Transfer System Height Adjustment for Robot Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer systems with two robots per processing chamber incur high costs due to the need for exclusive control to prevent interference and ensure continuous operation when one robot breaks down.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system with a retreat unit that allows one robot to change its height, preventing interference with the operating range of the other robot, enabling continued operation even if one robot is broken down, by using supporting devices to lift the broken-down robot to a non-interfering height, allowing the second robot to take over its tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two robots are installed for each processing chamber to ensure continuous operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to exclusive control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical height dimension to resolve the conflict between having two robots and preventing interference. By enabling robots to move between different height levels, the system allows one robot to retreat vertically when the other is operating, eliminating the need for complex exclusive control logic while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic height adjustment of robots based on operational needs. The retreat unit dynamically changes the vertical position of robots to coordinate their operations, allowing flexible task allocation and interference prevention without requiring static control arrangements or additional control complexity
2Productivity
If two robots are installed for each processing chamber, then productivity is improved through parallel operation, but loss of time increases due to coordination and interference prevention
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the vertical height dimension, robots can operate simultaneously at different levels without interfering with each other's horizontal movement paths. This eliminates coordination delays and allows both robots to work in parallel efficiently, improving productivity without time loss
3Ease of operation
If the height of robots is changed to prevent interference, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to retreat unit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The retreat unit serves multiple functions: it prevents robot interference, enables continuous operation during breakdowns, and allows flexible task allocation. By consolidating these functions into a single height-adjustment mechanism, the added complexity is justified by the multiple benefits gained, and the system becomes more versatile
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer system includes a transfer chamber having transfer positions, a first robot provided in the transfer chamber to transfer articles between the transfer positions, a second robot provided in the transfer chamber to transfer articles between the transfer positions, and a retreat unit configured to move one robot among the first robot and the second robot to a retreat position by changing a height of the one robot such that the one robot does not interfere with an operating range of another robot among the first robot and the second robot.