KR20070112568A - Stocker system and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A stock system and a method for controlling the same are provided to improve space efficiency of a stock system by forming a buffer stage in input and output ports in vertically laminated structure. A stock system includes an input port, a plurality of shelves, an output port, a rack master, and a plurality of buffer ports. Cassettes loaded with substrates are put in and taken out through the input and the output ports. The shelves store the cassettes. The rack master transports the cassettes by moving between the input port and the shelves and between the shelves and the output port. The buffers for loading or unloading the cassettes are vertically stacked in the output and the input ports.

Description

Stocker system and method for controlling the same

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a general liquid crystal display panel

2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a general cassette conveying system;

3 is a schematic front view of a stocker system according to the prior art;

4 is a schematic plan view of a stocker system according to the prior art;

5A is a view showing an example in which a buffer is added to a receiving port or a leaving port in a stocker according to the prior art;

5B is a view showing an example in which two buffers are added to a receiving port or a leaving port in a stocker according to the prior art;

Figure 6a is a view showing a buffer stage configured in the receiving and leaving port of the stocker system according to the present invention

Figure 6b is a front view showing a buffer stage configured in the stocking and leaving port of the stocker system according to the present invention

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

200: buffer stage 210: cassette

220: first buffer port 230: second buffer port

240: cassette support 250: lift

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to manufacturing equipment for liquid crystal display devices, and more particularly, to a stocker system and a method of controlling the same, which minimize space consumption due to the addition of a buffer to the storage and storage ports.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is increasing in various forms. In response to this, various flat panel display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), electro luminescent display (ELD), and vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) have been studied. It is used as a device.

Among them, LCDs, which are excellent in image quality and have advantages of light weight, thinness, and low power consumption, are currently replacing CRTs (Cathode Ray Tubes) for mobile image display devices such as monitors of notebook computers. In addition to the use of the mobile display device described above, the LCD has been developed and spread in various ways such as a monitor of a television and a desktop computer for receiving and displaying broadcast signals.

Such a liquid crystal display may be classified into a liquid crystal panel displaying an image and a driving unit for applying a driving signal to the liquid crystal panel.

Herein, the structure of the liquid crystal panel will be briefly described. The liquid crystal panel may include the first and second substrates 1 and 2 and the first and second substrates 1 and 2 bonded together with a space as shown in FIG. 1. , 2) and a liquid crystal layer 3 injected therebetween.

Here, the first substrate 1 (TFT array substrate) includes a plurality of gate lines 4 arranged in one direction at regular intervals and at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the respective gate lines 4. A plurality of data lines 5, a plurality of pixel electrodes 6 formed in a matrix form in each pixel region P defined by crossing the gate lines 4 and the data lines 5, and A plurality of thin film transistors T are formed to be switched by a signal applied to the gate line 4 to transfer the signal of the data line 5 to the pixel electrodes 6.

The second substrate 2 (color filter substrate) includes a black matrix layer 7 for blocking light in portions other than the pixel region P, and R, G, and B (Red) for expressing color colors. , Green, Blue) The color filter layer 8 and the common electrode 9 for realizing an image are formed.

Of course, in the transverse electric field type liquid crystal display device, the common electrode is formed on the first substrate 1.

The liquid crystal display device having the above structure includes a process of manufacturing a thin film transistor array on the first substrate 1, a process of manufacturing a color filter array on the second substrate 2, and a first substrate and a second substrate ( 1, 2) bonding, the process of injecting and sealing the liquid crystal between the two bonded substrates, the process of testing and repairing each liquid crystal panel injected with liquid crystal, and the back of the good liquid crystal panel It is manufactured through a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal display module by mounting a light or the like and a driving circuit.

As described above, the substrate is subjected to the various processes described above to be completed as a liquid crystal display device.

However, in order to increase work efficiency at the production site, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the equipments 20a and 20b for performing the respective processes on the substrate 1 by using an automatic transfer vehicle 30 may be used. Carrying on.

At this time, in order to increase the efficiency of the automatic conveying apparatus 30 conveying the substrate 1, several substrates 1 are stored in one cassette 10 and then placed in the automatic conveying apparatus 30. Are carried by.

Thus, the automatic transfer device 30 reciprocates between the stocker 40 temporarily stored with the cassette 10 as shown in FIG. 2 and the equipment 20a and 20b performing the process. The cassette 10 is conveyed from the stocker 40 to the respective equipments 20a and 20b and from each of the equipment 20a and 20b to the stocker 40.

