Positive electrode body recovery device

Abstract

Provided is a positive electrode body recovery device capable of efficiently recovering a positive electrode body from an electrode winding body. A positive electrode body recovery device is provided with a separation means for separating an electrode body in a pulled-out state, which is pulled out from an electrode winding body, into a positive electrode body and a negative electrode laminate comprising a negative electrode body and a separator, and for conveying the positive electrode body and the negative electrode laminate, respectively, a holding section that holds an extended region, which is a region in which a first separation object, which is one of the positive electrode body and the negative electrode laminate, is extended in the direction of extension of the electrode body, from among the electrode bodies in the pulled-out state, than a second separation object, which is the other one, and that holds the extended region such that the tip of the second separation object is included in the electrode bodies in the pulled-out state; a pressing part which presses the electrode body in the pulled-out state from the first separation object side in the thickness direction at a position closer to the upstream side than the holding part in the pulling-out direction, and separates the front end part of the second separation object from the first separation object; and a receiving unit that receives the second separation object separated from the first separation object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positive electrode body recovery device for separating and recovering a positive electrode body from an electrode winding body formed by winding a positive electrode body and a negative electrode body with a separator interposed therebetween. Background Art

[0002] For a long time, secondary batteries having an electrode winding body in which a positive electrode body and a negative electrode body are wound in a mutually insulated state through a separator have been widely used. As such secondary batteries, lead batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion secondary batteries are known. In particular, non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries are expected to be used as on-board power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) due to their high energy density.

[0003] The positive electrode of the above-mentioned secondary battery mostly uses valuable substances exemplified by cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu). Therefore, from the perspective of achieving effective utilization of resources, it is important to efficiently recover the positive electrode from the used secondary battery and reuse (recycle) the valuable substances contained therein. In connection with this, there is known an electrode group disassembly device, which comprises: a separation unit for winding out the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator from the wound electrode group supported by the support unit and separating them; and a winding unit for winding up the separated positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator respectively (for example, patent document 1).

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] [Patent Document 1]

[0007] Japanese Patent No. 4754960 Summary of the invention

[0008] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0009] In the above-mentioned prior art, before operating the electrode group disassembling device, the operator needs to manually peel the positive electrode from the stack of positive electrode, negative electrode and separator constituting the wound electrode group, which leaves room for improvement in terms of efficient recovery of the positive electrode body.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned current situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of efficiently recovering a positive electrode body from an electrode wound body.

[0011] [Methods for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the positive electrode body recovery device of the present invention adopts the following configuration. That is, the gist of the present invention is as follows.

[0013] [1] A positive electrode body recovery device, which recovers positive electrode bodies from an electrode winding body having a strip-shaped electrode body, wherein the strip-shaped electrode body is formed by stacking the positive electrode body and the negative electrode body with a separator interposed therebetween, wherein the positive electrode body recovery device has a separation unit, which separates the electrode body in a pulled-out state pulled out from the electrode winding body configured to be rotatable into the positive electrode body and a negative electrode stack including the negative electrode body and the separator, and transports the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack separately, and the separation unit has: a holding portion, which holds the first separation object in the pulled-out electrode body toward the An area extending in the pull-out direction of the electrode body is a protruding area, wherein the first separation object is one of the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack, and the second separation object is the other, and the holding portion holds the protruding area in such a manner that the front end portion of the second separation object is included in the electrode body in the pulled-out state; a pressing portion, which presses the electrode body in the pulled-out state from the first separation object side in the thickness direction at a position upstream of the holding portion in the pull-out direction, so that the front end portion of the second separation object is peeled off from the first separation object; and a receiving portion, which receives the second separation object peeled off from the first separation object.

[0014] [2] According to the positive electrode body recovery device described in [1], the separation unit also has: a first abutment support portion, which, when the electrode body in the pulled-out state is pressed by the pressing portion, is located at an upstream side of the pressing portion and the front end portion of the second separation object in the pull-out direction, and abuts and supports the area where the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack in the pulled-out state, i.e., the stacking area, from the second separation object side in the thickness direction, when the electrode body in the pulled-out state is pressed by the pressing portion; and a second abutment support portion, which, when the electrode body in the pulled-out state is pressed by the pressing portion, is located at an upstream side of the pressing portion and the front end portion of the second separation object in the pull-out direction, and abuts and supports the protruding area in the electrode body in the pulled-out state from the second separation object side in the thickness direction.

[0015] [3] The positive electrode body recovery device according to [1] or [2], wherein the pressing portion presses the electrode body while extending in the width direction of the electrode body and contacting the electrode body in a manner that crosses the electrode body.

[0016] [4] The positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the separation unit includes an air injection unit that injects compressed air between the front end of the second separation target and the first separation target.

[0017] [5] In the positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to [4], the holding unit includes a pair of rotating bodies, the pair of rotating bodies clamping the first separation target from a thickness direction and delivering the first separation target by rotating.

[0018] [6] In the positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to [5], the receiving unit includes a pair of rotating bodies, the pair of rotating bodies clamping the second separation object from a thickness direction and delivering the second separation object by rotating.

[0019] [7] According to the positive electrode body recovery device described in any one of [1] to [6], the separation unit has an electrode body guiding portion, which is arranged at a position upstream of the pressing portion in the pulling-out direction of the electrode body so as to clamp the electrode body in the pulled-out state from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the electrode body in the width direction.

[0020] [8] According to the positive electrode body recovery device described in any one of [1] to [7], the separation unit has a first guiding portion, which is arranged in a position downstream of the pressing portion and upstream of the holding portion in the conveying direction of the first separation object so as to clamp the first separation object from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first separation object in the width direction.

[0021] [9] The positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to [8],

[0022] The separation unit includes a second guide portion disposed on the pressing portion so as to sandwich the first separation target from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing movement of the first separation target in the width direction.

[0023]

[10] A positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the positive electrode body recovery device also has a peeling unit, which, in order to pull out the electrode body from the electrode winding body, sprays compressed air between the winding end end of the electrode body fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body, thereby peeling the winding end end from the outer peripheral surface.

[0024]

[11] The positive electrode body recovery device according to

[10] , wherein the holding portion is configured to receive the extended region peeled off from the outer peripheral surface by the peeling unit.

[0025]

[12] A positive electrode body recovery device according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the positive electrode body recovery device also has a pulling-out unit that pulls out the electrode body from the electrode winding body, and the pulling-out unit pulls out the electrode body from the electrode winding body by lowering the electrode winding body while the extended area of ​​the electrode body is maintained and the electrode winding body is able to rotate.

[0026] [Effects of the invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the positive electrode body can be efficiently recovered from the electrode wound body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the entire electrode winding body.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an overall perspective view of an electrode wound body in a state where a part of the electrode body is pulled out.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the electrode body perpendicular to the width direction.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a schematic configuration diagram of a positive electrode body recovery device according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a figure for demonstrating the winding body holding process.

[0033] Figure 6 It is a diagram for explaining the step of peeling off the end portion at the end of winding.

[0034] Figure 7 It is a diagram for explaining the extended region holding process.

[0035] Figure 8 FIG. (1) is a diagram for explaining the electrode assembly pulling-out step.

[0036] Fig. 9 FIG. (2) is a diagram for explaining the electrode assembly pulling-out step.

[0037] Fig.10 It is a diagram for explaining the positive electrode body peeling step.

[0038] Fig.11 FIG. (1) is a diagram for explaining the positive electrode receiving step.

[0039] Fig.12 FIG. (2) is a diagram for explaining the positive electrode receiving step.

[0040] Fig.13 It is a figure for explaining the conveying process.

[0041] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing a state where the electrode body in a pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claws.

[0042] Description of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1: Control device

[0044] 2: Winding body fixture

[0045] 3: Basket

[0046] 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D: Air jet nozzles

[0047] 5A, 5B: Recycling Containers

[0048] 6A, 6B: Guide rollers

[0049] 7: Peeling claws

[0050] 8A, 8B: Clamping strap

[0051] 9A, 9B, 9C: Guide

[0052] 10: Pull-out device

[0053] 20: Separation device

[0054] 100: Positive electrode recovery device

[0055] 200:Electrode winding body

[0056] 210: Electrode body

[0057] 211: Positive electrode

[0058] 212: Negative electrode

[0059] 213: Diaphragm

[0060] 214: Negative electrode laminate

[0061] A1: Extended area

[0062] A2: Overlay area DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the constituent elements described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention to them unless otherwise specified. Each structure and combination thereof in the embodiments can be appropriately added, omitted, replaced, and otherwise changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0064] In the following embodiments, as an example, a positive electrode body recovery device for recovering a positive electrode body from an electrode winding body for a lithium ion secondary battery is described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to an electrode winding body for a lithium ion secondary battery. The present invention can be applied to any electrode winding body in which a strip-shaped electrode body in which a positive electrode body and a negative electrode body are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween is wound.

[0065] <Electrode winding>

[0066] Figure 1 It is an overall perspective view of an electrode wound body 200 as an example of an application target of the positive electrode body recovery device 100 of the present embodiment. Figure 2 FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the electrode wound body 200 in a state where a portion of the electrode body 210 is pulled out. Figure 1 As shown, the electrode wound body 200 is formed into a square wound body by winding a strip-shaped electrode body 210 around a winding axis AX and compressing it into a flat shape. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The arrows indicate the “width direction”, “thickness direction”, and “length direction” of the electrode wound body 200 and the electrode body 210. With respect to the electrode wound body 200 and the electrode body 210, the direction parallel to the winding axis AX is set as the “width direction”, the direction perpendicular to the surface of the electrode body 210 is set as the “thickness direction”, and the direction perpendicular to the width direction and the thickness direction is set as the “length direction (extension direction)”.

[0067] As an example, the electrode winding body 200 of the present embodiment constitutes a power generation element of a lithium-ion secondary battery mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). The lithium-ion secondary battery is, for example, a so-called square battery that is configured to include a square electrode winding body 200, an electrolyte, and a square shell as an outer body for storing the electrode winding body 200 and the electrolyte. In addition, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery including one electrode winding body 200 can also be used as a battery cell, a structure obtained by accommodating a plurality of (for example, 12) battery cells connected in series or in parallel in a module shell as a battery module, and a structure obtained by accommodating a plurality of (for example, 4) battery modules connected in series or in parallel in a package shell as a battery package, and the battery package is mounted on a vehicle. In addition, in the present embodiment, a so-called square battery in which the electrode winding body is compressed into a flat shape is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a so-called cylindrical (cylindrical) battery in which the electrode winding body is set to a cylindrical shape.

[0068] Here, Figure 1 and Figure 2The symbol 210a indicates the winding end of the electrode body 210. The winding end 210a of the electrode body 210 is an end located on the outer peripheral side of the electrode winding body 200 of the two ends in the longitudinal direction of the electrode body 210. Figure 1 As shown, the winding end portion 210a is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode body 210 by the anti-winding tape 300, thereby prohibiting the winding of the electrode body 200. The anti-winding tape 300 is configured as a sheet-like adhesive tape having insulating properties, and is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode body 200 in a manner spanning the winding end portion 210a. In the present embodiment, a pair of anti-winding tapes 300, 300 extending along the circumference of the electrode body 200 are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The material of the anti-winding tape 300 is not particularly limited, and for example, a polyimide tape can be used as the anti-winding tape 300. By peeling the winding end portion 210a together with the anti-winding tape 300 from the outer peripheral surface of the electrode body 200, the prohibition of winding of the electrode body 210 is released, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrode body 210 can be pulled out to unwind the electrode wound body 200. Figure 2 As shown, the state where the electrode body 210 is pulled out from the electrode wound body 200 is called the “pulled out state”, and the extending direction of the electrode body 210 in the pulled out state is called the “pulled out direction”. The pulled out direction coincides with the length direction of the electrode body 210 in the pulled out state.

[0069] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode body 210 perpendicular to the width direction. Figure 3 , a portion of the electrode body 210 including the winding end portion 210a pulled out from the electrode winding body 200 is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the electrode body 210 includes a positive electrode body 211, a negative electrode body 212, and a separator 213. The positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode body 212 are stacked in the thickness direction with the separator 213 interposed therebetween, thereby forming a strip-shaped electrode body 210.

[0070] The positive electrode body 211 is a strip-shaped component in which a positive electrode active material is carried on a metal foil. The positive electrode body 211 contains a valuable substance. The positive electrode body 211 is formed by, for example, carrying a composite oxide containing lithium and a transition metal such as nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (NMC), nickel-cobalt-aluminum oxide (NCA), lithium titanate (LTO), and lithium manganate (LMO) on a metal foil such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel as a positive electrode active material.

[0071] The negative electrode body 212 is a strip-shaped member in which a negative electrode active material is carried on a metal foil. The negative electrode body 212 is formed by carrying silicon, silicon oxide, graphite, hard carbon, lithium titanate, LiAl, etc. as a negative electrode active material on a metal foil such as copper, copper alloy, nickel, stainless steel, etc.

[0072] The separator 213 is a belt-shaped member interposed between the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode body 212 to separate them and insulate the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode body 212. The separator 213 is formed of a resin material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), for example.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, in the electrode body 210, a pair (2 sheets) of separators 213 clamp the negative electrode body 212 in the thickness direction. Hereinafter, the stack of the negative electrode body 212 and the pair of separators 213 is referred to as a negative electrode stack, which is represented by the symbol 214. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the negative electrode stack 214 is composed of the negative electrode body 212 and a pair of separators 213, but the negative electrode stack of the present invention is not limited to this. The negative electrode stack can be a stack including a negative electrode body and a separator other than the positive electrode body in the electrode body. The electrode body 210 is formed by stacking the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 in the thickness direction.

