Relay switching device integrated with a pre-charge system

By integrating relay switching devices, the problem of excessively large BDU size was solved, achieving miniaturization of the BDU and an increase in battery pack energy density. The use of circuit mode switching modules and thermoelectric devices to absorb heat reduced the number of components.

CN115836374BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-12LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
Filing Date
2021-10-26
Publication Date
2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing battery disconnection units (BDUs) are large in size due to the presence of multiple components, which affects the size and energy density of the battery pack.

Method used

A relay switching device is provided, which integrates the functions of a traditional high-potential main relay, a pre-charge relay, and a pre-charge resistor. The switching between the pre-charge and main relay circuits is realized through a circuit mode switching module. The device includes a moving shaft, a contact plate, and a resistive component. It utilizes thermoelectric equipment to absorb heat and reduces the number of components.

🎯Benefits of technology

This enabled the miniaturization of the BDU, reduced the number of components, and lowered the size of the BDU, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery pack.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Provided is a relay switch device including: a relay housing; first and second upper fixed terminals arranged side by side through the inside and outside of the relay housing; a first lower fixed terminal electrically connected to the first upper fixed terminal and arranged below the first upper fixed terminal at a predetermined distance therefrom, and a second lower fixed terminal electrically connected to the second upper fixed terminal and arranged below the second upper fixed terminal at a predetermined distance therefrom; and a circuit mode switching module configured to selectively contact the first and second upper fixed terminals or the first and second lower fixed terminals by moving a predetermined distance.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a relay switching device for controlling the electrical connection between a battery pack and a load.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0140709, filed in Korea on October 27, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Large-capacity battery packs are installed in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HVs), and energy storage systems (ESS).

[0004] The battery pack is connected to the load via a relay circuit unit. The load is a device that receives power from the battery pack, such as a motor or inverter.

[0005] like Figure 1 As shown, the relay circuit unit includes a high-potential main relay 10 and a low-potential main relay 20. The high-potential main relay 10 is installed on the line that connects the positive terminal of battery pack B to the positive terminal of load L, and the low-potential main relay 20 is installed on the line that connects the negative terminal of battery pack B to the negative terminal of load L.

[0006] When battery pack B is electrically connected to load L, a large voltage from battery pack B is suddenly applied to load L, causing an inrush current to initially flow to load L. This inrush current can cause irreversible damage by applying an electric shock to relay circuit units or circuitry included in load L.

[0007] Therefore, a conventional relay circuit unit includes an RC circuit, which includes a pre-charge resistor 40, a capacitor 50, and a pre-charge relay 30 connected in parallel to the high-potential main relay 10.

[0008] When battery pack B and load L are intended to be electrically connected to each other, the low-potential main relay 20 and pre-charge relay 30 are turned on first. Then, as the current output from battery pack B flows to load L through the RC circuit, the magnitude of the current gradually increases.

[0009] When the pre-charge relay 30 is turned on and the current increases to a level that does not affect the load L, the high-potential main relay 10 is then turned on, and then the pre-charge relay 20 is turned off, thereby completing the electrical connection between the battery pack B and the load L.

[0010] In this field, as described above, components used to control the electrical connection between the battery pack and the load are collectively referred to as a battery disconnect unit (BDU). (BDU - reference...) Figure 2It includes a high-potential main relay 10, a low-potential main relay 20, a pre-charge relay 30, a pre-charge resistor 40, etc., and also includes wires or busbars 60 for electrically connecting them and a housing 70 for accommodating the above components.

[0011] In recent years, battery distribution units (BDUs) have been configured to perform more functions than in traditional technologies. For example, BDUs are designed to even handle the power distribution functions of traditional electric vehicles. To this end, recent BDUs incorporate more busbars, relays, and other related components within their housing compared to traditional BDUs. Consequently, these BDUs are more expensive and larger. Since BDUs are typically installed inside the battery pack, this larger size becomes a negative factor in reducing battery pack size and increasing energy density.

[0012] Therefore, a method is being sought to reduce the size of the BDU by integrating multiple components that could potentially be embedded in the BDU into a single component. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] This disclosure aims to address the problems of the prior art, and therefore aims to provide a relay switching device that can be used as a conventional high-potential main relay, a conventional pre-charge relay, and a conventional pre-charge resistor, thereby contributing to the miniaturization of the battery disconnection unit (BDU) and the increase of battery pack energy density.

