LR621 battery.Why Toyota will open up the patent rights to hydrogen fuel cell technology for free

　　Some media analysts said that this is Toyota's technical roadmap for PKing Tesla's pure electric vehicles. Tesla CEO Musk has made disdainful remarks about Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and Tesla announced in June 2014 that it would open all patents ( The total number is about 200), and some experts say Toyota’s sincerity remains to be seen. The author does not doubt Toyota’s sincerity. In this regard, I have the following opinions:

　　First, it is indeed meaningful for Toyota to open up many patents for free when its Mirai was launched in small quantities on the market. As the author said in a previous blog about hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Toyota intends to lead the world trend in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The free release of patent rights means that it will technically control the technical orientation and path of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well as internationalize its related standards. Moreover, no matter who uses it for free, it is impossible to surpass Toyota, which has accumulated more than 20 years of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology, and Toyota is confident about this.

　　Second, unlike hybrid vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a long industrial chain and must be supported by infrastructure. Therefore, the promotion and popularization of fuel cell vehicles cannot be achieved by just a few car companies. Free patent opening will encourage more companies to participate. The development and commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, expanding the industrial scale of key materials and components such as stacks and high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, continuously reducing costs, and more importantly, promoting the construction of hydrogenation stations and the formation of hydrogenation networks around the world, It is a wise move for Toyota to open up its technology patents free of charge.

　　Third, regarding the period for free openness of patented technologies, Toyota's timetable is until the end of 2020 (patents related to hydrogen refueling stations such as hydrogen supply and manufacturing have no expiry date), which is 6 years. Why? In the author's opinion, first of all, 6 years is enough for a capable company to digest Toyota's technology patents and realize commercialization; secondly, Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology still faces some issues, such as the further reduction or elimination of platinum in the stack catalyst. The issue of platinumization to reduce costs and the issue of high-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks: Compared with Toyota’s early hydrogen fuel cell technology, Mirai uses a high-pressure gas tank with a pressure of up to 700 atmospheres to increase its driving range. In order to ensure the safety of the gas tank structure and size This problem has become a difficult problem for vehicle design and general layout. At the same time, it also keeps the cost of hydrogen refueling stations high. Solving these issues should be Toyota's goal for the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. A rough estimate of this time should be around 2020. It can be said that the patent opening period given by Toyota must be the result of careful weighing.

　　Fourth, what do Chinese car companies and related companies think about Toyota's free use of patented technologies? The author believes that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are still in the prototype development stage in China, and the technical level is not on the same level as Toyota. The industrial chain has basically not been formed. Using Toyota's patented technology can fill the technical depression in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as soon as possible and reduce the development cost. With both success and risk, companies interested in developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles should seize the opportunity. However, whether the use of patents can reach Toyota's level depends on the technical foundation and digestion and absorption capabilities of Chinese car companies and related companies. It is by no means a matter of one or a few car companies. It is a matter of the overall capabilities of the industry chain. Of course, some capable companies Automobile companies should play an important role in this.

　　Fifth, regarding the use of patents, according to Toyota, when relevant companies use patents, they need to apply to Toyota: "Regarding specific conditions of use, etc., agreements will be negotiated and signed separately." The author is somewhat worried about this: 5,680 patents Specific use requires negotiation and signing of agreements, which will be time-consuming and labor-intensive for Toyota and relevant parties. The actual operational efficiency may be contrary to Toyota's original intention. It is expected that Toyota can use a more open attitude to promote the efficient use of its patented technology by interested companies.

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