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
Applicant’s election of Species I in the reply filed on 04/21/2026 is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)).
Applicant’s election without traverse of Species I in the reply filed on 04/21/2026 is acknowledged.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-2, 8, and 16-24 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1, line 11, recites “the first magnetic core elements” should be --the first magnetic core element--.
Claim 1, line 13, recites “the second magnetic core elements” should be --the second magnetic core element--.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 2, 8, and 19-24 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 2, lines 16-17, recites “a second air gap is provided between the first series resonant winding leg and the second magnetic core element” is indefinite and unclear since there is a first series resonant winding leg of the third magnetic core element and a first series resonant winding leg of the fourth magnetic core element.
Claim 8 recites “each magnetic core element is an E core element” is indefinite and unclear. As best understood, the claim limitation should state “each of the first, second, third and fourth magnetic core elements is an E core element”.
Claim 20 recites the limitation "the second series resonant winding leg" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. Claim 16 recites “a bidirectional LLC resonant converter comprising an input converter, an output converter, a transformer, a series resonant inductance on a primary side of the transformer, a series resonant inductance on a secondary side of the transformer” which is already claimed in claim 1. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
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 and 16-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Yang [CN 106936320].
Regarding Claim 1, Yang shows an integrated magnetic component (Fig. 5 with teachings from Figs. 1-4) for a bidirectional LLC resonant converter (Abstract, see English translation) with an input converter (see Figs. 1-4, left portion of Figs. 1-4), an output converter (see Figs. 1-4, right portion of Figs. 1-4), a transformer (TR1), a first series resonant inductance (L11) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of TR1) and a second series resonant inductance (L12) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of TR1), the integrated magnetic component comprising a first magnetic core element (left element 4) and a second magnetic core element (right element 4), wherein each of the first and the second magnetic core elements comprises a yoke and at least two legs (see Fig. 5, left and right elements 4 have a yoke and at least two legs, see English translation), wherein
a) the first and the second magnetic core elements are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row (see Fig. 5, left and right elements 4 are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row); and
b) a first primary winding part (N11) of the transformer is arranged on a first primary winding leg of the first magnetic core elements (see Fig. 5), a first secondary winding part (N12) of the transformer is arranged on a first secondary winding leg of the second magnetic core elements (see Fig. 5), wherein the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux (the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux since elements N11, N12 forms element TR1, as of limitation "the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux", it is seen that the Yang reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux).
Regarding Claim 16, Yang shows a bidirectional LLC resonant converter (Abstract, see English translation) comprising an input converter (see Figs. 1-4, left portion of Figs. 1-4), an output converter (see Figs. 1-4, right portion of Figs. 1-4), a transformer (TR1), a series resonant inductance (L11) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of TR1), a series resonant inductance (L12) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of TR1) and an integrated magnetic component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Regarding Claim 17, Yang shows further comprising two resonant capacitors (C11, C12).
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) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang in view of Uryu [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0235657].
Regarding Claim 18, Yang shows the claimed invention of an integrated magnetic component as applied above but does not explicitly show the electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity.
Uryu shows the electric vehicle (Paragraph [0001]) comprises a chassis (3) having a cavity (see Figs. 1-21, element 3 have a cavity), wherein the integrated magnetic component (2) is potted (8) within the cavity (see Figs. 1-21).
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 electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity as taught by Uryu for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Yang to prevent deteriorating in characteristics such as a worsening of efficiency of the device and stabilize the function of the device (Paragraph [0055]).
Claim(s) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yang in view of Hiratani et al. [WO 2022/079871].
Regarding Claim 18, Yang shows the claimed invention of an integrated magnetic component as applied above but does not explicitly show the electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity.
Hiratani et al. shows the electric vehicle (see Fig. 1, see English translation) comprises a chassis (31) having a cavity (see Fig. 3, element 31 have a cavity), wherein the integrated magnetic component (20) is potted (3P) within the cavity (see Figs. 1-3).