[0074] Here, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the negative electrode laminate 214 extends further in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210 than the positive electrode body 211. Therefore, the winding end 210a of the electrode body 210 is formed at the negative electrode laminate 214. Figure 3 As shown, the region where the negative electrode stack 214 in the electrode body 210 extends in the pulling direction more than the positive electrode 211 is defined as the extending region A1, and the region where the positive electrode 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 are stacked is defined as the stacking region A2. The extending region A1 is a region from the end of the positive electrode 211 in the pulling direction to the end of the negative electrode stack 214 in the pulling direction (i.e., the winding end 210a), and is a region where only the negative electrode stack 214 exists between the positive electrode 211 and the negative electrode stack 214. In the present embodiment, the negative electrode stack 214 corresponds to an example of the "first separation object" of the present invention, and the positive electrode 211 corresponds to an example of the "second separation object" of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the positive electrode may extend in the pulling direction more than the negative electrode stack. In this case, the positive electrode corresponds to the "first separation object", the negative electrode stack corresponds to the "second separation object", and the region where the positive electrode in the electrode body extends more than the negative electrode stack corresponds to the "extending region". That is, in the present invention, one of the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack that extends outward in the pulling-out direction of the electrode body is equivalent to the "first separation target".

[0075] <Positive Electrode Recovery Device>

[0076] Figure 4 It is a schematic configuration diagram of the positive electrode body recovery device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4The arrows represent the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction of the positive electrode recovery device 100. The X-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction. The Z-axis direction of the positive electrode recovery device 100 of the present embodiment is parallel to the vertical direction (gravity direction). Therefore, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are parallel to the horizontal direction. In the following, with respect to the Z-axis direction, the + side of the Z-axis is set to the "lower side", and the - side of the Z-axis is set to the "upper side". In addition, with respect to the X-axis direction, the + side of the X-axis is set to the "front side", and the - side of the X-axis is set to the "rear side". However, the directions such as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction in this specification merely indicate the relative positional relationship of the components constituting the positive electrode recovery device 100, and do not limit the present invention.

[0077] like Figure 4 As shown, the positive electrode body recovery device 100 is constructed to include a control device 1, a winding body clamp 2, a basket 3, air injection nozzles 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, a recovery container 5A, 5B, guide rollers 6A, 6B, a peeling claw 7, clamping belts 8A, 8B, guides 9A, 9B, 9C, and sensors S1, S2, S3. Hereinafter, when the air injection nozzles 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are described without distinguishing them, they are collectively referred to as the air injection nozzle 4. Similarly, when the guide rollers 6A and 6B are described without distinguishing them, they are collectively referred to as the guide rollers 6, when the clamping belts 8A and 8B are described without distinguishing them, they are collectively referred to as the clamping belts 8, and when the guides 9A, 9B and 9C are described without distinguishing them, they are collectively referred to as the guides 9. Figure 4 As shown, the winding body clamp 2 and the basket 3 in the positive electrode body recovery device 100 constitute a pulling device 10 (an example of the "pulling unit" of the present invention). In addition, the air injection nozzles 4B, 4C, 4D, the guide roller 6, the peeling claw 7, the clamping belt 8 and the guide 9 in the positive electrode body recovery device 100 constitute a separation device 20 (an example of the "separation unit" of the present invention). The pulling device 10 is a device for pulling out the electrode body 210 from the electrode winding body 200. The separation device 20 is a device that separates the electrode body 210 in a pulled-out state pulled out from the electrode winding body 200 configured to be rotatable into a positive electrode body 211 and a negative electrode stack 214, and transports the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 separately.

[0078] In addition, if Figure 4As shown, the separation device 20 forms an electrode body conveying path R10, a positive electrode body conveying path R1, and a negative electrode body conveying path R2. The electrode body conveying path R10 is a path for conveying the electrode body 210 before being separated into the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214, and is formed from the basket 3 to the guide roller 6A. The electrode body conveying path R10 branches into the positive electrode body conveying path R1 and the negative electrode body conveying path R2 with the guide roller 6A as a branch point. The positive electrode body conveying path R1 is a path for conveying the positive electrode body 211 separated from the electrode body 210, and is formed from the guide roller 6A to the recovery container 5A. The negative electrode body conveying path R2 is a path for conveying the negative electrode stack 214 separated from the electrode body 210, and is formed from the guide roller 6A to the recovery container 5B. The following describes each structure of the positive electrode body recovery device 100.

[0079] [Control device]

[0080] The control device 1 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an input / output interface, etc., and controls the pulling device 10, the separation device 20, and the air jet nozzle 4A by executing a prescribed program. The control device 1 has a control unit 11 and a detection unit 12 as a processing unit. The control unit 11 controls the winding body clamp 2, the basket 3, the air jet nozzle 4, the peeling claw 7, and the clamping belt 8. More specifically, the control unit 11 supplies compressed air to the air jet nozzle 4 from a compressor as a supply source of compressed air, thereby spraying compressed air from the air jet nozzle 4. In addition, the control unit 11 drives the winding body clamp 2, the basket 3, the peeling claw 7, and the clamping belt 8 by controlling appropriate actuators such as cylinders and servo motors as a driving unit. The detection unit 12 obtains information detected by sensors S1 to S3 from each sensor.

[0081] [Wound body fixture]

[0082] The winding body fixture 2 has a movable fixture 2a and a fixed fixture 2b arranged in parallel in the X-axis direction. In the X-axis direction, the movable fixture 2a is arranged at a position further back (on the - side of the X-axis) than the fixed fixture 2b. The winding body fixture 2 can move the movable fixture 2a along the X-axis direction under the control of the control unit 11, and switch the clamping and release of the electrode winding body 200 by changing the distance between the movable fixture 2a and the fixed fixture 2b.

[0083] [Basketball hoop]

[0084] The basket 3 is formed as a box with an open top surface, and is a container capable of accommodating the electrode wound body 200. The basket 3 is arranged below the wound body holder 2, and can move in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) under the control of the control unit 11. The electrode wound body 200 is arranged in the basket 3 in a rotatable state.

[0085] [Clamping belt]

[0086] The clamping belt 8 has a pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 (an example of a "pair of rotating bodies" of the present invention) arranged in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction). The pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 respectively have a rotating roller group 8a and an annular conveyor belt 8b wound around the outer periphery of the rotating roller group 8a. The rotating roller group 8a is configured to include a plurality of rotating rollers. The plurality of rotating rollers are arranged in a manner that each rotating axis is parallel to the Y-axis direction. The clamping belt 8 can move the belt rotating body 81 arranged on the upper side of the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 along the Z-axis direction according to the control of the control unit 11. The clamping belt 8 switches between a separation state and a clamping state in which the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 are closer to each other than the separation state by changing the distance between the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82. In addition, the clamping belt 8 can rotate the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 according to the control of the control unit 11. More specifically, the clamping belt 8 moves the conveyor belt 8b around by rotating each rotating roller of the rotating roller group 8a.

[0087] The clamping belt 8A is arranged in the middle of the positive electrode body conveying path R1. The clamping belt 8A in the separated state can receive the positive electrode body 211 peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214, and by switching to the clamping state in the state of receiving the positive electrode body 211, the positive electrode body 211 is clamped in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the clamping belt 8A rotates the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 under the control of the control unit 11 while clamping the positive electrode body 211, thereby sending the positive electrode body 211 to the downstream side of the positive electrode body conveying path R1. The clamping belt 8A is an example of the "receiving unit" of the present invention. The clamping belt 8B is arranged in the middle of the negative electrode body conveying path R2. The clamping belt 8B in the separated state can receive the extended area A1 of the electrode body 210 peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body 200, and by switching to the clamping state in the state of receiving the extended area A1, the negative electrode stack 214 constituting the extended area A1 is clamped in the thickness direction. The clamp belt 8B clamps the negative electrode stack 214 and rotates the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 under the control of the control unit 11, thereby feeding the negative electrode stack 214 to the downstream side of the conveying path R2. The clamp belt 8B is an example of the "holding unit" of the present invention.

[0088] In addition, the rotating body involved in the present disclosure is not limited to the rotating body having a conveyor belt, and may be composed of only one or more rotating rollers. In addition, the holding part and the receiving part of the present invention may also be clamping rollers composed of a pair of rotating rollers.

[0089] [Peeling claws]

[0090] The peeling claw 7 is disposed at a position upstream of the clamping belt 8B in the negative electrode body conveying path R2, and peels the front end of the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214 by pressing the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state. The peeling claw 7 is formed as a wedge-shaped member extending in the Y-axis direction. The cross section of the peeling claw 7 perpendicular to the Y-axis direction has a substantially triangular shape whose width decreases toward the front side (+ side in the X-axis direction). The peeling claw 7 moves obliquely in a manner displaced toward the lower side (+ side in the Z-axis direction) as it moves toward the front side (+ side in the X-axis direction) under the control of the control unit 11, thereby pressing the electrode body 210 from the rear side (- side in the X-axis direction) by the corner of its front end. The material of the peeling claw 7 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of preventing corrosion caused by contact with the electrode, a material with excellent corrosion resistance is preferably used, and for example, Teflon (registered trademark) can be appropriately used. The peeling claw 7 is an example of the "pressing portion" of the present invention.

[0091] [Guide roller]

[0092] The guide roller 6 is configured to be rotatable, and its rotation axis is set parallel to the Y-axis direction. The guide roller 6A is arranged in the electrode body conveying path R10, and its outer peripheral surface abuts and supports the electrode body 210 from the front side (+ side in the X-axis direction). By rotating the guide roller 6A, the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 are guided to the downstream side of the conveying path. In addition, the guide roller 6A forms a branch point between the positive electrode body conveying path R1 and the negative electrode body conveying path R2. The guide roller 6A is an example of the "first abutment support portion" of the present invention. The guide roller 6B is arranged in the negative electrode body conveying path R2 at a position downstream of the stripping claw 7 and upstream of the clamping belt 8B, and abuts and supports the extended area A1 (negative electrode stack 214) from the front side (+ side in the X-axis direction) through its outer peripheral surface. By rotating the guide roller 6B, the negative electrode stack 214 is guided to the downstream side of the conveying path. The guide roller 6B is an example of the "second abutment support portion" of the present invention.

[0093] [Guide]

[0094] The guide 9 is configured to include a pair of guide plates 91, 91 (see FIG. 1 ) which are perpendicular to the Y-axis direction and are arranged to be separated from each other in the Y-axis direction. Fig.14). The guide 9A is arranged on the peeling claw 7 in such a manner as to clamp the negative electrode stack 214 separated from the electrode body 210 from both sides in the Y-axis direction. The guide 9A is an example of the "second guide portion" of the present invention. The guide 9B is arranged in a position downstream of the guide roller 6B and upstream of the clamping belt 8B in the negative electrode body conveying path R2 in such a manner as to clamp the negative electrode stack 214 from both sides in the Y-axis direction. The guide 9B is an example of the "first guide portion" of the present invention. The guide 9C is arranged in a position upstream of the guide roller 6A in the electrode body conveying path R10 in such a manner as to clamp the electrode body 210 from both sides in the Y-axis direction. The guide 9C is an example of the "electrode body guide portion" of the present invention.

[0095] [Air jet nozzle]

[0096] The air jet nozzle 4 jets compressed air according to the control of the control unit 11. The air jet nozzle 4A jets compressed air to the electrode wound body 200 held by the wound body fixture 2 in order to peel the winding end portion 210a of the electrode body 210 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode wound body 200 from the outer peripheral surface. The air jet nozzle 4A is an example of the "peeling unit" of the present invention. In order to easily peel the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214, the air jet nozzle 4B jets compressed air to the electrode body 210 pressed by the peeling claw 7. The air jet nozzle 4B is an example of the "air jet section" of the present invention. The air jet nozzle 4C jets compressed air to the positive electrode body 211 so that the positive electrode body 211 sent out from the clamping belt 8A is not caught in the clamping belt 8A. The air jet nozzle 4D jets compressed air to the negative electrode stack 214 so that the negative electrode stack 214 sent out from the clamping belt 8B is not caught in the clamping belt 8B.

[0097] [Recycling Container]

[0098] The collection container 5 is an open container on the top. The collection container 5A contains the positive electrode body 211 separated by the separation device 20 and transported in the positive electrode body transport path R1. The collection container 5B contains the negative electrode stack 214 separated by the separation device 20 and transported in the negative electrode body transport path R2.

[0099] [sensor]

[0100] The sensor S1 detects the presence of the electrode winding body 200 accommodated in the basket 3. The sensor S2 detects the presence of the positive electrode body 211 received by the clamping band 8A. The sensor S3 detects the presence of the negative electrode stack 214 received by the clamping band 8B. The information detected by the sensors S1 to S3 is acquired by the detection unit 12 of the control device 1. The sensors S1 to S3 can use infrared sensors, for example, but are not limited to this, and various sensors can be used.

