Battery packs and methods for controlling charging of battery packs

Abstract

Battery packs and methods for controlling charging of battery packs are disclosed. In one aspect, a battery pack includes a battery including at least one battery cell, a first pack terminal and a second pack terminal configured to be connected to a charger, and a discharging switch including a first switch and a diode. The first switch is connected between the second pack terminal and the battery. The diode is connected in parallel to the first switch and has a forward direction in which charging current of the battery flows. The battery pack further includes a battery management unit configured to select a charging mode from one of a first charging mode in which the battery is charged with charging current flowing through the first switch and a second charging mode in which the battery is charged with charging current flowing through the diode. The battery management unit is further configured to begin charging the battery in the first charging mode and then switch the charging mode to the second charging mode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.