A separation and cleaning device for recycling waste lithium battery graphite negative plate
By using a cylindrical mesh tube and threaded blades, the problem of copper foil being easily torn during high-speed rotation is solved, achieving efficient separation of graphite and copper foil and protection of the integrity of the copper foil. This simplifies the operation process and improves work efficiency and safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 安徽巡鹰新材料科技有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
Smart Images

Figure CN224525464U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of waste lithium-ion battery technology, specifically a separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy vehicle industry, the use of lithium-ion batteries has surged, and lithium-ion batteries are also facing the problem of large-scale recycling. Graphite materials in negative electrode sheets have important recycling value. Graphite negative electrode sheets are usually composed of copper foil current collectors and graphite coatings. The copper foil is only 10-20μm thick, which is easily damaged during recycling, affecting subsequent resource utilization.
[0003] During the cleaning process of graphite negative electrode sheet recycling, graphite powder is detached by stirring in the cleaning tank and falls through a sieve to the bottom of the cleaning water tank, while the cleaned copper foil remains in the sieve.
[0004] Currently, most existing separation and cleaning devices use a cross-shaped agitator structure, which achieves mechanical separation of graphite and copper foil through high-speed rotation. However, the high-speed agitation of this cross-shaped agitator can easily cause the copper foil to tear and break, producing fine copper shavings that mix with the graphite. These broken copper shavings may pass through the mesh openings and mix with the graphite, increasing the difficulty of subsequent separation. Furthermore, copper foil fragments mixed into the graphite powder reduce the purity of the recovered graphite.
[0005] Therefore, we propose a separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries to address the problems mentioned above. Utility Model Content
[0006] This utility model provides a separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries. It can solve the problem in the prior art where, when the cross-shaped stirring paddle rotates at high speed, the extremely thin copper foil may tear or break when it collides with the stirring paddle, forming fine copper shavings that can pass through the mesh and mix with the graphite, increasing the difficulty of subsequent separation.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0008] A separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries includes a cleaning cylinder with a cylindrical mesh cylinder sleeved inside. The cleaning cylinder has a feed inlet at its upper part and a drain pipe fixedly connected to its bottom. A long shaft is rotatably connected inside the cylindrical mesh cylinder, coaxially arranged with the cylindrical mesh cylinder and extending to the outside of the cleaning cylinder at both ends. Threaded blades are provided on the long shaft, the length of which is less than the length of the cylindrical mesh cylinder. A combined drive assembly is installed at one end of the long shaft, driving the long shaft to rotate and slide laterally.
[0009] Preferably, a support platform is provided at the bottom of the cleaning cylinder, and support feet are fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the support platform. A pipe hole is opened in the middle of the support platform, and the drain pipe passes through the inside of the pipe hole.
[0010] Preferably, the lower end of the drain pipe is fixedly connected to a separation box, and the bottom of one side of the separation box is fixedly connected to a waste discharge pipe. A secondary filter screen is installed inside the separation box near the waste discharge pipe. The secondary filter screen is used to trap graphite powder.
[0011] Preferably, a centrifuge is installed inside the separation chamber, and the drive source of the centrifuge is located outside the separation chamber.
[0012] Preferably, electromagnetic switch valves are installed on both the feed inlet and the drain pipe, and a turbidity sensor is installed inside the cleaning cylinder to monitor the graphite concentration of the cleaning solution in real time.
[0013] Preferably, the combined drive assembly includes a telescopic cylinder, which is fixedly installed on the upper part of the support platform. A stepper motor is fixedly installed on the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder. The rotating shaft of the stepper motor is fixedly connected to one end of a long shaft, and the stepper motor drives the long shaft to rotate in the forward or reverse direction.
[0014] Preferably, the cylindrical mesh tube is provided with an automatic closing feed port at the end away from the stepper motor. The telescopic cylinder pushes the threaded blades, and the threaded blades push the automatic closing feed port to open.
[0015] Preferably, the automatic closing inlet includes a bucket-shaped discharge hood and a conical plug. The bucket-shaped discharge hood connects the ends of the cylindrical mesh cylinder and the washing cylinder and extends to the outside of the washing cylinder. The end of the bucket-shaped discharge hood with a larger aperture faces the outside of the washing cylinder.
[0016] Preferably, the conical plug fits into the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood, and the conical plug is a rubber plug used to seal the opening of the bucket-shaped discharge hood.
