DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Status of the Claims
The amendment/remarks submitted 05/08/2026 has been entered and fully considered. Claims 1, 3, and 6-20 are pending. Claims 2 and 4-5 are cancelled. Claim 20 is new. Claims 1, 3, 7, and 12 are amended. Claims 1, 3, and 6-20 are examined herein.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1, 3, 6-13, 15-16, and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2020/0152941 A1 (“Wynn”) in view of CN 110364644 A (“Li – machine translation provided by applicant dated 09/24/2024 cited herein).
Regarding claims 1 and 3, Wynn discloses a battery pack assembly 300, 500 (Abstract; Figs. 3-5) comprising
a plurality of battery modules 100, 200, 401-409, each battery module of the plurality of battery modules including battery cells 101, 102, 201-203 and a module housing accommodating the battery cells (Figs. 1-2; [0015], [0017]);
a gas venting channel on each battery housing of the plurality of battery modules (see Fig. 2, where vented materials travel in the direction of arrows 210 through cover layer 208) in communication with an inside of the module housing ([0018]); and
a pack case (including pack lid 209; floor as shown, for example, in Fig. 5A; and siderails 301, 502) ([0015]-[0017]-[0018]) accommodating the plurality of battery modules (Figs. 3-5), and having channel assemblies 504 (“gas movement passage”) within a pack frame including siderails 301, 502 which forms at least one wall of the pack case (Figs. 3-5; [0019]-[0024]);
wherein the gas venting channel of each battery module is in communication with the channel assemblies 504 (via openings 506) (Figs. 3-5; [0019]-[0024]).
Wynn does not expressly disclose the gas venting channel includes a duct with a hollow structure, a gas inlet provided on one side of the duct, and a gas outlet provided on the other side of the duct at a predetermined distance apart from the gas inlet in a lengthwise direction of the duct, wherein the duct includes a plurality of partitions to divide an inner space of the duct, and wherein the duct includes a plurality of narrow passages extended in the lengthwise direction between the plurality of partitions.
Li discloses a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules 2 (Abstract; Fig. 1). Each battery module 2 comprises a plurality of battery cells 22. Each of the battery cells 22 is arranged to vent through a first one-way valve 24 from a corresponding sealed chamber 23 and into an individual gas channel 212 (Figs. 5, 6; [0056]-[0059]). The individual gas channels 212, extending a lengthwise direction, are formed a plurality of channels by portions of the upper housing 202 (Fig. 6; [0059]-[0060]). A second one-way valve 13 is provided between the module gas channels 211 and the gas channel 11 (Fig. 6; [0058]). The gas channel 11 is provided as part of lower housing 1 of the battery pack housing ([0041]-[0044], [0052], [0058]). It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate the structure taught by Li to allow for timely discharge of thermal runaway gas emitted by lithium battery during thermal runaway and to reduce or eliminate the impact of the thermal runaway gas on other battery cells or battery modules ([0006], [0025], [0062]).
Regarding claim 6, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 1. As shown in Figs. 3-5, the pack frame includes a left side frame which forms a left wall of the pack case and a right side frame which forms a right wall of the pack case.
Regarding claim 7, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 6. As shown in, for example, Fig. 5A, each of the left and right side frames includes a vertical frame part extended in a first direction of the battery module, and a module connection frame part extended in a second direction from the vertical frame part and connected to the gas venting channel of at least one of the plurality of battery modules.
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Annotated Fig. 5A
Regarding claim 8, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 7. As shown in Fig. 5A, the channel assemblies 504 are in the module connection frame part. One end of the channel assemblies 504 has an open structure to communicate with outdoor air via outlets 302, 508 (Fig. 3; [0019]-[0024]).
Regarding claims 9-10, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 7. As shown in Fig. 5A as annotated above, the module connection frame part is on and on a side of the channel assemblies 504 and configured to communicate with the channel assemblies 504.
Regarding claim 11, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 3. Li further discloses the plurality of battery cells in each battery module include first group battery cells and second group battery cells with a heat-insulating component 2012 (“firewall”) dividing an inner space of each module housing (Figs. 3, 4, 7).
