Rotating Drum Chain Disassembly for Small WEEE Battery Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanized tools for disassembling small electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are inefficient, unsafe, and often damage batteries or capacitors during the disassembly process, particularly when they are intimately linked to the device, and lack the ability to operate continuously.

Innovation Solution

A device with a horizontally rotating cylindrical enclosure and a horizontally positioned rotary axis with high-speed chains, combined with slow/moderate enclosure rotation and guidance means, ensures the advancement and fragmentation of WEEE while protecting batteries and capacitors by minimizing impact damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual disassembly is used, then battery extraction can be performed with simple tools, but the process becomes time-consuming and safety risks increase due to repetitive operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly speedVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service operation where the mechanical system automatically performs disassembly without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby increasing both productivity and safety by eliminating repetitive manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated mechanical disassembly system featuring rotating drums and controlled impact mechanisms, which improves productivity while maintaining safety through precise control of disassembly forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If high-speed impact shredding is used, then disassembly speed increases, but battery damage and fire risks occur due to excessive crushing forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisassembly speedVSAvoidbattery damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters including rotation speed, impact force, and drum rotation to optimize disassembly efficiency while maintaining forces below the threshold that causes battery damage or fire hazards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs dynamic control mechanisms where the rotation speed and impact intensity are continuously adjusted based on material density and battery protection requirements, enabling effective disassembly without excessive crushing forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If vertical cylindrical shredders with beating chains are used, then large WEEE can be crushed effectively, but small WEEE cannot be properly disassembled and battery extraction is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrushing efficiencyVSAvoidapplicability to small WEEE
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed with universal applicability to handle various sizes of WEEE including small devices, featuring adjustable operational parameters and a compact design that maintains effectiveness across different material types and sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies localized quality control where impact forces and rotation speeds are specifically optimized for small WEEE characteristics, with targeted disassembly zones that preserve battery integrity while effectively separating components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If horizontal rotating drum shredders are used, then small WEEE can be processed, but the shredding effect is insufficient to effectively release batteries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery protectionVSAvoidbattery extraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the advantages of horizontal drum rotation with controlled impact mechanisms, combining gentle material handling with effective shredding action to achieve both battery protection and high extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs composite operational modes combining rotational drum action with intermittent impact forces, creating a hybrid disassembly mechanism that achieves both protection and effective battery release

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device achieves rapid, safe, and effective disassembly of small WEEE, preserving battery integrity and allowing continuous operation with high disassembly rates and reduced operational risks, including efficient extraction of batteries and capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

a rotary axis (3) positioned horizontally, extending along the central axis of said enclosure; a plurality of groups of chains (4) positioned on said rotary axis... rotation of the rotary axis (3), causing the chains (4) to be tensioned and to impact with the material, generating the fragmentation of said material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

guide means (9) capable of advancing the material from the first end to the second end of the enclosure when the enclosure is rotating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4545194A1Power-disassembling device of small dimensions, and power-disassembling method using same
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 COMET TRAITEMENTS
  • EP4545194A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4545194A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4545194A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for disassembling small waste electrical and electronic equipment, comprising (i) a cylindrical enclosure (2), (ii) a horizontal rotating axis (3); (iii) a plurality of groups of chains (4) on the rotating axis, (iv) a means for rotating (5) the enclosure; (v) a means for rotating (6) the rotating axis; (vi) a feeding means (7); and (vi) an evacuation means (8); the enclosure being provided, on its internal surface, with guiding means suitable for advancing the waste within the enclosure.