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 electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity as taught by Hiratani et al. for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Yang to protect the device and achieve heat dissipation (see English translation).
Claim(s) 1-2, 8, 16-17, and 19-24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Njiende et al. [U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0054378] in view of Yang [CN 106936320].
Regarding Claim 1 (1st interpretation), Njiende et al. shows an integrated magnetic component (Fig. 4 with teachings from Figs. 1, 3, and 7) for a LLC resonant converter (Paragraphs [0082], [0121]) with an input converter (201, 101, or elements Q11, Q12, Q21, Q22 forms an input converter), an output converter (D11, D21 or D1, D2 forms an output converter), a transformer (see Fig. 4), a first series resonant inductance (Lr1) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of Fig. 4) and a second series resonant inductance (Lr2) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of Fig. 4), the integrated magnetic component comprising a first magnetic core element (E2) and a second magnetic core element (E3), wherein each of the first and the second magnetic core elements comprises a yoke and at least two legs (see Fig. 4, elements E2, E3 have a yoke and at least two legs), wherein
a) the first and the second magnetic core elements are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row (see Fig. 4, elements E2, E3 are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row); and
b) a first primary winding part (P1) of the transformer is arranged on a first primary winding leg (121.2) of the first magnetic core elements (E2), a first secondary winding part (P2 or S2) of the transformer is arranged on a first secondary winding leg (121.3) of the second magnetic core elements (E3), wherein the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux (see Fig. 4, elements 121.2, 121.3 encompass the same magnetic flux, as of limitation "the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux", it is seen that the Njiende et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux).
Njiende et al. does not explicitly disclose a bidirectional LLC resonant converter.
Yang shows an integrated magnetic component (Fig. 5 with teachings from Figs. 1-4) for a bidirectional LLC resonant converter (Abstract, see English translation) with an input converter (see Figs. 1-4, left portion of Figs. 1-4), an output converter (see Figs. 1-4, right portion of Figs. 1-4), a transformer (TR1).
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 a bidirectional LLC resonant converter as taught by Yang for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Njiende et al. to achieve electric energy or large power, high-ratio, small volume, and bidirectional high efficiency operation (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 1 (2nd interpretation), Njiende et al. shows an integrated magnetic component (Fig. 8 with teachings from Figs. 1, 3, and 7) for a LLC resonant converter (Paragraphs [0082], [0121]) with an input converter (201, 101, or elements Q11, Q12, Q21, Q22 forms an input converter), an output converter (D11, D21 or D1, D2 forms an output converter), a transformer (see Fig. 8), a first series resonant inductance (Lr1) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of Fig. 8) and a second series resonant inductance (Lr2) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of Fig. 8), the integrated magnetic component comprising a first magnetic core element (E2) and a second magnetic core element (E3), wherein each of the first and the second magnetic core elements comprises a yoke and at least two legs (see Fig. 8, elements E2, E3 have a yoke and at least two legs), wherein
a) the first and the second magnetic core elements are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row (see Fig. 8, elements E2, E3 are stacked one on another such that respective legs are arranged in a row); and
b) a first primary winding part (P) of the transformer is arranged on a first primary winding leg (221.2) of the first magnetic core elements (E2), a first secondary winding part (S) of the transformer is arranged on a first secondary winding leg (221.3) of the second magnetic core elements (E3), wherein the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux (see Fig. 8, elements 221.2, 221.3 encompass the same magnetic flux, as of limitation "the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux", it is seen that the Njiende et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux).
Njiende et al. does not explicitly disclose a bidirectional LLC resonant converter.
Yang shows an integrated magnetic component (Fig. 5 with teachings from Figs. 1-4) for a bidirectional LLC resonant converter (Abstract, see English translation) with an input converter (see Figs. 1-4, left portion of Figs. 1-4), an output converter (see Figs. 1-4, right portion of Figs. 1-4), a transformer (TR1).
