A method for recycling cylindrical battery cells

Abstract

The present application discloses a method for recycling cylindrical battery cells by breaking and reeling, comprising the following steps: Step S1, extracting the battery cell from the waste battery shell; Step S2, fixing the battery cell diaphragm, positive electrode, and negative electrode: fixing the outer diaphragm on the outside of the cylindrical battery cell by a first suction cup, clamping and fixing the positive electrode ear by a first clamp, and fixing the negative electrode sheet by a second suction cup; Step S3, partial unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the first clamp to partially unwind the cylindrical battery cell until the positive electrode sheet is exposed, and adsorbing the positive electrode sheet by a third suction cup; Step S4, complete unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, the third suction cup, and the first clamp to completely unwind the cylindrical battery cell. The present application utilizes multiple suction cups and clamps to fix the diaphragm and positive and negative electrodes during the disassembly process, and mechanical disassembly replaces manual labor, facilitating large-scale recycling and disassembly of cylindrical batteries, while improving stripping efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to the recycling of waste batteries. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of the new energy industry, the application of lithium batteries is becoming more and more extensive, and the scale of lithium battery production each year is also increasing. However, lithium batteries have a service life. Generally, lithium batteries that are more than 5 years old can no longer meet most usage needs. In addition, lithium batteries are expensive, and the prices of positive and negative electrode materials inside lithium batteries are rising year by year. Therefore, the recycling of lithium batteries is of great significance.

[0003] However, there are many types, models, and electrode materials of lithium batteries, including cylindrical batteries, soft-pack batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and ternary batteries. The recycling methods of different lithium batteries are different and difficult to standardize.

[0004] After using a lithium battery, when it is disassembled, it will be found that the positive and negative electrodes are stuck together with the separator and are difficult to separate. This brings great trouble to battery recycling.

[0005] Application Contents

[0006] To solve the problems existing in the prior art, the present application discloses a method for recycling broken cylindrical battery cells, comprising the following steps: Step S1, extracting the battery cell from the waste battery shell: the waste battery is a cylindrical battery, the cylindrical battery comprising a shell and the cylindrical battery cell; the cylindrical battery cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, the separator comprising an inner separator and an outer separator, the cylindrical battery cell is formed by clamping the positive electrode and the negative electrode by the inner separator and the outer separator and then winding, and the outer separator covers the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell; the positive electrode comprises a positive electrode ear and a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode ear is located in the middle of the battery cell, and the negative electrode comprises a negative electrode ear and a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode ear is located on the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell;

[0007] Step S2, fixing the cell separator, positive electrode, and negative electrode: fixing the outer separator outside the cylindrical cell by a first suction cup, clamping and fixing the positive electrode tab by a first clamping claw, and fixing the negative electrode sheet by a second suction cup;

[0008] Step S3, partially unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the first clamping claw to partially unwind the cylindrical battery cell until the positive electrode sheet is exposed, and the positive electrode sheet is adsorbed by the third suction cup;

[0009] Step S4, completely unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, the third suction cup, and the first clamping claw to completely unwind the cylindrical battery cell.

[0010] The cylindrical battery core further includes a center pin, which is a cylindrical structure and is located at the center of the cylindrical battery core.

[0011] The step S1 also includes the following steps:

[0012] Step S11, the probe penetrates the center pin of the battery cell: the probe is inserted into and penetrates the center pin;

[0013] Step S12: Fixing the center pin of the battery cell with a probe: inserting and fixing the center pin with the probe;

[0014] Step S13, straightening the positive and negative tabs: positioning the positive tab and the negative tab by the center pin, and straightening the positive tab and the negative tab by a bending device so that the positive tab and the negative tab extend along the length direction of the housing respectively;

[0015] Step S12: The probe drives the battery cell to be pulled out from the housing: the probe pulls the center pin, thereby driving the cylindrical battery cell to be pulled out from the housing.

[0016] The cylindrical battery core further includes a glue stick, which is used to fix the outer diaphragm of the cylindrical battery core, and the glue stick is located at the end of the outer diaphragm.

