Disassembly Method for Retired Glue-Impregnated Power Batteries

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for disassembling retired gel-filled power batteries, including a cutting process and a folding process; the cutting process is used to cut off the left and right side plates of the retired power battery pack after the upper cover has been removed, and the folding process is used to fold the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack with the left and right side plates cut off, so that the gelling force between each column of battery modules is destroyed, and each column of battery modules is separated independently. By using the method for disassembling retired gel-filled power batteries of the present invention, there is no need to add solubilizing agents, thus avoiding environmental pollution, and there is no need for low-temperature treatment of the battery modules, thus avoiding major safety hazards to the battery modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology for disassembling retired power batteries, belonging to the field of green environmental protection technology, and particularly relates to a method for disassembling retired potted power batteries. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the new energy industry in China has developed rapidly, and the power batteries of electric vehicles put into use earlier will be retired one after another, and the problem of solid waste of waste power batteries is becoming increasingly prominent.

[0003] In the disassembly or cascade utilization of retired power batteries, the battery modules need to be disassembled from the battery pack housing and then a series of tests are carried out. At present, after the battery modules of retired power batteries are assembled into the battery pack housing, in order to ensure the safety of the batteries, a certain amount of potting glue is injected at the bottom of the housing. There is potting glue between the module and the bottom of the housing, and between the modules. Due to the very good bonding effect of the potting glue, it is difficult to safely remove the battery module from the battery pack during the cascade utilization of power batteries.

[0004] At present, there are two methods to solve this problem:

[0005] 1. Inject a solubilizer, and use a chemical method to dissolve the potting glue and then remove the battery module. The disadvantage is that the solubilizer has a pungent smell and there are potential hazards to human health and environmental pollution;

[0006] 2. Freeze for more than 4 hours in an environment below -35°C and then take it out. The disadvantage is that after the frozen battery module is taken out, condensed water appears on the surface of the battery module in a normal temperature environment, posing a great safety hazard to the battery.

[0007] Therefore, the existing technology has defects and needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for disassembling retired potted power batteries in view of the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0009] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0010] A method for disassembling retired potted power batteries includes a cutting process and a folding process; the cutting process is used to cut off the left and right side plates of the retired power battery pack after removing the upper cover, and the folding process is used to fold the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack after cutting off the left and right side plates, so that the potting force between the battery modules in each column is destroyed and the battery modules in each column are separated independently.

[0011] In the method for disassembling retired potted power batteries, after folding, the battery pack housing is deformed from the original planar shape to a shape similar to a polygon after folding, and each outer side of each side is an independent module in a column.

[0012] The described method for disassembling retired gel-filled power batteries, wherein the folding process is implemented by a folding device. The folding device includes a base, a sliding platform, a linear motor, a gantry, a pressing oil cylinder, and a stretching oil cylinder. A guide rail groove is provided on the upper surface of the base to support and guide the forward and backward movement of the sliding platform. A linear motor is installed inside the base to drive the movement of the sliding platform. Two groups of oil cylinders are provided on the gantry, one group is the pressing oil cylinders arranged left and right, and the other group is the stretching oil cylinders arranged front and back. The cylinder barrel of the pressing oil cylinder is connected to the gantry, and the rod head of the piston rod is fastened to the pressing rod. The up and down movement of the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder drives the up and down movement of the pressing rod, thereby loosening and pressing one module of the battery pack. The cylinder barrel of the stretching oil cylinder is hinged to the gantry through a hinge shaft earring, and the rod head of the piston rod is connected to a hook. The hook is connected to the front / rear side plate of the battery pack housing. When the stretching oil cylinder stretches, an upward oblique pulling force is applied to the side plate, and the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack can be folded, so that the glue filling between each column of battery modules is torn, and each column of battery modules is separated independently.

