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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/30/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that Kondou does not disclose the pole shoe wider than the protrusion connected to the yoke. Examiner disagrees. Kondou discloses in ¶ [0058] that the ratio of d/e is between 0.8 to 1.2, where d is the width of the widest part of the protrusion and e is the width of the widest part of the pole shaft. As seen in FIG. 4A, the width of the pole shoe is about the same or wider than the width of the pole shaft. Thus, Kondou does disclose that the width of the pole shoe is wider than the protrusion.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Claim 15 has not been disclosed in the specification. ¶ [0065]-[0068] discloses the method of inserting the stator winding into the stator teeth, but does not disclose “deflecting the endless stator winding in the radial direction of the stator; detaching the circular ring from the pole teeth.” Also, examiner is unable to determine what it means to “deflecting the endless stator winding in the radial direction of the stator.”
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.
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 1-5 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kondou et al. (US 2012/0112600 A1) in view of Ishikawa et al. (US 2014/0354095 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Kondou discloses a stator (2) for an electrical machine (1) of a motor vehicle (¶ [0003]), the stator (2) comprising:
an annular yoke (11) with an inside oriented inwards in the radial direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11);
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a plurality of pole teeth (10) are connected to the annular yoke (11) on the inside of the annular yoke (11) by form fit (FIG 4B; ¶ [0048] press-fit portion 22), and the plurality of pole teeth (10) are mutually spaced in the circumferential direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11), each of the plurality of pole teeth (10) further comprising:
a pole shaft (23); and
a pole shoe (24) adjoining the pole shaft (23; FIG 4A), the pole shaft (23) formed tapering inwardly in the radial direction over the length of the pole shaft (23), starting from the inside of the annular yoke (11) to the pole shoe (23; FIG 4A; ¶ [0050]; the tapering surface starts on the inside of the annular yoke at half way down the pole shaft to the pole shoe);
a protrusion (22) on a side facing the annular yoke (11) and integrally formed with the pole shaft (23), the width of the protrusion (22) being less than the width of the pole shoe (24; ¶ [0058]);
wherein the pole shoe (24) is formed on a side of the pole tooth (10) facing away from the annular yoke (11);
an endless stator winding (8; FIG 3) configured as a mat (¶ [0060] distributed winding) is formed between each of the plurality of pole teeth (10);
wherein a shortest distance Ak (see annotated FIG 4A) between two pole shoes (24) of two of the plurality of pole teeth (10) which are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the stator (2) is smaller than a maximum width Bmax (see annotated FIG 4A) of the endless stator winding (8) in the circumferential direction of the stator (2).
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Kondou does not disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator.
Ishikawa discloses the maximum width Bmax- (Bc) of the endless stator winding (7) in the circumferential direction of the stator (5) is greater than a width bB (Bt) of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator (5; FIG. 10).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Ishikawa to disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator, for the advantages of configuring the stator without causing interference in the coil end portions (¶ [0085]).
Regarding claim 2/1, Kondou in view of Ishikawa was discussed above in claim 1. Kondou further discloses the endless stator winding (8) configured as a mat (¶ [0060] distributed winding) is formed in multiple layers (FIG 4A) relative to the radial direction of the stator (2).
Regarding claim 3/1, Kondou in view of Ishikawa was discussed above in claim 1. Kondou further discloses wherein the protrusion (22) engages in a negative contour and/or recess (18) formed on the inside of the annular yoke (11) for form-fit connection (press-fit) to the annular yoke (11; FIG 4B).
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Regarding claim 4/3, Kondou in view of Ishikawa was discussed above in claim 3. Kondou further discloses the pole shaft further comprising:
a shoulder (see annotated FIG 4B) facing the protrusion (22), the shoulder is at least in portions encased in and/or surrounded by the annular yoke (11);
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wherein the negative contour and/or recess (18) corresponding to the protrusion (22) on the inside of the annular yoke (11) is displaced correspondingly outward in the radial direction of the annular yoke (11) by the engagement depth of the shoulder of the pole shaft (23) or pole tooth (10).
Regarding claim 5/1, Kondou in view of Ishikawa was discussed above in claim 1. Kondou further discloses each of the plurality of pole teeth (10) are connected to the annular yoke (11) via a dovetail connection (FIG 4B; press-fit portion 22 is tapered radially outward).
