Pouch Battery Electrode Separation Using Air and Roller Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recycling waste lithium-ion batteries are energy-intensive, complex, and environmentally harmful, and they struggle to efficiently separate electrode plates from separators in pouch-type battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A material separation apparatus and method that includes a disassembling operation to separate electrode plates from separators using a separator opening part, main disassembly unit, and wet treatment with a solvent to facilitate easy separation, employing pressurizing rollers and air injection to separate electrode plates from the separator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If dry melting method is used to recover metals from waste batteries, then valuable metals can be concentrated and recovered, but considerable energy is consumed for melting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the battery recycling process into distinct stages: disassembly, separation, and recovery. The separator opening part and main disassembly unit mechanically separate electrode plates from separators before any thermal or chemical treatment, enabling targeted processing of metal-containing components and reducing overall energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary mechanical separation of electrode plates from separators using the separator opening part and disassembly unit before proceeding to metal recovery. This preliminary action removes non-metallic components that would otherwise require energy-intensive processing, allowing metal recovery to focus only on the necessary components.
2Ease of manufacture
If various chemicals are added into molten metal for smooth recovery, then metal recovery process becomes smoother, but waste of work due to complex processes and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the separator from the electrode assembly using the separator opening part and main disassembly unit before metal recovery. This extraction eliminates the need for chemicals to separate metals from separator materials, simplifying the recovery process and avoiding environmental pollution while maintaining process smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system (separator opening part with pressurizing rollers and air injection device) that facilitates separation without chemicals. This intermediary mechanism enables smooth separation through physical means, replacing the need for chemical additives and reducing process complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If electrode plates are attached to separator in pouch-type battery cell, then battery structure is maintained, but separation of electrode plates from separator becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the separator opening part to mechanically open and separate the separator from electrode plates before any other processing. The pressurizing rollers and air injection device create conditions that facilitate easy separation while the electrode plates remain structurally intact for subsequent recovery processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles with an air injection device that introduces air between the separator and electrode plates to facilitate separation. This pneumatic action reduces adhesion forces and enables easy separation of electrode plates from the separator while maintaining battery structure stability during the process.
4Productivity
If automated separation process is implemented, then labor efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components: the separator opening part combines pressing, air injection, and separation functions; the main disassembly unit integrates mechanical separation and collection mechanisms. This functional merging achieves automated separation while controlling overall device complexity through multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator opening part and main disassembly unit are designed as universal apparatuses that can handle different pouch-type battery cells. These multi-functional units perform multiple operations (opening, separating, collecting) in sequence, achieving high productivity through automation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 method increases the recovery rate of rare metals by separating and collecting separators, negative and positive electrode plates separately without chemicals, at low cost and with a simple, stable process, reducing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a wet treatment operation of providing an electrode plate removal promoting solvent to the electrode assembly so that the first electrode plates and the second electrode plates are easily separated from the separator
Implementation Method 2
a first pressurizing roller may pressurize the separator from a front face to a rear face of the separator, and a second pressurizing roller may pressurize the separator from the rear face to the front face of the separator
Implementation Method 3
a first injection nozzle for injecting air to a point where the rear face of the separator is bent by the first pressurizing roller; and a second injection nozzle for injecting air to a point where the front face of the separator is bent by the second pressurizing roller
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a material separation method for recycling a battery cell, the material separation method including: a disassembling operation of separating an electrode assembly from which a pouch has been removed from a battery cell into first electrode plates, second electrode plates, and a separator, in which the disassembling operation may include: a separator opening operation of opening the separator surrounding the electrode assembly; and a main disassembling operation of separating the first electrode plates and the second electrode plates from the electrode assembly in which the separator is opened.