Container Lid Unlocking Mechanism Without Actuator Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid opening-and-closing devices for containers in semiconductor manufacturing, like those described in Japanese Patent No. 3089590, face the challenge of increased size due to the inclusion of actuators needed to release the locking mechanism, and they also generate particles during operation.
Innovation Solution
A lid opening-and-closing device that uses a placement platform with guiders to rotate the locking strip upward, eliminating the need for an actuator and reducing particle generation by integrating the guiders and raising/lowering mechanism to release the locking mechanism when the container is inserted to a specified position, thereby avoiding the need for additional components and minimizing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an actuator is included to release the locking mechanism, then the locking can be released reliably, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the actuator component from the system. Instead of using an actuator to release the locking mechanism, the invention utilizes the container's own insertion motion to automatically rotate the strip and release the lock, thereby eliminating the need for separate actuating components and reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to release the locking mechanism automatically through the container's own insertion motion. The strip rotation is triggered by the container being inserted into the specified position on the placement platform, making the system self-actuating without requiring external actuators.
2Reliability
If an actuator is included to release the locking mechanism, then the locking can be released reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator component is extracted and removed from the system. The locking release function is achieved through the simple mechanical interaction between the container insertion motion and the strip rotation mechanism, significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the container's own insertion motion to trigger the locking release automatically. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems, motors, or actuators, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Reliability
If an actuator is included to release the locking mechanism, then the locking can be released reliably, but particle generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator component is removed from the system. By eliminating the actuator, the source of particle generation associated with motor operation, mechanical wear, and component movement is significantly reduced, while the locking release reliability is maintained through the passive strip rotation mechanism.
4Volume of moving object
If the container is inserted to a specified position to release locking, then the device size is suppressed, but positioning precision must be high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex active positioning systems with a passive mechanical guidance system. The guiders provide mechanical constraints that guide the container to the correct position during insertion, eliminating the need for high-precision active positioning control while maintaining compact device dimensions.
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
The solution effectively suppresses the upsizing of the device and reduces particle generation by releasing the locking mechanism without an actuator, ensuring reliable operation and efficient container lid management.
Implementation Method 1
the guider comes into contact with the lower face of the strip, and rotates the strip upward to an extent exceeding the predetermined value with respect to the container body
Implementation Method 2
a raising/lowering mechanism that moves the container body and the upper lid for which locking by the locking mechanism has been released, relatively in an up-and-down direction
Data Source
AI summary
A lid opening-and-closing device that opens and closes an upper lid of a container, the container including: a container body; the upper lid; a locking mechanism that locks the upper lid onto the container body when the upper lid is mounted on the container body; and a strip provided to the upper lid, the device including: a placement platform on which the container is placed; a guide provided on both sides above the placement platform and comes into contact with a lower face of the strip to rotate the strip upward to an extent exceeding the predetermined value with respect to the container body when the container is inserted in the horizontal direction to a specified position of the placement platform; and a raising/lowering mechanism that moves the container body and the upper lid for which locking by the locking mechanism has been released, relatively in an up-and-down direction.