WO2024095031A1 - Système autonome de mise à l'eau et de chargement de bateau - Google Patents

Système autonome de mise à l'eau et de chargement de bateau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024095031A1
WO2024095031A1 PCT/IB2022/000657 IB2022000657W WO2024095031A1 WO 2024095031 A1 WO2024095031 A1 WO 2024095031A1 IB 2022000657 W IB2022000657 W IB 2022000657W WO 2024095031 A1 WO2024095031 A1 WO 2024095031A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
boat
trailer
autonomous
launching
loading system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2022/000657
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mohammed Alobaidi
Jochen Schumann
Original Assignee
Efalke Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Efalke Gmbh filed Critical Efalke Gmbh
Priority to PCT/IB2022/000657 priority Critical patent/WO2024095031A1/fr
Publication of WO2024095031A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024095031A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C3/00—Launching or hauling-out by landborne slipways; Slipways
    • B63C3/08—Tracks on slipways
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/06—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles
    • B60P3/10—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying boats
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C3/00—Launching or hauling-out by landborne slipways; Slipways
    • B63C3/12—Launching or hauling-out by landborne slipways; Slipways using cradles

Definitions

  • Small boats or power boats are usually transported using a trailer and are usually used for leisure, cruising, fishing, and water sports.
  • Launching and loading the boat from and to the water is an annoying and oftentimes difficult process involving several steps.
  • the trailer must go near the water level to avoid damaging the boat. Then, the boat needs to be tied to avert drifting away. After that, the boat’ s lock with the trailer must be released and slowly launch the boat to the water, followed by parking the vehicle transporting the trailer. Loading the boat onto the trailer is more difficult as it requires the same process backwards plus aligning the boat with the trailer.
  • Hauling and launching a boat often requires the cooperation of at least two people wherein one person operates the boat under the guidance of a second person who then secures/releases the boat to the trailer after the boat and trailer are aligned.
  • the need for two people to secure/release a boat to a trailer can therefore discourage a single person from enjoying the use of a boat.
  • the cooperation of two people is not flawless since it often requires several attempts to get a boat and trailer property aligned.
  • the present disclosure introduces an autonomous hauling and launching system configured to permit the boat to autonomously launch into the water when the trailer reaches the needed water position. Such an autonomous system also prevents the boat from drifting away. On the other hand, when the boat detects the trailer, it can autonomously load itself onto the trailer.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a boat with autonomous loading/launching system, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a trailer with autonomous loading/launching system, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a boat autonomous launching from the trailer, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a boat autonomous loading to the trailer, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a Boat with autonomous loading/launching system having a radar and image sensing, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a Boat with autonomous loading/launching system having a Lidar and image sensing, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure includes disclosure of an autonomous boat launching and loading system from and onto a trailer.
  • the autonomous boat system comprises a user interface device 501 configured to engage the autonomous system, one or more propulsion systems 200 configured to propel the boat, one or more thrusters 201 configured to control the boat 100 movement, and one or more sensors 300 mounted on the boat 100 and/or the trailer 600.
  • An exemplary autonomous boat system of the present disclosure may also comprise a communication system 400 and a control system 500 that obtains multiple measurements from the sensors 300, processes them, and controls the propellers (propulsion system 200) and thrusters 201 accordingly.
  • the control unit 500 receives multiple pieces of information (data signals) from the sensors 300, said control unit 500 can process them and control the propellers (propulsion system 200) and thrusters to load/launch the boat 100 autonomously from and to the water.
  • an exemplary system of the present disclosure comprises one or more sensors 700 configured to take depth and proximity measurements, a communication system 800 configured to communicate with the boat 100, and a locking mechanism 900 configured to lock and/or unlock the boat 100 from and to the trailer 600 such as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the sensors 700 of said trailers 600 may be depth sensors that measure and telemeter the depth to the autonomous system, thus employing a safe launching and loading of the boat 100 only when the safe depth is reached.
  • a command can be sent through the boat 100 and trailer 600 communication systems 400, 800 to the control unit 500 to initiate the launching/loading of the boat 100.
  • the communication modules 400, 800 transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the boat 100.
  • the modules 400, 800 may comprise various communication modes, such as radio frequency (RF), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
  • the communication modules 400, 800 may comprise a navigation module 401 configured to receive GPS satellite signals by a GPS sensor 402, whereby then-current GPS coordinates and other positioning data can be detected/received. Algorithms can be used to refine the data from the navigation module 401 in order to refine the relative positions of the boat 100 and the trailer 600.
  • the controller 500 is configured to obtain data from the GPS module 401 and transform it into adjustment commands for the control unit 500 to control the boat 100 accordingly.
  • These commands can include, but are not limited to, speed changes, changes in steering angles, and throttle positions. These commands can be used to make movement adjustments to lead the boat 100 back to the trailer 600.
  • the trailer 600 when launching the boat 100, uses a plurality of sensors 300 (such as, for example, a water level sensor, a depth sensor, and/or a proximity sensor) to detect several entities to allow the boat 100 to have a safe launch from the trailer 600 into the water such as shown in Fig. 3.
  • sensors 300 such as, for example, a water level sensor, a depth sensor, and/or a proximity sensor
  • the trailer 600 releases the boat 100 to the water while the boat’s 100 own propellers 200, thrusters 201, and navigation module 401 operable to automatically maintain the boat’s 100 dynamic position and heading post-launch from the trailer 600, which allows the boat’s 100 user to park his or her vehicle without worrying about the boat 100 drifting away.
  • the boat 100 uses the sensors 300 measurement data together with the GPS data to maintain the boat 100 dynamic position as it uses the propulsion system 200 and thrusters 201 to oppose the wind and tide powers accordingly.
  • the boat’s 100 user can leave the boat 100 to prepare the trailer 600 as the boat 100 can maintain its dynamic position and communicate with the trailer 600 to prepare for the loading process.
  • the trailer 600 sends a signal to the boat 100 through its communication system 800, and the boat’s 100 communication system 400 will detect the trailer 600 and the controller 500 will use the propulsion system 200, thrusters 201, and navigation module 401 to automatically load the boat 100 to the trailer 600 such as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the trailer’s 600 locking mechanism 900 can be used to secure the boat 100 lock to the trailer 600.
  • Another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises adding one or more image sensors 301 to the boat sensors 300 in order to detect the boat 100 surroundings as well as detecting the trailer 600 during the boat 100 loading process such as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.
  • the system may use a plurality of image sensors 301 with Artificial Intelligence (Al) to specify the distance between the boat 100 and the trailer 600, and the boat 100 with other objects, by operating the sensing transducers to send the then-current distance to the control unit 500 where the control unit 500 can process the sensor’s 300 data and controls the propulsion system 200 and/or the thrusters 201 of the boat 100 in order to avoid any object that may come near the boat 100 as well as detecting the trailer 600.
  • Artificial Intelligence Al
  • the automated loading process begins.
  • the control unit 500 obtains the trailer’s 600 location using the navigation module 401 and set the boat 100 to a suitable speed and direction towards the trailer 600.
  • the image sensing is not accurate enough as it can be easily affected by visibility, lighting, and noise which may affect the autonomous boat 100 performance.
  • another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises using a radar sensor 302 (as shown in Fig. 5) and/or a LiDAR sensor 303 (as shown in Fig. 6) together with or without the previous mentioned sensors 300, 301 in order to have a better detection to the object around the boat 100 as well as the trailer 600.
  • the loading/ launching system has a user interface device 501, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), push buttons, and/or a gear to enable the boat 100 and/or the trailer 600 to begin the autonomous loading/launching process.
  • a user interface device 501 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), push buttons, and/or a gear to enable the boat 100 and/or the trailer 600 to begin the autonomous loading/launching process.
  • the control unit 500 is adapted to receive various parameters from the user interface device 501 (in case of emergency stop, for example), and the plurality of sensors 300, 700 (the perimeter measurements, for example). Then, said control unit 500 can process these parameters and send signals to the propulsion system 200, 201 to launch the boat 100 to the water or load the boat 100 from the water.
  • the user interface 501 can be an application (“app”) on a smart phone, a tablet, and/or a computer device, for example.
  • the loading system when the boat 100 enters the trailer automated system’s communication range, the loading system initiates automatically.
  • the trailer’s 600 depth should reach the preset value in order for the boat 100 to be launched/loaded, as the control system 500 will not (should not) initiate the launching/loading process otherwise.
  • the sensors 300, 301, 302, 303 can send signals and the control unit 500 controls the launching/loading mechanism.
  • the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps.
  • the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure.
  • disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

