I hope this patent infringement claim does not hold up. This is the first I've heard of this.

Solomon Technologies filed a complaint with the panel last month saying the hybrid transmission in the two popular vehicles infringed its patent related to motor and transmission systems.If the ITC agrees with Solomon, Japan’s top automaker could be banned from importing the systems and the Prius and Highlander hybrid models that they power. The ITC said opening a case does not mean it has made any decision on the merits.

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Although the theoretical consequence of a patent infringement finding could be the ban of the cars from the US, the practical result would be a very expensive settlement with the patent holder (whomever that is) in the form of a license. In other words, Toyota would pay to license the patent for use in its existing vehicles (and probably back payments for past sales of machines that used the patent). I personally have never heard of this claim before and have no idea if there's any merit to it whatsoever, but I just wanted to let everyone know that it is unlikely to affect the availability of the vehicles in question in the US.

p.s. It may, however, affect their prices, if the finding goes against Toyota. I am just speculating, however.

 

You mention the Prius and Highlander. I'd assume the Camry uses the same system, doesn't it?

 

I remember reading something about this last year in Design News. I believe the article also mentioned a simular transmission used in 1920-30s, switch yard locomotives using a hydraulic motor. I'd Google searched and found one reference to the switch yard locomotive.

Some other sources:

http://jcwinnie.biz/wordpress/?p=1327

IMHO, there isn't much we can do about it. Some very expensive lawyers are going to argue the issue. But just last year, I finally threw out the old Kodak instant camera . . . a successful patent infringment suit that subsequent technology made mute.

Bob Wilson

 

That article doesn't list the Camry; however, another article does:

Solomon Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has expanded its patent infringement case against Toyota Motor Corporation and certain of its affiliates, for infringement of Solomon's Electric Wheel(tm) technology patent to include the Camry Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h. Solomon has previously alleged that the Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) system installed in vehicles manufactured and imported by Toyota, such as the Prius and Highlander, infringes a number of claims contained in its U.S. Patent No. 5,067,932. As a result of additional investigation into other vehicles manufactured and imported by Toyota, Solomon has determined that the Camry Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h incorporate the same Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) system and therefore also infringe the patent.

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