[0013] The described method for disassembling retired gel-filled power batteries, the folding process specifically includes the following steps: A1. Place the battery pack with both side plates removed on the sliding platform, with the battery module facing down and the battery pack housing facing up; A2. Start the linear motor to drive the sliding platform so that the second row of modules in the battery pack is located below the pressing rod; A3. Turn on the hydraulic system, drive the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder to extend. After pressing the second row of modules in the front, drive the piston rod of the front stretching oil cylinder to extend. Fasten the steel wire rope on the hook of the rod head of the stretching oil cylinder to the front housing of the module. Then drive the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, thereby stretching the battery pack housing upward / obliquely upward. Under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, the housing deforms, and a part of it folds upward, causing the first row of modules in the front and the second row of modules to break away from each other against the adhesive force of the potting glue between them; A4. Then, retract the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder, operate the linear motor, and the sliding platform advances a distance of one module. Extend the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder to press the third row of modules, and repeat the above actions to separate the potting glue between the second row and the third row of modules. Operate the remaining modules in sequence to separate each row of modules in the front half of the battery pack; A5. Retract the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder, operate the linear motor, and the sliding platform advances until the second row of modules in the rear half of the battery pack is located below the pressing rod. Press the module, drive the piston rod of the rear stretching oil cylinder to extend, fasten the steel wire rope on the hook of the rod head to the rear housing of the battery pack, drive the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, and stretch the battery pack housing obliquely upward. Under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, the housing deforms, and a part of it folds upward, causing the first row of modules in the rear and the second row of modules to break away from each other against the adhesive force of the potting glue between them. Operate according to the method of folding the front half of the modules as described above to fold the rear half of the battery pack in sequence, so that the battery pack housing changes from the original planar shape to a shape similar to a polygon after folding, and each side outside is a row of independent modules; At this time, the module and the battery pack housing are only bonded at the bottom by potting glue. Remove the module from the housing, and then enter the normal operation on the production line for the secondary utilization of the module.

[0014] With the above solution, the present invention cuts off the side plates on the module through the cutting process; through the actions of the pressing oil cylinder and the stretching oil cylinder in the folding process, the battery pack housing is folded into a polygon, so that each module is independently separated; in the folding process, the linear motor is used to move the sliding platform, and the folding action is realized after pressing different modules; in the folding process, the stretching oil cylinder is connected to the gantry through a bearing seat, and the side plate of the battery pack housing can be stretched obliquely upward at any angle by the oil cylinder.

[0015] With the solution of the present invention, there is no need to add solubilizer, avoiding environmental pollution, and there is no need for low temperature, avoiding great potential safety hazards to the battery module. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the cutting equipment;

[0017] Figure 2 Structural diagram of the cutting equipment with the upper platform hidden

[0018] Figure 3 Structural diagram of the sliding table module

[0019] Figure 4 Schematic diagram before the folding equipment starts folding

[0020] Figure 5 Schematic diagram after folding the first half part by the folding equipment

[0021] Figure 6 Structural diagram of the linear motor and the rack

[0022] Figure 7 Physical diagram of the battery pack before folding without the upper cover

[0023] Figure 8 The battery pack after being folded by the device of the present utility model, with each column of modules separated independently

[0024] 10 Encapsulated power battery pack modules, 11 Tightening cylinders, 12 Limit pieces, 13 Platform slots, 14 Sawing motors, 15 Sliding table modules, 16 Saw blades; 20 Bases, 21 Sliding platforms, 22 Gantry frames, 23 Compression oil cylinders, 24 Tensile oil cylinders, 25 Tracks, 26 Sliding tables, 27 Stepper motors, 28 Linear motors, 29 Racks Specific implementation manners

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments

[0026] Refer to Figure 1-4 , the disassembly device for retired encapsulated power batteries includes a cutting device and a folding device; the cutting device is used to cut off the left and right side plates of the retired power battery pack after removing the upper cover, and the folding device is used to fold the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack after cutting off the left and right side plates, so that the encapsulation force between each column of battery modules is destroyed, and each column of battery modules is separated independently

[0027] The cutting device includes a base, a fixed platform, a tightening cylinder 11, a limit piece 12, a sliding table module 15, a sawing motor 14, a saw blade 16, etc. The limit piece 12 and the tightening cylinder 11 are respectively installed on both sides of the fixed platform( Figure 1 Shown as the front and rear two side edges), the limit piece 12 and the tightening cylinder 11 correspond one by one, the side plate of the battery pack is located outside the platform slot 13, and the encapsulated power battery pack module 10 is located inside the platform slot 13

[0028] The sliding table module 15 includes a rail 25, a sliding table 26, and a stepper motor 27. The rail 25 is fixed to the base, and the sliding table 26 is slidably engaged with the rail 25; the sawing motor 14 is fixed to the sliding table 26, the sawing motor 14 drives the saw blade 16 to rotate, and the stepper motor 27 drives the sliding table 26 to move along the rail 25 so that the sawing motor 14 moves along with the sliding table 26, and the rotating saw blade 16 moves along the platform slot 13 to cut off the side plate of the battery pack.

