Female and male electrical connectors, as well as associated battery and associated electrically operated device

Abstract

Female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) for a battery (30), comprising: a female housing (201) comprising an electrically insulating material, wherein the female housing (201) comprises: a female power connector socket (205A, 205B) configured to at least partially accommodate an electrically conductive female power connector (204A, 204B) through which one or more power signals of the battery (30) can be transmitted, wherein the power connector socket (205A, 205B) has a first socket opening for accommodating an electrically conductive male power connector (104A, 104B) of a male electrical connector (100B);a female extended section (202B, 202C) forming a plug section of the female connector (200A, 200B, 200C), the plug section being configured to be received into a socket formed by a male extended section (102) of the male electrical connector (100B); and a communication device socket (207) being arranged at least partially within the plug section and configured to at least partially surround a radio transponder (206), the radio transponder (206) storing one or more first parameter values ​​of the battery (30) and being readable by a radio reader (106) arranged within the male electrical connector (100B) to transmit the at least one stored parameter value when the radio transponder (206) is within a read range of the radio reader (106);wherein the female power connector (204A, 204B) is at least partially arranged within the power connector socket (205A, 205B) and is directly electrically connectable to at least one first cell of the battery (30) via at least one electrically conductive current wire (208A, 208B), wherein the female power connector (204A, 204B) comprises a first contact surface for contacting the male power connector (104A, 104B) in order to electrically connect the male and female power connectors (104A, 104B, 204A, 204B), wherein the first contact surface is at least partially arranged within the connector section of the female housing (201); wherein the radio transponder (206) is at least partially arranged within the communication device connector socket (207);and wherein the radio transponder (206) is arranged within the reading range of the radio reader (106) when an electrical connection is established between the female power terminal (204A, 204B) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) for the battery (30) and the male power terminal (104A, 104B) of the male electrical connector (100B), characterized in that the female housing (201) has a raised structure on a top side of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) and adjacent to a guide surface of the female extended section (202B, 202C), the raised structure comprising the communication device connector socket (207) to receive and at least partially surround the radio transponder (206).

Description

Reference to Related ApplicationsThis application is related to and claims priority to pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 007,403, entitled: Smart Battery-Powered System Connector, Filing No. 03,06,2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the InventionThe present invention relates to a female electrical connector for a battery, a battery, a male electrical connector for an electrically operated device, and an electrically operated device.Description of the Prior ArtRadio Controlled (RC) model vehicles (Radio Controlled) respond to persons of all age groups and skills. Many persons having remote controlled vehicles do not understand all the technical details of their vehicles or equipment and only want to drive and have fun on their vehicles. The use of batteries that are not compatible with a particular electronic speed control (ESC) unit or a battery charger may have catastrophic consequences for the battery, model vehicle, charger, or electronic speed control unit. During the daily use of model remotely controlled vehicles, different types of batteries and batteries of different chemical construction may be used. Battery voltages may vary over a wide range from less than 4.0V to more than 25V. Many batteries having different chemical properties are available, for example, NiMn (nickel-cadmium), NiMN (nickel metal hydride), LiPo (lithium polymer) Pb (lead acid). Each time a different type of battery is used, settings must be changed at both the speed electronic control unit (low voltage shut down, for example) and the battery charger (end-of-charge voltage, for example) to ensure that the battery is not damaged. Since customers and other users in the remote control scene use different types of batteries, it has become apparent that many users are not properly notified of the differences and requirements of all different types; particularly when dealing with the chemical construction of the battery. Improper settings in the battery charger may cause severe damage to the device, especially the charged battery. There is therefore a need to reduce the risk of using a battery with an improperly connected device and to reduce the time required to adjust the electronic speed control unit and to modify the adjustments of the battery charger to improve operation. At the same time, there is a need to add security properties in order to prevent protection against damage during operation by improper operating modes or parameters.DE 10 2005 046 040 A1 discloses an electrical plug connection of a charging device to an accumulator having a plug part and a socket part. The part of the plug connection on the rechargeable battery side comprises a transponder on which data suitable for identifying the rechargeable battery is stored. The charging device-side part of the plug connection comprises a reading device for reading the data stored by the transponder. The equipment socket has a contact receiving part in which main contact sleeves are received, which can be engaged with main contact pins of a corresponding equipment plug for plug connection, wherein a coding pin is provided with the radio transponder. The device plug has a contact receiving part in which main contact pins are received which can be engaged with the aforementioned main contact sleeves of the device plug for a plug connection, and the reading device for the transponder arranged in the coding pin.DE 10 2007 017 407 A1 discloses a charging plug with a device for battery detection with a coding pin.US 2008 / 0261460 A1 discloses an electrical connector having a female part and a male part, each having housings and terminals.DE 10 2008 042 677 A1 discloses an energy supply system for electric vehicles having a plug connection which is designed for a data exchange.The object of the invention is to specify a possibility, improved in comparison therewith, for establishing an electrical connection between a battery and an electrical device.SummaryThis object is achieved according to the invention by a female electrical connector for a battery according to claim 1, by a battery according to claim 5, by a male electrical connector for an electrically operated device according to claim 9 and by an electrically operated device according to claim 15.Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.Brief Description of the DrawingsReference will now be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in order to fully explain the present invention. FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a comparative example of a male connector not according to the present invention, also shown in FIGS. 7A-7C and 20; FIG. 1B is an exploded view of an embodiment of a male connector of the invention also shown in FIGS. 13-15; FIG. 2 shows a battery charger provided with a connector terminal and including a male connector;FIGS. 3A-3C are exploded views of embodiments of a female connector; FIG. 4 shows a battery with an embodiment of a female connector; FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a female connector shown in FIG. 4 ; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a female connector; FIG. 6 shows a battery electrically connected to a battery charger;FIGS. 7A-7C are sectional views taken along line B-B of FIG. 8A ; FIG. 8A is a plan view of an electrically connected male and female connector; FIG. 8B is a cut-away view taken along line A - A of FIG. 8A ; FIGS. 9-12 are front views showing several embodiments of male and female tactile features; FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a male connector and an embodiment of a female connector in uncoupled configuration; FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a male connector and an embodiment of a female connector in a first connected arrangement; FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a male connector and an embodiment of a female connector in a second connected arrangement; FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an electrically powered device having a connection port including an embodiment of a male connector electrically connected to a battery; FIG. 17 shows a control method of a speed electronic control unit having a connection terminal including an embodiment of a male connector; FIG. 18 shows a control method of a battery charger having a connection terminal including an embodiment of a male connector; FIG. 19 shows several front views of embodiments of the male connector extended portion and corresponding embodiments of female connector extended portions with additional balancing connector receptacles; FIGS. 20 and 21 show several views of non-inventive comparative examples of a male connector, also shown in FIG. 1A ; FIGS. 22 and 23 show several views of embodiments of a male connector also shown in FIG. 1B; FIGS. 24 and 25 show multiple perspective views of multiple embodiments of male tactile features; FIG. 26 shows several cut-away views of an assembled male and female connector; FIG. 27 is a cut-away view taken along line D - D of FIG. 26 ; and FIG. 28 is a cut-away view taken along line A - A of FIG. 26.Detailed DescriptionIn the following discussion, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements are shown schematically or in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. In addition, in most cases, details concerning electronic data transmission, electronic signal transmission techniques, RFID, and the like have been omitted, as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and it is believed that these details are known to those skilled in the art.The battery connector embodiments described herein exhibit several features, functions, and characteristics to improve the safety and ease of use of a rechargeable battery. In addition, control methods for charging or discharging the battery of devices such as battery chargers or electronic speed control units are described, which may be provided with one or more connection ports having some or all of the features, functions, and characteristics of the battery connector embodiments described herein.The described battery connector embodiments may be suitable for use with batteries of different chemical configurations and / or capacities and may be provided for a single port connection of a battery to a device for charging or discharging the battery and may comprise one or more battery specific information communication means for a device for charging or discharging the battery and may comprise one or more features for preventing unsupported electrical connections. In one embodiment, unsupported electrical connection between a battery and a device for charging or discharging, such as a reverse polarity connection or a connection between an incompatible chemical type battery and a device for charging or discharging, and / or a connection of a battery having incompatible capacity with a device for charging or discharging, can be prevented by providing one or more sensing features within the housings of the connectors.The connectors described herein may be configured to be suitable for use with batteries having a different chemical structure, including lithium polymer type batteries (LiPo) and nickel metal hydride type batteries (NiMH). In such embodiments, the battery connectors described herein may be provided with both power terminals and balance signal terminals within a single connector housing, thereby allowing electrical connection with a single plug between a battery comprising a battery connector as described herein with a device for charging or discharging with a compatible battery connector as described herein. In such embodiments, the device for charging or discharging may be configured with logic for detecting the chemical property of the battery and / or the capacity of the battery and coupled to the device via the connectors having both the power supply terminals and the balance signal terminals within a single connection housing.The embodiments of the connectors described herein are provided with components that enable communication between a battery and a charging or discharging device to which the battery is electrically connected. Wireless communication between a battery and a charging or discharging device to which the battery is electrically connected is supported by the implementation of radio frequency identification (RFID) components, such as RFID transponders and readers. Battery specific information such as chemical structure of the battery, capacity, number of cells, proper or optimal charging speeds, number of charging operations of the battery, and the like may be communicated via RFID components. The cell number may be a value indicating the number of cells electrically connected in series to each other and constituting the battery. A battery may have a plurality of cells electrically connected in parallel with each other or may have a single cell. In such embodiments, the RFID components are disposed within the respective connectors at positions configured such that the RFID components communicate with each other within a wide range at all times when the connectors are electrically connected to each other, thereby preventing improper or unsafe charging or discharging operation in charging or discharging the device.Integrated Lead-Out Terminals in the Arrangement as Two-Wire LineReferring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, male connectors 100 are shown, wherein FIG. 1A shows a comparative example and FIG. 1B shows an embodiment. The male connectors 100A, B are configured to be electrically connectable to a female connector 200 described later. The male connectors 100A, B comprise a male housing 101A, B, two male power terminals 104A, B, two male compensation terminals 116A, B, two male power lines 108A, B and two male signal wires 109A, B. Alternatively, further or different components than the male connectors 100A, B shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may additionally be provided. For example, additional, fewer, or no male balance terminals 116A, B and male signal wires 109A, B may be provided. Additionally or alternatively, one or more tactile features may be implemented in a male extended portion 102 of the male housing 101A, B.Further, in an alternative comparative example of the male connector 100A, for example, one or more male communication devices such as an RFID reader may be provided. In such alternative comparative examples, the relative positions of one or more components of the male connector 100A may be different from those shown in the comparative example of FIG. 1A. It should be noted that a male communication device 106 is provided in the embodiment of the male connector 100B shown in FIG. 1B. The male communication device 106 and related functionality are not described in this section, but will be discussed later in this description. In this section, features, functions, and components present in both illustrated examples of the male connector 100A, B are discussed.The male connector 100A, B includes the male housings 101A and 101B, respectively, which are made of an electrically insulated material. The male housing 101A, B may include a plurality of internal features to at least partially surround and electrically isolate one or more internal components of the male connector 100A from each other, as well as from external objects. As shown, the male housing 100A,B includes a male extended portion 102, a male raised portion 103, two male power connector jacks 105A,B, and two male balance connector jacks 114A,B.The male extended portion 102 is configured to form a socket portion to circumferentially surround one or more internal electrically conductive components of the male connector 100A,B as the male power terminals 104A,B and male balance terminals 116A,B. The socket formed by the male extended portion 102 is spaced from the corresponding male terminals 104,116 and is configured to provide an area within which a plug portion of the female connector 200 can be received.Alternatively, the male extended portion 102 may instead form a shell that only partially circumferentially surrounds the corresponding male terminals 104, 116 of the male connector 100A, B (as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 ). In this case, the enclosure formed by the male extended portion 102 may be spaced apart from the corresponding male terminals 104, 116 and configured to allow a male portion of the female connector 200 to be received by the male connector 100A, B. The male extended portion 102 may be provided with one or more tactile features, such as grooves, notches, protrusions, and the like, to prevent unsupported electrical connections via the connector 100A, B, such as electrical connections between incompatible devices and batteries. Certain specific sensing features that may be provided are discussed in detail later in this specification.The male housing 101A,B includes the male power connector jacks 105A,B for receiving the male power connectors 104A,B, as shown in Figs. 1A,1B and 7A-7C. The male connectors 100A, B shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B may include two male power connector receptacles 105A, B for receiving the two male power connectors 104A, B. Alternatively, additional or fewer male power terminals 104 may be provided, as may additional or fewer male power terminal receptacles 105. Regardless of the number of male power connector receptacles 105 that may be provided, each may include one or more internal features, such as notches, protrusions, grooves, and the like, configured to retain the male power connectors 104 in position when received in the corresponding male power connector receptacles 105.The male power terminals 104A, B may comprise an electrically conductive material such as brass, copper, or bronze. The male power terminals 104A, B shown may be made from a standard sheet of material and stamped and deformed into the proper size and configuration, among other methods of forming. A portion of the length of the male power terminals 104A, B may support the male extended portion 102 of the male housing 101A, B. The male extended portion 102 of the male housing 101A, B may provide an insulating barrier that extends circumferentially around the portions of the male power terminals 104A, B that protrude into the male extended portion 102. While the male power terminals 104A, B are received in the respective receptacles 105A, B, they may be electrically isolated from each other, as well as from the male balance terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100A, B through the respective male power terminals 105A, B as well as through one or more inner walls within the male extended portion 102 of the male housing 101A, B.The male power terminals 104A, B may be electrically coupled to the corresponding male power wires 108A, B, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. The male power lines 108A, B may be high voltage capacity wires such as 12AWG wires, for example, for receiving and transmitting one or more signals, which may include one or more current signals for charging or discharging the battery. The male electrical terminals 104A, B may be electrically connected to the male electrical wires 108A, 108B, respectively, via soldered connections, mechanical attachment, standardized insulated or uninsulated connectors, crimping, or any other suitable methods to electrically connect a wire conductor to a terminal. The male electrical wires 108A and 108B, respectively, may be electrically insulated in their longitudinal direction by using one or more layers of an insulating material (not shown).The male power terminals 104A, B may be configured to electrically mate with corresponding female power terminals of a female connector at the portions of the male power terminals 104A, B in the male extended portion 102. The portion of the male power terminal 104A, B (not shown) that protrudes into the male extended portion 102 for contacting corresponding female power terminals may include the contact surfaces of the male power terminal 104A, B. The male connector 100A, B may receive one or more current signals via the male power terminals 104A, B when the male connector 100A, B is electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B with a female connector 200. The male connector 100A, B may be incorporated into an electrically powered device, such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger, for example, operable to charge or discharge a battery