Battery Disassembly Workstation for Fast Safe Pack Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery recycling methods are inefficient, time-consuming, and pose risks to workers due to manual disassembly and the potential for fire and environmental hazards, particularly in the saline water discharge process.
Innovation Solution
An automated battery disassembly system utilizing a workstation with multiple tables, a discharging device, a robot device, and a controller to automate the separation and discharge of battery packs and modules, minimizing worker exposure and enhancing productivity through controlled disassembly and fire safety measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual disassembly is used, then workers can directly handle battery packs, but productivity is low and worker safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical disassembly operations with an automated robot system. The robot device performs cover separation, battery module extraction, and cell separation through automated mechanical actions, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle battery packs and their associated hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack disassembly process is made self-service through automation. The robot system independently performs all disassembly steps without human intervention, with the controller automatically coordinating between the robot device, transfer device, and discharging device to complete the entire disassembly workflow.
2Reliability
If saline water discharge method is used, then battery discharge can be achieved, but the process takes 8 hours to 10 days and fire/explosion risks remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the discharge parameters from traditional saline water method to direct short-circuit discharge. Instead of using 3%-3.5% sodium chloride or calcium chloride solution requiring 8-10 days, the system applies direct short-circuit discharge that completes in minutes, dramatically reducing discharge time while maintaining safety through automated control and fire suppression readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary separation of the upper cover before discharge operations. This preliminary action allows the discharge to be performed on an open battery pack structure, enabling direct access to terminals for safe and rapid short-circuit discharge while maintaining worker safety through automation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If workers perform disassembly manually, then flexibility in handling different battery packs is maintained, but worker exposure to harmful environments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual operations with automated robot device that handles all disassembly tasks. The robot performs cover separation, battery module extraction, and cell separation without workers being exposed to harmful environments, while the controller provides simplified operation through automated coordination of all devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated battery disassembly system according to one embodiment includes: a workstation including a first worktable, a second worktable, a third worktable, and a discharging worktable; a discharging device; a robot device; a transfer device; and a controller electrically connected to the robot device and the transfer device. The controller is configured to control the robot device to: when a battery pack is disposed on the first worktable, separate an upper cover from the battery pack; when the battery pack is disposed on the discharging worktable, discharge the battery pack by connecting the battery pack to the discharging device; when the discharged battery pack is disposed on the second worktable, separate a battery module from the discharged battery pack; and when the battery module is disposed on the third worktable, separate battery cells from the battery module.