TRANSPORT DEVICE IN AN INSTALLATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUBSTRATES
The invention concerns a transport device in an installation for the treatment of substrates with a succession of transport segments for the continuous in-line transport of the substrates along a transport line through several treatment sections, wherein a transfer means is provided for positioning one substrate each into a stationary treatment position. The object of the invention is to improve the functionality of a transport device of the generic method to guarantee reduced cycle times. The object is achieved with a transfer means having at least two matching, mobile combination segments, by means of which the substrate is positionable, wherein the combination segments in an alternating assignment to the transport line form a transport segment.
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The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/889,005 filed on Feb. 9, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELDThe invention concerns a transport device in an installation for the treatment of substrates with a succession of transport segments for the continuous in-line transport of the substrates along a transport line through several treatment sections, wherein a transfer means is provided for positioning each substrate into a stationary treatment position.
BACKGROUNDTransport devices of this kind are to be found in installations for treating substrates in several successive treatment sections, for example in vacuum coating installations for the multiple coating of, for example, special glass. These involve an in-line arrangement, i.e. different coating sections connected in series, in which the substrates are transported by means of the transport device from one coating section into the next. In line with the configured sequence of the coating processes in the coating sections, all kinds of layer systems of several layers of varying material and thickness are applied by, for example, evaporation or sputtering onto the substrate. The variations in the layer systems lead to different retention times of the substrates in the individual coating sections. For example, different layer thicknesses at a continuous sputtering rate of the coating processes lead to coating times approximately proportional to the layer thickness. Thus, relative to the other layer thicknesses of the layer system, a double layer thickness requires twice the retention time for applying this layer thickness to the substrate in that coating section. In the case of an in-line configuration of the installation with sequential coating, however, the longest retention time of the substrates in one of the process stations determines the cycle time of the continuous substrate throughput rate through the coating installation. If a coating process step with an extraordinary long retention time compared with the other process steps of substrate treatment is necessary, this leads as a result to insufficient utilization of the coating sections having the shorter retention times and overall to low productivity of the coating installation.
To solve this problem of the in-line configuration, a transport device is suggested in the prior art that has a transfer means for positioning one substrate each outside of the transport line in accordance with WO 2004/013375 A1. This installation con-figuration comprises a linear succession of several modules M for vacuum treating substrates with a transport device for transporting the substrates between the modules M and with a transfer means for separate positioning of a substrate within the module M, such that by means of the transfer means a substrate for special treatment is placed inside a module, while the transport device can transport another substrate past it for treatment in an adjacent module M. Each module of the transport device has one transport segment comprising a pairwise arrangement of belts 1, 2 driven by wheels 3, 4 (
A disadvantage of the solution of the prior art, however, is that rerouting from horizontal in-line motion to vertical motion for positioning in the treatment position requires that the substrate be transferred by the transport device to the special transfer means. With the transfer of the substrate (including the substrate holder) to the transfer means, the form-fit connection for transmitting the force of the horizontal linear motion is released and conversely this connection has to be restored accurately again with the transfer of the substrate or the substrate holder to the transport device. This transfer of the substrate from one independent transport system into another independent transport system is regularly associated with deviations in positioning accuracy, irrespective of whether transport involves belts, rail transport or any other system, and therefore forms a permanent source of interference and error in the process cycle. In addition, the construction of the transfer means, which, for unhindered horizontal linear motion of the substrate, must be designed as an adaptation of the transport device, requires substantial space inside the vacuum treatment modules.
SUMMARYThe task of the present invention is to further develop a transport device of the generic method such that its functionality for guaranteeing reduced cycle times with simple means is improved.
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a transport device in accordance with claim 1.
The transport device in accordance with the invention has a transfer means with at least two matching, mobile combination segments, which in an alternating assignment to the transport line form a transport segment. One of the combination segments is arranged as a transport segment in the succession of transport segments along the transport line, while another combination segment is positioned outside of the transport line. The combination segment assigned to the transport segments effects, in the manner of a chain link, a link with the adjacent transport segments of the transport device, just like the links between the other transport segments. If a substrate or a substrate holder along the transport line is in connection with this combination segment, the transfer means causes an outfeed of this combination segment from the transport line for positioning of the substrate into the stationary treatment position, in which the substrate is preferably opposite a treatment tool. At the same time, the developing “gap” in the transport line is alternately canceled by another, yet identical combination segment of the transfer means. This combination segment joins the transport segments in place of the outfeed combination segment and again effects the previously described link with the adjacent transport segments of the transport device. The transport device can thus be continuously used, without restriction or interfering influences, in a simple manner for the continuous in-line transport of the substrates, such that a further substrate can be carried past the pre-ceding and outfed substrate, for example to a following treatment section. In the reverse procedure, with the outfeed of the incorporated combination segment from the transport line, the outfeed combination transport element moves back simultaneously into the gap that has become available in the transport segments, such that even a substrate positioned outside of the transport line can be further conveyed by the transport device without adverse transitions or interfering influences. The invention also concerns an installation, especially a vacuum coating installation.
