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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
Three information disclosure statement (IDS) filed in this application are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(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 1-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1 or 2) as being anticipated by Murai et al. (US Pub 2016/0099451 cited in IDS).
In regard to claim 1, Murai et al. teach a battery module (modules 10a, 10b) comprising: a housing (including but not limited to cover 17, case 13) that houses a battery cell stack (cells 11) and includes a pair of holes (outlets 19) disposed opposite to each other formed through a first end plate and a second end plate (module case 13 on both sides, brackets 20 – see figure 3 for opposite outlet recesses 19a), the battery cell stack including a plurality of stacked battery cells 11; and a discharge guide member (passage part 23 connected to outlets 19 include recesses 19a) that forms a gas flow path partially through the housing, the discharge guide member 23 configured to cover a hole of the pair of holes (recesses 19a or outlets 19) (see figures 1-5, paragraphs [0028-0071]).
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In regard to claim 2, the housing comprises a module frame (see shape of 10a housing in figure 4 – including cover 17) that includes openings disposed opposite to an inner space for housing the battery cell stack, wherein the first end plate 13 and the second end plate 13 are coupled to the module frame (cover 17) and are configured to cover the openings, respectively, the pair of holes comprises a first hole (area covered by plate 13, including 19a) provided in the first end plate; and a second hole (covered by opposite plate 13, including 19a) provided in the second end plate, and the discharge guide member 23 is mounted in the housing and is configured to cover any one hole of the first hole and the second hole (figure 5 annotated above, paragraphs [0029-0056]).
In regard to claim 10, the housing comprises a module frame 17 having an opening that houses the battery cell stack therein; and an end plate (module case 13) that is coupled to the module frame configured to cover the opening, and the pair of holes comprises a first hole 19a provided in the end plate; and a second hole 19a provided in a portion of the module frame disposed opposite to the end plate (figure 5 annotated above, paragraphs [0029-0056]).
In regard to claim 3 and 11, wherein: the discharge guide member 23; comprises an inner cavity in communication with any one of the holes and an outlet port configured to expose the inner cavity to the outside of the housing, and comprises a cover (such as bracket 20) mounted on any one end plate of the first end plate and the second end plate (figure 5 annotated above, paragraphs [0029-0056]).
In regard to claim 4 and 12, the module frame 17 has a square tubular shape including a pair of wide surfaces disposed opposite to each other and a pair of narrow surfaces disposed opposite to each other, and the cover 13 is mounted on any one of the end plates, the outlet port 19 disposed on at least one of the four wide or narrow surfaces of the module frame (figure 3, paragraphs [0053]).
In regard to claim 5 and 13, an area of the outlet port 19a is smaller than an area of any one of the holes (in plate 13 (figure 2 – because of the presence of holder 12, paragraphs [0056]).
In regard to claim 6 and 14, a gas discharge direction that is discharged through the outlet port from the inside of the housing, and a gas discharge direction that is discharged through the other one of the first hole and the second hole from the inside of the housing are configured to extend in the same direction (figure 6 – gas illustrated as arrows, paragraphs [0072]).
In regard to claim 7 and 15, the cover comprises a first cover part (case 13) fixed to one of the end plates having a first inner space configured such that gas discharged through any one of the holes is guided in a first direction, and a second cover part (holder 12) connected to the first cover part and having that has a second inner space configured such that gas discharged through the first inner space is guided in a second direction and discharged through the outlet port (figure 2, paragraphs [0056]).
In regard to claim 8 and 16, the second cover part 12 is fixed to any one wide or narrow surface of the module frame 17 (figure 2, paragraphs [0056] – the entire module of the prior art is considered fixed together).
In regard to claim 9 and 17, a flame arresting member (flow constricting holder 12) is mounted in at least one of the first hole, the second hole, and the outlet port (figure 2, paragraphs [0056]).
In regard to claim 18 and 19, Murai et al. teach a battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery modules 10a, 10b according to claim 1 and 10; and a pack frame (frame member 30 and vehicle floor panel P) surrounding the plurality of battery modules (paragraph [0030]), wherein a first battery module 20a and a second battery module 20b aligned along one direction among the plurality of battery modules are disposed so that respective discharge guide members of the first and second battery modules face each other (figure 6 annotated below, paragraphs [0072-0077]).
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Jo et al. (US Pub 2020/0076025 newly cited) is applicant’s own work that teaches similar venting structures for battery packs.
Ochi et al. (US Pub 2016/0260946 newly cited) teaches cooling gaps between stacked battery blocks (figure 1).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NICHOLAS P D'ANIELLO whose telephone number is (571)270-3635. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Tong Guo can be reached at 571-272-3066. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NICHOLAS P D'ANIELLO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1723
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