Cap Rotating Equipment with Pneumatic Clamping for Clean Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of opening and closing bottle caps on sampling bottles used in semiconductor production is inconvenient and prone to contamination, affecting the quality and yield of semiconductor production.

Innovation Solution

A cap rotating equipment with a power rotating shaft, cap rotating housing, and a cap fixing device featuring a pneumatic expansion ring and corrosion-resistant contact layer to securely clamp and rotate bottle caps, assisted by guiding portions and sensors for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If manual opening and closing of bottle caps is performed, then operation flexibility is maintained, but contamination risk increases and operation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to automatically detect when a sampling bottle is positioned and triggers the motor to rotate the bottle cap, enabling the system to perform the opening/closing operation autonomously without manual intervention, thus reducing contamination risk while maintaining operational convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated system combining sensors, motors, and control units that detect bottle position and automatically rotate caps, eliminating the need for direct human contact with bottle caps and reducing contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated cap rotation is implemented, then contamination is reduced and productivity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidequipment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized rotating mechanism serves multiple functions: it can rotate bottle caps clockwise for closing, counter-clockwise for opening, and can be controlled to stop at precise positions, making a single device capable of handling all cap manipulation operations throughout the sampling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that receives signals from sensors and commands the motor to perform appropriate actions, creating a coordinated system where each component has a specialized function while working together to achieve automated sampling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If pneumatic expansion ring is used for clamping, then clamping reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidfixing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic expansion ring that inflates with air pressure to expand and clamp the bottle cap securely, providing reliable fixation during rotation while allowing easy release when deflated, thus achieving strong clamping force with a relatively simple mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The pneumatic expansion ring changes its physical state by adjusting air pressure parameters - inflating to expand and clamp, deflating to release - allowing the same component to perform both clamping and releasing functions through parameter variation rather than mechanical reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates safe and efficient opening and closing of bottle caps, reducing contamination risks and improving the accuracy and yield of semiconductor production processes.

Implementation Method 1

the cap fixing device includes a pneumatic expansion ring to clamp or release the bottle cap of the bottle according to a value of air pressure in the pneumatic expansion ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatics: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

the cap fixing device further includes a corrosion-resistant contact layer formed inside the pneumatic expansion ring... the corrosion-resistant contact layer is a perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) contact layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Data Source

PatentEP4631905A1Cap rotating equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 MARKETECH INT

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AI summary

A cap rotating equipment (100) includes a power rotating shaft (110), a cap rotating housing (120) and a cap fixing device (160). The cap rotating housing (120) is connected to the power rotating shaft (110), and the cap rotating housing (120) includes an opening (130). The cap fixing device (160) is installed in the opening (130) of the cap rotating housing (120) and is used to clamp a cap (220) of a bottle (200).