SUBSTRATE CARRIER SYSTEM

• US 20090214323A1
• Filed: 02/27/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation (Delta Electronics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation (Delta Electronics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Harvilchuck, Laurence A., Westby, George R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,234,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/217.100
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/6835 using temporarily an auxiliary support
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/6838 with gripping and holding devices using a vacuum; Bernoulli devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/68728 characterised by a plurality of separate clamping members, e.g. clamping fingers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53252 Means to simultaneously fasten three or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53261 Means to align and advance work part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53265 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

A substrate carrier system is provided for physical management of substrate(s) during a variety of assembly techniques performed on the both sides of the substrate(s) without dismounting or changing carrier systems.

Claims

1. A substrate carrier system for a substrate for use with a plurality of assembly techniques, comprising:

a frame; and

at least two suspension arms for holding the substrate, wherein, the suspension arms allow the substrate to be vertically translated relative to the frame.

2. The substrate carrier system of claim 1, further comprising at least two lands associated with the at least to suspension arms and onto which the substrate is mounted.

3. The substrate carrier system of claim 2, further comprising registration holes associated with the at least two lands and configured to facilitate efficient adhesion between the substrate and the lands.

4. The substrate carrier system of claim 2, wherein the suspension arms each are configured as a slender length of material extending to a distal end having a land positioned thereat.

5. The substrate carrier system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an outer edge that is structurally manipulated to strengthen the frame.

6. The substrate carrier system of claim 5, wherein the frame is structurally manipulated to include an edge channel formed by folding the edge of the frame along specific fold lines.

7. The substrate carrier system of claim 5, wherein the frame is structurally manipulated to include a pleated edge to strengthen the frame.

8. The substrate carrier system of claim 5, wherein the frame is structurally manipulated by including an additional section of thin material being positioned along the outer edge of the carrier system.

9. A substrate carrier system for a substrate for use with a plurality of assembly techniques, comprising:

a disposable frame having an outer edge, wherein the outer edge is structurally manipulated to strengthen the frame; and

at least one land element onto which the substrate is mounted.

10. The disposable substrate carrier system of claim 9, wherein the frame is structurally manipulated to include an edge channel formed by folding the edge of the frame along specific fold lines.

11. The disposable substrate carrier system of claim 9, further comprising a suspension arm having the land located at the distal end thereof for holding the substrate, wherein the suspension arm allows the substrate to be vertically translated relative to the frame.

12. The disposable substrate carrier system of claim 11, further comprising four land elements located at the distal ends of four independent suspension arms, extending from four corner gussets of the frame.

13. The disposable substrate carrier system of claim 12, wherein the carrier system is configured to have a multiple panel substrate mounted thereon.

14. A method of supporting a substrate during an assembly process, the method comprising:

providing a substrate carrier system including;

a frame having an outer edge, wherein the outer edge is structurally manipulated to strengthen the frame; and

at least two suspension arms for holding the substrate, wherein the suspension arms allow the substrate to be vertically translated relative to the frame;

mounting the substrate to the carrier system; and

performing an assembly process on the substrate while the substrate is mounted to the carrier system.

15. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, further comprising disposing of the substrate carrier system after the assembly process has been performed.

16. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, wherein the assembly process is performed by a board handling system and the frame is strong enough to provide operable transfer through the board handling system during the assembly process.

17. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, wherein the substrate carrier system facilitates the ability perform assembly techniques on both sides of the board(s) without dismounting or changing the carrier system.

18. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, wherein the substrate carrier system permits easy yet precisely controlled post-mounting tensioning of a substrate mounted on to carrier system 200, tensioning facilitated through use of the suspension arms.

19. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, wherein the carrier system is transported by means of suction cups vacuum attaching to land areas of the frame of the carrier system during performance of an assembly process.

20. The method of supporting a substrate of claim 14, wherein the substrate is mounted to the carrier system by an adhesive distributed between the substrate and lands located at the distal ends of the suspension arms.