The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in clutch release controls is driven by energy efficiency, fuel economy, durability, and longevity, and growing importance of technologies such as machine learning and drive-by-wire technology. 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: clutch release controls. Buy the report here.
Recommended Buyer's Guides
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
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, integrated multi-motor drivetrains, electric power steering (EPS), and post-collision handling are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of 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 the 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
Clutch release controls is a key innovation area in automotive
Clutch release controls refer to the mechanisms and systems that control the engagement and disengagement of clutches in various vehicle powertrain configurations. These controls play a crucial role in optimizing the performance, efficiency, and smooth operation of hybrid and electric vehicles by coordinating the transfer of power between the internal combustion engine, electric motors, and transmission. They help manage torque application and gear changes, ensuring seamless transitions and enhanced driving experience.
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 30+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of clutch release controls.
Key players in clutch release controls – 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 clutch release controls
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Hyundai Motor is one of the leading patent filers in clutch release controls. The company implements smart control systems with advanced algorithms to optimize clutch engagement based on driving conditions, load, and driver behavior. Its dual-clutch system allows for quicker and seamless shifts by pre-selecting the next gear, resulting in faster and smoother clutch operations. Some other key patent filers in this space include Toyota Motor and Nissan Motor.
In terms of application diversity, Paice leads the pack, while Stella Vermogensverwaltungs and Yamaha Motor stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Yamaha Motor held the top position, followed by Liebherr and Allison Transmission.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
Premium Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
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.