electrically connected to the male connector 100A, B with the electrically powered device. In this case, the male power wires 108A, B may be electrically connected to one or more internal components of the electrically drivable device to directly or indirectly electrically connect the internal components of the electrically drivable device to a battery via the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B.As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 7A- 7C, the male housing 100A, B may include the male balancing connector jacks 114A, B to receive the male balancing connectors 116A, B. The male balancing connector jacks 114A,B may include one or more internal features such as notches, protrusions, grooves, or the like, configured to retain the corresponding male balancing connectors 116A,B in place when received in the male balancing connector jacks 114A,B. A portion of the length of the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B may protrude beyond the male balancing connector jacks 114A, B and into the male extended portion 102 of the male housing 100A, B. The male extended portion 102 may provide an insulating barrier around the portions of the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B that protrude into the male extended portion 102 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the male power terminals 104A, B. When the male balancing terminals 116A, B are received in the respective male balancing connector jacks 114A, B, the male balancing terminals 116A, B may be electrically isolated from each other and also from the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, b through the respective male balancing receptacles 114A,B as well as one or more inner walls within the male extended portion 102 of the male housing 100A,B.The male balance terminals 116A, B may include an electrically conductive material such as brass, copper, or bronze, or the like. As shown, the male balancing terminals 116A, B may each include an electrically conductive pin of a type that may be used to establish a pin-type electrical connection. For example, the male balancing terminals 116A, B may each be JST-type connectors of each series or with any slope suitable to perform the functions described herein. The male balancing terminals 116A, B may be configured to be suitable for transmitting one or more signals for charging or discharging a battery of a type and number of cells described herein.The male balance terminals 116A, B can be connected to the corresponding male signal wires 109A, B. The male signal wires 109A, B may be, for example, low voltage capacitance wires such as 24AWG wires for receiving and transmitting one or more signals including one or more compensation signals received via the male compensation terminals 116A, B. The male balance terminals 116A, B may be electrically connected to the male signal wires 109A and 109B, respectively, via crimp connections, solder connections, mechanical fasteners, standardized insulated or uninsulated connectors, or any other suitable method for electrically connecting a wire conductor to a pin-type connector terminal. The male signal wires 109A and 109B, respectively, may be electrically insulated along their length using one or more layers of insulating material.The male signal wires 109A, B may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to one or more internal components of an electrically powered device within which the male connector 100A, B is implemented. In this case, one or more compensation signals received via the male compensation terminals 116A and / or 116B may be transmitted directly or indirectly to one or more internal components of the electrically driven device.The male balance terminals 116A, B may each be electrically connected to corresponding balance terminals of a female connector at the portions of the corresponding male balance terminals 116A, B that protrude into the male extended portion 102. The female connector may be electrically connected to a single cell battery or a multi-cell battery. At this time, the male balance terminals 116 may allow electrical connection to the individual cells of a multi-cell battery, thereby performing cell specific charging or discharging of the battery by an electrically powered device via the male connector 100A, B. For example, a commonly used rechargeable battery may be a LiPo battery with a female connector having female balance terminals. In this regard, the female balancing terminals may be electrically connected to one or more individual cells of the battery and may also be electrically connected to an electrically powered device via electrical connections made to male balancing terminals 116 of the male connector 100A, B. The electrically powered device may be operated to charge or discharge the individual cells of the LiPo battery, to maintain the charge within each respective battery cell within a tolerance range, or to prevent overcharging or undercharge in one or more instances of the LiPo battery.As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the male connector 100A, B may be adapted to be electrically contacted with batteries having up to three cells using the male balancing terminals 116A, B as well as the main current terminals 104A, B. Alternatively, additional male balancing terminals 116 may be provided, as well as additional male balancing terminal jacks 114 to allow electrical connection to batteries having a greater number of cells via the male connector 100A,B. For example, additional male balancing terminals 116 and male balancing terminal jacks 114 may be provided to allow the male connector 100A,B to accommodate electrical connections between higher capacity devices, such as between an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger and a multi-cell battery having more than three cells.Exemplary alternative comparative examples of the male extended portion 102E- H, which may be implemented in the male connectors 100A, are shown in FIG. 19. The male extended portions 102E-H may allow electrical connection to batteries having more than three cells. The comparative examples of the male extended portion 102E- Hshown in FIG. 19 may include additional male balancing connector jacks 114 to receive one or more additional male balancing connectors 116. The male extended portion 102E may be formed within a comparative example of the male connector 100 to enable connections to batteries having up to four cells. The male extended portions 102F or 102G may be implemented within a comparative example of the male connector 100 to enable connections to batteries having up to five cells. The male extended portion 102H may be implemented in a comparative example of the male connector 100 to enable connections to batteries having up to six cells.Advantageously, the integration of the male balancing terminals 116 and the male power terminals 104 within the male connector 100A, B for all the described comparative embodiments enables them to be simultaneously electrically connected for all terminals of a multi-cell battery provided with the female connector 200 further described below. Both the power terminals and the balance terminals of a multi-cell battery provided with the female connector 200 can be electrically connected to the corresponding male power terminals and balance terminals 104, 116 of the male connector 100A, B by inserting the female connector 200 into the extended portions 102 of the male connectors 100 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C and 13-15 which will be described later. Such connector designs preclude a user from neglecting the electrical connection of one or more power or balance connectors of a battery to an electrically powered device such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger.Referring to Figures 20-23, several additional views are shown showing different features of the comparative and embodiments of the male connector 100A,B, respectively. The features shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 correspond to the features of the male connector 100A described above. The features shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 correspond to several features of the male connector 100B described above. In addition, FIGS. 22 and 23 show several features of the male connector 100B that will be described later in this specification. Figures 20-23 are not specifically described to avoid the inclusion of unnecessary or duplicate information within the description. The views of Figs. 20-23 serve to more clearly show aspects of the several features of the male connector 100 and its comparative or embodiments described above.The male connectors 100A, B according to the described embodiments are compatible to be electrically connected to corresponding female connectors, for example, like the female connectors 200A-C shown in Figures 3A-3C. The embodiments of the female connectors 200A-C shown in FIGS. 3A-3C include illustrative examples of the different embodiments of the female connectors that will be explained. The specific embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3C are provided to illustrate various features, functions, and components that may be included in one embodiment of the female connector 200. The male connector 100A, B is intended to be electrically connected to embodiments of the female connector 200 having different configurations than those of the specific embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, corresponding to the male connector 100A, B and its embodiments and alternatives discussed in this specification.Referring to FIG. 3A, an embodiment of a first female connector 200A is shown. The first female connector 200A may be used as an electrical connector for use with rechargeable batteries of one or more chemical types. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first female connector 200A may be configured for use with, for example, certain battery chemistries, such as a NiMH-type battery that do not require balanced charge operation or discharge operation. The first female connector 200A includes the female housing 201, the compliant portions 203A, B, the female power terminals 204A, B, and the high voltage wires 208A, B. The first female connector 200A is additionally provided with a communication device 206, as shown. The features, functions, and characteristics associated with such an embodiment will be described later in this specification.The first female connector 200A includes the female housing 201. The female housing 201 is made of an electrically insulating material to electrically connect one or more components of the first female connector 200A, which may be disposed within the female housing 201. According to the illustrated embodiment, the female housing 201 includes a female extended portion 202, two female power connector jacks 205A,B, two female balance connector jacks 214A,B, a female communication device jack 207, and a first female sensing feature 212A (discussed later in this description).In alternative embodiments, the female housing 201 may include a female extended portion 202 that includes a different configuration, such as any of the female extended portions 202A-D shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, 9-12, and 19, for example.In alternative embodiments, additional or fewer female balance connector jacks 214 may also be provided, regardless of whether some, all, or none of the female balance connector jacks 214 are provided or occupied. Several embodiments, in which additional female balance ports are shown in Figure 19, are provided for illustrative purposes only.According to the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the female housing 201 includes the second female extended portion 202B that forms a plug portion of the first female connector 200A. In alternative embodiments, the first female connector 200A may include any of the female extended portions 202A-H. The plug formed by the second female extended portion 202B is configured to be received within the receptacle or the shell formed by one or more specific mating embodiments of the male extended portion 102 that may be included within the male connector 100A, B. In one embodiment, the second female extended portion 202B may include one or more tactile features, such as grooves, notches, protrusions, and the like, which may correspond to one or more tactile features implemented in a particular comparative or embodiment of the male connector 100A, B. Specific sensing features that may be provided will be discussed later in this specification.The female housing 201 includes the female power connector jacks 205A,B. The female power connector jacks 205A,B may each include channels occupying the female housing 201. The female power connector receptacles 205A, B are configured to partially enclose and electrically isolate the female power connectors 204A, B. In one embodiment, the female power connector receptacles 205A, B may include one or more internal features such as notches, protrusions, grooves, and the like, configured to retain the corresponding female power connectors 204A, B in position when received within the female power connector receptacles 205A, B. The female power terminals 204A, B may be disposed within the female housing 201 such that the female housing 201 may include an insulating barrier extending circumferentially around the female power terminals 204A, B. When received within the respective female power connector receptacles 205A, B, the female power connectors 204A, B may be electrically isolated from each other by the respective female power connector receptacles 205A, B, as well as by one or more inner walls of the female housing 201.The female power connector sockets 205A, B are additionally configured to receive the male power connectors 104A, B when the plug formed by the second female extended portion 202B is at least partially inserted into the male extended portion 102. When the male power terminals 104A, B are received in the corresponding female power terminal receptacles 205A, B, they can be electrically connected to the corresponding female power terminals 204A, B. Additionally or alternatively, the first female connectors 200A may include the compliant portions 203A, B. The compliant members 203A,B may be disposed in the female power connector receptacles 205A,B. In one embodiment, the compliant portions 203A, B may be configured to deform from their free shape to generate a biasing force to urge the female power terminals 204A, B into contact with the corresponding similar power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B when the first female connector 200A is electrically connected to the male connectors 100A, B. In alternative embodiments, the female connector 200A may include additional, fewer, or no compliant portions 203A, B.The female power terminals 204A, B may include electrically conductive plates of a material that may be received within the corresponding female power terminal receptacles 205A, B. In one embodiment, the female power terminals 204A, B may be made of brass, copper, bronze, or the like. The illustrated female power terminals 204A, B may be made of a standard sheet material and die cut to the proper size and shape, but other forming methods are also possible. As shown in FIG. 3A, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically coupled to the female power wires 208A, 208B, respectively. In one embodiment, the female power wires 208A, B may be high voltage capacitance wires such as 12AWG wires. For example, they may be configured to receive and / or transmit one or more current signals. The female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically coupled to the wires 208A, 208B, respectively, via soldered connections, mechanical fasteners, standardized insulated or uninsulated connectors, by crimping, or by any other suitable method to electrically connect a wire conductor to a terminal. The female power wires 208A and 208B, respectively, may be electrically insulated in their longitudinal direction using one or more layers of an insulating material (not shown).The female balance connector jacks 214A, B may each include channels that pass through the female housing 201. The female balancing connector jacks 214A, B may be configured to partially enclose and electrically isolate the female balancing connectors 216A, 216B, respectively, when present. Further, in one embodiment, the balancing female receptacles 214A and 214B, respectively, may include one or more internal features, such as notches, protrusions, grooves, and the like, for receiving the balancing female receptacles 216 in the balancing female receptacles 214A, B, if present. It should be noted that there are no female balancing terminals 216 in the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, the female balance connector jacks 214A, B are unoccupied.In an embodiment, the first female connector 200A may be implemented within a rechargeable battery. The female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected, in operation, to positive and negative electrical circuits of the battery, respectively, via the wires 208A, B. In such an embodiment, one or more power signals for charging or discharging the battery may be transmitted to or from an electrically powered device to which the battery is electrically connected via the female power terminals 204A, B.FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical connections made when the female extended portion 202 (not labeled) of the first female connector 200A is inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A, B. The electrical connections shown may illustrate a typical arrangement for electrically connecting a NiMH-type battery to an electrically powered device via electrical connections that exist between the male connector 100A, B and the first female connector 200A. As shown, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the corresponding male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B when the female extended portion 202 of the first female connector 200A is inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A, B. One or more current signals may be transmitted over the electrical connections shown when the electrical connection is established. For example, in one embodiment, an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or battery charger may receive one or more current signals from a rechargeable battery that are electrically connected to the ESC or battery charger via the electrical connections established between the male connector 100A, B and the first female connector 200A, as shown in FIG. 7A. It is important that no signal or signals are received or transmitted via the male balancing terminals 116A, B, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, since there are no corresponding female balancing terminals 216.In one embodiment, a smart electronic speed controller or charger may detect the absence of one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100A, B to determine one or more characteristics of the battery electrically connected to the smart speed controller or charger at the male connector 100A. For example, the smart ESC or charger may determine the battery chemistry or cell count based on the absence of one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminals 116A, B. Further, the smart electronic speed control unit (ESC) or charger may set or change one or more parameter settings defining one or more aspects of a charging operation or a discharging operation, such as setting or modifying a low voltage shut-down, setting or modifying a charging voltage, setting or modifying a charging operation or a discharging operation, or some other similar parameter including at least partially a charging operation or a discharging operation, for example.Reference is made to FIG. 3B, which shows a second female connector 200B. As shown, the second female connector 200B includes the female housing 201, the compliant members 203A, B, the female power terminals 204A, B, and the high voltage wires 208A, B, the female balance terminal 216A, and the female signal wire 218A. One or more of the components comprising the second female connector 200B may comprise some or all of the features, functions, and characteristics described above with reference to the first female connector 200A. Additionally, the second female connector 200B may include the female balance terminal 216A that may be disposed within the female balance terminal receptacle 214 and that may be electrically connected to the female signal wire 218A. According to the specifically shown embodiments, the second female connector 200B is additionally connected to a communication device 206. The features, functions, and characteristics associated with such an embodiment will be explained later in this specification.According to the illustrated embodiment, the second female connector 200B may be provided with the female balance terminal 216A, which may be disposed within the female balance terminal receptacle 214A. The female balance connector receptacle 214A may include a channel extending through the female housing 201. The female balancing connector receptacle 214A may be configured to partially surround and electrically isolate the female balancing connector 216. In one embodiment, the female balancing connector receptacle 214A may include one or more internal features such as