Docking Assist Control Using Perimeter Sensing and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated directional control systems for vehicles, including watercraft, are inefficient and inaccurate, particularly in crowded conditions and when navigational control is complicated by external disturbances like wind or water currents, making reliable docking or parking assist challenging.
Innovation Solution
A docking assist system that includes a logic device, sensors, actuators, and modules to interface with users and other system components, which determines docking assist control signals based on received parameters and sensor data to provide accurate and reliable directional control for mobile structures during docking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional automated directional control systems are used for docking, then the system structure is simple, but the docking accuracy and reliability are insufficient particularly in crowded conditions and under external disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The docking control system is segmented into multiple independent functional modules including sensor module, processing module, and actuator module. Each module performs a specific function (e.g., sensor data acquisition, control signal generation, steering actuation), allowing the system to achieve high reliability through modular architecture while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating optimal docking trajectories and pre-positioning the watercraft before actual docking. The processing module generates control signals in advance based on sensor data, and the system prepares docking sequences beforehand to ensure accurate and reliable docking execution
Solution Approach 3:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where sensor data from the watercraft's position and orientation is constantly monitored, compared against target docking parameters, and used to generate corrective control signals. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures high docking reliability by continuously adjusting for deviations and external disturbances
2Measurement precision
If conventional control systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of docking position and directional control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by using multiple sensors positioned at different locations on the watercraft (e.g., front, rear, left, right sensors) to measure position and orientation from various perspectives. Each sensor provides localized measurement data that is integrated to achieve high overall measurement precision for docking control
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional position measurement to multi-dimensional spatial measurement by incorporating sensors that detect position, orientation, and distance in three-dimensional space. This dimensional expansion enables precise determination of the watercraft's complete spatial state for accurate docking
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional systems are used for perimeter monitoring and hazard avoidance, then the system is easier to operate, but the ability to detect and avoid navigation hazards is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring the perimeter environment, detecting navigation hazards, and generating avoidance control signals without requiring manual operation. The processing module continuously analyzes sensor data and autonomously adjusts steering commands to avoid detected hazards, reducing operational complexity while enhancing detection capability
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide docking assist for mobile structures. A docking assist system includes a logic device, one or more sensors, one or more actuators/controllers, and modules to interface with users, sensors, actuators, and/or other modules of a mobile structure. The logic device is adapted to receive docking assist parameters from a user interface for the mobile structure and perimeter sensor data from a perimeter ranging system mounted to the mobile structure. The logic device determines docking assist control signals based, at least in part, on the docking assist parameters and perimeter sensor data, and it then provides the docking assist control signals to a navigation control system for the mobile structure. Control signals may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.