Tapered Storage Rack Shelves for Cleanroom Downflow and Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article storage racks in clean rooms face challenges in forming a downflow around containers to prevent contamination of semiconductor substrates, while also struggling to properly support the weight of heavier containers due to structural weaknesses.
Innovation Solution
The article storage rack design features shelf members attached to the rack frame in a cantilever fashion, with support plate portions that taper towards the distal end and include cut-out portions for vertical movement, supported by angled support frame members that allow for a downflow around the containers and proper weight distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the top board extends to outer locations along the rack lateral direction to partition space, then structural support is improved, but downflow formation around containers is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The top board is segmented by forming cut-out portions that divide the continuous board into separate sections. This segmentation allows air to pass through and form downflow around containers while the remaining board portions maintain structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Material is extracted from the top board by creating cut-out portions. These removed sections enable air flow paths for downflow formation without compromising the overall structural integrity of the extended top board.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cut-out portions are formed in the top board to enable downflow, then contamination prevention is improved, but structural strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The top board is segmented by forming cut-out portions that divide the continuous board into separate sections. This segmentation allows air to pass through and form downflow around containers while the remaining board portions maintain structural support functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the top board have different properties: solid portions provide structural strength while cut-out portions enable air flow. This local differentiation allows the same component to fulfill both structural and fluid flow functions simultaneously.
3Strength
If supporting ribs are added to reinforce the top board, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting rib and top board are merged into a single integrated component. The top board itself forms the supporting rib structure, eliminating the need for separate reinforcing elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The top board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, creates downflow paths through cut-outs, and acts as the supporting rib. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components.
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 design facilitates the formation of a downflow around stored articles, enhancing contamination prevention and supports the weight of heavier containers effectively, while also allowing for retrofitting of existing racks to accommodate heavier loads at reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
air current (downflow) that moves downward from elevated positions is generated in the area in which the article storage rack is installed so as to cause the floating particle to be moved downward and to be collected
Implementation Method 2
the distal end side portion of each supporting rib 6 is located at a position that overlaps with the area in which the article exists as seen along the vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
An article storage rack is provided in which it is easy to form a downflow around an article being stored and which has shelf members each of which can properly support the weight of an article. An article storage facility that includes such an article storage rack is also provided. Each shelf member has a support plate portion which is generally plate-shaped and which extends along a horizontal plane, and support frame members which are located below the support plate portion to support the support plate portion from below, and is formed in a shape that tapers toward a distal end portion thereof such that the width of the support plate portion, along a rack lateral direction, is narrower toward the distal end portion. wherein each support frame member includes an elongate member located and arranged to extend along the support plate portion. And a pair of support frame members are provided to each shelf member such that one support frame member is located on each side of the support plate portion with respect to the cut-out portion, along the rack lateral direction. A proximal end side portion has a portion that overlaps with an article storing area formed under it as seen along the rack lateral direction. And both proximal end side portions of the pair of support frame members are located outside the article storing area along the rack lateral direction as seen along the vertical direction.