U.S. patent application number 12/246379 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for direct tool loading.
Invention is credited to Anthony C. Bonora, Roger G. Hine, Michael Krolak.
Application Number | 20090028673 12/246379 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36407943 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090028673 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonora; Anthony C. ; et
al. |
January 29, 2009 |
DIRECT TOOL LOADING
Abstract
Systems for loading and unloading semiconductor wafers to and
from semiconductor processing or storage equipment are disclosed.
One system includes a pair of conveyor rails for transporting a
container capable of holding semiconductor wafers around a
processing facility. The pair of conveyor rails defining a plane on
which the container is supported and transported. The system
includes a load port positioned adjacent to the conveyor rails. The
load port has a support plate for holding a container and an arm
coupled to the support plate. The arm is configured to move between
a lower position and an upper position, and the lower position is
defined between the pair of conveyor rails and below the plane of
the conveyor rails. The upper position is in a load/unload
position, and the arm has a bend that enables the support plate to
be placed over one of the pair of conveyor rails without requiring
a notch in the one conveyor rail.
Inventors: |
Bonora; Anthony C.; (Portola
Vsalley, CA) ; Krolak; Michael; (Los Gatos, CA)
; Hine; Roger G.; (Menlo Park, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARTINE PENILLA & GENCARELLA, LLP
710 LAKEWAY DRIVE, SUITE 200
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085
US
|
Family ID: |
36407943 |
Appl. No.: |
12/246379 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11177645 |
Jul 8, 2005 |
7445415 |
|
|
12246379 |
|
|
|
|
11064880 |
Feb 24, 2005 |
7410340 |
|
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11177645 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/217.1 ;
198/463.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 21/67736 20130101;
Y10S 414/14 20130101; H01L 21/67775 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/217.1 ;
198/463.3 |
International
Class: |
H01L 21/677 20060101
H01L021/677; B65G 1/133 20060101 B65G001/133 |
Claims
1. A load port system for loading and unloading semiconductor
wafers to and from semiconductor processing or storage equipment,
comprising: (a) conveyor rails for transporting a container capable
of holding semiconductor wafers around a processing facility; (b)
the load port being positioned adjacent to the conveyor rails to
enable direct loading of the container using the load port, the
load port includes, (i) a plate having an opening that defines
access into and out of the processing or storage equipment, the
plate being defined in a substantial vertical orientation; (ii) a
support plate for handling a container; (iii) an arm coupled to the
support plate, the arm coupled to a drive mechanism to move the arm
along the substantial vertical orientation between a lower position
that is over the conveyor rails and an upper position proximate to
the opening of the plate, the arm having a bend to fit over the
conveyor rails without requiring a notch in the conveyor rails, the
arm enabling direct loading of the container from the conveyor
rails in the lower position to the opening of the plate by movement
of the arm along the vertical orientation.
2. The load port system as recited in claim 1, wherein the arm
being in the lower position over the conveyor rails prevents the
container from passing by the load port in either a downstream or
an upstream direction along the conveyor rails.
3. The load port system as recited in claim 1, wherein the support
includes kinematic pins for mating with an underside of the
container.
4. The load port system as recited in claim 1, wherein the conveyor
rails are configured to be defined near a floor and the load port
has a base that is placed over the floor, the plate of the load
port being substantially parallel to an orientation of the conveyor
rails, such that one of the conveyor rails is closer to the plate
than another one of the conveyor rails.
5. The load port system as recited in claim 1, further including a
port door adapted to move between an open position that allows
access to semiconductor wafers though said opening, and a closed
position that substantially covers said opening.
6. The load port as recited in claim 1, wherein said support plate
includes at least one registration feature for engaging a bottom
surface of the container.
7. The load port as recited in claim 1, wherein said container
support includes a mechanism for moving substantially horizontally
towards and away from said plate.
8. The load port as recited in claim 1, wherein said container
support plate is adapted to receive a container for storing
semiconductor wafers having a diameter between 100 mm-600 mm.
9. The load port as recited in claim 1, wherein said plate
comprises one of a BOLTS interface or a BOLTS-light interface.
10. The load port as recited in claim 1, wherein the load port is
positioned proximate to the conveyor such that said support plate,
through vertical motion, is able to lift the container, when seated
on the conveyor, directly off of the conveyor to a raised position
proximate to the opening of the plate.
11. The load port as recited in claim 10, wherein the support plate
moves in a horizontal orientation when in the up position to enable
the container to sit next to the opening in the plate.
12. The load port as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an
optical detector system for determining a position of any
semiconductor wafers located in the container.
13. A system for loading and unloading semiconductor wafers to and
from semiconductor processing or storage equipment, the system
comprising: conveyor rails for transporting a container capable of
holding semiconductor wafers around a processing facility, the
conveyor rails defining a plane on which the container is
transported; a load port positioned adjacent to the conveyor rails
to enable direct loading of the container using the load port, the
load port having an opening that defines access into and out of the
processing or storage equipment, the load port having a support
plate for handling a container and an arm coupled to the support
plate, the arm being connected to a drive mechanism to move the arm
between a lower position, the lower position defined between the
conveyor rails and below the plane of the conveyor rails, and an
upper position proximate to the opening, the arm having a bend that
enables the support plate to be placed over the conveyor rails
without requiring a notch in the conveyor rails, the arm enabling
direct loading of the container from the conveyor rails in the
lower position to the opening by movement of the arm.
14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the arm being in the
lower position prevents the container or other containers from
passing by the load port in either a downstream or an upstream
direction along the conveyor rails.
15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the support includes
kinematic pins for mating with an underside of the container.
16. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the conveyor rails
are configured to be defined near a floor and the load port has a
base that is placed over the floor, the load port being
substantially parallel to an orientation of the conveyor rails,
such that one of the conveyor rails is closer to the load port than
another one of the conveyor rails.
17. The system as recited in claim 13, further including a port
door adapted to move between an open position that allows access to
semiconductor wafers though said opening, and a closed position
that substantially covers said opening.
18. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein said support plate
includes at least one registration feature for engaging a bottom
surface of the container.
19. A system for loading and unloading semiconductor wafers to and
from semiconductor processing or storage equipment, the system
comprising: a pair of conveyor rails for transporting a container
capable of holding semiconductor wafers around a processing
facility, the pair of conveyor rails defining a plane on which the
container is supported and transported; a load port positioned
adjacent to the conveyor rails, the load port having a support
plate for holding a container and an arm coupled to the support
plate, the arm configured to move between a lower position and an
upper position, the lower position defined between the pair of
conveyor rails and below the plane of the conveyor rails, and the
upper position in a load/unload position, the arm having a bend
that enables the support plate to be placed over one of the pair of
conveyor rails without requiring a notch in the one conveyor
rail.
20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the load port having
an opening that defines access into and out of the processing or
storage equipment.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/177,645, entitled "Direct Tool Loading",
filed on Jul. 8, 2005, and which is a continuation in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/064,880, entitled "Direct Tool Loading,"
filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 24, 2005.
