Vessel Navigation Assist With Control Range Limiting in Restricted Waters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sailing assisting systems for vessels complicate engine control, increasing production costs and causing confusion for steersmen due to complex configurations and unclear changes in engine control parameters, especially when navigating specific water areas like speed limiting or shallow waters.
Innovation Solution
A sailing assisting system that limits the movable range of controlling devices such as the shift and throttle controller and steering device based on GPS and sensor data, preventing the vessel from entering restricted areas and maintaining a safe sailing speed, thereby simplifying the control process and enhancing steersman understanding through intuitive operation limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control parameters of the engine are changed automatically by a computer to assist sailing in specific water areas, then the sailing assistance function is improved, but it causes strange feeling to the steersman and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a notification unit as an intermediary between the automatic control system and the steersman. This notification unit provides visual or audible alerts when the vessel approaches restricted areas or when automatic control is activated, making the system's actions transparent to the steersman and eliminating the strange feeling caused by opaque automatic control.
2Reliability
If the control parameters of the engine are changed automatically by a computer, then the sailing assist function is improved, but the production costs of the propelling system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing engine control unit (ECU) perform multiple functions: it not only controls the engine's normal operation but also executes the sailing assistance function by integrating GPS data, determining vessel position, and automatically adjusting control parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated control systems, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining the sailing assist function.
3Reliability
If the movable range of the controlling device is limited when the hull enters a specific water area, then the sailing safety is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the movable range of the controlling device based on the vessel's location. When the vessel is in normal waters, the controlling device maintains full operability. When the vessel enters or approaches a specific water area (such as a shallow water area, water area with sunken rocks, or sailing prohibiting water area), the system automatically limits the movable range of the controlling device to prevent the hull from entering dangerous areas, and provides notification to the steersman.
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
The system effectively supports safe and appropriate vessel navigation within speed limiting and shallow water areas by limiting the controlling device's range, reducing production costs and eliminating strange feelings for the steersman by providing clear, instinctive assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a receiver for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as Global Positioning System (GPS)
Data Source
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AI summary
A sailing assisting system is provided in which a sailing assist for a vessel which enters a specific water area where sailing of the vessel is limited is realized through a simple configuration and in which a steersman is prevented from having strange feeling. A sailing assisting system 1 includes movable controlling devices (a shift and throttle controller 34, a steering device 35, a trim switch 36), actuators (a rotational shaft drive unit 34m, a shaft drive unit 35m, a switch drive unit 36m) for driving these controlling devices, and a control unit 21E for executing a notification operation and controlling the actuators to limit movable ranges of the controlling devices if a hull 10 is determined to stay within a specific water area where the sailing of the hull is limited based on information on the specific water area and information on the position of the hull 10.