Advantageous embodiments of the transport device in accordance with the invention indicated in claim 1 are associated with the measures specified in the sub-claims.
In a preferred embodiment, the combination segments are spaced apart from each other in parallel. Thus, the position of the combination segments can be adjusted or shifted at the same time by just one servo drive.
If the combination segments are movable especially at right angles to the transport line, the positioning effort for alternate allocation of the combination segments is further minimized, whereby, depending upon the design of the transport device and the orientation of the transport line, preferably horizontal or vertical outfeed of the combination segments for the transport line may be suitable. Horizontal pushing or vertical lifting and lowering of the combination segments are realized by means of a correspondingly suitable and favorably designed rolling or gear wheel drive or a sliding gear or a belt drive, each of which is electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operable.
Preferably, one transfer means is provided in at least two successive treatment sections or assigned to at least two successive treatment tools. Thus, multiple protracted treatment processes in the installation may be conceived of and both serial and parallel treatment of substrates may be performed. The cycle time of the in-line installation is no longer determined by this long treatment process and is thereby reduced. Thus, the first substrate can be treated in the first treatment section or by the first treatment tool and the second substrate following in the transport direction can be transported past the first substrate to the next treatment section or to the next treatment tool and be treated in parallel.
It is particularly advantageous if the combination segment and/or a substrate holder of the substrate assigned to the treatment tool is formed as a chamber partition. With outfeed of the combination segment including the chamber partition toward the treatment tool, it is possible to separably divide the treatment section into a process chamber and a transport chamber. Preferably by a connection of the formed chamber partition to sealing elements of the chamber wall, the substrate to be treated is sealed vacuum-tight inside the process chamber. The substrate transported during the stationary treatment of the substrate via the transport device through the treatment section is unaffected by this treatment process. Thus, different treatment processes can be performed independently of each other in the adjacent treatment sections.
It is technologically favorable if a flat substrate with its treatment surface remains aligned parallel to the substrate transport plane during stationary treatment in one plane, i.e. is pushed merely parallel to the surface without change of orientation. In transport devices with transfer means in accordance with the invention, the treatment surface of the flat substrate is preferably aligned horizontally or essentially vertically.
In a further expedient embodiment, the transport device has a rotary module with at least one transport segment, which can be assigned to the transport segments of two treatment sections. Likewise, it is possible to interconnect the transport segments of two treatment sections to at least one transport segment via a linearly oriented transport module. If the adjacent treatment sections each have a transfer means in accordance with the invention, one can in this way realize a treatment installation for static treatments, which can be operated both as an in-line installation and, similar to a cluster installation, with serial or parallel access to the individual treatment sections. This optional access to the individual treatment sections ensures that progressive movement of the substrates along the transport line is not blocked in any operating condition. Each substrate can be moved at any time in the transport direction to a free treatment section. With the transport device in accordance with the invention, higher throughput is possible in the case of certain treatment sequences, than for example in the case of the well-known cluster installations with central rotary module, which has a limited holding capacity for substrates and thus is overloaded when the treatment sections are fully populated.
The transport device in accordance with the invention is described in more detail in the following on the basis of two embodiments. The associated schematic drawings show in
The vertical in-line coating installation in accordance with the embodiment A in
The combination segment 10 of the transfer means 9 facing the coating tool 11 positions the substrate 8 into a coating position opposite the coating tool 11, as is evident from position I of the combination segments 10 in
The substrate guide plate 6 of the combination segment 10 in accordance with
As is the case for the in-line coating installation in accordance with embodiment A, a transfer means 9 with two parallel combination segments 10 is also provided in the in-line coating installation in accordance with embodiment B, the structure of said segments being identical with the transport segments 5, here especially with the roller segments 27, along the transport line 4.
