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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 10/27/2024, 04/23/2025 and 10/31/2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Interpretation Under 35 USC §112
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: “thermal management devices” in claims 1 and 13.
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.
Claim limitation “thermal management devices” has/have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C.112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because it uses/they use a generic placeholder “devices” coupled with functional language “thermal management” without reciting sufficient structure to achieve the function.
Since the claim limitation(s) invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, claim(s) 1 and 13 has/have been interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification that achieves the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
A review of the specification shows that the following appears to be the corresponding structure described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph limitation:
Thermal management devices treated as meaning such as the compressor 1, the outdoor heat exchanger 5, and the battery heat exchanger 17. See spec page 29.
If applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the examiner’s interpretation of the corresponding structure, applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters in response to this Office action.
If applicant does not intend to have the claim limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112 , sixth paragraph, applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, or present a sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011).
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 1-19 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Claim 1 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in lines 9-12 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 2. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 1 calls for the limitation “a thermal management system” in lines 4-5 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “a vehicle thermal management system” above in line 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the thermal management system --.
Claim 3 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in line 8 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 2 of claim 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- flow channel --.
Claim 4 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in line 2 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 2 of claim 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 6 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in lines 2-3 and 8 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 2 of claim 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 10 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in line 1 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 2 of claim 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 12 recites the term “smooth” in the phrase “the plurality of flow channels are configured as smooth transitions”. The metes and bound of the claims are unclear when reciting the term “smooth”.
Claim 13 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in lines 10-13 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 3. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 13 calls for the limitation “a thermal management system” in lines 5-6 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “a vehicle thermal management system” above in line 1. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the thermal management system --.
Claim 14 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in lines 4-6 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 3 of claim 13. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
Claim 15 calls for the limitation “a flow channel” in lines 9-10 which is confusing as it is unclear how it relates to the previous recitation of “at least one flow channel” above in line 3 of claim 13. For examination purposes, the limitation is being considered as -- the flow channel --.
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 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 of this title, 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 1-5, 12-13 and 19 are rejected under pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over MORIMOTO et al. (US 20220194167 A1) in view of HUANG et al. (AU 2019409171 A1, see attached doc.).
In regards to claim 1, MORIMOTO discloses an integrated module (connection module 80) for a vehicle thermal management system, comprising: a body (81), at least one flow channel (refrigerant flow paths 82) being arranged in the body (81); a plurality of interfaces, arranged on the body to be in communication with corresponding flow channels (82), and configured to connect to corresponding thermal management devices in a thermal management system, the plurality of interfaces comprising: an indoor condenser outlet interface (connection ports 83a), a first interface (connection ports 83b-e), a second interface (83b-e), a battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f), a battery heat exchanger second opening interface (83g), and a compressor inlet interface (83k); and the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) being connected to the first interface (83b-e) through a flow channel (82), the second interface (83b-e) being connected to the battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f) through a flow channel (82), and the battery heat exchanger second opening interface (83g) being connected to the compressor inlet interface (83k) through a flow channel (82), wherein a battery heat exchanger (24) is configured to exchange heat with a battery coolant circuit (corresponding to low-temperature-side heat medium circuit 45) in which a battery (48) is located; and a valve set (14a-d, 18a), arranged on the body (81), the valve set (14a-d, 18a) comprising a first expansion valve (14d), and the first expansion valve (14d) being arranged on the flow channel between the second interface (83b-e) and the battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f), to cause the first expansion valve (14d) to throttle and depressurize a refrigerant from the second interface (83b-e).
MORIMOTO fails to explicitly teach the battery coolant circuit is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit in which an engine is located.
HUANG teaches a vehicle temperature control apparatus (Fig. 5) wherein the battery coolant circuit (battery cooling loop) is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit (engine cooling loop) in which an engine (27) is located (the power battery 104 exchange heat by a heat exchange medium flowing through the battery cooling loop and the engine cooling loop; par. 60).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the window air conditioner of Kennedy such that the battery coolant circuit is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit in which an engine is located as taught by HUANG in order to effectively increase the temperature of the power battery rapidly vehicles in cold areas (refer to par. 3 of HUANG).
In regards to claim 2, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 1. Further, MORIMOTO teaches further comprising the battery heat exchanger (24), the battery heat exchanger (14) being arranged on the body (81); and the battery heat exchanger (24) further comprising a battery heat exchanger third opening (another end of first opening on body) and a battery heat exchanger fourth opening (another end of second opening on body), and the battery heat exchanger third opening and the battery heat exchanger fourth opening being respectively configured to connect to the battery coolant circuit (45).
