TRW EBC 325

SYSTEM COMPONENTS - TRW EBC 325
- Controller antilock brake (CAB)
- Hydraulic control unit (HCU)
- Three wheel speed sensor/tone wheel assemblies
- ABS warning indicator (amber)
- Brake warning indicator (red)
- Brake fluid level switch 4WD input (if equipped)
- Brake lamp switch
- Fuses and wiring

TRW EBC 325 CONTROLLER ANTILOCK BRAKE (CAB)
The CAB is mounted directly to the hydraulic control unit (HCU)that includes a microprocessor and six solenoids that control brake pressure during antilock braking. The CAB also has circuits that monitor the following:
- Brake switch input is monitored to determine whether or not to prepare for possible ABS braking
- Monitor the brake fluid level switch input to tell whether or not the state of the hydraulics has a problem
- Wheel speed sensors are monitored to determine when a wheel is tending to lock up. The CAB will operate the valves in the HCU to control braking pressure during ABS braking
- Detect ABS system related problems and take diagnostic action
- Able to execute self-tests and output control commands

HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT
The HCU on the EBC 325 has an integral valve body for controlling the front and rear Brakes.

Within the HCU are solenoids, valves, check valves, and a reset switch necessary to apply and release brake pressure as required to avoid wheel lockup, keep the wheels rolling, and maintain optimum deceleration.

The Isolation Valve(s) is/are normally open, allowing unrestricted flow from the master cylinder to the wheels. When the CAB determines antilock intervention is required, the valve(s) close to isolate the master cylinder hydraulic circuit(s). Fluid is trapped in the circuit(s) and then prevented from reaching the wheels.

The Dump Valve(s) is/are pulsed on and off by the CAB. The valve(s) cycles only if the isolation valve is closed. When dump is on, it allows fluid to the low-pressure accumulator for temporary storage. This causes the pressure to the wheel to decrease. When the dump valve is off, fluid is allowed to the wheel.

The Brake Return Check Valve allows the HCU to drain faster after the antilock activation, when the brake is released.

When the brakes are applied, fluid is forced from the master cylinder outlet port(s) to the HCU inlet ports(s). This pressure is transmitted through normally open isolation valve(s) inside the HCU, then through the outlet port(s) of the HCU to the wheels. If the CAB senses that a wheel is about to lock based on wheel speed sensor data, it pulls the normally open isolation valve closed for that circuit. This prevents any more fluid from entering that circuit. The CAB continues to look at the wheel speed sensor(s) signal to determine if the wheel is still decelerating. If deceleration is still taking place, the normally closed dump valve for that circuit is opened. This action dumps any pressure that is trapped between the normally open valve and the brake back into an accumulator. Once the affected wheel comes back up to speed, the CAB returns the valves to their normal condition allowing the affected brake to be reapplied. On the EBC 325 system, there is a pump/motor unit, two accumulators, three isolation valves, and three dump valves which are used to provide rapid response during the reapply sequence and to minimize pedal feedback due to the increased hydraulic circuits.