WO2024055553A1 - Apparatus for separating battery cells of module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application discloses an apparatus for separating battery cells of a module, comprising a workbench. The workbench is provided a pushing unit configured to push a module to horizontally move forward in an arrangement direction of battery cells, and positioning units for positioning the forward movement direction of the module. The workbench is further provided with a pressure applying unit at the front end of the forward movement direction of the module. The pressure applying unit comprises a pressure applying driving member and a pressure applying plate transmittingly connected to the pressure applying driving member. The pressure applying plate is configured to apply a vertical pressure to a battery cell located at the foremost end in the module. A fixing unit is further arranged on the workbench. The fixing unit is configured to fix the module when the pressure applying unit separates the battery cells.

Description

A module battery core separation device

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202211133942.8, which was submitted to the China Patent Office on September 16, 2022. The entire content of this application is incorporated into this application by reference.

Technical field

This application relates to the technical field of battery recycling, for example, to a module cell separation device.

Background technique

New energy vehicles are a major direction of global low-carbon transformation and are also an important strategic choice for my country. With the explosive growth of new energy vehicles in recent years, the recycling of lithium batteries has also become a hot topic. The scale of battery recycling in the future It will also increase year by year. If it can be processed efficiently and properly, it will be conducive to resource recycling and reuse, achieving green and economic win-win development.

The early traditional battery pack structure is cell-module-battery pack, that is, multiple cells are connected to form a module, and multiple modules are assembled to form a battery pack. The module basically uses end and side plates welding and bolting. There are mainly structural adhesives, adhesive-backed insulation cotton and thermally conductive silicone sheets adhered between the core and the battery core. For this type of cell fixation method, it is difficult to disassemble and separate. Currently, low-temperature freezing (-30℃--40℃) is mainly used for about 8 hours, mainly to reduce the viscosity of the structural adhesive. Even so, cooperation is still required. Manual violent disassembly leads to low process safety and work efficiency, and high disassembly costs.

Contents of the invention

This application provides a module cell separation device to improve the overall disassembly production efficiency and reduce labor costs.

The present application provides a module cell separation device, which includes a workbench. The workbench is provided with a push unit configured to push the module to advance horizontally along the arrangement direction of the cell, and a unit for positioning the forward direction of the module. Positioning unit, the workbench is also provided with a pressure unit at the front end of the module in the forward direction. The pressure unit includes a pressure driving member and a pressure plate that is drivingly connected to the pressure driving member. The pressure plate is configured to exert vertical pressure on the battery core located at the front end of the module. A fixing unit is also arranged on the workbench. The fixing unit is configured to fix the module when the pressure applying unit separates the battery core.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the module cell separation device of the present application;

Figure 2 is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of the module cell separation device of Figure 1 from another perspective;

Figure 3 is a front view of the module cell separation device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a left view of the module cell separation device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the pushing unit of the module cell separation device of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the positioning unit of the module cell separation device of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the pressure applying unit of the module cell separation device of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the pressure plate of the pressure unit of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the fixing unit of the module cell separation device of Figure 1;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the limiting cylinder and limiting plate of the module cell separation device in FIG. 1 .

In the picture, 1. Workbench; 11. Countertop; 12. Bridge; 2. Push unit; 21. Slide table; 22. Servo motor; 23. Push cylinder; 24. Push plate; 3. Positioning unit; 31. Positioning cylinder ; 32. Positioning plate; 4. Pressure unit; 41. Pressure driver; 42. Pressure plate; 43. Pole groove; 5. Fixed unit; 51. Fixed cylinder; 52. Fixed pressure plate; 6. Approach Switch; 7. Limit cylinder; 8. Limit plate; 9. Module.

Detailed ways

Specific implementations of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples illustrate the application.

An optional embodiment of a module cell separation device of the present application is shown in Figures 1 to 10. The module cell separation device includes a workbench 1, a pushing unit 2, a positioning unit 3, and a pressure unit 4 and the fixing unit 5. The workbench 1 is the supporting foundation of the module cell separation device. The pushing unit 2, the positioning unit 3, the pressure unit 4 and the fixing unit 5 are all arranged on the workbench 1.

The entire workbench 1 is a frame structure to ensure the structural strength of the workbench 1 while reducing the mass of the workbench 1 . The workbench 1 includes a table 11 and a bridge 12 fixedly arranged on the table 11. The bottom of the table 11 is supported and fixed by the legs. The bridge 12 is a U-shaped structure. There are two bridges 12. The two bridges 12 are spaced apart in the front and rear direction. Arrangement, where the front and rear directions are the moving directions of the module 9 on the workbench 1, the module 9 moves from back to front on the workbench 1, and the cells in the module 9 are arranged in the front and back direction.

