JP2006036365A - Cassette for containing glass substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cassette for containing a glass substrate by which an article, such as the glass substrate, can be carried safely so as not to collide with the cassette during conveyance. <P>SOLUTION: The cassette consists of a frame 100, side walls 110, 120, and cantilevers 11, 12, and holds the article S1. The side walls 110, 120 are perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The cantilevers 11, 12 for bearing the article S1 have fixed ends 11a, 12a mounted on the side-walls 110, 120, thereby predetermined angles θ1, θ2 are formed against the horizontal plane h. Moreover, the predetermined angles θ1, θ2 of the cantilevers 11, 12 are set to 1 to 10 degrees. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to cassettes, and more particularly, to a cassette that houses a glass substrate of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

  A panel of a display device is usually made of a transparent substrate, and has become thin, small and light. The transparent substrate is made of an organic transparent material such as glass, quartz, polycarbonate (PC), or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In the manufacturing process of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), a glass substrate of a panel or other plate-like article is mounted and accommodated in a cassette, and is moved or conveyed by a mechanical arm.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the glass substrate S ₁ ′ is accommodated in the cassette C. The cassette C includes a frame 100 ′ and a plurality of cantilevers 101 ′ and 102 ′. The frame 100 ′ is rectangular. The cantilevers 101 ′ and 102 ′ are evenly arranged on the inner walls 110 ′ and 120 ′ of the frame 100 ′. The frame 100 ′ is divided into a plurality of floors 105. Each floor 105 has a height H _P is the distance between the floor pitch or floor. Each substrate S ₁ ′ is supported by cantilevers 101 ′ and 102 ′ having the same height.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a known cassette and mechanical arm. The mechanical arm M includes a first bearing portion 5 ′ and a second bearing portion 6 ′ separated by a predetermined distance W ′. When the mechanical arm M carries the substrate S ₁ ′, the mechanical arm M enters the floor 105 to which the cassette C is assigned and moves the substrate S ₁ ′ onto the cantilevers 101 ′ and 102 ′. Thereby, the accommodation of the substrate S ₁ ′ is completed. Conversely, when it is desired to take out the substrate S ₁ ′ from the cassette C, the mechanical arm M enters below the designated substrate S ₁ ′ in the cassette C, and the first support portion 5 ′ and the second support portion 6 ′ At the same time, the substrate S ₁ ′ is supported and taken out from the cassette C.

The substrate S ₁ ′ is supported by cantilevers 101 ′ and 102 ′ on the inner walls 110 ′ and 120 ′ of the cassette C. However, the central portion is slightly depressed downward due to the weight of the substrate S ₁ ′.

  Further, the glass substrate is, for example, 2.5th generation (370 mm × 470 mm), 3rd generation (550 mm × 650 mm), 3.5th generation (660 mm × 720 mm), 4th generation (680 mm × 880 mm), 5th generation. It is classified into various generations with different external shapes such as generation (1100 mm × 1250 mm). Currently, there is a trend of becoming large substrates such as sixth-generation and seventh-generation substrates (1900 mm × 2200 mm). The thickness is reduced from 0.7 mm to 0.4 mm. That is, the deflection ratio of the central portion of the glass substrate increases as the size of the substrate increases and the thickness decreases.

When the mechanical arm M is loading a large and thin substrate S ₁ ′, each end E ₁ of the substrate S ₁ ′ hangs under its own weight (below) as shown in FIG. 1C. Will be drooped). H _C is the pituitary distance of the end _{E 1.} In the known cassette C, if the aiming error of the mechanical arm M is serious during transport, one end E ₁ of the substrate S ₁ ′ collides with the cantilever 101 ′, 102 ′ of the cassette C, and the inside of the cassette C Destroy. Therefore, the yield rate is reduced, the material is wasted, and the process time is increased.

From the cassette C to safely transport the substrate S _{1 ',} the distance H _P must be longer than H _C. The distance _{H P} of each floor 105 and long, to avoid contact between the ends _E 1, _{E 2} and the cassette C of the substrate _{S 1} '. Therefore, a large cassette C is required for a large substrate. Further, due to space limitations, the cassette must be of an appropriate scale for convenience during storage and removal of substrates. Therefore, the capacity of the cassette C is reduced. Therefore, it becomes important to reduce the defects of the glass substrate when transported from one position to another.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving a cassette for storing a glass substrate, and to safely carry an article so as not to collide with the cassette during conveyance. It is another object of the present invention to change the cassette cantilever shape and reduce the total height and weight of the cassette. It is a further object of the present invention to increase the number of floors and increase the accommodation capacity.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cassette. The cassette that houses the property consists of a side wall and a cantilever. The side wall is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The cantilever that supports the property has a fixed end attached to the side wall, thereby forming an angle with a horizontal plane, and the angle is 1 to 10 degrees.