Des petits bateaux sont normalement utilisés pour différentes applications telles que la pêche, l'artisanat, ou juste pour les loisirs, mais l'agitation ambiante est toujours présente pendant la mise à l'eau ou le chargement du bateau depuis et vers la remorque ce qui demande une certaine compétence. Même avec le nouveau système de propulseurs qui le rend un peu plus facile à manœuvrer, le processus est toujours manuel et nécessite généralement de multiples personnes pour coordonner le chargement/la mise à l'eau du bateau en toute sécurité. La présente divulgation concerne un système autonome de chargement et de mise à l'eau d'un bateau, dans lequel le bateau peut, de manière autonome, être mis à l'eau depuis la remorque et chargé sur la remorque. L'unité de commande de bateau peut recevoir plusieurs mesures provenant d'un dispositif d'interface utilisateur, de capteurs et d'une unité de navigation, les traiter et commander les hélices et les propulseurs du bateau et le mécanisme de verrouillage de remorque.
PCT/IB2022/000657 2022-11-04 2022-11-04 Système autonome de mise à l'eau et de chargement de bateau WO2024095031A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2022/000657 WO2024095031A1 (fr) 2022-11-04 2022-11-04 Système autonome de mise à l'eau et de chargement de bateau

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2022/000657 WO2024095031A1 (fr) 2022-11-04 2022-11-04 Système autonome de mise à l'eau et de chargement de bateau

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024095031A1 true WO2024095031A1 (fr) 2024-05-10

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010151863A2 (fr) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-29 Little Mark J Capteur pour détecter le niveau d'eau pour la remorque d'une embarcation motorisée
DE102017117203A1 (de) * 2016-08-02 2018-02-08 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Autonomes zuwasserlassen von booten
US20180050772A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2018-02-22 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Small craft and small craft trailing system
US20190210418A1 (en) * 2018-01-08 2019-07-11 Hall Labs Llc Trailer and a tow vehicle path optimization
US20190302774A1 (en) * 2016-12-02 2019-10-03 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Boat and control method for same
US20220144165A1 (en) * 2020-11-12 2022-05-12 Affinity Display & Expositions d/b/a Adex International Boat trailer depth indicator module

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010151863A2 (fr) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-29 Little Mark J Capteur pour détecter le niveau d'eau pour la remorque d'une embarcation motorisée
US20180050772A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2018-02-22 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Small craft and small craft trailing system
DE102017117203A1 (de) * 2016-08-02 2018-02-08 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Autonomes zuwasserlassen von booten
US20190302774A1 (en) * 2016-12-02 2019-10-03 Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Boat and control method for same
US20190210418A1 (en) * 2018-01-08 2019-07-11 Hall Labs Llc Trailer and a tow vehicle path optimization
US20220144165A1 (en) * 2020-11-12 2022-05-12 Affinity Display & Expositions d/b/a Adex International Boat trailer depth indicator module

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