JP2022105318A - Container for storing component carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a simple opening mechanism for a container to provide proper access to a storage volume of a container.SOLUTION: There is provided a container for storing component carriers, including: a housing with storage volume; and a slot frame connected to the housing, in which the slot frame has multiple slot levels formed by each slot rail component arranged one above the other along a vertical direction. Each slot rail component 201 includes a support surface 203 for supporting a component carrier 200, and two adjacent slot levels I, II have a slot pitch sp of 10 mm to 20 mm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The utility model relates to a container for storing component carriers with adjacent slot levels of reduced slot pitch. The utility model relates to a container for storing component carriers with adjacent slot levels with increased slot clearance. The utility model relates to a container for storing a component carrier provided with a lower rail having a chamfered portion for adjusting the position of the component carrier. The utility model relates to a container for storing a component carrier provided with a lower rail having a chamfered portion for adjusting the position of the component carrier. The utility model further relates to a container for storing a component carrier with a water drain. The utility model further relates to a container for storing component carriers with removable doors.

In the context of the ever-evolving product functionality of component carriers with one or more components, and the increasing miniaturization of such components, as well as connecting to component carriers such as printed circuit boards. In the context of an increasing number of components being used, more powerful array-like components or packages with several components are being used, which are multiple contacts or It has a connection and constantly has a smaller space between these contact verbs. In particular, the component carrier must be mechanically strong, electrically reliable, and able to operate under harsh conditions. More features are integrated into the component carrier.

Therefore, the method of manufacturing each component carrier must be very accurate, but also extremely efficient. Specifically, for the manufacture of component carriers, it is important that the component carriers can be transported in a fast and safe manner during transport without damage during all process stages. Damage to the semi-finished component carriers can be caused, for example, by foreign matter (FM) rubbing along the surface of each component carrier being transported. FM particles may be generated while handling the component carriers, for example, when the component carriers are rubbed along a support surface or the like. FM particles may also be present in the ambient environment (ie, dust) and may stick to the surface of the component carrier due to gravity or electrostatic attraction. FM particles may be generated while handling the component carriers, for example, when the component carriers are rubbed along a support surface or the like.

Container equipment is added to provide safe transportation between manufacturing stages. However, the container device is limited to the capacity to store the component carrier. In addition, FM particles may be generated and may come into contact with the component carriers during the loading and unloading procedures of the component carriers inside or outside the container. Therefore, there may be a need to provide an efficient container for storing component carriers.

It is sometimes necessary to wash the container to remove FM particles and residual chemical debris. Therefore, water may be used. However, the internal volume of the container must be dry, as the component carriers can be damaged by water contact or high humidity in order to provide a safe storage for the component carriers. Therefore, there may be a need to provide efficient container cleaning.

Once the component carriers have been transported to their respective processing machines, it is important to provide easy access to the container's storage volume, for example to gradually remove the component carriers from the container.

Therefore, there may be a need to provide a simple release mechanism for a container in order to provide adequate access to the container's storage volume.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the novel, the container comprises a storage volume and a housing having a slot frame (connected to the housing), with the slot frames arranged vertically along the top and bottom. It has multiple slot levels formed by each slot rail configuration. Each slot rail configuration has a support surface for supporting the component carrier, with two adjacent slot levels having a slot pitch of 10 mm to 20 mm, particularly 15 mm to 16 mm.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a container for storing component carriers is presented. The container is fitted with a housing with a storage volume, a slot frame connected to the housing, and at least one lower rail with each support surface to support the component carrier against the rear wall. It is provided with a slot rail structure having a housing. The slot frame comprises at least one support beam on which the rear wall is installed, the support beam contacting the rear wall along the contact surface of the rear wall. The rear wall has a drain groove that is larger than the width of the contact surface so that the drain groove includes a section that is not covered by the support beam.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, a container for storing component carriers is presented. The container for storing the component carriers comprises a housing having a storage volume for storing the component carriers, and the housing has an opening for inserting and removing the component carriers. The container further comprises a door with a door magnetic element so that the door is detachably coupled to the housing for the door to selectively open and close the opening.

A component carrier or panel with multiple component carriers may be temporarily stored in the container described above. The component carrier may include a stack of at least one electrically insulating layer structure and at least one conductive layer structure. For example, the component carrier may be a laminate of the above-mentioned electrically insulating layer structure and the conductive layer structure, which are formed by applying mechanical pressure and are preferably supported by thermal energy. The stack may provide a plate-like component carrier that can provide a large mounting surface for additional components, and nevertheless be very thin and compact. The term "layer structure" may specifically refer to continuous layers, patterning layers, or multiple non-contiguous islands in a common plane. In the context of this utility model, the term "layered structure" may be a single-layer assembly or a multi-layer assembly.

In one embodiment, the component carrier is molded as a plate. This contributes to a compact design and the component carrier nevertheless provides a great foundation for installing components on it. Further, in particular, taking the embedded electronic components as an example, it is convenient that the bare die can be incorporated into a thin plate such as a printed circuit board due to its thin thickness. In one embodiment, the component carrier is configured as one of a group consisting of a printed circuit board, a board (particularly an IC board), and an interposer.

The container comprises a storage volume that defines the internal volume of the container's housing in which the component carriers can be temporarily stored. The container may have an opening that can be selectively closed by each container door to provide access to the internal volume.

The container can also be moved between two desired positions, especially between two machines. Therefore, the container may be handled by a manipulator or may have wheels to be moved between processing machines.

The slot frame defines a support structure for a plurality of slot rail configurations arranged one above the other along the vertical direction. The slot frame may include, for example, a plurality of support beams forming each frame structure. Each slot rail configuration may include its own support surface for supporting the component carrier. The slot rail configurations are arranged on top of each other so that the component carriers can be stored on top of each other in the storage volume of the housing.

