Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack may include a battery module including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a main switch connected to the high-voltage terminal or the low-voltage terminal, and having a control terminal connected to a first terminal of at least one first cell among the plurality of cells; and a switch control device for controlling a connection between the first terminal of the first cell and the control terminal of the main switch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to battery packs. Background Art

[0002] In the battery pack, a main relay may control electrical connection between the battery pack and an external device (eg, a load, a charger) using a predetermined electrical signal.

[0003] In many cases, when the battery pack and the external device are connected, the main relay is damaged due to an overcurrent (surge current) occurring at the start of the operation. To prevent this, a precharge circuit may be connected in parallel with the main relay.

[0004] The pre-charge circuit may include a pre-charge relay and a resistor. The pre-charge relay may be turned on before the main relay is turned on, and may be turned off after a predetermined time after the main relay is turned on, thereby reducing the surge current that occurs when the battery pack and the external device are connected (for example, at the beginning of the charging or discharging operation). On the other hand, due to the increase of the pre-charge circuit, the cost of the battery pack increases. Summary of the invention

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment relates to a battery pack, comprising: a battery module having a plurality of cells that can be electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a main switch that can be connected to the high voltage terminal or the low voltage terminal and can have a control terminal connected to a first terminal of at least one first cell among the plurality of cells; and a switch control device for controlling the connection between the first terminal of the at least one first cell and the control terminal of the main switch.

[0006] In an embodiment, the main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal. In an implementation, the main switch may include an N-channel transistor.

[0007] In the battery pack of the first aspect, the main switch may be connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal. In an implementation, the main switch may include a P-channel transistor.

[0008] In the battery pack of the first aspect, the switch control device may include: a first switch connected between the first terminal of the first cell and the control terminal of the main switch, and can be turned on or off in response to a first control signal; and at least one first resistor connected between the first terminal of the first cell and the first switch and between the first switch and the control terminal of the main switch. In an implementation, the switch control device may also include: a second switch connected between the first terminal of a second cell different from the first cell and the first switch, and can be turned on or off in response to a second control signal; and a second resistor connected between the second switch and the first switch, and the first switch can be turned on during a first period, and the second switch can be turned on after the first period. In an implementation, the second cell may be connected in series with the first cell, with at least one cell inserted therebetween. In an implementation, the switch control device may also include: a control voltage generator connected to the first switch, and a control voltage greater than the voltage of the first cell may be applied, the first switch may be turned on during the first period, and the control voltage may be applied after the first period.

[0009] In the battery pack of the first aspect, the voltage of the first cell may correspond to a turn-on voltage of the main switch.

[0010] In a second aspect, an embodiment also relates to a battery pack, comprising: a battery module, which may have a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a first main switch, which may be connected to one of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal, and may have a control terminal connected to a first terminal of a first cell among the plurality of cells; and a switch control device, which may include a first switch connected between the first terminal of the first cell and the control terminal of the first main switch, and may turn the first switch on or off according to a first control signal.

[0011] In an implementation of the battery pack of the second aspect, the first main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

[0012] In another implementation of the battery pack of the second aspect, the first main switch of the battery pack of the second aspect may be connected to a high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal.

[0013] In another implementation of the battery pack of the second aspect, the battery pack may further include a second main switch, which may be connected to the other of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal, and may have a control terminal connected to a first terminal of a second cell among the plurality of cells. In an implementation, the first main switch may be connected to the high voltage terminal, the second main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, the first terminal of the first cell may be a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the second cell may be a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

[0014] In yet another implementation, the switch control circuit of the battery pack of the second aspect may further include a second switch that may be connected between the first switch and the first terminal of a third cell among the plurality of cells, and the second switch may be turned on or off according to a second control signal, and the third cell may be connected in series with the first cell with at least one cell inserted therebetween. In addition, the switch control circuit may turn on the first switch during the first period, and may turn on the second switch after the first period.

[0015] In another implementation, the switch control device of the battery pack of the second aspect may further include a control voltage generator, which may be connected to the first switch to apply a control voltage, the first switch may be turned on during the first period, and the control voltage may be applied after the first period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand the features of the present disclosure by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a conventional battery pack including a pre-charging circuit;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment; and

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0023] Throughout the specification and the claims, if a part is referred to as “comprising” a certain element, it may mean that it may further include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0024] Furthermore, expressions described in the singular may be interpreted as being in the singular or in the plural unless an explicit expression such as "one" or "a single" is used.