[0015] The technical problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the following description of this disclosure.

[0016] Technical solutions

[0017] In one aspect of this disclosure, a relay switching device is provided, comprising: a relay housing; a first upper fixed terminal and a second upper fixed terminal arranged side-by-side through the interior and exterior of the relay housing; a first lower fixed terminal electrically connected to the first upper fixed terminal and arranged below the first upper fixed terminal at a predetermined distance from the first upper fixed terminal; and a second lower fixed terminal electrically connected to the second upper fixed terminal and arranged below the second upper fixed terminal at a predetermined distance from the second upper fixed terminal; and a circuit mode switching module configured to selectively contact the first and second upper fixed terminals or the first and second lower fixed terminals by moving a predetermined distance, wherein when the circuit mode switching module contacts the first and second upper fixed terminals, the voltages in the first and second upper fixed terminals are substantially the same, and when the circuit mode switching module contacts the first and second lower fixed terminals, a voltage difference is generated between the first and second upper fixed terminals.

[0018] The circuit mode switching module may include: a movable shaft configured to rise and fall within a relay housing; a contact plate formed of a conductive material, mounted on the movable shaft and configured to contact first and second upper fixed terminals when the movable shaft rises to a predetermined position; and a resistive member mounted on the movable shaft, positioned below the contact plate, and contacting first and second lower fixed terminals, thereby enabling electrical connection to the first and second lower fixed terminals when the movable shaft falls to a predetermined position, the resistive member comprising a resistor within an insulating housing.

[0019] The resistor may include: a first terminal that protrudes downward from a portion of the resistor that faces a first lower fixed terminal; and a second terminal that protrudes downward from a portion of the resistor that faces a second lower fixed terminal.

[0020] The resistive component can be a thermoelectric device configured to absorb heat within the relay housing.

[0021] Thermoelectric devices can be arranged such that the heat-absorbing side faces the lower part of the relay housing.

[0022] The relay switching device may further include a drive module located within the relay housing below the first and second lower fixed terminals, and includes a coil portion for generating an electromagnetic force capable of moving the moving shaft.

[0023] The coil portion can be configured as a cylinder with a central channel that is empty in the center, and the moving shaft can be arranged to extend along the central channel.

[0024] A circuit mode switching module for a relay switching device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a moving shaft configured to rise and fall within a relay housing; a contact plate connected to the moving shaft and configured to selectively contact first and second upper fixed terminals or first and second lower fixed terminals according to the rising / falling operation of the moving shaft; a first wire connecting the first upper fixed terminal to the first lower fixed terminal; a second wire connecting the second upper fixed terminal to the second lower fixed terminal; and a resistor disposed on at least one of the first wire and the second wire.

[0025] In another aspect of this disclosure, a battery disconnection unit including the aforementioned relay switching device is provided.

[0026] In another aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack including the aforementioned battery disconnection unit is provided.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a relay switching device that can be used as a conventional high-potential main relay, a conventional pre-charge relay, and a conventional pre-charge resistor can be provided.

[0029] In other words, when controlling the electrical connection between the battery pack and the load, the relay switching device of this disclosure can implement the pre-charge circuit without using existing pre-charge relays and existing pre-charge resistors.

[0030] Those skilled in the art will understand from the following description that various embodiments of this disclosure can solve several technical problems not mentioned above. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of a relay circuit unit placed between the battery pack and the load.

[0032] Figure 2 This schematically illustrates a portion of the structure of a conventional battery disconnect unit (BDU).

[0033] Figure 3 The structure of a relay switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A 3D view of the circuit mode switching module.

[0035] Figure 5 This shows the operating status of the relay switching device in the pre-charge relay circuit mode.

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The circuit diagram for the pre-charge relay circuit mode.

[0037] Figure 7 This shows the operating status of the relay switching device in the main relay circuit mode.

[0038] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The circuit diagram for the main relay circuit mode.

[0039] Figure 9 The structure of a relay switching device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present disclosure is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated. The terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their general or dictionary meaning, but rather should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical solutions of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor is able to appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe his / her own application.

[0041] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all technical aspects of this disclosure. It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace the described configurations are possible at the time of submission of this disclosure.

