Multi-Substrate Alignment Clamp Using 2D Coordinate System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional substrate alignment apparatuses in the electronics industry are inefficient as they can only align one substrate at a time, leading to increased process time and decreased production efficiency, especially with the rise of large display devices that require multiple substrates to be aligned and processed separately.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for simultaneously or concurrently aligning multiple substrates using a stage with supporting pins and an alignment clamp unit, which moves substrates along a two-dimensional coordinate system to align them with reference to a first and second axis, allowing for parallel movement and fine alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one substrate is placed inside the alignment apparatus, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but the process time increases and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple substrate processing operations into a single apparatus by installing multiple stages that can simultaneously hold and align multiple substrates. The alignment clamp unit is designed to accommodate multiple substrates across different stages, enabling parallel processing without requiring separate apparatus for each substrate, thus improving productivity while controlling structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-stage configuration that adds spatial dimensionality to the apparatus. By arranging stages in a multi-dimensional layout with supporting pins positioned at specific coordinates, the system can process multiple substrates simultaneously in different spatial positions, transforming a single-substrate linear process into a parallel multi-substrate operation.
2Loss of time
If multiple substrates are simultaneously aligned, then the process time decreases, but the alignment precision and coordinate system management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alignment process into independent stage units, each with its own supporting pins and alignment capabilities. Each stage can be aligned independently using the two-dimensional coordinate system, allowing parallel processing while maintaining precision through modular, repeatable alignment operations at each stage location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a standardized two-dimensional coordinate system approach. By defining alignment reference positions and supporting pin locations using coordinate coordinates (x, y), the system achieves precise alignment of multiple substrates through systematic positional definition rather than complex mechanical adjustments, reducing alignment complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for aligning a substrate are disclosed. In one aspect, the substrate aligning apparatus includes a stage configured to support a plurality of substrates, a supporting pin placed in the stage to support the substrates and an alignment clamp configured to respectively move each of the substrates to align the substrates. The alignment clamp can respectively align at least two of the substrates with reference to an alignment reference position as a two-dimensional coordinate system which includes a first axis and a second axis crossing the first axis and is set on an imaginary plane by the first and second axes.