Patent Description:
An electronic device may include a numerous electronic components mounted in an inner space. The respective electronic components may be disposed to perform their functions at their respective positions in the inner space and generally connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) (e.g., a main board or substrate) through an electrical connection member (e.g., flexible PCB (FPCB)). The plurality of electronic components may include a plurality of sensor modules for detecting an external environment of the electronic device. These sensor modules may include a proximity sensor module, an illumination sensor module, a camera module, an ultrasonic sensor module, an iris sensor module, a biometric sensor module such as a heart rate sensor module, and/or an optical system sensor module such as a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor module.

Document <CIT> discloses an imaging module and an electronic device including the imaging module.

Document <CIT> discloses a dual-camera module assembly including a first flexible printed circuit (FPC), a second FPC, a first camera module, and a second camera module.

Among the plurality of electronic components, at least two electronic components may be disposed as a single assembly in consideration of positions of neighboring electronic components or function relevance. In this assembly, two or more electronic components may be electrically connected to one shared substrate.

Electronic devices house numerous components that are mounted onto a substrate. Multiple neighboring electronic components with similar functions are disposed as a single assembly and electrical connected to a shared substrate. A problem occurs when one of the multiple neighboring components needs to be replaced. Although only one of the multiple neighboring components needs to be replaced, it may be only possible to replace the entire assembly.

The foregoing configuration can be problematic when maintenance of any one of two or more electronic components is required. The entire assembly may have to be replaced, including the components that do not need maintenance, because each electronic component is not independently disposed. This may cause unnecessary maintenance costs. In addition, when individual electronic components are arranged in one assembly, a cumbersome redesign for connecting the FPCBs, drawn from different electronic components in different directions, to the PCB may be required.

At least two electronic components are disposed individually and independently in one module housing. Therefore, even if any one of the electronic components is damaged, the damaged component only can be replaced without replacing the other component. This can allow efficient maintenance of such electronic components. Further, the FPCBs connected to the respective electronic components are disposed to be overlapped at least in part with each other, so that it is possible to efficiently use a mounting space in the electronic device.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Accordingly, certain embodiments may alleviate the foregoing problems. <FIG> and <FIG> disclose an electronic device which internally may have multiple components mounted onto a PCB. <FIG> shows multiple components connected to a PCB in the inner space of the electronic device. <FIG> show camera modules that can be separately removed and replaced from the electronic device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device. The electronic device can include an inner space. Respective electronic components performing functions in the inner space. At least two of the respective electronic components may be disposed as a single assembly. However, while that at least two components may be in single assembly may be individually removed.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a front surface of an electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a rear surface of the electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may be substantially rectangular and planar. The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> (e.g., a housing structure) that includes a front cover <NUM> facing a first direction (i.e., a positive direction of the Z-axis), a rear cover <NUM> facing a direction (i.e., a negative direction of the Z-axis) opposite to the first direction, and a lateral member <NUM> surrounding an inner space (e.g., an inner space <NUM> in <FIG>) between the front cover <NUM> and the rear cover <NUM>. According to an example, the lateral member <NUM> may include a first lateral surface <NUM> having a first length, a second lateral surface <NUM> extended substantially perpendicularly from the first lateral surface and having a second length shorter than the first length, a third lateral surface <NUM> extended from the second lateral surface substantially parallel with the first lateral surface and having the first length, and a fourth lateral surface <NUM> extended from the third lateral surface in parallel with the second lateral surface and having the second length.

The front cover <NUM> may be formed of a glass plate or polymer plate having various coating layers. The rear cover <NUM> may be formed of coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination thereof. The lateral member <NUM> may be formed of a lateral bezel structure combined with the front and rear covers <NUM> and <NUM> and having a metal and/or polymer. As one alternative, the rear cover <NUM> and the lateral member <NUM> may be integrally formed and have the same material (e.g., metal such as aluminum or magnesium).

