Boat Shore Arrival Control Using Distance-Based Sensor Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat shore arrival systems require high skill and are limited to specific harbors, as they rely on pre-recorded loci and struggle with accurate navigation in unfamiliar environments.
Innovation Solution
A boat equipped with a propulsion device, first and second sensors, and a controller that detects environment information to generate instruction signals for shore arrival, switching between sensors based on distance to ensure accurate navigation to any harbor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used for shore arrival detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of environmental information decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into two distinct sensors: a first sensor for detecting environment information when the boat is at a greater distance from the shore, and a second sensor for detecting environment information when the boat is closer to the shore. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific detection range, improving overall measurement precision without requiring a single complex sensor to handle all scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first sensor and the second sensor based on the detected distance to the shore. When the distance exceeds a threshold, the first sensor is used; when the distance is within the threshold, the second sensor is used. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal detection accuracy for varying operational conditions while managing device complexity through conditional sensor selection
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-recorded locus is used for shore arrival assistance, then the system can provide navigation guidance, but the system can only be used in specific harbors and lacks adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the boat's own sensors to detect and acquire environmental information about the current harbor in real-time, rather than relying on pre-recorded locus data from external sources. This self-service approach enables the system to adapt to any harbor automatically, improving versatility while maintaining accurate environmental information through direct sensor measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is designed to work in any harbor environment by using universal sensors that can detect shore characteristics and environmental information regardless of the specific location. This multi-functional capability allows the system to operate in unspecified harbors without requiring pre-programmed locus data, enhancing adaptability while preserving measurement accuracy through real-time detection
3Ease of operation
If automatic control is implemented for shore arrival, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors detecting the boat's position, distance to shore, and environmental information. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the propulsion device to maintain the optimal approach trajectory. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control that is intuitive and easy to operate, as the system self-corrects based on real-time conditions without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor system and the propulsion device, translating environmental information and position data into appropriate propulsion commands. This intermediary function simplifies the overall control system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic, making the system easier to operate while managing complexity through a dedicated control unit that coordinates all automatic control functions
Data Source
AI summary
A first sensor detects first environment information indicating a shape of a shore arrival location and a positional relationship between the shore arrival location and a boat body. A second sensor, different from the first sensor, detects second environment information indicating the shape of the shore arrival location and the positional relationship between the shore arrival location and the boat body. A controller is communicatively connected to the first sensor and the second sensor. When the distance from the boat body to the shore arrival location is greater than a predetermined distance threshold, the controller generates, based on the first environment information, an instruction signal to control a propulsion device to as to cause the boat body to arrive at the shore arrival location. When the distance from the boat body to the shore arrival location is equal to or less than the distance threshold, the controller generates an instruction signal based on the second environment information.