Patent ID: 12222652

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At present, in order to improve the utilization rate of photoresist, the photoresist bottle is placed obliquely. However, the residual rate of photoresist is still high.

In order to solve the problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a squeezing device. The squeezing structure is driven by the driving module to squeeze the photoresist bottle, so that the photoresist bottle is in the horizontal plane of the squeezing structure, and the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high; and since the squeezing structure is driven by the driving module to move up and down along the rail direction of the support rail, the squeezing structure can squeeze different planes of the photoresist bottle, so that the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high.

To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it may be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that, in the embodiments of the present application, many technical details are provided for the better understanding of the present application. However, the technical solutions sought to be protected by the present application can be implemented, even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments. The following divisions of the various embodiments are for convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation to the specific implementation of the present application, and the various embodiments may be combined with each other if not conflict.

FIG.1is a schematic structure diagram of a squeezing device according to an embodiment of the present application; andFIG.2is a squeezing principle diagram of a squeezing structure according to an embodiment of the present application. The squeezing device10in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIG.1, the squeezing device10comprises: a base100, configured to bear a photoresist bottle (not shown); a support rail101, vertically arranged on the base100; a squeezing structure102, an end of the squeezing structure is movably arranged on the support rail101so that the squeezing structure102moves up and down along the rail direction of the support rail101; and a driving module103, configured to drive the squeezing structure to deform the squeezing structure102so as to reduce the area of a region enclosed by the squeezing structure102, and also configured to drive the deformed squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102moves up and down along the rail direction of the support rail101.

In this embodiment, the support rail101comprises: a first rail111and a second rail121; the first rail111and the second rail121are vertically arranged on the base100; one end of the squeezing structure102is movably arranged on the first rail1i1, and the other end of the squeezing structure102is movably arranged on the second rail121; and the driving module103is configured to drive the squeezing structure102between the first rail111and the second rail121so as to reduce the area of the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102. The first rail111and the second rail121jointly support the squeezing structure102, to fix the two ends of the squeezing structure102, in order to improve the effect of the squeezing structure102in squeezing the photoresist bottle.

Specifically, the support rail101is movably arranged on the base100; the driving module103is configured to drive the squeezing structure102between the first rail111and the second rail121, comprising: the driving module103is configured to drive the support rail101to move in a horizontal direction to enable the squeezing structure102to move, to deform the squeezing structure102, so as to reduce the area of the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102.

Referring toFIG.2,FIG.2is a top view of the squeezing structure102having a base100located in a circular region.

In the initial state, the first rail111and the second rail121are located at the edge of the base100(as shown by the dashed line in the figure), and the squeezing structure102is a closed ring structure (as shown by the dashed line in the figure). The photoresist bottle is placed in the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102. As the driving module drives the first rail111and the second rail121to approach each other in the direction of the connection line, the squeezing structure102between the first rail Ill and the second rail121is squeezed inward, and the squeezing structure102becomes an ellipse from a circle. As the first rail111and the second rail121move, the eccentricity of the ellipse enclosed by the squeezing structure102gradually increases, and finally the ellipse approaches two close straight lines. As the eccentricity of the ellipse enclosed by the squeezing structure102increases, that is, the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102reduces, in the horizontal plane of the squeezing structure, the amount of photoresist contained in the photoresist bottle reduces, and eventually approaches 0, so that the remaining amount of photoresist is reduced in the horizontal plane of the squeezing structure102, thereby improving the utilization rate of the photoresist.

It should be noted that this embodiment uses the specific first rail111and second rail121as a specific implementation solution of the support rail101, which does not constitute any limitation to the solution. In other embodiments, only one support rail or a plurality of support rails may be possible. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that, in this embodiment, the support rail is configured to provide a fulcrum for the up and down movement of the squeezing structure, and is used to realize the deformation of the squeezing structure. Related devices that have such functions shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Still referring toFIG.1, in this embodiment, the squeezing device10further comprises: a first detection module105, configured to detect the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle and communicatively connected to the driving module103, the driving module103driving the deformed squeezing structure102to move away from the base100based on the detected liquid level. Through the first detection module105, the liquid level of the photoresist is detected, so as to control the driving module103to drive the squeezing structure102. This realizes the automation of the squeezing process.

