Article Transport Carriage With Adjustable Support Spacing for Mixed Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic transport systems in semiconductor factories face challenges in efficiently handling and safely transporting various types of articles with different sizes and gripping methods, such as wafer storage containers and reticle storage containers, due to their varying dimensions and requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a rail-based lifting device with a carriage device and gripper mechanism that adjusts distances based on the type of article being handled, ensuring safe transport by maintaining consistent safety distances regardless of article height, using a control device to manage the movement and gripping of articles with different dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-distance support structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to maintain safe distances for articles of different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is made movable relative to the base through a driving device, allowing the distance between them to be dynamically adjusted based on the height of the article being transported. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the support portion can maintain an appropriate distance from the article regardless of its height, thereby maintaining safety without requiring an overly complex fixed-configuration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of distance between the support portion and the base according to the article height. The control device receives height information and adjusts the support distance parameter accordingly, allowing the same hardware structure to safely accommodate articles of varying heights by simply changing the operational parameter (distance) rather than requiring different physical configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support portion is fixed relative to the base, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates due to inability to handle articles of different heights
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of articles (first type with flange, second type with flange, third type without flange) using the same base and support portion structure. The support portion can be positioned at different distances to accommodate different article heights, and the gripper can adapt its gripping method based on the article type, making the system versatile without requiring entirely different mechanisms for each article type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensors to automatically detect the article type and height, and the control device automatically adjusts the support portion distance and gripper positioning based on this detected information. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual adjustment and operation, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to different article types.
3Reliability
If the distance between support portion and base is constantly adjusted, then the reliability is improved for safe transport, but the productivity deteriorates due to additional adjustment time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the article type and height using sensors before the actual transport operation begins. The control device uses this advance information to pre-adjust the support portion distance and gripper positioning to the appropriate settings before the article is picked up. This preliminary action ensures that when transport begins, the system is already optimally configured, preventing impact and ensuring safety without adding significant time to the transport cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously detect article characteristics and provide feedback to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to automatically adjust the support portion distance and gripper positioning in real-time or near-real-time. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable impact prevention while minimizing adjustment time through automated, rapid responses based on actual article measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for transporting articles that may transport a variety of articles and includes a transport robot implemented in a compact size. The system for transporting articles includes: a rail installed to extend in an up-down direction; a lifting device configured to ascend and descend along the rail; a carriage device installed on the lifting device and configured to mount a first type article or a second type article having different heights; and a control device controlling at least one of the lifting device and the carriage device, wherein the carriage device includes: a base, a support portion installed on the base and moving in the up-down direction with respect to the base, and a gripper installed on a lower portion of the support portion to move along with the movement of the support portion and configured to grip a first top flange of the first type article and a second top flange of the second type article, and the control device differently adjusts a distance between the support portion and the base depending on whether the gripper grips the first type article or the second type article.