IP Library Granted Patent US 9,966,286
Granted Patent B2
US 9,966,286 · App. 15/263,478 · Granted May 8, 2018

Substrate processing apparatus

Inventors: Takashi Nogami (Toyama, JP); Tomoshi Taniyama (Toyama, JP); Kazuma Yoshioka (Toyama, JP)
Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
H01L21/67265H01L21/67766H01L21/67769H01L21/67772H01L21/67775
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,966,286
App. No.
15/263,478
Granted
May 8, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A space needed to transfer a substrate container is decreased. A substrate processing apparatus includes a locating part where a substrate container accommodating a substrate is located; a driving unit configured to drive the locating part vertically; a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate container; and a controller configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to move the locating part downward after the transfer robot moves to under the locating part to transfer the substrate container from the locating part to the transfer robot.

Claims (19)

1. A substrate processing apparatus comprising:

a first locating part and a second locating part each configured to hold a substrate container accommodating a substrate;

a driving unit configured to drive the first locating part and the second locating part vertically;

a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate container;

a controller configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to move the first locating part downward after the transfer robot moves to under the first locating part to transfer the substrate container from the locating part to the transfer robot, wherein

the first locating part and the second locating part are movable by the driving unit, and the driving unit comprises a first hydraulic cylinder mechanically connected to the first locating part and a second hydraulic cylinder mechanically connected to the second locating part, the first hydraulic cylinder being parallel to and inverted vertically from the second hydraulic cylinder.

2. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the transfer robot and the driving unit to move a space under the first locating part generated by moving the first locating part upward before moving the transfer robot under the first locating part.

3. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second locating part is disposed below the first locating part and is vertically movable by the driving unit, wherein the controller is further configured to control the transfer robot and the driving unit to move to a space under the first locating part generated by moving the second locating part downward.

4. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to sequentially transfer the substrate container from the first or second locating parts to the transfer robot by starting from a lowermost substrate container to an uppermost substrate container.

5. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first locating part comprises a notch disposed at a portion of the first locating part such that the transfer robot passes therethrough when the first locating part is moved upward with the transfer robot under the first and second locating parts.

6. A substrate processing apparatus comprising:

a first locating part and a second locating part each configured to hold a substrate container accommodating a substrate;

a driving unit configured to drive the first locating part and the second locating part vertically;

a transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate container;

a controller configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to move the first locating part upward after the transfer robot moves to above the first locating part to transfer the substrate container from the transfer robot to the first locating part, wherein

the first locating part and the second locating part are movable by the driving unit, and the driving unit comprises a first hydraulic cylinder mechanically connected to the first locating part and a second hydraulic cylinder mechanically connected to the second locating part, the first hydraulic cylinder being parallel to and inverted vertically from the second hydraulic cylinder.

7. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to move to a space above the first locating part generated by moving the first locating part downward before moving the transfer robot above the first locating part.

8. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second locating part is disposed above the first locating part and vertically movable by the driving unit, and the controller is further configured to control the transfer robot and the driving unit to move to a space above the first locating part generated by moving the second locating part upward before moving the first locating part upward.

9. The substrate processing apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the driving unit and the transfer robot to sequentially transfer the substrate container from the transfer robot to the first or second locating parts by starting from an uppermost substrate container to a lowermost substrate container.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2018
From: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
To: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047995/0490 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: NOGAMI, TAKASHI; TANIYAMA, TOMOSHI; YOSHIOKA, KAZUMA
To: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
Reel/Frame 039731/0863 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2014-058823 · Mar 20, 2014 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2015058304 · Mar 19, 2015
Related Publication 20160379858A1 · Dec 29, 2016