Lid unit for thin-plate holding container, thin-plate holding container, and simplified attaching/detaching mechanism
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a lid unit for closing the container body 2 that is transported with thin-plates such as semiconductor wafers or the like accommodated therein. Simplified attaching/detaching mechanisms 32 for the production line are provided at the centers of the respective sides opposing with respect to each other. The simplified attaching/detaching mechanism 32 for the production line includes a locking plate 34 for locking the second fitted portion 21 and a drive-out member 35 for allowing the drive-out member 35 to rise and set by being engaged with the locking plate 34 . A locking arm 57 for fixing the drive-out member 35 is provided on the drive-out member 35 at the end in the direction of rotation. A supporting rail 56 for controlling the rising and setting movement of the locking plate 34 is provided on the drive-out member 35 . The locking plate 34 is supported pivotally and slidably, and is provided with a holding claw 51 for engaging the second fitted portion 21 at the distal end thereof. The thin-plate holding container 1 is used for transportation when the lid unit 4 for transportation is attached on the container body 2 , and is used for the production line when the lid body 5 for the production line is attached thereon.
1. A simplified attaching/detaching mechanism for detachably fixing a lid unit, having a planar body, to a container body, comprising:
a locking plate slidably supported on the lid unit for sliding movement, in a linear direction, between an engaged position where a distal end of the locking plate is extended within receiving structure of the container body and a disengaged position retracted from contact with the container body, the locking plate having a follower at an end opposite the distal end; and
a drive-out member for producing the sliding movement, thereby extending the locking plate to the engaged position and retracting the locking plate to the disengaged position, and for raising the distal end of the locking plate within the receiving structure in a direction perpendicular to the linear direction, thereby forcing the lid unit against the container body, the drive-out member being mounted on the lid unit for rotation relative to the lid unit about an rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the linear direction and to the planar body of the lid unit, the drive-out member including a support rail slidably engaged by the follower of the locking plate to translate rotary motion of the drive-out member into the extending, retracting and raising movements of the locking plate, whereby rotation of the drive-out member slidably moves the locking plate relative to the rotational axis of the drive-out member; and wherein:
the support rail is curved and comprises:
a driving portion, wherein the distance between the support rail and the fixed axis changes along its length, for driving the locking plate outward to its engaged position when the drive-out member with the support rail is rotated in one direction and for retracting the locking plate inward when the drive-out member with the support rail is rotated in the other direction; and
a raising and lowering portion, wherein the distance between the support rail and a surface of the lid unit changes along its length, for pushing the distal end of the locking plate up, away from the lid unit, when further rotated in the one direction and for pushing the distal end of the locking plate down when rotated in the other direction; and
wherein the locking plate includes, extending from opposing sides thereof, a pair of pivot pins slidably supported on the lid unit, the locking plate being slidably and pivotally supported by the pair of pivot pins, whereby the locking plate is pivoted for the up and down movement of its distal end.
2. A simplified attaching/detaching mechanism for detachably fixing a lid unit, having a planar body, to a container body, comprising:
a locking plate slidably supported on the lid unit for sliding movement, in a linear direction, between an engaged position where a distal end of the locking plate is extended within receiving structure of the container body and a disengaged position retracted from contact with the container body, the locking plate having a follower at an end opposite the distal end; and
a drive-out member for producing the sliding movement, thereby extending the locking plate to the engaged position and retracting the locking plate to the disengaged position, and for raising the distal end of the locking plate within the receiving structure in a direction perpendicular to the linear direction, thereby forcing the lid unit against the container body, the drive-out member being mounted on the lid unit for rotation relative to the lid unit about an rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the linear direction and to the planar body of the lid unit, the drive-out member including a support rail slidably engaged by the follower of the locking plate to translate rotary motion of the drive-out member into the sliding and raising movements of the locking plate, whereby rotation of the drive-out member slidably moves the locking plate relative to the rotational axis of the drive-out member, wherein the locking plate includes, extending from opposing sides thereof, a pair of pivot pins slidably supported on the lid unit, the locking plate being slidably and pivotally supported by the pair of pivot pins, whereby the locking plate is pivoted for the up and down movement of its distal end.
3. A simplified attaching/detaching mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the drive-out member includes a locking arm, extending therefrom to a free end for resiliently engaging a fixed structure on the lid unit, thereby holding the drive-out member against rotation.
4. A simplified attaching/detaching mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the locking plate comprises a holding claw for fitting into the receiving structure of the container body to fix the lid unit to the container body, the holding claw depending from the distal end thereof.