Method for predicting the temperature of a wheel bearing of a wheel of a vehicle

A method of using a temperature (Tin,p) of a wheel bearing, the temperature being predicted the for a future time (t+Δtp) in relation to a present time (t) or for a future time interval (t, t+Δtp) in relation to a present time (t) based on a profile of the temperature (Tin) of the wheel bearing in a past time interval (t−Δtb, t) in relation to the present time (t), wherein the method for predicting includes determining;

• a correction value (ΔTp) as a function of a change in at least one driving state condition (Δvtrain) and of a change in a temperature (ΔTb) of the wheel bearing within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t);
• and obtaining the predicted temperature (Tin,p) of the wheel bearing from the sum of the temperature (Tin) of the wheel bearing at the present time (t) and the correction value (ΔTp),
• wherein the correction value (ΔTp) is calculated from a product of a factor (c), which represents a change in the at least one driving state condition (Δvtrain) within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t) and a change in the temperature (ΔTb) of the wheel bearing within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t), wherein the factor (c):
• a) is equal to a predefined value if the change in the at least one driving state condition (Δvtrain) within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t) is equal to zero,
• b) is less than the predefined value if the change in the at least one driving state condition (Δvtrain) within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t) is positive, and
• c) is greater than the predefined value if the change in the at least one driving state condition (Δvtrain) within the past time interval (t−Δtb, t) is negative,
• wherein the method of using the wheel bearing temperature comprises:
• triggering supply of a signal for an applied state of at least one friction brake assigned to or adjacent to the wheel bearing when a predicted temperature (Tin,p) of the wheel bearing exceeds the temperature limiting value;
• and
• triggering supply of a signal for a released state of the friction brake which is assigned to or adjacent to the wheel bearing when the predicted temperature (Tin,p) of the wheel bearing undershoots the temperature limiting value.