Zone-Melting Silicon Rod Alignment Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for holding feed rods in zone pulling installations are insecure and imprecise, especially when handling heavy and long feed rods, leading to reduced yield and increased risk during crystal pulling.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a two-part system where the lower part is attached to the feed rod outside the installation and securely grips it with rotating grippers, while the upper part is mounted on the pulling shaft, allowing for precise radial alignment and axial adjustment using linear guides and length-adjustable spacers to ensure the feed rod's stability and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing devices are used to hold feed rods in zone pulling installations, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the holding security and precision deteriorate especially when handling heavy and long feed rods
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional components: an adapter for mounting on the pulling shaft, gripping arms with grippers for securing the feed rod, linear guides for radial alignment, and length-adjustable spacers for axial positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, providing secure and precise holding of heavy feed rods while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing devices are used to hold feed rods, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the positioning precision deteriorates leading to reduced yield
Solution Approach 1:
Linear guides are introduced as intermediary elements between the gripping mechanism and the feed rod, providing precise radial alignment. Length-adjustable spacers serve as intermediaries for axial positioning. These intermediary components enable high positioning precision without requiring the entire device structure to be overly complex, as each intermediary performs a specific alignment function.
3Ease of operation
If existing devices are used to hold heavy feed rods, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the operational safety deteriorates increasing risk during crystal pulling
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping arms are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing operators to securely grip heavy feed rods of varying weights and dimensions. The grippers can be positioned and tightened dynamically to ensure secure holding during operation. This dynamic capability improves operational safety by adapting to different feed rod configurations without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable device structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing devices are used to hold feed rods, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the alignment capability deteriorates making optimization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates linear guides that provide both radial alignment and axial positioning functions, while length-adjustable spacers serve multiple purposes including spacing, alignment, and positioning. This multi-functionality allows the device to handle various feed rod sizes and types with good alignment capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the same components perform multiple alignment-related tasks.
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 device provides secure and precise holding of heavy feed rods, reducing the risk of oscillation and rod failure, allowing for improved crystal pulling processes with increased yield and reduced setup time.
Implementation Method 1
the feed rod is incipiently melted at one end with the aid of a radio-frequency coil (inductor)
Implementation Method 2
Material progressively melted from the feed rod serves as a supply for a single crystal subsequently growing on the seed crystal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for pulling a monocrystalline silicon rod in a pulling system for zone melting, the method comprising the following steps: (I) providing a stock rod made of silicon, which comprises an azimuthal groove at one end; (2) attaching a lower part, which comprises three gripping arms, each gripping arm being shaped such that one end fits into the azimuthal groove of the stock rod and another end is rotatably attached to the lower part; (3) suspending the lower part, together with the stock rod, on an upper part, which contains a connecting element connected to a pulling shaft of the zone-melting pulling system, such that the upper part and the lower part are radially interlockingly connected to each other, the upper part comprising an element for radial orientation, and three length-adjustable spacing elements being attached to the upper part such that the spacing elements can apply force to respective gripping arms; (4) moving the element for radial orientation such that the axis of rotation of the stock rod at the end at which the groove is located corresponds to the axis of rotation of the pulling shaft; (5) setting the length-adjustable spacing elements such that the axis of rotation of the stock rod at the end remote from the groove corresponds to the axis of rotation of the pulling shaft; (6) pulling a conical part of a monocrystalline rod; (7) pulling a cylindrical part of the monocrystalline rod.