Adaptive Ship Steering Control for Cargo and Weather Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autopilot systems for ships rely on fixed control parameters for rudder angle, which fail to adapt to changes in cargo weight and weather conditions, leading to reduced control accuracy and excessive steering.
Innovation Solution
An automatic steering device that acquires a ship's traveling state and information, calculates evaluation values for direction maintaining performance and ship handling control, and sets adaptive control parameters to stabilize ship control based on these evaluations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed control parameters are used for rudder angle, then the control system is simple to operate, but the control accuracy deteriorates and excessive steering occurs when cargo weight or weather conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The control parameters are changed from fixed values to dynamically adjustable values that adapt to changing ship conditions. The system automatically adjusts control parameters based on real-time evaluation of ship state and environmental factors, transforming the static control system into a dynamic one that maintains optimal performance across varying operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameters from fixed values to variable values that are continuously adjusted based on ship conditions. By monitoring ship state parameters and environmental factors, the system modifies control parameters in real-time to maintain optimal control accuracy and prevent excessive steering under different cargo weights and weather conditions.
2Device complexity
If fixed control parameters are used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different cargo weights and weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically evaluating ship state and environmental conditions, then autonomously modifying control parameters without external intervention. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to varying cargo weights and weather conditions while maintaining reasonable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where control parameters are continuously adjusted based on evaluation results from ship state sensors and environmental monitors. The feedback loop compares actual performance with desired performance and automatically modifies control parameters to optimize adaptability to different operating conditions while managing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If adaptive control parameters are implemented, then the control accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional evaluation and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: ship state acquisition, environmental information acquisition, evaluation value calculation, and control parameter adjustment. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, improving control accuracy through specialized processing while managing overall system complexity through modular architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If evaluation values are continuously calculated and control parameters adjusted, then the adaptability to environmental changes improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs evaluation and control parameter adjustment at periodic intervals rather than continuously. By sampling ship state and environmental conditions at optimized time intervals, the system maintains adaptability to environmental changes while significantly reducing computational load and energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic steering device includes an acquirer, and processing circuitry. The acquirer acquires a traveling state including a heading or a position of a ship, and ship information on the ship. The processing circuitry calculates a first evaluation value that is an evaluation value indicative of a performance for maintaining the heading of the ship or a route based on the traveling state. The processing circuitry calculates a second evaluation value that is an evaluation value related to a ship handling control based on the ship information. The processing circuitry sets a control parameter related to a motion control of the ship based on the first evaluation value or the second evaluation value.