Abstract: Disclosed herein are battery management systems and methods for activating battery override logic for a battery management system to provide a power path to a battery pack. A method of activating battery override logic for a battery management system may comprise detecting a predetermined key toggle sequence performed in a predetermined amount of time or detecting an override message received from a CAN bus. The method may further comprise determining if the last override turn-on sequence was requested more than a predetermined amount of time ago, confirming that the override is configured for the contactor, and turning on the contactor to provide a power path to the battery pack for a limited predetermined amount of time. An exemplary predetermined toggle sequence may comprise on-off-on-off-on performed within 10 seconds. An exemplary override message from the CAN bus may be initiated by a user having a key, code, or access card.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring and conditioning circuit is disclosed to facilitate low cost manufacture of battery modules comprising any number of series connected cells. A battery management system utilizing a plurality of series connected cell monitoring and conditioning circuits is disclosed. Methods are provided for operating the disclosed circuits.

Abstract: A system of charging a battery pack with single charger includes a battery module, a main charging module, and a balance charging module. The battery module has a battery pack, and the battery pack has a plurality of cells in series. The main charging module has a main charger. The balance charging module has a balance charger. All the cells of the battery pack of the battery module are charged at the same time by the main charger of the main charging module. After the charging task of the main charging module is completed, the cells of the battery pack of the battery module are charged in sequence by the balance charger of the balance charging module.

Abstract: In an approach for selecting a battery charging rate, a processor, responsive to an electronic device with a rechargeable battery being connected to a battery charging device, identifies a current battery status of the rechargeable battery. A processor determines a disconnect time of the battery charging device. A processor determines a charge level required. A processor determines a charging profile based on the current battery status, the disconnect time of battery charging device, and the charge level required. A processor sends the charging profile to the battery charging device.

Abstract: Disclosed are a communication method between a master controller and slave controllers, a slave controller for the communication method, and a battery management system using the communication method and the slave controller, in which the master controller receives safety information about battery cells through a plurality of channels even when each of a plurality of slave controllers includes only one micro controller unit, thereby minimizing the increase in the cost and enhancing the safety of the battery management system. The communication method includes performing bidirectional communication between a master controller and first to Nth (where N is an integer equal to or more than two) slave controllers through a first communication channel, and receiving, by the master controller, an indication signal through a second communication signal via the first to Nth slave controllers.

Abstract: A battery cell monitoring and conditioning circuit is disclosed to facilitate low cost manufacture of battery modules comprising any number of series-connected cells. A battery management system utilizing a plurality of series-connected cell monitoring and conditioning circuits is disclosed. Methods are provided for operating the disclosed circuits.

Abstract: A battery control method includes detecting charge state information including a charge current, a discharge current, and an SOC of the battery, detecting whether the SOC of the battery reaches a predetermined reference SOC using the charge state information, and determining when the SOC of the battery reaches the reference SOC as a first reference time point and when the SOC of the battery reaches the reference SOC after the first reference time point as a second reference time point, calculating a charge capacity of the battery using a charge current from the first time point to the second time point and a discharge capacity of the battery using the discharge current, comparing a difference between the charge capacity and the discharge capacity, and determining that an internal short circuit of the battery occurs when the difference between the charge capacity and the discharge capacity exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a current being fed to a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells connected in series and providing an output battery voltage includes the steps of: feeding a relatively low current through a resistor being arranged in series with the battery pack; and measuring the voltage across the resistor, thereby obtaining a value of the current. A system for controlling a current being fed to a battery pack is also provided.

Abstract: A display device is mounted on and/or inside the eye. The eye mounted display contains multiple sub-displays, each of which projects light to different retinal positions within a portion of the retina corresponding to the sub-display. The projected light propagates through the pupil but does not fill the entire pupil. In this way, multiple sub-displays can project their light onto the relevant portion of the retina. Moving from the pupil to the cornea, the projection of the pupil onto the cornea will be referred to as the corneal aperture. The projected light propagates through less than the full corneal aperture. The sub-displays use spatial multiplexing at the corneal surface. Various electronic devices interface to the eye mounted display.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a battery pack, battery modules, and a method for replacing the battery modules. The battery pack can include a first battery module and a second battery module. The first battery module can include a charging socket configured to charge the first battery module and the charging socket is conformed to a standard configuration. The charging socket can include first terminals for electrically coupling to the second battery module and a cooling interface connected to a conduit in the first battery module to cool the first battery module. The method can include electrically isolating the first battery module from a HV module interconnection system that connects the first and second battery modules in a vehicle. The method can include removing the first battery module from a compartment of the vehicle where the battery pack is positioned and installing another battery module into the compartment.

