Fixture

The present disclosure relates to a fixture, the fixture is a fixture for a semiconductor etching machine, and the fixture includes: a support mechanism, configured to be arranged on an outer base of an electrostatic chuck of the semiconductor etching machine; a cleaning mechanism, being rotatably arranged on the support mechanism; and at least one cleaning unit, being arranged on the cleaning mechanism.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, a fixture.

BACKGROUND

For semiconductor manufacturing devices, an electrostatic chuck (ESC) in a chamber, especially the edge part of the ESC needs cleaning and maintenance. After the maintenance of the chamber is completed by conducting the existing maintenance method, the edge flow is often high, resulting in the need to clean the chamber again or replace new parts, which prolongs the downtime of the equipment.

In the process of cleaning the chamber, it is operated rely on the feeling of the operator, which not only can not improve the above situation, but also may damage the parts due to the improper operation of the operator and increase the equipment cost.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fixture. The fixture is a fixture for a semiconductor etching machine, the fixture comprises:a support mechanism, configured to be arranged on an outer base of an electrostatic chuck of the semiconductor etching machine;a cleaning mechanism, being rotatably arranged on the support mechanism; andat least one cleaning unit, being arranged on the cleaning mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A clear and complete description will be made to the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without any creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other on a non-conflict basis.

The present disclosure provides a fixture, configured to clean and correct the electrostatic chuck of a semiconductor etching machine. A support mechanism of the fixture is fixed on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck. The fixture is centered and aligned by the original equipment structure of the semiconductor etching machine. And the cleaning unit arranged on the cleaning mechanism is driven to rotate when the cleaning mechanism rotates along the support mechanism. During the rotation, the cleaning unit cleans the electrostatic chuck. The fixture provided by the present disclosure can replace manual operation, ensure unity and uniformity of the operation, avoid damage of parts caused by improper manual operation, and reduce the replacement of parts, which can save production costs, improve cleaning efficiency, reduce downtime of the equipment due to cleaning and maintenance or replacement of parts, and improve the normal operation time of the equipment, thereby improve production efficiency.

The fixture provided by the present disclosure is described below in combination with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of a use state of the fixture of the present disclosure according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG.1, the fixture100of the present disclosure is a fixture100for a semiconductor etching machine200. The fixture100includes: a support mechanism1, a cleaning mechanism2and at least one cleaning unit3; wherein the support mechanism1is configured to be arranged on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200to fix the fixture100when in use so as to realize the positioning of the fixture100on the semiconductor etching machine200; the cleaning mechanism2is rotatably arranged on the support mechanism1, wherein the support mechanism1is configured to realize the accurate positioning of the cleaning mechanism2relative to the semiconductor etching machine200, and the support mechanism1ensures the smoothness of the rotation of the cleaning mechanism2; and at least one cleaning unit3is arranged on the cleaning mechanism2. With the rotation of the cleaning mechanism2on the support mechanism1, the cleaning unit3uniformly cleans and maintains the electrostatic chuck201.

In the process of practical application, the support mechanism1is fixed on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200, and at least one cleaning unit3is driven to rotate by rotating the cleaning mechanism2to clean the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200. The positioning function of the support mechanism1is used to ensure the stability of the cleaning mechanism2during rotation, thereby the stability and uniformity of the operation of the cleaning unit3are ensured, avoiding collision with other parts of semiconductor etching machine200, which reduces the probability of damage to the parts of the semiconductor etching machine200due to cleaning and maintenance, reduces the replacement frequency of equipment parts, production costs, and downtime of the equipment, and ensures the production efficiency.

FIG.2is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the fixture100of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.2, the cleaning mechanism2includes: a rotating unit21and a limiting unit22; wherein the rotating unit21is rotatably arranged on the support mechanism1, the cleaning unit3is arranged on the rotating unit21; and the limiting unit22is detachably connected with the rotating unit21and is configured to limit the relative position of the rotating unit21and the support mechanism1, so as to ensure that the center of the rotation track of the rotating unit21is always coaxial with the center of the support mechanism1when the rotating unit21drives the cleaning unit3to rotate. Thus, the operation stability of the cleaning mechanism2and the uniformity of cleaning the electrostatic chuck by the cleaning unit3are ensured, which effectively avoids the collision between the cleaning mechanism2and the cleaning unit3and other parts of the semiconductor etching machine200during rotation, thereby avoiding the damage to equipment parts caused by cleaning and maintenance, reducing the replacement frequency of parts of the semiconductor etching machine200, shorten the shutdown time, reducing the production cost and improving the production efficiency.

