Battery recycling production line

Abstract

This application belongs to the field of battery recycling technology, and in particular relates to a battery recycling production line. The battery recycling production line includes a core extraction process line, which includes a top cover cutting station. The top cover cutting station includes a positioning mechanism, a cutting device, and a collection tank. The positioning mechanism is used to fix the battery, and the cutting device is used to remove the top cover of the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism. The collection tank is located below the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism to collect the electrolyte flowing out after the top cover is cut off. In the solution provided in this application, the top cover of the battery is opened by cutting, which basically does not generate cutting residue or sawdust, reducing the risk of powder mixing into the electrolyte and thus improving the quality of the recycled electrolyte. Secondly, since only the top cover is cut and not the bottom cover, cell loss is reduced, and fewer intermediate products are formed from the battery casing, making casing recycling easier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of battery recycling technology, and in particular relates to a battery recycling production line. Background Technology

[0002] Square-shell battery cells are one of the important raw materials in the current recycling market, and refined dismantling and recycling is an important corresponding technical route. Existing refined dismantling technologies mainly include laser cutting and sawing for separating the battery casing.

[0003] Whether laser cutting or sawing is used, a large amount of dust is generated, resulting in significant losses. Moreover, the dust generated can easily contaminate the electrolyte, reducing the quality of electrolyte recovery. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a battery recycling production line to solve the technical problem that existing battery casing separation methods generate a large amount of dust and losses, which affect electrolyte recycling.

[0005] This application provides a battery recycling production line, including a core extraction process line, which includes an upper end cap cutting station. The upper end cap cutting station includes a positioning mechanism, a cutting device, and a collection tank. The positioning mechanism is used to fix the battery, the cutting device is used to remove the upper end cap of the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism, and the collection tank is located below the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism to collect the electrolyte flowing out after the upper end cap is cut off.

[0006] In an optional embodiment of this application, the positioning mechanism includes a first linear motion unit and a second linear motion unit disposed opposite each other in a first direction, and a third linear motion unit and a fourth linear motion unit disposed opposite each other in a second direction; for the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism, the first linear motion unit and the second linear motion unit are located on both sides of the battery in the first direction, and the third linear motion unit and the fourth linear motion unit are located on both sides of the battery in the second direction; the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0007] In the optional scheme of this application, the core extraction process line also includes a loading station, a core-shell separation station, and a cell removal station; the loading station is located upstream of the top cover cutting station in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line, and the core-shell separation station and the cell removal station are located downstream of the top cover cutting station in the conveying direction and are arranged sequentially; the core-shell separation station separates part of the cell from the battery casing after the top cover is removed, and the cell removal station is used to completely remove the cell from the battery casing.

[0008] In the optional scheme of this application, a cell cutting process line is also included, which is located downstream of the cell extraction process line in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line; The cell cutting process line includes a cutting station and a drying station arranged sequentially along the conveying direction. The cutting station is used to cut the cells taken from the battery into multiple pieces, and the drying station is used to evaporate the electrolyte.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of this application, an electrolyte recovery process line is also included, which is located downstream of the cell cutting process line and is used to separate the electrolyte.

[0010] In an optional embodiment of this application, the electrolyte recovery process line includes a condensation station, a gas-liquid separation station, and an electrolyte storage station, which are arranged sequentially in the direction of electrolyte flow.

[0011] In the optional schemes of this application, an environmentally friendly process line is also included, which is connected to the core extraction process line, the cell cutting process line and the electrolyte recycling process line; The environmental protection process line includes a dust removal station, a waste gas absorption station, and a waste gas filtration station connected in sequence.

[0012] In the optional scheme of this application, a discharge process line, a transfer process line, and a crushing and sorting process line are also included. The discharge process line is located upstream of the core extraction process line in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line. The transfer process line and the crushing and sorting process line are located downstream of the cell cutting process line in the conveying direction. The discharge process line is used to discharge the battery. The transfer process line is used to transport the dried cell blocks to the crushing and sorting process line. The crushing and sorting process line is used to crush the cell blocks and screen out battery powder, copper and aluminum particles, and separators.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of this application, a by-product processing line is also included. The by-product processing line is located downstream of the core extraction processing line and is used to process the top cover and casing of the battery that flows out through the core extraction processing line.

[0014] In the optional scheme of this application, the by-product process line includes a collection hopper, a cleaning station, a hot drying station and a briquetting station arranged sequentially in the conveying direction of the upper end cover and the outer shell.

