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 .
Claim Objections
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 12 should be changed to “The motor of claim [[9]]1, wherein a distance from a lower end portion…” since claim 9 is canceled and its limitations are moved to claim 1. Examiner will interpret the claim as such.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 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.
Claims 1-2, 4, 6-8, 14, 16-18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (WO2021002603, “Kim”) in view of Yoshimura (US20080297010, “Yoshimura”) and Bilteryst et al. (US20170070110, “Bilteryst”).
Re claim 1, Kim discloses a motor 100 including a stator 20 and a rotor 30 disposed to be spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the stator (figs 1-3, [24]), wherein:
the rotor includes a hollow shaft 31 having a tubular shape and one end portion 316 fitted into an inner ring of a bearing 14 fixedly disposed in the motor (fig 3, [33]) and a screw shaft 10 having one end portion inserted into a hollow portion provided in the one end portion 316 of the hollow shaft (figs 2-3, [25]); and
an alignment part for axial alignment with the hollow shaft (figs 2-3 & below, alignment part indicated below aligns shaft since it is inserted before coupling part) and a coupling part for preventing slipping on the hollow shaft (figs 2-3 & below, coupling inherent as shown in fig 3 since shaft has knurl as understood from the figs.) are provided on the one end portion of the screw shaft 10 (figs 2-3 & below);
the alignment part is located closer to an end portion of the screw shaft than the coupling part (figs 2-3 & below).
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Kim discloses claim 1 except for:
the hollow shaft one end portion is press-fitted into an inner ring of the bearing;
the hollow portion includes a small diameter portion in contact with the alignment part and a large diameter portion having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion and coupled to the coupling part;
the small diameter portion is located closer to the end portion of the hollow shaft than the large diameter portion; and
the alignment part and the small diameter portion are configured such that axial alignment of the screw shaft with the hollow shaft is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part with the large diameter portion.
Yoshimura discloses the hollow shaft 41 end portion is press-fitted into an inner ring of the bearing 42b (fig 2, [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the end portion of the hollow shaft of Kim to be press-fitted into an inner ring of the bearing, as disclosed by Yoshimura in order to fix the shaft to the bearing to allow pivoting, as taught by Yoshimura ([0021]).
Bilteryst discloses the hollow portion of 205 includes a small diameter portion 220 in contact with the alignment part 115 (figs 1-3, [0091]) and a large diameter portion 225 having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion 220 (figs 1-3, [0062-0099], [0091] & [0093]) and coupled to the coupling part 120 (figs 1-3, [0093]); and
the alignment part 115 and the small diameter portion 220 are configured such that axial alignment of the shaft 100 with the hollow portion 205 is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part 120 with the large diameter portion 225 (figs 1-3, [0036]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the hollow portion of Kim in view of Yoshimura to include a small diameter portion in contact with the alignment part and a large diameter portion having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion and coupled to the coupling part; and the alignment part and the small diameter portion are configured such that axial alignment of the screw shaft with the hollow shaft is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part with the large diameter portion, as disclosed by Bilteryst, in order to center and radial retained the screw shaft to the hollow shaft, as taught by Bilteryst for a shaft 100 and core 205 ([0067]).
It is pointed out that Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst disclose the small diameter portion is located closer to the end portion than the large diameter portion since: Kim discloses the alignment part is located closer to the end portion of the screw shaft 10 than the coupling part (fig 3); and Bilteryst discloses the small diameter part 220 is in contact with the alignment part 115 and the large diameter part 225 is in contact with the coupling part 120.
Re claim 2, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above. Kim further discloses the alignment part is slidably coupled to the hollow portion of the hollow shaft 31 (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1, the alignment part will slide through the hollow portion, either easily or by force, in order to travel through the hollow portion).
Re claim 4, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above. Kim further discloses the coupling part is coupled to the hollow shaft 31 (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1).
Kim is silent with respect to the coupling part is knurled.
Bilteryst discloses the coupling part 120 is knurled 135 (figs 1-3, [0062-0066] & [0078-0081], teaches 205 is centered by 115 & radially retained by 135).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the coupling part of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst to be knurled, as disclosed by Bilteryst, in order to radial retained the screw shaft to the hollow shaft, as taught by Bilteryst for a shaft and core ([0067]).
Re claim 6, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above but are silent with respect to an outer diameter of the alignment part is smaller than an outer diameter of the coupling part.
Bilteryst discloses an outer diameter D2 of the alignment part 115 is smaller than an outer diameter D4 of the coupling part 120 (fig 1, [0062-0066] & [0078-0081], teaches 205 is centered by 115 & radially retained by 135).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the alignment part and coupling part of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst so an outer diameter of the alignment part is smaller than an outer diameter of the coupling part, as disclosed by Bilteryst, in order to center and radial retained the screw shaft to the hollow shaft, as taught by Bilteryst for a shaft 100 and core 205 ([0067]).
