Patents by Inventor Hiromichi KABA

Hiromichi KABA 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: 11948823
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a carrier platform, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The carrier platform places a carrier thereon. The carrier includes a plurality of shelves arranged in an up-down direction. The shelves are each configured to place one substrate thereon in a horizontal posture. The transport mechanism is configured to transport a substrate to a carrier placed on the carrier platform. The controller controls the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a hand and a hand driving unit. The hand supports a substrate. The hand driving unit moves the hand. The controller changes a height position of the hand when the hand is inserted between two of the shelves adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, depending on a shape of a substrate taken from or placed on one of the shelves by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Takayama, Kazuhiko Nakazawa, Hiromichi Kaba, Toshihito Morioka, Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 11850623
    Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate treating apparatus and a substrate transporting method. The substrate treating apparatus includes a first transport mechanism. The first transport mechanism includes a hand. A hand includes a base, a suction portion, a first receiver, a second receiver, and a receiver driving unit. The suction portion is attached to the base. The suction portion flows gas along a top face of a substrate, and sucks the substrate upward without contacting the substrate. The first receiver and the second receiver are supported on the base. The first receiver and the second receiver are disposed below the substrate sucked by the suction portion. The first receiver and the second receiver can receive a back face of the substrate. The receiver driving unit moves the second receiver with respect to the base. The receiver driving unit causes the second receiver to access the first receiver and to move away from the first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Yuichi Takayama, Kazuhiko Nakazawa, Hiromichi Kaba, Toshihito Morioka, Takuya Sato, Noriyuki Kikumoto
  • Publication number: 20230302501
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus delivers a gas between a lower surface of a substrate and a base surface of a base part to form an airflow flowing radially outward and to cause a pressure drop in a space between the substrate and the base part by the Bernoulli effect. The base surface includes a second surface sloping upward in a radially outward direction. A third surface slopes downward in a radially outward direction from the outer peripheral edge of the second surface. A fourth surface is an annular surface contiguous to the lower edge of the third surface. The fourth surface expands radially outward outside the outer peripheral edge of the substrate in the radial direction. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress adhesion of a processing liquid to the lower surface of the substrate and to improve the stability of holding the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Hiromichi KABA, Takashi OTA
  • Patent number: 11764055
    Abstract: A substrate processing method is provided, which includes: a substrate holding step of causing a substrate holding unit to hold a substrate; an ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step of supplying an ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution containing ozone dissolved therein a hydrofluoric acid solution to one major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; a brush-cleaning step of cleaning the one major surface of the substrate by bringing a cleaning brush into contact with the one major surface of the substrate after the ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step; and an ozone water supplying step of supplying ozone water to the one major surface of the substrate before start of the brush-cleaning step after the ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step or in the brush-cleaning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Shibayama, Toru Edo, Hiromichi Kaba
  • Publication number: 20230290670
    Abstract: In a substrate holder, a gas supply part sends out a gas to the space between the lower surface of a substrate and a base surface of a base part to form a radially outward airflow. A division plate is arranged radially outward of the outer peripheral edge of the substrate on the base surface of the base part to surround the substrate. The inner peripheral edge of the division plate and the outer peripheral edge of the substrate face each other in the radial direction with a space in between. The upper surface of the division plate is located below or at the same position in the up-down direction as the upper surface of the substrate. An annular passage is provided between the lower surface of the division plate and the base surface of the base part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Hiromichi KABA, Takashi OTA
  • Publication number: 20230089805
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a carrier platform, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The carrier platform places a carrier thereon. The carrier includes a plurality of shelves arranged in an up-down direction. The shelves are each configured to place one substrate thereon in a horizontal posture. The transport mechanism is configured to transport a substrate to a carrier placed on the carrier platform. The controller controls the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a hand and a hand driving unit. The hand supports a substrate. The hand driving unit moves the hand. The controller changes a height position of the hand when the hand is inserted between two of the shelves adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, depending on a shape of a substrate taken from or placed on one of the shelves by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yuichi TAKAYAMA, Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Hiromichi KABA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Takuya SATO
  • Patent number: 11521881
