DETAILED ACTION
The following is a first action on the merits of application serial no. 18/689836 filed 3/6/2024.
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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements filed 7/7/25 and 12/8/25 have been considered.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the BMS mainboard provided on the first side plate or the second side plate as recited in claim 14 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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.
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:
-“wherein the housing is provided with a seat mounting member (generic placeholder) and the seat mounting member is used for mounting a seat of the vehicle (function)” in claim 6.
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 § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 12-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
-Claims 12-15 recites the limitations “a second heat exchange structure”, “a second cell support structure”, “a second support body” “a second bottom support rib” and “a second upper support rib”. Based on at least claim 12 dependency from claim 1, claims 12-15 are considered as being incomplete for omitting essential elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the elements. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted elements pertaining to claims 1 and 12-15 are: “a first heat exchange structure” (as recited in claim 9), “a first cell support structure” (as recited in claim 10), “a first support body (as recited in claim 10)” “a first bottom support rib (as recited in claim 10)” and “a first upper support rib”. The examiner is assuming that the term “second” is being used to recite a different embodiment as compared to the embodiment recited in at least claims 9 and 10. Examiner suggest applicant remove the terms “first” and “second” from the claims since there seems to be no disclosure in present invention describing that the different embodiments can be assembled together, i.e., the vehicle body floor assembly has a first heat exchange structure and a second heat exchange structure; the vehicle body floor assembly has a first cell support structure and a second cell support structure.
-Claim 16 recites the limitation “A vehicle, comprising the vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1” and claim 1 recites “A vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle”. It is obvious from claim 1 that the vehicle body floor assembly is for a vehicle as recited in claim 16; therefore, this claim is considered indefinite because it fails to point out what is included or excluded by the claim language.
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.
Claim(s) 1-6 and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by CN 110329361 (IDS cited with machine translation). As to claim 1, CN discloses a vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body mounting structure (Figure 8; 50, 60, 70, 80); and a battery pack (abstract), the battery pack comprising a battery module and a housing (11, 12), the battery module being provided in the housing, the housing being connected to the vehicle body mounting structure (as shown in Figures 4-8), and at least a portion of the structure of the housing being configured as a vehicle body floor of the vehicle (abstract lines, 1-6 and page 5, lines 15-25 in translation).
As to claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with a vehicle body mounting member, and the vehicle body mounting member is connected to the vehicle body mounting structure (via 3, 4, 6, 40, 52; page, 5 line 47 to page 6, line 2).
As to claim 3, wherein the vehicle body mounting structure comprises a left threshold beam (70), a right threshold beam (80), and a cross beam (50, 60), the cross beam is connected between the left threshold beam and the right threshold beam, and the vehicle body mounting member is connected to the cross beam (via 4 connected to 50 and 60; page 6, lines 15-17).
As to claim 4, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the upper housing (11) and the lower housing (12) jointly define a mounting cavity for mounting the battery module (abstract, line 3), the upper housing is provided with the vehicle body mounting member (via 4), and the upper housing is configured as the vehicle body floor (page 5, lines 15-25).
As to claim 5, wherein a connection flange is provided at a circumferential edge of the housing, and the connection flange is connected to the left threshold beam and/or the right threshold beam; and the vehicle body mounting structure further comprises an end beam, the end beam is connected between the left threshold beam and the right threshold beam, and the connection flange is connected to the end beam (see drawing below).
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As to claim 6, wherein the housing is provided with a seat mounting member, and the seat mounting member is used for mounting a seat of the vehicle (page 6, lines 15-17).
As to claim 16, CN discloses a vehicle, comprising the vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 (abstract).
Claim(s) 1-4, 6 and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by CN 110329362 (IDS cited with machine translation). As to claim 1, CN discloses a vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body mounting structure (1, 3, 4, 5); and a battery pack (abstract), the battery pack comprising a battery module and a housing (21, 22), the battery module being provided in the housing, the housing being connected to the vehicle body mounting structure (via 3, 4, 5), and at least a portion of the structure of the housing being configured as a vehicle body floor of the vehicle (abstract lines, 6-7 and page 6, lines 29-37 in translation).
As to claim 2, wherein the housing is provided with a vehicle body mounting member, and the vehicle body mounting member is connected to the vehicle body mounting structure (Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 (component 15a); page 6, lines 29, 30, 37 to page 8, line 32 and page 10, line 36 to page 11, line 16).
As to claim 3, wherein the vehicle body mounting structure comprises a left threshold beam (13), a right threshold beam (14), and a cross beam (3, 4, 5, 11, 12), the cross beam is connected between the left threshold beam and the right threshold beam, and the vehicle body mounting member is connected to the cross beam (via 15a in Figure 6; page 11, lines 3-9).
As to claim 4, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing and a lower housing, the upper housing (21) and the lower housing (22) jointly define a mounting cavity for mounting the battery module (abstract, line 5), the upper housing is provided with the vehicle body mounting member (via 1311 in Figure 4; via 15a in Figure 6), and the upper housing is configured as the vehicle body floor (abstract, lines 6-7).
As to claim 6, wherein the housing is provided with a seat mounting member, and the seat mounting member is used for mounting a seat of the vehicle (page 11, lines 3-9).
As to claim 16, CN discloses a vehicle, comprising the vehicle body floor assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 (abstract).
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.
Claim(s) 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN ‘361 and CN ‘362 in view of CN 202528831 (with machine translation). CN’ 361 and ‘362 both disclose housings, but doesn’t disclose a high and low voltage output plug-in connected to a BMS and electric appliance component of vehicle as recited.
