Wafer Container Recessed Latch and Segmented Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor wafer containers fail to adequately protect wafers from side impacts, suffer from rotational movement issues due to inadequate locking mechanisms, and have exposed latches prone to accidental opening during handling and shipping.
Innovation Solution
The container features an overlapping double wall structure with segmented inner and outer walls for enhanced side protection, a bi-directional rotation locking mechanism to secure the top cover, and a recessed latch well to protect the locking mechanism from accidental opening, along with a simplified bottom holding mechanism for automated handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If nested walls are used to protect wafers from side impacts, then protection from direct force transmission is improved, but the structure lacks flexibility to absorb and cushion impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is divided into multiple segments with gaps between them, allowing the walls to flex and move independently during impact while still providing protective coverage. This segmentation enables both strength and flexibility by allowing controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure incorporates flexible elements that can deform under impact forces, allowing the container to absorb and cushion shocks. The flexible nature of the walls enables energy absorption through controlled bending and deformation.
2Ease of operation
If exposed latches are used for the container closure, then ease of operation is improved, but the latches are prone to accidental opening during handling and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is nested within a recessed well in the container wall, creating a protective enclosure that shields the latch from external forces while maintaining operational accessibility. The nested structure prevents accidental activation while allowing intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed latch design preemptively counteracts potential accidental opening forces by positioning the latch in a protected location where external impacts and vibrations during handling and shipping cannot easily activate it.
3Device complexity
If minimal overlap of inner and outer walls is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but side impact protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is divided into multiple segments with gaps between them, allowing the walls to flex and move independently during impact while still providing protective coverage. This segmentation enables both strength and flexibility by allowing controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure incorporates dynamic elements that can move and deform in response to impact forces, transforming static rigid walls into adaptive protective structures that respond to external threats.
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in a semiconductor wafer container including improvements in side protection to the wafers, improved cover design to minimize rotation, a simplified top cover orientation mechanism and an improved bottom holding mechanism for automation. The side protection to the wafers is with multiple staggered inner and outer walls. The improved cover design improves alignment of the top and bottom housings and minimizes rotation of the housings in transit or motion. The housings have a recessed tab ramp feature with bi-directional locking that also increases the rigidity of the containment device when the two housings are assembled. The latching mechanism is located in a protective latch well that minimizes accidental opening of the latch(s). The improved bottom holding mechanism for automation is an integrated feature that is molded into the bottom housing and not assembled in a secondary operation.