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 .
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.
Claims 1 – 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Galin (US 20180201142) in view of Tsukada (US 20220393614 ).
Regarding claim 1, Galin teaches a hybrid charging device for an electric vehicle (figures 1A and 5 shows a hybrid charging device, items 100 and 500 defined in paragraph [0051] as a power system for charging an electric vehicle item 506),
comprising: an alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter configured to convert an AC input power to a first DC power (figure 1A power converter 103 [0055] teaches wherein the power converter may be an ACDC converter);
a DC-DC converter configured to convert an DC input power to a second DC power (Figure 1A item 104 [0058] as a DCDC converter);
a power combiner configured to generate a charge power for the electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power or the second DC power (figure 1 item 218 defined in [0085]-[0086] as a merger, which generates a DC power from DC 204 or power converter 204); and
a charge controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter and the power combiner (figure 2A item 213 a control device. [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage).
Galin does not explicitly teach or suggest wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power.
Tsukada teaches wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power (paragraph [0109] discloses a power combiner configured to prevent current from flowing in an unintended direction. Paragraph [0113] discloses reducing or lowering a voltage to desired levels).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Galin reference with the charging system of the Tsukada reference so that power switching loss is prevented.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Tsukada reference in paragraph [0008] wherein power loss is prevented.
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Galin Figure 5 shows a hybrid vehicle charger item 500
Regarding claim 2, Galin teaches the hybrid charging device according to claim 1, wherein the power combiner is configured to combine the first DC power with the second DC power to generate the charge power for the electric vehicle when the first DC power and the second DC power are simultaneously inputted (Figure 1A [0052] teaches wherein power converter 103 may include a DCDC or ACDC converter. The power converter outputs a first DC power to loads 110 and/or a second DC power to a power grid. [0073] discloses wherein the Integrated inverter-EV-charger (IIEVC) may transfer power from a power source 101, storage device 109 and the power grid at the same time to allow a selection to be made).
Regarding claim 3, Galin teaches the hybrid charging device according to claim 1, wherein the charge controller is configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter and the power combiner based on an operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter (figures 1A-C item 114 and 2A item 213 discloses a control device. [0065] discloses wherein the ACDC and DCDC converter is controlled by controlling which power path may be provided to a vehicle [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage).
Regarding claim 4, Galin teaches the hybrid charging device according to claim 3, wherein the charge controller is configured to: set a target power from a charge request from the electric vehicle, and set a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power to make the charge power equal to the target power based on the operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter (figure 11 item 1312 discloses a user interface. [0157]-[0158] discloses wherein target powers or parameters may be set and received inputs to set a charging setting. [0198] teaches wherein a target level of power is set and charging is based on the target level of charging).
Regarding claim 5, Galin teaches the hybrid charging device according to claim 4, wherein the charge controller is configured to: determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the DC-DC converter, and set the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power to make a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or more than the target power (paragraph [0084] teaches wherein the conditions of the ACDC and DCDC converter is determined and may be connected or disconnected based on its condition. [0065] discloses wherein the different outputs or power paths are compared to each other, thus a ratio between the two values is determined. [0149] disclose wherein the values are compared to determine an allowable output of transfer, or if the transfer power is safe if the power is less than a target maximum power).
Regarding claim 6, Galin teaches a charging system, comprising:
a power system including a solar panel (figure 1A 101 [0051] discloses wherein the power source may be a photovoltaic (PV) panel), an energy storage system (figure 1A item 106 [0052] defined as a storage) and a power conversion system (figure 1A item 112 [0052] as an enclosure which includes a power conversion system),
the power system connected to an AC power grid (figure 1A item 11 defined as a power grid); and
a hybrid charging device (figures 1A and 5 shows a hybrid charging device, items 100 and 500 defined in paragraph [0051] as a power system for charging an electric vehicle item 506),
wherein the hybrid charging device includes: an alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter configured to convert an AC input power supplied from the power conversion system and the AC power grid to a first DC power (figure 1A power converter 103 [0055] teaches wherein the power converter may be an ACDC converter);
a DC-DC converter configured to convert an DC input power supplied from the power conversion system to a second DC power (Figure 1A item 104 [0058] as a DCDC converter);
a power combiner configured to generate a charge power for an electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power or the second DC power (figure 1 item 218 defined in [0085]-[0086] as a merger, which generates a DC power from DC 204 or power converter 204); and
a charge controller configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter and the power combiner (figure 2A item 213 a control device. [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage).
Galin does not explicitly teach or suggest wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power.
Tsukada teaches wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power (paragraph [0109] discloses a power combiner configured to prevent current from flowing in an unintended direction. Paragraph [0113] discloses reducing or lowering a voltage to desired levels).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Galin reference with the charging system of the Tsukada reference so that power switching loss is prevented.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Tsukada reference in paragraph [0008] wherein power loss is prevented.
Regarding claim 7, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 6, wherein the power combiner is configured to combine the first DC power with the second DC power to generate the charge power for the electric vehicle when the first DC power and the second DC power are simultaneously inputted (Figure 1A [0052] teaches wherein power converter 103 may include a DCDC or ACDC converter. The power converter outputs a first DC power to loads 110 and/or a second DC power to a power grid. [0073] discloses wherein the Integrated inverter-EV-charger (IIEVC) may transfer power from a power source 101, storage device 109 and the power grid at the same time to allow a selection to be made).
Regarding claim 8, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 6, wherein the charge controller is configured to control the AC-DC converter, the DC-DC converter and the power combiner based on an operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter (figures 1A-C item 114 and 2A item 213 discloses a control device. [0065] discloses wherein the ACDC and DCDC converter is controlled by controlling which power path may be provided to a vehicle [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage).
