Foldable Suction Bracket for Uniform Substrate Pick-and-Place
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current substrate pick-and-place equipment for liquid crystal panels using mechanical arms and lift support levers causes uneven pressure and temperature inconsistencies due to limited support points, leading to product anomalies and inflexibility in manufacturing, requiring remanufacturing for different product sizes.
Innovation Solution
A substrate pick-and-place equipment utilizing a foldable bracket with evenly distributed suction structures and drive units for precise and flexible substrate handling, eliminating the need for holes in the bearer platform, ensuring uniform temperature and irradiance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lift support levers are used to pick and place the substrate, then the substrate can be handled, but the support pressure is too large causing uneven image and product scrap
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is distributed across multiple suction holes in the bearer platform, segmenting the total support force into many smaller localized forces. This distributes the pressure across the substrate surface, preventing concentration of force at single points that would cause uneven images or product defects.
2Reliability
If the quantity of support levers is increased, then substrate support is improved, but the quantity of holes in the bearer platform is increased causing temperature and irradiance unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical lift support lever system is replaced with a suction-based holding system. The bearer platform uses vacuum suction through multiple holes to hold the substrate, eliminating the need for mechanical levers that would require even more support points and create greater temperature and irradiance non-uniformity.
3Ease of operation
If the bearer platform has holes for suction structures, then substrate can be picked and placed, but temperature and irradiance uniformity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bearer platform is designed with suction holes distributed across its surface, creating localized suction zones that work together to hold the substrate. This local quality approach allows the platform to maintain overall structural integrity and temperature uniformity while providing distributed suction force for substrate handling.
4Manufacturing precision
If equipment is designed for a specific product size, then manufacturing precision is achieved, but adaptability to other product sizes is lost requiring remanufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The bearer platform incorporates a movable mechanical arm system that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic capability allows the same equipment to accommodate different product sizes and configurations by repositioning the mechanical arm, eliminating the need for remanufacturing when product specifications change.
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 improves product yield by avoiding uneven irradiance and temperature issues, allowing for flexible product design and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for remanufacturing equipment for different product sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of suction structures, disposed on a bottom of the foldable bracket, wherein the suction structures are evenly distributed in a coverage area of the foldable bracket in the unfolded state, and are configured to suck the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a substrate pick-and-place equipment and method. The equipment includes: a bearer platform, configured to bear a substrate; a retractable apparatus, including: a foldable bracket, disposed above the bearer platform and foldable along a horizontal direction; a plurality of suction structures, disposed on a bottom of the foldable bracket, where the suction structures are evenly distributed in a coverage area of the foldable bracket, and are configured to suck the substrate; a first drive unit, configured to drive the foldable bracket to extend and retract along the horizontal direction; and a second drive unit, configured to drive the retractable apparatus to rise and descend along a vertical direction; and a conveying apparatus, operating between the bearer platform and the foldable bracket. In the substrate pick-and-place method, a substrate is picked and placed from an upward side by using a suction structure.