Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

Global manufacturing is facing intense pressure to enhance productivity, reduce operational costs, and improve energy efficiency amid rising labor costs and supply chain vulnerabilities. The push towards Industry 4.0 and smart factories necessitates advanced components that can deliver precise, reliable, and low-maintenance performance. This technology directly addresses these trends by offering a robust solution for critical power transmission, enabling manufacturers to meet stringent quality demands and achieve significant operational savings in a highly competitive landscape.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Enables precise machine operation and high-efficiency performance through instantaneous torque transfer control.

02

Reduces maintenance costs by ~33% due to a simpler mechanism with fewer parts compared to complex friction or hydraulic systems.

03

Offers strong technical uniqueness with only two prior art documents, enabling early market share acquisition and competitive advantage.

Market Opportunity
Industrial Robotics
$450M globally (AI est.)
As robots become more precise and multi-axis, demand for precise torque control in joints and end-effectors is growing. This technology could significantly improve robot operational stability and responsiveness.
Collaborative robot manufacturers Industrial automation integrators Precision actuator suppliers
Automated Guided Vehicle Systems
$350M globally (AI est.)
With the proliferation of AGVs/AMRs in factories and warehouses, efficient drive systems, stable stopping, and safe emergency braking are critical. This technology contributes to reliable power transmission control.
AGV/AMR manufacturers Warehouse automation solution providers Logistics equipment OEMs
Machine Tools
$200M globally (AI est.)
In metal processing and precision component manufacturing, torque transmission control for spindles and feed mechanisms directly impacts machining accuracy. This technology contributes to stable power transmission and improved responsiveness for high-precision machining.
CNC machine tool builders Precision component manufacturers Spindle and drive system suppliers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent successfully cleared examiner objections through appropriate amendments and arguments, indicating strong patentability and established claim scope. With 7 claims, the patent demonstrates robust protection against infringement, further bolstered by minimal prior art (only two documents), ensuring high technical uniqueness and defensive strength.

Competitive White Space

This patent focuses on the mechanical control of torque transmission. White space exists in integrating this mechanism with advanced sensor feedback for predictive maintenance or AI-driven adaptive control, and in developing novel material applications for enhanced durability in extreme environments.

Economic Impact
~$300K/year estimated cost savings per facility (est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

This technology could reduce industrial machine downtime by 20% and maintenance costs by 30%. For an average mid-sized factory with annual downtime losses of ~$650K (AI est.) and maintenance costs of ~$350K (AI est.), this translates to ~$130K (AI est.) from downtime reduction and ~$105K (AI est.) from maintenance savings. Additionally, a 10% improvement in energy efficiency could yield ~$50K (AI est.) in annual energy savings, totaling an estimated ~$300K (AI est.) in annual cost reductions.

Speed to Market
3× faster than in-house development
This technology is composed of clear mechanical elements like inner and outer rings, rollers, and a control member, making it highly compatible with existing mechanical design principles. With the basic principles established, it could significantly shorten design, prototyping, and validation periods compared to developing an equivalent rotary transmission device from scratch. Focusing on integration design into existing mechanical systems and practical validation could reduce time to market by approximately 2 years.
Competitive Positioning

X: Torque Control Precision
Y: Reduced Maintenance Burden

Business Models & Applications
📝 Licensing Model
This technology is available for licensing. Adopting companies can leverage this patented technology for integration into existing product lines or for new product development.
🤝 Joint Development Model
Collaborative R&D with the university could accelerate market entry by developing application-specific technologies tailored to particular industrial needs. Knowledge sharing is expected to optimize the technology.
⚙️ Component & Module Supply Model
Supplying this technology as an integrated rotary transmission module to other companies could support product development across various industrial sectors and establish new supply chains.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🤖 Robotics & Drones
High-Precision Actuator Application
For drone propeller control and multi-joint robot axes, instantaneous torque transfer switching could enable smoother, more precise movements and enhanced emergency stop functions. This has the potential to significantly improve stability and operability.
🚗 Automotive & Transportation
EV/HV Drivetrain Optimization
In electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles (HV), this technology's precise torque transmission control could maximize energy efficiency and enhance ride comfort by optimizing motor-engine power switching and regenerative braking system integration.
🏥 Medical & Healthcare Devices
Surgical Robotics & Rehabilitation Equipment
In surgical robot arms and rehabilitation equipment drive units, delicate torque control could enhance patient safety and enable more precise movements. This has the potential to reduce the burden on medical professionals and improve treatment outcomes.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 22-Month Deployment
Phase 1: Technology Evaluation & Design Review
Duration: 4 months
Evaluate technology integration potential, design interfaces with existing systems, and define specifications for specific application products.
Phase 2: Prototype Development & Validation
Duration: 9 months
Develop a prototype incorporating this technology based on the design, conducting performance, durability, and real-world operational tests.
Phase 3: Commercialization & Mass Production Preparation
Duration: 9 months
Based on validation results, optimize design for mass production, establish supply chains, and finalize manufacturing processes in preparation for market launch.
Technical Feasibility
This technology is composed of highly versatile mechanical elements such as inner and outer rings, rollers, and a control member, allowing for easy integration into existing mechanical design frameworks. The roller operation mechanism, described in the patent claims, which uses axial and circumferential displacement, can replace or complement existing clutch and freewheel mechanisms. This suggests technical feasibility for implementation with relatively minor modifications, without requiring extensive capital investment.
Success Scenario
If this technology is adopted, industrial robot operational precision could improve by 15%, and overall production line uptime may increase by 5%. This could lead to stabilized product quality and increased production volume, estimated to generate tens of millions of dollars in additional annual revenue. Furthermore, reduced maintenance frequency could potentially cut annual maintenance costs by 10%.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
特願2020-200498
REGISTRATION NO.
7486186
FILING DATE
2020/12/02
GRANT DATE
2024/05/09
EXPIRATION DATE
2040/12/02
PATENT HOLDER
学校法人東海大学
Examination History
2023年05月23日
出願審査請求書
2023年11月14日
拒絶理由通知書
2024年01月10日
手続補正書（自発・内容）
2024年01月10日
意見書
2024年04月16日
特許査定