[0025] In addition, terms including ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, etc.) may be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. The above terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

[0026] Furthermore, if a component is referred to as being “connected” to another component, it includes not only the case where the two components are “directly connected” but also the case where there is an “indirect or non-contact connection” with another component interposed therebetween, or the case where the two components are “electrically connected”.

[0027] On the other hand, if an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" another element, it should be understood that there are no intervening elements.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a conventional battery pack including a pre-charging circuit.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 , the battery pack 10 may include a battery module 11 , a main switch SW_M1 , a pre-charging circuit 12 , and a capacitor C1 .

[0030] The battery module 11 may be connected to the load 20 through the main switch SW_M1. The load 20 may include, for example, an inverter, a converter, a charging device, etc. The battery module 11 may be charged by the charging device or discharged by the inverter or the converter.

[0031] When the battery module 11 and the load 20 are connected through the main switch SW_M1 , an inrush current and sparks are generated due to a potential difference between an internal capacitor of the load 20 and the battery module 11 , which results in a situation where the main switch SW_M1 may be fused or damaged.

[0032] To prevent this, a precharge circuit 12 may be provided. The precharge circuit 12 may be connected in parallel with the main switch SW_M1 and may reduce a potential difference between the battery module 11 and the load 20 before the battery module 11 and the load 20 are connected through the main switch SW_M1.

[0033] The precharge circuit 12 may include a precharge switch SW_P and a resistor R_P. The precharge switch SW_P and the resistor R_P may be connected in series. Before the main switch SW_M1 is turned on, the precharge switch SW_P may be turned on to charge the capacitor C1 through the precharge resistor R_P. Then, the voltage of the capacitor C1 may become almost the same as the voltage of the battery module 11. Next, the precharge switch SW_P may be turned off, and the main switch SW_M1 may be turned on to use the load 20 or charge the battery module 11. At this time, the main switch SW_M1 may be turned on, and no inrush current may be generated due to the voltage charged in the capacitor C1. Therefore, sparks or damage to the main switch SW_M1 due to inrush current may be prevented.

[0034] The main switch SW_M1 and the pre-charge switch SW_P can be controlled by a switch control device (not in Figure 1 The switch control device may be, for example, a battery management system.

[0035] The battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the inrush current that occurs when the battery pack 10 and the load 20 are connected (for example, when the charging or discharging operation starts) even without the pre-charging circuit 12. Figures 2 to 4 These embodiments are described in detail.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0037] refer to Figure 2 , the battery pack 100 may include at least one battery module 110 , a main switch SW_M2 , a switch control device 120 , and a capacitor C2 .

[0038] The battery module 110 may be connected to the load 200 through a high voltage terminal T+ and a low voltage terminal T- (low, relative to the high voltage terminal). The battery module 110 may include a plurality of cells 112_1 to 112_n connected in series between the high voltage terminal T+ and the low voltage terminal T-. Here, n and i may be positive integers, and n may be a number greater than i.

[0039] Each cell 112_1 to 112_n may include a positive terminal + and a negative terminal −, and a plurality of cells 112_1 to 112_n may be stacked such that the positive terminal + of each cell 112_1 to 112_n-1 is coupled to the negative terminal − of each adjacent cell 112_2 to 112_n.

[0040] The capacitor C2 may be connected between the battery module 110 and the load 200 , one end of the capacitor C2 may be connected to the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110 , and the other end of the capacitor C2 may be connected to the low voltage terminal T− of the battery module 110 .

[0041] The main switch SW_M2 may be connected between the low voltage terminal T- of the battery module 110 and the other terminal of the capacitor C2. The main switch SW_M2 may be turned on or off based on the control of the switch control device 120, and may control the electrical connection between the battery module 110 and the load 200.

[0042] The main switch SW_M2 can be a relay or a contactor.

[0043] The main switch SW_M2 may be implemented with a field effect transistor (FET).

[0044] The main switch SW_M2 may have a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. For example, if the main switch SW_M2 is an N-channel FET, the first terminal may be a source terminal, the second terminal may be a drain terminal, and the control terminal may be a gate terminal. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the main switch SW_M2 is shown as an N-channel FET.

