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 .
Objection to Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Spec. (See pages 4-5, para’s [0011]-[0013], pages 12-13, para’s [0047] thru [0049], and relative claims 1-12) teaches the phrase, “a control circuit configured to generate a drive control signal for driving a motor”, However, the drive control signal Sd (see applicant’s fig.1) is generated based on a speed command signal Sc, which is missing in relative claims 1-12.
The phrase, “the control circuit generates an initial position detection signal Pd for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit so as to sequentially switch the energization sector without rotating the rotor of the motor, acquires a peak value of an energization current that flows in the ground direction upon the energization and a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated” is not clear as to control circuit generates an initial position detection signal Pd (fig.1) for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit”
In general, a position detection signal is a signal for detecting position of a rotor of motor. A control signal (e.g. driving signal Sd, fig.1) is for controlling the energization and interruption (ON/OFF) of the switches of the inverter circuit 2a.
Therefore, it is not clear how a position detection signal Pd is used for performing energization and interruption (i.e) turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit 2a (fig.1).
A position detection signal Pd can be corrected as the “a position detection control signal [High-level/Low level signal] (see spec., pages 12-13, para. [0048]).
Applicant’s spec. teaches (see page, 27 para. [0111]) that “when the rotor of the motor 3 is idling at a high speed, the induced electromotive force increases in accordance with the rotational speed and the induced current in the charging mode increases, thus resulting in an increase in the kickback current flowing through the shunt resistance Rs in the inverter circuit direction.”
Therefore it is not clear as to the phrase (see claims 1-12), “without rotating the rotor of the motor”, acquires a peak value of an energization current that flows in the ground direction upon the energization and a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated” as “an increase in the kickback current flowing through the shunt resistance Rs in the inverter circuit direction is associated with when the rotor of the motor is idling at a high speed?
Appropriate correction is required wherever necessary in the specification.
Claim Rejections – 35 USC § 112
3. 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 1-12 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 1-12 state the phrase, “a control circuit configured to generate a drive control signal for driving a motor”, However, the drive control signal Sd (see applicant’s fig.1) is generated based on a speed command signal Sc, which is missing in relative claims 1-12.
The phrase (see claims 1-12), “the control circuit generates an initial position detection signal for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit so as to sequentially switch the energization sector without rotating the rotor of the motor, acquires a peak value of an energization current that flows in the ground direction upon the energization and a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated” is not clear as to control circuit generates an initial position detection signal Pd (fig.1) for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit”
In general, a position detection signal is a signal for detecting position of a rotor of motor. A control signal (e.g. driving signal Sd, fig.1) is for controlling the energization and interruption (ON/OFF) of the switches of the inverter circuit 2a.
Therefore, it is not clear how a position detection signal Pd is used for performing energization and interruption (i.e) turning on/off the high-side switch and the low-side switch of the inverter circuit 2a (fig.1).
A position detection signal Pd can be corrected as the “a position detection control signal [High-level/Low level signal] (see spec., pages 12-13, para. [0048]).
Applicant’s spec. teaches (see page, 27 para. [0111]) that “when the rotor of the motor 3 is idling at a high speed, the induced electromotive force increases in accordance with the rotational speed and the induced current in the charging mode increases, thus resulting in an increase in the kickback current flowing through the shunt resistance Rs in the inverter circuit direction.”
Therefore it is not clear as to the phrase (see claims 1-12), “without rotating the rotor of the motor”, acquires a peak value of an energization current that flows in the ground direction upon the energization and a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated” as “an increase in the kickback current flowing through the shunt resistance Rs in the inverter circuit direction is associated with when the rotor of the motor is idling at a high speed?
Appropriate correction is required wherever necessary in the claims 1-3, 8, 9 and 12.
Allowable Subject-Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: As to claim 1, the prior art of records (closest prior art, KUROSAWA et al., Pub. No.: US 2023/0238902 A1) teaches (FIGS. 1-13B, PARA’S [0041] THRU [0052]) a motor drive control device 1 comprising: a control circuit 100 configured to generate a drive control signal [ENERGIZATION CONTROL SIGNAL] for driving a motor 300 including at least a coil 301U of one phase [U];
a driving circuit including an inverter circuit 200 including a high-side switch [UH/VH/WH] and a low-side switch [UL/VL/WL] connected in series and provided corresponding to a coil 301U/301V/301W of each phase [U, V, W] of the motor 300, the driving circuit 200 (fig.2) being configured to rotate a rotor 303 (FIGS.1-4C) of the motor 300 by switching an energization direction of the coil 301U/301V/301W (FIG.3) of corresponding phase [U, V, W] by alternately turning on/off the high-side switch[UL/VL/WL] and the low-side switch[UL/VL/WL] in accordance with the drive control signal [UL/VL/WL]; a shunt resistance 203 (FIG.2) provided between the inverter circuit 200 and a ground [GND]; and a bidirectional current (IA, ID, IB, IE,IF, IC, FIG.3) detection circuit 102 (FIG.2-3, PARA. [0059] THRU [0065]) configured to detect a current flowing through the shunt resistance 203, in a ground direction that is a direction from the inverter circuit 200 to the ground [GND],
the control circuit 100 generates an position detection control signal [energization signal-A, B, C, D, E, F] (SEE FIG.8) for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil 301U/301V/301W (FIG.3) corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch [UH/VH/WH] and the low-side switch [UL/VL/WL] of the inverter circuit 200 (SEE FIG.2) so as to sequentially switch the energization sector without rotating the rotor 303 of the motor 300 (SEE MODE 1, PARA’S [0068]-[0069], [0078] THRU [0084], [MCU 110] acquires a peak value (maximum value] of an energization current [U/V/WPHASE CURRENT] (fig.8, para’s [0115] thru [0138]) that flows in the ground [GND] direction upon the energization (See fig.2), based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit 102 (fig.2), and estimate a position of the rotor based on the peak/maximum value of the energization current [U/V/WPHASE CURRENT] (fig.8).
