Brief description, TC/ABS 5.3
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Brief description, TC/ABS 5.3
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The TC/ABS system has been developed to utilize the friction of the road surface optimally during braking and acceleration by controlling both the ABS and TCS functions.
ABS
The ABS is a control system that gives modern brake systems the ability to harness the maximum braking effect of the vehicle in critical situations, regardless of the road conditions.
The main advantages of the ABS system are:
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No loss of directional stability on braking.
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Steering control retained even during heavy braking.
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Shortest possible braking distance.
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The Saab 9-5 is equipped with TC/ABS 5.3, which is a dual-circuit, four-port brake system containing the following principal components:
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Wheel sensors, one at each wheel.
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TC/ABS hydraulic unit with the following integrated components:
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Valve block with one inlet and one outlet valve per wheel for the ABS function.
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One pressure increase and one pressure relief valve per front wheel for the TCS function.
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Return pump consisting of an electric motor and pump unit, common to the ABS and TCS functions.
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Control module with integrated main relay and pump relay. It controls both the ABS and TCS functions.
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A wheel sensor at each wheel generates an alternating current with a frequency that increases as the speed increases. The TC/ABS control module, which receives the information on the wheel speed, calculates wheel acceleration (speed increase), wheel retardation (speed reduction), vehicle speed and wheel skid (degree of lock). If any of the wheels exceeds a certain degree of lock during breaking, the control unit will activate inlet and outlet valves and the return pump to regulate the wheel in question and attain maximum braking force with retained steering ability.
The control module incorporates a function known as electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which controls the rear inlet valves so that maximum braking effect is achieved on the rear wheels under different load conditions, without the risk of their locking up before the front wheels.
TCS
The TCS function in the TC/ABS control module works by reducing engine torque (addressing a request to the Trionic) and applying the brakes on the driven wheels during TCS modulation.
The speed of the rear wheels is used as a reference value to compare each of the drive wheels. One of the drive wheels running faster than the rear wheels is defined as wheel spin. The magnitude of this wheel spin and the speed of the car determine how the system operates. Priority is given to traction when wheel spin exceeds a limit value at speeds below 22 km/h (13.5 mph) and the system then works primarily by braking and subsequently by limiting engine torque.
The transfer of lateral forces that retain steering ability is given priority when wheel spin exceeds a limit value at speeds above 22 km/h (13.5 mph) and the system then uses primarily engine torque limitation and subsequently brake application.
A certain degree of wheelspin is always allowed so that the sporty feel and handling of the car will still be retained. This varies with the speed of the car, the friction between tyres and road surface, and how “aggressively” the car is being driven (position of throttle pedal).
Speed information for other systems
Several other systems in the car need to be aware of the vehicle speed. The a lead to the main instrument unit is connected to the output for rear left wheel speed. The main instrument unit converts the signal to km/h (mph) and corrects the value according to the programmed tyre dimension. MIU is connected to the bus, which means that all the control modules that are also connected to the bus will receive information on the speed of the rear left wheel and the odometer reading.
Diagnostics
The control module continuously monitors its own internal functions and the other TCS components. A diagnostic trouble code is set if a fault develops. If only the TCS function is affected by the fault it will be disconnected and the TCS OFF warning lamp will light up. Since faults affecting the ABS function also affect the TCS function, the warning lamps for ABS, brakes, and TCS OFF will light up as well as the central warning lamp. The ABS and TCS functions are disengaged at the same time.
