Battery Recycling Plant Assignment for Decentralized Material Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing of recycled battery materials is highly decentralized, making it cumbersome to operate recycling processes reliably and flexibly.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and apparatus for providing plant assignment data, which involves providing recycled material identifiers and corresponding data, determining plant identifiers capable of processing the materials, and generating plant assignment data to efficiently allocate recycled materials to suitable plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If recycled battery materials are processed in highly decentralized plants distributed to many different places, then the availability of recycling capacity is increased, but the operation of recycling processes becomes cumbersome and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of recycling capacityVSAvoidoperation of recycling processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A centralized digital platform acts as an intermediary between decentralized recycling plants and material suppliers. The platform receives material data from suppliers, determines suitable plants based on material characteristics and plant capabilities, and assigns materials to appropriate facilities. This mediator coordinates the decentralized network, making operation easier while maintaining high availability of recycling capacity across multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The digital platform performs multiple functions: it stores material data, identifies suitable recycling plants, determines optimal assignments, and communicates with both suppliers and plants. This multi-functional system handles various aspects of the recycling coordination in a unified manner, simplifying the operation of the decentralized network while accommodating diverse material types and plant capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If recycled battery materials are processed in highly decentralized plants distributed to many different places, then the geographic coverage is expanded, but the reliability and flexibility of operating recycling processes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic coverageVSAvoidreliability of recycling processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The digital platform implements feedback mechanisms where material data from suppliers and plant capabilities from facilities are continuously stored and updated. The system uses this feedback information to make informed assignment decisions, matching materials to the most suitable plants based on current capabilities and requirements. This feedback loop ensures reliable operation across the geographically distributed network by continuously optimizing assignments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized digital platform serves as a mediator that coordinates activities across geographically distributed plants. It receives information from various sources, processes it centrally, and distributes assignment instructions to appropriate plants. This intermediary function ensures consistent and reliable operation across the expanded geographic coverage by maintaining centralized control over the decentralized network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual coordination of decentralized recycling plants is used, then system complexity is minimized, but the efficiency and quality of material assignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidefficiency of material assignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The digital platform enables automated self-service functionality where the system automatically receives material data from suppliers, determines suitable plants based on predefined criteria, and assigns materials without requiring manual intervention. This automation significantly improves assignment efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized digital processes and interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical coordination processes with automated digital information processing. Instead of human operators manually matching materials to plants, the system uses digital algorithms to automatically determine optimal assignments based on material characteristics and plant capabilities. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with digital automation improves efficiency while keeping system complexity at acceptable levels through software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250167329A1Method for operating production plants based on recycled material

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 BASF SE

AI summary

Described herein is a computer-implemented method for providing a material identifier package usable for recycling of batteries, the method including:providing one or more recycled material identifier(s) and corresponding recycled material data associated with the recycled battery material;determining at least one plant identifier associated with a plant for processing the recycled battery material as provided by recycled material data; andproviding plant assignment data including comprising the at least one plant identifier and related recycled material identifier(s).