Patent Application 17698010 - VEHICLE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - Rejection

Patent Application 17698010 - VEHICLE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Title: VEHICLE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Application Information

• Invention Title: VEHICLE POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
• Application Number: 17698010
• Submission Date: 2025-04-10T00:00:00.000Z
• Effective Filing Date: 2022-03-18T00:00:00.000Z
• Filing Date: 2022-03-18T00:00:00.000Z
• National Class: 320
• National Sub-Class: 109000
• Examiner Employee Number: 81008
• Art Unit: 2859
• Tech Center: 2800

Rejection Summary

• 102 Rejections: 1
• 103 Rejections: 1

Cited Patents

The following patents were cited in the rejection:

• US 7984774🔗
• US 9566868🔗
• US 8469122🔗
• US 5573090🔗
• US 5821728🔗
• US 9902271🔗
• US 8493024🔗

Office Action Text

    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 Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.

Claims 1 – 4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Yamauchi Yuya (JP2015073380A) translation provided. 

Regarding claim 1, Yamauchi Yuya teaches a vehicle power supply system configured to supply power to a vehicle from a power supply apparatus laid on a power supply lane of a vehicle travel path (shown in figure 2 defined in paragraph [0019] teaches wherein a vehicle item 200 receives power from the non-contact power feeding systems, the primary non-contact non-contact power feeding device provided on the ground includes the power supply device 1, the resonance circuit 2, the switch 3, the power transmission coil 4, the sensor 5, and the peak hold circuit 6).
Yamauchi Yuya teaches the power supply apparatus comprises: a plurality of power supply segments laid in a preset interval along the power supply lane (shown in figure 2 item 4 defined paragraph [0019] the primary non-contact non-contact power feeding device provided on the ground includes the power supply device 1 with power transmission coil item 4. Paragraph [0020] teaches wherein a plurality of power transmission coils 4 are arranged along the traveling lane of the vehicle). 
Yamauchi Yuya teaches a controller configured to control the plurality of power supply segments (defined in figure 2 item 100 defined in paragraph [0019] as a controller which controls the plurality of power supply segments).
Yamauchi Yuya teaches wherein the controller is configured to: estimate a timing of the vehicle reaching a next power supply segment that supplies power next after a present power supply segment that is supplying power, from at least a vehicle velocity derived from a change in position of the vehicle, and cause the next power supply segment to start power supply at the timing estimated (Defined in paragraph [0077] teaches wherein the energization timing of the power transmission coil 4 (the secondary coil in the ground) (that is, the turn-on timing of the second switch 3) is the timing at which the power reception coil 7 (within the vehicle) intrudes into the power transmittable range of the power transmission coil (first). The control may be performed based on the timing at which the vehicle with coil 7 has left the transmittable range of the power transmission coil (first). For example, when the velocity, interpreted as speed, (the direction is defined, thus may be interpreted as speed) of the vehicle traveling on the feed path is defined, if it is possible to detect the timing at which the vehicle with the power receiving coil 7 intrudes into the transmittable range of the power transmission coil (first). The timing of coil penetration and the timing of coil withdrawal can be estimated. Similarly, if it is possible to detect the timing at which the power receiving coil 7 exits from the power transmittable range of the power transmission coil (first), the timing of coil intrusion to the second and subsequent power transmission coils 4 and the timing of coil exit can be estimated).


    PNG
    media_image1.png
    310
    478
    media_image1.png
    Greyscale

Figure 2 of Yamauchi Yuya shows a vehicle power supply system configured to supply power to a vehicle from a power supply apparatus laid on a power supply lane of a vehicle travel path
Regarding claim 2, Yamauchi Yuya teaches the vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to: estimate a timing of the vehicle reaching the next power supply segment from the vehicle velocity and an acceleration rate of the vehicle derived from a change in the vehicle velocity, and cause the next power supply segment to start power supply at the timing estimated (defined in paragraph [0077] wherein velocity and acceleration rate are determined, as a speed of the vehicle as it approaches the coils. From this speed, a timing of when the vehicle will reach the next power segment is estimated. Paragraph [0124] teaches wherein a deviation detection unit is based on the passing speed of the vehicle). 


Regarding claim 3, Yamauchi Yuya teaches the vehicle power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to: estimate a first average velocity derived from a travel time of the vehicle from a first previous power supply segment immediately before the present power supply segment to the present power supply segment, as an initial velocity of the vehicle traveling from the present power supply segment toward the next power supply segment; estimate an acceleration rate derived from a time taken for a change from a second average velocity to the first average velocity, as an acceleration rate of the vehicle traveling from the present power supply segment to the next power supply segment, the second average velocity being derived from a travel time of the vehicle from a second previous power supply segment immediately before the first previous power supply segment to the first previous power supply segment; and estimate a timing of the vehicle reaching the next power supply segment from the initial velocity and the acceleration rate of the vehicle (Paragraph [0077] teaches wherein a a timing to determine the vehicle reaching the next power segment is estimated. Paragraphs [0126] – [0128] teaches wherein an average speed based on the travel time is determined. Paragraphs [0143] teaches wherein an estimated passing speed is determined from when the coil item 7 passes the power supply segments. An average speed is set so that a deviation may be determined.  Shown in figure 13 defined in paragraph [0129] teaches wherein an average, velocity interpreted as a speed is determined).

