JP7651503B2 - Panel storage container - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a panel storage container.

In manufacturing processes that handle panels such as glass substrates for liquid crystal panels, panel storage containers that store multiple panels are used when transferring rectangular panels from one manufacturing device to another manufacturing device and when temporarily storing the panels. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a panel storage container that includes a container body that stores the panels and a lid that can be opened and closed to cover an opening provided in the container body. Inside this panel storage container, a long support member (shaft) is provided that supports the central underside of one panel.

JP 2019-31297 A

In the panel storage container described in Patent Document 1, the shaft is fixed to a support provided on the container body, and the shaft and support are made of a conductive material. The support is electrically connected to the earth of an external device via a positioning portion provided on the bottom surface of the container body. In this case, for example, if a panel stored in the panel storage container is charged, there is a risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurring when the panel and the shaft come into contact. On the other hand, if the shaft and support are made of a material with low conductivity to suppress the occurrence of electrostatic discharge, there is a risk that the panel will not be de-ionized.

This disclosure provides a panel storage container that can neutralize electricity from a panel while suppressing the generation of electrostatic discharge.

A panel storage container according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a container body for storing a plurality of panels arranged in a first direction, and a panel support section provided inside the container body and supporting the plurality of panels. The panel support section includes a shaft extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction for supporting one of the plurality of panels, and a conductive member. The container body includes a support column for fixing the shaft. The shaft includes a first end and a second end, which are both ends in the second direction. The conductive member is provided at the first end and electrically connects the shaft and the support column. The resistance value of the conductive member is greater than the resistance value of the shaft and the resistance value of the support column.

In this panel storage container, the conductive member electrically connects the shaft and the support. The resistance value of the conductive member is greater than the resistance value of the shaft and the support. Therefore, the resistance value of the path from the shaft to the support is greater than in a configuration in which the shaft is directly connected to the support. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of electrostatic discharge when a panel is placed on the shaft. Meanwhile, since the conductive member is conductive, electricity can flow from the panel placed on the shaft through the shaft, the conductive member, and the support in that order. Therefore, the panel can be neutralized. From the above, it is possible to neutralize the panel while suppressing the occurrence of electrostatic discharge.

In some embodiments, the support may be provided with a fitting hole in which a conductive member is disposed. The first end may be fitted into the fitting hole via the conductive member. In this case, the shaft is fixed to the support with the first end fitted into the fitting hole via the conductive member, so that the shaft can be securely fixed to the support.

In some embodiments, the shaft may include a mounting portion for mounting the panel and a base portion supporting the mounting portion in the first direction. The mounting portion and the base portion may extend in the second direction. The maximum length of the base portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction may be greater than the maximum length of the mounting portion in the third direction. The amount of deflection of the shaft due to its own weight is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the shaft and inversely proportional to the second moment of area of the shaft. When the cross section of the shaft is expanded in the horizontal direction, the increase in the second moment of area exceeds the increase in the cross-sectional area. Therefore, the amount of deflection of the shaft due to its own weight can be reduced without expanding the shaft in the vertical direction. As a result, the possibility of the panel interfering with the shaft when the panel is carried into or removed from the panel storage container can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the maximum distance between the center of gravity of the shape defined by the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member and the outer peripheral surface when viewed from the second direction may be greater than the minimum distance between the center of gravity of the shape defined by the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole and the inner peripheral surface. The conductive member may have a stopper portion that abuts both ends of the base portion in the third direction in the first direction. In this case, even if a force is applied around the axis of the conductive member, the portion of the conductive member having the above-mentioned maximum distance is caught on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole. This prevents the conductive member from rotating around the axis with respect to the fitting hole. Furthermore, even if a force is applied around the axis of the shaft, the stopper portion of the conductive member and the base portion of the shaft abut in the first direction, so that the shaft is prevented from rotating around the axis of the shaft with respect to the conductive member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shaft from rotating around the axis of the shaft with respect to the fitting hole.

In some embodiments, the conductive member may be made of a resin material. In this case, it is easy to realize a conductive member having a resistance value greater than the resistance value of the shaft and the resistance value of the support.

