Patent ID: 6379095
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A robot for handling wafers in semiconductor processing apparatus, the robot comprising:a hub having at least one hub wall; a first bearing assembly supported by the hub; a first ring-like body rotatably supported by the first bearing assembly; a second bearing assembly supported by the first ring-like body; a second ring-like body rotatably supported by the second bearing assembly; a third bearing assembly supported by the hub; a third ring-like body rotatably supported by the third bearing assembly; a fourth bearing assembly supported by the third ring-like body; a fourth ring-like body rotatably supported by the fourth bearing assembly; a first arm horizontally bendable at a central portion thereof and having a near end fixed to the first ring-shaped body; a second arm horizontally bendable at a central portion thereof and having a near end fixed to the second ring-shaped body, the first and second arms having respective far ends movably joined together and supporting a first wafer-holding blade; a third arm horizontally bendable at a central portion thereof and having a near end fixed to the third ring-shaped body; a fourth arm horizontally bendable at a central portion thereof and having a near end fixed to the fourth ring-shaped body, the third and fourth arms having respective far ends movably joined together and supporting a second wafer-handling blade; a first magnetic coupling assembly magnetically coupled to the first ring-like body through the at least one hub wall; a first servo-motor adapted to rotate the first magnetic coupling assembly; a second magnetic coupling assembly magnetically coupled to the second ring-like body through the at least one hub wall; a second servo-motor adapted to rotate the second magnetic coupling assembly; a third magnetic coupling assembly magnetically coupled to the third ring-like body through the at least one hub wall; a third servo-motor adapted to rotate the third magnetic coupling assembly; a fourth magnetic coupling assembly magnetically coupled to the fourth ring-like body through the at least one hub wall; and a fourth servo-motor adapted to rotate the fourth magnetic coupling assembly.