Harvatek’s chip-on-board technology enables low-cost and extremely space-saving LED lightings

LED manufacturers like Harvatek rely more and more on chip-on-board technology in order to save the user additional space, power and cost.However, what is so special about this technology?

The assembly of classic LEDs with two to six leads, also referred to as throughhole LEDs, requires that first of all holes are drilled; the LEDs are then set in the holes and finally, soldered on the reverse-side. This process obviously requires far too much space on the printed circuit board (PCB) and furthermore, is too expensive in respect of assembly costs. Because of that, for a long time now, LEDs are also offered as surface mount devices (SMDs). Surface mount soldering processes do not require any extra holes; the devices can be directly mounted on the PCB and soldered. However, also here, the space-saving is limited by physical boundaries. Even extremely thin LEDs with 0603 footprint - whose height, in the meantime, could be reduced to 0.25 mm - only offer limited help to resolve the space problem. Unfortunately, flatter does not necessarily also automatically mean smaller footprint.

However, chip-on-board (COB) technology offers the possibility of real space-saving. With the COB manufacturing process not LEDs with leads are soldered to the PCB, but the LED chip is mounted direct on FR4 or aluminum PCB as substrate and then bonded according to the circuit. Following the function test, the individual chips (dies) are molded; a separate package is therefore not required. The only disadvantage: many assembly companies and all the more, processing companies still do not have the possibility to handle LED chips.

Harvatek has designed a standard COB module HT- 070Gxx, specifically for such customers. The modules not only help to save space, but also do not generate any great amount of heat, which would have to be dissipated through additional costly processes. The 27 LED dies are mounted on the PCB so that each chip can operate with its nominal current of 20 mA. The LED modules are available in the five standard colors of red, green, yellow, blue and standard white, whereby the white version combines a luminous intensity of up to 30,000 millicandela (mcd) with the smallest space. With a length of only 161.5 mm, the HT-070Gxx module, in combination with different controls in the signal, architecture or ambient illumination, can be used for display backlighting and for a lot more.

Do you want to know more about Harvatek’s standard COB module HT-070Gxx or on the topic of chip-on-board LEDs? Either send us an email with your specific query or give us a call and we‘ll be happy to assist you.