Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2025-06-05)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

\[Claim 1\] A power transmission device, comprising:a case that houses a power transmission mechanism;
a control valve that controls oil pressure supplied to the power transmission mechanism and is upright inside the case; and
a first pump and a second pump that supply oil to the control valve,
wherein the case has a first support wall that supports an axis of rotation of the power transmission mechanism,
a second support wall that supports the control valve and is arranged aligned with the axis of rotation,
a first chamber located on one side of the first support wall,
a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber across the second support wall, and
a third support wall extending from the second support wall along the axis of rotation to the other side of the first support wall,
the first pump is mounted on the first support wall inside the first chamber, and
the second pump is mounted on the third support wall inside the second chamber.

\[Claim 2\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third chamber is located on the other side of the first support wall,the third support wall is located on the side of the third chamber,
the third support wall forms the second chamber with the second support wall, and
viewed from the radial direction of the axis of rotation, the second chamber is provided in a positional relationship overlapping the first chamber and the third chamber.

\[Claim 3\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a strainer attached to the first support wall, anda second pump oil path connecting the strainer and the second pump are provided,
the second pump oil path has a first oil path that extends in a straight line inside the first support wall, and
a second oil path that extends in a straight line inside the third support wall and communicates with the first oil path,

the first oil path is a dead-end hole that opens in the second chamber, the second oil path is a dead-end hole that opens in an end section of the third support wall, and
an opening at the base end of the first oil path and an opening at the base end of the second oil path are each sealed with a plug.

\[Claim 4\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pump is supported on the first support wall near the second support wall inside the first chamber.

\[Claim 5\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the third support wall is formed such that the thickness of an area where the second oil path is formed is greater than in other areas.

\[Claim 6\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 5, wherein a third oil path connecting the second pump and the control valve is provided,the second oil path and the third oil path are arranged vertically in the third support wall,
the third support wall is formed so as to also be thick in the area where the third oil path is provided,
in the third support wall, the bulging direction of the area of the second oil path is on one side of the third support wall, and the bulging direction of the area of the third oil path is the other side of the third support wall.

\[Claim 7\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a circumferential wall section encircling the outer circumference of the third chamber, anda rib protruding from the third support wall toward the circumferential wall section are provided,
the circumferential wall section is provided on the first support wall and is provided with a gap between same and the third support wall, and
the rib is provided spanning between the third support wall and the second support wall.

\[Claim 8\] The power transmission device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rib is formed such that a bulging width from the third support wall becomes wider closer to the first support wall.

\[Claim 9\] The power transmission device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first pump and the second pump are provided in a positional relationship not overlapping when viewed from the direction of the axis of rotation of the power transmission mechanism.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 § 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 2-8 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.
Claim 2 recites the limitation the third chamber in line 3.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 3, line 4, recites “a second pump oil path” which is indefinite because it is unclear how there can be a second pump oil path without a previously claimed first pump oil path. Does the power transmission device have a first pump oil path?
The term “near” in claim 4, line 3, is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “near” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. What one person considers as near may not be the same as what another person considers as near thus the metes and bounds of the limitation cannot be determined.
Claim 6, line 7, recites “in other areas” which is indefinite because it is unclear if the other areas from claim 6 are the same other areas from claim 5, line 4. How are the two “other” areas different from each other or related to each other?
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 9 are allowed over the prior art of record.
Claims 2-8 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.
Takahashi et al. (US 11,434,977 B2) discloses a vehicle drive device that is comprised of a housing that houses a power transmission mechanism, an electric oil pump and a mechanical oil pump move oil throughout the housing, the mechanical oil pump is located within the housing, and the electric oil pump is located outside the housing.


