Chip transfer device and chip transferring method using the same

A chip transfer device is provided. The chip transfer device according to an embodiment includes a support, a plurality of pick-up modules disposed on the support in a horizontal direction, and movably connected to the support, and a controller configured to control the plurality of pick-up modules, wherein each of the plurality of pick-up modules is movable while collectively picking up a plurality of chips on a corresponding wafer among a plurality of wafers, and wherein the controller moves and adjusts the plurality of pick-up modules in a horizontal direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0036333, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a chip transfer device with improved chip transfer efficiency and a chip transfer method using the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs) are widely used as light sources for various display devices of various electronic products such as TVs, mobile phones, PCs, notebook PCs, and PDAs as well as light sources for lighting devices.

Recently, micro LEDs having a size of 100 μm or less have been developed. Micro LEDs have faster response speed, less power and higher luminance than conventional LEDs to be spotlighted as a next generation light emitting device.

The micro LED may be manufactured in the form of a semiconductor chip on a wafer, and mounted on a printed circuit board, which is a target substrate, at predetermined intervals to form a light emitting module of a display.

However, for a plurality of chips such as a plurality of micro LEDs formed on a wafer, because the plurality of chips are placed at a different interval from a predetermined interval on a printed circuit board, there is a need for a process of adjusting intervals between a plurality of chips in moving the plurality of chips on a wafer to a printed circuit board.

For example, a plurality of chips may be formed on a single wafer, and intervals between adjacent chips on a wafer may be smaller than predetermined intervals between adjacent chips mounted to a printed circuit board. In this case, there is a need for a device or a process of extending intervals between the adjacent chips in collectively picking up the adjacent chips formed on a wafer and mounting the chips on a printed circuit board.

Conventionally, in order to mount a plurality of chips at predetermined intervals on a printed circuit board, instead of using a process of extending intervals between adjacent chips during a transfer, a plurality of chips spaced apart from one another on a single wafer at predetermined intervals is selectively picked up or each of the chips on a single wafer is picked up and mounted on a printed circuit board at a predetermined interval.

However, such a conventional chip transfer process requires a plurality of iterations, and the transfer speed is too slow and there is a risk that an error may occur in an interval between a plurality of chips mounted on a printed circuit board.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the example embodiments relates to providing a chip transfer device capable of collectively picking up a plurality of chips of a plurality of wafers, adjusting intervals between the picked-up chips and mounting the chips on a printed circuit board, and a chip transfer method using the same.

According to an example embodiment, a chip transfer device is provided, the chip transfer device including a support, a plurality of pick-up modules disposed on the support in a horizontal direction, and movably connected to the support, and a controller configured to control the plurality of pick-up modules, wherein each of the plurality of pick-up modules is movable while collectively picking up a plurality of chips on a corresponding wafer among a plurality of wafers, and wherein the controller is configured to move and adjust the plurality of pick-up modules in a horizontal direction to equalize intervals between the plurality of chips picked up by each pick-up module.

Each of the plurality of pick-up modules may include a connection part movably connected to the support in a horizontal direction, a pick-up body connected to one end of the connection part, and a plurality of pick-up heads arranged spaced apart from one another on the pick-up body at a first interval.

A length between an outermost pick-up head, among the plurality of pick-up heads, and a side surface of the pick-up body may be half of the first interval.

The controller may move and adjust each connection part in a horizontal direction to render the side surface of the pick-up body to contact a side surface of an adjacent pick-up body while the plurality of pick-up modules pick up the plurality of chips.

The side surface of the pick-up body may include a tooth portion configured to be engaged with the side surface of the adjacent pick-up body.

The controller may move and adjust the connection part in a horizontal direction to equalize intervals of the plurality of chips picked up by the pick-up module at the first interval.

Each of the plurality of pick-up modules may further include a connection extension part which connects the connection part and the pick-up body, wherein the connection extension part is movably formed in a vertical direction from the connection part.

The controller may collectively move and adjust the connection extension part in a vertical direction.

The controller may sequentially control the plurality of pick-up modules while the plurality of pick-up modules pick up the plurality of chips, respective connection parts of the plurality of pick-up modules may move in a horizontal direction, and each connection extension part may move in a vertical direction.

The device may further include a stage including the plurality of wafers or a printed circuit board on which the plurality of picked up chips are mounted.

The plurality of wafers may be disposed in a grid pattern, wherein the plurality of pick-up modules are arranged in a grid pattern to respectively correspond to the plurality of wafers.

