Ceiling Stocker Multi-Layer Shelf Layout for Higher Transfer Capacity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ceiling stockers have limitations in carrier capacity due to single-layer loading shelves, restricting vertical expansion and increasing the transfer load amount, which is essential for efficient semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling stocker design with multiple vertically stacked shelves, a transfer module featuring a vehicle moving along a ceiling rail with a hoist, and a shelf driving unit that includes a moving body and clamp for clamping shelves, allowing for vertical expansion and increased transfer load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single-layer loading shelf structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loading amount and transfer load capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-layer horizontal shelf structure to a multi-layer vertical shelf structure. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system increases loading capacity without proportionally increasing horizontal space requirements, effectively resolving the contradiction between loading amount and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple shelf layers are nested vertically within the same horizontal footprint. Each shelf layer contains multiple shelves arranged in the first direction, creating a compact multi-level storage system that maximizes space utilization while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are made movable to enable vertical expansion, then the transfer load capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf system incorporates movable shelves with driving units that enable dynamic reconfiguration. The shelves can move along rails in the first direction, allowing the system to adapt to different loading requirements and create access paths for the transfer module, thereby achieving vertical expansion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A shelf driving unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed structural framework and the movable shelves. This mediator component enables controlled shelf movement through clamps and driving units, facilitating vertical expansion without requiring complete structural redesign.
3Productivity
If multiple shelf layers are stacked vertically, then the loading efficiency increases, but the space requirements and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the vertical dimension to stack multiple shelf layers, transforming horizontal space requirements into vertical space utilization. This dimensional transition allows the stocker to achieve higher loading efficiency within the same floor space, effectively resolving the contradiction between productivity and area requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive concept provides a ceiling stocker. The ceiling stocker includes a shelf assembly, at which shelves on which an article is placed are positioned along a first direction on a same plane, is placed in multiple layers; and a transfer module provided at a top part of the shelf assembly and which loads and unloads the article on the shelf, and wherein the transfer module includes: a vehicle moving along a driving rail installed on a ceiling; and a hoist provided at the vehicle, and wherein the shelf assembly includes a shelf driving unit configured to move the shelves along the first direction so a moving path for the hoist to approach the shelf may be provided.