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: 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 .
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 are allowed over the prior art of record.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art does not teach or render obvious the claimed combination of elements recited in claim 1, wherein a power transmission device is comprised of a case that houses a power transmission mechanism, a control valve that controls an oil pressure, the control valve is arranged upright inside the case, a first pump and a second pump that supply oil to the control valve, the case has a first support wall that supports an axis of rotation of the power transmission mechanism, a second support wall that supports the control valve and is aligned with the axis of rotation, a first chamber located on one side of the first support wall, a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber across the second support wall, a third support wall extending from the second support wall along the axis of rotation to the other side of the first support wall, the first pump is mounted on the first support wall inside the first chamber, and the second pump is mounted on the third support wall inside the second chamber. While the prior art discloses cases, control valves, pumps, support walls, oil, and chambers, the prior art does not teach or render obvious the power transmission device as claimed. One of ordinary skill in the art would not be motivated to connect the elements of each prior art reference to make the applicant's invention absent improper hindsight.
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.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20250067333A1: Claims:
A power transmission device comprising: a case configured to accommodate a power transmission mechanism; a strainer disposed to face a bottom wall portion in the case; a suction port for oil provided in a portion of the strainer facing the bottom wall portion; and a magnet disposed between the bottom wall portion and the strainer in the case, wherein the magnet and the suction port are provided to be displaced from each other when viewed from a facing direction of the strainer and the bottom wall portion, and the suction port is provided with an opening facing a magnet side.
a case configured to accommodate a power transmission mechanism;
a strainer disposed to face a bottom wall portion in the case;
a suction port for oil provided in a portion of the strainer facing the bottom wall portion; and
a magnet disposed between the bottom wall portion and the strainer in the case, wherein
the magnet and the suction port are provided to be displaced from each other when viewed from a facing direction of the strainer and the bottom wall portion, and
the suction port is provided with an opening facing a magnet side.
The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein in a cross-sectional view, an opening surface of the suction port is inclined with respect to a vertical line, and an end of the suction port on the magnet side is disposed at a position farther away from the bottom wall portion than an end on an opposite side is.
in a cross-sectional view, an opening surface of the suction port is inclined with respect to a vertical line, and
an end of the suction port on the magnet side is disposed at a position farther away from the bottom wall portion than an end on an opposite side is.
The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall portion is provided with a bulging portion bulging toward the strainer, and the bulging portion is located between the magnet and the suction port when viewed from the facing direction.
the bottom wall portion is provided with a bulging portion bulging toward the strainer, and
the bulging portion is located between the magnet and the suction port when viewed from the facing direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein the case includes a boss portion at a joint portion with another adjacent case, and the bulging portion is located on an extension of the boss portion when viewed from a rotation axis direction of the power transmission device.
the case includes a boss portion at a joint portion with another adjacent case, and
the bulging portion is located on an extension of the boss portion when viewed from a rotation axis direction of the power transmission device.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein the suction port overlaps the bulging portion in the facing direction.
the suction port overlaps the bulging portion in the facing direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein the suction port opens toward a vehicle rear side with reference to an installation state of the power transmission device on a vehicle, and the suction port overlaps the bulging portion in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
the suction port opens toward a vehicle rear side with reference to an installation state of the power transmission device on a vehicle, and
the suction port overlaps the bulging portion in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein a recess having an opening facing outward is disposed on an outer periphery of a region of the bottom wall portion where the bulging portion is provided.
a recess having an opening facing outward is disposed on an outer periphery of a region of the bottom wall portion where the bulging portion is provided.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein the case includes a partition wall portion that partitions a space in the case into a first chamber and a second chamber that are adjacent to each other in a rotation axis direction of the power transmission device, and the partition wall portion is provided with a communication hole that allows communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and the strainer overlaps the partition wall portion in the facing direction.
the case includes a partition wall portion that partitions a space in the case into a first chamber and a second chamber that are adjacent to each other in a rotation axis direction of the power transmission device, and
the partition wall portion is provided with a communication hole that allows communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and the strainer overlaps the partition wall portion in the facing direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the strainer is made of a resin material, and in the strainer, an attachment portion of the magnet is integrally provided with the portion facing the bottom wall portion.
the strainer is made of a resin material, and
in the strainer, an attachment portion of the magnet is integrally provided with the portion facing the bottom wall portion.
