Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-08-26)

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the Claims

Listing of Claims:

Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

1\. (Currently Amended) A drive system of a washing machine comprising:
a rotor shaft;
an output shaft positioned apart from the rotor shaft;
a planetary gear set including a ring gear shaft, the ring gear shaft surrounding a part of a circumference of the rotor shaft and configured to transmit a rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1 or at a reduced gear ratio ;
a dynamic clutch coupled to the ring gear shaft, the dynamic clutch being configured to move in an axial direction of the ring gear shaft and rotate together with the ring gear shaft;
a clutch driving portion configured to move the dynamic clutch in the axial direction;
a first stage positioned at the rotor shaft in front of the dynamic clutch and coupled to the dynamic clutch; and
a second\[\[1:1\]\] stage positioned behind the dynamic clutch, the \[\[1:1\]\]second stage being coupled to the rotor shaft and configured to rotate together with the rotor shaft, and the \[\[1:1\]\]second stage being further coupled to the dynamic clutch,
wherein the washing machine is configured to operate in a spin-drying initial mode, a spin- drying mode, and a synchronization mode, the synchronization mode being performed between the spin-drying initial mode and the spin-drying mode,
wherein the \[\[n:1\]\]firststage is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at the reduced gear ratio ,
wherein the \[\[1:1\]\]second stage is configured to, in the spin-drying mode, transmit the rotational force of the rotor shaft to the output shaft at a gear ratio of 1:1, \[\[and\]\] wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be separated from the \[\[n:1\]\]firststage and the \[\[1:1\]\]second stage, respectively, and be positioned at a neutral stage to thereby synchronize a rotational speed of the rotor shaft with a rotational speed of the output shaft by the planetary gear set,
Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

wherein the ring gear shaft includes:
a shaft portion surrounding the part of the circumference of the rotor shaft, and
a plate portion positioned at a front end of the shaft portion, and
wherein spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the dynamic clutch, respectively, and
wherein the planetary gear set includes:a sun gear positioned at a part of an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in front of the plate portion of the ring gear shaft,
a gear cover coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and accommodating the sun gear therein,
a ring gear disposed in an inner space that is defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, the ring gear being coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to rotate together with the ring gear shaft,
a plurality of pinion gears disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear in the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, and
a carrier disposed at the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to support the plurality of pinion gears, the carrier being configured to rotate together with the output shaft based on one end of the carrier being coupled to the output shaft.

2\. (Canceled)

3\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, increase until reaching a first rotational speed,
wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, maintain a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed, and
wherein the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, remain in a stationary state.
Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

4\. (Original) The drive system of claim 3, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, be reduced from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed,
wherein the output shaft is configured to, in the synchronization mode, maintain the second rotational speed, and
wherein a rotational speed of the dynamic clutch is configured to, in the synchronization mode, increase until reaching the second rotational speed.

5\. (Original) The drive system of claim 4, wherein the rotational speed of the rotor shaft, the rotational speed of the output shaft, and the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch are configured to, in the spin-drying mode, be maintained at the second rotational speed, respectively.

6\. (Canceled)

7\. (Canceled)

8\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the sun gear, the ring gear, and the plurality of pinion gears each include a helical gear.

9\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the output shaft includes:
an inner shaft that couples the carrier; and
an outer shaft that is positioned outside the inner shaft and coupled to the gear cover,
wherein the spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are defined at an outer circumferential surface of the inner shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the carrier, respectively, and
wherein a part of the carrier is inserted into a space between the inner shaft and the outer shaft.
Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

10\. (Original) The drive system of claim 9, further comprising:
a casing that accommodates the planetary gear set therein and includes a first case and a second case, wherein a rear end of the output shaft is inserted through the first case, and a front end of the rotor shaft is inserted through the second case,
a first bearing that supports the output shaft and is positioned between the outer shaft and the first case, and
a second bearing that supports the rotor shaft and is positioned between the shaft portion of the ring gear shaft and the second case.

11\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1, wherein the \[\[n: 1\]\] first stage, the dynamic clutch coupled to the \[\[n:1\]\] firststage, the ring gear shaft coupled to the dynamic clutch, and the ring gear coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft are configured to, in the spin-drying initial mode, be maintained in a stationary state, and
wherein, in the spin-drying initial mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is sequentially transmitted to the output shaft through the sun gear coupled to the rotor shaft, the plurality of pinion gears coupled to the sun gear, and the carrier supporting the plurality of pinion gears.

12\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the \[\[n:1\]\] first stage, the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage, the dynamic clutch, the ring gear shaft coupled to the dynamic clutch, and the ring gear coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft are configured to, in the synchronization mode, be maintained in a stationary state,
wherein, in the synchronization mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is sequentially transmitted to the output shaft through the sun gear coupled to the rotor shaft, the plurality of pinion gears coupled to the sun gear, and the carrier supporting the plurality of pinion gears, and
wherein, in the synchronization mode, the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch is increased based on the plurality of pinion gears each rotating and revolving, and synchronized with the rotational speed of the rotor shaft.
Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

13\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage and the dynamic clutch coupled to the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage are configured to, in the spin- drying mode, rotate together with the rotor shaft, and
wherein, in the spin-drying mode, the rotational force of the rotor shaft is transmitted to the output shaft through the planetary gear set rotating entirely around the rotor shaft.

14\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic clutch includes (i) a first clutch portion facing the \[\[n:1\]\] firststage and (ii) a second clutch portion facing the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage,
wherein a plurality of first gears have a quadrangular or trapezoidal shape and are coupled to each other, the plurality of first gears being provided at a surface where the first clutch portion and the \[\[n:1\]\] firststage face each other, respectively, and
wherein a plurality of second gears have a shape having an inclined surface and a vertical surface and are coupled to each other, the plurality of second gears being provided at a surface where the second clutch portion and the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage face each other, respectively.

15\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of second gears are coupled to each other based on the rotational speed of the dynamic clutch being synchronized with the rotational speed of the \[\[1:1\]\] second stage.

16\. (Currently Amended) The drive system of claim 14, further comprising:
a casing that accommodates the planetary gear set therein and includes a first case and a second case; and
a rear frame that is fixed to a rear surface of the second case,
wherein the \[\[n:1\]\] firststage is coupled to the rear frame outside the casing, and
wherein the clutch driving portion includes:
a fork lever installed through the second case in a vertical direction and configured to move in the vertical direction by an actuator,
a first return spring configured to return the fork lever to an original position,
Serial No. : 18/243,875 0072-US; 22LWW146US02

a connecting rod coupled to the fork lever and configured to move in a horizontal direction based on the fork lever moving in the vertical direction,
a second return spring configured to return the connecting rod to an original position, and a fork having (i) a first end being coupled to the connecting rod and (ii) a second end being coupled to the dynamic clutch, the fork being configured to rotate based on a pin coupled to the rear frame and adjust a position of the dynamic clutch based on the connecting rod moving in the horizontal direction.

17\. (Original) The drive system of claim 16, wherein the dynamic clutch further includes a connection portion that connects the first clutch portion with the second clutch portion,
wherein a diameter of the connection portion is smaller than diameters of the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion, and
wherein the fork is coupled to the connection portion of the dynamic clutch.

18\. (Original) The drive system of claim 16, wherein the fork lever and the connecting rod each include an inclined portion that allows the connecting rod to move in the horizontal direction based on the fork lever moving in the vertical direction.

19\. (Original) The drive system of claim 16, wherein a stator is coupled to the rear frame.

20\. (Original) The drive system of claim 16, wherein the rotor shaft and the output shaft are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

OFFICE ACTION:
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1, 3-5, and 8-20 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art of record fails to teach or reasonably suggest the washing machine drive system of independent claim 1 comprising, inter alia, wherein the ring gear shaft includes: a shaft portion surrounding the part of the circumference of the rotor shaft, and a plate portion positioned at a front end of the shaft portion, and wherein spline coupling portions are coupled to each other and are provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the dynamic clutch, respectively, and
wherein the planetary gear set includes: a sun gear positioned at a part of an outer circumferential surface of the rotor shaft in front of the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, a gear cover coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and accommodating the sun gear therein, a ring gear disposed in an inner space that is defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, the ring gear being coupled to the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to rotate together with the ring gear shaft, a plurality of pinion gears disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear in the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft, and a carrier disposed at the inner space defined by the gear cover and the plate portion of the ring gear shaft and configured to support the plurality of pinion gears, the carrier being configured to rotate together with the output shaft based on one end of the carrier being coupled to the output shaft.  Such novel and non-obvious configuration provides a dynamic clutch drive system with increased wear safety factor of the dynamic clutch and gears, improves durability, noise performance, and driving efficiency (see Applicant’s specification at ¶ [0032]-[0033]).
Conclusion
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKSIn response to the non-final Office Action of April 22, 2025, Applicant asks that the application be allowed in view of the amendments above and the following remarks. Claims 1, 3-5, and 8-20 are pending, with claim 1 being independent. Claims 2, 6, and 7 have been cancelled without prejudice or disclaimer of subject matter. Claims 1, 3, 8, 9, and 11-16 have been amended. No new subject matter has been added.Allowable Subject Matter Applicant thanks Examiner Perrin for the indication that claims 7-20 recite allowable subject matter. In this reply, claim 1 has been amended by incorporating the features of claim 7, as well as the features of intervening claim 6, which the Office Action has indicated as reciting the allowable subject matter.Accordingly, independent claim 1 is allowable for at least these reasons.Claim Reiections - 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) Claims 1-20 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) as allegedly being indefinite.Although Applicant disagrees, Applicant has amended claim 1 solely for the purpose of advancing prosecution.In particular, amended claim 1 no longer recites "a gear ratio of n:1." Instead, amended claim 1 now recites "a reduced gear ratio." Moreover, claim 2 has been cancelled.Accordingly, Applicant respectfully requests withdrawal of the § 112 rejections.Claim Reiections - 35 USC §§ 102 & 103 Claims 1, 3, and 6 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as being anticipated by Liu (CN 111793935 A). Claims 2, 4, and 5 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as allegedly being unpatentable over Liu. Although Applicants disagrees, Applicant has amended claim 1 solely for the purpose of advancing prosecution.In particular, as discussed above, claim 1 has been amended by incorporating the features of claim 7, as well as the features of intervening claim 6, which the Office Action has indicated as reciting the allowable subject matter. Therefore, the rejections of claim 1 and its dependent claims are now moot.For at least these reasons, independent claim 1 and its dependent claims are in condition for allowance.Conclusion The other claims in the application are each dependent on the independent claim, and are allowable for at least the above reasons. Because each claim is deemed to define additional aspects of the disclosure, however, the individual consideration of each claim on its own merits is respectfully requested.By responding in the foregoing remarks only to particular positions taken in the action, Applicant does not acquiesce with other positions that have not been explicitly addressed. In addition, Applicant's selecting some particular arguments for the patentability of a claim should not be understood as implying that no other reasons for the patentability of that claim exist.Finally, Applicant's decision to amend or cancel any claim should not be understood as implying that Applicant agrees with any positions taken in the action with reference to that claim or other claims, or that Applicant adopts or agrees with any position except as specifically stated in this paper. In particular, by amending a claim, Applicant does not necessarily concede that the claim prior to amendment was unpatentable.Please apply any necessary charges and credits to Deposit Account 06-1050, referencing the above attorney docket number.Respectfully submitted, Date: July 22, 2025