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 .
Claim Objections
Claim 14 is objected to because of the following informalities: in claim 14, “a traction motor/engine” should be --the traction motor/engine--. Appropriate correction is required.
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 6-10, 12, 14, and 17-20 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.
In claim 6, the last two lines, “the third toothset preferably being” is indefinite because it is not clear if the third toothset is required to be of the dog clutch type to meet the claim limitations.
In claim 7, line 8 and line 12, “the fourth toothset preferably being” is similarly indefinite because it is not clear if the limitations following “preferably” are required.
In claim 8, lines 2-3, “the locked, connected, disconnected and park positions” is indefinite because “the locked” and “park positions” lack antecedent basis (“locked position” was first claimed in claim 7 and “park position” was first claimed in claim 6). It is not clear if a mere position of the sliding sleeve is being claimed by each, or if the associated elements and conditions of the positions are also being claimed.
In claim 9, line 4, “the locked position” is indefinite because it lacks antecedent basis. It is not clear if this is claiming a mere position of the sliding sleeve, or if this is claiming the elements and conditions associated with the locked position.
In claim 12, line 4, “the actuator” is indefinite because it lacks antecedent basis. The actuator and its relation to the other elements of the differential module are first claimed in claim 11, but claim 12 is dependent on claim 9.
In claim 12, lines 6-7, “the…park positions” is indefinite because it lacks antecedent basis. It is not clear if this is claiming a mere position of the sliding sleeve, or if this is claiming the elements and conditions associated with the locked position.
In claim 12, line 8, “the…second assistance springs” is indefinite because it lacks antecedent basis. The second assistance spring and its relation to the other elements of the differential module are first claimed in claim 10.
In claim 14, it is not clear if “a torque-transmission system” is referring to “Transmission system” in claim 13, or claiming a system of different scope.
In claim 17, the last two lines, “the third toothset preferably being” is indefinite because it is not clear if the third toothset is required to be of the dog clutch type to meet the claim limitations.
In claim 18, line 6 and line 11, “the fourth toothset preferably being” is similarly indefinite because it is not clear if the limitations following “preferably” are required.
In claim 19, lines 1-2, “the locked…positions” is indefinite because it lacks antecedent basis. It is not clear if this is claiming a mere position of the sliding sleeve, or if this is claiming the elements and conditions associated with the locked position.
Claim Interpretation
Ordinal numerical adjectives in the claims are not interpreted as indicating a number of elements, but rather as an identifier (name) of a particular element, as described in paragraph [5] of the specification. For example, “a fourth connection by means of collaborating shapes” in claim 7, which is dependent on claim 1, is considered to be claiming a second connection by means of collaborating shapes, and not requiring four.
The term “coupling” in the claims is interpreted as describing components that cannot rotate with respect to each other, being secured together directly or via one or more intermediate components, as the terms “rotationally connected” and “coupled” are described in paragraph [8] of the specification.
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, 3-5, 7, 9, 11-14, 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Averill, U. S. Patent 6,432,021.
Averill shows in figure 2 a differential module 32 for a vehicle transmission system (fig. 1). The differential module has a first axis of rotation 68.
A planet carrier 52 is able to receive a torque supplied, directly or indirectly, by a traction motor/engine 14 (fig. 1).
At least one planet pinion 56 is pivotably mounted on the planet carrier 52.
A first and a second sun gear 42 and 48 pivot about the first axis of rotation 68.
The differential module 32 includes a first and a second wheel-driving half-shaft 34L and 34R. The first wheel-driving half-shaft 34L is rotationally connected to the first sun gear 42.
A sliding sleeve 76 is able to move axially along the first axis of rotation 68 between at least two distinct axial positions.
A first connection by means of collaborating shapes (col. 4, line 57) is created between the sliding sleeve 76 and the second sun gear 48 (via stub axle 46; “Stub axle 46 is spline fit to a second side gear 48”, col. 4, lines 3-4), the first connection by means of collaborating shapes being configured so that the sliding sleeve 76 is permanently rotationally connected to the second sun gear 48/46 and so that the sliding sleeve slides axially with respect to the second sun gear between the at least two axial positions. Lines 3-9 of column 5 discloses three positions of the sliding sleeve 76 (“the clutch ring”), each position including engagement of the sliding sleeve 76 with the second sun gear 48/46.
(claim 1)
A surface of the planet carrier 52, with splines 80, provides radial centering of a surface of the sliding sleeve 76, as shown at the top half of figure 2.
(claims 3)
A second connection means of collaborating shapes (col. 4, lines 57-59, “coupler 70” being part of the half-shaft 34R, col. 4, line 56) is created between the sliding sleeve 76 and the second wheel-driving half-shaft 34R so as selectively to provide:
coupling of the second sun gear 48/46 to the second wheel-driving half-shaft 34R/70 when the sliding sleeve 76 is in a first axial position referred to as the connected position (col. 5, lines 5-6);
uncoupling of the second wheel-driving half-shaft 34R/70 when the sliding sleeve 76 is in a second axial position referred to as the disconnected position (col. 5, lines 3-5).
(claim 4)
The second connection by means of collaborating shapes comprises a second toothset formed in a cavity of the sliding sleeve 76 that accepts a portion 70 of the second wheel-driving half-shaft 34R, the second toothset preferably being of the radially oriented internal toothset type (internal splines, col. 4, line 57).
(claim 5)
When the sliding sleeve 76 is in a fourth axial position referred to as the locked position (col. 5, lines 6-9, 24-32):
a fourth connection by means of collaborating shapes 82/80 is configured to selectively provide coupling of the second sun gear 48/46 with the first wheel-driving half-shaft 34L (col. 5, lines 26-31 describes the carrier 52, the half-shaft 34R, gear 48, and half-shaft 34L “all rotate together”), the fourth connection by means of collaborating shapes comprising a fourth toothset formed on the sliding sleeve 76.
(claims 7)
A first assistance spring 88 is designed to exert an axial force on the sliding sleeve 76, specifically on flange 90 of the sliding sleeve 76, in order to encourage it to move into the connected position and/or into the locked position (col. 5, line 60 to col. 6, line 4).
(claims 9 and 20)
The sliding sleeve 76 is designed to be moved through portion 86 by an actuator 92 (moved, “e.g., by a motor” col. 6, lines 19-21), the sliding sleeve 76 notably comprising an annular groove 96 that collaborates with a fork 94 connected to the actuator.
(claim 11)
The sliding sleeve 76 comprises two parts 76 and 86 that are axially mobile relative to one another, due to the flexible connection of the springs 88.
The first part 86 is configured, by fork receiving groove 96, to collaborate with the actuator 92.
The second part 76 is configured by splines to provide coupling, selectively, in the locked, connected, disconnected and park positions.
The first and second assistance springs 88, on either side of flange 90, are interposed axially between the first 86 and second parts 76.
(claim 12)
A transmission system comprises the differential module 32 of claim 1, a housing 50, a gearset 60/64 configured to cause the differential module 32 to collaborate rotationally with a traction motor/engine 14 (fig. 1), and an actuator 92 configured to move the sliding sleeve 76.
(claim 13)
Figure 1 shows a powertrain comprises a traction motor/engine 14 and torque transmission system according to claim 13.
(claim 14)
Claim(s) 1, 4, 5, 9, 13, and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Weilant et al., U. S. Patent 5,386,898.
Weilant et al. shows in figures 2 and 3 a differential module 31 for a vehicle transmission system 30 shown in figure 1. The differential module has a first axis of rotation.
A planet carrier 34 is able to receive a torque supplied via ring gear 32, directly or indirectly, by a traction motor/engine 12.
At least one planet pinion 36 is pivotably mounted on the planet carrier 34.
A first and a second sun gear 38, only one of which is shown (col. 2, lines 53-54) pivot about the first axis of rotation.
The differential module 31 includes a first and a second wheel-driving half-shaft 40, 40b (col. 2, lines 57-61). The first wheel-driving half-shaft 40 (left, not shown; col. 2, lines 57-62) is rotationally connected to the first sun gear 38.
A sliding sleeve 42 is able to move axially along the first axis of rotation between at least two distinct axial positions (col. 2, lines 63-66).
A first connection by means of collaborating shapes, mating “splines or teeth” between sleeve 42 and inner axle 40a (col. 3, lines 10-13; inner axle 40a being “drive connected” to right sun/side gear 38, col. 2, lines 57-60) is created between the sliding sleeve 42 and the second sun gear 38 (right one, shown in fig. 2), the first connection by means of collaborating shapes being configured so that the sliding sleeve 42 is permanently rotationally connected to the second sun gear 38 and so that the sliding sleeve 42 slides axially with respect to the second sun gear 38 between the at least two axial positions (in figs. 2 and 3, the sleeve 42 is in the right-most position and engaged with the sun 38 (40a), and col. 3, lines 1-5 describes the sleeve 42 may slide to the left to a second axial position, where 38/40a will still be engaged).
(claim 1)
A second connection means of collaborating shapes, matching “splines or teeth” between the collar 42 and the collar 50 “nonrotatably attached to the end of the outer axle shaft 40b” (col. 3, lines 18-19, 22-23), is created between the sliding sleeve 42 and the second wheel-driving half-shaft 40b so as selectively to provide:
coupling of the second sun gear 38 (40a) to the second wheel-driving half-shaft 40b when the sliding sleeve is in a first axial position, the right position shown in figures 2 and 3 (col. 2, lines 63-68), referred to as the connected position;
uncoupling of the second wheel-driving half-shaft 40b when the sliding sleeve 42 is in a second axial position, to the left (col. 3, lines 1-5) referred to as the disconnected position.
(claim 4)
As described in column 3, lines 22-23, the second connection by means of collaborating shapes comprises a second toothset formed in a cavity of the sliding sleeve (“internal teeth of the clutch sleeve 42”) that accepts a portion 50 of the second wheel-driving half-shaft 40b, the second toothset preferably being of the radially oriented internal toothset type.
(claim 5)
A first assistance spring 70 is designed to exert an axial force on the sliding sleeve 42 in order to encourage it to move into the connected position and/or into the locked position (right side position shown in figs. 2 and 3; col. 3, lines 67-68).
