HK1033712B - Edge interface electrical connectors - Google Patents

Description

Edge interface electrical connector

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to electrical connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to electrical contact structures for components used in electronic devices such as radiotelephones.

Background of the invention

Wireless telephones are becoming more popular because they are able to flexibly communicate. In general, the proliferation of radio towers and satellite systems, respectively, allows more users to access the radiotelephone system, even in rural or rural areas. This increased popularity will lead to consumers who are skilled in the industry who demand competitive product specifications or standards. For example, the predetermined performance parameters generally include improving signal quality, operating characteristics, and durability while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Furthermore, many users desire improved portability, which itself typically means providing products in slim and miniaturized designs, but which may affect other performance parameters.

As described above, many popular hand-held telephones are being miniaturized. Indeed, many popular models are only 11-12 centimeters in length. Portable radiotelephones use a built-in printed circuit board that generally controls the operation of the radiotelephone. Since the printed circuit board is provided in the wireless telephone, the size thereof is also reduced due to the miniaturization of the portable wireless telephone. Unfortunately, the desired operating and performance parameters of a wireless telephone may potentially require a large amount of dedicated space on the surface of the printed circuit board. Therefore, it is desirable to more efficiently utilize the limited space on the printed circuit board.

This miniaturization can also result in complex mechanical and electrical connections to other components such as externally mounted accessories and batteries, which typically must be interconnected with the housing for mechanical support and connected to the built-in printed circuit board for electrical connection. For example, battery connections are typically made with spring contact members mounted in an intermediate position on the housing such that the spring contact members extend longitudinally between (i.e., are sandwiched between) the housing and the printed circuit board and then abut against the contacts on the surface of the printed circuit board. Unfortunately, this arrangement places the electrical contact members relatively close together, potentially allowing a user to inadvertently short the contact members. This may occur when a user places a conductive object, such as a metal key, in close proximity to the telephone system connector or redundant battery backup causing the key or keys to short circuit the two contact members. Furthermore, this structure generally requires a dedicated keep-out (keep-out) area in the area adjacent the contact member on the printed circuit board, since the end of the spring contact member may deform and protrude into the area around the adjacent contact pad. Unfortunately, however, this underrun area wastes valuable printing plate space.

Fig. 1A and 1B show one example of a conventional portable radiotelephone 10 having a spring connector 70, wherein the connector 70 is used to interconnect the battery 60 and the printed circuit board 50 through the housing 30. The spring connector 70 forms a contact angle 18 with the printed circuit board 50 when assembled. As shown in fig. 1B, the connector 70 is configured to abut the printed circuit board contact pads 51, 52 and is generally disposed in relation to the adjacent inaccessible inner area 19. As shown in fig. 2A-2C, when an external force is transmitted to the connector 70, it is blocked by the surface of the printed circuit board and is deformed. Unfortunately, such deformation may introduce permanent structural instability into the electrical contact, which may cause electrical failure or unacceptable performance. Also, such interconnect structures typically utilize relatively large mounting or contact areas on the surface of the printed circuit board 50.

Another battery connector is disclosed in U.S. patent 5538435 to Yohn. This patent describes an electrical input/output connector with switchable contact means for a portable device, such as a portable telephone. The contact member, which electrically connects the battery and the printed circuit board, extends forward to the printed circuit board and over the printed circuit board (in a direction generally parallel to the major surface of the printed circuit board) to reside on the top major surface thereof.

Objects and summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved interconnection of accessories and power supplies for a radiotelephone.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector interface that minimizes the amount of surface space required on a printed circuit board.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connector that is easy to manufacture and that prevents inadvertent shorting by the end user.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wireless telephone having a battery interconnection structure that prevents structural deformation due to external force.