Both applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to an automated
material handling system (AMHS). More specifically, the present
invention comprises a load port having a vertically movable
container support structure that is able to load and unload
containers directly from a container transport system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is costly to deliver containers, such as Front Opening
Unified Pods (FOUPs) and Standard Mechanical Interface (SMIF) pods,
to processing tools and load ports in a semiconductor fabrication
facility. One method of delivering FOUPs or bottom opening
containers between processing tools is an overhead transport (OHT)
system. The OHT system lowers a FOUP onto the kinematic plate of
the load port at approximately 900 mm height from the fabrication
facility floor. An OHT system uses sophisticated ceiling mounted
tracks and cable hoist vehicles to deliver FOUPs to, for example, a
load port of a processing tool. The combination of horizontal
moves, cable hoist extensions, and unidirectional operation, must
be coordinated for transporting FOUPs quickly between processing
tools. A transport vehicle must be available at the instant when a
processing tool needs to be loaded or unloaded for best
efficiency.
[0004] OHT systems are often mounted on portions of a facility
ceiling, and therefore, are located above the processing tools and
load ports. OHT systems utilize free space in the fabrication
facility as the processing tools are typically floor mounted
equipment. Ceiling mounted OHT systems must raise or lower a
container a substantial distance between the OHT track and, by way
of example only, a load port. An OHT system preferably has a very
high cleanliness performance because any particles created from
moving FOUPs along the track may fall onto the tool areas located
underneath and potentially damage wafers.
[0005] Rail guided vehicles (RGVs) and automatic guided vehicles
(AGVs) are often utilized in semiconductor fabrication facilities
to move containers along the facility floor between processing
tools. RGV's and AGV's are easier to access for maintenance
purposes than an OHT system and are typically less costly than
ceiling mounted OHT systems. Particle control is also simplified
because particles generated by an RGV or AGV remain below the datum
plane of a load port. RGVs and AGVs, however, occupy valuable floor
space--which is at a premium in a semiconductor fabrication
facility--and pose safety issues (e.g., tool operators and RGV's
operate in the same space).
[0006] Wafer throughput could be improved in a semiconductor
facility by delivering wafers to tools by both a floor-based
transport system and an OHT system. For example, an OHT system
could deliver the FOUP or bottom opening container to a processing
tool while the numerous container deliveries between adjacent
processing tools are handled by a floor based transport system.
This would be the case, for example, when process tools require
that the first wafer of every FOUP be tested on a metrology tool in
the bay.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved container
delivery system (for either FOUPs and/or bottom opening containers)
in semiconductor fabrication facilities. The present invention
provides a container delivery system that reduces the cost of
container delivery, increases accuracy of container delivery,
simplifies installation and maintenance, improves the cleanliness
performance and safety features and reduces delays associated with
conventional container transport systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a
transport system to move containers efficiently between a tool and
a conveyor. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a
load port having a vertically movable container support plate. The
load port lifts a container, whether it is a front opening or
bottom opening container, directly off a conveyor reducing the
number of times the container is handled during tool loading.
[0009] In one embodiment, systems for loading and unloading
semiconductor wafers to and from semiconductor processing or
storage equipment are disclosed. One system includes a pair of
conveyor rails for transporting a container capable of holding
semiconductor wafers around a processing facility. The pair of
conveyor rails defining a plane on which the container is supported
and transported. The system includes a load port positioned
adjacent to the conveyor rails. The load port has a support plate
for holding a container and an arm coupled to the support plate.
The arm is configured to move between a lower position and an upper
position, and the lower position is defined between the pair of
conveyor rails and below the plane of the conveyor rails. The upper
position is in a load/unload position, and the arm has a bend that
enables the support plate to be placed over one of the pair of
conveyor rails without requiring a notch in the one conveyor
rail.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
transport system that complements OHT systems and functions as the
primary AMHS for a bay (e.g., row of tools) or for the entire
fabrication facility. In one embodiment, the present invention
loads/unloads containers from a conveyor that transports containers
throughout at least a portion of the fabrication facility. In
another embodiment, the support plate comprises a carrier advance
plate assembly for moving the support plate horizontally. The
conveyor may be mounted to the facility floor, flush with the
facility floor, beneath the facility floor or raised above the
facility floor. Other embodiments of the present invention are
compatible with RGVs, AGVs and person guided vehicles (PGVs) to
transport containers throughout the fabrication facility.
[0011] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide
a transport and delivery system that is easy to service. OHT
systems are located high above the facility floor (e.g., 8-20 ft).
Thus, OHT systems are not as easy to access as a floor-based
transport system. In one embodiment, a conveyor is mounted to the
facility floor. Service personnel can easily access the conveyor
for maintenance purposes. The load port is also designed to be
removed from the tool and lifted over the conveyor.
[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
transport system with inherent safety features. In one embodiment,
the present invention includes a safety rail that separates the
conveyor from the rest of the facility. The rail provides a barrier
to prevent a tool operator from coming into contact with a moving
container. Another embodiment of the present invention encloses the
conveyor within an isolation tube. The tube prevents a tool
operator from coming into contact with a moving container. At the
same time, the tube isolates the container or article from the rest
of the facility by, for example, having an active air flow system
for directing particles generated within the tube away from the
article. Floor-based transport systems (e.g., conveyor, RGV, AGV)
also eliminate the concern that a container will fall from an OHT
system and injure an operator.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
floor-based transport and delivery system that occupies a similar
or smaller foot print than occupied by a conventional load port and
floor-based container transport system (e.g., AGV). In one
embodiment, the present invention, which comprises a floor mounted
conveyor and a load port, occupies the same footprint typically
occupied solely by a conventional load port. In another embodiment,
the present invention, which comprises a shuttle and load port,
also occupies a small footprint on the facility floor.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
container transport and delivery system that improves the
cleanliness performance without compromising the integrity of the
wafers. In one embodiment, containers are transported along a
conveyor that passes below the container plate advance assembly of
each load port. Particles generated by this transport system fall
to the facility floor or are entrained in laminar flow and do not
contaminate wafers being processed by the processing tool. In
another embodiment, the load port includes a shroud that partially
encloses the opening in the port plate. When a container shell is
retained by a mechanism in the shroud, the container shell creates
a proximity seal with the shroud and forms a mini-environment
within the shroud that is isolated from the facility
environment.
[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
transport and delivery system that does not require extensive
modifications to the existing process tools, fabrication facility
layout or fabrication software in order to run efficiently with
existing systems. In one embodiment, the load port secures to the
front end of a tool through a BOLTS interface (SEMI Standard E63)
or the proposed BOLTS-light standard. The controls, which are
typically located in a housing underneath the container plate
advance assembly, are relocated inside the load port. Thus, a
processing tool does not have to be modified at all to accommodate
a load port according to the present invention.