[0015] The solution provided in this application has at least the following beneficial effects: The battery recycling production line provided in this application has an upper cover cutting station, which includes a positioning mechanism, a cutting device and a collection tank, and integrates battery positioning, upper cover cutting and electrolyte recycling functions.

[0016] Specifically, after the battery enters the top cover cutting station, it is fixed by a positioning mechanism, and then the top cover is removed by a cutting device. After the top cover of the battery is opened, some of the electrolyte inside the battery will flow out and enter a collection tank. In this way, the top cover of the battery is removed by cutting, and a collection tank is provided to collect the electrolyte that flows out after the top cover is removed.

[0017] By using a gate-cutting method to open the top cover of the battery, virtually no slag or sawdust is generated, reducing the risk of powder mixing into the electrolyte and thus improving the quality of the recovered electrolyte.

[0018] Secondly, since only the top cover is cut and not the bottom cover, cell loss is reduced, and the battery casing produces fewer intermediate products, making casing recycling easier. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the specific embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the specific embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a core extraction process line according to one embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper cover gate cutting station according to one embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of a gate-cutting device provided according to one embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the upper and middle end cover gate cutting station.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a portion of a cell cutting process line provided according to one embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an electrolyte recovery process line according to one embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a by-product process line provided according to one embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a battery recycling production line provided according to one embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a material transfer process line and a crushing and sorting process line provided according to one embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure label: 10. Core extraction process line; 11. Material loading station; 12. Upper cover gate cutting station; 121. Positioning mechanism; 1211. First linear motion unit; 1212. Second linear motion unit; 1213. Third linear motion unit; 1214. Fourth linear motion unit; 122. Gate cutting device; 1221. Knife gate; 1222. Execution module; 123. Collection tank; 13. Shell-core separation station; 14. Cell removal station; 20. Battery cell cutting process line; 21. Battery cell gripping station; 22. Circuit breaker cutting station; 23. Battery cell drying station; 30. Electrolyte recovery line; 31. Condensation station; 32. Gas-liquid separation station; 33. Electrolyte storage station; 34. Check valve; 40. Environmental protection process line; 41. Dust removal station; 42. Waste gas absorption station; 43. Waste gas filtration station; 50. Discharge process line; 51. Physical discharge station; 52. Offline inspection station; 60. Material transfer line; 61. AGV transfer vehicle; 62. Automated hoisting equipment; 63. Material receiving tools; 70. Crushing and sorting process line; 71. Transfer hopper; 72. Crusher; 80. By-product processing line; 81. Collection hopper; 811. Upper slide gate valve; 812. Lower slide gate valve; 82. Cleaning station; 83. Hot drying station; 831. Hot drying air duct; 832. Hot air box; 84. Briquetting station; 85. Feed conveyor belt; 90. Battery; 91. Casing; 92. Battery cell; 93. Top cover. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above and other features and advantages of this application clearer, the application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments given herein are for the purpose of explanation to those skilled in the art and are exemplary only, not restrictive.

[0031] Furthermore, features specified with "first" or "second" for descriptive purposes only should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Features specified with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the specified features. The description of "multiple" generally means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0032] The battery 90 mentioned in this application mainly refers to a prismatic battery, which includes a casing 91 and a cell 92. The casing 91 has end caps at both ends, with the side with electrodes being the upper end cap 93 and the other side being the lower end cap.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a core extraction process line 10 provided according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the upper cover gate cutting station 12 is provided according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of a gate-cutting device 122 provided according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the upper and middle end cover gate cutting station 12.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 4 The battery recycling production line includes a core extraction process line 10, which includes an upper end cap cutting station 12.

[0035] The upper cover cutting station 12 includes a positioning mechanism 121, a cutting device 122, and a collection tank 123. The positioning mechanism 121 is used to fix the battery 90, the cutting device 122 is used to remove the upper cover 93 of the battery 90 fixed by the positioning mechanism 121, and the collection tank 123 is located below the battery 90 fixed by the positioning mechanism 121 to collect the electrolyte flowing out after the upper cover 93 is cut off.

[0036] The core extraction line 10 has an upper cover cutting station 12, which is used to remove the upper cover 93 of the battery 90 in preparation for subsequent core extraction operations. The upper cover cutting station 12 integrates battery positioning, upper cover cutting, and electrolyte recovery functions.

