Molex has introduced the Flexi-Mate connector, which is designed to address the backlighting needs of LED TVs, as well as room lighting applications. It is claimed to be the first to provide a range of both board-to-board and wire-to-board connectivity. The connector offers configurations for design flexibility as LEDs are increasingly used in TVs and standard room lighting. The 3.7mm pitch connector secures the placement of LEDs on interconnecting panels across the width of a TV display or lighting fixture. The 3mm mated height provides optimal design flexibility in thinner, space-saving applications. The company claims that it has a profile 25% lower that other LED connectors available, making it particularly suitable for flat panel displays or other slim width or depth design. The system consists of coplanar board-to-board connectors which snap together small panels containing LED lights. A wire-to-board option connects the LED boards to the main power board. A terminating connector used as a shorting device completes an open-loop signal. It is currently available in a standard two-circuit design and features a dual-contact terminal design for secure electrical contact and robust, space-saving positive side locks for wire-to-board connectors.