[0017] Preferably, a compression spring is sleeved on the end of the long shaft away from the stepper motor, and a limit baffle is fixedly installed on the end of the support platform away from the telescopic cylinder. One end of the compression spring is fixedly connected to the limit baffle, and the other end is fixedly connected to the outside of the conical plug. The compression spring pushes the conical plug to press and seal the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood. A conical discharge port is provided below the bucket-shaped discharge hood. The conical discharge port is fixedly installed on the support platform. A copper foil collection box is provided at the outlet of the conical discharge port. The copper foil collection box is located below the support platform.
[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are:
[0019] This invention involves filling the cleaning cylinder with room temperature water. A combined drive assembly drives the threaded blades on the long shaft to rotate repeatedly in both directions, agitating the inside of the cleaning cylinder. Simultaneously, the combined drive assembly drives the threaded blades on the long shaft to oscillate laterally, creating multi-dimensional agitation of the liquid inside the cleaning cylinder. The material is fed into the cleaning cylinder through the inlet. The threaded blades drive the electrode to flip and oscillate, causing friction with the water and separating the copper foil from the graphite powder. The graphite powder falls through the mesh of the cylindrical screen into the bottom of the cleaning pool, while the copper foil remains inside the cylindrical screen. The flipping and oscillation of the electrode driven by the threaded blades, unlike the high-speed rotation of a cross-shaped agitator, avoids the problem of the extremely thin copper foil colliding with the cross-shaped agitator and tearing or breaking the copper foil, forming fine copper shavings. This prevents broken copper shavings from passing through the mesh of the cylindrical screen and mixing with the graphite, which would increase the difficulty of subsequent separation.
[0020] When the telescopic cylinder pushes the long shaft towards the end of the cylindrical mesh tube, the long shaft drives the threaded blades to move synchronously. The front end of the threaded blades pushes the conical plug of the automatically closing material inlet, causing it to disengage from the bucket-shaped discharge hood, thus automatically opening the material inlet. The copper foil is then discharged through the rotation of the threaded blades, achieving automatic unloading of the copper foil. When copper foil needs to be discharged, the telescopic cylinder extends its length further, pushing the threaded blades to open the material inlet; during the cleaning process, it remains sealed. This design ensures both the airtightness of the cleaning process and facilitates the collection of copper foil, avoiding manual intervention and improving operational efficiency and safety. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall external structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning state of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 For the present utility model Figure 2 A magnified structural diagram at point A;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic closing feed inlet of this utility model in the open state.
[0025] The components include: 1. Cleaning cylinder; 2. Cylindrical mesh cylinder; 3. Feed inlet; 4. Drain pipe; 5. Long shaft; 6. Threaded blades; 8. Support platform; 9. Support feet; 10. Pipe hole; 11. Separation box; 12. Waste discharge pipe; 13. Secondary filter screen; 16. Electromagnetic switch valve; 19. Telescopic cylinder; 20. Stepper motor; 22. Bucket-shaped discharge hood; 23. Conical plug; 24. Compression spring; 25. Limit baffle; 26. Conical discharge port; 27. Copper foil collection box. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below, but it should be understood that the protection scope of this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments.
[0027] Example 1:
[0028] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides a technical solution:
[0029] A separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries includes a cleaning cylinder 1. The cleaning cylinder 1 is characterized by: a cylindrical mesh cylinder 2 sleeved inside; a feed inlet 3 at the top of the cleaning cylinder 1; a drain pipe 4 fixedly connected to the bottom of the cleaning cylinder 1; a long shaft 5 rotatably connected inside the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2; the long shaft 5 is coaxially arranged with the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2, and its two ends extend to the outside of the cleaning cylinder 1; threaded blades 6 are provided on the long shaft 5, the length of which is less than the length of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2; and a combined drive assembly is installed at one end of the long shaft 5, which drives the long shaft 5 to rotate and slide laterally.
