Dismantling device and dismantling method

Abstract

A dismantling device 1 dismantles a wound body 100 comprising a laminated body that is wound in the longitudinal direction, the laminated body having a plurality of belt-shaped bodies including an electrode plate and a separator laminated therein. The dismantling device 1 comprises: a stage 2 on which the wound body 100 is placed; an unfolding portion 6 for unfolding a winding-finish end of the wound body 100 on the stage 2; a securing portion 8 for securing the winding-finish end side of the wound body 100; and a peeling tool drive portion 16 for inserting a peeling tool 46 between the belt-shaped outermost layer and the belt-shaped second and subsequent layers, and moving the peeling tool 46 in a direction away from the winding-finish end.

Description

Dismantling device and dismantling method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device and method for dismantling a wound body.

[0002] Conventionally, batteries have been known in which a wound assembly, in which positive and negative electrode plates are stacked with a separator sandwiched therebetween and wound, is housed in an outer can. Patent Document 1 describes a wound assembly disassembly device for such a wound assembly. This disassembly device unwinds the wound assembly, separates the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator components, and winds each component individually. This allows the materials of each component to be efficiently separated, recovered, and reused.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-165136

[0004] In the disassembly device of Patent Document 1, a conveying path, a clamp roller, a guide roller, a take-up roller, an end detection sensor, etc. are provided for each of the positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate, and separator. For this reason, the conventional disassembly device has a large number of parts and a complex structure.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a technique for assisting in the dismantling of a wound body with a simpler device structure.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a device for dismantling a wound body, which is a laminate formed by stacking a plurality of strips including electrode plates and separators and wound in the longitudinal direction. The dismantling device includes a stage on which the wound body is placed, an unfolding unit that unfolds the end of the wound body on the stage, a fixing unit that fixes the unfolded end of the wound body, and a peeling tool drive unit that inserts a peeling tool between the outermost strip and the second and subsequent strips and moves the peeling tool in a direction away from the end of the wound body.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for dismantling a wound body in which a laminate of a plurality of strips, each including an electrode plate and a separator, is wound in the longitudinal direction, the dismantling method including placing the wound body on a stage, unfolding a winding end of the wound body on the stage, fixing the unfolded winding end side of the wound body, inserting a peeling tool between the outermost strip and the second or subsequent strips, and moving the peeling tool in a direction away from the winding end.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the expression of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to assist in dismantling a wound body with a simpler device structure.

[0010] FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view of a wound body. FIG. 1(B) is an exploded perspective view of a wound body. FIG. 1(B) is a perspective view of a dismantling device as seen from the front left. FIG. 1(C) is a perspective view of a dismantling device as seen from the front right. FIG. 5(A), FIG. 5(B), FIG. 5(C), FIG. 5(D), and FIG. 5(E) are schematic diagrams showing the operating status of the dismantling device. FIG. 6(A), FIG. 6(B), FIG. 6(C), FIG. 6(D), and FIG. 6(E) are schematic diagrams showing the operating status of the dismantling device. FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B) are schematic diagrams showing a part of the operating status of a dismantling device according to a modified example.

[0011] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the present disclosure. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation and should not be interpreted as limiting unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, these terms do not represent any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another. Furthermore, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted from each drawing.

[0012] First, a description will be given of a wound body 100 to be processed by the dismantling device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the wound body 100. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the wound body 100. In FIG. 1B, the winding end of the innermost separator 106 is cut away to make it easier to understand the stacking state of each component. Also, in FIG. 1B, the negative electrode current collector tab 108 and the positive electrode current collector tab 110 are not shown.

[0013] The wound body 100 has a structure in which a laminate 101, which is made up of a plurality of strip-shaped bodies including electrode plates and separators 106, is wound in the longitudinal direction, and the winding end 100a is restrained by tape 112. In this embodiment, the laminate 101 is formed by stacking a first electrode plate 102, a separator 106, a second electrode plate 104, and a separator 106 in this order. The first electrode plate 102, the second electrode plate 104, and the separator 106 are each strip-shaped. The laminate 101 is wound in the longitudinal direction with the first electrode plate 102 on the outside. Therefore, the outermost peripheral surface of the wound body 100 is the first electrode plate 102.

