Abstract:
An encoder aligning apparatus includes: a first support member connected to a moveable unit moved along a base; a second support member connected to the first support member through a resilient member, the second support member being provided with an encoder facing a linear scale attached to said base; and an adjustment member penetrating the first support member to contact the second support member for adjusting the distance and the angle between the first support member and the second support member so as to properly align the encoder with the linear scale.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Application No. 10-2014-0062937, filed in the Republic of Korea on May 26, 2014, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an encoder aligning apparatus, and more particularly to an encoder aligning apparatus for easily and properly aligning an encoder with a linear scale. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    An encoder is provided in the stage of an automation system, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a display apparatus manufacturing, etc., so as to be used for measuring the movement position or distance of a transfer unit moving along the base of the stage. 
         [0004]    The encoder is connected to a transfer unit so as to move along with the transfer unit. The encoder moves without contacting the base having the linear scale attached thereto to electromagnetically read the linear scale. Thus, the encoder measures the moving position or distance of the transfer unit. 
         [0005]    Meanwhile, if the encoder is properly aligned with the linear scale, the measurement by the encoder of the moving position or distance measured is not erroneous because the encoder can properly read the linear scale. 
         [0006]    However, if the encoder is not properly aligned with the linear scale, the measurement by the encoder of the moving position or distance measured is erroneous because the encoder cannot properly read the linear scale. 
         [0007]    Conventionally, there has been no structure for properly aligning the encoder with the linear scale. Hence, it has been difficult to properly align the encoder with the linear scale, and even realizing the misalignment of the encoder with the linear scale during operation, it is difficult to correct it. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, the productivity has been lowered working with the equipment employing the encoder such as the automation system, semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, or display manufacturing apparatus. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are intended to address at least one of the conventional problems as described above. 
         [0010]    For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are adapted to properly align the encoder with the linear scale. 
         [0011]    Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are adapted to improve the manufacturing productivity and the working efficiency of the equipment employing the encoder. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an encoder aligning apparatus includes: a first support member connected to a moveable unit moveable along a base; a second support member connected to the first support member through a resilient member, the second support member being provided with an encoder facing a linear scale attached to said base; and an adjustment member penetrating the first support member to contact the second support member for adjusting the distance and the angle between the first support member and the second support member so as to properly align the encoder with the linear scale. 
         [0013]    A plurality of adjustment members and/or resilient members may be provided. 
         [0014]    For example, three adjustment members may be provided. 
         [0015]    Also, the resilient member may be positioned between adjacent ones of the adjustment members. 
         [0016]    In addition, at least some of the adjustment members may be arranged so as to form a right angle with each other. 
         [0017]    Also, at least two of the points of the second support member contacting the adjustment members may include a contact groove. 
         [0018]    In addition, one of the contact grooves may be shaped like an inverted cone, and the other may be shaped like an inverted quadrangular pyramid. 
         [0019]    Further features and aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the appended Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an encoder aligning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an encoder aligning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5 to 7  are perspective views for illustrating the operation of an encoder aligning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    A more detailed description of an encoder aligning apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided below. It should be understood that the description is not intended to be limiting and that variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. In addition, the appended Figures have the same reference numerals used to represent the parts providing the same or corresponding function in each of the exemplary embodiments. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an encoder aligning apparatus, and  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an encoder aligning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 5 to 7  are perspective views for illustrating the operation of an encoder aligning apparatus. 
         [0027]    An encoder aligning apparatus  100  includes, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first support member  200 , a second support member  300 , and adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. 
         [0028]    The first support member  200  is connected to a moveable unit that is moveable along a base. Hence, the first support member  200  moves along with the moveable unit. 
         [0029]    To this end, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first support member  200  has a cross-section shaped like an inverted 
         [0030]    L. The vertical part of the first support member  200  is connected to the second support member  300  by a resilient member  500 , as described below. Also, the horizontal part of the first support member  200  is connected to the moveable unit. 
         [0031]    The first support member  200  may have any shape provided that a part thereof can be connected to the second support member  300 , and another part thereof can be connected to the moveable unit. 
