Article Storage Facility Segmentation for Reticle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article storage facilities face inefficiencies in storage capacity and increased risk of degradation when storing reticles, as they require larger pods for transportation, which occupy more space and can lead to damage during handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
An article storage facility design that includes storage containers with greater holding efficiency than transporting containers, allowing for improved storage organization and reduced degradation by using internal and external transport devices to transfer articles between storage and transporting containers within the facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transporting containers are used to store articles inside the storage structure, then the articles can be protected during transport, but the storage efficiency is reduced due to larger container size
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the container function into two separate types: transporting containers for external transport and storage containers for internal storage. This segmentation allows each container type to be optimized for its specific purpose, with storage containers being smaller and more space-efficient while transporting containers maintain the necessary size for external handling and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a functional dimension distinction between container types. By creating separate container categories for transport versus storage functions, the system can optimize each dimension independently - transporting containers for protection and handling requirements, and storage containers for space efficiency and density.
2Ease of operation
If transporting containers with flanges are used inside the storage structure, then handling is facilitated, but the container volume increases reducing storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The handling function is segmented between container types. Transporting containers include flanges for external handling, while storage containers are designed without flanges to maximize internal storage space. The transfer device bridges these two systems, enabling efficient handling of storage containers without requiring them to have flange structures.
3Productivity
If articles are transported without containers inside the storage structure, then space is maximized, but degradation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the protection function to apply only where necessary. Storage containers provide protection for articles during internal storage and transfer operations, while eliminating unnecessary container volume through optimized design. The transfer device enables articles to be moved between containers without requiring continuous external transport container protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An article storage facility is disclosed which has a relatively high article storage efficiency and which can reduce the possibility of degradation, etc., of articles that may occur within a storage structure. The article storage facility includes: a storage structure; a first support station provided inside the storage structure and configured to support a storage container; a second support station configured to support a transporting container; and an article transfer device. A transporting container is a container that is used to transport articles outside the storage structure whereas a storage container is a container that is used to transport and store articles inside the storage structure, and is configured to hold a plurality of articles with greater holding efficiency than a transporting container. The article transfer device is configured to transfer articles, one or more articles at a time, between a storage container placed on the first support station and a transporting container placed on the second support station.