[0014] As an example, one end of each of the first electrode plate 102, the second electrode plate 104, and the separator 106 is aligned with one another. The laminate 101 is then wound with this one end serving as the winding start end. The two separators 106 are the same length and are shorter than the first electrode plate 102. Therefore, the winding end ends 106a of the two separators 106 are located closer to the winding start end of the wound body 100 than the winding end end 102a of the first electrode plate 102. The second electrode plate 104 is also shorter than the separator 106. Therefore, the winding end end 104a of the second electrode plate 104 is located closer to the winding start end of the wound body 100 than the winding end ends 106a of the two separators 106. The first electrode plate 102 is longer than the second electrode plate 104 and the separator 106. Therefore, the winding end 102 a of the first electrode plate 102 corresponds to the winding end 100 a of the wound body 100 .

[0015] The first electrode plate 102 and the second electrode plate 104 have a structure in which an electrode active material layer is laminated on a current collector. In a typical lithium-ion secondary battery, the current collector is made of aluminum foil or the like for the positive electrode, and copper foil or the like for the negative electrode. The electrode active material layer can be formed by applying an electrode mixture to the surface of the current collector using a known coating device, followed by drying and rolling. The electrode mixture is obtained by kneading and uniformly dispersing materials such as an electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive material in a dispersion medium. In a typical lithium-ion secondary battery, the electrode active material is lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium manganese oxide, nickel-cobalt-lithium aluminum oxide (NCA), nickel-manganese-cobalt-lithium cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), lithium manganese phosphate (LMP), or the like for the positive electrode, and graphite or the like for the negative electrode. As an example, the first electrode plate 102 is a negative electrode plate, and the second electrode plate 104 is a positive electrode plate. There is no particular limitation on the number of electrode plates and separators 106 included in the wound body 100. For example, the wound body 100 may include either the first electrode plate 102 or the second electrode plate 104, and two separators 106.

[0016] The separator 106 is, for example, a microporous film made of polypropylene resin, polyethylene, or the like. A negative electrode current collector tab 108 is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate. The negative electrode current collector tab 108 may be formed as a portion of the current collector of the negative electrode plate. A positive electrode current collector tab 110 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate. The positive electrode current collector tab 110 may be formed as a portion of the current collector of the positive electrode plate. The negative electrode current collector tab 108 protrudes in the axial direction A from one end of the wound body 100 in the axial direction A. The positive electrode current collector tab 110 protrudes in the axial direction A from the other end of the wound body 100 in the axial direction A. Note that the negative electrode current collector tab 108 and the positive electrode current collector tab 110 may protrude in the same direction from the same end. The axial direction A is the direction in which the axis of the winding center C extends or the width direction of each band. Hereinafter, the end of the wound body 100 in the axial direction A will be referred to as the axial end 100b as appropriate.

[0017] A tape 112 is attached to the outermost peripheral surface of the wound body 100 so as to straddle the winding end 100a in the winding direction B of the wound body 100. By fastening the winding end 100a with the tape 112, the wound body 100 is prevented from unwinding. As an example, one end side and the other end side of the wound body 100 in the axial direction A are each restrained by a tape 112. Furthermore, each tape 112 is wrapped around the entire circumference of the wound body 100. A known tape 112 can be used for the tape 112, and for example, the tape 112 has a structure in which an adhesive layer is provided on one surface of a resin base material.

[0018] The cylindrical wound body 100 bound by the tape 112 is housed in an outer can (not shown) together with an electrolyte (not shown), thereby completing a battery. The battery may be, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-cadmium battery.

[0019] Next, the dismantling device 1 for the wound body 100 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dismantling device 1 as seen from the left front. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dismantling device 1 as seen from the right front. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the dismantling device 1 as seen from the right rear. The dismantling device 1 includes a stage 2, a wound body transport section 4, an unfolding section 6, a fixing section 8, a slope 10, a pushing section 12, a suction section 14, a peeling tool driving section 16, and a separation assisting section 18.

