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 .
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are indicated in the table below, along with corresponding structure and/or lack thereof:
Claim limitation
Claim Numbers
Structure (PGPUB citation)
“auxiliary device configured to be driven by”
10, 11, 18 and 20
High-voltage driven in-vehicle device [0073]
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 2- are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Isaji et al. US PGPUB 2024/0300380.
Regarding claim 2, Isaji discloses a vehicle including a drive source, a battery that supplies electric power to the drive source, and a controller that controls the drive source and the battery, [fig. 1; vehicle 110 with a battery 10A for powering motor R (par. 26) and controller 50], wherein the battery comprises:
a first power storage [fig. 1, 10A];
a second power storage [fig. 1, 10B];
a positive node configured to connect in parallel a positive terminal of the first power storage and a positive terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via contactor 14A the positive terminals of the batteries are connected];
a negative node configured to connect in parallel a negative terminal of the first power storage and a negative terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via contactor 14B the negative terminals of the batteries are connected];
a connection circuit configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the positive terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via contactor 14C the negative terminal of 10a and positive terminal of 10B are connected];
a first contactor and a fuse provided in the connection circuit [fig. 1, 14c and 14D];
a second contactor provided between the positive node and a first connection portion configured to connect the positive terminal of the second power storage and the connection circuit [fig. 1, 14a, between the wire connected to connection contactor 14c and the positive node]; and
a third contactor provided between the negative node and a second connection portion configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the connection circuit [fig. 1; 14B, between the wire connected to connection contactor 14c and the negative node], and
wherein the controller [fig. 1, 50] is configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first contactor is an on state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an off state, and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage [par. 37, 45 & 50; a series state where 14C is connected and 14A/14B are off], and
a second voltage state in which the first contactor is in an off state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an on state [par. 37, 45 & 50; a parallel state where 14C is off and 14A/14B are on], the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage [par. 50].
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
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 and 9-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Isaji et al. US PGPUB 2024/0300380 in view of Chidester et al. US PGPUB 2017/0005371.
Regarding claim 1, Isaji discloses a vehicle including a drive source, a battery that supplies electric power to the drive source, and a controller configured to control the drive source and the battery [fig. 1; vehicle 110 with a battery 10A for powering motor R (par. 26) and controller 50], wherein the battery comprises:
a first power storage [fig. 1, 10A];
a second power storage [fig. 1, 10B];
a positive node configured to connect in parallel a positive terminal of the first power storage and a positive terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via contactor 14A the positive terminals of the batteries are connected];
a negative node configured to connect in parallel a negative terminal of the first power storage and a negative terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via contactor 14B the negative terminals of the batteries are connected];
a connection circuit configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the positive terminal of the second power storage [fig. 1; via wire and contactor 14C the negative terminal of 10a and positive terminal of 10B are connected];
a first contactor provided in the connection circuit [fig. 1, 14c];
a second contactor provided between the positive node and a first connection portion configured to connect the positive terminal of the second power storage and the connection circuit [fig. 1, 14A between positive node and wire that connects the second power storage to the connection circuit]; and
a third contactor provided between the negative node and a second connection portion configured to connect the negative terminal of the first power storage and the connection circuit [fig. 1, 14B between negative node and wire that connects the first power storage to the connection circuit]; and
wherein the controller [fig. 1, 50] is configured to switch between a first voltage state in which the first contactor is in an on state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an off state [par. 37, 45 & 50; a series state where 14C is connected and 14A/14B are off], and
the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in series and chargeable at a first voltage, and a second voltage state in which the first contactor is in an off state, the second contactor and the third contactor are in an on state [par. 37, 45 & 50; a parallel state where 14C is off and 14A/14B are on], and the first power storage and the second power storage are connected in parallel and chargeable at a second voltage [par. 50]
Isaji does not explicitly disclose a first and second fuses between the battery nodes and the connection portion.
However, Chidester discloses an electric vehicle power system [abs.; fig. 1] comprising first and second fuses between the battery nodes and the connection portion [fig. 3, for reach battery string a fuse 31n is in series with the relay 24; par. 53].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include first and second fuses between the battery nodes and the connection portion for the purpose of isolating a battery in the event of thermal runaway, as taught by Chidester (par. 107).