[0016] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
load port for bottom opening containers. In one embodiment, the
present invention comprises a load port that is able to lift a
container directly off a conveyor and remove the container shell so
that a wafer handling robot may access the wafer. The load port
also provides a mini-environment to isolate the exposed wafer from
the facility's ambient environment. The mini-environment, in one
embodiment, has a higher pressure than the facility's pressure to
encourage air flow from the processing tool (clean environment),
through the mini-environment and out into the facility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 2A-2F are a perspective views of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 1, further illustrating a load port having a vertically
movable FOUP advance plate assembly;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, further illustrating how the
conveyor accommodates a FOUP advance plate assembly located in a
lowermost position;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a conventional load port mounted to
a processing tool, according to the prior art;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a profile of a
conventional load port, according to the prior art;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating a profile of a load port according to the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6,
illustrating the space allocated under the FOUP advance plate
assembly for a container transport system;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating an embodiment of a conveyor system;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the system having a floor mounted
conveyor system;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a plan view of still another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating the system having a conveyor
embedded in the facility floor;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a sub-floor conveyor system;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating a range of motion of the load port;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the system shown in FIG. 13;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a front view of an embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the system shown in FIG. 13;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a container transport system
isolated from the facility;
[0033] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a two-stage reduced height vertical
drive;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a yet another embodiment of a load
port;
[0035] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the load port shown in FIG.
18;
[0036] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating an embodiment of a wafer shuttle
for moving FOUPs between two tools;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
20;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
wafer shuttle;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a front view of the wafer shuttle shown in FIG.
22;
[0040] FIG. 24 is a plan view of the wafer shuttle shown in FIG.
22;
[0041] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a conveyor having a belt for
movably supporting a container;
[0042] FIGS. 26A and 26B are views of another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a conveyor having cantilevered
wheels for movably supporting a container;
[0043] FIG. 27 is a perspective view another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a conveyor having cantilevered
wheels for movably supporting a container;
[0044] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
the present invention, and
[0045] FIG. 29 is schematic view of still another embodiment of the
present invention, illustrating a load port for use with bottom
opening containers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI)
has created standards for semiconductor wafer manufacturing
equipment (see http://www.semi.org). The SEMI Standards govern
acceptable tolerances and interfaces for semiconductor
manufacturing equipment. The inventions described herein are not
limited to semiconductor manufacturing equipment for handling
FOUPs.
[0047] By way of example only, the various embodiments of the
present invention may also be used and/or adapted for systems
handling SMIF pods, reticle containers, flat panel display
transport devices, or any other container or processing tool.
Container is defined as any type of structure for supporting an
article including, but not limited to, a semiconductor substrate.
By way of example only, a container includes a structure that
comprises an open volume whereby the article can be accessed (e.g.,
FPD transport) or a container having a mechanically openable door
(e.g., bottom opening SMIF pod and FOUP). Load port is defined as
interface equipment that handles containers. For purposes of
describing this invention, however, only load ports for handling
FOUPs and bottom opening containers will be referenced herein.
[0048] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate a conventional load port 10 for
handling FOUPs (e.g., Asyst Technologies, Inc.'s IsoPort.TM.). The
load port complies with, at a minimum, SEMI Standards E15.1, E47.1,
E57, E62, E63, E64, S2-93A, S8-95 and 1300L. The load port 10
includes, among other things, a housing 11, a FOUP advance plate
assembly 12, a kinematic plate 13, a port door 14 and a fastening
or mounting plate 16 having an opening (not shown). The mounting
plate 16 secures to the front end 52 of a processing tool 50
through, for example, a BOLTS Interface. The mounting plate 16 may
comprise a unitary structure or be constructed of multiple pieces.
The port door 14 moves between a closed position (as shown in FIG.
4) and an open position. The term "closed position" means any
position of the port door 14 that prevents an article, such as a
wafer, from passing through the opening in the mounting plate 16.
The term "open position" means any position of the port door 14
that allows an article, such as a wafer, to pass through the
opening in the mounting plate 16, including the position whereby
the port door 14 does not block any portion of the opening.
[0049] The kinematic plate 13 is adapted to receive and support a
FOUP 2. The kinematic plate 13 includes, among other things,
kinematic pins 18, a latch assembly and FOUP detection sensors. The
kinematic pins 18 align the FOUP on the kinematic plate 13. The
latch assembly secures the FOUP to the kinematic plate 13. The FOUP
advance plate assembly 12 moves the kinematic plate 13 horizontally
between a load/unload position and a position whereby the FOUP door
is located proximate to the port door. In the load/unload position,
a FOUP may be transferred onto or off of the kinematic plate 13 by,
for example, and OHT system or an AGV. Moving the kinematic plate
13 towards the port door allows the port door to couple with and
remove the pod door to provide access to the wafers stored within
the FOUP. Neither the FOUP advance plate assembly 12 nor the
kinematic plate 13 move vertically. Thus, a floor-based transport
system must have an apparatus (e.g., robotic arm) for loading and
unloading the FOUP from the kinematic plate 13.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional floor based transport
system, such as an RGV, that travels along the facility floor on a
railway system. The railway system (shown as outline 30) may travel
throughout the facility, or down a given bay, and eventually passes
adjacent the housing 11 of a load port 10. The RGV, carrying a
FOUP, stops in front of the load port 10 and places the FOUP onto
the kinematic plate 13. The FOUP is then advanced towards the port
door 14 whereby the port door 14 eventually removes the FOUP
door.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates that a conventional load port 10 occupies
an area in front of the tool 50 (shown as outline 18). The outline
18, which mostly consists of the housing 11, generally occupies a
rectangular volume (width not shown in FIG. 5)--comprising a depth
X2 outward from the front end 52 of the processing tool 50 and a
vertical height X3. The AGV, in combination with the load port 10,
extends outward from the tool 50 (e.g., X1+X2) and occupies a large
footprint on the facility floor 4.
[0052] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one embodiment of the present
invention, which comprises a floor mounted conveyor 160 and a load
port 100 having a vertically movable FOUP advance plate assembly
122. The conveyor 160 and load port 100 do not extend outward from
the tool 101 any further than the conventional load port 10
extended outward from the tool by itself (e.g., X2). It is within
the scope of the invention for the conveyor 160 to extend outward
from the tool 101 further than the FOUP advance plate assembly 122.
The term "conveyor" means an apparatus that conveys, such as a
mechanical apparatus that transports materials, packages, or items
from one place to another. By way of example only, the articles may
be moved along the conveyor 160 by rollers, air track, railway,
belt(s) or any other means known within the art.
[0053] The load port 100 includes, among other things, a kinematic
plate 112, a port door 114, a mounting plate 116 and a FOUP advance
plate assembly 122. The mounting plate 116 preferably secures to a
tool 101 through either a BOLTS Interface or the proposed SEMI
BOLTS-Light Interface (discussed later in application) and has an
opening. The kinematic plate 112 preferably includes three
kinematic pins 118 and an active container hold down mechanism (in
compliance with SEMI Standard E15.1). The port door 114 moves
between an open and closed position. By way of example only, the
port door 114 comprises a Front Opening Interface Mechanical
Standard (FIMS) door assembly. In this embodiment, the FIMS door
114 includes a pair of vacuum cups 115 and a pair of latch keys
117. The latch keys 117 open and close the FOUP door. The vacuum
cups 115 evacuate the area between the FOUP door and the port door
when the two doors are coupled together. The FIMS door 114 is not
limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 and may include other
features. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention for
the load port 100 to not have a port door 114.
