Substrate Storing Container Latching Mechanism Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional substrate storing containers require a significant rotational force to operate the latch rotating member due to the sliding and lifting/lowering operations of the cam portion, which can lead to increased effort and potential particle generation during lid closure.

Innovation Solution

The substrate storing container incorporates a latching mechanism with engagement latches, lifting/lowering cams, and a rotating cam, where the latch arms are engaged/disengaged by advancing and retreating within concave portions, and the cams facilitate this movement to reduce the rotational force needed to rotate the latch rotating member, utilizing a leveraged push-in mechanism and low-friction materials to minimize sliding and particle generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional latching mechanism with sliding cam portion is used, then the lid body can be securely fixed to the container main body, but a significant rotational force is required to operate the latch rotating member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure fixing of lid bodyVSAvoidrotational force required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional sliding cam mechanism with a rolling ball mechanism. The ball portion rolls along the inclined surface of the cam portion during the pushing operation, converting sliding friction into rolling friction. This substitution significantly reduces the operational force required while maintaining the secure fixing function through the same engagement geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a ball portion with specific dimensional parameters (diameter and shape) that interact with the cam portion's inclined surface. By optimizing the ball's diameter and the cam's inclination angle, the mechanism achieves both secure engagement and reduced operational force, changing the physical parameters of the interaction surfaces to improve ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the latch arm is pushed in deeply to ensure secure engagement, then the lid body is firmly fixed, but the sliding operation generates more particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure engagement of latchVSAvoidparticle generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the sliding contact between the latch arm and cam portion with a rolling contact mechanism. The ball portion rolls along the cam's inclined surface, dramatically reducing friction and wear. This eliminates the particle generation associated with sliding friction while maintaining the deep engagement necessary for secure latching through the same geometric interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the conventional sliding mechanism is used, then the structure is simple, but friction and particle generation increase during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of mechanismVSAvoidfriction and particle generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ball portion as a rolling element between the latch arm and cam portion. This adds only one simple component while transforming the sliding friction mechanism into a rolling contact mechanism. The result is a minimal increase in structural complexity that yields substantial reductions in friction and particle generation.

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

This configuration allows for the rotation of the latch rotating member with less rotational force, reducing operational effort and minimizing particle infiltration into the storage space, thereby enhancing the container's efficiency and cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

a ball portion that comes into contact with a cam portion having an inclined surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11501990B2Substrate storing container

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 MIRAIAL CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a substrate storing container in which a latching mechanism includes an engagement latch 32, an engagement latch lifting/lowering cam 35 that causes the engagement latch 32 to advance to and retreat from an engagement concave portion and causes the engagement latch 32 in the engagement concave portion to move toward/away from the other end portion of a container main body by advancing and retreating in a direction in which the engagement latch 32 advances and retreats, and a rotating cam 31, and the engagement latch lifting/lowering cam 35 includes an engagement latch connection portion 357 that causes the engagement latch 32 to be engaged with the engagement concave portion and thereafter causes the engagement latch 32 to approach the other end portion of the container main body by moving in a direction in which the engagement latch 32 approaches the engagement concave portion.