Transport Device Holding Unit Corrects Stacked Article Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor production facilities, stacked articles are often transported out of alignment, leading to inadequate holding and potential displacement during transport, which can be addressed without complicating the transport device configuration.
Innovation Solution
A transport device equipped with a holding unit and a detecting unit that corrects and prevents displacement of stacked articles by adjusting its holding mechanism based on real-time detection, eliminating the need for additional displacement prevention mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articles to be transported are stacked without being aligned, then the transport device can handle out-of-alignment stacks, but the stacked articles may be insufficiently held and displaced during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit is designed to be movable in the stacking direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on the actual alignment state of the stacked articles. The control unit activates the holding unit to move and contact the articles, correcting their positions during transport rather than relying on pre-alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
A detecting unit detects the positions of stacked articles and provides feedback to the control unit, which then controls the holding unit to move and correct positional deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to out-of-alignment stacks while maintaining reliable holding.
2Reliability
If a displacement preventing mechanism is provided for articles to be transported, then displacement can be prevented, but the configuration becomes complicated and working efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit serves multiple functions: it not only holds the stacked articles during transport but also actively moves to correct their positions and prevent displacement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate displacement preventing mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding unit autonomously corrects positional deviations by moving itself under control unit activation, rather than requiring external securing members or complex displacement prevention mechanisms. The system uses its own holding structure to perform the correction function.
3Reliability
If securing members are used to secure stacked articles, then displacement can be prevented, but working efficiency decreases due to additional securing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit continuously maintains contact with the stacked articles throughout transport and actively moves to correct positions in real-time, rather than requiring intermittent securing operations. This continuous action eliminates the need for separate securing steps, maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device that can transport stacked articles to be transported without changing a device configuration and can correct and prevent a displacement of the stacked articles to be transported with a simple device configuration. A chucking device is provided to hold trays in a stacked state. The chucking device is provided with an overhead carriage for transporting the trays held by the chucking device. The chucking device includes a holding unit that holds the trays and sensors that detect the trays held by the holding unit. The holding unit is configured such that the holding operation of the holding unit on the trays is controlled based on detection of the sensors, and correct and prevent a displacement of the stacked trays.