WAFER CONVEYANCE DEVICE

Provided is a wafer conveyance device that suppresses a temperature rise of gas in a wafer conveyance chamber. A wafer conveyance device for conveying a wafer between a FOUP (Front-Opening Unified Pod) in which the wafer is stored and a processing device for processing the wafer, the wafer conveyance device including a wafer conveyance chamber in which a conveyance robot is installed, an FFU chamber communicating with the wafer conveyance chamber, a return duct provided in a wall or a door of the wafer conveyance chamber and communicating with both the wafer conveyance chamber and the FFU room, a blowing fan that blows gas from the FFU chamber into the wafer conveyance chamber, and a heat exchanger that cools the gas circulating in an internal space including the FFU chamber, the return duct, and the wafer conveyance chamber.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent application serial no. 2023-78103, filed on May 10, 2023, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wafer conveyance device incorporating a heat exchanger.

Background Art

The wafer conveyance device is a device that conveys wafers stored in a FOUP (Front-Opening Unified Pod) to a processing device that processes the wafers. Specifically, the wafer conveyance device has a conveyance robot in the wafer conveyance chamber, and conveys the wafer between the FOUP and the processing device by the conveyance robot. Then, in the wafer conveyance device, an FFU (fan filter unit) is installed on the upper side of the wafer conveyance chamber, and gas is blown by the FFU to the wafer in the wafer conveyance chamber so that impurities do not adhere to the wafer. Such a wafer conveyance device is described in PTL 1 and PTL 2.

In the abstract of PTL 1, there is a description of “In the conveyance chamber1which is an EFEM device for transferring an object to be transferred to and from the processing device side using the conveyance robot2in the housing, the housing3has a conveyance space S11for accommodating the conveyance robot2, a gas processing space S2for accommodating a gas processing device (organic substance removal filter71, acid removal filter72, and alkali removal filter73), and a gas return space S12capable of returning gas from the conveyance space to the gas processing space. The conveyance space, the gas processing space, and the gas return space communicate with each other to form one sealed space to form the circulation path CL, and the plurality of fans74to77are provided in the circulation path to form a circulation flow.”

Further, in PTL 2, there is a description in paragraph 0028 of “The ventilation unit drive chamber110includes a main fan140. The main fan140blows air (or nitrogen gas) downward . . . . Air flows from the ventilation unit drive chamber110to the FOUP receiving chamber120.” There is a description in paragraph0032of “The ventilation duct150connects the FOUP receiving chamber120and the ventilation unit drive chamber110.” There is a description in paragraph 0046 of “In the substrate conveyance devices200,300, and400according to the present invention, air circulates only to the FOUP receiving chamber120.”

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in the wafer conveyance devices described in PTLs 1 and 2, since the gas is circulated in the sealed and closed wafer conveyance chamber, there is a problem that the power consumption of the fan or the power consumption of the conveyance robot serves as a heat source and the temperature of the gas rises. Furthermore, when the wafer heated by the gas whose temperature has increased is conveyed to the processing device, there is a problem that the processing time in the processing device is prolonged.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wafer conveyance device that suppresses a temperature rise of gas in a wafer conveyance chamber.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problems, a wafer conveyance device of the present invention is a wafer conveyance device for conveying a wafer between a FOUP (Front-Opening Unified Pod) in which the wafer is stored and a processing device for processing the wafer. The wafer conveyance device includes: a wafer conveyance chamber in which a conveyance robot is installed; an FFU chamber communicating with the wafer conveyance chamber; a return duct provided in a wall or a door of the wafer conveyance chamber and communicating with both the wafer conveyance chamber and the FFU room; a blowing fan that blows gas from the FFU chamber into the wafer conveyance chamber; and a heat exchanger that cools the gas circulating in an internal space including the FFU chamber, the return duct, and the wafer conveyance chamber.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wafer conveyance device that suppresses a temperature rise of gas in a wafer conveyance chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. These embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In the drawings used in the following description, common devices and machines are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the devices, machines, and operations described above may be omitted.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is an overall view of a wafer conveyance device E.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG.1. As illustrated inFIG.2, a FOUP2is located in front of the wafer conveyance device E, and a processing device3is located behind the wafer conveyance device E. In a wafer conveyance chamber1, a conveyance robot4that takes out the wafers stored in the FOUP2and conveys the wafers to the processing device3that processes the wafers is installed. The conveyance robot4also takes out the wafer processed by the processing device3from the processing device3and returns the wafer to the FOUP2. An FFU chamber5communicating with the wafer conveyance chamber1is provided above the wafer conveyance chamber1, and an FFU6provided with a blowing fan for blowing gas from the FFU chamber5into the wafer conveyance chamber1is provided in the FFU chamber5.