In some embodiments, the panel support may include a fixing member for fixing the shaft to the support, and a receiving member provided between the support and the fixing member for attaching the fixing member to the support. The total resistance value of the resistance value of the fixing member and the receiving member may be equal to or greater than the resistance value of the conductive member. In this case, the path from the shaft to the support includes a path from the shaft through the conductive member to the support, and a path from the shaft through the fixing member and the receiving member in order to the support. Since the total resistance value of the resistance value of the fixing member and the receiving member is greater than the resistance value of the conductive member, it is difficult for a current to flow through the path from the shaft through the fixing member and the receiving member in order to the support. Therefore, since a current flows through the path from the shaft through the conductive member to the support, the conductivity between the shaft and the support can be adjusted by the conductive member. As a result, the occurrence of electrostatic discharge can be more reliably suppressed.

In some embodiments, the fixing member may be made of a metallic material. The receiving member may be made of an insulating material. In this case, it is easy to realize a fixing member and a receiving member that have a combined resistance value greater than the resistance value of the conductive member.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to neutralize the panel while suppressing the occurrence of electrostatic discharge.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel storage container according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support and post shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. Each figure shows an XYZ coordinate system. The Y-axis direction is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is a direction that intersects (here, perpendicular to) the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As an example, the X-axis direction is the left-right direction (width direction; third direction), the Y-axis direction is the front-back direction (depth direction; second direction), and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (height direction; first direction). For convenience of description, the terms "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", and "right" are used, but are not limited to these directions.

A panel storage container according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel storage container according to one embodiment. The panel storage container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a container for storing a plurality of panels. The panel storage container 1 complies with, for example, the SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) standard. Examples of panels include glass substrates for liquid crystal panels and panels equipped with electronic components. The panel has a rectangular shape. Examples of panel sizes include 510 mm x 515 mm and 600 mm x 600 mm. The number of panels that can be stored in the panel storage container 1 is determined arbitrarily, and may be, for example, 6, 12, 16, or 24.

The panel storage container 1 is used, for example, in a manufacturing device that manufactures electronic component assemblies. Electronic component assemblies are manufactured through a process that involves mounting a large number of electronic components on a large carrier panel, such as a glass plate or a stainless steel plate, sealing these electronic components with epoxy resin or the like, peeling the sealed electronic components from the carrier panel in panel form, and cutting out the panel-form electronic components individually. The panel storage container 1 is used to transport panels between these processes.

The panel storage container 1 comprises a container body 2 and a lid body 3.

The container body 2 is a rectangular parallelepiped container with an open front (front face). In other words, the container body 2 is a front-open box-type container with an opening 2a on the front face. The container body 2 stores multiple panels. Specifically, the container body 2 stores multiple panels arranged in the vertical direction. The panels are inserted into and removed from the container body 2 via the opening 2a. Details of the container body 2 will be described later.

The lid body 3 is a member for closing the opening 2a of the container body 2. The lid body 3 airtightly closes the opening 2a of the container body 2 via a sealing member such as a gasket. The lid body 3 is detachably attached to the flange 25 that defines the opening 2a. The lid body 3 includes a lid body 31 and a locking mechanism 32. The lid body 31 is the main body of the lid body 3. The lid body 31 is a rectangular plate material. The lid body 31 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or magnesium alloy. The lid body 31 may be made of a thermoplastic resin such as polycarbonate resin. A keyhole 33 is provided on the front of the lid body 31. A key (not shown) is inserted into the keyhole 33.

The locking mechanism 32 locks or unlocks the lid body 3 by operating a key inserted in the keyhole 33. The locking mechanism 32 is equipped with a latch (not shown). With the lid body 3 attached to the flange 25, the latch is inserted into the locking hole 25h provided in the flange 25 by operating the key, thereby locking the lid body 3. With the lid body 3 locked, the latch is pulled out of the locking hole 25h by operating the key, thereby unlocking the lid body 3.

The container body 2 and the lid 3 are constructed by combining multiple parts molded from metal or resin materials. Examples of resins contained in the molding material of the resin material include thermoplastic resins. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polycarbonate, cycloolefin polymer, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polyetheretherketone, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, liquid crystal polymer, acrylic resins such as polymethyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer. Alloys of these may be used as the resins contained in the molding material of the resin material.

Conductive materials and various antistatic agents may be added to these resins. The conductive materials may be, for example, carbon fibers, carbon powder, carbon nanotubes, or conductive polymers. As the antistatic agent, anionic, cationic, and nonionic antistatic agents may be used. Benzotriazole, salicylate, cyanoacrylate, oxalic acid anilide, and hindered amine ultraviolet absorbers may be added. Glass fibers or carbon fibers that improve rigidity may also be selectively added.

Next, the container body 2 will be described in detail. The container body 2 includes a top plate 21, a bottom plate 22, a pair of side walls 23, a rear wall 24, a flange 25, a frame 26, a base portion 27, and a side plate 28.