notches, protrusions, grooves, and the like, configured to retain the female balancing connector 216A in position within the female balancing connector receptacles 214A. According to the illustrated embodiment, while the female balancing connector 216A is received within the female balancing connector receptacle 214A, the female balancing connector receptacle 216A may be electrically isolated from the other female power terminals 204 by walls of the female balancing connector receptacle 214A. The female balancing connector receptacle 214A may additionally be configured to receive the male balancing connector 116A when the plug formed by the first female extended portion 202 is at least partially inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A. The male balancing terminal 116A may be electrically connected to the female balancing terminal 216A when received within the female balancing terminal receptacle 214A.The female balance terminal 216A may include an electrically conductive material such as brass, copper, or bronze, or the like, and may be configured to receive and electrically connect a pin-type electrically conductive terminal. In one embodiment, the female balance terminal 216A may be, for example, a portion of a jack of a JST-type connector. In such an embodiment, the female balancing terminal 216A may be a portion of a jack of any series with any inclination suitable for performing the functions described herein and suitable for receiving and / or transmitting one or more balancing signals for charging or discharging batteries of the types and capacities described herein.As shown in FIG. 3B, the female balance terminal 216A may be electrically coupled to the female signal wire 218A. The female signal wire 218A may be a low voltage capacitance wire, such as a 24AWG type wire, for receiving and transmitting one or more signals comprising one or more compensation signals. In one embodiment, the female balance terminal 216A may be electrically coupled to the female signal wire 218A via a crimp, a solder connection, a mechanical mount, a standardized insulated or uninsulated plug mount, or any other suitable means for electrically coupling a wire conductor to a plug. The female signal wires 218A and 218B, respectively, may be electrically insulated along their length using one or more layers of insulating material (not labeled).In one embodiment, the second female connector 200B may be used as an electrical connector for use with rechargeable batteries of one or more specific battery chemistry types and / or cell numbers. According to the illustrated embodiment, the second female connector 200B may be configured for use with battery chemistries, for example, such that a two cell configuration, such as a 2S LiPo-type battery, requiring a balancing charging or discharging operation, may be used, for example.Certain types of batteries, such as LiPo-type batteries, may have balance taps inside the battery to read out individual cell voltages of one or more cells forming the battery. It is important that during the charging or discharging operation of such batteries, a charge imbalance between the respective cells of the battery may create a hazardous or harmful condition. Such batteries may be provided with a female connector, such as the second female connector 200B, which may include one or more balancing terminals 216, such as the female balancing terminal 216A, to enable electrical connection with balancing taps within a battery. The provided female balancing terminals 216 may transmit one or more signals from the battery that transmits one or more individual cell voltages of one or more cells that make up the battery to a device that is electrically connected to the corresponding female balancing terminals 216 and that charges or discharges the battery. When implemented in a 2S LiPo battery, the female signal wire 218A of the second female connector 200B may be directly or indirectly electrically coupled to one or both of the individual cells within the 2S LiPo battery.FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the electrical connections made when the male portion formed by the female extended portion 202 of the second female connector 200B is inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A, B. This may be a typical arrangement of a male and a female connector for electrically connecting a 2S LiPo battery to an electrically powered device such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger for charging or discharging the 2S LiPo battery. As shown, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B when the female extended portion 202 of the second female connector 200B is at least partially inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102B of the male connector 100A.When the electrical connection is established, one or more power signals from the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B may be received or transmitted from the 2S LiPo battery via the electrical connections established between corresponding male power terminals 104A, B and the female power terminals 204A, B. In one embodiment, a speed electronic control unit or battery charger may directly charge or discharge the 2S LiPo battery via the one or more current signals received or transmitted over the established electrical connections between the corresponding male power terminals 104A, B and the female power terminals 204A, B.Additionally, the female balance terminals 216A may be electrically connected to the male balance terminal 116A of the male connector 100A, B when the female extended portion 202 of the second female connector 200B is at least partially inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A. When the electrical connection is established, one or more balancing signals may be received from the 2S LiPo battery or transmitted to the 2S LiPo battery via the electrical connection established between the male balancing terminal 116A and the female balancing terminal 216A. In one embodiment, an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or battery charger may directly charge or discharge the 2S LiPo battery via the one or more balancing signals received or transmitted via the electrical connections established between the corresponding male balancing terminal 116A and the female balancing terminal 216A.It is important that at least one balancing signal can be received from an electrically powered device electrically connected to a 2S LiPo battery via the electrical connection established between the female balancing port 216A and the male balancing port 116A. Further, no balance signal can be received from an electrically powered device connected to the 2S LiPo battery via the male balance terminal 116B, as there is no corresponding female balance terminal 216B within the second female connector 200B. In one embodiment, a smart electronic speed controller or charger may detect the voltage of one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminal 116A of the male connector 100A, B to determine one or more characteristics of a battery electrically connected to the male connector 100A with the smart ESC or charger. For example, the smart ESC or charger may determine battery chemistry or cell count by detecting or not detecting one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminal 116A. Further, the smart ESC or charger may set or change one or more parameter settings defining one or more aspects of a charging operation or a discharging operation, such as a setting or modification for a low voltage shut down, a setting or change of a charging voltage, a setting or change of a charging mode or a discharging mode, or any other male parameter defining at least in part a charging operation or a discharging operation, for example.Referring to FIG. 3C, a third female connector 200C is shown. As shown, the third female connector 200C includes the female housing 201, the compliant portions 203A, B, the female power terminals 204A, B, and the high voltage wires 208A, B, the female balance terminals 216A, B, and the female signal wires 218A, B. One or more of the components including the third female connector 200C may include some or all of the features, functions, and characteristics described above with respect to the second female connector 200B. Additionally, the third female connector 200C may include the female balance terminal 216B that may be disposed within the female balance terminal receptacle 214 and electrically coupled to the female signal wire 218B. According to the specific embodiments shown, the third female connector 200C is additionally provided with a communication device 206. The features, functions, and characteristics associated with such an embodiment will be described later in this specification.According to the illustrated embodiment, the third female connector 200C may be provided with the female balance terminals 216A, B that may be disposed in the corresponding female balance terminal receptacles 214A, B. The female balance connector jacks 214A, B may each include a channel that penetrates the female housing 201. The female balancing connector jacks 214A, B may be configured to partially surround and electrically isolate the corresponding female balancing connectors 216A, B. In one embodiment, the balancing female receptacles 214A, B may each include one or more internal features, such as notches, protrusions, grooves, and the like, configured to retain the corresponding balancing female receptacles 216A, B in position within the balancing female receptacles 214A, B. According to the illustrated embodiment, the female balance terminals 216A, B may be electrically isolated from the female power terminals 104 by walls of the corresponding female balance terminal receptacles 214A, B when received within the corresponding female balance terminal receptacles 214A, B. The female balancing terminal receptacles 214A, B may additionally be configured to receive the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B when the plug formed by the female extended portion 202 is at least partially inserted into the respective male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A. When the male balancing terminals 116A, B are received in the corresponding female balancing terminal receptacles 214A, B, the male balancing terminals 116A, B are electrically connected to the corresponding female balancing terminals 216A, B.The female balance terminals 216A, B may comprise an electrically conductive material such as brass, copper, or bronze, or the like, and may be configured to receive and electrically connect a pin-type electrically conductive terminal. For example, in one embodiment, the female balance terminals 216A, B may each be jack portions of a JST-type connector. In such an embodiment, the female balancing terminals 216A, B may be a jack portion of any series or slope suitable for performing the functions described herein and may be suitable for receiving and / or transmitting one or more balancing signals for charging or discharging batteries of the types and capacities described herein.As shown in FIG. 3C, the respective female balance terminals 216A, B may be electrically coupled to the female signal wires 218A, 218B, respectively. The female signal wires 218A, B may each be low voltage capacitance wires, such as 24AWG wires, for receiving and transmitting one or more signals, including one or more compensation signals. In one embodiment, the respective female balance terminals 216A, B may be electrically coupled to the respective female signal wires 218A, B via crimped or soldered connections, mechanical fasteners, standardized insulated or uninsulated connectors, or any other suitable means for electrically connecting a wire conductor to a connector terminal. The female signal wires 218A and 218B, respectively, may be electrically insulated along their length using one or more layers of insulating material (not shown).In one embodiment, the third female connector 200C may be used as an electrical connector for use with rechargeable batteries of one or more particular types of chemistry and / or cell numbers. For example, according to the illustrated embodiment, the third female connector 200C may be best suited for use with batteries having three cells, such as a 3S LiPo-type battery that requires a balancing charging operation or discharging operation. It should be appreciated, however, that the third female connector 200C may be suitable for use with batteries having one cell as well as two cells, although one or more female compensation terminals 216A and / or 216B as well as one or more female signal wires 218A and / or 218B are used in such applications. The respective female balance wires 218A, B of the third female connector 200C may be directly or indirectly electrically coupled to one or more individual cells within the 3S LiPo battery, when implemented within a 3S LiPo battery, for transmitting one or more balance signals between the 3S LiPo battery and an electrically powered device to which the 3S LiPo battery is electrically connected.FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view showing the electrical connections made when the male portion formed by the female extended portion 202 of the third female connector 200C is inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A, B. This may be a typical arrangement of a male and a female connector for electrically connecting a 3S LiPo battery to an electrically powered device, such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger, for charging or discharging the 3S LiPo battery.As shown, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B when the female extended portion 202 of the third female connector 200C is at least partially inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A. When the electrical connection is established, one or more current signals from the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100A, B may be received or transmitted from the 3S LiPo battery via the electrical connections established between corresponding male power terminals 104A, B and the female power terminals 204A, B. In one embodiment, an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or battery charger may directly charge or discharge the 3S LiPo battery via the one or more current signals received or transmitted via the electrical connections established between the respective male power terminals 104A, B and the female power terminals 204A, B.In addition, the female balance terminals 216A, B may be electrically connected to the corresponding male balance terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100A, B when the female extended portion 202 of the third female connector 200C is at least partially inserted into the corresponding male extended portion 102 of the male connector 100A. When electrically connected, one or more balancing signals may be received from or transmitted to the 3S LiPo battery via the electrical connections established between the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B and the female balancing terminals 216A, B. In one embodiment, an ESC or battery charger may directly charge or discharge the 3S LiPo battery via the one or more balancing signals received or transmitted via the electrical connections established between the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B and the female balancing terminals 216A, B.It is important that at least one balancing signal can be received from an electrically powered device electrically connected to a 3S LiPo battery via the electrical connection established between the female balancing terminals 216A, B and the corresponding male balancing terminals 116A, B. In one embodiment, a smart ESC or charger may detect the voltage of one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminal 116A of the male connector 100A, B to determine one or more characteristics of a battery electrically connected to the male connector 100A with the smart electronic speed control unit (ESC) or charger. For example, the smart ESC or charger may determine battery chemistry or cell count by detecting or not detecting one or more compensation signals received via the compensation terminal 116A. Further, the smart ESC or charger may set or modify one or more parameter settings that set one or more aspects of a charging operation or a discharging operation, such as a setting or a change of a low voltage shut-off, a setting or a change of a charging voltage, a setting or a change of a charging mode or a discharging mode, or some other similar parameter that at least partially defines, for example, a charging operation or a discharging operation.As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, a single female balancing terminal 216 may be required to enable a charging operation and a discharging operation of a 2S LiPo battery, while two balancing terminals 216 may be required to enable a charging operation and a discharging operation of a 3S LiPo battery. In further alternative embodiments, the female connector 200 may be provided with further balancing terminals 216 to enable a charging operation and a discharging operation of batteries having four or more cells. Accordingly, the male connector 100A, B may be similarly provided with additional male balancing terminals 116 to enable charging and / or discharging operation of such larger cell batteries. Such alternative embodiments of the male and female connectors configured to accommodate larger multi-cell batteries may have components, features and functions similar to those described herein, as well as those described below, including additional balancing terminals and corresponding wiring for electrical connection to the balancing taps of a larger multi-cell battery.Fig. 19 shows a plurality of alternative male and female extended portions 102E - H and 202E - H, respectively. The male and female extended portions 102E - H and 202E - H may include, as shown, additional balancing connector sockets 114, 214 for accommodating additional male and female balancing terminals required to enable a charging operation and a discharging operation of multi-cell batteries provided with a four-cell battery (see 102E, 202E), a five-cell battery (see 102F and 102G, 202F and 202G), and a six-cell battery (see 102H, 202H). Each illustrated comparison embodiment may be integrated into a male or female connector 100, 200, the comparison embodiment being similarly constructed to receive the further balancing terminals 116, 216, and may be operated according to the apparatus and methods similar to those described herein and below.As mentioned above, in multi-cell batteries such as LiPo batteries, all of the balance taps of the battery may be required to be electrically connected to an electrically powered device that charges or discharges the multi-cell battery to prevent potentially damaging and unsafe charging and / or discharging of the multi-cell battery. If the balance taps are not electrically connected during a charging operation, the battery may become dangerous and cause injury or damage to items. Additionally, if the balance taps are not electrically connected during a discharge operation, the cells of the battery may be discharged below a minimum charge, thereby damaging the battery and possibly preventing recharging of the battery. The provision of a connector, such as the female connectors 200 integrated into a multi-cell rechargeable battery and the female balance terminals 216 integrated into a single connector, such as the female power terminals 204, ensures that the balance taps within the multi-cell battery are electrically connected to an electrically powered device at all times when the battery is electrically connected to the device via the female power terminals 204.FIGS. 4 and 5A show a typical arrangement of wiring to provide protection for the female signal wires 218A, B of the third female connector 200C when implemented in the battery 30, which may be a 3S LiPo battery. In FIG. 5B, an alternative wiring arrangement is shown with the relative positions of the respective female power wires 208A,B and the female signal wires 218A,B. Virtually all LiPo batteries include balance taps, wiring and terminals. During use, the balance taps, wiring and terminals may be damaged. When used with model radio remote vehicles, for example, the balance taps, wiring and terminals of a multi-cell battery may undergo rough treatment by sharp driving and operating conditions and shocks that may damage the balance taps, wiring and terminals of the multi-cell battery. Indeed, the most frequently damaged components of LiPo batteries are the balance taps, wiring and terminals of the LiPo battery. During use, the thin wires (typically 24AWG or less) may tear out of the LiPo package or the wire insulation may be abraded and the wires may be damaged or they may be torn completely from the package.The embodiments of Figures 4, 5A and 5B serve to show embodiments of the wiring implemented in the male connectors 100 or the female connectors 200 described herein and including at least one signal wire 118, 218. According to the particular embodiment shown, the dual cable type wiring assemblies may provide electrical isolation of the respective power wires and signal wires that connect the cells of the battery 30 to the third female connector 200C. One or more collections of wires comprising at least one female power wire 208 and one or more female signal wires 218 may be surrounded by a single piece of injection molded wire insulation 209A, B along their respective length. The injection molded wire insulation 209A, B may physically couple female signal wires 218A, B of a smaller size (e.g., 24AWG) to female power wires 208A, B of the corresponding larger size (e.g., 12AWG). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the respective female signal wires 218A, B and the female power wires 208A, B surrounded by the respective injection molded wire insulation 209A, B may remain electrically isolated from each other as a portion of the insulating material that includes the injection molded wire insulation 209A, B disposed between the respective female signal wires 218A and the female power wires 208A, B.The two-wire wiring arrangement can improve the reliability of the male connectors 100 and the female connectors 200 by improving the resistance to damage to the signal wires 109 and 218 caused by bending, twisting or impacts against sharp or heavy objects experienced by the signal wires 109 and 218, respectively. In either case, the corresponding large size power wires 108, 208 may shield or resist or absorb forces that otherwise damage the signal wires 109, 218. Besides, when the two-cable wiring assembly is realized in the male connectors 100 and / or the female connectors 200, respectively, buckling and twisting of the respective signal wires in the vicinity of the electric wires can be eliminated in the terminal couplings of the respective connectors 100, 200. The relative positions of the signal connector jacks 114, 214 and the power connector jacks 105, 205 of the connectors 100, 200 may be positioned to result in substantially straight lines along a portion of the length of the respective power wires 108, 204 and the signal wires 109, 118 along the length of the respective wires proximate the connectors 100, 200.Sensing FeaturesReferring now to Figures 9-12, there are shown a plurality of male extended portion arrangements 102 and a plurality of female extended portion arrangements 202. The arrangements shown may not include mechanical tactile features 112, 212, a mechanical tactile feature 112, 212, or a plurality of mechanical tactile features 112, 212. The mechanical tactile features 112, 212 shown herein may be implemented to prevent unsupported electrical connections between a male connector 100A, B and a female connector 200. An unsupported electrical connection may be a connection between two incompatible devices or, alternatively, a reverse polarity connection.As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12, the comparative or embodiments of the male extended portions 102A-102D may be configured to enable electrical connection only to a battery having a configuration with a corresponding tactile feature 112, 212. According to the shown comparative examples, the comparative examples of the four different extended portions 102A- 102D may be as follows: Sub-C NiNB, 2 / 3 NiNB, LiPo, and an old system. Each of the shown comparative embodiments of the male extended portions 102- 102A- 102D may only allow for electrical connection to a female connector 200 implemented in the corresponding female extended portion 202A- 200D and may correspond to a particular compatible battery chemistry and / or cell count, or may correspond to one or more particular battery chemistries and / or cell counts. It is to be understood that the specific comparative or exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-12 are provided for illustrative purposes only.For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the arrangement of the first male extended portion 102A may include the tactile features 112A- 112C that enable electrical connection to a female connector 200 implemented in the arrangement of the first female extended portion 202A. The arrangement of the first female extended portion 202 may be implemented with the tactile features 212A- 212C, which may correspond to the tactile features 212A- 212C of the first male extended portion 102A. In a comparative embodiment, the first male extended portion 102A may be implemented on electrically powered devices that are only compatible for use with sub-C batteries, for example. As an example, the placement of the first female extended portion 202A may be implemented only on sub-C batteries such that only proper connection of the battery and device is permitted by the sensing features 112, 212 of the corresponding male and female connectors 100, 200. Any other battery chemistries and / or cell counts, such as 2 / 3A, LiPo, and old type connectors, cannot be electrically connected to electrically powered devices that are provided with the first male extended portion 102A and that are compatible for use with only sub-C batteries.According to the comparative embodiment of FIG. 9, the first male extended portion 102A may include a first male tactile feature 112, a second male tactile feature 112B, and a third male tactile feature 112C. The first male sensing feature 112A may include a ridge that protrudes into the socket formed by the first male extended portion 102A. The first male tactile feature 112A may include a substantially triangular prismatic shape having a triangular cross-section as viewed in the perspective of FIG. 9. The first male sensing feature 112A may extend along at least a portion of the length of the male extended portion of the length of the male extended portion 102 along a direction substantially coincident with the direction of insertion of the female extended portion 202A toward the first male extended portion 102A. The first male sensing feature 112A may include a portion of the leading edge of the male housing 100A, B. Additionally, the first male sensing feature 112A may be disposed along a surface of the bushing or enclosure formed by the first male extended portion 102A that substantially faces the male terminals 104, 116. The first male tactile feature 112A may include one or more inner surfaces of the formed sleeve or shell. Further, as shown, the first male sensing feature may be disposed along an inner surface of the socket or casing formed by the first male extended portion 102, with the contact surfaces of the male power terminals 104A, B facing substantially away from the inner surface of the socket or casing on which the first male sensing feature 112A is disposed. As shown, the first male sensing feature 112 may be disposed at a midpoint along an inner surface of the plug or the shell formed by the first male extended portion 102A, with at least a portion of the first male sensing feature 112A disposed between the corresponding male power terminals 104A, B, as seen in a top-to-bottom view, similar to that of FIGS. 7A-7C.In alternative comparative or exemplary embodiments, the first male sensing feature 112A may have a different cross-sectional shape or a different relative position than that shown. For example, in alternative comparative embodiments, the first male tactile feature 112A may have a semi-circular, rectangular, notch-like, or other similar shape. Further, in alternative comparative embodiments, the first male sensing feature may be disposed along another inner surface of the bushing or the sheath formed by the first male extended portion 102A, or at another position on the same surface as described above. However, in each comparative embodiment, the first male sensing feature 112A may be configured to assist in preventing electrical connection to a female connector 200 provided with one or more other female extended portions 202, such as the configuration of the fourth female extended portion 202D. Further, the first male sensing feature 112A may include an electrical connection of reverse polarity with a female connector 200 provided with the configuration of a different female elongated housing, such as the female elongated portions 202B- 202D.The second male sensing feature 112B may include a notch that extends into the cut surface of the bushing formed by the first male extended portion 102A. The second male sensing feature 112B may have a substantially irregular trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 9. The second male sensing feature 112B may be disposed substantially at the front edge of the male housing 100A, B. Further, as shown, the second male tactile feature 112 may be oriented to be in a direction, generally perpendicular to the insertion direction of the first female extended portion 202A, toward the first male extended portion 102A. Additionally, as shown, the second male tactile feature 112B may be disposed substantially at an inner edge of the bushing or enclosure formed by the first male extended portion 102A. Additionally, as shown, the second male sensing feature 112B may be arranged such that the contact surfaces of the male power terminals 100A, B are substantially facing towards the second male sensing feature 112B. In particular, in a comparative or exemplary embodiment, the second male sensing feature 112B may be arranged such that the second male sensing feature 112B is arranged directly opposite at least a portion of a male power terminal 104A or 104B, as is visible in a top-to-bottom view, similar to that of FIGS. 7-7C.In alternative comparative or exemplary embodiments, the second male tactile feature 112B may include a different cross-sectional shape or relative position than that shown. For example, in alternative comparative embodiments, the second male tactile feature 112B may have a semi-circular, rectangular, triangular, or other similar shape. Additionally, in alternative comparative examples, the second male tactile feature 112B may be disposed at the leading edge of the male housing 100A, B, along another inner surface of the bushing or enclosure formed by the first male extended portion 102A, or alternatively at another position along one of the inner surfaces, such as remote from a corner of the formed bushing or enclosure. However, in each comparative embodiment, the second male tactile feature 112B may be configured to assist in preventing electrical connection to a female connector 200 provided with configurations of other female extended portions 202, such as the configuration of the female extended portion 202B.The third male tactile feature 112C may include one or more features, functions, or characteristics such as those of the second male tactile feature 112B. In a comparative embodiment, the third male tactile feature 112C may include a substantially identical cam protrusion to the second male tactile feature 112B, wherein the third male tactile feature 112C is disposed at a corner of the socket or shell formed by the male extended portion 102A opposite the second male tactile feature 112B and along the same side of the socket or shell formed by the first male extended portion 102A relative to the male power terminals 104A, B as the second male tactile feature 112B. In particular, in a comparative embodiment, the third male sensing feature 112C may be arranged such that the third male sensing feature 112C is directly opposite to at least a portion of the opposing male power terminal 104A or 104B, as seen in a top-up view, similar to that of FIGS. 7A-7C of the second male sensing feature 112B.In alternative comparative or exemplary embodiments, the third male tactile feature 112C may have different cross-sectional shapes or relative locations such that they are similar to those of alternative comparative or exemplary embodiments of the second male tactile feature 112B. However, in all of the comparative embodiments, the third male sensing feature 112C is configured to help prevent electrical connection to a female connector 200 provided with configurations of one or more female extended portions 202, such as the configuration of the third female extended portion 202. The configuration of the first male extended portion 102A may therefore be provided with tactile features as described that only allow a female connector 200 including a first female extended portion 202A to be inserted into the first male extended portion 102A, avoiding electrical connection with female connectors 200 including configurations of other female extended portions, such as the female extended portions 202B- 202D.As shown in FIG. 9, the first female extended portion 202A may be configured to be compatible with the first male extended portion 102A of the sub-C type. The first female extended portion 202A may include a first female tactile feature 212A, a second female tactile feature 212B, and a third female tactile feature 212C. As shown in the comparative example of FIG. 9, because each male tactile feature 112A- 112C includes a protruding portion that extends into the socket surface formed by the first male extended portion 102, the corresponding female tactile features 212A- 212C may each include a cut-out portion that is disposed along an outer surface of the first female extended portion 202A and is configured to allow the first female extended portion 202A to fit into the first male extended portion 102A.The first female sensing feature 212A may include a groove extending in an outer surface of the plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A. The first female tactile feature 212A may comprise substantially a triangular prismatic shape having a triangular cross-section, as can be seen from the perspective of FIG. 9. The first female tactile feature 212A may extend along at least a portion of the length of the first female extended portion 202A along a direction substantially coincident with the direction of insertion of the first female extended portion 202A toward the first male extended portion 102A. The first female sensing feature 212A may be substantially disposed on the guide surface of the female housing 201A. Additionally, as shown, the first female sensing feature 212A may be disposed along an outer opposing surface of the plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A and facing substantially away from the female power terminals 204. The first female sensing feature 212A may include one or more outer surfaces of the formed plug. Further, as shown, the first female sensing feature 212A may be disposed along an outer surface of the extender formed by the first female extended portion 202A, with the contact surfaces of the female power terminals 204A, B substantially facing the first female sensing feature 212A. As shown, the first female sensing feature 212A may then be disposed at a midpoint position along an outer surface of the plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A, with at least a portion of the first female sensing feature 212A disposed between the corresponding female power terminals 204A, B when viewed in a top-to-bottom perspective, similar to that shown in FIGS. 7A-7C.The second female tactile feature 212B may include a cut-out portion disposed along an outer edge of the first female extended portion 202. The second female sensing feature 212B may be substantially disposed on the guide surface of the female housing 201. Additionally, as shown, the second female tactile feature 212B may be disposed substantially at an outer corner of the female plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A. Thus, according to the embodiment of FIG. 9, the second female tactile feature 212B may have a shape and position that are configured to allow the plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A to be inserted into the plug of the first male extended portion 102A without interference from the second male tactile feature 112B during insertion.The third female tactile feature 212C may include one or more features, functions, or characteristics such as those of the second female tactile feature 212B. In an embodiment, the third female tactile feature 212C may include a substantially identically shaped cut-out portion as the second female tactile feature 212B, wherein the third female tactile feature 212C is disposed at a position that allows the female plug formed by the first female extended portion 202A to be insertable into the male extended portion 102A without interfering with the third male tactile feature 112C.In alternative embodiments, each of the female tactile features 212A- 212C may include a different shape and / or position than that shown in FIG. 9. In such alternative embodiments, one or more of the female tactile features 212A- 212C may include a shape and / or size different from that shown in such a manner as to conform to a corresponding alternative embodiment of one or more corresponding male tactile features 112A- 112C, in accordance with the alternative comparative or embodiments of the male tactile features 112A- 112C described above. In all embodiments, it may therefore be assumed that the female tactile features 212A- 212C of the first female extended portion 202A include configurations that enable the first female extended portion 202A to be inserted into the first male extended portion 102A.Referring now to FIG. 10, the second male extended portion 102B may include the first male tactile feature 112A and the third male tactile feature 112C. The second male extended portion 102B may be configured to be usable with 2 / 3A NiMH batteries. As shown, the first male tactile feature 112A and the third male tactile feature 112C may each have substantially the same corresponding features, functions, and characteristics as described above with reference to FIG. 9. The second male extended portion 102B may therefore be provided with tactile features that only allow a female connector 200 having the second female extended portion 202B to be inserted into the second male extended portion 102B, preventing electrical connection with female connectors including other configurations of a female extended portion, such as the female extended portions 202A, 202C, or 202D.As shown in FIG. 10, the second female extended portion 202B may be configured with corresponding tactile features compatible with the second male extended portion 102B. Thus, in one embodiment, the second female extended portion 202B may be implemented only on 2 / 3A NiMH batteries. As shown, the second female extended portion 202B may include the first female tactile feature 212A as well as the third female tactile feature 212C. Each of the first female tactile feature 212A and the third female tactile feature 212C may be configured substantially as described above with reference to FIG. 9.In alternative embodiments, both the first female tactile feature 212A and the third female tactile feature 212C may include a different shape or position than shown in FIG. 10. In such alternative embodiments, either the first female tactile feature 212A and / or the third female tactile feature 212C may comprise a shape and / or size different from that shown in such a manner that is consistent with a corresponding alternative comparative embodiment of one or both of corresponding male tactile features 112A and 112C. Thus, in each embodiment, according to the alternative embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 9, it may be assumed that the second female extended portion 202B has the configuration of a tactile feature that allows insertion of the second extended portion 202B into the second male extended portion 102B.Reference is now made to FIG. 11. The third male extended portion 102C may include the first male tactile feature 112A and the second male tactile feature 102B. In a comparative embodiment, the third male extended portion 102C may be provided with devices suitable for use with LiPo-type batteries. As shown, each of the first and second male tactile features 102A, B may have substantially the same features, functions, and characteristics as described above with reference to FIG. 9. The configuration of the third male extended portion 102C may therefore be provided with tactile features that allow only a female connector 200 including a female extended portion 202C to be inserted into the male extended portion 102C, changing an electrical connection with female connectors 200 including any of the other female extended portions 202A, 202B, or 202D.As shown in FIG. 11, the third female extended portion 202C may be configured with corresponding tactile features compatible with the third male extended portion 102C. Accordingly, the third female extended portion 202C can be realized only in LiPo batteries. As shown, the third female extended portion 202C may include both the first female tactile feature 212A and the second female tactile feature 212B. Each of the first female tactile feature 212A and the second female tactile feature 212B may be configured substantially as described above with reference to FIG. 9.In alternative comparative or exemplary embodiments, both the first female tactile feature 212A and the second female tactile feature 212B may have a different shape and / or position compared to that shown in FIG. 11. In such alternative embodiments, one or both of the first female tactile feature 212A and the second female tactile feature 212B may have a shape and / or size that differs from that shown in a manner consistent with a corresponding alternative embodiment of one or both of the corresponding male tactile features 112A and 112B, in accordance with the alternative embodiments described above with reference to FIG. 9. In each embodiment, the third female extended portion 202C may be considered to have a tactile feature configured to allow insertion of the third female extended