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 .
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.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments filed 05/27/2026, with respect to the 112b rejection have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 112b rejection has been withdrawn.
Regarding the 102 Rejection have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant states –
Long does not disclose the claimed oil pipe. The oil pipe of the claims is entirely accommodated and fixed inside the cavity of the rotating shaft body, forming an integrated shaft cooling structure.
The examiner respectfully disagrees with the applicant. As currently cited, Long disclose “The cooling circuit includes a feed passage internal to the rotor shaft that communicates with a cooling passage, in the form of an open groove in an outer surface of the rotor shaft, that communicates with an outlet opening spaced along the rotation axis from the rotor.” A passage INTERNAL to the rotor shaft that communicates with a cooling circuit is an oil pipe. Therefore, Long discloses the applicant’s oil pipe.
Long lacks the oil pipe-rotor shaft interference fit feature.
The examiner respectfully disagrees with the applicant. As currently cited, Long discloses “the presence of shaft seals 130 fit about and in liquid-sealing engagement with the rotor shaft 70 at the axial outer end 90 and axial inner end 118 and mounted at annular surface sections 132 of the rotor shaft 70”. The shaft seals 130 are “fitted”. Moreover, the applicant’s “interference fit” is not provided with any additional structure. Therefore, Long discloses the applicant’s interference fit feature.
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)(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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Long (US 2025/0112524).
Regarding Claim 1, Long discloses a) a motor rotating shaft, comprising:
b) a rotating shaft body [70], having a cavity [“A” The rotor shaft defines, in part, a cooling circuit through which flows coolant for cooling the rotor], a first hole [94] and a second hole [114], wherein the first hole [94] and the second hole [114] are both in communication with the cavity [refer to “A”] (FIG. 3-3A); and
c) an oil pipe [“B” The cooling circuit includes a feed passage internal to the rotor shaft that communicates with a cooling passage, in the form of an open groove in an outer surface of the rotor shaft, that communicates with an outlet opening spaced along the rotation axis from the rotor], inside the rotating shaft body [70], the oil pipe [refer to “B”] and the rotating shaft body [70] both having through holes [inlet hole for 86, holes for 114 for oil circulate through 106] for leading cooling liquid in the oil pipe out of the rotating shaft body [70] (FIG. 3-3A, 4 & 7-9, ¶ [0040]; To reduce heat-related wear on the components of the drive motor 32, the drive motor 32 is provided with a cooling circuit that distributes coolant (e.g., liquid oil) throughout the drive motor 32. This disclosure pertains to cooling the rotor 62, and the following discussion details aspects of the disclosed rotor cooling arrangement);
d) wherein the first hole [94] serves as an insertion hole [the presence of shaft seals 130 fit about and in liquid-sealing engagement with the rotor shaft 70 at the axial outer end 90 and axial inner end 118 and mounted at annular surface sections 132 of the rotor shaft 70] for the oil pipe [refer to “B”] to enter the cavity [refer to “A”], the oil pipe [refer to “B”] is configured to form an interference fit with each of the first hole [94] and the second hole first [114] (FIG. 3-3A, [0047]; in one example implementation of a rotor cooling circuit 80 the coolant is delivered from a coolant tank or other source 82 through one or more plumbing lines 84 (via a suitable coupler, not shown) to an inlet opening 86 of a fitting 88 that may be coupled to or integrated with the drive motor casing 52).
Regarding Claim 2, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1],
wherein, the oil pipe [84] has a first fitting surface [left side of the oil pipe 84 by 114] and a second fitting surface [right side of the oil pipe by 114] (FIG. 3-3A, ¶ [0043]);
the first fitting surface [left side of the oil pipe 84 by 114] is used for being in an interference fit with the first hole [84], and the second fitting surface [right side of the oil pipe by 114] is used for being in an interference fit with the second hole (FIG. 3-3A, [0043]; in one example implementation of a rotor cooling circuit 80 the coolant is delivered from a coolant tank or other source 82 through one or more plumbing lines 84 (via a suitable coupler, not shown) to an inlet opening 86 of a fitting 88 that may be coupled to or integrated with the drive motor casing 52); and
an outer diameter of the second fitting surface [the surface of the right side of the oil pie is shows smaller] is smaller than an outer diameter of the first fitting surface (FIG. 3-3A).
