H01 ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
Classification Context
- Section:
- ELECTRICITY
- Class:
- ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
Description
This class encompasses discrete electrical and electronic components that serve as fundamental building blocks in electrical circuits and devices. It covers conductors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, switches, circuit breakers, fuses, relays, and similar passive and electromechanical components. The class includes both traditional discrete components and integrated assemblies designed for specific electrical functions, but excludes complete systems or apparatus where such elements merely constitute parts (those are classified in their respective application-specific classes).
Filing statistics
IPC H01 recorded 4,003,057 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 14 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 280,552 in 2013 to 442,192 in 2023 (+58%), peaking at 445,746 applications in 2022. The most active applicants in class H01 are TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY (43,574 applications), SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (42,206 applications) and LG CHEM (21,383 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
H01 comprises 14 subclasses with filings; the largest is H01L with 33.2% of the class's 4,003,057 applications between 2013 and 2023.
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | H01L | 1,327,660 | 33.2% | |
| 2 | H01M, Processes or Means, e.g. Batteries, for the Direct Conversion of Chemical Energy Into Electrical Energy | Processes or Means, e.g. Batteries, for the Direct Conversion of Chemical Energy Into Electrical Energy | 862,000 | 21.5% |
| 3 | H01R, Electrically-Conductive Connections; Structural Associations of a Plurality of Mutually-Insulated Electrical Connecting Elements; Coupling Devices; Current Collectors | Electrically-Conductive Connections; Structural Associations of a Plurality of Mutually-Insulated Electrical Connecting Elements; Coupling Devices; Current Collectors | 480,976 | 12.0% |
| 4 | H01B, Cables; Conductors; Insulators; Selection of Materials for Their Conductive, Insulating or Dielectric Properties | Cables; Conductors; Insulators; Selection of Materials for Their Conductive, Insulating or Dielectric Properties | 250,733 | 6.3% |
| 5 | H01F, Magnets; Inductances; Transformers; Selection of Materials for Their Magnetic Properties | Magnets; Inductances; Transformers; Selection of Materials for Their Magnetic Properties | 244,753 | 6.1% |
| 6 | H01H, Electric Switches; Relays; Selectors; Emergency Protective Devices | Electric Switches; Relays; Selectors; Emergency Protective Devices | 242,774 | 6.1% |
| 7 | H01Q, Antennas, i.e. Radio Aerials | Antennas, i.e. Radio Aerials | 196,719 | 4.9% |
| 8 | H01J, Electric Discharge Tubes or Discharge Lamps | Electric Discharge Tubes or Discharge Lamps | 110,789 | 2.8% |
| 9 | H01G, Capacitors; Capacitors, Rectifiers, Detectors, Switching Devices, Light-Sensitive or Temperature-Sensitive Devices of the Electrolytic Type | Capacitors; Capacitors, Rectifiers, Detectors, Switching Devices, Light-Sensitive or Temperature-Sensitive Devices of the Electrolytic Type | 104,471 | 2.6% |
| 10 | H01S, Devices Using the Process of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation [LASER] to Amplify or Generate Light; Devices Using Stimulated Emission of Electromagnetic Radiation in Wave Ranges Other Than Optical | Devices Using the Process of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation [LASER] to Amplify or Generate Light; Devices Using Stimulated Emission of Electromagnetic Radiation in Wave Ranges Other Than Optical | 85,133 | 2.1% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
13 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- H01B CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01C RESISTORS
- H01F MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
- H01G CAPACITORS; CAPACITORS, RECTIFIERS, DETECTORS, SWITCHING DEVICES, LIGHT-SENSITIVE OR TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE DEVICES OF THE ELECTROLYTIC TYPE
- H01H ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01J ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01K ELECTRIC INCANDESCENT LAMPS
- H01M PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01P WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE
- H01Q ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01R ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01S DEVICES USING THE PROCESS OF LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION [LASER] TO AMPLIFY OR GENERATE LIGHT; DEVICES USING STIMULATED EMISSION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IN WAVE RANGES OTHER THAN OPTICAL
- H01T SPARK GAPS; OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS USING SPARK GAPS; SPARKING PLUGS; CORONA DEVICES; GENERATING IONS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO NON-ENCLOSED GASES
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY TW 43,574
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 42,206
- LG CHEM KR 21,383
- APPLIED MATERIALS US 20,441
- LG ENERGY SOLUTION KR 20,279
- SAMSUNG DISPLAY KR 19,725
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 19,400
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 18,819
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 18,082
- TOKYO ELECTRON JP 17,634