FR3070657A1 - METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID VEHICLE IN ZONE WITH NULL POLLUTANT EMISSION, AND VEHICLE FOR THIS METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

This method comprises a step (100) for determining a regulatory constraint for a geographical zone taken by the vehicle, this step (100) comprising a radio frequency reading (110) of an electronic road terminal of the borrowed geographical zone, the reading radiofrequency (110) recording a set of information (1, 2, 3, 4) of the regulatory constraint concerning a mode of propulsion (3) of the vehicle for the borrowed geographical area, and a warning step (120) of the regulatory constraint to the driver.

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HYBRID VEHICLE IN A ZERO EMISSION POLLUTANT AREA, AND VEHICLE THEREFOR.

The invention relates to a method for ordering a hybrid vehicle, this vehicle being approached by a regulated geographic area.

The invention aims in particular, but not limited to, an application of this method to a geographical area reserved for vehicles with zero polluting emission, called ZEV for the acronym in English "zero emisson conveyed" throughout the text of this document .

Restricted areas are associated with rules which, if they are not observed by the driver, result in an offense punishable by an almond.

The most well-known restricted areas are those where the vehicle speed is limited, areas with limited parking, but ZEV areas are appearing more and more.

With a hybrid vehicle, the particularity of ZEV zones is that compliance with the "zero emissement conveyed" rule depends at the same time on the driver and the vehicle, which requires action by the driver and the vehicle, and makes the compliance with this more complex rule.

EP-A-1 842 757 discloses a method for controlling a hybrid vehicle comprising steps for determining the current position of the vehicle, for determining the constraints or preferences of the control mechanism for certain geographic regions, checking whether control mechanism preferences or constraints exist for the current vehicle position, and, if so, determining the actual state of the vehicle control mechanism, and checking whether the effective state of the control mechanism corresponds to the constraints or preferences determined.

The constraints may preferably include zero emission zones in which the vehicle's internal combustion engine is not allowed to operate.

A drawback of this system is that the determination of the constraints is dependent on an update of a mapped database. This update cannot be guaranteed (loading time, availability of the database and its content without legal value) this process cannot therefore guarantee the driver that he will not be in breach by crossing a restricted area reserved for vehicles without polluting emissions, this offense not even being known to the driver.

The object of the invention is to remedy this drawback.

To this end, the invention relates to a method of controlling a vehicle comprising several modes of propulsion and a radio frequency communication system, the method comprising a step of determining a regulatory constraint for a borrowed geographic area by the vehicle, the step of determining said regulatory constraint comprising a radiofrequency reading of an electronic road terminal of the borrowed geographical area, the radiofrequency reading collecting a set of information from said regulatory constraint concerning one of the propulsion modes for the geographic area used, and a step to warn of the regulatory constraint intended for the driver.

We understand by propulsion mode throughout the text of this document, propulsion modes distinguished by different levels of pollution or at different risk levels, risks to the environment or users near the vehicle (example : explosion). Are included in this definition, all modes of propulsion using energy accumulated mechanically by inertia, pneumatic or hydraulic energy in a pressure accumulator, or a mode of freewheeling propulsion, or different modes of propulsion by fossil energy (petrol, diesel, liquefied gas). An exclusively thermal vehicle can then have several modes of propulsion by different combustion settings (economy mode, sport mode) or by the settings of a pollution control device.

This definition also includes propulsion modes based on a given power distribution between several propulsion engines of the vehicle using different energy: for example an all-electric or exclusively electric propulsion mode corresponding to an electric motor ensuring all propulsion, for example a thermal mode where only a heat engine provides all of the propulsion, or hybrid modes where the electric motor and the heat engine each provide part of the propulsion, this distribution being evolutionary over time in based on driver demand and vehicle condition parameters, known as hybrid vehicles.

It will be understood by regulatory constraint regarding one of the propulsion modes, throughout the text of this document, a mandatory constraint making a specific propulsion mode mandatory, or, on the contrary, prohibiting a specific propulsion mode.