Abstract: A method can be used to control a battery management system. A first voltage drop is sensed between a first terminal of a first battery cell and a second terminal of the first battery cell and a second voltage drop is sensed between a first terminal of a second battery cell and a second terminal of the second battery cell. A faulty condition is detected in the first battery cell or the second battery cell based on the first voltage drop or the second voltage drop. The first voltage drop is swapped for a first swapped voltage drop between a common terminal and the second terminal of the second battery cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for an electrical energy storage system (100) with two energy storage units (R1, R2) respectively comprising a first and a second pole connection (P1, P4, P3, P2), said circuit comprising: at least one first and one second input (E1, E2), at least one first and one second output (A1, A2), a first switching element (S1) between the first pole connection (P1) of the first energy storage unit (R1) and the first output (A1), and a second switching element (S2) between the second pole connection (P2) of the second energy storage unit (R2) and the second output (A2), a third switching element (S3) being arranged between the second pole connection (P3) of the first energy storage unit (R1) and the first pole connection (P4) of the second energy storage unit (R2), a fourth switching element (S4) being arranged between the second pole connection (P3) of the first energy storage unit (R1) and the second pole connection (P2) of the second energy storage unit (R2), and a fifth switching

Abstract: A method for reducing leakage currents in a protective conductor of an electricity network including a neutral conductor and a phase conductor in addition to the protective conductor. A differential current is determined depending on a phase conductor current in the phase conductor and a neutral conductor current in the neutral conductor. A compensation current is fed into the phase conductor and/or into the neutral conductor. The compensation current compensates for a leakage current caused by the differential current. Also described is a device for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus to authenticate a battery includes a battery voltage monitor to monitor a voltage of the battery. The apparatus to authenticate the battery also includes a voltage source regulator to filter the voltage of the battery and provide the filtered voltage to turn on circuitry to be used to authenticate the battery.

Abstract: Management system for a rechargeable energy storage device in an electric vehicle and corresponding method is disclosed. The rechargeable energy storage device has one or more battery packs each having a plurality of modules with one or more respective cells. A respective module management unit is embedded in each of the plurality of modules through respective microcircuits and configured to determine one or more local parameters. A supervisory controller is configured for two-way communication with the respective module management unit. The supervisory controller is configured to receive the local parameters, determine one or more global pack parameters based in part on the local parameters and transmit the global pack parameters back to the respective management unit. The supervisory controller is configured to control operation of the rechargeable energy storage device based in part on the global pack parameters and the local parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system for balancing energy in a battery pack are provided, to implement balanced energy distribution among individual batteries in a battery pack. The apparatus includes: a transmitting coil, configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave generated by an input first alternating current to multiple receiving coils; the multiple receiving coils, where parameter values of all receiving coils of the multiple receiving coils are the same, all the receiving coils are coupled to the transmitting coil at a same coupling strength, and each receiving coil is configured to receive the electromagnetic wave transmitted by the transmitting coil, and generate and output a second alternating current according to the electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of diagnosing a failure of a discharge resistor, while suppressing deterioration of discharge capacity. Disclosed is a failure diagnostic device for a discharge circuit 60 for discharging electricity from an electricity storage element 31. The discharge circuit 60 includes a resistance circuit 61 comprising a plurality of resistor blocks B connected in parallel, and each of the resistor blocks B comprises a plurality of discharge resistors Ra, Rb connected in series. During the time when electricity is being discharged from the electricity storage element 31, the failure diagnostic device diagnosis a failure of the resistance circuit 61 on the basis of a voltage or a current at a connection point P between the discharge resistors Ra, Rb.

