Sprung Carrier Structure for Rotation-Free Workpiece Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprung carriers used for securing workpieces like semiconductor boards and circuit boards experience unwanted rotation and lifting due to torsional movement, leading to alignment errors and processing issues, especially in complex setups where thermal expansion and contraction occur.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic spring section with multiple deformable arms connecting a shuttle to a body, allowing constrained movement to prevent unwanted rotation and lifting, ensuring the workpiece remains securely aligned during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single spring leg is used to secure the workpiece, then the结构简单 (structure is simple), but unwanted rotation and lifting occur causing alignment errors
Solution Approach 1:
The single spring leg is divided into multiple spring legs (at least three) that are distributed around the workpiece. Each spring leg independently supports the workpiece, and their combined action constrains rotational and lifting movements while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spring legs are merged into a coordinated system where they work together to provide both support and constraint functions. The combination of multiple legs creates a stable geometric structure that prevents unwanted rotation and lifting, achieving high alignment accuracy without excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spring leg is made resilient to accommodate thermal expansion, then adaptability to thermal changes is improved, but unwanted rotation and lifting are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The spring legs are designed with specific geometric configurations and material properties that provide resilience in the vertical direction (to accommodate thermal expansion) while maintaining rigidity in horizontal directions (to prevent rotation and lifting). This localized differentiation of mechanical properties solves the contradiction between thermal adaptability and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring leg structure employs asymmetric design where the deformation characteristics differ in different directions. The legs are configured to allow vertical compression/expansion for thermal accommodation while constraining lateral movements that would cause rotation or lifting, achieving both thermal adaptability and alignment accuracy.
3Reliability
If a robust mechanical clamping system is used instead of vacuum clamping, then reliability is improved for certain applications, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring legs provide self-adjusting mechanical clamping that automatically adapts to the workpiece dimensions and thermal changes. The resilient nature of the springs allows them to maintain constant contact force without external control systems, achieving high reliability with minimal complexity compared to vacuum clamping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring legs utilize elastic deformation as the operating principle, changing from rigid mechanical connections to resilient ones. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate variations in workpiece dimensions and thermal expansion while maintaining reliable clamping, achieving both high reliability and simplicity.
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 eliminates unwanted rotation and lifting components, maintaining the workpiece's alignment and stability, even under thermal changes, thereby reducing processing time and equipment costs by ensuring accurate and reliable mounting.
Implementation Method 1
at least three deformable arms each connecting the shuttle to the body; the arms are configured to enable constrained movement of the shuttle relative to the body
Data Source
AI summary
Tooling for engaging with a workpiece has a body and a spring section formed as a monolithic structure from a resilient material. At least three deformable arms connect a movable shuttle to the body, the arms being configured to enable constrained movement of the shuttle relative to the body.