DETAILED ACTION
Status of the Claims
In the communication filed on July 23, 2025, claims 1-3, 7, 9-10 and 12-17 are pending. Claims 4-6, 8 and 11 were previously cancelled.
Response to Arguments
The applicant argues that Yamazaki is teaching the 0.2 C when precharging and does not teach the quick charging minimum.
The examiner agrees and the reference of Yamazaki is withdrawn and a new non-final office action is herewith entered.
It should be noted with regard to claim 1, the claims are rejected over Johnson et al. US20190097258A1 in view of Iijima et al. US20050194934A1 without an additional third reference. The language of “a constant voltage until a predetermined charge rate no greater than C/5 is reached” leaves any charge rate below C/5. This includes near zero charge rates as discussed in Iijima where the charging time spans from the starting of constant voltage charging to the point T3 and the constant voltage charging ends, which is the point that the minimum charging rate of near 0 C is reached, the charge rate of 0C is a minimum that is less than (or no greater than) C/5 (see FIG. 8; ¶102).
As detailed further below, the specific minimum charge rate of C/5 and C/10, as claimed in at least claims 2 and 3, is disclosed by newly cited reference Gao et al. WO2018045920A1. As detailed below, Gao teaches that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the limits of C/5 and C/10. It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a lower limit current optimized to reduce the instability of the cathode structure and prevent deterioration of the battery.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Johnson et al. US20190097258A1 in view of Iijima et al. US20050194934A1.
Regarding claim 1. A system comprising:
Johnson discloses a battery cell (100) discharged to a voltage of 0.01 V or less (¶221- cell repeatedly cycled from 1.5V to 0.01V), wherein a cathode of the battery cell comprises an active material consisting of an acidified metal oxide (¶226 - cathode comprising AMO (acidified metal oxide)).
Johnson discloses a battery charger implementing a charge cycle of constant current until a predetermined voltage threshold of from 1.5 V to 2.6 V is obtained on the battery cell (¶221 - battery is charged to 1.5V),
Johnson discloses the charge cycle achieves a Columbic efficiency of about 95% or more for charging the battery cell (¶188; FIG. 13 illustrates a columbic efficiency of at least 95%) (it should be noted that this limitation appears to be a result of the charging and the battery chemistry. Thus, if all of the features of the battery and charging are disclosed by the art, the claimed columbic efficiency would necessarily have to occur).
Johnson does not explicitly teach the constant current at a charge rate of 10C to 30C followed by a constant voltage until a predetermined minimum charge rate no greater than C/5 is reached; and wherein the battery charger includes a charging circuit comprising: a voltage regulator for receiving an input voltage and providing an output charging voltage: a current sensor provided in series between the battery cell and the voltage regulator for sensing current flowing to the battery cell: and a microcontroller in data communication with the current sensor and in control communication with the voltage regulator, wherein current sensed by the current sensor is provided as an input to the microcontroller for providing control signals to the voltage regulator to control the output charging voltage.
Iijima discloses the constant current at a charge rate of 10C to 30C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C; ¶102 – FIG. 8 illustrates a constant current of 10C which is within the range) followed by a constant voltage until a predetermined minimum is reached charge rate no greater than C/5 is reached (Iijima; FIG. 8; ¶102 – the charging time spans from the starting of constant voltage charging to the point T3 where the constant voltage charging ends – where the minimum charging rate of 0C (0A/time) is reached, the charge rate of 0C is a minimum that is less than (or no greater than) C/5).
wherein the battery charger includes a charging circuit (FIG. 3) comprising:
Iijima discloses a voltage regulator (FIG. 3 @ 112/114) for receiving an input voltage (from the power supply 103) and providing an output charging voltage (¶89 – output voltage controller 114 functions to regulate the output voltage of the power supply 103).
Iijima discloses a current sensor (current detector 111) provided in series (FIG. 3) between the battery cell (1) and the voltage regulator (112/114) for sensing current flowing to the battery cell (¶87 - charging current detected by the current detector 111 at the time of charging the battery).
Iijima discloses a microcontroller (115) in data communication with the current sensor (current detector 111) and in control communication with the voltage regulator (112/114; ¶87 – the control unit 115 functions independently to control the output voltage controller 114), wherein current sensed by the current sensor (111) is provided as an input to the microcontroller (115) for providing control signals to the voltage regulator to control the output charging voltage (¶90 – using the current detected by the current detector 111, the control unit 115 can carry out constant current charging).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Regarding claim 17. Johnson discloses an anode of the battery cell comprises lithium metal (¶227 – cells have a lithium mental anode).
Claims 2-3, 7, 9-10 and 12-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Johnson et al. US20190097258A1 in view of Iijima et al. US20050194934A1 in further view of Gao et al. WO2018045920A1.
Regarding claim 2, Johnson does not explicitly teach that the constant charge rate is 30 C, and wherein the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Iijima discloses that the constant charge rate is 30 C (Iijima; ¶102 – FIG. 8 illustrates a constant current of 10C which is within the range).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Although Iijima teaches that the charging rate is near zero during a constant voltage charging (¶102), Iijima does not explicitly teach that the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/5 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 3, Johnson does not explicitly teach the constant current charge rate is 10C and wherein the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Iijima discloses the constant current charge rate is 10C (¶102 – FIG. 8 illustrates a constant current of 10C which is within the range).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly disclose the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/10 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 7, Johnson discloses a method of charging a battery cell (100) discharged to a(¶221- cell repeatedly cycled from 1.5V to 0.01V), wherein a cathode of the battery cell comprises an active material consisting of an acidified metal oxide (¶226 - cathode comprising AMO (acidified metal oxide)).
first, applying a constant current to the battery cell until a predetermined voltage of from 1.5 V to 2.6 V is reached on the battery cell (¶226 - cathode comprising AMO (acidified metal oxide)).
