Device for marking battery pouch cells for cutting for disassembly

Abstract

A pouch cell marking device facilitates reliably accurate and precise placement of marks used as guides for cutting of pouch cells for disassembly that reduces the chances of inaccurate placement of such marks compared to determining the placement of such marks by manual measurements. The device includes a surface for receiving a pouch cell and a plurality of securement mechanisms. The securement mechanisms are designed and configured to hold a pouch cell in place on the surface of the device in a fixed position while the pouch cell is marked for cutting. A plurality of cutting mark guide members are configured to contact the pouch cell while the pouch cell is secured to the device and provide a guide for placement of the cutting marks. The cutting mark guide members may be attached to and move together with respective securement mechanisms to increase efficiency.

Description

DEVICE FOR MARKING BATTERY POUCH CELLS FOR CUTTING FOR DISASSEMBLYRELATED APPLICATION DATA

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 552,849, filed February 13, 2024, and titled “Device for Marking Battery Pouch Cells for Cutting for Disassembly”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of electrochemical batteries. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a device for marking battery pouch cells for cutting for disassembly.BACKGROUND

[0003] In order to disassemble a battery pouch cell, it is often desirable to place markings on the pouch cell to indicate points (such as marking points 12a-12d, indicated by crosses in FIG. 1A, on a pouch cell 10) on the pouch cell surface that can then be used as guides for cutting the outer film of the pouch. Current techniques typically involve making manual measurements on the pouch cell with a ruler to locate the points to be marked and marking the pouch cell with a pen or marker based on those manual measurements. A camera associated with a cutting device recognizes the marked points and cuts along lines between the marks (as indicated by lines 14 (e.g., 14a, 14b) indicated in FIG. IB). Therefore, the positions of the marked points determine the accuracy of the cuts made through the pouch cell.

[0004] This technique can result in inaccurate cutting of pouch cells if the marked points are not positioned properly. For example, if for a given pouch cell the marked points should be 16 mm from each side edge and 108 mm from the bottom (or proximal) edge, any significant deviation from those distances will result in an improper cutting. If the marked points are more than the desired distance (e.g., more than 16 mm) from the side edge and / or less than the desired distance (e.g., 108 mm) from the bottom edge, as shown for the mark 13a indicated by the large cross shown in FIG. 1 C, it may result in a cutting in which the lithium and positive electrode in the cell are cut, which can cause a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes in the cell inner, which may lead to thermal runaway. If the marked points are less than the desired distance (e.g., 16 mm) from the side edge, as shown for the mark 13b indicated by the large cross shown in FIG. ID, the pouch cell’s outer aluminum film will not be cut properly, e.g., the outer aluminum film will not be completely cut off.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for reliably accurate placement of marking points on a pouch cell to be cut for disassembly based on those marking points.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] A device for marking a battery pouch cell for disassembly includes a surface sized and configured to receive a pouch cell. A plurality of securement mechanisms are attached to the device, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is positioned and configured to secure the battery pouch cell to the surface. A plurality of cutting mark guide members each of which is configured to contact the pouch cell in a selected location on the pouch cell when the pouch cell is secured to the surface by the plurality of securement mechanisms.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of cutting mark guide members is attached to a respective one of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes an open position and a closed position and wherein, when the pouch cell is secured to the surface by the plurality of securement mechanisms each in the closed position, each of the plurality of cutting mark guide members contacts the pouch cell in the selected location on the pouch cell.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, one or more positioning fixtures are included along an edge of the surface and extending above the surface, wherein the one or more positioning fixtures are configured to engage an edge of the pouch cell that is opposite a long cut edge of the pouch cell.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, one or more side positioning fixtures are included along a side edge of the surface and extending above the surface, wherein the side edge is adjacent to the edge of the surface and the one or more side positioning fixtures are configured to engage a side edge of the pouch cell.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more positioning fixtures is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more side positioning fixtures is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is a hinge clamp.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, the surface, portions of the plurality of securement mechanisms designed to contact the pouch cell, and portions of the plurality of cutting mark guide members designed to contact the pouch cell are made of electrically insulating material.