In this solution, the support mechanism1includes: an annular support unit11and a connection unit12arranged at the bottom of the annular support unit11; wherein the annular support unit11is configured to be sleeved on the outside of the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200, the rotating unit21is rotatably arranged on the annular support unit11, and the center of the rotation track of the rotating unit21during rotation is in the same straight line with the central axis of the annular support unit11; and the connection unit12is configured to fix the annular support unit11on the semiconductor etching machine200, and ensures the installation stability of the annular support unit11, so as to ensure the installation and operation stability of the fixture100on the semiconductor etching machine200. In some embodiments, one end of the connection unit12is detachably connected with the annular support unit11, and the other end of the connection unit12is arranged on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200. The connection unit12may be a connecting structure, for example, an arc connector with a certain length; the connection unit12can also be multiple connecting parts, for example, two or more connecting columns.

In some embodiments, in order to simplify the installation structure and save cost of the fixture100, the original structure of the semiconductor etching machine200can be fully used to connect with the support mechanism1of the fixture100. Exemplarily, the support mechanism1can be fixed and installed by the original process holes on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200. For example, the connection units12are columnar structure adapted to the process holes. The columnar connection units12are arranged correspondingly and distributed according to the position of the process holes on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201at the bottom of the support mechanism1. During installation, the connection units12of the columnar structure are installed one by one into the process holes on the outer base of the electrostatic chuck201. The positioning and installation of the support mechanism1are realized, that is, the positioning and installation of the fixture100on the semiconductor etching machine200are realized.

FIG.3shows a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the fixture100of the present disclosure. With comprehensive reference toFIGS.2and3, in some embodiments, the limiting unit22includes: a limiting ring221and a first limiting member222arranged at the bottom of the limiting ring221; wherein the limiting ring221is sleeved on the annular support unit11, and one end of the limiting ring221is detachably connected with the rotating unit21; and the other end of the limiting ring221is provided with a first limiting member222and the first limiting member222is located below the annular support unit11. The radial limiting of the rotating unit21is realized by the limiting ring221, and the axial limiting of the rotating unit21can be realized by the first limiting member222. The limiting ring221and the first limiting member222jointly ensure the operation stability of the rotating unit21during rotation, and ensure that the center of the rotation track of the rotating unit21is in the same straight line with the central axis of the annular support unit11, and ensure that the rotation track of the rotating unit21is determined and accurate, so as to avoid the collision between the fixture100and the semiconductor etching machine200during cleaning, and avoid unnecessary damage to the parts of the equipment.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.3, the first limiting member222may be an annular plate structure fixedly connected with the limiting ring221at 90 degrees. In the installation state, an annular slot is formed between the first limiting member222, the limiting ring221and the rotating unit21, and the edge of the annular support unit11or the annular support unit11is located in the annular slot to ensure the accurate positioning between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11and ensure the stable running track of the rotating unit21, Thus, the cleaning uniformity of the cleaning unit3is ensured.

FIG.4shows a bottom view of another exemplary embodiment of the fixture100of the present disclosure. With comprehensive reference toFIGS.2and4, in some embodiments, the limiting unit22includes at least three limiting parts223, and the bottom end of each limiting part223is provided with at least one second limiting member224. In the embodiment shown inFIG.4, the limiting unit22includes three limiting parts223, and a second limiting member224is arranged at the bottom of each limiting part223. The three limiting parts223are distributed at intervals on the outside of the annular support unit11, one end of the limiting part223is detachably connected with the rotating unit21, the other end of the limiting part223is provided with a second limiting member224, and the second limiting member224is located below the annular support unit11. The rotating unit21and the annular support unit11are radially limited by the three limiting parts223with interval distribution, and then the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11are axially limited by the second limiting member224, so as to ensure the stability of the relative position in the radial and axial directions between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11, that is, ensuring the operation stability of the rotating unit21during rotation, ensuring that the rotation track of the rotating unit21is determined and accurate, and then the collision between the fixture100and the semiconductor etching machine200is avoided during cleaning, so as to avoid unnecessary damage to the parts of the equipment.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the limiting part223is an arc-shaped limiting part, and the second limiting member224is an arc-shaped flat plate structure, which is fixedly connected with the limiting part223at 90 degrees. An arc-shaped slot is formed between each limiting part223and second limiting member224and the rotating unit21. The annular support unit11or the edge of the annular support unit11is located in the arc-shaped slot. The radial and axial limits between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11are realized by three groups of arc-shaped slots to ensure the accurate positioning and stable rotation of the rotating unit21, thus, the cleaning uniformity of the cleaning unit3is ensured.

