The 18650 standard is not necessarily the main!

2021-01-07 00:36 admin  
Since the late 1990s, 18650 lithium-ion rechargeable batteries have become a standard battery commonly used in many devices and applications. Like the ubiquitous AA, AAA, C, and D alkaline batteries, we use them every day in flashlights, toys, radios and almost any disposable battery-powered item. 18650 can be seen everywhere in rechargeable applications. From electric vehicles (a car will use thousands of 18650 batteries) to power tools, laptops, personal electronics and medical equipment.

In fact, NASA uses 18650 batteries in its spacesuit design.

Why is the application of 18650 batteries so popular? A key reason is standardization. Of course, chemical formulas, internal structures, and manufacturing methods have evolved over the past 20 years, resulting in better performance and longer cycle batteries. What has not changed is the size of the battery.

The 18650 battery has a diameter of 18 mm and a height of 65 mm; therefore, its name is 18650.

Other battery forms also have standard sizes, but although they are standardized, many alternative battery designs have not reached the same prevalence as 18650, and it is difficult to be called a standard.

On the contrary, as more and more applications use 18650 batteries, 18650 has become one of the most popular battery sizes and is clearly a global standard. When batteries are used in large quantities, many battery manufacturers provide batteries of this size. This also promotes competition, especially in terms of cost, as well as a wide variety of sources and a wide range of product quality.

18650 batteries are usually selected due to good energy density and reasonable size and capacity. Therefore, once the battery is selected, the mechanical engineer can design a battery holder or battery pack to accommodate one or more 18650 batteries.

If the battery is 18650, since it is a standard size, mechanical engineers can design equipment to accommodate any supplier’s battery. Then, the engineer can choose the best 18650 unit considering the price, delivery, and unit performance of each battery manufacturer in the application.