The wafer conveyance device E includes a return duct7communicating with both the wafer conveyance chamber1and the FFU chamber5.FIG.3is a perspective view of the wafer conveyance chamber1. The return duct7is formed as a ventilation path through which gas passes by making a column P in the wafer conveyance chamber1hollow. In addition, for example, as illustrated inFIG.3, the return duct7may be formed by making a door D for allowing a person to enter and leave the wafer conveyance chamber1and a wall on an upper side thereof hollow. In addition, the return duct7may be formed in a wall11of the wafer conveyance chamber1. In the present embodiment, the return duct7provided on the column P will be described.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the wafer conveyance device E is hermetically sealed, and gas circulates inside the wafer conveyance device E. Specifically, the gas injected into the FFU chamber5is sent to the wafer conveyance chamber1by the FFU6. Then, the gas blown into the wafer conveyance chamber1is returned to the FFU chamber5through the return duct7. That is, the gas circulates in the internal space constituted by the FFU chamber5, the return duct7, and the wafer conveyance chamber1.

The wafer conveyance device E includes a heat exchanger that cools the gas circulating in the internal space. The heat exchanger is installed where a gas flow is generated. Examples of the heat exchanger include a cooling heat sink.

In the FFU chamber5, the gas that has returned to the FFU chamber5through the return duct7is sent to the wafer conveyance chamber1by the FFU6. Therefore, an airflow is generated near the inlet of the FFU6. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG.2, a cooling heat sink9ais installed near the inlet of the FFU6. By installing the cooling heat sink9ain this manner, the circulating gas comes into contact with the cooling heat sink9aand is cooled, and a temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device can be suppressed. The cooling heat sink9ais preferably installed at a place where the speed of the circulating gas flow is high.

As the gas, an inert gas such as a nitrogen gas or air containing oxygen or the like can be used. In any case, since the temperature is lowered by being cooled by the heat exchanger such as the cooling heat sink9a,it is possible to suppress the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device. In addition, in the case of an inert gas, adhesion of impurities to the wafer can be prevented.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating a cooling heat sink9bhaving an integral structure with a ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5. InFIG.2, the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5and the cooling heat sink9aare made of different materials. For example, stainless steel is used for the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5, and aluminum is used for the cooling heat sink9a.On the other hand, inFIG.4, the cooling heat sink9bhaving an integral structure with the ceiling wall of the FFU chamber5is used. In the case of the configuration ofFIG.4, since the portion up to the ceiling wall8ofFIG.2is made of a material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, heat is easily released to the outside, and the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device E can be further suppressed.

Second Embodiment

FIG.5illustrates a configuration of the wafer conveyance device E in a second embodiment. In the wafer conveyance device E in the second embodiment, the position of the cooling heat sink9ais different from that in the first embodiment. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.5, the wafer conveyance device E of the present embodiment includes the cooling heat sink9ain the return duct7, for example, in a wall10of the return duct7. The speed of the gas flow is high in the return duct7. Therefore, by placing the cooling heat sink9aon the return duct7, heat exchange between the cooling heat sink9aand the gas is promoted, and the temperature rise of the gas can be suppressed. As a result, the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device E can be suppressed. Similarly, when the return duct7is provided in the door D or the wall11of the wafer conveyance chamber, the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device E can be suppressed by installing the cooling heat sink9ain the return duct7.