As shown inFIG.2-FIG.4, in other embodiments, the limiting unit22may also be a combined structure of at least three limiting parts223and the annular first limiting member222, or a combined structure of the limiting ring221and at least three second limiting members224, wherein the combined structure is able to limit the radial and axial positions between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11at the same time. Meanwhile, it is necessary to avoid collision between the outer periphery of the limiting unit22and the semiconductor etching machine200during the rotation of the rotating unit21. Therefore, the outer wall of the limiting ring221or the limiting part223is an arc structure, and in the installation state, a certain gap is necessary between the outer wall of the limiting ring221and the semiconductor etching machine200or between the outer wall of the limiting part223and the semiconductor etching machine200.

Referring toFIG.2, in the solution of the present disclosure, the fixture100also includes a rotating mechanism4, the rotating mechanism4is located between the cleaning mechanism2and the support mechanism1, and is configured to ensure the smoothness of the rotation of the cleaning mechanism2. Exemplarily, the rotating mechanism4is arranged between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11, so that the rotating unit21rotates smoothly relative to the annular support unit11.

In some embodiments, the rotating mechanism4includes a plurality of balls41arranged between the annular support unit11and the rotating unit21. A plurality of balls41with the same diameter are configured to support the rotating unit21and ensure the smoothness and stability of the rotating operation of the rotating unit21.

FIG.5is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the fixture100provided by an exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG.5, in some embodiments, the rotating mechanism4includes a plurality of rollers42arranged between the annular support unit11and the rotating unit21, the rolling of a plurality of rollers42with the same diameter are configured to ensure the smoothness and stability of the rotation of the rotating unit21. Wherein the axial direction of the roller42is parallel to the radial direction of the annular support unit11, that is, one ends of the plurality of rollers42are arranged in the direction of the central axis of the annular support unit11, and the central axis of the roller42is arranged parallel to the upper surface of the annular support unit11to ensure smooth rotation of the rotating unit21without getting stuck.

FIGS.6-8are top schematic diagrams of the support mechanism1in an exemplary embodiment, respectively showing the position of the rotating mechanism4on the annular support unit11of the support mechanism1in one embodiment. In the embodiments shown inFIGS.6and7, the rotating mechanism4includes a plurality of balls41; and in the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the rotating mechanism4includes a plurality of rollers42.

In order to improve the rotation stability of the rotating unit21, the rotating mechanism4needs to be limited between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.6, an annular rolling slot111is arranged on the annular support unit11. A plurality of balls41are arranged in the annular rolling slot111, and a limit and rolling track are provided for the balls41by the annular rolling slot111. The balls41roll in the annular rolling slot111, which can ensure the smoothness and stability of the rotation of the rotating unit21. Exemplarily, the longitudinal section of the annular rolling slot111is an arc, and the arc radius of the longitudinal section of the annular rolling slot111is greater than or equal to the radius of the ball41. In the embodiment shown inFIG.6, the width of the annular rolling slot111is less than the diameter of the ball41, and the depth of the annular rolling slot111is less than the radius of the ball41. In other embodiments, the depth of the annular rolling slot111may be equal to or greater than the radius of the ball41, and just less than the diameter of the ball41. Moreover, the width of the annular rolling slot111may also be set equal to or greater than the diameter of the ball41.

