Semiconductor wafer cassette positioning and detection mechanism
US5970621A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S414/14
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting the presence of a wafer cassette, or pod, resting on an arrangement of pins allows cassette detection without interfering with insertion of a robotic paddle arm beneath the cassette to remove it for transport. A cassette resides on an arrangement of beveled pins which mate with corresponding receptacles on the underside. Pins supporting the cassette have a spring biased, hollow outer cylinder coaxially mounted around a center post. A cassette placed on the pins displaces the outer cylinder downward a sufficient distance to trigger a sensor. Upon removal of the cassette, the outer cylinder is displaced upwards, resetting the sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.