The electronic device <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, at least one input device <NUM>, sound output devices 107a and 107b, a sensor module <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, 112a, and 112b, at least one key input device <NUM>, and/or a connector hole <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one of the above-listed components (e.g., the key input device <NUM>) or further include any other component.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a considerable portion of the front cover <NUM>. In another example, the display <NUM> may be exposed through the substantially entire area of front cover <NUM>. In still another example, edges and corners of the display <NUM> may be formed to substantially resemble adjacent outlines of the front cover <NUM>. In yet another example, in order to expand an exposed area of the display <NUM>, a gap between edges of the display <NUM> and corresponding edges of the front cover <NUM> may be unvaried substantially. In further another example, the display <NUM> may have a recess or opening in a portion of a screen display area (i.e., an active area) thereof such that at least one of the above-listed components is disposed within the recess or opening in the inner space of the electronic device <NUM>. In further another example, at least one of the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, an audio module (not shown), a fingerprint sensor (not shown), or a light emitting device (not shown) may be disposed under the display <NUM> within the screen display area in the inner space of the electronic device <NUM>. In further another example, the display <NUM> may be disposed to be combined with or adjacent to a touch detection circuit, a pressure sensor for measuring the intensity (or pressure) of a touch, and/or an electromagnetic induction panel (e.g., a digitizer) for detecting an electronic pen (e.g., a stylus pen) of magnetic field type.

The input device <NUM> may include at least one microphone module. In some examples, the input device <NUM> may include a plurality of microphone modules disposed at different positions to sense the direction of sound. The sound output devices 107a and 107b may include a speaker module. The speaker modules 107a and 107b may include an external speaker and/or a call receiver.

The at least one sensor module <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to an internal operating state or external environmental state of the electronic device <NUM>. The at least one sensor module <NUM> may include at least one of a proximity sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The at least one key input device <NUM> may be disposed through the lateral member <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In a certain example, some or all of the at least one key input device <NUM> may be implemented in the form of a soft key displayed on the display <NUM>. In another example, the key input device <NUM> may be implemented using a pressure sensor included in the display <NUM>. In still another example, the key input device <NUM> may include at least one pressure-sensitive key using a strain gauge disposed in the electronic device <NUM> and measuring a pressure change due to a pressure of the lateral member <NUM>. According to an example, the connector hole <NUM> may accommodate a connector (e.g., a USB connector or an IF connector) for transmitting and receiving power, data, and/or sound signals to and from an external electronic device.

The camera modules <NUM>, 112a, and 112b may include a front camera module <NUM> disposed to be exposed to the outside through the front cover <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, and rear camera modules 112a and 112b disposed to be exposed to the outside through the rear cover <NUM>. According to an example, the camera modules <NUM>, 112a, and 112b may include one or a plurality of lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. According to an example, the rear camera modules 112a and 112b may be adjacent to each other and thus disposed as one camera module assembly <NUM>. For example, a pair of the camera modules 112a and 112b in the camera module assembly <NUM> may perform a dual camera function for general shooting, wide-angle shooting, or ultra-wide-angle shooting. As will described later, although the camera module assembly may be a single assembly, camera modules 112a and 112b may be individually removed and replaced.

According to certain examples, the electronic device <NUM> may include an electronic pen <NUM> that is detachably disposed in a pen holder <NUM> formed in a portion of the rear cover <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may include an elongated hollow pen housing <NUM> and a pen tip <NUM> disposed at one end of the pen housing <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may include a key button <NUM> disposed in a portion of the pen housing <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may be attached to the pen holder <NUM> through a magnetic force of at least one magnet. According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may include a battery (not shown) disposed in the pen housing <NUM> and used for short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth communication). According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may include a coil member (not shown) for electromagnetic induction and/or wireless charging, and may charge the battery through the coil member and a wireless charging spot 1111a disposed in the pen holder <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic pen <NUM> may be based on an electromagnetic resonance (EMR) technology, an active electrical stylus (AES) technology, or an electric coupled resonance (ECR) technology.

According to certain examples, the electronic device <NUM> may be divided into conductive portions through non-conductive members 115a and 115b (e.g., polymer) disposed in at least a portion of the rear cover <NUM> and/or the lateral member <NUM>. Each conductive portion may be used as an antenna radiator that operates in a particular frequency band.