The pushing unit 2 is fixedly arranged on the bridge 12 of the workbench 1. The pushing unit 2 is configured to push the module 9 to move in the front and rear direction, that is, to push the module 9 to advance horizontally along the arrangement direction of the cells. When the pushing unit 2 pushes the module 9 to move, by controlling the movement stroke of the pushing unit 2, the forward displacement of the module 9 can be controlled, so that the frontmost battery core in the module 9 moves to below the pressure applying unit 4.

The positioning unit 3 is fixedly arranged on the table 11 of the workbench 1 and is configured to align the module 9 positioning in the forward direction, that is, restricting the module 9 to always move in the front and rear direction to prevent the module 9 from deflecting, making the cells in the module 9 perpendicular to the pressure plate 42, and ensuring that the pressure plate 42 is only positioned in the module 9 The frontmost cell exerts pressure.

The pressure unit 4 includes a pressure driving member 41 and a pressure plate 42. The pressure driving member 41 is fixedly arranged on the bridge 12 of the workbench 1. The pressure plate 42 is drivingly connected to the pressure driving member 41. The pressure driving member 41 The pressure plate 42 is configured to drive the pressure plate 42 to move in the vertical direction, and the pressure plate 42 is configured to exert vertical pressure on the battery core located at the front end of the module 9 . When the pressure driving member 41 drives the pressure plate 42 to move downward, the pressure plate 42 exerts pressure on the frontmost battery core in the module 9, and this pressure generates shear force between the two adjacent battery cores. When the pressure is appropriate, the shear force will be greater than the adhesive force of the adhesive, thereby separating the battery core from the module 9.

In this embodiment, the pressure unit 4 is arranged outside the bridge 12 and the table 11 , that is, the projection of the pressure unit 4 on the plane of the table 11 is not on the table 11 . When the frontmost cell in the module 9 moves to At the edge of the table 11, the pushing unit 2 pushes the module 9 to move only one battery cell width each time. After the pressure plate 42 separates the frontmost battery core from the module 9, the pushing unit 2 repeatedly pushes the module. 9 moves a distance of one cell width to separate the cells from the module 9 one by one. The moving distance of the pushing unit 2 can be controlled by the control system to realize automated control of flow operations.

In this embodiment, the pressure plate 42 and the pressure driver 41 are detachably connected. According to the battery cells of different specifications and sizes, by adjusting the stroke of the pressure driver 41 and the pressure plate 42 of the corresponding size, the pressure can be adjusted. Cells of different sizes are separated and have strong versatility.

A fixing unit 5 is also arranged on the workbench 1. The fixing unit 5 is configured to fix the module 9 when the pressure unit 4 exerts pressure on the battery core to separate the battery core. That is, the unpressurized plate 42 of the fixed module 9 exerts vertical pressure. The strong battery core prevents other battery cells in the module 9 from swinging with the front-end battery core as the fulcrum and affects the battery core separation, ensuring the successful separation of the battery cells and improving the battery core separation efficiency.

When separating the battery cells of the module 9, the pushing unit 2 pushes the module 9 to move on the workbench 1, and the positioning unit 3 positions the module 9 to ensure that the battery cells move horizontally along the arrangement direction of the battery cells. By controlling the propulsion stroke of the pushing unit 2, the battery cell at the front end of the module 9 can be moved to the lower side of the pressure unit 4, and the pressure drive member 41 drives the pressure plate 42 to move downward. The pressure plate 42 applies vertical pressure to the battery cell at the front end of the module 9. The vertical pressure overcomes the force of the structural glue between the battery cells and separates the battery cells. The traditional freezing procedure and manual disassembly procedure are omitted, and automated assembly line operation is realized. The battery cells can be safely and efficiently disassembled and separated on the assembly line, which greatly improves the overall disassembly production efficiency and reduces labor costs.

Optionally, the bottom of the pressure plate 42 is provided with two pole grooves 43 at intervals, and the pole grooves 43 are arranged to respectively avoid the poles of the battery core.

The bottom end face of the pressure plate 42 is the end face that contacts the battery core and exerts pressure on the battery core. A pole groove 43 is provided at the bottom of the pressure plate 42, which can be avoided when the pressure plate 42 presses the battery core. The pole part of the battery core position, thereby ensuring that the entire aluminum shell on the upper surface of the battery core is evenly stressed, so that the battery will not be deformed due to local stress during the separation process.