The slot frame may be detachably or non-detachably connected to the housing. For example, a complete lot of component carriers supported by a slot frame may be inserted or withdrawn from a container by having an insertable slot frame detachably installed in the housing.

The slot construct may be formed by a uniform support surface, eg, a support surface such as a plate. Alternatively, as described in more detail below, the slot configuration may be formed by multiple rails, eg, opposed lower rails with their respective support surfaces for component carriers.

According to this method of the utility model, two (vertically) adjacent slot levels are between 10 mm and 20 mm, particularly between 15 mm and 16 mm (millimeters), and more specifically, a slot pitch of 15.75 mm. Has. The slot pitch defines the shortest vertical direction as the distance between the support surface of the first lower slot rail configuration and the upper support surface of the second upper slot rail configuration. Therefore, by providing each slot pitch, sufficient space may be provided for each component carrier, and at the same time, a plurality of component carriers arranged on top of each other may be stored in one container. In other words, the space between adjacent slot levels is reduced to the minimum extent that storage capacity for the container can be provided. Specifically, for example, if a conventional container could have a slot pitch of 31.5 mm, by reducing each to a slot pitch of 15.75 mm, 24 components without change to the height of the container. It is possible to double the storage capacity from carriers to 48 component carriers.

Therefore, the quantity of available containers and each trolley may be reduced. In addition, for example, the cost of automation tools, central buffers, and lifters can be reduced.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot frame has 30-55, eg, 48 slot levels, in which the slot frames are arranged vertically along the vertical direction.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, each slot rail configuration comprises at least one lower rail with its own support surface for supporting the component carriers.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one lower rail at one slot level is such that the component carrier can be placed in the chamfer and is gravity guided towards the opposite lower rail at the slot level. Provided a chamfered portion with an inclined support surface for the component carrier, such as possible.

For example, the component carrier is supported along the edge of one component carrier on the chamfered portion of the lower rail. Opposing component carrier edges are supported on additional support surfaces. According to the above exemplary embodiments, for example, the chamfered portion located on the lower rail partially comprises a support surface for supporting the component carrier. Therefore, due to gravity, the component carrier slides along the inclined surface of the chamfer until the opposing edges of the component carrier reach their respective stops at the facing additional support surfaces. Therefore, self-alignment of component carriers within the slot level can be achieved by using weight and gravity, respectively.

Specifically, the additional support surfaces of the opposing lower rails may also be formed by the respective additional chamfers such that the component carriers are supported by the two opposite chamfers.

For example, the chamfered portion may have a flat and uniform inclined surface. Alternatively, the chamfered portion may include a convex or concave curved surface.

Further, a plurality of chamfered portions may be formed along the slot level so that the component carrier is supported by the plurality of chamfered portions.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the at least one slot rail configuration further comprises a U-shaped cross section including an upper rail, the upper rail and the lower rail having a component carrier between the upper rail and the lower rail. Are connected by lateral side walls so that they can be placed. In other words, the slot rail construct comprises a type of drawer rail that partially surrounds each edge of the supported component carrier so that the component carrier can be inserted and pulled out like a drawer. The upper rail, lateral side wall, and lower rail may be made of separate parts that are installed together. Alternatively, the upper rail, side wall, and lower rail may be formed monolithically. For example, each groove can be formed along a rod for forming each U-shaped cross section. Therefore, the component carriers are provided so that the side edges of the component carriers are at least partially wrapped by the lower and upper rails and that tilting of the container can prevent contact with adjacent component carriers and damage to each. Each U-shaped slot rail configuration cannot be accepted.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the upper rail is designed to form an additional lower rail having an upper support surface of an upper slot level upper slot rail configuration for supporting additional component carriers. Therefore, the upper rail forming the upper rail of the lower slot rail configuration may simultaneously form a further upper lower rail of the upper slot rail configuration disposed above.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot clearance (distance) between the support surface of the lower rail and the lower surface of the upper rail is 9 mm to 17 mm, particularly 13 mm to 15 mm, more specifically 14 mm. Slot clearance defines the internal slot space available to component carriers located within the slot rail configuration at a particular slot level. Therefore, by providing greater slot clearance, more space is available to the component carrier, so specifically during the insertion or removal of the component carrier, from the slot rail configuration or the component carrier itself. The risk of rubbing and removing particles can be reduced.

