Load Port Adapter With Position Adjustment for Cassette Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load ports are limited in their ability to stably and positionally mount storage containers with configurations and dimensions different from the standard Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP), due to standardized dimensions and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A load port adapter that includes a holder capable of holding a cassette accommodating multiple circuit boards, featuring a position adjustment mechanism to position the cassette at a reference position, and is fixable on the mounting table of the load port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the load port uses standardized configuration and dimensions according to FOUP standards, then the mounting stability and positioning accuracy are improved, but the adaptability to storage containers with different configurations and dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a position adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the cassette holder's position. This mechanism enables the adapter to adapt to cassettes with different configurations and dimensions while maintaining stable mounting and accurate positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between standardized precision and versatility.
2Device complexity
If the load port is designed for standard FOUP containers only, then the device complexity is reduced, but the versatility to handle different types of storage containers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the standardized load port and various types of storage containers (FOUP, cassette, open cassette). By introducing this intermediate device with position adjustment capabilities, the system can handle different container types without modifying the original load port structure, thus maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing versatility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the load port uses fixed mounting structure according to standards, then the mounting stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate storage containers with different dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a position adjustment mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the cassette holder's position. This mechanism enables the adapter to adapt to cassettes with different configurations and dimensions while maintaining stable mounting and accurate positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between standardized precision and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A load port adapter is a load port adapter fixable on a mounting table of a load port. The load port adapter includes a holder capable of holding a cassette capable of accommodating a plurality of circuit boards. The holder is fixable on the mounting table of the load port. The holder includes a position adjustment mechanism configured to position the cassette at a reference position. In the cassette clamped on the load port adapter, the reference position is a reference position on a load port adapter side when the circuit board is taken out from the cassette.