portion 202C into the third male extended portion 102C.Referring to FIG. 12, the fourth male extended portion 102D may not include any of the male tactile features 112A- 112C, as described above. The fourth male extended portion 102D may be configured for "universal" compatibility that enables electrical connections to be made to female connectors 200 that include any of the female extended portions 202A- 202C described above, as well as the fourth female extended portion 202D. As shown in FIG. 12, the fourth female extended portion 202D may not include female tactile features 212A- 212C. The fourth female extended portion 202D may have a substantially rectangular outer cross-sectional shape at its front surface. According to the illustrated embodiment, the fourth female extended portion 202D may be configured to be compatible with the fourth male extended portion 102D.Referring briefly to FIGS. 24 and 25, several additional views showing different tactile features of comparative and embodiments of the male connector 100, respectively, are provided. The tactile features shown in Figures 24 and 25 correspond to the tactile features discussed above shown in Figures 9-12. The views shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are not discussed in detail herein to avoid the inclusion of unnecessary or duplicate explanations in this specification. The views of FIGS. 24 and 25 serve to more clearly show aspects of the multiple male tactile features described above.Implementation of RFID Components in the ConnectorsReferring to FIG. 1B, a male connector 100B is shown. The male connector 100B may include one or more components that include similar features, functions, or characteristics of those components of the male connector 100A shown in FIG. 1A and described above. The male connector 100B may include additional features, functions, and characteristics, as described below, beyond that of the embodiment of the male connector 100A shown in FIG. 1A. In order to omit unnecessary and redundant information, the description of such components will be made by referring to the description of corresponding components mentioned above.According to the illustrated embodiment, the male connector 100B includes other components including the male communication device 106, a pair of communication wires 107A, B, a male communication device jack 110, and a male cover 111. In one embodiment, the male connector 100B may be an external electrical connector of an electrically powered device, such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) or a battery charger. The male connector 100B includes the male communication device 106 for communication with a corresponding female communication device 206 implemented in the female connector 200. The male communication device 106 enables wireless communication via the respective male and female connectors 100, 200.In one embodiment, the male communication device 106 is arranged to allow communication with the female communication device 206 at any time when the male connector 100B and the female connector 200 are electrically connected to each other, respectively, as discussed further below. The male communication device 106 may include an inner component of the male connector 100B disposed within the receptacle 110 of the male communication device of the male housing 101B. The male connector 110 of the male communication device is disposed along an upper surface of the male housing 101B as shown, and may enclose a surface for surrounding the male communication device 106. In an embodiment, the male connector 110 of the male communication device may extend substantially over the entire surface of the male housing 101B, as viewed from above. In alternative embodiments, the male connector 110 of the male communication device may extend over an area that is less than the entire area of the male housing 101B when viewed from above, still extending over at least a portion of the male raised portion 103.The male communication device 106 is disposed in the male connector 110 of the male communication device such that at least a portion of the male communication device 106 is disposed directly above the socket or shell formed by the male extended portion 102. The male connector 100B may include the male cover 111 configured to fit over the male connector 110 of the male communication device and to enclose the male communication device 106 therein. In such an embodiment, the male communication device 106 may be protected from being touched by components or external components with respect to the male connector 110 of the male communication device. In an alternative embodiment, the male connector 100B may be an integral component of an electrically powered device, such as the electrically powered device 1000 of FIG. 2. In such cases, the electrically powered device housing may function to surround and protect the male communication device 106.The male communication device 106 may comprise a single component or alternatively two or more components. In one embodiment, the male communication device 106 may include an RFID reader, a construction code scanner, a contact switch, or other similar component suitable for enabling wireless communication with a corresponding female communication device 206. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the male communication device 106 may include more than one component including one or more of the foregoing, as well as an antenna, processor, memory or signal switching component, power source, or the like.The male communication device 106 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to one or more internal components of an electrically driven device, such as an electronic speed control unit (ESC) controller or, for example, a battery charger, via the communication wires 107A, B. In one embodiment, the communication wires 107A, B may be low voltage capacity wires having similar characteristics to those of the male signal wires 109A, B discussed above. Alternatively, the male communication device 106 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected to one or more internal components of an electrically powered device via a wireless connection. In such alternative embodiments, the communication wires 107A, B may not be provided or alternatively may function to transmit one or more power signals for powering the male communication device 106. According to all of the described embodiments, the male communication device 106 may be directly or indirectly electrically connected via wireless connections to one or more internal components of an electrically driven device. Additionally, in each of the described embodiments, the male communication device 106 may generate one or more signals that include some or all of the information that may be received, captured, or detected by the male communication device 106. The one or more signals generated by the male communication device 106 may be transmitted directly or indirectly to one or more internal components of an electrically powered device to which the male connector 100A, B may be electrically connected.In Figures 13-15, one embodiment of the male connector 100 is shown in a clear view in different positions relative to an embodiment of the female connector 200A. The male connector 100 shown may include an embodiment of the male connector 100B. The embodiment of the male connector 100 shown includes the male communication device 106, which may be an RFID reader. In such an embodiment, the male communication device may be an antenna for transmitting and receiving one or more signals. The RFID reader comprising the male communication device 106 may generate an electromagnetic field for use in wirelessly receiving data from a corresponding RFID component, such as an RFID transponder or chip. In one embodiment, the male communication device 106 may be electrically connected to the electrically drivable device to which it is electrically connected via an electrical connection to generate the electromagnetic field. In alternative embodiments, the male communication device 106 may be powered via a separate power source that may be disposed in the male connector 100B.The male communication device 106 may be capable of receiving data from an RFID transponder or chip located within a "reading range" of the male communication device 106. Those skilled in the art will understand that the area comprising the "reading range" of an RFID reader depends at least on the position, orientation and size of the antenna comprising the RFID reader. Accordingly, the "reading range" of a particular RFID reader may be configured to extend only within a desired distance from the location of the RFID reader. For example, the male communication device 106 may be configured to establish communication with an RFID transponder or chip only during times when the RFID transponder or chip is at a particular position or at positions relative to the male connector 100B.Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the male communication device 106 comprising an RFID reader may be disposed in the male housing 100A, B of an embodiment of the male connector 100. Additionally, the antenna of the male communication device 106 comprising an RFID reader may be configured to transmit and receive signals within the surface comprising the jack or enclosure formed by the male extended portion 102. The male communication device 106 may be configured for short range or a "nano-field" read out, wherein only RFID transponders or chips very close to the male communication device may be "read". In one embodiment, the male communication device 106 may have a "reading range" of at least one quarter of an inch (6.35 mm), for example. Preferably, according to such an embodiment and with the male communication device 106 arranged as in Figures 13-15, only one RFID transponder or chip within the jack or enclosure formed by the male extended portion 102 may be "read" by the male communication device 106. In another embodiment, the male communication device may be configured to have a greater "reading range.".Reference is now made to Figures 3A-3C and 13-15. The female connector 200 includes the female communication device 206 that can store information including one or more identifying features or parameter settings for the device, which can be a rechargeable battery to which the female connector is electrically connected. The female communication device 206 is disposed in the female housing 201, namely, within the female connector 207 of the female communication device (shown in Figs. 3A-3C) of the female housing 201. According to such embodiments, the female communication device 206 is disposed within the male portion of the female connector 200 formed by the female extended portion 202.Referring to FIG. 3A, the first female connector 200A is shown. The first female connector 200A includes the female housing 201 as described above. The female housing 201 has a raised structure on the top of the first female connector 200A and adjacent to a guide surface of the female extended portion 202B. The raised structure includes the jack 207 of the female communication device 206 for receiving and at least partially surrounding the female communication device 206. In one embodiment, the female communication device receptacle 207 may include an opening within the female extended portion 202B that forms a cavity in which the female communication device 206 may be partially received. The opening comprising the female communication device receptacle 207 may be disposed on a guide surface of the female extended portion 202, which also comprises the plurality of female power terminal openings and the balance terminal receptacles 204, 216, through which the male power terminals 104 and the male balance terminals 116 of the male connector 100B may be received. In such an embodiment, the female communication device receptacle 207 may be disposed in the male portion of the female extended portion 202B and may be configured to be insertable into the male raised portion 103 of the male connector 100B (best shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B ). The female connectors 200 of FIGS. 3B and 3C may have similar features. Functions and properties as described herein in connection with FIG. 3A.In one embodiment, the female communication device 206 may comprise a single component or, alternatively, may comprise two or more components. In one embodiment, the female communication device 206 may include an RFID transponder or chip, a barcode, a component configured to actuate a switching device, or other similar component suitable for enabling wireless communication with a corresponding male communication device 106 of a male connector 100B. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the female communication device 206 may include more than one component including one or more of the above components, and also an antenna, processor, memory, or signal switching component, power source, or the like. The exact configuration of the female communication device 206 may depend on the exact configuration of the male communication device 106, the female communication device 206 having a component construction suitable for communication with a particular male communication device 106 with which the female communication device 206 is paired.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13-15, the female communication device 206 may comprise an RFID transponder or chip. In such embodiments, the foreign communication device 206 may include an integrated circuit for storing and / or processing information, as well as an antenna for receiving and transmitting one or more signals. In one embodiment, the female communication device 206 may include an RFID transponder or chip that may be implemented in a female connector 200 of a rechargeable battery. Such a female communication device cannot be electrically connected to a power source such as the rechargeable battery. In such an embodiment, the female communication device 206 may be a passive RFID transponder or a chip that may be powered by one or more signals received from an RFID reader, such as the male communication device 106. The female communication device 206 may be configured to transmit one or more signals comprising information stored in the RFID transponder only when one or more signals are received from a male communication device 106, according to such an embodiment.In an alternative embodiment, the female communication device 206 comprising an RFID transponder or chip may be provided with a female connector 200 of a rechargeable battery and electrically connected to receive power from the battery or from a separate integrated battery in the RFID tag or chip. In such embodiments, the female communication device 206 may be an active or semi-active RFID transponder or RFID chip. The female communication device 206 according to such alternative embodiments may be powered by the battery and may transmit one or more signals comprising information stored in the RFID transponder at time intervals or continuously.According to both embodiments, the female communication device 206 can communicate with the male communication device 106 of the male connector 100B at any time while the female communication device 206 is within the "reading range" of the male communication device 106. The female communication device 206 may communicate with the male communication device 106 by transmitting one or more signals including some or all of the information stored by the female communication device 206.As shown in the clear views shown in FIGS. 13-15, one embodiment of the male connector 100 may be configured as an external connector of an electrically powered device such as an ESC or a battery charger, and may include the male communication device 106, which may be an RFID reader. The male communication device 106 may be disposed at a position within the male extended portion 102 and disposed to have a "reading range" covering the horizontal distance A and being within a vertical range located within the shell of the male connector 100. The illustrated female connector 200A may be implemented as an external connector of a rechargeable battery and may include the female communication device 206, which may be a passive RFID transponder. The RFID transponder comprising the female communication device 206 may be disposed in the horizontal surface B and configured to be activated by RFID read signals that are within the horizontal distance B. It should be noted that the horizontal distances A and B relative to the corresponding positions of the communication device 106, 206 are set horizontally. It is further noted that the lines of Figs. 13-15 defining the horizontal distances A and B are elongated for purposes of labeling and may extend vertically as shown to within ranges not within the "reading range" of the RFID reader and the receiving range of the RFID transponder.According to the particular embodiment described, since the RFID transponder is not within the reading range of the RFID sensor (there is no overlap of areas A and B), the male communication device 106 and the female communication device 206 may not be in communication with each other when in the positions shown in FIG. 13. It is important that when they are positioned relative to each other as shown in FIG. 13, no electrical connection is established between the embodiment of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200, because the male power terminal 104 is not in contact with the female power terminal 204. FIG. 13 may be described as showing the male and female connectors 100, 200 in an uncoupled configuration.Reference is now made to FIG. 14. As the male and female connectors 100, 200 are slid closer together, an electrical connection is established when the male and female power terminals 104, 204 contact each other at their respective contact surfaces. It is important that the horizontal distances A' and B' now comprise overlapping distances. In the configuration of FIG. 14, therefore, the female communication device 206 and the male communication device 106 have established a radio connection, and information stored in the female communication device 206 is communicated to the male communication device 106. FIG. 14 may be described as showing the male and female connectors 100, 200 in a partially inserted configuration.Reference is now made to FIG. 15. The male and female connectors 100, 200 may be slid together as close as possible. The electrical connections and radio connections established between the male and female connectors 100, 200 may remain intact with the corresponding male and female connectors 100, 200 in the configuration of FIG. 15. As shown, the male and female power terminals 104, 204 may still remain in contact with each other at their respective contact surfaces, while the horizontal distances A" and B" still include an overlapping distance. FIG. 15 may be described as showing the male and female connectors 100, 200 in a fully inserted configuration. While in the partially inserted or fully inserted position, the electrically powered device to which the comparative embodiment of the male connector 100 is electrically connected may be operated to charge or discharge the battery to which the female connector 200A is electrically connected. Additionally, the electrically powered device to which the comparative embodiment of the male connector 100 is electrically connected may be configured to operate according to one or more parameter settings that may be set, changed, or defined using information communicated to the communication devices 106, 206 via the wireless link.As the male and female connectors 100, 200 are moved between the partially and fully deployed positions, the radio communication between the male and female communication devices 106, 206 may be maintained because the respective devices remain within the respective reading range of the other component. In a comparative or exemplary embodiment, therefore, there may be no position of the connectors 100, 200 relative to one another at which an electrical connection can be established at one or more of the corresponding power terminals 104, 204 and / or at the compensation terminals 116, 216 (not shown) without the communication devices 106, 206 being arranged at positions relative to one another at which a wireless connection can be established between the communication devices 106, 206. When configured as shown, an improper charging operation or discharging operation of the battery can be prevented because information stored in the RFID transponder of the battery can be communicated to the electrically powered device at a time when an electrical connection for charging or discharging the battery is established.In one embodiment, the electrically powered device provided with the embodiment of the male connector shown in Figures 13-15 may attempt to establish a radio connection with the male communication device 106 before an electrical connection is established with the male connector 100. Alternatively, the electrically powered device provided with the embodiment of the male connector 100 shown in Figs. 13-15 may attempt to establish a radio connection with the male communication device 106 after an electrical connection is established with the male connector 100. In either case, the female communication device 206 may be considered to be within range of the male communication