DETAILED ACTION
Status of Claims
The status of the claims is as follows:
(a) Claims 1, 6, and 8-13 remain pending.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Amendments
The Examiner accepts the amendments received on 01/27/2026.
Response to Arguments
Applicant amends claim 1 to recite, “a battery management system (BMS) configured to check whether the excavator is turned on and disconnect a connection from the first charging port to the power supply unit in a state in which the excavator is turned on.”
The Examiner finds Yunoue discloses a control system performing the claimed functionality. Yunoue discloses that signals from a key switch indicating OFF, ON, and START positions are input to controller 54, which determines whether the excavator operates in a battery driving mode or a battery charging mode (Yunoue ¶¶[0053]–[0055]). Yunoue further discloses that the battery charging mode is executed only when the key switch is placed in the OFF position together with activation of the charging switch (Yunoue ¶[0058]). Accordingly, Yunoue teaches checking whether the excavator is turned on and preventing charging when the excavator is not in the OFF state.
Applicant further amends claim 1 to recite “wherein the first charging port is a high-speed charging port, and the second charging port is a low-speed charging port.” The Examiner finds Yunoue discloses supplying charging power from different external power sources including a three-phase 200-VAC power supply and a single-phase 100-VAC power supply, each converted and supplied to the battery device through power conversion circuitry (Yunoue ¶¶[0059]–[0060]).
Applicant additionally recites “wherein the external power source and the second charging port are connectable by means of a cable and the electric excavator is configured to work in a state in which the cable is connected during a charging process, wherein the work includes a turning operation.” Yunoue discloses that an external power supply is connected to the excavator through an external power supply input section using a cable supplying electrical power for charging (Yunoue ¶¶[0058]–[0060]). Yunoue further discloses operation of the excavator in battery driving mode in which electric power drives the electric motor for machine operation (Yunoue ¶[0055]).
Applicant further recites “wherein the second charging port is disposed at a rear side of a cabin of the excavator to minimize a situation in which the cable hinders the turning operation of the excavator, and is disposed at a position higher than the first charging port.” The Examiner finds Yunoue teaches this limitation. As illustrated in Yunoue Figures 1–8, the charging connection is positioned on a rear-side panel of the excavator cabin. Moreover, the charging input box may be oriented relative to the cabin panel such that a mere approximately 90-degree rotation of the input box achieves vertical repositioning of the respective input ports.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 6, 8, 9, and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yunoue et al. U.S. P.G. Publication 2015/0231974 (hereinafter, Yunoue).
Regarding Claim 1, Yunoue describes a power supply device for an electric excavator (electric excavator with a power supply device, Yunoue, Figures 1 and 4), the power supply device comprising:
-a power supply unit configured to supply power of a battery to an electric motor unit (power supply unit configured to supply power of a battery to an electric motor, Yunoue, Paragraph 0039 and Figure 4);
-a first charging port connected to the power supply unit and configured to supply first external power to the battery (first charging port, which allows external power to the battery, Yunoue, Paragraph 0048 and Figures 4 and 5);
-an on-board charger (OBC) connected to the power supply unit and configured to convert alternating current into direct current when alternating current power is inputted (inverter present, which converts AC to DC, Yunoue, Paragraph 0048 and Figures 4 and 5); and
-a second charging port connected to the OBC and configured to supply second external power to the OBC (see connectors, wherein the connectors supply power to either the battery or to the electric motor unit, Yunoue, Paragraphs 0058-0065 and Figures 4-10),
-further comprising a battery management system (BMS) configured to check whether the excavator is turned on and disconnect a connection from the first charging port to the power supply unit in a state in which the excavator is turned on (controller capable of determining if the excavator is turned on (i.e., key is in the ON or OFF position) and determine is charging should or should not occur (i.e., disconnected) based on charging switch ON/OFF as well, Yunoue, Paragraphs 0053-0055, 0058 and 0038), wherein the first charging port is a high-speed charging port, and the second charging port is a low-speed charging port (first charging port a high voltage line (e.g., 200-VAC), thus a high-speed charging port (i.e., p = iv), Yunoue, Paragraph 0059);
-wherein the external power source and the second charging port are connectable by means of a cable and the electric excavator is configured to work in a state in which the cable is connected during a charging process, wherein the work includes a turning operation (external power source is connected to the second charging port (e.g., 100 VAC) can be connected during a charging process and the work includes a turning operation, Yunoue, Paragraphs 0060, 0053-0055, and 0058;
-wherein the second charging port is disposed at a rear side of a cabin of the excavator to minimize a situation in which the cable hinders the turning operation of the excavator, and is disposed at a position higher than the first charging port (charging port can be disposed at the rear side of a cabin and the second port can be higher than the first charging port based on the box orientation (i.e., 90 degree turn can achieve desired orientation), Youne, Figures 1 and 6-8).
