Storage device and photoresist coating and developing machine having storage device

{
  "publication_number": "US10446424B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Storage device and photoresist coating and developing machine having storage device",
  "abstract": "A storage device and a photoresist coating and developing machine having a storage device are disclosed. The storage device includes a frame and a plurality of layers of support plates disposed in sequence in the frame in a height direction of the frame, being used for receiving substrates to be exposed. The frame is provided with a plurality of layers of support members respectively associated with the plurality of layers of support plates, and each layer of the support plates is slidably mounted on the support member.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A storage device, comprising a frame and a plurality of layers of support plates disposed in sequence in the frame in a height direction of the frame, the support plates being used for receiving substrates to be exposed, wherein the frame is provided with a plurality of layers of support members respectively associated with the plurality of layers of support plates, and each layer of the support plates is slidably mounted on a respective support member, wherein the frame is formed from a plurality of upright columns, and the support plate is composed of a plurality of transverse rods and a plurality of longitudinal rods perpendicular to the transverse rods, wherein the plurality of transverse rods and the plurality of longitudinal rods are formed integrally and positioned in one and the same plane, wherein a locking mechanism for fixing the support plates is provided at a side of the frame where the substrates are to be picked up, wherein a position limiting plate is provided at a side of the frame opposite to the side where the locking mechanism is provided, and wherein a plurality of support posts are provided on each support plate.",
    "2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first screw hole provided in the frame, a second screw hole provided in the support plate, and a bolt cooperated with the first screw hole and the second screw hole.",
    "3. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein pulleys are provided below both sides of each support plate, and wherein each support member comprises first sliding chutes provided in the frame in parallel to a sliding direction of the support plate and cooperated with the pulleys.",
    "4. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein each first sliding chute comprises a lower plate body and two upright plates extending upwards from the lower plate body, a slide passage is formed between the two upright plates, and the lower plate body is fixed to the frame.",
    "5. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein slide rails are provided on both sides of each support plate parallel to a sliding direction of the support plate, and each support member comprises second sliding chutes provided on both sides of the frame in parallel to the sliding direction of the support plate and cooperated with the slide rails.",
    "6. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a front baffle plate fixed to the frame by a hinge.",
    "7. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein pulleys are provided below both sides of each support plate.",
    "8. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein each support member comprises first sliding chutes provided in the frame in parallel to a sliding direction of each support plate and cooperated with the pulleys.",
    "9. The storage device according to claim 8, wherein four support posts are provided on each support plate.",
    "10. The storage device according to claim 8, wherein each first sliding chute comprises a lower plate body and two upright plates extending upwards from the lower plate body, a slide passage is formed between the two upright plates, and the lower plate body is fixed to the frame.",
    "11. The storage device according to claim 8, wherein each first sliding chute comprises a lower plate body and two upright plates extending upwards from the lower plate body, a slide passage is formed between the two upright plates, and the lower plate body is fixed to the frame.",
    "12. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein slide rails are provided on both sides of each support plate parallel to a sliding direction of the support plate, and each support member comprises second sliding chutes provided on both sides of the frame in parallel to the sliding direction of the support plate and cooperated with the slide rails.",
    "13. The storage device according to claim 12, wherein a cross section of each second sliding chute perpendicular to a longitudinal extending direction of the second sliding chute is U-shaped, the second sliding chute comprises an opening, a bottom plate opposite to the opening, and two side plates, and an accommodation space is formed inside the second sliding chute; wherein in a mounted state of the support plate, the support plate is sandwiched in the opening, and the slide rail is accommodated in the accommodation space.",
    "14. A photoresist coating and developing machine, comprising the storage device according to claim 1.",
    "15. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein four support posts are provided on each support plate."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of storage device or semiconductor manufacturing technology, and more particularly, to a storage device and a photoresist coating and developing machine having the storage device.\n\nIn the manufacturing process of photoresist coating and developing in TFT-LCD industry, since the cost of the exposure equipment is very high, a storage device is provided in front of the exposure equipment for placing substrates therein, so as to avoid idleness of the exposure equipment. It is necessary to provide robot arms at both sides of the storage device to pick up and lay down the substrates, and there will be foreign objects in the exposure equipment after a long time use. The foreign objects will affect the exposure of the subsequent substrates if they are attached to the substrates. In order to avoid the storage device from affecting the exposure of the substrates, it needs regular maintenance of the storage device. The conventional storage devices are typically designed in such a way that a plurality of layers of fixing brackets are all fixed to four upright columns by screws, a plurality of support posts are provided above each layer of fixing bracket and the substrates are placed on the support posts. In this way, it needs to take a lot of time to disassemble and assemble them during the maintenance of the equipment, wastes a lot of manpower, and causes the exposure equipment left idle for a long time.",
  "cpc": [
    "H10P 72/127",
    "B65G 1/10",
    "G03F 7/16",
    "H01L 21/67309"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65G 1/10",
    "G03F 7/16",
    "H01L 21/673"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "BOE Technology Group Co Ltd",
    "Chongqing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Zhichao Wang",
    "Xiangyu Song",
    "Yongbing Guan",
    "Bingqiang Liu",
    "Kun CAO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-04-20",
  "publication_date": "2019-10-15",
  "grant_date": "2019-10-15",
  "priority_date": "2016-05-11",
  "application_number": "US-201715575811-A",
  "family_id": "56967079",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
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}