[0030] In the above scheme, the cleaning cylinder 1 is filled with room temperature water. The combined drive assembly drives the threaded blades 6 on the long shaft 5 to rotate repeatedly in the forward and reverse directions, stirring the inside of the cleaning cylinder 1. At the same time, the combined drive assembly drives the threaded blades 6 on the long shaft 5 to swing laterally back and forth, so that the liquid inside the cleaning cylinder 1 forms multi-dimensional agitation. The material is put into the cleaning cylinder 1 through the feed port 3. The threaded blades 6 drive the electrode to flip and swing, so that it rubs against the water, separating the copper foil from the graphite powder. The graphite powder falls into the bottom of the cleaning pool through the mesh of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2, while the copper foil remains inside the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2. In the above structure, the threaded blades 6 drive the electrode to flip and swing, which is different from the high-speed rotation of the cross-shaped agitator. This avoids the problem of the extremely thin copper foil colliding with the cross-shaped agitator and causing the copper foil to tear or break, forming fine copper shavings. This prevents the broken copper shavings from passing through the mesh of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2 and mixing with the graphite, which would increase the difficulty of subsequent separation.
[0031] Both the feed inlet 3 and the drain pipe 4 are equipped with electromagnetic switch valves 16. The cleaning cylinder 1 is equipped with a turbidity sensor to monitor the graphite concentration of the cleaning solution in real time and automatically adjust the stirring time. When the graphite concentration inside the cleaning cylinder 1 is high, the electromagnetic switch valve 16 on the drain pipe 4 is opened to discharge the high-concentration graphite cleaning solution from the cleaning cylinder 1. The cleaning cylinder 1 is equipped with uniformly distributed nozzles at the top. Clean water is sprayed through the nozzles to perform high-pressure cleaning on the graphite at the top of the copper foil. At the same time, the threaded blades 6 drive the electrode to rotate and swing. Through the above two cleaning modes, it is beneficial to quickly and efficiently separate the copper foil and graphite.
[0032] The combined drive assembly includes a telescopic cylinder 19, which is fixedly installed on the upper part of the support platform 8. A stepper motor 20 is fixedly installed on the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder 19. The rotating shaft of the stepper motor 20 is fixedly connected to one end of the long shaft 5. The stepper motor 20 drives the long shaft 5 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction.
[0033] In the above scheme, the combined drive assembly pushes the stepper motor 20 to move laterally through the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder 19, while the stepper motor 20 drives the long shaft 5 to rotate in both directions. This combined motion enables the threaded blades 6 on the long shaft 5 to simultaneously achieve rotational stirring and lateral reciprocating motion within the cylindrical mesh tube 2, forming a multi-dimensional stirring effect. This achieves three-dimensional stirring of the material, ensuring effective separation of graphite and copper foil while avoiding the copper foil breakage problem caused by traditional high-speed rotational stirring. By controlling the speed of the stepper motor 20 and the stroke of the telescopic cylinder 19, the stirring intensity and range can be adjusted, ensuring the cleaning effect while protecting the integrity of the copper foil.
[0034] The cylindrical mesh tube 2 is provided with an automatic closing material inlet at the end away from the stepper motor 20. The telescopic cylinder 19 pushes the threaded blade 6, and the threaded blade 6 pushes the automatic closing material inlet to open.
[0035] In the above scheme, when the telescopic cylinder 19 pushes the long shaft 5 to move towards the end of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2, the long shaft 5 drives the threaded blades 6 to move synchronously. The front end of the threaded blades 6 pushes the conical plug 23 of the automatically closing material inlet, causing it to disengage from the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22, thereby realizing the automatic opening of the material inlet. This structure realizes the automatic unloading function of copper foil. When it is necessary to discharge copper foil, the telescopic cylinder 19 increases its extension length and pushes the threaded blades 6 to open the material inlet; it remains sealed during the cleaning process. This design not only ensures the airtightness of the cleaning process but also facilitates the collection of copper foil, avoids manual intervention, and improves work efficiency and safety.
[0036] The automatic closing material inlet includes a bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 and a conical plug 23. The bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 connects the ends of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2 and the washing cylinder 1 and extends to the outside of the washing cylinder 1. The end of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 with a larger aperture faces the outside of the washing cylinder 1.
[0037] In the above scheme, the large-diameter end of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 faces the outside of the washing cylinder 1, and the small-diameter end is fixedly connected to the end of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2; this trumpet-shaped structure design facilitates the collection and guidance of copper foil inside the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2 to be discharged to the outside.
[0038] The conical plug 23 fits into the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22. The conical plug 23 is a rubber plug used to seal the opening of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22.
[0039] In the above scheme, the conical plug 23 is made of rubber and forms an interference fit with the inner wall of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 under the action of the compression spring 24; this elastic sealing structure can effectively prevent the cleaning fluid from leaking from the discharge port.
