Marine Vessel Accessory Sensing for Docking and Speed Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessel operators face challenges in managing the coupling and uncoupling of accessories such as fenders and sun canopies during takeoff, docking, and varying vessel speeds, leading to potential damage or loss of accessories and hull protection.
Innovation Solution
A system with accessory holders equipped with sensors to detect the attachment state of accessories like fenders and sun canopies, providing visual, audible, or haptic feedback to operators and potentially automating docking and speed control based on accessory utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring of accessory attachment is used, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability of accessory management is poor leading to potential damage or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic detection and notification of accessory attachment status without requiring manual monitoring by the operator. Sensors automatically detect whether accessories are properly coupled and the system self-manages the information flow to alert operators of any issues, making the monitoring function self-service rather than relying on human attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical checking of accessory attachment with electronic sensors and automated control systems. The mechanical system of manual verification is substituted with electronic detection mechanisms that automatically sense and report the attachment status of accessories.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of all accessories is implemented, then the reliability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic sensing and evaluation of accessory attachment status rather than continuous monitoring. The control system checks the state of sensors at intervals and only activates notifications when changes in accessory status are detected, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where sensors detect accessory status and the control system responds by providing visual or audible alerts only when necessary. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain reliability by detecting all status changes while conserving energy by activating full monitoring and alert functions only when accessory attachment status changes or issues are detected.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If automated docking control based on accessory status is added, then the operational safety improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checks of accessory attachment status before initiating automated docking operations. By detecting and alerting operators to any missing or improperly attached accessories before the docking process begins, the system prevents damage without requiring complex real-time intervention during docking, thus managing complexity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the accessory sensors and the automated docking function. It receives status information from sensors, processes this information, and then either alerts the operator or automatically adjusts docking parameters accordingly. This intermediary role manages the complexity by creating a clear separation between detection, decision-making, and execution functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for determining utilization of an accessory for a marine vessel. The system includes an accessory holder coupled to the marine vessel and configured to support the accessory, a sensor configured to detect whether the accessory is coupled to the accessory holder, a display device configured to generate a display, and control system operatively coupled to the sensor and the display device. The control system is configured to determine the utilization of the accessory based on whether the sensor detects that the accessory is coupled to the accessory holder. The control system is further is configured to cause the display device to generate the display to indicate the utilization determined for the accessory.