Technology / product information

In robot vacuums equipped with refillable water tanks, engineers often face a common issue — the lid closes too quickly, causing impact noise and early seal wear.
KEM (Thailand) developed a -Mini Rotary Damper- designed specifically for this purpose, helping to control lid motion smoothly and reduce stress on internal components.


🔷 Key Takeaways
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- Compact rotary viscous damper for robot vacuum water-tank lids
- Reduces impact force and noise during lid opening and closing
- Housing made from durable POM / PA engineering plastic
- Tested for over 30,000 open/close cycles
- Torque verified (±5%) per lot under Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan) QA standards


🔷 Structure & Technical Specifications
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This mini rotary damper operates on the rotary viscous principle, using high-viscosity silicone oil to resist rotational movement.
Its POM / PA housing offers excellent resistance to heat and humidity, ideal for home appliance applications.

- Operating Temperature: 23 ± 2 °C
- Durability: >30,000 open/close cycles
- Mount Type: Lid Axis Mount

The internal design ensures consistent damping torque, allowing lids to close gently and silently, preventing seal deformation and hinge wear.


🔷 Soft Motion Design (Japanese Technology)
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The Soft Motion Design concept from Japan is applied to achieve smooth and safe lid movement.
When released, the lid closes gradually under stable oil resistance, minimizing impact and preventing sudden slamming.
This is particularly effective in robot vacuum systems that operate multiple open/close cycles daily.


🔷 Value for OEM Applications
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- Significantly reduces impact and noise during lid closure
- Minimizes seal and hinge wear
- Extends lid system lifetime without redesign
- Adjustable torque based on lid weight and tank capacity


🔷 Testing & Quality Control
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Each production lot is tested with a Torque Tester (±5%) to ensure consistent damping performance.
Durability testing confirms over 30,000 open/close cycles under 23 ± 2 °C conditions, compliant with Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan) QA standards.

✅ Data and testing are verified by the Engineering Team at KEM (Thailand) under quality assurance standards established by Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan), a recognized expert in industrial damper systems and Soft Motion Design [1][2].


🔷 Summary
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The Mini Rotary Damper from KEM (Thailand) ensures soft, stable lid motion, reducing impact and noise while extending component life.
It’s a reliable solution for OEMs seeking improved durability and quieter operation in smart appliances.


❓ FAQ
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Q1: What is the maximum heat resistance?
A: Up to approximately 70 °C under stable appliance temperature conditions.

Q2: Can the torque be adjusted?
A: Yes, available from 0.1–0.6 N·m according to lid weight and size.

Q3: Can it be used in other appliances?
A: Yes, suitable for coffee makers, washing machines, and compact smart home devices.


🔗 Cluster Internal Link
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- Basic Knowledge: “How to Select Rotary Damper Torque for Appliance Lids”
- Advance Knowledge: “Designing Soft Motion Systems for Smart Appliance Lids”

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📘 Glossary (Key Terms)

- Rotary Damper: Device controlling rotational movement and closing speed
- Torque (N·m): Measurement of rotational resistance
- Soft Motion Design: Concept for smooth, quiet lid operation
- POM / PA: Engineering plastics resistant to heat and friction
- Lid Axis Mount: Mounting method where damper is attached to the lid axis

📚 Reference
[1] Katoh Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. (Japan), QA Standard for Motion Control Components.
[2] KEM (Thailand) Engineering Test Report, 2025.

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🗓️ Updated: 2025-11-07