Load Port Non-Contact Sensor for Dock Plate Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load ports lack reliable mechanisms to detect the presence of containers on dock plates and their correct positioning, leading to potential safety hazards and unintended operation of substrate conveying robots.
Innovation Solution
A load port system with a dock plate and a detection mechanism that includes a moving pin and a non-contact sensor to detect the pin's position, ensuring the container is correctly placed and the dock plate is in the appropriate position before allowing operation, thereby preventing unintended movement and ensuring safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect container presence and dock plate position, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the container presence detection function and the dock plate position detection function into a single sensor. The sensor detects both whether a container is present on the dock plate and whether the dock plate is at the correct loading position, thereby reducing the total number of sensors while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously: it detects container presence, dock plate position, and by extension, can prevent unintended operation of the substrate conveying robot. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sensors for each detection purpose
2Reliability
If a detection mechanism is added to ensure container presence and correct positioning, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple detection capabilities (container presence, dock plate position) into a single sensor unit, reducing the overall complexity of the detection mechanism while ensuring comprehensive safety monitoring before substrate conveying operations
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary detection mechanism that provides critical safety information to the control system, enabling the system to make informed decisions about whether to permit substrate conveying operations based on container presence and dock plate positioning
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 system effectively prevents unintended operation of the load port and substrate conveying robot by ensuring the container is correctly positioned, enhancing safety and reducing the need for multiple sensors, thus lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor to detect the pin's position
Data Source
AI summary
A load port includes a first pin projecting on a dock plate and provided on the dock plate so as to be pushed down, and a first detection unit provided on the base portion and configured to detect that the dock plate is located at a first position. The first detection unit includes a movable member capable of displacing in a moving direction of the dock plate, and a first sensor configured to detect the displacement of the movable member. The movable member is arranged at a position to abut against the first pin that is in a pushed down state in a process in which the dock plate moves from a second position to the first position.