Technological trajectory analysis in lithium battery manufacturing: Based on patent claims perspective

The technological trajectory of lithium battery manufacturing (LBM-Tra) provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers. However, current methods face difficulties in comprehensively understanding the diverse technological categories and intricate interconnections within LBM. We start by theoretically highlighting the significance of patent claims in LBM-Tra research. Then, based on claim types and dependencies, we construct a more robust attention mechanism of claim type and claim dependency (T&D-Mechanism), and two key technological indicators: the Technological Development Coefficient (TDC) and Technological Correlation (TEC). Employing the T&D-Mechanism and analyzing patent claims, we identify the clear developmental phases of the LBM-Tra: an initial technology start-up phase, a high-growth phase driven by market demands and policy influences, and a decline phase shaped by global economic challenges. The TDC and TEC metrics provide a quantitative assessment of technological advancement and interconnectivity among various steps in the LBM process. Finally, we find the following discoveries: (1) During the technology start-up phase, the technological development direction is chaotic; (2) At the start of the high-growth phase, companies strategically filing patents to gain a competitive edge in the market rather than indicating technological advancements; (3) When faced with pressures from policies, markets, or internal financial constraints, technologies with innovation potential tend to experience increases in both TDC and TEC. Conversely, technologies primarily used for market competition often exhibit an increase in TDC but a decrease in TEC; (4) The rapid adoption of transformative technologies in LBM can drive technological advancement. Our research not only reveals the strategic patent filing behaviors and the complex interplay of technological, economic, and policy factors shaping the LBM-Tra, but also reveals similar trends of change across different manufacturing steps over the years. These results contribute to the existing body of knowledge and offer practical implications for industry and policy-making.