CN ‘831 discloses a battery structure below a vehicle floor assembly and shows that it is well known in the art to have a housing (15, 16) provided with a high-voltage output plug-in (11, 12; [0039] in translation) and a low-voltage output plug-in (13), the high-voltage output plug-in is configured to be connected to an output terminal of the battery module, and the low-voltage output plug-in is configured to be communicatively connected to a Battery Management System ([0033]) mainboard of the battery pack; and the high-voltage output plug-in and/or the low-voltage output plug-in is provided under a rear seat of the vehicle (within rear suspension area; [0009], [0032]), and the high-voltage output plug-in and the low-voltage output plug-in are both configured to be connected to an electric appliance component of the vehicle ([0039]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide CN’361 and ‘362 housings with a low and high voltage plug-in connected to a BMS and electric appliance component in view of CN ‘831 to provide versatile charging options improving safety and increasing power delivery and charging performance of battery.
Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN ‘361 and CN ‘362 in view of Zhang et al 20220185088. CN’ 361 and 362 both disclose the battery module disposed to the housing, but doesn’t explicitly disclose that the module is bonded to housing as recited.
Zhang discloses a battery module (200) within a housing (100) and shows that it is well known in the art to bond the module to the housing ([0140]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to bond the battery module to the housing in CN’ 361 and 362 in view of Zhang to provide secure placement of module within housing to avoid slipping and/or sliding of module during aggressive vehicle maneuvers, i.e., sharp turns, steep hill climbs, etc.
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN ‘361 and CN ‘362 in view of CN 202528831 (with machine translation). CN ‘361 and ‘362 both disclose battery modules provided in housings, but doesn’t disclose a first heat exchange structure as recited.
CN ‘831 discloses a battery structure below a vehicle floor assembly and shows that it is well known in the art to provide a battery pack with a first heat exchange structure, the first heat exchange structure is provided in the housing and is located on an outer side of the battery module, and the first heat exchange structure is used for heat exchange with the battery module ([0042]-[0043]).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the battery packs in CN ‘361 and ‘362 with a first heat exchange structure in view of CN ‘831 to increase cooling capacity of battery during operation of vehicle which reduces maintenance cost for replacing battery due to wear from heat damage.
Claim(s) 10 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN ‘361 and CN ‘362 in view of CN 210692627 (with machine translation). As to claim 10, CN ‘361 and ‘362 both disclose battery modules, but doesn’t explicitly disclose the structure of the module having a cell unit, side frame and first cell support structure as recited.
CN ‘627 discloses a battery module and shows that it is well known in the art to provide the module with a battery cell unit (3); a side frame, wherein the side frame is disposed to surround the battery cell unit (sides of 3 as coupled); and a first cell support structure, wherein the first cell support structure is supported between the battery cell unit and the housing (1), the first cell support structure comprises a first support body (121) and a first bottom support rib (13), the first support body is used for supporting the battery cell unit and is provided with an avoidance groove (areas formed between 13) penetrating the first support body, the first bottom support rib is connected to the first support body and is located on a side of the first support body away from the battery cell unit (Figure 1), and the first bottom support rib corresponds to the avoidance groove in a thickness direction of the first support body (areas formed between 13; page 5, lines 25-34).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the battery modules in CN ‘361 and ‘362 with the recited components in view of CN ‘627 to provide structural strength and increase stability of housing during operation of vehicle which improves operating efficiency of battery module.
As to claim 11, CN ‘361 and ‘362 in view of CN ‘627 disclose wherein the battery module further comprises a BMS mainboard (5 in CN ‘627), and the BMS mainboard is provided on the side frame (as shown in Figure 3 in CN ‘627).
Claim(s) 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN ‘361 and CN ‘362 in view of CN 210692627 (with machine translation). CN ‘361 and ‘362 both disclose battery modules, but doesn’t explicitly disclose the structure of the module having a cell unit and second cell support structure as recited.
CN ‘627 discloses a battery module and shows that it is well known in the art to provide the module with a prismatic battery cell (3 is shown in form of tubular rectangle); a second heat exchange structure (4), wherein the battery cell is sandwiched in the second heat exchange structure (3 is sandwiched to 4 via closure between housings 2 and 11), and the second heat exchange structure is used for heat exchange with the battery cell (abstract); and a second cell support structure, wherein the second cell support structure is supported between the battery cell and the housing, the second cell support structure comprises a second support body (121) and a second bottom support rib (13), the second support body is used for supporting the battery cell, and the second bottom support rib is connected to the second support body and is located on a side of the second support body away from the battery cell (Figure 1).
It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the battery modules in CN ‘361 and ‘362 with the recited components in view of CN ‘627 to provide structural strength and increase stability of housing during operation of vehicle which improves operating efficiency of battery module and increase cooling capacity of battery during operation of vehicle which reduces maintenance cost for replacing battery due to wear from heat damage.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 13-15 are objected to (via prior art purposes only) 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. Based on 112(b) rejection above pertaining to claims 12-15, reasons for allowance will not be indicated at this time upon waiting for applicant’s response.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
-The corresponding international application office actions (CN 202111151169.3, PCT/CN2022114119 and EP 22874493.4) as filed have been considered and the examiner agrees that some of the prior art cited in the actions do meet the limitations as claimed in present invention.
-CN 106558745 (IDS cited art) discloses a cooling device for a battery having similar construction as recited in claim 13 of present invention; however, the structure in CN’ 745 wouldn’t be compatible with structure of battery modules in CN ‘361 and ‘362 in view of CN ‘627.
-CN 214254602 (IDS cited art) discloses a cell support structure similar to construction as recited in claim 10 of present invention, but doesn’t disclose the structure supported between the cell unit and module housing (100 which is considered structure is outside of housing 300 as shown in Figure 1).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TISHA D LEWIS whose telephone number is (571)272-7093. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 8:30am to 5:00pm.
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, Anna M Momper can be reached at 571-270-5788. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Tdl
/TISHA D LEWIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3619 February 4, 2026