[0054] The FOUP advance plate assembly 122 includes a drive 126 for
moving the kinematic plate 112 horizontally. The kinematic plate
112 supports the bottom surface of a FOUP and aligns the FOUP with
respect to the opening in the mounting plate 116. The drive 126
moves the kinematic plate 112 between a first position (see FIGS.
2A-2D) and a second position (see FIGS. 2E-2F). In the first
position, an OHT system may load or unload a FOUP 2 from the
kinematic plate 112. The first position also places the kinematic
plate 112 in a load/unload position for placing and removing a FOUP
2 from the conveyor or other transport device. The FOUP advance
plate assembly 122 may move the kinematic plate 112 to the first
position before the z-drive 120 lowers the FOUP advance plate 122
to the conveyor 160 or the kinematic plate 112 may move
horizontally while the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 moves
vertically.
[0055] It is also within the scope of the invention for the
kinematic plate 112 to not move horizontally at all. For example,
after the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 is raised vertically, the
port door 114 may move horizontally towards the FOUP door to
uncouple and remove the FOUP door. Or a port door may not be
required at all if the container does not have a mechanically
openable door. In this case, a container may be raised from the
conveyor to a height where the tool can access the article.
[0056] FIG. 2A illustrates that, in one embodiment, a pair of
supports 124 connect the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 to a
z-drive mechanism 120. The present invention is not limited to the
supports 124 shown in FIG. 2A. In fact, any support mechanism that
connects the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 to the z-drive
mechanism 120 will suffice. By way of example only, a single
support may connect the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 to the
z-drive mechanism 120. The supports 124 may be connected to the
FOUP advance plate assembly 122 and the z-drive mechanism 120 by
any structure known within the art. The z-drive mechanism 120 may
comprise any drive assembly known within the art.
[0057] The load port 100 does not include a housing located below
the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 similar to a conventional load
port (e.g., housing 11 of load port 10). The area between the FOUP
advance plate assembly 122 and the facility floor 4 is therefore
cleared of obstructing components. In other words, the FOUP advance
plate assembly 122 is able to move substantially vertically and
parallel to the mounting plate 116. For purposes of describing the
invention, the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 moves vertically
between an uppermost height (see FIG. 2A) and a lowermost height
(see FIG. 2B). The FOUP advance plate assembly 122 is able move to
any position between these two heights. It is also within the scope
of the invention for the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 to move
between other heights (e.g., above the opening in the mounting
plate 116).
[0058] To pick up a FOUP 2 off the conveyor 160, the FOUP advance
plate assembly 122 is placed in the lowermost position. To do so,
the z-drive mechanism 120 lowers the FOUP advance plate assembly
122 to the position is shown FIG. 2B. The FOUP advance plate
assembly 122, while located in the lowermost position, is
preferably situated between the first rail 164 and the second rail
166 of the conveyor 160. The FOUP advance plate assembly 122 must
be lowered enough so that a FOUP 2 traveling along the conveyor 160
may pass unobstructed over the kinematic plate 112. In this
embodiment, the kinematic plate 112 is moved to a forward position
(away from port door) to fit between the rails 162, 164.
[0059] FIG. 2C illustrates a FOUP 2 that has come to a complete
stop on the conveyor 160 over the kinematic plate 112. The FOUP 2
preferably comes to rest over the kinematic plate 112 when the
kinematic pins 118 align with the pin receptacles on the bottom
surface of the FOUP 2. While the FOUP 2 and kinematic plate 112 are
aligned, z-drive 120 raises the FOUP advance plate assembly 122.
The kinematic plate 112 eventually contacts the bottom surface of
the FOUP 2 and lifts the FOUP 2 off the conveyor 160 as the z-drive
120 continues to raise the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 towards
the uppermost position (see FIG. 2D). No further adjustment between
the FOUP 2 and the kinematic plate 112 are necessary in order to
access wafers in the FOUP.
[0060] The conveyor 160 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C transports the FOUP 2
so that the FOUP door faces the load port when the FOUP arrives at
the load port. It is within the scope and spirit of the invention
to transport the FOUP along the conveyor in other orientations. By
way of example only, the FOUP may travel along the conveyor with
the FOUP door facing the direction the FOUP is moving. In this
situation, the FOUP advance plate assembly 122, after it picks up a
FOUP 2 from the conveyor 160, rotates the FOUP 2 ninety degrees so
that the FOUP door faces the load port.
[0061] At this point, the FOUP advance plate assembly 122 moves the
kinematic plate 112 towards the port door 114. The FOUP is moved
forward until the port door is close enough to the FOUP door to
uncouple and remove the FOUP door. By way of example only, a port
door that is able to unlock and remove the FOUP door and transport
the FOUP door and port door within the tool is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,419,438, entitled "FIMS Interface Without Alignment
Pins," which is assigned to Asyst Technologies, Inc., and is
incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 2F illustrates that
additional FOUPs in the fabrication facility travel unobstructed
along the conveyor 160 to another processing tool while the wafers
within the FOUP 2 located on the kinematic plate 112 are being
processed.
[0062] A FOUP 2 travels along the first and second rails 164, 166
of the conveyor 160. FIG. 3 illustrates that the rails are
preferably spaced apart to accommodate the FOUP advance plate
assembly 122 while located in the lowermost position, between the
rails. In the FIGS. 1-3 embodiment, each section of the conveyor
160 located in front of the load port 100 includes two slots 162 in
the first rail 164. Each slot 162 allows a support 124 to pass
through the first rail 164 as the FOUP advance plate assembly 122
is lowered to the lowermost position (see FIG. 2B). The slots 162
allow the z-drive 120 to lower the kinematic plate 112 to a
position where a FOUP 2 traveling along the conveyor 160 can pass
over the kinematic plate unobstructed. Any modification to the
first rail 164 that accommodates a support 124 is within the spirit
and scope of this invention. Similarly, if the load port 100 only
includes one support 124, the rail 164 only requires one slot
162.
[0063] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate several features of a floor mounted
conveyor 160. It is within the scope of the present invention to
place the conveyor at any height within the fabrication facility.
By way of example only, the conveyor 160 may be located below the
facility floor 4 (e.g., FIG. 11), flush with the facility floor 4
(e.g., FIG. 10) or above the load port (not shown).
[0064] Regardless of the height of the conveyor system relative to
the load port, each FOUP 2 preferably travels along the conveyor
160 such that the FOUP door 6, when the FOUP 2 arrives at the load
port 100, faces the port door. However, a FOUP may travel along the
conveyor in other orientations and can eventually be rotated to
face the port door. Either way, the number of times each FOUP 2 is
handled between the conveyor and the load port is greatly reduced.