Re claim 7, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 6 as discussed above. Kim further discloses a fixing part protruding through the hollow portion and the inner ring of the bearing 14 (figs 2-3 & above for claim 20) and coupled to a fixing member 16 configured to prevent the screw shaft 10 from being separated from the bearing 14 is provided on the one end portion of the screw shaft 10 (figs 2-3 & above for claim 20, [34]).
Re claim 8, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 7 as discussed above and further discloses an outer diameter of the fixing part is smaller than the outer diameter of the alignment part (Kim, figs 2-3 & below).
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Re claim 10, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above and further disclose an inner diameter of the large diameter portion 225 is smaller than an outer diameter of the coupling part 120 (Bilteryst, [0116] states knurled part 135 penetrates 225).
Re claim 12, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 (as understood by examiner) as discussed above and further disclose a distance L2+L3 from a lower end portion of the alignment part 215 to a lower end portion of the coupling part 120 is greater than an axial length L1 of the large diameter portion 225 (Bilteryst, figs 1-3, [0091] & [0093])).
Re claim 14, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above. Kim further discloses a concave portion recessed toward a rotation axis along an outer circumferential surface of the screw shaft 10 is provided between the alignment part and the coupling part (figs 2-3, above for claim 1 & below, as understood from the figures).
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Re claim 16, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above. Kim further discloses an axial length of the alignment part is greater than an axial length of the coupling part (figs 3 & above for claims 1 & 14).
Re claim 17, Kim discloses a method of manufacturing a motor 100 including a stator 20 and a rotor 30 disposed to be spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the stator (figs 1-3, [24]), the method comprising:
arranging a bearing 14 in the motor 100 (figs 2-3, [28]);
providing a hollow shaft 31 having a tubular shape and a hollow portion in one end portion 316 thereof (fig 3);
fitting one end portion 316 of the hollow shaft 31 into an inner ring of the bearing 14 (figs 2-3, [33]); and
inserting one end portion of a screw shaft 10 into the hollow portion (figs 2-3, [25]),
wherein the one end portion of the screw shaft 10 includes an alignment part and a coupling part (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1), the alignment part being located closer to an end of the screw shaft 10 than the coupling part (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1),
wherein the inserting of the one end portion of the screw shaft 10 comprises:
inserting the alignment part into the hollow portion for axial alignment with the hollow shaft 30 (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1, alignment part indicated above aligns shaft since it is inserted before coupling part) and inserting the coupling part into the hollow portion to prevent slipping on the hollow shaft, (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1, coupling inherent as shown in fig 3 since shaft has knurl as understood from the figs.).
Kim discloses claim 17 except for:
the hollow portion including a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion, the small diameter portion being located closer to an end of the hollow shaft than the large diameter portion;
press-fitting one end portion of the hollow shaft into the inner ring of the bearing;
inserting the alignment part into the small diameter portion for axial alignment with the hollow shaft;
press-fitting the coupling part into the large diameter portion to prevent slipping on the hollow shaft; and
the alignment part and the small diameter portion are configured such that the axial alignment of the screw shaft with the hollow shaft is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part with the large diameter portion.
Yoshimura discloses press-fitting one end portion of the hollow shaft 41 into the inner ring of the bearing 42b (fig 2, [0021]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the one end portion of the hollow shaft of Kim to be press-fitted into the inner ring of the bearing, as disclosed by Yoshimura in order to fix the shaft to the bearing to allow pivoting, as taught by Yoshimura ([0021]).
Bilteryst discloses the hollow portion 205 including a small diameter portion 220 (figs 1-3, [0091]) and a large diameter portion 225 having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion 220 (figs 1-3, [0062-0099], [0091] & [0093]);
inserting the alignment part 115 into the small diameter portion 225 for axial alignment with the hollow portion 205 (figs 1-3);
press-fitting the coupling part 120 into the large diameter portion 225 to prevent slipping on the hollow portion 205 (figs 1-3, [0075], discloses shaft 120 is forced fitted into 205); and
the alignment part 115 and the small diameter portion 220 are configured such that axial alignment of the shaft 100 with the hollow portion 205 is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part 120 with the large diameter portion 225 (figs 1-3, [0036]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the hollow portion of Kim in view of Yoshimura so the hollow portion including a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having an inner diameter greater than an inner diameter of the small diameter portion, the small diameter portion being located closer to an end of the hollow shaft than the large diameter portion; inserting the alignment part into the small diameter portion for axial alignment with the hollow shaft; press-fitting the coupling part into the large diameter portion to prevent slipping on the hollow shaft; and the alignment part and the small diameter portion are configured such that the axial alignment of the screw shaft with the hollow shaft is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part with the large diameter portion, as disclosed by Bilteryst, in order to center and radial retained the screw shaft to the hollow shaft, as taught by Bilteryst for a shaft 100 and core 205 ([0067]).
It is pointed out that Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst disclose the small diameter portion is located closer to the end portion of the hollow portion than the large diameter portion since: Kim discloses the alignment part is located closer to the end portion of the screw shaft 10 than the coupling part (fig 3); and Bilteryst discloses the small diameter part 220 is in contact with the alignment part 115 and the large diameter part 225 is in contact with the coupling part 120.