In other embodiments, as shown inFIGS.7and8, a plurality of limiting slots112are arranged on the annular support unit11, a plurality of balls41(FIG.7) or a plurality of rollers42(FIG.8) are respectively arranged in the plurality of limiting slots112, and the dotted line in the figure shows the boundary line of the limiting slots112.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.7, the rotating mechanism4includes eight balls41. Eight limiting slots112of spherical structure are arranged on the annular support unit11, wherein each ball41is located in one limiting slot112, and the ball41can roll smoothly in the limiting slot112of spherical structure, so as to ensure the smoothness of the rotation of the rotating unit21, and then, the smoothness of the rotation of the rotating unit21on the annular support unit11is ensured. It should be noted that the spherical radius of the limiting slot112should be greater than or equal to the radius of the ball41to ensure the smoothness of the rotation of the ball41in the limiting slot112. Exemplarily, the depth of the limiting slot112may be less than the radius of the ball41(as shown inFIG.7), or equal to or greater than the radius of the ball41, and just less than the diameter of the ball41, so as to avoid the direct contact between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11affecting the smoothness of the rotation of the rotating unit21.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the rotating mechanism4includes12columnar rollers42. Correspondingly, 12 limiting slots112are arranged on the annular support unit11, wherein each roller42is located in one limiting slot112. The axial direction of each roller42is parallel to the radial direction of the annular support unit11, that is, the central axes of the12rollers42converge at an intersection, and the intersection is in the same line with the central axis of the annular support unit11. When the rotating unit21rotates, the rollers42rotate around their axis in the limiting slot112, so as to realize the rotation of the rotating unit21and ensure the smoothness and stability of the rotating operation of the rotating unit21.

With comprehensive reference toFIGS.5and8, in such embodiments, in order to ensure the smoothness of the roller42rolling in the limiting slot112, the inner surface of the limiting slot112is a cylindrical structure, and the radius of the cylindrical structure is greater than or equal to the radius of the roller42, and the length of the limiting slot112is greater than or equal to the length of the roller42. It should be noted that the depth of the limiting slot112can be less than the radius of the roller42(as shown inFIG.8), or greater than or equal to the radius of the roller42, just less than the diameter of the roller42, so as to ensure that there is always a certain gap between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11, this prevents the friction force between the rotating unit21and the annular support unit11after the rotating unit21is in direct contact with the annular support unit11from hindering the rotation of the rotating unit21. Exemplarily, the width of the limiting slot112may be set to be less than or equal to the diameter of the roller42or set to be greater than the diameter of the roller42.

In other embodiments, the rotating mechanism4may also be arranged between the annular support unit11and the limiting unit22, for example, between the outer periphery of the annular support unit11and the inner wall of the limiting ring221. Exemplarily, an annular slot is arranged between the outer periphery of side wall of the annular support unit11and the inner wall of the limiting ring221, a plurality of limiting holes are arranged on the inner wall of the limiting ring211, wherein balls are arranged in the limiting holes, and the balls are also located in the annular slot. So that the rotation of the limiting ring221is realized by a plurality of balls between the annular support unit11and the limiting ring221, further, the limiting ring221can drive the rotating unit21rotating along the annular slot on the annular support unit11to realize the smooth rotation of the rotating unit21and drive the cleaning unit3to operate smoothly.

In other embodiments, the rotation structure is configured to ensure the smooth rotation of the rotating unit21along the annular support unit11, the rotation structure can also refer to the realizable plane bearing structure.

FIG.9is a top view of the fixture100of the present solution according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG.9, in the fixture100of the present disclosure, the cleaning unit3includes: a support part31and a positioning part32; wherein the support part31rotatably arranged on the rotating unit21, and the positioning part32is configured to position the support part31at a preset position. Exemplarily, the support part31is rotatably arranged on the rotating unit21by means of the rotating shaft301.

It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the cleaning unit3also includes a cleaning part33. The cleaning part33is located between the support part31and the rotating unit21. And the cleaning part33is fixed at a preset position of the rotating unit21by the support part31and the positioning part32, and cleans the equipment with the rotation of the rotating unit21. Exemplarily, the cleaning part33can be sandpaper, such as3M sandpaper, ethanol cloth, or other cleaning cloth or paper that contains or does not contain organic solvents.

