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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 7-10 and 12 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected Species II-IV, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 03/23/2026.
Applicant's election with traverse of Species I in the reply filed on 03/23/2026 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that Species I: Fig. 1 and Species V: Fig. 5 depict represent one unified invention rather than separate embodiment. This is found persuasive and Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 can be examined. Moreover, Species II-IV would still impose additional search burden.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-6, 11, and 13-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites “at least one first electrical winding” and later recites “the first electrical winding” is indefinite and unclear. If the claim limitation is “at least one first electrical winding” then later claim limitations should recite “the at least one first electrical winding” from the dependent claims. If the claim limitation is “the first electrical winding” then the first instance of the claim limitation should recite “a first electrical winding”. The examiner suggests clarification.
Claim 1 recites “at least one second electrical winding” and later recites “the second electrical winding” is indefinite and unclear. If the claim limitation is “at least one second electrical winding” then later claim limitations should recite “the at least one second electrical winding” from the independent claim and dependent claims. If the claim limitation is “the second electrical winding” then the first instance of the claim limitation should recite “a second electrical winding”. The examiner suggests clarification.
Claim 11 recites “no windings” is indefinite and unclear whether the term “no windings” applies only to “first electrical winding” and “second electrical winding” as claimed in claim 1. The examiner suggests clarification.
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.
Claim(s) 1-4, 11, and 13-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Matsumoto [JP 2014-063856].
Regarding Claim 1, Matsumoto shows a converter component (Figs. 6-8 with teachings from Figs. 1-5 [1st interpretation] OR see Figs. 1-3 [2nd interpretation]) for LLC resonant converters (Paragraph [0026]), comprising:
at least one magnetic core (E2A) comprising at least three legs (IL2, IL1, OL1, and/or OL2);
at least one first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D of Figs. 6-8 or elements Ns1, Ns2 of Figs. 1-3); and
at least one second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C of Figs. 6-8 or elements Np at elements B and C of Figs. 1-3); wherein
the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C of Figs. 6-8 or elements Np at elements B and C of Figs. 1-3) is wound so as to at least once and at least partially surround at least one first leg (IL2) and at least one second leg (IL1) of the at least three legs of the magnetic core (see Figs. 6 and 8 or see Figs. 1-3).
Regarding Claim 2, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is wound so as to at least once and fully surround the first leg (IL2) of the magnetic core (see Figs. 6 and 8, Paragraph [0029]).
Regarding Claim 3, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is wound so as to not surround the second leg (IL2) of the magnetic core (see Figs. 6 and 8).
Regarding Claim 4, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) and the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 7-8, elements Np1 at elements A and D and elements Ns1 at elements B and C are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 11, Matsumoto shows of the at least three legs of the magnetic core, at least one third leg (OL1 or OL2) is a return leg with no windings wound around (see Fig. 3 or see Fig. 6, elements Np1 at elements A and D of Figs. 6-8 and elements Ns1 at elements B and C of Figs. 6-8 are not wound around element OL1 or OL2).
Regarding Claim 13, Matsumoto shows the magnetic core comprises at least one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) connecting magnetically the at least three legs (see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 14, Matsumoto shows all legs (IL2, IL1, OL1, and/or OL2) and the at least one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) of the magnetic core are formed integrally with one another (see Figs. 6-8, elements IL2, IL1, OL1, and/or OL2 and element BSP1 are formed integrally with one another).
Regarding Claim 15, Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), the at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E- shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6 or see Fig. 1, Paragraphs [0020], [0027]), wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B or E1, I1) are stacked facing each other along a first direction (see Fig. 6 or see Fig. 1), and at least a part of at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6 or see Fig. 1).
Regarding Claim 16, Matsumoto shows an LLC resonant converter (Paragraph [0026]), comprising at least one converter component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above), wherein the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Lr) and magnetizing inductance (Lm, see Fig. 4), and the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]).