Regarding claim 12, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 11. Wynn and Li do not expressly disclose the first first opening, the second first opening, the first gas inlet, and the second gas inlet. However, it is the opinion of the Office that this amounts to a duplication and rearrangement of parts. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide two openings and two gas inlets, since it has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art. In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960). Furthermore, it has been held that if a claimed invention reads on the prior art except with regard to the position of a component of a device, the invention is unpatentable if switching the position of the component would have not modified the operation of the device. In re Japikse, 181 F.2d 1019, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950). In this case, providing the first first opening, the second first opening, the first gas inlet, and the second gas inlet as claimed would not change the operation of the device and one would be motivated to position the openings and gas inlets in pursuit of optimal gas exhaust.
Regarding claim 13, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 11. Wynn and Li do not expressly disclose the gas outlet includes a first gas outlet in a left edge area of the duct and a second gas outlet in a right edge area of the duct. However, it is the opinion of the Office that this amounts to a duplication and rearrangement of parts. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide two gas outlets, since it has been held that mere duplication of the essential working parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art. In re Harza, 274 F.2d 669, 124 USPQ 378 (CCPA 1960). Furthermore, it has been held that if a claimed invention reads on the prior art except with regard to the position of a component of a device, the invention is unpatentable if switching the position of the component would have not modified the operation of the device. In re Japikse, 181 F.2d 1019, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950). In this case, providing the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet as claimed would not change the operation of the device and one would be motivated to position the openings and gas inlets in pursuit of optimal gas exhaust.
Regarding claim 15, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 1. While Wynn does not expressly disclose the module housing and the gas venting channel are integrally formed, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to form these parts integrally as this would be merely a matter of obvious engineering choice. In re Larson, 340 F.2d 965, 968, 144 USPQ 347, 349 (CCPA 1965). See MPEP 2144.04(V)(B).
Regarding claim 16, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 1. Wynn discloses the battery pack is applicable to automobile applications ([0025]) and further discloses one side of the battery pack is a front side of a vehicle and the opposite side is a rear side of the vehicle ([0019]). Wynn is therefore deemed to disclose a vehicle comprising the battery pack.
Regarding claim 18, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 1. Wynn does not expressly disclose each battery module of the plurality of battery modules has a firewall dividing an interior of the battery module into a first section having an opening and a second section having an opening, wherein the gas venting channel has a divider dividing an interior of the gas venting channel into a first portion having a gas inlet aligned with the opening in the first section and a gas outlet and a second portion having a gas inlet aligned with the opening in the second section and a gas outlet.
Li discloses a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules 2 (Abstract; Fig. 1). Each battery module 2 comprises a plurality of battery cells 22. Li further discloses each battery module comprises a heat-insulating component 2012 (“firewall”) dividing an inner space of each module housing into a first section having an opening and a second section having an opening (Figs. 3, 4, 7). Each of the battery cells 22 is arranged to vent through a first one-way valve 24 from a corresponding sealed chamber 23 and into an individual gas channel 212 (Figs. 5, 6; [0056]-[0059]). The individual gas channel 212 are separated by dividers (Fig. 6) and as such are aligned with the openings as claimed. This forms a completely isolated relationship between each battery cell 22, eliminating mutual influence between each battery cell ([0059]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the claimed features as Li teaches eliminates mutual influence between each battery cell.
Regarding claim 19, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 1. Wynn does not expressly disclose each battery module of the plurality of battery modules has an opening, and wherein the gas venting channel has a gas inlet aligned with the opening in the battery module and a gas outlet aligned with an opening in the gas movement passage.
Li discloses a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules 2 (Abstract; Fig. 1). Each battery module 2 comprises a plurality of battery cells 22. Each upper shell 202 of the battery modules comprises a hole into which a second check valve 13 is fixed ([0059]). The second check valve 13 vents to gas channel 11 (Fig. 6). Therefore, the gas inlet aligns with the opening, and the gas outlet aligns with an opening in the gas movement passage. This configuration reduces or blocks the impact between battery modules ([0061]). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the claimed features as Li teaches this reduces or blocks the impact between battery modules.
Regarding claim 20, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 3. While modified Wynn does not expressly disclose the suction port of the pack frame is on an obliquely truncated slope surface, absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed surface was significant, it is the position of the Office that the suction port of the pack frame being on an obliquely truncated slope surface is a matter of choice which a person of ordinary skill in the art would have found obvious. In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966). See MPEP 2144.04(IV)(B).