Regarding claim 9, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts for using a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 10, Isaji does not explicitly disclose further comprising: an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts to use a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads and to increase the voltage for power the auxiliary circuit when necessary. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 11, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, and the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts for using a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 12, Isaji does not explicitly disclose further comprising: an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts to use a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads and to increase the voltage for power the auxiliary circuit when necessary. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Claims 5-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Isaji et al. US PGPUB 2024/0300380 in view of Chidester et al. US PGPUB 2017/0005371 and further in view of Takahashi et al. JP 2020150618 A. (It is noted that the machine translation, until a translation is obtained.)
Regarding claim 5, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state [pars. 61-66; if the series relay RY2 has an open failure (stuck off) then parallel mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 6, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state [pars. 61-66; if one of the parallel relays RY1/RY3 has an open failure (stuck off) then series mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 7, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state [pars. 61-66; if the series relay RY2 has a short failure (stuck on) then parallel mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 8, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state [pars. 61-66; if one of the parallel relays RY1/RY3 has an open failure (stuck off) then series mode is used].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Claims 13-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Isaji et al. US PGPUB 2024/0300380 in view of Takahashi et al. JP 2020150618 A. (It is noted that the machine translation, until a translation is obtained.)
Regarding claim 13, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state [pars. 61-66; if the series relay RY2 has an open failure (stuck off) then parallel mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Isaji and Takahashi to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an off state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 14, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state [pars. 61-66; if one of the parallel relays RY1/RY3 has an open failure (stuck off) then series mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Isaji and Takahashi to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an off state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 15, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state [pars. 61-66; if the series relay RY2 has a short failure (stuck on) then parallel mode is used ]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Isaji and Takahashi to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when the first contactor is stuck in an on state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 16, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state.
However, Takahashi discloses a series-parallel battery system for a vehicle [abs.] wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state [pars. 61-66; if one of the parallel relays RY1/RY3 has an open failure (stuck off) then series mode is used].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the combination of Isaji and Takahashi to further include wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the second contactor or the third contactor is stuck in an on state for the purpose of enabling continued usage of the system after a fault, as taught by Isaji (pars. 61-66).
Regarding claim 17, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts for using a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 18, Isaji does not explicitly disclose further comprising: an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts to use a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads and to increase the voltage for power the auxiliary circuit when necessary. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 19, Isaji does not explicitly disclose wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, and the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to a coil of one phase among the coils of three phases at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts for using a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include wherein the drive source is a three-phase motor in which coils of three phases are connected at a neutral point, the three-phase motor being driven by electric power supplied from the battery, an inverter is provided on an electric power transmission path between the battery and the three-phase motor, a DC power supply circuit is connected to a connection portion positioned on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the battery, and the DC power supply circuit has a branch circuit connected to the neutral point at a positive electrode side of the DC power supply circuit for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Regarding claim 20, Isaji does not explicitly disclose further comprising: an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage.
However, Examiner takes Official Notice that it is well known in the electric vehicle charging arts to use a three-phase motor to power the vehicle via an inverter powered by a DC battery, and to have an auxiliary circuit connected to the DC battery and the neutral for powering lower voltage loads and to increase the voltage for power the auxiliary circuit when necessary. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify Isaji to further include an auxiliary device configured to be driven by DC electric power from the battery and an external power supply; and an auxiliary device drive circuit connected on an electric power transmission path between the inverter and the connection portion, and configured to supply electric power to the auxiliary device, wherein the auxiliary device is operated at the first voltage, and when the battery is charged at the second voltage, the controller causes the inverter to boost a voltage supplied from the branch circuit to the three-phase motor to the first voltage for the purpose of powering lower voltage loads of an electric vehicle, and since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to apply a known technique to a known device (method, or product) which was ready for improvement in order to yield results predictable by one of ordinary skill the art. KSR International Co. v Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398, 127 S. Ct. 1727, 82 USPQ2d 1385, 1395-97 (2007).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-4 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
With respect to claim 3, the following is an examiner's statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art fails to further teach or suggest “wherein the controller drives the drive source in the first voltage state when at least one of the first fuse or the second fuse is blown” in combination with all the other elements recited in claim 1 from which claim 3 depends.
With respect to claim 4, the following is an examiner's statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art fails to further teach or suggest “wherein the controller drives the drive source in the second voltage state when the fuse is blown” in combination with all the other elements recited in claim 2 from which claim 4 depends.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Oosawa et al. US PGPUB 2014/0203786 discloses a battery system for a vehicle which uses fuses and relays.
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/DAVID V HENZE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859
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