Regarding Claim 17, Matsumoto show the first leg (IL2) of the magnetic core is fully surrounded by the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) at least once (see Figs. 6 and 8, Paragraph [0029]), and at least one third leg (OL1 or OL2) of the magnetic core is a return leg neither surrounded by the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) nor the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C, see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 18, Matsumoto shows the second leg (IL1) of the magnetic core is not surrounded by first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D, see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 19, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) and the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 7-8, elements Np1 at elements A and D and elements Ns1 at elements B and C are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 20, Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6, Paragraph [0027]), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 6-8, elements E2A, E2B are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 21, Matsumoto shows the at least one third leg (OL1 or OL2) is arranged on one or more outer sides of the at least one magnetic core (see Fig. 3).
Regarding Claim 22, Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2) is wound by both the at least one first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) and the at least one second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C, see Figs. 6-8), and the at least one second leg (IL1) is wound by only the at least one second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C, see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 23, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) and the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) are stacked on top of one another along the first direction and without being wound around one another (see Figs. 6-8, elements Np1 at elements A and D and elements Ns1 at elements B and C are stacked on top of one another along the first direction and without being wound around one another).
Regarding Claim 24, Matsumoto shows the at least one first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is primary winding (Paragraph [0029]) and the least one second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) is secondary winding (Paragraph [0029]).
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.
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Matsumoto in view of Kang et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2019/0362880].
Regarding Claim 5, Matsumoto shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the second leg comprises a first rounded surface configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding.
Kang et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 9-16C) teaching and suggesting the second leg (INBb) comprises a first rounded surface (see Fig. 16A, Paragraph [0222]) configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding (CLIN).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second leg comprises a first rounded surface configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding as taught by Kang et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Matsumoto to have the first electrical winding wound easily (Paragraph [0222]).
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Matsumoto in view of Hirota et al. [JP 2011-082205].
Regarding Claim 6, Matsumoto shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the second electrical winding is U-shaped and partially surrounds the first leg and the second leg.
Hirota et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 4-6) teaching and suggesting the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is U-shaped (see Figs. 4-6, Paragraph [0033]) and partially surrounds the first leg (17a) and the second leg (18a).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second electrical winding is U-shaped and partially surrounds the first leg and the second leg as taught by Hirota et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Matsumoto to achieve desirable inductance values with size of the converter effectively reduced (Abstract, Advantage).
Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Matsumoto in view of Shimizu et al. [JP 2017-037925].
Regarding Claim 6, Matsumoto shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the second electrical winding is U-shaped and partially surrounds the first leg and the second leg.
Shimizu et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 2-4) teaching and suggesting the second electrical winding (52) is U-shaped (see Figs. 2-4, Paragraph [0024]) and partially surrounds the first leg (56) and the second leg (59).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second electrical winding is U-shaped and partially surrounds the first leg and the second leg as taught by Shimizu et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Matsumoto to achieve desirable inductance values with reduced loss of resonance inductor and low loss (Abstract, Advantage).
Claim(s) 16-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Matsumoto in view of Hsiao et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0331383].
Regarding Claim 16, Matsumoto shows an LLC resonant converter (Paragraph [0026]), comprising at least one converter component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above), wherein the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Lr) and magnetizing inductance (Lm, see Fig. 4), and the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]).
In addition, Hsiao et al. shows an LLC resonant converter (Figs. 1-10) teaching and suggesting the magnetic core (Paragraph [0016]) is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Paragraph [0016]) and magnetizing inductance (Paragraph [0016]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance and magnetizing inductance as taught by Hsiao et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Matsumoto to enable compact transformer designs, and reduce eddy current effectively, thus achieving high efficiency at a low cost (Paragraph [0016]).
Regarding Claim 17, Matsumoto show the first leg (IL2) of the magnetic core is fully surrounded by the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) at least once (see Figs. 6 and 8, Paragraph [0029]), and at least one third leg (OL1 or OL2) of the magnetic core is a return leg neither surrounded by the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) nor the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C, see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 18, Matsumoto shows the second leg (IL1) of the magnetic core is not surrounded by first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D, see Figs. 6-8).
