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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMIVIISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`
`
`
`
`14/770,533
`
`08/26/2015
`
`Tomohiro TERADA
`
`WASHB—54962
`
`8900
`
`pEARNE&G0RD0N LLP m
`1801 EAST 9TH STREET
`SANKS’ SCHYLER S
`SUITE 1200
`
`3744
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/23/2017
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e—mail address(es):
`
`patdocket @ pearne.c0m
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Applicant(s)
`Application No.
` 14/770,533 TERADA ET AL.
`
`
`AIA (First Inventor to File)
`Art Unit
`Examiner
`Office Action Summary
`
`
`SCHYLER S. SANKS $2215 3744
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING DATE OF
`THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR1. 136( a).
`after SIX () MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1 .704(b).
`
`In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed
`
`Status
`
`1)IZI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 08/26/2015.
`El A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2b)|ZI This action is non-final.
`2a)|:l This action is FINAL.
`3)I:I An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4)|:| Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
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`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)IZI Claim(s) 149 is/are pending in the application.
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`is/are allowed.
`6)I:I Claim(s)
`7)|Z| CIaim(s)_1-9is/are rejected.
`8)|:I Claim(s)_ is/are objected to.
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`9)I:I Claim((s)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`hit
`:/'I’vaIW.usnI‘.0. ovI’ atentS/init events/
`
`
`
`iindex.‘s or send an inquiry to PPI-iieedback{®usgtc.00v.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)I:l The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)|Xl The drawing(s) filed on 08/26/2015 is/are: a)|:l accepted or b)IXI objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)IXI Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`
`a)IZl All
`
`b)|:l Some” c)I:l None of the:
`
`1.IXI Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.|:l Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.|:| Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`** See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`
`
`3) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`1) E Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date.
`.
`.
`4) I:I Other'
`2) E InformatIon DIsclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL—326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20170817
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
`
`Page 2
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
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`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the
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`first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
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`Priority
`
`2.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`3.
`
`The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 08/26/2015 and 04/12/2016
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`are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure
`
`statements are being considered by the examiner.
`
`Drawings
`
`4.
`
`Figure 2B should be designated by a legend such as ——Prior Art—— because only that which
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`is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR
`
`1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The
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`replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR
`
`1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted
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`by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in
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`the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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`5.
`
`The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Paragraph [0109]
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`Specification
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`should be moved to the beginning of the specification.
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`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`Claim Objections
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`6.
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`Claims l—9 are objected to because of the following informalities:
`
`a.
`
`b.
`
`In claim 1, line 3, "air to be sent" should read ——air that is to be sent——.
`
`Claims 2—9 are objected to by Virtue of dependency on claim 1.
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`7.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 USC. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION.7The 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 USC. 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.
`
`8.
`
`Claims l—9 are rejected under 35 USC. 112(b) or 35 USC. 112 (pre—AIA), second
`
`paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject
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`matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre—AIA the applicant regards as the
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`invention.
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claims l—4 and 8, limitation “water—refrigerant” heat exchanger is unclear. It is
`
`not clear from the term “water—refrigerant” if the coolant recited in claim 1 is implied to be
`
`water, or if the heat exchanger exchanges heat between water, coolant, and refrigerant. As best
`
`understood by the Examiner, the coolant is water.
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 2, the limitation “the first water—refrigerant heat exchanger circulates the
`
`coolant” is unclear. It is not clear how the heat exchanger itself performs the circulation of
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`coolant. As best understood by the Examiner, the coolant is circulated through the heat
`
`exchanger.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`11.
`
`Regarding claim 3, the limitation “a second water—refrigerant heat exchanger that
`
`circulates the coolant” is unclear. It is not clear how the heat exchanger itself circulates coolant.
`
`As best understood by the Examiner, the coolant is circulated through the heat exchanger, but not
`
`by the heat exchanger itself.
