The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in fire-proof battery packs is driven by the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), concerns about fire safety, and stringent government regulations, and growing importance of technologies such as solid-state batteries, ceramic separators, intumescent coatings, and fire detection systems. 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 Batteries in automotive: fire-proof battery packs. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over one million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Fire-proof battery packs is a key innovation area in batteries
Fire-proof battery packs are battery systems that are designed to withstand high temperatures and prevent fires from starting or spreading. These packs use various technologies like thermal insulators, cooling circuits, fire extinguishing agents, and voltage control systems to ensure that the batteries remain safe and stable even in extreme conditions.
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 825+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of fire-proof battery packs.
Key players in fire-proof battery packs – 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 fire-proof battery packs
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Sumitomo Electric is one of the leading patent filers in fire-proof battery packs. The company has introduced a new technology featuring nonflammable vanadium sulfate used as the electrolyte, which prevents ignition even when positive and negative liquids are mixed. Additionally, flame-retardant materials have been integrated into other components of the battery, significantly reducing the risk of fire and ensuring a high level of safety. This innovative design has the potential to mitigate EV fires, enhance consumer confidence, and decrease the risk of thermal runaway, thereby exerting a substantial influence on the automotive industry and the environment. Some other key patent filers in this space include LG and Yazaki.
In terms of application diversity, Sumitomo Electric leads the pack, while Techtronic Industries and Sumitomo Chemical stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Brookfield Asset Management held the top position, followed by Johnson Controls and H.B. Fuller.
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.
