Unmanned Marine Cargo Delivery With Fixed-Point Port Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine vessel delivery systems lack the capability for automated navigation and delivery due to unique marine environments, necessitating specialized techniques.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned delivery system for marine vessels that includes an acquisition unit for cargo destination information, an automatic navigation unit for navigating to the destination port, and a controller for arrival notification and fixed point holding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual navigation and delivery methods are used in marine vessels, then operational flexibility and human control are maintained, but automation capability and delivery efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic navigation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unmanned delivery system is divided into distinct functional modules: acquisition unit for destination information, automatic navigation unit for path planning and vessel control, and controller for coordination. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to achieve automated delivery, resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic navigation unit serves multiple functions including path planning, collision avoidance, and coordination with the controller, making it a multi-functional component that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If automated navigation systems are implemented in marine vessels, then delivery efficiency and accuracy are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the automated delivery system into specialized units (acquisition unit, automatic navigation unit, controller), each with focused functionality, the system achieves high delivery efficiency through coordinated specialization while managing complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic navigation unit receives destination information from the acquisition unit and executes navigation while the controller coordinates their operations, creating a feedback loop that optimizes delivery efficiency while managing system complexity through structured information flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If manual cargo handling procedures are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but delivery time and operational efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery timeVSAvoidunmanned operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates cargo delivery operations into distinct automated phases: destination acquisition, navigation to destination port, and controlled arrival. This segmentation enables unmanned operation that reduces delivery time while managing automation complexity through structured process division.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The acquisition unit obtains destination information in advance, allowing the automatic navigation unit to plan and execute the navigation route beforehand, reducing actual delivery time while maintaining manageable automation levels through preparatory processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250276769A1Unmanned delivery system in marine vessel and control method therefor, and marine vessel
Publication Date: 2025.09.04 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • US20250276769A1 patent drawing
  • US20250276769A1 patent drawing
  • US20250276769A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An unmanned delivery system in a marine vessel includes an acquisition unit to acquire destination information of a cargo to be delivered, an automatic navigation unit to cause a marine vessel to automatically navigate in an unmanned manner to a destination port indicated by the destination information, and a controller configured or programmed to issue an arrival notification and perform a fixed point holding of the marine vessel when the marine vessel arrives at the destination port.