Peeling device

Abstract

The utility model provides a stripping device for an electrode mixture. The peeling device includes a workpiece holding portion, a moving device, and a probe portion. The workpiece holding portion is configured to hold a workpiece. The moving device is configured so that the probe portion scans the surface of the workpiece by moving at least one of the workpiece and the probe portion. The probe unit is configured to irradiate ultrasonic waves to the workpiece while supplying water to the workpiece. The probe part is arranged at a position where the end part of the workpiece cannot be irradiated with ultrasonic waves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stripping device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-084681 discloses a method for recovering positive electrode materials from used lithium-ion secondary batteries.

[0003] Research is currently underway to reuse electrode mixtures, which are firmly attached to substrates. For example, a method has been proposed in which the electrode (workpiece) is irradiated with ultrasonic waves in water to peel the electrode mixture from the substrate. However, this method requires pre-processing to finely chop the workpiece, as the entire workpiece is immersed in water. Furthermore, ultrasonic irradiation can cause the substrate to disintegrate. Thin substrates are particularly susceptible to disintegration, and substrate disintegration can produce small fragments of the substrate. If these small fragments of substrate are mixed into the electrode mixture, battery performance may be reduced. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a device for stripping an electrode mixture.

[0005] The first embodiment of a stripping device is configured to strip the electrode mixture from the substrate by irradiating a workpiece comprising a substrate and an electrode mixture adhered to the substrate with ultrasonic waves. The stripping device includes a workpiece holder, a moving device, and a probe. The workpiece holder is configured to hold the workpiece. The moving device is configured to move at least one of the workpiece and the probe so that the probe scans the surface of the workpiece. The probe is configured to irradiate the workpiece with ultrasonic waves while supplying water to the workpiece. The probe is positioned so that the end of the workpiece cannot be irradiated with ultrasonic waves.

[0006] When ultrasonic waves are applied to a workpiece in water, the substrate tends to disintegrate starting from the end of the workpiece. This is probably because the end surface of the substrate is exposed at the end of the workpiece.

[0007] The peeling device described in the first embodiment applies ultrasonic waves to a localized area of ​​the workpiece while supplying water. The probe unit that irradiates the ultrasonic waves is positioned so that the ends of the workpiece are not irradiated. Therefore, it is believed that the substrate is difficult to disintegrate. Because the substrate is difficult to disintegrate, it is possible to use ultrasonic waves with stronger conditions (frequency band, output). Using stronger ultrasonic conditions is expected to speed up the peeling process of high-density electrodes, for example.

[0008] Furthermore, since the entire workpiece is not immersed in water, the time required to finely cut the workpiece can be reduced. Therefore, this technology is considered particularly suitable for workpieces (electrodes) with a large area to be coated with the electrode mixture.

[0009] According to a second aspect, in the peeling device of the first aspect, the workpiece may be in a sheet shape, and the workpiece holding portion may be configured to hold the workpiece so as to be tilted downward with respect to a horizontal direction.

[0010] By tilting the workpiece, the water flow to the workpiece can be controlled in a specific direction. By controlling the water flow direction, for example, the recovery efficiency of the electrode mixture can be improved.

[0011] The third method is that in the stripping device of the first method or the second method, the probe part may include a hollow tubular part and an oscillating part, the oscillating part is configured to oscillate ultrasonic waves, the oscillating part is inserted into the tubular part, and in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the probe part, a water flow path is formed in the gap between the oscillating part and the tubular part.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect, in the peeling device of any one of the first to third aspects, the workpiece may be annular, the moving device may include a web handling conveyor, and the web handling conveyor may be configured to convey the workpiece.

[0013] The processing efficiency can be improved by conveying endless workpieces using a coil handling conveyor (roll-to-roll conveyor).

[0014] A fifth aspect is the peeling device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a receiving unit configured to receive the peeled electrode mixture and water.

[0015] The electrode mixture and water can form a slurry. This slurry formation can reduce recovery losses caused by scattering of the electrode mixture (powder). The slurry can be easily recovered by a receiving unit (e.g., a receiving dish).

[0016] The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment"). However, this embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. This embodiment is illustrative in all respects. This embodiment is non-restrictive. The technical scope of the present disclosure encompasses all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. For example, it is initially foreseeable that arbitrary components can be extracted from this embodiment and combined in any manner.