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a carrier platform, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The carrier platform places a carrier thereon. The carrier includes a plurality of shelves arranged in an up-down direction. The shelves are each configured to place one substrate thereon in a horizontal posture. The transport mechanism is configured to transport a substrate to a carrier placed on the carrier platform. The controller controls the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a hand and a hand driving unit. The hand supports a substrate. The hand driving unit moves the hand. The controller changes a height position of the hand when the hand is inserted between two of the shelves adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, depending on a shape of a substrate taken from or placed on one of the shelves by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Yuichi Takayama, Kazuhiko Nakazawa, Hiromichi Kaba, Toshihito Morioka, Takuya Sato
  • Patent number: 11031235
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a driving magnet that is disposed correspondingly to a movable pin and that has a predetermined polar direction with respect to a radial direction of a rotary table, a pressing magnet that has a magnetic pole that gives an attractive magnetic force or a repulsive magnetic force between the driving magnet and the pressing magnet and that presses a support portion against a peripheral edge of a substrate by urging the support portion toward a contact position by means of the attractive magnetic force or the repulsive magnetic force, and a pressing-force changing unit that changes a magnitude of a pressing force against the peripheral edge of the substrate pressed by the support portion while keeping the magnitude higher than zero in response to rotation of the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kaba, Akihiko Taki, Tomomi Iwata, Toru Edo, Kunio Yamada
  • Publication number: 20210086236
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate treating apparatus for treating a substrate with a treating liquid, the apparatus including the following: a rotating member including a plurality of through-holes formed therein; a plurality of support pins attached to the through-holes with a non-sealing structure, and configured to support a substrate in such a manner that the substrate is spaced apart; a supply nozzle configured to supply a treating liquid to the substrate; a cover spaced apart below the rotating member; a rotational drive device configured to drive the rotating member rotationally in a horizontal plane; and a drive device configured to drive the support pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Yuichi TAKAYAMA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Hiromichi KABA, Takuya SATO
  • Publication number: 20210086222
    Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate treating apparatus and a substrate transporting method. The substrate treating apparatus includes a first transport mechanism. The first transport mechanism includes a hand. A hand includes a base, a suction portion, a first receiver, a second receiver, and a receiver driving unit. The suction portion is attached to the base. The suction portion flows gas along a top face of a substrate, and sucks the substrate upward without contacting the substrate. The first receiver and the second receiver are supported on the base. The first receiver and the second receiver are disposed below the substrate sucked by the suction portion. The first receiver and the second receiver can receive a back face of the substrate. The receiver driving unit moves the second receiver with respect to the base. The receiver driving unit causes the second receiver to access the first receiver and to move away from the first receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yuichi TAKAYAMA, Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Hiromichi KABA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Takuya SATO, Noriyuki KIKUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210090927
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a carrier platform, a transport mechanism, and a controller. The carrier platform places a carrier thereon. The carrier includes a plurality of shelves arranged in an up-down direction. The shelves are each configured to place one substrate thereon in a horizontal posture. The transport mechanism is configured to transport a substrate to a carrier placed on the carrier platform. The controller controls the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a hand and a hand driving unit. The hand supports a substrate. The hand driving unit moves the hand. The controller changes a height position of the hand when the hand is inserted between two of the shelves adjacent to each other in the up-down direction, depending on a shape of a substrate taken from or placed on one of the shelves by the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yuichi TAKAYAMA, Kazuhiko NAKAZAWA, Hiromichi KABA, Toshihito MORIOKA, Takuya SATO
  • Publication number: 20200381244
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a driving magnet that is disposed correspondingly to a movable pin and that has a predetermined polar direction with respect to a radial direction of a rotary table, a pressing magnet that has a magnetic pole that gives an attractive magnetic force or a repulsive magnetic force between the driving magnet and the pressing magnet and that presses a support portion against a peripheral edge of a substrate by urging the support portion toward a contact position by means of the attractive magnetic force or the repulsive magnetic force, and a pressing-force changing unit that changes a magnitude of a pressing force against the peripheral edge of the substrate pressed by the support portion while keeping the magnitude higher than zero in response to rotation of the rotary table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Hiromichi KABA, Akihiko TAKI, Tomomi IWATA, Toru EDO, Kunio YAMADA
  • Patent number: 10777404
