Equipment and operating methods for secondary cutting and cleaning of lithium battery film materials

Abstract

This invention relates to equipment and its operating method for secondary cutting and cleaning of defective lithium battery film materials. The equipment includes a cutting device and a cleaning device. The cutting device has a cutting tool and a matching cutting tool holder; or the cutting device is a stamping tool with a stamping head mounted on it. The cleaning device has a film clamp with a rectangular frame and a partition on the lower surface of the frame. A sealing ring is attached to the upper surface of the frame. Both ends of the frame or partition have protruding fastening ears with holes. In use, multiple film clamps with film material are stacked together, with the tabs of the film exposed. The film clamps are tightly clamped together using threaded rods. The cleaning device has a dissolving tank containing a dissolving liquid that can dissolve the exposed tabs, dissolving the carbon powder coated on the tabs and exposing the metal film corresponding to the tab area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to equipment and operating methods for secondary cutting and cleaning of defective lithium battery film materials. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium batteries, as a new type of energy storage device, have been widely used in recent years, especially in new energy vehicles. In the production of lithium batteries, membrane materials are required to be used extensively. In the current production process, membrane materials are often affected by various factors, and inevitably a small number of them will have defects such as creases, punctures and cracks, especially the tab part of the membrane material. These parts of the membrane material need to be selected out.

[0003] In some large lithium battery manufacturers in China, this part of the membrane material used to be treated as waste and not used in the next process. However, the membrane material contains precious metals such as copper and silver, as well as a high-quality coating, including carbon powder. Discarding it in this way would result in a huge waste from an economic point of view. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a new solution to maximize the utilization rate of these originally defective membrane materials and achieve the goal of making full use of the materials. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention provides a secondary cutting and cleaning device for lithium battery membrane materials, which can reuse membrane materials that were originally discarded, improve economic efficiency, and has good application and promotion effects.

[0005] A secondary cutting and cleaning device for lithium battery film material, comprising a cutting device and a cleaning device;

[0006] The cutting equipment has a cutting tool and a matching cutting tool holder. The cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine. The film material is placed on the cutting tool holder and cut using the cutting tool. When the cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine, the cutting tool holder is made of metal or stone with a flat mirror surface on the upper surface.

[0007] Alternatively, the cutting device may be a stamping knife, which is a commercially available stamping device. The stamping knife is equipped with a stamping head, which is set according to the size and specifications of the film material to be stamped.

[0008] The cleaning equipment has a membrane clamp with a rectangular frame. A partition is laid on the lower surface of the frame, and the partition is sealed to the frame or integrally formed. A sealing ring is attached to the upper surface of the frame.

[0009] Furthermore, the two ends of the frame or partition have protruding fastening ears with holes; in use, multiple membrane materials are stacked together with the ear portions of the membrane material exposed, and the membrane materials are clamped together into a stack using threaded rods.

[0010] The cleaning equipment has a dissolving tank. In use, multiple membrane clips are placed in the dissolving tank, which contains a dissolving liquid. The dissolving liquid can dissolve the exposed tabs, dissolve the carbon powder coated on the tabs, and expose the metal film corresponding to the tab area.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper surface of the cutter holder is etched with a concave contour, which corresponds to the size of different film materials to be cut.

[0012] Furthermore, a sealing ring is also attached to the lower surface edge of the membrane clamp's partition to further improve the sealing performance when multiple membrane clamps are clamped together.

[0013] The membrane clamp is equipped with a grid cage, and multiple membrane materials are clamped together and placed inside the grid cage.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom of the dissolving tank is V-shaped or a plane inclined to one side, thereby ensuring that the dissolved carbon powder accumulates and facilitates subsequent extraction and recovery.

[0015] Furthermore, an outlet is provided at the bottom of the dissolving tank, and a filter can be non-fixedly installed on the outlet to filter the dissolved carbon powder. The filter contains filter media, which is activated carbon or non-woven fabric.