device 106 to establish communication at any time an electrical connection is established at the male power terminal 104. In this case, the electrically driven device may be able to charge or discharge the battery via the electrical connections on the connectors 100, 200.In an embodiment, the male communication device 106 may only read the female communication device 206 when the male and female connectors 100, 200 are coupled, and when the female communication device 206 is surrounded by the female housing 201, and may continue reading while the connectors 100, 200 are electrically connected via one or more terminals. In an alternative embodiment, the male communication device 106 may be configured to read the female communication device 206 disposed in other positions relative to the female connector 200, for example, it may be attached to an exterior surface of the connector, for example, or any other suitable position.Reference is now made briefly to FIGS. 26 and 28. These show several additional views of embodiments of the male connector 100B and the female connector 200 in connected configurations. The embodiments of the male connector 100B and the female connector 200 shown in connected configurations in Figures 26-28 correspond to the various features, functions and characteristics shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 3A-3C, 7A-7C, 8B and 13-15 discussed above. Figures 26-28 are not discussed in detail to avoid the inclusion of unnecessary or redundant information in this specification. Figures 26-28 serve to more clearly show several features, functions and characteristics of the male and female connectors 100, 200.Automatic Detection of Battery TypeReferring to Fig. 16, an electrically driven device is shown. In one embodiment, the electrically powered device may include an ESC 1000, which may be implemented in a model battery powered vehicle. The ESC 1000 may include one or more control components of a model battery-powered vehicle including an electronically-generated single-phase or multi-phase electrical power source, thereby providing power to one or more driven components of the battery-powered device. In one embodiment, the ESC 1000 may be a stand-alone component within the model vehicle that may be electrically connected to one or more additional control components of the model vehicle, such as a receiver of a remote controlled model vehicle, for example. In alternative embodiments, the ESC 1000 may be a component within a receiver of a model radio controlled vehicle.According to the embodiment of FIG. 16, the ESC 1000 may include a controller 1010, a signal generator circuit 1020, and the male connector 100, which may include any embodiment of the above-described male connectors 100. In alternative embodiments, the ESC 1000 may include additional, fewer, or different components than those shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 16, the ESC 1000 may be electrically connected to the battery 30 via the male connector 100. The ESC 1000 may additionally be electrically connected to a driven component 200 of the model vehicle, which may be an engine, a servo, or the like.The ESC 1000 may receive one or more current signals of the battery 30 when electrically connected to the battery 30 via the male connector 100 and discharging the battery 30. The ESC 1000 may be compatible with being connected to a battery including any of a plurality of battery chemistry types, such as a NiMH or LiPo type battery and receiving one or more signals therefrom. The ESC 1000 may be compatible with being connected to a battery including any of a number of different cell numbers, including, for example, a 2 / 3A NiMH battery, a sub-C NiMH battery, a LiPo battery having a cell number between 2S and 6S (or cell numbers), and the like. In alternative embodiments, the ESC 1000 may be compatible for use with one or more batteries having different battery chemistries and / or cell counts as compared to those mentioned above. Specific data regarding the particular battery chemistry and cell numbers is omitted in this specification, as such details are not considered important to obtain a complete understanding of the apparatuses and methods described herein, and it is believed that these details are consistent with understanding by one of ordinary skill in the art.In one embodiment, the ESC 1000 may generate one or more control signals or current signals for controlling the driven component 20. According to the illustrated embodiment, the ESC 1000 may be electrically connected to the driven component 20 via a wired connection. In alternative embodiments, the ESC 1000 may be electrically connected to one or more driven components 20 via one or more wired or wireless connections. The ESC 1000 may transmit one or more control signals and / or current signals to the one or more components 20 to control the operation of one or more driven components 20. For example, the ESC 1000 may transmit one or more current signals and / or current signals to establish or vary the speed of a motor, establish or vary the direction of rotation of a motor, establish or vary the position of a servo, and / or the like. In one embodiment, the ESC 1000 may transmit the one or more control signals and / or current signals to the one or more components 20 directly or indirectly, for example, via one or more intervening devices.The ESC 1000 may include the controller 1010 to control, monitor, protect, or configure the operation of the ESC 1000. The controller 1010 may be provided with control logic for selectively enabling, disabling, or reconfiguring operation of one or more ESC 1000 components. The controller 1010 may be electrically connected to other ESC 1000 components via wired or wireless connections. In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may be provided with one or more internal components such as a memory 1012, a processor 1014, and / or an input / output interface (I / O) 1016. The memory 1012 may store computer-executable instructions, operating parameters for system components, specified tolerance values or tolerance ranges, and the like. The processor 1014 may execute instructions stored in the memory 1012. The I / O interface 1016 may connect the controller 1010 to one or more ESC 1000 components, such as an embodiment of the male connector 100 and the signal generator circuit 1020, for example. The I / O interface 1016 may additionally connect the controller 1010 to one or more external components electrically connected to the ESC 1000, such as the battery 30 and the powered component 20, for example.The controller 1010 may be provided with logic for monitoring and / or reconfiguring operation of the ESC 1000 as part of one or more methods for protection and / or control. In an embodiment, the controller 1010 may detect one or more operating conditions of the ESC 1000 using one or more ESC 1000 components, such as the male connector 100. In an embodiment, the controller 1010 may detect or electrically open the existence of one or more electrical connections on the corresponding leads and / or terminals of the male connector 100, for example. In such an embodiment, the controller 1010 may detect an electrical connection to the terminal of the male connector 100 by detecting a received signal via the corresponding line and / or the terminal. Similarly, the "electrically open" state may be detected by the controller 1010 in which no received signal is detected via a terminal of the male connector. The controller 1010 may further detect one or more conditions of the battery 30 electrically coupled to the ESC 1000 by sensing the respective voltages of one or more current signals received from the battery 30 via one or more terminals of the male connector 100.Alternatively, the controller 1010 may detect one or more electrical connections or the "electrically open" state at the respective terminals of the male connector 100 by transmitting one or more continuity check signals to the respective lines and / or terminals. The connection data detected by the controller 1010 may include one or more signals received from one or more remote devices, such as the battery 30, received via one or more direct electrical connections between the female connector 200 of the battery 30. Alternatively, the controller 1010 may receive one or more signals indirectly from one or more remote devices, such as through one or more intermediary devices. The one or more intervening devices may be signal converters, processors, input / output interfaces, amplifiers, processing circuits, connectors or adapters, and the like.In one embodiment, the controller 1010 may use the detected connection status and / or voltage data as input to one or more control methods for operating the ESC 1000. In one embodiment, the controller 1010 of the ESC 1000 operates in accordance with one or more modes of operation in response to the one or more sensed conditions. For example, the controller 1010 may vary the operating mode of the ESC 1010 in response to detection of one or more electrical connections on the male connector 100 indicating that a battery of a specific battery chemistry type or with a particular charge capacity is connected to the ESC 1000. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may perform comparisons between one or more sensed voltages or signals sensed across the leads and / or terminals of the connector. The signals may be compared to one or more thresholds. The controller 1010 may reconfigure aspects of the ESC 1000 operation in response to the result of such comparisons. For example, the controller 1010 may reconfigure or disable operation of the signal generator circuit 1020 in response to determining that one or more received signals have a voltage that is out of tolerance.As shown in FIG. 16, in one embodiment, the ESC 1000 may include the signal generator circuit 1020. The signal generator circuit 1020 may be operated by the controller 1010 to generate one or more current signals and / or control signals that are transmitted by the ESC 1000 to one or more powered components 20. In one embodiment, signal generator circuit 1020 may convert a converted input power received from a power source, such as battery 30, into one or more power signals or control signals in response to an input received from controller 1010. The signal generator circuit 1020 may be connected to the controller 1010 via a wired or wireless connection.The ESC 1000 may include any embodiment of the male connector 100 described above for electrically connecting the ESC 1000 to the battery 30, which may be provided with any corresponding embodiment of the female connector as described above. It should be appreciated that although embodiments of the connectors 100, 200 include communication devices 106, 206 that include RFID sensors and RFID transponders, respectively, such components cannot be used in all modes of operation of the ESC 1000.Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1A, 15, and 16, the male power wires 108A, B of the male connector 100 may be electrically connected to one or more internal components of the ESC 1000. In operation, the male power wires 108A, B may electrically couple the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100 to the controller 1010 and / or the signal generator circuit 1020 of the ESC 1000. In an embodiment, the male power terminals 104A, B may electrically couple the ESC 1000 to positive and negative electrical circuits of the battery 30, respectively, while the battery 30 is electrically connected to the ESC 1000 via the male connector 100. The ESC 1000 may receive electric power from the battery 30 while the battery 30 is electrically connected via the male power terminals 104A of the male connector 100, thereby discharging the battery.Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 7B, 7C, and 16, in one embodiment, the male signal wires 109A, B of the male connector 100 may be electrically connected to one or more internal components of the ESC 1000. The male signal wires 109A, B may electrically connect the male balance terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100 to the controller 1010 and the signal generator circuit 1020, in operation. The male balance terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100 may be electrically connected to the corresponding balance terminals 216 of the female connector 200 of the battery 30, if any, when the connector 200 of the battery is electrically connected to the male connector 100. One or both of the male balancing terminals 116A, B may receive one or more balancing signals transmitted by the battery 30. In one embodiment, receipt of one or more compensation signals from the battery 30 may indicate one or more conditions of the battery 30, such as the type of battery chemistry, the charge capacity, the cell count, and / or other similar characteristics of the battery 30, for example. Additionally, the respective voltage values of one or more signals received via the one or more male balancing terminals may indicate one or more characteristics of the battery 30, such as the remaining charge of the battery 30 and / or the remaining charge of one or more cells within the battery 30, for example.FIG. 7A shows the electrical connections made to respective male balance terminals 116A, B when the first female connector 200A and one embodiment of the male terminal 100 are in the partially inserted or fully inserted position. This may be a typical arrangement of the male and female connectors 100, 200 for electrically connecting the NiMH-type battery 30 to the ESC 1000. While the first female connector 200 is in the partially inserted or fully inserted position, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100. One or more power signals may be transmitted to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100 from the battery 30 via the female power terminals 204A, B. The ESC 1000 may receive the one or more current signals from the battery 30 electrically connected to the ESC 1000 via the male connector 100, thereby discharging the battery 30.As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7A, it is important that the first female connector 200A does not include female mating terminals 216 for making one or more electrical connections with the male mating terminals 116A, B of the male connector 100. No signal or signals can therefore be received via any of the male balancing terminals 116A, B according to the embodiment shown. The controller 1010 may be configured to detect open connections at both male balancing terminals 116A, B while receiving one or more power signals via the male power terminals 104A, B. The controller 1010 may be configured to identify whether the battery 30, which is electrically coupled to the male connector 100 via the first female connector 200A, is a NiMH-type battery. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may be configured to identify whether the battery 30 connected to the male connector 100 via the first female connector 200A is a battery not configured for balancing discharge operation based on detecting open connections at the corresponding balancing terminals 116A, B. The controller 1010 may determine that open connections are present at the corresponding male balancing terminals 116A, B in response to detecting no voltage or signal received via the male balancing terminals 116A, B. The controller 1010 may be provided with logic for defining the detection of open connections at all of the male balancing terminals 116 provided in the connector 100 to indicate that the battery 30 is a NiMH-type battery.FIG. 7B shows the electrical connections made to the respective male balance terminals 116A, B when the second female connector 200B and an embodiment of the male connector 100 are in the partially inserted or fully inserted position. It may be a typical arrangement of embodiments of the male and female connectors 100, 200 for electrically connecting the LiPo type battery 30 including two cells (2S) to the ESC. While the second female connector 200B is in the partially inserted or fully inserted position, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100. One or more power signals may be transmitted to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100 from the battery 30 via the female power terminals 204A, B. The ESC 1000 may receive the one or more current signals from the battery 30, which is electrically connected to the ESC 1000 via the male connector 100, discharging the battery 30.Importantly, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7B, the second female connector 200B may include the female balance terminal 216A for establishing electrical connection with the male balance terminal 116A of the male connector 100. Further, the second female connector 200B may not include the female balance terminal 216B for establishing an electrical connection with the male balance terminal 116B. No signal or signals may therefore be received from the ESC 1000 via the male balance port 116B, while one or more signals may be received via the ESC 1000 via the male balance port 116A. The controller 1010 may be configured to detect the electrical connection to the male balancing terminal 116A and the open connection to the male balancing terminal 116B at a time when one or more current signals are received via the male power terminals 104A, B. The controller 1010 may be configured to identify that the battery 30, which is electrically coupled to the male connector 100 via the second female connector 200B, comprises a two-cell (2S) LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may be configured to identify that the battery electrically coupled to the male connector 100 via the second female connector 200 requires a balancing discharge operation. According to both embodiments, the controller 1010 may be configured to modify or set one or more operating parameters of the ESC 1000, such as setting a low voltage shutdown value for a 2S LiPo battery, based on the electrical connections and open connections detected at the corresponding male balancing terminals 116A, B. The low voltage shutdown value may define a minimum remaining charge of the battery 30 or of each cell of the battery 30 at which a discharging operation performed by the ESC 1000 may be stopped.The controller 1010 may determine that an electrical connection is established at the male balancing terminal 116A while no connection is established at the balancing terminal 116B by detecting one or more signals comprising a non-zero voltage to the balancing terminal 116A while no signal or zero voltage signal is received via the male balancing terminal 116B. The controller 1010 may be provided with logic defining the detection of one or more compensation signals via the male compensation terminal 116A while detecting a non-voltage condition at the male compensation terminal 116B indicating that the battery 30 is a 2S LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the ESC 1000 may detect one or more received signals including zero voltage values from the male balancing terminal 116A and assume that the battery 30 is a 2S Li-Po battery based at least in part on the magnitude of the voltage values that are within a specified range of a matching voltage corresponding to a 2S LiPo type battery. In such embodiments, a fixed range or ranges of voltage values may be stored in the memory of the controller 1010.Referring to FIG. 7C, the electrical connections made to the male balance terminals 116A, B when the third female connector 200C and the male connector 100 are in the partially inserted or fully inserted position are shown. This may be a typical arrangement of an embodiment of the male and female connectors 100, 200 for electrically connecting a battery 30, comprising a LiPo-type battery further comprising three cells (3S), the battery being connected to the ESC 1000. While the second female connector 200C is in the partially inserted or fully inserted position, the female power terminals 204A, B may be electrically connected to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100. One or more power signals may be transmitted to the male power terminals 104A, B of the male connector 100 from the battery 30 via the female power terminals 204A, B. The ESC 1000 may receive the one or more current signals from the battery 30, which is electrically connected to the ESC 1000 via the male connector 100, and which discharges the battery 30.Importantly, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the third female connector 200C includes the female balance terminals 216A, B for making electrical connections with the male balance terminals 116A and 116B, respectively, of the male connector 100. The controller 1010 may be configured to detect the electrical connections established at all of the male balance terminals 116A, B when one or more current signals are received via the male power terminals 104A, B. The controller 1010 may be configured to identify the battery 30 electrically coupled to the male connector 100 via the third female connector 200C as a three-cell (3S) LiPo-type battery. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may be configured to identify that the battery 30 electrically connected to the male connector 100 via the third female connector 200C requires a balancing charging operation. According to both embodiments, the controller 1010 may be configured to modify or set one or more operating parameters of the ESC 1000, such as setting a low voltage shut-down value suitable for a 3S LiPo battery based on the sensed electrical connections at the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B.The controller 1010 may determine that an electrical connection is established at the male balancing terminals 116A and 116B by sensing one or more signals comprising non-zero voltages at each of the male balancing terminals 116A, B. The controller 1010 may be provided with logic that detects the sensing of one or more corresponding balancing signals across all of the male balancing terminals 116A, B to indicate that the battery 30 comprises a 3S LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the ESC 1000 may detect one or more received signals including non-zero voltage values from the respective male balancing terminals 116A, B, and may assume that the battery 30 is a 3S LiPo battery based at least in part on the magnitude of one or more of the received voltage values that are within a specified range of respective voltages corresponding to a 3S LiPo battery. In such embodiments, the specified range or ranges of voltage values may be stored in the memory of the controller 1010. Referring to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment, the electrically powered device shown may include a battery charger 1000 to provide one or more configurable charging currents for charging the battery 30. An embodiment of the male connector 100 may be configured as a connection port of a battery charger 1000. In one embodiment, the battery charger may include an internal component configuration similar to that described above with respect to the ESC 1000, except that the signal generator circuit 1020 of the ESC 1000 instead includes one or more circuits for generating one or more charging currents for charging the battery 30. In one embodiment, signal generation circuit 1020 may include components capable of generating charging currents suitable for any known charging operation commonly used for charging a battery including any of the battery types and / or cell numbers described herein and above.When the male connector 100 is provided with the battery charger 1000, the battery charger 1000 may identify the chemical type of the battery and / or the number of cells of the battery 30, which may be electrically connected to the battery charger 1000 via the male connector 100 in a similar manner to that described above with reference to the ESC 1000. The battery charger 1000 may be provided with logic for automatically selecting one or more charging parameter settings such as the charging mode, the charging current based on the chemical type of the battery and / or the number of cells identified for the battery 30 via the illustrated electrical connections and received signals at the respective male terminals 104, 116. For example, a limited number of charger settings may be selectable to charge the battery 30 if at least one balancing signal has been detected by the controller 1010. During charging operation, the battery charger 1000 may further utilize one or more electrical connections at the male balancing terminals 116 to enable balancing charging operation of the individual cells forming the battery 30 to balance them to each other within a small percentage range according to one or more known methods for balancing charging a battery.Referring to FIGS. 7A and 13- 15, the battery charger 1000 may be electrically connected to the battery 30 provided with the first female connector 200A via the male connector 100. When the battery charger 1000 is connected to the battery 30 as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C and 13-15, the battery charger 1000 and the battery 30 may be electrically connected to each other via the respective male terminals 104, 116, as described above. The battery charger 1000 may detect the open connections at the male balancing terminals 116A, B and identify that the battery 30 is a NiMH-type battery.The controller 1010 may set one or more parameters of the battery charger 1000, such as the charging mode or the charging rate, to an appropriate set value or a value for charging a NiMH battery, for example, in response to identifying that the battery 30 is a NiMH battery. For example, the battery charger 1000 may set the charging mode to fast charging, peak sensing charging, trickle charging, or any other known charging method suitable for charging a NiMH battery. In one embodiment, one or more charging modes or voltage settings may need to be established, set, or selected by a user after identification of the battery 30 and after automatic configuration of one or more charging modes or voltage parameters by the controller 1010 of the battery charger 1000. A particular number of charging modes and / or charging voltage settings may be user selectable for a charging operation of the battery 30, based on the identified battery chemistry type and / or cell number of the battery 30. In some embodiments, the male communication device 106, which may be an RFID reader, may be required to support a full self-configuration of the battery charger 1000.Referring to FIGS. 7B and 13-15, the battery charger 1000 may be electrically connected via the male connector 100 to the battery 30 provided with the second female connector 200B via the respective male terminals 104, 116 as described above. The battery charger 1000 may detect the electrical connections and the opened electrical connections established between the male connector 100 and the second female connector 200B, and may identify that the battery 30 is a 2S LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the battery 30 may be identified by detecting one or more signal voltages received via the male balancing terminals 116A, B within a specified range.The controller 1010 of the battery charger 1000 may set one or more charging modes or charging voltage parameters to a value suitable for charging a 7.4V 2S LiPo battery in response to identifying that the battery 30 is a 2S LiPo battery. For example, the controller 1010 may set the charging mode of the battery charger 1000 to perform balancing charging of the 2S LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may set the charging speed of the battery charger 1000 by configuring the signal generator 1020 to generate a charging signal having a current suitable for charging a 2S LiPo battery. In one embodiment, one or more charging modes may still need to be set, adjusted, or selected by a user after identifying the battery 30 and automatically configuring one or more charging modes or charging voltage parameters by the controller 1010 of the battery charger 1000. A limited number of settings of the charging mode and / or the charging voltage setting may be user selectable for a charging operation of the battery 30 identified as a 2S LiPo battery. In some embodiments, the male communication device 106, which may be an RFID reader, may be required to support the full self-configuration of all charging modes and / or charging voltage parameter settings of the battery charger 1000.Referring to FIGS. 7C and 13-15, the battery charger 1000 may be similarly electrically connected via the male connector 100 to the battery 30 provided with the third female connector 200C via the corresponding male terminals 104, 116A, B as described above. The battery charger 1000 may detect the electrical connections established between the male connector 100 and the third female connector 200C and may identify that the battery 30 is a 3S LiPo battery. Alternatively or additionally, the battery 30 may be detected by detecting one or more signal voltages within a specified range, the signal voltages being received via the male balancing terminals 116A, B.The controller 1010 of the battery charger 1000 may automatically set one or more charge voltage parameter settings based on a setting suitable for charging an 11.1V 3S LiPo battery 30 in response to identifying that the battery 30 is a 3S LiPo battery. For example, the controller 1010 may set the charging mode of the battery charger 1000 to perform balancing charging of the 3S LiPo battery. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 1010 may set the charging speed of the battery charger 1000 by configuring the signal generator 1020 to generate a charging signal comprising a current suitable for charging a 3S LiPo battery. In one embodiment, one or more additional charging modes or voltage settings may still need to be set, adjusted, or selected by a user after identification of the battery 30 and after automatic configuration of one or more charging modes or charging voltage parameters by the controller 1010 of the battery charger 1000. A limited number of settings of the charging mode and / or the charging voltage may be user selectable for a charging operation of the battery 30 identified as a 3S LiPo type battery. In some embodiments, the male communication device 106, which may be an RFID reader, may be required to support the full self-configuration of all settings of the charging mode and / or charging voltages of the battery charger 1000.As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 16, an electrically powered device such as an ESC or a battery charger includes one or more connector terminals including any embodiment of the above-described male connector 100. Such ESCs or battery chargers may be provided for a discharging operation or a charging operation of the battery 30, wherein the battery may comprise any of the plurality of battery chemistry types and / or cell numbers described above, wherein the discharging operation or the charging operation is established only via the corresponding electrical connections that exist between the male terminals 104, 116 of the male connector 100 and the corresponding female terminals 204, 216 of the female connector 200. No additional electrical connections are necessary between the battery 30 and the ESC or battery charger beyond those provided by the male and female connectors 100, 200. A user need only connect the battery 30 provided with the female connector 200 to the connector port, which includes an embodiment of the male connector 100 of the ESC or battery charger, regardless of the battery chemistry type of the battery 30. the electronic speed control unit (ESC) or battery charger may identify the battery chemistry of the battery 30 and / or the number of cells by detecting one or more electrical connections with the battery 30 at the respective male ports 104, 116, and may configure one or more operating parameters of the ESC or battery charger in response to identifying the battery 30 itself.In an embodiment, the ESC 1000 provided with the male connector 100 as described herein may be operated in accordance with method 1700, as shown in FIG. 17, to discharge the battery 30. The method 1700 may be implemented by the controller 1010 to select a corresponding discharge mode for the particular battery 30 electrically connected to the ESC 1000 via the male connector 100.At process 1702, the battery 30 may be electrically connected to the ESC 1000 by inserting the female connector 200 of the battery 30 into the male connector 100 of the ESC 1000. The controller 1010 may detect that an electrical connection is established at the male power terminals 104A, B. The controller 1010 may detect the presence of an electrical connection at the male power terminals 104A, B by detecting a non-zero voltage signal received from the battery 30 via the male power terminals 104A, B.In response to detecting an electrical connection established at the male power terminals 104A, B, the controller 1010 may determine whether additional electrical connections have been established at one or both of the male balance terminals 116A, B, at operation 1704. The controller 1010 may detect the presence of one or more existing connections at neither, one or both of the male balancing terminals 116A and / or 116B by detecting the voltage value of any signal or signals received via both of the male balancing terminals 116A, B.In operation 1706, the controller 1010 may determine the number of non-zero voltage signals received via the male balancing terminals 116A, B. If the number of voltage signals that are not zero and that have been received via the male compensation terminals 116A, B is equal to zero, the controller 1010 may determine that no compensation signals are received via the compensation terminals 116A, B. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that no balancing signals have been received via the balancing terminals 116A and 116B by identifying that the battery 30 does not require a balancing charging operation according to a first operating mode in step 1708. The controller 1010 may trigger operation of the ESC 1000 according to a first mode of operation in the method step 1708 by generating a first control signal to set at least one low voltage shutdown parameter to a first set value. The low voltage shutdown value may define the minimum remaining charge value to which the cell or cells of the battery 30 may be discharged. In one embodiment, the first setting may be about 0V. The controller 1010 may operate the ESC 1000 to discharge the battery 30 until the battery is disconnected from the male connector 100 or until the first set voltage is reached, at which point the controller 1010 will stop discharging the battery 30.If the number of signals received via the non-zero male compensation ports 116A, B is equal to one, the controller 1010 may determine that only a single compensation signal has been received via the compensation port 116A or 116B. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that a single balancing signal has been received via the balancing port 116A or 116B merely by identifying that the battery 30 requires a balancing discharge operation and may configure the ESC 1000 for operation in accordance with a second operating mode in the method step 1710. The controller 1010 may trigger operation of the speed control unit 1000 in accordance with a first mode of operation in the method step 1710 by generating a second control signal to set at least one low voltage shutdown parameter to a second set value. In one embodiment, the second set value may be equal to approximately 6.0 V in total or 3.0 V per cell of the battery 30. the controller 1010 may operate the ESC 1000 to discharge the battery 30 until the battery is disconnected from the male connector 100 or until the second set voltage is reached. At this point, the controller 1010 will stop discharging the battery 30.If it is determined that the non-zero number of voltage signals received via the male compensation terminals 116A, B is two, the controller 1010 may determine that the compensation signals have been received via both compensation terminals 116A and 116B, respectively, in operation 1712. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that both balancing signals have been received via the balancing terminals 116A and 116B, respectively, by identifying that the battery requires balancing discharge operation and may configure the ESC 1000 for operation according to a third mode of operation. The controller 1010 may trigger operation of the ESC 1000 according to a third mode of operation in the method step 1712 by generating a third control signal to set at least one low voltage shutdown parameter to a third set value. In an embodiment, the third set value may be equal to a total of 9.0 V, or 3.0 V per cell of the battery 30. the controller 1010 may operate the ESC 1000 to discharge the battery 30 until the battery 30 is disconnected from the male connector 100 or until the third set voltage is reached. At this point, the controller 1010 will stop discharging the battery 30.In an alternative embodiment, the controller 1010 may be provided with logic defining one or more parameter values for a low voltage buck converter defining a remaining charge value of the battery 30 at which the power consumed by the ESC 1000 discharging the battery is reduced. In one embodiment, the maximum power consumption rate of the ESC 1000 may be reduced to perhaps 50% of the normal consumption rate. The controller 1010 may be configured to operate at the low power consumption rate until it reaches a low voltage buck converter parameter value and may remain at that power consumption value until the discharge of the battery 30 is terminated by decoupling the battery 30 or by reaching the low voltage shutdown value of the battery 30. Accordingly, the low voltage buck converter parameter values may be set to 7.3V in method step 1710 or 10.98V in method step 1712.A battery charger 1000 may be provided with the male connector 100 as described herein and may operate in accordance with the method 1800 shown in FIG. 18 to detect the type and cell count of a battery 30 to be charged. The method 1800 may be implemented by the controller 1010 to set or change one or more charging parameters of the battery charger 1000 in response to the respective battery chemistry or capacity of the detected battery 30.In step 1802, the battery 30 may be electrically connected to the battery charger 1000 by inserting the female connector 200 of the battery into the male connector 100 of the battery charger 1000. The controller 1010 may detect that an electrical connection is established at the male power terminals 104A, B. The controller 1010 may detect the occurrence of an electrical connection at the male power terminals 104A, B by detecting a non-zero voltage signal received from the battery 30 via the male power terminals 104A, B.In response to detecting an electrical connection established at the male power terminals 104A, B, the controller 1010 may determine whether additional electrical connections are established at one or both of the male balance terminals 116A, B in operation 1804. The controller 1010 may detect the occurrence of one or more established connections at neither, one or both of the male balancing terminals 116A and / or 116B by sensing the voltage value of any signal or signals received from the male balancing terminals 116A, B, respectively.In step 1806, the controller 1010 may determine the number of non-zero voltage signals received via the male balancing terminals 116A, B. If the number of non-zero received voltage signals received via the male compensation terminals 116A, B is equal to zero, the controller 1010 may determine that no compensation signals have been received via the compensation terminals 116A and 116B. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that no balancing signals have been received via the balancing terminals 116A and 116B by identifying that the battery 30 does not require a balancing charging operation in accordance with a first operating mode in step 1808. In one embodiment, the first mode of operation may include parameter settings defining one or more of the charging methods used by the battery charger 1000, as well as the voltage or voltage values of the charging current, one or more peak voltages, or the like. The controller 1010 may remain in step 1808 and be configured to initiate a charging operation in accordance with a first mode of operation in step 1808 until a user generated command is received from the battery charger 1000 in step 1814.If the number of non-zero voltage signals received via the male compensation terminals 116A, B is equal to one, the controller 1010 may determine that only a single compensation signal has been received via the compensation terminal 116A or 116B. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that only a single balancing signal has been received via the balancing port 116A or 116B by identifying that the battery 30 requires a balancing charging operation and may configure the battery charger 1000 for operation in accordance with a second operating mode in the method step 1810. In one embodiment, the second mode of operation may include parameter settings defining one or more of the charging methods used by the battery charger 1000, such as the voltage or voltage values of the charging current, one or more peak voltage values, and the like. The controller 1010 may remain in step 1810 and be configured to initiate a charging operation in accordance with a second mode of operation in step 1810 until a command generated by a user has been received from the battery charger 1000 in step 1814.If the number of non-zero voltage signals received from the male balance terminals 116A, B is two, the controller 1010 may determine that balance signals have been received via both balance terminals 116A, 116B, respectively, in operation 1806. The controller 1010 may respond to determine that two balancing signals have been received via the balancing terminals 116A and 116B, respectively, by identifying that the battery 30 requires a balancing charging operation and may configure the battery charger 1000 for operation in accordance with a third operating mode in step 1812. In one embodiment, the third mode of operation may include parameter settings defining one or more of the charging methods used by the battery charger 1000, as well as the voltage or voltage values of the charging voltage, or the like. The controller 1010 may remain in step 1812, and be configured to trigger a charging operation in accordance with a third mode of operation in step 1812 until a user generated command is received by the battery charger 1000 in step 1814.