Regarding Claim 6, Yunoue describes the power supply device of claim 1, wherein the first charging port is disposed at a lateral side of a cabin of the excavator (charging port location, Yunoue, Figure 2).
Regarding Claim 8, Yunoue describes the power supply device of claim 1, wherein the electric motor unit comprises a first inverter and a first motor, and the first motor is connected to a hydraulic pump (electric motor, inverter, hydraulic pump, Yunoue, Paragraphs 0049-0053 and 0093).
Regarding Claim 9, Yunoue describes the power supply device of claim 8, wherein the electric motor unit further comprises a second inverter and a second motor, and the second motor is connected to a turning speed reducer (system can include a plurality of motors and speed reducers for safety, Yunoue, Paragraphs 0093 and 0053).
Regarding Claim 11, the Applicant’s claim has similar limitations to claim 1 and therefore are rejected for similar reasons set forth by the Examiner in the rejection of said claim.
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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) 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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 12 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yunoue et al. U.S. P.G. Publication 2015/0231974 (hereinafter, Yunoue), in view of Ishida et al. U.S. P.G. Publication 2010/0096921 (hereinafter, Ishida).
Regarding Claim 12, Yunoue describes the power supply device of claim 1.
Yunoue does not specifically disclose the device to include that the power supply unit is configured to supply charging power of the OBC or supply the charging power of the OBC and power of the battery to the electric motor unit on the basis of an amount of required power of the electric motor unit and an amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein in a state in which the second charging port is connected to an external power source, the power supply unit compares the amount of required power of the electric motor unit with the amount of charging power of the OBC, wherein the power supply unit simultaneously supplies both of the charging power of the OBC and the power of the battery to the electric motor unit when the amount of required power is larger than the amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein the power supply unit simultaneously supplies the charging power of the OBC to both of the electric motor unit and the battery and stores, in the battery, the charging power of the OBC remaining after the supply of the charging power when the amount of required power is equal to or smaller than the amount of charging power of the OBC.
Ishida discloses the claimed feature of operating in a state in which the second charging port is connected to an external power source. Specifically, Ishida explains that “the AC power supply grid 140, an external DC power supply 150 (i.e., an external battery) may also be used,” thereby teaching operations under a condition where the vehicle’s external charging connection is active (¶[0031]). Ishida further teaches that the power supply control device monitors and compares the available external voltage and the internal battery voltage to determine how to manage power flow. In particular, Ishida describes that “the control device 120 controls the switches 7, 8, and 9 to open and close, on the basis of the DC voltage…from the external DC power supply 150, and the DC voltage of the internal battery 110” (¶[0036]). This control action involves comparing the amount of required motor power with the available external charging power to determine the optimal supply combination, consistent with the claimed “power supply unit compar[ing] the amount of required power of the electric motor unit with the amount of charging power of the OBC,” as claimed by the Applicant.
Moreover, Ishida teaches that when the required motor power exceeds the charging power of the external supply, both the external DC power source and the internal battery are used together to drive the motor. Ishida states that by controlling the switching configuration (closing switches 7 and 8 while opening switch 9), it is possible “to utilize either the electric power from the external DC power supply 150 or the electric power from the internal battery 110 as the electric power for driving the electric motor 200” (¶[0031]–[0033]). As the system dynamically manages both sources through the bidirectional buck-boost converter 20, it enables simultaneous supply of both charging power and battery power to the motor, as required when the motor’s power demand exceeds the external charging capacity. Additionally, Ishida teaches that when the required motor power is equal to or smaller than the charging power of the OBC, the external power can be used to both operate the motor and charge the internal battery. Ishida describes that “it becomes possible to charge up the internal battery 110 using the electric power of the external DC power supply 150…by causing the bidirectional buck-boost converter 20 to perform voltage converting operation” (¶[0032]), while also supplying a predetermined DC voltage to the inverter and motor (¶[0038]). Thus, Ishida discloses that any remaining charging power after supplying the motor is stored in the battery.
