Securing its place on the forefront of U.S. automotive innovation for the tenth consecutive yr, Toyota has been awarded extra patents from the US Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) than some other automaker in line with an annual report by the Mental Property House owners Affiliation (IPO).
Regardless of a difficult yr that noticed a 3% general decline in patents granted throughout all industries in the US, Toyota ranked seventh amongst all corporations awarded patents in 2023, receiving a complete of two,667 patents.
“This achievement continues to underscore Toyota’s unwavering dedication to innovation, notably in areas crucial to the way forward for mobility akin to electrification and clever transportation options,” mentioned Sandra Phillips Rogers, senior vp of Company Assets and chief authorized officer at Toyota Motor North America. “Our focus is on creating sustainable and superior technological options and contributing to the betterment of society and the business at massive, all whereas making certain our improvements are acknowledged by means of filings with the USPTO.”
Toyota’s 2023 patents showcase the corporate’s wide-ranging improvements, together with: Kinetic Seat Cushion for Automobiles – A key factor of the IsoDynamic Efficiency Seat, debuting solely on the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional that helps present a clean, confidence-inspiring journey for these within the driver and entrance passenger seats. The ISO D seat meeting absorbs automobile inputs vertically and laterally, lowering the general load and impacts onto the automobile occupant.
Woven Carbon Fiber Strengthened Metal Matrix Composite – A carbon fiber material of lengthy, organized fibers inside a metal matrix that produces a lighter weight materials with out sacrificing efficiency. By layering the carbon fiber in a weaving sample sintered with metal nanomaterial, the composite is stiff. This innovation can be utilized for lightweighting automobile elements the place engineered types of metal are wanted.
Techniques and Strategies with Twin Perform Coil Offering In-vehicle Wi-fi Energy – This innovation for traction-battery-equipped autos (PHEVs & BEVs) makes use of a twin perform coil, put in within the automobile, that may wirelessly obtain energy from the grid for recharging the battery and transmit energy for the built-in auxiliary energy provide. The expertise eliminates the necessity for cumbersome cables, many connectors, and responsibility plugs to supply in-vehicle charging and small load energy provide (for cabin lights, screens, cellular units, and many others.), thereby enhancing comfort and system integration in addition to lowering house wants, value, and weight of the automobile.
“Toyota crew members work very aggressively at analysis and growth to find cutting-edge expertise for propelling the corporate ahead,” mentioned Frederick Mau, mental property counsel and director of Patent Licensing for Toyota Motor North America. “It’s spectacular to see the fruits of their efforts mirrored in these rankings yearly.”
Globally, Toyota spends roughly USD 1 million per hour on R&D, to make sure that Toyota quickly and repeatedly develops cutting-edge, high-quality, and interesting autos and applied sciences. This dedication ensures that Toyota not solely delivers on the wants of consumers but additionally anticipates its position in future societal progress, the corporate mentioned.