According to an example, the two camera modules 112a and 112b may be disposed as one camera module assembly <NUM> on the rear cover <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, various electronic components other than the camera modules may be disposed as one assembly. However, a single of the camera modules 112a or 112b can be individually removed and replaced, without requiring removal and replacement of the other camera module 112b.

In one example there is a single camera assembly. The camera assembly includes a module housing (<FIG>, <NUM>). The module housing can house multiple camera modules (<FIG>, <NUM>, <NUM>) therein, associated with FPCBs for connection with a PCB. Although the single camera assembly contains both camera modules, each camera module can be separately removed and replaced without requiring replacement of the other(s).

Although an example is shown with a single camera assembly, it is noted that the disclosure is not limited to camera modules and different examples may use different modules.

<FIG> is a plan view showing an internal configuration of an electronic device <NUM> according to certain examples of the disclosure. <FIG> shows the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> from which the display <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, are removed. Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a battery <NUM> disposed in the inner space <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic device <NUM> may include a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> (e.g., a main board or substrate) disposed to surround at least a portion of the battery <NUM>. In another example, the PCB <NUM> may be disposed to be overlapped at least in part with the battery <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include a first sub-substrate <NUM> and a second sub-substrate <NUM> each of which is disposed around the battery <NUM> at a distance from the PCB <NUM>. The first sub-substrate <NUM> and the second sub-substrate <NUM> may be electrically connected to the PCB <NUM> through flexible PCBs (FPCBs) <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an example, the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more speaker modules 107a, 107b, 107c, and 107d disposed at regular intervals around the battery <NUM> in the inner space <NUM>. For example, four speaker modules 107a, 107b, 107c, and 107d may be disposed respectively at four corners of the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

Generally, electronic components are mounted onto a PCB <NUM>. Different functionalities can be combined into a single assembly that is mounted onto the PCB <NUM>. However, different modules in the single assembly can be individually replaced without replacing the remaining modules. Therefore, the single assembly is mounted as a single component onto the PCB, modules within the single assembly can be individually removed and replaced while leaving the remaining modules. For example, a camera module assembly will be described.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a camera module assembly <NUM> (e.g., the camera module assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in the inner space <NUM>. The camera module assembly <NUM> may be disposed at a corner between the first lateral surface <NUM> and the fourth lateral surface <NUM>. In another example, the camera module assembly <NUM> may be disposed at various positions in the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

The camera module assembly <NUM> includes a module housing <NUM> and also include a first camera module <NUM> (e.g., the first camera module 112a in <FIG>) and a second camera module <NUM> (e.g., the second camera module 112b in <FIG>). The first camera module <NUM> and the second camera module <NUM> are each removably disposed side by side to be adjacent within the module housing <NUM>. Moreover, the first camera module <NUM> and the second module <NUM> are not directly connected to each other. Thus one of the first camera modules <NUM> and camera module <NUM> can be removed without removing and replaced without removing and replacing the other camera module.

In another embodiment, the camera module assembly <NUM> includes a module housing <NUM>, a first camera module <NUM> and a second camera module <NUM>. The first camera module <NUM> and the second camera module <NUM> can each be removably disposed in the module housing <NUM>. The foregoing allows removal and replacement of either the first camera module <NUM> or the second camera module <NUM> without removal and replacement of the other.

