US 12,420,357 B2
Method for processing rechargeable batteries
Alexander Xavier Christof Kohll, Saeul (LU); Karthik Mathivanan, Luxembourg (LU); and Harry I. Schaaf, Rheinmünster (DE)
Assigned to Circu Li-ion S.A., Luxembourg (LU)
Filed by Circu Li-ion S.A., Foetz (LU)
Filed on Aug. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/234,554.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2022 121 095.2 (DE), filed on Aug. 20, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0058897 A1, Feb. 22, 2024
Int. Cl. B23K 26/36 (2014.01); H01M 10/052 (2010.01); H01M 10/54 (2006.01); H01M 10/054 (2010.01); H01M 10/058 (2010.01)
CPC B23K 26/36 (2013.01) [H01M 10/052 (2013.01); H01M 10/54 (2013.01); H01M 10/054 (2013.01); H01M 10/058 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for processing a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:
discharging a rechargeable battery;
opening the discharged rechargeable battery, and breaking down the rechargeable battery into a plurality of single cells;
wherein breaking down the rechargeable battery into a plurality of single cells comprises using a laser (8) to detach a busbar that connects the plurality of single cells (5) together, from the single cells (5), and further wherein the laser (8) detaches the busbar from the plurality of single cells (5) by removing weld spots (7) connecting the plurality of single cells (5) to the busbar;
wherein the weld spots (7) to be removed by the laser (8) are detected by means of a camera system (9), and the laser (8) is aligned with the weld spots (7) by means of a laser scanner (10);
characterized in that the opening (2) of the discharged rechargeable battery takes place using a flexible robot-assisted opening system by extracting the plurality of single cells of the opened rechargeable battery from the rechargeable battery as far as necessary, and then detaching the busbar connecting the plurality of single cells so as to provide a plurality of isolated single cells (5), wherein, after detachment of the busbar from the plurality of single cells (5), the method further comprises using the laser (8) to machine a surface (6) of the plurality of isolated single cells and using the camera system (9) to inspect the surface (6) of the plurality of isolated single cells.