[0017] The outer diaphragm includes a free section, a melting section, and an adsorption section connected in sequence. The adsorption section is located at the outermost end of the outer diaphragm, and the free section is partially rolled into the interior of the cylindrical battery core; the adhesive sticks the adsorption section and the free section.

[0018] The negative electrode sheet includes a copper foil and a negative electrode material coated on the surface of the copper foil. The outer surface of the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell is not coated with the negative electrode material.

[0019] The step S2 further comprises the following steps:

[0020] Step S21, the first suction cup adsorbs part of the outer diaphragm of the battery core: the first suction cup adsorbs the adsorption section of the outer diaphragm of the cylindrical battery core;

[0021] Step S22, the first clamping jaw clamps the positive tab of the battery cell: the first clamping jaw clamps the positive tab;

[0022] Step S23, fusing another portion of the outer separator of the battery cell: using a hot-melt device to fuse the section to be fused to expose the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell; after the section to be fused is fused, the adhesive is pasted to connect the adsorption section and the inner separator;

[0023] Step S24, the second suction cup absorbs the outer copper foil of the battery cell: the suction cup absorbs the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0024] The step S3 also includes the following steps:

[0025] Step S31: The first suction cup and the second suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm and the copper foil away from the center pin through which the probe penetrates, so as to break the coil of the battery cell: the probe is fixed to fix the center pin, and the diaphragm is driven away from the center pin by the first suction cup; the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell is sucked by the second suction cup, thereby driving the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell away from the center pin;

[0026] Step S32: After the battery cell is unwound to expose the positive electrode sheet, the third suction cup adsorbs the positive electrode sheet: the first suction cup drives the diaphragm away from the center pin, and the second suction cup drives the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell away from the center pin, so that the cylindrical battery cell is continuously unwound until the outermost circle of the positive electrode sheet is exposed, and the outermost circle of the positive electrode sheet is adsorbed by the third suction cup.

[0027] The step S4 further comprises the following steps:

[0028] Step S41: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode away from the probe until the battery cell is completely unwound: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode away from the probe until the cylindrical battery cell is completely unwound. During this process, the probe is kept fixed to the center pin, and the first clamping jaw is fixed to the positive electrode ear.

[0029] Step S42: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm, the negative electrode, and the positive electrode: the first suction cup drives the diaphragm, the second suction cup drives the negative electrode, and the third suction cup and the first clamp drive the positive electrode to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm, the negative electrode, and the positive electrode.

[0030] Steps S2 to S4 are all placed in an inert atmosphere.

[0031] The method disclosed in this application has the following advantages:

[0032] Multiple suction cups and grippers are used to fix the diaphragm and positive and negative electrodes during the disassembly process. Mechanical disassembly replaces manual labor, facilitating large-scale recycling and disassembly of cylindrical cells.

[0033] The diaphragm and the positive and negative electrodes are fixed at specific positions during the disassembly process by multiple suction cups and clamps. In particular, during the stripping process, the diaphragm is driven by the first suction cup, the negative electrode is driven by the second suction cup, and the positive electrode is driven by the third suction cup and the first clamp to move in different directions, thereby preventing the connection between the positive electrode ear and the positive electrode sheet from being broken during the stripping process, and facilitating the separation of the diaphragm, positive electrode, and negative electrode, thereby improving the stripping efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the battery cell of this application.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell after partial unwinding.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the overall recycling steps of this application.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the steps of extracting the battery cell from the waste battery casing in this application.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the steps for fixing the battery cell separator, positive electrode, and negative electrode in this application.

[0040] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the steps of breaking the paper in part of this application.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the steps for completely breaking the application.

[0042]

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following will be a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application; the orientation expressions involved in the present application, such as up, down, inside, outside, etc., are all positioned according to the view arrangement of the present application.

