Patent ID: 9325178
Filing Date: 2016-04-26
CPC Classification: H02J

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for performing balancing on a plurality of cells connected in series and included in a module, the apparatus comprising: a first switching unit including first cell selection switches respectively connected to cells of the plurality of cells, and configured to connect a first cell to be balanced to a balancing unit; a second switching unit including second cell selection switches respectively connected to cells of the plurality of cells, and configured to connect a second cell to be balanced to the balancing unit; a controller configured to measure voltages of each of the plurality of cells, and controlling operations of the first switching unit, the second switching unit, and the balancing unit based on information on the first and second cells, wherein the first and second cells are selected by the controller by using the measured voltages; and the balancing unit, connected to the first switching unit and the second switching unit, and configured to perform balancing between the first cell and the second cell that are selected by the controller; wherein the balancing unit comprises at least one forward converter which includes bidirectional switches configured to control currents flowing between the first switching unit, the second switching unit, and multiple wound transformers, and wherein a capacitor included in one of the bidirectional switches and an inductor included in one of the multiple wound transformers are configured to have a voltage between both ends of the one of the bidirectional switches or a current flowing through the one of the bidirectional switches having a minimum value when the one of the bidirectional switches is turned on or off.