  The cantilever further has a front end and the bottom of the front end has a notch. The cantilever thickness decreases along the front edge. Furthermore, the bottom part of the front end is stepped. The cassette further has a pad, which is located on the front end. The pad is made of an elastic polymer such as rubber or soft polypropylene.

  The present invention further provides a cassette, and the cassette for housing the property includes a side wall and a cantilever. The side wall is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The cantilever that supports the property has a fixed end attached to the side wall, and a front end that is thinner than the fixed end. The front end has a notch. The cantilever thickness decreases from the fixed end along the front end. Furthermore, the front end is stepped. The cassette further has a pad, which is located on the front end. The pad is made of an elastic polymer such as rubber or soft polypropylene.

  The present invention further provides a cassette, and the cassette that houses the article includes a first side wall, a first cantilever, a second side wall, and a second cantilever. The first side wall is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The first cantilever is disposed on the first side wall. The second side wall is opposite to the first side wall and is horizontal. The second cantilever is disposed on the second side wall. The first cantilever and the horizontal plane form a first corner, and the second cantilever and the horizontal plane form a second corner. It is preferable that the first angle and the second angle are substantially equal.

  The cassette that accommodates the glass substrate of the present invention has the effect of safely carrying the article so as not to collide with the cassette during transport, reducing the total height and weight of the cassette, and increasing the quantity of articles accommodated. Have

Each embodiment of the present invention is applied to a TFT-LCD panel manufacturing process, and a mechanical arm M transports a glass substrate or other plate-shaped article in a cassette. Cassette, a property S ₁ Uketamawano, and is used to accommodate. The mechanical arm M is in the cassette, the upper and lower, moved horizontally to convey the property S _1.

First Embodiment: FIG. 2A is a front view of a cassette in the first embodiment of the present invention. The cassette C ₁ includes a frame 100, a first side wall 110, a second side wall 120, a first cantilever 11, and a second cantilever 12. It should be noted that the number of cantilevers is not limited to two, the cassette C ₁ is that composed of a plurality of cantilevers. In this embodiment, a first cantilever 11 and a second cantilever 12 are provided.

The first side wall 110 and the second side wall 120 are perpendicular to the horizontal plane h. The second side wall 120 is opposed to and parallel to the first side wall 110. The first cantilever 11 includes a first fixed end 11a and a first front end 11b. The first fixed end 11 a is attached to the first side wall 110. The second cantilever 12 includes a second fixed end 12a and a second front end 12b. The second fixed end 12 a is attached to the second side wall 120. The property S ₁ is supported by the front ends 11 b and 12 b of the cassette having a plurality of pads 160, and avoids direct contact between the property S ₁ and the cantilevers 11 and 12.

The first cantilever 11 and the horizontal plane h form a first angle θ ₁ . Second cantilever 12 and the horizontal plane h forms a second angle theta _2. The first angle θ ₁ is substantially equal to the second angle θ ₂ . The first angle θ ₁ and the second angle θ ₂ are about 1 to 10 °, preferably 1 to 4 °, and are determined by the length, thickness, weight, and material of the property S ₁ .

FIG. 2B is a front view of the cassette and the mechanical arm in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a local enlarged view of the first cantilever of the cassette in the first embodiment of the present invention. The mechanical arm M has two bearing portions 5 and 6 located inside the floor 150 of the cassette _{C 1,} supporting a single property _{S 1.} When it is supported by the mechanical arm M, two ends of the property S ₁ is drooping. The first angle θ ₁ of the first cantilever 11 is substantially equal to the inclination angle θ ₁ ′ of the end E of the property S ₁ . Therefore, the first cantilever 11 is parallel to the section E.

  Since the shape of the end of the cantilever and the property is the same and parallel, when the mechanical arm M mounts the substrate and moves it up and down, the end E does not collide with the cantilever. prevent.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2C, the first cantilever 11 is inclined upward for increased height D ₁ that is provided to the front end 11b near the floor 105. Thus, the distance between the cassette floors increases. Increase the height D ₁ that provides sufficient space during transportation, while property S ₁ and the cantilever 11, 12 can be prevented from contacting. The distance between the floor 105 of the cassette C ₁ is reduced, since the outer dimensions of the cassette C ₁ is reduced further provides a miniaturized cassette. When further requires a large accommodation space, since the distance between the floor decreases, external dimensions of the cassette C ₁ is the same, more floors housing the property is added. Therefore, even without increasing the outer Shakusun, capacity of the cassette C ₁ increases.

