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 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.
(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 1-5, 8-9, 11-12 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(1)(1)/102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Nakao et al. (hereinafter Nakao, JP 2015-043682 A).
For claim 1, Nakao discloses a rotating machine control device (Figs. 1 and 3 of Nakao disclose a rotating machine control device 1—see Nakao, Figs. 1 and 3, paragraph [0001]) comprising:
an inverter that applies a voltage to a rotating machine (Fig. 3 of Nakao discloses an inverter 40 that applies a voltage to a rotating machine PM – see Nakao, Fig. 3, paragraphs [0046] and [0057]);
a current detector that detects a rotating machine current which is a current that flows through the rotating machine, and that is provided in the inverter (Fig. 3 of Nakao discloses a current detector 45 that detects a rotating machine current which is a current that flows through the rotating machine PM, and that is provided in the inverter40 – see Nakao, Fig. 3, paragraph [0061]), and
a controller that outputs a voltage command value which is a command value of the voltage to the inverter, based on a control command of the rotating machine (Figs. 3-4 of Nakao disclose a controller 52 (5) that outputs a voltage command value (Vd, Vq/Vu, Vv, Vw) which is a command value of the voltage to the inverter 40, based on a control command TR of the rotating machine MP – see Naka, Figs. 3-4, paragraphs [0066], [0075]-[0076] and [0077], lines 1-3), wherein
the controller (52(5)) has:
a torque current command value generator that calculates a torque current command value based on the control command (Fig. 4 of Nakao discloses a torque current command value generator 64 that calculates a torque current command value Iq based on the control command TR—see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraph [0070]);
a weakened field current command value generator for calculating a weakened field current command value (Fig. 4 of Nakao disclose a weakened field current command value generator 66, 67 for calculating a weakened field current command value id – see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraphs [0072]-[0073]), and
a voltage command value calculator that calculates the voltage command value based on the torque current command value and the weakened field current command value (Figs. 3-4 of Nakao disclose a voltage command value calculator 65 that calculates the voltage command value (Vd, Vq/Vu, Vv, Vw) based on the torque current command value Iq and the weakened field current command value Id – see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraph [0071]), and
the weakened field current command value generator outputs a first weakened field current command value as the weakened field current command value, where the first weakened field current command value restricts a modulation rate of the inverter to a first threshold value such that the current detector is capable of detecting at least two phases of the rotating machine current (Figs. 3-4 of Nakao disclose the weakened field current command value generator outputs a first weakened field current command value as the weakened field current command value, where the first weakened field current command value ΔId restricts a modulation rate Mf of the inverter 40 to a first threshold value “the reference modulation factor” such that the current detector 45 is capable of detecting at least two phases of the rotating machine current – see Nakao, Figs. 3-4, paragraphs [0071]-[0075], [0094], [0098]-[0099] and [0108]).
For claim 2, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the inverter (Fig. 3, inverter 40) comprises:
a switching element located in an upper arm and a switching element located in a lower arm (Fig. 3 of Nakao discloses a switching element (42a/42b/42c) located in an upper arm and a switching element (42d/42e/42f) located in a lower arm – see Nakao, Fig. 3, paragraph [0059]), and
the current detector is provided in series with the switching element located in the upper arm and/or the switching element located in the lower arm, or provided in series with a DC bus voltage (Fig. 3 of Nakao discloses the current detector 45 which is provided in series with the switching element (42a/42b/42c) located in the upper arm and/or the switching element located in the lower arm, or the switching element (42d/42e/42f) located in the lower arm—see Nakao, Fig. 3, paragraph [0061]).
For claim 3, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 2, wherein
the current detector detects three phases of the rotating machine current, and is provided in series with the switching element located in the lower arm of each phase of the inverter (Fig. 3 of Nakao discloses the current detector 45 which detects three phases of the rotating machine current, and is provided in series with the switching element (42d/42e/42f) located in the lower arm of each phase of the inverter 40 – see Nakao, Fig. 3, paragraph [0061], and
the first threshold value is set to the modulation rate of the inverter, such that the current detector is capable of detecting three phases of the rotating machine current (Fig. 3-4 , 10 and 12 of Nakao disclose the first threshold value “the reference modulation factor” is set to the modulation rate Mf of the inverter 40, such that the current detector 45 is capable of detecting three phases of the rotating machine current – see Nakao, Figs. 3-4, 10 and 12; paragraphs [0071]-[0075], [0094], [0098]-[0099] and [0108]).
For claim 4, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 1, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) calculates the first weakened field current command value based on a rotational speed of the rotating machine and the DC bus voltage of the inverter (see Nakao, Fig. 12, paragraph [0108]-[0109]).
For claim 5, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 1, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) calculates the first weakened field current command value based on a modulation rate obtained from the voltage command value corresponding to the rotating machine current (see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraph [0072]).
For claim 8, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 1, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66, 67) restricts the first weakened field current command value when a rotational speed of the rotating machine is less than a threshold value (see Nakao, Figs. 4 and 12, paragraphs [0068], [0071]-[0073] and [0108]. It is noted that when driving the motor PM can be perform at a constant torque (see Nakao, paragraph [0064], lines 6-7, speed at the first region A1 is less than a threshold value as shown in Fig. 12).