Third Embodiment

FIG.6illustrates a configuration of a wafer conveyance device E in a third embodiment. In the wafer conveyance device E in the third embodiment, the position of the cooling heat sink9ais different from that in the first embodiment. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.6, the wafer conveyance device E of the present embodiment includes a cooling heat sink9ain the wall11of the wafer conveyance chamber1so as to be located immediately below the FFU6in the wafer conveyance chamber1. Since the gas is blown out from the FFU6immediately below the FFU6, the speed of the airflow is high. Therefore, by placing the cooling heat sink9aimmediately below the FFU6, heat exchange between the cooling heat sink9aand the gas is promoted, and the temperature rise of the gas can be suppressed. As a result, the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device E can be suppressed.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS.7A to7Cillustrate configurations of a wafer conveyance device in a fourth embodiment. The wafer conveyance device E in the fourth embodiment is an example in which the cooling heat sinks of the first to third embodiments include a cold water pipe. Hereinafter, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described.

FIG.7Ais a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5.FIG.7Bis a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the return duct7.FIG.7Cis a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed immediately below the FFU6in the wafer conveyance chamber1.

The cooling heat sink9aillustrated inFIGS.7A to7Cincorporates a cold water pipe12through which a low-temperature liquid, for example, cold water flows. As a result, the cooling heat sink9ais cooled, and the heat of the gas is taken away, and the temperature rise of the wafer conveyance device can be suppressed. Even when a fin tube such as a radiator is used instead of the cooling heat sink9a,the same effect can be obtained. Since the cold water flows in the tube incorporated in the radiator, the fin is cooled and the heat of the gas can be taken away.

According to the present embodiment, since the cooling heat sink9ais cooled by the cold water pipe, the gas in contact with the cooling heat sink9acan be cooled. Instead of the cooling heat sink9aincluding the cold water pipe, a fin tube or the like incorporating a cold water pipe represented by a radiator can also be used.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS.8A to8Dillustrate a configuration of a wafer conveyance device E in a fifth embodiment. The wafer conveyance device E in the fifth embodiment includes a Peltier element13that cools the cooling heat sinks9aand9bof the first to third embodiments. Hereinafter, differences from the first to third embodiments will be mainly described.

FIG.8Ais a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5.FIG.8Bis a diagram illustrating a configuration including a cooling heat sink9bintegrated with the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber.FIG.8Cis a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the return duct7.FIG.8Dis a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed immediately below the FFU6in the wafer conveyance chamber1.

As illustrated inFIGS.8A to8D, in the wafer conveyance device E of the fifth embodiment, the Peltier element13is installed on the heat dissipation surface of the cooling heat sink9a,and the low-temperature surface of the Peltier element13adheres to the heat dissipation surface of the cooling heat sink. The cooling heat sinks9aand9bare cooled by applying current to the Peltier element13. As a result, the cooling heat sinks9aand9bare cooled, and the heat of the gas is taken away, and the temperature rise of the gas can be suppressed. As a result, the temperature rise in the wafer conveyance device E can be suppressed.

Sixth Embodiment

FIGS.9A and9Billustrate a configuration of a wafer conveyance device in a sixth embodiment. The wafer conveyance device E in the sixth embodiment includes a heat dissipation heat sink14and a cooling fan15for dissipating heat of a Peltier element in addition to the configurations ofFIGS.8A and8Bof the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, differences from the fifth embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG.9Ais a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5.FIG.9Bis a diagram illustrating a configuration including a cooling heat sink9bintegrated with the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber. A Peltier element13is installed outside the cooling heat sinks9aand9b.When a current flows through the Peltier element13, a low-temperature surface and a high-temperature surface are formed. By bonding the low-temperature surface to the cooling heat sinks9aand9b,the cooling heat sinks can be cooled. Here, if the heat of the high-temperature surface is not dissipated, the cooling performance of the Peltier element may be deteriorated. Therefore, the heat dissipation heat sink14is bonded to the high-temperature surface of the Peltier element13, and the cooling fan15for cooling the heat dissipation heat sink14is provided in the heat dissipation heat sink14. With this structure, the cooling performance of the Peltier element is improved, and the cooling heat sinks9aand9bcan be further cooled.

