Lock catch and photomask box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a lock catch and a photomask box. The lock catch comprises a lock cap and a guide rail, the guide rail is provided with an opening position and / or a locking position; the lock cap is arranged on the guide rail and can slide on the guide rail to achieve locking and unlocking of the lock catch. The lock cap comprises a sliding block and an in-place structure. The in-place structure is mounted on the sliding block; and when the lock cap slides to the opening position or the locking position of the guide rail, the in-place structure generates mechanical vibration. A user knows that the lock cap slides to the opening position or the locking position by sensing mechanical vibration of the in-place structure, and the situation that the user experience and the service life of the lock catch are affected due to the fact that locking or unlocking is not in place is avoided. And meanwhile, the photomask box is opened and locked by adopting the lock catch, so that the sealing performance of the photomask box is improved, and the service life of the photomask box is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of semiconductor manufacturing technology, and in particular to a latch and a photomask box. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, boxes are commonly locked using latches or similar closures, with the latches employing a sliding guide rail mechanism for locking and unlocking. When using latches to lock the box, the user cannot know the latch's sliding status, and the latch cap may not slide fully, causing vibration during handling and resulting in the latch cap sliding and the box opening. Conversely, when using latches to unlock the box, the latch cap may not slide fully, causing the user to pry open the box prematurely, damaging the latch.

[0003] Especially for enclosures with strict sealing requirements, such as photomask enclosures, the locking mechanism has a significant impact. Photomasks are delicate photographic printing products; any contaminants, such as dust, can soil them and cause damage. During storage and transportation, photomasks must be placed in a photomask enclosure with locking mechanisms to maintain a tight seal. If the enclosure is not properly sealed, contaminants can enter and damage the photomask. Furthermore, when opening the locking mechanism, the locking cap may not be fully engaged before prying open the enclosure, potentially damaging the locking mechanism or shortening its lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To further improve the performance and extend the service life of the latch, this utility model proposes a latch; at the same time, to further improve the sealing performance and extend the service life of the photomask, this utility model proposes a photomask box.

[0005] To further improve the performance and extend the service life of the latch, this utility model provides a latch, comprising: a latch, characterized in that it includes: a latch cap and a guide rail; the guide rail is provided with an open position and / or a locked position; the latch cap is disposed on the guide rail and can slide on the guide rail to realize the locking and unlocking of the latch; the latch cap includes: a slider and a positioning structure; the positioning structure is mounted on the slider; when the latch cap slides to the open position or the locked position of the guide rail, the positioning structure generates mechanical vibration.

[0006] Optionally, the open position is provided with a first groove, and the locking position is provided with a second groove.

[0007] Optionally, the positioning structure includes an elastic body and a locking block; the locking block is disposed on the elastic body; when the locking cap slides to the open position or the locked position, the locking block is engaged in the first groove or the second groove under the elastic force of the elastic body.

[0008] Optionally, the elastomer is an elastic tongue.

[0009] Optionally, the elastic tongue is a figure-eight shaped elastic tongue, and the number of the locking blocks is two and they are disposed at both ends of the figure-eight shaped elastic tongue.

[0010] Optionally, the guide rail is characterized by having a chamfer on any end face perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lock cap.

[0011] Optionally, the slider is characterized by having multiple arc-shaped steps on its outer surface, with the first arc-shaped step near the end face of the slider being higher than the other arc-shaped steps.

[0012] Optionally, the guide rail includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail; the first guide rail and the second guide rail partially overlap so that the lock cap can slide on the first guide rail and the second guide rail simultaneously when the latch is in the locked state.

[0013] To further improve the sealing performance and extend the lifespan of the photomask box, this utility model proposes a photomask box, comprising: a latch and a box body; the latch is disposed on the box body and is used to lock and open the box body.

[0014] Optionally, the housing includes a first housing and a second housing; the guide rail includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail; the first guide rail is disposed in the first housing, and the second guide rail is disposed in the second housing; the locking cap can slide on the first guide rail and the second guide rail to realize the opening and locking of the housing.

[0015] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] This invention relates to a latch with a positioning structure mounted on the slider of the latch cap and an open or locked position on the guide rail. When the latch cap slides to the open or locked position on the guide rail, the positioning structure generates mechanical vibration. The user can detect whether the latch cap has slid to the open or locked position by sensing the mechanical vibration of the positioning structure. This avoids the latch being damaged and its lifespan being shortened due to the user not knowing the latch's position, or the latch being opened due to vibration before reaching the locked position, thus affecting its performance.

[0017] The positioning structure of this utility model includes an elastic body and a locking block. The figure-eight elastic tongue serves as the elastic body, and the locking block is set on the elastic body. When the lock cap slides to the open or locked position, the locking block is locked into the first or second groove under the elastic force of the figure-eight elastic tongue, thereby generating mechanical vibration. This positioning structure is simple in structure and provides a strong mechanical vibration.

