Stocker Dirt Collecting Unit for Continuous Particle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In display panel manufacturing, maintaining the internal cleanliness of stockers is challenging due to microparticles that can contaminate substrates, and traditional cleaning methods disrupt the manufacturing process by requiring suspension of operations and potential re-introduction of particles.
Innovation Solution
A stocker equipped with a robot arm and a dirt collecting unit featuring a vacuum pump and purification filter, which moves in conjunction with the robot arm to remove particles from the internal environment without halting operations, and an optional cleaning pad for absorbing remaining particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a person directly enters into the stocker for cleaning, then the internal cleanliness can be maintained, but particles may be carried inside the stocker together with the person and operation must be suspended
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is extracted from manual operation and implemented through an automated cleaning unit with suction device that removes particles from the stocker interior without human entry, thereby maintaining cleanliness while avoiding contamination and operational interruption
Solution Approach 2:
The stocker performs self-cleaning through the automated cleaning unit that operates independently within the stocker, using suction to remove particles from shelves and interior surfaces without requiring external human intervention or process suspension
2Manufacturing precision
If manual cleaning is performed, then particles can be removed, but the cleaning process itself may introduce new particles and requires stopping production
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical cleaning is replaced with an automated suction-based cleaning system that uses airflow to remove particles, eliminating the risk of introducing new particles through manual contact while maintaining effective particle removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
A suction device with purification filter acts as an intermediary between the cleaning process and the stocker interior, capturing removed particles through filtration and preventing their re-introduction into the clean environment
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 maintains a clean internal environment within the stocker, preventing particle contamination of substrates during the manufacturing process without suspending operations, ensuring continuous and precise display panel production.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump disposed on the transfer unit to evacuate internal air of the main body unit through the dirt collecting duct
Implementation Method 2
a purification filter disposed between the dirt collecting duct and the vacuum pump
Data Source
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AI summary
A stocker including a main body unit having a plurality of receiving shelves, a transfer unit transferring a received material to be moved to the main body unit, a robot arm stacking the received material transferred by the transfer unit on one of the receiving shelves of the main body unit, and a dirt collecting unit moving in conjunction with the robot arm to remove particles from inside the main body unit.