[0016] A method for marking a pouch cell for cutting for disassembly is disclosed that includes placing the pouch cell on a surface, securing the pouch cell to the surface via a plurality of securement mechanisms, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes a cutting mark guide member that contacts the pouch cell at a selected location, and applying a plurality of cutting marks on the pouch cell, wherein each of the plurality of cutting marks is positioned based on the selected location of a respective cutting mark guide member.

[0017] In another embodiment, an apparatus for marking battery pouch cells for cutting for disassembly is disclosed that includes a surface sized and configured to receive a pouch cell and having a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a distal edge, and a proximal edge, a first pouch cell alignment member at the first side edge extending upward from the surface, a second pouch cell alignment member at the second side edge extending upward from the surface, a third pouch cell alignment member at the proximal edge extending upward from the surface, and a plurality of securement mechanisms attached to the apparatus. Each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has an open position and a closed position, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes an attached cutting mark guide member, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is configured to secure the pouch cell to the surface when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position, and wherein each respective cutting mark guide member of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is configured to be in contact with the pouch cell when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position such that each of the cutting mark guide members are positioned to provide a guide for applying cutting marks at respective selected locations on the pouch cell.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes a hinge.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, a first pair of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is attached to the apparatus along the distal edge and a second pair of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is attached along the proximal edge.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, the surface is an electrically insulating material.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is adjustable vertically with respect to the surface to accommodate pouch cells having a thickness of 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, the first pouch cell alignment member, the second pouch cell alignment member, and the third pouch cell alignment member are each adjustable horizontally with respect to the surface.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of securement mechanisms each include a slot hole configured to allow for adjustment of a position of the securement member along a direction with respect to the surface.

[0024] In another aspect, a method for marking a pouch cell for cutting for disassembly includes placing the pouch cell on a surface, wherein the surface includes a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a distal edge, a proximal edge, a first pouch cell alignment member at the first side edge extending upward from the surface, a second pouch cell alignment member at the second side edge extending upward from the surface, and a third pouch cell alignment member at the proximal edge extending upward from the surface, then aligning the pouch cell on the surface such that a first edge of the pouch cell is in contact with the first pouch cell alignment member, a proximal edge of the pouch cell is in contact with the third pouch cell alignment member, and a second edge of the pouch cell is not in contact with the second pouch cell alignment member, securing the pouch cell to the surface via a plurality of securement mechanisms, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has an open position and a closed position, and wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has a cutting mark guide member that contacts the pouch cell at a preselected location when a respective one of the plurality of securement mechanisms is in the closed position, and applying a plurality of cutting marks on the pouch cell based on the location of respective cutting markguide members when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, a position of the first pouch cell alignment member, the second pouch cell alignment member, or the third pouch cell alignment member is adjusted prior to aligning the pouch cell on the surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] For the purpose of illustrating the disclosed embodiments, the drawings show aspects thereof. It is to be understood, however, that the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:FIGS. 1A-1D (prior art) depict battery pouch cells with markings for cutting;FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pouch cell marking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of the pouch cell marking device of FIG. 2 with a pouch cell on the receiving surface;FIG. 3B is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 3A showing positioning fixtures and securement mechanisms;FIG. 3C is a detail view of another portion of FIG. 3A showing positioning fixtures and securement mechanisms;FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pouch cell marking device of FIG. 2 with a pouch cell on the receiving surface and securement mechanisms engaged;FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pouch cell marking device of FIG. 2 with a pouch cell on the receiving surface and marking pens in place;FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the pouch cell marking device of FIG. 2 with the pouch cell marked;FIG. 6B is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 6A showing dimension indicators;FIGS. 6C-6E are detail views of FIG. 6A showing marks on the pouch cell in relation to the dimension indicators;FIG. 7 is a detail view of a securement mechanism of the pouch cell marking device;FIG. 8 is a detail view of an adjustment mechanism for the securement mechanism;FIG. 9 is a detail view of an adjustment mechanism for modifying the position of a positioning fixture of a pouch cell marking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; andFIG. 10 is a process diagram providing an overview of the marking process for marking a pouch cell using a pouch cell marking device of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A device of the present disclosure facilitates reliably accurate and precise placement of marks used as guides for cutting of pouch cells for disassembly that reduces the chances of inaccurate placement of such marks compared to determining the placement of such marks by manual measurements.

