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 § 112
Applicant has amended claim 7 such that the claim now depends on claim 10 therefore, the previous 112b rejection has been withdrawn.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments, page 12 lines 1 – 15 and page 13 whole page – page 15 lines 1 – 16, filed 06/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that because cited prior art, Okada et al. and Matsumura, alone or in combination, do not describe or suggest heat dissipation via a conductive member, they do not describe or suggest a configuration in which the second or third metal part of the metal member is positioned to overlap with the fin part when viewed from the axial direction in Applicant’s present invention. First, in response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., "heat dissipation via a conductive member") are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Second, even if this was claimed in amended claim 1, Matsumura Para [0038] whole paragraph discloses fins 615 are formed on the metal cover 61, which can lead to heat dissipation being improved. Thus, Applicant’s argument is not persuasive.
Applicant's arguments, page 12 lines 16 – 19 and page 13 whole page – page 15 lines 1 – 16, filed 06/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that because claim 7 was amended to depend on new claim 10, the rejection of original claim 7 is moot in its prior form. However, in amended claim 1 last sentence, it is shown that the claimed structure of claim 7 was added into amended claim 1. Since the claimed structure of claim 7 has not been amended or changed from previous filing, Okada et al. in view of Matsumura can still be used as a basis for the rejection. Thus, Applicant’s argument is not persuasive.
Applicant's arguments, page 15 lines 16 – 20, filed 06/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that because claim 4 was amended to depend on new claim 10, the rejection of original claim 4 is moot in its prior form. However, in amended claim 1 lines 16 – 22, it is shown that the claimed structure of claim 4 was added into amended claim 1. Since the claimed structure of claim 4 has not been amended or changed from previous filing, Okada et al. in view of Matsumura and further in view of Ishikawa et al. can still be used as a basis for the rejection. Thus, Applicant’s argument is not persuasive.
Applicant's arguments, page 18 lines 3 – 23 thru page 19 whole page, filed 06/05/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that the regulatory portion, upper boss recess 321, of Okada et al. restricts rotation of the upper damping member 4 in the circumferential direction and does not describe or suggest restriction of movement of the upper damping member 4 in the axial direction as claimed in Applicant’s original claim 9 and new claim 10. Upon review of Okada et al. and Matsumura, it was founded that there was an error in the previous rejection of claim 9, and that Matsumura discloses a regulatory portion, end plate portion 613, and in combination, Okada et al. and Matsumura structurally discloses the lid member further including a regulatory portion that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member and the fin portion (see rejection of claim 9 and claim 10 below). Thus, Applicant’s argument is not persuasive.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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:
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.
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 7 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura.
Regarding Claim 10, Okada et al. discloses an electric motor (molded motor 100) (Okada et al. Fig. 3), comprising:
a cylindrical resin outer shell (motor casing 2) that includes an opening end portion (Okada et al. Para [0047] first sentence) on one end in an axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1);
a stator (25) that includes a coil (252) and a stator core (251) that are integrally formed with the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Para [0057] whole paragraph);
a rotor (11) that is disposed on an inner diameter side of the stator (Okada et al. Fig. 7);
a lid member (casing cover 3) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0128] lines 3 – 6),
the lid member including a plate portion (top wall portion 31) (Okada et al. Para [0067] first sentence),
the plate portion includes an inner surface portion (inner surface of top wall portion 31) and an outer surface portion (outer surface of top wall portion 31) (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the inner surface portion covering the opening end portion of the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the outer surface portion being opposite to the inner surface portion (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
a metal member (bearing conducting member 7) that is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell and is thermally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell and the lid member (Okada et al. Para [0080] first sentence),
a rotation shaft (10) that extends in the axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1),
the rotor being fixed to the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 7);
a first bearing housing portion (upper boss portion 32) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0128] lines 3 – 6 discloses a casing cover 3 made of metal and since the casing cover 3 includes the upper boss portion 32, it is also made of metal) and provided on the lid member (Okada et al. Fig.13),
the first bearing housing portion housing a first bearing (upper bearing 8) that rotatably supports the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 13);
and a second bearing housing portion (lower bearing bracket 24) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0055] first sentence) and provided on the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the second bearing housing portion housing the second bearing (lower bearing 9) that rotatably supports the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
and a vibration isolating member (upper damping member 4) that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing housing portion (Okada et al. Fig. 5),
wherein the metal member coming into contact with the first bearing housing portion on one end side and coming into contact with the second bearing housing portion on an other end side (Okada et al. Para [0079] first sentence).
Okada et al. does not disclose:
the lid member including a fin portion,
the fin portion formed integrally with the plate portion and protruding from the outer surface portion in the axial direction;
the lid member further including a regulatory portion that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member and the fin portion.
Matsumura discloses:
the lid member (metal cover 61) including a fin portion (615) (Matsumura Fig. 1),
the fin portion protruding from the outer surface portion (outer surface of flange 611) in the axial direction (Matsumura Fig. 5).
Okada et al. and Matsumura structurally discloses:
the lid member further including a regulatory portion (end plate portion 613) (of Matsumura Fig. 5) that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member (of Okada et al. Fig. 13) to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction (of Matsumura Fig. 5) to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member (of Okada et al. Fig. 13) and the fin portion (of Matsumura Fig. 5).
Okada et al. and Matsumura disclose metal covers therefore, Matsumura constitutes prior art. Matsumura discloses a motor having a metal cover with fins. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the lid member including a fin portion and the fin portion protruding from the outer surface portion in the axial direction of Matsumura, and have the lid member further including a regulatory portion that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member and the fin portion of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Matsumura for the purpose of 1) improving heat dissipation of the lid member and 2) preventing heat dissipation from the fins from being blocked by the vibration isolating member.
Regarding Claim 7, Okada et al. and Matsumura disclose the electric motor according to claim 10.
Okada et al. does not disclose:
wherein the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion.
Matsumura discloses:
wherein the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion (Matsumura Fig. 5 discloses a plurality of fins 615 provided on flange 611).
It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion of Matsumura for the purpose of transferring heat away from the plate portion to the plurality of fins.
Claims 1, 4 – 6, 8 – 9, and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura and further in view of Ishikawa et al.
Regarding Claim 1, Okada et al. discloses an electric motor (molded motor 100) (Okada et al. Fig. 3), comprising:
a cylindrical resin outer shell (motor casing 2) that includes an opening end portion (Okada et al. Para [0047] first sentence) on one end in an axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1);
a stator (25) that includes a coil (252) and a stator core (251) that are integrally formed with the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Para [0057] whole paragraph);
a rotor (11) that is disposed on an inner diameter side of the stator (Okada et al. Fig. 7);
a lid member (casing cover 3) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0128] lines 3 – 6),
the lid member including a plate portion (top wall portion 31) (Okada et al. Para [0067] first sentence),
the plate portion includes an inner surface portion (inner surface of top wall portion 31) and an outer surface portion (outer surface of top wall portion 31) (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the inner surface portion covering the opening end portion of the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the outer surface portion being opposite to the inner surface portion (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
and a metal member (bearing conducting member 7) that is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell and is thermally connected to the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell and the lid member (Okada et al. Para [0080] first sentence),
wherein the metal member further includes a first metal portion (end portion of bearing conducting member 7), a second metal portion (middle portion of bearing conducting member 7), and a third metal portion (another end portion of bearing conducting member 7) (Okada et al. Fig. 4),
the first metal portion being disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1).
Okada et al. does not disclose:
the lid member including a fin portion,
the fin portion formed integrally with the plate portion and protruding from the outer surface portion in the axial direction;
the second metal portion being connected to the first metal portion and disposed on the opening end portion along a radial direction of the resin outer shell,
the third metal portion being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction,
the second metal portion or the third metal portion is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction,
and the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion.