Johnson discloses wherein charging the battery cell achieves a Columbic efficiency of about 95% or more (¶188; FIG. 13 illustrates a columbic efficiency of at least 95%) (it should be noted that this limitation appears to be a result of the charging and the battery chemistry. Thus, if all of the features of the battery and charging are disclosed by the art, the claimed columbic efficiency would necessarily have to occur).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose the constant current at a charge rate of 10C to 30C; applying a constant voltage at the predetermined voltage to the battery cell until a predetermined minimum charge rate from C/10 to C/5 is observed, wherein a circuit for charging the battery cell comprises: a voltage regulator for receiving an input voltage and providing an output charging voltage; a current sensor provided in series between the battery cell and the voltage regulator for sensing current flowing to the battery cell: and a microcontroller in data communication with the current sensor and in control communication with the voltage regulator, wherein current sensed by the current sensor is provided as an input to the microcontroller for providing control signals to the voltage regulator to control the output charging voltage.
Iijima discloses the constant current at a charge rate of 10C to 30C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C; ¶102 – FIG. 8 illustrates a constant current of 10C which is within the range)
applying a constant voltage at the predetermined voltage to the battery cell until a predetermined minimum is observed (Iijima; FIG. 8; ¶102 –constant voltage charging to the point T3 where the constant voltage charging ends – where the minimum charging rate of near 0 C (0A/time) is reached, the charge rate of 0C is a minimum).
wherein a circuit for charging the battery cell comprises:
Iijima discloses a voltage regulator (FIG. 3 @ 112/114) for receiving an input voltage (from the power supply 103) and providing an output charging voltage (¶89 – output voltage controller 114 functions to regulate the output voltage of the power supply 103).
Iijima discloses a current sensor (current detector 111) provided in series (FIG. 3) between the battery cell (1) and the voltage regulator (112/114) for sensing current flowing to the battery cell (¶87 - charging current detected by the current detector 111 at the time of charging the battery).
Iijima discloses a microcontroller (115) in data communication with the current sensor (current detector 111) and in control communication with the voltage regulator (112/114; ¶87 – the control unit 115 functions independently to control the output voltage controller 114), wherein current sensed by the current sensor (111) is provided as an input to the microcontroller (115) for providing control signals to the voltage regulator to control the output charging voltage (¶90 – using the current detected by the current detector 111, the control unit 115 can carry out constant current charging).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly teach a predetermined minimum charge rate from C/10 to C/5.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes a predetermined minimum charge rate from C/10 to C/5 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/10 to C/5 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”)..
Regarding claim 9, Johnson discloses that the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose that the constant current charge rate is 10C and the predetermined minimum current is C/10.
Iijima discloses that the constant current charge rate is 10 C (¶10 – the constant current charging rate is a number between 2-60, thus, because there are restricted values, one of ordinary skill in the art would know that a charge rate of 10C may be used since it falls within the disclosed range).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly disclose the predetermined minimum current is C/10.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/10 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 10, Johnson discloses wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose the constant charge rate is 30 C and wherein the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Iijima discloses that the constant charge rate is 30 C (Iijima; ¶19).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly teach that the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/5 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”)..
Regarding claim 12, Johnson discloses wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose the constant current charge rate is 30C and the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10.
Iijima discloses the constant current charge rate is 30C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly disclose the predetermined minimum current is C/10.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/10 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 13. Johnson discloses that wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V). Johnson does not explicitly disclose that the constant current charge rate is 10 C, wherein the predetermined minimum current is C/5 .
Iijima discloses that the constant current charge rate is 10 C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Although Iijima teaches that the charging rate is near zero during a constant voltage charging (¶102), Iijima does not explicitly teach that the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/5 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 14. Johnson discloses an anode of the battery cell comprises lithium metal (¶227 – cells have a lithium mental anode).
Regarding claim 15. Johnson discloses that the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5 V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose that the constant current charge rate is 30 C, wherein, and wherein the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10.
Iijima discloses that the constant current charge rate is 30 C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly disclose the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/10 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/10 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Regarding claim 16. Johnson discloses that the predetermined voltage threshold is 1.5 V (¶221 - The cell was then charged from 0.01 V to 1.5 V).
Johnson does not explicitly disclose the constant current charge rate is 10 C, wherein the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Iijima discloses that the constant current charge rate is 10 C (¶12 – charging current value is set to a value within the range of 2C to 60C, this covers that range of 10-30C).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to incorporate the charger of Iijima as the charger of Johnson in order to provide rapid charging and shortening the time needed to charge the battery (Iijima; ¶6).
Iijima does not explicitly disclose that the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Although Iijima teaches that the charging rate is near zero during a constant voltage charging (¶102), Iijima does not explicitly teach that the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5.
Gao discloses that the cut off current is between 0.01C to 0.2C which includes the predetermined minimum charge rate is C/5 (see page 2; ¶6 of the “Summary of the Invention; “the charge cutoff current Im is in a range of 0.01 C to 0.2 C”; page 9 at ¶4 - “The off current Im is preferably less than or equal to the minimum charging current value I .sub.cn , more preferably 0.01 C to 0.2 C”).
It would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention to provide the specific value of C/5 to the low minimum charge rate of Iijima to provide a known lower limit range in order avoid burdens on the secondary battery which would cause deterioration and instability of the cathode structure (Gao; page 2, “Background technique”).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAMELA JEPPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-4094. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
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/PAMELA J JEPPSON/Examiner, Art Unit 2859
/DREW A DUNN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2859