Patent ID: 6317406
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: B65G,C23C

Abstract:
A device for gripping and holding a flat disc-shaped substrate having a central opening, comprising a housing, a plurality of grippers arranged in said housing, wherein each of said grippers is held and guided in a recess in said housing which allow a movement of the grippers transverse to a vertical axis of said housing, a plurality of magnets that cooperate with an electromagnet which is centrally arranged in said housing above said magnets, said magnets being rigidly arranged on the ends of the respective grippers, wherein said electromagnet has a magnetic field axis which coincides with a vertical axis of the housing, and wherein said electromagnet moves the grippers provided with magnets back and forward between two limit stops depending on the polarity of the electromagnet,wherein the housing is at least partially encompassed with play by a carrier with a central opening, wherein an element of an elastic material is distributed between the cattier and the housing, wherein said elastic element rests in a depression of the housing part with one half and in a depression in the carrier situated opposite thereto with its other respective half, wherein the recesses for the grippers extend in a plane that extends transverse to the vertical housing axis and radially outward, wherein the grippers respectively contain two limbs, a first limb is held in the recess and guided in displaceable fashion while forming a guide shoe, and a second limb extends downward perpendicular to the first limb and parallel to the vertical housing axis and is provided with a notch on an end thereof for encompassing the edge of the central opening of the substrate.