Appeal 2007-3048
Application 10/664,947
smooth movement of the motor. Specifically, the latter reference includes
the following disclosure.
[T]he waveform of the voltages applied to the electrodes 30a,
30b of the stator element 22 is in the wave-like form having
smoothly-inclined curves in the rise portion a and the fall
portion b. Hence, even where the voltage is switched from "0"
to "+" or "-" or the voltage is changed from "+" or "-" to "0",
the switching is smoothly performed. Consequently, the
driving force for the movable element 21 is smoothly varied
upon switching over of the voltages applied to the electrodes. .
. .
(Col. 16, ll. 32-41 (emphasis added).)
Because Higuchi's AC voltage already produces a smooth movement,
we are unpersuaded of the need to replace the AC voltage with a DC voltage
"to provide a smooth movement. . . ." (Answer 5.) The Examiner does not
allege, let alone show, that the addition of Suzuki-987 or Hoen cures the
aforementioned deficiency.
VI. CONLCUSION
Because the Examiner has not identified a persuasive reason to
replace Higuchi's AC voltage with a DC voltage, we reverse the rejections of
claims 1 and 3-24.
VII. ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS
We cannot help but notice the similarity of Suzuki-916 to the claimed
invention. Although Figure 1 of the reference arguably shows only a single
rotor tooth, the Appellants have admitted that "[c]urrent, practical comb
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