In another example, the camera module assembly <NUM> may include three or more camera modules arranged side by side to be adjacent to the module housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the invention, the module housing <NUM> has a support structure for supporting electronic components <NUM> other than the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM>. The module housing <NUM> has a support structure for supporting at least a portion of an RF cable <NUM> that electrically connects an antenna structure and a wireless communication circuit of the PCB <NUM> in the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a camera module assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views showing front and rear surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of a module housing <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the camera module assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module assembly <NUM> includes the module housing <NUM> and a pair of camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> arranged side by side to be adjacent within the module housing <NUM>. The first camera module <NUM> and the second camera module <NUM> may be different camera modules selected from among a camera module for general shooting, a camera module for wide-angle shooting, a camera module for ultra-wide-angle shooting, and a camera module for telephoto shooting. According to an embodiment, the first camera module <NUM> includes a first camera unit <NUM> disposed in the module housing <NUM>, a first FPCB <NUM> drawn out of the module housing <NUM> from the first camera unit <NUM>, and a first electrical connector <NUM> disposed at an end of the first FPCB <NUM> and electrically connected to a PCB (e.g., the PCB <NUM> in <FIG>). Similarly, the second camera module <NUM> includes a second camera unit <NUM> disposed in the module housing <NUM>, a second FPCB <NUM> drawn out of the module housing <NUM> from the second camera unit <NUM>, and a second electrical connector <NUM> disposed at an end of the second FPCB <NUM> and electrically connected to the PCB (e.g., the PCB <NUM> in <FIG>). According to an embodiment, one of the first FPCB <NUM> and the second FPCB <NUM> may pass through the rear of the camera unit from which the other is drawn, and then both may be arranged side by side or superposed. For example, as shown, the first FPCB <NUM> may pass through the rear of the second camera unit <NUM> and then be arranged side by side or overlapped at least in part with the second FPCB <NUM>. According to an embodiment, each of the first camera unit <NUM> and the second camera unit <NUM> may each include a plurality of lenses, a lens housing supporting the plurality of lenses, and a camera housing accommodating the lens housing and having at least one image sensor. According to an embodiment, the lens housing may be movable from the camera housing through a driving member.

The camera housing of the first camera unit <NUM> can be separate from the camera housing of the second camera unit <NUM>, and vice versa. The camera housing of the first camera unit <NUM> and the housing of the second camera unit <NUM> can be separate in that there is no portion of either housing that is common to both housings. The separate camera housings may be placed and held in contact with each other by an external device such as housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the module housing <NUM> includes a body <NUM> for accommodating a pair of the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM>, and an extension <NUM> extended from one side of the body <NUM> and having a support structure <NUM> for supporting at least a portion of nearby other electronic component (e.g., the RF cable <NUM> in <FIG>). The body <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> may have a first surface <NUM> formed in a direction (② direction) faced by a rear cover (e.g., the rear cover <NUM> in <FIG>), and a second surface <NUM> opposite to the first surface <NUM> and formed in a direction (① direction) faced by a front cover (e.g., the front cover <NUM> in <FIG>). The body <NUM> may have a first opening <NUM> (e.g., a first mounting portion) and a second opening <NUM> (e.g., a second mounting portion), both of which are formed separately to penetrate from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> and formed to be adjacent to each other. The first opening <NUM> may be formed in a shape of accommodating and supporting at least a portion of the first camera module <NUM>. Similarly, the second opening <NUM> may be formed in a shape of accommodating and supporting at least a portion of the second camera module <NUM>. The module housing <NUM> may be formed of metal and/or polymer.

According to certain embodiments, the module housing <NUM> may include the extension <NUM> extended from one side of the body <NUM> to accommodate at least a portion of nearby other electronic component. According to an embodiment, the extension <NUM> includes a support structure <NUM> for accommodating or supporting at least a portion of a nearby electronic component (e.g., the RF cable <NUM>). For example, when the nearby electronic component is the RF cable, the support structure <NUM> may be formed in a shape of a groove for supporting at least a portion of the cable. In this case, the extension <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> may be formed of at least an insulating material (e.g., polymer).

