Patents by Inventor Akihiro Yazawa

Akihiro Yazawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11961676
    Abstract: An electronic device 10 comprises chip capacitors 20a and 20b, an accommodation recess 62 accommodating the chip capacitors 20a and 20b, and a case 60 including a protrusion 64 partitioning the accommodation recess 62 into a first accommodation space 62a and a second accommodation space 62b along the X-axis direction. The protrusion 64 includes a first protrusion 64a and a second protrusion 64b disposed away from the first protrusion 64a along the Y-axis direction. The first protrusion 64a and the second protrusion 64b are disposed with a communication space 69 provided between the first protrusion 64a and the second protrusion 64b, so that the first accommodation space 62a and the second accommodation space 62b communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Masuda, Shinya Ito, Norihisa Ando, Kosuke Yazawa, Yoshiki Satou, Katsumi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11890716
    Abstract: An accuracy of detecting a slip out of a substrate from a top ring is improved. A polishing unit 300 includes a polishing table 350, a top ring 302, a light emitting member 371, a slip-out detector 370, and an elimination mechanism 380. A polishing pad 352 that polishes a substrate WF is attached to the polishing table 350. The top ring 302 holds the substrate WF to press the substrate WF against the polishing pad 352. The light emitting member 371 emits a light to a detection area 372 on the polishing pad 352. The slip-out detector 370 detects a slip out of the substrate WF from the top ring 302 based on the light reflected from the detection area 372. The elimination mechanism 380 eliminates a polishing liquid flowing into the detection area 372.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Asagi Matsugu
  • Publication number: 20240017370
    Abstract: To provide a technique that allows accurately measuring a polishing state of a substrate. A polishing apparatus 100 includes: a sensor head 40 that includes a projector configured to project incident light, a condenser configured to condense the incident light projected from the projector and cause the incident light to be incident on a substrate Wf, and an optical receiver configured to receive reflected light reflected by the substrate; a displacement mechanism 60 configured to relatively displace the condenser with respect to the substrate to change a distance between the condenser and the substrate; an abrade amount measurement device 70 configured to measure an abrade amount of a polishing pad 90; and a control device 80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Akihiro YAZAWA, Yasuyuki MIYASAWA
  • Publication number: 20240001407
    Abstract: To achieve a cleaning module and a substrate processing apparatus that can improve the cleaning capability for a substrate with a simple structure. A cleaning module includes a first transfer mechanism 210-1, an ultrasonic cleaning tank 440, a transfer machine 420, and a second transfer mechanism 210-2. The first transfer mechanism 210-1 is for transferring a substrate WF with a surface to be polished facing downward up to a substrate grip or release position 418 on a downstream side along a transfer passage 405. The ultrasonic cleaning tank 440 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the transfer passage 405 and is for cleaning a substrate WF with the surface to be polished facing downward. The transfer machine 420 is for transferring the substrate WF between the substrate grip or release position 418 of the transfer passage 405 and the ultrasonic cleaning tank 440.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Asagi MATSUGU, Akihiro YAZAWA, Manato FURUSAWA, Hideharu AOYAMA, Ayumu SAITO, Yusuke SASAYA, Kenichi KOBAYASHI, Yasuyuki MIYASAWA, Tsuyoshi SOMA, Keiichi NOJO
  • Publication number: 20220005716
    Abstract: To provide an automated apparatus for conveying a rectangular substrate. According to one embodiment, there is provided a substrate conveying apparatus for conveying the rectangular substrate. The substrate conveying apparatus includes a plurality of conveyance rollers, a plurality of roller shafts, a motor, and a pusher. The plurality of conveyance rollers are configured to support a lower surface of the substrate. To the plurality of roller shafts, the plurality of conveyance rollers are mounted. The motor is configured to rotate the plurality of roller shafts. The pusher is for lifting the substrate on the plurality of conveyance rollers such that the substrate is separated away from the plurality of conveyance rollers. The pusher includes a stage configured to pass through a clearance between the plurality of roller shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Takashi Koba, Kenichi Kobayashi, Kenichi Akazawa, Fong-Jie Du, Makoto Kashiwagi, Asagi Matsugu, Takahiro Nanjo, Hideharu Aoyama, Takashi Mitsuya, Tetsuji Togawa
  • Publication number: 20210187692
    Abstract: An accuracy of detecting a slip out of a substrate from a top ring is improved. A polishing unit 300 includes a polishing table 350, a top ring 302, a light emitting member 371, a slip-out detector 370, and an elimination mechanism 380. A polishing pad 352 that polishes a substrate WF is attached to the polishing table 350. The top ring 302 holds the substrate WF to press the substrate WF against the polishing pad 352. The light emitting member 371 emits a light to a detection area 372 on the polishing pad 352. The slip-out detector 370 detects a slip out of the substrate WF from the top ring 302 based on the light reflected from the detection area 372. The elimination mechanism 380 eliminates a polishing liquid flowing into the detection area 372.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Akihiro YAZAWA, Kenichi KOBAYASHI, Asagi MATSUGU