[0037] Specifically, after the battery 90 enters the upper cover cutting station 12, the battery 90 is fixed by the positioning mechanism 121, and then the upper cover 93 is removed by the cutting device 122. Understandably, after the upper cover 93 of the battery 90 is opened, a portion of the electrolyte inside the battery 90 will flow out and enter the collection tank 123.

[0038] In this embodiment, the upper cover 93 of the battery 90 is opened by a gate-cutting method, which basically does not produce powder such as cutting residue or sawdust, reducing the risk of powder mixing into the electrolyte and thus improving the quality of the recovered electrolyte.

[0039] Secondly, since only the upper end cap 93 is cut and the lower end cap is not cut, the loss of the battery cell is reduced, and the battery casing 90 produces fewer intermediate products, making it easier to recycle the casing.

[0040] In a further optional embodiment, the positioning mechanism 121 includes a first linear motion unit 1211 and a second linear motion unit 1212 disposed opposite each other in a first direction, and a third linear motion unit 1213 and a fourth linear motion unit 1214 disposed opposite each other in a second direction. For the battery 90 fixed by the positioning mechanism 121, the first linear motion unit 1211 and the second linear motion unit 1212 are located on both sides of the battery in the first direction, and the third linear motion unit 1213 and the fourth linear motion unit 1214 are located on both sides of the battery in the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0041] In this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 121 may be composed of four linear motion units located around the battery 90. Specifically, the first linear motion unit 1211 and the second linear motion unit 1212 are located on both sides of the battery 90 in the first direction, and the third linear motion unit 1213 and the fourth linear motion unit 1214 are located on both sides of the battery 90 in the second direction.

[0042] The first linear motion unit 1211 and the second linear motion unit 1212 cooperate to limit the degree of freedom of movement of the battery in the first direction, and the third linear motion unit 1213 and the fourth linear motion unit 1214 limit the degree of freedom of movement of the battery in the second direction.

[0043] In one optional embodiment, the fourth linear motion unit 1214 is located on one side of the upper end cover 93 of the battery 90 and can abut against the upper end cover 93. The fourth linear motion unit 1214 can be used as a limit for the upper end cover 93 to determine the position of the upper end cover of the battery 90, ensuring that the upper end cover 93 of the battery 90 is located above the collection groove 123.

[0044] In practical applications, the first linear motion unit 1211, the second linear motion unit 1212, the third linear motion unit 1213, and the fourth linear motion unit 1214 can be actuators capable of linear reciprocating motion, such as cylinders or hydraulic cylinders. The relatively opposite arrangement of these actuators can limit the battery's degree of freedom of movement in one direction. Furthermore, the first direction can be the length direction of the battery, and the second direction can be the width direction of the battery; the first and second directions define the horizontal direction.

[0045] In one optional embodiment, the gate-cutting device 122 includes a gate 1221 and an execution module 1222. The execution module 1222 drives the gate 1221 to reciprocate in the thickness direction of the battery to remove the upper cover of the battery. In specific applications, the execution module 1222 can be, for example, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a linear motion module.

[0046] In some optional embodiments, the core extraction line 10 further includes a loading station 11, a core-shell separation station 13, and a cell extraction station 14.

[0047] The loading station 11 is located upstream of the upper end cover cutting station 12 in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line. The shell and core separation station 13 and the cell removal station 14 are located downstream of the upper end cover cutting station 12 in the conveying direction and are arranged in sequence.

[0048] The core separation station 13 separates part of the battery cell from the battery casing after the top cover is removed, and the cell removal station 14 is used to completely remove the battery cell from the battery casing.

[0049] Specifically, the loading station 11 is used to handle incoming materials. In an optional embodiment, the loading station 11 is a gripper handling mechanism to move the battery to the required position.

[0050] The core-shell separation station 13 partially separates the battery cell 92 from the outer casing 91 within the battery 90 (which does not have an upper cover 93). This separation is not complete; some cells remain inside the casing 91. In an optional embodiment, the core-shell separation station 13 can rotate the battery 90 to a vertical position (with the opening at the upper cover facing downwards) and reciprocate vertically to separate the battery cell 92 under the influence of gravity and inertia. During this reciprocating vertical motion, the distance between the battery 90 and the lower fixed baffle is controlled to regulate the degree of separation of the battery cell 92 from the casing 91, preventing the battery cell 92 from detaching completely at once and ensuring its safety. It should be noted that the vertical direction is perpendicular to the horizontal direction. In practical applications, a robotic arm can rotate the battery 90 and drive it in a vertical reciprocating motion.

