A laser cutting device for cutting square shell batteries in all directions

Abstract

The utility model relates to new energy battery disassembling technical field especially relates to a kind of laser cutting device of omnibearing cutting square shell battery;It includes rack and installs laser cutting assembly and clamping assembly in rack;Laser cutting assembly includes laser head and is used to drive laser head along three-way sliding three-way module and is used to drive laser head and rotates first rotary drive mechanism around vertical pivot;Clamping assembly includes chuck and is used to drive chuck and rotates second rotary drive mechanism around horizontal pivot, chuck clamps two side surfaces of square shell battery when clamping square shell battery, and electrode end surface of square shell battery extends in the direction of the horizontal pivot extension from chuck;The laser cutting device can be around the electrode end surface of square shell battery and carry out ring cutting and the two side surfaces and rear end surface of square shell battery and carry out transverse cutting.This kind of laser cutting device of omnibearing cutting square shell battery can solve the problem of large volume and high manufacturing cost of clamping structure in prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of new energy battery dismantling technology, and in particular to a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries. Background Technology

[0002] With societal progress and development, the demand for electrical energy storage is increasing, and the scale of new energy batteries required for this storage is also growing. After a certain period of use, the energy storage efficiency of new energy batteries will decline and fail to meet usage standards. However, the metals and electrolytes within these batteries have significant recycling value; therefore, the industry for recycling new energy batteries is currently booming.

[0003] Most new energy batteries on the market are battery packs composed of multiple prismatic cells. During recycling, the battery pack needs to be disassembled first, then the individual prismatic cells removed, and finally disassembled. A prismatic cell includes a casing, core, electrodes, and electrolyte. These parts need to be separated during disassembly to allow for the extraction of valuable materials from each component. Currently, prismatic cells mainly come in two shapes: cylindrical and prismatic. The shape of a prismatic cell is shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the electrode is located at one end of the outer casing, while the core and electrolyte are located inside the casing. To separate the parts, the outer casing needs to be cut open first. For example, Chinese invention patent ZL2024114145404 discloses a laser cutting device and method for battery recycling, which uses laser cutting to cut square-shell batteries. However, in this invention, in order for the laser cutting trajectory to completely cut through the outer casing of the square-shell battery, a machine tool-style clamping structure is adopted. The square-shell battery is clamped by a chuck mounted on the spindle and rotated. However, this clamping structure is bulky and has high manufacturing costs, which is not conducive to reducing the operating costs of enterprises. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries, aiming to solve the problems of large size and high manufacturing cost of existing clamping structures.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries, comprising a frame and a laser cutting assembly and a clamping assembly mounted on the frame; the laser cutting assembly includes a laser head, a three-way module for driving the laser head to slide in three directions, and a first rotary drive mechanism for driving the laser head to rotate around a vertical axis; the clamping assembly includes a chuck and a second rotary drive mechanism for driving the chuck to rotate around a horizontal axis. When clamping the prismatic battery, the chuck clamps the two sides of the prismatic battery, and the electrode faces of the prismatic battery extend out of the chuck along the direction of the horizontal axis; this laser cutting device can perform circumferential and transverse cutting of the prismatic battery; when performing circumferential cutting, the chuck rotates around the horizontal axis so that the top surface, bottom surface, and the edges of the two sides near the electrode faces of the prismatic battery are opposite to the laser head; when performing transverse cutting, the laser head rotates around the vertical axis so that the two sides and the rear end face of the prismatic battery are opposite to the laser head.

[0006] Furthermore, the fixed end of the three-way module is mounted on the frame, and the movable end of the three-way module is rotatably mounted on a turntable. The first rotation drive mechanism drives the turntable to rotate around the vertical axis, and the laser head is mounted on the turntable.

[0007] Furthermore, the chuck includes a chuck seat, with chuck blocks on each side of the chuck seat. Inside the chuck seat are a motor, a double-ended screw with forward and reverse threads that is driven to rotate by the motor, and sliders that are screwed to the two ends of the double-ended screw with forward and reverse threads respectively. The two sliders are connected to the two chuck blocks respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, the chuck is also equipped with a support plate. When the chuck rotates to make the square battery face down, the support plate supports the square battery from bottom to top.