Regarding Claim 3, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 2 [see rejected Claim 2],
wherein, the oil pipe has a first oil pipe segment [left side of 84 by 114 as a reference] and a second oil pipe segment [right side of 84 by 114 as a reference] with unequal diameters in an axial direction [both diameters are unequal], and the first fitting surface is a circumferential outer surface of the first oil pipe segment, and the second fitting surface is a circumferential outer surface of the second oil pipe segment (FIG. 3A and also refer to rejected Claim 2).
Regarding Claim 4, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 3 [see rejected Claim 3],
wherein, a length of a contact surface between the second fitting surface and the second hole extending in the axial direction is larger than a length of a contact surface between the first fitting surface and the first hole extending in the axial direction (FIG. 3 shows right side of the oil pipe using the first hole and second hole as reference” as “larger length”).
Regarding Claim 5, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1],
wherein, the rotating shaft body is of an integrated structure (¶ [0043]; in one example implementation of a rotor cooling circuit 80 the coolant is delivered from a coolant tank or other source 82 through one or more plumbing lines 84 (via a suitable coupler, not shown) to an inlet opening 86 of a fitting 88 that may be coupled to or integrated with the drive motor casing 52).
Regarding Claim 6, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1],
wherein, the rotating shaft body is of a split structure (¶ [0043]; in one example implementation of a rotor cooling circuit 80 the coolant is delivered from a coolant tank or other source 82 through one or more plumbing lines 84 (via a suitable coupler, not shown) to an inlet opening 86 of a fitting 88 that may be coupled to or integrated with the drive motor casing 52).
Regarding Claim 7, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 6 [see rejected Claim 6],
wherein, the rotating shaft body [70] comprises a main body portion [132] and a shaft head portion [90], the second hole [114] is in the shaft head portion [132], and the shaft head portion is detachably [by 88] connected with the main body portion [132] (FIG. 3A).
Regarding Claim 8, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1], wherein:
the through holes comprise a first through hole and a second through hole (FIG. 4 shows several 114s, ¶ [0045]);
the first through hole [one of 114] is in a wall of the rotating shaft body for enabling the cavity to communicate with an outside [through one of 116] of the rotating shaft body (FIG. 4, ¶ [0045]); and
the second through hole [one of 114] is in a wall of the oil pipe for enabling an interior of the oil pipe to communicate with the cavity [through one of 116] (FIG. 4, ¶ [0045]).
Regarding Claim 9, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 8 [see rejected Claim 8], wherein:
the first through holes comprise a plurality of first through holes and the plurality of first through holes comprise a first sub-through hole and a second sub-through hole (FIG. 4 shows several “through holes” 114);
the rotating shaft body [70] is provided with a mounting portion [130] for mounting a rotor core [52], and the first sub-through hole and the second sub-through hole [114] are formed in the mounting portion at intervals in an axial direction of the rotating shaft body (FIG. 2-3A); and
in the axial direction of the rotating shaft body [70], the second through hole is between the first sub-through hole and the second sub-through hole (FIG. 4 shows several 114 and some are between each other).
Regarding Claim 10, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 9 [see rejected Claim 9], wherein:
in the axial direction of the rotating shaft body, a distance between the second through hole and the first sub-through hole is a first distance, a distance between the second through hole and the second sub-through hole is a second distance, and the first distance is equal to the second distance (FIG. 4 shows several 190 between each other and the same distance).
Regarding Claim 11, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 10, wherein:
the second through holes comprise a plurality of second through holes, and the plurality of second through holes are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the oil pipe, and in the axial direction of the oil pipe, the plurality of second through holes are the same in position (FIG. 4 shows several 190 between each other and arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction).
Regarding Claim 12, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 9 [see rejected Claim 9], wherein:
the first sub-through holes comprise a plurality of first sub-through holes, the plurality of first sub-through holes are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft body, and in the axial direction of the rotating shaft body, and the plurality of first sub-through holes are the same in position (FIG. 4 shows several 190 between each other and arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction).