Re claim 18, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 17 as discussed above. Kim further discloses the inserting of the alignment part includes slidably coupling the alignment part into the hollow portion (figs 2-3 & above for claim 1, the alignment part will slide through the hollow portion, either easily or by force, in order to travel through the hollow portion).
Re claim 20, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 17 as discussed above. Kim further discloses coupling a fixing member 16 configured to prevent the screw shaft 10 from being separated from the bearing 14 to a fixing part protruding through the hollow portion and the inner ring of the bearing 14 (figs 2-3 & below, [34]).
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Claims 3 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst and in further view of Hong et al. (WO2020185017, “Hong”, using US20220169225 as translation).
Re claim 3, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above but are silent with respect to the alignment part is press-fitted into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft.
Hong discloses the end of the screw shaft 5410 is press-fitted into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft 5700 (fig 12, [0154]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the end of the screw shaft of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst to be press-fitted into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft, as disclosed by Hong, in order to fix the end of the screw shaft to the hollow shaft for co-rotation, as taught by Hong ([0154]). It is pointed out that Kim in view of Yoshimura and Hong disclose the alignment part is press-fitted into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft since: Kim discloses the end of the screw shaft includes the alignment part; and Hong discloses the end part of the screw shaft is press-fitted into the hollow part of the hollow shaft.
Re claim 19, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 17 as discussed above but are silent with respect to the inserting of the alignment part includes press-fitting the alignment part into the hollow portion.
Hong discloses the inserting of the end of the screw shaft 5410 includes press-fitting the end of the screw shaft 5410 into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft 5700 (fig 12, [0154]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the inserting of the end of the screw shaft of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst to be press-fitted into the hollow portion of the hollow shaft, as disclosed by Hong, in order to fix the end of the screw shaft to the hollow shaft for co-rotation, as taught by Hong ([0154]). It is pointed out that Kim in view of Yoshimura and Hong disclose the inserting of the alignment part includes press-fitting the alignment part into the hollow portion since: Kim discloses the end of the screw shaft includes the alignment part; and Hong discloses the end part of the screw shaft is press-fitted into the hollow part of the hollow shaft.
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst and in further view of Lautenschlager et al. (US20160046448, “Lautenschlager”).
Re claim 13, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst disclose claim 1 as discussed above but are silent with respect to at least one keyway is provided in the one end portion of the hollow shaft.
Lautenschlager discloses at least one keyway 13 is provided in the one end portion of the hollow shaft 2 (figs 1-2, [0069]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to configure the one end portion of the hollow shaft of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst with at least one keyway is provided in the one end portion of the hollow shaft, as disclosed by Lautenschlager, in order to positionally fix the hollow shaft and the screw shaft, as demonstrated by Lautenschlager (screw shaft will always be at a specific circumferential position with respect to the hollow shaft).
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst and in further view of Tatsumi et al. (US4377762, “Tatsumi”).
Re claim 15, Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst discloses claim 1 as discussed above but is silent with respect to the hollow shaft is made of a material whose hardness is lower than that of the bearing.
Tatsumi discloses the shaft is made of a material whose hardness is lower than that of the material of the structure it is inserted in order to be snugly fitted to that structure (fig 2, col 1, ln 57 to col 2, ln 2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to at least try configuring the hollow shaft of Kim in view of Yoshimura and Bilteryst to be made of a material whose hardness is lower than that of the bearing, as disclosed by Tatsumi for a shaft and structure it is inserted, in order to provide a snug fit between the hollow shaft and bearings, as taught by Tatsumi.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 6/5/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that Bilteryst does not disclose the alignment part and the small diameter portion are configured such that axial alignment of the screw shaft with the hollow shaft is achieved prior to engagement of the coupling part with the large diameter portion (pg 8, last para to pg 9, 3rd para). Examiner disagrees.
Bilteryst specifically states “when the shaft is fitted, these arrangements make it possible to make the knurled parts of the shaft enter the material of the magnet wheels, after having centered the wheels by means of the smooth part of the shaft” ([0036]) showing the shaft is centered by the smooth or alignment part 115 before the knurled or coupling part 135 engages with the large diameter portion 225. In other words Bilteryst is teaching that the alignment part 115 provides centering with respect to the shaft and the magnet wheels before the knurled part is engaged.
Although Bilteryst is for a shaft and magnet wheel one in the art would recognize the teaching of Bilteryst will have the same affect for a shaft and a hollow shaft-centering before press-fitting knurled part.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 11 is 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. Note: reasons for allowing claim 11 in OA mailed 3/13/26.
Conclusion
Maekawa (JP2004336965) discloses a shaft with a small diameter portion and a knurled portion with a large diameter inserted into rotor hole having a small diameter portion and large diameter portion (figs 1& 3-6, [0021-0022]).
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC JOHNSON whose telephone number is (571)270-5715. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Fri 8:30-5pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Seye Iwarere can be reached on (571)270-5112. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ERIC JOHNSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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