The top plate 21, bottom plate 22, side walls 23, and rear wall 24 are rectangular plate materials. The top plate 21 and bottom plate 22 face each other in the up-down direction and are arranged approximately parallel. The pair of side walls 23 face each other in the left-right direction and are arranged approximately parallel. The rear wall 24 connects the rear end of the top plate 21 to the rear end of the bottom plate 22, and also connects the rear ends of the pair of side walls 23. The storage space 20 is defined by the top plate 21, bottom plate 22, the pair of side walls 23, and rear wall 24.

The top plate 21, bottom plate 22, and side walls 23 are made of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The rear wall 24 is made of, for example, a transparent resin material that allows the storage space 20 to be viewed from outside the container body 2. A portion of the rear wall 24 may be made of a transparent resin material. Examples of transparent resin materials include acrylic resin, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride resin, and cycloolefin polymer.

The flange 25 is a rectangular frame body that is provided across the front end of the top plate 21, the front end of the bottom plate 22, and the front ends of the pair of side walls 23. The flange 25 defines the opening 2a. The flange 25 is made of, for example, the above-mentioned resin material or a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The upper and lower frame portions of the flange 25 each have two locking holes 25h that are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The locking holes 25h in the upper frame portion and the locking holes 25h in the lower frame portion are provided in positions that face each other in the up-down direction.

The frame body 26 is used to secure the top plate 21, the bottom plate 22, the pair of side walls 23, and the rear wall 24. The frame body 26 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The frame body 26 is provided on the front surface of the rear wall 24. The frame body 26 has a frame portion 26a (see FIG. 2), a support 26b (see FIG. 2), and a pair of support columns 26c (see FIG. 2). The frame portion 26a is a rectangular member and is provided along the periphery of the rear wall 24.

The pillar 26b and the pair of pillars 26c are columnar members extending in the up-down direction. The one pillar 26c, the pillar 26b, and the other pillar 26c are arranged in that order in the left-right direction and are disposed approximately parallel to each other. The pillar 26b and the pair of pillars 26c extend from the upper frame portion to the lower frame portion of the frame portion 26a. The pillar 26b is provided in the center of the frame body 26 in the left-right direction, and the pair of pillars 26c are provided near both ends of the frame body 26 in the left-right direction.

The support 26b is a member for fixing the shaft 61a described later. The support 26b is provided with a plurality of fitting holes 26g (see FIG. 3) for attaching the shaft 61a. These fitting holes 26g are recessed rearward from a front surface 26j of the support 26b. The support 26c is a member for fixing the shaft 62a described later. The support 26c is provided with a plurality of fitting holes (not shown) for attaching the shaft 62a. These fitting holes are recessed rearward from a front surface of the support 26c. The resistance value of the support 26b is, for example, 1×10 ⁻¹ Ω or more and 1×10 ¹ Ω or less.

The pedestal portion 27 is the base of the container body 2. The pedestal portion 27 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The pedestal portion 27 is provided on the underside of the bottom plate 22. The pedestal portion 27 is made by combining multiple columnar support members.

The side plate 28 is a member for attaching the support body 65 described below. The side plate 28 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The side plate 28 is made of a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel. The side plate 28 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall 23. In this embodiment, two side plates 28 are provided on each side wall 23. The two side plates 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction and are disposed approximately parallel to each other. One side plate 28 is provided near the center of the side wall 23 in the front-rear direction, and the other side plate 28 is provided near the front end of the side wall 23 in the front-rear direction.

Cover members are provided at the corners of the container body 2 to prevent particles from entering the storage space 20.

Next, the configuration inside the storage space 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the panel storage container 1 further includes a panel support portion 60. The panel support portion 60 is a portion for supporting multiple panels. The panel support portion 60 is provided inside the container body 2 (storage space 20). The panel support portion 60 includes multiple support portions 61, multiple support portions 62, multiple stoppers 63, and multiple stoppers 64.

The number of support parts 61, support parts 62, stoppers 63, and stoppers 64 varies depending on the number of panels that can be stored in the panel storage container 1. In this embodiment, the panel support part 60 includes one support part 61, two support parts 62, two stoppers 63, and two stoppers 64 per panel. In other words, one support part 61, two support parts 62, two stoppers 63, and two stoppers 64 form a storage tier that stores one panel.