[0040] A compression spring 24 is sleeved on the end of the long shaft 5 away from the stepper motor 20. A limit baffle 25 is fixedly installed on the end of the support platform 8 away from the telescopic cylinder 19. One end of the compression spring 24 is fixedly connected to the limit baffle 25, and the other end is fixedly connected to the outside of the conical plug 23. The compression spring 24 pushes the conical plug 23 to press and seal the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22. A conical discharge port 26 is provided below the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22. The conical discharge port 26 is fixedly installed on the support platform 8. A copper foil collection box 27 is provided at the outlet of the conical discharge port 26. The copper foil collection box 27 is located below the support platform 8.
[0041] In the above scheme, one end of the compression spring 24 is fixed to the limiting baffle 25, and the other end is connected to the conical plug 23. When the long shaft 5 retracts, the restoring force of the compression spring 24 pushes the conical plug 23 back into the hopper-shaped discharge hood 22, achieving automatic reset sealing. At the same time, the discharged copper foil falls into the copper foil collection box 27 through the conical discharge port 26. This mechanism realizes the automatic reset function of the discharge port. The compression spring 24 provides the necessary sealing pressure and can automatically restore the sealing state after unloading. This design simplifies the operation process, enabling the entire system to achieve continuous cleaning and unloading cycle operations, thus improving production efficiency.
[0042] Example 2:
[0043] Please see Figure 1-4 Furthermore, in conjunction with Embodiment 1, a support platform 8 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning cylinder 1. Support feet 9 are fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the support platform 8. A pipe hole 10 is opened in the middle of the support platform 8, and a drain pipe 4 passes through the inside of the pipe hole 10. A separation tank 11 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the drain pipe 4. A waste discharge pipe 12 is fixedly connected to the bottom of one side of the separation tank 11. A secondary filter screen 13 is provided inside the separation tank 11 near the waste discharge pipe 12. The secondary filter screen 13 is used to trap graphite powder. A centrifuge is provided inside the separation tank 11, and the drive source of the centrifuge is located outside the separation tank 11.
[0044] In the above scheme, the cleaning liquid containing graphite powder is introduced into the separation tank 11 through the drain pipe 4 at the bottom of the cleaning cylinder 1. First, it is preliminarily filtered through the secondary filter screen 13 to retain larger graphite powder particles. Then, the liquid enters the centrifuge for deep separation. The centrifuge completely separates the fine graphite particles from the cleaning liquid. The separated graphite is deposited in the centrifuge, while the purified cleaning liquid is discharged through the waste discharge pipe 12. This design realizes multi-stage recovery of graphite powder and purification treatment of cleaning liquid, improves resource recovery rate and reduces waste liquid discharge.
[0045] The working principle of the separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries:
[0046] First, the cleaning cylinder 1 is filled with room temperature water. Then, graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries are introduced into the cleaning cylinder 1 through the feed inlet 3. The stepper motor 20 in the combined drive assembly drives the long shaft 5 to rotate in both directions. The long shaft 5 drives the threaded blades 6 to rotate in both directions, while the telescopic cylinder 19 pushes the long shaft 5 to make a lateral reciprocating motion, causing the threaded blades 6 to form multi-dimensional agitation within the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2. During the agitation process, the threaded blades 6 cause the electrode sheets to tumble and oscillate, allowing them to fully rub against the water, achieving the separation of graphite and copper foil. The separated graphite powder falls through the mesh of the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2 into the bottom of the cleaning cylinder 1, while the copper foil remains inside the cylindrical mesh cylinder 2. The graphite concentration in the cleaning solution is monitored in real time by a turbidity sensor. When the concentration reaches a set value, the solution is drained. The electromagnetic switch valve 16 of pipe 4 is opened, discharging the graphite-containing cleaning solution into the separation tank 11. The secondary filter 13 inside the separation tank 11 first traps larger graphite particles, followed by a centrifuge to deeply separate the finer graphite particles. The purified cleaning solution is discharged through the waste discharge pipe 12. Simultaneously, the nozzle above the cleaning cylinder 1 performs high-pressure rinsing on the copper foil, achieving thorough cleaning in conjunction with the stirring action of the threaded blades 6. After cleaning, the telescopic cylinder 19 pushes the long shaft 5, causing the threaded blades 6 to move forward, opening the automatically closing conical plug 23 at the material inlet. The copper foil falls into the copper foil collection box 27 through the bucket-shaped discharge hood 22 and the conical discharge port 26. After unloading, the compression spring 24 pushes the conical plug 23 back to its original position, resealing the material inlet, allowing the entire system to enter the next cleaning cycle. This device, through multi-dimensional stirring and automatic unloading design, achieves efficient and complete separation of graphite and copper foil, while ensuring the integrity of the copper foil and a high graphite recovery rate.
