What Are "COB" LEDs and Why Do They Matter?
Chip-on-Board ("COB") LEDs: what are they?
The term "Chip-on-Board" or "COB" refers to the attachment of a bare LED chip in close proximity to a substrate (such as silicon carbide or sapphire) in order to create LED arrays. Compared to more traditional LED technologies like Surface Mounted Device ("SMD") or Dual In-line Package ("DIP") LEDs, COB LEDs provide a number of benefits.
Most significantly, COB technology enables enhanced "lumen density"—a term used by light technologists to describe a considerably higher packing density of the LED array. For instance, adopting COB LED technology results in 38 times more LEDs than DIP LED technology and 8.5 times more LEDs than SMD LED technology on a 10mm x 10mm square array (see image below). Higher intensity and better homogeneity of light are the effects. As an alternative, COB LED technology may significantly lower the LED array's footprint and energy use while maintaining steady light output. For instance, a 500 lumen COB LED array may be much smaller and use less energy than a similar array of 500 lumen SMD or DIP LEDs.
The fact that COB devices only have 1 circuit and 2 connections for the whole chip, regardless of the number of diodes, is another significant benefit of employing COB LED technology. No matter how many diodes are on the chip, the single circuit design simplifies the rest of the LED device.
The following are some benefits of Chip-on-Board LED arrays:
1. Compactness as a result of the tiny chip size
2. Extremely intense, especially at close ranges
3. High uniformity, even while working closely together
3. Design simplicity, since there is only a need for 1 circuit and 2 connections.
4. Superior Thermal Performance to extend life, stabilise conditions, and ensure dependability
Why are COB LEDs so crucial for battery-powered applications?
There has always been a trade-off when developing a battery-powered lighting system between the quantity of high-quality lumen output (i.e. brightness) and battery runtime. In the past, the runtime was often shorter the higher high-quality brightness needed (presuming you were using the same size battery). This tradeoff has become much less of a problem, however, with the recent advancements in COB LED technology.
Very low power COB LEDs can now provide exceedingly high-quality, ultra-bright light for the first time. As a consequence, a COB LED based light system may be powered for extremely extended periods of time using a very tiny and light lithium-ion battery pack. In fact, our 1.25-pound, rechargeable Mobile Power Centre allows our 6W COB LED Trade Show Light to operate for 14–15 hours. Just a few short years ago, it was simply not feasible to provide high-quality light for prolonged periods of time with a very tiny battery! Because of this, we had no real alternative but to develop our ultra-bright, ultra-efficient light systems using COB-based LED lights. As a result, Silicon Lightworks' whole range of trade show display lighting is made entirely of COB LED technology.
In conclusion, chip-on-board LEDs are the newest and most cutting-edge technology available. Simply said, COB LEDs outperform earlier LED technology present in the majority of trade show lighting today in terms of brightness, power consumption, and beam quality. Next time you need display lighting, be sure you demand COB LED technology!