[0020] The stage 2 is a platform on which the wound body 100 is placed. In this embodiment, the stage 2 extends horizontally. A slope 10 is connected to the front end of the stage 2. The slope 10 has a downward slope. In other words, the upper end of the slope 10 is connected to the stage 2, and the lower end is located further forward of the stage 2 in the dismantling device 1.

[0021] The wound body transport unit 4 transports the wound body 100 onto the stage 2. The wound body transport unit 4 includes, for example, a chuck 20, a chuck opening / closing unit 22, a chuck horizontal driving unit 24, and a chuck vertical driving unit 26.

[0022] The chuck 20 grips the wound body 100 that is flowing along the line toward the disassembly device 1. For example, the chuck 20 clamps the wound body 100 in the axial direction A. The chuck 20 is opened and closed by a chuck opening / closing unit 22. The chuck opening / closing unit 22 is formed, for example, by a cylinder. The chuck 20 that grips the wound body 100 is moved onto the stage 2 by a chuck horizontal driving unit 24 and a chuck up / down driving unit 26.

[0023] The chuck horizontal drive unit 24 includes, for example, a motor and a power conversion mechanism. The motor generates rotational power. The power conversion mechanism is connected to the chuck 20 via the chuck vertical drive unit 26 and the chuck open / close unit 22, and converts the rotational power generated by the motor into horizontal linear power and transmits it to the chuck 20. The chuck vertical drive unit 26 includes, for example, a motor and a power conversion mechanism. The motor generates rotational power. The power conversion mechanism is connected to the chuck 20 via the chuck open / close unit 22, and converts the rotational power generated by the motor into vertical linear power and transmits it to the chuck 20. After the chuck 20 gripping the wound body 100 moves onto the stage 2, the chuck open / close unit 22 releases the chuck 20. This allows the wound body 100 to be placed on the stage 2.

[0024] The wound body 100 is placed on the stage 2 with the end 100a of the wound body 100 released from the constraint of the tape 112. The orientation of the wound body 100 is determined so that the end 100a of the wound body 100 is located at the upper end of the wound body 100. The orientation of the wound body 100 is determined so that the end 100a of the wound body 100 faces the slope 10, that is, so that the winding direction B faces the slope 10 at the upper end of the wound body 100. The release of the constraint and the adjustment of the orientation of the wound body 100 may be performed automatically by a combination of a constraint release device (not shown) that cuts the tape 112, a rotation device (not shown) that rotates the wound body 100, and a sensor (not shown) such as a camera that detects the end 100a of the wound body 100, or may be performed manually by an operator. In this embodiment, the release of the constraint and the adjustment of the orientation are performed before the wound body 100 is gripped by the chuck 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the release of the constraint and the adjustment of the attitude may be performed after the wound body 100 is placed on the stage 2.

[0025] The unfolding unit 6 unfolds the winding end 100a of the wound body 100 on the stage 2. One example of the unfolding unit 6 is composed of an air nozzle that sprays compressed air from the slope 10 side toward the winding end 100a. The unfolding unit 6 has an injection port that extends in the axial direction A of the wound body 100 on the stage 2, which in this embodiment is the left-right direction of the dismantling device 1, or has multiple injection ports arranged in the axial direction A. This allows compressed air to be sprayed over almost the entire winding end 100a in the axial direction A. When compressed air is sprayed onto the winding end 100a, it is displaced in the direction opposite to the winding direction B, that is, in the direction in which the winding unwinds.