[0029] The platform slot 13 is provided on one side of the fixed platform, and the length of the platform slot 13 is greater than the length of the battery pack, so as to allow the saw blade to pass through when the sawing motor moves;

[0030] By using the clamping cylinder and the limiting member installed on the fixed platform, by adjusting the position of the limiting member and the stroke and installation position of the clamping cylinder, it is possible to adapt to battery packs of various sizes.

[0031] The sliding table module is installed below the fixed platform, and the moving direction of the sliding table 26 is the front-back direction of the platform. The sliding table can slide along the front-back direction of the platform under the drive of the stepper motor 27 to ensure the forward and backward movement of the sawing motor.

[0032] The folding device includes a base 20, a sliding platform 21, a linear motor, a gantry 22, a pressing oil cylinder 23, and a stretching oil cylinder 24. The gantry is fixed across the middle position above the base 20 and is fastened by connecting plates on the left and right sides; the sliding platform 21 can move back and forth along the track groove on the upper surface of the base.

[0033] The upper surface of the base is provided with a guide rail groove to support and guide the forward and backward movement of the sliding platform 21; a linear motor is installed inside the base 20 to drive the movement of the sliding platform; an installation platform is provided inside the base to install the hydraulic stations of the pressing oil cylinder 23 and the stretching oil cylinder 24; connecting plates are provided on the left and right sides of the base and are connected to the gantry.

[0034] The lower surface of the sliding platform is provided with guide rails, and the guide rails are engaged with the guide rail grooves on the upper surface of the base to ensure that the sliding platform moves along the guide rail grooves of the base; the sliding platform is fixed to both ends of the rack 29 of the linear motor, and the linear motor 28 is fixed to the base 20. When the linear motor 28 works, it drives the rack 29 to translate, thereby driving the sliding platform to translate back and forth along the guide rails of the base;

[0035] A plurality of insulating plates are installed on the upper surface of the sliding platform to support the safety of disassembling the battery pack module.

[0036] Two groups of oil cylinders are provided on the gantry, one group is the pressing oil cylinders arranged left and right, and the other group is the stretching oil cylinders arranged front and back. The two groups of oil cylinders are arranged up and down.

[0037] The cylinder barrel of the pressing oil cylinder 23 is connected to the gantry, and the head of the piston rod is fastened to the pressing rod. The up and down movement of the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder drives the up and down movement of the pressing rod, thereby pressing and releasing the battery pack.

[0038] The cylinder barrel of the stretching oil cylinder 24 is hinged to the gantry through a hinge shaft earring. The head of the piston rod is connected to a hook, and the hook is connected to the front (rear) side plate of the battery pack housing through a steel wire rope. When the stretching oil cylinder stretches, a pulling force obliquely upward is applied to the side plate, and the angle can be adjusted arbitrarily according to the position of the side plate of the housing to stretch the side plate obliquely upward.

[0039] The battery pack after cutting both side plates by the cutting device is placed on the sliding platform, with the battery module facing down and the battery pack housing facing up. The remaining two side plates of the battery pack are placed in the front-rear direction on the sliding platform. Start the linear motor to drive the sliding platform so that the second row of modules in the battery pack is located below the pressing rod. Turn on the hydraulic system to drive the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder to extend. After pressing the second row of modules in the front, drive the piston rod of the front stretching oil cylinder to extend, fasten the steel wire rope on the hook of the stretching oil cylinder rod head to the front side housing of the module, and drive the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, thereby stretching the battery pack housing upward (obliquely upward). The housing deforms under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, and locally turns up, so that the first row of modules in the front and the second row of modules overcome the adhesive force of the potting glue between them and come apart. Then, the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder retracts, the linear motor works, the sliding platform advances a distance of one module, the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder extends, presses the third row of modules, and repeats the above actions to separate the potting glue between the second row and the third row of modules. Operate in sequence to separate each row of modules in the first half of the battery pack. At this time, the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder retracts, the linear motor works, the sliding platform advances to the second row of modules in the second half of the battery pack below the pressing rod, repeats the previous operation, presses the modules, drives the piston rod of the rear stretching oil cylinder to extend, fastens the steel wire rope on the hook of the rod head to the rear side housing of the battery pack, drives the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, and stretches the battery pack housing upward (obliquely upward). The housing deforms under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, and locally turns up, so that the first row of modules in the rear and the second row of modules overcome the adhesive force of the potting glue between them and come apart. Operate according to the method of folding the first half of the modules before, fold the second half of the battery pack in sequence, so that the battery pack housing deforms from the original planar shape to a shape similar to a polygon after folding, and each row of independent modules is outside each side.