[0101] <Action>

[0102] The method of recovering the positive electrode body 211 from the used lithium-ion secondary battery is configured to include, for example, a step of unsealing the square case and taking out the electrode wound body 200 (wound body taking out step); a step of cutting both ends of the electrode wound body 200 in the width direction after the wound body taking out step (cutting step); and a step of recovering the positive electrode body 211 from the electrode wound body 200 using the positive electrode body recovery device 100 after the cutting step (positive electrode body recovery step). In the wound body taking out step and the cutting step, known techniques can be used. Figure 5 to Figure 13 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the positive electrode body recovery process of the positive electrode body recovery device 100. The positive electrode body recovery process also includes a winding body holding process, a winding end end peeling process, an extended area holding process, an electrode body pulling process, a positive electrode body separation process, and a conveying process. Hereinafter, the operation of the positive electrode body recovery device 100 in the positive electrode body recovery process will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0103] (Wound body holding step)

[0104] Figure 5 After the cutting process as the previous process is completed, the electrode winding body 200 is transported to the positive electrode body recovery device 100 by a transport device (not shown). Figure 5 As shown, the winding body is clamped (held) by the winding body clamp 2 (winding body holding process). Figure 5As shown, the recovery operation of the positive electrode body 211 by the positive electrode body recovery device 100 starts when the electrode winding body 200 is clamped by the winding body clamp 2 of the positive electrode body recovery device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the initial state before operation). In the initial state before operation, the electrode winding body 200 is clamped by the movable clamp 2a and the fixed clamp 2b of the winding body clamp 2 from the X-axis direction in a posture in which the winding axis AX is parallel to the Y-axis direction. After the above-mentioned conveying device arranges the electrode winding body 200 between the movable clamp 2a and the fixed clamp 2b, the winding body clamp 2 advances the movable clamp 2a under the control of the control unit 11, thereby clamping the electrode winding body 200 and receiving the electrode winding body 200 from the conveying device. In addition, the electrode winding body 200 may be clamped by the winding body clamp 2 after being manually arranged between the movable clamp 2a and the fixed clamp 2b by the operator. The winding body fixture 2 maintains the clamping of the electrode winding body 200 and prevents the electrode winding body 200 from falling off by, for example, using the pressure of an air cylinder to cause the movable clamp 2a to press the electrode winding body 200 toward the fixed clamp 2b. At this time, the winding body fixture 2 clamps the portion other than the winding end end 210a and the stop tape 300 in a manner that the winding end end 210a of the electrode body 210 can be peeled off. In addition, the electrode winding body 200 is positioned so that compressed air from the air injection nozzle 4A can be injected between the winding end end 210a and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body 200. Here, in the present embodiment, the electrode winding body 200 that is the recycling object of the positive electrode body 211 is flat (square), so it has the advantage of being able to easily perform the above-mentioned positioning compared to the cylindrical case.

[0105] (End peeling process after winding)

[0106] Figure 6 2 is a diagram for explaining the process of stripping the end portion after winding. Figure 6 As shown, compressed air is sprayed from the air spray nozzle 4A under the control of the control unit 11, so that the winding end portion 210a is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface (winding end portion peeling process). The compressed air of the air spray nozzle 4A is sprayed between the winding end portion 210a and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body 200. Then, the stop band 300 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface by the pressure of the compressed air. The stop band 300 that fixes the winding end portion 210a to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body 200 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface, and thus the winding end portion 210a is also peeled off from the outer peripheral surface. As a result, the protruding area A1 of the electrode body 210 is rewound toward the clamping band 8B side by the pressure of the compressed air. At this time, the clamping band 8B becomes a separated state that can accommodate the protruding area A1. Therefore, as Figure 6As shown, the extended region A1 rewound from the electrode wound body 200 is placed on the belt rotating body 82 disposed on the lower side of the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82. Thus, the extended region A1 is received by the clamp belt 8B.

[0107] (Extended area holding process)

[0108] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the extended area holding process. Figure 7 As shown, the clamping belt 8B is put into a clamping state by the control of the control unit 11, thereby clamping the extended area A1 of the electrode body 210 (extended area holding process). When the sensor S3 detects that the extended area A1 (negative electrode stack 214) is received by the clamping belt 8B in a separated state, the detection unit 12 obtains information indicating the detection result from the sensor S3. The belt rotating body 81 is lowered by the control of the control unit 11 based on the detection result, so that the clamping belt 8B switches to the clamping state and clamps the extended area A1 from the thickness direction. As a result, the extended area A1 is received by the clamping belt 8B. The clamping belt 8B, for example, presses the extended area A1 toward the belt rotating body 82 side by the pressure of the cylinder to maintain the clamping of the extended area A1, thereby preventing the extended area A1 from slipping off the clamping belt 8B when the electrode winding body 200 described later is lowered.

[0109] (Electrode body pulling process)

[0110] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the electrode body pulling process. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the electrode body 210 is pulled out from the electrode body 200 by lowering the electrode body 200 while the extended region A1 of the electrode body 210 is held by the clamp band 8B, thereby forming a pulled-out state (electrode body pulling-out step).

[0111] In the electrode body pulling process, first, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the movable clamp 2a of the winding body clamp 2 is moved back by the control of the control unit 11, thereby releasing the electrode winding body 200 from the winding body clamp 2 and causing the electrode winding body 200 to fall. As a result, the electrode winding body 200 is received by the basket 3 disposed below the winding body clamp 2. When the sensor S1 detects that the electrode winding body 200 is received by the basket 3, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown, the basket 3 is lowered to a predetermined position by the control of the control unit 11. As a result, the electrode winding body 200 is further lowered. The basket 3 is lowered by a predetermined distance, for example, by the drive of a servo motor. Here, when the electrode winding body 200 falls from the winding body fixture 2 and when the basket 3 is lowered, it is lowered in a state where the winding axis AX becomes horizontal and can rotate around the winding axis AX. At this time, since the extended area A1 of the electrode body 210 is held by the clamping belt 8B, the electrode winding body 200 is lowered while rotating around the winding axis AX in a manner that the electrode body 210 is pulled out. As a result, as Fig. 9 As shown, the electrode body 210 of a specified length is pulled out from the electrode winding body 200. The clamping belt 8B maintains the extended area A1 at a position above the electrode winding body 200 in the vertical direction, so that the electrode body 210 is pulled upward from the electrode winding body 200. Therefore, the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state extends along the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), and its thickness direction is consistent with the X-axis direction. In the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state, the positive electrode body 211 is located on the front side (the + side of the X-axis direction), and the negative electrode stack 214 is located on the rear side (the - side of the X-axis direction). The electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is in a state of not being loosely stretched.

[0112] like Fig. 9 As shown, the electrode body 210 is pulled out until at least a portion of the stacking area A2 is pulled out from the electrode wound body 200. That is, the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state includes the front end portion 211a of the positive electrode body 211. The descending distance of the electrode wound body 200 relative to the initial state before operation is set based on the length of the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state (that is, the length of the pulled-out electrode body 210). In addition, in the present embodiment, the electrode body 210 is pulled out by the falling of the electrode wound body 200 and the falling of the basket 3, but the electrode body 210 may be pulled out only by the falling of the electrode wound body 200. For example, the basket 3 may be pre-arranged in Fig. 9 The electrode wound body 200 is dropped from the wound body jig 2 to the basket 3 in the state of the predetermined position shown. In this case, the process may be transferred to the next step (positive electrode body separation step) starting from the detection by the sensor S1 that the electrode wound body 200 is received by the basket 3.

[0113] (Positive Electrode Separation Process)

[0114] Then, if Figure 10 to Figure 12 As shown, the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claws 7, thereby peeling the front end of the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214, and the peeled positive electrode body 211 is received by the clamping belt 8A (positive electrode body separation step). The positive electrode body separation step includes a positive electrode body peeling step and a positive electrode body receiving step. Fig.10is a diagram for explaining the positive electrode stripping process. Fig.11 and Fig.12 It is a diagram for explaining the positive electrode receiving step.