Therefore, by reducing the slot pitch described above to 10 mm to 20 mm, eg 15.75 mm, and increasing the slot clearance to 9 mm to 17 mm, eg 14 mm, the thickness of the lower rail is eg, for example 1 mm to 2 mm, eg. It may be reduced to 1.75 mm. Therefore, multiple component carriers can be stored without increasing the height of the container, while at the same time providing sufficient space for the component carriers for careful handling during insertion and removal of the component carriers. obtain.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the distance between the upper rail and the lower rail is greater at the inlet to the component carrier in the slot rail configuration than at the rear end of the slot rail. So different. The entrance is defined as the section closest to the container door. The rear end of the slot rail defines a position close to the real wall of the container. Therefore, the greater distance between the upper and lower rails at the inlet reduces the risk of rubbing against each component carrier while inserting the component carriers.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the free end of the lower rail forming the slot inlet for the component carrier has a rounded edge. By providing a rounded edge at the entrance with a free end, the risk of rubbing against the component carrier and the risk of injury from manual insertion or removal of the component carrier can be reduced.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, each slot rail configuration has at least one additional lower rail having an additional support surface for supporting the component carrier, and the additional lower rail and the lower rail are relative to each other. Are arranged parallel to each other and horizontally separated from each other. According to the above exemplary embodiment outlined above, the component carrier may be supported by lower rails that are spaced apart and extend in parallel, such as a drawer.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, each slot rail configuration has at least one rear rail having an additional support surface for supporting the component carrier, the rear rail comprising an additional lower rail and a lower rail. Connecting. Specifically, the rear rails extend along the rear wall of the container in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the component carriers housed within the slot level are supported along the lateral edges by their respective opposing lower rails, and the trailing edge of the component carriers connecting the lateral edges is by the rear rails. Be supported.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot frame has two spaced side frames and a central frame placed between the side frames, each slot level having two horizontal. It may be formed between each side frame and the center frame so that adjacent slot levels are provided. In other words, the central frame may divide the storage volume in half. The two lower rails are arranged, for example, in one common central frame. For example, two component carriers may be stored in one horizontal plane. That is, the first component carrier may be supported by the lower rail of the side frame, the lower rail of the center frame, and another component carrier may be supported by the lower rail of the additional side frame and the further lower rail of the central frame. May be done.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one of the lower rails of the slot rail configuration is made from a support rod that is at least partially covered with a protective coating. In an exemplary embodiment, the support rod is made from a metallic material. Specifically, the protective cover is made of metal rod material so that it is reduced from rubbing during the picking and placement processes, thus producing FM particles produced from metal parts or component carriers. May be provided with a softer material than. The metal rod may be made of, for example, aluminum and the protective coating may be made of a molding material such as Zylon. For example, the protective coating may be formed by an insertion molding process.

For example, the protective cover covers only the parts of the lower rail or the rear rail. Specifically, the protective cover covers each support surface of the rail and, for example, a portion of the lateral side wall.

The slot rail configuration particularly comprises a rear wall on which a plurality of lower rails are arranged. Each lower rail comprises a support surface on which a component carrier, i.e., an edge of the component carrier, can be placed. The back wall may be made of a uniform thin wall made of, for example, a metallic material. Further, the rear wall may be constructed from a structure such as a frame in which the rear wall itself is made from a plurality of support beams to which the lower rail is attached.

The slot frame comprises at least one support beam to which the rear wall is attached. The slot frame itself is fixed to the container housing b to support the slot rail construct. The rear wall is connected to the support beam so that the support beam contacts the rear wall along the contact surface. In other words, the support beam covers the posterior wall along the contact surface.

After the cleaning procedure, water can move along the contact surface between the posterior wall and the support beam. Therefore, it is difficult to dry the water or moisture between the posterior wall and the support beam in the drainage procedure. Therefore, there is a risk that water will remain between the posterior wall and the support beam even after the drying procedure and therefore the component carriers may be affected by the water residue while being stored in the storage volume.

According to the present method of the utility model, the discharge groove is formed in the rear wall along the contact surface having the support beam. Specifically, the drain groove is larger than one dimension of the contact surface, i.e. width w, so that the drain groove includes a section not covered by the support beam. Therefore, the drain groove forms a cavity between the rear wall and the support beam, so that water between the support beam and the rear wall can be collected in the drain groove. In addition, the water in the drainage groove can be drained out of the contact surface along the drainage groove so that, for example, hot air can dry each water in a drying procedure. In addition, a fluid for drying, such as hot air, can flow along the drain groove in the contact surface so that the drying efficiency can be increased. Therefore, after a cleaning procedure, a more efficient drying procedure for the container may be provided.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the slot rail configuration is detachably installed on the support beam. Further, according to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot frame may be detachably or detachably connected to the housing. For example, a complete lot of component carriers supported by slot rail configurations may be inserted by having insertable, slot rail configurations or slot frames that are detachably installed in the housing, or containers. May be withdrawn from.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drain groove extends non-parallel to the length extension of the support beam. Specifically, the support beam uses a length extension to form a vertically support beam that extends along the vertical direction. Therefore, the drainage groove does not extend vertically and comprises a directional component along the horizontal direction such that the drainage groove has an angle with respect to the horizontal direction between 1 ° and 44 °.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the drain groove extends along the horizontal direction. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the support beam extends along the vertical direction.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot frame has a plurality of support beams on which a rear wall is installed, with the support beams arranged laterally apart from each other.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, each slot rail configuration has a plurality of lower rails, each including a support surface for supporting a component carrier, with the lower rails relative to each other along the vertical direction. It is installed on the rear wall, which is arranged apart from each other.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, additional slot frames may be provided to which additional slot rail configurations may be coupled. The slot rail configuration, and additional slot rail configurations, are the opposing edges of the component carrier on which each lower rail installed in the slot rail configuration and additional lower rails installed in the additional slot rail configuration are supported. They are spaced apart along the horizontal direction to support the portions.

The door comprises a door magnetic element that can be magnetically coupled to the corresponding frame element of the housing. For example, the housing comprises additional respective magnetic elements so that the magnetic elements of the door can be connected to close the door. Specifically, the door may not have any hinges so that the door can be completely removed from the container if the opening force exceeds the magnetic coupling force applied by the magnetic element. The magnetic element may be made from a permanent magnet or, for example, an electromagnetic element capable of selectively supplying electrical energy.