[0040] At this time, the module and the battery pack housing are only bonded by potting glue at the bottom. Since the connection surface between the module and the housing is an open surface, the module can be removed from the housing by a simple method such as a blade, and then enter the normal operation on the production line for the secondary utilization of the module.

[0041] It should be understood that those of ordinary skill in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for disassembling a retired gelled battery, characterized in that, It includes a cutting process and a folding process; the cutting process is used to cut off the left and right side plates of the retired power battery pack after the upper cover has been removed, and the folding process is used to fold the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack after the left and right side plates have been cut off, so that the potting force between each column of battery modules is destroyed and each column of battery modules is separated independently; after folding, the battery pack housing is deformed from the original planar shape into a polygonal shape after folding, and each side outside is a column of independent modules; the folding process is implemented by a folding device, and the folding device includes a base, a sliding platform, a linear motor, a gantry, a pressing oil cylinder and a stretching oil cylinder; the specific steps of the folding process are as follows: A1. Place the battery pack after cutting off the two side plates on the sliding platform, with the battery modules facing down and the battery pack housing facing up; A2. Start the linear motor to drive the sliding platform so that the second column of modules in the battery pack is located below the pressing rod; A3. Turn on the hydraulic system, drive the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder to extend, after pressing the second column of modules in the front, drive the piston rod of the front stretching oil cylinder to extend, fasten the steel wire rope on the hook of the stretching oil cylinder rod head to the front side housing of the module, and drive the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, so as to stretch the battery pack housing obliquely upward. The housing deforms under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, and locally turns up, so that the first column of modules in the front and the second column of modules overcome the adhesive force of the potting glue between them and are separated; A4. Then, retract the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder, the linear motor works, the sliding platform advances a distance of one module, the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder extends, presses the third column of modules, and repeats the above actions, so that the potting glue between the second column and the third column of modules is separated. Operate in sequence to separate each column of modules in the first half of the battery pack; A5. Retract the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder, the linear motor works, the sliding platform advances to the second half of the battery pack, the second column of modules is located below the pressing rod, press the modules, drive the piston rod of the rear stretching oil cylinder to extend, fasten the hook of the rod head to the rear side housing of the battery pack, drive the piston rod of the stretching oil cylinder to retract, stretch the battery pack housing obliquely upward. The housing deforms under the action of the pressing force and the pulling force, and locally turns up, so that the first column of modules in the rear and the second column of modules overcome the adhesive force of the potting glue between them and are separated. Operate according to the method of folding the first half of the modules before, and fold the second half of the battery pack in sequence, so that the battery pack housing is deformed from the original planar shape into a polygonal shape after folding, and each side outside is a column of independent modules.

2. The method for disassembling a retired glue-filled power battery according to claim 1, wherein A guide rail groove is provided on the upper surface of the base to support and guide the forward and backward movement of the sliding platform; a linear motor is installed inside the base to drive the movement of the sliding platform; two sets of oil cylinders are provided on the gantry, one set is a pressing oil cylinder and the other set is a stretching oil cylinder; the cylinder barrel of the pressing oil cylinder is connected to the gantry, and the rod head of the piston rod is fastened to the pressing rod. The up and down movement of the piston rod of the pressing oil cylinder drives the pressing rod to move up and down, thereby loosening and pressing a module of the battery pack; the cylinder barrel of the stretching oil cylinder is hinged to the gantry through a hinge shaft earring, the rod head of the piston rod is connected to a hook, and the hook is connected to the front / rear side plate of the battery pack housing. When the stretching oil cylinder stretches, a pulling force obliquely upward is applied to the side plate, so that the bottom plate of the retired power battery pack can be turned over, the potting between the battery modules in each row is torn, and the battery modules in each row are separated independently.

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