[0016] Furthermore, a water pipe is installed on the filter, with the other end of the water pipe extending into the top of the dissolving tank; a circulating water pump is installed on the water pipe, and the circulating water pump is connected to an AC power source. When the circulating water pump is turned on, it can cause the dissolving liquid to flow continuously. When the dissolving liquid flows, it can filter the carbon powder through the filter in a timely manner. Because the dissolving liquid is constantly flowing, it can also fully dissolve the multiple tabs compared to a static liquid surface.

[0017] Furthermore, the cleaning equipment is equipped with a heating device connected to an AC power source to ensure that the temperature of the dissolving solution meets the standard, enabling the electrode tabs to be ablated within a predetermined time.

[0018] Furthermore, an ultrasonic generator is installed in the dissolving tank. The ultrasonic generator is connected to an AC power supply. The high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic generator can accelerate the cleaning of the tab part of the membrane material.

[0019] Both the heating device and the ultrasonic generator are commercially available products. The heating device is a PTC heating device, which can heat the device while ensuring that the temperature does not get too high.

[0020] Furthermore, the cleaning equipment is also equipped with a rinsing tank, into which multiple clamped membrane materials that have completed ablation are placed. The rinsing tank contains distilled water, which is used to further rinse away any carbon powder that may remain on the tabs.

[0021] The operation method of this invention is as follows:

[0022] S1. Select the defective membrane materials that need to be cut and conduct a second screening. Classify these membrane materials according to the available specifications and the needs of the product.

[0023] S2. Cutting using cutting equipment;

[0024] S3. Place the cut membrane material into the membrane material clamp, with the tab portion of the membrane material protruding from the membrane material clamp;

[0025] S4. Stack multiple membrane clips together and secure them with long screws to ensure that the dissolving solution does not seep into the deanode portion of the membrane when it is placed in the dissolution tank; the topmost membrane clip does not need to hold any membrane material.

[0026] S5. Place the stacked and secured membrane material into a dissolving tank containing the dissolving solution;

[0027] S6. After the predetermined time has elapsed, lift the stacked and secured membrane material and observe whether the carbon powder on the tab part has been completely dissolved. If it has been completely dissolved, set it aside to air dry.

[0028] S7. After the membrane material has dried, disassemble the membrane clamp and remove the membrane material.

[0029] Further, in step S5, the stacked and secured membrane clip is placed into the grid cage, and then the grid cage is completely immersed in the dissolving solution in the dissolving tank; or the stacked and secured membrane clip is directly placed into the dissolving tank containing the dissolving solution.

[0030] Furthermore, in step S5, the stacked and secured membrane clip is placed above the dissolving tank, with the tab portion of the membrane material fully in contact with the dissolving solution, while the remaining portion does not come into contact with the dissolving solution and remains dry.

[0031] Furthermore, use electric fans or air conditioners to speed up the drying of the damp membrane material.

[0032] Specifically, the dissolution time of the stacked and fastened membrane material placed in the dissolution tank containing the dissolving solution is 3-10 minutes, preferably 4-8 minutes, and more preferably 5 minutes; the water temperature in the dissolution tank is 75-95℃, preferably 80-90℃.

[0033] Furthermore, when the cut membrane material is laid on the membrane clamp, the tabs of the membrane material are exposed; the membrane material is laid on one side or both sides; when the stacked and fastened membrane clamp is completely immersed in the dissolving tank, the membrane material is laid on one side or both sides, preferably on both sides, in order to increase the number of membrane materials immersed in a single time and improve production efficiency.

[0034] When the stacked and secured membrane material is placed above the dissolving tank, with the tabs of the membrane material fully in contact with the dissolving solution and the rest not in contact with the dissolving solution, the membrane material is laid out on one side.

[0035] This invention is ingeniously conceived, simple in structure, and easy to use. Compared with the existing approach of complete disposal, it improves the utilization efficiency of membrane materials, which is beneficial for enterprises to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Moreover, it does not have high requirements for equipment and has good application and promotion value. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the workflow of the present invention during use.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a top view of the upper surface of the tool holder in this invention.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic projection of the punch head in this invention.

[0040] Figure 4 These are top and side views of the membrane clip in this invention (the left side is the top view and the right side view).

[0041] Figure 5 This is a top view of the membrane material sandwiched between two sides of the membrane material in this invention.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention during immersion in the dissolution tank. Figure 1 (The membrane material is completely immersed in the dissolution tank).