Specifically, the first detection module comprises a first sensing unit115and a second sensing unit125. The first sensing unit115is configured to detect whether the liquid level is lower than a first warning level, the driving module115is communicatively connected to the driving module103, and when the first detection module detects that the liquid level is lower than the first warning level, the driving module103drives the deformed squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101.

In specific applications, as the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is used, the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle falls. When the liquid level of the photoresist falls to a first warning level, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to squeeze the photoresist bottle. Due to the squeezing of the squeezing structure102, the volume of the photoresist bottle in the same horizontal plane as the squeezing structure102is reduced, and the liquid level of the photoresist rises correspondingly. As the photoresist is used, the squeezing structure102continues squeezing up to the minimum position. In this case, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to move away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101to squeeze the photoresist bottle in different planes, so that the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle rises. As the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101, when the squeezing structure102moves to the highest point, the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle below the height of the squeezing structure102is high.

The second sensing unit125is configured to detect whether the liquid level is lower than a second warning level, the second warning level being lower than the first warning level, the second warning level indicating the liquid level when the photoresist runs out.

In specific applications, with the use of photoresist and the squeezing of the squeezing structure102, the liquid level of the photoresist is always near the first warning level. When the squeezing structure102is unable to squeeze the photoresist bottle, as the photoresist is used, the liquid level of the photoresist continuously falls to the second warning level, indicating that the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is about to run out. By the second sensing unit125, the relevant staff may be notified in time to replace with a new photoresist bottle, so as to ensure the continuous supply of photoresist and prevent the lack of photoresist from influencing the progress of the semiconductor manufacturing process.

Specifically, the first warning level is set to a level at which the conduit can smoothly suck the photoresist out of the photoresist bottle, and the liquid level of the photoresist is higher than the first warning level to ensure the supply of photoresist. The second warning level is set to the height of the conduit opening. When the liquid level of the photoresist is lower than the height of the conduit opening or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected, the photoresist in the photoresist bottle runs out. Warning information, which indicates that the photoresist runs out, is given to notify the relevant staff to replace with a new photoresist bottle.

Correspondingly, the first detection module105further comprises a first alarm unit135and a second alarm unit145. The first alarm unit135is communicatively connected to the first sensing unit115and configured to send first alarm information when the first sensing unit115detects that the liquid level is lower than the first warning level. The second alarm unit145is communicatively connected to the second sensing unit125and configured to send second alarm information when the second sensing unit125detects that the liquid level is lower than the second warning level. Through the first alarm information and the second alarm information, the relevant staff can be notified in time to detect the specific operating conditions of the squeezing device10so as to ensure that the squeezing device10is in a normal operating state.

In specific applications, the first alarm information and the second alarm information may be implemented by alarm bells of different frequencies, or may be implemented by sending the alarm information to the relevant operating platform for displaying. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that devices and alarm conditions that meet the working mode of the first detection module105of the present application shall all fall into the protection scope of the present application.

In this embodiment, the squeezing device10further comprises: a second detection module107, located on the squeezing structure102and configured to detect the shape of the squeezing structure102during the deformation of the squeezing structure102. The driving module103is communicatively connected to the second detection module107, and when the second detection module107detects that the shape of the squeezing structure102meets a preset shape, the driving module103stops driving the squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102stops deforming.

In specific applications, the second detection module107may be implemented by a sensor located on the sidewall of the squeezing structure102. During the squeezing process of the squeezing structure102, the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102is reduced. That is, the distance between an end of the squeezing structure102comprising the sensor and the other end, which is detected by the sensor, is gradually decreased. By converting the preset shape into the preset distance, when the distance detected by the sensor meets the preset distance, the shape of the squeezing structure102meets the preset shape. The second detection module107detects the shape of the squeezing structure102in real time, and the driving module stops driving the squeezing structure when the shape of the squeezing structure meets a preset shape. This avoids unnecessary energy loss.

In this embodiment, the squeezing device10further comprises: a third detection module106, located on the support rail101and configured to detect the height of the squeezing structure102. The driving module103is communicatively connected to the third detection module106, and when the third detection module106detects that the height of the squeezing structure102reaches the preset maximum height, the driving module103controls the squeezing structure102to stop moving.