[0017] Geometric terms (such as parallel, perpendicular, and orthogonal) should not be interpreted in a strict sense. For example, "parallel" may deviate slightly from the strict meaning of "parallel." Geometric terms may include tolerances and errors due to design, operation, and manufacturing. Dimensional relationships in the drawings may not always correspond to actual dimensional relationships. To facilitate understanding of the disclosed technology, dimensional relationships in the drawings, such as length, width, and thickness, may be altered. Furthermore, portions of components may sometimes be omitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1Schematic diagram showing a first peeling device in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a probe portion in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the second peeling device in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing a first peeling device in this embodiment. The first peeling device 101 is configured to peel the electrode mixture 12 from the substrate 11 by irradiating the workpiece 10 with ultrasonic waves.

[0022] Workpiece 10 is a battery electrode. Workpiece 10 is sheet-shaped. Workpiece 10 includes a substrate 11 and an electrode mixture 12. Workpiece 10 can be a positive electrode, a negative electrode, or a bipolar electrode. The electrodes can also be recovered from the battery by disassembling the battery. Workpiece 10 can be a workpiece that has not come into contact with the electrolyte. For example, workpiece 10 can be an end product produced during the battery manufacturing process. For example, an electrode discharged as a defective coating product can also be used as workpiece 10.

[0023] The substrate 11 is in sheet form. The substrate 11 can function as a current collector. The substrate 11 may include, for example, metal foil, etc. The substrate 11 may include, for example, aluminum, copper, nickel, stainless steel, etc. The electrode mixture 12 is attached to the substrate 11. The electrode mixture 12 may be attached in a layered manner. The electrode mixture 12 contains an active material. The active material may include, for example, a material selected from LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMnO2, LiMn2O4, Li(NiCoMn)O2, Li(NiCoAl)O2, LiFePO4, graphite, Si, SiO, and Li4Ti5O 12 The active material may be a material with low reactivity with water. For example, LiFePO4 tends to have low reactivity with water. The low reactivity of the active material with water is expected to reduce the degradation of battery performance caused by the reuse of the electrode mixture.

[0024] The electrode mixture 12 may further include a solid electrolyte, a conductive material, and a binder. The conductive material may include, for example, acetylene black, Ketjen black, carbon nanotubes, etc. The binder may include, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride, carboxymethyl cellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc.

[0025] The first peeling device 101 includes a workpiece holding unit (not shown), a moving device (not shown), a probe unit 40, and a receiving unit 50. The first peeling device 101 may also include an ultrasonic oscillator (not shown), a water supply device (not shown), a control device, and the like. The probe unit 40 may be connected to the ultrasonic oscillator. The water supply device may also supply water to the probe unit 40. The control device may also control the position and movement of each unit.

[0026] The workpiece holding portion is configured to hold the workpiece 10. The probe portion 40 is configured to irradiate the workpiece 10 with ultrasonic waves while supplying water to the workpiece 10. Water may also be continuously flowing over the ultrasonic irradiation position. The moving device is configured to move at least one of the workpiece 10 and the probe portion 40 so that the probe portion 40 scans the surface of the workpiece 10. The moving device may include, for example, an actuator. Either the workpiece 10 or the probe portion 40 may be moved, or both the workpiece 10 and the probe portion 40 may be moved.

[0027] However, the probe portion 40 is disposed at a position where the ultrasonic wave cannot be irradiated onto the end of the workpiece 10. The "end of the workpiece 10" refers to the end face of the workpiece 10 and its vicinity. The end of the workpiece 10 may be, for example, within 10 mm from the end face of the workpiece 10, or within 5 mm from the end face of the workpiece 10. The end of the workpiece 10 may be the end in the width direction of the workpiece 10, or the end in the length direction of the workpiece 10. The end of the workpiece 10 may also be the entire circumference of the workpiece 10.

[0028] The distance between the workpiece 10 and the probe unit 40 can also be fixed. The scanning pattern is arbitrary. For example, the probe unit 40 can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece 10. For example, the probe unit 40 can also reciprocate in the width direction of the workpiece 10. For example, the probe unit 40 can also alternate between movement in the longitudinal direction and movement in the width direction.

