more often than not, called the ABS ring. The ring is attached to a part of the vehicle that is rotating at the same speed as the road wheel, such as the wheel hub, brake disc, CV joint or the drive shaft.

ABS mechanism

 

Types of ABS Sensors
ABS sensors are classified in to two different types, Passive and Active. Passive is without a power supply and Active is with a power supply.

Passive sensors
These comprise of a wire coil wound around a magnetic core and a permanent magnet. The pole pin inside the coil is connected to the magnet and the magnetic field extends to the ABS ring. The rotational movement of the ABS ring and the associated alternation of teeth and gaps effects a change in the magnetic flux through the pulse wheel and the coil. The changing magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the coil that can be measured. The frequencies and amplitudes of the alternating voltage are related to the wheel speed. The sensor creates a AC signal that changes frequency as the wheel changes speed. The ABS control unit converts the AC signal to a digital signal for interpretation.

Structure of a passive sensor

 

Output wave of a Passive sensor

 

Passive sensors are larger and less accurate than active sensors and only start to operate when the wheel reaches a certain speed, therefore they have limited operation at lower speed. They are also unable to operate in reverse, so thus unable to determine the direction of travel.

Active sensors on the other hand are a lot more accurate and are able to detect speeds of less them 0.06 mph, this is vital for modern traction control systems. Some active sensors can even detect the rotation direction of the wheels. Active sensors require an external power source to operate and work in conjunction with a toothed or magnetic ABS ring. Active sensors create a digital signal which is transmitted to the control unit in the form of a current signal using pulse width modulation.

Structure of an Active sensor

 

There are two types of active sensor. The Hall sensor and the Magneto-resistive sensor

Hall sensor – The hall sensor uses the Hall effect, which is a generation of a voltage (the Hall voltage) across an electrical conductor, transverse to an electric current in the conductor and a magnetic field perpendicular to the current. They react to changes in magnetic fields with a voltage difference which is send to the ABS control unit as a square wave signal. They use a semiconductor sensor coupled to an electronic circuit, protecting the sensor from possible voltage spikes, and a permanent magnet.

Output wave of an active sensor

 

Hall sensors record the wheel speed via either a toothed or magnetic encoder (ABS ring) often found on the wheel hub, disc or bearing. The sensors are very accurate, but must be installed with precision.

Hall sensor with toothed ring

 

Hall sensor with magnetic ring

 

The advantage of using a magnetic ring over a toothed ring is that the sensor can be a lot smaller as there is no permanent magnet required in the sensor. It is instead located in the virtually flat ‘ABS ring.’ That magnetic ring can be located in the wheel bearing, allowing them to be used in confined spaces. The variation in the magnetic field is now created by the sections of polarity within the ring.

 

Magneto-resistive sensor – These sensors use a magnetic encoder ring similar in appearance to the encoder ring associated with the hall sensor. However, the encoder ring associated with this sensor has magnetic arc segments which cause a clear change in resistance when passing the sensor. It is this that enables the control unit to determine the wheel’s rotational direction. Magneto-resistive sensors are much more precise, but generally more expensive than Hall sensors and require a less precise installation position, therefore meaning that it can be located further away from the ‘ABS ring’ than the other types of sensors.

Both active sensors are less sensitive to electromagnetic interference, vibration and temperature fluctuations than a passive sensor.

Failure Diagnosis
Generally speaking, ABS sensors are very reliable, however due to their location they have a tough life.

 

If any of the warning lights above are illuminated, there is brake pedal judder while braking at low speeds or the wheels lock up while braking, then there is probably a fault somewhere within the ABS system.

Possible causes:
• Corroded, cracked or swollen ABS ring
• ABS ring blocked, damaged, missing teeth or windows
• ABS sensor out of position.
• Damaged ABS sensor from impact with road debris.

One of the most common calls that we currently receive into our technical department is for the Peugeot 308 rear. This particular brake disc also contains the bearing and ABS ring. The workshop replaces the disc, only to find that the ABS sensor is now in contact with the ABS ring of the new disc. Apec or the motor factor usually get the blame for an incorrect part, however Apec parts are made to the exact dimensions as the original disc so it is not the disc that is at fault. What actually happens is that over time, corrosion forms and builds up under the mounting point of the ABS sensor. This forces the sensor towards the ABS ring and begins to wear the surface of the ABS ring. If this is noticed before the disc is bolted up, then usually the sensor (if not too worn itself) can be unbolted and the corrosion removed. However, if it is not noticed then is can result in the ABS sensor snapping as the vehicle is driven out of the workshop.

TECHMATE is here to make your life easier
When you need to know more about braking with Apec, ask TECHMATE. Call Graeme, Matt or Siti on 01454 285054 or email [email protected]

​

ABS Sensors

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a vehicle safety system that allows the wheels of a car to maintain tractive contact with the road surface while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up (ceasing rotation) and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. It is an automated system that uses the principles of cadence braking. Cadence braking is a skill practiced by skilful or professional drivers in vehicles without or prior to ABS technology. The ABS system does this at a much faster rate and with better control than many drivers could manage. ABS generally offers improved vehicle control and decreases stopping distances on dry and slippery surfaces. However, on loose gravel, ice or snow covered surfaces, ABS can increase braking distance, although still improving vehicle steering control.

