The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by factors such as proper transmission of torque from engine to drivetrain and improving vehicle efficiency, and growing importance of technologies such as friction and hydraulic actuated clutches. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.7 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: cam actuated clutches. 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.
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300+ innovations will shape the automotive industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresight, 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, integrated multi-motor drivetrains, electric power steering (EPS), and post-collision handing are useful technologies that are in the early stages of wider application and should be tracked closely. Variable compression engines, V2V distance monitoring, and turbocharger shaft bearings are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and plasma-jet ignition, which are now well-established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
Cam actuated clutches is a key innovation area in automotive
A cam clutch is a precision device that helps transmit torque in one direction only by wedging the inner and outer races together. It also means that there is no cam engagement when torque transmission is not required.
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 20+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of cam actuated clutches.
Key players in cam actuated clutches – 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 cam actuated clutches
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Schaeffler is the leading patent filer in cam actuated clutches. In Schaeffler’s cam actuated clutches, the roller raises the cams after the clutch spins in a clockwise direction. Schaeffler’s cam clutches also help in delivering better fuel economy as well as having less wear and tear than a manual clutch. Other major patent filers in cam actuated clutches include Magna International, Toyota Motor, Melrose Industries, Dana, and Valeo.
In terms of application diversity, Yamaha Motor held the top position, while Nidec and Haier Group stood in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Yamaha Motor leads the pack, followed by Dana and Toyota 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.