Thus, the regulatory constraint of the borrowed geographic area is acquired by radio frequency reading of an electronic road terminal of the borrowed geographic area, a terminal whose presence makes all of the information on the regulatory constraint lawful. The driver and the process are therefore aware of all the information on the regulatory constraint without requiring an up-to-date road map for a geolocation system on board the vehicle. The legal value of this knowledge is no longer questionable. Therefore, it is possible to comply with regulatory constraints regardless of the geographic area used, regardless of the time, and without requiring driver intervention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the warning step includes a message displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle, or an audible alarm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the information includes a map and a date defining the geographical area borrowed, and a regulatory propulsion mode for said geographical area borrowed.

It will be understood by regulatory propulsion mode, throughout the text of this document, a propulsion mode made compulsory when the regulatory constraint specifies the compulsory propulsion mode, or when the regulatory constraint prohibits a specific propulsion mode making it indirectly compulsory another mode of propulsion then becoming the standard mode of propulsion.

Thus, the method takes into account temporary information. Indeed, this temporary information, which is regulatory, may change from day to day, from hour to hour, for example depending on a level of pollution measured in the geographic area used, or weather conditions. This development is done independently of the road map, which cannot be updated at all times.

Likewise, the extent of the geographic area used may change over time.

This process allows you to have all the regulatory information, whether temporary or not, up to date. In particular, it warns the driver of the obligation to switch to regulatory propulsion mode from lawful information.

According to a variant of the invention, the vehicle comprises a geolocation system provided with a stored road map, the method comprising a step of updating the stored road map by integrating all of the stored road map information.

Thus, when the vehicle returns to the electronic terminal, even if the electronic terminal is faulty, the driver and the process will still be in possession of the latest set of information up to date.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle comprises the geolocation system provided with the memorized road map, the set of information further comprising a map of energy supply points of the regulatory propulsion mode, the method comprising a step of determining the autonomy of the vehicle in the regulatory propulsion mode as a function of vehicle state parameters, of a programmed or predictable route, and of the refueling points, and:

- If the autonomy is insufficient to satisfy the regulatory constraint, the method comprises a step which determines a route for partial or total bypass of the geographical area taken, [0025] - if said autonomy is sufficient to satisfy the regulatory constraint , the method comprises a step which sends an authorization message to the driver while displaying an autonomy zone on the memorized road map.

It will be understood by stored road map, throughout the text of this document, both the road map partially displayed on a screen of the geolocation system (or other system), as all of the electronic data stored in this system geolocation and allowing, in addition, the display of all parts of the road map.

It will be understood by programmed route, throughout the text of this document, a route calculated by the geolocation system and / or recorded in the geolocation system from at least one destination chosen by the driver, the system of geolocation guiding the driver on this journey.

We understand by predictable route, throughout the text of this document, a journey which is a projection of the vehicle on the road comprising the electronic terminal, or a journey calculated by the geolocation system from default conditions, or a route calculated by the geolocation system crossing the geographical area taken under the most unfavorable conditions.

This autonomy is very useful information so that the process can judge whether it will be able to maintain the regulatory propulsion mode on the part of the planned or foreseeable route covering the geographical area taken. The process is then the sole judge, and is not dependent, at this stage, on the road map (up to date or not.

In addition, the display of the autonomy zone on the memorized road map allows the driver to view directly on the road map the planned or predictable route covering the geographical area taken. He can then view and verify the set of information, and check whether the planned or predictable route is correct. In particular, if the programmed or foreseeable route is not correct, the display of the autonomy zone on the memorized road map allows the driver to check whether or not he can cross or travel to his destination by respecting the regulatory constraint or not.

The mapping of energy refueling points of the regulatory propulsion mode allows the process as the driver, to be informed of the open or closed state or out of service of these refueling points which, depending on their availability and the determined autonomy, will become route crossing points, or not.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises a step of determining a mode of propulsion in progress when the vehicle crosses the geographical area taken, a test step of verifying whether the mode of propulsion in progress is the regulatory propulsion mode, and if not, a step forcing the vehicle to switch to regulatory propulsion mode.

Indeed, the method thus guarantees compliance with the regulatory constraint, without requiring the unreliable intervention of the driver.