[0026] The fixing unit 8 fixes the unfolded winding end 100a of the wound body 100. An example of the fixing unit 8 includes a pad vertical movement drive unit 28 and a fixing pad 30. When viewed from the top-bottom direction of the dismantling device 1, the fixing unit 8 is positioned on the opposite side of the slope 10 from the position where the wound body conveying unit 4 places the wound body 100. The pad vertical movement drive unit 28 is configured, for example, with a cylinder and moves the fixing pad 30 up and down. The fixing pad 30 advances and retreats relative to the stage 2 by being driven by the pad vertical movement drive unit 28. When the winding end 100a is unfolded by the unfolding unit 6, the winding end 100a side of the wound body 100 falls directly below the fixing pad 30. In this state, the fixing pad 30 advances toward the stage 2, thereby sandwiching the winding end 100a side between the stage 2 and the fixing pad 30. As a result, the winding end 100a side is fixed to the stage 2.

[0027] The dismantling device 1 of this embodiment has a deployment detection sensor 32. The deployment detection sensor 32 detects that the winding end 100a of the wound body 100 is placed directly below the fixing pad 30. The pad up / down drive unit 28 is driven based on the detection result of the deployment detection sensor 32. This allows the winding end 100a to be more reliably fixed to the stage 2 by the fixing pad 30. The deployment detection sensor 32 can be a known sensor that can detect the position and movement of the winding end 100a.

[0028] The push-out unit 12 pushes the wound body 100, whose winding end 100a side is fixed by the fixing unit 8, onto the slope 10. An example of the push-out unit 12 has a push-out tool 34 and a push-out tool drive unit 36. The stage 2 is provided with elongated holes 40 that extend in the direction in which the stage 2 and the slope 10 are aligned, which in this embodiment is the front-to-rear direction of the dismantling device 1. The elongated holes 40 are arranged on both ends of the wound body 100 in the axial direction A. As an example, the push-out tools 34 are rod-shaped bodies that extend vertically and protrude upward from each elongated hole 40 at a standby position that is farther from the slope 10 than the placement position of the wound body 100 when viewed from the vertical direction of the dismantling device 1.

[0029] The pusher driver 36 moves each pusher 34 from the standby position along the elongated hole 40 toward the slope 10. The pusher driver 36 includes, for example, a motor and a power conversion mechanism. The motor generates rotational power. The power conversion mechanism converts the rotational power generated by the motor into horizontal linear power and transmits it to each pusher 34. As each pusher 34 moves toward the slope 10, the rolled body 100 on the stage 2, i.e., the portion that remains rolled even after the unrolling unit 6 unrolls the winding end 100a, is pushed onto the slope 10 by each pusher 34. The rolled body 100 pushed onto the slope 10 rolls down the slope 10 due to its own weight. By pushing the rolled body 100 onto the slope 10 while the winding end 100a is fixed to the stage 2, at least a portion of the rolled body 100 can be automatically unrolled. Each pusher 34 pushes the wound body 100 onto the slope 10 and then returns to the standby position.

[0030] The suction unit 14 sucks and lifts the outermost strip when the wound body 100 rolls down the slope 10 and unfolds. In this embodiment, the outermost strip is a separator 106. As an example, the suction unit 14 includes a suction pad 42 and a suction pad driver 44. The suction pad 42 and the suction pad driver 44 are disposed above the stage 2 and closer to the slope 10 than the fixing unit 8. The suction unit 14 in this embodiment includes multiple suction pads 42 aligned in the axial direction A of the wound body 100. Each suction pad 42 is connected to an air compressor (not shown) via an air tube (not shown). The suction pad driver 44 is formed, for example, by a cylinder and moves each suction pad 42 up and down. Each suction pad 42 advances and retreats relative to the stage 2 as driven by the suction pad driver 44.

[0031] Each suction pad 42 advances toward stage 2 and comes into contact with the outermost separator 106. In this state, the air compressor is driven to generate negative pressure in each suction pad 42, causing the separator 106 to be adsorbed to each suction pad 42. Next, the suction pad driver 44 moves each suction pad 42 upward. This lifts the outermost separator 106, forming a space between the outermost separator 106 and the second and subsequent layers of strip-shaped material. Each suction pad 42 can release the separator 106 when the air compressor is stopped.