According to this method of the utility model, a completely removable door is provided, and if the removing force exceeds the magnetic coupling force, the door can be completely removed. For example, the removing force may pull the door along the vertical direction so that the door is removable along the vertical direction. Thus, without any pivoting of the door, the door can be moved, for example, in vertical order to provide access to the storage volume. Therefore, the container may be located near the processing machine or its respective loading port, and the door is simply moved along a (vertical or horizontal) linear motion direction to provide access to the storage volume. obtain.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the housing comprises a magnetic bracket that is mounted on the frame of the housing so that magnetic connection with the door magnetic element can be provided when the door closes the opening. For example, if the housing is not made of a magnetizable material, such as a plastic material, additional magnetic brackets may be installed on the housing and housing frame, respectively, to allow magnetic coupling with magnetic elements. Alternatively, the housing and housing frame, respectively, may be made from a metallic material so that the magnetic elements can be magnetically coupled directly to the housing without the need for additional magnetic brackets. In summary, due to the non-magnetic conductive material of the housing frame, additional magnetic conductive material of the magnetic bracket (frame joining bracket) can be added and installed on the housing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the door comprises at least one fixed structure mounted on the frame of the door. The fixed structure may project from the frame such that the door may abut on the housing portion and abut on the fixed structure so that the relative movement of the door along the vertical direction with respect to the housing is prevented. Thus, while the magnetic element pulls the door into the housing, the fixed structure may be engaged by the receiving opening of the housing to secure the door to vertical movement.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the fixed structure is shaped like a hanging pin, mounted on the upper edge of the door, and the top surface of the housing comprises a containment hole. The hanging pin extends horizontally from the door so that the connecting pin can be connected to the accommodation hole. Therefore, in addition to the magnetic connection, the hanging pin provides an additional mechanical connection with the housing. Specifically, the hanging pin forms a mechanical stop for the housing and for the vertical slide of the door. Specifically, there are two containment holes on the top surface of the housing so that two suspension points for the door can be provided. The pin size of the hanging pin matches the containment hole and may be adjusted slightly to the left or right.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the hanging pin comprises a vertically extending joint and the accommodating hole is formed such that the accommodating portion can be inserted into the accommodating hole along the vertical direction. .. Specifically, the accommodation hole comprises an opening surface that is normally parallel to the vertical direction so that the vertical connection can slide into the accommodation hole along the vertical direction. When the horizontal portion of the hanging pin connecting the door to the connection abuts on the top surface of the housing, further vertical movement of the door due to gravity is prevented. In this position of the door, the magnetic element presses the door horizontally with respect to the housing so that the door is secured to the housing and the opening of the housing closes.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, at least one magnetic element is attached to the bottom edge of the door. For example, when a hanging pin connects the upper edge of the door to the housing in the hanging direction, the magnetic element at the bottom edge of the door ensures that the bottom edge is pressed against the bottom edge of the housing. do. This prevents the door from pivoting around the hanging pin in the closed position.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the door comprises a clamping element installed against the bottom edge of the door, the clamping element being configured to selectively clamp the bottom edge of the door to the housing. The door. The clamp element may form a bracket that is pivotally connected to the housing. When the door closes the opening, the clamp element may be pivotable to partially surround the door. In this position, the clamp element may be secured, for example, by a latch connection so as to provide a mechanical connection of the door to the housing in addition to the magnetic connection.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the door has a handling element configured to be coupled to a manipulator. The handling element may provide a hook, or a closed ring-shaped handle, so that each gripping tool, such as a manipulator's gripping fork or gripping bracket, can grip the handling element. After grasping the handling element, the manipulator may move the door along, for example, a (vertical or horizontal) linear direction to open the housing.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the door has a window to provide a line of sight into the storage volume, the window being lightly colored, especially lightly colored yellow.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the door has a sealing ring that extends along the edge of the door to provide sealing with the housing. Since the magnetic element presses the door against the opening of the housing, the sealing ring is also pressed against the housing so that proper sealing can be provided.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the protective coating completely surrounds the lower rail. Therefore, comprehensive protection is provided against scraping and removal of particles.

The embodiments defined above, as well as further embodiments of the Utility Model, will be apparent from the examples of embodiments described below and will be described with reference to these examples of embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a container for storing a component carrier according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a portion of a container for storing a component carrier, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a tapered slot rail configuration according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the slot frame which has some lower rail and each chamfer part by an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view of a cross section of a component carrier according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a lower rail partially covered with a protective coating, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a lower rail completely covered with a protective coating, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a rounded edge of a lower rail according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a slot frame and slot rail configuration for a container, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a further schematic diagram of the slot frame and slot rail configurations shown in FIG. 9 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a contact surface between a slot frame and a slot rail configuration according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a container for storing a component carrier according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the container for storing a component carrier by an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of a door used to cover an opening in a container shown in FIG. 13, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 is a rear view of the door shown in FIG. 14 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the door shown in FIG. 14 according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the exemplary magnetic bracket by an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper edge of a door with a sealing ring, according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the bottom edge part of the door which comprises a clamp element by an exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the bottom edge part of the door which comprises a clamp element by an exemplary embodiment.

The illustrations in the drawings are schematic. In different figures, similar or identical elements are given the same reference code.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a container 100 for storing component carriers 200 and 211 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a portion of a container 100 for storing component carriers 200, 211 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The container 100 includes a housing 101 having a storage volume and a slot frame 102 connected to the housing 101, and the slot frame 102 is formed by the respective slot rail configurations 201 arranged up and down along the vertical direction v. It has a plurality of slot levels I and II. Each slot rail configuration 201 comprises a support surface 203 for supporting the component carrier 200, with two adjacent slot levels I, II having, for example, a slot pitch sp of 15.75 mm.

The container 100 includes a storage volume that defines an internal volume of the container 100's housing in which the component carriers 200, 211 can be temporarily stored. The container 100 may be provided with an opening that can be selectively closed by each container door to provide access to the internal volume. The container 100 is also movable between two desired positions, especially between two processing machines.

The slot frame 102 is a support structure for a plurality of slot rail configurations 201 arranged vertically along the vertical direction v. The slot frame 102 may include, for example, a plurality of support beams forming each frame structure. Each slot rail configuration 201 may include its own support surface for supporting the component carriers 200, 211. The slot rail construct 201 is arranged on top of each other so that the component carriers 200, 211 can be stored on top of each other in the storage volume of the housing 101, respectively.

