Lee International

According to a recent survey of patent cases (including patent filings and patents) in the IP5 countries concerning Battery Management System (BMS), which functions as a “brain” of electric vehicle batteries, Korean battery companies hold a dominant share of patent cases compared to their Chinese and Japanese competitors.  Among these companies, LG Energy Solution was found to possess the largest number of patent cases in the IP5 countries.

This survey was conducted by LG Energy Solution in collaboration with WIPS, a specialized patent search company, analyzed BMS-related patent cases in the IP5 countries between 2018 and 2022.  During this period, the top 10 battery companies from Korea, China, and Japan held a total of 13,500 patents.  Of these, more than a half, i.e., 55% (7,400 cases), were owned by three Korean battery companies: LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On.

Specifically, the total number of patent cases held by three Korean battery companies is 1.6 times larger than the total number of patent cases held by five Chinese battery companies and 4.7 times larger than the total number of patent cases held by two Japanese battery companies.  Among the top 10 companies, LG Energy Solution held the largest share of patent cases, accounting for 40.6% (5,475 patent cases).

The BMS monitors battery cells for signs of abnormalities during driving, charging, and parking conditions to ensure the battery remains in optimal condition.  For example, it uses various data, including current, voltage, and temperature, to detect and address potential issues in advance, such as voltage drops during charging, abnormal degradation or discharging, and deviation in the capacity of individual cells. 

In particular, BMS technology plays a crucial role in preventing battery explosions in vehicles, which has recently become a global issue.  As the electric vehicle and energy storage system markets continue to grow, BMS technology is expected to receive increased attention for its vital role in ensuring safety and efficiency.

As a result, both domestic and foreign battery companies will need to further strengthen their patent portfolios in BMS technology, as well as battery materials and cell manufacturing, to secure global competitiveness.  This will be essential for ensuring product safety, optimizing performance, and improving system efficiency.