[0045] In the battery module 110, the first terminal of the main switch SW_M2 (left side) can be connected to the low voltage terminal T- of the battery module 110, and the second terminal of the main switch SW_M2 (right side) can be connected to the other (closest) terminal of the capacitor C2. The control terminal (the upper L-shaped portion) of the main switch SW_M2 can be connected to the positive terminal + of a single cell 112_1. In an embodiment, a single cell 112_1 can be a single cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal T- of the battery module 110. In addition, the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 can be connected to the single cell 112_i. For example, the single cell 112_i can be the 4th or 5th single cell.

[0046] The switch control device 120 may control the main switch SW_M2 to be turned on or off.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the switch control device 120 may use the voltage of one cell 112_1 as the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 for precharging, i.e., as the turn-on voltage for slowly turning on the main switch SW_M2. After precharging, the switch control device 120 may use the voltages of several cells 112_1 to 112_i as the turn-on voltage to fully turn on the main switch SW_M2.

[0048] The switch control device 120 may include a switch S1, a resistor R2, a switch S2, a resistor R3, and diodes D1 and D3. The switch S1 may be connected between the positive terminal + of the monomer 112_1 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. One end of the switch S1 may be connected to the positive terminal + of the monomer 112_1, and the other end of the switch S1 may be connected to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. The resistor R2 may be connected between the switch S1 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. In addition, a resistor (not shown) may be connected between the positive terminal + of the monomer 112_1 and the switch S1. The switch S2 may be connected between the positive terminal + of the monomer 112_i and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. One end of the switch S2 may be connected to the positive terminal + of the monomer 112_i. The resistor R3 may be connected between the other end of the switch S2 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. The diode D1 may be connected between the resistor R3 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. The anode of the diode D1 may be connected to the resistor R3, and the cathode of the diode D1 may be connected to one end of the switch S1. The diode D3 may be connected between the positive terminal + of the cell 112_1 and the other end of the switch S2. The anode of the diode D3 may be connected to the positive terminal + of the cell 112_1, and the cathode of the diode D3 may be connected to the other end of the switch S2. If the switch S2 is turned on, the diode D3 may prevent the current path in parallel with the battery module 110 from being generated.

[0049] The switch control device 120 may perform a pre-charging operation by turning on the switch S1 and connecting the positive terminal + of the cell 112_1 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 according to a switch control signal applied from the outside.

[0050] If the positive terminal + of the cell 112_1 is connected to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 , the voltage of the cell 112_1 may be applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 , and the main switch SW_M2 may be slowly turned on, and thus, it may have a high resistance value.

[0051] The voltage of one cell 112_1 may be 3.4V to 4.2V. For example, one cell 112_1 may be 4.2V when fully charged (state of charge or SOC=100%) and may be 3.4V when fully discharged (SOC=0%). In the range of SOC 0% to SOC100%, the voltage of one cell 112_1 may be similar to the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2. The turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 may be the threshold voltage of the main switch SW_M2. In general, the turn-on voltage of a transistor may be about 3.5V to 4V. Therefore, the voltage of one cell 112_1 may be used as the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2.

[0052] The degree to which the main switch SW_M2 is turned on may be determined depending on the magnitude of the voltage input to the control terminal. If a high voltage is applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2, the main switch SW_M2 is fully turned on and may have a low resistance value. On the other hand, if a voltage not significantly different from the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 is applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2, the main switch SW_M2 may be weakly turned on and may have a high resistance value.

[0053] As in the embodiment, if a voltage of a cell 112_1 similar to the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 is applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2, the main switch SW_M2 may be turned on slowly and may have a high resistance value. Figure 1 The pre-charge resistor R_P in the pre-charge circuit 12 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The precharge circuit 12 shown can also reduce the surge current that occurs when the battery pack 100 and the load 200 are connected (for example, at the start of a charge or discharge drive).

[0054] Meanwhile, the voltage of one cell 112_1 may be used as the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 for precharge operation, but the voltage is not limited thereto. Depending on the capacity of one cell 112, the voltage of two or more cells 112 may be used as the turn-on voltage of the main switch SW_M2 for precharge operation.