Since the pressure plate 42 and the pressure driver 41 are detachably connected, when the size of the battery core changes and the distance between the poles changes, only the corresponding pressure plate 42 needs to be replaced.

Optionally, the pressure driving member 41 is a hydraulic cylinder fixedly arranged on the workbench 1, and the pressure plate 42 is fixed on the bottom end of the hydraulic cylinder.

The pressure driving member 41 adopts a hydraulic cylinder, and the vertical displacement of the pressure plate 42 can be controlled by adjusting the pressing stroke of the hydraulic cylinder, which facilitates the separation of batteries of different sizes and facilitates control.

Optionally, the fixing unit 5 includes a fixing cylinder 51 arranged on the workbench 1 and a fixing pressure plate 52 arranged at the bottom end of the fixing cylinder 51. The fixing cylinder 51 is arranged on the upper side of the module 9, and the fixing cylinder 51 is configured to drive fixation. The pressing plate 52 moves vertically to compress or release the module 9 .

The fixed unit 5 is formed by a fixed cylinder 51 and a fixed pressure plate 52. The fixed cylinder 51 can drive the fixed pressure plate 52 to move vertically. When the pressure plate 42 exerts a vertical force on the frontmost battery core in the module 9 , the fixed cylinder 51 drives the fixed pressure plate 52 to move downward and compress the other battery cores of the module 9 to ensure that the module 9 fits on the table 11 to prevent the rear end of the module 9 from lifting up and affecting the separation of the battery cores; when the pushing unit 2 pushes the module 9 to move after the battery cores are separated, the fixed cylinder 51 drives the fixed pressure plate 52 to move upward to release the module 9, ensuring that the module 9 Move forward and backward.

In this embodiment, the fixed pressing plate 52 has a rectangular structure, and the size of the fixed pressing plate 52 is larger than the size of a single battery core to ensure that the fixed pressing plate 52 is in contact with multiple battery cores and stabilize the module 9 .

Optionally, the pushing unit 2 includes a sliding table 21 arranged on the workbench 1 , a pushing component slidably assembled on the sliding table 21 , and a servo motor 22 drivingly connected to the pushing component. The sliding table 21 moves along the forward direction of the module 9 Extended, the servo motor 22 is configured to drive the pushing component to push the module 9 .

The pushing component is slidably assembled on the sliding table 21 , and the servo motor 22 drives the pushing component to move forward and backward so that the pushing component pushes the module 9 to move. The sliding table 21 guides the moving direction of the pushing component to ensure that the pushing component moves forward and backward. The servo motor 22 is used as the driving part of the pushing unit 2. The stroke of the servo motor 22 can be controlled by controlling the stroke parameters of the servo motor 22. It is easy to control and applicable. The battery cells of different models of modules 9 are separated. At the same time, the servo motor 22, as a closed-loop driving component, can accurately control the stroke of the servo motor 22, so that the module 9 moves a distance of one cell width at a time, which facilitates cell separation.

The length of the slide table 21 limits the total stroke of the pushing component driven by the servo motor 22. Therefore, the total length of the module 9 is smaller than the length of the slide table 21 to ensure that the driving component pushes the battery core of the module 9 to move to the front end of the table 11. . In this embodiment, the total stroke of the driving assembly is 600mm, and the total length of the module 9 does not exceed 550mm.

Optionally, the pushing assembly includes a pushing cylinder 23 and a pushing plate 24 arranged at the bottom of the pushing cylinder 23, The pushing cylinder 23 is slidably assembled on the sliding table 21 and is drivingly connected to the servo motor 22. The pushing cylinder 23 is configured to push the push plate 24 to move vertically.

The push assembly is formed by a push cylinder 23 and a push plate 24. The push cylinder 23 can push the push plate 24 to move vertically. When transporting the module 9 to be separated, the push cylinder 23 drives the push plate 24 to move up to the highest position to avoid Open the module 9 and ensure that the module 9 moves to a suitable position on the table 11; when it is necessary to push the module 9 forward, push the cylinder 23 to push the push plate 24 downward, and use the push plate 24 to push the module 9 forward.

In this embodiment, the push plate 24 has a T-shaped structure, and the front end surface of the push plate 24 contacts the module 9 and pushes the module 9 forward.

Optionally, a proximity switch 6 is also arranged on the workbench 1 . The proximity switch 6 is arranged at the rear end of the module 9 in the forward direction. The proximity switch 6 is configured to detect the position of the module 9 .