[0115] In the positive electrode separation process, first, Fig.10 As shown, the peeling claw 7 is moved by the control of the control unit 11. The peeling claw 7 moves obliquely in a manner that it shifts downward as it moves toward the front side, and presses the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the rear side (the - side in the X-axis direction) (positive electrode body peeling process). The electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed from the negative electrode stack 214 side in the thickness direction at a position upstream of the clamping belt 8B in the pulling direction. In the present embodiment, the stacking area A2 is pressed by the peeling claw 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the extended area A1 may also be pressed by the peeling claw 7.

[0116] At this time, the negative electrode stack 214 constituting the extended area A1 is held by the clamping band 8B and is pressed by the peeling claw 7, thereby being bent convexly toward the front side (the positive electrode 211 side in the thickness direction). In contrast, the positive electrode 211 stacked on the negative electrode stack 214 is not held by the clamping band 8B and does not follow the deformation of the negative electrode stack 214, forming a gap between the negative electrode stack 214. As a result, Fig.10 As shown, the front end portion 211 a of the positive electrode body 211 is separated from the negative electrode laminate 214 .

[0117] Here, Fig.14 2 is a diagram showing a state where the electrode body 210 is pressed and pulled out by the peeling claw 7. Fig.14 In (A), a cross section perpendicular to the Z-axis direction (the direction in which the electrode body 210 is pulled out) is shown. Fig.14 (B) shows a state where the electrode body 210 is visually checked from the rear side (the - side in the X-axis direction). Fig.14 The symbol P1 in (B) indicates the portion (pressed portion) pressed by the peeling claw 7. That is, the pressed portion P1 is the portion where the front edge of the peeling claw 7 contacts. Fig.14 As shown in (A), the peeling claw 7 extends in the width direction of the electrode body 210 and presses the electrode body 210 from the negative electrode stack 214 side in the thickness direction while abutting against the electrode body 210 in a manner that crosses the electrode body 210. In this way, since the peeling claw 7 abuts against the electrode body 210 throughout the width direction, the negative electrode stack 214 is easily bent into a convex shape toward the positive electrode body 211 side. In addition, as shown in FIG. Fig.14As shown in (B), the pressed portion P1 pressed by the peeling claw 7 in the electrode body 210 preferably extends parallel to the width direction. That is, the peeling claw 7 preferably makes line contact with the electrode body 210 in a manner such that its front end edge is parallel to the width direction of the electrode body 210 (i.e., in a manner orthogonal to the length direction of the electrode body 210). As a result, the pressing force of the peeling claw 7 is applied evenly in the width direction, and the front end of the positive electrode body 211 can be more reliably peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214. However, the line contact between the peeling claw 7 and the electrode body 210 may be inclined relative to the width direction.

[0118] Furthermore, in a state where the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claw 7 from the negative electrode stack 214 side, the guide roller 6A abuts and supports the stacking region A2 in the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the positive electrode body 211 side at a position upstream of the peeling claw 7 and the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the pulling-out direction. In the present embodiment, the guide roller 6A abuts and supports the stacking region A2 at a position below the peeling claw 7 and the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the vertical direction. In addition, in a state where the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claw 7 from the negative electrode stack 214 side, the guide roller 6B abuts and supports the protruding region A1 in the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the positive electrode body 211 side at a position downstream of the peeling claw 7 and the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the pulling-out direction. In the present embodiment, the guide roller 6B abuts against the extended area A1 at a position above the stripping claw 7 and the front end portion 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the vertical direction. As a result, the negative electrode stack 214 is abutted against and supported from the opposite side of the thickness direction relative to the pressure of the stripping claw 7 at both the upstream side and the downstream side of the stripping claw 7 in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210. Therefore, the negative electrode stack 214 is easily bent into a convex shape toward the positive electrode body 211 side between the guide roller 6A and the guide roller 6B in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210. On the other hand, the positive electrode body 211 is not abutted against and supported from the opposite side of the thickness direction relative to the pressure of the stripping claw 7 at the downstream side of the stripping claw 7 in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210, so the front end portion 211a is easily peeled from the negative electrode stack 214.

[0119] Furthermore, in the positive electrode body peeling step, the air jet nozzle 4B jets compressed air between the tip 211a of the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 under the control of the control unit 11. Thus, the tip 211a is easily peeled from the negative electrode stack 214 by the pressure of the compressed air.

[0120] like Fig.10As shown, in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210, the portion of the positive electrode body 211 on the downstream side of the guide roller 6A droops downward due to the action of gravity and is peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214. By peeling the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214, the electrode body 210 can be separated into the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214.

[0121] In the positive electrode separation process, then, Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the positive electrode body 211 peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214 is received by the clamping belt 8A (positive electrode body receiving process). After the electrode body 210 is pressed by the peeling claw 7, the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 of the clamping belt 8B are temporarily rotated by the control of the control unit 11, thereby sending a specified length of the negative electrode stack 214 to the downstream side of the conveying path. Along with this, the positive electrode body 211 of a specified length is pulled out from the electrode winding body 200, so that the portion of the positive electrode body 211 peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214 is extended. At this time, the clamping belt 8A becomes a separated state capable of receiving the positive electrode body 211 peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214. Therefore, as Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the positive electrode body 211 peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214 enters between the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82. As a result, the positive electrode body 211 is received by the clamping belt 8A. When the sensor S2 detects that the positive electrode body 211 is received by the clamping belt 8A in a separated state, the detection unit 12 obtains information indicating the detection result from the sensor S2. The belt rotating body 81 is lowered by the control of the control unit 11 based on the detection result, so that the positive electrode body 211 is received by the clamping belt 8A in a separated state. Fig.12 As shown, the clamping belt 8A switches to the clamping state and clamps the positive electrode body 211 from the thickness direction. As a result, the positive electrode body 211 is received by the clamping belt 8A. The clamping belt 8A presses the positive electrode body 211 toward the belt rotating body 82 side by the pressure of the cylinder, for example, so that the positive electrode body 211 is maintained clamped.