Abstract: A method for operating an electrical energy storage device for a motor vehicle, which energy storage device includes an energy storage unit, which has an energy storage unit voltage during normal operation, and which, during a charging process, is charged by electrical energy provided at a charging connection point at a charging voltage that is lower than the energy storage unit voltage. Based on the energy storage unit voltage and the charging voltage, the energy storage unit is divided into a plurality of energy storage subunits, at least one of which has an energy storage subunit voltage that corresponds to the charging voltage and is electrically connected to the charging connection point for the at least partial charging of the energy storage unit.

Abstract: A management device manages a plurality of power storage devices interconnected in parallel. In the management device, a halt controller halts an operation of at least one of the plurality of power storage devices during a period in which charged/discharged power between the plurality of power storage devices and a load is less than a set value. During the period in which the charged/discharged power is less than the set value, for example, the halt controller, by turns, halts an operation of one of the plurality of power storage devices at a set time interval.

Abstract: A battery pack configured for discharging to a desired state of charge (SoC) after a fault event that includes a plurality of battery cells and a balancing circuit connected to each of the battery cells. The balancing circuit is configured to measure operational values of each of the battery cells. The battery pack further includes a microcontroller configured to receive the operational values from the balancing circuit, compare the operational values to a prescribed threshold values and issue commands to selectively discharge one or more of the battery cells across the balancing circuit.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a motorized vehicle equipped with a main rechargeable battery, electrical loads electrically connected to the main rechargeable battery via a voltage converter, a converter operating point setter is configured to, when current is passing between the main rechargeable battery and the electrical loads, based on a charging/discharging amount of the main rechargeable battery, set operating points of the voltage converter, each specifying a power conversion efficiency representing a ratio of input power to the electrical loads to output power of the main rechargeable battery and an output current of the voltage converter. A converter controller is configured to, based on the operating point set by the converter operating point setter, cause the voltage converter to convert the voltage of the main rechargeable battery, thereby supplying power to the electrical loads.

Abstract: A plurality of controlling circuits control a plurality of respective shutdown switches to turn ON/OFF. A first signal system transmits, in a direction from one end of the plurality of controlling circuits to the other end of the plurality of controlling circuits, a significant signal during a normal operation and a non-significant signal when the operation needs to be stopped. The second signal system transmits, in a direction from the other end of the plurality of controlling circuits to the one end of the plurality of controlling circuits, a significant signal during the normal operation and a non-significant signal when the operation needs to be stopped. The other end of the plurality of controlling circuits transmits the non-significant signal through second signal system when a signal received through first signal system is the non-significant signal.

Abstract: A battery control system includes a battery comprising: first and second terminals; third and fourth terminals; a plurality of individually housed batteries; and a plurality of switches configured to connect ones of the batteries to and from ones of the first, second, third, and fourth terminals. A mode module is configured to set a mode of operation based on at least one of a plurality of present operating parameters. A switch control module is configured to control the plurality of switches based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: A battery pack management system includes a controller, an isolation unit, a plurality of battery pack management units, and a plurality of battery packs. The plurality of battery pack management units are connected in series by a first daisy chain, and the plurality of battery pack management units are also connected in series by a second daisy chain. The first daisy chain transmits sampled data that is collected by the battery pack management units from corresponding battery packs and transmits control instructions of the controller. The second daisy chain transmits a failure prompt signal which is generated by a battery pack management unit that detects a failure. A first battery pack management unit and a last battery pack management unit of the plurality of battery pack management units connected in series are connected to the controller through the isolation unit.

Abstract: A dual-voltage battery for a vehicle includes a plurality of battery cells, wherein in each case a group of battery cells is connected to a battery cell block, and a battery electronics system with a plurality of power switching elements for connection in series or in parallel of in each case individual battery cell blocks. In a first connection arrangement of the battery cell blocks, a first voltage is provided and in a second connection arrangement, a second voltage is provided. At least a first battery cell block is provided as part of a first voltage supply unit, at least a second battery cell block is provided as part of a second voltage supply unit, at least two third battery cell blocks are provided as part of a third voltage supply unit, and at least two fourth battery cell blocks are provided as part of a fourth voltage supply unit.

