Watercraft Auto-Docking Path Control Without Dock Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current docking systems for watercraft require manual navigation and rely on sensors at the target dock, making the process stressful and costly, and there is a need for an automated solution that can navigate the watercraft autonomously to a target dock with an intuitive human-machine interface.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft auto-docking system comprising a user interface and a digital controller that selects a target dock, generates a docking path with a single waypoint, and uses an autopilot system to autonomously navigate the watercraft, aligning it with the target orientation at the dock, eliminating the need for manual navigation and dock-mounted sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a docking assist system is used to help navigate the watercraft, then the user's ability to stay on the intended course is improved, but the system still requires manual navigation and dock-mounted sensors which increases complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft performs docking operations autonomously using its own onboard sensors and processing systems. The digital controller generates docking paths and the autopilot system executes navigation without requiring external dock-mounted sensors or continuous manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself during the docking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/manual navigation operations with an automated digital control system. The digital controller processes sensor data, generates docking paths, and controls the autopilot system to execute autonomous navigation, substituting the mechanical act of manual steering and positioning with electronic control and automated decision-making.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on the target dock to enable docking assistance, then docking accuracy is improved, but the cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting sensors on the stationary dock to detect the approaching watercraft, the patent inverts the approach by mounting sensors on the moving watercraft to detect and track dock features. The onboard sensor system actively scans for and identifies dock characteristics, reversing the traditional sensor placement paradigm.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects dock location, determines dock orientation, tracks watercraft position, and provides navigation data. This multi-functional sensor system eliminates the need for dedicated dock-mounted sensors while achieving comprehensive docking capability.
3Reliability
If manual navigation is required near the target dock, then the user maintains control, but the docking process becomes more stressful and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The digital controller generates the complete docking path in advance, including all necessary waypoints and orientation adjustments, before the watercraft begins the final approach. The autopilot system then executes this pre-planned sequence autonomously, eliminating the need for real-time manual decision-making during the critical docking phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the watercraft's position and orientation using onboard sensors, comparing actual performance against the planned docking path. The digital controller adjusts the autopilot commands in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining accurate tracking while allowing autonomous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft auto-docking system basically includes a user interface and a digital controller. The user interface includes a display monitor. The digital controller includes a processor, a computer memory and an I/O interface. The user interface is connected to the I/O interface. The digital controller is configured to select a target dock for docking a watercraft in an auto-docking mode. The digital controller is configured to generate a docking path including a single waypoint from a current location of the watercraft to a target location of the target dock. The digital controller is configured to autonomously navigate the watercraft using an autopilot system along the docking path until the watercraft reaches the target location of the target dock such that the watercraft turns at the single waypoint to align with a target orientation of the watercraft at the target location of the target dock.