[0122] (Conveying process)

[0123] Fig.13 is a diagram for explaining the conveying process. Fig.13As shown, the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode body 212 separated from the electrode body 210 are respectively conveyed to the recovery container 5 (conveying process). The clamping belt 8A rotates a pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 under the control of the control unit 11 while clamping the positive electrode body 211, thereby conveying the positive electrode body 211 to the downstream side of the positive electrode body conveying path R1. The positive electrode body 211 conveyed by the clamping belt 8A is collected in the recovery container 5A arranged at the terminal of the positive electrode body conveying path R1. In addition, the clamping belt 8B rotates a pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 under the control of the control unit 11 while clamping the negative electrode stack 214, thereby conveying the negative electrode stack 214 to the downstream side of the negative electrode body conveying path R2. The negative electrode stack 214 conveyed by the clamping belt 8B is collected in the recovery container 5B arranged at the terminal of the negative electrode body conveying path R2. Here, during the period when the clamping belt 8A delivers the positive electrode body 211, compressed air is continuously sprayed from the air spray nozzle 4C under the control of the control unit 11. The air spray nozzle 4C sprays compressed air from below to the positive electrode body 211 so that the positive electrode body 211 delivered from the clamping belt 8A does not sag downward due to the action of gravity and is caught in the clamping belt 8A. Similarly, during the period when the clamping belt 8B delivers the negative electrode stack 214, compressed air is continuously sprayed from the air spray nozzle 4D under the control of the control unit 11. The air spray nozzle 4D sprays compressed air from below to the negative electrode stack 214 so that the negative electrode stack 214 delivered from the clamping belt 8B does not sag downward due to the action of gravity and is caught in the clamping belt 8B. In addition, the electrode winding body 200 is arranged in the basket 3 in a state that it can rotate around the winding axis AX. Therefore, as the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode laminate 214 are conveyed, the electrode wound body 200 is unwound while rotating about the winding axis AX in the basket 3 .

[0124] Here, the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is clamped from both sides of the width direction by the guide 9C at a position upstream of the stripping claw 7 in the pulling-out direction, thereby suppressing movement in the width direction. As a result, when the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 are transported, the electrode body 210 before separation is suppressed from meandering. In addition, the negative electrode stack 214 separated from the electrode body 210 is clamped from both sides of the width direction by the guide 9B at a position downstream of the stripping claw 7 and upstream of the clamping belt 8B in the direction in which the negative electrode stack 214 is transported (hereinafter also referred to as the transport direction), thereby suppressing movement in the width direction. As a result, when the negative electrode stack 214 is transported, the meandering of the negative electrode stack 214 is suppressed. Furthermore, the negative electrode stack 214 separated from the electrode body 210 is clamped from both sides of the width direction by the guide 9A provided on the stripping claw 7, thereby suppressing movement in the width direction. As a result, meandering of the negative electrode stack 214 is more appropriately suppressed during transportation of the negative electrode stack 214 .

[0125] When the positive electrode body 211 is being transported and the end of the positive electrode body 211 passes through the clamping belt 8A, the sensor S2 detects that there is no positive electrode body 211 in the clamping belt 8A. The detection unit 12 obtains information indicating the detection result from the sensor S2. The rotation of the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 in the clamping belt 8A and the injection of compressed air from the air injection nozzle 4C are stopped by the control of the control unit 11 based on the detection result. Similarly, when the end of the negative electrode stack 214 passes through the clamping belt 8B, the sensor S3 detects that there is no negative electrode stack 214 in the clamping belt 8B. The detection unit 12 obtains information indicating the detection result from the sensor S3. The rotation of the pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 in the clamping belt 8B and the injection of compressed air from the air injection nozzle 4D are stopped by the control of the control unit 11 based on the detection result.

[0126] The electrode body 210 is completely separated into the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode laminate 214, and the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode laminate 214 are respectively recovered in the recovery container 5, thereby completing the positive electrode body recovery process based on the positive electrode body recovery device 100. As described above, by using the positive electrode body recovery device 100 of the present embodiment, the positive electrode body 211 can be recovered from the electrode winding body 200 of the used lithium ion secondary battery. By performing a known treatment on the recovered positive electrode body 211, valuable substances such as cobalt and nickel contained in the positive electrode body 211 can be recovered and reused.

[0127] [Function / Effect]

[0128] As described above, the positive electrode body recovery device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the separation device 20, which separates the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state pulled out from the electrode wound body 200 arranged to be rotatable into the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 including the negative electrode body 212 and the separator 213, and separately conveys the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214. In addition, the separation device 20 includes the clamping belt 8B, which holds the extended area A1, which is the area where the negative electrode stack 214 (an example of the first separation target) in the pulled-out electrode body 210 extends in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210 more than the positive electrode body 211 (an example of the second separation target). The clamping belt 8B holds the extended area A1 so that the pulled-out electrode body 210 includes the front end of the positive electrode body 211. Furthermore, the separation device 20 has: a peeling claw 7, which presses the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the negative electrode stack 214 side in the thickness direction at a position upstream of the clamping band 8B in the pulling direction, thereby peeling the front end of the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214; and a clamping band 8A, which receives the positive electrode body 211 peeled from the negative electrode stack 214.

[0129] According to the positive electrode body recovery device 100 configured as described above, the positive electrode body 211 can be automatically separated from the negative electrode stack 214 by the operation of the separation claw 7, so that the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 can be separated more easily than when the positive electrode body 211 is manually separated from the negative electrode stack 214. As a result, the positive electrode body 211 can be efficiently recovered from the electrode wound body 200.

[0130] It should be noted that the present invention can also use the positive electrode body as the first separation object and the negative electrode stack as the second separation object, and form an extended area by extending the positive electrode body further in the pulling direction of the electrode body than the negative electrode stack. In this case, the pressing part presses the pulled-out electrode body from the positive electrode body side in the thickness direction, thereby peeling the front end of the negative electrode stack from the positive electrode body. Even in such a case, the positive electrode body can be efficiently recovered.

[0131] In addition, the separation device 20 of the present embodiment includes guide rollers 6A and 6B. When the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claw 7, the guide roller 6A abuts and supports the stacking region A2 in the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the positive electrode body 211 side in the thickness direction at a position upstream of the peeling claw 7 and the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the pulling-out direction. In addition, when the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state is pressed by the peeling claw 7, the guide roller 6B abuts and supports the protruding region A1 in the electrode body 210 in the pulled-out state from the positive electrode body 211 side in the thickness direction at a position downstream of the peeling claw 7 and the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 in the pulling-out direction. Thus, the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 can be easily peeled off from the negative electrode stack 214.

[0132] The peeling claw 7 of this embodiment extends in the width direction of the electrode body 210 and presses the electrode body 210 while abutting against the electrode body 210 so as to cross the electrode body 210. This also makes it easy to peel the front end 211a of the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode laminate 214.

[0133] The separator 20 of this embodiment also includes the air jet nozzle 4B that jets compressed air between the front end of the positive electrode body 211 and the negative electrode stack 214 . This also makes it easy to separate the front end 211 a of the positive electrode body 211 from the negative electrode stack 214 .

[0134] In addition, the clamping belt 8B of the present embodiment includes a pair of belt rotating bodies 81 and 82 that clamp the negative electrode stack 214 from the thickness direction and deliver the negative electrode stack 214 by rotating. In this way, the negative electrode stack 214 separated from the electrode body 210 can be delivered. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the extended area A1 is held and the negative electrode stack 214 is delivered when the positive electrode body 211 is peeled off by a common component (clamping belt 8B), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the extended area A1 can be held and the first separation object can be delivered by different components.

