Automatic Ship Steering Calibration via Self-Service Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current ship calibration techniques require operators to manually manipulate controls and compare actual ship movements, leading to complex and inefficient operations.

Innovation Solution

A ship steering device with detection means for position and orientation, a control device to adjust engine and propulsion unit outputs, and a calibration switch that allows automatic calibration by simulating manipulation inputs, correcting control values based on detected differences between intended and actual movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic calibration is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system performs automatic calibration without requiring operator intervention in the calibration process itself. The control device automatically executes calibration routines, adjusts control values, and corrects deviations between intended and actual ship movements, enabling the system to calibrate itself rather than requiring manual operator manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation of controls with an automated electronic control system. The control device uses detection means to monitor ship position and orientation, then automatically adjusts engine and propulsion unit control values through electronic signals, substituting the mechanical manual calibration process with an automated electronic system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual calibration manipulation is required, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the ship's actual position and orientation using detection means, compares these measurements with the intended position and orientation, and automatically adjusts control values based on the detected deviations. This feedback mechanism ensures calibration precision is maintained while eliminating time-consuming manual manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic calibration adjustments in advance before actual ship operations begin. The control device pre-adjusts control values for the engine and propulsion units based on detected deviations, ensuring accurate ship response during normal operations without requiring time-consuming manual calibration during actual use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If automatic calibration is implemented, then loss of time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration timeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system performs automatic calibration without requiring operator intervention in the calibration process itself. The control device automatically executes calibration routines, adjusts control values, and corrects deviations between intended and actual ship movements, enabling the system to calibrate itself rather than requiring manual operator manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3434581B1Ship-steering device and ship equipped with same
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 YANMAR CO LTD
  • EP3434581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3434581B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3434581B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a technique that enables automatic calibration of a ship only by manipulating manipulation means for starting calibration. A ship steering device includes: an engine (10); an auto-drive unit (20) that exerts propulsive power on a ship hull (1) by power from the engine (10); detection means (6) for detecting a current position and an orientation of the ship hull (1); a ship steering control device (30) that controls an output of the engine (10) and propulsive power of the auto-drive unit (20); and a calibration switch (8) that starts calibration of a ship (100). When the ship steering control device (30) detects that the calibration switch (8) is turned on, the ship steering control device (30) controls the engine (10) and the auto-drive unit (20) to cause the ship hull (1) to move in a predetermined direction or to turn, and if a difference between a traveling amount and a travelling speed or a turning amount and a turning speed in the predetermined direction and an intended traveling amount and an intended traveling speed or an intended turning amount and an intended turning speed exceeds a predetermined value, the ship steering control device (30) corrects control values of the engine (10) and the auto-drive unit (20).