[0028] In an embodiment, a pouch cell marking device 100 includes a receiving surface 104 for receiving a pouch cell and a plurality of securement mechanisms 108 (e.g., 108a-108d), such as one near each comer of the device 100 as shown in FIG. 2. The securement mechanisms 108 are designed and configured to hold a pouch cell on the surface 104 of the device 100 while the pouch cell is marked for cutting. A plurality of cutting mark guide members 112 (e.g., 112a, 112b) are configured to contact the pouch cell while the pouch cell is secured to the device. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting mark guide members 112 may be attached to and move together with respective securement mechanisms 108 to increase efficiency of marking.

[0029] The device 100 may be adjustable in order to accommodate pouch cells of various sizes and any parts that will be in contact with the pouch cell during intended use of the device are preferably made of electrically insulating material, such as fiberglass, to prevent short circuits from occurring in the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the device will include one or two indentations along edges of the surface to facilitate the loading and removal of the pouch cell to be marked.

[0030] With the securement mechanisms 108 in open configurations, a pouch cell 10 to be marked is placed on the pouch receiving surface 104 with the side of the pouch to be marked facing up as shown in FIG. 3A. One of the side edges of the pouch cell 10 is placed in contact with one or more long edge positioning fixtures 120 (e.g., 120a, 120b) on a bottom edge of the device as can be seen in FIG. 3A. A small gap, e.g., a 0.5mm-l mm gap, may be maintained between the other, opposite, side edge of the pouch cell 10 and one or more short edge positioning fixtures 116 (e.g., 116a-l 16d) (or indicators) on the sides of the device 100 adjacentto the side with the positioning fixtures 120 as can be seen in FIG. 3C. The bottom edge of the pouch cell, i.e., the edge opposite of the top edge (the top edge of the pouch cell is the edge where the long cut is to be made), is positioned in contact with the one or more long edge positioning fixtures 120 along the bottom edge of the device as can be seen in FIGS. 3A-3C. This alignment, or similar alignments that allow for pouch cells to be reliably placed in the same position relative to the receiving surface 104 of the device, ensure that the pouch cell is properly positioned in the device and will not readily shift during the marking process.

[0031] Once the pouch cell 10 is positioned and aligned in the device 100 in this manner, the securement mechanisms 108 are changed from the open configuration (as shown in FIG. 3 A) to the closed configuration (as shown in FIG. 4). The securement mechanisms 108 may be any suitable mechanisms, including a hinge type clamp (as shown in FIG. 7), and as noted may preferably include a cutting mark guide member 112 that, when the securement mechanism 108 is closed on the pouch cell, rests on the surface of the pouch cell to act as a guide for placing cutting marks on the pouch cell.

[0032] Because the pouch cell is aligned on the device as described above and the securement mechanisms 108 are fixed with respect to the device, the marking guide members 112 will be located, for each pouch cell loaded and secured, in the same positions relative to the pouch cell and each other when the securement mechanisms 108 are in the closed position and are securing the pouch cell. Further, the securement mechanisms 108 as well as their respective cutting mark guide members 112 are configured such that these positions correspond to positions on the pouch cell where cutting marks should be made to provide marks for appropriate cuts for disassembly of the pouch cell. Alternatively, the cutting mark guide members 112 may be separate from the securement mechanisms 108 but are still in a fixed position with respect to the receiving surface 104 of device 100, albeit movable from an engaged to a disengaged position with respect to a pouch cell secured on the device, so that marks made based on the cutting mark guide members will be reliably accurate.