[0051] The cell removal station 14 is used to completely separate the cell from the housing. In an optional embodiment, the cell removal station 14 is provided with grippers that can grasp the portion of the cell 92 extending out of the housing 91 to completely remove the cell 92.

[0052] In this embodiment, the removal of the battery cell 92 is carried out in multiple stages. First, the battery cell is partially detached by gravity and inertia. The battery cell 92 is safely separated from the outer casing 91 without the need for a complex mechanism. This method is simple and low-cost. Then, the battery cell is completely separated by grippers. The entire process of removing the battery cell 92 is safe and reliable.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a portion of a cell cutting process line 20 provided according to one embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 5 The battery recycling production line also includes a cell cutting process line 20, which is located downstream of the cell extraction process line 10 in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line.

[0054] The cell cutting process line 20 includes a cutting station 22 and a cell drying station 23 arranged sequentially along the conveying direction. The cutting station 22 is used to cut the cells 92 taken from the battery 90 into multiple pieces, and the cell drying station 23 is used to evaporate the electrolyte.

[0055] Specifically, the cell cutting process line 20 is used to cut the removed battery cells 92 into blocks and dry them for subsequent processes. The cutting operation is performed at the cutting station 22. In one embodiment, the cutting station 22 is equipped with a grid-shaped cutting device using grid-shaped cutting blades. In practical applications, this grid-shaped cutting device can cut the battery cells 92 into 3cm x 5cm cubes.

[0056] After the battery cells are cut into blocks, they are easier to sort in subsequent processes. Furthermore, the gate-cutting method can reduce dust and improve safety. The use of grid-shaped gate-cutting blades can improve gate-cutting efficiency.

[0057] Understandably, the battery cell blocks are transported to the battery cell drying station 23 to obtain dried battery cell blocks.

[0058] In one optional embodiment, the cell drying station 23 is equipped with an infrared drying device to dry the diced cells 92 and accelerate the evaporation of residual electrolyte. Compared with the existing kiln drying method, the infrared device has lower energy consumption, higher equipment safety, and can obtain electrolyte with higher purity.

[0059] It should be noted that cutting the 92 battery cells into pieces before drying can greatly improve drying efficiency, thereby increasing the pace of the entire production line.

[0060] In some optional embodiments, the cell cutting process line 20 further includes a cell gripping station 21 located upstream of the cell cutting station 22, for transporting the cells to a conveyor belt for delivery to the cell cutting station 22. In specific applications, the cell gripping station 21 may be a gripper transport mechanism.

[0061] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an electrolyte recovery process line 30 according to one embodiment of this application. (See attached diagram) Figure 6 The battery recycling line also includes an electrolyte recycling process line 30, which is located downstream of the cell cutting process line 20 and is used to separate the electrolyte.

[0062] Specifically, the electrolyte recovery process line 30 can recover the electrolyte gas volatilized during the process of cutting the top cover and cutting the battery cell. For example, the electrolyte recovery process line 30 can condense the gaseous electrolyte into a liquid state for recovery.

[0063] In a further optional embodiment, the electrolyte recovery process line 30 includes a condensation station 31, a gas-liquid separation station 32, and an electrolyte storage station 33, which are arranged sequentially in the direction of electrolyte flow.

[0064] The electrolyte gas that evaporates at the cell drying station 23 first enters the condensation station 31 to condense the gaseous electrolyte and obtain liquid electrolyte.

[0065] The condensed gas-liquid mixture flows into the gas-liquid separation station 32, where the liquid electrolyte is separated and flows into the electrolyte storage station 33 for storage.

[0066] In one optional embodiment, the condensation station 31 is equipped with a heat exchanger to cool and condense the electrolyte gas. The gas-liquid separation station 32 is equipped with a gas-liquid separator, and the electrolyte storage station 33 is equipped with a storage tank. In a further optional embodiment, the electrolyte recovery process line 30 is equipped with a check valve 34, which is located upstream of the condensation station 31 to prevent backflow of gaseous electrolyte.

[0067] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a by-product processing line 80 according to one embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 7 The by-product process line 80 is located downstream of the core extraction process line 10 and is used to process the top cover 93 and casing 91 of the batteries flowing out of the core extraction process line 10.