Since their introduction, anti-lock braking systems have been improved considerably in a bid to further improve driver safety and comfort. Later technology not only prevents wheel lock up under braking, but can also provide data for the on board navigation system, traction control system, emergency brake assist, hill start assist, electronic stability control and the front-to-rear brake bias. None of the above would be possible without wheel speed sensors.

The ABS, or wheel speed sensor in a relatively simple yet vitally important part of the ABS system as it is used to communicate the rotational speed of the wheel to the ABS control module.

Wheel speed sensors are installed directly above or next to the pulse wheel, these are also known as a tone wheel, but more often than not, called the ABS ring. The ring is attached to a part of the vehicle that is rotating at the same speed as the road wheel, such as the wheel hub, brake disc, CV joint or the drive shaft.

ABS mechanism

 

Types of ABS Sensors
ABS sensors are classified in to two different types, Passive and Active. Passive is without a power supply and Active is with a power supply.

Passive sensors
These comprise of a wire coil wound around a magnetic core and a permanent magnet. The pole pin inside the coil is connected to the magnet and the magnetic field extends to the ABS ring. The rotational movement of the ABS ring and the associated alternation of teeth and gaps effects a change in the magnetic flux through the pulse wheel and the coil. The changing magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the coil that can be measured. The frequencies and amplitudes of the alternating voltage are related to the wheel speed. The sensor creates a AC signal that changes frequency as the wheel changes speed. The ABS control unit converts the AC signal to a digital signal for interpretation.

Structure of a passive sensor

 

Output wave of a Passive sensor

 

Passive sensors are larger and less accurate than active sensors and only start to operate when the wheel reaches a certain speed, therefore they have limited operation at lower speed. They are also unable to operate in reverse, so thus unable to determine the direction of travel.

Active sensors on the other hand are a lot more accurate and are able to detect speeds of less them 0.06 mph, this is vital for modern traction control systems. Some active sensors can even detect the rotation direction of the wheels. Active sensors require an external power source to operate and work in conjunction with a toothed or magnetic ABS ring. Active sensors create a digital signal which is transmitted to the control unit in the form of a current signal using pulse width modulation.

Structure of an Active sensor

 

There are two types of active sensor. The Hall sensor and the Magneto-resistive sensor

Hall sensor – The hall sensor uses the Hall effect, which is a generation of a voltage (the Hall voltage) across an electrical conductor, transverse to an electric current in the conductor and a magnetic field perpendicular to the current. They react to changes in magnetic fields with a voltage difference which is send to the ABS control unit as a square wave signal. They use a semiconductor sensor coupled to an electronic circuit, protecting the sensor from possible voltage spikes, and a permanent magnet.

Output wave of an active sensor

 

Hall sensors record the wheel speed via either a toothed or magnetic encoder (ABS ring) often found on the wheel hub, disc or bearing. The sensors are very accurate, but must be installed with precision.

Hall sensor with toothed ring

 

Hall sensor with magnetic ring

 

The advantage of using a magnetic ring over a toothed ring is that the sensor can be a lot smaller as there is no permanent magnet required in the sensor. It is instead located in the virtually flat ‘ABS ring.’ That magnetic ring can be located in the wheel bearing, allowing them to be used in confined spaces. The variation in the magnetic field is now created by the sections of polarity within the ring.

 

Magneto-resistive sensor – These sensors use a magnetic encoder ring similar in appearance to the encoder ring associated with the hall sensor. However, the encoder ring associated with this sensor has magnetic arc segments which cause a clear change in resistance when passing the sensor. It is this that enables the control unit to determine the wheel’s rotational direction. Magneto-resistive sensors are much more precise, but generally more expensive than Hall sensors and require a less precise installation position, therefore meaning that it can be located further away from the ‘ABS ring’ than the other types of sensors.

Both active sensors are less sensitive to electromagnetic interference, vibration and temperature fluctuations than a passive sensor.

Failure Diagnosis
Generally speaking, ABS sensors are very reliable, however due to their location they have a tough life.

 

If any of the warning lights above are illuminated, there is brake pedal judder while braking at low speeds or the wheels lock up while braking, then there is probably a fault somewhere within the ABS system.

Possible causes:
• Corroded, cracked or swollen ABS ring
• ABS ring blocked, damaged, missing teeth or windows
• ABS sensor out of position.
• Damaged ABS sensor from impact with road debris.

One of the most common calls that we currently receive into our technical department is for the Peugeot 308 rear. This particular brake disc also contains the bearing and ABS ring. The workshop replaces the disc, only to find that the ABS sensor is now in contact with the ABS ring of the new disc. Apec or the motor factor usually get the blame for an incorrect part, however Apec parts are made to the exact dimensions as the original disc so it is not the disc that is at fault. What actually happens is that over time, corrosion forms and builds up under the mounting point of the ABS sensor. This forces the sensor towards the ABS ring and begins to wear the surface of the ABS ring. If this is noticed before the disc is bolted up, then usually the sensor (if not too worn itself) can be unbolted and the corrosion removed. However, if it is not noticed then is can result in the ABS sensor snapping as the vehicle is driven out of the workshop.

TECHMATE is here to make your life easier
When you need to know more about braking with Apec, ask TECHMATE. Call Graeme, Matt or Siti on 01454 285054 or email [email protected]

​