[0043] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention during immersion in the dissolution tank. Figure 2 (The tab portion of the membrane material is immersed in the dissolution tank).

[0044] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the two types of dissolving tanks in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0045] See attached document Figure 1-8 The present invention provides a secondary cutting and cleaning device for lithium battery film materials, comprising a cutting device and a cleaning device.

[0046] See attached document Figure 2 The cutting device has a cutting tool and a matching cutting tool holder 1. The cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine. The film material 4 is placed on the cutting tool holder 1 and cut using the cutting tool. When the cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine, the cutting tool holder 1 is made of metal or stone with a flat mirror surface on the upper surface.

[0047] Furthermore, the upper surface of the cutter holder 1 is etched with a concave contour 1-1, which corresponds to the size of different film materials 4 that need to be cut.

[0048] See attached document Figure 3 The cutting device is a stamping knife, which is a commercially available stamping device. The stamping knife is equipped with a stamping head 2, which is set according to the size and specifications of the film material 4 to be stamped.

[0049] See attached document Figure 4 Appendix Figure 5 The cleaning equipment has a membrane clamp 3, which has a rectangular frame 3-1. A partition 3-2 is laid on the lower surface of the frame 3-1. The partition 3-2 and the frame 3-1 are sealed together or integrally formed. A sealing ring 3-3 is attached to the upper surface of the frame 3-1.

[0050] Furthermore, a sealing ring is also attached to the lower surface edge of the partition 3-2 of the membrane clamp 3 to further improve the sealing performance when multiple membrane clamps 3 are clamped together.

[0051] See attached document Figure 6 Furthermore, the two ends of the frame 3-1 or partition 3-2 have outward fastening ears 3-4, and the fastening ears 3-4 have holes; in use, multiple membrane clips 3 with membrane material 4 are stacked together, the electrode ears 4-1 of the membrane material 4 are exposed, and the membrane clips 3 are tightly clamped into a stack by the threaded rod 5.

[0052] The membrane clamp is equipped with a grid cage 6, and multiple membrane clamps 3 that hold membrane materials 4 are pressed together and placed inside the grid cage 6.

[0053] The cleaning equipment has a dissolving tank 7. In use, multiple membrane clips 3 for clamping membrane material 4 are placed in the dissolving tank 7. The dissolving tank 7 contains a dissolving liquid, which can dissolve the exposed tabs 4-1 and dissolve the carbon powder coated on the tabs 4-1, exposing the metal film corresponding to the tabs 4-1.

[0054] Furthermore, the bottom of the dissolving tank 7 is V-shaped or a plane inclined to one side, thereby ensuring that the dissolved carbon powder accumulates and facilitates subsequent extraction and recovery.

[0055] Furthermore, an outlet 7-1 is provided at the bottom of the dissolving tank 7. A filter 7-2 can be non-fixedly installed on the outlet 7-1 to filter the dissolved carbon powder. The filter 7-2 contains filter media that plays a filtering role. The filter media is activated carbon or non-woven fabric.

[0056] Furthermore, a water pipe 7-3 is installed on the filter 7-2, with the other end of the water pipe 7-3 extending into the top of the dissolving tank 7; a circulating water pump 7-4 is installed on the water pipe 7-3, and the circulating water pump 7-4 is connected to an AC power source. When the circulating water pump 7-4 is turned on, it can cause the dissolving liquid to flow continuously. When the dissolving liquid flows, it can filter the carbon powder through the filter 7-2 in a timely manner. Because the dissolving liquid is constantly flowing, it can also fully dissolve the multiple tabs 4-1 compared to a static liquid surface.

[0057] Furthermore, the cleaning equipment is equipped with a heating device 8, which is connected to an AC power supply 10 to ensure that the temperature of the dissolving solution meets the standard and can ablate the tab 4-1 part within a predetermined time.

[0058] Furthermore, an ultrasonic generator 9 is installed in the dissolving tank. The ultrasonic generator 9 is connected to the AC power supply 10. The high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic generator 9 can accelerate the cleaning of the tabs 4-1 of the membrane material 4.

