IR Temperature Sensing for Precise Substrate Dispensing Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensing systems for electronic substrates lack precise temperature feedback, leading to inefficient heating processes as they rely on a single sensor to measure the temperature of large pre-heat zones, which may not accurately represent the temperature of critical locations, resulting in prolonged waiting times for substrates to reach the necessary temperature.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-contact infrared sensor positioned above the electronic substrate on adjustable mechanisms that can move in the X, Y, and Z axes to provide precise temperature measurements at specific locations, allowing for optimized spot size adjustment and ensuring that both the material and substrate are at the correct temperature before dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sensor is used to measure the temperature of large pre-heat zones, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it cannot accurately represent the temperature of critical locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single temperature measurement task into multiple measurements by positioning multiple sensors at different locations (pre-heat zone, dispense station, post-heat station). This segmentation allows each sensor to accurately measure the temperature at its specific location, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by distributing measurement functions across multiple simple sensor units rather than requiring one complex sensor system.
2Measurement precision
If the substrate waits for the entire pre-heat zone to reach temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to prolonged waiting times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary temperature verification at multiple stations before the dispensing operation. By placing sensors at the pre-heat zone, dispense station, and post-heat station, the system performs preliminary checks to confirm temperature readiness at each critical location. This allows the substrate to proceed through the workflow as soon as temperature requirements are met at each station, rather than waiting for the entire pre-heat zone to reach temperature, thus improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where temperature sensors continuously monitor and provide temperature data back to the control system at each station. This feedback enables real-time temperature verification and allows the system to proceed with dispensing operations once temperature criteria are satisfied, eliminating unnecessary waiting times and improving productivity while ensuring accurate temperature measurement.
3Measurement precision
If non-contact infrared sensors are positioned on adjustable mechanisms, then the measurement precision is improved through spot size adjustment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dynamic adjustable mechanisms that allow the non-contact infrared sensors to move and reposition themselves. This dynamic capability enables spot size adjustment and positioning at different locations (pre-heat zone, dispense station, post-heat station) to achieve precise temperature measurements. The adjustability provides measurement precision benefits while keeping each sensor unit relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
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 solution enables efficient temperature monitoring and regulation, reducing unnecessary waiting times and ensuring that all components involved in the dispensing process are within the desired temperature range, thereby optimizing the deposition process and improving overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor positioned above the electronic substrate on an adjustable mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system includes an optional pre-heat station configured to receive an electronic substrate, a dispense station configured to dispense material on the electronic substrate received from the optional pre-heat station, an optional post-heat station configured to receive the electronic substrate from the dispense station, and a non-contact sensor positioned above the electronic substrate on at least one of the optional pre-heat station, the dispense station, and the optional post-heat station.