Abstract: The invention provides power management circuitry for a console. The power management circuitry includes a charging component which includes an integrated circuit for managing the output current separately for charging the battery and for running the console. The integrated circuit comprises a first pin and a second pin to output current which provides voltage (VBAT_SUPPLY) for charging the battery. A third pin and a fourth pin of the integrated circuit is used to output current which provides voltage (VBAT) for running the console. These pins are connected to form a parallel circuit, wherein the integrated circuit cuts off the output current of the first pin and the second pin when VBAT_SUPPLY voltage reaches 4.18V indicating that the battery is fully charged, thereby eliminating charging current and reducing the leakage current. Further, a charging circuit of the console enables bypassing the battery based on instructions received from a power management unit.

Abstract: An electric drive work machine may include a body frame, a first electric power storage device mounted on the body frame, a second electric power storage device mounted on the body frame, and a junction box mounted on the body frame. The junction box may be operatively connected to the first electric power storage device by a first electric connection having a first inductance, and operatively connected to the second electric power storage device by a second electric connection having a second inductance. The first inductance may be equal to the second inductance such that power source charging power from the junction box is distributed equally to the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device, and power source output power to the junction box is drawn equally from the first electric power storage device and the second electric power storage device.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments to provide a multi-battery energy storage device. One embodiment comprises a first battery and a second battery, with a first circuit branch coupling a positive side of the first battery to a positive side of the second battery, a second circuit branch coupling a positive side of the first battery to a negative side of the second battery, a third circuit branch coupling the negative side of the first battery to the negative side of the second battery, and multiple switchable devices configured to control flow of current through corresponding branches. Other embodiments comprise other configurations and operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for equalizing states of charge of a plurality of battery modules (20) of a battery (10). The method comprises identifying each of the battery modules (20) which is to be discharged by means of a load resistor (30) which is associated with the respective battery module for the purpose of equalizing the states of charge. The method comprises carrying out, for each battery module (20) or each identified battery module (20), a first evaluation, which is associated with the respective battery module, of its state of charge which occurs at a first time on a first day and/or of a first quantity of electrical energy and/or of a second quantity of electrical energy. An estimate for the first quantity of energy can be supplied by an energy conversion system to the battery (10) during the first day. An estimate for the second quantity of energy is supplied by the battery (10) to a load during the first day.

Abstract: A solar power system may comprise a solar panel set, a controller, a lithium battery set, and at least a DC load. The controller has a control unit built therein to control a double-contact relay, a single-contact relay, and a transformer. The rated voltage of the solar panel set is higher than the rated voltage of the lithium battery set between 115% and 130%. When the actual voltage of the solar panel set is lower than 115% of the rated voltage of the lithium battery set, the solar panel set is configured to low-loss charge the lithium battery set under the low illumination condition. When the actual voltage of the solar panel set is higher than 115% of the rated voltage of the lithium battery set, the solar panel set under the high illumination condition is adapted to have voltage-drop through the transformer and high-efficiently charge the lithium battery set.

Abstract: A charge control apparatus and method for energy saving and high speed cell balancing, including when any one of a plurality of battery cells reaches a fully charged state, charging is temporarily stopped. Additionally, a battery cell with the lowest state of charge is determined to be a target for supplemental charging and the remaining battery cells are determined to be a target for forced discharging and when among the battery cells being forcedly discharged, the number of battery cells with the same state of charge as the state of charge of the battery cell being supplementally charged is equal to or larger than a reference number, cell balancing is stopped and charging is performed again.

Abstract: A power converter system is provided and includes a first switch circuit configured to receive a first Direct Current (DC) voltage, the first switch circuit coupled to a second switch circuit having a positive connection and a negative connection to receive a second DC voltage. The power converter system further includes a first capacitor, coupled between the positive connection and a neutral point, a second capacitor, coupled between the negative connection and the neutral point, and an Alternating Current (AC) switch circuit coupled to the first capacitor and to the second capacitor. The power converter system includes a controller configured to maintain a substantially equal voltage level across the first capacitor and the second capacitor, the controller being coupled to the first switch circuit, the second switch circuit, and the AC switch. A method of controlling the power converter system is further disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes first and second vehicle power distribution buses electrically isolated from one another, each electrically connected to an electric generator. Each of the first and second buses includes a high voltage portion, electrically connected to a first load with a power consumption exceeding a threshold, and a low voltage portion electrically connected to a second load with a power consumption less than the threshold.