[0055] After the pre-charging operation, the switch control device 120 can turn on the switch S2 when the switch S1 is turned on. Therefore, the positive terminal + of the cell 112_i and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 can be connected. For example, if i=5 and the voltage of one cell is 3.4V to 4.2V, a high voltage of about 17V to about 21V can be applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2. If the voltage stacked from the cell 112_1 to the cell 112_i is applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2, the main switch SW_M2 can be fully turned on and may have a low resistance value. Therefore, after the pre-charging is completed, energy can be transferred between the battery module 110 and the load 200 without loss.

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment.

[0057] refer to Figure 3 ,and Figure 2 Differently, the main switch SW_M3 of the battery pack 100a may be connected between the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110 and one end of the capacitor C2.

[0058] Specifically, the first terminal of the main switch SW_M3 (left side) can be connected to the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110, and the second terminal of the main switch SW_M3 (right side) can be connected to one end of the capacitor C2. The control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 shown as being connected to the resistor R4 can be connected to the negative terminal - of the cell 112_n, which can be directly connected to the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110. In order to turn on the main switch SW_M3, wherein the control terminal is connected to the negative terminal - of the cell 112_n, a P-channel transistor can be used as the main switch SW_M3. In addition, the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 can be connected to the negative terminal - of the cell 112_j.

[0059] The switch control device 120a may include a switch S3, a resistor R4, a switch S4, a resistor R5, and diodes D2 and D4. The switch S3 may be connected between the negative terminal - of the monomer 112_n and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. One end of the switch S3 may be connected to the negative terminal - of the monomer 112_n, and the other end of the switch S3 may be connected to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. The resistor R4 may be connected between the switch S3 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. The switch S4 may be connected between the negative terminal - of the monomer 112_j and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. One end of the switch S4 may be connected to the negative terminal - of the monomer 112_j. The resistor R5 may be connected between the other end of the switch S4 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. The diode D2 may be connected between the resistor R5 and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. The anode of the diode D2 may be connected to the resistor R5, and the cathode of the diode D2 may be connected to one end of the switch S3. The diode D4 may be connected between the negative terminal - of the cell 112_n and one end of the switch S3. The anode of the diode D4 may be connected to the negative terminal - of the cell 112_n, and the cathode of the diode D4 may be connected to one end of the switch S3. If the switch S4 is turned on, the diode D4 may prevent a current path of the battery pack in parallel with the battery module 110 from being generated.

[0060] The switch control device 120 a may perform a pre-charging operation by turning on the switch S3 and connecting the negative terminal − of the cell 112 — n and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 according to a switch control signal applied from the outside.

[0061] If the negative terminal of the cell 112_n is connected to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3, the voltage of the negative terminal of the cell 112_n may be applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3. The main switch SW_M3 may be turned on slowly and may have a high resistance value. This may have the same effect as Figure 1 The pre-charge resistor R_P in the pre-charge circuit 12 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The precharge circuit 12 shown can also reduce the surge current that occurs when the battery pack 100 and the load 200 are connected (for example, at the start of a charge or discharge drive).

[0062] After the pre-charging operation, the switch control device 120a can turn on the switch S4 when the switch S3 is turned on. Therefore, the negative terminal - of the monomer 112_j and the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 can be connected. For example, j can be (n-4). If the negative voltage stacked between the monomers 112_n and 112_j is applied to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3, the main switch SW_M3 can be fully turned on and may have a low resistance value. Therefore, after the pre-charging is completed, energy can be transferred between the battery module 110 and the load 200 without loss.

[0063] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the first terminal of the main switch SW_M3 may be connected to the negative terminal - of the cell 112_j, and the second terminal of the main switch SW_M3 may be connected to one end of the capacitor C2. In another embodiment, the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 may be connected to the positive terminal + of the cell 112_j. In addition, the control terminal of the main switch SW_M3 may be connected to the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110, that is, the positive terminal + of the cell 112_n, which is directly connected to the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110. In this case, the main switch SW_M3 may be an N-channel transistor. Even in this case, the switch control device 120a may turn on the switch S3 to perform a pre-charging operation, and turn on the switch S4 when the switch S3 is turned on after the pre-charging is completed. Even if the main switch SW_M3 is connected in this manner, the main switch SW_M3 may be turned on slowly during the pre-charging operation, and therefore, it may have a high resistance value. Therefore, even without Figure 1 The precharge circuit 12 shown can also reduce the surge current that occurs when the battery pack 100 and the load 200 are connected (for example, at the start of a charge or discharge drive).