[0009] Furthermore, the clamp is equipped with a lifting mechanism and a rotary lifting cylinder. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the rotary lifting cylinder to rise and fall relative to the clamp, and the pallet is installed at the movable end of the rotary lifting cylinder. Before cross-cutting, the rotary lifting cylinder extends and puts the pallet in a clearance state. The lifting mechanism drives the rotary lifting cylinder and the pallet to fall, and the pallet is lower than the laser cutting trajectory. Before circumferential cutting, the lifting mechanism drives the rotary lifting cylinder and the pallet to rise. The rotary lifting cylinder retracts and puts the pallet in a clamping state, and the pallet presses down on the square battery.

[0010] Furthermore, the frame is equipped with a horizontal rotary table, and there are two chucks arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner with the rotation axis of the horizontal rotary table as the center.

[0011] Furthermore, the laser cutting device also includes a receiving component, which includes an electrolyte receiving tray located below the clamping component and capable of receiving the electrolyte flowing out of the prismatic battery.

[0012] Furthermore, the receiving assembly also includes a battery immersion tank located below the electrolyte receiving tray, which is slidably connected to the frame and driven to slide by a sliding drive device. The electrolyte receiving tray can slide away from below the clamping assembly so that the battery immersion tank can receive batteries that fall from the clamping assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, the battery immersion tank is slidably connected to the frame.

[0014] This invention provides a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries. Compared to existing technologies, it adds a rotary drive mechanism to the laser cutting assembly, eliminating the need for excessive rotation of the clamping assembly. The clamping assembly only requires a single rotary drive mechanism, resulting in a simpler structure. During cutting, the cooperation between the laser cutting assembly and the clamping assembly enables circumferential cutting around the battery terminal face and transverse cutting of the two sides and rear end. After the cutting trajectory is completed, the battery casing can be easily disassembled and removed. This invention features a simpler structure than existing technologies, a smaller clamping assembly, and lower manufacturing costs, thus reducing operating costs for businesses. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a 3D structural diagram of a square-shell battery;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries according to this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This utility model relates to a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries, which conceals the three-dimensional structure behind the frame. Figure 2 ;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a 3D structural diagram of the laser cutting component;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cutting trajectory in this embodiment;

[0020] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the outer casing of the battery after cutting in this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 7 It is a 3D structural diagram of the clamping component;

[0022] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the clamping component when it clamps the square-shell battery.

[0023] Figure 9 This is an exploded structural diagram of the clamping component;

[0024] Figure 10It is a 3D structural diagram of the supporting components.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0026] 01. Square-shaped battery; 011. Battery terminal face; 012. Side; 013. Edge; 014. Circumferential tangent; 015. Transverse tangent; 016. Top casing; 017. Bottom casing; 018. Front casing;

[0027] 1. Rack;

[0028] 2. Laser cutting assembly; 20. Vertical rotating shaft; 21. Laser head; 22. Three-way module; 23. First rotary drive mechanism; 24. Turntable;

[0029] 3. Clamping assembly; 30. Horizontal rotating shaft; 31. Chuck; 311. Clamping seat; 312. Clamping block; 313. Motor; 314. Double-ended screw with positive and negative threads; 315. Slider; 316. Support plate; 317. Lifting mechanism; 318. Rotary lifting cylinder; 32. Second rotary drive mechanism; 33. Horizontal rotating seat;

[0030] 4. Receiving components; 41. Electrolyte receiving tray; 42. Battery immersion tank; 43. Sliding drive device. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below.

[0032] In this embodiment, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "set in," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or a connection through one or more intermediate media. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this embodiment based on the specific circumstances. The directional terms appearing in this embodiment are for the purpose of better describing the characteristics of the features and the relationships between them. It should be understood that when the placement direction of this embodiment changes, the direction of the characteristics of the features and the relationships between them also changes accordingly. Therefore, directional terms do not constitute an absolute limitation on the characteristics of the features and the relationships between them in space, but only a relative limitation.

[0033] This invention provides a laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries, such as... Figures 1 to 10 As shown, it includes a frame 1 and a laser cutting assembly 2 and a clamping assembly 3 mounted on the frame 1.