According to an example embodiment, a chip transfer method is provided, the method including loading a plurality of wafers on a stage, picking up a plurality of chips on a corresponding wafer collectively by each of a plurality of pick-up modules, and moving and adjusting the plurality of pick-up modules in a horizontal direction to equalize intervals of the plurality of chips picked up by each pick-up module.

The method may further include unloading the plurality of wafers from the stage, loading a printed circuit board on the stage, and mounting the plurality of chips on the printed circuit board as the plurality of pick-up modules move in a vertical direction while picking up the plurality of chips.

The plurality of pick-up modules may move collectively or sequentially in a horizontal direction while picking up the plurality of chips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to fully understand the structure and effects of the disclosure, various example embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be understood as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood, however, that the description of the embodiments is provided to enable the disclosure of the disclosure to be complete. In the accompanying drawings, the elements may be enlarged in size for convenience of explanation and the proportions of the elements can be exaggerated or reduced.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or connected to” another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected to” another element, no intervening elements are present. Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between components such as “˜ between” and “directly adjacent to ˜” may be understood similarly.

The terms such as “first,” “second,” and so on may be used to describe a variety of elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used simply to distinguish one element from other elements. The use of such ordinal numbers should not be understood as limiting the meaning of the term. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component.

The singular expression also includes the plural as long as it does not conflict with the context. In this disclosure, terms such as ‘include’ and ‘have/has’ should be understood as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof in the disclosure, not to exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6are cross-sectional views illustrating an example chip transfer device1and an example chip transfer process according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the chip transfer device1will be described with reference toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6.

Referring toFIG. 1, the chip transfer device1may include a support100, a pick-up module200, a controller (e.g., including processing circuitry)300and a stage500.

The support100may include a fixing portion110and a horizontal portion120and support a plurality of pick-up modules200(e.g., including pick-up modules210,220,230).

The fixing portion110may be engaged with a structural body which is not shown, and move in a horizontal direction (an X-axis direction) and a vertical direction (a Z-axis direction) through a well-known structure such as, for example, and without limitation, a multi-joint structure, a piston structure, a sliding structure, or the like.

The horizontal portion120may be coupled to the fixing portion110, and the fixing portion110and the horizontal portion120may be integrally formed to the extent necessary. A rail (not shown) may be formed in the horizontal portion120, and the plurality of pick-up models200may move in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction) along the rail of the horizontal portion120.

However, to the extent necessary, the horizontal portion120may vary as long as the plurality of pick-up modules200move in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction).

The pick-up module200may be arranged on the support100in a horizontal direction, and movably connected to the support100.

The pick-up module200may include a first pick-up module210, a second pick-up module220, and a third pick-up module230. However, the pick-up module200is not limited to a particular number, but it may be plural.

The first pick-up module210, the second pick-up module220, and the third pick-up module230may be the same configuration, and the first pick-up module210will be described as an example for ease of explanation.

The first pick-up module210may include a first connector211, a first pick-up body212, and a plurality of first pick-up heads213.

The first connector211may connect the support100to the first pick-up body212, and be movably connected to the support100in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction). The first pick-up module210may move on the support100in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction) because the first connector211is connected to the support100.

The first pick-up body212may, for example, be formed in a cube shape including one surface212a, the other surface212b, and a side surface212c.

The one end211aof the first connector211may be connected to the one surface212aof the pick-up body212, and the plurality of first pick-up heads213may be arranged on the other surface212b.

Referring toFIG. 4, the side surface212cof the first pick-up module210may contact the side surface222cof the second pick-up module220adjacent to the first pick-up module210.

The side surface212cof the first pick-up body212may include a tooth portion212d(seeFIG. 21) to be engaged with the side surface222cof the second pick-up body222adjacent thereto.

In the same manner, the side surface222cof the second pick-up body222may include a tooth portion222d(seeFIG. 21) to be engaged with the side surface232cof the third pick-up body232.

Accordingly, the first pick-up module210and the second pick-up module220may maintain predetermined intervals between chips412,422and432picked up by structural contact.

Referring toFIG. 1, the first pick-up head213may include a plurality of first pick-up heads, and the first pick-up head213may be spaced apart from the first pick-up body212at a first interval G1. For example, the plurality of first pick-up head213may be arranged on the other surface212bof the first pick-up body212at the first interval G1.