These and other objects, advantages and features are achieved by an edge interface connector that electrically interconnects desired components with a printed circuit board disposed in a device such as a radiotelephone. In particular, a first aspect of the present invention is a radiotelephone comprising a front cover member and a back cover member. The back cover member is configured to cover and matingly connect with the front cover member to provide a passage therebetween. The back cover member includes a battery chamber therein. The radiotelephone also includes a printed circuit board disposed in the channel intermediate the front cover member and the back cover member. The printed circuit board includes a pair of battery edge contact pads thereon. The radiotelephone also includes at least one and typically a plurality of elongated spring contact members disposed in the end portion of the back cover member such that the spring contact members are in electrical contact with the printed circuit board battery edge contact pads. Preferably, the elongated spring contact member is arranged and configured to freely extend and retract vertically relative to the printed circuit board in response to an external force applied thereto. Advantageously, unlike many conventional connectors, this configuration reduces the likelihood of undesirable deformation of the spring contact member.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of spring contact members comprises at least two contact members being positive and negative spring contact members. The positive and negative spring contact members have upper and lower portions. The batteries are disposed in the housing chamber such that the positive and negative spring contact members have upper portions in contact with the positive and negative terminal contacts of each battery and lower end portions in contact with respective battery edge contact members on the printed circuit board to define a battery circuit therebetween. Advantageously, the positive and negative terminals and the edge contact members may be spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of, for example, a printed circuit board, to minimize the likelihood of shorting between the terminals by an end user and to reduce the amount of board space that is available. Such spreading or spacing of the contact members cannot be implemented using conventional connector technology.

In another preferred embodiment, the elongated spring contact member comprises a support body arranged to hold the spring contact element in proper alignment in the housing to ensure electrical contact with the printed circuit board contact pad on one end and with the element or an externally mounted accessory (e.g., a battery) on the other end.

Thus, the edge interface connector is constructed to be resilient in construction so that it minimizes the space required for electrical engagement with the printed circuit board when the spring contact element is assembled on the radiotelephone, whereby the elongated spring contact element is free to extend and retract vertically relative to the printed circuit board in response to external forces applied thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is an edge interface electrical connector. The connector includes a connector support body having first and second sides and at least one connector upper contact member extending from the first side of the support body. The connector also includes at least one lower connector contact member extending from the second side of the support body, wherein each upper connector contact member is electrically connected with a corresponding lower connector contact member of the at least one lower connector contact member. The connector also includes a printed circuit board having longitudinal surfaces and sides and includes at least one side edge contact pad on at least one side. The lower connector contact member extends from the support body to a side of the printed circuit board to abut against and electrically connect with the printed circuit board side edge contact pads. Preferably, the lower connector contact member is formed in the support body so as to be freely extendable upward and downward relative to the printed circuit board in accordance with a force applied thereto.

In a preferred embodiment, the edge interface connector lower contact member includes first and second portions. The second portion extends at an angle relative to the first portion, the second portion engaging the side edge contact portion so that it can freely extend upwardly and downwardly relative to the printed circuit board in response to forces applied thereto. This configuration advantageously provides a large contact surface to ensure electrical contact between the lower contact member and the printed circuit board and also provides a large spring force to hold the lower contact member firmly against the intended printed circuit board contact member. In one embodiment, a printed circuit board side edge contact member includes an electrical contact pad positioned in at least one cutout of the printed circuit board. The cutout may be electrically connected to circuitry on the printed circuit board, for example, via electrical vias therein.

The foregoing and other objects and aspects of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1A shows prior art connection of a battery to a printed circuit board in a radiotelephone.

Fig. 1B shows a prior art connector assembled to a printed circuit board.

Fig. 2A shows the prior art connector of fig. 1B prior to an external force being applied thereto.

Fig. 2B shows the prior art connector of fig. 1B deflected by an external force.

Fig. 2C shows the prior art connector of fig. 1B after structural deformation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing an edge interface connector of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a radiotelephone employing the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial end perspective view of an edge interface connection according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5A is a partial side view of the interface shown in fig. 5.

FIG. 6 is a partial end perspective view of an edge interface connection according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of an edge interface connection according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7A is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the embodiment shown in fig. 7.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an edge interface connection according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an edge interface connection according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of yet another embodiment of an edge interface according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of an additional embodiment of an edge interface connection according to the present invention.

FIG. 11A shows one embodiment of the present invention positioned prior to the introduction of an external force thereon.