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2020/0152941 A1 (“Wynn”) in view of CN 110364644 A (“Li – machine translation provided by applicant dated 09/24/2024 cited herein) as applied to claim 11 above, and further in view of US 2011/0174556 A1 (“Hermann”).
Regarding claim 14, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 11. Li discloses the second one-way valve 13 is provided in the first opening (Fig. 6; [0058]-[0059], [0061]-[0062]). Modified Li does not expressly disclose the first opening is closed by a cap made of a hot melt material.
Hermann discloses a battery pack (Abstract). The housing of the battery pack includes side members 505 having lumens 507-510, wherein the lumen 507 provides a fist gas pathway and is coupled to the interior of battery pack 200 via interior side wall perforations 511 (Fig. 5; [0039]). Hermann discloses that perforations 511 can be sealed with one-way valves or a material that has a low enough melting point to melt when a battery within the adjoining section goes into thermal runaway, but a high enough melting point to prevent it from melting as hot gas passes by it as the gas flows through the side member lumens (“cap made of a hot melt material”) ([0040]). It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to substitute a cap made of a hot melt material for the one-way valve as the two are art recognized equivalents known for the same purpose. See MPEP 2144.06(II).
Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2020/0152941 A1 (“Wynn”) in view of CN 110364644 A (“Li – machine translation provided by applicant dated 09/24/2024 cited herein) as applied to claim 12 above, and further in view of US 2016/0233471 A1 (“Khandelwal”).
Regarding claim 17, modified Wynn discloses the battery pack of claim 12. Modified Wynn does not expressly disclose a barrier in the gas venting channel between the first gas inlet and the second gas inlet.
Khandelwal discloses an equipment enclosure includes an inner chamber configured to house one or more rechargeable batteries (Abstract). Khandelwal discloses the enclosure includes a metal plate 210 (“barrier”) between perforations 202, 204 (analogous to inlets) and respective perforations 206, 208 (analogous to outlets) (Figs. 2-7; [0038]). Therefore, when multiple inlets and outlets are provided, the plate prevents gas exhausted to an outer chamber from reentering an inner chamber. It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a barrier as claimed to prevent gas exhaust from reentering the module housing as taught by Khandelwal.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 05/08/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that Wynn and Li do not disclose the duct includes a plurality of narrow passages extended in the lengthwise direction between the partitions, as recited in claim 1 (previously claim 5). In response, please consider the following remarks.
As stated in the Office action, Wynn does not expressly disclose the gas venting channel includes a duct with a hollow structure, a gas inlet provided on one side of the duct, and a gas outlet provided on the other side of the duct at a predetermined distance apart from the gas inlet in a lengthwise direction of the duct, wherein the duct includes a plurality of partitions to divide an inner space of the duct, and wherein the duct includes a plurality of narrow passages extended in the lengthwise direction between the plurality of partitions. Li is cited as teaching these features.
Li discloses each battery module 2 comprises a housing 21 including an upper housing 202 (Fig. 3; [0047]-[0049]). Each battery cell 22 in the battery module forms a sealed chamber 23 between itself and the bottom of the groove in the upper housing 202 (Fig. 5; [0049]-[0051]). The upper housing 202 has gas flow channels 212 that corresponds to the plurality of sealed chambers 23 (Figs. 5, 6; [0050]-[0052]). The gas flow channels 212 are spaced apart by a plurality of partitions (Fig. 6). Gas emitted from the battery cell 22 flows into sealed chamber 23, through a first one-way valve 24 into gas flow channel 212, into module gas channel 211, then through a second one-way valve 13 into gas channel 11 in lower housing 1 (Figs. 3-7; [0058]). The gas flow channels 212 correspond to the claimed plurality of narrow passages extended in the lengthwise direction between the plurality of partitions under the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claims in view of the specification.
It is noted that although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Applicant references Figs. 5 and 7 of the instant application. Applicant is invited to recite specific structural features from these figures.
Applicant’s arguments, see pg. 11, filed 05/08/2026, with respect to the nonstatutory double patenting rejection have been fully considered and are persuasive. The nonstatutory double patenting rejection of claims 1-19 has been withdrawn.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Robert Scott Carrico whose telephone number is (571)270-5504. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:15AM-6PM ET.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Barbara Gilliam can be reached at 571-272-1330. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Robert Scott Carrico
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1727
/Robert S Carrico/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1727
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