Marine Docking Control Interface for Buffer Zone Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel propulsion control systems face challenges in maintaining a safe buffer distance from obstacles and navigating in complex marine environments, particularly during docking and launch operations, due to limitations in autonomous and semi-autonomous control capabilities and the influence of environmental factors like wind and waves.
Innovation Solution
The system employs proximity sensors and a controller to calculate and maintain a buffer distance around the vessel, limiting operator control authority to prevent collisions and allowing autonomous or semi-autonomous control to manage propulsion, with user input options to override buffer maintenance for controlled docking or launch maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous control is used to maintain buffer distance from obstacles, then collision prevention is improved, but operator control authority is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of autonomous control based on operational context. During normal operation, the buffer zone control actively limits operator authority to prevent collisions. During docking operations, the system transitions to allow full operator control when explicitly requested, creating a dynamic balance between safety and operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the buffer zone parameter dynamically based on operational mode. In normal navigation, a protective buffer zone is maintained around the vessel. During docking operations, the buffer zone parameters are modified or suspended to allow controlled approach and contact with the docking surface
2Reliability
If buffer zone is maintained to prevent collisions, then vessel safety is improved, but docking capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer zone system transitions from an active protective state during normal operation to a suspended or modified state during docking operations. The controller detects docking mode and dynamically adjusts buffer zone enforcement, allowing the vessel to safely approach and contact the docking surface while maintaining safety during navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for docking by allowing the operator to explicitly request buffer zone suspension in advance. The controller receives the request and prepares to modify buffer zone parameters, enabling a controlled transition from protective mode to docking mode without sudden or unsafe changes
3Object-affected harmful factors
If operator authority is limited for safety, then collision risk is reduced, but maneuvering flexibility is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer zone limitation is applied selectively to specific directions and operational contexts rather than uniformly to all maneuvers. During docking, the limitation is locally suspended in the direction of the docking surface while potentially maintaining in other directions, allowing flexible maneuvering within safe parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A marine propulsion system includes at least one propulsion device and a user input device configured to facilitate input for engaging automatic propulsion control functionality with respect to a docking surface, wherein the user input device includes a direction indicator display configured to visually indicate a direction with respect to the marine vessel. A controller is configured to identify a potential docking surface, determine a direction of the potential docking surface with respect to the marine vessel, and control the direction indicator display to indicate the direction of the potential docking surface with respect to the marine vessel. When a user selection is received via the user input device to select the potential docking surface as a selected docking surface, and propulsion of the marine vessel is automatically controlled by controlling the at least one propulsion device to move the marine vessel with respect to the selected docking surface.