Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/699,746

Method for Operating a Drive Axle for a Motor Vehicle, Control Unit, Drive Axle, and Motor Vehicle

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 09, 2024

Priority

Dec 01, 2021 — DE 10 2021 131 522.0 +1 more

Examiner

KANDAS, NICHOLAS R

Art Unit

3613

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +20.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (85%); +20.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 117 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

KANDAS, NICHOLAS R View full profile →

Grants 85% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

99 granted / 117 resolved

+32.6% vs TC avg

Strong +21% interview lift

Without

With

+20.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 8m

Avg Prosecution

24 currently pending

Career history

136

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

89.1%

+49.1% vs TC avg

§102

8.8%

-31.2% vs TC avg

§112

2.1%

-37.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 117 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 09, 2024

Application Filed

May 22, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/141,480

Patent 12679461

VEHICLE BODY REINFORCING STRUCTURE AND VEHICLE

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/109,942

Patent 12676377

Structural battery pack cell signal and conversion pass-through

3y 4m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/462,138

Patent 12673548

RADIAL WHEEL MOTOR SUPPORTED ON AUXILIARY BEARINGS IN A PARALLEL ARRANGEMENT

2y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/521,171

Patent 12649361

ACTIVE AIR FLAP DEVICE FOR VEHICLE

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/236,947

Patent 12636961

ELECTRIC-POWERED DEVICE AND INSTALLATION SEAT THEREOF

2y 9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

85%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+20.9%)

2y 8m (~4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 117 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.