FIG. 11B shows the interconnect of FIG. 11A with an applied external force.

FIG. 11C shows the interconnect of FIG. 11A after the force of FIG. 11B is removed.

Description of the preferred embodiments

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. The dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The term "printed circuit board" as used herein is meant to include any microelectronic package substrate.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, the radiotelephone 20 includes a front cover member 40 and a back cover member 30. The front cover member 40 and the back cover member 30 are preferably sized and cooperatively joined together to define a channel or chamber 35 therebetween. The printed circuit board is disposed in the channel 35 between the front cover member 40 and the back cover member 30. The radiotelephone 20 also typically includes a battery 60 associated therewith. Preferably, the battery 60 is mounted in a battery compartment 66, the battery compartment 66 being formed on a surface accessible and exposed on the exterior of the rear cover 30. Also as shown, the radiotelephone 20 includes at least one edge interface electrical connector 75 for electrically connecting the battery 60 and the printed circuit board 50.

The printed circuit board 50 includes longitudinal surfaces and sides and is disposed within the housing such that its longitudinal surface (fig. 7A, 100) extends parallel to a plane defined by the line of the radiotelephone that extends from top to bottom and from side to side when the phone is held in a user's hand. As used herein, the sides 110 of the printed circuit board are perpendicular to the longitudinal surface and are defined by a plane that extends across the width of the radiotelephone (front to back when held in the user's hand). For example, a rectangular printed circuit board has two outer longitudinal surfaces (top and bottom) and four sides (sides). The printed circuit is generally formed on one or more conductive layers of the board separated by insulating layers that constitute the longitudinal surfaces of the board. The side surfaces are generally the surfaces that form the peripheral walls of the plate edges. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, small holes, such as elongated or circular "vias," may be formed perpendicular to the longitudinal surfaces of the plates. Also, an intermediate passage may be formed perpendicular to the longitudinal surface of the printed circuit board perimeter and inside the perimeter edge to define an intermediate side surface thereat (not shown).

As shown in fig. 5, the printed circuit board 50 includes a pair of battery edge contact pads 55 disposed on a side 110 (preferably an end side 110 a). The battery 60 also includes a pair of corresponding conductive terminal contacts 65 (fig. 3 and 4) preferably disposed on the ends of the battery adjacent the back cover member 30. The edge interface connector 75 includes electrically conductive upper and lower contact portions 77, 78. Each upper contact portion 77 engages one of the battery contacts 55 and the lower contact portion 78 engages the corresponding printed circuit board battery edge contact pad 55 to form a battery circuit path therebetween. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 7A, the edge interface connection allows other components to be placed proximate to the edge contact member 55 without the need for inaccessible inner areas as is typically specified by conventional designs. For example, conventional designs generally require no in-board area, which includes not only the contact surface area, but also the mechanical securing of the contact members, and the accumulated tolerances between the interconnection elements, such as the printed circuit board and the housing. Unfortunately, the various stack-up tolerances are likely to actually cause a relatively large underrun area in the available board space.

Returning to fig. 5, the connector 75 preferably includes a support body 76, and the connector 75 is configured to structurally secure an elongated spring contact member 74, the spring 74 defining an upper contact portion 77 and a lower contact portion 78. The elongated spring contact member 74 provides an inherent geometric advantage derived from the length of the lower portion 78, providing greater spring elasticity or spring force for a more secure connection at the printed circuit board pad 55. This length or configuration of the spring contact member 74 provides a smooth force over a longer distance with an associated improved spring constant or (k) value. In the past, the surface area of the elbow or bend portion of the lower spring was sized to achieve the desired predetermined length to provide a predetermined spring constant (k). Support 76 is preferably constructed of plastic, resin or elastomer, and upper 77 and lower 78 sections are preferably constructed of resilient spring metal legs such as heat treated copper tungsten or beryllium copper. Further, the spring contact member upper portion 77 and the spring contact member lower portion 78 may also be continuous length portions of resilient, electrically conductive material that are formed into a predetermined shape and then inserted (or molded) into the support body 76.