Regarding claim 4, Yamauchi Yuya teaches the vehicle power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a transmitter, each of the plurality of power supply segments includes a receiving sensor configured to receive an output signal from the transmitter, and the controller is configured to detect the receiving sensor having received the output signal from the transmitter and thereby detect a position of the vehicle with respect to the plurality of power supply segments (paragraph [0023] teaches wherein the sensor 5 measures the current of the power transmission circuit that supplies power from the power supply device 1 to the power transmission coil 4 by measuring the current input from the power supply device 1 to the resonant circuit 2. The measured value of the sensor 5 is output to the peak hold circuit 6. Paragraph [0024] teaches wherein the peak hold circuit 6 is a circuit that holds the peak value of the detection current detected by the sensor 5. The peak value (measured value of the current) held by the peak hold circuit 6 is output to the controller 100. Thus the sensor detects the coil within the vehicle and transmits the detected position to the controller). 
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
1.	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 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Yamauchi Yuya (JP2015073380A) translation provided in view of Schwind (US 5821728).

Regarding claim 5, Yamauchi Yuya teaches a vehicle power supply system according to claim 4, but does not explicitly teach further comprising three receiving sensors laid in a preset interval on a front side of a first power supply segment, the first power supply segment being a head power supply segment on the power supply lane of the plurality of power supply segments.
	Schwind teaches wherein further comprising three receiving sensors laid in a preset interval on a front side of a first power supply segment, the first power supply segment being a head power supply segment on the power supply lane of the plurality of power supply segments (figure 6 shows a plurality of sensors item 37 located on the front side of power supply segments items CS1-CS4. Column 4 lines 14-19 teaches wherein a plurality of sensors are laid in a present interval on a front side of a first power supply segment). 
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 charging system of the Yamauchi Yuya reference with the charging system of the Schwind reference so that the position of the vehicle may be accurately determined to provide charge. 
The suggestion/motivation for combination can be found in Schwind reference in column 4 lines 46 - 50 wherein determining the position of the vehicle is determined. 

    PNG
    media_image2.png
    393
    855
    media_image2.png
    Greyscale

Schwind figure 6 shows a plurality of sensors item 37. 

Conclusion
	The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. 
US 5573090 A	Raodway-powered electric vehicle system having onboard power metering and communication channel features	Ross; Howard R.
US 7984774 B2	Quick-recharging energy feeding system for means of transport with electric traction	Ippolito; Massimo
US 20100225271 A1	ELECTRICAL POWERED VEHICLE AND POWER FEEDING DEVICE FOR VEHICLE	Oyobe; Hichirosai et al.
US 8469122 B2	System and method for powering vehicle using radio frequency signals and feedback	Perlman; Stephen G. et al.
US 8493024 B2	Apparatus for pulse charging electric vehicles	Kissel, Jr.; Waldemar F.
US 10325717 B2	Roadway powered electric vehicle system	Boys; John Talbot et al.
US 10343535 B2	Wireless power antenna alignment adjustment system for vehicles	Cook; Nigel P. et al.
US 9566868 B2	Real-time system and method for tracking, locating and recharging electric vehicles in transit	Jammer; Daniel
US 20150246614 A1	INDUCTIVE POWER COUPLING SYSTEMS FOR ROADWAYS	Dames; Andrew Nicholas et al.
US 20150094957 A1	Communication and Control System and Method Regarding Electric Vehicle for Wireless Electric Vehicle Electrical Energy Transfer	Hyde; Roderick A. et al.
US 9902271 B2	Power feeding system for vehicle, electrically powered vehicle and power feeding apparatus for vehicle	Ichikawa; Shinji
US 10593204 B2	Method for detecting an upcoming road situation for a vehicle	Öhman; Mikaela
US 10897156 B2	Power transmitter	Bando; Takayoshi et al.
US 10988042 B1	Vehicle charging system	Chase; Arnold
US 20220149663 A1	POWER FEEDING SYSTEM DURING TRAVELLING	SUMIYA; Hayato et al.


Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ALEXIS B PACHECO whose telephone number is (571)272-5979. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 - 5:30.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.

If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Richard Isla can be reached on 571-272-5056. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.

ALEXIS BOATENG PACHECO
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2859



/ALEXIS B PACHECO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2859