Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The global construction and real estate sectors are rapidly evolving towards smart, sustainable, and user-centric designs. Regulatory pressures for universal accessibility and increasing consumer expectations for hygienic environments are driving innovation in building components. This technology aligns perfectly with these trends, offering a solution that not only meets stringent health and safety standards but also provides a competitive edge through enhanced user experience and operational efficiency in a market projected to grow at a 6.8% CAGR.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Enables hands-free door operation, improving convenience and reducing surface contamination risk.

02

Integrates latch mechanism, eliminating complex traditional components, reducing manufacturing costs, and supporting diverse designs.

03

Forms the latch part to enhance resistance to forces perpendicular to the door surface, increasing overall door robustness.

Market Opportunity
Office and Commercial Facilities
$4.5B–$5B globally (AI est.)
There is growing demand for improved convenience for employees and customers, thorough hygiene management, and smart office integration, driving active investment in touchless and multi-functional doors.
Commercial real estate developers Smart building solution providers Office furniture and partition manufacturers
Healthcare and Elder Care Facilities
$2B globally (AI est.)
Ensuring hygiene for infection control and barrier-free design for wheelchair users and those requiring assistance are essential, necessitating highly operable doors.
Hospital equipment suppliers Medical facility construction firms Accessibility solution providers
Residential and Multi-Family Housing
$3.0B–$3.5B globally (AI est.)
Demand for universal design to accommodate an aging population is increasing, along with interest in high-design building materials, making this technology an effective differentiator.
Residential door manufacturers Home builders and developers Interior design and renovation companies
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent protects a door system with an integrated latch mechanism, specifically covering the unique configuration of the latch part, pivot shaft, elastic element, and operating part. It is considered a robust right, having overcome examiner objections during accelerated examination, demonstrating strong novelty and inventiveness with a well-defined scope across five claims.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers the mechanical integration of the latch. White space exists in areas such as advanced sensor integration for automated opening, smart access control systems, or specialized material applications for extreme environments, allowing licensees to build complementary IP.

Economic Impact
~$1.0M/year estimated manufacturing and installation cost reduction per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

If a door manufacturer adopts this technology, it could eliminate manufacturing steps for conventional latch components, reducing component costs by ~$35/unit (AI est.). Installation labor could also be reduced by ~2 hours/unit, saving ~$20/hour (AI est.). Assuming 50,000 units produced and installed annually, this could result in a cost reduction of (~$35 + ~$40) × 50,000 units = ~$3.75M (AI est.) per year. Furthermore, improved hygiene management and enhanced brand value from increased user satisfaction are expected, contributing to a total economic impact of over ~$1.0M annually (AI est.).

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology's core components and operating principles are clearly described in patent literature, establishing a proven technical concept. Its novelty and inventiveness have been highly evaluated, evidenced by its passage through accelerated examination. As licensing is available, adopting companies could significantly shorten design, prototyping, and validation periods compared to in-house development, enabling market entry approximately 2.7 years faster. This could allow licensees to launch products ahead of competitors and establish a strong market advantage.
Competitive Positioning

X: Operational Comfort & Hygiene
Y: Production Efficiency & Design Flexibility

Business Models & Applications
🚪 Product Integration
Licensees could integrate this technology into their manufactured door products, launching them as high-value new offerings to differentiate from competitors.
🤝 Technology Licensing
As the technology is available for licensing, a business model could involve generating revenue by granting licenses to other door manufacturers or building material suppliers.
🛠️ Joint Development & OEM Supply
There is potential to establish new business areas by developing door products specialized for specific applications or markets through joint development or OEM supply with the rights holder.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🚄 Transportation
Enhanced Vehicle Door Operability
Applying this technology to train or bus entry/exit doors could enable passengers carrying luggage or those with mobility challenges to open and close doors smoothly, potentially improving public transport convenience.
📦 Logistics & Warehousing
Automated Gates and Conveyor Openings
Integrating this technology into automated gates and conveyor openings in logistics warehouses or factories could allow workers to easily operate them with their feet, even when carrying items with both hands, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
🏥 Cleanrooms
Non-Contact, High-Sealing Doors
In cleanrooms for medical facilities or semiconductor factories, this technology could achieve both non-contact door operation and high airtightness through integrated latching, potentially enhancing hygiene control and preventing contamination.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 15-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technology Evaluation and Design Review
Duration: 3 months
Evaluate the detailed patent content and assess compatibility with the licensee's existing product lines and manufacturing processes. Develop initial design proposals.
Phase 2: Prototype Development and Validation
Duration: 6 months
Develop a prototype of the latch-integrated door based on the design proposals. Conduct performance evaluations for operability, durability, and hygiene, along with real-world environment validation.
Phase 3: Mass Production Design and Market Launch
Duration: 6 months
Finalize the design for mass production based on validation results and prepare for integration into manufacturing lines. Develop marketing strategies and initiate full-scale product launch.
Technical Feasibility
This technology consists of clearly defined components: a latch integrated into the door body, combined with a pivot shaft, elastic element, and operating part. This modular structure is highly compatible with existing generic components like door cases and hinges, suggesting relatively easy integration into existing door manufacturing lines. The patent claim describing a 'latch part formed to protrude from at least a portion of the leading edge side surface of the door body, and accommodated in a latch receiver when door A is in the closed position' indicates adaptability to existing door frames, potentially allowing adoption without significant capital investment.
Success Scenario
Adopting this technology could enable licensees to rapidly add high-value products with hygienic, universal operability to their existing door product lineups. This could establish a competitive advantage in high-performance door markets, particularly for healthcare, elder care, and commercial facilities, leading to new customer acquisition and market share expansion. Furthermore, simplified manufacturing processes could reduce annual production costs by up to ~10%, contributing to improved profit margins.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2021-172099
REGISTRATION NO.
7082839
FILING DATE
2021/10/21
GRANT DATE
2022/06/01
EXPIRATION DATE
2041/10/21
PATENT HOLDER
株式会社エルボーション
Examination History
2022年03月11日
出願審査請求書
2022年03月11日
早期審査に関する事情説明書
2022年04月08日
早期審査に関する通知書
2022年04月11日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2022年04月11日
意見書
2022年04月11日
拒絶理由通知書
2022年04月22日
特許査定