Claims

A female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) for a battery (30), comprising: a female housing (201) comprising an electrically insulating material, the female housing (201) comprising: a female power connector receptacle (205A, 205B) configured to receive an electrically conductive female power connector (204A, 204B) at least partially by which one or more power signals of the battery (30) are transmittable, the power connector receptacle (205A, 205B) having a first receptacle opening for receiving an electrically conductive male power connector (104A, 104B) of a male electrical connector (100B); a female extended portion (202B, 202C) forming a male portion of the female connector (200A, 200B, 200C), the male portion being adapted to be received in a socket formed by a male extended portion (102) of the male electrical connector (100B); and a communication device jack (207) at least partially disposed in the plug portion and configured to at least partially surround a radio transponder (206), wherein the radio transponder (206) stores one or more first parameter values of the battery (30) and is readable by a radio reader (106) disposed within the male electrical connector (100B) to transmit the at least one stored parameter value when the radio transponder (206) is within a reading distance of the radio reader (106); wherein the female power terminal (204A, 204B) is at least partially disposed within the power terminal jack (205A, 205B) and is directly electrically connectable to at least a first cell of the battery (30) via at least one electrically conductive power wire (208A, 208B), the female power terminal (204A, 204B) comprising a first terminal contact surface for contacting the male power terminal (104A, 104B) to electrically connect the male and female power terminals (104A, 104B, 204A, 204B), the first terminal contact surface being at least partially disposed within the plug portion of the female housing (201); wherein the radio transponder (206) is at least partially disposed within the communication device jack (207); and wherein the radio transponder (206) is disposed within the reading range of the radio reader (106) when an electrical connection is made between the female power terminal (204A, 204B) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) for the battery (30) and the male power terminal (104A, 104B) of the male electrical connector (100B), characterized in that the female housing (201) has a raised structure on a top surface of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) and adjacent a guide surface of the female extended portion (202B, 202C), the raised structure including the communication device jack (207) to receive and at least partially surround the radio transponder (206).The female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) of claim 1, characterized in that the radio transponder (206) comprises a memory for storing at least one parameter value of the battery (30) and further comprises an antenna for transmitting one or more signals to the radio reader (106) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) when within reading range of the radio reader (106).The female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) of claim 1, characterized in that the radio transponder (206) transmits at least one first response signal indicative of at least one parameter value of the battery (30) in response to receiving at least one first interrogation signal transmitted by the radio reader (106) of the male electrical connector (100B).The female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) of claim 2, characterized in that the radio transponder (206) is configured for passive operation.A battery (30) comprising: at least one battery cell; a female electrical connector (200A; 200B, 200C) comprising: a female housing (201) comprising an insulating material and comprising at least one female power connector receptacle (205A, 205B) having a first receptacle opening for receiving a male power terminal (104A, 104B) of an electrically powered device (1000); at least one electrically conductive female power terminal (204A, 204B) configured to be electrically connectable to the male power terminal (104A, 104B) of the electrically powered device (1000) for transmitting one or more power signals when the male power terminal (104A, 104B) is received within the at least one female power connector receptacle (205A, 205B); a radio transponder (206) for storing at least one parameter value of the battery (30), the radio transponder (206) being disposed within the female housing (201); at least one power wire (208A, 208B) directly electrically connecting the at least one battery cell to the at least one female power terminal (204A, 204B) of the female electrical connector (200A; 200B, 200C); the female housing (201) further comprising: a female extended portion (202B, 202C) forming a male portion of the female connector (200A, 200B, 200C), the male portion being configured to be receivable within a socket formed by a male extended portion (102) of the male electrical connector (100B); a communication device jack (207) at least partially disposed in the plug portion and configured to at least partially surround the radio transponder (206); and wherein the radio transponder (206) is arranged in the female housing (201) such that the radio transponder (206) is readable by a radio reader (106) of the electrically operated device (1000) for transmitting the at least one stored parameter value at any time when an electrical connection is established between the female power terminal (204A, 204B) and the male power terminal (104A, 104B), characterized in that the female housing (201) has a raised structure on a top side of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) and adjacent to a guide surface of the female extended portion (202B, 202C), wherein the raised structure comprises the communication device jack (207) to receive and at least partially surround the radio transponder (206).The battery (30) of claim 5, characterized in that the plug portion is pluggable into a connector terminal of the electrically powered device (1000); wherein the at least one female power terminal (204A, 204B) comprises at least one first terminal contact surface disposed at least partially within the plug portion of the female housing (201); wherein at least a portion of the at least one female power terminal receptacle (205A, 205B) is disposed within a plug portion of the female electrical connector (200A; 200B, 200C); and wherein the male power terminal (104A, 104B) is disposed within the at least one female power terminal receptacle (205A, 205B) of the female electrical connector (200A; 200b, 200c) for electrically connecting the female power terminal (204A, 204B) to the male power terminal (104A, 104B) when the male portion of the female electrical connector (200A; 200B, 200C) is at least partially inserted into the connector terminal of the electrically powered device (1000).The battery (30) of claim 6, characterized in that the wireless transponder (206) stores at least one parameter value of the battery (30) and is disposed within the reading range of the wireless reader (106) when an electrical connection is established between the female power terminal (204A, 204B) and the male power terminal (104A, 104B).The battery (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that the reading range of the radio reader (106) comprises at least the surface including the connector terminal of the electrically powered device (1000).A male electrical connector (100B) for an electrically operated device (1000) comprising: a male housing (101B) comprising an electrically insulating material, the male housing (101B) comprising a socket configured to receive a female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) to establish an electrical connection with at least one female power terminal (204A, 204B) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C); an electrically conductive male power terminal (104A, 104B) for receiving one or more power signals from the female power terminal (204A, 204B) when the male power terminal (104A, 104B) is electrically connected to the female power terminal (204A, 204B), the male power terminal (104A, 104B) being at least partially disposed within the receptacle of the male electrical connector (100B) for the electrically powered device (1000); a radio reader (106) configured to transmit at least one first interrogation signal within the reading range of the radio reader (106), to read stored information from at least one radio transponder (206) disposed within the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) while the radio transponder (206) is within the reading range of the radio reader (106); wherein the male housing (101B) includes a male extended portion (102) configured to form the socket to circumferentially surround the male power terminal (104A, 104B), the socket being spaced apart from the male power terminal (104A, 104B) to provide an area within which a plug portion of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) can be received; wherein the radio reader (106) is arranged such that the radio transponder (206) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) is at least partially disposed within the reading range of the radio reader (106) whenever an electrical connection is established between the male power connector (104A, 104B) and the female power connector (204A, 204B), characterized in that the male electrical connector (100B) comprises a communication device jack (110) disposed along an upper surface of the male housing (101B), wherein the radio reader (106) is disposed in the communication device jack (110) such that at least a portion of the radio reader (106) is disposed directly above the jack formed by the male extended portion (102).The male electrical connector (100B) of claim 9, characterized in that the radio reader (106) is disposed in the male housing (101B) proximate the socket, wherein the reading range of the radio reader (106) comprises at least the surface comprising the socket.The male electrical connector (100B) of claim 9, characterized in that the wireless reader (106) receives a first response signal from the wireless transponder (206) indicative of one or more parameter values of a battery (30) stored in the wireless transponder (206) when the wireless transponder (206) is within reading range of the wireless reader (106).The male electrical connector (100B) of claim 11, characterized in that the first response signal received from the wireless reader (106) indicates at least one first parameter value indicative of the chemical state of the battery (30).The male electrical connector (100B) of claim 11, characterized in that the first response signal received from the wireless reader (106) indicates at least a first parameter value indicative of the capacity of the battery (30).The male electrical connector (100B) of claim 9, characterized in that the radio reader (106) is configured to transmit the first interrogation signal to cause transmission of a first response signal of the radio transponder (206) indicative of one or more parameter values of a battery (30) after an electrical connection has been established at the male power terminal (104A, 104B).An electrically operated device (1000) comprising: a male electrical connector (100B) comprising: a connector terminal to at least partially receive a male portion of a female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) for electrically connecting to a female power terminal (204A, 204B) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C); an electrically conductive male power terminal (104A, 104B) configured to be electrically connectable to the female power terminal (204A, 204B) to transmit one or more power signals, wherein the male power terminal (104A, 104B) is at least partially disposed in the connector terminal; and a radio reader (106) configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal within a reading range of the radio reader (106) to read stored information from at least one radio transponder (206) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) when the radio transponder (206) is disposed within the reading range of the radio reader (106); wherein the radio reader (106) is disposed within the male electrical connector (100B) of the electrically powered device (1000) such that the reading range of the radio reader (106) comprises at least the surface comprising the connector port of the male electrical connector (100B); and wherein the radio transponder (206) of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) is at least partially disposed within the reading range of the radio reader (106) whenever an electrical connection is established between the male power terminal (104A, 104B) and the female power terminal (204A, 204B); wherein the male electrical connector (100B) comprises a male housing (101B) comprising an electrically insulating material, wherein the male housing (101B) comprises a socket configured to receive a female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C); wherein the male housing (101B) has a male extended portion (102) configured to form the socket to circumferentially surround the male power terminal (104A, 104B), the socket being spaced apart from the male power terminal (104A, 104B) to provide an area within which a plug portion of the female electrical connector (200A, 200B, 200C) can be accommodated; characterized in that the male electrical connector (100B) comprises a communication device plug socket (110) disposed along an upper surface of the male housing (101B), wherein the radio reader (106) is disposed in the communication device plug socket (110) such that at least a part of the radio reader (106) is disposed directly above the socket formed by the male extended portion (102).The apparatus (1000) of claim 15, characterized in that the electrically powered apparatus (1000) comprises an electronic speed control unit.The apparatus (1000) of claim 15, characterized in that the electrically powered apparatus (1000) comprises a battery charger.The device (1000) of claim 15, characterized in that the wireless reader (106) receives a first response signal from the wireless transponder (206) indicative of one or more parameter values of a battery (30) stored in the wireless transponder (206) when the wireless transponder (206) is within reading range of the wireless reader (106).The device (1000) of claim 18, characterized in that the first response signal received from the wireless reader (106) indicates at least a first parameter value indicative of the chemical buildup of the battery (30).The device (1000) of claim 18, characterized in that the first response signal received from the wireless reader (106) indicates at least a first parameter value indicative of the capacity of the battery (30).The device (1000) of claim 18, characterized in that the radio reader (106) is configured to transmit a first interrogation signal to cause transmission of the first response signal from the radio transponder (206) indicative of one or more parameter values of a first battery (30) stored within the radio transponder (206) after an electrical connection is made to the male power connector (104A, 104B).

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