Hull Position Control Using Error Distance and Approaching Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hull control systems require large-scale systems to maintain a hull at a fixed point, which is inefficient and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A hull control device with an error distance calculating module, approaching speed calculating module, and command value setting module, integrated with an autopilot controller, calculates error distances and approaching speeds to set throttle command values, allowing precise control of the hull's position without the need for a large-scale system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional hull control system is used to maintain the hull at a fixed point, then the hull position can be maintained, but the system becomes large-scale and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehull position maintenanceVSAvoidsystem scale

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameters from simple position error to a combination of error distance and approaching speed. This allows the system to achieve reliable fixed-point maintenance with a simpler device by using more sophisticated parameter combinations rather than complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of throttle command values based on real-time calculation of error distance and approaching speed. This dynamic control approach enables reliable position maintenance while simplifying the overall system structure by using adaptive parameter adjustment rather than fixed complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a conventional hull control system is used to maintain the hull at a fixed point, then the hull position can be maintained, but the resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehull position maintenanceVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing from static position-based control to dynamic control using error distance and approaching speed parameters, the system achieves the same reliability with reduced resource consumption. The approachable speed calculation allows for more efficient throttle adjustment, reducing unnecessary energy use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If a simple control system is used, then resource requirements are reduced, but the positional accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem resource consumptionVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances positional accuracy in a simple system by changing the control parameters from basic position error to a refined combination of error distance and approaching speed. This parameter refinement allows the simple system to achieve high measurement precision through smarter control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback by calculating approaching speed based on temporal changes in error distance. This feedback mechanism enables the simple system to maintain high positional accuracy by constantly adjusting the throttle command based on both position and velocity information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11866142B2Hull control device, hull controlling method, and hull control program

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 FURUNO ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A hull control device is provided, which includes an error distance calculating module, an approaching speed calculating module and a command value setting module. The error distance calculating module calculates an error distance between a target position of a fixed-point hold and a ship position. The approaching speed calculating module calculates an approaching speed of a ship to the target position. The command value setting module sets a throttle command value according to a combination of the error distance and the approaching speed.