As a result, a person of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, would have found it obvious to modify the device of Yunoue to include that the power supply unit is configured to supply charging power of the OBC or supply the charging power of the OBC and power of the battery to the electric motor unit on the basis of an amount of required power of the electric motor unit and an amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein in a state in which the second charging port is connected to an external power source, the power supply unit compares the amount of required power of the electric motor unit with the amount of charging power of the OBC, wherein the power supply unit simultaneously supplies both of the charging power of the OBC and the power of the battery to the electric motor unit when the amount of required power is larger than the amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein the power supply unit simultaneously supplies the charging power of the OBC to both of the electric motor unit and the battery and stores, in the battery, the charging power of the OBC remaining after the supply of the charging power when the amount of required power is equal to or smaller than the amount of charging power of the OBC, as disclosed, taught, or at least suggested by Ishida.
It would have been obvious to combine and modify the cited references, with a reasonable expectation of success because having the charging of the batteries and operating of mechanical interfaces at the same time, allows for an end user to still use some mechanical functions of the vehicle while also charging the battery system (Ishida, Paragraph 0003 and Figure 6).
Regarding Claim 13, the Applicant’s claim has similar limitations to claim 12 and therefore are rejected for similar reasons set forth by the Examiner in the rejection of said claim.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yunoue et al. U.S. P.G. Publication 2015/0231974 (hereinafter, Yunoue), in view of Ishida et al. U.S. P.G. Publication 2010/0096921 (hereinafter, Ishida), in further view of Takeuchi et al. JP2007224585 (hereinafter, Takeuchi).
Regarding Claim 10, Yunoue describes the power supply device of claim 8.
As seen above, Yunoue describes a system that includes controllers for regulating the power between multiple systems (e.g., battery, motors, etc.).
However, Yunoue does not specifically disclose the device to include a fan motor; and a converter connected between the fan motor and the power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit compares a sum of the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit with the amount of charging power of the OBC, wherein the power supply unit supplies the charging power of the OBC and the power of the battery unit to the electric motor unit and the fan motor when the sum of both the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit is larger than the amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein the power supply unit supplies the charging power of the OBC to the electric motor unit and the fan motor and stores, in the battery unit, the charging power of the OBC remaining after the supply of the charging power when the sum of the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit is equal to or smaller than the amount of charging power of the OBC.
Takeuchi discloses, teaches, or at least suggests the missing limitation(s). Takeuchi describes a system that includes a fan motor, wherein the controller of the system can regulate the power between the fan motor, other motors, and the battery unit (Takeuchi, Paragraphs 0006-0017).
As a result, a person of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, would have found it obvious to modify the device of Yunoue to include a fan motor; and a converter connected between the fan motor and the power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit compares a sum of the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit with the amount of charging power of the OBC, wherein the power supply unit supplies the charging power of the OBC and the power of the battery unit to the electric motor unit and the fan motor when the sum of both the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit is larger than the amount of charging power of the OBC, and wherein the power supply unit supplies the charging power of the OBC to the electric motor unit and the fan motor and stores, in the battery unit, the charging power of the OBC remaining after the supply of the charging power when the sum of the amount of required power of the fan motor and the amount of required power of the electric motor unit is equal to or smaller than the amount of charging power of the OBC, as disclosed, taught, or at least suggested by Takeuchi.
It would have been obvious to combine and modify the cited references, with a reasonable expectation of success because regulating the power between all devices, ensures proper operation of the system (Takeuchi, Paragraphs 0006-0017).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDREW J CROMER whose telephone number is (313)446-6563. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: ~ 8:15 A.M. - 6:00 P.M..
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/ANDREW J CROMER/Examiner, Art Unit 3667