In addition, a length (L) between the pick-up head213aarranged at the outermost of the plurality of first pick-up head213of the first pick-up body212and the side surface212cof the first pick-up body212may be half of the first interval G1.

Referring toFIG. 4, while the side surfaces212c,222cand232cof the plurality of the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230contact one another, the intervals between the chips412,422and432picked up by the plurality of pick-up heads213,223and233may be the first interval G1.

The first pick-up head213may pick up a chip411on a first wafer410. The first pick-up head213may pick up the chip411using various methods such as, for example, and without limitation, an adhesive method, a vacuum method, an electrostatic method, a hybrid method, or the like.

The various methods in which the first pick-up head213picks up the chip411is well known in the art, and thus the detailed description thereof will not be provided here.

The first connector211, the first pick-up body212, and the plurality of first pick-up heads213of the first pick-up module210have been described, but the configuration of the first pick-up module210may be the same as those of the second pick-up module220and the third pick-up module230.

The controller300may include various processing circuitry and control the chip transfer device1and control (adjust) each of the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230by being electrically and operably connected to the plurality of pick-up modules210,220, and230.

The controller300may move the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230in a horizontal direction so that the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230are disposed at the same interval.

The controller300may move each of the plurality of connectors211,221and231in a horizontal direction so that the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230are disposed at the first interval G1.

Referring toFIG. 1, a plurality of wafers may be disposed on the stage500, for example, the plurality of wafers may include a first wafer410, a second wafer420, and a third wafer430. However, the wafer is not limited to a particular number, but it may be plural.

The first wafer410, the second wafer420, and the third wafer430may be the same and the first wafer410will be described by way of example for ease of convenience.

The first wafer410may, for example, have a circular plate shape, and include a plurality of chips411,421and431manufactured in a semi-conductor process. However, the shape of the first wafer410may vary to the extent necessary.

The second wafer420may be arranged spaced apart from the first wafer410so that an interval between a chip411adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips411of the first wafer410and a chip421adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips421of the second wafer420adjacent to the first wafer410may be a second interval G2.

In the same manner, the third wafer430may be arranged spaced apart from the second wafer420so that an interval between a chip421adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips421of the second wafer420and a chip431adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips431of the third wafer430adjacent to the second wafer420may be the second interval G2.

The second interval G2may be smaller than a fourth interval G4that will be described below.

The plurality of chips411,421, and431may be disposed on the wafer, and the plurality of chips411,421, and431may be disposed at a third interval G3. The third interval G3may be smaller than the first interval G1. The first interval G1may be an integral multiple of the third interval G3.

The plurality of chips411,421and431may be embodied with Light Emitting Diode (LED) which is a light source of a display. The plurality of chips411,421and431may be formed of micro miniature LEDs of 5 to 10 micrometer (μm) size.

The stage500may be disposed under the support100, and formed of a flat or substantially flat substrate.

The plurality of wafers or a printed circuit board600(seeFIG. 4) on which the picked up chips412,422and432are mounted may be disposed on the stage500.

The printed circuit board600could be in various shapes to be applied to display products. The printed circuit board600is well known in the art, and thus the detailed description will not be provided here.

Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4,FIG. 5andFIG. 6, a chip transfer process through the chip transfer device1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail.

Referring toFIG. 1, a plurality of wafers410,420and430may be loaded on the stage500.

The plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230may be disposed to respectively correspond to the plurality of wafers410,420and430. The plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230may be disposed at a fourth interval G4.

The fourth interval G4may be defined as an interval between the pick-up head213aarranged at the outermost of the first pick-up module210and the pick-up head223aarranged at the outermost of the second pick-up module220. In the same manner, the fourth interval G4may be the same as the interval between the pick-up head223adisposed at the outermost of the second pick-up module220and the pick-up head223adisposed at the outermost of the third pick-up module230adjacent to the second pick-up module220.

The fourth interval G4may be greater than the second interval G2between the chip411adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips411of the first wafer410and the chip421adisposed at the outermost of the plurality of chips421of the second wafer420adjacent to the first wafer410. Therefore, a single pick-up module may be arranged to correspond to a single wafer, and thus a signal pick-up module may pick up a plurality of chips arranged on a single wafer.

The first pick-up module210may pick up the plurality of chips411disposed on the first wafer410, and the second pick-up module220may pick up the plurality of chips421disposed on the second wafer420, and the third pick-up module230may pick up only the plurality of chips431disposed on the third wafer430.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the support100connected to the plurality of pick-up module210,220and230may move in a downward direction (direction A), and the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230may collectively pick up the plurality of chips411,421, and431disposed on the plurality of wafers410,420and430.