         [0032]    The moveable unit connected to the first support member  200  and the base along which the moveable unit moves may be included, for example, in an XY stage. The moveable unit and the base may be convention, provided that the moveable unit is moveable along the base. 
         [0033]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first support member  200  is provided with a through-hole  210 . As described below, the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ are inserted in the through-hole  210  of the first support member  200 . 
         [0034]    As described below, the encoder aligning apparatus  100  includes three adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ′, corresponding to which three through-holes  210  are formed in the first support member  200 . 
         [0035]    However, it should be understood that any number of through-holes  210  formed in the first support member  200  may be provided and may correspond to the number of adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. 
         [0036]    Also, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first support member  200  is provided with a connection hole  220 . The connection hole  220  receives one side of the resilient member  500  for connecting the second support member  300  to the first support member  200 . 
         [0037]    The encoder aligning apparatus  100  includes four resilient members  500  for connecting the second support member  300  to the first support member  200 , and accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first support member  200  is provided with four connection holes  220 . 
         [0038]    However, any number of connection holes  220  formed in the support member  200  may be provided and may correspond to the number of resilient members  500 . 
         [0039]    Also, any number of resilient members  500  may be provided. For example, four, resilient members may be provided, as described above. 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the connection hole  220  may be formed between the through-holes  210 . This is because the resilient member  500  is positioned between the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ in the encoder aligning apparatus  100 , as described below. 
         [0041]    The connection hole  220  of the first support member  200  for receiving one side of the resilient member  500  is formed between the through-holes  210  of the first support member  200  for passing the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ so as to position the resilient member  500  between adjacent adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. 
         [0042]    However, the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200  may be located at any position, provided that one side of the resilient member  500  is inserted so as to connect the second support member  300  to the first support member  200 . 
         [0043]    A fixing member  510  is inserted in the one side of the resilient member  500  inserted in the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and described below. In addition, the fixing member  510  is fixedly attached to the first support member  200 . The structure for fixedly attaching the fixing member  510  to the first support member  200  may be, e.g., a          -shaped member, or other structure that provides for the fixing member to be fixedly attached to the support member  200 . 
         [0044]    Accordingly, the one side of the resilient member  500  inserted in the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200  is prevented from escaping from the connection hole  220 . 
         [0045]    The second support member  300  is provided with an encoder EH so as to face a linear scale LS provided in the base. 
         [0046]    The structure for providing the encoder EH in the second support member  300  may be a conventional structure, such as a connection bracket for connecting the encoder EH to the second support member  300 , and may be any structure that allows for the encoder EH to be provided in the second support member  300 . 
         [0047]    Also, the structure of the encoder EH may be conventional, and the encoder EH may be provided in the second support member  300 . In addition, the linear scale LS may be conventional, and the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  may electromagnetically read the linear scale LS. 
         [0048]    The second support member  300  is connected to the first support member  200  by the resilient member  500 . To this end, the second support member  300  is provided with a connection hole  330  as the first support member  200 . 
         [0049]    The connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  receives the other side of the resilient member  500  with one side inserted in the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the encoder aligning apparatus  100  includes four resilient members  500  for connecting the second support member  300  to the first support member  200 , and accordingly four connection holes  330  are formed in the second support member  300 . 
         [0050]    Any number of connection holes  330  formed in the second support member  300  may be provided, which may correspond in number with the number of resilient members  500 . 
         [0051]    The connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  is formed so as to face the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200 . In the encoder aligning apparatus  100  of the present exemplary embodiment, because the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200  is formed between the through-holes  210  of the first support member  200 , the connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  also is positioned corresponding with the position between the through-holes  210  of the first support member  200 . 
         [0052]    The connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  may be located in any position, provided that the other side of the resilient member  500  may be inserted so as to connect the second support member  300  to the first support member  200 . 