Two (vertically) adjacent slot levels I, II have a slot pitch sp of 15.75 mm. The slot pitch sp defines the shortest vertical direction as the distance between the support surface of the first lower slot rail configuration 201 and the upper support surface of the second upper slot rail configuration 210. Therefore, by providing each slot pitch sp, sufficient space may be provided for the respective component carriers 200, 211, respectively. In other words, the space between adjacent slot levels I, II is reduced to the minimum extent that storage capacity for container 100 can be provided. Specifically, for example, if a conventional container could have a slot pitch of 31.5 mm, by reducing each to a slot pitch of 15.75 mm, 24 components without change to the height of the container. It is possible to double the storage capacity from carriers to 48 component carriers. The width of the slot rail construct 201, i.e., the distance between the side wall 206s, may be 515 mm.

Each slot rail configuration 206, 210 comprises at least one lower rail 202, 205 having support surfaces 203, 213, respectively, for supporting the component carriers 200, 211.

The lower rails 202, 205 allow component carriers 200, 211, which can be placed on the chamfered portion 204, to be guided by gravity toward the opposite lower rail 207 at the slot level, or vice versa. Further comprises a chamfered portion 204 having an inclined support surface for the component carriers 200, 211, as possible.

For example, the component carriers 200, 211 are supported along one component carrier edge on the chamfered portion 204 of the lower rail 203. The facing component carrier edges are supported on the support surface 203 of the further lower rail 204. According to the above exemplary embodiment, for example, the chamfered portion 204 arranged on the lower rail 203 partially comprises a supporting surface for supporting the component carrier 200. Therefore, due to gravity, the component carriers slide along the inclined surface of the chamfered portion 204 until the opposing edges of the component carriers 200, 211 reach their respective stops at the additional supporting surfaces 203 facing each other. do. Therefore, the additional support surface 203 of the opposing lower rails 207 may also be formed by each additional chamfered portion 204 such that the component carrier 200 is supported by the two opposing chamfered portions 204.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the rail structure 201 has a U-shaped cross section including the upper rail 205, and the upper rail 205 and the lower rail 202 have a component carrier between the upper rail 205 and the lower rail 202. It is connected by a side wall 206 so that the 200 can be placed. In other words, the slot rail configuration 201 has a grooved material block that partially surrounds each edge of the supported component carrier 200 so that the component carrier 200 can be inserted and pulled out like a drawer. Be prepared. The upper rail 205, the side side wall 206, and the lower rail 202 form their respective grooves for forming their respective U-shaped cross sections. Therefore, the side edges of the component carrier 200 are at least partially wrapped by the lower rail 202 and the upper rail 205.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the upper rail 205 has an upper support surface 213 of the upper slot rail configuration 210 of the upper slot level II for supporting the additional component carrier 211 to form an additional lower rail. Designed.

The slot clearance (distance) sc between the support surface of the lower rail 203 and the lower surface 212 of the upper rail 205 is particularly 14 mm. The slot clearance sc defines an internal slot space available to component carriers 200, 211 disposed within the slot rail configurations 201, 210 of specific slot levels I, II. Therefore, by providing a larger slot clearance sc, a wider space is available for the component carriers 200, 211, so specifically during the insertion or removal of the component carriers 200, 211, the slot rail configuration. The risk of particles being removed by rubbing from the body 201, 210 or the component carriers 200, 211 itself can be reduced.

Therefore, by reducing the slot pitch sp described above to 15.75 mm and increasing the slot clearance sc to 14 mm, the thickness of the lower rail 202 may be, for example, 1.75 mm.

As shown in a schematic diagram in FIG. 2, the slot rail configuration 201 has at least one additional lower rail 207 having an additional support surface 203 for supporting the component carrier 200, with the additional lower rail 207 and the lower rail 202. Are arranged parallel to each other and horizontally separated from each other. The component carrier 200 may be supported by lower rails 202, 207 that are spaced apart and extend in parallel, like a drawer.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the slot frame 102 includes two side frames 104 arranged apart from each other and a central frame 103 arranged between the side frames 104. Each slot level I, II is formed between the respective side frame 104 and the center frame 103 so that two horizontal adjacent slot levels I, II are provided. In other words, the central frame 103 divides the storage volume in half. The two lower rails 202, 207 are arranged, for example, in one common central frame 103. Therefore, the two component carriers 200, 211 may be stored in one common horizontal plane. That is, the first component carrier 200 is supported by the lower rail 202 of the side frame 104, the lower rail 202 of the central frame 103, and another component carrier 211 further includes the lower rail 202 of the side frame 104 and the central frame 103. Supported by a further lower rail 202.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a tapered slot rail configuration according to an exemplary embodiment. The distance between the upper rail 205 and the lower rail 202 is such that the distance 302 at the inlet 301 to the component carrier 200 in the slot rail configuration 201 is greater than the distance at the rear end of the slot rail configuration 201. Different to. The inlet 301 is defined as the section closest to the container door. The rear end of the slot rail configuration 201 defines a position close to the real wall of the container 100. Therefore, since the distance between the upper rail 205 and the lower rail 202 is larger at the inlet 301, the risk of rubbing against each component carrier 200 during insertion of the component carrier 200 is reduced. The lower rail 202 is tapered so that the difference between the distance to the upper rail 205 at the inlet 301 and the distance to the upper rail 205 at the rear of the lower rail 202 (see taper 302) is, for example, 1.5 mm. It is like a rail.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a support rod 303 that holds the side side wall 206 and thus holds the complete slot rail configuration 201.

