Marine Control Input Force Feedback With Virtual Stop Cues
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional force feedback mechanisms in marine vessel control systems lack nuanced responses, leading to operator fatigue and increased navigational errors, highlighting a need for improved feedback control that enhances safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A force feedback system that progressively increases resistance as the input device approaches a virtual stop position, providing tactile cues and allowing for manual override when necessary, thereby enhancing operator control and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional force feedback mechanisms are used in marine vessel control systems, then the control system structure is simple, but the operator experiences fatigue and navigational errors increase due to lack of nuanced feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The force feedback mechanism transitions from static to dynamic by progressively adjusting feedback levels based on input device position. The system dynamically modifies the magnitude and characteristics of force feedback in real-time as the operator moves the control device, providing adaptability that reduces operator fatigue while maintaining navigational accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of force feedback (magnitude, direction, timing) based on the position and movement of the input device. By modulating feedback parameters according to operational context, the system provides nuanced responses that enhance reliability without increasing operator burden.
2Measurement precision
If hard physical stops are used to prevent excessive input device movement, then the control range is limited, but the feedback becomes jarring and less informative
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical hard stops with a software-based virtual stop mechanism. Instead of physical barriers that create abrupt mechanical resistance, the system uses software-defined force feedback to guide the operator toward optimal control positions, eliminating jarring feedback while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The force feedback unit acts as an intermediary between the operator and the control system. Rather than allowing direct interaction with hard mechanical stops, the feedback mechanism mediates the interaction by providing progressive tactile cues that guide the operator's input, reducing harmful jarring effects while preserving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the force feedback is progressively increased to provide nuanced responses, then the operator receives better feedback, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback loop where the force feedback unit continuously monitors input device position and adjusts feedback magnitude accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enhances control reliability by providing progressive, context-appropriate responses without requiring complex external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The force feedback unit serves multiple functions: it provides positional guidance, indicates approach to virtual stop positions, and adapts to different operational contexts. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system has processing circuitry to control a force feedback unit to progressively increase a force feedback applied to the input device in response to a manual maneuvering of the input device towards a virtual stop position being defined in between an equilibrium position and a mechanical end position of the input device. The virtual stop position is a software-defined set point acting as an intermediate trigger for the input device. The force feedback is progressively increased until it reaches a maximum force feedback at the virtual stop position; and control the force feedback unit to reduce the force feedback applied to the input device at the virtual stop position in response to a force of a manual maneuvering of the input device exceeding the maximum force feedback value.