The support portion 61 is a portion for supporting the center portion in the left-right direction of the panel. The support portion 61 includes a shaft 61a and a conductive member 61b. The shaft 61a is a member extending in the front-rear direction. The shaft 61a is used to support one panel. The shaft 61a has an end portion 61c (first end portion; see FIG. 3) and an end portion 61d (second end portion; see FIG. 3), which are both ends in the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the shaft 61a. The shaft 61a is made of, for example, a material with high bending rigidity. Examples of the constituent material of the shaft 61a include metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The resistance value of the shaft 61a is, for example, 1×10 ⁻¹ Ω or more and 1×10 ¹ Ω or less. The shape of the shaft 61a and the manner in which the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b will be described later.

The conductive member 61b is a member that electrically connects the shaft 61a and the support 26b. The conductive member 61b has a cylindrical shape that extends in the front-rear direction with the front end open. The conductive member 61b is provided at the end 61c and surrounds the end 61c around the axis of the shaft 61a. Specifically, the conductive member 61b is fitted into the fitting hole 26g of the support 26b, and holds the end 61c by fitting the end 61c into the internal space of the conductive member 61b. The conductive member 61b is made of, for example, a resin material having conductivity. Such a resin material contains a conductive substance such as carbon. The resistance value of the conductive member 61b is greater than the resistance value of the shaft 61a and the resistance value of the support 26b. The resistance value of the conductive member 61b is, for example, 1×10 ⁴ Ω or more and 1×10 ⁹ Ω or less.

The support portion 62 is a portion for supporting both ends of the panel in the left-right direction. The support portion 62 has a shaft 62a, multiple elastic bodies 62b, and multiple supports 65. The shaft 62a is a columnar (e.g., cylindrical) member extending in the front-rear direction. The shaft 62a is used to support one panel. The shaft 62a has an end 62c and an end 62d, which are both ends in the extension direction (front-rear direction) of the shaft 62a. The end 62c of the shaft 62a is fitted into a fitting hole in the support 26c and fixed to the support 26c by a screw.

The shaft 62a is made of, for example, a material with high bending rigidity. Examples of materials that the shaft 62a is made of include metals such as stainless steel and aluminum, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The length of the shaft 62a in the front-rear direction is slightly longer than the length of the panel in the front-rear direction, and is longer than the length of the shaft 61a in the front-rear direction. The shaft 61a and the pair of shafts 62a are arranged in the left-right direction. The shaft 61a is disposed between the pair of shafts 62a.

The elastic body 62b is an annular (e.g., annular) member provided around the axis of the shaft 62a to surround the shaft 62a. The elastic body 62b is provided along the surface of the shaft 62a. The elastic body 62b is provided to suppress panel slippage and improve the positioning accuracy of the panel. From the viewpoint of preventing panel slippage, the elastic body 62b may have higher friction (frictional force) than the shaft 62a. From the viewpoint of preventing damage to the panel, the elastic body 62b may have higher elasticity (cushioning properties) than the shaft 62a. The elastic body 62b is made of, for example, a rubber material. Examples of rubber materials include EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), silicone rubber, and fluororubber. The multiple elastic bodies 62b are arranged at regular intervals in the extension direction of the shaft 62a.

The support 65 is a member for holding (supporting) the shaft 62a and supporting the left-right ends of the panel. The tip of the support 65 is provided with an insertion hole that penetrates the support 65 in the front-rear direction, and the shaft 62a passes through the insertion hole. The support 65 has an inclined surface that slopes downward from the base end of the support 65 to the tip.

The base end portion of the support 65 abuts against the inner surface of the side wall 23, and the side plate 28, side wall 23, and support 65 are positioned by a knock pin (not shown). In this state, a screw is inserted from the outside of the side plate 28 into an insertion hole provided in the side plate 28, and the screw is screwed into a screw hole provided in the base end portion of the support 65. As a result, the support 65 is fixed to the side plate 28 with the side wall 23 sandwiched between the support 65 and the side plate 28.

The stopper 63 is a member that prevents the panel from popping out and determines the position of the front end of the panel. The stopper 63 is made of, for example, the resin material described above. The stopper 63 is provided at the end 62d of the shaft 62a. For example, the stopper 63 is attached to the shaft 62a by fitting the end 62d of the shaft 62a into a mounting hole provided in the stopper 63. The stopper 63 has a disk-shaped locking piece 63a with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the elastic body 62b. The locking piece 63a has an inclined surface that slopes backward from the outer periphery toward the center.