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 a bidirectional LLC resonant converter as taught by Yang for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Njiende et al. to achieve electric energy or large power, high-ratio, small volume, and bidirectional high efficiency operation (Abstract, see English translation).
Regarding Claim 2, Njiende et al. shows the integrated magnetic component comprises a third magnetic core element (E1) and a fourth magnetic core element (E4), each of the third magnetic core element and the fourth magnetic core element comprises a yoke and at least two legs (see Fig. 4, elements E1, E4 have a yoke and at least two legs);
the third magnetic core element (E1) is stacked to the first magnetic core element (E2, see Fig. 4), a first series resonant winding part (123) of the first series resonant inductance (Lr1) is arranged on a first series resonant winding leg (121.1) of the third magnetic core element (E1) and is connected in series with the first primary winding part (P1, see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0103]), wherein the first series resonant winding leg (121.1) and the first primary winding leg (121.2) encompass the same magnetic flux (see Fig. 4, elements 121.1, 121.2 encompass the same magnetic flux, as of limitation "the first series resonant winding leg and the first primary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux", it is seen that the Njiende et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the first series resonant winding leg and the first primary winding leg encompass the same magnetic flux) and wherein a first air gap (141.1) is provided between first series resonant winding leg and the first magnetic core element (see Fig. 4),
the fourth magnetic core element (E4) is stacked to the second magnetic core element (E3), a first series resonant winding part (124) of the second series resonant inductance (Lr2) is arranged on a first series resonant winding leg (121.4) of the fourth magnetic core element (E4) and is connected in series with the first secondary winding part (P2, see Fig. 4, Paragraph [0104]), wherein the first series resonant winding leg (121.4) of the fourth magnetic core element (E4) and the first secondary winding leg (121.3) of the second magnetic core element (E3) encompass the same magnetic flux (see Fig. 4, elements 121.4, 121.3 encompass the same magnetic flux, as of limitation "the first series resonant winding leg of the fourth magnetic core element and the first secondary winding leg of the second magnetic core element encompass the same magnetic flux", it is seen that the Njiende et al. reference has the same structural limitations as of the invention, therefore, it is inherent to be labeled as the first series resonant winding leg of the fourth magnetic core element and the first secondary winding leg of the second magnetic core element encompass the same magnetic flux) and wherein a second air gap (141.4) is provided between the first series resonant winding leg and the second magnetic core element (see Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 8, Njiende et al. shows each magnetic core element (E1, E2, E3, E4) is an E core element (see Fig. 4) and wherein each primary winding leg (121.1, 121.2) and each secondary winding leg (121.3, 121.4) is an inner leg (see Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 16, Njiende et al. shows a LLC resonant converter (Paragraphs [0082], [0121]) with an input converter (201, 101, or elements Q11, Q12, Q21, Q22 forms an input converter), an output converter (D11, D21 or D1, D2 forms an output converter), a transformer (see Fig. 4 or Fig. 8), a first series resonant inductance (Lr1) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of Fig. 4 or Fig. 8) and a second series resonant inductance (Lr2) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of Fig. 4 or Fig. 8) and an integrated magnetic component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Yang shows a bidirectional LLC resonant converter (Abstract, see English translation) comprising an input converter (see Figs. 1-4, left portion of Figs. 1-4), an output converter (see Figs. 1-4, right portion of Figs. 1-4), a transformer (TR1), a series resonant inductance (L11) on a primary side of the transformer (left portion of TR1), a series resonant inductance (L12) on a secondary side of the transformer (right portion of TR1) and an integrated magnetic component according to claim 1 (see claim 1 rejection above).
Regarding Claim 17, Yang shows further comprising two resonant capacitors (C11, C12).
