Grid Rail Overhead Transport Storage for Maintenance Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems in semiconductor manufacturing factories face challenges in maintaining and accessing overhead transport vehicles, grid-patterned rails, and article storage systems, such as FOUPs and reticle pods, due to limited access and maintenance requirements, especially in grid-patterned rail systems where aerial work platforms are hindered by storage structures.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with a grid-patterned rail, an overhead transport vehicle, a suspender, and a frame that allows easy access and maintenance by providing a scaffold and placement sections within the frame, enabling the vehicle to travel and store articles without obstructing maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If articles are stored in a storage suspended from the grid-patterned rail at a high position, then space utilization is improved, but maintenance access becomes difficult because the aerial work platform cannot be brought in due to storage frames
Solution Approach 1:
The storage is divided into multiple sections with gaps between them, allowing the aerial work platform to pass through. The frame is segmented into multiple parts that can be selectively opened or removed to facilitate maintenance access while maintaining storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A maintenance platform or walkway is introduced as an intermediary structure that provides access to the rail and vehicle components without requiring removal of the entire storage frame. This intermediary structure allows operators to reach maintenance points while the storage remains in place.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle travels laterally and longitudinally along grid-patterned rails, then transport flexibility is improved, but the position for loading or unloading articles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The loading and unloading mechanism is extended vertically to operate above the rail level, allowing articles to be transferred at multiple heights. This adds a vertical dimension to the traditionally horizontal loading/unloading operation, enabling access points without compromising rail travel flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is designed with universal loading/unloading capabilities that can operate at different positions along the rail network. The article transfer mechanism can function both as a loading point and unloading point, and can serve multiple rail lines, increasing operational versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are provided in the intersecting portion of the rails to allow coupling member passage, then vehicle movement is enabled, but structural integrity of the rail is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed to nest within the rail structure during passage through intersecting portions. The coupling mechanism can be retracted or folded to pass through gaps, then extended to perform its coupling function, minimizing the impact on rail structural integrity while enabling vehicle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail structure incorporates movable or adjustable elements at intersecting portions that can dynamically open to allow coupling member passage and then close to restore structural integrity. This dynamic behavior enables both vehicle movement and maintains rail strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes: a grid-patterned rail that has a plurality of first rails extending in a first direction and a plurality of second rails extending in a second direction different from the first direction and intersecting with the first rails and that forms a plurality of cells with the plurality of first rails and the plurality of second rails; an overhead transport vehicle that travels along the grid-patterned rail, a suspender that is suspended from the grid-patterned rail; and a frame surrounding one of the cells in a plan view and is provided below the suspender.