Second Embodiment: FIGS. 3A to 3C are views showing a cassette according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The cassette C ₂ includes a frame 200, a first side wall 210, a second side wall 220, a first cantilever 21, and a second cantilever 22. In addition, the description regarding the element and connection structure which are common in the above-mentioned 1st Example is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the shapes of the front ends 21b and 22b of the first cantilever 21 and the second cantilever 22 are different. The front ends 21b and 22b are thinner than the fixed ends 21a and 22a. That is, the first front end 21 b of the first cantilever 21 has a notch 25, and the second front end 22 b of the second cantilever 22 has a notch 26. Therefore, the cantilevers 21 and 22 are stepped.

Furthermore, the first and second cantilevers 21 and 22 remain horizontal and do not need to be inclined. Similarly, the pad 260 is disposed on the first and second cantilevers 21 and 22, preventing the direct contact with the property _{S 2.}

FIG. 3B is a front view of the cassette and the mechanical arm according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a local enlarged view of the first cantilever of the cassette according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the mechanical arm M is located on the floor 250 of the cassette C ₂ , and supports one of the objects S ₂ by the support portions 5 and 6. Machine when the arm M is Uketamawano a property S _2, two ends of the section E is (a state of hanging down) of ptosis is. The first front end 21b of the first cantilever 21 has a notch, the height D ₂ of the notch varies according to the angle of inclination of the property S _2. Since the notch 25 provides extra transport space, contact between the section E and the first cantilever 21 is avoided. Therefore, the floor pitch of _{H 2} cassette _{C 2} is decreased, the outer shape Shakusun cassette _{C 2} decreases. In the embodiment, when the cassette C ₂ having a large storage capacity is required, the distance between the floors is reduced. Therefore, the outer dimensions of the cassette C ₂ are the same, and more floors for accommodating the property are added. Therefore, even without increasing the outer Shakusun, the capacity of the cassette C ₂ is increased.

The second embodiment has a variation. As shown in FIG. 3D, elements common to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Taking the first cantilever 21 ′ as an example, the first cantilever 21 ′ and the horizontal plane h have a third triangle θ ₃ . The third triangle θ ₃ is 1 to 10 °.

Preferred embodiments, third angle theta ₃ is 1 to 4 °. Since the second cantilever is symmetrical with the first cantilever 21 ', the description of the second cantilever is omitted. The angle theta ₃ of the first cantilever 21 'is the corner of the second cantilever (not shown) is the same. The angle θ ₃ is determined by the length, thickness, weight and material of the property S ₂ .

The cantilever 21 has a third triangle θ ₃ and is provided with an increased height D ₃ to increase the transport space of the cassette. Therefore, each floor pitch H ₂ ′ decreases. In this variation, the floor pitch H ₂ ′ is smaller than the floor pitch H ₂ . Since the floor pitch H ₂ or the floor pitch H ₂ ′ decreases, the capacity of the cassette C ₂ increases.

Third Embodiment: FIGS. 4A to 4C are views showing a cassette according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cassette C ₃ includes a frame 300, a first side wall 310, a second side wall 320, a first cantilever 31, and a second cantilever 32. As shown in the figure, the differences are the shapes of the front ends 31b, 32b of the first and second cantilevers 31, 32. The front ends 31b and 32b of the first and second cantilevers 31 and 32 are thinner than the fixed ends 31a and 32a. The thickness of the cantilevers 31, 32 decreases from the fixed ends 31a, 32a along the front ends 31b, 32b.

As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the section P ₁ of the first cantilever 31 has a slope 33 and forms a horizontal plane h and a fourth angle θ ₄ . Slope 33 of section P ₁ of the first cantilever 31 is parallel to the end of the property S ₃ having the same shape. Similarly, the second cantilever 32 has a slope and forms a horizontal plane h and a fifth angle θ ₅ . Increase the height D ₄ that provides more transfer space. Therefore, when the mechanical arm M is Uketamawano the properties, contact between section E and the cantilever 31, 32 of the property S ₃ is prevented.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the first and second cantilevers 31 and 32 maintain a horizontal state. That is, the first and second cantilevers 31 and 32 are perpendicular to the first and second side walls 310 and 320. Further, the elastic pad 360, first, are arranged on the second cantilever 31, while property _{S 3} and the cantilever 31, 32 directly to prevent contact. Therefore, since the floor pitch H ₃ of the cassette C ₃ decreases, outline Shakusun cassette C ₃ also decreases, to reduce the size of the cassette. In the present embodiment, when the required large accommodation capacity of the cassette, the distance between floors is decreased, the outer shape Shakusun cassette C ₃ are the same, more floors housing the property is added. Therefore, even without increasing the outer Shakusun, the capacity of the cassette C ₃ increases.

