The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the need for regulatory compliance, fuel efficiency and emission reduction, and growing importance of technologies such as nano additives, electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) lubricants. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: advanced bearing lubricants. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
300+ innovations will shape the automotive industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the automotive industry using innovation intensity models built on over one million patents, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, multi-spark ignition, integrated multi-motor drivetrains and vehicle auxiliary drives are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Solar range extenders, turbocharger shaft bearings, and multi-lamellar clutches are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are auto-transmission lubrication circuits and electroluminscent vehicle displays, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
Advanced bearing lubricants is a key innovation area in automotive
Advanced bearing lubricants pertain to tailor-made lubricant formulations intended for application in rolling bearings, sliding mechanisms, and ball joints. These lubricants showcase characteristics such as reduced friction, superior thermal conductivity, heightened control reliability, and increased longevity. Their composition includes distinct base oils, thickening agents, additives, and occasionally conductive carbon or thermally conductive powder particles, all aimed at amplifying their effectiveness.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 35+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of advanced bearing lubricants.
Key players in advanced bearing lubricants – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to advanced bearing lubricants
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Graphene Platform is one of the key patent filers in advanced baring lubricants. Graphene Platform specializes in the development and application of graphene-based materials into lubricants called graphene-infused lubricants. These lubricants offer superior wear resistance and reduced friction, resulting in less energy loss, lower maintenance requirements, and potentially improved fuel efficiency in automotive applications. Graphene's exceptional lubricity and low-friction properties can reduce wear and friction in bearing applications, extending the lifespan of bearings, and enhancing their performance. NSK, SKF, and Kyodo Yushi are some of the other key patent filers in advanced-bearing lubricants.
In terms of application diversity, Graphene Platform leads the pack, while SKF and JTEKT stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Graphene Platform held the top position, followed by Denso and Nissan Motor.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
