Autonomous Vehicle Watercraft Trailer Launch System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Launching and hauling out watercraft often require multiple people, making the process tedious and burdensome, especially when done alone.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle system that detects a launch ramp location and autonomously controls the vehicle to move a trailer into water, allowing for the transfer of watercraft between land and water, reducing the need for multiple operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single operator attempts to launch or haul out a watercraft alone, then the operator can perform the task independently, but the process becomes extremely difficult and burdensome requiring multiple people
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the autonomous vehicle independently performs launch and haulout operations without requiring multiple operators. The vehicle autonomously navigates to the launch ramp, positions the trailer, and manages the watercraft transfer process automatically, allowing a single operator to simply initiate the process via a transfer signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual operation (multiple people physically maneuvering the watercraft and trailer) with an autonomous control system that uses sensors, processors, and automated actuators to detect launch conditions, navigate the vehicle, and position the trailer on the ramp automatically.
2Productivity
If manual launching process is used with multiple people, then the task can be completed, but it becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous system enables continuous operation where the vehicle can repeatedly perform launch and haulout cycles without interruption. The system continuously monitors conditions, automatically navigates, and manages the entire process flow, eliminating the downtime and coordination delays associated with manual operation between launches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the vehicle and trailer at the launch location, pre-detecting launch ramp conditions, and pre-configuring the system state before the actual watercraft transfer begins, thereby reducing the time required for the critical launch operation itself.
3Extent of automation
If autonomous control system is implemented, then the launch process is expedited and can be managed by one person, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous control system is designed with multi-functionality, where a single integrated control system performs multiple functions including navigation to launch ramp, trailer positioning, launch condition detection, and haulout operations. This universal system replaces what would otherwise require separate specialized systems for each function, managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples of transferring a watercraft between land and water are disclosed. When a vehicle receives a transfer signal, the vehicle locates a launch ramp, and the vehicle moves to the launch ramp. A trailer attached to the vehicle moved into the water using the launch ramp, such that a watercraft can be transferred between land and water via the trailer.