[0032] The peeler driver 16 inserts and moves the peeler 46 between the outermost separator 106 and the second or subsequent layers of the strip. An example of the peeler driver 16 includes the peeler 46, a peeler advance / retract driver 48, and a peeler horizontal driver 50. The peeler 46 is, for example, a rod-shaped body extending in the axial direction A of the roll 100. The peeler 46 is positioned in a standby position in the front-to-rear direction of the dismantling device 1 so as to roughly overlap with the suction pad 42.

[0033] The peeler advance / retract drive unit 48 is configured by, for example, a cylinder, and moves the peeler 46 in the axial direction A of the wound body 100. The peeler 46 advances and retreats relative to the stage 2 in the axial direction A as driven by the peeler advance / retract drive unit 48. With the outermost separator 106 lifted by the suction pad 42, the peeler 46, which is in the standby position, is advanced toward the stage 2, whereby the peeler 46 can be inserted from the axial end 100b side of the wound body 100 between the outermost separator 106 and the second and subsequent strip-shaped bodies.

[0034] The peeler horizontal drive unit 50 moves the peeler 46 in a direction away from the winding end 100a. The peeler horizontal drive unit 50 includes, for example, a motor and a power conversion mechanism. The motor generates rotational power. The power conversion mechanism is connected to the peeler 46 via the peeler advance / retract drive unit 48, converts the rotational power generated by the motor into horizontal linear power, and transmits it to the peeler 46. Driven by the peeler horizontal drive unit 50, the peeler 46 moves from the position inserted into the wound body 100 toward the tip of the slope 10. The peeler 46 moves approximately horizontally, while the slope 10 descends toward the tip. Therefore, the farther the peeler 46 is from the winding end 100a, the farther it is from the slope 10.

[0035] The separation assisting unit 18 assists in separating the outermost separator 106 from the second and subsequent layers of the strip-shaped material. An example of the separation assisting unit 18 includes a separating tool 52, a separating tool advance / retract drive unit 54, and a separating tool up / down drive unit 56. The separating tool 52 is, for example, a rod-shaped body extending in the axial direction A of the wound body 100. The separating tool 52 is disposed on the opposite side of the stage 2 from the peeling tool 46 in the axial direction A of the wound body 100. The separating tool advance / retract drive unit 54 is, for example, a cylinder, and is connected to the separating tool 52 via the separating tool up / down drive unit 56 and moves the separating tool 52 in the axial direction A of the wound body 100.

[0036] The separator up / down drive unit 56 is configured, for example, by a cylinder, and moves the separator 52 up and down. The separator 52 advances and retreats in the axial direction A relative to the stage 2 as driven by the separator advance / retract drive unit 54. By advancing the separator 52 toward the stage 2, the separator 52 can be inserted from the axial end 100b side of the wound body 100 between the separator 106 of the outermost layer and the strip-shaped bodies of the second layer and subsequent layers. Furthermore, the separator 52 advances and retreats in the vertical direction relative to the stage 2 as driven by the separator up / down drive unit 56.

[0037] The dismantling device 1 of this embodiment also includes a drop assist unit 38. The drop assist unit 38 assists the strip that constitutes the wound body 100 as it slides down the slope 10. As an example, the drop assist unit 38 is configured with an air nozzle that sprays compressed air from the upstream side toward the downstream side of the slope 10. The drop assist unit 38 has an injection port that extends in the axial direction A of the wound body 100, or has multiple injection ports arranged in the axial direction A. Therefore, compressed air can be sprayed onto almost the entire strip on the slope 10 in the axial direction A.

[0038] Next, the operation of the dismantling device 1 will be described. Figures 5(A) to 5(E) and 6(A) to 6(E) are schematic diagrams showing the operating conditions of the dismantling device 1. First, as shown in Figure 5(A), the wound body 100 is placed on the stage 2. As described above, the winding end 100a of the wound body 100 is released in advance from the constraint of the tape 112. Furthermore, the winding end 100a of the wound body 100 is positioned on the upper end side of the wound body 100, and the winding end 100a is oriented so that it faces the slope 10.

