The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the need for proper transmission of torque and improving vehicle efficiency, and growing importance of technologies such as electrification, and connected and autonomous vehicles. 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: multi-lamellar clutches. Buy the report here.
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 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. 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
Multi-lamellar clutches is a key innovation area in automotive
An automobile vehicle's multi-plate clutch increases the amount of power sent from the engine to the transmission shaft while also making up for torque loss brought on by slippage. This type of clutch is mostly used by heavy equipment, commercial vehicles, military vehicles, racing cars, and motorcycles.
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 multi-lamellar clutches.
Key players in multi-lamellar 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 multi-lamellar clutches
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Schaeffler is the leading patent filer in multi-lamellar clutches. Schaeffler’s multi-lamellar clutches enable all-wheel drive and thereby improve vehicle acceleration, handling, and safety. The clutches work by transferring the torque from an incoming shaft to an outgoing shaft through a series of lubricated steel disc surfaces also called lamella pack. Other companies innovating in this technology domain are Valeo, BorgWarner, Porsche Automobil, and Nissan Motor.
In terms of application diversity, NSK held the top position, while Diehl Stiftung and Mazda Motor stood in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Nissan Motor leads the pack, followed by Toyota Motor and Tata Motors.
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.
