Appeal No. 95-0744
Application 07/758,460
not detect the current through the electric motor as in the
embodiments of figures 1-4, it appears to be of little
relevance in the rejection. The steering system in figure 5
presumably operates normally if the load produced by the
electric motor, as measured by the strain gauge, is above a
certain amount, i.e., if the electric motor is producing
sufficient load to assist the steering.
Neither O'Neil nor Yabe discloses or suggests testing a
motor for mechanical restriction with the clutch engaged and
then engaging the clutch if the motor is determined to be
operating properly in either of the references. O'Neil
detects improper operation of the motor (page 8, lines 8-9),
but does not test the motor for restriction. Yabe does not
"suggest that abnormalities in motor current may result from
higher than normal loads, i.e. mechanical restriction caused
by the steering mechanism" (Examiner's Answer, page 4), as
stated by the examiner, because high motor currents are a sign
of normal operation. Therefore, we do not find any motivation
expressly or implicitly in the references to make the proposed
modification.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007