Selective Vehicle Magnetic Strip for Road Debris Pickup Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face issues with running over sharp metallic items on the road, which can damage vehicle tires, and existing solutions like fixed magnets under the vehicle chassis are ineffective at high speeds or interact with metal infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A selectively-activated magnetic strip under the vehicle chassis powered by electromagnets, controlled by an onboard computer, which activates and deactivates based on mapping data and vehicle parameters to avoid metal infrastructure and optimize debris pickup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic strip is continuously activated under the vehicle chassis, then metallic debris can be picked up effectively, but the vehicle interacts with metal infrastructure causing damage or interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris pickup effectivenessVSAvoidinteraction with metal infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic strip's activation state is dynamically changed based on real-time environmental detection. The system transitions from a static continuous activation mode to a dynamic selective activation mode, where the magnetic field is enabled only when no metal infrastructure is detected by sensors, thus avoiding harmful interactions while maintaining debris pickup capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the environment around the vehicle using sensors. When metal infrastructure is detected, the feedback signal triggers deactivation of the magnetic strip. This closed-loop control ensures the magnetic field is active only when safe, resolving the contradiction between debris pickup and infrastructure interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the magnetic strip is deactivated to avoid metal infrastructure, then harmful interactions are prevented, but the vehicle cannot pick up metallic debris effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction with metal infrastructureVSAvoiddebris pickup effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the magnetic strip activation state based on real-time sensor feedback about the environment. When no metal infrastructure is detected, the magnetic field is activated to pick up debris; when infrastructure is detected, it is deactivated to avoid harmful interactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Continuous environmental monitoring provides feedback signals that control the magnetic strip's activation. The feedback mechanism enables the system to distinguish between safe conditions (activate for debris pickup) and unsafe conditions (deactivate to avoid infrastructure interaction)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a fixed magnet is positioned under the vehicle, then metallic debris can be attracted, but the magnet loses effectiveness at high vehicle speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris pickup effectivenessVSAvoidvehicle speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the passive mechanical magnet system with an active electromagnetic system. Electromagnets can be selectively activated and deactivated, and their field strength can be modulated, providing control that is not available with fixed permanent magnets. This substitution enables the system to adapt to varying vehicle speeds and environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic device allows dynamic control of the magnetic field based on vehicle speed and environmental conditions. At high speeds, the system can adjust field strength or activation timing to maintain effectiveness, whereas fixed magnets cannot adapt to speed changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively prevents tire damage by picking up metallic debris while avoiding interactions with metal infrastructure and maintaining effectiveness across varying speeds.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnet configured to selectively generate a magnetic field to pick up the metallic objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

A selectively-activated magnetic strip under the vehicle chassis powered by electromagnets, which activates and deactivates based on mapping data and vehicle parameters to avoid metal infrastructure and optimize debris pickup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS12448745B2Selective electromagnetic device for vehicles

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for a selectively-activated magnetic strip under a vehicle chassis that is powered to pick up nails and other metal debris. The magnetic strip can be selectively activated using an electromagnet powered by the vehicle and controlled by an onboard computer. The magnetic strip can generally be powered on while the vehicle is driving and selectively deactivated based on mapping data to avoid interactions with metallic infrastructure. The magnetic strip can be selectively deactivated based on vehicle parameters, such as vehicle speed.