Technological innovation belongs to the innovation of methods or processes, and only invention patents can be declared.
If the structure of the equipment is innovative, you can apply for a patent. If the function of the equipment is changed due to the change of the structure, you can declare it as an invention patent or a utility model patent. But you can't declare a patent for appearance, which is the difference between appearance and other products.
However, if the change of its structure does not lead to the change of its function, but only makes it look different from other products, then only the appearance patent can be declared.
patent law
Article 2 Inventions and creations mentioned in this Law refer to inventions, utility models and designs.
Invention refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement.
Utility model refers to a new practical technical scheme for the shape, structure or combination of products.
Appearance design refers to a new design with aesthetic feeling and suitable for industrial application based on the shape, pattern or combination of products and the combination of colors, shapes and patterns.