Transport unit, transfer apparatus, and transfer method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10919710-B2
Application number	US-201815957366-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2018
Priority date	Oct 27, 2015
Publication date	Feb 16, 2021
Grant date	Feb 16, 2021

Abstract

A distorted substrate is positioned in a predetermined position and corrected, thereby improving the substrate transfer efficiency. A transport unit capable of transporting and positioning a substrate includes a transport mechanism for transporting the substrate to an unloading position, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the substrate in the unloading position. The positioning mechanism includes a regulating member including at least two pairs of regulating portions capable of abutting against the opposing end faces of the substrate, an abutment moving mechanism for moving one regulating portion toward the other regulating portion in each of the at least two pairs of regulating portions, and a regulation moving mechanism capable of moving the regulating member in a direction in which the substrate is pressed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A transfer method of transporting and positioning a curved substrate, correcting the substrate into a straight shape by pressing a substrate surface of the substrate, and transferring the corrected substrate, the method comprising: a setting step of setting a work range for the substrate based on a contour of the substrate in an uncurved straight state; a correction step of correcting the substrate into a straight shape by pressing a pressing member against the substrate surface of the substrate within the work range; the correction step includes: a blowing step of blowing air to the substrate surface of the substrate and a pressing step of pressing the pressing member against the substrate surface of the substrate; a positioning step of positioning the corrected substrate; a suction holding step of holding the positioned corrected substrate by suction; and a transfer step of transferring the corrected substrate held by suction.

2. The transfer method according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning step includes a positioning movement step of moving the corrected substrate in a direction parallel to the substrate surface within the work range while pressing the corrected substrate, and positioning the corrected substrate in a predetermined position.

3. The transfer method according to claim 1 , further comprising a positioning cancellation step of canceling positioning of the corrected substrate,
wherein after the suction holding step, the method proceeds to the transfer step through the positioning cancellation step.

Assignees

• Hirata Spinning

Inventors

• Hirasawa Yoichi
• Komuro Shuichi

Classifications

• H10P72/3202

  Mechanical details, e.g. rollers or belts · CPC title

• B65G49/061 Primary

  Lifting, gripping, or carrying means, for one or more sheets forming independent means of transport, e.g. suction cups, transport frames (suction means as load-engaging elements attached to the lifting or lowering gear of cranes B66C1/02; suction cups for attaching purposes F16B47/00; suction cups on gripping heads B25J15/0616; suction cups in general B65G47/91; suction cups combined with cutting means on vertical conveyors C03B33/00 - C03B33/10; devices for turning sheets B65G49/067; suspending devices B65G49/066) · CPC title

• B29C53/16

  Straightening or flattening · CPC title

• B65G47/88

  Separating or stopping elements, e.g. fingers (attached to star-shaped wheels B65G47/84) · CPC title

• Y10T29/53191

  Means to apply vacuum directly to position or hold work part · CPC title