The chip transfer device1may collectively pick up the plurality of chips411,421and431disposed on the plurality of wafers410,420and430disposed at the second interval G2, and thus the transfer speed of the picked up chips412,422and432may increase and the transfer efficiency may increase accordingly.

Referring toFIG. 3, the plurality of chips412picked up by the first pick-up module210may be arranged spaced apart from each other at the first interval G1, which is the interval between the first pick-up heads213, and the outermost chip412apicked up by the first pick-up module210and the outermost chip422apicked up by the second pick-up module220adjacent to the first pick-up module210may be arranged spaced apart from each other at the fourth interval G4.

In the same manner, the plurality of chips422picked up by the second pick-up module220may be arranged spaced apart from each other at the first interval G1, which is the same as the interval between the second pick-up heads223, and the outermost chip422apicked up by the second pick-up module220and the outermost chip432apicked up by the third pick-up module230adjacent to the second pick-up module220may be arranged spaced apart from each other at the fourth interval G4.

Referring toFIG. 4, while a plurality of chips corresponding to the plurality of wafers410,420and430are collectively picked up, each of the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230may move in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction) so that the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the controller300are arranged spaced apart at the same interval.

The controller300may move the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230in a horizontal direction so that the intervals between the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230may be the first interval G1.

The controller300may move and control each of the connectors211and222in a horizontal direction so that the side surface212cof the first pick-up body212may contact to the side surface222cof the second pick-up module220adjacent thereto while the first pick-up module210picks up the chip412.

Referring toFIG. 4, through the movement of the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230in the horizontal direction, the interval between the outermost chip412cpicked up by the first pick-up module210and the outermost chip422cpicked up by the second pick-up module220which is adjacent to the first pick-up module210may be adjusted to be the same as the first interval G1.

In the same manner, the interval between the outermost chip422cpicked up by the second pick-up module220and the outermost chip432cpicked up by the third pick-up module230adjacent to the second pick-up module220may be adjusted to be the same as the first interval G1.

In addition, after the intervals between the plurality of chips412,422and432are adjusted to be the same as the first interval G1through the movement of the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230in the horizontal direction, the plurality of wafers410,420and430disposed on the stage500may be uploaded, and the printed circuit board600may be loaded on the stage500.

To the extent necessary, the support100may move in the horizontal direction (the X-axis direction) toward the top of the printed circuit board600at the positions of the wafers410,420and430.

The chip transfer device1may further include a camera (not shown) arranged under the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230, and the controller300may identify the pattern of the arrangement of the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the pick-up modules210,220and230through the camera, and then identify whether or not the plurality of chips421,422and432are defective, for example, the chips are tilted.

A chip determined as being defective may be selectively deleted among the plurality of chips412,422and432picked up by the pick-up modules210,220and230through an additional process.

Various methods such as, for example, and without limitation, a laser method, an adhesive method, an electrostatic method, a hybrid method and the like can be used as a method of removing a selected defective chip. However, a method of removing a defective chip is a well-known technique in the prior art, and thus will not be further explained here.

Referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, while the plurality of pick-up modules210,220and230pick up the plurality of chips412,422and432, the plurality of picked up chips412,422and432may be mounted on the printed circuit board600at the first interval G1by moving in the downward direction (direction A).

As described above, the chip transfer device1may collectively pick up the plurality of chips412,422and432of the plurality of wafers410,420and430disposed at the second interval G2, and then adjust the intervals between the plurality of chips412,422and432to the first interval G1to mount the plurality of chips412,422and432on the printed circuit board600. Accordingly, the plurality of chips412,422and432may be more quickly transferred to and mounted on the printed circuit board600from the plurality of wafers410,420and430.

FIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 10,FIG. 11,FIG. 12andFIG. 13are cross-sectional views illustrating an example chip transfer device1001and an example chip transfer process according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 10,FIG. 11,FIG. 12andFIG. 13, the chip transfer device1001according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

The support100, the pick-up body212,222,223, the plurality of pick-up heads213,223and233, a plurality of chips411,421and431, the stage500, and the printed circuit board600shown inFIG. 7are the same as those shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 4, and thus a repeated description will not be provided here.