Referring to <FIG>, the first camera module <NUM> may be removably disposed such that the first camera unit <NUM> is exposed at least in part through the first opening <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>. For example, the first camera module <NUM> may be removably disposed such that the first camera unit <NUM> is at least partially exposed or protruded through the first opening <NUM> in a direction (② direction) where the first surface <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> faces. Similarly, the second camera module <NUM> may be removably disposed such that the second camera unit <NUM> is exposed at least in part through the second opening <NUM> of the module housing <NUM>. For example, the second camera module <NUM> may be removably disposed such that the second camera unit <NUM> is at least partially exposed or protruded through the second opening <NUM> in a direction (② direction) where the first surface <NUM> of the module housing <NUM> faces.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, although the camera module assembly <NUM> has an integrated structure in which two camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed in a single module housing <NUM>, each of the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed individually and independently. Therefore, even if any one of the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> is damaged, the damaged camera module only can be replaced without requiring a change of the other camera module. This allows cost-effective maintenance. Moreover, the module housing has a supporting structure for a nearby electronic component. This offers a space-efficient component mounting structure in the inner space <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing a combined state of the camera module assembly <NUM> and a printed circuit board <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the camera module assembly <NUM> includes the first camera module <NUM> and the second camera module <NUM> both of which are removably disposed in the module housing <NUM>. The first and second camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed such that the first camera unit <NUM> (e.g., a lens barrel member including a lens) and the second camera unit <NUM> (e.g., a lens barrel member including a lens) are at least partially exposed or protruded from the module housing <NUM> in a direction where a rear cover (e.g., the rear cover <NUM> in <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) faces. Portions of the first and second camera units <NUM> and <NUM>, exposed from the module housing <NUM>, may be disposed to detect an external environment through the rear cover of the electronic device when the camera module assembly <NUM> is disposed in an inner space (e.g., the inner space <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first FPCB <NUM> and the second FPCB <NUM> drawn from the module housing <NUM> are disposed at least in part in the same direction and thus have overlapped portions (denoted by 'B'). Therefore, the first electrical connector <NUM> connected to the first FPC <NUM> and the second electrical connector <NUM> connected to the second FPCB <NUM> may be disposed side by side to be adjacent to each other in the same direction. This allows the two electrical connectors <NUM> and <NUM> to be more easily electrically connected to the PCB <NUM> disposed in the inner space of the electronic.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) includes a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG>) including a printed circuit board (PCB) (e.g., the PCB <NUM> in <FIG>) in an inner space (e.g., the inner space <NUM> in <FIG>) thereof, and a camera module assembly (e.g., the camera module assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in the inner space. The camera module assembly includes a module housing (e.g., the module housing <NUM> in <FIG>), a first camera module (e.g., the first camera module <NUM> in <FIG>) having a first camera housing (e.g., the first camera unit <NUM> in <FIG>), the first camera module disposed in at least a part of the module housing and including a first flexible PCB (FPCB) (e.g., the first FPCB <NUM> in <FIG>) drawn out of the module housing and connected to the PCB, and a second camera module (e.g., the second camera module <NUM> in <FIG>) having a second camera housing (e.g., the second camera unit <NUM> in <FIG>) separate from the first camera housing, the second camera module disposed in the module housing to be adjacent to the first camera module and including a second FPCB (e.g., the second FPCB <NUM> in <FIG>) drawn out of the module housing. The first and second FPCBs are overlapped at least in part with each other, when the module housing is viewed from above, and drawn to face a same direction.

According to certain embodiments, the first FPCB may include a first electrical connector (e.g., the first electrical connector <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the PCB, and the second FPCB may include a second electrical connector (e.g., the second electrical connector <NUM> in <FIG>) electrically connected to the PCB. The first FPCB and the second FPCB may be disposed such that the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are aligned side by side.

According to certain embodiments, the module housing may include a first opening (e.g., the first opening <NUM> in <FIG>) for accommodating the first camera module, and a second opening (e.g., the second opening <NUM> in <FIG>) for accommodating the second camera module. The first and second camera modules may be disposed to be exposed or protruded at least in part through the first and second openings, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the module housing includes an extension (e.g., the extension <NUM> in <FIG>) having a support structure (e.g., the support structure <NUM> in <FIG>) for supporting at least one electronic component disposed nearby.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one electronic includes a radio frequency (RF) cable (e.g., the RF cable <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in the inner space and electrically connecting the PCB to an antenna structure.

According to certain embodiments, the support structure may have a groove for accommodating and supporting at least a portion of the RF cable.

According to certain embodiments, the module housing may be formed of an injectable polymer.

According to certain embodiments, the first camera module or the second camera module may be disposed to be individually and electrically detachable from the module housing.

According to certain embodiments, the housing may include a front cover (e.g., the front cover <NUM> in <FIG>), a rear cover (e.g., the rear cover <NUM> in <FIG>) facing in a direction opposite to the front cover, and a lateral member (e.g., the lateral member <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed to surround the inner space between the front cover and the rear cover. The camera module assembly may be disposed such that the first camera module and the second camera module detect an external environment through the rear cover.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may further include a display (e.g., the display <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in the inner space to be visible at least in part from an outside of the electronic device through the front cover.

