Ceiling Storage Shelf Gas-Driven Placement Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer systems for containers in semiconductor factories require complex configurations with separate power supply systems for moving placement portions and gas supply systems for purging, leading to increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system where the storage shelf's placement portion is moved using gas supplied to the purging device, eliminating the need for a dedicated power supply system for moving the placement portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor-driven mechanism is provided for moving placement portions in each suspended shelf device, then the placement portions can be moved reliably, but the system becomes complicated due to requiring both power supply system and gas supply system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of moving the placement portion with the purging gas supply function. The gas supplied to the purging device is utilized to drive a pneumatic cylinder that moves the placement portion, thereby combining two separate functions (purging and movement) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for a separate motor-driven mechanism and power supply system, resolving the technical contradiction between reliability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas supply system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides purging gas for container purification and simultaneously acts as a power source for moving the placement portion through the pneumatic cylinder. This multi-functionality approach allows the same gas supply infrastructure to accomplish both purging and mechanical actuation, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining operational reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate supplying systems (power supply and gas supply) are provided, then both motor-driven movement and purging functions can be achieved, but the transfer system becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides purging gas for container purification and simultaneously acts as a power source for moving the placement portion through the pneumatic cylinder. This multi-functionality approach allows the same gas supply infrastructure to accomplish both purging and mechanical actuation, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the purging gas itself to perform the additional function of moving the placement portion. The gas that would otherwise be solely for purging now also serves to actuate the pneumatic cylinder, making the system self-sufficient by using its own operational resources (the purging gas) to accomplish multiple tasks without requiring external power infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration simplifies the system by using the same gas supply for both purging and moving the placement portions, reducing complexity and operational requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the placement portion can be moved with respect to a main body portion of the storage shelf by a gas supplied to the purging device
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer system includes a ceiling carrier, a ceiling storage shelf, and a purging device. The ceiling carrier transfers a foup along a running rail. The ceiling storage shelf is provided along the running rail. The ceiling storage shelf stores the foup transferred by the ceiling carrier. The purging device purges the foup stored in the ceiling storage shelf. The ceiling storage shelf includes placement portions and for placing the foup thereon. The placement portions and can be moved with respect to a storage shelf body of the ceiling storage shelf by a driving gas supplied to the purging device.