[0042] The relay switching device described below is installed in a high-current transmission line for transmitting power from a battery pack to an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid vehicle (HV) and for controlling the electrical connection between the battery pack and the vehicle load. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to this purpose. For example, the relay switching device according to this disclosure can be installed in a charging current line connecting an external charger to the battery pack.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a relay switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A 3D view of the circuit mode switching module.

[0044] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay switching device includes a relay housing 100, a first upper fixed terminal 210, a second upper fixed terminal 220, a first lower fixed terminal 310, a second lower fixed terminal 320, a circuit mode switching module 400, and a drive module 500.

[0045] The relay housing 100 may be referred to as an injection-molded structure for housing and protecting the components described below within a substantially rectangular box-shaped internal space. For example, the relay housing 100 may include a lower cover and a upper cover injection-molded using plastic resin, which may be configured to house the components described below on the lower cover and assemble the upper cover, and may be configured to be secured to a battery disconnect unit (BDU) housing (not shown) by means of bolts or the like.

[0046] The relay housing 100 can be manufactured in various shapes as needed. A window can be provided in the relay housing 100, or it can be made of transparent acrylic material, so that the operating status of the relay housing 100 can be visually inspected.

[0047] The relay switching device is connected to an external current transmission line via a first upper fixed terminal 210 and a second upper fixed terminal 220. For example, outside the relay housing 100, the first upper fixed terminal 210 can be connected to a line extending to a battery pack, and the second upper fixed terminal 220 can be connected to a line extending to a load of an electric vehicle. The wiring can be implemented using busbars, wires, etc.

[0048] The first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220 can span the interior and exterior of the relay housing 100 and be arranged side by side at a predetermined distance from each other in the horizontal direction (±X-axis direction).

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the first upper fixing terminal 210 and the second upper fixing terminal 220 can be arranged in pairs with the same shape and can be fixedly installed on the upper part of the relay housing 100. The first upper fixing terminal 210 and the second upper fixing terminal 220 are forcibly embedded in two holes formed in the upper part of the relay housing 100, such that the corresponding portions of the first upper fixing terminal 210 and the second upper fixing terminal 220 are inside the relay housing 100, and their remaining portions are exposed outside the relay housing 100.

[0050] Therefore, for example, when the contact plate 420, which will be described below, contacts the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220, which are physically separated from each other, current can flow in the current transmission line.

[0051] The first lower fixed terminal 310 can be configured to be spaced at a predetermined distance from the first upper fixed terminal 210 in the vertical downward direction, and the second lower fixed terminal 320 can be configured to be spaced at a predetermined distance from the second upper fixed terminal 220 in the vertical downward direction.

[0052] The first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320 can be arranged in pairs according to the same shape—that is, according to the shape of a metal plate—and can be spaced apart from each other and fixedly installed inside the relay housing 100.

[0053] The first upper fixed terminal 210 and the first lower fixed terminal 310 are interconnected via wires or busbars, so that current can flow between the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the first lower fixed terminal 310. Similarly, the second upper fixed terminal 220 and the second lower fixed terminal 320 are interconnected via wires or busbars, so that current can flow between the second upper fixed terminal 220 and the second lower fixed terminal 320.

[0054] For example, the first lower fixing terminal 310 and the second lower fixing terminal 320 can be fixedly installed on the partition wall 110 located on the upper part of the drive module 500 by means of joining, bolting, snap welding, etc. When manufacturing the relay housing 100, the first lower fixing terminal 310 and the second lower fixing terminal 320 can be integrated with the relay housing 100 by injection molding.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the first upper fixed terminal 210 is connected to the first lower fixed terminal 310 using a first metal wire 610. One end of the first metal wire 610 can be soldered to the first upper fixed terminal 210, and the other end can be soldered to the first lower fixed terminal 310. Similarly, the second upper fixed terminal 220 is connected to the second lower fixed terminal 320 using a second metal wire 620.

[0056] The circuit mode switching module 400 can be configured to move a predetermined distance to selectively contact the first and second upper fixed terminals 210 and 220 or the first and second lower fixed terminals 310 and 320. The circuit mode switching module 400 can be configured such that when the circuit mode switching module 400 contacts the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220, the corresponding node voltage values ​​at the first and second upper fixed terminals 220 and 210 are substantially the same, and when the circuit mode switching module 400 contacts the first and second lower fixed terminals 310 and 320, a voltage difference is generated between the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220.

