Abstract:

Drawing lessons from Kuhn′s scientific paradigm, the connotation of industrial technology paradigm is defined, the action mechanism of technical standards in the process of industrial technology paradigm transformation has been described. The technical system is sprouted by the emergence of the leading technology. At this time, the technical paradigm begins to emerge. When the leading technology is produced and related basic technology and auxiliary technology are developed to form the technical system, it means the formation of the technical paradigm. The technical application activity is defined by the paradigm. In the framework of the technical system, the company engages in practical activities such as technology development and diffusion. In the process, the technical paradigm continues to accumulate and improve. In the process of continuous technical practice, the technical paradigm gradually fails to meet the needs of the market, requiring objectively technology to make breakthroughs. The original paradigm triggered a new round of technological change. With the emergence of new breakthroughs of technological inventions, the original technical system began to decline and disintegrate. The new technical paradigm began to sprout, and then took shape based on the new technical paradigm. Then came the next round of conventional technology development. The formation of technical paradigms is closely related to technical standardization process. The technical standards are based on the scientific and technological level and practical experience of different periods, and the best solutions proposed for the technical problems with universal and recurring appearances are the technical basis for common practice in scientific research, design, process, inspection and other technical work. Technical standards reflect the important content of the technical paradigm. As a bridge between market and technology, the standard first defines the market demand, and then transforms the technical function and quality demand into qualitative description and quantitative expression. At this time, the technical system under the technical paradigm begins to form. Furthermore, the technical standards transfer and transform these requirements and rules downwards and loops. The technical standards are continuously improved and revised during the technical application process under the guidance of the paradigm, and the technical system can be further improved and expanded. Standardization is the basis for the next technological innovation by collating and legalizing accumulated technical experience. Standardization has a wide-ranging impact on industrial technology innovation and technology diffusion, and plays an important role in the formation and transformation of technology paradigms.By means of patentometrics, this paper describes quantitatively the process of formation of the traditional automobile technology paradigm to the new energy vehicle technology paradigm. This paper selects the automotive industry drive technology as the research object, and uses the Derwent Innovation Index (DII) as the main data source to distinguish the traditional automobile industry internal combustion engine drive patent technology and the new energy vehicle drive patent technology. This study uses a combination of classification code and subject terms to cover the patents related to new energy vehicles in the traditional vehicle and new energy vehicle power systems in the general vehicle domain and engine field. Approximately 21,329 patents related to traditional automotive power systems and 16,276 patents for new energy vehicle power systems were retrieved. The research shows that the development of the driving technology of the automobile industry presents a regular and cyclical technological paradigm change. The paradigm shift is driven by the maturity of technology. The technical research and development subjects in different development periods are not the same. In the paradigm change process, not only the technology is included, the main body of technology also shifts with paradigm change. The traditional automobile technology has gone through a complete cycle of paradigm, including the whole process from the germination, development, accumulation of technology paradigm to the transformation of new energy technologies, accompanied by the proliferation and replacement of the market, R&D subjects and technology research fields, where the market has shifted from the demand for traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles to fuel demand for new energy vehicles driven by batteries, hybrids and pure electric vehicles. For the R&D entities, South Korea and China have been added to the original four countries: Germany, Japan, the United States and France. Technical specifications from automobile safety, emissions, energy conservation, and theft prevention the mandatory technical specifications have been transformed into a standard system combining electrical and control systems, electrical and interface, charging systems, safety and environmental protection, and intellectual property. The paradigm of new energy vehicles is under development, and the new technology system of new energy vehicles is forming. Then, the evolution framework of the automobile industry from technical standards to the standard system combined with intellectual property rights has been presented, and the normative role, the bridge and the transformation role of technical standards in the process of the evolution of the automobile industry paradigm have been revealed. Through this work, we hope to provide theoretical reference for China′s new energy automotive industry to carry out technical standards combined with patent management strategy. Based on the technical paradigm theory, the process of gradual and subversive technology development and transformation of the new energy automobile industry is also of great significance for understanding the process and mechanism of general industrial technology development.From the traditional diesel locomotive to the new energy vehicle driving technology paradigm during the period of change, we must realize the healthy and orderly development of China′s new energy automobile industry, and gain the right to speak in the development of the world′s new energy automobile industry. The construction of technical standards plays a decisive role. It is necessary to establish a policy orientation with the goal of standard alliance and industrial standardization as soon as possible, and carry out the construction of China′s electric vehicle standard system with international vision and strategic thinking. In this process, we should further clarify the patent-oriented research and development goals of the technology standards, actively participate in the formulation of international new energy vehicle technical standards, and use the power of the state or the government to raise our national standards and even corporate standards to international standards, and then a number of pilot technology orbits converge on China′s leading technology track to seize the commanding heights of new energy vehicles.

Key words: new energy vehicles, technical standards, technology paradigm, patentometrics