Guiding Mechanism for Autonomous Coupling to Free-Floating Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

The safe and efficient recovery of free-swimming objects, such as watercraft or people, from a ship is hindered by the relative movements between the ship and the object, leading to manual, time-consuming, and risky methods that require heavy and bulky equipment, with no general solution for safely attaching a coupling device.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a load-bearing connection and a separate guiding device that connects to a lifting device, allowing controlled movement of the coupling device to align with the free-swimming object, enabling secure coupling without bearing the object's load, thus being compact, lightweight, and capable of three-dimensional movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual attachment method is used, then a coupling device can be attached to a free-floating object, but the process is time-consuming and physically demanding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attaching coupling deviceVSAvoidtime for attachment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the coupling device automatically tracks and attaches to the free-floating object using integrated sensors and actuators, eliminating the need for manual operation by sailors while reducing attachment time from multiple attempts to a single automated process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system with an automated system that uses optical sensors, control units, and actuated mechanical components to perform the coupling operation autonomously, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical and electronic systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual attachment method is used, then a coupling device can be attached to a free-floating object, but the risk of injury from falling overboard or swinging loads is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attaching coupling deviceVSAvoidrisk of injury to personnel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the hazardous coupling operation autonomously without requiring personnel to work over the side of the vessel, eliminating exposure to falling overboard risks and swinging load hazards while maintaining effective coupling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated coupling system as an intermediary between the vessel and the free-floating object, using extended manipulators and automated positioning to bridge the gap without requiring direct human intervention in the hazardous zone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If underwater cage or net is used to capture the floating device, then the device can be recovered, but the solution is large and heavy requiring significant cargo space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of recoveryVSAvoidweight of recovery equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the recovery system into a lightweight modular platform with separate functional components (sensors, actuators, coupling mechanisms) that can be deployed as needed, replacing the monolithic heavy cage structure with distributed lightweight functional elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the heavy mechanical containment structure (cage/net) with an automated manipulator system that uses controlled mechanical motion and positioning to achieve coupling, substituting passive mechanical containment with active controlled manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the coupling device is kept at a safe distance from the ship, then collision damage is avoided, but the attachment process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage from collisionsVSAvoiddifficulty of attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic positioning and tracking capabilities that allow the coupling device to maintain safe distance while actively compensating for relative movements between the vessel and free-floating object through real-time sensor feedback and actuated adjustment, making attachment as easy as manual operation without the collision risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3512767B1Device for attaching a coupling device to a free-floating object

Publication Date: 2021.01.20 TECH UNIV BERLIN

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

A device is proposed for attaching a coupling device (100) to a free-floating object (101), for example free-floating articles or free-floating persons. The device has: at least one first connection end (102), which can be connected to a load-receiving end (121) of a lifting device (120); a coupling device (100) for attachment to a free-floating object; a load-receiving connection (103) between the first connection end (102) and the coupling device (100); and a guiding device (104), which is separate from the load-receiving connection (103), connects the first connection end (102) to the coupling device (100) and is designed to guide the coupling device (100) relative to the first connection end (102).