[0057] This configuration of the circuit mode switching module 400 enables switching from the pre-charge relay circuit mode to the main relay circuit mode, or from the main relay circuit mode to the pre-charge relay mode.

[0058] The pre-charge relay circuit mode can refer to the following mode: in which the current in the load gradually increases due to the RC circuit between the battery pack and the load, while the main relay circuit mode can refer to the following mode: in which the current is supplied to the load without the pre-charge resistor when the magnitude of the current is such that it does not affect the load.

[0059] For detailed reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The circuit mode switching module 400 according to this embodiment includes a moving shaft 410, a contact plate 420, and a resistor component 430.

[0060] The movable shaft 410 can be arranged along the vertical direction (±Y-axis direction) and configured to move vertically within the relay housing 100. This embodiment includes a drive module 500, which includes a coil portion 510 that generates electromagnetic force to drive the movable shaft 410 vertically.

[0061] The coil portion 510 can be separated from the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320 by the partition wall 110, and can be inserted into the space surrounded by the partition wall 110 and the outer wall of the relay housing 100.

[0062] The coil portion 510 can be configured as a cylinder with a central channel that is hollow in the center. The moving shaft 410 can be arranged along the central channel, and its upper end can be positioned in the upper region of the relay housing 100.

[0063] When an electric current flows through the coil portion 510 due to the application of electricity, the coil portion 510 can act as an electromagnet. At this time, the movable shaft 410 can move upward or downward by the electromagnetic force of the coil portion 510.

[0064] For example, when current flows into coil portion 510 in one direction, the moving shaft 410 can move upward, and when current flows into coil portion 510 in the opposite direction, the moving shaft 410 can move downward. Alternatively, two coil portions 510 can be used, namely, a coil portion 510 for raising the moving shaft 410 and a coil portion 510 for lowering the moving shaft 410.

[0065] A movable core 520, capable of serving as a load-bearing element, can be coupled to the lower end of the movable shaft 410. Compared to the diameter and load capacity of the movable shaft 410, the movable core 520 can have a larger diameter and a higher load capacity. This movable core 520 restricts the rapid movement of the movable shaft 410.

[0066] A hollow core 530 can be further disposed in the central channel of the coil portion 510. The inner diameter of the core 530 is larger than the diameter of the moving shaft 410 such that the moving shaft 410 passes through the core 520, and smaller than the diameter of the moving core 520.

[0067] The fixed core 530 can be positioned in the center channel of the coil section 510 to suppress the lateral movement of the moving shaft 410 and guide the lifting action. It can also act as a stop, preventing the moving shaft 410 connected to the moving core 520 from being pushed above a predetermined height by limiting the movement of the moving core. When using the moving core 520 and the fixed core 530, the movement of the moving shaft 410 can be controlled more stably and precisely.

[0068] According to this embodiment, an electromechanical method using the coil portion 510 is employed to raise and lower the moving shaft 410. However, as an alternative example, a mechanical mechanism using, for example, a combination of racks, pinions, servo motors, or cylinders can be used to raise and lower the moving shaft 410.

[0069] The contact plate 420 may be formed of a conductive material and may be configured as a block or plate having a greater length than the interval between the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220, such that the center of the block or plate is coupled to the uppermost end of the moving shaft 410.

[0070] When the movable shaft 410 is raised to the predetermined position, the contact plate 420 contacts the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220. At this time, the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220 can be electrically connected to each other through the contact plate 420, and therefore the voltage between the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220 is substantially constant.

[0071] The resistive component 430 may include a resistor, an insulating housing for accommodating the resistor, and a first terminal 431 and a second terminal 432 connected to the resistor.

[0072] The first terminal 431 may have a button shape and may protrude from a portion of the lower surface of the resistor member 430, and the second terminal 432 may have a button shape and may protrude from another portion of the lower surface of the resistor member 430. The "one portion" refers to the portion corresponding to the vertical upper portion of the first lower fixed terminal 310, and the "other portion" refers to the portion corresponding to the vertical upper portion of the second lower fixed terminal 320.

[0073] The resistor 430 can be disposed below the contact plate 420 to couple to the moving shaft 410.