According to a variant of the invention, the vehicle comprises the radiofrequency communication system, and the method comprises the step consisting in determining a mode of propulsion in progress when the vehicle crosses the borrowed geographical area, a test step consisting to check if the current propulsion mode is the regulatory propulsion mode, and if not, a step of radio transmission of a violation of regulatory constraint message to the electronic terminal.

Thus, when the electronic terminal is connected to a centralized police computer network, an almond can be automatically generated.

According to a variant of the invention, the method comprises a step of activating a vehicle signal visible from outside the vehicle, when the regulatory propulsion mode is in operation, in particular a light signal above a vehicle roof.

Thus, the police can visually verify that the vehicle is not in violation.

According to one embodiment, the regulatory propulsion mode is an exclusively electric propulsion mode.

By exclusively electric, throughout the text of this document, the fact that the propulsion is provided only by electrical energy, that is to say without polluting energy. The same applies to an exclusively pneumatic or hydraulic propulsion mode.

The invention also relates to a hybrid vehicle comprising propulsion engines, one of which is an electric motor, a radio frequency communication system, and a geolocation system with a stored road map, this vehicle comprising a computer provided with a memory containing a code implementing the steps of the method as succinctly described above.

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of the nonlimiting exemplary embodiments which will follow, made with reference to Figures 1 to 3 attached, which represent:

- Figure 1: a diagram representing the method according to an embodiment of the invention and including two variants.

- Figure 2: a schematic view of a vehicle according to the invention when approaching a ZEV area, - Figure 3: a schematic view of a vehicle according to the invention operating in a ZEV area.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a method according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a method of controlling a vehicle 12 comprising several modes of propulsion, for example a hybrid vehicle, and a radiofrequency communication system 7, the method comprising a step 100 of determining a regulatory constraint for a borrowed geographic area. by the vehicle 12. The step of determining said regulatory constraint comprises a radiofrequency reading 110 from an electronic road terminal 11 of the geographical area taken, the radiofrequency reading 110 taking into account a set of information 1, 2, 3, 4 from said regulatory constraint relating to one of the propulsion modes 3 for said geographic area used, and a step 120 warning of the regulatory constraint intended for the driver.

Note that the radio frequency communication system 7 can be unidirectional (reception) or bidirectional (reception, transmission), and corresponds to what is generally called a "wireless network".

For example, a known system 7 for reception and transmission is on-board equipment on the vehicle which is grafted directly onto a modular radio receiver with a few additional modules. These include an antenna duplexer, a low power transmitter, a possible Intermediate Frequency module, a digital modem, signal processing circuits.

The warning step 120 includes a message displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle, or an audible alarm, to warn the driver that he is approaching the geographic area taken.

Indeed, the primary direction of the radio frequency communication system 7 and establish a remote communication from the electronic terminal 11, and therefore to obtain the set of information 1, 2, 3, 4 well before l entry of the vehicle 12 into the geographical area used. Depending on the technology used, and in particular with the above example of the radio frequency communication system 7, the radio frequency reading step 110 of the information set 1, 2, 3, 4 can be carried out several kilometers before the geographical area used , which is particularly advantageous in the case described on the following pages, where the method determines a bypass route for the geographic area taken: this leaves more possibilities for bypassing.

Another advantage lies in the fact that it is no longer necessary to have an electronic terminal 11 at each intersection between the perimeter of the geographical area taken and the roads leading to it. For example, if the geographical area used concerns an agglomeration, a single electronic terminal 11 may suffice by positioning it in the city center.

The information includes a mapping 1 and a date 2 defining the geographic area borrowed, and a regulatory propulsion mode 3 for the geographic area borrowed.

Mapping 1 includes the limits of the geographical area taken, advantageously in a format which can be transposed onto a road map stored in a geolocation system. The date information 2, includes for example the periods (hours, days, months) where the regulatory constraint is active in the geographical area taken, or more simply directly the information of the regulatory constraint active or not, depending for example on '' an air pollution threshold.

The vehicle includes this geolocation system with the stored road map, for example by satellite (or GPS for the acronym in English), and the method comprises a step 130 of updating the stored road map by integrating to the stored road map the information package 1,2, 3, 4.

Note that, for the information set 1, 2, 3, 4 given by the electronic terminal 11 to be up to date, it is advantageous that the terminal 11 is connected to a computer network, connecting the electronic terminal 11 to a service affected by regulatory constraints. For example a prefectural or town hall service, or the police.