Regarding claim 9, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 8, wherein the charge controller is configured to:set a target power from a charge request, and set a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power to make the charge power equal to the target power based on the operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter (figure 11 item 1312 discloses a user interface. [0157]-[0158] discloses wherein target powers or parameters may be set and received inputs to set a charging setting. [0198] teaches wherein a target level of power is set and charging is based on the target level of charging).
Regarding claim 10, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 9, wherein the charge controller is configured to: determine a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the AC-DC converter, determine a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the DC-DC converter, and set the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power to make a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or more than the target power (paragraph [0084] teaches wherein the conditions of the ACDC and DCDC converter is determined and may be connected or disconnected based on its condition. [0065] discloses wherein the different outputs or power paths are compared to each other, thus a ratio between the two values is determined. [0149] disclose wherein the values are compared to determine an allowable output of transfer, or if the transfer power is safe if the power is less than a target maximum power).
Regarding claim 11, Galin teaches a charging method using a hybrid charging device figures 1A and 5 shows a hybrid charging device, items 100 and 500 defined in paragraph [0051] as a power system for charging an electric vehicle item 506)
including an alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter (figure 1A power converter 103 [0055] teaches wherein the power converter may be an ACDC converter),
a DC-DC converter and a power combiner (figure 1 item 218 defined in [0085]-[0086] as a merger, which generates a DC power from DC 204 or power converter 204), the charging method comprising:
controlling the AC-DC converter to convert an AC input power to a first DC power (figure 2A item 213 a control device. [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage such as a first DC power);
controlling the DC-DC converter to convert an DC input power to a second DC power (figure 2A item 213 a control device. [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage such as a second DC power); and
controlling the power combiner to generate a charge power for an electric vehicle from at least one of the first DC power or the second DC power (figure 2A item 213 a control device. [0085] discloses wherein control device controls the plurality of switches within the merger to output a desired voltage such as a first DC or second DC power).
Galin does not explicitly teach or suggest wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power.
Tsukada teaches wherein the power combiner is configured to prevent countercurrent flow between the first DC power and the second DC power and reduce a voltage difference between the first DC power and the second DC power (paragraph [0109] discloses a power combiner configured to prevent current from flowing in an unintended direction. Paragraph [0113] discloses reducing or lowering a voltage to desired levels).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the charging system of the Galin reference with the charging system of the Tsukada reference so that power switching loss is prevented.
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in the Tsukada reference in paragraph [0008] wherein power loss is prevented.
Regarding claim 12, Galin teaches the charging method according to claim 11, wherein generating the charge power for the electric vehicle comprises combining the first DC power with the second DC power to generate the charge power when the first DC power and the second DC power are simultaneously inputted (Figure 1A [0052] teaches wherein power converter 103 may include a DCDC or ACDC converter. The power converter outputs a first DC power to loads 110 and/or a second DC power to a power grid. [0073] discloses wherein the Integrated inverter-EV-charger (IIEVC) may transfer power from a power source 101, storage device 109 and the power grid at the same time to allow a selection to be made).
Regarding claim 13, Galin teaches the charging method according to claim 11, further comprising: setting a target power from a charge request from the electric vehicle; and setting a power value of the first DC power and a power value of the second DC power to make the charge power equal to the target power based on an operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter (figure 11 item 1312 discloses a user interface. [0157]-[0158] discloses wherein target powers or parameters may be set and received inputs to set a charging setting. [0198] teaches wherein a target level of power is set and charging is based on the target level of charging).
Regarding claim 14, Galin teaches the charging method according to claim 13, wherein setting the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power comprises: determining a first allowable output power of the AC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the AC-DC converter; determining a second allowable output power of the DC-DC converter based on the operating condition of the DC-DC converter; and setting the power value of the first DC power and the power value of the second DC power to make a ratio between the first DC power and the second DC power equal to a ratio between the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power when a sum of the first allowable output power and the second allowable output power is equal to or more than the target power (paragraph [0084] teaches wherein the conditions of the ACDC and DCDC converter is determined and may be connected or disconnected based on its condition. [0065] discloses wherein the different outputs or power paths are compared to each other, thus a ratio between the two values is determined. [0149] disclose wherein the values are compared to determine an allowable output of transfer, or if the transfer power is safe if the power is less than a target maximum power).
Regarding claim 15, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 8, wherein the operating condition of each of the AC-DC converter and the DC-DC converter includes a detected temperature (paragraph [0076] teaches temperature sensors to monitor temperature within the system).
Regarding claim 16, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 9, wherein the target power is based on a desired voltage level and a desired current level (paragraph [0076] discloses wherein voltage and current are measured and input into a charging circuit to provide a target level)
Regarding claim 17, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 16, wherein the target power is equal to the desired voltage level multiplied by the desired current level (paragraph [0194] teaches wherein the target power is equal to a desired voltage level multiplied by a desired current level).
Regarding claim 16, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 6, wherein the power combiner includes a load sharing integrated chip (paragraph [0012] discloses a shared controlling device).
Regarding claim 19, Galin teaches the charging system according to claim 6, wherein the power combiner is further configured to regulate a current level of each of the first DC power and the second DC power (paragraph [0074] discloses regulation of power).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see , filed 06/18/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claims 1 - 14 under Galin have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Galin in view of Tsukada.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 - 14 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
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Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEXIS B PACHECO whose telephone number is (571)272-5979. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 - 5:30.
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ALEXIS BOATENG PACHECO
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2859
/ALEXIS B PACHECO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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