[0068] As mentioned above, after passing through the core extraction process line 10, the battery 90 separates the casing 91, the battery cell 92, and the upper cover 93. The battery cell 92 flows into the battery cell cutting process line 20, while the casing 91 and the upper cover 93 flow into the by-product process line 80. The by-product process line 80 is used to recycle the casing 91 and the upper cover 93.

[0069] In a further optional embodiment, the by-product process line 80 includes a collection hopper 81, a cleaning station 82, a hot drying station 83, and a briquetting station 84 arranged sequentially in the conveying direction of the upper end cover and the housing.

[0070] In this embodiment, the collecting hopper 81 is used to collect the outer shell 91 and the upper cover 93, and can control the speed at which the outer shell 91 and the upper cover 93 flow into the downstream station.

[0071] In practical applications, a feed belt 85 is provided downstream of the collecting hopper 81 to transport the outer casing 91 and the upper cover 93 to the cleaning station 82. The collecting hopper 81 is equipped with an upper baffle valve 811 and a lower baffle valve 812. The upper baffle valve 811 is located at the upper inlet of the collecting hopper 81, and the lower baffle valve 812 is located at the lower outlet of the collecting hopper 81. The upper baffle valve 811 controls the feeding speed, and the lower baffle valve 812 controls the discharging speed.

[0072] The cleaning station 82 is used to clean the outer casing 91 and the upper cover 93. In specific applications, the cleaning station 82 is equipped with an ultrasonic cleaning tank, which uses ultrasound to remove impurities from the incoming material. Furthermore, this ultrasonic cleaning tank is connected to a screen flipping mechanism to flip the cleaned material and place it onto the conveyor belt of the hot drying station 83.

[0073] The hot drying station 83 includes multiple hot drying ducts 831 and a hot air box 832. The hot drying ducts 831 provide high-speed hot air to evaporate moisture. The conveyor belt of the hot drying station 83 passes through the hot air box 832, which insulates the drying system and enhances airflow. In practical applications, the conveyor belt in the hot drying station 83 has fine holes to facilitate moisture outflow, and the upstream end of the conveyor belt has a tidying mechanism to neatly arrange scattered materials before they flow into the hot air box 832, facilitating moisture drying.

[0074] The conveyor belt of the hot drying station 83 transports the dried material to the briquetting station 84. The briquetting station 84 is equipped with extrusion equipment, which can be, for example, a hydraulic press. The die head driven by the oil cylinder extrudes the outer shell 91 and the upper end cover 93 into blocks. In specific applications, the outer shell 91 and the upper end cover 93 are generally made of aluminum, that is, aluminum blocks are obtained after passing through the briquetting station 84, realizing the recycling of aluminum materials.

[0075] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a battery recycling production line according to one embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 8 The battery recycling line also includes an environmental protection process line 40, which is connected to the core extraction process line 10, the cell cutting process line 20, and the electrolyte recycling process line 30. The environmental protection process line 40 includes a dust removal station 41, an exhaust gas absorption station 42, and an exhaust gas filtration station 43 connected in sequence.

[0076] It should be understood that both the core extraction line 10 and the cell cutting line 20 employ a switching process, and the electrolyte recovery line 30 performs a drying process and a gas-liquid separation process. These processes all involve electrolyte and inevitably generate waste gas. The environmental protection line 40 can treat the waste gas generated by these processes to ensure that environmental standards are met.

[0077] Specifically, the exhaust gas generated from the cutting of the upper cover 93 of the battery 90, the cutting of the battery cell, and the infrared drying can enter the dust removal station 41 to remove large particles, then pass through the exhaust gas absorption station 42 to absorb the volatile electrolyte, and finally pass through the exhaust gas filtration station 43 for fine filtration.

[0078] Combination Figure 6 In the electrolyte recovery process line 30, the gas-liquid separation station 32 is connected to the waste gas absorption station 42. The liquid phase separated by the gas-liquid separation station 32 is the electrolyte, which flows to the electrolyte storage station 33. The separated waste gas is the electrolyte decomposition product during the drying process, which enters the waste gas absorption station 42 and is absorbed.

[0079] In one optional embodiment, the dust removal station 41 is equipped with a bag filter, the exhaust gas absorption station 42 is equipped with an alkaline spray device, and the exhaust gas filtration station 43 is equipped with an activated carbon adsorption device.