[0034] The laser cutting assembly 2 includes a laser head 21, a three-way module 22 for driving the laser head 21 to slide in three directions, and a first rotation drive mechanism 23 for driving the laser head 21 to rotate around a vertical axis 20. The three-way module 22 refers to a module whose sliding end can translate in three directions (X, Y, and Z) in three-dimensional space. The three-way module 22 is existing technology, so its structure will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0035] The clamping assembly 3 includes a chuck 31 and a second rotary drive mechanism 32 for driving the chuck 31 to rotate around a horizontal axis 30. During the cutting operation, the chuck 31 clamps the two sides 012 of the square battery 01. It is easy to understand that, as Figure 8 As shown, the height of the side 012 of the square battery 01 held by the chuck 31 is lower than the height of the entire side 012. This ensures that the components inside the chuck 31 do not block the laser, and that the transverse cutting trajectory 015 described below can be cut on both sides 012. The electrode end face 011 of the square battery 01 extends out of the chuck 31 along the direction of the horizontal rotating shaft 30. After the electrode end face 011 extends out of the chuck 31, the components inside the chuck 31 do not block the laser, and that the circumferential cutting trajectory 014 described below can be cut around the electrode end face 011.

[0036] This laser cutting device is capable of performing circumferential and transverse cuts on the square-shell battery 01.

[0037] During circumferential cutting, the chuck 31 rotates around the horizontal axis 30 so that the edges 013 of the top, bottom, and two side surfaces 012 of the square battery 01, respectively, near the electrode end faces 011, are opposite to the laser head 21. For example, the chuck 31 first makes one of the edges 013 around the electrode end faces 011 horizontal and upward (e.g., top surface upward). During circumferential cutting, the laser head 21 does not need to rotate but needs to be raised and lowered to a suitable height. Then, the laser head 21 translates and cuts along the direction of the edge 013, leaving a cutting trajectory at the edge 013 of the top surface near the electrode end face 011. After that, the chuck 31 rotates 90 degrees, the laser head 21 is raised and lowered to a suitable height, and then the laser head 21 translates and cuts along the direction of the edge 013, leaving a cutting trajectory at the edge 013 of the side surface 012 near the electrode end face 011. After the above four cuts, the four cutting trajectories form a circumferential cutting trajectory 014, as shown. Figure 5 As shown.

[0038] When performing a transverse cut, the laser head 21 rotates around the vertical axis 20 to face the two sides 012 and the rear end face. For example, the chuck 31 first rotates so that the square battery 01 is above the chuck 31. Then, the laser head 21 translates to align with one of the sides 012, and the laser head 21 translates and cuts along the direction of the side 012, leaving a cutting trajectory on one side 012. Then, the laser head 21 rotates 90 degrees around the vertical axis 20 and, with the aid of translation, aligns with the back side. The laser head 21 translates and cuts along the direction of the back side, leaving a cutting trajectory on the back side. Then, the laser head 21 rotates another 90 degrees around the vertical axis 20 and, with the aid of translation, aligns with the other side 012. The laser head 21 translates and cuts along the direction of the other side 012, leaving a cutting trajectory on the other side 012. The cutting trajectories of the two sides 012 and the back side together form the transverse cutting trajectory 015, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown.

[0039] After both the circumferential cutting trajectory 014 and the transverse cutting trajectory 015 are cut out, the outer casing of the square battery 01 can be divided into the following parts: Figure 6 The three parts shown are the upper shell 016, the lower shell 017, and the front shell 018 (also known as the battery terminal face 011). After each part is removed, only the battery contents remain, which facilitates subsequent disassembly.

[0040] It can be seen that the rotation required for cutting the circumferential cutting trajectory 014 is provided by the second rotation drive mechanism 32 on the clamping assembly 3, while the rotation required for cutting the transverse cutting trajectory 015 is provided by the first rotation drive mechanism 23 on the laser cutting assembly 2, which simplifies the structure of the clamping assembly 3.

[0041] Based on the above structural design and cutting principle, this laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of square-shell batteries adds a rotary drive mechanism to the laser cutting component 2, so that the clamping component 3 does not need to perform too much rotation. The clamping component 3 only needs to be equipped with one rotary drive mechanism, and the structure of the clamping component 3 is relatively simple. During cutting, through the cooperation between the laser cutting component 2 and the clamping component 3, the circumferential cutting of the battery end face 011 and the transverse cutting of the two side faces 012 and the rear end face can be completed. After the above cutting trajectory is completed, the battery casing can be easily disassembled and removed.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fixed end of the three-way module 22 is mounted on the frame 1, and the movable end of the three-way module 22 is rotatably mounted on a turntable 24. The first rotation drive mechanism 22 drives the turntable 24 to rotate around the vertical axis 20, and the laser head 21 is mounted on the turntable 24.

