Wafer Container Staggered Wall Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor wafers are prone to damage during shipping and handling due to misalignment and inadequate shock absorption in existing wafer containers, which can lead to contamination, cracking, or other forms of damage.
Innovation Solution
A dual wall structure wafer container with staggered outer and inner walls, an alignment system using reference tabs and visual identifiers for proper alignment, and a locking mechanism with segmented walls and notches with ramps to secure the container halves, providing enhanced shock absorption and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a dual wall structure is used to protect wafers from external forces, then shock protection is improved, but the container becomes more prone to misalignment and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure is divided into multiple segments including inner walls, outer walls, and intermediate walls. Each segment serves a specific function: inner walls provide shock absorption, outer walls provide structural strength, and intermediate walls connect them. This segmentation allows the container to maintain both shock protection and alignment stability without requiring a monolithic rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner walls are nested within the outer walls, with intermediate walls connecting the two. This nested configuration allows the inner shock-absorbing walls to be protected by the outer structural walls while maintaining proper alignment through the connecting intermediate walls with ribs.
2Strength
If inner walls are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then container strength is improved, but shock absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the wall structure have different mechanical properties. The inner walls are designed with shock-absorbing characteristics (more compliant), while the outer walls provide structural strength. The intermediate walls with connecting ribs provide both structural support and shock transmission pathways. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the overall structure to simultaneously achieve strength and shock absorption.
3Ease of operation
If the container halves are designed to be easily assembled, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features such as ribs on intermediate walls, positioning protrusions, and corresponding recesses are pre-formed during manufacturing. These features automatically guide the cover and base into proper alignment when assembled, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures while ensuring precise positioning. The latch mechanisms are also pre-configured to engage only when proper alignment is achieved.
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
The staggered wall structure absorbs impact energy, reducing the force transmitted to the inner walls and preventing misalignment, thus effectively protecting semiconductor wafers from damage during handling and shipping.
Implementation Method 1
The staggered wall structure absorbs impact energy, reducing the force transmitted to the inner walls
Data Source
AI summary
A wafer container comprising a base and a cover that nest together. The base includes a staggered wall structure composed of inner and outer walls. The staggered wall structure is arranged so that forces from side impacts are absorbed principally by outer wall segments. A rib on the cover restrains the outer wall segments from flexing beyond the inner wall diameter. Reference tabs on the base facilitate alignment of the base to the cover.