The stopper 64 is a member for determining the position of the rear end of the panel. The stopper 64 is made of, for example, the resin material described above. The stopper 64 is provided at the end 62c of the shaft 62a. The stopper 64 has a block shape. The stopper 64 has an insertion hole for inserting the shaft 62a in the front-rear direction. With the shaft 62a inserted into the insertion hole of the stopper 64, the rear surface of the stopper 64 abuts against the front surface of the support 26c, and the stopper 64 is fixed to the support 26c by a screw. The stopper 64 has an inclined surface that slopes forward from the top surface downward.

The stopper 63, the stopper 64, and the support 65 define the placement position where the panel is placed. Specifically, the stoppers 63, 64 define the placement position of the panel in the front-rear direction, and the four supports 65 provided on the left and right define the placement position of the panel in the left-right direction. For example, the robot carries the panel into the storage space 20 and places the panel on one of the storage stages. At this time, the position of the panel may be slightly shifted due to an error or the like. For example, even if the front end of the panel rides up on the inclined surface of the locking piece 63a of the stopper 63, the panel is guided to the placement position along the inclined surface by the panel's own weight. Similarly, even if the rear end of the panel rides up on the inclined surface of the stopper 64, the panel is guided to the placement position along the inclined surface by the panel's own weight. Similarly, even if the side end of the panel rides up on the inclined surface of the support 65, the panel is guided to the placement position along the inclined surface by the panel's own weight.

Next, the shape of the shaft 61a will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the support portion and the support column shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 61a has an end 61c and an exposed portion 61e. The end 61c has, for example, a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. As described above, the end 61c is fitted into the fitting hole 26g of the support 26b, and is not exposed from the support 26b. The exposed portion 61e is the portion of the shaft 61a excluding the end 61c, and is the portion exposed from the support 26b. The exposed portion 61e is connected to the end 61c in the front-rear direction and includes the end 61d. The shape of the exposed portion 61e is different from the shape of the end 61c.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the exposed portion 61e includes a placement portion 71 and a base portion 72. The placement portion 71 and the base portion 72 extend over the entire exposed portion 61e in the front-rear direction. The placement portion 71 is a member on which one panel supported by the shaft 61a is placed. The placement portion 71 has a lower surface that contacts the base portion 72, and a panel is placed on the placement portion 71 on the opposite side of the lower surface in the up-down direction. The placement portion 71 has a columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the placement portion 71 has a missing circle shape in which an arch is missing from a circle when viewed from the front-rear direction. The placement portion 71 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The placement portion 71 has a maximum length (maximum width) L1 in the left-right direction.

The base portion 72 is a member that supports the placement portion 71 in the vertical direction. The base portion 72 is provided to reduce the deflection of the shaft 61a due to its own weight. The base portion 72 has a columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the base portion 72 has a hexagonal shape that combines a rectangle with long sides in the left-right direction and a trapezoid that protrudes upward from the upper side of the rectangle when viewed from the front-rear direction. A groove is provided on the upper surface of the base portion 72 into which the placement portion 71 is fitted. The lower corners of the base portion 72 are chamfered. The base portion 72 has a maximum length (maximum width) L2 in the left-right direction. The maximum width L2 of the base portion 72 is greater than the maximum width L1 of the placement portion 71. The length of the base portion 72 in the left-right direction has a maximum width L2 at the lower end of the base portion 72, and decreases as it moves upward from the lower end of the base portion 72.

In this embodiment, the mounting portion 71 is fixed to the base portion 72 by screws, but it may also be fixed by adhesion or welding. Alternatively, the mounting portion 71 and the base portion 72 may be integrally configured as the exposed portion 61e.

Next, the manner in which the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 5. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the conductive member 61b is disposed in the fitting hole 26g of the support 26b. Specifically, the conductive member 61b is fitted into the fitting hole 26g so that the opening is located at the front. The conductive member 61b has a fitting portion 61f and a stopper portion 61g.

The fitting portion 61f is a portion that fits into the fitting hole 26g. In this embodiment, the fitting portion 61f has a cylindrical shape with one end open. The other end of the fitting portion 61f has a through hole through which the shaft portion 81b of the fixing member 81 described below can be inserted. The outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 61f has a rectangular shape with rounded corners when viewed from the front-to-rear direction.

The stopper portion 61g is a portion that functions as a rotation stopper for the shaft 61a. The stopper portion 61g has an arc shape when viewed from the front-rear direction, and extends in the front-rear direction. The stopper portion 61g is connected to the fitting portion 61f in the front-rear direction, and protrudes forward from the front surface 26j of the support 26b when the conductive member 61b is fitted into the fitting hole 26g. The stopper portion 61g abuts against both ends of the base portion 72 in the left-right direction in the up-down direction.