The information set 1, 2, 3, 4 further includes a map of fueling points 4 in energy of the regulatory propulsion mode. The method includes a step 200 of determining the autonomy of the vehicle in the regulatory propulsion mode 3 as a function of state parameters of said vehicle, of a programmed or predictable route, and of the refueling points 4.

These parameters are, for example and without limitation, an available energy reserve such as the level of charge of a battery associated with its state of health, a temperature or efficiency of the energy reserve or an engine affected by the regulatory propulsion mode, a level of energy consumption of vehicle accessories, a running profile of the vehicle, the payload loaded by the vehicle.

Like all autonomy determinations, the process will take into account one or more driving profiles of the vehicle (or the driver).

If TR1 the autonomy is insufficient to satisfy the regulatory constraint, the method includes a step 300 ’which determines a route for partial or total bypass of the geographical area used.

The total bypass corresponds, for example, to the situation of an impossibility of switching to the regulatory propulsion mode. This is the case when, for the hybrid vehicle comprising an electric battery and the propulsion motors, one of which is the electric motor powered by the battery, the regulatory propulsion mode being the exclusively electric propulsion mode, the charge level of the battery is below a minimum authorized charge threshold (zero autonomy).

Partial bypass corresponds, for example, to the situation of a load level above the minimum authorized threshold but lower than a load threshold necessary to cover the geographical area taken according to the programmed or foreseeable route in the electric mode (insufficient autonomy).

The method then optimizes in time or distance the bypass route according to the determined autonomy.

Alternatively, the method then optimizes the bypass route based on a level of pollution or consumption of the vehicle, for example by proposing a less congested route or with less hilly terrain.

If TR2 the autonomy is sufficient to satisfy the regulatory constraint, the method comprises a step 300 which sends an authorization message to the driver while displaying an autonomy zone on the memorized road map.

The means of display of such road maps are known: for example, this can be a display on a screen of the geolocation system, on a screen of a central vehicle handset, on a glazing or a screen in front of a windshield whose image is projected by a head-up vision system.

This determined autonomy zone can be graduated by different colors representing different levels of reliability of this determination, or depending on different driving profiles of the driver. For example, this determined autonomy zone comprises a first and a second autonomy zone: the first autonomy zone is red in color and corresponds to a sporty driving profile, generally energy-consuming, this first zone being circumscribed by the second autonomy zone, with a wider range of action (i.e. a larger zone showing that the vehicle can go further), green in color, and corresponding to a driving profile with less rapid acceleration than the sporting profile.

If only the second autonomy zone makes it possible to comply with the regulatory constraint, the method instructs the driver the correct driving profile to be respected, the driver who must then choose between respecting this instruction, or request a bypass route. The driver then has the possibility of adapting his driving profile according to the place to be reached, a place which he can locate on the map in relation to the first and second zones.

Alternatively, not shown, this step 300 ’determining a bypass route, also communicates to the driver the autonomy by displaying on the memorized road map the autonomy zone corresponding to the determined autonomy.

FIG. 1 further illustrates a step 400 consisting in determining a mode of propulsion in progress when the vehicle 12 crosses the geographic area taken, a test step 500 consisting in checking whether the propulsion mode in progress is the mode of regulatory propulsion 3, and if not, a step 600 forcing the vehicle to switch to regulatory propulsion mode 3.

Note that it is advantageous that this step 600 is subject to a priority condition. For example, if the fact of forcing the vehicle 12 into the regulatory propulsion mode 3 causes the vehicle 12 to stop independently of the driver's will, this may surprise the driver and other road users. This would be the case of a hybrid vehicle unable to restart the engine after having switched to exclusively electric drive mode. In this case, the electric drive mode will not be forced, and an alarm will warn the driver of the offense.

The regulatory propulsion mode 3 is preferably the least polluting propulsion mode of the vehicle propulsion modes, for example an exclusively electric propulsion mode.

The regulatory constraint can also be a prohibited mode of propulsion, for safety reasons, such as for example an electric and / or thermal mode of propulsion, when the geographical area taken is in an explosive atmosphere.