FIG. 4 shows a slot frame 102 with several lower rails 202 and each chamfered portion 204, according to an exemplary embodiment. These lower rails 202 include one chamfered portion 204, respectively, in the middle portion. Further, the entrance portion 301 is shown. Inside the inlet, the tapered portion 302 of the lower rail 202 is shown. The tapered portion 302 is formed, for example, by reducing the width of each lower rail 202. In other words, the lower rail 202 has a wedge shape that forms the tapered portion 302 at the inlet portion 301. Further, FIG. 4 shows a plurality of support rods 303 that support the lateral side wall 206 and thus support the complete slot rail configuration 201.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a cross section of the component carriers 200, 211 according to an exemplary embodiment. Each slot rail configuration 201 has at least one rear rail 501 having additional support surfaces for supporting the component carriers 200, 211, the rear rail 501 connecting the further lower rail 207 and the lower rail 202. .. Specifically, the rear rail 501 extends along the rear wall of the container 100 in the horizontal plane. Therefore, the component carriers 200 and 211 housed in the slot levels I and II are supported along the side edges by the opposing lower rails 202 and 207, respectively, and the side edges of the component carriers 200 and 211. The trailing edge portion 501 connecting the portions is supported by the rear rail 501.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the central frame 103 separates the internal volume of the container 100. The two component carriers 200, 211 on the left side are alternately housed with each other and supported by a lower rail 22 installed on the side wall of the housing 101 and a further lower rail 207 installed on the central frame 103.

Further, the plurality of chamfered portions 204 may be formed so that the component carriers 200 and 211 are supported by, for example, the plurality of chamfered portions 204.

FIG. 6 shows a lower rail 202 partially covered with a protective coating 602 according to an exemplary embodiment. The lower rail 202 shown of the slot rail configuration 201 is made of a support rod 601 covered with a protective coating 602. Specifically, the protective coating / cover 602 is a softer material than the material of the support rod 601 (eg, a material made of metal) so as to reduce rubbing and thus the formation of FM particles. May be provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the support surface 203 and the lower surface 212 may be covered with a protective cover 602. Further, the lateral side surface of the lower rail 202 may be covered with a protective cover 602.

FIG. 7 shows a lower rail 202 completely covered with protective coatings 601, 701 according to an exemplary embodiment. Further, the lower rail 202 may also have a section that is only partially covered (eg, the surface and bottom may remain partially uncovered). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the support surface 203 and the lower surface 212 may be covered with a protective cover 602. In addition, both lateral sides of the lower rail 202 are covered. Further, for example, the materials of the protective coating 602 on the surfaces 203, 212 may be different from each other.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the rounded edge 801 of the lower rail 202 according to an exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the free end of the lower rail 202 forming the slot inlet 301 for the component carrier 200 has a rounded edge 801. By providing the rounded edge 801 of the inlet 301 with a free end, the risk of rubbing against the component carrier 200 and the risk of injury from manual insertion or removal of the component carrier 200 is reduced. Can be done.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a slot frame and slot rail configuration for container 400b (see FIG. 12), according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a further schematic of the slot frame and slot rail construct shown in FIG. 9 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The slot rail configuration particularly comprises a rear wall 101b on which a plurality of lower rails 102b are arranged. Each lower rail 102b comprises a component carrier, i.e., a support surface 301b on which the edge of the component carrier can be placed (see FIG. 11). The rear wall 101b may be made of a uniform thin wall made of, for example, a metallic material.

The slot frame comprises a support beam 103b to which the rear wall 101b is attached. The slot frame itself is fixed to the housing 401b of the container 400b to support the slot rail construct. The rear wall 101b is connected to the support beam 103b so that the support beam 103b comes into contact with the rear wall 101b along the contact surface 303b. In other words, the support beam 103b covers the rear wall 101b along the contact surface 303b.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the discharge groove 104b is formed in the rear wall 101b along the contact surface 303b together with the support beam 103b. Specifically, the discharge groove 104b is larger than one dimension, i.e., width of the contact surface 303b such that the discharge groove 104b includes a section where the discharge groove 104b is not covered by the support beam 103b. The drain groove 104b is greater than / longer than the width w of the contact surface 303b such that the drain groove 104b has a section not covered by the support beam 103b. The central support beam 103b is shown dotted in FIG. 9 to better show the groove.

As can be understood from the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the discharge groove 104b extends non-parallel to the length extension of the support beam 103b, especially parallel to h in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the discharge groove 104b extends along the horizontal direction h. Further, the groove 104b may extend slightly diagonally, for example, at an angle of 1 ° to 44 ° with respect to the horizontal direction h. Further, the groove 104b may be extended and extended in a different direction, for example, in a zigzag manner.

FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of the contact surface between the slot frame and the slot rail configuration according to an exemplary embodiment.

The support beam 103b completely contacts the rear wall 101b along the contact surface 303b except for the discharge groove 104b. The drainage groove 104b forms a cavity between the rear wall 101b and the support beam 103b so that water between the support beam 103b and the rear wall 101b can be collected in the drainage groove (see water flow 302b). Further, the water in the drain groove 104b can be drained to the outside of the contact surface 303b along the drain groove so that, for example, hot air can dry the respective waters in the drying procedure. Further, a fluid for drying, such as hot air, can flow along the discharge groove 104b within the contact surface 303b so that the drying efficiency can be increased.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a container 400b for storing a component carrier according to an exemplary embodiment. The container 400b is provided with a rear wall 101b on which a housing 401b having a storage volume, a slot frame connected to the housing 401b, and at least one lower rail 102b having a support surface 301b for supporting a component carrier are installed. It is provided with a slot rail configuration having the above. The slot frame includes a support beam 103b on which the rear wall 101b is installed, and the support beam 103b comes into contact with the rear wall 101b along the contact surface 303b of the rear wall 101b.

The container 400b includes a storage volume that defines an internal volume of the housing 401b of the container 400b in which the component carriers can be temporarily stored. The container 400b may be provided with an opening that can be selectively closed by each container door to provide access to the internal volume.