For claim 9, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 1, wherein
the controller outputs a second weakened field current command value that restricts the modulation rate of the inverter to a second threshold value that is restricted to a sinusoidal PWM wave modulation range, when the first weakened field current command value reaches a restricted value (see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraphs [0078] and [0099]).
For claim 11, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 9, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator calculates the second weakened field current command value based on a rotational speed of the rotating machine and a DC bus voltage of the inverter (see Nakao, Fig. 12, paragraph [0108]-[0109]).
For claim 12, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according claim 9, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator calculates the second weakened field current command value based on a modulation rate obtained from the voltage command value corresponding to the rotating machine current (see Nakao, Fig. 4, paragraphs [0072] and [0099]).
For claim 15, Nakao discloses the rotating machine control device according to claim 9, wherein
the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66, 67) restricts the second weakened field current command value when a rotational speed of the rotating machine is less than a threshold value (see Nakao, Figs. 4 and 12, paragraphs [0068], [0071]-[0073], [0099] and [0108]).
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.
Claims 6-7, 13-14 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nakao et al. (hereinafter Nakao, JP 2015-043682 A) in view of Nakamura et al. (hereinafter Nakamura, us 2020/0353973 A1).
For claim 6, Nakao discloses all limitation as applied to claim 1 above. Nakao discloses the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) which is silent for restricting the first weakened field current command value when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device. However, Nakamura discloses weakened field current command value generator which restricts the first weakened field current command value when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device (Figs. 5-6 and 8-9 of Nakamura disclose weakened field current command value generator 521 which restricts the first weakened field current command value Id_w1* when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device – see Nakamura, Figs. 5-6 and 8-9, paragraphs [0054]-[0058] and [0067). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify teaching of Nakao to incorporate teaching of Nakamura for purpose of reducing damages components of motor control system due to overheat.
For claim 7, Nakao discloses all limitation as applied to claim 1 above. Nakao discloses the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) which is silent for restricting the first weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device. However, Nakamura discloses weakened field current command value generator which restricts the first weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device (Figs. 5-6 and 8-9 of Nakamura disclose weakened field current command value generator 521 which restricts which restricts the first weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device – see Nakamura, Figs. 5-6 and 8-9, paragraphs [0072]-[0078]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify teaching of Nakao to incorporate teaching of Nakamura for purpose of increasing reliability of motor control system.
For claim 13, Nakao discloses all limitation as applied to claim 9 above. Nakao discloses the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) which is silent for restricting the second weakened field current command value when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device. However, Nakamura discloses weakened field current command value generator which restricts the first weakened field current command value when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device (Figs. 5-6 and 8-9 of Nakamura disclose weakened field current command value generator 521 which restricts the second weakened field current command value Id_w1* when overheat protection control is applied to at least one location in the rotating machine control device – see Nakamura, Figs. 5-6 and 8-9, paragraphs [0054]-[0058] and [0067]-[0069]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify teaching of Nakao to incorporate teaching of Nakamura for purpose of reducing damages components of motor control system due to overheat.
For claim 14, Nakao discloses all limitation as applied to claim 9 above. Nakao discloses the weakened field current command value generator (Fig. 4 of Nakao, the weakened field current command value generator 66,67) which is silent for restricting the second weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device. However, Nakamura discloses weakened field current command value generator which restricts the first weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device (Figs. 5-6 and 8-9 of Nakamura disclose weakened field current command value generator 521 which restricts which restricts the first weakened field current command value when a failure is detected in at least one location of the rotating machine control device – see Nakamura, Figs. 5-6 and 8-9, paragraphs [0072]-[0078]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify teaching of Nakao to incorporate teaching of Nakamura for purpose of increasing reliability of motor control system.
For claim 16, Nakao discloses an electric power steering device (see Nakao, Figs. 1 and 3-4, paragraph [0104]). Nakao is silent for disclosing detail of motor control system including motor PM for electric power steering device comprise
a torque detector that detects a steering torque of steering;
a rotating machine that generates a steering assist torque to the steering, and
the rotating machine control device according to claim 1 (same as explanation in claim 1 above) which controls a drive of the rotating machine according to the steering torque detected by the torque detector.
However, Nakamura disclose detail of motor control system including motor PM for electric power steering device (Fig. 1 of Nakamura discloses a steering system 90 including a motor 80 for an electric power steering device 8 -- see Nakamura, Fig. 1, paragraph [0022]-[0023]) comprises:
a torque detector that detects a steering torque of steering (Fig. 1 of Nakamura discloses a torque detector 94 that detects a steering torque of steering 91,92 – see Nakamura – Fig. 1, paragraph [0024]);
a rotating machine that generates a steering assist torque to the steering (Fig. 1 of Nakamura discloses a rotating machine 80 that generates a steering assist torque to the steering 91,92 – see Nakamura, Fig. 1, paragraph [0026]), and
the rotating machine control device according to claim 1 (same as explanation in claim 1 above) which controls a drive of the rotating machine according to the steering torque detected by the torque detector (see Nakamura, Figs. 1 and 4, paragraphs [0024] and [0041]-[0043).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify teaching of Nakao to incorporate teaching of Nakamura for purpose of controlling an electric power steering device accurately.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 10 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.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THAI T DINH whose telephone number is (571)270-3852. The examiner can normally be reached (571)270-3852.
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, EDUARDO COLON-SANTANA can be reached at (571)272-2060. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/THAI T DINH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2846