Regarding Claim 19, Njiende et al. shows the first primary winding part (P1), the first secondary winding part (P2), the first series resonant winding part (123) of the first series resonant inductance (Lr1) and the first series resonant winding part (124) of the second series resonant inductance (Lr2) are adapted such that a resulting magnetic flux of the first primary winding part (P1), the first secondary winding part (P2), the first series resonant winding part (123) of the first series resonant inductance (Lr1) and the first series resonant winding part (124) of the second series resonant inductance (Lr2) within the yoke of the first magnetic core element (E2) at least partially compensate each other (see Fig. 4, elements P1, P2, 123, 124 are adapted such that a resulting magnetic flux of elements P1, P2, 123, 124 within the yoke of element E2 at least partially compensate each other) and such that a resulting magnetic flux of the first primary winding part (P1), the first secondary winding part (P2), the first series resonant winding part (123) of the first series resonant inductance (Lr1) and the first series resonant winding part (124) of the second series resonant inductance (Lr2) within the yoke of the second magnetic core element (E3) at least partially compensate each other (see Fig. 4, elements P1, P2, 123, 124 are adapted such that a resulting magnetic flux of elements P1, P2, 123, 124 within the yoke of element E3 at least partially compensate each other).
Regarding Claim 20, Njiende et al. shows the first primary winding leg (121.2), the first secondary winding leg (121.3), the first series resonant winding leg (121.1) and the second series resonant winding leg (121.4) are aligned in a row (see Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 21, Njiende et al. shows a third air gap (141.23) is formed between the first primary winding leg and the first secondary winding leg (see Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 22, Njiende et al. shows the first magnetic core element (E2) and the second magnetic core element (E3) are arranged such that respective legs of the first magnetic core element and the second magnetic core element face each other (see Fig. 4), the third magnetic core element (E1) is arranged with legs facing the yoke of the first magnetic core element (E2, see Fig. 4), and the fourth magnetic core element (E4) is arranged with legs facing the yoke of the second magnetic core element (E3, see Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 23, Njiende et al. shows the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetic core elements (E2, E3, E1, E4) comprise a same number of legs (see Fig. 4, elements E2, E3, E1, E4 have a same number of legs).
Regarding Claim 24, Njiende et al. shows for each of the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetic core elements (E2, E3, E1, E4), at least one of the legs is a flux return leg (see Fig. 4, elements E2, E3, E1, E4 have at least one of the legs is a flux return leg).
Claim(s) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Njiende et al. in view of Yang as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Uryu [U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0235657].
Regarding Claim 18, Njiende et al. in view of Yang shows the claimed invention of an integrated magnetic component as applied above but does not explicitly show the electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity.
Uryu shows the electric vehicle (Paragraph [0001]) comprises a chassis (3) having a cavity (see Figs. 1-21, element 3 have a cavity), wherein the integrated magnetic component (2) is potted (8) within the cavity (see Figs. 1-21).
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 electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity as taught by Uryu for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Njiende et al. in view of Yang to prevent deteriorating in characteristics such as a worsening of efficiency of the device and stabilize the function of the device (Paragraph [0055]).
Claim(s) 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Njiende et al. in view of Yang as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Hiratani et al. [WO 2022/079871].
Regarding Claim 18, Njiende et al. in view of Yang shows the claimed invention of an integrated magnetic component as applied above but does not explicitly show the electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity.
Hiratani et al. shows the electric vehicle (see Fig. 1, see English translation) comprises a chassis (31) having a cavity (see Fig. 3, element 31 have a cavity), wherein the integrated magnetic component (20) is potted (3P) within the cavity (see Figs. 1-3).
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 electric vehicle comprises a chassis having a cavity, wherein the integrated magnetic component is potted within the cavity as taught by Hiratani et al. for the integrated magnetic component as disclosed by Njiende et al. in view of Yang to protect the device and achieve heat dissipation (see English translation).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TSZFUNG J CHAN whose telephone number is (571)270-7981. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 8:00AM-6:00PM.
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/TSZFUNG J CHAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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