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment.

[0065] refer to Figure 4 ,and Figure 2 and Figure 3 Differently, the battery pack 100b may include main switches SW_M2 and SW_M3. The main switch SW_M2 may be connected between the low voltage terminal T- of the battery module 110 and the other (closest) end of the capacitor C2. The main switch SW_M3 may be connected between the high voltage terminal T+ of the battery module 110 and one (closest) end of the capacitor C2.

[0066] The switch control device 120b can perform a precharge operation by turning on the switches S1 and S3 according to a switch control signal applied from the outside and slowly turning on the main switches SW_M2 and SW_M3. By doing so, the main switches SW_M2 and SW_M3 have a high resistance value and can function as Figure 1 The pre-charge resistor R_P in the pre-charge circuit 12 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The precharge circuit 12 shown can also reduce the surge current that occurs when the battery pack 100 and the load 200 are connected (for example, at the start of a charge or discharge drive).

[0067] Next, after the pre-charging is completed, the switch control device 120 b may turn on the switches S2 and S3 when the switches S1 and S3 are turned on, so that the main switches SW_M2 and SW_M3 are fully turned on.

[0068] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack according to another embodiment.

[0069] refer to Figure 5 In the switch control device 120c of the battery pack 100c, the positive terminal + of the single cell 112_i may not be connected to the main switch SW_M2, such as Figure 2 As shown. In contrast, the switch control device 120c may apply a control voltage to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2 after the pre-charging is completed. The control voltage may be set to a high voltage that may fully turn on the main switch SW_M2. The pre-charging may be achieved by, for example, turning on the switch S1 via an external signal, which connects the positive terminal + of the cell 112_1 to the control terminal of the main switch SW_M2.

[0070] The switch control device 120c may include a control voltage generator 124 that generates a control voltage. Figure 5 The embodiment shown can also be applied to Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to at least one of the embodiments, a pre-charging effect can be provided even without a pre-charging circuit. Therefore, an inrush current that occurs when the battery pack is connected to an external device without a pre-charging circuit can be reduced. For example, an inrush current that occurs at the start of a drive for charging or discharging can be reduced.

[0071] One or more embodiments may provide a battery pack that can reduce a surge current generated when the battery pack is connected to an external device without a pre-charging circuit.

[0072] According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack may be provided. The battery pack includes a battery module including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a main switch connected to the high voltage terminal or the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first terminal of at least one first cell among the plurality of cells; and a switch control device for controlling a connection between the first terminal of the first cell and the control terminal of the main switch.

[0073] The main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

[0074] The main switch may include an N-channel transistor.

[0075] The main switch may be connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal.

[0076] The main switch may include a P-channel transistor.

[0077] The switch control device may include: a first switch connected between a first terminal of a first cell and a control terminal of a main switch and turned on or off in response to a first control signal; and at least one first resistor connected between at least one of the first terminal of the first cell and the first switch and between the first switch and the control terminal of the main switch.

[0078] The switch control device may also include: a second switch connected between a first terminal of a second cell different from the first cell and the first switch, and turned on or off in response to a second control signal; and a second resistor connected between the second switch and the first switch, the first switch may be turned on during a first period, and the second switch may be turned on after the first period.

[0079] The second monomer may be connected in series with the first monomer with at least one monomer interposed therebetween.

[0080] The switch control device may further include: a control voltage generator connected to the first switch and applying a control voltage greater than a voltage of the first cell, the first switch may be turned on during the first period, and the control voltage is applied after the first period.

[0081] The voltage of the first cell may correspond to a turn-on voltage of the main switch.

[0082] According to one or more other embodiments, a battery pack may be provided. The battery pack includes: a battery module including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a first main switch connected to one of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first terminal of a first cell among the plurality of cells; and a switch control device including a first switch connected between a first terminal of the first cell and a control terminal of the first main switch, and turning the first switch on or off according to a first control signal.

[0083] The first main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

[0084] The first main switch may be connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the first cell may be a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal.

