Docking Assist Control Using Perimeter Ranging in Crowded Berths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated directional control systems for vehicles, including planes and watercraft, are unreliable due to the need for expensive and difficult-to-retrofit sensors, and fail to provide accurate docking or parking assistance, especially in crowded conditions or with external disturbances like wind or water currents.
Innovation Solution
A docking assist system that includes a logic device, sensors, actuators, and modules to interface with users, using perimeter ranging systems and navigation control systems to determine and provide control signals for steering and propulsion, enhancing docking accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional automated directional control systems use expensive and difficult-to-retrofit sensors, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional controller that integrates perimeter monitoring, hazard detection, and docking control functions into a single device, eliminating the need for separate specialized sensors and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining docking accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The docking control function is divided into separate modular components: perimeter ranging system for boundary detection, hazard avoidance system for obstacle detection, and control signal generation for actuator management, allowing independent optimization and easier integration
2Measurement precision
If conventional systems use specialized sensors for automated control, then measurement precision improves, but ease of manufacture and retrofitting worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal platform that can be integrated into various watercraft types without requiring specialized sensor installations, supporting multiple detection functions through software configuration rather than hardware customization
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical sensor assemblies with electronic/peripheral systems including perimeter ranging sensors and hazard detection cameras that can be mounted using standard interfaces, significantly easing installation and retrofitting processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems operate in crowded conditions with external disturbances, then operational versatility is needed, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors perimeter conditions, hazard positions, and watercraft state, using real-time feedback to adjust control signals and compensate for external disturbances such as wind and currents, maintaining reliable docking performance across varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The hazard avoidance function proactively detects potential collisions and navigational hazards before they become critical threats, allowing the system to take preventive corrective actions that maintain docking reliability even in crowded and challenging environments
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.