Patent · US Expired

Substrate processing apparatus

US6371713B1 · kind B1 · utility

28Cited by
19References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 1998
Grant dateApr 16, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S414/139
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A substrate processing apparatus includes a transport robot (TR1) formed with a telescopic vertical movement mechanism of a so-called telescopically nestable multi-tier construction. A drive mechanism (D1) is initially driven to move a support member (48) upwardly to simultaneously elevate a vertical movement member (42d). As the vertical movement member (42d) rises, a pulley (47c) simultaneously moves upwardly. As the pulley (47c) moves upwardly, a vertical movement member (42c) is lifted upwardly by a belt (L1). Similar actions elevate a pair of transport arms (31a, 31b) provided on the top of a vertical movement member (42a). The increase in the number of tiers of the nestable multi-tier structure precludes the increase in height of the transport robot (TR1) in its retracted position. The substrate processing apparatus, if having an increased height, is capable of transporting a substrate to and from processing portions and eliminates the need to reassemble and adjust the transport robot (TR1) for transportation of the apparatus.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.