The proximity switch 6 is arranged at the rear end of the workbench 1. When there is a module 9 loading on the workbench 1, the proximity switch 6 senses the module 9 and can control the push cylinder 23 to drive the push plate 24 to move up to the highest height to avoid Open the feeding channel of module 9. In this embodiment, the effective stroke height of the pushing cylinder 23 is 150 mm.

Optionally, there are two positioning units 3. The two positioning units 3 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the module 9 in the forward direction. Each positioning unit 3 includes a positioning cylinder 31 and a positioning cylinder arranged on the telescopic axis of the positioning cylinder 31. The positioning cylinder 31 is configured to drive the positioning plate 32 to move in a direction perpendicular to the advancement of the module 9 .

When the positioning cylinder 31 drives the positioning plate 32 to move, it pushes the module 9 from the side, causing the module 9 to move forward along the surface of the positioning plate 32, thereby limiting the movement direction of the module 9. Two sets of positioning units 3 are used, and the two sets of positioning units 3 are arranged symmetrically. The positioning cylinders 31 of the two sets of positioning units 3 can move synchronously, so that the positioning plates 32 of the two sets of positioning units 3 are always symmetrical with the center line of the table 11 as the axis. Arrange, centrally position the module 9 so that the module 9 advances on the center line of the table 11 to ensure that the frontmost battery core in the module 9 moves to the bottom of the pressure unit 4.

Optionally, the workbench 1 is also provided with a limiting cylinder 7 and a limiting plate 8 arranged on the telescopic axis of the limiting cylinder 7 on the lower side of the pressure applying unit 4. The limiting plate 8 is arranged in the forward direction of the module 9. At the front end, the limiting plate 8 has a blocking plate surface that fits the edge of the workbench 1 to block the module 9 .

The limiting plate 8 can limit the forward stroke of the module 9. When the pushing unit 2 pushes the module 9 to move from the rear end of the table 11 to the front end of the table 11 for the first time, the battery core on the module 9 is in contact with the limiter. The bit plate 8 contacts, and the pushing unit 2 stops pushing the module 9 at this time. The limit cylinder 7 drives the limit plate 8 to move downward to the lowest position. The limit plate 8 releases the limit on the module 9. The pushing unit 2 can push the module 9 forward a distance of one cell width. Through the pressure unit 4 Separate the frontmost cell in module 9.

In this embodiment, the limiting plate 8 is an L-shaped structure with two sides perpendicular to each other. One side of the limiting plate 8 is fixedly connected to the limiting cylinder 7 and the other end is used to contact the battery core.

The working process of the module cell separation device in this application is:

Step 1: Adjust the movement stroke and starting position of the servo motor 22 according to the specifications and models of the battery module 9, including the cell width, the size of the module 9, and the number of cell combinations;

Step 2: According to the specifications and models of the battery core, including the length, width, height, pole position and shape of the battery core, adjust the pressing stroke of the pressure plate 42 and the size of the pressure plate 42, and confirm the polarity of the pressure plate 42. The column groove 43 avoids the pole of the battery core;

Step 3: Load the battery module 9. Before feeding, the proximity switch 6 senses the module 9 and pushes the cylinder 23 to drive the push plate 24 to rise to the highest height;

Step 4: The module 9 moves onto the table 11 of the workbench 1 and pushes the cylinder 23 to drive the push plate 24 down. The positioning cylinders 31 of the two sets of positioning units 3 work synchronously to push the positioning plate 32 to move toward the middle of the table 11. A positioning plate 32 presses the module 9 to centrally position the module 9. After a delay of 5 seconds, the positioning cylinder 31 drives the positioning plate 32 to recover, and the positioning plate 32 recovers and releases the module 9;

Step 5: The servo motor 22 of the push unit 2 is started, driving the push cylinder 23 and the push plate 24 to move forward. The push plate 24 pushes the module 9 until the battery core at the front is in contact with the limit plate 8, and the servo motor 22 stops working. ;

Step 6: After the servo motor 22 stops working, the limit cylinder 7 works and drives the limit plate 8 to drop to the lowest position;

Step 7: The servo motor 22 starts and drives the push plate 24 to push the module 9 to move the width of one cell. The servo motor 22 stops working. The frontmost cell in the module 9 is outside the table 11. The fixed cylinder 51 is driven and fixed. The pressing plate 52 moves downward, and the fixed pressing plate 52 presses the fixed module 9;

Step 8: The pressure application unit 4 starts to work. The hydraulic cylinder serves as the pressure driver 41 to drive the pressure application plate 42 to move downward, exerting vertical pressure on the battery core located at the front end of the module 9, and the pressure application plate 42 moves a certain distance. , until the battery core is separated from the module 9, and the hydraulic cylinder drives the pressure plate 42 to move upward to the highest position;

Step nine: when the pressure plate 42 moves to the initial highest position, repeat steps seven and eight until all the modules 9 on the table 11 are separated into single cells;

Step 10: When the push plate 24 pushes down the last battery cell of the module 9, the servo motor 22 works and drives the push cylinder 23 and the push plate 24 back to the initial position, continues to feed, and repeats steps three to ten.