(claim 9)
Figures 2 and 3 show a transmission system comprises the differential module 31 (including axle disconnect 30) of claim 1, a housing 33 (figs. 2 and 3), a gearset including ring gear 32 and meshing pinion gear (col. 2, lines 49-50) configured to cause the differential module 31 to collaborate rotationally with a traction motor/engine 12 (fig. 1; col. 2, lines 47-51, 23-27, 39-40), and an actuator, including vacuum motor 60 and an external vacuum source, configured to move the sliding sleeve 42 as described in column 3, line 57 to column 4, line 5.
(claim 13)
Figure 1 shows a powertrain comprises a traction motor/engine 12 and torque transmission system 14, 16, 31 according to claim 13.
(claim 14)
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:
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) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Weilant et al. in view of Heubner, DE 10 2019 108 845, a machine translation of the description of which is attached as an Office Action Appendix.
Weilant et al. discloses a differential module as discussed in the rejection of claim 1 above, including an axial end of the sliding sleeve 42 being adjacent to a fixed housing 33, but does not disclose a third connection by means of collaborating shapes being configured to be created between the sliding sleeve and a fixed housing.
Heubner discloses a differential module 1 similar to that of Weilant et al., with a carrier 3, a sliding sleeve 18 engaging collaborating shapes on a second (right) differential gear set output 5 ([0020]) and collaborating shapes on a second wheel-driving half-shaft 7 to couple the output 5 and half-shaft 7 in one position shown in figures 3-5, and the sliding sleeve 18 uncoupling the output 5 and the half-shaft 7 in a second position shown in figure 2.
Figure 1 shows a third connection by means of collaborating shapes 20/16 is configured to be created between the sliding sleeve and a fixed structure, notably a housing 10, so as selectively to provide coupling of the second sun gear (differential gear set output) 5 with the fixed structure 10 when the sliding sleeve is in a third axial position (fig. 1) referred to as the park position ([0030]), the third connection by means of collaborating shapes comprising a third toothset 20 (and 16) formed on the sliding sleeve 18.
(claim 6)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include a third connection by means of collaborating shapes between the sliding sleeve and fixed housing of Weilant et al. to selectively provide coupling of the second sun gear with the fixed housing in view of Heubner so “that the two functions of the parking lock and the sailing operation can be realized by means of a single component,….This results in a very compact design.” (Heubner [0006])
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2, 15, and 16 are objected to 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.
Claims 8, 10, and 17-19 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
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
U. S. Patent 2,962,916 (Koelsch) December 1960 - "This invention relates to a combination structure which may be used either to clutch one output shaft to the differential pinion carrier or to lock both transfer output shafts as when the present device is to be used as a parking brake."
U. S. Patent 5,996,720 (Hunt) December 1999 - a differential includes a sliding sleeve 30 with male splines 31 engaging a female spline 22/23 in a sun gear. Both sun gears are selectively connected or disconnected from the associated half-shaft by a sliding sleeve, and the sliding sleeves are permanently rotationally connected to the half-shafts rather than to the sun gears.
U. S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0274542 (Schroeder et al.) September 2014 - a sliding sleeve has a first position for 2WD, a second position for 4WD, and a third position for a locked mode.
U. S. Patent 9,669,711 (Nishimoto) June 2017 - "FIG. 11A showing a 2WD mode, FIG. 11B showing a normal 4WD mode, FIG. 11C showing a differential-locked 4WD mode, and FIG. 11D showing a parking mode."
U. S. Patent 9,784,355 (Brammer et al.) October 2017 - "At the first position, the system is not meshingly engaged with the differential side gear or the differential case. At the second position, the system is meshingly engaged with the differential side gear but is not meshingly engaged with the differential case. At the third position, the system is engaged with the differential side gear and the differential case. In one embodiment the system is a sliding collar. According to another embodiment, the system includes an axle disconnect collar, a differential locking collar and a biasing member disposed therebetween."
DE 10 2017 218 089 (Kniess) April 2019 - a two-part sliding sleeve with male splines engaging female splines in a sun gear axially moves to four positions - differential (connected), neutral, disconnected, and differential lock. The differential is a center differential, with the shaft of one sun gear being the input shaft, and neither sun gear shaft being a wheel-driving half-shaft.
DE 10 2022 122 232 (Koenig-Petermaier et al.) March 2024 - "In the fourth operating mode or in parking lock mode, the differential switching unit is moved to the third differential switching position, which means that the connecting shaft and the cage wheel are held on the housing in a rotationally fixed manner."
U. S. Patent 12,253,149 (Englund et al.) March 2025 - "The clutch sleeve, upon axial displacement, disconnects the ring gear from the decoupling element in a first position, allowing rotational movement of the decoupling element relative to the ring gear; connects the ring gear to the decoupling element in a second position, preventing the rotational movement of the decoupling element; and connects the ring gear to a park-lock structure in a third position."
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHERRY LYNN ESTREMSKY whose telephone number is (571)272-7090. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30am-4:30pm.
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SLE
/SHERRY L ESTREMSKY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655