Automatic Boat Docking via Existing Joystick Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic docking devices for boats require complex setup and tuning to match individual boat specifications, making their introduction into existing vessels cumbersome and difficult.
Innovation Solution
An automatic docking device that includes a current position detection unit, docking position determination unit, and an automatic docking processor, which outputs lever operation signals to a joystick boat maneuvering device's propulsion controller to facilitate automatic docking without the need for extensive controller setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a traditional automatic docking device is used, then automatic docking function is achieved, but complex controller setup and tuning are required to match individual boat specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic docking device is designed to be universally compatible with various boat types by using the existing joystick boat maneuvering device's controller. Instead of requiring boat-specific controller setup, the system leverages the universal controller that already manages the joystick device, eliminating the need for complex individual boat specification tuning while maintaining automatic docking functionality across different vessel types
Solution Approach 2:
The joystick boat maneuvering device's controller serves as an intermediary between the automatic docking device and the boat propulsor/steering actuator. This intermediary controller already has the necessary boat-specific parameters and control logic, so the automatic docking device can inherit these settings without requiring its own complex setup, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving automation
2Manufacturing precision
If complex controller setup is performed to match individual boat specifications, then docking accuracy is improved, but introduction into existing vessels becomes cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The boat-specific controller parameters and tuning are performed in advance during the manufacturing or initial setup phase of the joystick boat maneuvering device. These preliminary actions ensure that when the automatic docking device is later introduced to existing vessels, the necessary precision parameters are already in place, allowing accurate docking without requiring complex setup during the introduction process
Solution Approach 2:
The existing joystick boat maneuvering device's controller serves itself by providing the automatic docking device with the necessary boat-specific control parameters. The controller already contains the tuned settings for that specific vessel type, so it automatically provides the information needed for accurate docking without requiring external intervention or complex reconfiguration during vessel introduction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An automatic docking device (31) for automatically docking a boat (1). The boat (1) includes a boat propulsor (2, 3) configured to generate a propulsion force of the boat (1), a propulsion direction variable mechanism (8, 9) configured to change a left-right direction of the propulsion force, and a joystick boat maneuvering device (21) including an operation lever (23), a manual operation processor (24), and a propulsion controller (26). The manual operation processor (24) is configured to detect a displacement of the operation lever (23) in a case where the operation lever (23) is operated, and output a lever operation signal corresponding to the detected displacement of the operation lever (23) to the propulsion controller (26), and the propulsion controller (26) is configured to control the boat propulsor (2, 3) and the propulsion force variable mechanism (8, 9), based on the lever operation signal, to move the boat (1).