The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in electric coolant pumps is driven by thermal management in electric vehicles (EVs), weight and size reduction, efficiency and energy management, and growing importance of technologies such as thermal sensors, smart control systems, and pulse width modulation (PWM). 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: electric coolant pumps. 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 the 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
Electric coolant pumps is a key innovation area in automotive
Electric coolant pumps are devices used in cooling systems for internal combustion engines. They circulate coolant through ducts in the engine's cylinder block and radiator to regulate the temperature and prevent overheating. These pumps are typically equipped with valves that control the flow of coolant, allowing it to move in one direction and preventing it from flowing back in the opposite direction. Electric coolant pumps are driven by an electric motor, providing precise control and efficient operation.
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 210 companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of electric coolant pumps.
Key players in electric coolant pumps – 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 electric coolant pumps
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Hyundai Motor is one of the leading patent filers in electric coolant pumps. The company’s variable-speed electric coolant pumps can adjust speed based on the thermal demands of the system. This allows for more precise control and improved energy efficiency. Hyundai’s dual-pump systems include multiple electric coolant pumps working in tandem, allowing for more flexibility in managing different thermal loads and improving overall efficiency. Some other key patent filers in this space include Kia and Toyota Motor.
In terms of application diversity, Schaeffler leads the pack, while Mikuni Kikai Kogyo and Eco Holding 1 stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Eco Holding 1 held the top position, followed by and Hitachi.
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.