[0085] The battery pack may further include a second main switch connected to the other of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to the first terminal of a second cell among the plurality of cells.

[0086] The first main switch may be connected to the high voltage terminal, the second main switch may be connected to the low voltage terminal, the first terminal of the first cell may be the negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the second cell may be the positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

[0087] The switch control circuit may further include a second switch connected between the first switch and a first terminal of a third cell among the plurality of cells, and the second switch may be turned on or off according to a second control signal, and the third cell may be connected in series with the first cell with at least one cell interposed therebetween.

[0088] The switch control circuit may turn on the first switch during a first period and turn on the second switch after the first period.

[0089] The switch control device may further include a control voltage generator connected to the first switch and configured to apply a control voltage, the first switch may be turned on during the first period, and the control voltage may be applied after the first period.

[0090] According to at least one of the embodiments, a pre-charging effect can be provided even without a pre-charging circuit. Therefore, an inrush current that occurs when the battery pack is connected to an external device without a pre-charging circuit can be reduced. For example, an inrush current that occurs at the start of a charge or discharge drive can be reduced.

[0091] Example embodiments are disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, these terms are used and interpreted only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes. In some cases, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing this application that the features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in conjunction with the features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments, unless otherwise specifically noted. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a battery module including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a main switch connected to the high voltage terminal or the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first terminal of at least one first cell among the plurality of cells; and The switch control device is used to control the connection between the first terminal of at least one first cell and the control terminal of the main switch.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The main switch is connected to the low voltage terminal, and wherein the first terminal of the first cell is a positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The main switch includes an N-channel transistor.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The main switch is connected to a high voltage terminal, and wherein the first terminal of the first cell is a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The main switch includes a P-channel transistor.

6. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The switch control device comprises: A first switch connected between the first terminal of the first cell and the control terminal of the main switch and turned on or off in response to a first control signal; and At least one first resistor is connected to at least one of between the first terminal of the first cell and the first switch and between the first switch and the control terminal of the main switch.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: The switch control device further comprises: a second switch connected between a first terminal of a second cell different from the first cell and the first switch and turned on or off in response to a second control signal; and a second resistor connected between the second switch and the first switch, and The first switch is turned on during a first period, and the second switch is turned on after the first period.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The second monomer is connected in series with the first monomer, and at least one monomer is inserted between the second monomer and the first monomer.

9. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein: The switch control device further comprises: a control voltage generator connected to the first switch and applying a control voltage greater than a voltage of the first cell, and The first switch is turned on during a first period, and the control voltage is applied after the first period.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The voltage of the first cell corresponds to the turn-on voltage of the main switch.

11. A battery pack comprising: a battery module including a plurality of cells electrically connected to each other between a high voltage terminal and a low voltage terminal; a first main switch connected to one of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to a first terminal of a first cell among the plurality of cells; and The switch control device includes a first switch connected between a first terminal of the first cell and a control terminal of a first main switch, and switches the first switch on or off according to a first control signal.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The first main switch is connected to the low voltage terminal, and The first terminal of the first cell is the positive terminal of the cell that is directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

13. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The first main switch is connected to the high voltage terminal, and The first terminal of the first cell is a negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal. 14 . The battery pack according to claim 11 , further comprising a second main switch connected to the other of the high voltage terminal and the low voltage terminal and having a control terminal connected to the first terminal of a second cell among the plurality of cells.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein: The first main switch is connected to the high voltage terminal, the second main switch is connected to the low voltage terminal, the first terminal of the first cell is the negative terminal of the cell directly connected to the high voltage terminal, and the first terminal of the second cell is the positive terminal of the cell directly connected to the low voltage terminal.

16. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The switch control circuit further includes a second switch connected between the first switch and a first terminal of a third cell among the plurality of cells. The second switch is turned on or off according to the second control signal, and The third monomer is connected in series with the first monomer, and at least one monomer is inserted between the third monomer and the first monomer.

17. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein: The switch control circuit turns on the first switch during a first period and turns on the second switch after the first period.

18. The battery pack according to claim 11, wherein: The switch control device further comprises: a control voltage generator connected to the first switch and configured to apply a control voltage, and The first switch is turned on during a first period, and the control voltage is applied after the first period.

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