Non-contact handler with containment fences for delicate workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-contact handling methods for delicate and mechanically sensitive surfaces, such as those in commercial printing and micro-lithography, face challenges in minimizing mechanical contact and preventing surface damage during object handling, as conventional Bernoulli- and cyclone-type handlers can cause lateral or spinning motion, and require mechanical contact for sealing.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact handler with a lower body portion and containment fences arranged around the periphery of the object, utilizing a pressurized fluid to lift the object without direct contact, and workpiece supports to prevent lateral movement and surface contact, ensuring precise handling of objects like ceramic substrates and SMD circuit boards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vacuum cups are used to pick up objects, then objects can be held and moved without extensive mechanical handling, but mechanical contact is still required to establish the seal and the physical impingement can mar the imaging surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject handlingVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum cup system with a magnetic field-based holding system. Magnets embedded in the handler body create a magnetic field that holds the ferromagnetic workpiece without any mechanical contact, eliminating both the sealing requirement and the surface impingement problem of vacuum cups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a cushioning gas flow (pneumatic element) to prevent direct mechanical contact between the workpiece and the handler body during pickup and placement operations. The gas flow creates a protective barrier that allows the workpiece to approach the handler without touching it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If Bernoulli- or cyclone-type non-contact handlers are used, then objects can be lifted without mechanical contact, but the objects can be thrown laterally or spun away, and the upper surface can contact the handler before being lifted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical contactVSAvoidobject stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fluid dynamic lifting mechanism (Bernoulli or cyclone) with a magnetic lifting system. The magnetic force provides stable, controlled lifting without the lateral throwing or spinning effects caused by fluid flows, and without requiring the workpiece surface to contact the handler first

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental physical parameter used for handling from fluid dynamics to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change provides more stable and predictable workpiece control during lifting and movement operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If mechanical methods are used to transport objects, then objects can be moved reliably, but the amount of contact with the upper surface increases and mechanical impact can damage the object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport reliabilityVSAvoidsurface contact and impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical gripping and holding mechanisms with magnetic field-based holding. The magnets provide reliable workpiece retention during transport without any mechanical contact with the upper surface, eliminating both contact and impact damage risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards the traditional mechanical contact approach for holding and transporting workpieces, recovering instead a magnetic field-based system that provides equivalent or superior reliability without the harmful mechanical contact effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution effectively lifts and handles objects without mechanical contact, preventing surface damage and maintaining the integrity of the upper surface, even for perforated objects, by using containment fences and workpiece supports to stabilize the object during handling.

Implementation Method 1

discharge a flow of fluid (typically, air) to create a pressure differential between the surface of the object and a surrounding fluid medium (typically, air)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11254014B2Non-contact handler and method of handling workpieces using the same

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 ELECTRO SCI IND INC

AI summary

A non-contact handler includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion movably coupled to the upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a non-contact puck configured to lift an object and a plurality of containment fences extending downward from the puck. The plurality of containment fences are arranged around a periphery of the object to be lifted.