The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in integrated vapor recovery tanks is driven by environmental regulations, system integration with fuel dispensing equipment and optimization of flow dynamics, as well as growing importance of technologies such as vapor recovery units (VRUs), pressure/vacuum valves, and tank blanketing 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 Innovation in automotive: integrated vapor recovery tanks. 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
Integrated vapor recovery tanks is a key innovation area in automotive
Integrated vapor recovery tanks are fuel storage containers engineered to curb fuel vapor emissions through the integration of diverse mechanisms and features. These tanks include filler necks with failsafe means that allow for proper positioning of a liquid dispensing nozzle, filler neck inserts that provide a secure and frictional engagement with the filler neck, and fuel tanks with moisture separators to prevent moisture-induced malfunctions of diesel heaters. The design of these tanks aims to improve fueling efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.
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 355+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of integrated vapor recovery tanks.
Key players in integrated vapor recovery tanks – 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 integrated vapor recovery tanks
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Toyota Motor is one of the key patent filers in integrated vapor recovery tanks. Toyota Motors’ innovative integrated vapor recovery tank includes improvements in efficiency, materials, and technology to enhance the capture and control of vapor emissions from fuel storage. Some of the other key patent filers in this space are Honda Motor and Textron.
In terms of application diversity, DSM-Firmenich leads the pack, while Sumitomo Electric Industries and Mahle stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, DSM-Firmenich held the top position, followed by TI Fluid Systems and Mazda 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.