The support portion 61 further includes a receiving member 80 and a fixing member 81. The fixing member 81 is a member for fixing the shaft 61a to the support 26b. For example, a bolt is used as the fixing member 81. The fixing member 81 includes a head portion 81a and a shaft portion 81b. The fixing member 81 is made of, for example, a metal material. Examples of the constituent material of the fixing member 81 include stainless steel and aluminum. The resistance value of the fixing member 81 is, for example, 1×10 ⁻¹ Ω to 1×10 ¹ Ω.

The receiving member 80 is provided between the support 26b and the fixed member 81, and is a member for attaching the fixed member 81 to the support 26b. In this embodiment, the receiving member 80 has a cup-like shape and accommodates the head 81a of the fixed member 81. A through hole through which the shaft portion 81b of the fixed member 81 can be inserted is provided in the bottom plate of the receiving member 80. The receiving member 80 is disposed in a counterbore 26k provided in the rear surface 26i of the support 26b. The counterbore 26k is a hole for accommodating the head 81a of the fixed member 81, and is recessed forward from the rear surface 26i of the support 26b. The counterbore 26k and the fitting hole 26g are connected in the front-rear direction by a communication hole 26m. The inner diameter of the communication hole 26m is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 81b of the fixed member 81. The receiving member 80 is made of, for example, an insulating material. Examples of materials for the receiving member 80 include polyacetal and polycarbonate. The resistance value of the receiving member 80 is, for example, 1× ¹⁰ Ω or more and 1× ¹⁰ Ω or less. The total resistance value of the resistance value of the receiving member 80 and the resistance value of the fixing member 81 is equal to or more than the resistance value of the conductive member 61b.

The conductive member 61b is fitted into the fitting hole 26g so that the opening is located at the front, and the end 61c is inserted into the internal space of the fitting portion 61f, so that the end 61c is fitted into the conductive member 61b. That is, the end 61c is fitted into the fitting hole 26g via the conductive member 61b. Then, after the receiving member 80 is fitted into the counterbore 26k, the shaft portion 81b of the fixing member 81 is inserted into the through hole of the receiving member 80, the communication hole 26m, and the through hole of the fitting portion 61f, and the shaft portion 81b of the fixing member 81 is screwed into the screw hole provided on the rear surface of the end 61c. At this time, the head 81a of the fixing member 81 is accommodated in the receiving member 80. As a result, the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b. In addition, the outer diameter of the shaft portion 81b is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 26k, so when the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b, the shaft portion 81b is not in contact with the support 26b.

Next, the anti-rotation structure will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Figure 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, the maximum distance L3 between the center of gravity G1 of the shape defined by the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b and the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b is greater than the minimum distance L4 between the center of gravity G2 of the shape defined by the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g. In this embodiment, the position of the center of gravity G1 and the position of the center of gravity G2 coincide when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. The specific shape of the shape defined by the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b is not limited. The shape defined by the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b may be, for example, a polygonal shape or a flat shape.

As shown in FIG. 7, the stopper portion 61g of the conductive member 61b abuts against both ends of the base portion 72 in the left-right direction in the up-down direction. The upper surfaces of both ends of the base portion 72 abut against the stopper portion 61g in the up-down direction. The stopper portion 61g also abuts against the mounting portion 71 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface of the stopper portion 61g abuts against the mounting portion 71 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the stopper portion 61g abuts against both ends of the base portion 72 in the up-down direction so as to cover the mounting portion 71 and the base portion 72 from above.

In this configuration, when a force is applied around the axis of the conductive member 61b, the part of the conductive member 61b having the maximum distance L3 from the center of gravity G1 is caught on the inner circumferential surface of the fitting hole 26g. As a result, even when a force is applied around the axis, the conductive member 61b is prevented from rotating around the axis with respect to the fitting hole 26g. That is, the rotation of the conductive member 61b around the axis with respect to the support 26b is restricted. Furthermore, even when a force is applied around the axis of the shaft 61a, the stopper portion 61g and both ends in the left-right direction of the base portion 72 are abutted in the up-down direction, so that the shaft 61a is prevented from rotating around the axis. As described above, the conductive member 61b is prevented from rotating around the axis with respect to the fitting hole 26g (support 26b), so the shaft 61a is also prevented from rotating around the axis with respect to the support 26b.

