Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/272,883

Battery Module and Battery Pack Including the Same

Non-Final OA §102§OTHER
Filed
Jul 18, 2023
Priority
Mar 29, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0040650 +1 more
Examiner
ALEJANDRO, RAYMOND
Art Unit
1752
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allowance Rate
920 granted / 1160 resolved
+14.3% vs TC avg
Strong +22% interview lift
Without
With
+22.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
38 currently pending
Career history
1218
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
68.2%
+28.2% vs TC avg
§102
12.5%
-27.5% vs TC avg
§112
8.1%
-31.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1160 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §OTHER
DETAILED ACTION The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Priority Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/23/24 and 07/18/23 was considered by the examiner. Drawings The drawings were received on 07/18/23. Specification Applicant is reminded of the proper language and format for an abstract of the disclosure. The abstract should be in narrative form and generally limited to a single paragraph on a separate sheet within the range of 50 to 150 words in length. The abstract should describe the disclosure sufficiently to assist readers in deciding whether there is a need for consulting the full patent text for details. The language should be clear and concise and should not repeat information given in the title. It should avoid using phrases which can be implied, such as, “The disclosure concerns,” “The disclosure defined by this invention,” “The disclosure describes,” “according to one embodiment of the present disclosure”, etc. In addition, the form and legal phraseology often used in patent claims, such as “means” and “said,” should be avoided. The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. It does not appear to capture the essence of the disclosed/claimed invention. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. Claim(s) 1-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by the publication KR 10-2015-0050314 (heretofore KR’314). As to claims 1-4, 11: KR’314 discloses that it is known in the art to make a modular battery pack (battery module) (0006-0010; 0033-0039; 0080-0093; 0095-0110; see Figures 9-13) comprising stacked battery cells including electrode leads/tabs/connectors projecting/protruding therefrom; a busbar/connector assembly including a first side/surface including slit/openings/holes/orifices for receiving and connecting the electrode leads/tabs/connectors projecting/protruding from the battery cells; a sensor including a sensing element/assembly placed/disposed on the busbar/connector so that a second side/surface of the busbar/connector assembly on the opposite side of the first side/surface is joined/mated with the sensing element/assembly (0006-0010; 0033-0039; 0080-0093; 0095-0110; see Figures 9-13). Figures 9-11, infra, illustrate the battery module including the busbar/connector assembly and the stacked battery cells comprising the electrode leads/tabs/connectors projecting/protruding therefrom PNG media_image1.png 660 378 media_image1.png Greyscale PNG media_image2.png 738 356 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image3.png 726 342 media_image3.png Greyscale As to claim 5: KR’314 discloses through-holes (gaps, slits, orifices) formed on a part, portion, region, section, area of the busbar/connector assembly placed on top/partly covering another part, portion, region, section, area of the busbar/connector assembly joined/mated with the sensing element/assembly (0080-0093; 0095-0110; see Figures 9 & 11). As to claims 6-8: In KR’314, the busbar/connector assembly comprises a plurality of mounting/framed parts/portions/areas/zones/sections including a recessed portion/area where the busbar/connector is placed and projecting/protruding elements protruding from the busbar/connector assembly so that the electrode leads/tabs/connectors project/protrude through the busbar/connector slit/openings/holes/orifices (see Figures 9 & 11-13). Figures 9, & 1-13, supra, depicts the mounting/framed parts/portions/areas/zones/sections widens towards the stacked battery cells. As to claims 9-10: KR’314 discloses the sensor comprising an upper connecting component (i.e., module connector) so that a connecting wire/cable connects the connecting component and the busbar/connector assembly joined/mated with the sensing element/assembly (0080-0093; 0095-0110; see Figures 9-11 & 13) Thus, the present claims are anticipated. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The following references disclose battery modules/pack including a plurality of battery cells connected via a busbar/connector: Motohashi et al’270 and Kwon et al’559. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RAYMOND ALEJANDRO whose telephone number is (571)272-1282. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday (8:00 am-6:30 pm). Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nicholas A. Smith can be reached at (571) 272-8760. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /RAYMOND ALEJANDRO/ Primary Examiner Art Unit 1752
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 18, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §OTHER
May 04, 2026
Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12640388
Method And Apparatus For Manufacturing Unit Cell
3y 1m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12640419
PRE-FORMED BATTERY CELL THERMAL BARRIER
3y 5m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12640411
POWER SUPPLY CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS
2y 7m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12633576
BATTERY CELL, BATTERY MODULE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY CELL
2y 10m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12627001
SEPARATOR FOR LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY, THE METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME
3y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+22.3%)
3y 4m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1160 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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