[0039] Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the unfolding unit 6 injects compressed air G toward the winding end 100a of the wound body 100 on the stage 2, unfolding the winding end 100a.

[0040] 5(C), the fixing portion 8 fixes the unfolded winding end 100a side of the wound body 100 to the stage 2. As described above, the wound body 100 or the laminate 101 is formed by stacking the first electrode plate 102, the separator 106, the second electrode plate 104, and the separator 106 in this order, and is wound in the longitudinal direction with the first electrode plate 102 on the outside. Therefore, with the winding end 100a unfolded, the first electrode plate 102, the separator 106, the second electrode plate 104, and the separator 106 are stacked in this order from the stage 2 side. In addition, the winding end 104a of the second electrode plate 104 is located closer to the winding start side of the wound body 100 than the winding end ends 102a, 106a of the first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106. For this reason, the winding end 104a of the second electrode plate 104 does not extend to directly below the fixing portion 8. Therefore, the fixing portion 8 fixes the winding end ends 102a, 106a of the first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106, but does not fix the winding end 104a of the second electrode plate 104.

[0041] Next, as shown in FIG. 5(D), the push-out section 12 pushes the wound body 100 onto the slope 10. The wound body 100 pushed onto the slope 10 rolls down the slope 10 due to its own weight. As a result, at least a portion of the wound body 100 automatically unfolds. The wound electrode plate or separator 106 generally has a tendency to curl. For this reason, when the wound body 100 rolls down the slope 10 due to its own weight, the wound body 100 does not unfold completely, and tends to maintain a partially wound state.

[0042] 5(E), the suction unit 14 sucks and lifts the outermost separator 106. As a result, a space S is formed between the outermost separator 106 and the second or subsequent strip-shaped body layers, in other words, between the outermost separator 106 and the second electrode plate 104. By forming the space S, it becomes easier to insert the peeling tool 46.

[0043] Next, as shown in Fig. 6(A), the peeler driver 16 inserts the peeler 46 into the space S. Then, as shown in Fig. 6(B), the peeler driver 16 moves the peeler 46 approximately horizontally in a direction away from the winding end 100a. As a result, the outermost separator 106 is pulled out from the portion of the wound body 100 that is still in a wound state. Furthermore, the force applied to the wound body 100 when the separator 106 is pulled out causes the portion that remains in a wound state to unfold. Note that while the peeler 46 is being moved, the suction unit 14 may continue to suction the separator 106.

[0044] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6(C), the entire outermost separator 106 is pulled out from the wound body 100 by the peeling tool 46. This allows the wound body 100 to be unfolded all the way to the winding start end. Therefore, according to the dismantling device 1 of this embodiment, the wound body 100 can be unfolded with a simpler device structure. Furthermore, by unfolding the wound body 100, it is possible to create a state in which the individual strips can be easily separated from one another. In other words, according to the dismantling device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to assist in dismantling the wound body 100 with a simpler device structure.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the winding end 104a of the second electrode plate 104 is not fixed by the fixing portion 8. Therefore, when the wound body 100 is unfolded to the winding start end, the second electrode plate 104 is not restrained by any member and slides down the slope 10 by its own weight. This allows the second electrode plate 104 to be easily separated. As an example, a first collection box (not shown) is installed below the slope 10, and the dropped second electrode plate 104 is collected in the first collection box.

[0046] However, if the second electrode plate 104 still has a tendency to curl in the winding direction B, the winding end 104a may get caught on the back surface of the outermost separator 106, i.e., the surface facing the second electrode plate 104, preventing it from falling under its own weight. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(D), the separation assistant 18 inserts a separation tool 52 between the outermost separator 106 and the second or subsequent strip-shaped body layers. The separation assistant 18 then moves the separation tool 52 up and down, thereby applying vibrations to the outermost separator 106. This releases the second electrode plate 104 from its position on the outermost separator 106, allowing it to fall.

