Automated Marine Vessel Trailering via Coded Tag Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling the movement of marine vessels lack an automated method for trailering, requiring manual intervention and operator expertise, which can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially in crowded water access areas.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes coded tags on a boat trailer and a tag reader on the marine vessel, using a position determination module and feedback control module to calculate and adjust the vessel's position and heading to automatically align and propel it onto the trailer, with a marine propulsion system actuating the necessary movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual trailering operation is used, then operator control and flexibility are maintained, but time consumption and operational inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the marine vessel to trailer itself onto the boat trailer automatically. The vessel uses its own propulsion system, controlled by the automated control system, to move itself onto the trailer without requiring another vessel or heavy equipment to perform the loading operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical trailering operations with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, GPS positioning, and computer-controlled propulsion to guide and position the vessel onto the trailer. This substitution of automated control for manual operation significantly reduces time and improves efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If automated trailering system is implemented, then trailering efficiency and precision are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the vessel's position using GPS and sensors, compares it to the desired position on the trailer, and automatically adjusts the propulsion system to eliminate positioning errors. This closed-loop feedback control ensures high positioning precision while managing system complexity through automated correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated trailering system leverages the vessel's existing propulsion system and control infrastructure, making the system adaptable to different vessel types and trailer configurations. The control system can handle various trailering scenarios using the same core technology platform.
3Ease of operation
If manual trailering is performed, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but operator expertise and intervention are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the marine vessel to trailer itself onto the boat trailer automatically. The vessel uses its own propulsion system, controlled by the automated control system, to move itself onto the trailer without requiring another vessel or heavy equipment to perform the loading operation.
4Productivity
If automated control system is used, then trailering speed and efficiency are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated control system optimizes the trailering process by applying propulsion power only when and where needed to achieve precise positioning. The system uses minimal corrective thrusts rather than continuous full-power operation, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high trailering speed and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for automatically trailering a marine vessel includes a set of coded tags coupled to a boat trailer, each storing data regarding its location on the trailer. A tag reader is located aboard the vessel, and estimates a first distance to a first coded tag in the set and a second distance to a second coded tag in the set. A position determination module uses the first and second estimated distances to determine position and heading of the vessel and the trailer in a given coordinate system. A feedback control module calculates a difference between the positions of the vessel and the trailer and a difference between the headings of the vessel and the trailer and determines vessel movements required to minimize the position and heading differences. A marine propulsion system automatically actuates a propulsion device to produce the required vessel movements to propel the vessel onto the trailer.