Appeal No. 95-0744
Application 07/758,460
some malfunction, e.g., no oil in the system. Thus, we also
disagree with the examiner's statement that "Yabe et al.
suggest that abnormalities in motor current may result from
higher than normal loads, i.e. mechanical restriction caused
by the steering mechanism, and that such loads should be
considered in evaluating the operation of the electric motor"
(Examiner's Answer, page 4). While it is true that Yabe
senses an "abnormal load" as stated in the last sentence
quoted above, the abnormal load is a load which is
insufficient to assist the steering.
The examiner further finds (Examiner's Answer, page 4):
"Yabe et al. further discuss in column 5, lines 6-18 that the
load of the electric motor, i.e. steering mechanism, should be
considered to see if the load presented to the electric pump
is higher than a set value." The embodiment of figure 5
referred to at column 5, lines 6-18, determines whether the
steering system is operating normally by detecting the load on
the steering system with a strain gauge and, thus, appears to
determine mechanical restriction or motor failure by sensing
that the load provided to the steering mechanism is
insufficient. However, since the embodiment of figure 5 does
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