Regarding Claim 13, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 9 [see rejected Claim 9], wherein:
the second sub-through holes comprise a plurality of second sub-through holes, the plurality of second sub-through holes are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft body, and in the axial direction of the rotating shaft body, and the plurality of second sub-through holes are the same in position (FIG. 4 shows several 190 between each other and arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction).
Regarding Claim 14, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1],
further comprising a plug [97], wherein the plug [97] is at a part of an interior of the second hole away from the cavity [“cavity” of 94, 114, 106 & 124] (FIG. 3A).
Regarding Claim 15, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 14 [see rejected Claim 14],
wherein, a threaded hole is on a side of the plug away from the cavity (¶ [0045]; Like the inlet feed passage 94, these outlet passages 124 may be machined into the rotor shaft 70 using a boring or drilling process followed by closing of the axial outer ends thereof of a suitable plug or cap 126, such as shown in FIG. 6, that may be threaded, press-fit, or otherwise coupled to the rotor shaft 70).
Regarding Claim 16, Long discloses the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1], wherein, a mounting surface [102s] for mounting a rotor core [“core” of 70] is on an outer surface of the rotating shaft body [70] (FIG. 9);
a cut-through keyway [104s] is on the mounting surface [102s] in an axial direction of the rotating shaft body [70] (FIG. 9); and
a V-shaped opening [108] is at one end of the keyway [104s], and an opening direction of the V-shaped opening [108 is shown as a ”V-shape opening] faces a side away from the keyway [104s] (FIG. 9).
Regarding Claim 17, Long discloses an assembly method of a motor rotating shaft, applied to the motor rotating shaft according to claim 1 [see rejected Claim 1], and comprising:
providing the rotating shaft body [70] (FIG. 3A);
providing the oil pipe [84] (FIG. 3A); and
obtaining the motor rotating shaft by inserting and mounting the oil pipe into the rotating shaft body, wherein, through hole of the oil pipe and through hole in the rotating shaft body all communicate with the cavity (as shown in FIG. 3A).
Regarding Claim 18, Long discloses the assembly method according to claim 17 [see rejected Claim 17],
wherein, the motor rotating shaft further comprises a plug, and the method further comprises: inserting the plug the second hole in a direction close to the cavity (refer to rejected Claim 14 above).
Regarding Claim 19, Long discloses a motor [FIG. 2, ¶ [0039]; The rotor shaft 70 may be supported for rotation relative to the drive motor casing 52 by one or more bearings (e.g., roller bearing assemblies, not shown) mounted proximate each axial end of the drive motor 32.], comprising a motor rotating shaft (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “a”), wherein, the motor rotating shaft comprises:
a rotating shaft body, having a cavity, a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are both in communication with the cavity (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “b”); and
an oil pipe, inside the rotating shaft body, the oil pipe and the rotating shaft body both having through holes for leading cooling liquid in the oil pipe out of the rotating shaft body (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “c”);
wherein the first hole serves as an insertion hole for the oil pipe to enter the cavity, and the oil pipe is configured to form an interference fit with each of the first hole and the second hole (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “d”).
Regarding Claim 20, Long discloses a vehicle [10] (FIG. 1, Abstract), comprising
a motor [52] (refer to rejected Claim 19 above) comprising a motor rotating shaft (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “a”), wherein, the motor rotating shaft comprises:
a rotating shaft body, having a cavity, a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole and the second hole are both in communication with the cavity (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “b”); and
an oil pipe, inside the rotating shaft body, the oil pipe and the rotating shaft body both having through holes for leading cooling liquid in the oil pipe out of the rotating shaft body (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “c”);
wherein the first hole serves as an insertion hole for the oil pipe to enter the cavity, and the oil pipe is configured to form an interference fit with each of the first hole and the second hole (refer to rejected Claim 1, element “d”).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) 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 mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH ORTEGA whose telephone number is (469)295-9083. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 AM - 5 PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, TULSIDAS C. PATEL can be reached at (571)272-2098. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JOSEPH ORTEGA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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