Matsumura discloses:
the lid member (metal cover 61) including a fin portion (615) (Matsumura Fig. 1),
the fin portion protruding from the outer surface portion (outer surface of flange 611) in the axial direction (Matsumura Fig. 5);
and the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion (Matsumura Fig. 5 discloses a plurality of fins 615 provided on flange 611).
Okada et al. and Matsumura structurally discloses:
the second metal portion or the third metal portion (of Okada et al. Fig. 5) is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction (of Matsumura Fig. 7).
Ishikawa et al. discloses:
the second metal portion (bent portion 712) being connected to the first metal portion (base end portion 711) and disposed on the opening end portion (upper surface groove 82) along a radial direction of the resin outer shell (stator holding part 41) (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 6),
the third metal portion (extending portion 713) being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface (inner surface groove 83) of the resin outer shell along the axial direction (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 6).
Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose a resin outer shell therefore, Ishikawa et al. constitutes prior art. Ishikawa et al. discloses a motor having a lead wire that has portions on and inside a motor molded body. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the lid member including a fin portion, the fin portion protruding from the outer surface portion in the axial direction, and the fin portion includes a plurality of fin portions provided radially on the plate portion of Matsumura, the second metal portion or the third metal portion is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Matsumura, and the second metal portion being connected to the first metal portion and disposed on the opening end portion along a radial direction of the resin outer shell and the third metal portion being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction of Ishikawa et al. for the purpose of 1) transferring heat away from the plate portion to the plurality of fins, 2) axially transferring heat between the second or third metal portion and the fin portion of the lid member, and 3) extending and thermally connecting the metal member to inside the cylindrical resin outer shell to transfer heat away from the resin shell.
Regarding Claim 4, Okada et al. and Matsumura disclose the electric motor according to claim 10, wherein the metal member further includes a first metal portion (end portion of bearing conducting member 7), a second metal portion (middle portion of bearing conducting member 7), and a third metal portion (another end portion of bearing conducting member 7) (Okada et al. Fig. 4),
the first metal portion being disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1).
Okada et al. and Matsumura do not disclose:
the second metal portion being connected to the first metal portion and disposed on the opening end portion along a radial direction of the resin outer shell,
the third metal portion being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction.
Ishikawa et al. discloses:
the second metal portion (bent portion 712) being connected to the first metal portion (base end portion 711) and disposed on the opening end portion (upper surface groove 82) along a radial direction of the resin outer shell (stator holding part 41) (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 6),
the third metal portion (extending portion 713) being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface (inner surface groove 83) of the resin outer shell along the axial direction (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 6).
Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose a resin outer shell therefore, Ishikawa et al. constitutes prior art. Ishikawa et al. discloses a motor having a lead wire that has portions on and inside a motor molded body. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the second metal portion being connected to the first metal portion and disposed on the opening end portion along a radial direction of the resin outer shell, and the third metal portion being connected to the second metal portion and disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell along the axial direction of Ishikawa et al. for the purpose of extending and thermally connecting the metal member to inside the cylindrical resin outer shell to transfer heat away from the resin shell.
Regarding Claim 5, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. discloses the electric motor according to claim 4.
Okada et al. and Matsumura do not disclose:
further comprising a circuit board that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member,
the lid member further including an annular protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell,
the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion.
Ishikawa et al. discloses:
further comprising a circuit board (30) that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member (first bearing bracket 61) (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 2),
the lid member further including an annular protruding portion (inner fixing portion 603) that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 9),
the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 4 discloses a contact between the inner fixing portion 603 and extending portion 713 and since both are formed of metal, they have a thermal contact as well.).
It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to further comprise a circuit board that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member, the lid member further including an annular protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell, and the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion of Ishikawa et al. for the purpose of transferring heat between the metal member and the lid member.
