Patent ID: 8190277
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: G05B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for limiting expansion of earthquake damage for use in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that includes: a transfer area in which a container, containing an object to be processed and having a lid, is loaded and unloaded; a heating furnace for an object to be processed, the heating furnace having a furnace opening; and a working area disposed below the heating furnace, the working area being separated from the transfer area by a partition wall having an opening, wherein: the transfer area has a loading and unloading part for the container, a storage shelf part for the container, a transport part for the container when disposed near the opening, and a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the container; and the working area has an elevating mechanism configured to load and unload a holder holding an object to be processed, the holder being placed on a lid member for opening and closing the furnace opening, and a door mechanism configured to open and close the opening of the partition wall and the lid of the container on the transport part, the method for limiting expansion of earthquake damage comprising: a step of receiving an emergency earthquake notice, which is delivered based on a preliminary tremor through a communication line, or of directly detecting a preliminary tremor; a first step of stopping an operation of the heating furnace based on the received emergency earthquake notice or the detected preliminary tremor; and a second step that is carried out simultaneously with the first step, in which, when the door mechanism is opened, the door mechanism is operated to be closed, wherein: the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus further comprises a detection mechanism configured to detach the lid from the container on the loading and unloading part and to detect a position of an object to be processed in the container, and the second step includes the steps of, when the detecting mechanism is being operated, returning the detection mechanism to an initial state and closing the lid.