  • Patent number: 10593570
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a substrate holding module that is capable of accommodating a substrate transferred by a transfer robot. The substrate holding module includes a pedestal including a holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate, a cover configured to cover the pedestal, and a moving mechanism configured to move the cover away from the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Kenichi Akazawa
  • Patent number: 10525564
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reversing machine that reverses a substrate upside down. The reversing machine includes: a first arm pair configured to mount a substrate thereon; a second arm pair facing the first arm pair; an opening/closing mechanism configured to open/close the second arm pair so as to grip the substrate mounted on the first arm pair; and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the first arm pair and the second arm pair around a predetermined axis that is set inside the first arm pair and the second arm pair and extends along an extension direction of the first arm pair and the second arm pair such that the substrate is reversed upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Akazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Akihiro Yazawa, Manao Hoshina
  • Patent number: 10508355
    Abstract: A plating apparatus enabling a user to conduct maintenance of a substrate holder while an operation of the plating apparatus is being performed is disclosed. The plating apparatus includes: a processing section for plating a substrate; a storage container configured to store the substrate holder for holding the substrate; a transport machine configured to transport the substrate holder between the processing section and the storage container; a maintenance area adjacent to the storage container; and a substrate-holder carrier supported by the storage container. The substrate-holder carrier is movable between the storage container and the maintenance area while supporting the substrate holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Yasuyuki Miyasawa, Tsuyoshi Soma
  • Patent number: 10354900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate transfer apparatus including: a pair of hands facing with each other; an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the pair of hands symmetrically in an opening/closing direction; a driving unit configured to transmit a power to the opening/closing mechanism; and a controller configured to control an operation of the driving unit. The opening/closing mechanism includes: a rotating body configured to rotate depending on a moving amount of the pair of hands in the opening/closing direction, and a sensor configured to detect a rotating amount of the rotating body. The controller controls an operation of the driving unit based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Takahiro Nanjo, Hiroyuki Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10071458
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a calibration apparatus which enables the pressing force of the polishing pad to be adjusted by a simple method without the need of removing a stage on which a substrate can be placed. One embodiment of the invention provides a calibration apparatus for a bevel polishing system for polishing a bevel portion of a substrate, comprising: a load measuring device capable of measuring a pressing load from a polishing pad of the bevel polishing system; and a base plate capable of having the load measuring device placed thereon, wherein the base plate is capable of being fixed on a vacuum suction table which is capable of having a substrate placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20180087176
    Abstract: A plating apparatus enabling a user to conduct maintenance of a substrate holder while an operation of the plating apparatus is being performed is disclosed. The plating apparatus includes: a processing section for plating a substrate; a storage container configured to store the substrate holder for holding the substrate; a transport machine configured to transport the substrate holder between the processing section and the storage container; a maintenance area adjacent to the storage container; and a substrate-holder carrier supported by the storage container. The substrate-holder carrier is movable between the storage container and the maintenance area while supporting the substrate holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Akihiro YAZAWA, Kenichi KOBAYASHI, Yasuyuki MIYASAWA, Tsuyoshi SOMA
  • Publication number: 20170236727
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a substrate holding module that is capable of accommodating a substrate transferred by a transfer robot. The substrate holding module includes a pedestal including a holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate, a cover configured to cover the pedestal, and a moving mechanism configured to move the cover away from the pedestal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Kenichi Akazawa
  • Publication number: 20170178940
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate transfer apparatus including: a pair of hands facing with each other; an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the pair of hands symmetrically in an opening/closing direction; a driving unit configured to transmit a power to the opening/closing mechanism; and a controller configured to control an operation of the driving unit. The opening/closing mechanism includes: a rotating body configured to rotate depending on a moving amount of the pair of hands in the opening/closing direction, and a sensor configured to detect a rotating amount of the rotating body. The controller controls an operation of the driving unit based on a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Akihiro Yazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Takahiro Nanjo, Hiroyuki Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20170151646
