Transfer Robot Lamp Sensing for Stocker Port Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor production lines lack an efficient method to determine whether a stocker apparatus is prepared to load or unload containers, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A transfer robot system equipped with a sensing module and a robot arm, along with a controller that communicates with the sensing module to determine the state of the stocker apparatus, using a lamp sensing module to indicate whether the stocker is prepared for loading or unloading, allowing the robot arm to transfer containers accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a transfer robot system is equipped with a sensing module and lamp indicator to determine stocker apparatus state, then the automation and efficiency of container transfer is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensing and communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The stocker apparatus has a lamp that automatically indicates its state (ready/busy) without external intervention, and the transfer robot's sensing module automatically detects this state. The system serves itself by having the stocker publish its state through the lamp and the robot autonomously reading it, eliminating the need for manual state checking or complex centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual state detection mechanisms with an optical sensing system. Instead of physical switches, sensors, or manual signaling, the system uses a lamp (visual indicator) and optical sensor to communicate stocker state, substituting mechanical interaction with optical field-based detection
2Productivity
If the controller communicates with the sensing module to determine stocker state in real-time, then the transfer process efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to continuous sensing and communication
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time communication, the system uses periodic sensing where the transfer robot checks the lamp state at discrete intervals (when approaching the stocker, before transfer operations). The lamp continuously indicates state passively without consuming significant energy, while the active sensing occurs periodically rather than continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp acts as an intermediary that passively communicates stocker state without requiring active communication protocols. The lamp consumes minimal energy to maintain visual indication, while the transfer robot's sensor only needs periodic activation to detect the lamp state, reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous digital communication
3Ease of operation
If the sensing module uses a lamp to indicate stocker apparatus state, then the ease of operation is improved through visual signaling, but the measurement precision may be affected by environmental lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp uses distinct color changes (e.g., green for ready, red for busy) to indicate different stocker states. This color-coding system enhances ease of operation by providing intuitive visual signals that are easily distinguishable by the sensing module and human operators alike, while the color specificity helps maintain detection accuracy through wavelength discrimination
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 solution enables seamless and automated container transfer between the transfer robot and the stocker apparatus, reducing manual intervention and enhancing the efficiency of the semiconductor manufacturing process by directly recognizing the state of the manual port and stocker apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a lamp sensing module outputting a signal indicative of whether a stocker apparatus is prepared to transfer a container
Data Source
AI summary
A stocker system including a stocker apparatus, a transfer robot including a sensing module and a robot arm, a manual port of the stocker apparatus, and a controller in communication with the transfer robot, wherein the controller communicates with the sensing module to determine that a container is transferrable by the robot arm between the manual port of the stocker apparatus and the transfer robot.