Ship Control Joystick for Low-Speed Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship control systems face difficulties in intuitively setting throttle opening and heading during low-speed automatic navigation, making it challenging for operators to easily and effectively control vessels at low speeds.
Innovation Solution
A ship control device with an interface that acquires operation inputs from both low-speed and high-speed navigation modes, using a joystick for manual and automatic navigation, allowing operators to switch between modes and set target directions and throttle openings intuitively, with a control unit that adjusts rudder angles and throttle settings based on joystick inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic navigation is performed at low speed using conventional control systems, then the ship can be navigated automatically, but it is not possible to easily and intuitively set throttle opening and heading
Solution Approach 1:
The joystick is designed to serve dual purposes: manual operation control and automatic navigation control. By making the joystick universal, the system eliminates the need for separate control interfaces for low-speed manual and automatic modes, thereby simplifying the overall control system while improving ease of operation. The joystick can be operated in both manual mode where the operator directly controls the ship and automatic mode where the joystick inputs are translated into target direction and throttle opening settings for automated navigation.
2Extent of automation
If a separate control interface is used for automatic navigation at low speed, then the automatic navigation function can be provided, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manual operation control interface and automatic navigation control interface into a single joystick unit. This consolidation allows operators to use the same intuitive joystick for both manual steering and for setting automatic navigation parameters, thereby maintaining ease of operation while providing automatic navigation functionality. The joystick's positional and rotational inputs are interpreted differently based on the selected mode, enabling seamless transition between manual and automatic control.
3Ease of operation
If the joystick is used for both manual and automatic control modes, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of operation may deteriorate due to mode confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates visual feedback mechanisms to clearly indicate the current operation mode (manual or automatic) on the display. This feedback helps operators understand which mode is active and prevents mode confusion. Additionally, the system provides tactile or auditory cues to distinguish between manual and automatic modes, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining the convenience of using a single joystick for both functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A ship control device is provided with an input unit capable of acquiring operation inputs from each of a first operator used in a low-speed navigation control mode and a second operator used in a high speed navigation control mode, and a control unit for determining a target direction and a throttle opening in the direction control at the time of navigation based on the operation inputs acquired in the input unit. The low-speed navigation control mode has a manual operation control mode by the operation of the first operator and an automatic navigation control mode for holding a direction or a throttle opening using the target direction. The control unit is provided with a setting unit for setting the target direction and the throttle opening used for automatic navigation based on the operation input to the first operator in the automatic navigation control mode.