For example, after a FOUP is lifted off the conveyor by the FOUP
advance plate assembly, the FOUP does not have to be aligned again
prior to accessing the wafers. The FOUP is lifted off the conveyor
and does not have to be handled by a robotic arm (e.g., required in
a conventional RGV system). The load port 100 eliminates this
additional handling step, which provides faster transfer of FOUPs
from a conveyor or other transport device to a load port and
minimizes handling of the FOUP 2.
[0065] Conventional load ports do not allow a floor based FOUP
transport system to transport FOUPs directly below the FOUP advance
plate assembly 122. The housing 11 occupies the entire space
between the FOUP advance plate assembly and the facility floor 4.
FIGS. 8-11 provide examples of FOUP transport systems for use with
the load port 100 according to the present invention. However,
other FOUP transport systems are within the spirit and scope of
this invention.
[0066] FIG. 8 illustrates a conveyor 160 raised above the facility
floor 4. This conveyor 160 provides room for a SEMI specified PGV
docking area "toe kick" 170 at each load port. This conveyor 160
minimizes the z-stroke required to move a FOUP 2 between the
conveyor 160 (position B) and the uppermost position of the FOUP
advance plate assembly 122 (position A). The conveyor installation
is simple because the facility floor 4 stays in place and there is
no required alignment with floor tiles.
[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates a low-profile conveyor 160. This
low-profile conveyor 160 makes it easier to have step-over areas
for tool operators. FOUPs are moved between position A and position
B as described above. The step-over areas allow operator foot
traffic to pass over the conveyor 160 where, for example, the fence
or rail 150 has a portion missing (see FIG. 1). The low-profile
conveyor also makes it easier for an operator to lift a load port
100 over the conveyor, for example, to service the load port
100.
[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates a conveyor 160 embedded into the
facility floor 4. In this embodiment, the bottom surface 3 of a
FOUP 2 travels along the conveyor 160 substantially at floor level.
The conveyor 160 does not obstruct access to the front of the load
port 100. In comparison to the conveyors shown in FIGS. 8-9, the
z-stroke requirement between the conveyor 160 (position B) and the
uppermost position (position A) is increased and the floor 4 must
be modified to allow room for the conveyor 160. However, this
embedded conveyor 160 provides several advantages. The wheels of
the conveyor 160 could, for example, retract lower into the
facility floor 4 in sections located between processing tools
101--allowing foot traffic to easily walk over the conveyor 160 or
allow equipment to be rolled over the conveyor 160. Alternatively,
a temporary plate could be placed over the conveyor 160 with
clearance for the wheels that would allow foot traffic and easier
equipment roll in.
[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates a conveyor 160 located below the
facility floor 4. This embodiment allows foot traffic and equipment
roll-in to occur completely unobstructed by the conveyor 160. The
z-stroke requirement between the conveyor 160 (position B) and the
uppermost position (position A) is much greater in this embodiment
than the conveyors shown in FIGS. 8-10.
[0070] FIGS. 13-16 illustrate an embodiment of a two-stage
"telescoping" z-mechanism 220 for moving the FOUP advance plate
assembly 222 between position A and position B for use with a
conveyor located below the facility floor (see FIG. 11). The
retracted mechanism 240 is preferably located above the facility
floor 4 when it is in a retracted position. This feature allows for
easier removal of the load port 200. The telescoping z-mechanism
220 could also be used in a fabrication facility having a floor
mounted conveyor 160 as long as the second z-guide 242 is not
operated. Similar to the load port 100, the FOUP advance plate
assembly 222 can be raised to position A, allowing a FOUP to travel
along the conveyor 160 and pass underneath the FOUP advance plate
assembly 222.
[0071] FIGS. 13-15 illustrate two processing tools 101. Each tool
101 includes two load ports 200. Similar to previous load ports
described above, each load port includes a mounting plate 216
having an I/O port 215, a port door 214, and kinematic plate 212
and a z-drive mechanism 220. The z-drive mechanism 220 moves the
FOUP advance plate assembly 222 vertically between the I/O port 215
and the conveyor 160. The z-drive mechanism 220 comprises a
two-stage mechanism having a first stage drive mechanism (FSD) 240
and a second stage drive mechanism (SSD) 242. The FSD 240 moves the
FOUP advance plate assembly 222 vertically between the I/O port 215
and the facility floor 4. The SSD 242 includes a drive assembly
that moves the FSD 240 vertically between the facility floor 4 and
the I/O port 215. In one embodiment, the SSD 242 sits within a back
channel 250 of the FSD 240 and provides a guide for the FSD 240.
The present invention is, however, not limited to this structure.
When the FSD 240 is located in its fully raised position, the FSD
240 preferably does not extend below the mounting plate 216. This
feature allows the load port 200 to be easily removed from the tool
201.
[0072] FIGS. 16-17 illustrate the load port 200 with a reduced
height mounting plate 216. The reduced height mounting plate 216
secures to a processing tool 101 through a BOLTS Interface similar
to the mounting plate 116 described above. However, this mounting
plate 216 does not extend down to the facility floor 4 when secured
to the tool. Instead, a gap is left between the bottom of the plate
216 and the facility floor 4. The gap provides an access port to
service the tool without having to remove the entire load port 200
from the tool. The access port would normally be covered by a blank
plate (not shown) secured to the tool to prevent particulates from
entering into the tool through the access port during operation.
The blank plate can be removed whenever access to the tool is
required. The reduced height mounting plate 216 also allows an
operator to remove the load port from the tool and lift the load
port over the floor-based transport system. For example, the
mounting plate 216 can be removed from the tool while leaving the
blank plate secured to the tool--making the load port lighter to
handle.
[0073] FIG. 16 further illustrates that the containers may be
transported throughout the facility within a tunnel 190. The tunnel
190 preferably includes access ports that allow the FOUP advance
plate assembly 122 to be lowered through the access port and into
the tunnel 190 in order to obtain a FOUP. It is within the scope of
the invention for the tunnel 190 to optionally include a vertical
section that encompasses the vertical travel path of the FOUP
advance plate assembly 122--creating a load port zone. These
vertical sections would provide beneficial for transport systems
transporting open containers or cassettes throughout the facility.
The tunnel 190 preferably isolates the container from the rest of
the facility. By way of example only, the tunnel 190 may include an
active air system proving laminar air flow within the tunnel 190 to
move particles generated within the tunnel away from the articles.
The tunnel 190 may also be filled with gas such as, but not limited
to, air, nitrogen and the like. Vertical tunnel sections
transporting open containers could also incorporate article mapping
functions. For example, a vertical tunnel section could include an
optical scanning assembly that determines the position of each
wafer in the container as the container is lifted by the vertically
movable support plate towards the opening.
[0074] FIGS. 18-19 illustrate yet another embodiment of a load port
having a FOUP advance plate assembly that moves vertically between
an I/O port 315 and a conveyor 160 (or other FOUP transport
device). In this embodiment, the load port 300 includes a FOUP
advance plate assembly 322, a kinematic plate 312, a port door 314
and a mounting plate 316 having an I/O port 315. In this
embodiment, the mounting plate 316 secures to the processing tool
101 through a BOLTS-Light interface.