[0045] like Figure 1-7As shown: In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the present application discloses a method for recycling a cylindrical battery cell 1 by breaking and winding, comprising the following steps: Step S1, extracting the battery cell from the waste battery shell: the waste battery is a cylindrical battery, and the cylindrical battery comprises a shell and the cylindrical battery cell 1; the cylindrical battery cell 1 comprises a positive electrode 13, a negative electrode 12, and a separator 14, and the separator 14 comprises an inner separator 142 and an outer separator 141, and the cylindrical battery cell 1 is formed by clamping the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 12 by the inner separator 142 and the outer separator 141 and then winding, and the outer separator 141 covers the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell 1; the positive electrode 13 comprises a positive electrode ear 130 and a positive electrode 13 sheet, and the positive electrode ear 130 is located in the middle of the battery cell, and the negative electrode 12 comprises a negative electrode ear 120 and a negative electrode 12 sheet, and the negative electrode ear 120 is located on the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell 1;

[0046] Step S2, fixing the cell separator 14, the positive electrode 13, and the negative electrode 12: fix the outer separator 141 outside the cylindrical cell 1 by the first suction cup 23, clamp and fix the positive electrode tab 130 by the first clamping claw 25, and fix the negative electrode 12 by the second suction cup 22;

[0047] Step S3, partial unwinding: Pull the first suction cup 23, the second suction cup 22, and the first clamping claw 25 to partially unwind the cylindrical battery cell 1 until the positive electrode 13 is exposed, and the positive electrode 13 is sucked by the third suction cup 24;

[0048] Step S4, completely unwinding: pulling the first suction cup 23, the second suction cup 22, the third suction cup 24, and the first clamping claw 25 to completely unwind the cylindrical battery core 1.

[0049] The cylindrical battery core 1 further includes a center pin 11 . The center pin 11 is a cylindrical structure and is located at the center of the cylindrical battery core 1 .

[0050] The step S1 also includes the following steps:

[0051] Step S11, the probe 21 penetrates the center pin 11 of the battery cell: the probe 21 is inserted into and penetrates the center pin 11;

[0052] Step S12: The probe 21 fixes the center pin 11 of the battery cell: insert the probe 21 into and fix the center pin 11;

[0053] Step S13, straightening the positive and negative tabs 120: positioning the positive tab 130 and the negative tab 120 by the center pin 11, and straightening the positive tab 130 and the negative tab 120 by a bending device so that the positive tab 130 and the negative tab 120 extend along the length direction of the housing respectively;

[0054] Step S12 , the probe 21 drives the battery cell to be pulled out from the housing: the probe 21 pulls the center pin 11 , thereby driving the cylindrical battery cell 1 to be pulled out from the housing.

[0055] The cylindrical battery core 1 further includes a glue 15 , which is used to fix the outer separator 141 of the cylindrical battery core 1 . The glue 15 is located at the end of the outer separator 141 .

[0056] The outer diaphragm 141 includes a free section 1413, a melting section 1412, and an adsorption section 1411 connected in sequence. The adsorption section 1411 is located at the outermost end of the outer diaphragm 141, and the free section 1413 is partially rolled into the interior of the cylindrical battery core 1; the adhesive 15 sticks the adsorption section 1411 and the free section 1413.

[0057] The negative electrode 12 sheet includes a copper foil and a negative electrode 12 material coated on the surface of the copper foil. The outer surface of the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode 12 sheet of the cylindrical battery core 1 is not coated with the negative electrode 12 material.

[0058] The step S2 further comprises the following steps:

[0059] Step S21 , the first suction cup 23 adsorbs part of the outer diaphragm 141 of the battery core: the first suction cup 23 adsorbs the adsorption section 1411 of the outer diaphragm 141 of the cylindrical battery core 1 ;

[0060] Step S22 , the first clamping jaw 25 clamps the positive electrode tab 130 of the battery cell: the first clamping jaw 25 clamps the positive electrode tab 130 ;

[0061] Step S23, melting another portion of the outer separator 141 of the outer layer of the battery cell: using a hot melt device to melt the to-be-melted section 1412 to expose the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode 12 of the cylindrical battery cell 1; after the to-be-melted section 1412 is melted, the adhesive 15 is adhered to connect the adsorption section 1411 and the inner separator 142;

[0062] Step S24 , the second suction cup 22 absorbs the outer copper foil of the battery cell: the suction cup absorbs the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode 12 of the cylindrical battery cell 1 .