A hydraulic device comprising: a strainer disposed to face a bottom wall portion in a case; a magnet disposed between the bottom wall portion and the strainer in the case; and an oil pump configured to suck oil stored in a lower portion of the case via the strainer, wherein the strainer includes a suction port for the oil at a portion facing the bottom wall portion, the magnet and the suction port are provided to be displaced from each other when viewed from a facing direction of the strainer and the bottom wall portion, and the suction port is provided with an opening facing a magnet side.
a strainer disposed to face a bottom wall portion in a case;
a magnet disposed between the bottom wall portion and the strainer in the case; and
an oil pump configured to suck oil stored in a lower portion of the case via the strainer, wherein
the strainer includes a suction port for the oil at a portion facing the bottom wall portion,
Ref US11859714B2: Claims:
A power transmission device comprising: a power transmission mechanism arranged in a first chamber; an oil pump arranged in a second chamber; a first electric wire; a controller; and a control unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire, wherein the first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller, the first chamber, the oil pump, and the controller overlap when viewed along the first direction, and the first electric wire is arranged at a position that overlaps with the oil pump when viewed along a second direction that intersects the first direction.
a power transmission mechanism arranged in a first chamber;
an oil pump arranged in a second chamber;
a first electric wire;
a controller; and
a control unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire, wherein
the first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller,
the first chamber, the oil pump, and the controller overlap when viewed along the first direction, and
the first electric wire is arranged at a position that overlaps with the oil pump when viewed along a second direction that intersects the first direction.
A power transmission device comprising: a power transmission mechanism arranged in a first chamber; an oil pump arranged in a second chamber; a first electric wire; a second electric wire; a controller; a control unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire; and an external connection connector that is connected with the controller via the second electric wire, wherein the first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller, the second chamber is partitioned into a first space in which the oil pump is arranged, and a second space adjacent to the first space in a second direction that intersects the first direction and in which the first electric wire is arranged, and the external connection connector is attached to a wall part defining the second space.
a second electric wire;
a control unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire; and
an external connection connector that is connected with the controller via the second electric wire, wherein
the second chamber is partitioned into a first space in which the oil pump is arranged, and a second space adjacent to the first space in a second direction that intersects the first direction and in which the first electric wire is arranged, and
the external connection connector is attached to a wall part defining the second space.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein the external connection connector has a terminal part connected with the second electric wire, and an additional terminal part connected with a third electric wire, and the oil pump is connected with the third electric wire.
the external connection connector has a terminal part connected with the second electric wire, and an additional terminal part connected with a third electric wire, and
the oil pump is connected with the third electric wire.
The power transmission device of claim 3 , wherein the third electric wire is thicker than the second electric wire, and the additional terminal part is arranged at a position closer to the oil pump than the terminal part.
the third electric wire is thicker than the second electric wire, and
the additional terminal part is arranged at a position closer to the oil pump than the terminal part.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein a portion of a branch line branched from the first electric wire is arranged cutting across a region below the external connection connector.
a portion of a branch line branched from the first electric wire is arranged cutting across a region below the external connection connector.
The power transmission device according to claim 5 , further comprising a range switching device positioned between the portion of the branch line and the external connection connector.
a range switching device positioned between the portion of the branch line and the external connection connector.
The power transmission device according to claim 3 , wherein the third electric wire is arranged within the second chamber.
the third electric wire is arranged within the second chamber.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein the second electric wire is arranged within the second chamber.
the second electric wire is arranged within the second chamber.
The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the first direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction.
the first direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction.
A power transmission device comprising: a power transmission mechanism arranged in a first chamber; an oil pump arranged in a second chamber; a first electric wire; a controller; and a control valve unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire, wherein the first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller.
a control valve unit connected with the controller via the first electric wire, wherein
the first electric wire is provided inside the second chamber, and is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the oil pump when viewed along a first direction that is a direction facing from the oil pump to the controller.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein the first direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 10 , wherein the first direction is the vehicle longitudinal direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein the first chamber, the oil pump, and the controller overlap when viewed along the first direction, and the first electric wire is arranged at a position that overlaps with the oil pump when viewed along a second direction that intersects the first direction.
The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is a control valve unit.
the control unit is a control valve unit.
The power transmission device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit is a control valve unit.
Ref US9845869B2: Claims:
A vehicle drive apparatus comprising: a case configured to accommodate a transmission apparatus; a mechanical oil pump that is disposed in the case and is configured to be driven by an internal combustion engine; an electric oil pump that is disposed in the case and is configured to be electrically driven; a hydraulic control device that is joined and attached to the case, and hydraulically controls the transmission apparatus based on hydraulic pressures generated by the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump; a strainer that is disposed inside the case; a first discharge oil passage that supplies the hydraulic pressure discharged by the mechanical oil pump to the hydraulic control device; a second discharge oil passage that supplies the hydraulic pressure discharged by the electric oil pump to the hydraulic control device; and a suction oil passage that returns an excess hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control device to the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump, wherein: the suction oil passage includes a common oil passage extending from the hydraulic control device to an inside of the case, a branch point where the common oil passage splits toward the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump, a first oil passage extending from the branch point to the mechanical oil pump, and a second oil passage extending from the branch point to the electric oil pump, and the common oil passage, the branch point, the first oil passage, and the second oil passage are formed in the case; the mechanical oil pump includes a hydraulic pressure generating unit that generates the hydraulic pressure, and a pump body which contains the hydraulic pressure generating unit and in which an inlet port for suctioning oil from an oil reservoir via the strainer, a discharge port communicating with the first discharge oil passage, and a suction connection port communicating with the first oil passage of the suction oil passage are formed; and a meeting point where the inlet port and the suction connection port meet is provided inside the pump body.
a case configured to accommodate a transmission apparatus;
a mechanical oil pump that is disposed in the case and is configured to be driven by an internal combustion engine;
an electric oil pump that is disposed in the case and is configured to be electrically driven;
a hydraulic control device that is joined and attached to the case, and hydraulically controls the transmission apparatus based on hydraulic pressures generated by the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump;
a strainer that is disposed inside the case;
a first discharge oil passage that supplies the hydraulic pressure discharged by the mechanical oil pump to the hydraulic control device;
a second discharge oil passage that supplies the hydraulic pressure discharged by the electric oil pump to the hydraulic control device; and
a suction oil passage that returns an excess hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic control device to the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump, wherein:
the suction oil passage includes a common oil passage extending from the hydraulic control device to an inside of the case, a branch point where the common oil passage splits toward the mechanical oil pump and the electric oil pump, a first oil passage extending from the branch point to the mechanical oil pump, and a second oil passage extending from the branch point to the electric oil pump, and the common oil passage, the branch point, the first oil passage, and the second oil passage are formed in the case;
the mechanical oil pump includes a hydraulic pressure generating unit that generates the hydraulic pressure, and a pump body which contains the hydraulic pressure generating unit and in which an inlet port for suctioning oil from an oil reservoir via the strainer, a discharge port communicating with the first discharge oil passage, and a suction connection port communicating with the first oil passage of the suction oil passage are formed; and
a meeting point where the inlet port and the suction connection port meet is provided inside the pump body.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a joining section between the case and the hydraulic control device, the common oil passage of the suction oil passage is disposed so as to pass through a center side with respect to the first discharge oil passage and the second discharge oil passage.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the mechanical oil pump is disposed on one side of the branch point of the suction oil passage in an axial direction of the transmission apparatus and the electric oil pump is disposed on the other side in the axial direction with the branch point of the suction oil passage provided therebetween.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the inlet port and the suction connection port of the mechanical oil pump are disposed on a side of the branch point of the suction oil passage with respect to the hydraulic pressure generating unit.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein in a joining section between the case and the hydraulic control device, the first discharge oil passage and the second discharge oil passage are disposed so as to pass through an outer edge side thereof.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet port and the suction connection port of the mechanical oil pump are disposed on a side of the branch point of the suction oil passage with respect to the hydraulic pressure generating unit.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mechanical oil pump is disposed on one side of the branch point of the suction oil passage in an axial direction of the transmission apparatus and the electric oil pump is disposed on the other side in the axial direction with the branch point of the suction oil passage provided therebetween.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the inlet port and the suction connection port of the mechanical oil pump are disposed on a side of the branch point of the suction oil passage with respect to the hydraulic pressure generating unit.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the inlet port and the suction connection port of the mechanical oil pump are disposed on a side of the branch point of the suction oil passage with respect to the hydraulic pressure generating unit.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein in a joining section between the case and the hydraulic control device, the first discharge oil passage and the second discharge oil passage are disposed so as to pass through an outer edge side thereof.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein in a joining section between the case and the hydraulic control device, the first discharge oil passage and the second discharge oil passage are disposed so as to pass through an outer edge side thereof.
The vehicle drive apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein in a joining section between the case and the hydraulic control device, the first discharge oil passage a
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