KUROSAWA et al. teaches sensor-less driving, and motor can be steadily driven using back-emf detection 101 (fig.2) with high torque capability (see Kurosawa et al., para’s [ 0004], [0008], [0034] thru [0036]).
However, as to claim 1, KUROSAWA et al., fails to teach a bidirectional current detection circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the shunt resistance, in an inverter circuit direction that is a direction opposite to the ground direction, wherein a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated, and estimates a position of the rotor based on the peak value of the kickback current for each energization sector.
Dependent claims 2-11 depend on allowable independent claim 1.
As to claim 12, the prior art of records (closest prior art, KUROSAWA et al., Pub. No.: US 2023/0238902 A1) teaches (FIGS. 1-13B, PARA’S [0002], [0041] THRU [0052]) An initial position detection method (figs.6, 8) for a rotor 303 (figs.3-4C) configured to be executed in a motor drive control device 1 (see figs.2-13b, para’s [0033], [0065], [0068], fig.8, para’s [0112] thru [0138] & [0174]) including:
a control circuit 100 configured to generate a drive control signal [ENERGIZATION CONTROL SIGNAL] for driving a motor 300 including at least a coil 301U of one phase [U];
a driving circuit including an inverter circuit 200 including a high-side switch [UH/VH/WH] and a low-side switch [UL/VL/WL] connected in series and provided corresponding to a coil 301U/301V/301W of each phase [U, V, W] of the motor 300, the driving circuit 200 (fig.2) being configured to rotate a rotor 303 (FIGS.1-4C) of the motor 300 by switching an energization direction of the coil 301U/301V/301W (FIG.3) of corresponding phase [U, V, W] by alternately turning on/off the high-side switch[UL/VL/WL] and the low-side switch[UL/VL/WL] in accordance with the drive control signal [UL/VL/WL]; a shunt resistance 203 (FIG.2) provided between the inverter circuit 200 and a ground [GND]; and a bidirectional current (IA, ID, IB, IE, IF, IC, FIG.3) detection circuit 102 (FIG.2-3, PARA. [0059] THRU [0065]) configured to detect a current flowing through the shunt resistance 203, in a ground direction that is a direction from the inverter circuit 200 to the ground [GND],
the control circuit 100 generates an position detection control signal [energization signal-A, B, C, D, E, F] (SEE FIG.8) for performing energization and interruption in an energization direction of the coil 301U/301V/301W (FIG.3) corresponding to an energization sector by turning on/off the high-side switch [UH/VH/WH] and the low-side switch [UL/VL/WL] of the inverter circuit 200 (SEE FIG.2) so as to sequentially switch the energization sector without rotating the rotor 303 of the motor 300 (SEE MODE 1, PARA’S [0068]-[0069], [0078] THRU [0084], [MCU 110] acquires a peak value (maximum value] of an energization current [U/V/WPHASE CURRENT] (fig.8, para’s [0115] thru [0138]) that flows in the ground [GND] direction upon the energization (See fig.2), based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit 102 (fig.2), and estimate a position of the rotor based on the peak/maximum value of the energization current [U/V/WPHASE CURRENT] (fig.8).
KUROSAWA et al. teaches sensor-less driving, and motor can be steadily driven using back-emf detection 101 (fig.2) with high torque capability (see Kurosawa et al., para’s [ 0004], [0008], [0034] thru [0036]).
However, as to claim 12, KUROSAWA et al., fails to teach a bidirectional current detection circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the shunt resistance, in an inverter circuit direction that is a direction opposite to the ground direction, the method comprising: acquiring a peak value of a kickback current due to an inductive kickback that flows in the inverter circuit direction upon interruption of the energization for each energization sector, based on a current detected by the bidirectional current detection circuit when the initial position detection signal is generated, and estimates a position of the rotor based on the peak value of the kickback current for each energization sector.
However, formal requirements outstanding (see objection to specification and 35 USC 112 rejection of claims 1-12 needs to be corrected and clarified in order for allowability of claims 1-12 in response to this office action.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANTONY M PAUL whose telephone number is (571)270-1608. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 am to 4 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Mr. 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.
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/ANTONY M PAUL/
Primary Examiner of Art Unit 2837
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