[0043] In this embodiment, the chuck 31 includes a chuck base 311, with chuck blocks 312 on each side of the chuck base 311. The chuck base 311 contains a motor 313, a double-ended threaded screw 314 driven by the motor 313, and sliders 315 screwed to the two ends of the double-ended threaded screw 314. The two sliders 315 are respectively connected to the two chuck blocks 312. This structure allows the chuck blocks 312 to move relative to each other, achieving clamping and releasing.

[0044] In this embodiment, the chuck 31 is also provided with a support plate 316. When the chuck 31 is rotated so that the square battery 01 faces downward, the support plate 316 supports the square battery 01 from bottom to top. Although the two clamping blocks 312 can provide a certain clamping effect, if the clamping force is insufficient when the square battery 01 faces downward, the square battery 01 will fall. Therefore, this embodiment provides a support plate 316 to support the square battery 01 and prevent it from falling. At the same time, in order to avoid the added support plate 316 from hindering the laser cutting, the clamping base 311 in this embodiment is provided with a lifting mechanism 317 and a rotary lifting cylinder 318. The lifting mechanism 317 is used to drive the rotary lifting cylinder 318 to rise and fall relative to the clamping base 311 (the lifting mechanism 317 is specifically a gear and rack pair driven by a motor, and the rack rises and falls to realize the lifting function of the lifting mechanism 317). The support plate 316 is installed on the movable end of the rotary lifting cylinder 318. Before cross-cutting, the rotary lifting cylinder 318 extends and positions the support plate 316 in a clearance state (i.e., offset from the prismatic battery 01). In this clearance state, the support plate 316 descends without contacting the prismatic battery 01. The lifting mechanism 317 lowers the rotary lifting cylinder 318 and the support plate 316, ensuring the support plate 316 is below the laser cutting trajectory. This prevents the laser head 21 from being obstructed when cutting the cross-cut trajectory 015 by the support plate 316, the lifting mechanism 317, and the rotary lifting cylinder 318. Before circumferential cutting, the lifting mechanism 317 raises the rotary lifting cylinder 318 and the support plate 316. The rotary lifting cylinder 318 retracts, placing the support plate 316 in a clamping state, pressing down on the prismatic battery 01. This prevents the prismatic battery 01 from falling even after the clamp 31 rotates to face downwards. This structural design avoids the support plate 316 and its connected structure from obstructing laser cutting.

[0045] In this embodiment, the frame 1 is equipped with a horizontal rotating base 33, and two chucks 31 are provided. The two chucks 31 are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner with the rotating shaft of the horizontal rotating base 33 as the center. With this structure, after the square battery 01 is cut, the chucks 31 and the square battery 01 can be transferred to the disassembly station without additional transfer. At the same time, while the square battery 01 is being disassembled, the other chuck 31 holds the uncut square battery 01 and cuts it at the cutting station, thus improving efficiency.

[0046] In this embodiment, the laser cutting device further includes a receiving component 4, which includes an electrolyte receiving tray 41. The electrolyte receiving tray 41 is located below the clamping component 3 and can receive the electrolyte flowing out of the prismatic battery 01. After the outer shell is cut open, the electrolyte inside the prismatic battery 01 may leak out. Therefore, in this embodiment, an electrolyte receiving tray 41 is provided below the clamping component 3 to receive the electrolyte. When laser cutting is used, the temperature at the laser focus point is extremely high, and the prismatic battery 01 may catch fire. To improve safety, the receiving component 4 in this embodiment also includes a battery immersion tank 42, which is located below the electrolyte receiving tray 41. The electrolyte receiving tray 41 is slidably connected to the frame 1 and is driven to slide by the sliding drive device 43. The electrolyte receiving tray 41 can slide away from below the clamping component 3 so that the battery immersion tank 42 can receive the battery falling from the clamping component 3. The battery immersion tank 42 is slidably connected to the frame 1. In the event of a battery fire, the electrolyte receiving tray 41 opens, the clamp 31 flips so that the prismatic battery 01 is below the clamp 31, then the clamp block 312 releases, and the prismatic battery 01 falls into the battery immersion tank 42 below, where water extinguishes the fire. Afterwards, personnel remove the battery immersion tank 42 to handle the burning battery. This structure improves safety.

