Analysis of patent layout of leading enterprises in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

电动垂直起降飞行器领先企业专利布局分析

Under the acceleration of global urbanization and the drive of the “dual carbon” goals, urban traffic congestion has become increasingly prominent. The low-altitude economy, as an emerging solution, has attracted widespread attention, among which electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are regarded as the core carriers for large-scale development. This study aims to reveal the evolutionary patterns of technological innovation by analyzing the technological layout of 33 leading eVTOL companies in China. The research utilizes patent data from the National Intellectual Property Administration, combined with machine learning, social network analysis, and a comprehensive evaluation system based on patent technology breadth, depth, and relevance, to construct a patent feature matrix and dynamic time series for multidimensional analysis. The results indicate that the eVTOL technological layout exhibits a core-periphery structure, forming three major technological clusters. Companies can be categorized into four types with significant differences in technological strategies. The LDA model identified eight key technological themes, and ARIMA forecasts pointed to future trends in rotor systems, intelligent control and fault-tolerant technologies, and propulsion technologies. The study concludes by emphasizing that enterprises need to adopt differentiated layouts and enhance technological coordination, while the government should establish innovation platforms and increase support to jointly advance breakthroughs in low-altitude economic technologies and industries.

在全球城市化加速与“双碳”目标驱动下，城市交通拥堵问题日益凸显，低空经济作为新兴解决方案受到广泛关注，其中电动垂直起降飞行器（eVTOL）被视为规模化发展的核心载体。本研究旨在通过分析中国33 家头部eVTOL 企业的技术布局，揭示技术创新演化规律。研究采用国家知识产权局专利数据，结合机器学习、社会网络分析及专利技术宽度-深度-关联度综合评价体系，构建专利特征矩阵与动态时间序列进行多维度分析。结果显示，eVTOL 技术布局呈核心-边缘结构，形成三大技术集群，企业类型分为四类且技术策略差异显著，LDA 模型识别出8 个关键技术主题，ARIMA 预测指明了旋翼系统、智能控制与故障容错技术、驱动技术的未来趋势。研究结论强调企业需差异化布局并强化技术协同，政府应搭建创新平台、加大支持，共同推动低空经济技术与产业突破。