Regarding claim 14, Kondou discloses an electric machine (1), comprising:
a rotor (3); and
a stator (2), further comprising:
an annular yoke (11) with an inside oriented inwards in the radial direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11);
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a plurality of pole teeth (10) are connected to the annular yoke (11) on the inside of the annular yoke (11) by form fit (FIG 4B; ¶ [0048] press-fit portion 22), and the plurality of pole teeth (10) are mutually spaced in the circumferential direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11), each of the plurality of pole teeth (10) further comprising:
a pole shaft (23); and
a pole shoe (24) adjoining the pole shaft (23; FIG 4A), the pole shaft (23) formed tapering inwardly in the radial direction over the length of the pole shaft (23), starting from the inside of the annular yoke (11) to the pole shoe (23; FIG 4A; ¶ [0050]; the tapering surface starts on the inside of the annular yoke at half way down the pole shaft to the pole shoe);
a protrusion (22) on a side facing the annular yoke (11) and integrally formed with the pole shaft (23), the width of the protrusion (22) being less than the width of the pole shoe (24; ¶ [0058]);
wherein the pole shoe (24) is formed on a side of the pole tooth (10) facing away from the annular yoke (11);
an endless stator winding (8; FIG 3) configured as a mat (¶ [0060] distributed winding) is formed between each of the plurality of pole teeth (10);
wherein a shortest distance Ak (see annotated FIG 4A) between two pole shoes (24) of two of the plurality of pole teeth (10) which are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the stator (2) is smaller than a maximum width Bmax (see annotated FIG 4A) of the endless stator winding (8) in the circumferential direction of the stator (2).
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Kondou does not disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator.
Ishikawa discloses the maximum width Bmax- (Bc) of the endless stator winding (7) in the circumferential direction of the stator (5) is greater than a width bB (Bt) of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator (5; FIG. 10).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Ishikawa to disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator, for the advantages of configuring the stator without causing interference in the coil end portions (¶ [0085]).
Claims 7-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kondou et al. (US 2012/0112600 A1) in view of Ishikawa et al. (US 2014/0354095 A1) and Tsutsui (JP 2011-97723 A).
Regarding claim 7, Kondou discloses a method for producing a stator (2), comprising the steps of:
providing an annular yoke (11) with an inside oriented inwards in the radial direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11);
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providing a plurality of pole teeth (10) connected to the annular yoke (11) on the inside of the annular yoke (11) by form fit (FIG 4B; ¶ [0048] press-fit portion 22), and the plurality of pole teeth (10) are mutually spaced in the circumferential direction (FIG 2) of the annular yoke (11), each of the plurality of pole teeth (10) further comprising:
a pole shaft (23);
a pole shoe (24) adjoining the pole shaft (23) such that the pole shoe (24) is formed on a side of the pole tooth (10) facing away from the annular yoke (11), the pole shaft (23) formed tapering inwardly in the radial direction over the length of the pole shaft (23), starting from the inside of the annular yoke (11) to the pole shoe (23; FIG 4A; ¶ [0050]; the tapering surface starts on the inside of the annular yoke at half way down the pole shaft to the pole shoe);
a protrusion (22) on a side facing the annular yoke (11) and integrally formed with the pole shaft (23), the width of the protrusion (22) being less than the width of the pole shoe (23; ¶ [0058]);
providing an endless stator winding (8; FIG 3) configured as a mat (¶ [0060] distributed winding) formed between each of the plurality of pole teeth (10) such that a shortest distance Ak (see annotated FIG 4A) between two pole shoes (24) of two of the plurality of pole teeth (10) which are adjacent in the circumferential direction of the stator (2) is smaller than a maximum width Bmax (see annotated FIG 4A) of the endless stator winding (8) in the circumferential direction of the stator (2).
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Kondou does not disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator; and
providing a circular ring;
arranging each of the plurality of pole teeth on the circular ring;
while continuously rotating the circular ring about its longitudinal axis, supplying and inserting the endless stator winding configured as a mat in an intermediate space between mutually adjacent pole teeth, starting from a side facing away from the pole shoe;
connecting the plurality of pole teeth having the endless stator winding to the annular yoke in form-fit fashion.