Specifically, the preset maximum height is flush with the second warning level to ensure that the photoresist in the photoresist bottle runs out, and to further ensure that the residual amount of photoresist in the photoresist bottle is low.

In specific applications, the third detection module106may be a sensor located at a preset maximum height of the support rail. When the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101and then touches the sensor, the height of the squeezing structure102reaches the preset maximum height. The third detection module106detects the height of the squeezing structure102in real time, and when the preset maximum height is reached, the driving module stops driving the squeezing structure102. This prevents the squeezing structure102from slipping off the support rail.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the position setting of the second detection module107and the third detection module106is just to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. In specific applications, both the second detection module107and the third detection module106may be arranged on the base100, the squeezing structure102, or the support rail101, etc., as long as the preset shape and the preset maximum height of the squeezing structure102can be detected.

In one of the embodiments, in this embodiment, the squeezing device10further comprises a fixing unit104, arranged on the base100to fix the photoresist bottle placed on the base100. The photoresist bottle is fixed by the fixing unit104. This prevents the photoresist bottle from moving along with the movement of the squeezing structure102to affect the squeezing effect of the squeezing structure102.

In this embodiment, the driving module103comprises a control unit113and a driving motor123. The control unit113is communicatively connected to the first detection module, the second detection module or the third detection module, and configured to control the operation of the driving motor123. The driving motor123is configured to drive the squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102moves up and down along the rail direction of the support rail101, and also configured to drive the squeezing structure102to deform the squeezing structure102to reduce the area of the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102.

Compared with the related art, the squeezing structure102is driven by the driving module103to squeeze the photoresist bottle, so that the photoresist bottle is in the horizontal plane of the squeezing structure102, and the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high; and since the squeezing structure102is driven by the driving module103to move up and down along the rail direction of the support rail101, the squeezing structure102can squeeze different planes of the photoresist bottle, so that the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high.

It is to be noted that the units involved in this embodiment are logical units. In practical applications, a logical unit may be a physical unit, or part of a physical unit, or a combination of multiple physical units. In one of the embodiments, in order to highlight the innovativeness of the present application, in this embodiment, units that are not closely related to solving the technical problem proposed by the present application are not introduced. However, this does not indicate the absence of other units in this embodiment.

Another embodiment of the present application relates to a photoresist supply system. The photoresist supply system in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, the photoresist supply system comprises the squeezing device10and a photoresist bottle placed on a base of the squeezing device10.

The photoresist bottle comprises a bottle body202, a bottle bottom203, and a bottle cap201, the bottle body202is configured to store photoresist, and the bottle cap201is provided with a through hole211and a conduit221passing through the through hole211and extending from the outside of the photoresist bottle to the inside of the bottle body, the driving module103of the squeezing device10is configured to drive the squeezing structure102to deform the squeezing structure102, so as to reduce the area of the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102, in order to squeeze the photoresist bottle; and the driving module103is also configured to drive the squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101, so as to ensure that the liquid level of photoresist in the bottle body is within a preset range so that the photoresist flows out through the conduit.

In this embodiment, the squeezing device10further comprises a first detection module (not shown). The first detection module (not shown) is configured to detect the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle and communicatively connected to the driving module103of the squeezing device10. When the first detection module (not shown) detects that the liquid level of the photoresist is not within the preset range or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected, warning information is sended. The driving module103receives the warning information, and drives the squeezing structure102to deform the squeezing structure102so as to reduce the area of the region enclosed by the squeezing structure102or drives the deformed squeezing structure102so that the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101.

Specifically, the first detection module comprises a first sensing unit204and a second sensing unit205.

Referring toFIGS.5-7, the first sensing unit204is arranged at the bottom of the bottle cap201. The first sensing unit204is configured to detect whether the liquid level of the photoresist20is higher than the first warning level, the first warning level being the highest level of the preset range. When the first sensing unit204detects that the liquid level of the photoresist20is lower than the first warning level, warning information is sended;

In specific applications, as the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle is used, the liquid level of the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle falls. When the liquid level of the photoresist20falls to a first warning level, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to squeeze the photoresist bottle. Due to the squeezing of the squeezing structure102, the volume of the photoresist bottle in the same horizontal plane as the squeezing structure102is reduced, and the liquid level of the photoresist20rises correspondingly. As the photoresist20is used, the squeezing structure102continues squeezing up to the minimum position. In this case, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to move away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101to squeeze the photoresist bottle in different planes, so that the liquid level of the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle rises. As the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101, when the squeezing structure102moves to the highest point, the utilization rate of the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle below the height of the squeezing structure102is high.

The second sensing unit205is arranged at the opening of the conduit221. The second sensing unit205is configured to detect whether the liquid level of the photoresist20is higher than the second warning level, the second warning level being the lowest level of the preset range. When the second sensing unit205detects that the liquid level of the photoresist20is lower than the second warning level or the liquid level of the photoresist20cannot be detected, warning information which indicates that the photoresist runs out is sended.

In specific applications, with the use of photoresist20and the squeezing of the squeezing structure102, the liquid level of the photoresist20is always near the first warning level. When the squeezing structure102is unable to squeeze the photoresist bottle, as the photoresist20is used, the liquid level of the photoresist20continuously falls to the second warning level, indicating that the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle is about to run out. By the second sensing unit125, the relevant staff may be notified in time to replace with a new photoresist bottle, so as to ensure the continuous supply of photoresist20and prevent the lack of photoresist20from influencing the progress of the semiconductor manufacturing process.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the position setting of the first sensing unit204and the second sensing unit205is just to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. In specific applications, both the first sensing unit204and the second sensing unit205may be arranged on the wall of the bottleneck of the photoresist bottle or the bottom of the bottle cap, as long as the liquid level of the photoresist20, at which the squeezing structure is to be driven, can be detected and the liquid level at which the photoresist20runs out can be detected.

Through the first sensing unit204and the second sensing unit205, the liquid level of the photoresist20is detected, so as to control the driving module103to drive the squeezing structure. This realizes the automation of the squeezing process.

In one of the embodiments, the bottle body202comprises a ductile material part and a plastic material part, a region of the bottle body202squeezed by the squeezing structure102is the plastic material pan, and a region of the bottle body202not squeezed by the squeezing structure102is the ductile material part. The region squeezed by the squeezing structure102is made of a plastic material, which is convenient for the squeezing structure102to squeeze the photoresist bottle. The region not squeezed by the squeezing structure102(the region adjacent to the support rail101) is made of a ductile material, which prevents the photoresist bottle from moving along with the movement of the squeezing structure102to affect the squeezing effect of the squeezing structure102. In other embodiments, the photoresist bottle placed on the base100may be fixed by the fixing unit104arranged on the base100, which prevents the photoresist bottle from moving along with the movement of the squeezing structure102to affect the squeezing effect of the squeezing structure102.

Compared with the related art, the photoresist bottle is squeezed by the squeezing device10, so that the photoresist bottle is in the horizontal plane of the squeezing device10, and the utilization rate of the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle is high; and since the squeezing device10squeezes different planes of the photoresist bottle, the utilization rate of the photoresist20in the photoresist bottle is high.

It is to be noted that the units involved in this embodiment are logical units. In practical applications, a logical unit may be a physical unit, or part of a physical unit, or a combination of multiple physical units. In one of the embodiments, in order to highlight the innovativeness of the present application, in this embodiment, units that are not closely related to solving the technical problem proposed by the present application are not introduced. However, this does not indicate the absence of other units in this embodiment.

Since the above embodiment and this embodiment correspond to each other, this embodiment may be implemented in cooperation with the above embodiment. The relevant technical details mentioned in the above embodiment are still applicable to this embodiment, and the technical effects that can be achieved in the above embodiment can also be achieved in this embodiment. For the purpose of clarity, they will not be repeated here. Correspondingly, related technical details mentioned in this embodiment are applicable to the previous embodiment.

Another embodiment of the present application relates to a photoresist supply method. Specifically, the photoresist supply method is applied to the squeezing device. The photoresist supply method comprises: driving a squeezing structure to deform the squeezing structure, so as to reduce the area of a region enclosed by the squeezing structure, in order to squeeze a photoresist bottle located on a base of the squeezing device; or driving the squeezing structure so that the squeezing structure moves away from the base along the rail direction of the support rail, so as to ensure that the liquid level of photoresist in a photoresist bottle located on the base is within a preset range so that the photoresist flows out through the conduit.