The support body 76 may be assembled into a radiotelephone in a number of ways. Examples of suitable assembly techniques include thermo-compression staking, adhesive bonding, and sizing the connector to press or snap into one of the housing components. Also, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the connector 75 may have many other configurations, such as, but not limited to, integrally forming the elongated spring contact member 74 (or the upper contact portion 77 and the lower contact portion 78) in one of the housing components 30, 40, thereby eliminating the need for a separate support 76 (not shown).

The upper portion of the spring contact member 78 is preferably configured to extend a predetermined distance beyond the housing so that it may be electrically connected to, for example, a battery or other accessory. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the upper portion 77 extends in an arc from a first side of the support 76a and the lower portion 78 extends from a second side of the support 76b adjacent the first side 76 a. This configuration positions the upper portion of the connector below or substantially flush with the top of the support body. On the other hand, as shown in fig. 8 and 10, the upper portion 77' may extend beyond the third side edge of the support housing 76c to reach above the support body 76.

The lower portion of the spring contact member 78 includes a lower edge electrical contact member 78b and a spring leg 78 a. The lower part of the spring contact element can also be constructed in many ways. Exemplary structures are shown in fig. 5, 9 and 10. Fig. 5 shows a support body 76 with two vertically extending spring contact members 74. Fig. 9 shows one support 276 with two spring contact member lower portions formed in an "L" shape 278. Lower portion 278 includes two portions, a vertical portion 278a and a horizontal portion 278b (90 degrees shown) that is angularly connected to the first portion. Advantageously, this structure may provide increased spring elasticity or resilience. Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of a support 376 with two horizontally extending elongated lower portions 378. In one embodiment, the printed circuit board contact pads and the lower spring contact member 38b are configured with complementary curvatures (fig. 6).

The support body 76 may also be constructed in a number of ways. Exemplary support structures are shown in fig. 3, 5, 10 and 11. Fig. 3 shows a support body 76 with an upper portion 78 extending from the side edge (side exitting). Fig. 5 shows a horizontally elongated support 176 to which two elongated spring contact members 74 extending from the sides are secured. Fig. 10 shows a rectangular support 376 with two upper portions 77' extending from the top and two lower portions 378 extending horizontally. Fig. 11 shows two separate housings 476, each having a single elongated spring contact member 74.

Advantageously, this configuration allows the cell terminals to be separated by a distance, thereby helping to prevent inadvertent shorting thereto while not sacrificing circuit board space. For example, conventional approaches are prone to short circuits when metal objects, such as pens or car keys, contact the relatively closely spaced terminals on a battery or telephone system connector when loosely packed in a box or the like. Advantageously, the present invention allows the battery contacts or the contact portions of the system connector to be separated from each other by a distance that reduces the likelihood of such a short circuit event. For example, as shown in fig. 11, contact members 55 are provided on opposite sides of the side contact surfaces 110 (to correspondingly separate the battery terminals on the battery). Preferably, the spacing between the battery contact members 55 and thus between the battery terminals 65 is 1-4 centimeters. Preferably, the positive and negative terminals are spaced 3-4 cm apart for protection and isolation.

As shown in fig. 11A-11C, the edge interface contact member 78b on the lower portion of the spring 78 is disposed and secured adjacent to the printed circuit board 50 so that it is free to move relative to or over the printed circuit board. In other words, it is free to extend and retract with respect to the printed circuit board 50. Thus, if the spring contact member 74 should be subjected to a rising force during a mechanical impact, the lower portion of the spring contact member 78 is not intercepted by the printed circuit board and can freely extend in accordance with the force applied thereto. Advantageously, this configuration minimizes deformation of the edge contact member 78b and, as such, maintains proper electrical contact with the contact pads on the printed circuit board 55 during or after mechanical impact.