[0075] The z-drive mechanism 320 moves the FOUP advance plate
assembly 322 vertically between the I/O port 315 and the conveyor
160. The z-drive mechanism 320 includes a first z-guide 302 and a
second z-guide 304. Each z-guide is secured to the mounting plate
316 on a side of the I/O port 315. Each z-guide may also be
integrally formed with the mounting plate 316. The mechanism 320
also includes a pair of z-rails. In this embodiment, the first
z-rail 306 travels within the first z-guide 302 and the second
z-rail 308 travels within the second z-guide 304. At least one of
the z-rails 306, 308 secure to the FOUP advance plate assembly 322.
Thus, moving the rails 306, 308 vertically moves the FOUP advance
plate assembly 322 between the I/O port 315 and the conveyor 160.
The conveyor 160 is preferably modified (e.g., slots 162) to
accommodate a FOUP advance plate assembly 322 located in the
lowermost position. The load port 300 shown in FIGS. 18-19 lowers
the FOUP advance plate assembly 322 to a floor mounted conveyor.
The z-mechanism 301 could also be used to fit a longer travel
stroke (for sub-floor conveyor applications) while keeping the
z-guides 302, 304 and drive mechanism (not shown) above the
facility floor 4 for ease of maintenance.
[0076] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one embodiment of a barrier 150 that
provides a physical structure between the conveyor and the rest of
the facility. The barrier 150 prevents interference with FOUP
movement along the conveyor 160. In another embodiment, the
conveyor 160 is isolated from the facility by a tunnel 190 (FIG.
18). The tunnel 190 preferably includes an opening in the top
surface of the tunnel 190 where the tunnel 190 is located adjacent
a load port. The opening in the tunnel 190 allows the FOUP advance
plate assembly access to a FOUP traveling on the conveyor 160.
[0077] These conveyors transport FOUPs throughout the semiconductor
fabrication facility. In a preferred embodiment, each FOUP travels
along the conveyor below each FOUP advance plate assembly 122
located at the uppermost position. Placing the transport device
below each load port's datum plane minimizes the effect of
particles generated by the conveyor 160.
[0078] FIGS. 20-24 illustrate one embodiment of a shuttle 400 for
simultaneously supporting and transporting two FOUP along the
railway 420. It is within the scope of the present invention for
the shuttle 400 to hold more or less than two FOUPs at a time. The
shuttle 400, in this embodiment, includes two sets of supports 402,
each supporting a single FOUP 2. Each support 402 preferably
includes a lower support 404 separated from an upper support 406 by
a vertical member 408. The upper and lower supports are separated
so that a shuttle 400, passing a load port with the FOUP advance
plate assembly 122 located in the lowermost position will pass the
load port unobstructed. The upper supports 406 are intended to
support the bottom surface of a FOUP with minimal contact.
[0079] The shuttle 400 also accommodates a FOUP advance plate
assembly 122 moving vertically. For example, the upper supports 406
are preferably separated by a distance greater than the width of
the FOUP advance plate assembly 122. When the shuttle 400 comes to
rest in front of a load port, a FOUP advance plate assembly 122,
located in the lowermost position, is situated between the upper
support 406 and the lower support 404 and does not interfere with
the vertical support 408.
[0080] In order to transfer a FOUP from the shuttle 400 to the
kinematic plate 112 of the load port 100, the FOUP advance plate
assembly 122 is first lowered to the lowermost position. A shuttle
400 then comes to rest on the railway 420 in front of the load port
100. At this point, the kinematic pin grooves in the bottom surface
of the FOUP 2 preferably align with the kinematic pins 118 on the
kinematic plate 112. The FOUP advance plate assembly 122 is then
raised to the uppermost position. The FOUP 2 is eventually engaged
by the kinematic plate 112 and is lifted off the upper supports 406
of the shuttle 402. In a preferred embodiment, no further
adjustment between the FOUP 2 and the kinematic plate 112 is
necessary to move the FOUP towards the mounting plate 116 and
remove the FOUP door 6.
[0081] The rail 420 may comprise any mechanism known within the
art, such as a conveyor or a conventional railway. The rail 420 may
also be mounted within the fabrication facility at many heights.
For example, the rail 420 may be mounted to, flush with, below, or
elevated with respect to the facility floor 4. If the shuttle 400
is not elevated, the shuttle 400 preferably has a low profile to
allow operator foot traffic over the rail 420.
[0082] The shuttle 400 may travel along any type of rails. By way
of example only, the rails 420 may comprise a primary drive rail
422 and a secondary support rail 424. The shuttle 400 shown in
FIGS. 20-24 can simultaneously transport two 300 mm FOUPs 2A and
2B. It is within the spirit and scope of the present invention for
the shuttle to carry one or more FOUPs. Transporting two FOUPs 2A
and 2B with one shuttle 400 allows for more flexible delivery
sequences and provides buffering advantages. For example, a two pod
shuttle 400 has the ability to do "fast swaps." In other words, the
shuttle 300 can retrieve a first FOUP 2A from a load port 100A onto
an empty support 402 and then load a second FOUP 2B from the
shuttle 400 to the same load port 100A. This would reduce the
number of load ports 100 required at each processing tool 101
because the time required to exchange a finished FOUP (e.g., wafers
in the FOUP are done with the processing step) for a new FOUP with
unprocessed wafers would be very short. Of course, more than one
shuttle 400 may operate at a time.
[0083] Conventional process tools often have multiple load port
locations so that a finished FOUP can sit and wait for an AMHS
(e.g., OHT system) to remove it from the load port while another
load port holds a FOUP in process, and a third load port can be
loaded with a new FOUP from the AMHS. For example, FIG. 16
illustrates a processing tool 101 having two load ports--a first
load port 100A and a second load port 100B. Having two load ports
enables continuous tool operation without being gated by the AMHS.
With a fast-swap shuttle 400, a third load port would be
unnecessary to achieve continuous tool operation.
[0084] A shuttle 400 that could accommodate three or four FOUPs
could service two or three processing tools in sequence with fast
swaps at each tool. The shuttle could also take three or four FOUPs
from an origination point--maybe a stocker--and deliver the FOUPs
to three or four tools consecutively in one trip. For example,
several FOUPs may be loaded and unloaded from various tools during
a northbound leg up a bay (e.g., shuttle 400 traveling from
processing tool 101A to processing tool 101B). A bay is defined as,
but not limited to, multiple tools arranged in a row. The shuttle
400 would then reverse direction (e.g., shuttle 400 traveling from
processing tool 101B to processing tool 101A) and several FOUPs may
be loaded and unloaded from various tools during a southbound
leg.
[0085] The rail system may branch, curve or ramp up/down to move
the shuttle 400 along various paths on the facility floor 4, above
the floor 4, below the floor 4, between bays and within bays. All
shuttles 400 could be made identical in terms of pod position
relative to fiducials. This would eliminate tool "teaching" that is
required with current AGVs that incorporate a robot arm. This
improves serviceability and time to remove and replace
shuttles.
