Battery cell balancing circuit using single inductor

A battery cell balancing circuit using a single inductor, comprising:

• a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series;
• a first access unit having access paths connected between a first common node and negative terminals of odd-numbered battery cells in the battery pack;
• a second access unit having access paths connected between a second common node and negative terminals of even-numbered battery cells in the battery pack;
• and
• an electrical energy transfer unit having a single inductor and a plurality of transfer paths, in order to temporarily store electrical energy collected or supplied through the first and second common nodes and then transfer the stored electrical energy,
• wherein the plurality of transfer paths comprise:
• a first transfer path having a pair of switches connected in series between the second common node and a third common node;
• a second transfer path having a pair of switches connected in series between the first common node and the third common node;
• a third transfer path having a pair of switches connected in series between the second common node and a fourth common node;
• and
• a fourth transfer path having a pair of switches connected in series between the first common node and the fourth common node.