Wafer Transport Container Hinge for Clean Sealing and Easy Access

Solution Overview

Problem

In semiconductor fabrication processes, there is a need for containers that can maintain a clean room environment for storing and transporting semiconductor wafers, ensuring they remain contamination-free and secure during handling and transportation.

Innovation Solution

The development of an apparatus comprising two body portions, a first portion with a pivotal pin structure and a second portion with a pin holder, which are designed to be pivotally movable between an open and closed container configuration, providing a secure and contamination-free environment for semiconductor wafers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a container is made to be optimally tight and sealed to prevent contamination, then the protection of semiconductor wafers is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of semiconductor wafersVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into a first body portion and a second body portion that can be separately assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components while achieving the overall function of a sealed container through their combination, reducing the complexity of each part while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal pin structure is nested within the body portions, with the pin extending from one body portion and engaging with a receiver in the other. This nested design integrates the locking mechanism within the container structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external locking components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a container is designed to be securely sealed, then the prevention of particle contamination is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle contaminationVSAvoidopening and closing container

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs a dynamic pivotal pin mechanism that rotates between positions to enable both secure locking and easy opening. The pin can pivot from a locked position (preventing contamination) to an unlocked position (allowing easy access), providing both sealing reliability and operational ease through a single movable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal pin structure is designed to automatically engage with the receiver when the container portions are brought together, creating a self-locking mechanism. This self-service feature ensures secure sealing without requiring additional manual locking actions, maintaining ease of operation while preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a container provides secure locking mechanism, then the security of semiconductor wafers is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of semiconductor wafersVSAvoidlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotal pin structure is nested within the body portions, with the pin extending from one body portion and engaging with a receiver in the other. This nested design integrates the locking mechanism within the container structure itself, eliminating the need for separate external locking components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal pin structure is designed to automatically engage with the receiver when the container portions are brought together, creating a self-locking mechanism. This self-service feature ensures secure sealing without requiring additional manual locking actions, maintaining ease of operation while preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12338943B2Apparatus for storing and transporting semiconductor elements, and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first front side wall, a first rear side wall, a top wall, and at least one pivotal pin structure extending from the first rear side wall. The at least one pivotal pin structure comprises a base, a shaft, and a head having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The second portion includes a second front side wall, a second rear side wall, a bottom wall, and at least one pin holder extending from the second rear side wall. The at least one pin holder defines an opening for accepting the head of the at least one pivotal pin structure at an alignment. The head of the at least one pivotal pin structure extends through the opening. The first portion and the second portion are pivotally movable between an open configuration and a closed container configuration.