To this end, a rail 11 is provided at the bottom of the production line to guide the automatic transfer device 30 to move along a predetermined path.

Here, the stocker 40 is provided to effectively solve the buffering problem of the cassette 10 transportation caused by the substrate processing capability and processing time of the equipments 20a and 20b performing the respective processes are different. Will be.

Hereinafter, a cassette storage stocker according to the related art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a schematic front view of a stocker system according to the prior art, and FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the stocker system according to the prior art.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stocker 100 according to the related art includes an SMC (Stocker Master Controller (not shown)) that controls a system inside the stocker 100, and a cassette 110 in which a plurality of substrates are stored. And a rack master 120 for loading or unloading the cassette 110 under the control of the SMC, and an AGV (Auto Guided Vehicle) carrying the cassette 110. 130, a shelf 140 for storing the cassette 110 loaded by the rack master 120, and a moving rail 150 to which the rack master 120 is moved. have.

Here, the shelf 140 is divided into several layers to load the cassette 110, and is installed at both sides of the rack master 120.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the shelves 140 are disposed substantially parallel in the stocker 100, and each shelf 140 includes a cassette 110 conveyed by the AGV 130. ) Is provided with a receipt port 142a for the receipt of goods and a delivery port 142b for the delivery of the cassette 110 stored in the shelf 140.

In addition, one rack master 120 is disposed between the two shelves 140. The rack master 120 moves along the moving rail 150 to receive a cassette (received in the receiving port 142a). 110 is stored in the shelf 140, or the cassette 110 stored in the shelf 140 is shipped to the delivery port (142b).

The cassette 110 conveyed to the delivery port 142b is conveyed to the equipment (20a and 20b in FIG. 2) by the AGV 130.

That is, the rack master 120 transfers the shelf 110 or the cassette 110 of the inline equipment under the command of the SMC, and loads it on the AGV 130.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example in which one buffer is added to a storage port or a storage port in a stocker according to the prior art, and FIG. 5B illustrates an example in which two buffers are added to a storage port or a storage port in a stocker according to the prior art. The figure shown.

As shown in FIG. 5A, after the cassette 110 is loaded into the buffer out port 160 at both sides of the rack master 120, the AGV 130 unloads the cassette 110. The rack master 120 may not load a cassette into the corresponding buffer shipping port 160 until the state of the buffer shipping port 160 becomes empty.

On the other hand, this occurs when the carrying capacity of the AGV 130 is shorter than the cassette carrying capacity of the stocker port.

In addition, in the case of the receiving port, the rack master 120 does not quickly unload the cassette loaded by the AGV 130 in the reverse order as described in the shipping port, and the carrying capacity of the rack master 120 Occurs when this is shorter than AGV 130.

In this case, the conventional method solved by adding a buffer stage.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the buffer stage 170 is added to the delivery port due to lack of carrying capacity, the cassette 110 loaded by the rack master 120 moves to the side of the AGV 130. The rack master 120 may additionally carry one cassette 110 to the delivery port.

In addition, in the case of the goods receipt port, since the cassette 110 unloaded by the AGV 130 moves to the side of the lock master 120, the lock master 120 does not immediately unload the cassette 110. If not, the AGV 130 may load one more cassette 110 into the port.

However, there have been the following problems in the stocker system according to the prior art as described above.

In other words, the space next to the AGV is required by the buffer stage added in a horizontal structure in order to improve the carrying capacity at the delivery port or the receiving port, so that the AGV line can be changed and reduced, thereby reducing the efficiency of the stocker's space use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the stocker system and its control method for improving the space efficiency of the stocker by configuring a buffer stage composed of the storage port and the storage port in a vertical stacked structure. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a stocker system according to the present invention includes a receiving port in which a cassette on which substrates are mounted, a plurality of shelves storing the cassettes, a leaving port in which the cassette is shipped, and the receiving port. And a rack master for transporting the cassette while moving between the shelves and between the shelves and the storage port, and a plurality of buffer ports stacked in a vertical structure on the storage port or the storage port to load or unload the cassette. It is characterized by.

In addition, the control method of the stocker system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a step of loading a cassette to the first buffer port using a rack master, and up and down on the back of the cassette loaded in the first buffer port And aligning the movable lift, and lowering the lift to move the cassette to the second buffer port and the rack master loading the next cassette into the first buffer port.