[0074] According to this structure, when the moving shaft 410 descends to a predetermined position, the first terminal 431 of the resistive member 430 contacts the first lower fixed terminal 310, and the second terminal 432 of the resistive member 420 contacts the second lower fixed terminal 320. At this time, the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320 enter a state where they can be electrically connected to each other, and when current flows through the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320, the current passes through the resistor. Therefore, a voltage drop occurs, and a voltage difference is generated between the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320.

[0075] Because the voltage of the first lower fixed terminal 310 is the same as the voltage of the first upper fixed terminal 210, and the voltage of the second lower fixed terminal 320 is the same as the voltage of the second upper fixed terminal 220, the voltage difference between the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220 is the same as the voltage difference between the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320.

[0076] Figure 5 This shows the operating status of the relay switching device in the pre-charge relay circuit mode. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Circuit diagram of the pre-charge relay circuit mode. Figure 7 This shows the operating status of the relay switching device in the main relay circuit mode, and Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The circuit diagram for the main relay circuit mode.

[0077] Referring to these accompanying drawings, an operational example of a relay switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be briefly described.

[0078] When the battery pack and the load are intended to be electrically connected to each other, firstly, the moving shaft 410 is lowered so that the resistive member 430 contacts the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320.

[0079] Then, as Figure 5 As shown in the current flow indicator circuit, the current flows sequentially from the (+) terminal of the battery pack to the corresponding (+) terminal of the capacitor through the first upper fixed terminal 210, the first metal wire 610, the first lower fixed terminal 310, the resistor 430, the second lower fixed terminal 320, the second metal wire 620, and the second upper fixed terminal 220.

[0080] Therefore, based on the above configuration, such as Figure 6 As shown, a circuit equivalent to a conventional RC circuit can be provided by turning off the high-potential main relay and turning on the pre-charge relay.

[0081] Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed and the pre-charge target voltage is reached, the moving shaft 410 rises, causing the contact plate 420 to contact the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220.

[0082] Then, as Figure 7 As shown in the current flow indicator circuit, the current flows sequentially from the (+) terminal of the battery pack to the corresponding (+) terminal of the capacitor through the first upper fixed terminal 210, the contact plate 420, and the second upper fixed terminal 220.

[0083] Therefore, based on the above configuration, such as Figure 8 As shown, a circuit equivalent to that provided by turning off the pre-charge relay and turning on the high-potential relay can be provided.

[0084] Thermoelectric devices designed to have the same resistance value as conventional pre-charge resistors can be used as the resistive component 430 of the circuit mode switching module 400.

[0085] The thermoelectric device can be a cooling thermoelectric device that performs thermoelectric cooling / heating by supplying electrical energy, thereby creating a temperature difference between one side and another or between one surface and another. Such a thermoelectric device can be used as a resistor and can also reduce the temperature of the coil portion 510.

[0086] For example, in pre-charge circuit mode, such as Figure 5As shown, the thermoelectric device can be used as a resistor, and at this time, by using the supplied power as the operating power of the thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device can be used to reduce the internal temperature of the relay housing 100.

[0087] The thermoelectric device can be attached to the lower part of the contact plate 420 and oriented along the lower part of the relay housing 100, such that the cooling portion—that is, the heat-absorbing side—faces the coil portion 510. However, the heat-absorbing side and the heat-generating side can be changed by altering the direction of the current supply.

[0088] The operating voltage required for the coil section 510 tends to increase with increasing temperature. Therefore, when the temperature of the coil section 510 is kept at a low temperature by using the cooling thermoelectric device described above, problems such as incomplete contact of the contacts that may be caused by insufficient operating voltage of the coil section 510 can be effectively prevented.

[0089] Figure 9 The structure of a relay switching device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0090] The following will refer to Figure 9 A relay switching device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0091] Figure 9 The same reference numerals as in the above embodiments denote the same components, and repeated descriptions of the same components will be omitted. The following mainly describes the differences from the above embodiments.

[0092] When comparing another embodiment of this disclosure with the above embodiments, the circuit mode switching module 400 includes a moving shaft 410, a contact plate 420, and a resistor 700.

[0093] The movable shaft 410 and the contact plate 420 are the same as those in the above embodiment, but the resistor 700 is disposed in at least one of the first metal wire 610 and the second metal wire 620.

[0094] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay switching device can also enable switching between a pre-charged relay mode and a main relay mode, as shown in the above embodiment.

