Wireless RFID Boat Safety System with Range Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kill cords for boats are often circumvented due to perceived restrictions on movement, leading to safety risks as the engine continues to run uncontrolled when the helm falls overboard, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Innovation Solution
A safety system utilizing RFID technology with a base unit connected to the boat's controls and a portable unit on the helm, allowing wireless communication to ensure the engine stops if the helm is outside a predetermined range, with an override facility for low-speed operations and speed-dependent communication rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional kill cord is used to ensure the engine stops when the helm falls overboard, then safety is improved, but the device restricts the helmsman's movement and is often circumvented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical kill cord system with a wireless RFID-based safety system. The base unit with RFID reader and the portable unit with RFID transmitter communicate wirelessly to detect when the helmsman is within a predetermined range of the boat controls. This eliminates the need for physical contact and restrictive cords while maintaining safety through electronic detection and engine control shutdown.
2Reliability
If the helmsman moves outside the predetermined range to fall overboard, then safety detection is improved, but the helmsman loses access to the boat controls
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the helmsman's position relative to the boat controls through wireless RFID communication. When the portable unit moves outside the predetermined range, the system detects this change in position and provides feedback by shutting down the engine controls. This feedback mechanism ensures safety while allowing the helmsman free movement within the predetermined range.
3Device complexity
If a passive RFID transmitter is used to eliminate battery requirements, then device complexity is reduced, but communication range and reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the RFID reader and transmitter. The electromagnetic field carries identification and position information wirelessly between the base unit and portable unit, enabling communication without physical contact or battery requirements in the portable unit. This intermediary mechanism maintains communication reliability while simplifying the device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances safety by ensuring the engine shuts off if the helm falls overboard while allowing unrestricted movement within the range and reducing battery reliance to prevent bypassing, with an override for routine operations at low speeds, thereby minimizing risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
The first signal from the RFID reader may be a form of electromagnetic radiation and more specifically the electromagnetic radiation may have a wavelength of from 30 kHz to 300 GHz.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety system for a boat includes a base unit securable to the boat and operably connected to one or more of the boat steering, engine and throttle controls. The base unit comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader and speed measuring means. The safety system also includes a portable unit securable to a person on the boat, with the portable unit comprising a radio-frequency identification (RFID) transmitter. The RFID reader and RFID transmitter are adapted to wirelessly communicate with one another when the portable unit is within a predetermined range of the base unit. There is also described a method of controlling a boat.