[0059] The heating device 8 and the ultrasonic generator 9 are both commercially available products. The heating device 8 is a PTC heating device, which can heat the device while ensuring that the temperature does not get too high, thus ensuring good safety.

[0060] Furthermore, the cleaning equipment is also equipped with a rinsing tank, into which the membrane clips 3 of the multiple clipped membrane materials 4 that have been ablated are placed. The rinsing tank contains distilled water, which is used to further rinse away any carbon powder that may remain on the tabs 4-1.

[0061] See attached document Figure 1 When using it, select the defective membrane material 4 that needs to be cut and perform a second screening. Classify these membrane materials 4 according to the available specifications and the needs of the product.

[0062] Cutting is performed using cutting equipment;

[0063] Place the cut membrane material 4 into the membrane material clamp 3, with the tabs 4-1 of the membrane material 4 protruding from the membrane material clamp.

[0064] Multiple membrane clips 3 for placing membrane material 4 are stacked together and fastened with long screws 5 and bolts to ensure that when placed in the dissolution tank 7, the dissolving liquid does not seep into the part of membrane material 4 except for the tabs 4-1; the uppermost membrane clip 3 does not need to hold membrane material.

[0065] Place the stacked and secured membrane clip 3 into the dissolving tank 7 containing the dissolving solution;

[0066] After placing it in the predetermined time, lift the stacked and secured membrane material clamp 3 and observe whether the carbon powder in the tab 4-1 part has been completely dissolved. If it has been completely dissolved, set it aside to air dry.

[0067] After the membrane material has dried, disassemble membrane clip 3 and remove membrane material 4.

[0068] Place the stacked and secured membrane clip 3 into the grid cage 6, and then completely immerse the grid cage 6 into the dissolving solution in the dissolving tank 7; or directly place the stacked and secured membrane clip 3 into the dissolving tank 7 containing the dissolving solution.

[0069] Place the stacked and secured membrane clip 3 above the dissolving tank 7, ensuring that the tabs 4-1 of the membrane 4 are fully in contact with the dissolving solution, while the remaining parts are not in contact with the dissolving solution and are kept dry.

[0070] Furthermore, use electric fans or air conditioners to accelerate the drying of the damp membrane material 4.

[0071] Specifically, the dissolution time of the stacked and fastened membrane clip 3 in the dissolution tank 7 containing the dissolving solution is 3-10 minutes, preferably 4-8 minutes, and more preferably 5 minutes; the water temperature in the dissolution tank 7 is 75-95℃, preferably 80-90℃.

[0072] See attached document Figure 6 Furthermore, when the cut membrane material 4 is laid on the membrane material clamp 3, the tabs 4-1 of the membrane material 4 are exposed; the membrane material 4 is laid on one side or both sides; when the stacked and fastened membrane material 4 clamp is completely immersed in the dissolving tank 7, the membrane material 4 is laid on one side or both sides, preferably on both sides, so as to increase the number of membrane materials 4 immersed in a single time and improve production efficiency.

[0073] See attached document Figure 7 When the stacked and secured membrane clip 3 is placed above the dissolving tank 7, and the tabs 4-1 of the membrane 4 are fully in contact with the dissolving liquid while the rest of the membrane 4 is not in contact with the dissolving liquid, the membrane 4 is laid out on one side.