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a driving magnet that is disposed correspondingly to a movable pin and that has a predetermined polar direction with respect to a radial direction of a rotary table, a pressing magnet that has a magnetic pole that gives an attractive magnetic force or a repulsive magnetic force between the driving magnet and the pressing magnet and that presses a support portion against a peripheral edge of a substrate by urging the support portion toward a contact position by means of the attractive magnetic force or the repulsive magnetic force, and a pressing-force changing unit that changes a magnitude of a pressing force against the peripheral edge of the substrate pressed by the support portion while keeping the magnitude higher than zero in response to rotation of the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kaba, Akihiko Taki, Tomomi Iwata, Toru Edo, Kunio Yamada
  • Publication number: 20190035622
    Abstract: A substrate processing method is provided, which includes: a substrate holding step of causing a substrate holding unit to hold a substrate; an ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step of supplying an ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution containing ozone dissolved therein a hydrofluoric acid solution to one major surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; a brush-cleaning step of cleaning the one major surface of the substrate by bringing a cleaning brush into contact with the one major surface of the substrate after the ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step; and an ozone water supplying step of supplying ozone water to the one major surface of the substrate before start of the brush-cleaning step after the ozone-containing hydrofluoric acid solution supplying step or in the brush-cleaning step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Nobuyuki SHIBAYAMA, Toru EDO, Hiromichi KABA
  • Patent number: 10192771
    Abstract: A substrate holding/rotating device includes an urging unit, urging support portions of movable pins to either an open position or a hold position, first and second driving magnets, mounted in correspondence to respective movable pins of respective first and second movable pin groups and having mutually opposite magnetic pole directions, a first moving magnet, for urging the support portions of the first movable pin group to the other of either the open position or the hold position, and a second moving magnet, for urging the support portions of the second movable pin group to the other of either the open position or the hold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kaba, Akihiko Taki
  • Patent number: 9892955
    Abstract: This substrate holding/rotating device includes an opening magnet forming a predetermined magnetic field generation region through which each movable pin rotating in response to rotation of the rotary table is capable of passing, the magnetic field generation region disposed so as to be eccentric with respect to a rotation direction of the rotary table and so as to allow only driving magnets corresponding to part of the plurality of movable pins to pass through the magnetic field generation region, the opening magnet giving a repulsive force or an attractive force to the driving magnet of the movable pin passing through the magnetic field generation region, the opening magnet generating a force that enables the support portion of the movable pin urged to the hold position by the urging unit to move toward the open position against an urging force of the urging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kaba, Akihiko Taki
  • Publication number: 20170243735
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a driving magnet that is disposed correspondingly to a movable pin and that has a predetermined polar direction with respect to a radial direction of a rotary table, a pressing magnet that has a magnetic pole that gives an attractive magnetic force or a repulsive magnetic force between the driving magnet and the pressing magnet and that presses a support portion against a peripheral edge of a substrate by urging the support portion toward a contact position by means of the attractive magnetic force or the repulsive magnetic force, and a pressing-force changing unit that changes a magnitude of a pressing force against the peripheral edge of the substrate pressed by the support portion while keeping the magnitude higher than zero in response to rotation of the rotary table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Hiromichi KABA, Akihiko TAKI, Tomomi IWATA, Toru EDO, Kunio YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170092532
    Abstract: A substrate holding/rotating device includes an urging unit, urging support portions of movable pins to either an open position or a hold position, first and second driving magnets, mounted in correspondence to respective movable pins of respective first and second movable pin groups and having mutually opposite magnetic pole directions, a first moving magnet, for urging the support portions of the first movable pin group to the other of either the open position or the hold position, and a second moving magnet, for urging the support portions of the second movable pin group to the other of either the open position or the hold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hiromichi KABA, Akihiko TAKI
  • Publication number: 20170092530
    Abstract: This substrate holding/rotating device includes an opening magnet forming a predetermined magnetic field generation region through which each movable pin rotating in response to rotation of the rotary table is capable of passing, the magnetic field generation region disposed so as to be eccentric with respect to a rotation direction of the rotary table and so as to allow only driving magnets corresponding to part of the plurality of movable pins to pass through the magnetic field generation region, the opening magnet giving a repulsive force or an attractive force to the driving magnet of the movable pin passing through the magnetic field generation region, the opening magnet generating a force that enables the support portion of the movable pin urged to the hold position by the urging unit to move toward the open position against an urging force of the urging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hiromichi KABA, Akihiko TAKI