In accordance with the embodiment B in
Mechanism by which the in-line coating installation in accordance with the embodiments A and B functions:
The substrates 8 are in-fed via chamber lock 1 and transported by means of the transport segments 5 along the transport line 4. Once a substrate 8 reaches the first coating section 1 on its transport route, the substrate 8 is received by one of the combination segments 10 of the transfer means 9 there, which serves momentarily as transport segment 5. By means of the transfer rolls 13 or by means of the lifting device 30, the transfer means 9 moves both combination segments 10 synchronously in the horizontal transfer direction 14 or in the vertical transfer direction 31 from the position II towards the coating tool 11, until the transfer means 9 has positioned the substrate 8 in the treatment position opposite the coating tool 11 (position I of the combination segments 10). The resultant gap in the succession of transport segments 5 is closed at the same time by the parallel combination segment 10, which thus in turn forms a transport segment 5 along the transport line 4. The following substrate 8, transported along the transport line 4, can now pass the first coating section 1 unhindered and without interference, in order to reach the adjacent coating section 1 past the preceding substrate 8. There, the substrate 8 is received by the combination segment 10 of the transfer means 9 there, which is in position II of the combination segments 10 and subsequently can also be positioned in the treatment position (position I of the combination segments 10). During coating of the substrate 8 in the first coating section 1, the process chamber 22 is separated from the transport chamber 23 by means of the chamber partition 21, such that the passing substrate 8 is not affected by the coating process in the first coating section 1. Thus, parallel and also serial coating of substrates 8 in the adjacent coating sections 1 are possible. In particular, protracted coating processes on the substrates 8 can be operated in a parallel, time-saving manner. Transfer of the substrate 8 to the corresponding transport systems of the in-line transport and of the transfer transport for the purpose of positioning the substrate into the stationary treatment position and back again is effected advantageously without interference-prone translation of the substrate 8 into the different transport systems.
TRANSPORT DEVICE IN AN INSTALLATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF SUBSTRATES LIST OF TERMS
- 1 Treatment, coating section
- 2 Lock chamber
- 3 Vacuum-tight chamber valves
- 4 Transport line
- 5 Transport segment
- 6 Substrate guide plate
- 7 Transport roll of the substrate guide plate
- 8 Substrate
- 9 Transfer means
- 10 Combination segment
- 11 Treatment, coating tool
- 12 Carrier plate
- 13 Transfer roll
- 14 Horizontal transfer direction
- 15 Rail segment
- 16 Transport roll of the rail segment
- 17 Substrate holder, carrier
- 18 Carrier car roll
- 19 Carrier car
- 20 Carrier rail
- 21 Chamber partition
- 22 Process chamber
- 23 Transport chamber
- 24 Sealing element
- 25 Chamber wall of the coating section
- 26 Rotary module
- 27 Roller segment
- 28 Transport roll of the roll segment
- 29 Guide profile
- 30 Lifting device
- 31 Vertical transfer direction
- 32 Sealing contact frame
- I Position I of the combination segments
- II Position II of the combination segment
Claims
1. A transport device in an installation, especially vacuum coating installation, for the treatment of substrates with a succession of transport segments for the continuous in-line transport of the substrates along a transport line through several treatment sections, wherein a transfer means is provided for positioning one substrate each into a stationary treatment position, characterized by the fact that: the transfer means has at least two matching, mobile combination segments, by means of which the substrate is positionable, wherein the combination segments in an alternating assignment to the transport line form a transport segment.
2. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: one of the treatment sections has at least one treatment tool, to which is assigned the substrate in the stationary treatment position opposite.
3. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the combination segments are parallel and spaced apart.
4. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the combination segments are movable transversely and preferably at right angles to the transport line.
5. A transport device in accordance with claim 4, characterized by the fact that: the combination segments are movable horizontally and/or vertically.
6. A transport device in accordance with claim 4, characterized by the fact that: the transfer means has a roll or gear wheel drive or a sliding gear or belt drive, which is electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operable.
7. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: one transfer means each is provided in at least two successive treatment sections or is assigned to at least two successive treatment tools.
8. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the transfer means has a chamber partition, which is arranged in one plane between the combination segments.
9. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the combination segment is assigned to the treatment tool and/or a substrate holder of the substrate is formed as a chamber partition.
10. A transport device in accordance with claim 8, characterized by the fact that: the chamber partition corresponds to a chamber wall of the treatment section with sealing elements.
11. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the transport segments are elements of a roll, rail or gas cushion transport device.
12. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the substrate has a treatment surface, which forms in the case of in-line transport of the substrate along the transport line a transport plane and during positioning of the substrate into the treatment position is aligned in a plane parallel to the transport plane.
13. A transport device in accordance with claim 12, characterized by the fact that: the treatment surface of the substrate is aligned horizontally or essentially vertically.
14. A transport device in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that: the transport device has a rotary module with at least one transport segment, which can be assigned to the transport segments of two treatment sections.
15. Installation for the treatment, especially coating of substrates, especially a vacuum coating installation with a succession of several treatment stations, characterized by a transfer means in accordance with claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 4, 2008
Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC. (Santa Clara, CA)
Inventor: Wolf-Eckart FRITSCHE (Kahl am Main)
Application Number: 12/027,388
International Classification: B65H 7/00 (20060101);