Wafer Cutting Blade Changer With Single-Motor Nut Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting apparatuses for wafer division in chip fabrication require manual operation for blade changing, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to errors, and automated solutions increase size, weight, and cost due to the need for multiple motors.
Innovation Solution
A cutting apparatus with a blade changing apparatus that uses a single motor to drive a pair of nut rotating portions through a power transmitting unit with a speed reducer, eliminating the need for individual motors and reducing size, weight, and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pair of motors is connected to the pair of nut rotating portions to rotate them, then the nut rotating portions can be driven independently, but the blade changing apparatus is increased in size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two motor functions into a single motor by using a power transmitting unit with a speed reducer. The single motor drives both nut rotating portions through the speed reducer, eliminating the need for two separate motors while maintaining the ability to rotate both nuts simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the overall weight and size of the blade changing apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed to perform multiple functions by driving both nut rotating portions through the power transmitting unit. The speed reducer enables the motor to provide appropriate torque to both nuts, making the motor a universal drive source for both cutting units. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed.
2Force
If a pair of motors is connected to the pair of nut rotating portions, then each nut can be rotated with sufficient torque, but the cost increases due to preparing multiple motors and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmitting unit with the speed reducer acts as an intermediary between the single motor and the two nut rotating portions. The speed reducer amplifies the motor's output torque to provide sufficient rotational force to both nuts, while the motor itself remains a single, cost-effective component. This intermediary mechanism enables torque multiplication without requiring multiple high-torque motors.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the drive functions of two motors into a single motor system with a speed reducer, the patent reduces the number of expensive motor components needed. The speed reducer enables the single motor to deliver adequate torque to both nuts, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements compared to using two separate motors.
3Device complexity
If manual operation is used for blade changing, then the apparatus size and cost are reduced, but time and effort are expended and human error may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The blade changing apparatus is designed to perform the blade changing operation automatically without requiring manual intervention. The single motor-driven system with speed reducer enables the apparatus to self-regulate the rotation of both nuts, automatically securing the cutting blades to the spindles. This automation eliminates human error and significantly improves blade changing efficiency while maintaining relatively simple apparatus design.
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
Enables efficient, automated blade changing with reduced size, weight, and cost, improving operational efficiency and safety by minimizing the risk of human error and maintaining precise control over the cutting process.
Implementation Method 1
a motor, and a power transmitting unit connected to the motor and the rotating shaft for transmitting the power of the motor to the rotating shaft
Implementation Method 2
a power transmitting unit connected to the motor and the rotating shaft for transmitting the power of the motor to the rotating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting apparatus includes a blade changing apparatus for changing a cutting blade mounted on a spindle of a first cutting unit and changing a cutting blade mounted on a spindle of a second cutting unit. The blade changing apparatus includes a nut mounting and demounting unit for mounting and demounting a nut in each of the first and second cutting units and a blade mounting and demounting unit for mounting and demounting the cutting blade in each of the first and second cutting units. The nut mounting and demounting unit includes a rotating shaft, a first nut rotating portion fixed to one end of the rotating shaft, a second nut rotating portion fixed to the other end of the rotating shaft, a motor, and a power transmitting unit connected to the motor and the rotating shaft.