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 5, the claim is unclear because it is not clear how the time period in
`
`which it takes the coolant of the first water—refrigerant heat exchanger to rise up to a threshold
`
`temperature can be a " predetermined time period". The amount of time needed to reach a certain
`
`temperature may vary according to extraneous conditions, and cannot be regarded as always
`
`occurring within the same "predetermined time period".
`
`13.
`
`Claims 2—9 are rejected by virtue of dependency on an indefinite base claim.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`14.
`
`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
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`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.
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`15.
`
`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.
`
`16.
`
`Claims 1-5 and 7-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Kawase (US20100281901A1) in View of Takamori (JPH075015B2), further in View of
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`Ichishi (W02013015079A1). For clarity in citations, US20140144998A1, the US equivalent
`
`of the Ichishi reference, will be used for citation purposes.
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Kawase teaches a vehicle air conditioning apparatus (Title, Figure
`
`1) comprising: a heater core (Figure 1, 13) through which a high-temperature coolant flows
`
`and which gives heat to air to be sent into a vehicle interior (paragraph [0027]); a first
`
`water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Figure 1, 22) that exchanges heat between the coolant and
`
`a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in a heat pump to condense the
`
`refrigerant (Figure 1, heat pump 20, 22 acts as a condenser to heat the coolant, paragraph
`
`[0039], lines 13-18); a flow rate adjusting section that adjusts a flow rate of the coolant that
`
`flows through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the heater core (Figure 1,
`
`pump 11, paragraph [0036], lines 1—16); and a control section that performs air conditioning
`
`control (Figure 2, 100).
`
`18.
`
`Kawase does not teach wherein the control section controls the flow rate adjusting
`
`section to set the flow rate of the coolant to a flow rate lower than a first flow rate for a
`
`predetermined time period from starting up of the heat pump, the flow rate being referred to as a
`
`second flow rate, the first flow rate being used during a standard operation.
`
`19.
`
`Takamori teaches refraining from utilizing the coolant circuit in heating an airstream via
`
`a heater core until the cooling water has been heated to the appropriate threshold temperature
`
`(Figure 1, cooling circuit B with heater core 14, Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 1—4).
`
`20.
`
`Ichishi teaches that unless the coolant temperature for a heater core is sufficient, the
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`pump for the coolant circuit should be turned off (paragraph [0198]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 6
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`21.
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the controller of Kawase to turn off the pump, i.e. the flow rate adjusting section, during
`
`the starting up of the heat pump in order to avoid providing cold air into the passenger
`
`compartment of the vehicle.
`
`22.
`
`Kawase discloses that the heat pump may heat the coolant (paragraph [0039], lines l3—
`
`l8). Takamori acknowledges that the coolant for a heater core should not be utilized in heating
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`until it is at the appropriate temperature to avoid sending cold air into the passenger compartment
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`(Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 4—7), where the delay in utilization of the coolant circuit arises from
`
`the starting and warming up of a device which is to heat the coolant (Page 7, paragraph 2, lines
`
`1—3, Page 8, paragraph 2, lines l—7). Ichishi discloses stopping the pump when the coolant is not
`
`hot enough to sufficiently heat the airstream going into the passenger compartment to avoid
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`sending cool air into the passenger compartment (paragraph [0198]). Therefore, one of ordinary
`
`skill in the art would have recognized that the pump of Kawase should be stopped upon starting
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`up of the heat pump, because as evidenced by Takamori, such a system requires a “warm—up”
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`period in order to bring the coolant to an appropriate threshold temperature at which it can
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`sufficiently heat the airstream which is fed into the passenger compartment of the vehicle and as
`
`evidenced by Ichishi, stopping the pump of such a system prevents cool air from being provided
`
`to the passenger compartment. Thus, a stopping of the pump while the heat pump warms up and
`
`brings the coolant to the appropriate temperature would result in ensuring that no cold air was
`
`provided to the passenger compartment during heating. Such a control scheme would result in
`
`the control section controlling the flow rate adjusting section to set the flow rate of the coolant to
`
`a flow rate lower than a first flow rate for a predetermined time period from starting up of the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 7
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`heat pump, the flow rate being referred to as a second flow rate, the first flow rate being used
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`during a standard operation, where the predetermined time is the time it takes to sufficiently heat
`
`the coolant, i.e. to a threshold temperature, and where the pump being run normally after the
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`warm—up period constitutes a "standard operation".