According to an embodiment of the invention, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>) includes a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG>) including a printed circuit board (PCB) (e.g., the PCB <NUM> in <FIG>) in an inner space (e.g., the inner space <NUM> in <FIG>) thereof, and an electronic component assembly (e.g., the camera module assembly <NUM> in <FIG>) disposed in the inner space. The electronic component assembly includes a module housing (e.g., the module housing <NUM> in <FIG>), a first electronic component (e.g., the first camera module <NUM> in <FIG>) having a first housing (e.g., the first camera unit <NUM> in <FIG>), the first electronic component disposed in at least a part of the module housing and including a first flexible PCB (FPCB) (e.g., the first FPCB <NUM> in <FIG>) drawn out of the module housing and connected to the PCB, and a second electronic component (e.g., the second camera module <NUM> in <FIG>) having a second housing (e.g., the second camera unit <NUM> in <FIG>) separate from the first housing, the second electronic component disposed in the module housing to be adjacent to the first electronic component and including a second FPCB (e.g., the second FPCB <NUM> in <FIG>) drawn out of the module housing and connected to the PCB. The first and second FPCBs are overlapped at least in part with each other, when the module housing is viewed from above, and drawn to face a same direction.

According to certain embodiments, the first FPCB may include a first electrical connector electrically connected to the PCB, and the second FPCB may include a second electrical connector electrically connected to the PCB. The first FPCB and the second FPCB may be disposed such that the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are aligned side by side.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the module housing includes an extension having a support structure for supporting at least one another electronic component disposed nearby.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one another electronic component may include a radio frequency (RF) cable disposed in the inner space and electrically connecting the PCB to an antenna structure.

According to certain embodiments, the first electronic component or the second electronic component may be disposed to be individually and electrically detachable from the module housing.

According to certain examples, at least one of the first electronic component or the second electronic component may include a proximity sensor module, a fingerprint sensor module, a gesture sensor module, a gyro sensor module, a barometric sensor module, a temperature sensor module, a humidity sensor module, a magnetic sensor module, an acceleration sensor module, a grip sensor module, an illumination sensor module, an infrared sensor module, a color sensor module, a camera module, an ultrasonic sensor module, an iris sensor module, a biometric sensor module, or a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor module.

According to certain embodiments, the housing may include a front cover, a rear cover facing in a direction opposite to the front cover, and a lateral member disposed to surround the inner space between the front cover and the rear cover. The electronic component assembly may be disposed such that the first electronic component and the second electronic component detect an external environment through the front cover and/or the rear cover.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may further include a display disposed in the inner space to be visible at least in part from an outside of the electronic device through the front cover.

According to certain embodiments, the module housing may be formed of metal and/ or polymer.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing including a printed circuit board, PCB (<NUM>), in an inner space (<NUM>) thereof; and
a camera module assembly (<NUM>) disposed in the inner space (<NUM>) and including:
a module housing (<NUM>);
a first camera module (112a, <NUM>) having a first camera housing, the first camera module (112a, <NUM>) disposed in at least a part of the module housing (<NUM>) and including a first flexible PCB, FPCB, drawn out of the module housing and connected to the PCB (<NUM>); and
a second camera module (112b, <NUM>) having a second camera housing separate from the first camera housing, the second camera module (112b, <NUM>) disposed in the module housing (<NUM>) to be adjacent to the first camera module (112a, <NUM>) and including a second FPCB drawn out of the module housing and electrically connected to the PCB (<NUM>),
wherein the first and second FPCBs are overlapped at least in part with each other, when the module housing (<NUM>) is viewed from above, and drawn to face a same direction,
characterised in that
the module housing (<NUM>) includes an extension (<NUM>) having a support structure (<NUM>) for supporting a radio frequency, RF, cable (<NUM>) disposed in the inner space (<NUM>) and electrically connecting the PCB (<NUM>) to an antenna structure.