[0018] The outer surface of the slider of this invention is provided with multiple arc-shaped steps, with the first arc-shaped step near the end face of the slider being higher than the other arc-shaped steps. Users can distinguish whether the slider is in the open or locked position of the guide rail based on the sliding direction of the first arc-shaped step, avoiding incorrect sliding direction. Simultaneously, users can determine whether the locking cap is in the open or locked position based on the mechanical vibration generated by the positioning structure and the sliding direction of the first arc-shaped step, further improving the accuracy of distinguishing between the open and locked positions.

[0019] This utility model's photomask box employs a locking mechanism with mechanical vibration for both fully open and fully closed positions. This prevents the photomask box from being opened due to vibration or other reasons if it is not fully locked, thus improving its sealing performance. Simultaneously, the elasticity of the elastomer secures the locking block in the second groove, further enhancing the photomask box's sealing. This also prevents damage to the photomask box caused by improper opening, extending its lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the latch in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the latch from another perspective of an explosion according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the photomask box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0024] 100. Lock; 1. Lock cap; 11. Slider; 111. Mounting groove; 112. Mounting post; 113. Curved step; 1131. First curved step; 114. Slide groove; 115. Protrusion; 12. Positioning structure; 121. Elastic body; 122. Locking block; 123. Mounting hole; 2. Guide rail; 21. Open position; 22. Locking position; 23. Sliding groove; 24. First guide rail; 25. Second guide rail;

[0025] 200. Box body; 201. First box body; 202. Second box body. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0027] Reference Figure 1-2 A latch 100 includes a latch cap 1 and a guide rail 2, the guide rail 2 being provided with an open position 21 and / or a locked position 22; the latch cap 1 is disposed on the guide rail 2 and can slide on the guide rail 2 to achieve locking and unlocking of the latch 100; the latch cap 1 includes a slider 11 and a positioning structure 12; the positioning structure 12 is mounted on the slider 11; when the latch cap 1 slides to the open position 21 or the locked position 22 of the guide rail 2, the positioning structure 12 generates mechanical vibration. The user knows that the latch cap 1 has slid to the open position 21 or the locked position 22 by sensing the mechanical vibration of the positioning structure 12.

[0028] The open position 21 is provided with a first groove, and the locking position 22 is provided with a second groove. When the lock cap 1 slides to the open position 21 or the locking position 22, the positioning structure 12 engages with the first groove or the second groove, generating mechanical vibration. The user can detect that the lock cap 1 has slid to the open position 21 or the locking position 22 through the mechanical vibration, thus preventing the latch 100 from being improperly opened or locked.

[0029] Furthermore, the positioning structure 12 includes an elastic body 121 and a locking block 122; the locking block 122 is disposed on the elastic body 121; when the locking cap 1 slides to the open position 21 or the locked position 22, the locking block 122 is engaged in the first groove or the second groove under the elastic force of the elastic body 121, generating mechanical vibration.

[0030] Furthermore, the first groove and the second groove are configured as inverted trapezoids, and the locking block 122 is also configured as a matching inverted trapezoidal structure. The trapezoidal surface of the inverted trapezoid facilitates the locking block 122 to be engaged in and slid out of the groove.

[0031] The elastomer 121 is also provided with a mounting hole 123; the slider 11 is provided with a mounting groove 111 and a mounting post 112; the mounting post 112 is provided at the bottom of the mounting groove 111, and the elastomer 121 is mounted on the mounting post 112 through the mounting hole 123.

[0032] Furthermore, the elastic body 121 is an elastic tongue; the elastic tongue is installed in the mounting groove 111 with the elastic force direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, i.e., installed on the mounting post 112; the locking block 122 is disposed at both ends of the elastic tongue and faces the guide rail 2, and the locking block 122 can slide on the side of the guide rail 2 under the action of the slider 11. At the open position 21 or the locked position 22, the locking block 122 is engaged in the first groove or the second groove due to the elastic force of the elastic tongue itself, generating mechanical vibration. The specific shape of the elastic tongue, the number of locking blocks, the number of the first groove and the number of the second groove can be selected according to the requirements such as the elastic force; in this embodiment, the elastic tongue is an 8-shaped elastic tongue, the mounting hole 121 is disposed in the middle therein, the number of locking blocks 122 is two and disposed at both ends of the 8-shaped elastic tongue, and the number of the first groove and the number of the second groove is two.

[0033] Furthermore, the outer surface of the slider 11 is provided with multiple arc-shaped steps 113, with the first arc-shaped step 1131 near the end face of the slider being higher than the other arc-shaped steps. The user can distinguish whether the slider is sliding in the open position 21 or the locked position 22 of the guide rail 2 based on the sliding direction of the first arc-shaped step 1131. At the same time, the user can determine whether the locking cap 1 is in the open position 21 or the locked position 22 based on the mechanical vibration generated by the positioning structure 12 and the sliding direction of the first arc-shaped step 1131.