As described above, in the panel storage container 1, the end 61c of the shaft 61a is fitted into the fitting hole 26g via the conductive member 61b. The conductive member 61b electrically connects the shaft 61a and the support 26b, and the resistance value of the conductive member 61b is greater than the resistance value of the shaft 61a and the resistance value of the support 26b. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the shaft 61a is directly connected to the support 26b without the conductive member 61b, the resistance value of the path from the shaft 61a to the support 26b is greater. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of electrostatic discharge when a panel is placed on the shaft 61a. On the other hand, since the conductive member 61b is conductive, electricity can flow from the panel placed on the shaft 61a to the shaft 61a, the conductive member 61b, and the support 26b in that order. Therefore, the panel can be de-electrified. For these reasons, by interposing a conductive member 61b between the shaft 61a and the support 26b, which has a resistance value greater than the resistance value of the shaft 61a and the resistance value of the support 26b, it is possible to neutralize the panel while suppressing the occurrence of electrostatic discharge.

In the panel storage container 1, the support 26b is provided with a fitting hole 26g in which the conductive member 61b is disposed. The end 61c is fitted into the fitting hole 26g via the conductive member 61b. Specifically, the end 61c is fitted into the fitting hole 26g by being inserted into the internal space of the fitting portion 61f of the conductive member 61b. With this configuration, the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b with the end 61c fitted into the fitting hole 26g via the conductive member 61b. Therefore, the shaft 61a can be reliably fixed to the support 26b.

In general, the amount of deflection due to the shaft's own weight is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the shaft and inversely proportional to the moment of inertia of the shaft. When the cross section of the shaft is expanded horizontally, the increase in the moment of inertia exceeds the increase in the cross-sectional area. In the panel storage container 1, the maximum width L2 of the base portion 72 is greater than the maximum width L1 of the mounting portion 71. Therefore, the amount of deflection due to the weight of the shaft 61a can be reduced without expanding the shaft 61a vertically. As a result, the possibility of the panel interfering with the shaft 61a when the panel is carried into the panel storage container 1 or when the panel is carried out of the panel storage container 1 can be reduced.

The conductive member 61b abuts against both ends of the base 72 in the left-right direction in the up-down direction. Therefore, even if a force is applied around the axis of the shaft 61a, the stopper portion 61g of the conductive member 61b, which is prevented from rotating around the axis, comes into contact with the base portion 72 of the shaft 61a, so that the rotation of the shaft 61a around the axis is prevented with respect to the conductive member 61b. Furthermore, when viewed from the front-rear direction, the maximum distance L3 between the center of gravity G1 of the shape defined by the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b and the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b is greater than the minimum distance L4 between the center of gravity G2 of the shape defined by the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g. According to this configuration, when a force is applied around the axis of the conductive member 61b, the part of the conductive member 61b having the maximum distance L3 from the center of gravity G1 gets caught on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g. This prevents the conductive member 61b from rotating around the axis relative to the fitting hole 26g. In other words, the conductive member 61b is prevented from rotating around the axis relative to the support 26b. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shaft 61a from rotating around the axis of the shaft 61a relative to the fitting hole 26g (support 26b).

The conductive member 61b may be made of a resin material. In this case, it is easy to realize a conductive member 61b having a resistance value greater than the resistance value of the shaft 61a and the resistance value of the support 26b.

In the panel storage container 1, the path from the shaft 61a to the support 26b includes a path from the shaft 61a through the conductive member 61b to the support 26b, and a path from the shaft 61a to the support 26b through the fixed member 81 and the receiving member 80 in this order. Since the total resistance value of the fixed member 81 and the receiving member 80 is greater than the resistance value of the conductive member 61b, it is difficult for a current to flow through the path from the shaft 61a to the support 26b through the fixed member 81 and the receiving member 80 in this order. Furthermore, when the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b, the shaft portion 81b of the fixed member 81 is not in contact with the support 26b, so it is difficult for a current to flow through the shaft portion 81b into the inside of the support 26b. Therefore, since the current mainly flows through the path from the shaft 61a through the conductive member 61b to the support 26b, the conductivity between the shaft 61a and the support 26b can be adjusted by the conductive member 61b. As a result, the occurrence of electrostatic discharge can be more reliably suppressed.

The fixing member 81 may be made of a metal material, and the receiving member 80 may be made of an insulating material. In this case, it is easy to realize a configuration in which the combined resistance value of the fixing member 81 and the resistance value of the receiving member 80 is greater than the resistance value of the conductive member 61b.

Note that the panel storage container according to this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment.

