Patent ID: 6672149
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for assessing the range of a run-flat system which is fitted to a vehicle, the system comprising, at least for each wheel, a tire, a deflation alarm and means for supporting the tread of the tire in the event that the tire is deflated, wherein upon detecting an inflation pressure in a tire below a predetermined threshold, the method comprising the steps of:measuring periodically a distance travelled and a parameter C(t) characteristic of the travel conditions; determining as a function of C(t) and the distance travelled over the period &Dgr;t, a quantity characteristic of a potential elementary damage to the system over the said elapsed period &Dgr;t; calculating an estimate of the overall damage from a combination of the potential elementary damage determined since the start of run flat travelling; and transmitting to the driver of the vehicle a quantity linked to this estimate of overall damage to the run flat.