Ishikawa discloses the maximum width Bmax- (Bc) of the endless stator winding (7) in the circumferential direction of the stator (5) is greater than a width bB (Bt) of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator (5; FIG. 10).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Ishikawa to disclose the maximum width Bmax- of the endless stator winding in the circumferential direction of the stator is greater than a width bB of the pole shaft relative to the circumferential direction of the stator, for the advantages of configuring the stator without causing interference in the coil end portions (¶ [0085]).
Tsutsui providing a circular ring (40);
arranging each of the plurality of pole teeth (15) on the circular ring (40; FIG 10);
continuously rotating the circular ring (40) about its longitudinal axis (FIG. 12), supplying and inserting the endless stator winding (20) configured as a mat (FIG 11) in an intermediate space (19) between mutually adjacent pole teeth (15), starting from a side facing away from the pole shoe (15b; FIG 12);
connecting the plurality of pole teeth (15) having the endless stator winding (20) to the annular yoke (13) in form-fit fashion (FIG 13).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Tsutsui to disclose providing a circular ring; arranging each of the plurality of pole teeth on the circular ring; while continuously rotating the circular ring about its longitudinal axis, supplying and inserting the endless stator winding configured as a mat in an intermediate space between mutually adjacent pole teeth, starting from a side facing away from the pole shoe; connecting the plurality of pole teeth having the endless stator winding to the annular yoke in form-fit fashion, for the advantages of increasing the efficiency of winding insertion process.
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Regarding claim 8/7, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 7. Kondou in view of Ishikawa does not disclose providing an insulation paper;
laying the insulation paper between two adjacent of the plurality of pole teeth after arranging the pole teeth on the circular ring and before inserting the endless stator winding configured as a mat.
Tsutsui discloses providing an insulation paper;
laying the insulation paper between two adjacent of the plurality of pole teeth (15) after arranging the pole teeth (15) on the circular ring (40) and before inserting the endless stator winding (20) configured as a mat.
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui to disclose providing an insulation paper; laying the insulation paper between two adjacent of the plurality of pole teeth after arranging the pole teeth on the circular ring and before inserting the endless stator winding configured as a mat, for the advantages of ensuring insulation of the coil from the stator teeth.
Regarding claim 9/8, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 8. Tsutsui further discloses for arranging the endless stator winding (20) configured as a mat, the circular ring (40) is turned about its longitudinal axis (FIG 12).
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Regarding claim 10/9, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 9. Kondou further discloses arranging the endless stator winding (8) in the intermediate space (12) between the pole teeth (10) in multiple layers (eight layers) in the radial direction of the stator (2; FIG 4A).
Regarding claim 11/10, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 10. Kondou further discloses introducing the pole teeth (10) in corresponding recesses (18) on the inside of the annular yoke (11) in the axial direction of the stator (2) or annular yoke (11).
Regarding claim 12/11, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 11. Kondou does not disclose pressing the pole teeth having the endless stator winding, at least in portions, into corresponding recesses on the inside of the annular yoke in the radial direction of the stator; and
fixing the pole teeth having the endless stator winding in the annular yoke by shaping and/or shrinking.
Tsutsui discloses pressing the pole teeth (15) having the endless stator winding (20), at least in portions, into corresponding recesses (25) on the inside of the annular yoke (14) in the radial direction of the stator (1); and
fixing the pole teeth (15) having the endless stator winding (20) in the annular yoke (14) by shaping and/or shrinking (tooth is fitted to the yoke).
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Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kondou et al. (US 2012/0112600 A1) in view of Ishikawa et al. (US 2014/0354095 A1) and Tsutsui (JP 2011-97723 A) as applied to claim 12 above, and further in view of Saint-Michel et al. (US 2021/0203197 A1).
Regarding claim 13/12, Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui was discussed above in claim 12. Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui does not disclose in addition to the form fit, connecting the annular yoke and the pole teeth together by substance bonding.
Saint-Michel discloses in addition to the form fit (FIG 10), connecting the annular yoke (29) and the pole teeth (23) together by substance bonding (¶ [0164] clipping, rivets, tie rods, welding or any other technique).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to have modified Kondou in view of Ishikawa and Tsutsui, further in view of Saint-Michel to disclose in addition to the form fit, connecting the annular yoke and the pole teeth together by substance bonding, to ensure that the yoke and the teeth are firmly attached together (¶ [0164] held together).
Conclusion
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 MINKI CHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-0521. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 AM - 5:00 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, Seye Iwarere can be reached at (571) 270-5112. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MINKI CHANG/Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/OLUSEYE IWARERE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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