Pull Cable Fluid Cleaning to Prevent Ingot Defects

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning methods for pull cables in ingot puller apparatuses often damage the cable and fail to effectively remove deposits, leading to defects in single crystal silicon ingots.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning tool with a frame, chamber, and nozzles that direct pressurized fluid onto the pull cable, using guides and an exhaust system to remove debris without contacting the cable, ensuring efficient and damage-free cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If cleaning operations contact the pull cable to remove deposits, then the deposits are removed from the pull cable, but the cable becomes damaged during the cleaning process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A fluid spray system is introduced as an intermediary medium between the cleaning operation and the pull cable. The fluid (gas or liquid) carries the cleaning action without direct mechanical contact, allowing deposit removal while the cable remains protected from physical damage. The fluid acts as a mediator that transfers cleaning effectiveness without the harmful mechanical contact that would otherwise damage the cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional mechanical cleaning approach (direct contact cleaning tools) is replaced with a fluid-based cleaning system. Instead of using mechanical brushes or scrapers that physically touch and damage the cable, the patent uses fluid spray to remove deposits, substituting mechanical action with fluid dynamics to achieve cleaning without cable damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If the pull cable is not cleaned, then the cable remains intact, but deposits fall into the melt causing defects in the ingot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable integrityVSAvoidingot quality

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid spray system serves as an intermediary that enables cleaning without direct cable contact. This allows the cable to be cleaned of deposits that would otherwise fall into the melt and cause ingot defects, while the cable itself remains intact and undamaged during the cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based cleaning with fluid-based cleaning, enabling effective deposit removal that prevents defects in the ingot while maintaining cable integrity. The fluid spray system allows cleaning operations to be performed without the mechanical stress that would damage the cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional cleaning tools are used on the pull cable, then deposits are removed, but the cleaning tools themselves may damage the cable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removalVSAvoidcable damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid spray system introduces a harmful intermediary factor (fluid pressure and flow) that removes deposits from the cable without the cable itself being damaged. The fluid acts as a controlled intermediary that delivers cleaning power while protecting the cable from mechanical damage that would occur with conventional cleaning tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes mechanical cleaning tools with a fluid-based cleaning system. This replacement eliminates the direct mechanical contact that causes cable damage while maintaining effective deposit removal capability through fluid dynamics and pressure-controlled spray patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 tool effectively removes deposits from the pull cable without damaging it, reducing defects in ingots and improving the crystal full bottom ratio, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in twin/slips and increased crystal full bottom ratio.

Implementation Method 1

One or more nozzles direct a pressurized fluid at the pull cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 2

The pressurized fluid that is directed toward the pull cable is removed through an exhaust plenum of the cleaning tool for processing the pressurized fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectErosion: Erosion

Data Source

PatentUS20260070095A1Methods for cleaning the pull cable of an ingot puller apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 GLOBALWAFERS CO LTD

AI summary

Cleaning tools for cleaning the pull cable of an ingot puller apparatus and methods for cleaning the pull cable are disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a chamber for receiving the pull cable. Pressurized fluid is discharged through one or more nozzles to detach debris from the pull cable. The fluid and debris are collected in an exhaust plenum of the cleaning tool and are expelled through an exhaust tube. The cleaning tool includes one or more guides that guide the cleaning tool in an upper segment of the ingot puller apparatus.