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a calibration apparatus which enables the pressing force of the polishing pad to be adjusted by a simple method without the need of removing a stage on which a substrate can be placed. One embodiment of the invention provides a calibration apparatus for a bevel polishing system for polishing a bevel portion of a substrate, comprising: a load measuring device capable of measuring a pressing load from a polishing pad of the bevel polishing system; and a base plate capable of having the load measuring device placed thereon, wherein the base plate is capable of being fixed on a vacuum suction table which is capable of having a substrate placed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro YAZAWA, Kenichi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20170072531
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reversing machine that reverses a substrate upside down. The reversing machine includes: a first arm pair configured to mount a substrate thereon; a second arm pair facing the first arm pair; an opening/closing mechanism configured to open/close the second arm pair so as to grip the substrate mounted on the first arm pair; and a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the first arm pair and the second arm pair around a predetermined axis that is set inside the first arm pair and the second arm pair and extends along an extension direction of the first arm pair and the second arm pair such that the substrate is reversed upside down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Kenichi Akazawa, Kenichi Kobayashi, Akihiro Yazawa, Manao Hoshina
  • Patent number: 8128458
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus detects the escape of a substrate from a top ring during polishing. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table having a polishing pad, a top ring, and a substrate escape detection section for detecting escape of the substrate from the top ring. The detection section includes a light irradiation member for irradiating an area of the upper surface of the polishing pad with light, a controller for controlling the light irradiation of the light irradiation member, an image-taking member for taking an image of the area irradiated with the light, and an information processing member for processing information outputted from the image-taking member. The controller controls the light irradiation member in such a manner that it performs light irradiation at least for a period of time during which the substrate is regarded as being in contact with the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Saito, Akihiro Yazawa, Masanori Sasaki, Takashi Mitsuya
  • Publication number: 20090209175
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus can detect escape of a substrate from a top ring during polishing. The polishing apparatus including: a polishing table (10) having a polishing pad (11); a top ring (21); and a substrate escape detection section for detecting escape of the substrate from the top ring, including a light irradiation member (26) for irradiating an area of the upper surface of the polishing pad with light, a controller (32) for controlling the light irradiation of the light irradiation member, an image-taking member (27) for taking an image of the area irradiated with the light, and an information processing member (31) for processing information outputted from the image-taking member, wherein said controller controls the light irradiation member in such a manner that it performs light irradiation at least for a period of time during which the substrate is regarded as being in contact with the polishing pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Kenichiro Saito, Akihiro Yazawa, Masanori Sasaki, Takashi Mitsuya
  • Patent number: 6824613
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus can efficiently form, e.g. by electroless plating, an interconnects-protective layer on the surface of a substrate at a low initial cost for the apparatus and a low running cost without the need for a wide installation space. The substrate processing apparatus includes a loading/unloading and cleaning area accommodating a first transfer robot which has a hand adapted for handling a dry substrate and a hand adapted for handling a wet substrate, a loading port which loads a substrate cassette that houses a substrate, and a cleaning unit for cleaning a substrate. A plating treatment area accommodates a second transfer robot which has a back surface-attracting type of hand provided with a reversing mechanism, a pretreatment unit for carrying out pretreatment of a substrate before plating, and a plating treatment unit for carrying out plating treatment of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Dai, Masaya Seki, Akihiro Yazawa, Toshio Yokoyama, Akira Owatari
  • Publication number: 20030221612
    Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing apparatus which can efficiently form, e.g. by electroless plating, an interconnects-protective layer on the surface of a substrate at a low initial cost for apparatus and a low running cost without the need for a wide installation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Naoki Dai, Masaya Seki, Akihiro Yazawa, Toshio Yokoyama, Akira Owatari