This report created by MarkLines focuses on a number of technical topics surrounding the automotive industry, and is based on patent information obtained from the "Technical Information Distribution Service-swimy" information service provided by Toyota Technical Development Corp. (TTDC). The two business areas of TTDC are in the fields of intellectual property (IP) and measurement control solutions. The intellectual property (IP) side of TTDC is involved in the collection and analysis of information on automotive technology developments globally, and provides services such as consulting for research planning, applying for patents in foreign languages, and technical translation.

  This article describes some of the recent application trends at several suppliers of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which have become mandatory in the U.S. and Europe in recent years.

  Following an increase in the number of TPMS applicants from 2000 to 2004, the number tended to decrease from 2005 to 2009. Since 2010, however, the number of applications has trended upwards.

  The applicants who submitted the most number of applications around 2004 were Denso, Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Company, and Bridgestone. But in recent years, suppliers who have filed the most number of applications include Continental Automotive, Pacific Industrial, Bridgestone, Continental Reifen Deutschland, and Sumitomo Electric Industries.

  When looking at the products developed by Bridgestone, which has continuously filed applications over the years, the patents that it applied for in the 2004 timeframe were related to tire internal pressure warning devices and tire pressure monitoring systems, but in recent years, it has filed many patents relating to mounting structures.

  Taking a closer look at some of the products developed by applicants who have increased their number of patent applications, Continental Automotive filed the greatest number of patents for “method for lateral localization of the wheels of a vehicle,” Pacific Industrial filed the most for its “tire condition monitoring apparatus,” Continental Reifen Deutschland filed the most for “vehicle tire with a tire module,” and Sumitomo Electric Industries filed the most patent applications for “tire pressure monitoring systems and detection devices.”

Toyota Technical Development Corp.
Technical information distribution service swimy　URL: https://thinktank.toyota-td.jp/

TTDC reports:
Car Sharing-related Technical Trends (Apr. 2019）