Patent ID: 9653331
Date: 2017-05-16
CPC Classifications: H01L

Claim:
1. A single stage wafer cushion comprising: a lower cushion having a continuous ring shape; the ring shape consisting of a single “V” cross section wherein an opening of the “V” is opened on the outer edge of the “V” ring; the “V” ring comprising a compliant material with a hinging portion formed at an inner diameter wherein the wafer cushion is made of the single compliant material throughout; an extreme upper surface, the extreme upper surface located on a top and a bottom of the opened outer edge such that, when force is applied to the extreme upper surface the hinge portion will flex to close the opened outer edge; and an extreme lower surface, the extreme lower surface located on a bottom of the opened outer edge such that, when force is applied to the extreme lower surface the hinge portion will flex to close the opened outer edge, wherein the wafer cushion is a single unit; the inner diameter having a hinge profile with a first arm comprising a first elbow section, the first arm extending from the hinge profile to the outer diameter and the first arm having an inner surface and an outer to surface; and a second arm comprising a second elbow section, the second arm extending from the hinge profile to the outer diameter the second arm having an inner surface and an outer bottom surface to form an opening between the first arm and the second arm at the outer diameter, wherein the wafer cushion is partially compressed in a first stage the partial compression occurring at the inner diameter and is further capable of flexing to completely close the opened outer edge such that the compression at the outer edge is greater than the compression at the inner diameter, occurring at at least one point between the inner diameter and the outer edge, and wherein, when force is applied to the outer top surface of the first arm and the outer bottom surface of the second arm, the first arm and the second arm are brought together allowing the elbow sections to make contact thereby providing a first stage cushion.