In summary, embodiments of the present application provide a module cell separation device, which arranges a pushing unit, a positioning unit, a pressure unit and a fixing unit on a workbench. When separating module cells, the pushing unit pushes the module to The workbench moves, and the positioning unit positions the module to ensure that the cells advance horizontally along the direction of the cell arrangement. By controlling the advancement stroke of the pushing unit, the frontmost cell in the module can be moved to the bottom of the pressure unit. side, the pressure driver drives the pressure plate to move downward, and the pressure plate is located at the front end of the module. Vertical pressure is exerted on the battery cores. The vertical pressure overcomes the force of the structural glue between the battery cores and separates the battery cores. This eliminates the traditional freezing process and manual disassembly process, realizes automated assembly operations, and realizes the battery cores on the assembly line. Safe and efficient dismantling and separation greatly improves the overall dismantling production efficiency and reduces labor costs.

Claims (9)

1. A module cell separation device includes a workbench (1). The workbench (1) is provided with a pushing unit (2) configured to push the module (9) to advance horizontally along the arrangement direction of the cells. A positioning unit (3) for positioning the module (9) in the forward direction. The workbench (1) is also provided with a pressure unit (4) at the front end of the module (9) in the forward direction. The pressure unit (4) It includes a pressure driving member (41) and a pressure plate (42) that is drivingly connected to the pressure driving member (41). The pressure plate (42) is configured to apply pressure to a position in the module (9). The frontmost battery core applies vertical pressure, and a fixing unit (5) is also arranged on the workbench (1). The fixing unit (5) is configured to fix the module when the pressure unit (4) separates the battery core. (9).
2. The module cell separation device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the pressure plate (42) is provided with two pole grooves (43) at intervals, and the two pole grooves (43) Set to avoid the poles of the battery cells respectively.
3. The module cell separation device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure driving member (41) is a hydraulic cylinder fixedly arranged on the workbench (1), and the pressure plate (42) is fixed at the bottom end of the hydraulic cylinder.
4. The module cell separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fixing unit (5) includes a fixing cylinder (51) arranged on the workbench (1) and a fixing cylinder (51) arranged on the workbench (1). The fixed pressure plate (52) at the bottom end of the fixed cylinder (51) is arranged on the upper side of the module (9). The fixed cylinder (51) is configured to drive the fixed pressure plate (52) vertically. Move it inward to compress or release the module (9).
5. The module cell separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pushing unit (2) includes a sliding table (21) arranged on the workbench (1), and is slidably assembled on the sliding table (21). The pushing assembly on the table (21) and the servo motor (22) drivingly connected to the pushing assembly, the sliding table (21) extends along the forward direction of the module (9), and the servo motor (22) is configured as The pushing component is driven to push the module (9).
6. The module cell separation device according to claim 5, wherein the pushing assembly includes a pushing cylinder (23) and a pushing plate (24) arranged at the bottom of the pushing cylinder (23), the pushing cylinder (23) ) is slidably assembled on the sliding table (21) and is drivingly connected to the servo motor (22). The pushing cylinder (23) is configured to push the push plate (24) to move vertically.
7. The module cell separation device according to claim 6, wherein a proximity switch (6) is also arranged on the workbench (1), and the proximity switch (6) is arranged in the forward direction of the module (9). At the rear end, the proximity switch (6) is configured to detect the position of the module (9).
8. The module cell separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there are two positioning units (3), and the two positioning units (3) are symmetrically arranged on the module (9). Two ways forward On the other side, each positioning unit (3) includes a positioning cylinder (31) and a positioning plate (32) arranged on the telescopic shaft of the positioning cylinder (31), and the positioning cylinder (31) is configured to drive the positioning plate. (32) moves in a direction perpendicular to the advancement of the module (9).
9. The module cell separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workbench (1) is further provided with a limited cylinder (7) and an arrangement on the lower side of the pressure applying unit (4). A limiting plate (8) on the telescopic axis of the limiting cylinder (7), the limiting plate (8) is arranged at the front end of the module (9) in the forward direction, the limiting plate (8) has A stop plate that fits the edge of the workbench (1) and blocks the module (9).