As a variant or in addition, if the current propulsion mode is not the regulatory propulsion mode 3 when the vehicle 12 crosses the borrowed geographical area, the method performs a step 600 'of radio transmission of a message 14 of violation of the regulatory constraint to the electronic terminal 11.

For this, the method uses, for example the low power transmitter of the radio frequency communication system 7, this system having access to the vehicle VIN (for the acronym in English of Vehicle International Number) and communicating it to the electronic terminal 11, terminal itself connected by the centralized network to a police service which, via the VIN, will find the owner via a database.

Alternatively or in addition, the method includes a step 600 ”of activating a signal 13 of the vehicle 12 visible from outside the vehicle 12, when the regulatory propulsion mode 3 is in operation, in particular a signal illuminated above a vehicle roof 12.

FIG. 1 illustrates this step 600 ”in parallel with steps 600 and 600”: in fact, it is indeed when the vehicle is in the geographical area taken that it presents its greatest interest, in particular for being visually controlled by police services. However, the fact of activating this signal 13 only in the geographical area used and only when the vehicle is operating in the regulatory propulsion mode also allows other road users to take note of the fact that the place where the vehicle is located is subject to a regulatory constraint concerning a mode of propulsion, in the event that these other users are not equipped with the radio frequency communication system 7 and in the event that these users have not seen the presence of a road sign indicating the regulatory constraint.

As a variant, the method executes step 600 ”as a function only of the active regulatory propulsion mode, whatever the instant.

As a variant, several different signals 13 (for example of different color) are assigned to each different propulsion mode, this color assignment / propulsion mode being standardized, by analogy to the color code for signaling taxis.

According to an example of the invention, the regulatory propulsion mode 3 is an exclusively electric propulsion mode.

Figure 2 shows schematically a hybrid vehicle 12 comprising propulsion motors 5, 6 one of which is an electric motor 6, a radio frequency communication system 7, and a geolocation system with a stored road map. This vehicle 12 comprises a computer 8 provided with a memory containing a code of a process described above.

Note that the geolocation system 7 can be integrated into the computer 8, just as the memory containing the process code can be shared between the computer 8 the radio frequency communication system 7, and the geolocation system.

FIG. 2 also illustrates a timing diagram of the vehicle 12, the latter being in the position P _o corresponding to the first detection of the electronic terminal 11 by the radiofrequency communication system 7.

By convention, throughout the text of this document, a position Px corresponds to an instant t _x , a position P _xy corresponds to any position of the vehicle going from Px to P _y between the positions P _x and P _y of instants t _x and t _y and so on.

As described above, the method perfectly knows the geographical area taken from this position P _o and the instantaneous position of the vehicle 12 by the geolocation system. The method is therefore also capable of determining all the positions P _O i, the position Ρ _Ί being the point of re-entry into the geographical area taken, and which may correspond but not necessarily to the physical position of implantation of the electronic terminal 11, this electronic terminal can be located in the borrowed geographic area or outside, as long as the position Po is outside the borrowed geographic area. FIG. 2 shows this terminal 11 physically associated with a road sign 10 visually indicating information, more succinct than the set of information 1, 2, 3, 4, on the regulatory constraint for vehicles not equipped with the radiofrequency communication system. .

At time t ₀ , the method, by the radio frequency reading operation 110, has detected the electronic terminal 11 of the borrowed geographical area, and has noted the set of information 1, 2, 3, 4 In this example, this is a zero emission propulsion mode ZEV 3, for example the exclusively electric mode.

From time t ₀ , the method executes step 120 and informs the driver of the regulatory constraint. From time t ₀ the process determines the possibility or not of respecting the regulatory constraint if it pursues the programmed or foreseeable route. The process determines the range of the vehicle and informs the driver, who can intervene at any time by changing his route.

When the vehicle passes the Pi position, the method executes step 600 consisting in forcing the vehicle to switch to the regulatory propulsion mode 3.

In this example, the position P ₃ corresponds to the exit position from the geographical area taken.

Figure 3 illustrates this regulatory mode 3 forced for all positions P13. When the vehicle 12 crosses the position P ₃ , the method cancels the forcing of the regulatory propulsion mode 3.

Figure 3 further illustrates a position P ₂ of the vehicle, in the geographical area taken. This position P ₂ corresponds to a possible fueling position of the regulatory propulsion mode 3 (electric charging station). When this position P ₂ is entered in the memorized road map, or when this position P ₂ is given by the electronic terminal 11 and then read by the process (the refueling points 4), the process offers the driver two options: the first option is a determination of autonomy without refueling, and the second option is a determination of autonomy with refueling. For the second option, the process indicates the obligation to refuel and enters position P ₂ as a waypoint on the programmed route.

Indeed, refueling, in particular in electrical energy, takes time, and if the driver lacks time, it may be beneficial to choose the bypass route option which, although longer in distance, will be more short in time.

Of course, if the destination of the programmed route is in the geographic area 5 taken, the position P ₂ as a waypoint on the programmed route is no longer an option if the autonomy is too low.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the activated signal 13 (black ball illustrating the light signal 13 of green color, unlike the white ball of FIG. 2 illustrating the signal 13 off), the vehicle being in the borrowed geographical area ( every 10 positions P13) and operating with the standard propulsion mode 3.

Claims (10)

claims 1. A method of controlling a vehicle (12) comprising several modes of propulsion and a radiofrequency communication system (7), said method comprising a step (100) of determining a regulatory constraint for a geographical area used by said vehicle (12), characterized in that said step of determining said regulatory constraint comprises a radiofrequency reading (110) of an electronic road terminal (11) of said geographical area taken, said radiofrequency reading (110) collecting a set of information (1, 2, 3, 4) of said regulatory constraint concerning one of said modes of propulsion (3) for said geographic area taken, and a step of warning (120) of said regulatory constraint intended for the driver. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning step (120) comprises a message displayed on the dashboard of said vehicle, or an audible alarm. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said information comprises a map (1) and a date (2) defining said borrowed geographic area, and a regulatory propulsion mode (3) for said borrowed geographic area. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, said vehicle comprising a geolocation system provided with a stored road map, characterized in that it comprises a step (130) of updating said stored road map by integrating with said road map memorized the set of information (1,2, 3, 4). 5. Method according to one of the preceding claim, said vehicle (12) comprising a geolocation system provided with a memorized road map, characterized in that said set of information (1, 2, 3, 4) further comprises a map of refueling points (4) in energy of the regulatory propulsion mode, said method comprising a step (200) of determining a range of said vehicle in said regulatory propulsion mode (3) as a function of state parameters of said vehicle, a programmed or predictable route, and said refueling points (4), and if (TR1) said autonomy is insufficient to satisfy said regulatory constraint, said method comprises a step (300 ') which determines a partial bypass route or total of said geographic area taken, if (TR2) said autonomy is sufficient to satisfy said regulatory constraint, said process comprises a step (300) which sends an authorization message to the driver while displaying an autonomy zone on the memorized road map. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a step (400) consisting in determining a mode of propulsion in progress when said vehicle (12) crosses said borrowed geographical area, a step (500) consisting of testing verifying if said current propulsion mode is said regulatory propulsion mode (3), and if not, a step (600) forcing said vehicle to switch to said regulatory propulsion mode (3). 7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, said vehicle comprising a radiofrequency communication system (7), characterized in that it comprises a step (400) consisting in determining a mode of propulsion in progress when said vehicle (12) crosses said borrowed geographical area, a test step (500) consisting in checking whether said current propulsion mode is said regulatory propulsion mode (3), and if not, a step (600 d of radio transmission of a message (14) breach of said regulatory constraint towards said electronic terminal (11). 8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a step (600 ”) of activation of a signal (13) of said vehicle (12) visible from the outside of said vehicle (12 ), when said regulatory propulsion mode (3) is in operation, in particular a light signal above a roof of said vehicle (12). 9. Method according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said regulatory propulsion mode (3) is an exclusively electric propulsion mode. 10. Hybrid vehicle (12) comprising propulsion motors (5, 6), one of which is an electric motor (6), a radiofrequency communication system (7), and a geolocation system provided with a memorized road map , characterized in that it comprises a computer (8) provided with a memory containing a code of a process according to one of the preceding claims.