Abstract: A fast charging battery system and method for charging battery systems can be applied to most battery types in use for electric vehicles (EVs), electronic devices, and wireless electrical machines. The system could employ industry proven battery charger systems and off-the-shelf electrical components (e.g., contactors, relay switches, semiconductor parts, DC-DC converters, and the like) to keep cost and complexity low. The system provides for two or more charging ports in the electronic device, such as an EV, that may be able to receive and recognize a charging type, such as charging voltage, current and the like, and provide directed charging to multiple battery sub-packs that make up the entire battery. By charging sub-packs in parallel, the charge time can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A battery protection circuit that protects a rechargeable battery including cells connected in parallel includes an overcharging detection part provided for each of the cells and configured to prevent the corresponding cell from being charged in response to detecting overcharging of the corresponding cell, an overdischarge detection part provided for each of the cells and configured to prevent the corresponding cell from being discharged in response to detecting overdischarge of the corresponding cell, a charging current limiting part provided for each of the cells and configured to prevent a charging current from exceeding a predetermined charging current value during a period for which the charging current flows through the corresponding cell, and a discharge current limiting part provided for each of the cells and configured to prevent a discharge current from exceeding a predetermined discharge current value during a period for which the discharge current flows through the corresponding cell.

Abstract: Various techniques described herein relate to battery packs of electric vehicles, batteries, and battery charging systems. Batteries may comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module may be provided with one or more battery cells, and the plurality of battery modules may be connected in series when providing electric power output. Battery charging systems described herein may comprise a charging circuit that connects a plurality of battery modules in series, and may be used for charging the plurality of battery modules in the battery in series. Additional charging circuits may be connected respectively to the plurality of battery modules, and the additional charging circuits may be used for charging at least one battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

Abstract: Various techniques described herein relate to battery packs of electric vehicles, batteries, and battery charging systems. Batteries may comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module may be provided with one or more battery cells, and the plurality of battery modules may be connected in series when providing electric power output. Battery charging systems described herein may comprise a charging circuit that connects a plurality of battery modules in series, and may be used for charging the plurality of battery modules in the battery in series. Additional charging circuits may be connected respectively to the plurality of battery modules, and the additional charging circuits may be used for charging at least one battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

Abstract: A control device includes: a first path for: electrically connecting (i) a power source unit or reference potential that provides a potential, voltage or current for generating a drive signal of a switching element and (ii) a receiving unit that receives the drive signal in the switching element; and supplying the drive signal to the switching element; and a second path for: electrically connecting (i) the power source unit or the reference potential and (ii) the receiving unit; and supplying the drive signal to the switching element. (i) A value of a combined resistance of a wire of the second path and one or more elements disposed in the second path is greater than (ii) a value of a combined resistance of a wire of the first path and one or more elements disposed in the first path.

Abstract: Provided are a charge equalization apparatus for a battery string. According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the charge equalization apparatus are modularized by being divided into the master unit and the slave unit, such that the charge equalization apparatus may be expanded and contracted independent of the number of batteries, the circuits are separated for each module, such that the circuits may be easily implemented, and when the circuits are damaged, only the damaged module is replaced, such that the effective countermeasure may be performed.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to a parallel backup power supply. For example, a parallel backup power supply system can include a plurality of backup power supply cells that support a plurality of loads. Each of the backup power supply cells can include a charging module to charge an associated backup power supply cell among the plurality of backup power supply cells and a cell controller. The cell controller is to can be configured to control the charging module and communicate with a management module. The parallel backup power supply system can also include the management module to activate each of the plurality of backup power supply cells to provide backup power in parallel to the plurality of loads as each of the plurality of backup power supply cells is fully charged.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for balancing battery cells of a multi-cell battery, the system comprising a processor configured to determine a state of charge for each battery cell, generate a probability table for all of the battery cells based on a difference between the state of charge for each battery and a mean state of charge, select one of the battery cells via probabilistic selection according to the probability table, and generate an instruction for adjusting a charge of the selected battery cell.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for discharging a power source such as, for example, a battery, includes determining a capacity of the battery and discharging the battery in response to the capacity of the battery being greater than a reference level. In accordance with another embodiment, a circuit suitable for use with a battery includes a power measurement circuit coupled to a discharge indicator circuit, a control circuit, and a load. The discharge indicator circuit is coupled to the control circuit, which is coupled to a switch configured for activating a discharge operation through the load.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One example method includes sharing vehicle system control of a vehicle with a passenger. The vehicle has an on-board computer and communications circuitry integrated with the on-board computer. The communications circuitry is configured to interface with a wireless network for accessing the Internet. The on-board computer is configured to enable the communications circuitry to provide a wireless connection to portable devices that enter and pair with the vehicle. The on-board computer is interfaced with one or more vehicle systems. The method includes providing a portable device access to at least one graphical user interface via the wireless connection. The graphical user interface includes input options that enable control of settings or functions of one or more of said vehicle systems.