[0063] The step S3 also includes the following steps:

[0064] Step S31: The first suction cup 23 and the second suction cup 22 respectively drive the diaphragm 14 and the copper foil away from the center pin 11 through which the probe 21 penetrates, so as to unwind the battery cell: the probe 21 is fixed to fix the center pin 11, and the diaphragm 14 is driven away from the center pin 11 by the first suction cup 23; the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode 12 of the cylindrical battery cell 1 is sucked by the second suction cup 22, thereby driving the outermost negative electrode 12 of the cylindrical battery cell 1 away from the center pin 11;

[0065] Step S32: After the battery cell is unwound to expose the positive electrode 13 sheets, the third suction cup 24 adsorbs the positive electrode 13 sheets: the first suction cup 23 drives the diaphragm 14 away from the center pin 11, and the second suction cup 22 drives the outermost negative electrode 12 sheets of the cylindrical battery cell 1 away from the center pin 11, so that the cylindrical battery cell 1 is continuously unwound until the outermost circle of the positive electrode 13 sheets is exposed, and the outermost circle of the positive electrode 13 sheets is adsorbed by the third suction cup 24.

[0066] The step S4 further comprises the following steps:

[0067] Step S41, the first suction cup 23, the second suction cup 22 and the third suction cup 24 respectively drive the diaphragm 14, the copper foil and the positive electrode 13 away from the probe 21 until the battery cell is completely unwound: the first suction cup 23, the second suction cup 22 and the third suction cup 24 respectively drive the diaphragm 14, the copper foil and the positive electrode 13 away from the probe 21 until the cylindrical battery cell 1 is completely unwound. During this process, the probe 21 is kept fixed to the center pin 11, and the first clamping jaw 25 fixes the positive electrode ear 130:

[0068] In step S42, the first suction cup 23, the second suction cup 22 and the third suction cup 24 respectively drive the diaphragm 14, the copper foil and the positive electrode 13 to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm 14, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 13: the first suction cup 23 drives the diaphragm 14, the second suction cup 22 drives the negative electrode 12, the third suction cup 24 and the first clamp 25 drive the positive electrode 13 to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm 14, the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 13.

[0069] Steps S2 to S4 are all placed in an inert atmosphere.

[0070] The method disclosed in this application has the following advantages:

[0071] The separator 14 and the positive and negative electrodes 12 are fixed during the disassembly process by multiple suction cups and clamps, and mechanical disassembly replaces manual labor, facilitating large-scale recycling and disassembly of the cylindrical battery cell 1;

[0072] The diaphragm 14 and the positive and negative electrodes 12 are fixed at specific positions during the disassembly process by multiple suction cups and clamps. In particular, during the stripping process, the diaphragm 14 is driven by the first suction cup 23, the negative electrode 12 is driven by the second suction cup 22, and the positive electrode 13 is driven by the third suction cup 24 and the first clamp 25 to move in different directions, thereby preventing the connection between the positive electrode ear 130 and the positive electrode 13 from being broken during the stripping process, and facilitating the separation of the diaphragm 14, the positive electrode 13, and the negative electrode 12, thereby improving the stripping efficiency.

Claims

1. A method for recycling cylindrical battery cells, characterized in that: The cylindrical battery cell broken coil recycling method comprises the following steps: Step S1, extracting the battery cell from the waste battery shell: the waste battery is a cylindrical battery, the cylindrical battery comprising a shell and the cylindrical battery cell; the cylindrical battery cell comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, the separator comprising an inner separator and an outer separator, the cylindrical battery cell is formed by winding the positive electrode and the negative electrode by clamping the inner separator and the outer separator, and the outer separator covers the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell; the positive electrode comprises a positive electrode tab and a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode tab is located in the middle of the battery cell, the negative electrode comprises a negative electrode tab and a negative electrode sheet, and the negative electrode tab is located on the outer circumference of the cylindrical battery cell; Step S2, fixing the cell separator, positive electrode, and negative electrode: fixing the outer separator outside the cylindrical cell by a first suction cup, clamping and fixing the positive electrode tab by a first clamping claw, and fixing the negative electrode sheet by a second suction cup; Step S3, partially unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the first clamping claw to partially unwind the cylindrical battery cell until the positive electrode sheet is exposed, and the positive electrode sheet is adsorbed by the third suction cup; Step S4, completely unwinding: pulling the first suction cup, the second suction cup, the third suction cup, and the first clamping claw to completely unwind the cylindrical battery cell.

2. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical battery core further includes a center pin, which is a cylindrical structure and is located at the center of the cylindrical battery core.

3. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step S1 also includes the following steps: Step S11, the probe penetrates the center pin of the battery cell: the probe is inserted into and penetrates the center pin; Step S12: Fixing the center pin of the battery cell with a probe: inserting and fixing the center pin with the probe; Step S13, straightening the positive and negative tabs: positioning the positive tab and the negative tab by the center pin, and straightening the positive tab and the negative tab by a bending device so that the positive tab and the negative tab extend along the length direction of the housing respectively; Step S12: The probe drives the battery cell to be pulled out from the housing: the probe pulls the center pin, thereby driving the cylindrical battery cell to be pulled out from the housing.

4. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cylindrical battery core further includes a glue stick, which is used to fix the outer diaphragm of the cylindrical battery core, and the glue stick is located at the end of the outer diaphragm.

5. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer diaphragm includes a free section, a melting section, and an adsorption section connected in sequence. The adsorption section is located at the outermost end of the outer diaphragm, and the free section is partially rolled into the interior of the cylindrical battery core; the adhesive sticks the adsorption section and the free section.

6. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The negative electrode sheet includes a copper foil and a negative electrode material coated on the surface of the copper foil. The outer surface of the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell is not coated with the negative electrode material.

7. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The step S2 further comprises the following steps: Step S21, the first suction cup adsorbs part of the outer diaphragm of the battery core: the first suction cup adsorbs the adsorption section of the outer diaphragm of the cylindrical battery core; Step S22, the first clamping jaw clamps the positive tab of the battery cell: the first clamping jaw clamps the positive tab; Step S23, fusing another portion of the outer separator of the battery cell: using a hot-melt device to fuse the section to be fused to expose the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell; after the section to be fused is fused, the adhesive is pasted to connect the adsorption section and the inner separator; Step S24, the second suction cup absorbs the outer copper foil of the battery cell: the suction cup absorbs the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell.

8. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The step S3 also includes the following steps: Step S31: The first suction cup and the second suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm and the copper foil away from the center pin through which the probe penetrates, so as to break the coil of the battery cell: the probe is fixed to fix the center pin, and the diaphragm is driven away from the center pin by the first suction cup; the copper foil of the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell is sucked by the second suction cup, thereby driving the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell away from the center pin; Step S32: After the battery cell is unwound to expose the positive electrode sheet, the third suction cup adsorbs the positive electrode sheet: the first suction cup drives the diaphragm away from the center pin, and the second suction cup drives the outermost negative electrode sheet of the cylindrical battery cell away from the center pin, so that the cylindrical battery cell is continuously unwound until the outermost circle of the positive electrode sheet is exposed, and the outermost circle of the positive electrode sheet is adsorbed by the third suction cup.

9. A cylindrical battery cell recycling method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The step S4 further comprises the following steps: Step S41: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode away from the probe until the battery cell is completely unwound: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode away from the probe until the cylindrical battery cell is completely unwound. During this process, the probe is kept fixed to the center pin, and the first clamping jaw is fixed to the positive electrode ear. Step S42: The first suction cup, the second suction cup, and the third suction cup respectively drive the diaphragm, the copper foil, and the positive electrode to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm, the negative electrode, and the positive electrode: the first suction cup drives the diaphragm, the second suction cup drives the negative electrode, and the third suction cup and the first clamp drive the positive electrode to move in different directions to separate the diaphragm, the negative electrode, and the positive electrode.

10. The method for recycling cylindrical battery cells according to claim 6, characterized in that: Steps S2 to S4 are all placed in an inert atmosphere.

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