[0080] In some optional embodiments, the battery recycling line also includes a discharge process line 50, a material transfer process line 60, and a crushing and sorting process line 70. The discharge process line 50 is located upstream of the core extraction process line 10 in the conveying direction of the battery recycling line, and the material transfer process line 60 and the crushing and sorting process line 70 are located downstream of the cell cutting process line 20 in the conveying direction.

[0081] The discharge process line 50 is used to discharge the battery, and the material transfer process line 60 is used to transport the dried battery cell blocks to the crushing and sorting process line 70. The crushing and sorting process line 70 is used to crush the battery cell blocks and screen out battery powder, copper and aluminum particles and separators.

[0082] In this embodiment, the discharge process line 50 is the upstream of the battery recycling production line, used to discharge the incoming batteries to ensure the safety of subsequent processes.

[0083] In one optional embodiment, the discharge process line 50 includes a physical discharge station 51 and an offline inspection station 52. The physical discharge station 51 is equipped with a physical discharge device, on which the battery 90 is placed for physical discharge to reduce the internal energy of the battery and ensure the safety of subsequent processes. The offline inspection station 52 is equipped with a voltage detection device for detecting the discharged battery 90.

[0084] For example, the physical discharge station 51 sets the discharge cutoff voltage to ≤1V. If the offline detection station 52 determines that the voltage of the battery 90 is ≤1V, the battery 90 is sent to the next process. If the offline detection station 52 determines that the voltage of the battery 90 is >1V, the battery 90 is allowed to continue to discharge.

[0085] The material transfer line 60 is located downstream of the cell cutting line 20, specifically downstream of the cell drying station 23 within the cell cutting line 20. The crushing and sorting line 70 is located downstream of the material transfer line 60. In other words, the material transfer line 60 transfers the cell blocks from the cell cutting line 20 to the crushing and sorting line for crushing and screening.

[0086] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a material transfer line 60 and a crushing and sorting line 70 provided according to one embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 9 In one optional embodiment, the material transfer line 60 includes at least an AGV transfer vehicle 61, an automatic hoisting device 62, and a receiving tool 63. Specifically, battery cells can flow into the receiving tool 63 via a conveyor belt, and then be transferred to the automatic hoisting device 62 via the AGV transfer vehicle 61. The automatic hoisting device 62 then transfers the receiving tool 63 containing the battery cells to the crushing and sorting line 70. In specific applications, the automatic hoisting device 62 includes, for example, an overhead crane or a gantry crane. The receiving tool 63 can be a box of a certain capacity.

[0087] In one optional embodiment, the crushing and sorting process line 70 includes at least a transfer hopper 71 and a crusher 72. A conveyor line is provided between the transfer hopper 71 and the crusher 72 to transport materials. The transfer hopper 71 collects materials transported by the automatic hoisting equipment 62, and the materials flowing out of the transfer hopper 71 are fed into the crusher 72 via the conveyor line.

[0088] In practical applications, the crushing and sorting line 70 adopts a three-crushing and three-screening mode to separate battery powder, copper and aluminum particles and separators.

[0089] See Figure 8 The battery recycling production line can be divided into a raw material processing section, a by-product processing section, and a tail gas treatment section. The by-product processing section corresponds to by-product processing line 80, and the tail gas treatment section corresponds to environmental protection processing line 40. The raw material processing section includes: (1) The discharge process line 50 includes a physical discharge station 51 and an offline inspection station 52 to discharge the battery and ensure that the battery voltage meets safety requirements before entering the circuit breaker.

[0090] (2) Core removal process line 10 includes a material loading station 11, an upper end cover cutting station 12, a shell and core separation station 13 and a core removal station 14. The upper end cover 93 is removed by cutting, and the shell 91 and the core 92 are separated.

[0091] (3) The cell cutting process line 20 includes a cell cutting station 22 and a cell drying station 23 to cut the cell 92 into blocks and dry the cell blocks.

[0092] (4) Electrolyte recovery process line 30 includes condensation station 31, gas-liquid separation station 32 and electrolyte storage station 33. First, the electrolyte that evaporates during the drying process is condensed into liquid, and then gas-liquid separation is performed to recover and store the liquid electrolyte.

[0093] (5) Transfer process line 60, including AGV transfer vehicle 61, realizes the automation of transferring battery cells to the next process.

[0094] (6) Crushing and sorting process line 70, including crusher 72, to crush and screen battery cells to separate battery powder, copper and aluminum particles and separator.

