Substrate Loading Device With Inclined Grooves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substrate loading devices face challenges in preventing defects during the loading process, particularly due to the risk of substrate contact and damage when multiple substrates are loaded in close proximity.
Innovation Solution
The substrate loading device incorporates a side surface fixing portion with grooves that accommodate the substrate's side surfaces and a base fixing portion with inclined surfaces and a bottom surface, allowing the substrates to be loaded in an inclined position. This configuration ensures that adjacent substrates do not come into contact, preventing defects such as cracks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple substrates are loaded in close proximity to increase productivity, then the loading capacity is improved, but the risk of substrate contact and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inclined loading angle (α) between 0° and 45° as a new dimensional parameter. By loading substrates at an incline rather than horizontally, the substrates are positioned in three-dimensional space such that adjacent substrates do not contact each other, thus maintaining substrate integrity while increasing loading capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure employs asymmetric design where the groove width (W1) at the opening is greater than the groove width (W2) at the bottom. This asymmetric configuration, combined with the inclined loading approach, allows substrates to be secured firmly while maintaining spacing that prevents contact between adjacent substrates.
2Ease of operation
If substrates are loaded horizontally to simplify the loading process, then the ease of operation is improved, but substrate contact and defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the loading dimension from horizontal (2D plane) to inclined (3D space). The substrates are loaded at an angle α relative to the horizontal plane, which maintains operational simplicity through the groove guide structure while effectively preventing substrate contact that would occur in horizontal loading.
3Manufacturing precision
If the groove width is reduced to secure substrates firmly, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the risk of substrate damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric groove design with wider opening (W1) and narrower bottom (W2) allows the groove to provide precise positioning at the bottom while maintaining a wider opening that prevents excessive constriction forces on the substrate during loading, thus preventing damage while ensuring positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the inclined loading angle, the effective contact area between substrate and groove is distributed differently, reducing point-contact stress while maintaining positioning precision through the geometric constraint of the inclined groove structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a substrate loading device including a side surface fixing portion including side surface grooves into which first and second side surfaces, opposite to each other in a first direction, of a substrate are inserted, and extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a base fixing portion including a base groove into which a third side surface of the substrate, connecting the first side surface to the second side surface, is inserted. The base fixing portion includes at least one inclined surface defining the base groove. The inclined surface overlaps, on a plane, a central axis passing through centers of the side surface grooves and parallel to the first direction.