[0029] The peeled electrode mixture 12 and water can form a slurry 13. The workpiece 10 can be held in a manner tilted downward relative to the horizontal direction. By tilting the workpiece 10, the slurry 13 can flow smoothly to the receiving portion 50. The tilt angle (θ) represents the angle between the horizontal direction and the tilt direction of the workpiece 10. The tilt angle (θ) can be, for example, greater than 5°, greater than 10°, greater than 15°, greater than 30°, greater than 45°, or greater than 60°. The tilt angle (θ) can also be, for example, less than 90°, less than 60°, or less than 45°.

[0030] The receiving portion 50 may include, for example, a receiving dish, a pit, a tank, a pipe, etc. For example, the electrode mixture 12 may be recovered by filtering the slurry 13 recovered by the receiving portion 50. For example, a filter press may be used. After recovery, the electrode mixture 12 may be dried.

[0031] The recovered electrode mixture 12 can be treated in the same manner as new electrode mixture or mixed with new active material for reuse. As described in this embodiment, the method of reusing the recovered active material without returning it to the raw material (sulfate, etc.) can also be referred to as "direct recycling," for example. Direct recycling can reduce environmental impact.

[0032] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing a cross section of the probe portion in this embodiment. Figure 2 , a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the probe portion 40 is shown. The probe portion 40 includes a tubular portion 41 and an oscillating portion 42. The tubular portion 41 is hollow. The tubular portion 41 may include, for example, a hose, a pipe, etc. The oscillating portion 42 is configured to oscillate ultrasonic waves. The oscillating portion 42 may also include, for example, a cylindrical ultrasonic horn, etc. The oscillating portion 42 is inserted into the tubular portion 41. A water flow path 43 is formed in the gap between the oscillating portion 42 and the tubular portion 41. The water flow path 43 may also surround the oscillating portion 42.

[0033] The frequency of the ultrasonic wave can be, for example, 10 kHz or more, 20 kHz or more, 40 kHz or more, or 60 kHz or more. The frequency of the ultrasonic wave can be, for example, 150 kHz or less, 120 kHz or less, 100 kHz or less, 80 kHz or less, or 60 kHz or less. The smaller the frequency, the larger the bubbles caused by cavitation. The larger the bubbles, the greater the impact force. The greater the impact force, the more it can promote the peeling of the electrode mixture 12. The output of the ultrasonic wave can be, for example, 100 W or more, 200 W or more, 400 W or more, 600 W or more, or 800 W or more. The output of the ultrasonic wave can be, for example, 1000 W or less, 800 W or less, or 600 W or less.

[0034] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the second stripping device in this embodiment. The workpiece 10 in the second stripping device 102 is annular. The second stripping device 102 includes a workpiece holding portion 20, a moving device 30, a probe portion 40 and a receiving portion 50. In the second stripping device 102, the position of the probe portion 40 can be fixed. The workpiece holding portion 20 includes a plurality of rollers. The moving device 30 includes a coil handling conveying device. The coil handling conveying device is configured to convey the workpiece 10 in the direction of the arrow in the figure in a roll-to-roll manner. In the second stripping device 102, the electrode mixture 12 can be continuously stripped. The second stripping device 102 can be applied to, for example, an endless belt-shaped workpiece 10 including a thinner substrate 11.

Claims

1. A peeling device for peeling an electrode mixture from a substrate by irradiating a workpiece comprising a substrate and an electrode mixture attached to the substrate with ultrasonic waves, wherein: It includes a workpiece holding part, a moving device and a probe part. The workpiece holding portion is configured to hold the workpiece, The moving device is configured to move at least one of the workpiece and the probe portion so that the probe portion scans the surface of the workpiece. The probe part is configured to irradiate the workpiece with the ultrasonic wave while supplying water to the workpiece. The probe portion is provided at a position where the end portion of the workpiece cannot be irradiated with the ultrasonic wave.

2. The stripping device according to claim 1, wherein: The workpiece is in sheet form. The workpiece holding portion is configured to hold the workpiece so that the workpiece is tilted downward with respect to a horizontal direction.

3. The peeling device according to claim 1, wherein: The probe portion includes a hollow tubular portion and an oscillating portion. The oscillating portion is configured to oscillate the ultrasonic wave, The oscillating portion is inserted into the tubular portion, In a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the probe portion, a water flow path is formed in a gap between the oscillating portion and the tubular portion.

4. The stripping device according to claim 1, wherein: The workpiece is annular, The moving device includes a coil handling conveyor device, The web handling conveyor device is configured to convey the workpiece.

5. The stripping device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A receiving portion is further included, and the receiving portion is configured to receive the peeled electrode mixture and the water.

Images