In addition, the control method of the stocker system according to the present invention comprises the steps of loading the cassette into the first buffer port by using the conveying device, the alignment of the lift capable of vertical movement on the back of the cassette loaded in the first buffer port And moving the cassette to the second buffer port by raising the lift, and loading the next cassette into the first buffer port by using the automatic transfer device by lowering the lift. It is done.

Hereinafter, a stocker system and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 6A is a view showing a buffer stage configured in the stocking and leaving port of the stocker system according to the present invention, and Fig. 6B is a front view showing the buffer stage configured in the stocking and leaving port of the stocker system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the buffer stage 200 configured at the stocking and output ports of the stocker system has a first buffer port for loading or unloading the cassette 210 by a rack master (not shown). And a second buffer port 230 for loading or unloading the cassette 210 by AGV (not shown) below the first buffer port 220.

Here, a cassette support 240 for supporting the cassette 210 is formed at the first buffer port 220 and the second port port 230, and the cassette 210 is vertically disposed. The lifter 250 is movable to be seated on the cassette support 240.

That is, the lift 250 moves the cassette 210 to the first buffer port 220 and the second buffer port 230 while the cassette support 240 of the second buffer port 230 is folded. The state is acting as an elevator.

On the other hand, the cassette support 240 is configured to be movable left and right when the cassette 210 is loaded to the first buffer port 220 through the second buffer port 230 through the lift 250 When the cassette 210 is loaded in the first buffer port 220 in the state of returning to the original state, the cassette 210 is returned to the original state to support the cassette 210.

That is, the cassette support 240 is a pedestal for positioning the cassette 210 in the first and second buffer ports 220 and 230, and may move left and right so as not to be disturbed when the cassette 210 is raised and lowered.

Referring to the operation of the stocker system according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, in the case of the receiving port, the cassette 210 is loaded into the first buffer port 220 next to the rack master (R / M) (the cassette support 240 is unfolded and fixed).

Subsequently, the lift 250 is raised to lower the cassette 210 of the first buffer port 220 to the second buffer port 230 (at this time, if the cassette 210 is recognized after the lift 250 is raised). The cassette support 240 is released.

When the cassette 250 is moved to the second buffer port 230 by lowering the lift 250, the cassette support 240 returns to its original state so that the rack master can load the next cassette 210. Make sure

In addition, a case where the cassette is a shipping port will be described. The AGV loads the cassette 210 into the second buffer port 230.

Then, the lift 250 is lifted to move the cassette 210 to the first buffer port 220.

When the cassette 210 moved to the first buffer port 220 is fixed by the cassette support 240, the lift 250 descends.

Subsequently, the second buffer port 230 is in a state in which the AGV can load the cassette 210.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the technical field of the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary knowledge.

As described above, the stocker system and the control method thereof according to the present invention have the following effects.

That is, by stacking the added buffer stage in a vertical structure in order to improve the carrying capacity at the shipping port or the receiving port, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the stocker's space without changing or reducing the AGV line.

Claims (6)

A receiving port into which a cassette on which substrates are mounted is received, A plurality of shelves for storing the cassettes, A shipping port through which the cassette is shipped; A rack master for transporting the cassette while moving between the receiving port and the shelf and between the shelf and the delivery port; And a plurality of buffer ports stacked in a vertical structure on the delivery port or the receiving port, for loading or unloading the cassette. 2. The stocker system of claim 1, wherein each buffer port is provided with a cassette support for supporting the loaded cassette. 3. The stocker system according to claim 2, wherein the cassette support is movable from side to side so as not to interfere when the cassette is raised or lowered. 3. The stocker system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lift for moving said cassette to a first buffer port and a second buffer port. Loading the cassette into the first buffer port using the rack master; Arranging a lift capable of vertical movement on a rear surface of the cassette loaded in the first buffer port; Lowering the lift to move the cassette to a second buffer port and the rack master loading the next cassette into the first buffer port. Loading the cassette into the first buffer port using an automatic conveying device; Arranging a lift capable of vertical movement on a rear surface of the cassette loaded in the first buffer port; Lifting the lift to move the cassette to a second buffer port; Lowering the lift and loading the next cassette into the first buffer port using the automatic conveying device.

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