In practical application, the cleaning part33may not be installed before the fixture100is installed on the semiconductor etching machine200. In the process of installing the fixture100on the semiconductor etching machine200, the support part31needs to be fixed by the positioning part32, so as to avoid the support part31colliding with the semiconductor etching machine200due to the unpositioned rotation of the support part31during the installation process, thereby, preventing the support part31from damaging the parts of the semiconductor etching machine200. After installing the support mechanism1on the semiconductor etching machine200, loosen the installation force of the positioning part32, turn the support part31to one side or lift it, and place the cleaning part33on the rotating unit21, and the edge of the cleaning part33exceeds the predetermined range of the inner edge of the rotating unit21, then the support part31is rotated onto the cleaning part33, and then, the support part31is fastened by the positioning part32, and the cleaning part33is pressed on the rotating unit21to complete the installation and positioning of the support part31and the cleaning part33, so as to ensure that the cleaning part33can move with the rotation of the rotating unit21, and clean the electrostatic chuck201of the semiconductor etching machine200during the movement.

In some embodiments, in order to avoid collision between the support part31and parts (especially the electrostatic chuck201) of the semiconductor etching machine200during the rotation of the rotating unit21, the inner edge of the support part31is adapted to the inner edge of the rotating unit21, and the outer edge of the support part31is also adapted to the outer edge of the rotating unit21when the support part31is positioned at a preset position. For example, the inner edge of the support part31may be an arc structure with the same shape and radius as the inner edge of the rotating unit21, or a flush structure as shown inFIG.9, it is only necessary to ensure that the inner edge of the support part31does not exceed the edge range of the rotating unit21. Correspondingly, the outer edge of the support part31may also be set not to exceed the outer edge of the rotating unit21. For example, the outer edge of the support part31may be set as a flush structure or an arc structure as shown inFIG.9.

In some embodiments, at least one cleaning unit3, the number of cleaning unit3may be one or a plurality. When a plurality of cleaning units3are provided, the plurality of cleaning units3can be arranged at equal intervals or unequal intervals. In the embodiment shown inFIG.9, two cleaning units3are arranged on the cleaning mechanism2, and the two cleaning units3are distributed on the rotating unit21at equal intervals.

In order to facilitate operation, the fixture100of the present disclosure also includes at least one operation part5to facilitate holding the fixture100and manual operation to drive the cleaning mechanism2to rotate. In order to facilitate disassembly and operation, the operation part5is detachably arranged on the cleaning mechanism2. Exemplarily, in the present embodiment, the operation part5is detachably connected to the upper surface of the rotating unit21. In other embodiments, the operation part5may also be detachably connected to the edge of the rotating unit21or fixedly connected or detachably connected with the limiting unit22.

In some embodiments, the operation part5is an operation handle. For example, in the present embodiment, the operation part5is a columnar operation handle. In practical application, the material of the operating handle can be set according to the actual situation. For example, it can be coated with a layer of rubber to improve the comfort of operation.

The embodiments or implementations in this specification are described in a progressive manner, each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments may be referred to each other.

In the description of this specification, the descriptions with reference to the terms “embodiment”, “exemplary embodiment”, “some implementations”, “schematic implementation”, “example”, etc. mean that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure.

In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics can be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms “center”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “inner”, “outer”, etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are intended to facilitate the description of the present disclosure and simplify the description only, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and will not to be interpreted as limiting the present disclosure.

It can be understood that the terms “first”, “second”, etc. used in the present disclosure can be used in the present disclosure to describe various structures, but these structures are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the first structure from another structure.

In one or more drawings, the same elements are represented by similar reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, various parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale. In addition, some well-known parts may not be shown. For the sake of brevity, the structure obtained after several steps can be described in one figure. Many specific details of the present disclosure are described below, such as the structure, material, dimension, treatment process and technology of devices, in order to understand the present disclosure more clearly. However, as those skilled in the art can understand, the present disclosure may not be implemented according to these specific details.

Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely used to describe, but not to limit, the technical solutions of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that various modifications may be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions may be made to some or all technical features thereof, and these modifications or substitutions do not make the essences of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fixture. The fixture being applied to the semiconductor etching machine, can replace manual operation, reduce staffing, solve the inconsistency and imbalance caused by manual operation, and also solve the problem of parts damage caused by improper manual operation, which greatly reduces the risk of parts damage and reduces the increase in costs caused by updating parts, reduces the production costs, meanwhile, it reduces equipment downtime, improves the normal operation time of the equipment and improves the production capacity.