Claims

1. A secondary cutting and cleaning device for lithium battery film materials, characterized in that: In order, it includes cutting equipment and cleaning equipment; The cutting equipment includes a cutting tool and a matching cutting tool holder. The cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine. The film material is placed on the cutting tool holder and cut using the cutting tool. When the cutting tool is a utility knife or a guillotine, the cutting tool holder is made of metal or stone with a flat mirror surface on the upper surface. Alternatively, the cutting device may be a punching knife, on which a punching head is mounted, and the punching head is set according to the size and specifications of the film material to be punched; The cleaning equipment has a membrane clamp, which has a rectangular frame. A partition is laid on the lower surface of the frame, and the partition is sealed to the frame or integrally formed. A sealing ring is attached to the upper surface of the frame. The frame or partition has protruding fastening ears at both ends, and holes are provided on the fastening ears; in use, multiple membrane materials are stacked together, with the ear portion of the membrane material exposed, and the membrane materials are clamped together into a stack using threaded rods. The cleaning equipment described herein has a dissolving tank. During use, multiple membrane clamps containing membrane materials are placed in the dissolving tank, which contains a dissolving liquid. The dissolving liquid can dissolve the exposed tabs, dissolve the carbon powder coated on the tabs, and expose the metal film corresponding to the tab area. An outlet is provided at the bottom of the dissolving tank. A filter can be installed on the outlet in a non-fixed manner. The filter contains filter media, which can be activated carbon or non-woven fabric. A water pipe is also installed on the filter, with the other end of the water pipe extending into the top of the dissolving tank. A circulating water pump is installed on the water pipe and is connected to an AC power source. When the circulating water pump is turned on, it can cause the dissolving liquid to flow continuously. As the dissolving liquid flows, it can filter the carbon powder through the filter in a timely manner. Because the dissolving liquid is constantly flowing, it can also fully dissolve the multiple tabs compared to a static liquid surface. The cleaning equipment is equipped with a heating device connected to an AC power source to ensure that the temperature of the dissolving solution meets the standard and can ablate the tab part within a predetermined time. An ultrasonic generator is installed in the dissolving tank. The ultrasonic generator is connected to an AC power supply. The high-frequency vibration of the ultrasonic generator can accelerate the cleaning of the tab part of the membrane material. The heating device is a PTC heating element.

2. The secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the cutter holder is etched with a concave contour, which corresponds to the size of different film materials to be cut.

3. The secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring is also attached to the lower edge of the partition of the membrane material clamp.

4. The secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The membrane clamp is equipped with a grid cage, and multiple membrane materials are clamped together and placed inside the grid cage.

5. The secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the dissolving tank is V-shaped or a plane inclined to one side.

6. The secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning equipment is also equipped with a rinsing tank, which contains distilled water.

7. The operating method of the secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film material as described in claim 1, characterized in that: S1. Select the defective membrane materials that need to be cut and conduct a second screening. Classify these membrane materials according to the available specifications and the needs of the product. S2. Cutting using cutting equipment; S3. Place the cut membrane material into the membrane material clamp, with the tab portion of the membrane material protruding from the membrane material clamp; S4. Stack multiple membrane clips together and secure them with long screws to ensure that the dissolving solution does not seep into the deanode portion of the membrane when it is placed in the dissolution tank; the topmost membrane clip does not need to hold any membrane material. S5. Place the stacked and secured membrane material into a dissolving tank containing the dissolving solution; S6. After the predetermined time has elapsed, lift the stacked and secured membrane material and observe whether the carbon powder on the tab part has been completely dissolved. If it has been completely dissolved, set it aside to air dry. S7. After the membrane material has dried, disassemble the membrane clamp and remove the membrane material.

8. The operation method of the secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film material according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S5, the stacked and secured membrane clips are placed into the grid cage, and then the grid cage is completely immersed in the dissolving solution in the dissolving tank; or the stacked and secured membrane clips are directly placed into the dissolving tank containing the dissolving solution.

9. The operation method of the secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film material according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S5, the stacked and secured membrane clips are placed above the dissolving tank, with the tab portion of the membrane material fully in contact with the dissolving solution, while the remaining portion remains dry and does not come into contact with the dissolving solution.

10. The operation method of the secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film material according to claim 7, characterized in that: Specifically, the dissolution time of the stacked and tightened membrane material placed in the dissolution tank containing the dissolving solution is 3-10 minutes; the water temperature in the dissolution tank is 75-95℃.

11. The operation method of the secondary cutting and cleaning equipment for lithium battery film material according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the cut membrane material is laid on the membrane clamp, the tabs of the membrane material are exposed; the membrane material is laid on one side or both sides; when the stacked and fastened membrane clamp is fully immersed in the dissolution tank, the membrane material is laid on one side or both sides in order to increase the number of membrane materials immersed at one time and improve production efficiency. When the stacked and secured membrane material is placed above the dissolving tank, with the tabs of the membrane material fully in contact with the dissolving solution and the rest not in contact with the dissolving solution, the membrane material is laid out on one side.

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