[0047] In summary, this laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries can solve the problems of large clamping structure and high manufacturing cost in existing technologies.

[0048] Where there is no conflict, the above embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the preferred technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the essence and scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries, characterized in that: Includes a frame (1) and a laser cutting assembly (2) and a clamping assembly (3) mounted on the frame (1); The laser cutting assembly (2) includes a laser head (21), a three-way module (22) for driving the laser head (21) to slide in three directions, and a first rotary drive mechanism (23) for driving the laser head (21) to rotate around a vertical axis (20); The clamping assembly (3) includes a chuck (31) and a second rotation drive mechanism (32) for driving the chuck (31) to rotate around a horizontal axis (30). When clamping the square battery (01), the chuck (31) clamps the two sides (012) of the square battery (01), and the electrode end face (011) of the square battery (01) extends out of the chuck (31) along the direction of the horizontal axis (30). The laser cutting device is capable of circumferential and transverse cutting of the square battery (01); when circumferential cutting is performed, the chuck (31) rotates around the horizontal axis (30) so that the edges (013) of the top, bottom and two sides (012) of the square battery (01) near the electrode end face (011) are opposite to the laser head (21); when transverse cutting is performed, the laser head (21) rotates around the vertical axis (20) so that the two sides (012) and rear end face of the square battery (01) are opposite to the laser head (21).

2. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed end of the three-way module (22) is mounted on the frame (1), and the movable end of the three-way module (22) is rotatably mounted on a turntable (24). The first rotation drive mechanism (23) drives the turntable (24) to rotate around the vertical axis (20), and the laser head (21) is mounted on the turntable (24).

3. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chuck (31) includes a chuck seat (311), and a chuck block (312) is provided on each side of the chuck seat (311). Inside the chuck seat (311) is a motor (313), a double-ended screw (314) driven to rotate by the motor (313), and sliders (315) respectively screwed to the two ends of the double-ended screw (314). The two sliders (315) are respectively connected to the two chuck blocks (312).

4. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clamp (31) is also provided with a support plate (316). When the clamp (31) rotates to make the square battery (01) face down, the support plate (316) supports the square battery (01) from bottom to top.

5. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that: The clamp (311) is equipped with a lifting mechanism (317) and a rotary lifting cylinder (318). The lifting mechanism (317) is used to drive the rotary lifting cylinder (318) to rise and fall relative to the clamp (311). The support plate (316) is installed on the movable end of the rotary lifting cylinder (318). Before cross-cutting, the rotary lifting cylinder (318) extends and the support plate (316) is in a clearance state. The lifting mechanism (317) drives the rotary lifting cylinder (318) and the support plate (316) to fall, and the support plate (316) is lower than the laser cutting trajectory. Before circumferential cutting, the lifting mechanism (317) drives the rotary lifting cylinder (318) and the support plate (316) to rise. The rotary lifting cylinder (318) retracts and the support plate (316) is in a clamping state. The support plate (316) presses down on the square battery (01).

6. The laser cutting apparatus for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The frame (1) is equipped with a horizontal rotating base (33) and two chucks (31). The two chucks (31) are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner with the rotating shaft of the horizontal rotating base (33) as the center.

7. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser cutting device also includes a receiving component (4), which includes an electrolyte receiving tray (41) located below the clamping component (3) and capable of receiving electrolyte flowing out of the prismatic battery (01).

8. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 7, characterized in that: The receiving assembly (4) also includes a battery immersion tank (42), which is located below the electrolyte receiving tray (41). The electrolyte receiving tray (41) is slidably connected to the frame (1) and is driven to slide by the sliding drive device (43). The electrolyte receiving tray (41) can slide to a position below the clamping assembly (3) so that the battery immersion tank (42) can receive the battery that falls from the clamping assembly (3).

9. The laser cutting device for omnidirectional cutting of prismatic batteries according to claim 8, characterized in that: The battery immersion tank (42) is slidably connected to the frame (1).

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