Marine Propulsion Collision Override with Proximity Buffer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine propulsion control systems fail to effectively limit the velocity of a marine vessel when approaching objects, leading to potential collisions due to environmental factors like currents and waves, and struggle to maintain a safe buffer distance, especially in semi-autonomous or autonomous operations.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion control system that uses proximity sensors and a controller to calculate and impose velocity limits based on the distance to objects, maintaining a predetermined buffer zone and limiting user input authority to prevent collisions, while allowing user override to suspend buffer maintenance for controlled impacts or docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the marine propulsion control system automatically maintains a buffer distance from objects, then collision avoidance is improved, but user control authority is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automatic buffer maintenance based on user input. When the joystick is in the neutral position, the system actively maintains the buffer zone. When the joystick is moved beyond a threshold, indicating intentional user action, the system reduces automatic intervention, allowing the user to override the buffer maintenance if needed for docking or controlled approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters based on the detected state. The buffer distance parameter is actively enforced during normal operation but is dynamically adjusted or suspended when user override conditions are met, allowing flexible transition between automatic safety mode and manual control mode.
2Reliability
If the system limits velocity based on proximity to objects, then safety is improved, but maneuverability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The velocity limit parameter is dynamically adjusted based on the distance to detected objects. As the vessel approaches an object, the system automatically reduces the maximum allowed velocity in that direction. However, when user override is activated, the system temporarily suspends these velocity restrictions, allowing full maneuverability for situations like docking where controlled impact is intended.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system maintains a predetermined buffer zone, then collision risk is reduced, but docking capability is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer zone maintenance is dynamically controlled based on user intent. During normal operation, the system maintains the predetermined buffer zone to prevent collisions. When the user moves the joystick beyond the threshold position, indicating an intentional maneuver, the system suspends buffer maintenance, enabling docking operations or controlled approaches where the vessel needs to intentionally reduce distance to objects.
4Reliability
If the system provides automatic buffer maintenance, then operational safety is improved, but system complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses proximity sensors to continuously monitor the distance to objects and provides automatic feedback control. When an object is detected within the buffer zone, the system automatically adjusts propulsion to maintain the safe distance. The system also monitors joystick position and provides feedback by reducing automatic intervention when user override conditions are met, balancing safety automation with user control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling propulsion of a marine vessel includes receiving proximity measurements from one or more proximity sensors on the marine vessel and limiting user input authority over propulsion output in a direction of an object by at least one propulsion device based on the proximity measurement so as to maintain the marine vessel at least a buffer distance from the object. The method further includes suspending maintenance of the buffer distance from the object in response to a user-generated instruction. Then, when user control input is received via a user input device to move the marine vessel in the direction of the object, the at least one propulsion device is controlled based on the user control input such that the marine vessel approaches and impacts the object.