[0033] In FIG. 5, with the securement mechanisms 108 in the closed position securing the pouch cell, a marking pen 124 (e.g., 124a-124d) or other suitable instrument is aligned, either manually or automatically, along each of the cutting mark guide members 112 and cutting marks 128 (e.g., 128a-128d in FIG. 6A) are made on the pouch cell at the selected locations (that is, based on the position of the cutting mark guide members 112 on the device and theirconfigurations). The device may also include dimension lines (e.g., 132a-132c and 134a-134b as shown in FIGS. 6B-6E) to provide another accuracy check during marking.

[0034] Once the marking is completed, the securement mechanisms are switched to the open configurations (as shown in FIG. 6A) and the marked pouch cell is removed from the device, at which point cutting lines may be made based on the cutting marks for cutting for disassembly.

[0035] As noted above, the device 100 is preferably adjustable to accommodate different sized pouch cells, and in particular, different thicknesses of pouch cells, which may be any thickness, including for example, 5 mm, 6 mm, and 7 mm thicknesses. For pouch cells of different thicknesses, the securement mechanisms 108 are adjustable and may be adjustable in three directions. These adjustments can be made at each of the securement mechanisms 108, which, when the cutting mark guide members 112 are attached to the securement mechanisms 108, allows the respective cutting mark guide members 112 to be set at desired positions with respect to a secured pouch cell so that the cutting mark positions made on a pouch cell can be selected within a certain range by a user. These adjustments may be made by any suitable mechanism including, for example, by adding or removing shims. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a first slot hole 136 and a second slot hole 138 may be used for height adjustment of a securement mechanism 108 to accommodate pouch cells of different thicknesses. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a third slot hole 139 may be used for adjustments in the horizontal direction. Adjustments may also be made for accommodating the area of the pouch cell by modifying the position of the positioning fixtures 116 around the receiving surface. The positioning fixtures 116 may be adjusted via slot holes (e.g., a fourth slot hole 140 for adjusting the position of positioning fixture 116d as shown in FIG. 9) to allow for such modifications.

[0036] Turning to FIG. 10, an overview of the marking process is provided in which first the size of the pouch cell to be disassembled is determined. If the marking device requires adjustment based on the size of the pouch cell, the marking device is adjusted accordingly by adjusting the positioning of the securement mechanisms and / or positioning fixtures as described above. Next, the pouch cell is placed on the receiving surface of the marking device with the side to be marked for cutting facing up. The pouch cell is aligned on the marking device according to the alignment protocol, such as placing edges flush with alignment members as described above. The aligned pouch cell is secured to the marking device by engaging one or more securement mechanisms and the cutting mark guides are engaged with the pouch cell. Marks are then applied to the pouch cell per the cutting mark guides, at which point the cuttingmark guides and the securement mechanisms are disengaged and the marked pouch cell is removed from the marking device for cutting for disassembly.

[0037] The term “about,” when used with a corresponding numeric value refers to ±20% of the numeric value, typically ±10% of the numeric value, often ±5% of the numeric value, and most often ±2% of the numeric value. In some embodiments, the term “about” can be taken as exactly indicating the actual numerical value.

[0038] Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and / or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for marking a battery pouch cell for disassembly comprising: a surface sized and configured to receive a pouch cell; a plurality of securement mechanisms attached to the device, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is positioned and configured to secure the battery pouch cell to the surface; and a plurality of cutting mark guide members, wherein each of the plurality of cutting mark guide members is configured to contact the pouch cell in a selected location on the pouch cell when the pouch cell is secured to the surface by the plurality of securement mechanisms.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cutting mark guide members is attached to a respective one of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes an open position and a closed position and wherein, when the pouch cell is secured to the surface by the plurality of securement mechanisms each in the closed position, each of the plurality of cutting mark guide members contacts the pouch cell in the selected location on the pouch cell.

4. The device of claim 1, further including one or more positioning fixtures along an edge of the surface and extending above the surface, wherein the one or more positioning fixtures are configured to engage an edge of the pouch cell that is opposite a long cut edge of the pouch cell.

5. The device of claim 4, further including one or more side positioning fixtures along a side edge of the surface and extending above the surface, wherein the side edge is adjacent to the edge of the surface and the one or more side positioning fixtures are configured to engage a side edge of the pouch cell.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the one or more positioning fixtures is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the one or more side positioning fixtures is adjustable in position with respect to the surface.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is a hinge clamp.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface, portions of the plurality of securement mechanisms designed to contact the pouch cell, and portions of the plurality of cutting mark guide members designed to contact the pouch cell are made of electrically insulating material.

11. A method for marking a pouch cell for cutting for disassembly comprising: placing the pouch cell on a surface; securing the pouch cell to the surface via a plurality of securement mechanisms, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes a cutting mark guide member that contacts the pouch cell at a selected location; and applying a plurality of cutting marks on the pouch cell, wherein each of the plurality of cutting marks is positioned based on the selected location of a respective cutting mark guide member.

12. An apparatus for marking battery pouch cells for cutting for disassembly, the apparatus comprising: a surface sized and configured to receive a pouch cell and having a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a distal edge, and a proximal edge; a first pouch cell alignment member at the first side edge extending upward from the surface; a second pouch cell alignment member at the second side edge extending upward from the surface; a third pouch cell alignment member at the proximal edge extending upward from the surface; and a plurality of securement mechanisms attached to the apparatus, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has an open position and a closed position, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes an attached cutting mark guide member, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is configured to secure the pouch cell to the surface when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position, and wherein each respective cutting mark guide member of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is configured to be in contact with the pouch cell when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position such that each of the cutting mark guide members are positioned to provide a guide for applying cutting marks at respective selected locations on the pouch cell.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms includes a hinge.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a first pair of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is attached to the apparatus along the distal edge and a second pair of each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is attached along the proximal edge.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surface is an electrically insulating material.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms is adjustable vertically with respect to the surface to accommodate pouch cells having a thickness of 5 mm, 6 mm, or 7 mm.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first pouch cell alignment member, the second pouch cell alignment member, and the third pouch cell alignment member are each adjustable horizontally with respect to the surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of securement mechanisms each include a slot hole configured to allow for adjustment of a position of the securement member along a direction with respect to the surface.

19. A method for marking a pouch cell for cutting for disassembly comprising: placing the pouch cell on a surface, wherein the surface includes a first side edge, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a distal edge, a proximal edge, a first pouch cell alignment member at the first side edge extending upward from the surface, a second pouch cell alignment member at the second side edge extending upward from the surface, and a third pouch cell alignment member at the proximal edge extending upward from the surface; aligning the pouch cell on the surface such that a first edge of the pouch cell is in contact with the first pouch cell alignment member, a proximal edge of the pouch cell is in contact with the third pouch cell alignment member, and a second edge of the pouch cell is not in contact with the second pouch cell alignment member; securing the pouch cell to the surface via a plurality of securement mechanisms, wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has an open position and a closed position, and wherein each of the plurality of securement mechanisms has a cutting mark guide member that contacts the pouch cell at a preselected location when a respective one of the plurality of securement mechanisms is in the closed position; andapplying a plurality of cutting marks on the pouch cell based on the location of respective cutting mark guide members when the pouch cell is on the surface and the plurality of securement mechanisms are in the closed position.

20. The method of claim 19, further including adjusting a position of the first pouch cell alignment member, the second pouch cell alignment member, or the third pouch cell alignment member prior to aligning the pouch cell on the surface.

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