LED filament light bulbs are a variety of LED lamps that are made to seem like a conventional incandescent light bulb with visible filaments, but with the great efficiency of light-emitting diodes. These imitation bulbs have the same timeless design of a conventional filament light but use less energy.
What does LED Filament mean?
The LED filaments are made up of several diodes and resemble the filaments of incandescent bulbs, emit visible light. Modern filament bulbs are just as simple and functional to use as their predecessors. An LED filament bulb uses LED technology to replicate the original Edison filament bulb, the earliest type of light bulb.
What is The LED Filaments Bulbs History?
Ushio Lighting created an LED filament-type design light bulb in 2008 that was meant to resemble a normal light bulb. Modern bulbs often use a single, large LED or an LED matrix coupled to a sizable heatsink. As a result, the beam produced by these bulbs was often just 180 degrees wide.
Who Designed The LED Filament Bulb?
The development of LED filament bulbs can be seen as a response to consumer demand for energy-efficient lighting options that also satisfy desires for a traditional or vintage aesthetic. The technological advancements in LED efficiency, light distribution, and manufacturing processes have enabled the widespread adoption and popularity of LED filament bulbs in both residential and commercial settings.
Given the collaborative nature of technological advancements in the lighting industry, the design and improvement of the LED filament bulb are best viewed as achievements of the collective innovation by researchers, engineers, and companies dedicated to advancing LED technology.
When Was LED Filament Bulb First Used?
The LED filament bulb, which combines the classic design of traditional incandescent bulbs with the energy efficiency and longevity of LED technology, was first introduced to the market around 2008. However, it started gaining significant popularity and widespread usage a few years later, as the technology improved and production costs decreased. These bulbs are designed to mimic the look of old-style incandescent filaments by using a series of LEDs on a transparent substrate, providing the aesthetic appeal of vintage bulbs while offering the benefits of LED lighting.
It's important to note that while the concept of LED lighting itself dates back to the 1960s, with the first practical LED invented in 1962 by Nick Holonyak Jr., the specific innovation of the LED filament bulb as we know it today took several decades to emerge due to advancements in LED technology and manufacturing techniques.
How Do LED Filament Bulbs Work?
The LED filament consists of multiple series-connected LEDs on a transparent substrate, referred to as chip-on-glass (COG). These transparent substrates are made of glass or sapphire materials. This transparency allows the emitted light to disperse evenly and uniformly without any interference.
What is The Function of The Filament in an Electric Bulb?
The filament in an electric bulb serves as the primary light-producing element. When electrical current passes through the filament, it heats up to a very high temperature, becoming incandescent and emitting light. This process is known as incandescence. The filament is typically made of tungsten because of its high melting point (around 3422°C or 6192°F), which allows it to glow white-hot without melting.
The function of the filament is central to the operation of traditional incandescent bulbs. The heat and light are generated due to the electrical resistance of the filament material. As electricity flows through the filament, its resistance causes it to heat up and emit light. The efficiency of this process is relatively low because a significant portion of the energy is released as heat rather than visible light. Nonetheless, this principle has been the basis of electric lighting for over a century since Thomas Edison and others commercialized the technology in the late 19th century.
In contrast, modern LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs, including LED filament bulbs, operate on a different principle where electrons recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This process, known as electroluminescence, is much more energy-efficient than incandescence and generates far less heat.
What Are the Types of Filament Bulbs?
There are clear, amber, and frosted types of filament bulbs based on the diffuser type. For candelabra chandeliers and other eye-catching lighting fixtures that prominently display the exposed decorative style filament design inside the glass materials, LED filament bulbs with clear finishes are a great alternative. Clear filament light bulbs are ideal for candelabra chandelier applications or other open style lighting fixtures that boast an antique appearing filament appearance since they create incandescent lighting effects like the actual candlelight.
Amber-tinted LED filament bulbs are popular options for furnishing a space in a nostalgic vintage style that exudes warmth and cosiness. With its soft amber glow, this kind of LED bulb gives off a cosy, intimate ambiance that improves the surroundings. We discover that industrial or vintage lighting fixtures with a hint of rustic accent, like a wooden base or metal frame, fit the amber finish filament LED bulbs nicely.
LED filaments are both used in the frosted LED Torpedo and LED Flame Tip light bulbs, which have an intriguing inner and outer frosted appearance. While the frosted LED Flame Tip is outer frosted and provides a rougher outside surface, the frosted LED Torpedo has an internal frosted coating that provides a smooth outer surface. Flame tip bulbs work well with chandeliers because they give the appearance of candlelight; torpedo bulbs have a more contemporary appearance and appear longer. The glass coating contains a material to lessen the luminous glare and emit a softer warm white lighting effect, regardless of whether you choose Torpedo or Flame Tip. Frosted LED filament bulbs are more frequently encountered in exposed and open applications, including outdoor lighting fixtures, sconces, and vanity lighting.