The method provides a squeezing device to squeeze the photoresist bottle to implement a method of improving the utilization rate of the photoresist stored in the photoresist bottle. The automated squeezing of the photoresist bottle by the squeezing device will be described in detail.

Step A1: It is detected whether the liquid level of the photoresist is within a preset range.

Before driving a squeezing structure to deform the squeezing structure, so as to reduce the area of a region enclosed by the squeezing structure, in order to squeeze a photoresist bottle located on a base of the squeezing device, the method further comprises: detecting the liquid level of the photoresist.

In this embodiment, sending warning information when it is detected that the liquid level of the photoresist is not within a preset range or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected comprises: detecting whether the liquid level of the photoresist is higher than a first warning level, the first warning level being the highest level of the preset range; and sending the warning information when it is detected that the liquid level of the photoresist is lower than the first warning level. Sending warning information when it is detected that the liquid level of the photoresist is not within a preset range or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected comprises: detecting whether the liquid level of the photoresist is higher than a second warning level, the second warning level being the lowest level of the preset range; and sending alarm information indicating the photoresist runs out, when it is detected that the liquid level of the photoresist is lower than the second warning level or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected.

Specifically, the first warning level is set to a level at which the conduit can smoothly suck the photoresist out of the photoresist bottle, and the liquid level of the photoresist is higher than the first warning level to ensure the supply of photoresist. The second warning level is set to the height of the conduit opening. When the liquid level of the photoresist is lower than the height of the conduit opening or the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected, the photoresist in the photoresist bottle runs out. Warning information, which indicates that the photoresist runs out, is given to notify the relevant staff to replace with a new photoresist bottle.

That is, when the liquid level of the photoresist is within the preset range, step A2 is executed; when the liquid level of the photoresist is not within the preset range and the liquid level of the photoresist is higher than the second warning level, step A3 is executed; and when the liquid level of the photoresist is not within the preset range and the liquid level of the photoresist is lower than the second warning level, or when the liquid level of the photoresist cannot be detected, step A4 is executed.

Step A2: the step A1 is continuously executed.

Step A3: Based on the warning information, the squeezing structure is driven to squeeze the photoresist bottle.

Specifically, based on the warning information, the squeezing structure is driven, to deform the squeezing structure, so as to reduce the area of a region enclosed by the squeezing structure, or the deformed squeezing structure is driven so that the squeezing structure moves away from the base along the rail direction of the support rail.

In specific applications, as the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is used, the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle falls. When the liquid level of the photoresist falls to a first warning level, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to squeeze the photoresist bottle. Due to the squeezing of the squeezing structure102, the volume of the photoresist bottle in the same horizontal plane as the squeezing structure102is reduced, and the liquid level of the photoresist rises correspondingly. As the photoresist is used, the squeezing structure102continues squeezing up to the minimum position. In this case, the driving module103drives the squeezing structure102to move away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101to squeeze the photoresist bottle in different planes, so that the liquid level of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle rises. As the squeezing structure102moves away from the base100along the rail direction of the support rail101, when the squeezing structure102moves to the highest point, the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle below the height of the squeezing structure102is high.

Step A4: Based on the alarm information indicating the photoresist runs out, an alarm is sended.

Compared with the related art, by squeezing the photoresist bottle, the photoresist bottle is in the horizontal plane of the squeezing device, and the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high; and since different planes of the photoresist bottle are squeezed, the utilization rate of the photoresist in the photoresist bottle is high.

Since the above embodiment and this embodiment correspond to each other, this embodiment may be implemented in cooperation with the above embodiment. The relevant technical details mentioned in the above embodiment are still applicable to this embodiment, and the technical effects that can be achieved in the above embodiment can also be achieved in this embodiment. For the purpose of clarity, they will not be repeated here. Correspondingly, related technical details mentioned in this embodiment are applicable to the previous embodiment.

It may be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for realizing the present application, and in actual applications, various changes may be made to the form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.