[0034] Furthermore, the slider 11 is also provided with a sliding groove 114, and the guide rail 2 is provided with a sliding groove 23. The slider 11 is sleeved on the sliding groove 23 of the guide rail 2 through the sliding groove 114, and the slider 11 slides on the sliding groove 23.

[0035] Furthermore, the guide rail 2 is provided with limiting blocks at both ends of the sliding groove 23. The limiting blocks and the slider 11 are both provided with matching chamfers to prevent the slider 11 from disengaging from the guide rail 2, to guide the slider 11, and to avoid sharp surfaces.

[0036] Furthermore, the slide groove 114 of the slider 11 is also provided with a protrusion 115, which contacts the guide rail 2 to reduce the contact area between the slider 11 and the guide rail 2 and reduce the coefficient of friction between the slider 11 and the guide rail 2.

[0037] Furthermore, the guide rail 2 has a chamfer on any end face perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lock cap 1, making it easier for the user to distinguish between the opening and closing directions of the latch.

[0038] Furthermore, the guide rail 2 includes a first guide rail 24 and a second guide rail 25; the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25 partially overlap to allow the locking cap 1 to slide simultaneously on the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25 when the latch 100 is in the locked state. Specifically, when the locking cap 1 slides simultaneously on the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25, the latch 100 is in the locked state; when the locking cap 1 slides only on the first guide rail 24, the latch 100 is in the open state. The first groove is located on the first guide rail 24, and the second groove is located on the first guide rail 24 and / or the second guide rail 25.

[0039] like Figure 3 The image shows a photomask box, including: a latch 100 and a box body 200; the latch 100 is disposed on the box body 200 and is used to lock and open the box body 200.

[0040] Furthermore, the housing 200 includes a first housing 201 and a second housing 202. The first guide rail 24 is disposed in the first housing 201, and the second guide rail 25 is disposed in the second housing 202. The locking cap 1 can slide on the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25 to open and close the housing 200. Specifically, when the locking cap 1 slides simultaneously on both the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25, the housing 200 is in a locked state; when the locking cap 1 slides only on the first guide rail 24, the housing 200 is in an open state.

[0041] Furthermore, the thickness of the second guide rail 25 near the second box 202 is greater than the thickness near the first box 201, so as to facilitate the opening and closing of the box 200.

[0042] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0043] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A latch (100), characterized in that, include: A locking cap (1) and a guide rail (2); the guide rail (2) is provided with an open position (21) and / or a locked position (22); the locking cap (1) is disposed on the guide rail (2) and can slide on the guide rail (2) to realize the locking and opening of the lock; the locking cap (1) includes: a slider (11) and a positioning structure (12); the positioning structure (12) is mounted on the slider (11); when the locking cap (1) slides to the open position (21) or the locked position (22) of the guide rail (2), the positioning structure (12) generates mechanical vibration.

2. The latch (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The open position (21) is provided with a first groove, and the locking position (22) is provided with a second groove.

3. The latch (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The positioning structure (12) includes an elastic body (121) and a locking block (122); the locking block (122) is disposed on the elastic body (121); when the locking cap (1) slides to the open position (21) or the locked position (22), the locking block (122) is engaged in the first groove or the second groove under the elastic force of the elastic body (121).

4. The latch (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastomer (121) is an elastic tongue.

5. The latch (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic tongue is a figure-eight shaped elastic tongue, and there are two locking blocks (122) at both ends of the figure-eight shaped elastic tongue.

6. The latch (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail (2) has a chamfer on any end face that is perpendicular to the sliding direction of the lock cap (1).

7. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The outer surface of the slider (11) is provided with multiple arc-shaped steps (113), and the first arc-shaped step (1131) near the end face of the slider is higher than the other arc-shaped steps.

8. The latch (100) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The guide rail (2) includes a first guide rail (24) and a second guide rail (25); the first guide rail (24) and the second guide rail (25) partially overlap so that when the latch is in the locked state, the lock cap (1) can slide on the first guide rail (24) and the second guide rail (25) simultaneously.

9. A photomask box, characterized in that, include: The latch (100) and the box body (200) as described in any one of claims 1-8; the latch (100) is disposed on the box body (200) for locking and unlocking the box body (200).

10. The photomask box according to claim 9, characterized in that, The housing (200) includes a first housing (201) and a second housing (202); the guide rail (2) includes a first guide rail (24) and a second guide rail (25); the first guide rail (24) is disposed in the first housing (201), and the second guide rail (25) is disposed in the second housing (202); the locking cap (1) can slide on the first guide rail (24) and the second guide rail (25) to realize the opening and locking of the housing (200).

Images