[0095] In summary, this battery recycling line cuts off the upper end cover 93 of the battery 90 while retaining the lower end cover, then separates the battery cell and recovers the electrolyte. Furthermore, the cutting process also uses a cutting method, which generates less dust, reduces the mixing of dust with the flowing electrolyte, improves the recycling quality of the flowing electrolyte, and retains the lower end cover to obtain a more complete outer casing 91 and battery cell 92, avoiding battery cell loss caused by cutting off the lower end cover.

[0096] Secondly, the refined dismantling process recovers the casing, battery cells, and electrolyte. The casing recycling utilizes ultrasonic cleaning and hot air drying, enhancing the recycling value of the aluminum casing. Battery cell cutting and drying improve the safety of subsequent crushing processes and recovers the electrolyte volatilized during drying. Automated handling equipment provides high efficiency and saves costs.

[0097] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A battery recycling line, characterized in that, The process includes a core extraction line (10), which includes an upper end cap gate cutting station (12). The upper cover cutting station (12) includes a positioning mechanism (121), a cutting device (122), and a collection tank (123). The positioning mechanism (121) is used to fix the battery, the cutting device (122) is used to remove the upper cover of the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism (121), and the collection tank (123) is located below the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism (121) to collect the electrolyte flowing out after the upper cover is cut off.

2. The battery recycling line of claim 1, wherein, The positioning mechanism (121) includes a first linear motion unit (1211) and a second linear motion unit (1212) arranged opposite each other in a first direction, as well as a third linear motion unit (1213) and a fourth linear motion unit (1214) arranged opposite each other in a second direction. For the battery fixed by the positioning mechanism (121), the first linear motion unit (1211) and the second linear motion unit (1212) are located on both sides of the battery in the first direction, and the third linear motion unit (1213) and the fourth linear motion unit (1214) are located on both sides of the battery in the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

3. The battery recycling production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The core extraction process line (10) also includes a loading station (11), a shell-core separation station (13), and a cell extraction station (14). The loading station (11) is located upstream of the upper end cap cutting station (12) in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line, and the shell core separation station (13) and the cell removal station (14) are located downstream of the upper end cap cutting station (12) in the conveying direction and are arranged in sequence. The core separation station (13) separates part of the battery cell from the battery casing after the top cover is removed, and the cell removal station (14) is used to completely remove the battery cell from the battery casing.

4. The battery recycling production line according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a cell cutting process line (20), which is located downstream of the cell extraction process line (10) in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line; The cell cutting process line (20) includes a cutting station (22) and a cell drying station (23) arranged sequentially along the conveying direction. The cutting station (22) is used to cut the cells taken from the battery into multiple pieces, and the cell drying station (23) is used to evaporate the electrolyte.

5. The battery recycling production line according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an electrolyte recycling process line (30), which is located downstream of the cell cutting process line (20) and is used to separate the electrolyte.

6. The battery recycling production line according to claim 5, characterized in that, The electrolyte recovery process line (30) includes a condensation station (31), a gas-liquid separation station (32), and an electrolyte storage station (33), which are arranged sequentially in the direction of electrolyte flow.

7. The battery recycling production line according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes an environmental protection process line (40), which is connected to the core extraction process line (10), the cell cutting process line (20) and the electrolyte recycling process line (30); The environmental protection process line (40) includes a dust removal station (41), a waste gas absorption station (42), and a waste gas filtration station (43) connected in sequence.

8. The battery recycling production line according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a discharge process line (50), a material transfer process line (60), and a crushing and sorting process line (70). The discharge process line (50) is located upstream of the core extraction process line (10) in the conveying direction of the battery recycling production line. The material transfer process line (60) and the crushing and sorting process line (70) are located downstream of the cell cutting process line (20) in the conveying direction. The discharge process line (50) is used to discharge the battery, the material transfer process line (60) is used to transport the dried battery cell block to the crushing and sorting process line (70), and the crushing and sorting process line (70) is used to crush the battery cell block and screen out battery powder, copper and aluminum particles and separator.

9. The battery recycling production line according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes a by-product process line (80), which is located downstream of the core extraction process line (10) and is used to process the top cap and casing of the battery that flows out via the core extraction process line (10).

10. The battery recycling production line according to claim 9, characterized in that, The by-product process line (80) includes a collection hopper (81), a cleaning station (82), a hot drying station (83), and a briquetting station (84) arranged sequentially in the conveying direction of the upper end cover and the outer shell.

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