`
`23.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first water-refrigerant heat
`
`exchanger circulates the coolant between the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the
`
`heater core (Kawase, Figure l, coolant is circulated between 22 and 13) and exchanges heat
`
`between the circulated coolant and a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in
`
`the heat pump to condense the refrigerant (Kawase, paragraph [0039, lines 13-18).
`
`24.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
`
`conditioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a part-cooling passage
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`through which the coolant flows in a way that allows heat of the coolant to be exchanged
`
`with a heat-generating part of a vehicle (Kawase, part—cooling passage constituted by circuit
`
`14, see paragraph [0030]); and a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Kawase, Figure l,
`
`24) that circulates the coolant between the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the
`
`part-cooling passage and exchanges heat between the circulated coolant and a low-
`
`temperature and low-pressure refrigerant in the heat pump to vaporize the refrigerant
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`(Kawase, Figure l, 24 is an evaporator for heat pump 20, paragraph [0039], lines 13—16).
`
`25.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicie air
`
`conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a part-cooling passage
`
`through which the coolant flows in a way that allows heat of the coolant to be exchanged
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 8
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`With a heat-generating part of a vehicle (Kawase, part—cooling passage constituted by circuit
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`14, see paragraph [0030]); and a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Kawase, Figure 1,
`
`24) that exehangee heat between the eeolant anti a towtemperainre and tnwmreesnre
`
`refrigerant in the heat hemp tn vaporize the refrigerant (Kawase, Figure 1, 24 is an
`
`evaporator for heat pump 20, paragraph [0039], lines 13—16), wherein the coolant circulates
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`threngh the nartneeeting naeeage, the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger, the heater
`
`core and the second “avatar-refrigerant heat exchanger (Kawase. Figure 1, 14, paragraph
`
`{0030i}.
`
`26.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
`
`conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is a time
`
`period in which the coolant of the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger rises up to a
`
`threshold temperature (Kawase as modified, see the rejection of claim 1, Where Kawase as
`
`modified heats the coolant to a sufficient threshold temperature, as taught by Takamori).
`
`27.
`
`Regarding claim '7, Ka‘w'ase as; modified teaches; all of the limitations of the vehicle air
`
`conditioning apparatus according to claim l, wherein the sewed flow rate is a flaw rate whieh
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`is snhstanttaiiy zern (Kawase as modified, see rejection {if claim l, the flow rate of Kawase as
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`medified is zero because the pump is; Stopped).
`
`28.
`
`Regarding elaim 8, Kawase as medified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditiening apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second water~refrigerant heat
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`exchanger is ermneeted so as to aitow the ertetant ti) eiretttate between the Seeehd water»
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`refrigerant heat exchanger and the narteeniing passage withnnt passing thrnngh the
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`heater care (Kawase, Figure 1, see arrows c and h. C-‘Jffiiaiii circuit (3, paragraph {(3029}. Sines 1-
`
`6).
`
`29.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Kawase as; modified teaches; all of the limitations of the vehicie air
`
`cenditioriiiig apparatus acccrdiiig to claim i, wherein the thaw rate adjusting sectieii is a water
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`pump (Kawase, Figure 1, ii is a water pump because it pumps water hatred coeiaiit threugh the
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`first water-refrigerant heat exchanger), and. the first flew rate and the seetinii flew rate are
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`determined by the number (if reveiiitiens {if the water pump (Kawase as modified, the
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`second thaw rate is zere which is detern‘iined h}; the pump being off, its where the punap’s
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`iriipeiier is not retatiiig, thus; the number of reveiutions is rem. Siini Early, the first {low rate,
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`Where the pump is operationah the number of revoiutions wouid be positive and non-zero, thus
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`the first flew rate would he detennined hy the number er" revolutions; of the pump, aise aee
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`ichiahi paragraph {@077} where pun‘ip thaw rate is detenhined by revolution a)
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`30.
