Automated material handling system for semiconductor manufacturing based on a combination of vertical carousels and overhead hoists
First Claim
1. A method of operating an overhead hoist transport vehicle, the method comprising:
- extending a translating stage to carry an overhead hoist to at least one of a first position proximate to a load port and a second position proximate to a fixed shelf and moving the overhead hoist transport vehicle along a stationary overhead rail;
from the at least one of the first position and the second position;
vertically moving a gripper downward to at least one of a third position above the load port and a fourth position above the fixed shelf; and
loading a material unit on at least one of the load port and the fixed shelf;
wherein the load port is beneath the stationary overhead rail; and
wherein fixed shelf is disposed lateral to the overhead rail;
wherein the translating stage is configured to extend along a horizontal axis and move the overhead hoist to exterior positions on either side of a body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle and to retract the overhead hoist into the body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle;
wherein the translating stage is further configured to pick and place a cassette pod on either side of the body of the overhead transport vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A highly efficient Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load and unload Work-In-Process (WIP) parts directly to/from one or more WIP storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and at least one vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins. The overhead hoist transport subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route, which runs adjacent to the carousel stocker, thereby allowing the overhead hoist transport vehicle to access a WIP part directly from one of the storage bins. At least one of the storage bins includes a movable shelf operative to move laterally from a first position along the carousel path to a second position near the overhead hoist transport vehicle.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of operating an overhead hoist transport vehicle, the method comprising:
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extending a translating stage to carry an overhead hoist to at least one of a first position proximate to a load port and a second position proximate to a fixed shelf and moving the overhead hoist transport vehicle along a stationary overhead rail; from the at least one of the first position and the second position; vertically moving a gripper downward to at least one of a third position above the load port and a fourth position above the fixed shelf; and loading a material unit on at least one of the load port and the fixed shelf; wherein the load port is beneath the stationary overhead rail; and wherein fixed shelf is disposed lateral to the overhead rail; wherein the translating stage is configured to extend along a horizontal axis and move the overhead hoist to exterior positions on either side of a body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle and to retract the overhead hoist into the body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle; wherein the translating stage is further configured to pick and place a cassette pod on either side of the body of the overhead transport vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An overhead hoist transport vehicle comprising:
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a body; an overhead hoist that is configured for movement to at least one of a first position proximate to a load port and a second position proximate to a fixed shelf; a translating stage coupled to the overhead hoist and the body; and a gripper that is configured to be vertically moved downward from the at least one of the first position and the second position to at least one of a third position above the load port and a fourth position above the fixed shelf; and wherein the overhead hoist transport vehicle is configured to load a material unit on at least one of the load port and the fixed shelf; wherein the overhead hoist transport vehicle is configured to move beneath an overhead rail; wherein the load port is beneath the stationary overhead rail; wherein at least a portion of the fixed shelf is disposed lateral to the overhead rail; and wherein the translating stage is configured to extend along a horizontal axis and move the overhead hoist to exterior positions on either side of a body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle and to retract the overhead hoist into the body of the overhead hoist transport vehicle; wherein the translating stage is further configured to pick and place a cassette pod on either side of the body of the overhead transport vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification