Automated Watercraft Control for Propulsion Shift Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated watercraft systems lack effective mechanisms to handle breakdowns of marine propulsion devices, such as stuck shift mechanisms or actuator failures, which can lead to unsafe and uncontrolled operations.
Innovation Solution
An automated watercraft operating system with a controller and obstacle detector that stops the drive unit when shift mechanisms are stuck and limits velocity when throttle actuators fail, and includes an anchor device for safe mooring when obstacles are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated operation is implemented without breakdown handling mechanisms, then operational autonomy is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate when propulsion device failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of breakdown conditions through the breakdown detector before actual failures occur. The controller is pre-programmed with determination conditions for various breakdown scenarios (propulsion device failure, shift mechanism failure, obstacle detector failure) and executes appropriate safety actions automatically, preventing unsafe operations before they can cause harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the operational status of the propulsion device through the breakdown detector and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller compares real-time status against predetermined breakdown determination conditions and automatically adjusts operation or stops the propulsion device when breakdown conditions are met, creating a closed-loop safety feedback mechanism.
2Reliability
If breakdown detection and response mechanisms are added to automated systems, then safety and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breakdown detector serves multiple functions: it monitors propulsion device status, detects shift mechanism failures, identifies obstacle detector malfunctions, and provides data to the controller for automated decision-making. This multi-functional component reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors for each failure mode, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring.
3Reliability
If the drive unit is stopped immediately when shift mechanism failure is detected, then safety is improved, but operational continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies preliminary anti-action by stopping the drive unit before the shifted state can change unexpectedly due to shift mechanism failure. This prevents the watercraft from moving into an unintended shifted state that could cause unsafe operations or collisions, while the obstacle detector simultaneously monitors for obstacles that might be approached during the transition.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An automated watercraft operating system (1) includes a watercraft operating controller (4) and an obstacle sensor (16). The watercraft operating controller (4) is disposed in a watercraft (10) and controls a marine propulsion device (15). The obstacle sensor (16) detects an obstacle in the surroundings of the watercraft (10). When determining that shifted states of the marine propulsion device (15) are not switchable from one to another, the watercraft operating controller (4) stops driving the drive unit (22) in accordance with a result of detection by the obstacle sensor (16).