Edge contact features on the printed circuit board 50 may be formed using plated contact pads on the edge of the printed circuit board that are electrically connected to the desired circuit elements on the printed circuit board. Preferably, the contact pads are formed using techniques of plated "via" holes, which are well known to those skilled in the art. Generally, plated holes (perpendicular to one or more longitudinal surfaces) and certain layers of the printed circuit board (inner layers, surface layers, or both) (perpendicular to the contact pads or vias) are used to make electrical connections to the appropriate locations in the electrical pathways. On the other hand, an added element such as a U-shaped hook on the connector may also be provided near the edge of the printed circuit board so that it contacts the top and/or bottom traces and provides an electrical connection pad on the circuit board for the spring contact member 74 (not shown). This type of construction can reduce the cost of plating the edges of the printed circuit board.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, 6 and 7A, one or more cuts (or notches) 90, 91 are formed in the edge contact region and the contact pads 55 are disposed therein. The cutout allows the outer wall of the housing and the printed circuit board to be closely positioned by aligning the spring contact points 78b to be positioned in the recessed area of the board. Preferably, the contact pads 55 include serrated edges to minimize trapped dust and the like that may affect or degrade the electrical connection. Likewise, the spring contact portion 78b may also be corrugated to provide similar advantages.

While the invention is described herein as having two elongated spring contact members 74 in a single or separate connector body 76, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not so limited. Indeed, a single edge interfacing member or more than two edge interfacing members may be conveniently used in accordance with the present invention. Likewise, if multiple edge contact members are desired, they may be provided on more than one side wall (on different sides or edges of the printed circuit board).

It is preferable to locate the battery on one end of the radiotelephone 20, and more preferably, to locate the battery on the bottom to more easily house an external battery charger such as a cradle. Although described throughout this specification as being used to connect a battery, other devices such as data entry components, hands-free configurations, battery chargers in phones, etc. may also be connected to the radiotelephone printed circuit board. Also, while the primary goal is to provide better contact for cellular phone applications, the invention is not so limited. Indeed, this interconnection technology may also be used in other electronic devices such as calculators, portable players, cordless telephones, laptop computers, hand-held video games, camcorders, and the like. Also, edge interface contacts or connections may have many applications, such as, but not limited to, connections to speakers, microphones, displays, buzzers, systems, charging or AC ports, and the like. Advantageously, the connection member can be designed as a product corner or space on any unused space (e.g. at the extreme corners of the phone, adjacent to assembly screws, etc.).

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims (22)

1. A radiotelephone, comprising:

a front cover member;

a back cover member configured to cover and matingly connect with the front cover member to provide a channel therebetween, the back cover member including a cell chamber therein;

a printed circuit board having opposed top and bottom major surfaces and minor sides in a thickness direction, the minor sides being generally perpendicular to the major surfaces, the printed circuit board being disposed in the channel intermediate the front and back cover members, characterized in that the printed circuit board has a pair of cell edge contact pads disposed on at least one of the minor sides;

the radiotelephone also includes a plurality of elongated spring contact members extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the major surface of the printed circuit board, the spring contact members being disposed in the back cover member such that the spring contact members are in electrical contact with the printed circuit board battery edge contact pads.

2. The radiotelephone of claim 1 further comprising a battery disposed in said battery compartment and having a positive terminal contact and a negative terminal contact thereon, wherein said positive terminal contact and negative terminal contact are spaced apart by a distance of at least about 3 centimeters.

3. The radiotelephone of claim 2 wherein said plurality of spring contact members includes a positive spring contact member and a negative spring contact member having an upper portion and a lower portion, said battery being disposed in said cavity such that the upper portions of said positive and negative spring contact members engage the positive and negative terminal contacts of said respective battery and the lower portions contact said respective battery edge contact pads on said printed circuit board defining a battery circuit therebetween.

4. The radiotelephone of claim 1 wherein said elongated spring contact member has a spring element extending in a direction toward and generally parallel to a major surface of said printed circuit board and is configured for sliding movement relative to a surface of said battery edge contact pad such that said elongated spring contact member is movable beneath one or more of said top and bottom major surfaces of said printed circuit board.

5. The radiotelephone of claim 1 wherein said printed circuit board battery edge contact pad is disposed in at least one cutout in an end of said printed circuit board.