Seventh Embodiment

FIGS.10A and10Billustrate a configuration of a wafer conveyance device in a seventh embodiment. The wafer conveyance device E according to the seventh embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the sixth embodiment, an electrical compartment16in which electrical components (power supply-related components, drivers of the conveyance robot4, and the like) are stored on the FFU chamber5. Hereinafter, differences from the sixth embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG.10Ais a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the cooling heat sink9ais installed in the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5.FIG.10Bis a diagram illustrating a configuration including a cooling heat sink9bintegrated with the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber. In bothFIGS.10A and10B, the Peltier element13, the heat dissipation heat sink14, and the cooling fan15are provided in the electrical compartment16above the FFU chamber5.

In the wafer conveyance device E including the electrical compartment16, the Peltier element13, the heat dissipation heat sink14, and the cooling fan15can be provided without increasing the overall size by effectively utilizing the space of the electrical compartment16.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG.11illustrates a configuration diagram of a cooling unit of an eighth embodiment. The cooling unit is a mechanism for cooling the gas in the sixth and seventh embodiments, and includes a cooling heat sink9c,a Peltier element13, a heat dissipation heat sink14, and a cooling fan15. The cooling unit further includes a flat plate17sandwiched between the cooling heat sink9cand the low-temperature surface of the Peltier element13. Through-holes19and20for passing bolts18are formed in the cooling heat sink9aand the flat plate17, respectively. A screw hole21into which the bolt18is inserted is machined in the heat dissipation heat sink14. By inserting and tightening the bolt18from the cooling heat sink9aside, the Peltier element13, the heat dissipation heat sink14, and the flat plate17are integrally fixed, and the Peltier element13can be sandwiched between the flat plate17and the heat dissipation heat sink14. As a result, the degree of adhesion between the low-temperature surface of the Peltier element13and the flat plate17increases, and the flat plate17can be further cooled. Since the cooled flat plate17comes into contact with the cooling heat sink9a,the cooling heat sink9acan be further cooled by the flat plate17. In addition, by tightening the bolt18, the degree of adhesion between the high-temperature surface of the Peltier element13and the heat dissipation heat sink14increases, and the heat of the Peltier element13can be further dissipated.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG.12is a configuration diagram of a cooling unit of a ninth embodiment. The cooling unit of the present embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the eighth embodiment, a material having high thermal resistance, for example, a resin material22sandwiched between the cooling heat sink9aand the head of the bolt18. This makes it possible to prevent the heat of the heat dissipation heat sink14from being transferred to the cooling heat sink9avia the bolt18.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG.13is a diagram for explaining a method of fixing the cooling unit of the eighth embodiment in a tenth embodiment.FIG.13illustrates a state in which the cooling unit of the eighth embodiment is fixed to the ceiling wall8of the FFU chamber5. The ceiling wall8of the wafer conveyance device E of the present embodiment is provided with an opening into which the cooling heat sink9ais inserted and a screw hole25of a bolt23in order to fix the cooling unit to the ceiling wall8. The flat plate17is provided with a through-hole24through which the bolt23passes.

The flat plate17is installed so as to cover the opening provided in the ceiling wall8from the outside, and the bolt23is inserted into the through-hole24and the screw hole25from the flat plate17side and tightened, whereby the flat plate17is fixed to the ceiling wall8. As illustrated inFIG.10Aof the seventh embodiment, even when the Peltier element13, the heat dissipation heat sink14, and the cooling fan15are provided in the electrical compartment16, the cooling unit can be similarly fixed.

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG.14is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of fixing the cooling unit of the eighth embodiment from the tenth embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the tenth embodiment, the wafer conveyance device E of the present embodiment includes a material having high thermal resistance, for example, a resin material26sandwiched between the head of the bolt23fixing the cooling unit and the flat plate17. This makes it possible to prevent heat from the outside from being transferred to the flat plate17via the bolt23.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG.15is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of fixing the cooling unit of the eighth embodiment from tenth and eleventh embodiments. The wafer conveyance device E of the present embodiment includes a sealing material27between the flat plate17and the ceiling wall8in addition to the configuration of the tenth embodiment. By providing the sealing material27, the internal space of the wafer conveyance device E can be sealed, and the gas can be prevented from entering and exiting.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST