Automatic Ship Docking with LiDAR Preparatory Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic docking devices face challenges in accurately measuring distance to a docking position from a long distance, which affects the accuracy of automatic ship maneuvering.
Innovation Solution
An automatic docking device equipped with an optical sensor, such as LiDAR, that performs preparatory measurements by adjusting the ship's orientation and position to ensure accurate distance measurement, combined with satellite positioning and image recognition for obstacle detection and route generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance sensor is used to measure distance from a long distance, then the measurement range is extended, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preparatory measurements by adjusting the ship's orientation and position before the actual docking measurement. This preliminary action allows the optical sensor to acquire accurate distance data from optimal positions, ensuring measurement precision is maintained even when operating from longer distances during normal docking procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the ship's orientation and position based on real-time measurement requirements. By making the ship movable and adjustable during the measurement process, the system can optimize the sensor's viewing angle and distance to maintain high measurement precision across varying operational ranges.
2Measurement precision
If the ship orientation is adjusted during measurement, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors measurement quality and provides feedback signals to adjust the ship's orientation and position. This automated feedback loop maintains measurement accuracy without requiring manual intervention, thereby preserving operational simplicity while achieving high measurement precision through dynamic adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of ship orientation and position automatically without external intervention. The control unit independently manages the preparatory measurements and positioning adjustments, enabling the system to maintain high measurement accuracy while keeping the operation simple for the user.
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
Enables precise and efficient automatic navigation and docking by accurately measuring distances and navigating around obstacles, improving the accuracy and safety of the docking process.
Implementation Method 1
The optical sensor includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and receives, at the light receiving part, light from the light emitting part reflected by an object, to thereby measure a distance to a surrounding object
Data Source
AI summary
A LIDAR included in this automatic docking device measures the distance to a surrounding object at each predetermined angle by irradiating the object with light and receiving the light reflected by the object. When a ship offshore is instructed to perform automatic docking, the ship navigates to some extent by automatic navigation based on satellite positioning, and is then switched to automatic navigation based on the LiDAR. Before switching to the automatic navigation based on the LiDAR, the LiDAR performs preparatory measurement for measuring the distance to an object around a docking position. In this preparatory measurement, a control unit controls to change, for example, the orientation of the ship such that light emitted from the LiDAR can be reflected by the object around the docking position and can be received by the LiDAR.