Referring toFIG. 7toFIG. 8, the plurality of pickup modules1210,1220and1230may include connection parts1211,1222and1232, the pick-up bodies212,222and232, and connection extension parts1214, connecting the connection parts1211,1222and1232and the pick-up bodies212,222, and232.

For example, the connection extension parts1214,1224, and1234may be formed so that one ends1214a,1224a, and1234amay be movably coupled to the connection parts1211,1221and1231, and the other ends1214b,1224band1234bmay be connected to the pick-up bodies212,222, and232.

For example, the first connection extension part1214may include one end1214amovably coupled to the first connection part1211, the other end1214bconnected to the first pickup body212, and the second connection extension part1224may include one end1224acoupled to the second connection part1221and the other end1224bconnected to the second pickup body222.

The connection extension parts1214,1224, and1234may be configured to be movable in a vertical direction (a Z-axis direction) from the connection parts1211,1222, and1232.

For example, the connection extension parts1214,1224and1234may be connected to the connection parts1211,1222and1232in a piston structure to be movable in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction) from the connection parts1211,1222and1232.

The structure of the connection extension parts1214,1224and1234may vary as long as the connection extension parts1214,1224and1234can move in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction) with respect to the connection parts1211,1221and1231.

Accordingly, the pick-up bodies212,222and232of the plurality of pickup modules1210,1220and1230including the connection extension parts1214,1224and1234may move in a vertical direction independently of one another.

The controller1300may adjust the connection extension parts1214,1224, and1234in the vertical direction.

For example, the controller1300may sequentially control the plurality of pickup modules1211,1222, and1232so that the respective connection parts1211,1222, and1232of the plurality of pickup modules1211,1222, and1232may move in a horizontal direction while the plurality of pickup modules1211,1222and1232pick up the plurality of chips421,422and432, and then the respective connection extension parts1214,1224and1234move in the vertical direction.

Referring toFIG. 7,FIG. 8,FIG. 9,FIG. 10,FIG. 11,FIG. 12andFIG. 13, a chip transfer process through the chip transfer device1001according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail.

FIG. 7illustrates that the plurality of pick-up modules1210,1220and1230are disposed above the printed circuit board600loaded on the stage500while the plurality of pick-up modules1210,1220and1230collectively pick up the plurality of chips412,422and432as shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2andFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 8, by extending the first connection extension part1214in the downward direction (direction A) by the controller1300with the chip412picked up, the chip412picked up by the first pick-up head213may move in the downward direction (direction A) to be mounted on the printed circuit board600.

Referring toFIG. 9, the plurality of chips421picked up by the first pick-up head213may be mounted on the printed circuit board600at the first interval G1, and the first pick-up body212may move in an upward direction (direction B).

Referring toFIG. 10, the second pick-up module1220adjacent to the first pick-up module1210may move in a horizontal direction toward the first pick-up module1210, and the fourth interval G4may be adjusted to the first interval G1accordingly.

To the extent necessary, the plurality of pick-up modules1210,1220and1230may move collectively or sequentially in a horizontal direction with the plurality of chips421,422and432picked up.

Referring toFIG. 11andFIG. 12, when the second pick-up module1220that picks up the plurality of chips422moves in a horizontal direction, the second connection extension part1224may extend in the downward direction (direction A) by the controller1300, the chip422picked up by the second pick-up head223may be mounted on the printed circuit board600at the first interval G1together with the chip421coupled to the printed circuit board600first.

Referring toFIG. 12andFIG. 13, the chip432picked up by the third pick-up module1230may be mounted on the printed circuit board600at the first interval G1together with the chip422coupled to the printed circuit board600by the second pick-up module1220.

Therefore, the plurality of chips412,422and432mounted on the printed circuit board600may be coupled to one another at the first interval G1, and each of the plurality of pick-up modules1210,1220and1230may mount the chips412,422and432independently picked up on the printed circuit board600. Therefore, it is possible to transfer chips, and adjust the intervals between the picked up chips412,422and432more accurately.

FIG. 14,FIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18.FIG. 19andFIG. 20are top views illustrating an example chip transfer device2001and an example chip transfer process through the chip transfer device2001according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 14,FIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19andFIG. 20, the chip transfer device2001according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described.

The plurality of pickup modules210,220,230, the plurality of wafers410,420,430, shown inFIG. 14are the same as configurations shown inFIG. 1, and thus repeated description will not be provided here.