The third embodiment further has a variation. As shown in FIG. 4D, common elements are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. Taking the first cantilever 31 ′ as an example, the first cantilever 31 ′ and the horizontal plane h have a sixth hexagon θ ₆ . The sixth hexagon θ ₆ is 1 to 10 °, and preferably 1 to 4 °. Since the second cantilever is symmetrical with the first cantilever 31 ', the description of the second cantilever is omitted. The first hexagonal θ ₆ of the first cantilever 31 ′ and the angle of the second cantilever (not shown) are homologous. Corners, the length of the property S _3, the thickness is determined by the weight and material.

The cantilever 31 ′ has a sixth hexagon θ ₆ and the increased height D ₄ increases the transport space. As a result, each floor pitch H ₃ ′ decreases. In the variation, the floor pitch H ₃ ′ is smaller than the floor pitch H ₃ of the cassette C ₃ . Since the floor pitch H ₃ or H ₃ ′ decreases, the capacity of the cassette C ₃ also increases. The cassette that houses the glass substrate prevents direct contact between the object being transported and the cantilever, lowering the altitude and reducing weight.

  In the present invention, preferred embodiments have been disclosed as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the present invention, and any person who is familiar with the technology can use various methods within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Variations and moist colors can be added, so the protection scope of the present invention is based on what is specified in the claims.

Shows a plurality of properties S ₁ of the known cassette and therein. 1 is a front view of a known cassette and mechanical arm. It is a local enlarged view of a well-known cassette. 1 is a front view of a cassette according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front view of a cassette and a mechanical arm according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a local enlarged view of the first cantilever of the cassette according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the cassette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a cassette and a mechanical arm according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a local enlarged view of the first cantilever of the cassette according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a local enlarged view of the 1st cantilever of the cassette by the modification of the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a front view of a cassette according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of a cassette and a mechanical arm according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a local enlarged view of the 1st cantilever of the cassette by the 3rd example of the present invention. It is a local enlarged view of the 1st cantilever of the cassette by the modification of the 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100 'Frame 101', 102 'Cantilever 105 Floor 11, 21, 21', 31, 31 'First cantilever 11a First fixed end 11b First front end 110 First side wall 110', 120 'Inner side walls 12, 22 32 Second cantilever 12a Second fixed end 12b Second front end 120 Second side wall 160, 260, 360 Pad 150, 250, 350 Floor 25 Notch 210 First side wall 220 Second side wall 310 First side wall 320 Second side wall 33 Slope 5 bearing 6 bearing _{C, C 1, C 2,} C 3 cassettes _{D 1, D 2, D 3} , D 4, D 5 increased altitude _E 1, _{E 2} both end portions h horizontal plane H _P floor altitude Property S H ₁ , H ₂ , H ₃ , H ₂ ′, H ₃ ′ Floor height M Mechanical arm P ₁ Cantilever one step S ₁ , S ₁ ′, S ₂ , S ₃ property (board)
θ angle

Claims (13)

A frame having two side walls perpendicular to the horizontal plane;
A plurality of cantilevers having a front end and a fixed end attached to one of the two side walls, forming an angle with the horizontal plane;
A cassette characterized by comprising: The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the angle is 1 to 10 °. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the front end has a notch. The cassette of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the cantilever decreases along the front end. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein a bottom portion of the front end is stepped. The cassette according to claim 1, further comprising a pad disposed at the front end. The cassette according to claim 6, wherein the pad is made of an elastic polymer. A frame having two side walls perpendicular to the horizontal plane;
A front end and a fixed end attached to one of the two side walls;
A plurality of cantilevers in which the thickness of the front end is thinner than the fixed end;
A cassette characterized by comprising: The cassette according to claim 8, wherein the front end has a notch. The cassette according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the cantilever gradually decreases from the fixed end to the front end. The cassette according to claim 8, wherein the front end is stepped. The cassette according to claim 8, further comprising a pad located at the front end. The cassette of claim 12, wherein the pad is made of an elastic polymer.