METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT MANUFACTURE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH CABLED INTERCONNECTS
A subassembly for efficiently and reliably assembling a high performance electronic device. The electronic device may include numerous cabled interconnects in a subassembly that is subsequently mechanically and electrically connected to a PCB populated with high performance electronic components. First ends of cables in the cabled interconnects may be terminated by a first type of connector configured for connection to the PCB via a downward force. The second ends of the cables may be terminated with a second type of connectors that may make connections to other portions of an electronic system incorporating the electronic device. The connectors at the first ends of the cables may be releasably held within an organizer. The connectors may be simply mounted to the PCB by positioning the organizer with respect to the PCB, releasing the connectors from the organizer, and pushing the connectors into engagement with mounting locations on the PCB.
1 . A subassembly, comprising:
a support;
an organizer;
a first plurality of connectors held to the organizer;
a second plurality of connectors attached to the support;
a plurality of cables electrically connecting the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors.
2 . The subassembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first plurality of connectors are releasably held to the organizer.
3 . The subassembly of claim 2 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a plurality of openings; and
the first plurality of connectors are disposed within the plurality of openings.
4 . The subassembly of claim 3 , in combination with a tool configured to release the first plurality of connectors from the organizer, wherein:
the tool comprises a first portion, a third portion, and a second portion between the first portion and the third portion;
the first portion comprises a handle;
the third portion is configured to engage with release mechanisms on the plurality of connectors; and
the second portion is sized and configured to fit within the plurality of openings such that, when the second portion is engaged with a connector, a force on the handle after the connector is released from the organizer forces the connector to move within the opening.
5 . The subassembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a plurality of channels coupled to the plurality of openings; and
segments of the plurality of cables are disposed within the plurality of channels.
6 . The subassembly of claim 4 further comprising:
a cable guide secured to the support and comprising a plurality of cable receiving channels aligned with the plurality of channels of the organizer.
7 . The subassembly of claim 3 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a first surface and the plurality of openings extend through the first surface;
each of the first plurality of connectors comprises a mounting interface; and
the first plurality of connectors are held in the openings with the mounting interfaces facing in a direction normal to the first surface.
8 . The subassembly of claim 7 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a plurality of alignment posts extending in the direction normal to the first surface.
9 . The subassembly of claim 8 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a second surface, opposite the first surface;
the plurality of openings extend between the first surface and the second surface;
the first plurality of connectors are held in the openings with the mounting interfaces offset from the first surface in a direction towards the second surface.
10 . The subassembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the plurality of openings are sized and configured for the first plurality of connectors to slide within the plurality of openings to and through the first surface when released from the organizer.
11 . The subassembly of claim 9 , further comprising:
a plurality of latches holding the first plurality of connectors to the organizer, wherein the plurality of latches comprise releases configured for access from the second surface.
12 . The subassembly of claim 7 , wherein:
the plurality of connectors are latched to the organizer.
13 . The subassembly of claim 12 , wherein:
the organizer comprises a second surface, opposite the first surface;
the subassembly comprises a plurality of latches latching the plurality of connectors to the organizer;
the plurality of latches comprise releases; and
the releases are exposed through openings in the second surface.
14 . The subassembly of claim 13 , wherein:
the latches comprise ledges in the organizer adjacent the plurality of openings and a plurality of members rotatably coupled to the first plurality of connectors; and
the plurality of members are rotatable into a latched position in which the member engages a ledge of the plurality of ledges and a released position in which the member is free of the plurality of ledges.
15 . The subassembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the first plurality of connectors comprise pressure mount connectors.
16 . The subassembly of claim 15 , wherein:
each of the first plurality of connectors is configured to engage a clip extending from a printed circuit board.
17 . The subassembly of claim 7 , wherein:
the mounting interfaces of the first plurality of connectors comprise alignment features configured to engage complementary alignment features on a printed circuit board.
18 . The subassembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the support comprises an edge; and
the second plurality of connectors are disposed in a linear array along the edge.
19 . The subassembly of claim 18 , wherein:
the edge is a first edge;
the support comprises a second edge, opposite the first edge; and
the organizer is disposed adjacent the second edge.
20 . The subassembly of claim 19 , wherein:
the organizer extends beyond the second edge of the support.
21 . The subassembly of claim 19 , wherein:
the support comprises attachment features configured for mechanical connection of the subassembly to a printed circuit board; and
the organizer comprises alignment features configured to engage complementary alignment features on the printed circuit board.
22 . A subassembly, comprising:
a first organizer comprising a first surface;
a first plurality of connectors releasably held to the first organizer, each of the first plurality of connectors comprising a mounting interface adjacent the first surface;
and a second organizer comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion comprising a second surface and the second portion being recessed from the second surface, wherein the second organizer is sized and configured such that the first organizer nests within the first organizer with the first surface parallel to the second surface; and
a second plurality of pressure mount connectors releasably held to the second organizer,
wherein the second organizer is movable between a first position uncovering the first organizer and a second position covering the first organizer while the first organizer and the second organizer are connected to the support.
23 . The subassembly of claim 22 , further comprising multiple connectors removably secured in the first and second organizers.
24 . The subassembly of claim 23 , further comprising cables terminated to the multiple connectors in the first and second organizers.
25 . The subassembly of claim 24 , further comprising additional connectors at the opposite end of the cable from the multiple connectors in the organizers, wherein the additional connectors are attached to the support.