The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by increased power density, fast charging, environmental considerations, and growing importance of technologies such as two-phase cooling, smart and predictive cooling systems 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 Electric vehicles in automotive: EV propulsion cooling. 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.
EV propulsion cooling is a key innovation area in electric vehicles
EV propulsion cooling refers to the cooling systems and methods used to regulate and maintain the optimal operating temperature of the propulsion components in an electric vehicle (EV). These cooling systems are crucial to ensure the efficient and reliable performance of the EV’s motor, battery, and other propulsion components, as well as to prevent overheating and potential damage.
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 EV propulsion cooling.
Key players in EV propulsion cooling – 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 EV propulsion cooling
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Valeo, one of the leading patent filers in EV propulsion cooling, introduced innovative materials and heat exchangers, smart and predictive cooling control, which is designed to continuously monitor the temperature of critical components in the EV propulsion system, and optimize thermal management. The technology enhances energy efficiency, extends the life of critical components, and improves the performance of electric vehicles. Some other key patent filers in the space include Porsche Automobil and Toyota Motor.
In terms of application diversity, Thunder Power Hong leads the pack, while Nidec and Hanon stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Thunder Power Hong held the top position, followed by Flex and Magna.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Electric Vehicles (EV).
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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.
