Smart Plug Position Tracking for Marine Drain Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of marine vehicles face challenges in tracking the position of drain plugs, leading to potential legal violations, loss, and hazards due to improper installation or removal during trailering and launching, as existing mechanisms are not reliable or user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a smart plug with sensors, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that alerts users via geolocation data to correctly position the plug within the drain hole, preventing loss and ensuring compliance with regulations by detecting the plug's location and position relative to the marine vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a drain plug is removed from the drain port for trailering, then the marine vehicle can be transported on public roadways, but the user may lose track of the plug's position and violate state laws
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs GPS tracking devices on both the marine vehicle and drain plug that continuously report positions to a server. The server processes this data and sends notifications to the user's mobile device when the plug is removed from the vehicle or when geographic zones are entered or exited, providing real-time feedback on plug position and compliance status
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized server acts as an intermediary between the GPS tracking devices on the marine vehicle and drain plug, and the user's mobile device. The server receives position data from both devices, processes the information to determine compliance with trailering laws, and generates appropriate notifications to inform the user of the plug's status and location
2Ease of operation
If a drain plug is left removed from the drain port, then trailering is simplified, but the user risks violating state laws requiring plug removal in certain states
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback through mobile notifications that inform users when they have entered or exited geographic zones corresponding to states with specific plug removal requirements. This real-time information allows users to comply with varying state laws without manually tracking regulations during travel
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining compliance status before the user becomes non-compliant. The server analyzes position data and sends advance warnings or notifications about plug status, allowing users to take corrective action before violating state laws
3Reliability
If a drain plug is misplaced after removal, then the user loses the plug, but existing retention mechanisms are not permanent and subject to failure
Solution Approach 1:
GPS tracking technology serves as an intermediary monitoring system that continuously tracks the location of the drain plug independently of physical retention mechanisms. Even if the plug becomes detached or misplaced, the electronic tracking system maintains awareness of its position, enabling recovery and preventing permanent loss
4Productivity
If a drain plug is forgotten in the water, then the marine vehicle can be launched, but water enters the bilge freely creating a sinking hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides critical feedback through mobile notifications that alert users when the drain plug is missing or improperly positioned before launch. By monitoring plug position and comparing it with launch conditions, the system prevents water ingress hazards while allowing quick launch when the plug is correctly in place
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of plug position before allowing launch to proceed. The server analyzes GPS data to confirm the plug is properly installed, and only then permits launch operations, preventing the harmful scenario of launching with the plug forgotten in the water
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for tracking the position of a smart plug on a marine vehicle is provided. Generally, the system and method of the present disclosure are designed to generate indicia used to alert a user of the position of the smart plug on a marine vehicle so that the user may properly position the smart plug on the marine vehicle prior to launching said marine vehicle in a body of water. The system generally comprises a smart plug, a plug sensor, a processor operably connected to the plug sensor, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon. In some preferred embodiments, a computing device having a user interface may be operably connected to the processor. At least one sensor of the smart plug collects data that may be used by the system to alert a user to secure the smart plug in the drain hole.