[0086] The shuttle 400 may travel at high speeds, for example, only
when enclosed in a tube 190, or behind a fence 150. In areas where
there is no enclosure, to allow foot traffic crossing for example,
the shuttle 400 would move in a slower mode and may incorporate
look ahead sensors or move behind a light curtain to avoid
collision. Intersections with foot traffic may have a physical gate
or may have a traffic light system to indicate whether foot traffic
may pass over the rail or not.
[0087] A rail-less shuttle, or AGV, may follow a visible line on
the floor or navigate relative to fiducials placed on the floor
(e.g., dead reckoning system), ceiling, walls or, on load ports and
similar structures. A rail-less shuttle provides several benefits
such as leaving the floor unobstructed for foot traffic and
equipment roll-in, eliminating the cost of the rail and not
restricting shuttle motion to linear movements between adjacent
tools. For example, a rail-less shuttle could cross a bay aisle to
transport FOUPs between tools performing consecutive process steps
located on opposite sides of an aisle and the shuttles could pass
one another where needed. In addition, individual tools could be
taken off-line for service and the rail-less vehicles could simply
be redirected around the load port area during this service.
Advanced vehicles could navigate the entire factory, enter
elevators and travel down aisles also occupied by tool
operators.
[0088] FIG. 25-27 illustrate that a load port is not required to
have either a container advance assembly for moving a FOUP
horizontally or a port door, and may only need to move a FOUP
vertically between two heights. For example, FIG. 25 illustrates
that a load port 500 includes, among other things, a mounting plate
516 having an opening 517 and a vertically movable support
structure 522. Similar to the embodiments described above, the load
port 500 also includes a mechanism for moving the support structure
522 vertically between the conveyor 560 and the opening 517. The
FIG. 25 embodiment illustrates a support structure 522 having two
supports for contacting the bottom surface of a FOUP.
[0089] The conveyor 560 shown in FIG. 25 is divided into three
sections at each load port 500 to accommodate the support structure
522. By way of example only, the conveyor 560 comprises a middle
section 562, a left section 564 and a right section 568. Each
conveyor section, in this embodiment, comprises a belt 568 and a
pair of rollers 570. In one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 25,
the rollers 570 that are part of the middle section 562 of the
conveyor 560, are rotatably mounted to the mounting plate 516.
[0090] Each section of the conveyor 560 is separated apart from the
other, creating a gap between each section of the conveyor. The
gaps allow the support structure 522 to travel below the conveyor
560 and wait for a FOUP to arrive on the middle section 562 of the
conveyor 560. After a FOUP arrives on the middle section 562 and
comes to rest, the support structure 522 may rise vertically to
engage the bottom surface of the FOUP and lift the FOUP off the
conveyor 560.
[0091] FIG. 26 illustrates a transport and delivery system
comprising a load port 600 and a conveyor 660. The load port 600
includes, among other things, a mounting plate 616, a support
structure 622 and a mechanism 620 for moving the support structure
622 vertically. In this embodiment, the support structure 622
comprises a structure having a first support 624, a second support
626 and a third support 628. Each support includes a kinematic pin
618 at the distal end of each support. This structure replaces the
kinematic plate 112 in the load port 100. The conveyor 660, by way
of example only, comprises a rail 662 and multiple cantilever
rollers 664. As shown in FIG. 26B, the each support 624, 626 and
626 of the support structure 622 is able to pass between a pair of
adjacent rollers 664 so that the support structure 622 can be
lowered below the rollers 664. A FOUP preferably comes to rest on
the rollers 664 with the kinematic grooves in the bottom surface of
the FOUP aligned with the kinematic pins 618 on the support
structure 622. The support structure 622 is then raised vertically
to engage the bottom surface of the FOUP and lift the FOUP off the
conveyor 660 to a predetermined height.
[0092] FIG. 27 illustrates another transport and delivery system
that comprises a load port 700 and a conveyor 760. The load port
700 includes, among other things, a mounting plate 716 having an
opening 716 and a slot 724, and a support structure 722. The
support structure 722, in this embodiment, preferably moves only
vertically between the opening 717 and the conveyor 760. However,
it is within the scope of the invention for the support structure
722 to also move horizontally. The support structure 722 may
comprise any structure that supports a container including, but not
limited to, a kinematic plate for supporting a FOUP or any other
container support mechanism. The conveyor 760 comprises a rail 762
having cantilevered rollers 764 with rotatable wheels 766 located
at both ends of each roller 764. In this embodiment, the rollers
764 preferably do not contact the container--only the wheels
766--to minimize contact with the container.
[0093] To support a container located directly in front of the load
port 700, two wheels 766 are rotatably mounted to the mounting
plate 716 of the load port 700. These two wheels may be passive
wheels or drive wheels. Eliminating the rollers 764 on the conveyor
760 for the section in front of the load port 700 allows the
support structure 722 to be lowered below the wheels 766. At this
point, when a container comes to rest in front of the load port
700, the support structure 722 may then be raised to lift the
container off the conveyor 760. The support structures and
conveyors illustrated in FIGS. 25-27 are interchangeable.
[0094] FIG. 28 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the system includes a load port 800
adjacent to a conveyor 160. The load port 800 includes, among other
things, a mounting plate 816, a port door 814 and container advance
plate 812. In this embodiment, the container advance plate 812 is
connected to the drive mechanism 820 by a cantilevered arm 824. The
drive mechanism 820 moves the arm 824 vertically substantially
between the conveyor rails 164 and 166 (as shown in FIG. 28) and a
load/unload height whereby the port door 814 is able to couple with
the FOUP door.
[0095] The arm 824 is configured such that the conveyor rail 164
does not require a notch (e.g., FIG. 2A) to accommodate the arm 824
while the container advance plate 812 is located in the lowermost
position. For example, the arm 824 may include a first horizontal
portion 826 coupled with the drive assembly 820 that transitions
into a vertical portion 828, which transitions into a second
horizontal portion 830. The second horizontal portion 830 connects
to the container advance plate 812. It is within the scope and
spirit of the invention for the arm 824 to have other
configurations (e.g., comprise two arms 824 attached to a different
part of the container advance plate 812, etc.) and/or comprise more
than one piece of material.
[0096] FIG. 28 illustrates a downstream direction (arrow A) and an
upstream direction (arrow B). The arm 824, while located in the
lowermost position, prevents a FOUP 2 from passing the load port
800 in either the downstream or upstream directions. To load a FOUP
2 traveling in the downstream direction onto the container advance
plate 812, the FOUP 2 must first travel past the load port 800
(e.g., to the position shown in FIG. 28). After the arm 824 lowers
the container advance plate 812 between the conveyor rails, the
FOUP 2 may then travel in the upstream direction until the FOUP 2
is located over the container advance plate 812. When the container
advance plate 812 is aligned with the FOUP 2, the drive assembly
820 raises the container advance plate 812 to lift the FOUP 2 off
the conveyor 160. The container advance plate 812 may be able to
move along a Y-direction (e.g., perpendicular to the conveyor
rails) in order to align the kinematic pins 818 with the bottom of
the FOUP 2. The Y-direction motion of the container advance plate
812 also allows the plate 812 to move the FOUP 2 towards and away
from the port door 814 when the plate 812 is located in the
load/unload position. While the plate 812 is located in the raised
position, FOUPs traveling on the conveyor may pass unobstructed by
the load port 800.