[0047] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(E), the fixing of the winding end 100a by the fixing portion 8 is released. As a result, the first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106 slide down the slope 10 due to their own weight. As an example, a second collection box (not shown) is installed below the slope 10. Also, a switching mechanism (not shown) is arranged below the slope 10 to switch the direction in which the strip falls between the first collection box and the second collection box. The switching mechanism directs the falling direction of the second electrode plate 104 toward the first collection box when the second electrode plate 104 falls, and directs the falling direction of the first electrode plate 102 and the separators 106 toward the second collection box when the first electrode plate 102 and the separators 106 fall. Therefore, the fallen first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106 are collected in the second collection box.

[0048] In conjunction with the release of the fixation on the winding end 100a side, the drop assisting unit 38 injects compressed air G toward the first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106 remaining on the slope 10. This can encourage the first electrode plate 102 and the two separators 106 to fall.

[0049] The first electrode plate 102 and the separator 106 can also be collected separately. For example, a mechanism for attracting the first electrode plate 102, such as an air suction mechanism, is provided on at least one of the stage 2 and the slope 10. Then, while the first electrode plate 102 is attracted to the stage 2 or the slope 10, the fixing of the winding end 100a side by the fixing part 8 is released. In addition, the drop assist part 38 blows compressed air G onto the two separators 106. This causes only the separator 106 to fall. Next, the attraction of the first electrode plate 102 is released. This causes only the first electrode plate 102 to fall. According to the above procedure, the first electrode plate 102 and the separator 106 can be collected separately.

[0050] In this embodiment, the strips are separated and collected by peeling the strips with the peeling tool 46 and by the inclination of the slope 10. This simplifies the structure of the dismantling device 1 for the wound body 100. This also reduces the cost of manufacturing the dismantling device 1 and improves the processing capacity.

[0051] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above. The above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of implementing the present disclosure. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure, and many design modifications, such as changing, adding, or deleting components, are possible within the scope of the invention defined in the claims. A new embodiment with design modifications will combine the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. In the above-described embodiments, content that allows such design modifications is emphasized by using notations such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design modifications are also permitted even in content without such notation. Furthermore, any combination of components included in each embodiment is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the material of the hatched object.

[0052] The structure of the dismantling device 1 can be modified as needed as long as it can separate at least the outermost strip from the second and subsequent strips. Figures 7(A) and 7(B) are schematic diagrams showing a portion of the operating state of the dismantling device 1 according to a modified example.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7(A), in the dismantling device 1 according to the modified example, a stopper 58 that prevents the rolled body 100 from falling is provided on the slope 10. In this case, as shown in Fig. 5(D), when the push-out section 12 pushes the rolled body 100 onto the slope 10, the stopper 58 protrudes from the inclined surface of the slope 10. Therefore, the rolled body 100 that is falling hits the stopper 58 and stops.

[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the stopper 58 slides toward the upper end of the slope 10. This causes the outermost separator 106 to bend, forming a space S between the outermost separator 106 and the second and subsequent strips. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5E, suction is performed by the suction unit 14. Note that if a sufficient space S can be formed by the stopper 58, the suction unit 14 may be omitted. Furthermore, the stopper 58 is retracted from above the slope 10 while the peeling tool 46 is pulling out the outermost separator 106.

[0055] In another modification, the fixing unit 8 may also fix the winding end 104a of the second electrode plate 104 to the stage 2. In this case, for example, after the outermost separator 106 is pulled out by the peeling tool 46, the fixing of the winding end 100a side by the fixing unit 8 is released. Then, only the outermost separator 106 is collected. Next, the winding end 100a side is fixed again by the fixing unit 8, and the second electrode plate 104, which has become the outermost layer, is subjected to the pulling process by the peeling tool 46. Then, the fixing of the winding end 100a side is released, and only the second electrode plate 104 is collected. This operation is repeated for the remaining separators 106, allowing each strip to be separated and collected. Note that the slope 10 can be omitted if separation of the strips using the inclination of the slope 10 is not performed.