Abstract: A device for operating a charging unit that is connected/is connectable to a supply network and to a rechargeable energy store. A control unit and at least one sensor connected to the control unit are provided, the control unit being connected to a control input of the charging unit to switch on the charging unit as a function of a measured value of the at least one sensor for charging the energy store, or to switch it off for interrupting an electrical connection between the supply network and the energy store.

Abstract: A charging apparatus 1 includes one or more chargers 2, wherein the chargers 2 each include a communication control unit 24 that is capable of communicating with a vehicle-mounted communication unit 5 or another charger 2, and, according to an output-power command value C1 transmitted from the vehicle-mounted communication unit 5 or an output-power command value C2 transmitted from the other charger 2, the communication control unit 24 sets an output-power command value C3 for a charger 2 associated therewith, and transmits the output-power command value C1 or C2 to the other charger 2 when the other charger 2 has been connected.

Abstract: A charging device for charging a battery pack includes a plurality of charging assemblies for charging a plurality of battery cells connected electrically in series, wherein the plurality of charging assemblies are configured to charge a first set of the plurality of battery cells in a first time period and a second set of the plurality of battery cells in a second time period, any two of the plurality of battery cells that neighbor with each other are from different sets of the plurality of battery cells, and each of the plurality of charging assemblies comprises: an AC/DC converter for converting an inputted AC voltage to a first DC voltage; and a DC/DC converter for converting the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage for charging the battery cell.

Abstract: A power system and method of operating the power system includes a first power source and a second power source arranged in a series, a first electrical load and a second electrical load arranged in series with first and second power sources, and a set of bypass current paths independently associated with at least a subset of the first power source, the second power source, the first electrical load, and the second electrical load.

Abstract: A variable direct current (DC) link power converter is described. In one example, the power converter includes a first converter stage configured to convert power from a power source to power at an intermediate link voltage and a second converter stage configured to convert the power at the intermediate link voltage to power for charging a battery. The power converter further includes a control system having an intermediate link voltage regulation control loop configured, in a first mode of operation, to regulate the intermediate link voltage through the first converter stage based on a voltage of the battery, and a ripple regulation control loop configured to sense a charging current for the battery and regulate a gain of the second converter stage based on the charging current to reduce ripple in the charging current. A new configuration of transformer suitable for use with the power converter is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs) to store charge. Each ESM includes module inputs to receive the charge. A plurality of charging circuits supply electrical energy to charge the ESMs via an output from each of the charging circuits. A switch network selectively switches each of the outputs from each of the charging circuits to the respective module inputs of each of the ESMs in response to a control command.

Abstract: A DC power supply extension cable system includes a cord, a plurality of first barrel connectors and a plurality of second barrel connectors. The cord has a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first interface configured for the engagement of one of any of the first barrel connectors, and the second end likewise defines a second interface configured for the engagement of one of any of the second barrel connectors. The first interface is different than the second interface. Each of the first barrel connectors has a receiving opening therein and a first engagement mechanism configured to be accepted by only the first interface. Whereas each of the second barrel connectors has an external plug extending therefrom, and a second engagement mechanism configured to be accepted by only the second interface.