[0097] To unload a FOUP 2 from the load port 800 the drive assembly
820 lowers the arm 824 to the lowermost position--setting the FOUP
2 back onto the conveyor 160. The FOUP 2 is then able to move
freely on the conveyor only in the downstream position. If the FOUP
needs to travel along the conveyor in the upstream direction, the
FOUP must first travel in the downstream direction to clear the
container advance assembly 812. Once the arm 824 and container
advance assembly 812 is raised, the FOUP may then travel in the
upstream direction without contacting either element.
[0098] FIG. 29 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
for use with a bottom opening container 2. The load port 900
includes, among other things, a mounting plate 916, a port door
914, and a container support plate 912. The container support plate
912 is coupled with a drive assembly 920. The drive assembly 920
may comprise, for example, a lead screw, a belt drive, or any other
mechanism that is suitable for moving the container support plate
912 vertically between, among other locations, positions A, B and
C. The container support plate 912 may be coupled to the drive
assembly 920 by any mechanisms known within the art. For example,
FIG. 29 illustrates that the container support plate 912 is affixed
to the drive assembly by an arm 926.
[0099] FIG. 29 illustrates that the conveyor rail 164 includes a
notch to accommodate the arm 924 while the container advance plate
912 is located into position A. It is within the scope of the
invention for the load port 900 to include a cantilevered arm
similar to arm 824 shown in FIG. 28. For purposes of describing
this embodiment, position A is referred to as the conveyor
load/unload position, position B is referred to as the uppermost
position, and position C is referred to as the wafer load/unload
position.
[0100] The bottom opening container 2 includes, among other things,
a container door 4 removably secured to a container shell 6. By way
of example only, the container shell 6 includes a rim 8 having a
channel 10. The container 2 may have other configurations. When a
container traveling along the conveyor stops in front of the load
port, the kinematic pins 918 of the container advance plate 912
preferably align with the kinematic receptacles in the container
door 4. The container advance plate 912 may also move in the
Y-direction to align the plate with the container door.
[0101] The container advance plate 912 also includes a latch key
913. When the container is seated on the container advance plate
912, the latch key 913 engages a latch mechanism in the container
door 4. The container advance plate 912 may include any number of
latch keys.
[0102] In operation, the container advance plate 912 first raises a
container 2 from position A to position B. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 29, the container is raised until a mechanism for retaining
the container shell 6, such as a spring-loaded pin 926, engages the
channel 10 of the container shell 6. Other mechanisms for retaining
the container shell are within the scope of this invention. For
example, the shroud 930 may include a contact seal (e.g., rubber
seal) or an actuating seal that physically contacts the container
shell when the container shell reaches a particular height.
[0103] After the pin 926 engages the container shell 6, the latch
key 913 unlocks the container door 4 from the container shell 6.
The drive assembly 920 then lowers the container advance plate 912
to position C. The container door 4 then separates from the
container shell 6--which is held at position B by the pins 926. It
is within the scope of the present invention for the wafer cassette
WC to be, for example, seated on the container door 4, mounted to
the container door 4, integrated into the container door 4 or
removably affixed to the container door 4. The container shell 6
does not have to remain at position B the entire time while the
container door 4 is detached from the container shell 6. By way of
example only, the container shell 6 may be vertically or
horizontally adjusted by the retaining mechanism after the
container shell 6 is uncoupled from the container door 4.
[0104] The load port 900 preferably includes an environmental
isolation shield or shroud 930. The shroud 930 generally comprises
an enclosure having an open top and bottom surface that creates a
mini-environment to isolate the wafers while the container shell 6
is removed from the container door 4. The shroud 930 may comprise
any shape and may be manufactured from different parts and/or
materials. The shroud 930 is not required to have both an open top
and bottom. FIG. 29 illustrates that the shroud 930 is affixed to
the mounting plate 916--creating the mini-environment between the
mounting plate 916 and the walls of the shroud 930. The shroud 930
may be permanently or detachably affixed to the mounting plate 916
or a free standing element.
[0105] The shroud 930, by creating this mini-environment, protects
the wafer cassette WC from particle contamination after the
container shell 6 has been removed from the container door 4. In
one embodiment, the isolation shield 930 is shaped such that a
small gap exists between the edge of the container advance plate
912 or container door 4 and the interior wall of the isolation
shield 930. By way of example only, this gap may be between 1-30
mm. With such a small gap between the shroud wall and the container
advance plate 912 or container door 4, a proximity seal is created
between the container advance plate 912 (or container door 4) and
both the isolation shield 930 and mounting plate 916 (if the
mounting plate 916 forms one side of the mini-environment).
[0106] The shroud 930 also ensures that the atmosphere surrounding
the wafers has the desired gas content--preventing gas
contamination. FIG. 29 illustrates three pressure levels--P1, P2
and P3. Each pressure level varies to create an air flow from
within the tool outside to the fab with or without requiring fans
or other devices to control the desired air flows. For example, in
one embodiment, P1>P2>P3. The first pressure P1 represents
the pressure level of the gas located within the tool (e.g., very
clean air or nitrogen). The second pressure P2 represents the
pressure level of the gas located in the mini-environment (defined
by the container shell 6, the isolation plate 930, the container
advance plate 912 and the mounting plate 916). The third pressure
P3 represents the pressure level of the gas located in the
fabrication facility. When the port door 914 opens, gas located
within the tool will first enter the mini-environment and then
escape through the gaps (between, for example, the container door
and the shroud) into the fabrication facility.
[0107] The load port 900 may also include a wafer mapping system
(not shown) for detecting the position of each article located in
the container 2. By way of example only, the wafer mapping system
may comprise the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,949,
entitled "Load Port Opener," which is assigned to Asyst
Technologies, Inc., and is incorporated herein by reference. The
wafer mapping system may be located anywhere that the articles
within the container may be detected by, for example, a laser diode
emitter (e.g., part of the port door, integrated into the shroud,
etc.). It is within the scope of the present invention to use other
wafer mapping systems.
[0108] It should be appreciated that the above-described mechanisms
and process for FOUP transport between a conveyor and a load port
are for explanatory purposes only and that the invention is not
limited thereby. Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a
method and system for FOUP transportation, it should be apparent to
those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the within
system have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that
various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments
thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present
invention. For example, the use of conveyors has been illustrated
in a semiconductor fabrication facility, but it should be apparent
that many of the inventive concepts described above would be
equally applicable to the use of other non-semiconductor
manufacturing applications.
* * * * *
References