Semiconductor Tool Coupling With Pneumatic Clamping for Safe Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor sawing and sorting equipment requires manual operation to change tools, which is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and increases user burden, often resulting in unstable tool fixation and potential tool dislocation or dropping due to increased tool weight and volume.
Innovation Solution
A tool changing apparatus utilizing air clamping with a stud and clamping module system, where a stud on the tool is clamped by a module on the equipment using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, or magnetic force, allowing for automated tool changing, reduced user burden, and enhanced safety by controlling the clamping state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual bolting and assembly methods are used to change tools, then tool changing can be performed, but the operation time increases and user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical bolting and assembly operations with an automated air clamping system. The clamping module uses pneumatic pressure to automatically clamp the tool to the equipment, eliminating the need for manual bolting operations and significantly reducing tool changing time while decreasing user burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The air clamping system enables self-service tool changing where the equipment can automatically clamp and secure tools without requiring manual intervention for fastening operations. The system uses pneumatic power to automatically perform the clamping action, making the tool changing process more autonomous and efficient.
2Ease of operation
If manual assembly methods are used, then tool changing can be performed, but operation safety decreases due to increased burden and difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assembly with an automated pneumatic clamping system that provides consistent and reliable tool fixation. The air clamping mechanism ensures uniform clamping force application, eliminating variability in manual assembly quality and improving tool fixation stability and operation safety.
3Reliability
If traditional locking methods are used, then tool fixation can be achieved, but the system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex locking clips, multiple bolts, and additional fastening components by using a simplified air clamping system. The coupling device focuses on the essential clamping function using pneumatic pressure, removing unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining reliable tool fixation.
4Reliability
If manual bolting methods are used, then tool attachment can be achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to additional assembly holes and tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional assembly holes, tabs, and complex fastening features from tool design by using air clamping. The pneumatic clamping system attaches to the tool through a simple coupling interface, significantly simplifying tool manufacturing while ensuring stable attachment through pneumatic force.
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
Automates tool changing, reduces labor and time, increases operation safety, and prevents tool dislocation by enabling secure fixation without manual assembly, even with heavier tools, and allows for easier tool design by eliminating the need for additional assembly holes or tabs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing member moving device for selectively moving the pressing member from the first position to the second position against the elastic restoring force of the elastic spring. The pressing member moving device may include a pressure transmission line for moving the pressing member to the second position by using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure
Implementation Method 2
an elastic spring for providing an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the pressing member moves to the first position
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid device for moving the pressing member to the second position by using magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a tool changing apparatus and method capable of easily and safely changing various tools usable for a table device or a pickup device of an equipment depending on materials such as semiconductor chips or semiconductor packages, the tool changing apparatus including a target tool detachably mountable on an equipment depending on a type or size of semiconductor chips or semiconductor packages, and a coupling device mounted between the equipment and the target tool to detachably fix the target tool to the equipment, wherein the coupling device includes a stud mounted on the target tool or the equipment, and a clamping module mounted in the equipment or the target tool to clamp the stud.