Regarding Claim 6, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose the electric motor according to claim 4.
Okada et al. does not disclose:
wherein the second metal portion or the third metal portion is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction.
Okada et al. and Matsumura structurally discloses:
wherein the second metal portion or the third metal portion (of Okada et al. Fig. 5) is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction (of Matsumura Fig. 7).
It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the second metal portion or the third metal portion is disposed at a position overlapping with the fin portion when viewed from the axial direction of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Matsumura for the purpose of axially transferring heat between the second or third metal portion and the fin portion of the lid member.
Regarding Claim 8, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose the electric motor according to claim 1, further comprising:
a rotation shaft (10) that extends in the axial direction (Okada et al. Fig. 1),
the rotor being fixed to the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 7);
a first bearing housing portion (upper boss portion 32) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0128] lines 3 – 6 discloses a casing cover 3 made of metal and since the casing cover 3 includes the upper boss portion 32, it is also made of metal) and provided on the lid member (Okada et al. Fig.13),
the first bearing housing portion housing a first bearing (upper bearing 8) that rotatably supports the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 13);
and a second bearing housing portion (lower bearing bracket 24) that is formed of a metal (Okada et al. Para [0055] first sentence) and provided on the resin outer shell (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the second bearing housing portion housing the second bearing (lower bearing 9) that rotatably supports the rotation shaft (Okada et al. Fig. 13),
the metal member coming into contact with the first bearing housing portion on one end side and coming into contact with the second bearing housing portion on the other end side (Okada et al. Para [0079] first sentence).
Regarding Claim 9, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose the electric motor according to claim 8, further comprising a vibration isolating member (upper damping member 4) that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first bearing housing portion (Okada et al. Fig. 5).
Okada et al. does not disclose:
the lid member further including a regulatory portion that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member and the fin portion.
Okada et al. and Matsumura structurally discloses:
the lid member further including a regulatory portion (end plate portion 613) (of Matsumura Fig. 5) that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member (of Okada et al. Fig. 13) to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction (of Matsumura Fig. 5) to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member (of Okada et al. Fig. 13) and the fin portion (of Matsumura Fig. 5).
It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have the lid member further include a regulatory portion that regulates movement of the vibration isolating member to a side of the fin portion in the axial direction to form a predetermined gap between the vibration isolating member and the fin portion of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Matsumura for the purpose of preventing heat dissipation from the fins from being blocked by the vibration isolating member.
Regarding Claim 13, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose the electric motor according to claim 1.
Okada et al. and Matsumura do not disclose:
further comprising a circuit board that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member,
the lid member further including an annular protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell,
the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion.
Ishikawa et al. discloses:
further comprising a circuit board (30) that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member (first bearing bracket 61) (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 2),
the lid member further including an annular protruding portion (inner fixing portion 603) that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 9),
the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion (Ishikawa et al. Fig. 4 discloses a contact between the inner fixing portion 603 and extending portion 713 and since both are formed of metal, they have a thermal contact as well.).
It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to further comprise a circuit board that is disposed in an internal space covered by the resin outer shell and the lid member, the lid member further including an annular protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface portion toward a side of the circuit board and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the resin outer shell, and the third metal portion including a contact portion that comes into thermal contact with the annular protruding portion of Ishikawa et al. for the purpose of transferring heat between the metal member and the lid member.
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura and further in view of Zhao.
Regarding Claim 11, Okada et al. and Matsumura disclose the electric motor according to claim 10.
Okada et al. and Matsumura do not disclose:
wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell includes a groove portion along the axial direction,
and at least part of the metal member has a band shape and is housed in the groove portion.
Okada et al. and Zhao structurally discloses:
wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell (of Okada et al. Fig. 1) includes a groove portion (343) along the axial direction (of Zhao Fig. 2),
and at least part of the metal member has a band shape (of Okada et al. Fig. 4) and is housed in the groove portion (of Zhao Fig. 2).