As shown inFIG. 14toFIG. 15, the support2100may be formed in a cross (“+”) shape including protrusions in four directions at an interval of 90 degrees with respect to a center axis P. The center axis P of the support2100may be coupled to a structure not shown and the support2100may move in horizontal direction (X and Y directions) and in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) through a well-known structure such as a multi-joint structure, a piston structure, a sliding structure, etc.

The pickup module200may include a plurality of the first pickup modules210, the second pickup modules220, the third pick-up modules230, and the fourth pick-up modules240.

The plurality of pickup modules210,220,230, and240may be arranged in a grid to respectively correspond to the plurality of wafers410,420,430, and440arranged in a grid pattern.

One end2004aof the connection extension part2004may be movably coupled to the support2100and the other end2004bmay be connected to the pick-up bodies212,222,232and242, and the connection extension part2004may include one vertical bending portion for connecting the support2100and the pick-up bodies212,222,232and242.

Hereinafter, the chip transfer process through the chip transfer device2001according to another embodiment of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference toFIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19andFIG. 20.

Referring toFIG. 16, a plurality of pickup modules210,220,230, and240may be disposed to correspond to the plurality of wafers410,420,430and440arranged in a grid pattern on the first stage500at the second interval G2.

The support2100may move in the downward direction (direction A, seeFIG. 15) where the plurality of wafers410,420,430, and440are located, and the plurality of pickup modules210,220,230,240may collectively pick up the plurality of chips411,421,431,441.

Referring toFIG. 17, the interval between the chips412picked up by the first pick-up module210may be the first interval G1, which is the interval between the first pick-up heads213, and the interval between the outermost chip412apicked up by the first pick-up module210and the outermost chips422apicked up by the second pick-up module220adjacent to the first pick-up module210may be the fourth gap G4. The interval between the outermost chip412apicked up by the first pick-up module210and the outermost chips432apicked up by the third pick-up module230adjacent to the first pick-up module210may be the fourth gap G4.

Referring toFIG. 18, while the plurality of chips412,422,432,442are picked up, the connection extension part2004may move in a P-axis direction base on the P-axis, and the intervals between the picked-up chips412,422,432,442may be the first gap G1.

Thereafter, referring toFIG. 19, while the interval between the plurality of chips412,422,432and442is the first gap G1, the plurality of wafers410,420,430and440may be unloaded, and the printed circuit board2600may be loaded on the bottom of the chip transfer device2001.

Referring toFIG. 20, while the plurality of chips412,422,432,442are picked up, the support2100may move in the downward direction where the printed circuit board2600is located, and the plurality of chips412,422,432, and442picked up on the printed circuit board2600may be mounted at the first gap G1.

The chip transfer device2001may mount the plurality of picked-up chips412,422,432and442on the printed circuit board2600in various shapes at the first gap G1with maintaining a quick transfer speed by using the plurality of pick-up modules210,220,230and240arranged in a grid pattern.

FIG. 21is a top view illustrating a chip transfer device2001according to a modified example embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 21, the modified example embodiment of the chip transfer device2001of the disclosure will be described in greater detail.

The side surfaces212c,222c,232cand242cof the respective pickup bodies212,222,232and242may include tooth portions212d,222d,232dand242dformed to be engaged with the side surfaces212c,222c,232cand242cof the adjacent pickup bodies212,222,232and242.

For example, the side surface212cof the first pick-up body212may include the tooth portion212dformed to be engaged with the side surfaces222cand232cof the adjacent second and third pick-up bodies222and232.

Similarly, the side surface242cof the fourth pick-up body242may include the tooth portion242dformed to be engaged with the side surfaces222cand232cof the adjacent second and third pick-up bodies222and232.

The plurality of pickup bodies212,222,232and242may contact the tooth portions212d,222d,232dand242dformed on the respective side surfaces212c,222c,232cand242cin order to maintain the first gap G1between the picked up chips412,422,432, and442.

Accordingly, the control error of the first gap G1generated in the movement process of the plurality of pickup bodies212,222,232and242may be fixed, and uneven first gap G1is not maintained due to the manufacturing tolerance of the plurality of pickup bodies212,222,232and242may be adjust through the contact between the tooth portions212d,222d,232dand242dformed on the side surfaces212c,222c,232cand242c.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various example embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments. The configuration and operation of each embodiment may be implemented in combination with at least one other embodiment.

Although example embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these example embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is not to be understood as being limited to the various example embodiments, but is defined, for example, by the appended claims as well as equivalents thereto.