Microciliated Transfer Pad Structure for Vacuum-Free Flat Panel Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer pads for flat panels face issues such as damage from vacuum systems, high costs, difficulty in separation, scratching, and contamination due to their design, leading to reduced productivity and increased facility downtime.
Innovation Solution
A pad structure featuring a disk-shaped body with a circular adhesive force adjustment pattern and a ring-shaped microciliated member that increases adhesive force per unit area, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without a vacuum device, and includes a double-sided tape system for secure and manageable transfer of flat panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum-holding type transfer pad is used, then the transfer pad can be attached to the blade by vacuum, but the transfer pad may be damaged by the vacuum supply device and additional cost is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the vacuum supply device from the transfer pad system by using a pocket-type structure that mechanically holds the transfer pad without requiring vacuum. The pocket-shaped blade holder provides physical retention through its geometry rather than through vacuum pressure, thereby removing the problematic vacuum supply device entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer pad is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily attached and detached from the blade. Instead of using complex vacuum systems, the invention employs a simple pocket mechanism that allows for quick replacement of the transfer pad, treating it as a consumable component that can be easily replaced when worn or contaminated.
2Reliability
If a vacuum-holding type transfer pad is used, then the transfer pad can be attached to the blade by vacuum, but the transfer pad may become so strongly adhered to the surface of the transferred object that it becomes impossible to separate
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer pad features a pocket-shaped structure with specific geometric properties that create localized retention zones. The pocket shape provides sufficient holding force through its geometry while maintaining easy release characteristics, allowing the transfer pad to be securely attached during transfer but easily separated when needed, without the strong adhesion problems of vacuum systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If a pocket-type transfer pad is used, then the transfer method employs a pocket-shaped device, but the transferred object or transfer pad is scratched or cracked when the blade shakes and applies impact
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket-shaped blade holder is designed with cushioning features that absorb and dissipate impact forces before they reach the transfer pad or transferred object. The pocket structure provides a compliant mounting environment that reduces the transmission of shocks and vibrations, preventing scratches and cracks that would occur with rigid mounting methods.
4Productivity
If conventional transfer pads are used, then they are commonly installed in great numbers, but they are frequently neglected and transferred objects are often contaminated or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer pad design incorporates features that enable easy self-monitoring and self-maintenance. The simple pocket-type structure allows for quick visual inspection and rapid replacement without requiring complex maintenance procedures. This ease of maintenance ensures that even when many transfer pads are installed, they can be quickly checked and replaced if contaminated or damaged, preventing contamination of transferred objects.
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 pad structure enhances adhesive force, minimizes contamination and physical impacts, and improves productivity through easy management and installation, reducing damage and downtime by enabling safe and efficient transfer of flat panels.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-shaped microciliated member having a circumferential surface surrounding the first adhesive force adjustment pattern and including a plurality of cilia spaced apart from one another
Implementation Method 2
a ring-shaped microciliated member having a circumferential surface surrounding the first adhesive force adjustment pattern and including a plurality of cilia spaced apart from one another to increase an adhesive force per unit area
Implementation Method 3
a first adhesive tape having a first surface including an adhesive layer, the first surface bonded to one surface of the pad body, and a second adhesive tape in a form of a double-sided tape including a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer on respective surfaces thereof, the first adhesive layer bonded to the first adhesive tape and the second adhesive layer bonded to a blade
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pad structure for transferring a flat panel that includes a circular adhesive force adjustment pattern having a predetermined diameter in the center of the pad body, and a ring-shaped microciliated member having a circumferential surface surrounding the first adhesive force adjustment pattern and including a plurality of cilia spaced apart from one another, and thus provides advantages of improving the adhesive force per unit area due to the functions of the pad, without a separate vacuum device, of being easily and simply attached to and detached from the blade at a desired position thereon, and of maximizing productivity by easily and smoothly performing quality control, preventive maintenance, and inventory management of the pad for transferring a flat panel based on serial number standardization (product information standardization).