[0056] The embodiments may be specified by the following items: [First Item] A disassembly device (1) for a wound body (100) in which a laminate (101) in which a plurality of strips, each including electrode plates (102, 104) and a separator (106), are stacked is wound in the longitudinal direction, the disassembly device (1) comprising: a stage (2) on which the wound body (100) is placed; an unfolding unit (6) that unfolds a winding end (100a) of the wound body (100) on the stage (2); a fixing unit (8) that fixes the unfolded winding end (100a) side of the wound body (100); and a peeling tool driving unit (16) that inserts a peeling tool (46) between the outermost strip and the second and subsequent strips and moves the peeling tool (46) in a direction away from the winding end (100a). [Item 2] The dismantling device (1) of Item 1, further comprising a suction section (14) that sucks and lifts the outermost strip. [Item 3] The dismantling device (1) of Item 1 or Item 2, further comprising: a slope (10) connected to the stage (2) and having a downward slope; and an extrusion section (12) that extrudes the wound body (100), the winding end (100a) of which is fixed by a fixing section (8), onto the slope (10). [Item 4] The laminate (101) has a structure in which a first electrode plate (102), a separator (106), a second electrode plate (104), and a separator (106) are stacked in this order from the stage (2) side, the winding end (104a) of the second electrode plate (104) is located closer to the winding start side than the winding end ends (102a, 106a) of the first electrode plate (102) and the two separators (106), and the fixing part (8) fixes the winding end ends (102a, 106a) of the first electrode plate (102) and the two separators (106).[Item 5] A method for dismantling a wound body (100) in which a laminate (101) in which a plurality of strip-shaped bodies, each including an electrode plate (102, 104) and a separator (106), are stacked is wound in the longitudinal direction, the dismantling method comprising: placing the wound body (100) on a stage (2); unfolding a winding end (100a) of the wound body (100) on the stage (2); fixing the unfolded winding end (100a) side of the wound body (100); inserting a peeling tool (46) between the outermost strip-shaped body and the second and subsequent strip-shaped bodies; and moving the peeling tool (46) in a direction away from the winding end (100a).

[0057] The present disclosure can be used in a device and method for dismantling a wound body.

[0058] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Disassembly device, 2 Stage, 6 Unfolding section, 8 Fixing section, 10 Slope, 12 Pushing section, 14 Suction section, 16 Peeling tool driving section, 46 Peeling tool, 100 Wound body, 100a Winding end, 101 Laminated body, 102 First electrode plate, 104 Second electrode plate, 106 Separator.

Claims

1. A device for dismantling a wound body in which a laminate of a plurality of strip-shaped bodies including electrode plates and separators is wound in the longitudinal direction, comprising: a stage on which the wound body is placed; an unfolding section that unfolds the winding end of the wound body on the stage; a fixing section that fixes the unfolded winding end side of the wound body; and a peeling tool drive section that inserts a peeling tool between the outermost layer of the strip-shaped body and the second and subsequent layers of the strip-shaped body, and moves the peeling tool in a direction away from the winding end.

2. The dismantling device according to claim 1, further comprising a suction unit that sucks and lifts the outermost strip.

3. A dismantling device as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a slope connected to the stage and having a downward slope; and an extrusion section that extrudes the wound body, the winding end side of which is fixed by the fixing section, onto the slope.

4. The disassembly device described in claim 3, wherein the laminate has a structure in which a first electrode plate, a separator, a second electrode plate, and a separator are stacked in this order from the stage side, the winding end of the second electrode plate is located closer to the winding start side than the winding end ends of the first electrode plate and the two separators, and the fixing part fixes the winding end ends of the first electrode plate and the two separators.

5. A method for dismantling a wound body in which a laminate of a plurality of strip-shaped bodies including electrode plates and separators is wound in the longitudinal direction, the dismantling method comprising: placing the wound body on a stage; unfolding the winding end of the wound body on the stage; fixing the unfolded winding end side of the wound body; inserting a peeling tool between the outermost strip-shaped body and the second or subsequent strip-shaped body; and moving the peeling tool in a direction away from the winding end.

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