Okada et al., Matsumura, and Zhao discloses a plastic outer shell for a motor therefore, Zhao constitutes prior art. Zhao discloses a plastic package motor that has a groove with a conductive sheet embedded into it. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell includes a groove portion along the axial direction, and at least part of the metal member has a band shape and is housed in the groove portion of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Zhao for the purpose of axially supporting and securing the metal member to the cylindrical resin outer shell.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura, Zhao, and further in view of Hiwaki et al.
Regarding Claim 12, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Zhao disclose the electric motor according to claim 11.
Okada et al., Matsumura, and Zhao does not disclose:
wherein the resin outer shell includes a plurality of outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction,
and the groove portion is located between two outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
Hiwaki et al. discloses:
wherein the resin outer shell (molded resin body 14) includes a plurality of outer-peripheral surface projecting portions (14b) that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction (Hiwaki et al. Fig. 1),
and the groove portion (14a) is located between two outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction (Hiwaki et al. Fig. 1).
Okada et al., Matsumura, Zhao, and Hiwaki et al. discloses a plastic outer shell for a motor therefore, Hiwaki et al. constitutes prior art. Hiwaki et al. discloses a motor with a resin body having a plurality of projections and recesses on an outer circumferential surface of the resin body. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the resin outer shell includes a plurality of outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction, and the groove portion be located between two outer peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of Hiwaki et al. for the purpose of increasing heat dissipation such that heat is moved away from the groove portion.
Claim 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., and further in view of Zhao.
Regarding Claim 2, Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. disclose the electric motor according to claim 1.
Okada et al., Matsumura, and Ishikawa et al. do not disclose:
wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell includes a groove portion along the axial direction,
and at least part of the metal member has a band shape and is housed in the groove portion.
Okada et al. and Zhao structurally discloses:
wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell (of Okada et al. Fig. 1) includes a groove portion (343) along the axial direction (of Zhao Fig. 2),
and at least part of the metal member has a band shape (of Okada et al. Fig. 4) and is housed in the groove portion (of Zhao Fig. 2).
Okada et al., Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., and Zhao discloses a plastic outer shell for a motor therefore, Zhao constitutes prior art. Zhao discloses a plastic package motor that has a groove with a conductive sheet embedded into it. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the outer peripheral surface of the resin outer shell includes a groove portion along the axial direction, and at least part of the metal member has a band shape and is housed in the groove portion of structurally disclosed Okada et al. and Zhao for the purpose of axially supporting and securing the metal member to the cylindrical resin outer shell.
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okada et al. in view of Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., Zhao, and further in view of Hiwaki et al.
Regarding Claim 3, Okada et al., Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., and Zhao disclose the electric motor according to claim 2.
Okada et al., Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., and Zhao does not disclose:
wherein the resin outer shell includes a plurality of outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction,
and the groove portion is located between two outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
Hiwaki et al. discloses:
wherein the resin outer shell (molded resin body 14) includes a plurality of outer-peripheral surface projecting portions (14b) that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction (Hiwaki et al. Fig. 1),
and the groove portion (14a) is located between two outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction (Hiwaki et al. Fig. 1).
Okada et al., Matsumura, Ishikawa et al., Zhao, and Hiwaki et al. discloses a plastic outer shell for a motor therefore, Hiwaki et al. constitutes prior art. Hiwaki et al. discloses a motor with a resin body having a plurality of projections and recesses on an outer circumferential surface of the resin body. It would be obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have wherein the resin outer shell includes a plurality of outer-peripheral-surface projecting portions that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface toward an outer diameter side and is formed in a circumferential direction, and the groove portion be located between two outer peripheral-surface projecting portions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of Hiwaki et al. for the purpose of increasing heat dissipation such that heat is moved away from the groove portion.
Conclusion
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 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.
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/THEODORE L PERKINS/Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/TERRANCE L KENERLY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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