Regarding Claim 19, Matsumoto shows the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) and the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 7-8, elements Np1 at elements A and D and elements Ns1 at elements B and C are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 20, Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6, Paragraph [0027]), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 6-8, elements E2A, E2B are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6).
Claim(s) 1-4, 6, 11, and 13-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hirota et al. [JP 2011-082205] in view of Matsumoto [JP 2014-063856].
Regarding Claim 1, Hirota et al. shows a converter component (Paragraph [0001], Figs. 1-6), comprising:
at least one magnetic core (17, Paragraph [0039]) comprising at least three legs (17a, 18a, 17b, and/or 17c);
at least one first electrical winding (11); and
at least one second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20); wherein
the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is wound so as to at least once and at least partially surround at least one first leg (17a) and at least one second leg (18a) of the at least three legs of the magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6).
In addition, Matsumoto show a converter component (Figs. 6-8 with teachings from Figs. 1-5) for LLC resonant converters (Paragraph [0026]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have for LLC resonant converters as taught by Matsumoto for the converter component as disclosed by Hirota et al. to achieve a highly efficient topology and highly efficient power conversion (Paragraphs [0011], [0026]).
Regarding Claim 2, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) is wound so as to at least once and fully surround the first leg (17a) of the magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6, Paragraph [0028]).
Regarding Claim 3, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) is wound so as to not surround the second leg (18a) of the magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 4, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) and the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 4-6, element 11 and elements 21, 22 of element 20 are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 6, Hirota et al. shows the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is U-shaped (see Figs. 4-6, Paragraph [0033]) and partially surrounds the first leg (17a) and the second leg (18a).
Regarding Claim 11, Hirota et al. shows of the at least three legs of the magnetic core, at least one third leg (17b or 17c) is a return leg with no windings wound around (see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 13, Hirota et al. shows the magnetic core comprises at least one plate-shaped body portion (17d) connecting magnetically the at least three legs (see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 14, Hirota et al. shows all legs (17a, 18a, 17b, and/or 17c) and the at least one plate-shaped body portion (17d) of the magnetic core are formed integrally with one another (see Figs. 4-6, elements 17a, 18a, 17b, and/or 17c and element 17d are formed integrally with one another).
Regarding Claim 15, Hirota et al. shows the at least one first leg (17a), the at least one third leg (17b, 17c), and one plate-shaped body portion (17d) form a U-shaped or E- shaped magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6), wherein two of such magnetic cores (17, 18) are stacked facing each other along a first direction (see Figs. 4-6), and at least a part of at least one second leg (18a) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Figs. 4-6).
Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), the at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E- shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6, Paragraph [0027]), wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B) are stacked facing each other along a first direction (see Fig. 6), and at least a part of at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 16, Matsumoto shows an LLC resonant converter (Paragraph [0026]), comprising at least one converter component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above of Hirota et al.), wherein the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Lr) and magnetizing inductance (Lm, see Fig. 4), and the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]).
Hirota et al. also shows the first electrical winding (11) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0028]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0033]).
Regarding Claim 17, Hirota et al. show the first leg (17a) of the magnetic core is fully surrounded by the first electrical winding (11) at least once (see Figs. 4-6, Paragraph [0028]), and at least one third leg (17b or 17c) of the magnetic core is a return leg neither surrounded by the first electrical winding (11) nor the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20, see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 18, Hirota et al. shows the second leg (18a) of the magnetic core is not surrounded by first electrical winding (11, see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 19, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) and the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 4-6, element 11 and elements 21, 22 of element 20 are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 20, Hirota et al. shows the at least one first leg (17a), at least one third leg (17b, 17c), and one plate-shaped body portion (17d) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (17, 18) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 4-6, elements 17, 18 are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (18a) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Figs. 4-6).
Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6, Paragraph [0027]), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 6-8, elements E2A, E2B are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 21, Hirota et al. shows the at least one third leg (17b or 17c) is arranged on one or more outer sides of the at least one magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 22, Hirota et al. shows the at least one first leg (17a) is wound by both the at least one first electrical winding (11) and the at least one second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20, see Figs. 4-6), and the at least one second leg (18a) is wound by only the at least one second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20, see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 23, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) and the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) are stacked on top of one another along the first direction and without being wound around one another (see Figs. 4-6, element 11 and elements 21, 22 of element 20 are stacked on top of one another along the first direction and without being wound around one another).
Regarding Claim 24, Hirota et al. shows the at least one first electrical winding (11) is primary winding (Paragraph [0028]) and the least one second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is secondary winding (Paragraph [0033]).
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hirota et al. in view of Matsumoto as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Kang et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2019/0362880].
Regarding Claim 5, Hirota et al. in view of Matsumoto shows the claimed invention as applied above but does not show the second leg comprises a first rounded surface configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding.
Kang et al. shows a transformer (Figs. 9-16C) teaching and suggesting the second leg (INBb) comprises a first rounded surface (see Fig. 16A, Paragraph [0222]) configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding (CLIN).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the second leg comprises a first rounded surface configured to accommodate an outer surface of the first electrical winding as taught by Kang et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Hirota et al. in view of Matsumoto to have the first electrical winding wound easily (Paragraph [0222]).
Claim(s) 16-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hirota et al. in view of Matsumoto as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Hsiao et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0331383].
Regarding Claim 16, Matsumoto shows an LLC resonant converter (Paragraph [0026]), comprising at least one converter component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above), wherein the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Lr) and magnetizing inductance (Lm, see Fig. 4), and the first electrical winding (elements Np1 at elements A and D) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements Ns1 at elements B and C) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0029]).
Hirota et al. also shows the first electrical winding (11) is a primary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0028]) and/or the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) is a secondary-side electrical winding (Paragraph [0033]).
In addition, Hsiao et al. shows an LLC resonant converter (Figs. 1-10) teaching and suggesting the magnetic core (Paragraph [0016]) is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance (Paragraph [0016]) and magnetizing inductance (Paragraph [0016]).
Before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the magnetic core is adapted for comprising an integrated resonant inductance and magnetizing inductance as taught by Hsiao et al. for the converter component as disclosed by Hirota et al. in view of Matsumoto to enable compact transformer designs, and reduce eddy current effectively, thus achieving high efficiency at a low cost (Paragraph [0016]).
Regarding Claim 17, Hirota et al. show the first leg (17a) of the magnetic core is fully surrounded by the first electrical winding (11) at least once (see Figs. 4-6, Paragraph [0028]), and at least one third leg (17b or 17c) of the magnetic core is a return leg neither surrounded by the first electrical winding (11) nor the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20, see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 18, Hirota et al. shows the second leg (18a) of the magnetic core is not surrounded by first electrical winding (11, see Figs. 4-6).
Regarding Claim 19, Hirota et al. shows the first electrical winding (11) and the second electrical winding (elements 21, 22 of element 20) are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 4-6, element 11 and elements 21, 22 of element 20 are stacked along a first direction parallel to a winding axis).
Regarding Claim 20, Hirota et al. shows the at least one first leg (17a), at least one third leg (17b, 17c), and one plate-shaped body portion (17d) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Figs. 4-6), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (17, 18) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 4-6, elements 17, 18 are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (18a) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Figs. 4-6).
Matsumoto shows the at least one first leg (IL2), at least one third leg (OL1, OL2), and one plate-shaped body portion (BSP1) form a U-shaped or E-shaped magnetic core (see Fig. 6, Paragraph [0027]), and wherein two of such magnetic cores (E2A, E2B) are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis of the electrical windings (see Figs. 6-8, elements E2A, E2B are stacked facing each other along a first direction parallel to a winding axis), and at least a part of the at least one second leg (IL1) is inserted between the stacked magnetic cores (see Fig. 6).
Conclusion
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/TSZFUNG J CHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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