Watercraft Maneuvering Control for Position Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic watercraft maneuvering systems face challenges in performing appropriate maneuvers during abnormal states, particularly when position sensors fail, as they rely solely on wireless communication for emergency commands, which may not always be suitable.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a propulsion device, steering, position sensor, camera, and controller that enable autonomous maneuvering by camera-based control in specific areas, switching to azimuth sensor control when position sensors fail, and allows remote monitoring and control to ensure safe navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system relies solely on position sensor control for automatic watercraft maneuvering, then the control system is simple, but the system cannot operate appropriately when position sensors fail
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple control modes (position sensor-based automatic control, camera-based automatic control, and remote control) and prepares switching mechanisms in advance. When position sensor failure occurs, the system can immediately switch to alternative control modes without delay, ensuring continuous operation. This preliminary preparation of backup control pathways resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while managing complexity through structured redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter source dynamically based on operational conditions. Normally, it uses position sensor data for automatic control. Upon detecting position sensor failure, it switches to using camera image recognition data as the control parameter source. This parameter change enables the system to maintain operational reliability by adapting to different sensor availability states while managing complexity through conditional parameter switching.
2Reliability
If the system switches to camera-based control when position sensors fail, then the system maintains operational continuity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system serves multiple functions: it assists the position sensor during normal operation and becomes the primary control source when position sensors fail. The controller is designed to handle both position sensor data and camera image data, making it a multi-functional control architecture. This universality maintains reliability during failures while managing complexity by having components serve multiple purposes rather than requiring entirely separate backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes self-diagnostic capabilities that automatically detect position sensor failures and trigger switching to camera-based control without external intervention. The controller monitors sensor status and autonomously switches control modes when failures are detected. This self-service approach maintains operational reliability while managing complexity by automating the failure response process rather than requiring manual intervention or overly complex external control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses only wireless communication for emergency commands, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot perform appropriate maneuvers in all situations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the situation. During normal operation, it uses simple automatic control via position sensors. When position sensor failure occurs, it dynamically switches to camera-based automatic control or remote control modes. This dynamic adaptability provides maneuvering flexibility for different situations while managing operational simplicity through automated mode switching rather than requiring operators to manually adjust complex control parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor sensor status and system state, automatically adjusting the control mode based on detected conditions. When position sensors fail, the feedback system triggers switching to alternative control modes. This feedback-driven approach provides adaptability for various failure scenarios while maintaining ease of operation by automating the response rather than requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic watercraft maneuvering system includes a propulsion device, a steering, a position sensor, a camera, and a controller configured or programmed to execute an automatic watercraft maneuvering control to control the propulsion device and the steering in order to perform automatic watercraft maneuvering from a departure location to a destination location. The automatic watercraft maneuvering control includes a camera watercraft maneuvering control and a position sensor watercraft maneuvering control. The controller is configured or programmed to, when a failure occurs in the position sensor in a predetermined area of water in which the automatic watercraft maneuvering is executable using the camera watercraft maneuvering control, cause the watercraft to head to a predetermined target position in the predetermined area of water in which the failure occurs during the camera watercraft maneuvering control.