The support 26b may not have a fitting hole 26g. In this case, the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b with the conductive member 61b interposed between the shaft 61a and the support 26b in the front-rear direction. For example, the conductive member 61b is joined to the front surface 26j of the support 26b, and the end 61c of the shaft 61a is joined to the conductive member 61b. That is, the shaft 61a is fixed to the support 26b via the conductive member 61b.

In the above embodiment, the base portion 72 has a polygonal prism shape extending in the front-rear direction, but the shape of the base portion 72 is not limited to this shape. The base portion 72 is provided to reduce the deflection of the shaft 61a due to its own weight, so the shape of the base portion 72 may be any shape that can reduce the deflection of the shaft 61a due to its own weight. For example, the shape of the base portion 72 may be a plate shape extending in the front-rear direction.

In the above embodiment, the length of the base 72 in the left-right direction decreases as the distance from the bottom end of the base 72 increases in the upward direction, but the length of the base 72 in the left-right direction is not limited to this. The length of the base 72 in the left-right direction may decrease continuously or in steps as the distance from the bottom end of the base 72 increases in the upward direction.

The shaft 61a may not have a base portion 72. In this case, the shaft 61a (mounting portion 71) may be a cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction. If the shaft 61a is cylindrical, the shaft 61a may rotate about its axis, so the conductive member 61b may not have a stopper portion 61g, and the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member 61b and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 26g may be circular when viewed from the front-rear direction.

The material of the conductive member 61b is not limited to a resin material. The conductive member 61b may be configured so that the resistance value of the conductive member 61b is greater than the resistance value of the shaft 61a and the resistance value of the support 26b.

The combination of the constituent materials of the fixing member 81 and the receiving member 80 may be changed as appropriate within a range that satisfies the condition that the total resistance value of the resistance value of the fixing member 81 and the receiving member 80 is equal to or greater than the resistance value of the conductive member 61b. For example, the fixing member 81 may be made of an insulating material, and the receiving member 80 may be made of a metal material. The fixing member 81 may be made of a metal material, and the receiving member 80 may be made of the same material as the conductive member 61b.

The method of connecting each member of the container body 2 may be different from that of the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the container body 2 is constructed by combining multiple parts, but it may be an integrally molded product.

In the above embodiment, the support portion 62 includes a shaft 62a, multiple elastic bodies 62b, and multiple supports 65. Alternatively, the support portion 62 may include a plate-shaped support extending in the front-rear direction to support the left-right ends of the panel.

1...panel storage container, 2...container body, 26b...post, 26g...fitting hole, 60...panel support portion, 61a...shaft, 61b...conductive member, 61c...end portion (first end portion), 61d...end portion (second end portion), 61g...stopper portion, 71...mounting portion, 72...base portion, 80...receiving member, 81...fixing member.

Claims (7)

a container body for storing a plurality of panels arranged in a first direction;
a panel support portion provided inside the container body and supporting the plurality of panels;
Equipped with
the panel support portion includes a shaft extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction for supporting one panel of the plurality of panels, and a conductive member;
The container body includes a support for fixing the shaft,
The shaft has a first end and a second end which are opposite ends in the second direction,
the conductive member is provided at the first end and electrically connects the shaft and the support;
A panel storage container, wherein the resistance value of the conductive member is greater than the resistance value of the shaft and the resistance value of the support. the support has a fitting hole in which the conductive member is disposed,
The panel housing container according to claim 1 , wherein the first end is fitted into the fitting hole via the conductive member. the shaft includes a placement portion for placing the panel thereon and a base portion supporting the placement portion in the first direction,
The placement portion and the base portion extend in the second direction,
The panel storage container according to claim 2 , wherein a maximum length of the base portion in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction is greater than a maximum length of the placement portion in the third direction. When viewed from the second direction, a maximum distance between a center of gravity of a shape defined by an outer peripheral surface of the conductive member and the outer peripheral surface is greater than a minimum distance between a center of gravity of a shape defined by an inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole and the inner peripheral surface,
the conductive member includes stopper portions that abut against both end portions of the base portion in the third direction in the first direction,
The panel housing container according to claim 3 . The panel storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conductive member is made of a resin material. The panel support portion includes a fixing member for fixing the shaft to the support column, and a receiving member provided between the support column and the fixing member for attaching the fixing member to the support column,
The panel storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a total resistance value of the resistance value of the fixing member and the resistance value of the receiving member is equal to or greater than a resistance value of the conductive member. The fixing member is made of a metal material,
The panel storage container according to claim 6 , wherein the receiving member is made of an insulating material.

Images