Assembly techniques for electronic devices having compact housing

#An electronic device typically has an external housing which is made of plastic or metal. Within the external housing are various electrical components that are interconnected, such as with wires or solder connections. As portable electronic devices become smaller, the density of electrical components within housings of such electronic devices increases which makes assembly of such electronic devices even more tedious.

#Conventionally, separate electrical components of an electrical device need to be electrically connected, such as through use of solder connections. These solder connections are formed using solder equipment before the external housing encloses the electrical components. However, since electronic devices continue to get smaller, there is a continuing need for improved approaches to assembly and interconnect separate electrical components to be enclosed by an electronic device housing.

#The invention pertains to improve techniques for assembling electronic devices within housings. The improved techniques enable distinct electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure. After the separate electrical components have been inserted into the housing, the separate electrical components can be electrically connected. Advantageously, the improved techniques enable electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure when a sub-assembly of such products prior to insertion is not practicable or feasible.

#The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIGS. 1A and FIG. 1B are perspective views of a portable electronic device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a device assembly process according to one embodiment of the invention.

#The invention pertains to improve techniques for assembling electronic devices within housings. The improved techniques enable distinct electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure. After the separate electrical components have been inserted into the housing, the separate electrical components can be electrically connected. Advantageously, the improved techniques enable electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure when a sub-assembly of such products prior to insertion is not practicable or feasible.

#In one embodiment, the invention enables assembly of an electronic device including at least a printed circuit board and an electrical connector within a tightly constrained housing, whereby the printed circuit board and the electrical connector can be soldered together after being separately inserted into the tightly constrained housing.

#The invention is suitable for a wide variety of electronic devices that make use of a constrained enclosure or housing. The invention is, however, particularly well suited for portable electronic devices. Examples of portable electronic devices include portable media players, mobile communication devices (e.g., mobile telephones, pagers, etc.), device controllers (e.g., remote controllers), or personal digital assistants.