         [0053]    The fixing member  510  also can be inserted in the other side of the resilient member  500  inserted in the connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  as in the one side of the resilient member  500  inserted in the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200 . Accordingly, the other side of the resilient member  500  inserted in the connection hole  330  of the second support member  300  cannot escape from the connection hole  330  to the outside. 
         [0054]    Thus, one side of the resilient member  500  is inserted in the connection hole  220  of the first support member  200 , and the other side of the resilient member  500  is inserted in the connection hole  330  of the second support member  300 , so that the second support member  300  is connected to the first support member  200  by the fixing member  510  fixing both ends of the resilient member  500 . 
         [0055]    That is, the second support member  300  may be connected resiliently by the resilient member  500 . 
         [0056]    Meanwhile, the second support member  300  may also be provided with contact grooves  310 ,  320 . The contact grooves  310 ,  320  may be formed in at least two of the points of the second support member  300  contacting the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″, as described below. 
         [0057]    In the present exemplary embodiment, the encoder aligning apparatus  100  includes three adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. For example, it includes a first adjustment member  400 , a second adjustment member  400 ′, and a third adjustment member  400 ″. In addition, the second support member  300  may be provided with two contact grooves  310 ,  320 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it has a first contact groove  310  and a second contact groove  320 . 
         [0058]    In the two contact grooves  310 ,  320  of the second support member  300 , the first contact groove  310  may be positioned corresponding with the position of the first adjustment member  400 . Because the first adjustment member  400  is positioned in the center of the three adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″, the first contact groove  310  is formed at the corresponding position in the second support member  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    The first adjustment member  400  penetrates the through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the first contact groove  310  of the second support member  300 . 
         [0060]    The contact groove  310  may be shaped like an inverted cone. By this, if the first adjustment member  400  contacts the first contact groove  310 , the second support member  300  cannot move in the directions of Y-axis and Z-axis, as shown in  FIG. 1 , but can move in the direction of X-axis. Also, the second support member  300  cannot turn about X-axis, but can turn about Y-axis and Z-axis. 
         [0061]    The second contact groove  320  may be positioned corresponding with the position of the second adjustment member  400 ′. For example, because the second adjustment member  400 ′ is positioned at a given distance vertically from the first adjustment member  400 , the second contact groove  320  is formed at the corresponding position in the second support member  300 . 
         [0062]    Also, the second adjustment member  400 ′ penetrates the corresponding through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the second contact groove  320  of the second support member  300 . 
         [0063]    The second contact groove  320  may be shaped like an inverted quadrangular pyramid. In addition, the second contact groove  320  is parallel with Z-axis, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Accordingly, if the second adjustment member  400 ′ contacts the second contact groove  320 , the second support member  300  cannot move in the direction of Y-axis, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but may move in the directions of X-axis and Z-axis. Also, the second support member  300  cannot turn about X-axis, but may turn about Y-axis and Z-axis. 
         [0064]    Thus, if the first adjustment member  400  and the second adjustment member  400 ′ contact the first contact groove  310  and the second contact groove  320  respectively, the second support member  300  cannot move in the directions of Y-axis and Z-axis, but may move in the direction of X-axis. Also, the second support member  300  cannot turn about X-axis, but may turn about Y-axis and Z-axis. 
         [0065]    The adjustment member  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ penetrates the first support member  200 , e.g., the through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the second support member  300 . By this, it is possible to keep the distance and the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  connected by the resilient member  500  at a given value. 
         [0066]    Also, the adjustment member  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ makes it possible to adjust the distance and the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 7 . 
         [0067]    Thus, it is possible to properly and easily align the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  with the linear scale LS. This also improves the manufacturing productivity and the working efficiency of the equipment employing the encoder aligning apparatus  100 , such as an automation system, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, a display manufacturing apparatus, etc. 
         [0068]    The adjustment member  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ may be a screw. For example, the adjustment member  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ may be a screw that is turned clockwise to move forward or counterclockwise to move backward. 
         [0069]    The adjustment member  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ may be conventional, provided that it can penetrate the first support member  200  to contact the second support member  300  so as to adjust the distance and the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300 . 