The slot rail configuration may be detachably installed on the support beam 103b. Further, according to a further exemplary embodiment, the slot frame may be detachably or detachably connected to the housing 401b.

The container 400b can also be moved between two desired positions, especially between two processing machines. Therefore, the container 400b may be handled by a manipulator or may have wheels to be moved between processing machines.

FIG. 13 shows a container 100 for storing a component carrier according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a front view of the door 110c used to cover the opening of the container 100 shown in FIG. 13, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the door shown in FIG. 14 according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the door shown in FIG. 14 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The container 100 for storing the component carriers includes a housing 101 having a storage volume for storing the component carriers, and the housing 101 has an opening for inserting and removing the component carriers. The container 100 further comprises a door 110c that includes a door magnetic element 111c so that the door 110c is detachably coupled to the housing 101 to selectively open and close the opening. The openings in the container 100 may be selectively closed by the respective container doors 110c to provide access to the internal volume.

The container 100 is movable between two desired positions, especially between two processing machines. Therefore, the container may be handled by a manipulator or may have wheels to be moved between processing machines.

The container 100 includes a slot rail configuration 103c having a plurality of lower rails. Each lower rail comprises a support surface on which a component carrier, i.e., an edge of the component carrier, can be placed.

The door 110c comprises a door magnetic element 111c that can be magnetically coupled to the corresponding frame element of the housing 101. For example, the housing 101 comprises additional respective magnetic elements such that the magnetic elements 111c of the door can be coupled to close the door 110c. Specifically, the door 110c may not have any hinges so that the door 110c can be completely removed from the container 100 if the opening force exceeds the magnetic coupling force applied by the magnetic element 111c. For example, the removing force may be to pull the door 110c along the vertical direction so that the door is removable along the vertical direction. Thus, without any pivoting of the door 110c, the door can be moved, for example, in vertical order to provide access to the storage volume.

The door comprises two hanging pins 112c installed on the upper edge 113c of the door 110c, and the top surface 102c of the housing 101 has a housing hole 104c. The hanging pin 112c extends horizontally along the door 110c so that the connecting pin 112c can be connected to the accommodation hole 104c. Therefore, in addition to the magnetic connection, the hanging pin 112c additionally provides a mechanical connection with the housing 101. Specifically, the suspension pin 112c forms a mechanical stop with respect to the housing 101 with respect to the vertical slide of the door 110c.

As can be understood from FIGS. 15 and 16, the suspension pin 112c includes a connecting portion 301c extending in the vertical direction, and the accommodating hole 104c can be inserted into the accommodating hole 104c along the vertical direction. Formed as it is. When the horizontal portion of the hanging pin 112c connecting the door 110c to the connecting portion abuts on the upper surface 102c of the housing 101, further vertical movement of the door 110c due to gravity is prevented. At this position of the door 110c, the magnetic element 111c presses the door 110c along the horizontal direction with respect to the housing 101.

The two magnetic elements 111c are connected to the bottom edge 114c of the door. For example, when the hanging pin 112c connects the upper edge 113c of the door 110c to the housing 101 in the hanging direction, the magnetic element 111c at the bottom edge 114c of the door 110c has the bottom edge 114c at the bottom edge of the housing 101. Make sure it is pressed against. The additional magnetic element 111c may be located at the lateral edge of the door 110c.

The door 110c further comprises a handling element 115c configured to be coupled to the manipulator. The handling element 115c comprises a closed ring-shaped handle so that each gripping tool, such as a manipulator gripping fork or gripping bracket, can grip the handling element 115c. After gripping the handling element 115c, the manipulator may move the door 110c, for example, along a linear motion direction (to open the housing 101).

The door 110c further comprises a window 116c to provide a line of sight into the storage volume, the window 116c being lightly colored, particularly lightly yellow.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary magnetic bracket 301c of a housing 101 according to an exemplary embodiment. The magnetic bracket 301c is installed in the frame of the housing 101 so that when the door 110c closes the opening, a magnetic connection with the door magnetic element 111c can be provided. The magnetic bracket 111c may have a V-shape or may be installed at the bottom corner of the housing 101. Each magnetic element 111c of the door 110c may also have a corresponding V-shape and may be installed at the bottom corner of the door 110c.

FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of the upper edge 113c of the door 110c with the sealing ring 601c according to an exemplary embodiment. The sealing ring 601c extends along the edge of the door 110c to provide sealing with the housing 101. Since the magnetic element 111c presses the door 110c against the opening of the housing 101, the sealing ring 601c is also pressed against the housing 101 so that proper sealing can be provided.

19 and 20 show the bottom edge 114c of the door 110c with the clamp element 701c, according to an exemplary embodiment. The door 110c comprises a clamp element 701c installed with respect to the bottom edge 114c of the door 110c, the clamp element 701c being configured to selectively clamp the bottom edge 114c of the door 110c to the housing 101. The clamp element 701c forms a bracket that is pivotally coupled to the housing 101. When the door 110c closes the opening, the clamping element 701c may be pivotable to clamp the door 110c to the housing 101.

FIG. 20 further shows an example of the fixed structure 112c protruding from the bottom edge 114c of the door 110c. The fixed structure 112c is such that the door 110c may contact the fixed structure on the housing portion so that the relative movement of the door 120 along the vertical direction with respect to the housing 101 is prevented. A holding pin protruding from the frame 801c is formed. Therefore, while the magnetic element 111c pulls the door 110c to the housing 101, the fixed structure 112c may be engaged by the receiving opening of the housing 101 to secure the door to vertical movement.

It should be noted that the term "prepared" does not exclude other elements or stages, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple. You may also combine the elements described in relation to different embodiments.

It should also be noted that the reference code in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

The implementation of the utility model is not limited to the preferred embodiment shown in the figure and described above. Rather, even in the case of radically different embodiments, a variety of variants are possible that use the solutions presented and the principles of this utility model.

100 Container 101 Housing 102 Slot frame 103 Central frame 104 Side frame 200 Component carrier 201 Slot rail configuration 202 Lower rail 203 Support surface 204 Chamfered part 205 Upper rail 206 Side side wall 207 Further lower rail 210 Further upper slot rail configuration 211 Additional component carrier 212 Bottom surface 213 Top support surface 301 Slot entrance 302 Tapered part 303 Support rod 501 Rear rail 601 Support rod 602 Protective coating 701 Additional protective coating 801 Rounded edge v Vertical h Horizontal direction w Support beam width sp Slot pitch sc Slot clearance sw Slot width I, II Slot level 101b Rear wall 102b Lower rail 103b Support beam 104b Discharge groove 301b Support surface 302b Water flow 303b Contact surface 400b Container 401b Housing 402b Central frame 110c Door 111c Magnetic element 112c , Hanging pin 113c Upper edge 114c Lower edge 115c Handling element 116c Window 301c Connecting part 501c Magnetic bracket 601c Sealing ring 701c Clamp element 801c Frame

Claims (29)

A container for storing component carriers, and the container is
Equipped with a housing with storage volume
The container has the following features,
The container comprises a slot frame connected to the housing.
The slot frame has a plurality of slot levels formed by each slot rail construct arranged vertically along the vertical direction.
Each slot rail configuration has a support surface for supporting the component carrier,
Two adjacent slot levels have a slot pitch of 10 mm to 20 mm and
The container comprises a slot rail configuration having a rear wall on which at least one lower rail is installed, including a respective support surface for supporting the component carrier.
The slot frame has at least one support beam on which the posterior wall is installed.
The support beam contacts the rear wall along the contact surface of the rear wall.
The rear wall has the drain groove larger than the width of the contact surface so that the drain groove includes a section not covered by the support beam.
The housing has an opening for inserting and removing the component carrier.
The container comprises the door with a door magnetic element such that the door is detachably coupled to the housing for the door to selectively open and close the opening.
Have at least one of
container. The two adjacent slot levels have a slot pitch of 15 mm to 16 mm.
The container according to claim 1. The slot frame has 30-55 slot levels arranged one above the other along the vertical direction.
The container according to claim 1 or 2. The component such that at least one lower rail at one slot level can guide a component carrier that can be placed on the chamfered portion in the direction of the opposite lower rail at the slot level by gravity. Includes said chamfered portion including an inclined support surface for the carrier,
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The at least one slot rail configuration has a U-shaped cross section further including an upper rail, and the upper rail and the lower rail allow the component carrier to be arranged between the upper rail and the lower rail. As there are, connected by lateral side walls,
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The upper rail is designed to form an additional lower rail having an upper support surface of an upper slot level upper slot rail configuration for supporting additional component carriers.
The container according to claim 5. The slot clearance between the support surface of the lower rail and the lower surface of the upper rail is 9 mm to 17 mm.
The container according to claim 5 or 6. The distance between the upper rail and the lower rail is such that the distance at the inlet to the component carrier in the slot rail configuration is greater than the distance at the rear end of the slot rail configuration. different,
The container according to claim 7. The free end of the lower rail forming the slot inlet for the component carrier has a rounded edge.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Each slot rail configuration has at least one additional lower rail with an additional support surface for supporting the component carrier.
The further lower rail and the lower rail are arranged parallel to each other and horizontally separated from each other.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Each slot rail configuration has at least one rear rail with an additional support surface to support the component carrier.
The rear rail connects the further lower rail and the lower rail.
The container according to claim 10. The slot frame has two spaced side frames and a central frame arranged between the side frames.
Each slot level is formed between each side frame and the center frame so that two horizontal adjacent slot levels are provided.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 11. At least one of the lower rails of the slot rail configuration is made from a support rod that is at least partially covered with a protective coating.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The support rod is made of a metallic material.
The container according to claim 13. The slot rail configuration is detachably installed on the support beam.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 14. The discharge groove extends non-parallel to the length extension of the support beam.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 15. The drain groove extends along the horizontal direction.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 16. The support beam extends along the vertical direction.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 17. The slot frame has a plurality of support beams on which the rear wall is installed.
The support beams are arranged horizontally apart from each other.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 18. The slot rail configuration has a plurality of lower rails, each of which includes a support surface for supporting the component carrier.
The plurality of lower rails are installed on the rear wall arranged vertically apart from each other.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 19. The housing has a magnetic bracket that is mounted on the frame of the housing so that magnetic connection with the door magnetic element can be provided when the door closes the opening.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 20. The door has at least one fixed structure mounted on the frame of the door.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 21. The fixed structure is molded like a hanging pin and installed on the upper edge of the door, the top surface of the housing comprising a containment hole.
The hanging pin extends horizontally from the door so that the connecting pin can be connected into the accommodation hole.
The container according to claim 22. The hanging pin comprises a vertically extending connection.
The accommodation hole is formed so that the connection portion can be inserted into the accommodation hole along the vertical direction.
The container according to claim 23. At least one magnetic element is connected to the bottom edge of the door.
The container according to any one of claims 22 to 24. The door has a clamping element installed against the bottom edge of the door.
The clamping element is configured to selectively clamp the bottom edge of the door to the housing.
The container according to claim 25. The door has a handling element configured to be coupled to a manipulator.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 26. The door has a window to provide a line of sight into the stowed volume.
The windows are lightly colored, especially lightly yellow.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 27. The door has a sealing ring extending along the edge of the door to provide a seal with the housing.
The container according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

Images