[0135] In addition, the clamping belt 8A of the present embodiment includes a pair of rotating bodies that clamp the positive electrode body 211 from the thickness direction and deliver the positive electrode body 211 by rotating. In this way, the positive electrode body 211 separated from the electrode body 210 can be delivered. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the positive electrode body 211 after peeling is received and delivered by using a common component (clamping belt 8A), but the present invention is not limited to this, and different components may be used to receive and deliver the second separation object.

[0136] In addition, the separation device 20 of the present embodiment includes a guide 9C which is disposed upstream of the peeling claw 7 in the pulling direction of the electrode body 210 so as to sandwich the pulled-out electrode body 210 from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the movement in the width direction of the electrode body 210. Thus, the meandering of the electrode body 210 before separation can be suppressed.

[0137] In addition, the separation device 20 of the present embodiment includes a guide 9B which is disposed downstream of the peeling claw 7 and upstream of the clamping belt 8B in the conveying direction of the negative electrode stack 214 so as to sandwich the negative electrode stack 214 from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the movement in the width direction of the negative electrode stack 214. Thus, the meandering of the negative electrode stack 214 can be suppressed.

[0138] The separation device 20 of this embodiment includes guides 9A disposed on the peeling claws 7 so as to sandwich the negative electrode stack 214 from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the width direction movement of the negative electrode stack 214. This can also suppress the meandering of the negative electrode stack 214.

[0139] In addition, the positive electrode body recovery device 100 of the present embodiment is further provided with an air jet nozzle 4A in order to pull out the electrode body 210 from the electrode wound body 200. The air jet nozzle 4A jets compressed air between the winding end end 210a of the electrode body 210 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode wound body 200 and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode wound body 200, thereby peeling the winding end end 210a from the outer peripheral surface. Thus, the winding end end 210a of the electrode body 210 can be automatically peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the electrode wound body 200 by the action of the air jet nozzle 4A, so that the winding end end 210a can be peeled off more easily than when the winding end end 210a is peeled off manually. Thus, the positive electrode body 211 can be efficiently recovered from the electrode wound body 200. In addition, in the present embodiment, the electrode wound body 200 whose winding end end 210a is fixed by the winding stop belt 300 is used as the object, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as compressed air can be blown between the winding end portion and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body, the peeling means of the present invention can be applied to an electrode winding body in which the winding end portion is fixed by means other than a tape.

[0140] The clamp band 8B of the present embodiment is configured to receive the extended region A1 of the electrode body 210 peeled off from the outer peripheral surface by the air jet nozzle 4A. Thus, the extended region A1 can be held by the clamp band 8B.

[0141] In addition, the positive electrode body recovery device 100 of the present embodiment further includes a pull-out device 10 for pulling out the electrode body 210 from the electrode wound body 200. The pull-out device 10 is configured to pull out the electrode body 210 from the electrode wound body 200 by lowering the electrode wound body 200 while the extended area A1 of the electrode body 210 is held and the electrode wound body 200 is rotatable. Thus, the electrode body 210 can be automatically pulled out from the electrode wound body 200 by the pull-out device 10, so that the electrode body 210 can be pulled out more easily than when the electrode body 210 is pulled out from the electrode wound body 200 manually. Thus, the positive electrode body 211 can be efficiently recovered from the electrode wound body 200.

[0142] As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention is described, each form disclosed in this specification can also be combined with any other feature disclosed in this specification.

Claims

1. A positive electrode body recovery device, the positive electrode body recovery device recovering a positive electrode body from an electrode winding body wound with a strip-shaped electrode body, wherein the strip-shaped electrode body is formed by laminating the positive electrode body and the negative electrode body with a separator interposed therebetween, wherein: The positive electrode body recovery device includes a separation unit that separates the electrode body pulled out from the electrode winding body configured to be rotatable into the positive electrode body and a negative electrode stack including the negative electrode body and the separator, and separately conveys the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack. The separation unit has: a holding portion that holds a region in the electrode body in the pulled-out state where a first separation object protrudes in a pulling-out direction of the electrode body more than a second separation object, that is, a protruding region, wherein the first separation object is one of the positive electrode body and the negative electrode laminate, and the second separation object is the other, and the holding portion holds the protruding region in a manner such that a leading end portion of the second separation object is included in the electrode body in the pulled-out state; a pressing portion that presses the electrode body in the pulled-out state from the first separation object side in the thickness direction at a position upstream of the holding portion in the pulling-out direction, thereby causing a leading end portion of the second separation object to be peeled off from the first separation object; and A receiving portion receives the second separable object peeled from the first separable object.

2. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1, wherein: The separation unit also has: a first abutting support portion, which, when the electrode body in the pulled-out state is pressed by the pressing portion, abuts and supports, from the second separation object side in the thickness direction, a region where the positive electrode body and the negative electrode stack are stacked in the electrode body in the pulled-out state, i.e., a stacking region, at a position upstream of the pressing portion and a front end portion of the second separation object in the pulling-out direction; as well as A second abutment support portion, which, when the electrode body in the pulled-out state is pressed by the pressing portion, is positioned downstream of the pressing portion and the front end portion of the second separation object in the pulling-out direction, and abuts and supports the protruding area in the electrode body in the pulled-out state from the second separation object side in the thickness direction.

3. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pressing portion extends in the width direction of the electrode body and presses the electrode body in a state of being in contact with the electrode body so as to cross the electrode body.

4. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The separation unit includes an air injection portion that injects compressed air between the front end portion of the second separation target and the first separation target.

5. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The holding portion includes a pair of rotating bodies that sandwich the first separation target from a thickness direction and deliver the first separation target by rotating.

6. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The receiving portion includes a pair of rotating bodies that sandwich the second separation object from a thickness direction and deliver the second separation object by rotating.

7. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The separation unit includes an electrode body guide portion disposed upstream of the pressing portion in the pulling direction of the electrode body so as to sandwich the pulled-out electrode body from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing movement of the electrode body in the width direction.

8. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The separation unit includes a first guide portion, which is arranged downstream of the pressing portion and upstream of the holding portion in the conveying direction of the first separation object so as to sandwich the first separation object from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing the movement of the first separation object in the width direction.

9. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The separation unit includes a second guide portion disposed on the pressing portion so as to sandwich the first separation target from both sides in the width direction, thereby suppressing movement of the first separation target in the width direction.

10. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The positive electrode body recovery device also has a peeling unit, which, in order to pull out the electrode body from the electrode winding body, sprays compressed air between the winding end end of the electrode body fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body and the outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding body, thereby peeling the winding end end from the outer peripheral surface.

11. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 10, wherein: The holding portion is configured to receive the extended region peeled off from the outer peripheral surface by the peeling unit.

12. The positive electrode body recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The positive electrode body recovery device further includes a pulling unit that pulls out the electrode body from the electrode winding body. The pulling unit pulls out the electrode body from the electrode wound body by lowering the electrode wound body in a state where the extended region of the electrode body is held and the electrode wound body is rotatable.

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