[0095] In other words, when the contact plate 420 descends and attaches to the first lower fixed terminal 310 and the second lower fixed terminal 320, current can flow from the first upper fixed terminal 210 to the second upper fixed terminal 220 via a resistor, and thus a pre-charged relay circuit mode can be provided.

[0096] When the contact plate 420 rises and is attached to the first upper fixed terminal 210 and the second upper fixed terminal 220, current can flow from the first upper fixed terminal 210 to the second upper mounting terminal 220 without passing through the resistor 700, thus providing a main relay circuit mode.

[0097] As described above, a relay switching device according to this disclosure can replace the functions of a conventional high-potential main relay, a conventional pre-charge relay, and a conventional pre-charge resistor. When such a relay switching device is installed, for example, the pre-charge relay and pre-charge resistor can be omitted, which can help reduce the size of the BDU.

[0098] The BDU according to this disclosure may include the aforementioned relay switching device. In addition to the relay switching device, the BDU may also include a low-potential main relay, a current sensor, a busbar or wire as an electrical connection device, and a BDU housing for housing them.

[0099] BDUs can be housed within the battery pack.

[0100] The battery pack according to this disclosure may include a battery module consisting of a BDU and multiple secondary batteries, a battery management system (BMS) for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery module, and a battery pack container for housing them.

[0101] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains without departing from the essence of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims.

[0102] At the same time, although terms such as up, down, left, and right are used in this specification to indicate direction, these terms are only for convenience of description, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the position of the target object or the position of the observer.

Claims

1. A relay switching device for connecting / disconnecting current flow in a current transmission line, the relay switching device comprising: A relay housing that forms the periphery of the relay switching device; A first upper fixed terminal and a second upper fixed terminal extend from the inside of the relay housing to the outside and are arranged side by side at a predetermined distance from each other; A first lower fixing terminal, electrically connected to the first upper fixing terminal and arranged below the first upper fixing terminal at a predetermined distance from the first upper fixing terminal; and a second lower fixing terminal, electrically connected to the second upper fixing terminal and arranged below the second upper fixing terminal at a predetermined distance from the second upper fixing terminal. as well as A circuit mode switching module is configured to selectively contact the first upper fixed terminal and the second upper fixed terminal or the first lower fixed terminal and the second lower fixed terminal by moving a predetermined distance. Specifically, when the circuit mode switching module contacts the first upper fixed terminal and the second upper fixed terminal, the node voltages in the first upper fixed terminal and the second upper fixed terminal are substantially the same, and when the circuit mode switching module contacts the first lower fixed terminal and the second lower fixed terminal, a voltage difference is generated between the first upper fixed terminal and the second upper fixed terminal. The circuit mode switching module includes: A movable shaft, which is configured to rise and fall within the relay housing; A contact plate, formed of a conductive material, is mounted on the movable shaft and configured to contact the first upper fixed terminal and the second upper fixed terminal when the movable shaft rises to a predetermined position; and A resistive component is mounted on the movable shaft, positioned below the contact plate, and contacts the first lower fixed terminal and the second lower fixed terminal when the movable shaft descends to a predetermined position, thereby enabling electrical connection to the first lower fixed terminal and the second lower fixed terminal. The resistive component includes a resistor within an insulating housing.

2. The relay switching device according to claim 1, wherein, The resistive component includes: A first terminal, the first terminal protruding downward from the portion of the resistive member facing the first lower fixed terminal; and The second terminal protrudes downward from the portion of the resistive member facing the second lower fixed terminal.

3. The relay switching device according to claim 1, wherein, The resistive element is a thermoelectric device configured to absorb heat within the relay housing.

4. The relay switching device according to claim 3, wherein, The thermoelectric device is arranged such that the heat-absorbing side faces the lower part of the relay housing.

5. The relay switching device according to claim 1, further comprising a drive module positioned within the relay housing below the first lower fixed terminal and the second lower fixed terminal, and including a coil portion for generating an electromagnetic force capable of moving the moving shaft.

6. The relay switching device according to claim 5, wherein, The coil portion is configured as a cylinder with a central channel that is hollow in the center, and the moving shaft is arranged to extend along the central channel.

7. A battery disconnection unit comprising a relay switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A battery pack including the battery disconnection unit according to claim 7.