Linear Damper
What is Linear Damper
Linear dampers are essential components used to control motion by providing resistance through the compression of hydraulic oil and the flow through orifices. They are widely applied in various industries for buffering and decelerating movements, ensuring smooth and controlled operations.
Linear dampers, in simple terms, are a type of device used to control the speed of moving objects, allowing them to decelerate gradually and avoid sudden stops or impacts. You can see their applications in many places, such as cabinet doors that close slowly and gently, and car trunks that don't slam shut; these likely use linear dampers.
Understanding the mechanics and types of linear dampers can help you choose the right one for your needs. Let's explore how they function and the different categories available.
Our Product Series
Linear dampers are devices designed to control the speed of mechanical systems and reduce vibration, ensuring smooth and safe operation. They serve as safety and functional elements for speed reduction and mass braking, and are not intended for impact, collision, or limit damping.
Mini Linear Dampers
Compact and lightweight in structure, ideal for applications with limited space. Commonly used in small mechanical equipment and consumer electronics.
Gas Spring Dampers
Combining the functions of gas springs and dampers. Suitable for applications that require both support and motion control, such as car trunks or industrial machine doors.
We offer a variety of linear dampers, from mini Φ6mm to Φ12mm, meeting the needs of different industries and application scenarios. Each product is meticulously designed and rigorously tested to ensure excellent performance and reliability.
Mini Linear Damper Φ6mm
Mini linear hydraulic dampers with one-way damping, featuring automatic spring return and re-arm mechanism. Ideal for precision control in compact applications.
Linear Damper Φ8mm
Linear hydraulic dampers with one-way damping, automatic spring return and re-arm functionality. Perfect balance of size and performance.
Linear Damper Φ10mm
Standard linear hydraulic dampers with one-way damping and spring return. Offers reliable performance for medium-duty applications.
Max Linear Damper Φ12mm
Heavy-duty linear hydraulic dampers with customizable stroke and damping direction. Features one-way damping with spring return, ideal for high-force applications.
How Does a Linear Damper Work?
Linear dampers operate by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy through hydraulic resistance. When a force acts on the piston rod, it pushes the piston, compressing the hydraulic oil inside. This oil is then forced through specially designed orifices, creating resistance that slows down or cushions the movement.
Consideration when buying linear damper
A linear damper primarily works through hydraulic resistance to control motion. When an external force acts, it's transmitted via the piston rod to the piston inside a cylinder filled with hydraulic oil. The piston has small openings called orifices. As the piston moves, it compresses the hydraulic oil, forcing it to flow through these restricted orifices.
Piston and Piston Rod
When an external force acts on a linear damper, this force will first be transmitted to the piston rod. The piston rod is a crucial component connecting the external object and the inside of the damper. Following this, the piston rod will push the piston connected to it to move inside the damper's cylinder, and the piston is typically a specially designed part with orifices on it.
Hydraulic Oil
Linear dampers control motion by using fluid resistance. When force is applied, a piston moves within a cylinder filled with hydraulic oil. The oil is forced through small openings (orifices). This restricted flow creates a resistance force that opposes the motion, providing the damping effect.
The viscosity of the hydraulic oil is important because it affects the level of resistance. Different types of linear dampers, classified by overflow type (single or multi-hole) and thrust direction (push-in, pull-out, two-way), all rely on this principle of hydraulic oil creating resistance.
In essence, hydraulic oil is the medium through which motion is resisted and energy is absorbed in a linear damper. The quality and type of hydraulic oil used can significantly impact the damper's performance and longevity.
Orifices
Orifices are crucial in linear dampers because they are the primary means of controlling the damping force. They are small, precisely sized openings in the piston of the damper. As the piston moves, it forces hydraulic oil to flow through these orifices.
The size and design of the orifices directly regulate the rate at which the hydraulic oil can flow. Smaller orifices restrict the oil flow more, resulting in higher resistance and a greater damping force, thus slowing down the motion more significantly. Conversely, larger orifices allow for easier oil flow, leading to less resistance and a smaller damping force.
Therefore, orifices determine the damping coefficient of the linear damper, which is a critical specification when selecting a damper for a particular application. Different orifice designs can provide various damping characteristics to meet specific requirements.
A linear damper primarily works through hydraulic resistance to control motion. When an external force acts, it's transmitted via the piston rod to the piston inside a cylinder filled with hydraulic oil. The piston has small openings called orifices. As the piston moves, it compresses the hydraulic oil, forcing it to flow through these restricted orifices.
Understanding these core components and their interactions is crucial when selecting a linear damper for your specific application. Each component plays a vital role in the damper's performance and longevity.
Types of Linear Dampers Based on Orifice Design
Linear dampers can be categorized based on the design of their orifices, which directly influence their damping characteristics.
Direction of Force: Push-in, Pull-out, and Two-way Dampers
The direction in which the damping force is applied can vary, making linear dampers versatile for different applications.
Push-in Dampers
These dampers exert force when the piston is pushed into the cylinder, commonly used in closing mechanisms.
Pull-out Dampers
Here, the damping force is applied when the piston is pulled out of the cylinder, often found in opening mechanisms.
Two-way Dampers
These dampers provide resistance in both directions, making them suitable for applications requiring control in both opening and closing motions.
Determining the Right Linear Damper for Your Application
Consider the Operating Environment
Typical Operating Temperature Ranges for Linear Dampers:
| Model | 10°C | 20°C | 30°C | 40°C | 50°C | 60°C | 70°C | 80°C | 85°C | 90°C | 100°C | 110°C | 120°C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D10A | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| D10B | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D08A | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12A | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10C - Dynamic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10C - Static | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12B | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10D - Dynamic | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10D - Static | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10E | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12C | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12D | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12E | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D10F | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| D12F | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Temperature range is a critical factor in selecting a linear damper. Most standard dampers operate efficiently between -20°C to 60°C. However, specialized models like the D10A can handle temperatures up to 120°C, while medical-grade dampers like D10C are optimized for more moderate temperature ranges of 10℃-50℃ during operation.
Consider not just the operating temperature but also storage conditions. Some models, such as the D10D, have different temperature tolerances for dynamic operation (20℃-60℃) versus static storage (20°C - 80°C).
Evaluate the Required Force and Stroke
The force range and stroke length are fundamental parameters that determine a damper's performance. Force range indicates the resistance the damper can provide, typically measured in Newtons (N). Different applications require different force ranges - from light-duty applications needing 50-300N to heavy industrial uses requiring up to 3000N.
Stroke length, measured in millimeters, determines the distance over which the damper can effectively operate. This can range from compact 30mm strokes for small applications to extended 600mm strokes for larger machinery.
Material and Construction
Material selection significantly impacts a damper's durability and application suitability. Medical applications typically require medical-grade stainless steel for its corrosion resistance and sterility. Industrial applications might use carbon steel or high-strength steel for durability.
The construction quality, including the head and shell materials (often POM), and the piston rod material (typically stainless steel), determines the damper's reliability in harsh environments and its overall service life.
Need Technical Support?
Our engineering team can help you select the right damper for your application and provide customized solutions.