V-Notch Battery Cutting Station for Black Paste Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery recycling methods face challenges in effectively separating and recovering the 'black paste' from alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries due to the coarse mixture of materials post-grinding or cutting, leading to high energy and environmental costs, and inefficiencies in the separation process.
Innovation Solution
A cutting station with a V-shaped blade and a dry separation method that cuts batteries into halves using a V-shaped notch, followed by mechanical detachment and vibration-sieving to separate the black paste from metal and plastic parts, allowing for magnetic separation without the need for washing stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional cutting blades are used to cut batteries, then the cutting process can be performed, but the blade durability is low and frequent machine stops are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade features a curved cutting edge instead of a straight edge. This curvature allows the blade to follow the cylindrical contour of the battery, distributing the cutting stress more evenly along the cutting path and preventing localized blade wear and damage, thereby extending blade durability and reducing machine stops
2Loss of substance
If batteries are ground or cut and then washed to separate black paste, then separation can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the washing step from the traditional battery recycling process. By using a cutting blade with specific geometry that directly separates the black paste from the battery casing during cutting, the method eliminates the need for subsequent washing operations, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact while maintaining effective black paste recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical washing system with a optimized mechanical cutting system. The cutting blade's specific geometry and motion are designed to mechanically detach and separate the black paste from the battery components during the cutting process itself, substituting the need for water-based washing mechanisms
3Reliability
If conventional cutting methods are used, then batteries can be cut, but the separation of black paste from metal and plastic parts is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cutting operation with the separation operation into a single integrated process. The cutting blade is designed with specific geometric features that not only cut the battery but also simultaneously detach and separate the black paste from the metal and plastic components, eliminating the need for separate separation steps and improving overall separation efficiency
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 solution significantly increases blade durability, reduces machine stops, and enhances eco-sustainability by recovering nearly all black paste in fewer steps at competitive costs, improving the efficiency and sustainability of the battery recycling process.
Implementation Method 1
the blade comprises a cutting edge which defines at least one V-shaped notch... the battery impacts, at least partially, against the V-shaped notch
Implementation Method 2
Following such a relative motion, the battery is cut into two halves by the blade
Implementation Method 3
separating, by magnetic attraction, at least the first fraction so as to separate the metal material fragments from said black paste
Implementation Method 4
separating, by means of vibration-sieving, the fragments obtained following step b) into a first fraction of fragments having a maximum size lower than a first predetermined value and a second fraction of fragments having a maximum size higher than said first predetermined value
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a station for cutting cylindrical type batteries, wherein each battery is cut along a diametrical plane following the impact of the battery with a blade which identifies a cutting plane aligned with the central axis of the line to be cut. The blade has a V-shaped notch. The present invention also relates to a method for separating and recovering the components from an cylindrical type battery, which includes an initial step of cutting with a blade having a V-shaped notch, wherein the step can be implemented by means of a cutting station according to the present invention.