Windrose IP · Granted patents · Ledger of July 2026
The Twelve That Survived Examination
Windrose holds 212 granted patents in China plus 2 in the United States — but only these 12 passed a substantive novelty examination or protect Windrose outside China: 2 US design patents and 10 Chinese invention patents. Click any drawing for the full story.
2US design patents granted
(term to Dec 2040)
(term to Dec 2040)
10CN invention patents granted
(of 98 filed)
(of 98 filed)
20 yrsCN invention term
from filing date
from filing date
1also pursuing US utility
protection (battery frame)
protection (battery frame)
United States — 2 granted design patents
Both granted 9 Dec 2025, both now owned by Windrose Technology, Inc. (Delaware).
What a US design patent does — and doesn't do:
- Protects the ornamental appearance ("the design as shown and described") — not any engineering underneath.
- A competitor may copy the battery, e-axle, chassis and thermal engineering freely, as long as their truck doesn't look the same.
- Term: 15 years from grant → both run to December 2040.
- Assigned Shanghai Windrose Automotive Technology → Windrose Technology, Inc. for nominal $100 on 2 Jun 2026 (USPTO Reel/Frame 74816/0900).
US Design Patent Ornamental design of the truck frame
- What it covers: the distinctive visual shape of the Windrose chassis frame — the exposed structure a copycat would most easily imitate.
- Filed within the 6-month Paris Convention window from its Chinese design filing (2023.6.9).
Filed (US)2023.9.18
Granted2025.12.9
Expires2040.12.8
OwnerWindrose Tech. Inc. (DE)
US Design Patent Ornamental design of the semi-truck body / cab
- What it covers: the exterior styling of the cab and body — the face of the brand, and the aerodynamic silhouette customers recognize.
- CN priority filing 2023.5.26; same grant date, term and ownership history as its sibling.
Filed (US)2023.9.18
Granted2025.12.9
Expires2040.12.8
OwnerWindrose Tech. Inc. (DE)
China — 10 granted invention patents
Grouped by engineering domain. All filed by Shanghai Windrose Automotive Technology or Anhui Windrose Holdings.
Why invention patents matter more than the other 202 grants:
- invention Invention — examined against global prior art before grant; hardest to obtain, hardest to invalidate; 20-year term.
- utility model Utility model (99 granted) — formality check only; 10-year term; easier to design around.
- design Design (103 granted) — protects appearance only; 15-year term.
Chassis & frame structure
Invention · certificate★ Flagship — PCT filed + US application in progress Electric commercial vehicle with a battery-pack frame
- What it covers: the battery pack is built into a load-bearing frame structure — the pack is part of the chassis, not cargo bolted onto it.
- Why it matters: saves weight and frees space versus a conventional ladder frame carrying separate packs; stiffer structure; more kWh between the rails.
- Strategic: this is the same technical space where Nikola holds granted US claims — and the only Windrose invention being pushed into the US (bypass application at fee-payment stage) and via PCT (national-phase decision due June 2027).
- Granted 23 Jan 2026 (announcement granted; certificate in process).
Filed2024.12.24
Granted2026.1.23
Expires2044.12.23
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Invention · certificateFirst invention grant Front subframe assembly and vehicle
- What it covers: a modular front subframe that carries the steering gear, suspension pick-up points and cab mounts as one pre-assembled unit.
- Why it matters: with no diesel engine up front, an electric tractor can re-architect its nose — the subframe simplifies assembly, improves crash-load paths, and eases service access.
- Windrose's first-ever granted invention patent (May 2023).
Filed2022.9.30
Granted2023.5.23
Expires2042.9.29
ApplicantShanghai Windrose Automotive
Invention · certificate Control-arm assembly for independent suspension
- What it covers: the swing-arm (control-arm) design that lets a multi-ton front axle run independent suspension instead of a solid beam axle.
- Why it matters: nearly all heavy trucks use rigid I-beam front axles; independent suspension gives car-like ride, steering precision and driver comfort — a core Windrose differentiator.
Filed2022.9.30
Granted2024.11.4
Expires2037.9.29
ApplicantShanghai Windrose Automotive
Invention · certificate Lightweight tube-beam assembly structure
- What it covers: tubular cross-members replacing conventional stamped-and-riveted frame beams.
- Why it matters: every kilogram cut from the chassis is a kilogram of extra payload or battery — weight is revenue in trucking.
Filed2023.5.8
Granted2025.6.2
Expires2043.5.7
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Steering & suspension
Invention · certificate Redundant electric steering with double-wishbone air-spring independent suspension
- What it covers: dual (redundant) electric steering actuation integrated with a double-wishbone, air-sprung independent front suspension.
- Why it matters: steering redundancy is a hard prerequisite for advanced driver assistance and autonomy on a 40-tonne vehicle — if one actuator fails, the second keeps steering. Ties the safety case to the comfort case in one structure.
Filed2022.11.9
Granted2025.8.25
Expires2042.11.8
ApplicantShanghai Windrose Automotive
Thermal management
Invention · certificate Drive-motor cooling system
- What it covers: the liquid-cooling circuit that keeps the traction motors at working temperature under sustained load.
- Why it matters: a loaded tractor climbing a long grade needs continuous (not just peak) power — cooling capacity is what sets that limit. A related PCT (drive-motor thermal management) drew a positive inventive-step opinion.
Filed2024.12.19
Granted2025.9.12
Expires2044.12.18
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Invention · certificate Cooling-fan assembly mechanism
- What it covers: the fan-and-shroud module that pulls air through the heat exchangers.
- Why it matters: an EV has no engine fan drive — electric fan packaging determines cooling airflow, energy draw and cab noise.
Filed2023.5.8
Granted2025.5.21
Expires2043.5.7
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Software & controls
Invention · certificate Machine-learning-based energy-recovery method
- What it covers: using a learned model of driving conditions to decide how aggressively to blend regenerative braking.
- Why it matters: smarter regen means more recovered range and less brake wear — pure software value, protected as a method patent.
Filed2022.11.24
Granted2025.1.10
Expires2042.11.23
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Invention · certificate Drive-torque distribution method, device, equipment and medium
- What it covers: how torque is split between multiple drive motors in real time.
- Why it matters: the split determines efficiency (run motors at their sweet spot), traction on slippery surfaces, and driveline life — one of the core control algorithms of a multi-motor e-axle truck.
Filed2024.12.20
Granted2025.9.17
Expires2044.12.19
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings
Cab & interior
Invention · certificate Door inner-handle assembly
- What it covers: the mechanism of the interior door-handle unit.
- Why it matters: the least strategic of the ten, but it cleared the same substantive examination — evidence the portfolio's quality push reaches down to cabin hardware.
Filed2023.8.9
Granted2025.5.22
Expires2043.8.8
ApplicantAnhui Windrose Holdings