Vertical Storage Device for Electronic Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the industrial production of electronic components, such as LCD displays, existing storage devices require a large footprint and complex clean air supply systems, and they are not efficient in temporarily storing objects and their transport containers separately while maintaining clean room conditions, leading to potential chemical contamination and excessive storage of transport containers.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with two vertically arranged areas within a single housing, one for object storage and another for transport container storage, allowing for separate and localized storage while maintaining clean air supply, reducing the need for multiple transport containers, and enabling flexible and contamination-free storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If objects and transport containers are stored separately in different compartments, then contamination is prevented, but the footprint area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal separation of object storage and transport container storage to vertical stacking. The object storage unit and transport container storage unit are arranged one above the other within the same housing, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve separation without increasing footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport container storage unit is positioned within the housing structure, and the object storage unit is stacked above it, creating a nested vertical arrangement. This allows both storage functions to coexist in a compact configuration where one storage space is effectively nested within the overall housing structure.
2Quantity of substance
If transport containers are stored in large compartments, then storage capacity is sufficient, but the clean air supply system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two distinct areas: an object storage unit and a transport container storage unit. Each area has its own dedicated clean air supply system with separate air inlets and outlets, allowing independent control and simplifying the overall system architecture compared to a single large compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage unit is equipped with its own localized clean air supply system tailored to its specific requirements. The object storage unit receives clean air through dedicated inlets and maintains its own air circulation, while the transport container storage unit has separate air supply, allowing each area to be optimized independently.
3Ease of operation
If objects are stored with transport containers, then handling is simplified, but chemical contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into two separate but adjacent units: one for objects and one for transport containers. This segmentation allows objects to be stored without direct contact with transport containers, preventing chemical contamination from outgassing plastics, while both units remain part of the same integrated system for efficient handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the object storage unit and transport container storage unit. This physical separation prevents direct contact and chemical contamination while maintaining the ability to handle both types of objects through the same external interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage apparatus (1) for objects in the manufacture of substrates (29), in particular of substrates for electronic components, is provided with a housing (2) which forms at least one closed area for storage of the objects. The storage apparatus also has a pure air device by means of which a pure air atmosphere can be produced at least within a section of the housing. Using at least one input/output device (3) of the storage apparatus, objects can be passed into the interior of the housing or removed from the interior, in which case the objects can be handled by at least one handling device in the interior of the housing, and object receptacles (42, 61) are provided within the housing, in which objects can be temporarily stored outside transport containers (22). In order to require a position area which is as small as possible for a storage apparatus such as this, despite it having a high storage capacity, the invention provides that two areas (34, 35) which are arranged at least partially one above the other are formed in the same housing of the storage apparatus, with a first area (35) being intended for an object storage device (7), and a second area (34) being intended for a transport container storage device (8).