`
`Claims 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kawase
`
`(US20100281901A1) in View of Takamori (JPH075015B2), further in View of Ichishi
`
`(W02013015079A1) as applied to claim 1, further in View of Goenka (US20100287952). For
`
`clarity in citations, US20140144998A1, the US equivalent of the Ichishi reference, will be
`
`used for citation purposes.
`
`31.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the veliicie air
`
`ceiitiitioiriiig apparatus according it} claim 5.
`
`32.
`
`Kawase as: nn‘it'iii'ied does not teach wherein the vaiiie of the threshoid temperature is
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`changed. according to an outside air temperature.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`33.
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`(loenka teaches that the temperature at which a heat source can sufficiently heat the
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`passenger airflow is a temperature at which the airflow can he deemed conifortahie, Where the
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`eomfort temperature may he based on threshold. temperature that depends on amhient air
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`ten‘ipera‘tnre (see paragraph {803%}.
`
`34.
`
`it wouid have been obvious to one of ordinary shiil in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the eontroiler of Kawase as modified to change the value of the eooiant threshold
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`temperature based on an outside air temperature in order to ensure that air at a eomfortahie
`
`temperature is provided to the passenger cmnpartment.
`
`35.
`
`Goenka discioses that the temperature at which an airflow may he deemed corni‘ortahie
`
`may change based. on the ambient temperature (paragraph [3634]}. Furthermore, Goenha teaches
`
`that a heat source is only ready to provide such an airflow when the heat source can sufficiently
`
`heat the airflow ( para gra ph {GUS/Ill}. Tl'teret‘ore, one of ordinary shill, in the art would have
`
`recognized that because the comfort temperature of the airflow may change that the threshoid
`
`temperature. of the. heat smtree, i.e‘ the coolant, or" Kawase as modified should. change in response
`
`to such a change in ornnftnit temperature in order to ensure that the coolant is capable of
`
`sufficiently heating. the airflow to the comfort temperature when the pump of Kawase is operated
`
`to snppiy heating, Since the ehange in comfort temperature is based on ambient temperature i.e.
`
`outside air temperature, the coolant threshold would change in response to outside air
`
`temperature because as the comfort temperature changes (in response to outside air temperature)
`
`the threshold wouid need to change in order to en sure that the coelant’s heat is sufficient to
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`snppiy the airflow at the new temperature.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
`
`Page 11
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`36.
`
`Claims 1-4 and 7-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Kawase (US20100281901A1) in view of Okaza (US20060096306A1).
`
`37.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Kawase teaches a vehicle air conditioning apparatus (Title, Figure
`
`1) comprising: a heater core (Figure 1, 13) through which a high-temperature coolant flows
`
`and which gives heat to air to be sent into a vehicle interior (paragraph [0027]); a first
`
`water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Figure 1, 22) that exchanges heat between the coolant and
`
`a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in a heat pump to condense the
`
`refrigerant (Figure 1, heat pump 20, 22 acts as a condenser to heat the coolant, paragraph
`
`[0039], lines 13-18); a flow rate adjusting section that adjusts a flow rate of the coolant that
`
`flows through the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the heater core (Figure 1,
`
`pump 11, paragraph [0036], lines 1—16); and a control section that performs air conditioning
`
`control (Figure 2, 100).
`
`38.
`
`Kawase does not teach wherein the control section controls the flow rate adjusting
`
`section to set the flow rate of the coolant to a flow rate lower than a first flow rate for a
`
`predetermined time period from starting up of the heat pump, the flow rate being referred to as a
`
`second flow rate, the first flow rate being used during a standard operation.
`
`39.
`
`Okaza teaches wherein the control section controls the flow rate adjusting section to
`
`set the flow rate of the coolant to a flow rate lower than a first flow rate for a
`
`predetermined time period from starting up of the heat pump, the flow rate being referred
`
`to as a second flow rate, the first flow rate being used during a standard operation (Figure
`
`4, pump 7 constitutes a flow rate adjusting section, Figure 5 shows that the pump is operated in
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
`
`Page 12
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`an off state during heat pump start up and then operated normally after a predetermined period of
`
`time, see paragraph [0076]).
`
`40.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
`
`modify the controller of Kawase to stop the pump for a predetermined amount of time during the
`
`start—up period of the heat pump, i.e. to control the flow rate adjusting section to set the flow rate
`
`of the coolant to a flow rate lower than a first flow rate for a predetermined time period from
`
`starting up of the heat pump, the flow rate being referred to as a second flow rate, the first flow
`
`rate being used during a standard operation, in order to ensure that the operation of the expansion
`
`valve does not become unstable.
`
`4l.
`
`Okaza discloses that delaying pump start up during the start—up period of the heat pump
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`ensures that the expansion valve does not become unstable (paragraph [0076], lines 11—13).
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`Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that such a control scheme in
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`Kawase would ensure that the expansion valve (seen in Figure l, 23) of Kawase does not
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`become unstable during the startup period of the heat pump.
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`42.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first water-refrigerant heat
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`exchanger circulates the coolant between the first water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the
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`heater core (Kawase, Figure l, coolant is circulated between 22 and 13) and exchanges heat
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`between the circulated coolant and a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in
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`the heat pump to condense the refrigerant (Kawase, paragraph [0039, lines 13-18).
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`43.
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`Regarding claim 3, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicle air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a part-cooling passage
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`Application/Control Number: 14/770,533
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`Page 13
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`Art Unit: 3744
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`through which the coolant flows in a way that allows heat of the coolant to be exchanged
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`with a heat-generating part of a vehicle (Kawase, part—cooling passage constituted by circuit
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`14, see paragraph [0030]); and a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Kawase, Figure l,
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`24) that circulates the coolant between the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger and the
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`part-cooling passage and exchanges heat between the circulated coolant and a low-
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`temperature and low-pressure refrigerant in the heat pump to vaporize the refrigerant
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`(Kawase, Figure l, 24 is an evaporator for heat pump 20, paragraph [0039], lines 13—16).
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`44.
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`Regarding claim 4, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicie air
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`conditioning apparatus according ta ciaiin 1. further comprising: a part-cooling passage
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`through which the coolant flows in a way that allows heat of the coolant to be exchanged
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`with a heat-generating part of a vehicle (Kawase, part—cooling passage constituted by circuit
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`14, see paragraph [0030]); and a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger (Kawase, Figure l,
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`24) that exchanges heat hetween the caeiani anti a inwutemperatnre and inwupressnre
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`refrigerant in the. heat pump in vapnrize the refrigerant (Kawase, Figure l, 24 is an
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`evaporator for heat pump 20, paragraph [0039], lines 13—16), wherein the coolant circniates
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`thrahgh the partueaaiing passage, the first waternreirigerant heat. exchanger, the heater
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`care and the secanti waternrefrigerant heat exchanger ( Kawage, Figure 1, 14, paragraph
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`[0030]).
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`45.
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`Regarding claim 7, Kawase as; modified teaches; aii oi" the iiniitaticns cf the vehicie air
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`ccnditioniiig apparatus according ta ciaiin 1. wherein the second flew rate is a flaw rate. which
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`is substantiaiiy zen) (Kawase. as modified, see rejection 0‘? claim 1, the flow rate of Kawase as
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`modified is zerc because the pump is; SiOppEd).
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`46.
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`Regarding claim 8. Kawase as modified teaches ah of the limitations of the vehieie air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second water-refrigerant heat
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`exehanger is connected so as to atlow the eooiant to cireniate between the second western
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`refrigerant heat. eaehanger and the partncnnitng passage withont passing through the
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`heater core (Kawase. Figure 1, see arrows c and ‘o, cooiant cireuit .6, paragraph {0029], lines 1—
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`6).
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`47.
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`Regarding elaini :7} Kawase as modified teaches ail 0f the limitations of the vehicie air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow rate adinsting section is a water
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`pump (Kawase, Figure i, 1 1, is a water pump because it pumps water based cooiant through the
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`first twatenrefrigerant heat exchanger), and the first flow rate anti the second flow rate are
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`determined by the number of revotntions oi” the water pump {Kawase as modified, the
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`second thaw rate is zero which is determined hy the pump being off. ie where the pump’s
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`irnpet ier is not rotating, thus the number of revoiutirms is zero. Simiiariy. the first t‘iow rate,
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`where the pump is tiperationai, the number of revohitions Wtitiid be positive and nonzero. thus
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`the first tiow rate would be determined hy the number of revolutions of the pun‘ip, also see
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`{Iizait'm Figure 5, where pump flow rate is determined hy revolution number).
`
`48.
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`Claim 5 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kawase
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`(US20100281901A1) in View of Okaza (US20060096306A1) as applied to claim 1, further in
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`View of Takamori (JPH075015B2).
`
`49.
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`Regarding claim 5, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehieie air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 1.
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`50.
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`Kawase as modified does not teach wherein the predetermined time period is a time
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`period in which the coolant of the first water—refrigerant heat exchanger rises up to a threshold
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`temperature.
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`51.
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`Okaza teaches that the predetermined time period may be based on the water temperature
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`of the pump circuit (paragraph [0077], lines 5—7, paragraph [0062], lines 4—6).
`
`52.
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`Takamori teaches refraining from utilizing the coolant circuit in heating an airstream Via
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`a heater core until the water in the circuit has been heated to the appropriate threshold
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`temperature (Figure l, cooling circuit B with heater core 14, Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 1—4).
`
`53.
`
`It would have been obVious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the controller of Kawase as modified to base the predetermined time period on a time
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`period in which the coolant of the first—water refrigerant heat exchanger rises up to a threshold
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`temperature in order to avoid sending cold air into the passenger compartment during a heating
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`operation.
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`54.
`
`Takamori acknowledges that the coolant for a heater core should not be utilized in
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`heating until it is at the appropriate temperature to avoid sending cold air into the passenger
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`compartment (Page 8, paragraph 2, lines 4—7), where the delay in utilization of the coolant circuit
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`arises from the starting and warming up of a deVice which is to heat the coolant (Page 7,
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`paragraph 2, lines 1—3, Page 8, paragraph 2, lines l—7). Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art
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`would have recognized that the controller of Kawase as modified could be reprogrammed to base
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`the predetermined time period on the time needed for the coolant of the first water—refrigerant
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`heat exchanger to rise up to the necessary threshold temperature and would have done so in order
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`to avoid sending cold air into the passenger compartment during a heating operation.
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`55.
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`Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kawase
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`(US20100281901A1) in View of Okaza (US20060096306A1), further in View of Takamori
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`(JPH075015B2) as applied to claim 5, further in View of Goenka (US20100287952A1).
`
`56.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Kawase as modified teaches all of the limitations of the vehicie air
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`conditioning apparatus according to claim 5,
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`57.
`
`Kawase as modified. does not teach wherein the value of the threshoid temperature is
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`changed according to an outside air temperature.
`
`58.
`
`Ozaha teaches that the predetermined time period may be altered hased on outside air
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`temperature t: paragraph {GENT}, Elites 57).
`
`59.
`
`Goehlia teaches that the temperature at which a heat source can sufficiently heat the
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`passenger airflow is a temperature at which the airflow can be deemed comfortable, where the
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`comfort temperature may he ha seal on threshold temperature that depends on ambient air
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`temperature (see paragraph {062343}.
`
`60.
`
`it would have heen obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to
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`modify the controller of Kawase as modified to change the value of the coolant threshold
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`temperature haserl on an outside air temperature in order to en sure that air at a comfortable
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`temperature is provided. to the passenger compartment.
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`61.
`
`Goenha discloses that the temperature at which an airflow may be deemed comfortable
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`may change hased on the arhhierrt temperature (paragraph {6034]}. Furthermore, Goehha teaches
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`t