In regards to claim 3, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 2. Further, MORIMOTO teaches wherein the plurality of interfaces further comprise: an outdoor heat exchanger first opening interface (15a) and an outdoor heat exchanger second opening interface (15b), the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) is connected to the first interface (83b-e) through the flow channel; and the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger first opening interface (15a) through a flow channel; and the valve set (14a-d, 18a) further comprises a first switch valve (18a) and a second switch valve (18b), the first switch valve (18a) is located on the flow channel between the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) and the first interface (83b-e); and the second switch valve (15b) is located on the flow channel between the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) and the outdoor heat exchanger first opening interface (15a).
In regards to claim 4, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 3. Further, MORIMOTO teaches wherein the interfaces further comprise a third interface, and the third interface is connected to the second interface (83b-e) through a flow channel; the third interface is configured to connect to a first port of a second expansion valve (14a), wherein a second port of the second expansion valve (14a) is connected to a refrigerant inlet of an indoor evaporator (20); and the valve set further comprises a third switch valve (), and the third switch valve is arranged on the flow channel between the second interface and the third interface.
In regards to claim 5, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 4. Further, MORIMOTO teaches wherein the valve set further comprises the second expansion valve (14a), the first port of the second expansion valve (14a) is connected to the third interface, and the second port of the second expansion valve (14a) is configured to connect to the refrigerant inlet of the indoor evaporator (20).
In regards to claim 12, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 1. Further, MORIMOTO teaches wherein connections among the plurality of flow channels (82) are configured as smooth transitions.
In regards to claim 13, MORIMOTO discloses a vehicle thermal management system, comprising a compressor (11), an indoor condenser (12-42), and an integrated module (80) including: a body (81), at least one flow channel (82) being arranged in the body (81); a plurality of interfaces, arranged on the body (81) to be in communication with corresponding flow channels, and configured to connect to corresponding thermal management devices in a thermal management system, the plurality of interfaces comprising: an indoor condenser outlet interface (83a), a first interface (83b-e), a second interface (83b-e), a battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f), a battery heat exchanger second opening interface (83g), and a compressor inlet interface (83k); and the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a) being connected to the first interface (83b-e) through a flow channel, the second interface (83b-e) being connected to the battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f) through a flow channel, and the battery heat exchanger second opening (83g) interface being connected to the compressor inlet interface (83k) through a flow channel, l battery heat exchanger (24) is configured to exchange heat with a battery coolant circuit in which a battery (48) is located; and a valve set (14a-d, 18a), arranged on the body (81), the valve set (14a-d, 18a) comprising a first expansion valve (14d), and the first expansion valve (14d) being arranged on the flow channel between the second interface (83b-e) and the battery heat exchanger first opening interface (83f), to cause the first expansion valve (14d) to throttle and depressurize a refrigerant from the second interface (83b-e), wherein: a refrigerant outlet (11c) of the compressor (11) is connected to a refrigerant inlet of the indoor condenser (12); a refrigerant outlet of the indoor condenser (12) is connected to the indoor condenser outlet interface (83a); and a refrigerant inlet (11a) of the compressor (11) is connected to the compressor inlet interface (83k).
MORIMOTO fails to explicitly teach the battery coolant circuit is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit in which an engine is located.
HUANG teaches a vehicle temperature control apparatus (Fig. 5) wherein the battery coolant circuit (battery cooling loop) is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit (engine cooling loop) in which an engine (27) is located (the power battery 104 exchange heat by a heat exchange medium flowing through the battery cooling loop and the engine cooling loop; par. 60).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the window air conditioner of Kennedy such that the battery coolant circuit is configured to exchange heat with an engine coolant circuit in which an engine is located as taught by HUANG in order to effectively increase the temperature of the power battery rapidly vehicles in cold areas (refer to par. 3 of HUANG).
In regards to claim 19, MORIMOTO as modified meets the claim limitations as disclosed above in the rejection of claim 13. Further, MORIMOTO teaches a vehicle (par. 27), comprising the vehicle thermal management system (a vehicle air conditioner 1) according to claim 13.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-11 and 14-18 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include 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 MARTHA TADESSE whose telephone number is (571)272-0590. The examiner can normally be reached on 7:30am-5:00pm EST. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Frantz Jules can be reached on 571-272-6681. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR)system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/M.T/
Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/FRANTZ F JULES/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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