[0047] The above-disclosed embodiments are only a few specific examples of the present utility model. However, the embodiments of the present utility model are not limited thereto. Any changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries, comprising a cleaning cylinder (1), characterized in that: The cleaning cylinder (1) is fitted with a cylindrical mesh cylinder (2). The upper part of the cleaning cylinder (1) is provided with a feed port (3). The bottom of the cleaning cylinder (1) is fixedly connected to a drain pipe (4). The cylindrical mesh cylinder (2) is rotatably connected with a long shaft (5). The long shaft (5) is coaxial with the cylindrical mesh cylinder (2) and its two ends extend to the outside of the cleaning cylinder (1). The long shaft (5) is provided with a threaded blade (6). The length of the threaded blade (6) is less than the length of the cylindrical mesh cylinder (2). A combined drive assembly is installed at one end of the long shaft (5). The combined drive assembly drives the long shaft (5) to rotate and slide laterally.
2. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets from waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the cleaning cylinder (1) is provided with a support platform (8), and the bottom surface of the support platform (8) is fixedly connected with a support foot (9). A pipe hole (10) is opened in the middle of the support platform (8), and the drain pipe (4) passes through the inside of the pipe hole (10).
3. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the drain pipe (4) is fixedly connected to the separation box (11), and the bottom of one side of the separation box (11) is fixedly connected to the waste discharge pipe (12). A secondary filter screen (13) is installed inside the separation box (11) near the waste discharge pipe (12). The secondary filter screen (13) is used to trap graphite powder.
4. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that: The separation box (11) is equipped with a centrifuge, and the drive source of the centrifuge is located outside the separation box (11).
5. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: Electromagnetic switch valves (16) are installed on the feed inlet (3) and the drain pipe (4). A turbidity sensor is installed inside the cleaning cylinder (1) to monitor the graphite concentration of the cleaning fluid in real time.
6. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The combined drive assembly includes a telescopic cylinder (19), which is fixedly installed on the upper part of the support platform (8). A stepper motor (20) is fixedly installed on the telescopic end of the telescopic cylinder (19). The rotating shaft of the stepper motor (20) is fixedly connected to one end of the long shaft (5). The stepper motor (20) drives the long shaft (5) to rotate in the forward or reverse direction.
7. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical mesh tube (2) is provided with an automatic closing material port at the end away from the stepper motor (20). The telescopic cylinder (19) pushes the threaded blade (6), and the threaded blade (6) pushes the automatic closing material port to open.
8. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic closing material inlet includes a bucket-shaped discharge hood (22) and a conical plug (23). The bucket-shaped discharge hood (22) connects the ends of the cylindrical mesh cylinder (2) and the washing cylinder (1) and extends to the outside of the washing cylinder (1). The end of the bucket-shaped discharge hood (22) with a larger aperture faces the outside of the washing cylinder (1).
9. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conical plug (23) fits into the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood (22). The conical plug (23) is a rubber plug used to seal the opening of the bucket-shaped discharge hood (22).
10. The separation and cleaning device for recycling graphite negative electrode sheets of waste lithium batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: A compression spring (24) is sleeved on the end of the long shaft (5) away from the stepper motor (20). A limit baffle (25) is fixedly installed on the end of the support platform (8) away from the telescopic cylinder (19). One end of the compression spring (24) is fixedly connected to the limit baffle (25), and the other end is fixedly connected to the outside of the conical plug (23). The compression spring (24) pushes the conical plug (23) to press and seal the inside of the bucket-shaped discharge hood (22). A conical discharge port (26) is provided below the bucket-shaped discharge hood (22). The conical discharge port (26) is fixedly installed on the support platform (8). A copper foil collection box (27) is provided at the outlet of the conical discharge port (26). The copper foil collection box (27) is located below the support platform (8).