         [0070]    A plurality, e.g., at least three, adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ may be provided. Thus, as long as the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ are not aligned in a straight line, the virtual lines joining the ends of the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ form a surface. The first support member  200  which the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ penetrate and the second support member  300  which the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ contact are kept at a given distance and a given angle between them by the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″. 
         [0071]    At least some of the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ are arranged so as to form a right angle with each other. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ are the three of the first adjustment member  400 , the second adjustment member  400 ′, and the third adjustment member  400 ″. In addition, the first adjustment member  400  is arranged between the second adjustment member  400 ′ and the third adjustment member  400 ″ so as to form a right angle with the second adjustment member  400 ′ and the third adjustment member  400 ″. 
         [0072]    Any number and arrangement of adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ is possible. At least three may be provided, and at least some of them should be arranged so as to form a right angle with each other. 
         [0073]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the adjustment members  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″ are the three of the first adjustment member  400 , the second adjustment member  400 ′, and the third adjustment member  400 ″, the first adjustment member  400  penetrates the corresponding through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the first contact groove  310  of the second support member  300 . 
         [0074]    Also, the second adjustment member  400 ′ penetrates the corresponding through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the second contact groove  320  of the second support member  300 . 
         [0075]    Additionally, the third adjustment member  400 ″ penetrates the corresponding through-hole  210  of the first support member  200  to contact the surface of the second support member  300 . 
         [0076]    Thus, as described above, the distance and the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  connected by the resilient member  500  may be kept at a given value. 
         [0077]    In this state, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , turning the first adjustment member  400 , the second adjustment member  400 ′, and the third adjustment member  400 ″ all in a same direction (for example, clockwise or counterclockwise) makes the first adjustment member  400 , the second adjustment member  400 ′, and the third adjustment member  400 ″ move in the same direction. 
         [0078]    Thus, the second support member  300  may be moved in the direction of X-axis. 
         [0079]    Thus, the distance between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  may be adjusted so as to adjust the distance between the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  and the linear scale LS. 
         [0080]    Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , if turning the first adjustment member  400  and the second adjustment member  400 ′ in one direction, and the third adjustment member  400 ″ in the other direction, the first adjustment member  400  and the second adjustment member  400 ′ move in the same direction, and the third adjustment member  400 ″ moves in the opposite direction. 
         [0081]    Thus, the second support member  300  may be turned about Z-axis, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0082]    Thus, the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  may be adjusted so as to adjust the angle between the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  and the linear scale LS. 
         [0083]    Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , if turning the first adjustment member  400  and the third adjustment member  400 ″ in one direction, and the second adjustment member  400 ′ in the other direction, the first adjustment member  400  and the third adjustment member  400 ″ move in the same direction, and the second adjustment member  400 ′ moves in the opposite direction. 
         [0084]    Hence, the second support member  300  may be turned about Y-axis, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0085]    Thus, the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  may be adjusted so as to adjust the angle between the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  and the linear scale LS. 
         [0086]    Consequently, the first adjustment member  400 , the second adjustment member  400 ′, and the third adjustment member  400 ″ make it possible to adjust the distance and the angle between the first support member  200  and the second support member  300  so as to properly and easily align the encoder EH provided in the second support member  300  with the linear scale LS. 
         [0087]    Also, the encoder EH may electromagnetically read the linear scale LS without an error. 
         [0088]    As described above, the encoder aligning apparatus makes it possible to properly align the encoder with the linear scale, thus improving the manufacturing productivity and the working efficiency of the equipment employing the encoder. 
         [0089]    The encoder aligning apparatus as described above is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiments, and various modifications and/or combinations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       100  Encoder Aligning Apparatus 
       200  First Support Member 
       210  Through-Hole 
       220 ,  330  Connection Holes 
       300  Second Support Member 
       310  First Contact Groove 
       320  Second Contact Groove 
       400  First Adjustment Member 
       400 ′ Second Adjustment Member 
       400 ″ Third Adjustment Member 
       500  Resilient Member 
       510  Fixing Member 
     LS Linear Scale 
       [0090]    EH Encoder