Automatic control system for cabin hatch cover

Abstract

An automatic control system for a cabin hatch cover comprises a hatch cover control module, a personnel detection module and a data processing and display module. The hatch cover control module comprises a servo motor, a gear rack mechanism and an infrared sensor array; the personnel detection module comprises an infrared thermal imager and an AI visual unit, the infrared thermal imager is used for scanning a cabin area in real time and counting the number of personnel, the AI visual unit carries a high-definition camera and an edge computing device, personnel identities are confirmed through a face recognition technology, personnel coordinates are positioned in combination with an object tracking algorithm, and personnel detection and positioning are carried out. According to the automatic hatch cover control system, automatic hatch cover control is achieved, operation steps are simplified, the stability and accuracy of hatch cover opening and closing are improved through cooperation of a servo motor and a gear and rack mechanism, meanwhile, clamping accidents are effectively avoided through an infrared sensor array, and the safety risk is reduced; hatch cover control and personnel monitoring data are integrated, information islands are broken, and data analysis of a central processing unit and visual display of a display screen are carried out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine equipment and intelligent monitoring technology, and in particular to an automated control system for engine room hatch covers. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional ship engine room hatch control systems primarily rely on manual or semi-automatic operation, with some systems using electric motors or hydraulic drives for opening and closing. In terms of personnel management, they largely depend on manual patrols or simple access control sensors, making it impossible to monitor the number and location of personnel inside the engine room in real time.

[0003] The aforementioned traditional technologies have several drawbacks: First, the operation procedures are cumbersome, personnel management is crude, and the reliance on manual counting of personnel in the cabin is inefficient and prone to statistical errors. Second, there are serious safety hazards, as personnel cannot be quickly located in emergencies, which can easily delay rescue opportunities. Third, the technical means are limited; existing sensors can only detect the presence of personnel and lack identification and dynamic tracking capabilities. Fourth, they create information silos, with the hatch control and cabin monitoring systems operating independently, and data is not effectively integrated, failing to provide comprehensive and accurate support for cabin safety management. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes an automated control system for engine room hatch covers.

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention provides a technical solution to solve its technical problem: an automated control system for engine room hatch covers, comprising a hatch cover control module, a personnel detection module, and a data processing and display module; The hatch control module includes a servo motor, a gear and rack mechanism, and an infrared sensor array. The servo motor drives the gear and rack mechanism to open and close the hatch. The infrared sensor array is arranged on the edge of the hatch to detect whether foreign objects or human limbs are trapped when the hatch is closed. The personnel detection module includes an infrared thermal imager and an AI vision unit. The infrared thermal imager is used to scan the cabin area in real time and count the number of personnel. The AI ​​vision unit is equipped with a high-definition camera and edge computing device. It uses facial recognition technology to confirm the identity of personnel and combines object tracking algorithms to locate the coordinates of personnel for personnel detection and positioning. The data processing and display module includes a central processing unit and a touch screen. The central processing unit is used to analyze sensor data and generate a heat map of personnel location. The touch screen is used to display the number of personnel, their identity information, and their dynamic location in the cabin in real time.

[0006] Optionally, it also includes a ship monitoring integration module; the ship monitoring integration module is connected to the ship's central monitoring system via a CAN bus or 5G communication protocol, and is used to synchronously upload data from the central processor to the ship's central monitoring system.

[0007] Optionally, the ship monitoring integration module can also be linked with the fire emergency system to simultaneously trigger the ship's personnel evacuation alarm.

[0008] Optionally, it also includes an emergency manual device and an independent power supply system; the emergency manual device can switch the power source of the cabin hatch cover automatic control system to an independent power supply system.

[0009] Optionally, the infrared emitting device includes a battery that can be connected to the ship's power supply system for charging.

[0010] Optionally, the infrared sensor array of the hatch control module is evenly arranged on the inner side of the hatch edge, and each sensor is communicatively connected to the central processing unit.

[0011] Optionally, when the infrared sensor array detects a foreign object or a person's limb, the central processing unit controls the servo motor to stop working and rotate in the opposite direction, while simultaneously controlling the touch screen to issue an alarm prompt.

[0012] Optionally, the high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit is equipped with a waterproof cover, and the inside of the waterproof cover is equipped with a wire connecting the camera and the power supply.

[0013] Optionally, the high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit is mounted on the top of the canopy, and the infrared thermal imager is mounted in the center of the canopy.

[0014] Optional, the specific steps for personnel detection and location are as follows: Step 1: Use an infrared thermal imager to scan the cabin, make a preliminary assessment of the presence of personnel, and count their numbers; Step 2: The AI ​​vision unit activates the high-definition camera, confirms identity through facial recognition, and tracks the movement trajectory of the person based on the YOLOv7 algorithm; Step 3: The central processing unit fuses the data and generates a real-time heat map, which is then displayed on the touchscreen.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: It achieves automated hatch cover control, simplifying operation steps. The cooperation between servo motors and rack and pinion mechanisms improves the stability and accuracy of hatch cover opening and closing. Simultaneously, the infrared sensor array effectively avoids pinching accidents, reducing safety risks. It enables real-time detection and dynamic tracking of engine room personnel. Through the synergy of an infrared thermal imager and an AI vision unit, it accurately counts personnel, identifies their identities, and locates their positions, solving the problems of low efficiency and error-proneness in manual management, replacing manual counting, and reducing the error rate. In emergencies, it can quickly obtain personnel location information, providing precise guidance for rescue work, shortening rescue time, and improving engine room safety capabilities. It integrates hatch cover control and personnel monitoring data, breaking down information silos. Through data analysis by the central processor and visualization on the display screen, it provides managers with comprehensive decision-making support, promoting the development of intelligent and refined engine room safety management. Furthermore, it is compatible with existing ship monitoring systems and supports customized function expansion.

[0016] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a front view of the hatch cover of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of key component symbols: 10. Infrared thermal imager; 20. AI vision unit; 30. Central processing unit. Detailed Implementation

[0019] This section will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, "multiple" means two or more; "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "setting," "installing," and "connecting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrally formed connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0023] Example Reference Figure 1 The present invention proposes an automated control system for cabin hatch covers, including a hatch cover control module, a personnel detection module, and a data processing and display module; The hatch control module includes a servo motor, a gear and rack mechanism, and an infrared sensor array. The servo motor drives the gear and rack mechanism to open and close the hatch. The infrared sensor array is arranged on the edge of the hatch to detect whether foreign objects or human limbs are trapped when the hatch is closed. The personnel detection module includes an infrared thermal imager 10 and an AI vision unit 20. The infrared thermal imager 10 is used to scan the cabin area in real time and count the number of personnel. The AI ​​vision unit 20 is equipped with a high-definition camera and edge computing device. It uses facial recognition technology to confirm the identity of personnel and combines object tracking algorithms to locate the coordinates of personnel for personnel detection and positioning. The data processing and display module includes a central processing unit 30 and a touch screen. The central processing unit 30 is used to analyze sensor data and generate a heat map of personnel location. The touch screen is used to display the number of personnel, their identity information, and their dynamic location in the cabin in real time.

[0024] This invention achieves automated hatch cover control, simplifying operation steps. The cooperation of a servo motor and rack and pinion mechanism improves the stability and accuracy of hatch cover opening and closing. Simultaneously, an infrared sensor array effectively prevents pinching injuries, reducing safety risks. Real-time detection and dynamic tracking of engine room personnel are achieved. Through the synergy of an infrared thermal imager 10 and an AI vision unit 20, the number of personnel, their identities, and their locations are accurately counted, solving the problems of low efficiency and error-proneness in manual management. It replaces manual counting, reducing the error rate. In emergencies, personnel location information can be quickly obtained, providing precise guidance for rescue operations, shortening rescue time, and improving engine room safety. Integrating hatch cover control and personnel monitoring data breaks down information silos. Data analysis by the central processor 30 and visualization on the display screen provide managers with comprehensive decision-making support, promoting the intelligent and refined development of engine room safety management. Furthermore, it is compatible with existing ship monitoring systems and supports customized function expansion.

[0025] In this embodiment, a ship monitoring integration module is also included. The ship monitoring integration module is connected to the ship's central monitoring system via a CAN bus or 5G communication protocol. It is used to synchronously upload the data of the central processor 30 to the ship's central monitoring system, breaking the system isolation and improving the overall ship management coordination. Personnel location information is synchronized to the captain's bridge terminal and the shore-based monitoring center.

[0026] In this embodiment, the ship monitoring integration module is also linked with the fire emergency system, which can simultaneously trigger the ship's personnel evacuation alarm. Automatically triggering the personnel evacuation alarm in emergencies enables rapid response and coordinated handling between safety systems, significantly improving the ship's emergency management level.

[0027] This embodiment also includes an emergency manual control device and an independent power supply system. The emergency manual control device can switch the power source of the cabin hatch cover automatic control system to the independent power supply system. In an emergency, it can switch to manual mode, and the independent power supply system ensures continuous functioning, ensuring that the system can still operate normally in the event of a main power failure, significantly enhancing the system's reliability and emergency response capabilities.

[0028] In this embodiment, the infrared transmitter includes a battery that can be connected to the ship's power supply system for charging. This ensures the continuous and stable operation of the infrared sensor while also providing energy replenishment through the ship's power supply system, thereby enhancing the equipment's operational endurance.

[0029] In this embodiment, the infrared sensor array of the hatch control module is evenly arranged on the inner side of the hatch edge, and each sensor is communicatively connected to the central processing unit 30. This achieves full coverage detection of the hatch edge, effectively preventing blind spots and improving the accuracy and reliability of safety protection.

[0030] Specifically, when the infrared sensor array detects a foreign object or a person's limb, the central processing unit 30 controls the servo motor to stop working and rotate in the opposite direction, while simultaneously controlling the touch screen to issue an alarm, forming an active safety protection system that effectively avoids personal injury and equipment damage.

[0031] In this embodiment, the high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit 20 is equipped with a waterproof cover, and the inside of the waterproof cover contains wires connecting the camera to the power supply. This ensures the long-term stable operation of the high-definition camera in the high-humidity environment of a ship, extends the service life of the equipment, and guarantees the reliability of the visual recognition system.

[0032] In this embodiment, the high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit 20 is installed above the canopy, and the infrared thermal imager 10 is installed in the center of the canopy.

[0033] The automated control system for engine hatch covers of the present invention mainly consists of three parts, and its working principle is as follows: Part 1, Automatic Control of the Hatch Cover: 1. Upon receiving the opening and closing command, the servo motor drives the rack and pinion mechanism to perform the action; 2. The infrared sensor monitors the hatch cover closing path in real time, and stops and alarms immediately when an obstacle is encountered.

[0034] Part Two, Personnel Detection and Location: The specific steps are as follows: Step 1, the infrared thermal imager 10 scans the cabin to initially determine the presence of personnel and count their number; Step 2, the AI ​​vision unit 20 activates the high-definition camera, confirms identity through facial recognition, and tracks personnel movement trajectories based on the YOLOv7 algorithm; Step 3, the central processing unit 30 fuses the data and generates a real-time heat map, which is then displayed on the touchscreen.

[0035] Part Three, System Linkage and Alarms: 1. Upon detecting unauthorized personnel or an emergency (such as a fire), the hatch will be automatically closed and a ship's broadcast alarm will be triggered; 2. Personnel location information will be synchronized to the captain's bridge terminal and the shore-based monitoring center.

[0036] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications and substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An automated control system for engine room hatch covers, characterized in that, This includes a hatch control module, a personnel detection module, and a data processing and display module; The hatch control module includes a servo motor, a gear and rack mechanism, and an infrared sensor array. The servo motor drives the gear and rack mechanism to open and close the hatch. The infrared sensor array is arranged on the edge of the hatch to detect whether foreign objects or human limbs are trapped when the hatch is closed. The personnel detection module includes an infrared thermal imager (10) and an AI vision unit (20). The infrared thermal imager (10) is used to scan the cabin area in real time and count the number of personnel. The AI ​​vision unit (20) is equipped with a high-definition camera and edge computing device. It uses face recognition technology to confirm the identity of personnel and combines object tracking algorithm to locate the coordinates of personnel for personnel detection and positioning. The data processing and display module includes a central processing unit (30) and a touch screen. The central processing unit (30) is used to analyze sensor data and generate a heat map of personnel location. The touch screen is used to display the number of personnel, their identity information and dynamic location in the cabin in real time.

2. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a ship monitoring integration module; the ship monitoring integration module is connected to the ship central monitoring system via CAN bus or 5G communication protocol, and is used to synchronously upload the data of the central processor (30) to the ship central monitoring system.

3. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ship monitoring integration module is also linked with the fire emergency system, which can simultaneously trigger the ship's personnel evacuation alarm.

4. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an emergency manual device and an independent power supply system; the emergency manual device can switch the power source of the cabin hatch cover automatic control system to the independent power supply system.

5. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared emitting device contains a battery that can be connected to the ship's power supply system for charging.

6. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared sensor array of the hatch control module is evenly arranged on the inner side of the hatch edge, and each sensor is communicatively connected to the central processing unit (30).

7. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the infrared sensor array detects a foreign object or a person's limb, the central processing unit (30) controls the servo motor to stop working and rotate in the opposite direction, while simultaneously controlling the touch screen to issue an alarm prompt.

8. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit (20) is provided with a waterproof cover, and the inside of the waterproof cover is provided with a wire connecting the camera and the power supply.

9. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-definition camera of the AI ​​vision unit (20) is installed above the canopy, and the infrared thermal imager (10) is installed in the center of the canopy.

10. The automated control system for engine room hatch covers according to claim 1, characterized in that: The specific steps for personnel detection and location are as follows: Step 1: The infrared thermal imager (10) scans the cabin to preliminarily determine the presence of personnel and count their number; Step 2: The AI ​​vision unit (20) activates the high-definition camera, confirms the identity through facial recognition, and tracks the movement trajectory of the person based on the YOLOv7 algorithm; Step 3: The central processing unit (30) fuses the data and generates a real-time heat map, which is then displayed on the touch screen.

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