Method and apparatus for classifying and recovering the main components of used batteries

This invention concerns a method and an apparatus for classifying and recovering the main components of used batteries. More specifically, it concerns a method and an apparatus by which the batteries are conveyed on a conveyor while an alternating magnetic field is applied to each. A detection means detects what sort of induced magnetic field has resulted from the eddy current induced in the battery and in this way determines what sort of battery it is. The batteries being conveyed on the conveyor are brought to within a fixed distance of the detection means, and their travel path is constrained so as to maintain highly accurate detection. A method and an apparatus for classifying and recovering the main components of used batteries, particularly, a method and an apparatus by which the batteries are conveyed on a conveyor while an alternating magnetic field of a plurality of frequencies is applied to each and a detection means detects what sort of induced magnetic field has resulted from the eddy current induced in the battery. The orthogonal components in the change of the induced magnetic field are detected; the relationship between these orthogonal components and the frequencies are compared with the database of the same which is previously obtained, and the batteries are sorted according to their classification and size. This method can sort large amounts of used batteries continuously. In this invention, the battery will be drawn down into the detection region either magnetically or mechanically while the stable transport of the battery is achieved. The method and apparatus of the invention enable continuous bulk sorting of batteries, assure a smooth feed, and improve the accuracy with which the induced magnetic field generated in the battery is detected.