6. The radiotelephone of claim 1 wherein said elongated spring contact member comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said elongated spring contact member comprising at least one support having a top, a bottom, and sides and disposed between said upper and lower portions of said elongated spring contact member.

7. The radiotelephone of claim 6 wherein said support is integral with an end of said back cover member.

8. The radiotelephone of claim 6 wherein said plurality of elongated spring contact members comprises first and second elongated spring contact members.

9. The radiotelephone of claim 8 wherein the lower portions of said first and second elongated spring contact members are spaced apart and each extend from said support body such that they are generally parallel to a side of said printed circuit board and contact and electrically engage a selected one of said printed circuit board battery contact pads disposed on at least one of said sides.

10. The radiotelephone of claim 6 wherein the lower portions of said first and second elongated spring contact members extend laterally from opposite sides of said support body such that said lower portions extend laterally in opposite directions over a portion of at least one of said sides of said printed circuit board, whereby said lower portions are configured to provide sliding movement relative to the side edge contact pad surfaces of said printed circuit board in a manner that: moving the lower portion below the longitudinal surface of the printed circuit board.

11. The radiotelephone of claim 6 wherein said first and second elongated spring contact member lower portions extend generally perpendicularly from the bottom side of said support body, said lower portions being L-shaped so that a bottom portion of each of said L-shaped lower portions extends laterally across a portion of at least one of said sides of said printed circuit board in opposite directions, and said bottom portion of said L-shaped lower portion is configured to provide sliding movement relative to said printed circuit board side edge contact pad surface in a manner that: moving the bottom of the L-shaped lower portion below the longitudinal surface of the printed circuit board.

12. The radiotelephone of claim 6 wherein said at least one support is two separate supports.

13. An edge interface electrical connector comprising:

a connector support body having first and second sides;

at least one connector upper contact member extending from a first side of the support body;

at least one lower connector contact member extending from a second side of the support body, wherein each upper connector contact member is electrically connected with a corresponding lower contact member of the at least one lower connector contact member;

a printed circuit board having a longitudinal main surface and smaller sides, the printed circuit board comprising at least one lateral small edge contact pad on at least one side, characterized in that said lower connector contact member extends from said support body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal main surface of said printed circuit board to abut against and electrically connect with said printed circuit board lateral small edge contact pad.

14. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said connector upper contact member extends arcuately from said first side of said support.

15. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said second side of said connector support body is a bottom side, said connector lower contact member extends downwardly from said bottom side of said support body generally perpendicular to said longitudinal printed circuit board surface, said lower contact member being configured to provide sliding movement relative to said printed circuit board side edge contact pad surface so that said lower contact member is movable below said longitudinal surface of said printed circuit board.

16. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said second side of said connector support body is a lateral side, said connector lower contact member projecting laterally beyond said lateral side of said support body such that said lower contact member extends laterally across a portion of at least one of said sides of said printed circuit board, whereby said lower contact member is configured to provide sliding movement relative to said printed circuit board side edge contact pad surface in a manner that: moving the lower contact member below the longitudinal surface of the printed circuit board.

17. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein said connector lower contact member includes first and second portions such that said second portion extends at an angle relative to said first portion, said second portion engaging said side edge contact portion and being free to extend upwardly and downwardly relative to said printed circuit board in response to forces applied thereto.

18. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the printed circuit board includes electrical contact pads disposed in at least one cutout of the printed circuit board.

19. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 13, wherein the at least one upper and lower connector contact members are two separate connector contact members, each upper connector contact member being spaced apart from each other and each lower connector contact member being spaced apart from each other, each upper connector contact member being electrically connected to a corresponding lower connector contact member.

20. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 19, wherein said two spaced apart connector contact members define positive and negative power supply contact members.

21. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 20, wherein each of said upper contact members is configured to engage a power terminal.

22. The edge interface electrical connector of claim 19, wherein said at least one side edge contact pad of said printed circuit board comprises first and second contact pads disposed so that they are spaced apart from each other on one side of said printed circuit board, and wherein each of said two electrically isolated connector lower contact members engages a respective one of said first or second printed circuit board side edge contact pads.